[Chapter 2.01] The Yellow Light
Grau nods and when everyone is ready he leads them out of the city towards Trail's End. On their way towards the North Bridge the party passes by several fliers posted prominently in major intersections: WANTED: BLACKJACK. In the days after the failed execution the Korvosan guard had been tasked with sweeping the city to find Blackjack and Trinia but the performance of the guard had been lackluster at best. Many in the city, the guard included, viewed Blackjack as a legendary guardian of the city and while everyone was confused why he had suddenly emerged after nearly a decade out of sight to rescue the woman accused of killing the king, many still viewed him as a hero.
Frustrated with the perception that the guard didn't really want Blackjack to be found, the Queen had issued a royal bounty on Blackjack of 5,000gp hoping some scoundrel or mercenary would deliver. Since then the rumors and stories have been fodder for gossip and by now the way the story of Trinia's rescue is told Blackjack single handedly defeated the entire Queen's guard, including Sabine, before planting a kiss on the Queen and absconding with her crown jewels. It has gotten to the point where the actual event bears very little resemblance to the stories being told.
Crossing over the North Bridge the party can see the giant trebuchets that defend the water but the river looks calm and still. Days later there seems to be no sign of any disturbance that might have once been a pirate or smuggler ship. Once over the bridge it is a short walk north to Trail's End, a small encampment of mainly Varisians, that cropped up across the river. While the rumors are that it is poor and dangerous where someone will just as likely mug you as say hello, the truth is it feels more like a small town in the countryside and from the way the townsfolk interact with one another seems to have a stronger sense of community than any district found in Korvosa. That being said there is definitely a criminal presence and it is impossible to ignore the faces of dozens of Sczarni thugs and brutes loitering on the street corners.
Grau explains about the family on his way there, his voice equal parts love and worry.
"My brother...he died a long time ago. Murdered by highwaymen. His wife, Tayce, was Varisian and her and her three young ones made a home for themselves here. I try to stop by when I can and help when I can. Tayce works as a washerwoman and the children help out when they can. My niece, Brienna, is the oldest and works as a maid. The two boys, Charlo and Rello, do odd jobs mainly for wheelwright friend of the family. I worry about them with...well...you know..."
He nods at the Sczarni thugs who are keeping a careful eye on the guardsmen walking in their midst. They recognize Grau though and don't make any moves of hostility but their show of force is on fully display as the group walks through Trail's End.
OOC: On the map you're heading to H5 in the upper right corner
Only a crooked block away from the Jeggare shore, the Soldado home is a squat, two-story wooden building in desperate need of repair and gardening. Overall, the building feels like the home of a family too busy living to bother with tedious chores. Grau doesn't hesitate, walking right up to the door and walking inside. The interior of the house is remarkably clean and well-kept, filled with worn, well-used furniture and decorated with the crafts and scribblings of children. Charlo and Rello are playing quietly in the living room while upstairs a mother's worried voice can be heard trying to talk around spams of ragged coughing that bark through the air.
An acolyte from the Bank of Abadar is in the kitchen with a bag of herbs brewing a concoction that smells like cinnamon and anise. Seeing the acoylte, Grau looks displeased and marches right up the stairs to the second floor.