A Good End in Badside - Part XX

From: bernuetz <bernuetz.oliver_at_...>
Date: Fri, 06 Sep 2002 11:49:28 -0000


Frankly, once the tub was full I could have stayed in there for a week or two. Cleanliness may not always be close to godliness-Uroxi disprove that theory, but it certainly was heaven. Even more so after I got a shave and a haircut at the hands of a very nice looking young Praxian slave. Nothing more than the hair removal mind you but very nice nonetheless. I had plenty of time for reflection as well while I got all wrinkly. There was some sort of pattern to these killings but I couldn't figure it out yet. We had two dead Yemalians, both from the Sartar Sun Dome, one a model citizen, the other anything but. What I couldn't figure was who and why. All the possible who's I could think of were rendered unlikely by the evidence I had and were even more unlikely in the case of young Balarus. And I still didn't understand why. I shook my head and sank under the bubbles.

After my bath, when I had strapped my leg back on I decided to don my newly laundered garment and head over to Silibar's Fancies. I figured that I might as well see if the original deceased had left anything interesting behind. I headed up through the Fish Market, down North Street across Founders Market, past the Trade Temple down Parade Way a bit and there was Silibar's Fancies. I'd never been in the place before so I was kind of interested in what I'd find. There was the standard, if well dressed goon at the door to keep the riff raff out.  Fortunately not only had I just had a bath and sported clean garb but I also had a writ of authority from the Lunar governor. The bouncer was so dazzled by my appearance that I didn't need the writ. Only a man of some substance could afford to be as clean as I was after all. He graciously ushered me in.

It took a while for my eyes to adapt to the dim lighting within but once they did I saw that the place was still fairly empty. It was still early after all. I made my way across the floor towards the bar looking for the person in charge. Halfway across the floor I decided that while I was here I might as well have dinner and a drink. I quickly checked my purse and decided that I probably had the price of a meal. I headed instead to a table and sat down. A very nicely attired serving wench came over and took my order. I looked around the place as I waited. Most of the room was taken up by tables where games of chance were played. Chance, right, that's a very generous way to refer to them. I had heard that most of the games were the same sort that could be found in Casino Town in the Holy Country. Like most soldiers I had played plenty of games of dice in my career.  Unlike many of them I had never taken much of a liking to it. Already there were people and a few well-behaved non-humans losing their money to the house.

Once it came I lingered over my meal. As I'd heard the food was quite good. The wine was delightful though. A very nice vintage brought from the Clearwine region of Sartar. After I'd finished I paid my bill and asked to see the manager. This startled my serving wench who said, "Was there something wrong with the service, sir? Was the food or drink not to your liking?" I shook my head and put her at ease, "No, no, my dear I just want to ask some questions about a former guest of yours, Cressidus Silvercloak." She started at the mention of the name and a flicker of fear crossed her face. Interesting, now why was that? She nodded quickly and took me across the floor to a door behind the bar. On the other side of the door I got to meet the owner Silibar Fortuna. Frankly I was amazed that there actually was a Silibar.

Silibar Fortuna was a somewhat portly middle aged woman of Esrolian appearance. I introduced myself and explained who I was and what I was looking to do. Once she was reassured that I had no interest in her inn or its gambling operations she was quite friendly. "Why yes I did think it was strange for a follower of Yemalio to stay in my inn and carry on as he did. But if his cult didn't complain why should I care? He paid his bills and didn't make too much trouble." The serving wench made a face at this. I looked inquiringly at her and Silibar nodded for her to answer me. She spat venomously, "He was a pig who refused to take no for an answer. Not only did he pinch bottoms and cop feels but he pressured the girls to sleep with him." Silibar frowned saying, "He paid for his room and board. Access to the serving staff is part of the bill." She paused, "However he shouldn't have forced you." She rounded on the server, "Why didn't you come to me with this?" she asked angrily. The server shrunk in on herself and muttered, "We were too afraid of him. He claimed he'd paid you for this priviliege and could do as he liked." "Lying bastard," spat Silibar.

I didn't know what to say to this but I waited a bit while the server looked upset and Silibar looked angry and then asked if I could see Cressidus' room. Silibar broke off her frowning and nodded her agreement. She gave me a key and said, "Up the stairs, second room on the left." I thanked her sighing inside at the thought of more stairs. I left the room and climbed the stairs. On a shelf by the door I found a lamp. I called upon the Young Elemental of Fire to light it. I unlocked the door. A lock! Such a luxury for Pavis, truly a classy place. I entered the room and looked around. The room inside was messy and cluttered. No big surprise since the cleaners wouldn't have wanted to enter and risk encountering Cressidus. Putting the lamp down on a table I looked through the clutter and found nothing interesting. I decided to check the large trunk at the end of the bed. I stumped over and found the key in the lock. I turned it and unlocked the trunk. I opened it and the next thing I saw was teeth, fur, scales and more teeth.

To be continued.

Oliver
http://www.geocities.com/bernuetz/stories/goodend.html

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