[D3, EA] Prime Suspect (Closed)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine calls upon The Warrior's Seat after investigating the mines, and requests a private audience with Rufus Bracken.

[Reader]

Ser Rufus Bracken is a stout man, possessing a frame that speaks of Bracken strength but perhaps lacks the family's characteristic height.

He enters with a mixture of puzzlement and trepidation - as a lowly sworn sword and cousin, he seems unsure as to why he's been summoned...

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine has learned from her altercation with Ser Myles Blackwood, and turns on her best charming smile;


"
Ser Rufus. Thank you for seeing me,"
she curtsies daintily. "
I had hoped to speak with you regarding my investigations. I believe your perspective on events would be helpful."

[Reader]

He bows stiffly - the appropriate depth of bow, but he's clearly inexperienced in high company.

"
How may I aid my lady?"
He addresses his boots.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine folds her hands delicately, and clears her throat.

"
Do you know a man named Henryk, Ser Rufus?"


She adds a brief description of Henryk, though does not give him more to go on yet.

Gently. Gently.

[Reader]

"
Yes."


Ser Rufus may be untutored in the ways of court, but he does not seem a coward.

The word hangs in the air.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I have met a man named Henryk too,"
Corrine replies, calmly. "
He told me a number of troubling things. He claims that you gave him a map of Raventree Hall, and paid him to murder Lord Blackwood. What say you to his claim, Ser Rufus?"

[Reader]

"
I gave men a map to launch an attack on House Bracken, that much is true."


"
Battles are chaotic things - who can account for what will happen when an assault begins."


Men sneaking in to a castle to kill a Lord and his lady wife at night doesn't sounds like much of a battle, even to one as untutored in war as Corrine.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Murdering someone while they sleep is not a battle, Ser Rufus,"
Corrine replies, coolly. "
In a battle, the opponent is given a chance to defend themselves. In helping Lord Blackwood's assassin, you are an accessory to murder. Not that I don't appreciate your confession, of course. That makes my job simpler. But now that you have admitted to aiding Henryk in gaining unlawful access to Raventree Hall, with malicious intent, I must have you taken into custody to await the King's justice. Ser Markus here will have to relieve you of any weapons you are carrying, and I ask that you come with us quietly."


Ser Markus steps forward.

[Reader]

Ser Rufus hold his head high, stoic.

"
I am a knight. Am I not to be permitted to inform my lord and see to my affairs?"


He does not draw his weapon, nor does he show signs of acquiescing to his would be captors.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Of course. I shall not have it said that you were denied your due. Your co-operation is appreciated. Would you object if we accompanied you?"


While it is clear that this is not actually a request, Corrine's gentle and polite tone makes it more coaxing than demanding.

[url=Persuasion (Convince)][/url]: 6d6k5 24

[Reader]

Ser Rufus bows his head. Whatever stratagem he had considered seemed beaten out of him by Corrine's forceful manner. Perhaps it is better to play it safe than adopt a rash course of action with these damn Marstens trailing behind me.

"
No need."
He coughs.

"
I am sure you will inform my Lord and Uncle in due course."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I shall do so right away. Please return here when you are done. You have my word that you will be treated fairly, as long as you continue to comply. I strongly advise that you do not try to flee, as this will make things more difficult for you."


She gives him a small nod as he leaves, then moves swiftly, though not conspicuously so, down the corridor to seek Lord Bracken. On her way past a certain alcove, she subtly clicks her fingers, giving her clandestine shadow the signal to follow Ser Rufus.

[/scene, handing over to Samurel.]

[Reader]

[OOC: Stealth (Blend in) TN 12 for Samurel to tail Ser Rufus successfully]

[Samurel Manderly]

Samurel had been waiting quite sometime in the small Alcove, having been ordered to by his Lady. He had cobbled together a disguise, a quick, but effective blend of layers that all together gave the appearance of a household servant, a cleaner at that. [url=Deception (Disguise)][/url]: 4d6k4 17

As soon as his lady passed the alcove and gave the signal Samurel stood up and began his trailing upon the unsuspecting Ser Rufus, taking care not to stick too close nor too far away, hiding behind objects and walls as they made their way through the corridors of Warrior's Seat. [url=Stealth (Blend In)][/url]: 5d6k4+3 16

Samurel took careful note of where and who Rufus spoke to on his way though the Keep. particularly when pertaining to the details of Ser Rufus's tone and mannerisms. What and who did he seem cautious around? who did he avoid? [url=Awareness (Empathy)][/url]: 5d6k4 12

All the while, making sure that his Knives were in quick reach should it come to an altercation.

[Reader]

Samurel is as subtle as a Braavosi blade, unobtrusively following Ser Rufus through the Warrior's Seat's stout corridors.

It rapidly becomes clear Ser Rufus is making a quick route not for the stables and escape, but for Ser Steffon Vance's chambers - House Bracken's master of arms. Samurel knows it is well guarded, with a guarded set of doors followed by another set of oak doors, also generally guarded. Now he must decide - strike at Ser Rufus in a quiet moment before he reaches Ser Steffon, although he committed no fresh crime? Or allow him to reach Ser Steffon and trust in his skills to find a quiet spot outside the walls to listen to what transpires, safe from the guards outside the master of arms' door.

[Samurel Manderly]

Samurel Considers his options

I don't much like getting my hands dirty, and not with my lady ripe to take the blame or lose out on this oaf. I need to found a way closer.

Deciding on a more quiet approach, Samurel surveys any openings that he may use for his purposes [url=Awareness (Notice)][/url]: 4d6k4 16

I will not let him hide his shame.

((OOC: what are the rolls?))

[Reader]

[OOC: I'll not waste that good Awareness roll, so I'll use it for listening in (it's successful).

Before getting the results of what you hear, I just need another Stealth (blend in) roll against TN 13 - guard awareness this time rather than Ser Rufus]

[Samurel Manderly]

Samurel takes note of the guards watchful eyes and plays an act of a cleaner cleaning the walls and area just within ear shot of what is being said, taking careful note not to show his face. [url=Stealth (Blend In)][/url]: 5d6k4+3 20

Don't think he noticed me much, now what does the oaf have to speak of with the Master at arms... I'll take note of the guard's routines while I'm here, I should take advantage, I suspect I'll be visiting this room for not too long.

[Reader]

Ser Rufus [flustered]: "
... Corrine Marsten, fucking stuck up bitch.... she knows... I didn't break..."


Ser Steffon: "
Knows what?... map?... know about the training yard as well? ... By the Seven... goes no further than this room."


Ser Rufus [shouting]: "
Have I not kept silent so far? It went no further than my name with Lady Marsten. [size=150:89fxo4ok]I PROTECTED THE FAMILY."


Ser Steffon [level pitch]: "
Aye... As I ... by the Seven. It goes no... this room. Sandor, Arthur, enter."


[sounds of a struggle]

Ser Rufus [desperate]: "
You're insane... I'm of the... I'm a Bracken!"


Ser Steffon [level pitch]: "
You're a cousin... not of my... loose end. By... I'll make...goes... higher up the chain of command. I will do justice... present our investigators with... villain."


[Sounds of a sword coming down on a neck]

[OOC: snipped words out based on awareness check. Other players - you obviously don't know any of this IC]

[Samurel Manderly]

((OOC: and the plot thickens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbusENG6hCE))

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: Holy smokes, Batman!]

[Samurel Manderly]

Samurel steels himself for what needs to be done.

I need to know more, what will they do with the body, what order will he give... One snake is gone, and three more takes its place...

Samurel, under the guise of a cleaner leans ever so subtly towards the wall to catch the last inklings of the words said in the what must be a bloody room by now.

[url=Awareness (Notice)][/url]: 4d6k4 19

[Reader]

The words are crystal clear.

"
This ends here. Both of you, deliver the head to the Marstens: Ser Rufus broke the rules of honour and warfare, became agitated when revealing his confession to lady Marsten to me and was mortally wounded in the struggle and executed for him crime in the name of King Viserys, long may he reign."


"
I will inform Lord Bracken personally."

[Samurel Manderly]

Got you. This is but the beginning of the end for you. I need to get back, I need to inform my Lady... she has much to consider with this information.

Samurel takes up his cleaning supplies as begins making his way back the way he came, taking the long route to the chamber where Lady Marsten would more then likely be talking with Lord Bracken. on his way, changing his Disguise, removing the bits and layers that formed the cleaners costume revealing that of a simple cup-bearer for House Marsten. [url=Deception (Disguise)][/url]: 4d6k4 13

And promptly attaches himself to the side of Lady Marsten

((OOC: waiting on remaining Scene information.))

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