Saun 33, Arc 716, 3rd Break
The light was weak but present, this far into Saun there was no night to be had. Almund lay as quiet as it got, which all thing considered was not very. The occasional yell, be it of pain, anger, high spirits or any other emotion still split the air. Songs were sung as people staggered home from bars, sometimes they even made it unmolested. In short, everything was as it should be.
Until a female voice, exultant for all that it was whispered, echoed across all of Almund, for any who had the sense about them to hear it.
"Let them have it then!"
This was shortly followed by a peircing scream, and if one were close enough to its source, a sound very like an over-ripe pumpkin striking the ground. If one were closer still, they would see a woman, clad in a nightgown, perhaps once pretty, but now unrecognizable, her head dashed open upon the cobblestones. Shutters flapped open on a third floor window. Pathetic whimpers could be heard coming from within.
After checking to see if against all odds, some valuables were concealed on her person, one of Almunds roving street urchins legged it for the Order of Adunih Outpost. Raising one grubby fist to pound enthusiastically on the door.
"Miss! Miss! Miiiiiss! A lady fell on her head Miss!"
Shuffling and muffled voices could be heard from inside.
"Immortals, what break is it?"
"Hard to tell in Saun Mistress."
"Well go see who it is Dhatri, Rami get a bag together, Squid! Where are your pants?"
"Took 'em off, t'were too hot!"
"Well put them back on!"
"Yes Mistress."
The door opened, revealing a young man with hair standing up at angles suggesting he'd just woken.
"What've we got then?"
"A Lady fell on 'er head. Right out t'window!"
"Is she conscious?"
"What?"
"Awake, is she awake and talking?"
"Don't reckon she's gunna be talking to anyone no more. Reckon you prolly need yer noggin all in one piece for that, though our mates dad done hit 'im in the 'ead with a hammer and he still gets around okay. Got a dent and everything! Not quite on though."
"Her head is broken open?"
"All over the street Mister. Bit gross really!"
"Right thanks."
"I reckon y'must be real grateful I told y'so fast!"
"Yes. Good job."
Dhatri responded wryly, shutting the door. Even out here they could almost always get any supplies they needed, but spare coins were in shorter supply. Besides, Dhatri was born and raised here, he was no soft-touch to be fleeced by every kid who rubbed dirt on their face and didn't wipe the snot away.
"Don't think there's much rush Mistress, doesn't sound like a live one."
"Well. Dhatri since you're up and dressed, go and confirm, just in case. If you need a runner-"
"Ooo me! I got my pants on!"
"I thought maybe Rami and I-"
"Squid's ready, Rami is still in her nightclothes, there's a chance the patient is still alive, time may be of the essence, take the bag and off you go. Don't forget your cloaks!"
"Yes Mistress."
Within bits, the two were out the door. Dhatri taking long steps moving with haste across the city, mindful that a life might hang in the balance. Squid trotted along beside him, red feathered hat perched jauntily on his head. Their green cloaks ensured that no one accosted them. Several of the Pirate Lords had made it very clear what would happen to anyone who did.
They reached the scene in short order, and although he did not think he really needed to check for a pulse, steeling himself and glad he'd not yet had breakfast, he did. As he expected, there was nothing.
"Cor, looks a bit like oatmeal dunnit? Do you think we can have breakfast when we go home?"
Squid inquired, having apparently been thinking along the same lines but with entirely different results. Dhatri barely blinked, having grown mostly accustomed to these sorts of questions and comments.
"I suppose we can. Run along to the Kennel and let Dana know, this is more his work than ours now. Then let the Morgue know."
"Okay!"
Squid agreed cheerfully, trotting off to his destinations.
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"Thank young Dhatri for me would you Squid? We do like to be kept in the know.""Yessir!"
Dana leaned back and steepled his long grey fingers, considering. No one was paying them to look into this, but it might be worth throwing one of the cheaper hounds at. It would likely wind up a minor loss, but it might turn into a gain if the woman suddenly developed concerned relatives. Quite keen on having things looked into concerned relatives were.
So he roused one of the puppies, one of the lucky few orphans the Kennel kept around for running errands.
"Go fetch Gorvenal, give him this address and tell him to look around. It's either murder or suicide, scream says murder. Tell him to find me proof. Got it?"
"Yessir!"
"Repeat it to me."
"Look around this address 'cause someone prolly got murdered on account of the screamin' but maybe it was suicide. Dana says figure it out quick like."
"Close enough, off you go lad."
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"What the fucking hell do you mean she says it was me! I was neck deep in whores at the Embrace! What the fuck is Gorvenal playing at? I'll feed 'im to Ari meself!""Calm down Gibney, it's easy enough to get your alibi, at least you weren't at Nellies, there'll be a record, a beleivable one at that, we just need-"
"I'll clear my name my damn self! Where's that fucking brat?!"
"According to Gorvenal she'd hardly even talk to him once she realized he was a Hound, I think she might need a bit more of a delicate touch and a bit less.. you."
"If you think I'm sitting back while someone tries to frame me.."
"I'd never imagine it. Look, what if we team you up with one of the Hounds, someone a bit less intimidating, maybe a female, kid'd probably respond better and we could get this squared away."
"Fine! Dana, I don't fucking like this, so whoever you have in mind, get on it, I'm not waiting much longer."
"I've a puppy on the way already.."
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Saun 33, Arc 716, 5th Break
"Excuse me, excuse me! I'm looking for Raynarde!"
A young voice piped up.