The Case of the Missing Harp (Banodin and Kyle(?) AGM Rectify)

[Janis Windrough]

23 Immanis in the Season of Spring, Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum, the Second Era of the Regency of Milo L'Evienne.

So a brightening had passed since Janis met what was to be his contingent in the Crown inn and tavern. Hopefully they would prove to be the right decision. He had told them specifically the meet at Zamifir's music shop at mid-day. Janis, of coarse had arrived early hoping to pre-empt either of the other two.

He sat outside Zamifir's and waited. This is where their investigation would beign. Someone was missing a harp and this is where it was stolen from. Janis needed facts to get this job underway. He needed to search for clues. This was a good 'ole fashion mystery rather then just your nornal bounty. Hopefully the music shop would hold a solid lead for the group to follow because truly Janis didn't have a leg to stand on right now. He whistled and rocked back and forth a bit on the heels of his toes while he waited.

[Banodin Lionheart]

Banodin had finished his meal at the Crown Inn and left a rather interesting conversation behind to begin a light jog through the city of Prime to a music shop. Several times the young man managed to get lost along the way, and it would force him to turn said jog into a run. Rounding a corner, the young man slowed briefly to scan the street before resuming his pace, seventh time's the charm... Banodin smiled inwardly, while the young man would probably not be late, he would not be early either, unfortunately, but regardless, he would find the shop...

Charging down the street, weaving in and out of fellow citizens of the Empire, the young man tried his best to focus on the task at hand rather then let his eyes and mind wander. The city was huge, and on top of that, held many sights and sounds that would enthrall the boy to look this way and that, so it was a difficult task to keep his eyes on the road and searching for this music shop. In fact, the young man was so focused, he almost ran right past Master Janis. Thankfully, he caught the familiar man out of the corner of his eye, rocking on his feet, and skidded to a stop to pivot on his heels and approach, bowing respectfully to the party's leader.

Banodin was wearing his white tunic, brown vest, and pants, leather boots upon his feet, and leather belt across his waist. Upon that belt rested his simple dagger, a small pouch filled with crowns, and nothing else really. The only other possessions the young man had were his books, and to lug those around on an adventure? Preposterous. His blue eyes were filled with intrigue and eagerness, as he spoke his greeting to Janis. "Serale Janis sir." Running a hand over his head, he readjusted his pony tail slightly and let his hands fold behind his back, taking a similar position to Janis, leaning lightly against the store. "How are you this brightening, sir?"

[Janis Windrough]

Janis hardly caught a glimpse of Banodin running by before he put the breaks on and pulled up beside him. He smiled. The kid was eager, Janis could give him that. Janis himself was once a younger man in the streetes of Prime eager for an adventure. Well he had been through an experience or two since then and was a better man for it. He was happy to be giving the chap an oppertunity. He seemed sharp enough as well. A perfect companion for this type of thing really, young and eager but not overconfident enough to mess things up.

"Hello Banodin!" Said Janis. While he did like the sound of sir, he didn't feel quite right accepting it as his title. He wasn't anything special yet. "Your gunna have to cut the sir stuff there...ya gunna make me feel like some higher up or something." Janis chuckled a little bit. "I'm ready to get started if you are Banodin. Here's what we're gunna do." Janis pulled Banodin aside, a bit away from the crowd and started to tell him what he was thinking. "Ok, so basically we just gotta get some information outta these guys. Hopefully they can give us a good place to get started." He looked towards the store. He had been in there, once or twice in his time. Somewhere in his bag of tricks at home he actually had an old hunting horn he had purchased from there before he left Prime. It was an odd purchase but hey...why not?

"I'll start askin' some questions cause I've been thinkin' of a few but if anything sparks in that mind a' yours, speak up. And keep a keen eye, who knows what kinda clues we might find." Janis felt like some sort of master sleuth. He gave Banodin a nice friendly rap on the back and a wink. This was going to be fun indeed. He waited a moment to see of Banodin had any questions he would have to adress and then headed into the shop.

"Hello there, Janis Windrough and this here is Banodin Lionheart. We understand you've got a harp that went AWOL. Mind giving us some details?" Hopefully they would co-operate. With any luck they would already have the story lined up but Janis figured between himself and Banodin they could elicit what they needed if whoever was working here could help.

[Banodin Lionheart]

"As you wish..." The young man was thinking of a proper title for a brief moment, letting the wheels turn to address the older and more experienced man properly. After only a few seconds, he could not think of anything and simply smiled and nodded his head once more for confirmation. Letting himself be guided to the side, the young man listened quietly and intently, it seemed that Janis knew a thing or two more then Banodin about this, and Banodin was more then happy to follow along. "That sounds like ah... Very solid plan. If I manage to think of anything... I will no doubt chime in.. ."

Taking a few steps back after the light rap on his shoulder blade, he allowed the leader to lead the way into the shop. It was here that the young man turned a sharp, often observant eye about the area. At first, his eyes wandered from the clerk, with a smile and a small bow to acknowledge the clerk and his name being spoken, and then went to looking about the shop. He took note of all the instruments, and had to focus to keep from letting his hands wander and pick up the finely crafted pieces, but this was not what they were here for. There will be plenty of time to look about when this mission is complete.

So rather then browse the instruments, the young man looked for where this harp might have been positioned, and how such an instrument would be lugged out. No doubt a cart would be required, and if the thing wasn't taken right out the front door, well, then there would be a back door, and if there was a back door, perhaps someone saw something from the alleyway? Running a hand over his head, Banodin was getting to far ahead of himself, the clerk did not even speak their peace and he was already running off making assumptions.

As the clerk would begin speaking, the young man would turn on his heels, his feet spaced apart only a foot or so, and hands clasped lightly behind his back. It would be important to try and hear anything and everything that Janis and the clerk said, the young man would look quite foolish if he misheard, or had to re-ask questions that had already been spoke or information already said. If Banodin expected to be treated like an equal, well, he would need not play the part of the fool.

[Surge]

The bounty was five thousand crowns.

What the two individuals in question would do with such a sum of money was beyond anyone’s concern (except perhaps their own), but with the bounty card taken down and the job assigned, someone expected results. And they expected them rather quickly, too, if there was any chance of success in such a measly, miserable, sordid mission that would inevitably unravel. Like a tapestry spelling out a story, so would Janis and Banodin’s own adventure foretell a tragic conflict.

But not yet.

Georgine Zamfir sat behind the counter of the Golden Ring Music Supply, tallying up yesterday’s totals and running the numbers through her head. She was situated upon a high wooden stool, wearing a simple green dress with a golden scarf of sorts tied around her waist, hand supporting a fluffy feathered pen and scrabbling atop a piece of dry parchment. Inside the shop, shelves lined all of the walls, nearly blocking out the clear glass-paned windows that filtered the morning’s sunlight into the room, and sported a vast assortment of diverse instruments ranging from flutes to lutes, and bandores to dulcimers. It was an impressive collection.

As Janis and Banodin walked towards the back counter, they noticed the missing harp’s allotment on the floor – walled off via rope that swung from the edge of one counter, to a barrel filled with cleaning utensils, back towards a shelf hosting a variety of mandolins. Someone had clearly been here before them, and surveyed the area with a scrutinizing eye.

Georgine looked up from her accounting and smiled at Janis, though it faded as he addressed his purpose for being here. “Well, yes. The harp went missing a few days ago, and I haven’t the slightest idea how. It was here one evening when I was closing shop, and gone the next morning. I’m… I’m not sure how it’s gone!” her face was very pale, her hands dead still atop the counter, feathered pen tossed aside carelessly for matters of greater importance. “I’m the only one with a key into my store, and there were no glass windows broken. No other instruments found missing. Just the harp. And it’s so heavy – really, I needed my two older brothers to help me carry it in – that I can’t imagine someone just picking it up and walking off,” she frowned and ran her hands through her hair, pausing a moment before a suspicious glance came to her eye. “Wait… who are you? I thought the Rogators the Prefect Office sent had already come by.”

Meanwhile, Banodin surveyed the area roped off by… well, undoubtedly the Rogator the Prefecture must have sent down already. There appeared to be a slight skid mark in the wood to the left of where the harp was situated, yet beyond that – no real tangible clues that could lead to its disturbance.

[Janis Windrough]

Banodin went around to search the area and Janis started his questioning. If Janis could read Banodin's mind and see how his mind was working he would have certainly approved. That is exactly the kind of thinking they needed. This was a bright young man. Probably had a bit more schooling opportunities that Janis ever had. It wasn't that Janis was dumb by any account, he was just rougher around the edges. Anyone who had ever heard him speak for an extended about of time would attest to that.

Figuring Banodin would report anything he found when the opportunity came, Janis turned his attention to Georgine. He waited for some big lead to come fly right into his lap. Unfortunately, it didn't. She knew nothing. Janis let out a slight moan within the constraints of his own mind. So this wasn't going to be easy. Shame. When she finished Janis realized he should probably be recording this somehow. He would, with a smile ask the woman for a piece of parchment and a pen if she had one on hand. Should she be amiable enough to produce it, Janis would quickly jot down a few notes. Then he began to question a bit more.

"Well, can you think of anything...suspicious that mighta' been going on around here lately Ma'm? Any odd customers eyeing the harp? Do the Zamifir's have a feud with anyone around? Owe anyone a little bit o' money? Really any motives anyone mighta had to take that harp would be helpful." Janis nodded to Banodin so he could add anything he wanted. Banodin was his partner in all this and not to be shut up in the corner. Maybe he had a question or two, something to add at least. Janis shut up for the moment but in his head went over exactly what she had just said. One thing was for certain...they couldn't rule out the use of arcana.

He was immediately puzzled by her questioning of their appearance...so someone had already investigated this whole mess? It seems Janis already knew the second destination of the day before he finished with the first. He pulled out the bounty card from his inside picket and placed it on the counter when the previous leg of the discussion between himself, the lady and Banodin was finished. "Did you post this bounty ma'm?" he said with a quizzical tone. He was starting to doubt that she was the one at all.

[Banodin Lionheart]

Taking notice of the skid mark, Banodin would kneel down, inspecting it more closely, before moving to said position. The length of the skid mark might be helpful, it would mean that it was moved along the floor, before being hoisted up, perhaps a preparatory move before lugging the thing out. Mayhaps even the direction of the mark would be helpful... Banodin glared at the mark a moment, and then in the direction it was 'pointing' towards, seeing if it lined up with anything...

Taking his aforementioned stance, feet apart, Banodin listened quietly to Georgine, and smiled, nodding here and there. Two older brothers to move it... So at least two people? Banodin nodded inwardly at this, they at least now had a brief idea of how many people were involved. Arcana, however, was far from his mind, as he knew nothing of it, so his thoughts were more on the mundane. As Janis looked at Banodin, Banodin simply smiled and nodded in silence, letting his partner know that he had nothing to add, at the moment. However, as the two continued, Banodin continued to listen, but began to wander about once more.

With the knowledge of which direction the harp might have been moved, he would simply move in that direction, looking at the floor boards with a scrutinizing eye, and then eventually where said path would end, be it against a wall, a window, shelf, or door. Odd... Only one set of keys... But that could mean the thief is versatile in picking of locks... Or very good at covering his tracks... The thoughts were all inward, of course, he was keeping a mental log, which the young man was decent enough at. Being a storyteller, and scribing his father's stories, word for word, had allowed him the ability to retain knowledge, though perhaps one of his books would've been helpful, as Janis did ask for a pen and paper... Mmm... Maybe a quick jaunt by the Crown to pick up one of my blank books...

His blue eyes continued to scan every millimeter of his objective, while his ears remained open to the conversation ensuing between Janis and Georgine. Very odd that the young lady did not know about the bounty that was placed... If not by her... Then by who? More questions, and not nearly enough answers, the boy thought as he searched about.

[Surge]

The woman quickly tore off a piece of the parchment she had been working on, presumably scratch paper of some sort or another, and handed him the fluffy quill pen she’d been utilizing minutes before.

“Did I… did I post a bounty? Heavens no, I don’t believe in you treasure hunters and fame seekers,” she shook her head, taking a step away from the counter and crossing her arms in front of her chest defensively. “Was that card there… that bounty, you say it was posted?” she asked, eyebrows arched in surprise and her lips automatically tugging downwards into a frown. She ran a hand through her hair and began idly twisting one of the curly locks.

Meanwhile, Banodin inspected the skid marks atop the hard wood. It wasn’t a very long mark, though certainly a black scuff that trailed on for a good two or three inches in the direction indicated. Conclusions could be drawn, of course, but it appeared as if someone had given the orb a good hard shove into the empty space that existed between the counters.

“Well… no,” the lady was speaking again, her hands now resting flat on the counter as she stared between the two men. “Not any odd customers. The harp played itself, you see. It’s an enchantment, created by a good friend of my grandfather’s who passed away not too long ago. It’s been in my family ever since. So, people were naturally curious about it… but nothing suspicious, I don’t think…” she shook her head, scratching at the back of her neck.

Then, quite suddenly, her eyes bulged a bit as if she’d remembered something.

“There was this one gentleman who came in and said nothing to me. He merely walked over to the harp, looked at it for a minute or so, and then left. He came in… oh, about last cycle or so. Had long black hair and was really young… seemed like a rather frightening fellow,” she recalled, piercing eyes darting between Janis to Banodin, and back again.

[Banodin Lionheart]

Focusing on the spot, a frown also tugged at the corners of Banodin's lips. From what he gathered, it looked just like someone had shoved it over and it upped and disappeared... Looking over at the door, he looked back at the spot and shook his head, the frown becoming more developed as he thought. To small for a cart... To big for one person... How then...? Folding his arms across his chest, his right hand's index finger tapped thoughtfully on his chin as he starred at the spot a while longer.

As his finger tip tapped rhythmically, he listened to the following words she said to answer Janis's questions. Enchantment... The frown kept it's place, and the wheels began to turn as he thought back on his father's stories, a pivotal encyclopedia to the world outside of Druz, at least in the boy's eyes. Magic... Enchantments... Instant travelling... ...Huh. Travelling... His thoughts were interrupted however, by the young ladies epiphany.

Her description was vague, but just enough caught his ears for Banodin to turn around from his starring at the spot, to stare at Georgine, and a rather piercing gaze. Now it was not much of a description, though Banodin's long black hair, and young age, fit what she said like a glove, however, he was far from being frightening, though he was often frightened... Blinking a few moments, the boy managed a smile, before looking over at his comrade. His train of thought was still relatively fresh, but Janis, knew much more then the boy, had much more experience in the world, and no doubt, with what exactly magic could do.

"Uh... Janis? Sir? I do not mean to interrupt, a thousand pardons ma'am, it will just be a, ah, a moment. If I might confide in you, sir, about something I have found. And uh... Am thinking on?" Should Janis break away from his questioning, the young man would smile at Georgine, before turning full attention to his leader. His voice would not be hushed, but not overly loud either, he would proceed to point out his, albeit small, findings. "This mark here... Seems... Odd... Like someone just shoved the harp over, and then it ups and disappears. Now, I ah... I do not know much about magic, outside my father's stories, but he ah, one of his stories, he talked about his comrade, a mage, able to whisk them back to Prime within the blink of an eye, with magic... Could that... Well..." The boy furrowed his brows, running a hand over his head, thinking he sounded a little foolish, "Well, she said it took near three of them to haul it in, and she said that the doors were locked, her having the only key... Perhaps this magic my father spoke of, perhaps that is how it was moved?"

Kneeling down, to examine the mark, he looked up at Janis, and over at Georgine, before returning his gaze to the elder of the two men. "And... Well... If that was... How it was moved... How on Telath are we going to find it?" Banodin did not know if there was some residual trace that could be tracked, or if one could simply, recite a few magic words and voila, the portal would reappear, he was dimwitted on that aspect of the world. So the boy would keep to his kneeling position, and await his senior's response to Banodin's assessment of the situation.

[Janis Windrough]

Janis was in the midst of taking noted when it seemed there was a bit of a lead. Just then Banodin interjected. With Banodin having made the necessary apologies already Janis smiled to the woman and headed directly over the the younger man, ignoring for now the formalities Banodin refused to drop. He would make the sir drop soon enough, but for now that wasn't a concern...old habits dies hard. He looked at the ground and indeed saw what Banodin was saying and followed his logic. He was indeed intelligent. Janis was happy he had him here to help with the observations. This would be a tall order for a single man. Indeed Janis had already been considering Arcana. "I see whatcha sayin'. Good eyes mate." Janis then pondered a minute. He had grew up around magi in Prime and since his entrance in to the world of the arcanic had learned a little bit here or there. He was only an initiate though and his knowledge was limited. As far as he knew the only sphere with a spell capable of such was Sorcery. Granted things like essence portals could of course make travel in any sphere at least conceivable this was beyond the grasp of Janis at this point in time. "Ya know Banodin, Sorcerers are able to do just such a thing...if we are dealing with a mage here we've got to tread lightly since he obviously knows what he's doing. I think we'll have a talk with those who came and checked this place out 'fore us. See if they found anything. But first..."

And with that Janis turned back to the woman. He ignored her "treasure hunters and fame seekers" comment, not sure to take it as a compliment or the off handed insult it really was, and continued to press a bit. He had already written in letters a bit bigger then anything else the description of the man. "So, an enchantment. That's a pretty nifty bit of arcana if I do say so myself Ma'm. Pretty powerful. Was this friend of your grandfather a Sorcerer?" He let the question hang for a moment. "I'm sorry to jump right in, i'm sorry...but did you know him? Anything about him? Anything notable about his death? We suspect magic may have had a little sumtin to do with this whole affair ma'm." And with that Janis would pick up the parchment and pen ready to scribble some things down. "If you will ma'm" he offered as an invitation for her to speak a bit more. Hopefully they could get what they needed and soon be on their way to their next stop.

[Surge]

Georgine moved around the counter and followed Janis to the area where Banodin had been investigating. Spying the mark, she scratched the nape of her neck delicately and kneeled down slightly to see it a bit better. Yes, there was definitely a scuff mark there, and it seemed to have come from the harp. Standing back up, she crossed her arms uncomfortably in front of her chest.

“The man? No… he was a bard. A very talented one at that. I’m not sure how he died though, sorry. I think… I think it might have been old age? If it was anything unusual I’d probably be able to remember it a bit more clearly,” she offered an apologetic smile, shrugging her shoulders meanwhile before looking at Banodin. Her right hand snaked upwards and caught the end of her hair, twirling the brown tresses around her forefinger as she studied her shop for a minute, reminded of how empty it seemed without the melodious lilt of music accompanying her shopkeeping duties.

“There’s always some Sorcerers in the Students Quarter, down by the Academy. I’m not sure if that’s where you’d want to start looking, but I’ve heard the Masters who lecture there are rather nice. They could probably answer some questions if you have any about… I don’t know… portals and stuff?” she murmured, eyes gazing over the store again before falling back on the pair. Outside, the hustle and bustle of the crowd seemed to have ebbed a bit.

[Banodin Lionheart]

Pushing himself up from his knees, there was a smile on his face, seems the young man was able to help, even a little bit in this investigation. Nodding at his note that they would be leaving to speak with those that came before hand, he looked over at the owner of the shop, and smiled once more at her own suggestion. That will help, if we can speak with someone who has great experience with this. Folding his arms behind his back, the boy remained silent, and ever observant, as the conversation would continue, allowing Janis to take over with their direction.

Looking outside, the boy took notice of the slow down, they still had some time to burn, but thankfully, they would be able to collect their final bits of information before retiring. Perhaps even get all said and done before pracenda. That would be nice... The boy was beginning to realize that his run over here had expelled a lot of his energy, and that a meal would be in order later this evening. Turning his gaze back to the pair in the room, he continued to smile and awaited orders.

[Janis Windrough]

Janis again jotted down a few things again as Georgine spoke, however it seemed that for now, her usefulness had come to an end. Janis was fairly certain, however that he would be back here to ask a few more questions after he gathered some more information. The woman had been helpful. She had given them some places to start asking questions and answered a few herself. This could be something big. "Well ma'm, If we find anything out we'll do our best to keep you posted. Thank for your time and the bit o' parchment. If you happen to find anything else out that you think ya' could pass along to us you can leave it at the crown under Banodin's name or at the Cloud Swift under mine. Much appreciated ma'm." And with that Janis bowed slightly and exited the store figuring Banodin would do the same.

"Well Banodin, we have a few places to stop by. What say we head to the prefect's office and see what they have uncovered before us. And maybe we can dig up a thing or two about who the heck actually posted this bounty." If Banodin had no objections they would head out to the Prefect's office with plenty of questions.

[Surge]

The Prefect’s Office was a quaint little building, perhaps a tad bit overused, near the heart of Prime. Stone in construction, it consisted of several open windows with dark green freshly painted shutters and a brown sign in gilded gold lettering that designated it for what it was. A large number of people drifted through the heavy oak doors that were swung open, welcoming in the summer’s breeze and a light draft of air that was both cool and refreshing. Rogators, Prefects, even Constables drifted in and out of the establishment, coming and going at various intervals throughout the day, checking in or collecting paperwork, ducking away into their offices to add some finishing notes to a case, coming back for supplies, that sort of thing. A miniature detaining gaol was held in the lower levels of the building, lurking within the basement, though the main gaol was located at the Constabulary. A small courtroom open to civilians was situated in a building to the Prefect’s Office immediate right.

Inside the office, hard wooden floors paved the way up to a clerk’s desk. In fact, there were two, with a thin plush red carpet running the length between them and disappearing into the hallway. The left one was occupied by a Cether who was busily attending to a young attractive woman in some amount of distress. Something about a landowner and lack of rent. The other desk, however, was open, and occupied by a clean-cut well-groomed young man about Banodin’s age, with dark brown hair and a slight stubble. He had a rather large nose, and leaned forward with his elbows across the counter of his desk as he glanced over Janis and his compatriot.

“Anything I can help you lads with?” was the question of the day, followed by a stern, confident stare.

[Banodin Lionheart]

OOC: Going to push this forward a bit.

As they walked, Banodin remained quiet and focused, unfortunately, on several things, ranging from the harp, to the pretty young lady that just walked past the duo, and a handful of shops on the way. It was difficult to not be distracted for at least a moment, until he returned his focus on the task at hand. The young man simply nodded at Janis's inquiry at having several places to investigate, as that much, was obvious.

Upon arriving at the Prefect's office, the boy took notice of the traffic coming and going, hither and fro, until they too entered the office. Once more, the boy's eyes drifted to a young lady speaking with a 'Cether', before the question asked jumped the boy's attention back front and center. Taking a step forward, the boy smiled and the young man at the open desk, at least here, it would not be uncomfortable to speak with one of similar age, and gender.

"Serale! Yes. This here." Motioning to his comrade, "Is Janis Windrough. I am Banodin Lionheart." Withdrawing his hand, he pointed at himself before extending it in the direction of the young man over the counter. "A pleasure to meet you Sir. However, our business here is in regards to a harp. One that was stolen recently. At Zamfir's Music Shop. Sir Janis here has more information on the subject, as well as the Bounty Card that was placed in the Hunter's office." Taking a step back, allowing his hands to drift and clasp behind him, the boy situated himself behind his elder compatriot and went silent, unless he needed to say something on a point, or was addressed.