We Sons Of Daley [Manhattan Blues]

Probably won't hurt too much to go with him. Might improve his mood too.
Arlington should tail them from out of sight with Area Scanning and Sense Feelings. Just in case trouble happens.

"... Yeah, all right." :Arlington, are you getting all this?:

:If you leave I'll have to tail you.: You don't know how well you can keep up with this courier in these conditions.

The HERALD nods. "It's gonna be two days to get there from here, so the Councilman wanted me to give yas somethin'." He hands over the parcel, and Alice opens it. "For yer time."

Inside is an OBSIDIAN KNIFE, carved such that EVERY FACET REFRACTS THE LIGHT. Alice seems to look it over for a moment, then closes the box and casually drops it in her backpack. "Listen, I got a poor bastard from out Illinois way tagging along with me. He's kind of handy with a GUN. Mind if he comes with?"

Of all the things... Well, if it gets her to agree, have her bring her toy along. "Sure, go get him I guess. I don't wanna hear yas two at night, though."

"That won't be a problem." She comes to fetch you. :Hey. Arlington. Cool it on the psychic powers- remember, you're just some guy who's handy with weaponry, dime a dozen, okay?:

"Yeah, yeah, I hear you," you reply, packing up the camp as much as possible. You're not about to look a gift horse in the mouth, really.

It takes you a little less than a day to get to the east bank of the Hudson through difficult terrain. However, the ferry is on the other side, and most people aren't willing to come on to Manhattan at night for fear of the wolf packs and the chameleon snow leopards. You thank your lucky stars you've got something to evade local wildlife.

So, you set up camp near the bank, and soon enough, you're joined by a small patrol of the Councilman's men, who give you a hairy eyeball; they're soon mollified by the fact the herald vouches for you.

As you reach the Councilman's lands over the next day, the ruined city starts fading in exchange for the sort of reclaimed farmland that you remember from Gary- a few public buildings left standing, the others plowed aside or under; orchards and grain stretch for some time. In the distance, you can see a horse pulling up some asphalt with a plow. The sound of hammer on metal reaches your ears over the sounds of wildlife and hard work.

The town is mostly new buildings, like most towns; apparently there's a library or something that the Councilman decided was the best place to build his home. The letters are long since fallen off, the letters erased to time, but his colors hang over it. What you notice now is that his colors are actually a flag like Chicago's, as opposed to the colors of some of the more petty mayors you've come across. This one is a blue-gold affair, emblazoned with the seal of what, on closer inspection, claims to be the GREAT SEAL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.

The herald leads you inside, where the Councilman appears to be deciding some case put before him. He's running through his law books, carefully marking out precedent, and tells the small JURY to deliberate in the deliberation room.

The case over with for the moment, defendant and plaintiff move off to one side. The Herald approaches. "I've brought the shadow-walker, bawss."

"Hm? Ah. And an extra?"

"They work togeddah, bawss." The herald shrugs.

"I see. They'll be at the end of my docket. Show them to a waiting room." He looks at you and Alice. "I won't keep you long, don't bother unpacking. Next case, please..."

>_