Korvosa, the Jewel of Varisia, has long sparkled on Varisia’s southern shore. Established 300 years ago by Cheliax at the height of that empire’s expansion, the city now commands its own destiny. A line of Korvosan kings and queens emerged to rule the city, establishing an infamous seat power—the Crimson Throne. Rulers have sat upon the Crimson Throne for more than a century, and the city has flourished. Yet the monarchy always seems on the brink of disaster. The Crimson Throne is not a prize to be won—it is a curse. No monarch of Korvosa has died of old age, and none have produced an heir while ruling. Even though King Eodred II controls Korvosa more fully than any previous monarch, that control remains tenuous, and many secretly count the days until their latest king falls to what they call the Curse of the Crimson Throne.
After you have finished eating you head to your room, which is on the ground floor so you are unable to get much sleep, but the food in your belly helps you fall asleep with no hunger issues. The bed was lumpy, but the food more than made up for everything. When you awake you sit down and read your book, like you do every morning which takes you about an hour. But when you stand up and close the book, a card falls out. A Harrow card, how did that get in there? You don't own any of these cards, you pick it up and notice it is “The Joke”. But on the back there is a: message
You quickly drift off into an easy sleep, happy knowing you had a good evening workout. You are woken up early by the companion who you had before you went to sleep, she wants some more attention from you and you are more than happy to oblige. Once you are finished she hands you a small card and tells you that it was on the floor under your door. You take it and look at it, it is a Harrow card, “The Betrayal” to be precise. It looks normal, but on the back there is a: message
You are with your late husband, you seem to be at a theatre, but you are more focused on Eugeni. He is holding out his hand and in it is a bolt of beautiful blue silk, he hands it to you and kisses you. As he pulls away from the kiss, you wake up with a tear forming in your eye. As you turn over, you see a card on your pillow, as you look at it you see it is a Harrow card! “The Theatre” no less, the very place you had been in the dream, but on the back there is a: message
Before going to bed, you think over what has happened to you and look forward to returning home. You fall asleep looking forward to the morrow, the day you might be able to pay Gaedren back! When you wake, you look out of the window and see a Hawk perched on the window sill, under his talon is a card, a card that was not there before you turned in for the night. As you head over to the Hawk it flies away, but the card remains. It is a Harrow card, the very cards the Varisians are famous for using. This card is “The Bear”, but when you look at the back of the card there is a: message
You sit and watch him for a while, but the days hard work gets to you and sleep crawls towards you, so you return to your own room and get into bed. In a couple of minutes you are sleeping, peacefully, quietly and uninterrupted. At the crack of sun rise you wake up and get ready for your days hard work again, but as you get to your table you seen a card wedged between a couple of empty vials. It is the Harrow card, “The Cricket”, but on the back of the card there is a: message
When you awake at sun rise, you get washed, changed and go to begin your morning training before breakfast. But as you reach over for your knives you see a card under them, you pick up your knives and slip them onto your belt. Pick up the card and look at it, it is “The Rabbit Prince”, a Harrow card. On the back of the card there is a: ricket”, but on the back of the card there is a: message
He didn't know how long he stared at the message on the back of the Harrow card, The Joke, before Caim pocketed the card, frown marring his features.
'The Joke, hm?' Caim asked himself, in a wry tone. 'Let's hope that it isn't a sign of things to come.'
Shaking his head, he grabbed his cloak from where he'd discarded it upon entering the room the previous night, pulling the hood up so that his face was shrouded from any casual glances, though if anyone actually took the time to look, it would hardly disguise him. Caim didn't care much for accusing stares from people who both recognised him and knew of the events surrounding his current low rating on the social ladder. There were a fair number of people who honestly believed that he had an innocent man's blood on his hands.
Thank whatever Gods were out there that there hadn't been enough evidence for his incarceration. The one witness had still damned his time at the Acadamae to come to an abrupt end.
'Feh, who needs 'em?' Caim muttered. 'They were all jealous of me anyway.'
Ego boosted, Caim left his room, and bought himself some breakfast, hoping that it was prepared by the same cook that had done his diner the previous night.
Belly full, he left the tavern. His first order of business this day, was to scope out Lancet Street; he had no intention of walking into a meeting without having some basic idea of the locale. For all that he knew, it could be trap. Gaedren could be opting to kill him rather than let Caim find any evidence that could clear his name. Or vigilantes looking to bring Caim some street justice.
No matter, he still intended to go after sunset to this supposed meeting. He just didn't plan to be unprepared.
After his scouting out Lancet Street, Caim opted to wander the city, checking stalls for any wares that might interest him, unlikely as it was, pausing only to eat a meal at noon and again shortly before sunset.
After his second meal, Caim travelled to 3 Lancet Street, arriving at sunset.
You do not see anything that looks like a trap or ambush. As you walk up to the door, it is strangely quiet and when you knock on it, it just swings open slowly and quietly. As you look in you can see a piece of paper on a table in the middle of the room, with a stone holding it down. You go over to the table and look at the paper, on the paper this is a : message.
After reading the message, you turn back to the door and close it, before sitting down on a chair. Now you are sitting down you take a good look at the room you are in, while you await for these "others" and the person who sent you the note.
"The cozy chamber within this small home is filled with a fragrant haze of flowers and strong spice. The haze comes from several sticks of incense smouldering in wall-mounted burners that look like butterfly-winged elves. The smoke itself seems to soften edges and gives the room a dream-like feel. The walls are draped with brocaded tapestries, one showing a black-skulled beast juggling men’s hearts, another showing a pair of angels dancing atop a snow-blasted mountain. A third tapestry on the far wall depicts a tall hooded figure shrouded in mist, a flaming sword held in a skeletal hand. Several brightly-colored rugs cover the floor, but the room’s only furnishings are a wooden table covered by a bright red throwcloth and several elegant tall-backed chairs. A basket covered by blue cloth sits under the table."
Raz snatches up the card and reads the back several times, trying to bring the memories of the times he had seen Gaedren's writing. It doesn't match. The thought of that man knowing how to find him... Raz almost crushes the card in his hand and throws it away, already planning how Tyler and himself would get out city when he remembers the other Little Lamms.
He couldn't leave them in Gaedren's clutches. He wouldn't.
Rushing back to Tyler's room, Raz knocks on the door urgently.
"Tyler! You up? I think we got a chance to get back at him!" He class through the door.
'yes im up. i hope so...wait did you get a card too?'
I open the door, card in hand.
"Yeah, the Cricket." He replies, holding up his card. "It's worth checking out, I think, but do you think it's real or a trap?"
Krill stares at the Bear Harrow card for the longest time, before putting out his head out of the window, seeing for anything amiss. Slowly he turns the card around, seeing the writing as written brings a flashback, a sudden twinge of a remembered blow of the man's cruelty, the gnawing pain of a denied meal, often days at a time.
Gaedren Lamm must die.
Krill surprised himself, speaking the words out loud and slowly unclenched his whitened fists.
Finding him, a lead is most welcome and here it is granted.
Resolving to be at the rendezvous at sunset, Krill cleans up and gets ready for he day, planning to scout out meeting point from his collection of distant Korvosa from memory.
'i think it is suspicious and probably a trap. but we can't let this chance escape us. i think if we are careful and prepared we should be all right. the cricket? i got the rabbit prince.' i hold up my card to show him it.
'hopefully all of my training will be of use today and i will be involved in Gaedren's demise.'
I wake up and crawl out of bed. My head feels as though someone is gnawing at it. "Is that you?" I ask no one in particular.
Nope. That's all you. That was some night last night. I'm having a hard time telling if you were in a good mood or a bad mood. Usually you like them just one a night and you definitely never pay for them. Something is wrong. What's troubling you?
"I dreamed of the day I murdered my father again. I remember that feeling. Then I thought of my adopted parents and all those idiots that attended that party. I have made countless people pay for their idiocy and yet it is not enough. I saw a child beaten in public yesterday by an angry father. Not sure what he was upset about but seeing it made me want to kill him. I should have."
Just like you should have Gaedren?
I lower my head. "Dammit! Did you have to bring that name up again?"
I know you regret never killing the man when you had the chance. Pity, revenge and brutal murder are two of your finest talents and now that man is a dark mark on your record. You will be haunted by it for the rest of your life.
I groan. Suddenly I hear a voice. The last woman I laid with has been disturbed by my conversation. Time to act charming. "I am sorry to have awoken you. I hope you rested well. I need to head out soon so it is time for us to part ways." She fakes a coo at me and offers to sell her services again. I hate whores. I will never do this again. They lie and only tell you what you want hear. Complete and utter lies. Takes the enjoyment out of the evening and this is the only thing I get enjoyment out of in my life and I went and ruined it last night. What is wrong with me?
You like honesty in the women you lie to and bed with behind their parents and lovers backs? You are a totally hypocrite. It is quite becoming on you.
That voice again. She's right. I have to sin against myself in order to enjoy life. I hate this miserable world. Uh I need to find something to do today. Maybe I will be lucky and find that father.
That is an excellent idea, it has been awhile since your last victim and while watching you seduce women is fun, I love a good murder just as much.
"It isn't just that, it is justice." The woman with me inquires again about me talking to myself. Time for her to leave. I escort her out the door and bid her farewell. I'm not paying for this ever again. Completely unsatisfying.
I'll say. No risk, no fun.
As I look around I notice the card on the floor. "What's this? A harrow card. Did one of the ladies from last night drop this? The Betrayal?"
Good thing you don't trust anyone or else you'd have something to worry about.
"Indeed." I look it over and notice what is written on the back. I stood there in shock for a moment. I could feel my heart rate increasing, my blood beginning to boil. The adrenaline rush at what I was seeing.
Now that is interesting. This may be exactly what you have been looking for this whole time.
"I don't know. Seems to good to be true. What was it doing here. Does one of those women know who I am? This is troubling. Someone knows my past. I thought I put it behind me. This needs to be addressed one way or the other. I'm going but I am not going ill prepared. There will be blood spilled this day weather or not Gaedren is involved."
Now that's my boy. You seem back in the game. Go and make me proud
I grab my gear and pack up my things and head out. I need to get to this location as soon as possible so that I can scout it out. I am expecting a trap. I don't care about the risks. I need purpose. I leave and pay the innkeeper on the way out. I head to Lancet Street. I don't care what the time is, this needs to be dealt with NOW.
After reading the message, you turn back to the door and close it, before sitting down on a chair. Now you are sitting down you take a good look at the room you are in, while you await for these "others" and the person who sent you the note.
"The cozy chamber within this small home is filled with a fragrant haze of flowers and strong spice. The haze comes from several sticks of incense smouldering in wall-mounted burners that look like butterfly-winged elves. The smoke itself seems to soften edges and gives the room a dream-like feel. The walls are draped with brocaded tapestries, one showing a black-skulled beast juggling men’s hearts, another showing a pair of angels dancing atop a snow-blasted mountain. A third tapestry on the far wall depicts a tall hooded figure shrouded in mist, a flaming sword held in a skeletal hand. Several brightly-colored rugs cover the floor, but the room’s only furnishings are a wooden table covered by a bright red throwcloth and several elegant tall-backed chairs. A basket covered by blue cloth sits under the table."
I will continue to inspect the house a bit looking at the pictures. I am particularly fascinated by the one black skulled beast with the hearts. Amused I ask the voice in my head. "Friend of yours?" Voice responds:"No but I'd love to meet him." I chuckle at this. After a few seconds the annoying smell gets on my nerves and I pull a scarf length cloth out of my bag and put it over my mouth and nose. I find the room where the smell is the weakest and wait there in the furthest corner facing all the possible entrances. If there is no chair there, then I do a little rearranging and put one there. If I get hungry I eat my rations. I don't trust this guy, not one little bit. My Morningstar and Shield are in reach should the need arrive. I have not lived this lifestyle this long by being careless. I wait patiently. For it is something I have grown accustom to.
Caim glanced at the red skinned man, eyebrow raising in thought. He was quite the looker, even with the rag covering his lower face; if Caim had been of the fairer gender, he was certain he'd be getting hot in the face. It didn't take a second look to note the morningstar within easy grabbing distance. The Magus frowned at the weapon, pulling his hood down to better conceal his face; no sense in testing whether this man was willing to attack him.
Outside of pulling his hood, he opted to ignore the strange man for the moment; moving to the middle of the room, reading the note on the table, brow furrowed.
'Take the time to summon me, and doesn't even have the decency to be here when I arrive.' Caim muttered. 'Gotta love the décor, though.
Another look at his surroundings, particularly the tapestries, had Caim chuckling softly at the image of the dancing angels. He decided against checking the basket beneath the table; he had already just eaten, and there was still the suspicion that this whole setup was a trap of some kind.
'It would be a fair guess to say that you aren't the owner of this home, correct?' Caim spoke up, returning his attention to the red man. 'So, who would you be?'
Others like myself? Iolana sighs, and studies the card for a time. Who would question such benevolence in this city?
Iolana vents a mirthless laugh, and pulls herself into a seated position, letting the card dangle from her fingers idly. She silently debases herself for having expected anonymity much less security from the 'keep who accepted so little coin. Information will always be a profitable trade.
Iolana raises the card again. The harrow was considered a powerful tool among her people for divining fate. Eugeni had abhored the practice, but adhered to Iolana's traditions. In private, and in public, husband and wife agreed.
3 Lancet Street...
You remember hearing about the place, it is the home and fortune-telling shop of a Varisian woman named Zellara.
"I think it has. With these 'others' the message talks about, I don't think he's going to last. I'll meet you there after my day at the Pantheon, okay?" With that, Raz turns and runs off to his job. Today even the tedious work of making healing drinks over and over wouldn't get to him! He was so excited and anxious that he doesn't even realize it when he breaks his own record for number of potions made in a single day(a record no one else even knew about to be fair). Instead, each potion created is another lash at Gaedren in his mind's eye...
That night, a little before the appointed time, Raz makes his way to 3 Lancet Street.
'i will meet you outside just before sunset then. have a fun day, i know i will, i am looking forward to paying him back!'
i gather all my belongings and head out into Korvosa to eat some breakfast and lunch. making sure to stay close to the house where Raz and i will meet.
i arrive a couple of hours before sunset, where i wait on the other side of the street, waiting for Raz. i make note of anyone that enters the building or leaves the building.
Tyler as you are standing there in the shadows for such a long time, you see a cloak figure knock on the door of the house and walk in, closing the door behind him.
As Krill prowls about the streets of Korvosa, distant memories rush back, flooding to him. A bridge perhaps, where he once sought refuge beneath from the harsh rain. Or an unassuming alley, where he oft gave pursuers the slip after stealing something to ease the gnawing pain.
The faces of the streets pop up but fail to jolt any form of recollection. Before long he stands near the entrance of 3 Lancet Street, watching from a distanced view, seeing the comings and goings, somewhat hoping Lamm makes an appearance, axe ready to part head from body.
"Hey, Ty. Everything look okay so far?" Raz asks as he meets up with his friend. He looks around warily, edgy from pent up excitement.
Krill, at sunset you see a cloaked figure knock on the door of the building, before walking in and closing the door behind him. You also see a man walk along Lancet Street and stand opposite number 3. He calls to his friend and is looking around, looking almost nervous.
Raz, you see a tall man standing about 10 meters from you holding an axe, looking at you and the building. Also inside the building you hear a man, 'you aren't the owner of this home, correct? So, who would you be?'
'hey Raz, 1 person has gone in already since i have been watching. he was in a big balck cloak with a hood. the man over there also saw him go in and hasn't tried to kill him yet, so i don't think he is part of this trap, if it is one. also he hasn't tried to attack us yet, which is good.
there is nothing saying that he thinks we are the trap though. anyway, shall we go in? before we go, could you tell me where i can stick my knives in Lamm to make him suffer the most?'
When Caim enters the first thing he'd notice is my completely white and watchful eyes. I merely sit and watch as the man enters making no significant movements. He must be one of the others the note mentions as he is obviously unfamiliar with this place.
So this man may have also been a little Lamm once? Interesting.
Don't know for certain though I am sure he would be an equal match if we had to fight.
I wait a moment before answering his question. "I am Fealix. Once a long time ago I was also a Little Lamm." I will simply sit here and watch and see who else may enter and let the man do his thing.
Iolana dresses, taking a great deal of time separating and pulling her dark hair into a system of plaits which she works into a complext ghignon and further covers with a brightly colored scarf so that not one stray hair can be felt, or she hopes, seen by the naked eye. From her pillow, Iolana picks up several hairs that had fallen while she slept, at least those that she can recognize with her eyesight before exits the inn.
A seamstress for hire, Iolana takes in most of her work at the markets, prefering only to work for her own people. A Varisian will easily be forgotten by another, where one of Chelaxian stock might sneer at an outsider and recall the indignity of going to a Varisian craft their clothing, no matter Iolana's skill with textiles and fashion. The benefits of being tied to the market and her own people, of course, is that Iolana rarely lacks alternative sources of information.
This Zellara... no fortune teller would be without a reputation among my people.
Iolana will go to the location on Lancet Street at the appointed time. Having no skill with stealth, and more than a little angry with the woman's approach, Iolana feels no need to adhere to the protocols associated with hospitality.
Iolana, All anyone can say about Zellara is that she prefers to use a Harrow deck for her fortune telling.
As you are walking down the street towards number 3, you see a trio of men standing opposite the house. 2 of them seem to be talking, where as the other is just watching a little further away. But as you knock on the door you can feel them watching you as you enter. Once inside you close the door behind you and see 2 men already in the room looking at you. One is sitting in the corner of the room, he has red skin and pure white eyes. The other wearing a black cloak with a raised hood.
Krill, Razule, Tyler you all see an attractive woman walk up to the door and knock on it before walking in and closing the door behind her.
"Guy with an ax over there... never seen him before. There's three people in that house now too, maybe more." Raz mutters off, reciting what he knows for his own reasons and Tyler's benefit. "I don't think it's a trap. I'm going in." He reaches inside his tunic and pulls out a small red vial, keeping a tight grip on it as he moves toward the house. Instead of knocking, Raz just opens the door and slips inside.
I follow raz in dagger in hand but I try to keep it hidden so as not to raise suspicion
slight of hand
"They begin to gather." I say in an ominous voice from the corner of the room.
Standing on watching the strangers enter the home causes a spark of curiosity to form in Krill's mind.
Perhaps the have knowledge of Lamm's whereabouts.
He slips a hand round his dagger, before stepping forth towards the address. Without knocking, he enters, tightly gripping his dagger.
Caim raises an eyebrow at the red skinned man's words, taking note of his eyes.
Interesting eyes that this one has.
He opens his mouth to introduce himself, but the door opens before he gets the chance, prompting him to make certain that his hood if sufficiently shrouding his features before turning to face whomever walked in through the door. He spies the attractive woman entering, almost as though she had every right to be there, were it not for the single knock on the door before her entering, he'd have believed her to be the owner of the home. Almost as though she were a catalyst, yet more people began to enter in after her.
I hear Fealix's ominously toned words, and give a small chuckle, turning to face him again.
'Do you have to practice that, or does it come naturally?' He asked the white eyed man, in a low voice, so that only he can hear me. 'I doubt I could manage that tone of voice near so well. I am Caim.'
"They begin to gather." I say in an ominous voice from the corner of the room.
"Hope that ain't a signal." A human says as he enters the room. He seems rather young, and his an inch or two shorter than the woman who entered before him. His brown hair and pale skin does little to make him seem older. "Cause if this turns out to be a trap things are gonna get rough."
Iolana glances at the first speaker, then to the tribesman with his hand on his dagger, and finally resting on the last to enter.
"Indeed," she answers, her voice a harmonic alto. "Were I any other woman, I might worry for my physical safety with such a display of potential violence from the tribesman," she gestures to him with a nod, then smiles. "But who would dare offer violence here, when we have little reason not to inform upon each other?" she recognizes and laughs softly.
You all notice that there is a chair for all of you, as well one left over. So at least one more person is coming, but you are not sure if it is the person who summoned you or another person who has been summoned. Either way it would appear whoever summoned you is late.
I observe the newcomers as they enter. A very interesting bunch we have here. I look at each of them, especially the woman. Are they all Gaedren's lost Lamm's? They seem confused and curious enough not to be after me or us. I wonder when the one who called us here will show or is this really a trap for all of us?
You think to much. You seem very paranoid at the moment. Look there is an attractive female in the room. Doesn't that make you happy?
"I see. I would like to get to know her, all of them." I appear to be talking to no one in particular.
Convinced that these people are others like myself, I stand and give a bow. "I am Fealix. I was formally one of Lamm's slaves. I wonder. Have all of you suffered the same as I or is it merely coincidence that you all happen to be here?
As I speak, my gaze keeps turning to Iolana, more than anyone else in the room.
If she was once one of his, she may be just the kind of woman you've been looking for.
I am not sure. I will at least talk with her and see. I really want to get to know her first.
i walk over to Raz and stand by his side, 'i am Tyler, i have suffered at Lamms hands as well. anyone know who it is who summoned us?'
i was hoping that bastard would be here, that way i could finally make him suffer like he made me suffer!
"I'm Raz, one of his more recent ex-Little Lamm." He takes the card that was left for him out of his pocket and holds The Cricket up. "I was told to come here."
Lamm shall pay for his past offenses to me. I am Krill, of the tribes. Someone has bought us together for a purpose.
Krill fishes out the Bear Harrow card for all to see.
I am waiting if this encounter would bear fruit.
He subtlety moves his hand away from his dagger.
Caim listened to each introduction, brow furrowed in thought, before bringing his hand to his hood and lowering it.
'I am Caim Sevíré. Lamm framed me for murder, and I do not intend to let that stand.' He introduced himself, running a hand through his hair. 'I don't know whether he targeted me specifically, or I just happened to be a convenient scapegoat, but I have no desire to let him get away with his act.'
Swivelling his shoulder, Caim examined each person in the room, memorising each face for future reference.
'So, we have a man framed for murder, a number of former slaves, an offended tribal, and...' Caim raised an eyebrow at the woman of the group. 'Whatever your gripe is, all connected to one Gaedren Lamm... well, unless there is a different man with the name Lamm that I'm unaware of. I see now what was meant by others like myself.'
As he spoke, Caim removed The Joke from his pocket and began to twirl it around his fingers.
At least the card wasn't a prophecy regarding this meeting. Still interested in who would leave a message on a Harrow Card of all things.
'Speaking of... does anyone know anything of whomever arranged this little get together. Kudos to them for managing to sneak their message into my book without my noticing it, but I would have preferred a more direct approach to inviting me. Such as asking me to my face.'
"Her name is Zellara, she is a fortune teller," Iolana answers. "More than that, I cannot say, as I have discerned little else. Mine people would afford her the highest respect," Iolana continues with a tone hardened with disdain, "but we are known to be superstitious on the whole," Iolana chuckles softly.
"I, for one, am most eager to discover why this woman has broken faith with our respect for hospitality and invaded the privacy of my room, and my life," Iolana states, her eyes flashing dark anger.
Iolana takes a breath and pauses to center herself, glancing warily at the young man who seems to be speaking to the air, and eying her. "I am Iolana, and Gaedren Lamm orphaned my daughter."
After everyone has introduced themselves, the door opens and in walks an attractive middle-aged Varisian woman with long dark hair and a smile playing across her face. 'Thank you for coming, my friends, and for putting up with my unconventional method of contacting you.' She pulls out the chair closest to the door and sits down. Once seated she pulls out a deck of cards; which just happen to be Harrow cards, and begins to shuffle them. Anyone watching the cards can see instantly that she handles them masterfully, they seem to float above her hands and the table. 'Please be seated, I wish you no harm only to give you a chance. I see no-one ate any food or had the drink, I don't blame you though a suspicious calling and food...even I would be suspicious.'
Once everyone is seated, 'I have reason to remain hidden, you see—a terrible man would see great harm done to me if he knew I was reaching out for help. This is a man you know, for he has done something terrible to each of you as well. I speak, of course, of Gaedren Lamm, a man whose cruelty and capacity to destroy the lives of those he touches are matched only by his gift for avoiding reprisal. You see, a year ago, his thieves stole this, my Harrow deck, from me. It is important to me, an heirloom passed down through a dozen generations, and also my sole means of support. When pickpockets stole it, my son, Eran, tracked them down. The thieves were in the employ of Gaedren Lamm, and in reward for finding them, Gaedren murdered my son. I sought help from the Guard, but they turned me away. And so I asked around. I paid bribes. I consulted my Harrow deck for advice. And recently, I was rewarded—I found out where Gaedren dwells. He can be found in an old fishery north of here at Westpier 17, where he trains his abducted children to be pickpockets and counts his stolen treasures. And now, I need your help. I cannot hope to face this man on my own, and the Guard moves so slowly that if I were to go to them, Gaedren would certainly know of their coming well in advance. Even if they did arrest him—what guarantee would I have he would be punished? This criminal has evaded the law for decades. But you know of these frustrations as well, for word on the street has it that Gaedren has wronged each of you, too. So there we are. It is time for him to pay.'
----Before host arrives----
I narrow my eyes at the door. "Who ever set this up has a lot to answer for. For one, they have jepordized my sense of security. For another....." I pause and I consider the company I am in the presence of.
You hate harrowers or any form of fortune tellers. I would say you need to get over that obsession but it is more fun watching you go to work.
I merely wait in silence trying to keep myself from watching the woman present. It's hard not to look.
----Seating to listen to the lady speak----
I take the harrow card and flick it to her. I have not removed my scarf. "I will say this, you have made a very foolish move in how you chose to contact me, but I am willing to...."forgive" you for the moment as I owe Lamm some pain. Since we all have a score to settle, I ask only one thing, no payment needed. I want to be the first involved in Lamm's punishment. He needs to be alive for it. All I want is to simply remove his toenails. Nothing more. I want to do it before any of you do anything else to him. Once I have finished, you can enact justice as you all see fit." I look to each of them as if they had already agreed to my request.
My your being unusually merciful and generous. But now that I think of it, your father was the only person you ever removed the toenails from....interesting.
Caim listened to who he assumed to be Zellara, before sighing, deep in thought.
'I get the feeling that of everyone here, I'm the one slightest the least. What's an accusation of murder to slave labour or murdered loved ones?' Caim shook his head.
At Fealix's words, Caim gives a start, staring at the red-hued man, giving him a bemused look.
'You want to remove his toenails?' He gaped. 'His crime against me was tame compared to conscripted peonage, and I want to render him to a state of being deceased! I am curious as to the reasons for this peculiar request; but you reasons are you own. I have a feeling that I won't get be getting personal with the need for justice, as it would seen that everyone else here has more of a right to such than me. So long as I contribute, I'm fine.'
I looks at Caim. "Why deceased? That's the easy way out for him. Tell me, what punishment is there to be had in dying. None. Death is a release I would prefer he would be denied. Rather, removing toenails is a painful thing and I intend to make it as slow and as agonizing as I can. Unless I find a better way to make him suffer." I look at my hands. My scarf hiding my sadistic grin. "Never mind. All I want is to make the first dent in him. The rest of you can do with him as you please when I am done. So long as he remembers me most."
These people obviously don't know you like I do. It took for days for your father to die under your "care". How could they possibly appreciate what you are truly capable of without witnessing it first hand.
I turn my gaze to the host. "I am sorry for sounding so dark but this is a touchy subject for me. I am sure I am not the only one here who has be wronged by the man we now hunt. You all have my sympathies."
Liar
"Quiet you, any ways, my lady, I need to know one thing. How did you find out about us? And don't tell me you saw it in those cards. A deck of playing cards does not "find" people or tell you their life stories. I should know as I have had some experience with that in the past."
Oh boy she has no idea what you've seen. She could have someone like me sitting in that noggin of hers giving her visions. Some of my good friends have a nice little habit of doing that to people and making them think it is some kind of "vision". It's funny, I hear the good spirits do it too only, they do it as a means to motivate people, we do it for fun hehe.
"I know. Thanks for reminding me of the unpleasantness of having you around." I say this line under my breath
Anytime
I sit and wait for her answer to my question.
The whole time she and her guests are talking, she is continuing to shuffle her cards.
'How did I know about you? The music and sounds of the city are all there for anyone to hear, you just have to try and listen to them to understand what they say. As for your comment about my cards, these are not just playing cards, these are Harrow! Harrow have the ability to see what others cannot and I myself can see them even more than most! I am assuming your experience was done by a fraud who knew nothing of Harrow?'
Iolana sits and listens quietly to Zellara's speech. So many mothers whose children have been affected by this creature Iolana quickly recognizes, but is scarcely convinced that such an outrage would stir the heart within her breast to take such a large risk as bribing individuals to learn Lamm's location. Any animal low enough to accept coin for such a service is just as likely to accept more to inform upon the recipient. Iolana shakes her head sadly.
A woman desperate with grief. Did she tell me this tale to make me empathize with her position? Have I any less right to be hostile now? Iolana considers her position for a number of moments while her companions speak.
At Zellara's voice, a small smile tugs at Iolana's lips. A devout of Shelyn, Iolana is a romantic in the highest definition of the word, but she prefers poetry to theatre. Harrow has the ability to mystify the dull and the weak, who perpetuate myths in ignorance, she adds silently.
"Curious then, Mistress. When I 'listened to the music and sounds of the city'," she quotes incredulously, "I heard not one tale of woe about the harrower Zellara," Iolana observes.
'I am able to hear more than most and because of this I am able to remain pretty well hidden. You have my tale, information regarding the man who has wronged us all and his location. I ask for no fee for this information, I beg of you to stop this man!'
'He can be found in an old fishery north of here at Westpier 17, where he trains his abducted children to be pickpockets and counts his stolen treasures.'
"So that is where he moved them..." Razule says softly. "I'll go. I've not been out of his 'care' long enough to forget it. Knowing where he is is one step closer to stopping Lamm and freeing those he's taken. Two birds with one stone."