Tamatha
He watched from the rooftop across the street from their score, playing the role of sentry while Persephone made her first real solo job. It wasn't excessively dangerous in itself, a gem cutter's shop which relied predominantly on a low profile for security rather than actual guards or elaborate traps. Indeed, Skout's primary concern wasn't security, but Persephone's ability to resist the temptation of distraction by bright, sparkly gemstones in her immediate proximity. Every moment that she was inside made him worry that much more that she was trying to steal more than she could conveniently carry.

It was long overdue for her to be making her own score; Skout was overprotective given his past history with apprentices she indeed more recent events with her in Tidehaven, but when Gunfrey had pulled him aside and asked what he was waiting for, Skout knew he had to relent. 

They had been in Cretaine for nearly ten days now, and in that time, she had proven herself not only to Skout, but to many of the Maidens that they had been working in tandem with. She knew the layout of much of the city and despite still lacking her tail, she was nearly as agile at maneuvering the rooftops as any of the Maidens who had been traversing these environments for years. 

While his eyes and ears served the role of sentry, Skout's mind was distracted, considering something else: the recent string of murders, predominantly focused on the poorer districts. A woman here, a man there, there seemed little sense beyond the simple brutality with which each had been killed. The Maidens had lost an informant only the night before, an old hand named Fez who, posing as a beggar in the Fisher Point docks district, was the primary source for much of what came into the capital by ships there. His kids would be felt for no small amount of time.

Skout might have overlooked whoever was behind these killings; Cretaine was not his world any more. He'd found no signs of Lilith, and he was ready to leave the capital of humanity behind once more. 

There were only two things keeping him. First, despite his holding her back, Persephone was thriving here, integrating with the Maidens, learning and finally beginning to cast aside the reservations that she had built up since Tidehaven. And second...

There was something different; a familiar itch in the back of his head the likes of which he had not felt in years. He couldn't put his finger on it. It wasn't Chaos, but he could feel it in the sword he was bound to as well: it was as if whatever was irritating the blade was transferring to him, no matter how hard he tried to ignore it. A force of Order or Balance, mingling here in the streets of the capital? 

Growling quietly under his breath, he exhaled, trying to remain calm while Persephone took her time looting the shop below. "C'mon Perse, let's get out of here..." He said quietly in agitation.
Marta
She had been in Cretaine for two days, just listening. She had changed her appearance to the same human form she took in Andullian, a young human woman with dark hair and brown eyes, rather plain and non descript, so she could meld in with crowds if she had to. Clothing, once again, looking middle class, neither rich nor poor, that consisted of a plain blue dress and a grey cloak around her shoulders. Drow were not welcomed in this City.. She knew that from the brief time she had been there before and she doubted she'd get a fair trial if she were jailed. 

She went in and out shops and taverns just listening to the gossip. He had been here.. Bodies had been found. But was he still in Cretaine? Usually the bodies were found when he had left.. This time they are finding them daily and they appeared to be just the less fortunate than what he had killed at The Pit. This, of course, led her to wander her way into the poorer side of the city to continue her search, stopping to question a beggar here and there, using coins to try and fish more information if they should have it. 
 
"We been findin places to sleep at night, Miss.. We have been sharin' coin and rentin' a room, most of us together.. " It was a toung man, probably twelve that she spoke to. 
Jenna slipped him a couple coppers. 
"Have you noticed anyone that was visiting here or just hanging out at taverns that looked different? Not from here? I know there's people that pass through, but if he's.." She paused here, not wanting to use the word 'hunt' which is what the killer seemed to be doing. ".. Lurking.. Possibly some sort of animal, or someone that shifts into an animal." 
The young man just kept shaking his head, "No, Miss.. I don't know anyone that can do that!" His eyes widened at the thought of someone shifting shapes! "And we watch each others back 'round here good, ya know." 
She nodded in answer, they were a tight knit crew, no doubt. She gave him a gracious smile along with a small pouch of coins. "Get a safe room tonight for you and your friends. If you hear or find out any more information, would you come find me? I rented a room at The Raven's Nest.. But I'll likely be hanging around here most of the time." 

"Yes, Miss...?" She hadn't asked her name, and she felt no reason not to give it to him. 

"Jenna.." 

"Thank you, Miss Jenna..." He moved off as he hid the small pouch of coins on his person and waved before turning a corner. 

Jenna stood for a while, just watching the people go by. She couldn't outright cast any spells as she was, she'd lose her illusion but she could scan the people for magical auras.. See if someone else was blanketing themselves.. Hiding.. Hunting..
Candelaria
He had been having fun instilling terror in the lower classes. His prey still hadn't showed himself. So now it was time to up the ante. 

This time, a nobleman's daughter was found. She had a rope around each wrist, stretched out, hanging her about 3 feet off the ground, on the side of a prominent building in the upper class market area. 

Her throat had been ripped out, as if from an animal bite, but the chunck was laying on the ground below her.

She had been partially gutted. Her intestines trailed out of her body, and were used to spell out the name "Skout" On the street.

Incomel come with the crowd, and feined shock and horror with the rest of the people, all the while soaking in their reactions.

Oh yes. This would get around. It would be more difficult to continue his fun from now on. The nobles would be in a rage.

But his prey would definitely pay attention to this one.