Antonio's Journal Entry #3

 It has been a long day. When I awoke, I thought we had encountered a storm at sea, for I could hardly make it up to the deck without the ship swaying back and forth and bumping into walls. Imagine my surprise when I got up on deck and found clear skies. It would seem I was still dizzy from the blow to my head. However, it soon went away.

Before sending Salin and Roe'ellina to scout out the alleyway we were to make the slave trade in, I assisted Salin in forging a letter from Jasper to myself, telling me that I had better help him or else suffer grave consequences. This letter, along with my cuts and bruises from the alley fight, will help pin the disappearance of the slaves onto Jasper and thus take him out of the picture. After this letter had been written and sealed with the official seal of Elversult, I pocketed it until the right time showed itself to present it to the pirate lords. 

The sabotaging of the slave trade went down splendidly. There was one moment where Helen hesitated and almost broke character, but other than that, we accomplished our goal and left the armband of Baram behind to frame him for the kidnapping. I must say, despite the recent beating I had taken, I was in rather good form. If Jasper had been there, then I would have dispensed with the old crow.

The party split ways now, Guile and Helen going with the slaves back to the ship and the rest of us heading to Captain Zardo's hideout. I am not comfortable that we have let Helen go. Not because I think she will do something wrong, but I fear she may fall into some trouble before she reaches home. If Helen had stayed with us, I could see her safely home when I return to make good on my word to Jasper. I know the rest of the group does not trust her, especially Guile, but she is so young and really quite helpless. She needs guidance in her life.

So as not to attract any attention on the way to the ruins, I looped an arm around the waist of my two lady companions as we walked down the street, nodding and winking at people who happened to glance our way. Roe'ellina, who seems to lack certain social norms, continually rubbed her cheek against mine in the way that cats rub themselves against your leg. It was most uncomfortable, and she got her white fur all over my hat. I am still picking out the hairs!

We ran into a demon cult once we arrived at the ruins, and I wished very much that Guile were with us since, after all, she used to be a demon hunter. However, we would have to do without her. I did thank her in my heart, though, for the silver sword she had given me in return for fencing lessons, for such weapons have the ability to hurt the undead. We quickly dispensed with the filthy lot, though not before I received a nasty bite from a Maw demon, and Pellenistra fell under a charm and tried to kill Roe'ellina, and the two of them duked it out. Roe'ellina is still not speaking to her.

Just as Salin landed the last blow to the leader of the group, Guile showed up. She seemed nervous and wanted us to all leave at once, for others of the cult would soon be upon us. But there was some discussion as to what to do with the few bodies that remained. As this conversation commenced, Pellenistra began looking through the bodies for anything of value. She found a badge with a marking on it. It looked terribly familiar to me, and then it hit me. The symbol was the same that Guile had tattooed on her. When she had disguised herself to go to the Cutless, she had worn a blouse that sat off the shoulders, and that was the first time I saw the markings. I then realized that the marking on her face was also the same symbol, just upside down.

I pulled her aside and asked in lowered tones if they were the same symbols and why she had them. After an exclamation that would have made mother blush, she made a quick remark about the Bloodbound liking to adorn themselves. I thought this might be a good time to offer to get drinks together sometime so she could tell the story, but Guile seemed uncomfortable with the idea and restated that we all needed to leave immediately. Alas, perhaps I played my hand too soon. I should have waited longer before asking. And what was I thinking asking her to a tavern to talk about cults over a pint of ale? Ladies do not want that sort of thing. They want nice dinners with candlelight and soft music in the background, not the sound of drunken men making crude conversation over their drinks. They want flowers and chocolates, not poisoned positions for hair loss!

You are losing your touch, Antonio.

Though, none of this really matters if we are only friends. If that is what we are...

We arrived at the hideout to find it full of Drow and were introduced to Captain Jarlaxle Baenre, our benefactor and the reason for our coming to Laskoon. Many plans were discussed, including those of impersonating certain of the captains to cause unrest between them and hopefully turn the party in two days into a disaster. I had suggested that if any of the pirate lords had lovers, that perhaps dressing up as one of them visiting another pirate lord would cause disharmony. Much to my annoyance, Salin, having finished his fourth cup of wine, mumbled just loud enough for all to hear that, "when your only tool is a hammer, everything you see looks like a nail." 

Clearly he still finds it amusing to make biting remarks about me…

Guile was handed a hat by Capt. Jarlaxle. It gives the wearer the ability to look like whomever they wish. Guile turned into me, and for a moment I stood there staring at myself. It was a little unsettling, but I did look rather handsome. I am trying not to read too much into the fact that she chose me to turn into.

In the course of our planning, Captain Jarlaxle mentioned that Jasper had left town. I am uneasy about this. He was seen headed South, which means he is headed back to Elversult. Something needs to be done about him. If I can manage it, I will end my family's trade here and then travel home and end the slave trade there once and for all!