Chapter 5 Home is where the Heart is (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

[ranger]

Waiting for them to pass Rikke moved to her previous entry point and quickly moved to outside. Indeed the sun was starting to rise ever higher in the sky. The sounds of the harbor echo from the streets, just a dull echo at the moment. The small group of girls were lead to an awaiting carriage. With a yah! the carriage headed off while the group of men chatted a bit before breaking up into small groups and heading off.

 

[Ubberific]

Rikkes eyes sharpened as she'd observe the delivery.... Seems the girls weren't the first ones that were taken away like this. Worse yet, had the rogues blow not crippled her own machine she'd be on that carriage as well! The rogue had to find out where they were taken! Rikkes eyes sharpened as she observed the group and picking out the group with the weakest or least number of members, she'd quickly pursue them and look for just the right chance to ambush!

Hopefully the guards were all off-duty, leaving noone to mind the bit of ruckus and conflict the heroine was about to cause!

 

[ranger]

As the men departed they left in three groups two of which had three members leaving a lone man to head where ever he wanted. The first group seemed to head for the Harbor, no doubt to spend some coin. Another headed deeper into the slummy harbor residences while the lone man waited a moment before heading the same direction as the carriage.

 

[Ubberific]

Hello mister Lucky! Rikke grinned mischieviously as her target was all too clear! Waiting a moment just to be sure, the girl pause and soon enough rushed in pursuit of the man, just waiting to catch him out all alone! She'd keep herself out of view and silent, up to him hopefully heading down a particulary lonely alleyway or perhaps into one of the houses... there was no reason for the encounter to be seen in public, lest the rogue heself would be seen as a the bad guy!

 

[ranger]

Rikke wouldn't have to wait for long as the early morning aided her in efforts. The man clueless to her intentions went about his merry way and rounded a corner down a alleyway. No doubt a favorite shortcut for the man. It was narrow and relatively clean but more importantly clear of anyone besides her and her target.

 

[Ubberific]

Show time! Rikke smiled as she'd rush forward, the alleyways tight corridor providing a perfect chance to show off her agility as she'd leap wall from wall for a few steps, before landing right infront of the man! Before he could even speak up the rogue quickly turned to face him and drew her blade, pointing right at the man "Going somewhere, Milkman?" she'd smile slyly... moments later noting the mans expression, wait maybe that wasn't the best one-liner to use moreso considering---!

Rikke coughed lightly , quickly trying to shake off whatever damage her line did... "I mean, hold up there! We need to have a small chat." milky puns are comments were definedly not to her benefit at the moment at all! "Where did you take those girls?"

 

[ranger]

The man gave her a deadpan look the entire time. Though the gleaming point did draw his attention. "Oh well umm those girls are going to processing. A small bead of sweat rolled down his face as Rikke got a good look at him. This man was no thug and if anything he looked more like a farmer than a mercenary. His cloths where worn and patched smeared in dirt. His arms,chest, and face where tan from long days in the sun. His hands though where soft almost tender compared to the weathered features of his face.

 

[Ubberific]

Wait... he answered? Just like that? Rikke seemed almost stunned just how easily and willingly the man parted with the information "Processing? Where's that?" she'd turn her head and raise an eyebrow "Is this under Jerichos orders?" well if he was so easy to get answers from, there was no reason not to push him further!

 

[ranger]

"I I don't know nothing about any Lord Jericho... please put the sword down." Rikke raised the point even so briefly to spur on the answer to her other question. The man gulped slightly. "P-Processing... y-ya know so they can be sent to the right j-job. T-the big girls with volume are sent to the warehouse. The S-sexy one are sent to the bar...."

 

[Ubberific]

There was no reason to keep the blade up, as surprisingly the 'hardened' thug the rogue expected was far from what she imagined! Seemed she had caught one of the lower rank simple helpers, someone likely just paid for their work and aid around town by forces they barely knew... or he was a darn good bluffer! Rikke would lower her blade and lean slightly on her right foot, as she listened... though couldn't help, but note a distinct stutter and gaze as the man uttered 'The S-sexy ones'

"Alright, but where's this processing place? Is it in town?" if the man didn't know the heroine would only lightly sigh "Alright, then what bar?" seemed her bid for thievery for cash, lead to her stumbling into what seemed to be quite the well-established slavery ring of sorts!

 

[ranger]

With the weapon down the man seemed to relax ever so slightly. "I-its in the merchant level.. Im not sure where the bar is.. I'm not allowed. I-I just tend to the girls in the dairy.

 

[Ubberific]

Rikke would think briefly and suddenly raise her blade again?! "Alright, how about we take a walk up to the merchant level." she'd smile wickedly as it was time to see just how big or small this operation was! "No funny business though and no tell-tale. I usually not quite as nice to slavers." she'd give him a sharp look, before lowering her blade and sheathing it "After you..." though she'd not say it, seemed her accidental name actually rang true to the man who seemed to take care of the local diary... seemed the farmers appearance was more telling than it seemed.

 

[ranger]

The man looking a bit dejected turned around with a nod. Following Rikke found hims making his way up to the merchant level which was just now starting to stir to life. After a brief walk she was directed to small brick building. Here Rikke saw the wagon from before already empty. Next to it was a similar building but with a store front that had exotic cheese for sale. "H-here you are miss now can I go..... I only work here/"

 

[Ubberific]

Rikke smiled "Well you've been of great help. No telling about our conversation and you can go." she'd wink slyly "I imagine neither of us want your boss to find out you ratted their plans out." the rogue grinned wickedly at him and let the farmer go on his merry way. Still with her target clear the rogue would quickly look over any means to sneak inside, it was time to uproot this little cozy corner of criminal activity not to mention save the poor girls that had been caught up till now!

Her eyes sharp, the rogue quickly looked over any potential entry points she could just. She'd not have the dark to hide her, but with how early it was it made it all the more likely whoever worked here were asleep!... atleast that was the hope!

 

[ranger]

The man in question made a hasty retreat leaving Rikke to ponder the structures before her.. While it was true the rogue had no darkness to aid her in stealth the streets were absolutely empty in this corner of the the merchant row. It wouldn't be for long though as faint good morning could be heard down the street. Narrowing her eyes Rikke quickly eliminated the front door. It was too open and no doubt had someone or more inside. Looking to the side on her left she spotted what looked like a narrow ally with a fresh donation of road apples. Perhaps a loading door lay in that direction. The side on her right was also open with only one small door that existed on a small raised platform that lead to the other building, an abandoned cart of some sort lay on this walkway. It could provide cover from the road if need be but otherwise was not in a position for her to exploit.

 

[Ubberific]

What a strange building... Rikke raised an eyebrow as she'd take note of the few strange features, why did it have a door leading to the other building? As for the side entrance with clear signs of horses being left there, perhaps indeed that was where the carriages arrived? The front door was too obvious, thus for now the ever-curious heroines would first check the left side... Hopefully it had an alternative basic entrance there!

 

[ranger]

Making her dash across the street Rikke was confident that she was not spotted.Thankfully her intuition proved true and a small larger loading door was in place slightly ajar to let out some warm light. Getting close she could hear pleasured moans of numerous woman echo from the room. Peaking threw the crack she could see a man smoking a pipe sitting in a chair nearby the door.

 

[Ubberific]

Rikke would smile and quickly rush closer, albeit the girls brightly colored hair may have otherwise been a hindrance, if only due to her agility and use of shadows she'd hopefully near the building without any stray gazes noting her! Yet just as the girl drew cloesr, she'd duck behind cover and peek up to indeed see there was a large side entrance here! Seemed this was where the supplies or the captives were brought--- in?... what was that sound?

The busty rogue blinked innocently as her ears perked subtly, only to carefully draw closer and now all too clearly make out... Echoes of a good few girls moaning out?! A bright blush quickly appearaed on Rikkes face as she'd catch herself in a momentary stunned stance-- W-what was going on in there? Wait.. She could indeed very well guess what was going on there! The man definedly wasn't lieing, this was the place!

Shaking off her stuppor, Rikke quickly refocused herself as she'd draw closer and soon enough make out someone who appeared to be a posted guard here? Whether it was the very start of his shift or the very end, there was definedly no better time for the rogue to make her entrance! Though whatever the case may be, judging by her 'guide' most of these people were just outside hires. Meaning no blood would be shed today... albeit the risks if she got caught, Rikke would blush subtly from all the moans from inside, would certainly be quite high!

Focusing on her first obstacle, the rogue would look for a means to lure the man closer so she could hopefully knock him out with her blades side just as many others!

 

[ranger]

As Rikke watched the man would get up and tap his pipe knocking out the remains of the burnt tobacco and walk off. Threw her small peep hole she could see this man was dressed similarly to the other she had questioned. Though he looked strong it was likely he was no combatant. Voices echoed out as the man left her view but between the moans she couldn't make out what was being said. From her current location at the door crack she could make out the other door across from her. A wheeled cart sat holding a large jug. Soon enough another man showed up and set another jug in the cart before opening the door and wheeling it out closing it behind him.

 

[Ubberific]

Rikke looked on curiously, leaned forward against her itty bitty peep hole... honestly with the hole and the moans, thankfully noone unrelated saw her like this. Though beyond just making the heroine blush, the echoes of 'activity' from inside made eavesdropping almost impossible to boot! Seemed she'd need to interogate one of the higher-ups personally to learn more of whats happening here! Yet before she could do that - she had to get inside!

Rikke looked to the man take a cart and some sort of jug, before strolling through some doors and out of sight... As the moment the door closed and the coast seemed clear, was the moment she'd attempt to head inside!