Quote from 87306 >>

The crowd is about two steps from freakout.  You see a few onlookers run off.  A woman wearing a dark grey cloak and a large conical straw hat that conceals her face in shadow pushes her way through the mass of people.  You can see that she is a very pretty young elf with black hair and an especially large purple gem in her forehead.  "You need to come with me," she says in an undertone, so that you all are the only ones who can hear.  "Quickly, before those people find some guards that aren't busy."

"Why should we?" Raiden snarls as he defensively holds his Katana across the length of his slim upper body whilst his nine tails revert to a single one (His bladesong is still active btw). "You're just another one of those gemmed assassins right? If you're just leading us into further trouble rather than a place where we all need to go, We won't allow it!"

Jorm shrugs and says matter of factly “I suppose those of you that killed the elf can answer to the town guard instead”

Looking up at Jorm "The elf killed himself, pal. But you're right. It looks like we all, yourself included, chased him down... and now he's dead. The guards will have rough questions for us all." With a weary look, Trey's gaze goes to follow the purple crystal wearing elf. He nods. "Raiden we're safer if we leave the scene and she seems to know a spot, if things go sideways we'll deal with them then. But let's move." He stands, and quickly follows the cloaked woman. Looking back over his shoulder "If it even looks like you're involved, come with us. With assasins around, we're safer together."

Jorm looks at Trey and the others who are hesitating “Indeed…See there..Trey gets it”

Even if I was questioned by guards on this incident, I wouldn't be able to say anything. How confusing... Zak is snapped out of his thoughts by the mention of the word 'assassin,' and his face looks like it had been slapped. "Assassins? This was an assassin?" His eyes meet Jorm's for a split second, clouded with confusion. But he follows those that seem to know more than he anyways. "What in the world..."

(Just so you know, all elves in Mori Noya, not just assassins, have gems)

The elf leads you to a nearby alleyway.  She takes off the hat and cloak, tossing them aside, to reveal that she is wearing a luxurious scarlet kimono stitched with designs showing gem dragons and forests.  She also has another gem on each of her hands.  Trey and Tamashi, you know that, while every elf is given a single gem in their forehead, it is extremely rare to have more than one.  Only elves of more power than Tamashi would have that.  "You," she says. "You're Tamashi, right? One of the heirs to the Atarachi clan.  That assassin was meant for you."

She looks decidedly anxious, but also strangely relieved.

Quote from Ravnodaus >>

Looking up at Jorm "The elf killed himself, pal. But you're right. It looks like we all, yourself included, chased him down... and now he's dead. The guards will have rough questions for us all." With a weary look, Trey's gaze goes to follow the purple crystal wearing elf. He nods. "Raiden we're safer if we leave the scene and she seems to know a spot, if things go sideways we'll deal with them then. But let's move." He stands, and quickly follows the cloaked woman. Looking back over his shoulder "If it even looks like you're involved, come with us. With assasins around, we're safer together."

Raiden hesitated for a bit but... After hearing Trey, his bladesong abruptly ends as he slowly sheathes his Katana back into its scabbard and his AC reverts back to 14. His scowl still remains as his fluffy white tail becomes rigid with tension but he follows his advice... For now. "Alright. Fine." He mutters under his breath. "I was hoping we could've dealt with this situation quicker and move on with our expedition..." His nimble feet then scurries in the direction that everyone was heading. "...If this threat is even worse than what we've dealt with so far, let's get out of here. Though I don't really trust anyone but you and Tama-chan so far..."

Inside his head: Sorry my young leader. I know I said I'll be back soon but... This is going to take way longer than I calculated... I'll be sure to surpass you in the meantime! I'll stick with my word!

The elf says, "Listen.  You aren't the only noble who's been attacked.  Almost every noble in the city has, including me.  Most didn't survive."

(I had a power outage so I couldn't post for a few days)

"My, my, my. So this is the bunch of cheeky misfits I have to work with since my gorgeous mermaid pals?" Pearlin cheekily questions with a medium-low pitched whilst placing her hands on her soft, bare hips. She scans the males that seems to be eyeing her constantly or are just distracted. Two Shadar Kai, a Harengon, a 9-tailed fox boy and a recently joined bugbear. Now she's really intrigued.
"You all would make a really charming group I'd say... but... I see what the problem is now. I guess whoever must've released that black-cloaked fighter must really hate you lot. Very well. I'll join your majestic group for now. Assuming you all find ways to entertain me and don't mind my alluring presence don't you?" She asks as she follows behind all of them and flutters her eyelids whenever they make eye contact with her.

Jorm shrugs and continues to hop along "I was attacked for trying to help the elf....They climbed into my room from the streets injured. I tried to help them and they cut me. I don't know who any of you are other than what this elf just said....We are traveling with royalty it seems hmmm? Well, again my name is Jorman but ehhh Where are we headed exactly?"

"Hmm. If there was a series of attacks against nobility then someone is trying to usurp authority. Or at the very least, move up the ladder. Regardless of who the culprit is, anyone left standing is going to look weak, and they'll be disorganized. And they'll need to do something big to look strong. Otheriwise we'll have chaos in the streets in no time." Trey, the muscled elf mercenary, looks to be gravely concerned by the news that the systems of power have been disrupted. But then realizes something even more distressing, "Tamashi, who can you reach out to? Your family may also be in grave danger."

"Isn't this place already in enough chaos?" Pearlin asks as she trots behind the boys and sways her hips. "From the looks of it, we may have to follow the elf's instructions before we do anything rash. I may not be a noble myself but, whatever the situation is, I plan to resolve it before things worsen. And besides, safety first. Rescue later, once we're better prepared."

Tamashi, are you going to respond to Trey?

Tamashi, taking it all in, responds "Yes, we need to get to the Kochi manor. Follow me" He starts running, running as fast as he can. He runs for 10,15,20 min up this hill; to the very top with a large manor. 

The newcomer elf doesn't really seem to want this distraction, but she follows anyway.

A note: as each elf clan has its own fiefdom, your family doesn't really live in the city.  It's possible that one of your siblings is here on business, but most of your family probably won't be.

"Oh, we're leaving again?" Zak was busy whispering absentminded thoughts into his shoulder, and was not paying very much attention to his surroundings. "I'm coming, I'm coming." He runs down the street behind Tamashi, following him to wherever he'll lead them.

I'm kinda assuming you all follow.

The central hill is crowned with the massive, majestic imperial palace, which is resplendent in red and gold.  Behind it is the sacred garden that houses the taiboku (大木), an impossibly huge tree whose spreading branches cover most of the city.  It is strung with thousands of charms and prayer flags, as well as whole strings of dully glowing orange lanterns, which shed light on the whole area.  To the side of the imperial palace is a much smaller, but still imposing, manor.  Its dark green roof and red door, marked with the symbols 平和に来て (a traditional greeting) seem normal.  However, you spot an open window on the third floor, its curtains flapping in a soft breeze.  A chill of foreboding settles over you.

Jorm continues to follow but in a different direction than the elf had suggested. He now follows them to the imperial palace apparently one of his new companions are noble....He shrugs as he thinks to himself wondering what he's gotten himself into. "Uh soo uhh...Do they usually leave only one window open? If this was an attack on you as a noble couldn't this mean uhh" Jorman fiddles for a moment "Couldn't this mean more of you were targeted?"

"Yes, we need to warn them as well" He proceeds up to the first guard and asks to see the Magistrate about an important incident. I show them my Royal block and wait there.