Miao Miao's Musings - Session 72

 The following account is by Miao; an IC summary of the last session. I give +1 character point (XP) for those players who submit a summary for me to post here on the blog. This session was played 2020/07/09.

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Miao Miao's Musings

 Miao never think she ever have opinion on taxes. Of course, Miao knows that taxes inevitable, like other thing, but it one of first times they apply to Miao. It curious thing.

 After fight with beast-things, and pretty pretty three moon night, wagon arrive in lighter woodland and onto main road. Road! Sign of civilisation! It was pleasant sight. Of course, immediately after, we see other sign of civilisation, riders on horseback with armour and swords. Okay, so, that not necessarily sign of civilisation, but riders stop us and demand taxes, which is. Now, normally Miao consider requests like that as brigandage, and act accordingly, but rider introduce themselves as Constable of the Barony of Northold, so that put different smell on thing. Not that Miao did not sniff around to make sure Constable not simply brigand with pretension, but no, turn out Constable actually Constable. Riders seek wagon, and Miao could feel tension with comrades.

 Miao fairly certain, if thing had gone on, it had ended in steel and blood. That bad thing when dealing with agents of other Baron, so Miao offer to pay tax, out of own purse, which clanking at the time anyway.

 Soon, Miao lighter by four crowns. Four Crowns! Legal tax or no, that highway robbery. Or, to put differently, that highway taxation! On actual highway! Ugh...

 But thing done without blood, that always good. So Miao ask, all polite, for receipt. See, Miao know these taxes, heard of taxes. When Constables go around demanding taxes of travelers, that usually mean either Baron very much in need of coin, or Baron no longer in control of region and agents making some coin off own back and back of travelers. In all cases, it best to get in writing that tax has been paid.

 Miao had suspicion confirmed when first Constable reluctant to write receipt, but did because Miao good with words when she need be (and has pedigree as long as arm of any Baron), and later when guards at gate of town also request tax. They very disappointed Miao had receipt. Hah!

 So they become unpleasant instead.

 For moment, Miao consider paying 'surcharge' to smooth over unpleasantness, but then they unpleasant to companions, and Miao demanded to see Captain. Captain arrived, was even more unpleasant than guard, demanding we hand over all weapons. All weapons! Including Mister Stabby! Miao swears, when she go back to gate in morning and Stabby not there or mistreated or scuffed or... argh!... Miao will do things to guards. Unpleasant things!

 That likely happen anyway, because Captain first infer that Miao in fact common bandit, then imply Miao common bandit, and after outright say that Miao common bandit. Miao demanded apologies, but get only more unpleasantness. So Miao give Captain until morning to apologise, or thing of honour will be settled in way of honour.

 It shocking to see how guards and Captain treat Sir Yvor, Knight of the realm. They take swords! They take swords of Knight! So Yvor and Miao, in somewhat of angry huff, go in search of Sheriff, or Baron, or Equerry, or anyone in charge that can take complaint of shocking treatment.

 It about half hour later, after tromping through muddy street, that Davin (followed Miao and Yvor to make sure we get in no angry mischief) suggest that perhaps Baron not live in small town. That small town, perhaps, not have Sheriff either. And it late to find other person in charge.

 So we go to inn to drink away anger.

 Drink very good! Food very good too! So Miao pay for food and drink for Yvor and Davin, to lift spirits. They lifted very high, by good mead and good salmon.

 Bert already arrange room, good reliable Bert.

 Then, when eating, in come Urchin, try to make off with Davin's purse. Now, Miao believe we may have scared little boy just bit, in trying to appear not scary. At least we gave urchin food, and sent on his way. But urchin say that he by self, nobody to take care of him, and Miao could see look Warian gave.

 That boy belong either in orphanage or raised by temple, taken good care of and taught skills needed to live when older. Bert suggested that, perhaps, boy not working alone, and that set Miao thinking again.

 Yes yes, not happen often, Miao can hear joke now.

 In truth, Miao thinks lots. Just, Miao not always talk about thinking. Miao sometimes writes about thinking, Miao finds it helps with thinking.

 So, Miao thinking something very strange in town, where rumour is that guards very strict on thieves and bandits, but where guards not allow nobles to carry weapons and look away when child is taken in by thieves and bandits.

 Miao also pretty certain innkeeper not sincere when say that nobody ever tried to steal in inn before. Mostly because Miao and friends went to inn on recommendation of Captain.

 So either it common for thieves to target people in inn, or theft arranged by Captain. In both cases, something not smell right with guards. It same smell Miao caught on road when taxed.

 Sir Yvor had same feeling, and Bert not only had feeling, but expertly found witnesses over jug of drink.

 It pointed out to Miao that wagon leave in morning, and that Miao will need speak with Mayor at any rate to deal with suspicions and inform of impending duel with Captain. That not leave much time. Not enough time to right wrongs in town.

 But it enough time to right one wrong.

 It intolerable young child forced to steal by criminals to survive. Miao know for fact that Warian spend much of coin on temple orphanage in Marsh Hall. And Marsh Hall not too far from here.

 So, we now have plan.

 Find child, offer to take child with us to Marsh Hall to be looked after in orphanage, not have steal anymore.

 But Miao expect trouble. So while Bert look for little one, Davin and Hemmu lurk in background and help with search, Miao and Yvor walk along main road. Any trouble, Bert bring little one to main road, and then Miao and Yvor settle trouble.

 But we unarmed, Miao can hear objection. It true. But Miao know Sir Yvor expert boxer, hit like angry Ogre. Miao good with fists too, may not hit like Ogre, but Miao have claws.

 Brigands think we harmless because we not have swords? Hah!

 They much mistaken.