WELCOME TO NOTT!

[abraxasmods]

WELCOME TO NOTT!

Welcome to Nott! A blend of old world Thorne and new world industrialism, densely packed wooden buildings surround a section of ancient stone architecture at the lake’s edge. The city rises up against the horizon and is easily seen from a distance, lacking any farmland or outposts around it to distract the eye.

The city gates are wide open. Whatever may be happening back at the Thornean capitol, there’s no obvious hint of it here. Busy citizens are going about their day, guards in local uniform patrol the streets with little urgency, and no alarm bells or horns are sounding. It appears,at least on the surface, as though no one is concerned about escaped prisoners here.

But it certainly is a bustling place! Sounds and smells assault the senses right from the gate. The streets are filled with vendors and panhandlers and criers shouting out deals and directions and soliciting money, hawking food and services and shops. There seems to be a tavern or a public house on almost every corner. A cool wind comes off the lake and the scent of the fish market carries through the city. People are everywhere and no one seems to notice or care that much about strangers - aside from wanting their coin.

It’s the perfect place to hide out from Thorne while staying within Thorne’s borders.

Within a few hours of arrival a city guard will approach each escapee from Thorne - regardless of what their standing was back at the castle - to politely inform them that Lord of Representatives Lyle Vela would be happy to receive them at the House of the Lords at any time today. Each character will be given a handwritten invitation marked with an official seal that gives directions to the House of the Lords, a sprawling Old Nott building on the lake that overlooks the city. The invitation is of course optional and there are no repercussions for declining.

Comments

[gardienne]

"I'm not a child. I'm -"

[She twists her hands together, knotting the edges of her shirt in her fingers.]

I'm old, Sir. Eighteen, p'raps, or twenty or so. I don't know. It don't even matter anyway, does it?

[She glances at Lyle, and looks away quickly. He's not been at all sympathetic to her lies about her treatment in Thorne proper, but he's not dismissed her either.]

It isn't hysteria, Sir. I've seen 'em cart women to the mad house for that, and there ain't a need on it. I swear. And that stupid Duchess, she sent me packing back to Thorne. You know how they locked me away there? All by myself and for weeks, just me and a light? How am I to know you are less stupid than that?
Though - do you really not think I am a criminal? That stupid man what had us come here - Archibald or something stupid. No, Ambrose? Him, anyway? He fair screamed when he saw me, and I hadn't done nothing then. Just straight away in irons. He is not nice, that one. I should box his ears and lock him in a dungeon with no food if I could.

[She scowls at the floor, before glancing back at Lyle. Has she said too much? It's too late now! She tries to change the subject, and darts to the window, hovering near it, nervously.]

You have a lovely view, you know? If I were here, no work would I do.

[abraxasnpcs]

You're certainly saving me having to ask how they treated you. Again, calm yourself.

[The lord holds up a hand and lowers it slowly to emphasize that she should settle down.]

I would like to have a conversation with you. Now sit down and once you've settled yourself I'll have something to eat brought in. You look as though you haven't had a decent meal in weeks.

[gardienne]

[Eponine is not great at self control - especially over her mouth. Especially when she's nervous and trying hard to make a good impression and seem confident. But give her credit. She tries. She really does try because she can see how annoyed and impatient the Lord is becoming and she really doesn't want to end up back in prison straight away.
So she nods to herself, and she takes a breath and, with a backwards glance to the window, she slides into the indicated seat. It's all she can do to stop herself from clapping her hands and exclaiming over the idea of food - real food, she hopes, hot and fresh - instead of a bun or even worse, the scraps she was fed in solitary.
She fidgets nervously, twisting her fingers through her ripped prison uniform until in the end, she sits on her hands in an effort to control herself.]

I'm... I mean, it is just - Sir, will you send me away? That's what the Queen in Hayle did, you know? She gave me a meal before she had the guards from Thorne take us back.

[abraxasnpcs]

Are you listening to a word I've said? You aren't in any trouble, I just want to talk to you. And that wasn't a queen. There's only one queen in Thorne and she's never even set foot here in Nott. Nor do we have any royal guards anywhere in the city as they apparently can't be spared. I just want to know how the capitol treated you and what they had you do.

[Now that it seems the girl has calmed down Lyle rises and moves to the door to call for a plate of food to be brought in from the kitchens.]

[gardienne]

[Eponine seems to shrink in her chair as she's ticked off and corrected. She's completely intimidated and her chatter had been her way of trying to make out like she's not afraid. But here, told to be quiet, ticked off, corrected? Her confidence is knocked.]

Those guards are stupid, Sir. Idiots. They're horrid fellows. You see my face?

[She indicates to the bruises, yellowing now, and her obviously broken nose, curtesy of Julie.]

They hit me, Sir, and lock me in a room with so little food. They didn't like me, Sir, for I escaped them. Me, I don't look much, I know, but I am clever.

[She looks up from her lap, grinning suddenly.] I outsmarted all them fools, and they shouldn't have found me even in Nott except for that stupid Himeka and that great big Estinien. More idiots.

[abraxasnpcs]

Don't take offense but I've spoken with others that the capitol jailed. And I have spent time at the castle. What did you do to earn that? You won't be punished here for it but I do need to know. I can't have any surprises with the risk we're taking to shelter you.

[The door opens and a young man in servant's clothing brings in a platter of cold meat and cheese and fruits. It's set down on the desk before the servant scurries back out again without a word.]

[gardienne]

[Eponjne, slightly ungratefully, wrinkles her nose. Then she grabs for the cheese, stuffing a piece into her mouth. She’d hoped for hot but who is she to say no?
She uses the time it takes her to chew to think what she’ll say.]

I escaped to that city. Hid in the mines and took their axes and their stupid rocks, Sir.

[She’s going to conveniently forget that she picked pockets and stole sweets from the guards.]

And then, Miss Julie - now she is a horrid one. She is one what you ought to send away. Anyway, she hits me to steal my bun - only a bun did they feed us - and so I shouted to her and la - they don’t like me already, them guards, for who should like to be outsmarted by me? But so - they pull her off me and throw us both to the cell by ourselves. Already in there, it is scraps. Like the jails in Paris, Sir - scraps as to a dog. And now even less they give me.

[She watched him carefully as she prattles, fingers slowly closing round strawberries and whisking them into her pockets in a manner she hopes he doesn’t notice. The last thing she wants is to exhange one jail cell for another. He might not send her back but he’s not said about letting her free.]

[abraxasnpcs]

Ah. Escape attempt and theft. Yes I can see how that would sour their opinion of you further.

[Lyle nods agreeably and leans back in his seat.]

I am sorry for your experiences. But that's behind you now. Stay out of trouble and you have nothing to worry about with us. Do you have any questions about the city that I can answer for you?

[gardienne]

I don't know what I did in the first place. I escape and steal because that stupid man screamed the moment he saw me. I hadn't done nowt but almost drown in his puddle. I can't swim, you see, Sir.

[A few cherries join the strawberries in her pockets]

I wouldn't have had to escape if they had told me why I were jailed and given me a sentence. In Paris, they say a year, and then six months, but after two, I insist I am only fourteen and they let me out. They are stupid though. I wouldn't have lied to these guards for fourteen. but you see what I mean? In Paris, we kidnapped a man and robbed him. Here, nothing. It's not fair, I think.

[She leans back, thinking carefully.] I want to know why you're being nice? Why aren't you threatening chains and whippings? Why will you help us and not your stupid king?

[She pauses.] That Julie, though. You need to be careful, Sir. She needs to be in a mad house, never mind prison, Sir. Can you not send her back?

[abraxasnpcs]

I serve the people before the royal family. You and the rest are in much the same situation that I and my people are. We are used by the crown when convenient and ignored or slighted when not. As you yourself just said. Things aren't fair here.

[An eyebrow raises.]

No one is being sent back. Least of all on the word of someone I've only just met. If that's all, thank you for taking the time to speak with me. On your way out stop by the office two doors down and give the old woman there this. She'll give you a queen's piece for your trouble.

[He opens a desk drawer and passes over a small slip of paper with writing on it.]

[gardienne]

Then why don't you fight back? To be doormat to such horrors as those people is wrong. You know they try to kill a man. I don't know what he'd done, but he looks so boring - a proper gentleman, and to hang him, they were? And they take a child to question. And you here, with money and you do nothing? That's stupid, Sir, if you don't mind me saying so.

[She's being dismissed. She gets up regretfully.] Don't say I didn't warn you about Julie when there is trouble here, Sir...

[She pauses before snatching the note from Lyle.] Just one coin? It is kind, Sir, but I should like two better. And the rest of the food, if you will just throw it away?

[abraxasnpcs]

You'll forgive me if I don't take political advice from someone with no understanding of our politics. And we're not running a charity here. A queen's piece is a silver coin, girl. It's worth more than two dozen copper coins and more than fair compensation for an hour of your time. I'm sure between that and what's already in your pockets you'll be just fine.

That will be all.