Krokar turns, speaking slowly as if he doesn't wish to offend Bjorkus. "What ship and crew? Instead of material wealth there is a chance we could assist you in your ship and crews recovery." Heff frowns, but says nothing.
Bjorkus shoots an angry glare at Heff before he answers the orc.
”Before I ended up here, involved in your war, I was tangled up in some trouble with the Xilres Navy. One of their damned captains went out and captured my flagship while I was in chains and fighting Nuro. He’s using my ship and my crew to do his dirty work and I aim to put an end to him”, Bjorkus explains.
”If the Aestherics don’t have the balls to get me what I need, point me in the direction of someone who does.”
Toramin has more questions, but he holds his tongue. This is his friend's moment to get what he so desperately desired. Besides, what could be more freeing that rescuing an indentured crew.
Dwarves don't hold grudges. We are completely reasonable and logical. It's only good sense to destroy the capacities of those who have harmed you in the past.
Krokar glances between Bjorkus and Heff, understanding dawning on him. "I care little for the affairs of pirates, but if a Xilres officer is masquerading as a pirate captain then I intend to put an end to him. In fact, this might be right up my alley." He smiles, glancing at Drosil and Jasper. "No tricks, no sneaking around, just good old fashioned getting back what's yours with loyal men and strong steel. And I wouldn't mind having a contact with some influence on the seas."
Drosil speaks up, voice barely more than a whisper. "Heff owes a debt to one of the pirate lords and intends to repay it by giving him that ship." The other council members look in shock at Drosil's knowledge and bluntness, save Älia in her silence and Heff, who doesn't make eye contact with anybody. After a moment Jasper breaks into a fit of laughter again.
Ruul grunts and nods in the orc’s direction. ”Now we’re talkin’. You get me a ship and a few strong backs and I’ll be in your debt.”
Krokar nods. "If the majority are agreed that shall be Bjorkus's pay in full." Krokar and Jasper both quickly raise their hands, but Jasper is frowning. Heff remains unmoving, and Drosil gives a slight shake to his head. All eyes turn to Älia, who waits for a solid ten seconds before gently inclining her head. "Than it is agreed. Bjorkus, if it is so within my power you shall once again be in command of your ship and crew."
Toramin's eyes widen and he looks at Heff disapprovingly. That's not friendly. That's not friendly at all.
"At least some here value truth. Good thing Bjorkus isn't a dwarf, because then he might hold a grudge."
Racist!
Bjorkus clenches his meaty fists in barely contained anger. He snorts at the treacherous spy and nods at Krokar. ”Then I’m your man.”
The minotaur takes a step away from Heff, suddenly finding the master spy’s presence unbearable.
"I do not recall lying, only not mentioning my intentions. And I would much rather placate one of the pirate lords than Bjorkus." Krokar looks at him disapprovingly and even Drosil narrows his eyes. Jasper looks to be on the edge of hysteria as he holds a hand over his mouth to contain his laughter.
”You’re a snake and I’ll feel better once there’s an ocean’s worth of sand between us”, Bjorkus answers in a growl.
"Wouldn't commitment to the truth include unveiling it not omitting valuable information or suggesting to Bjorkus earlier that the Aestherics were not interested in such matters?"
Toramin's gear like mind clicks into place as he recalls the scene, "Did you not say 'You would need better reason than 'I want my ship back' to gain our aid?' And, yet, here Bjorkus just stood and said exactly that. You did not want him to ask. As I said before, each action we take conditions the actions of others."
Don't try me.
"As long as you're comfortable in one ocean or another. You can spit at my feet later, let's get this sorted out first." He shrugs. "I did not believe the council would be interested in this matter, but the majority proved me wrong. So is the judgement of the council."
In a titanic show of will, Bjorkus returns his attention to the mission. "What's gunna be expected of me as a slave? You say half-minotaurs are a rare. What are they known for down there?"
"Fighting. I won't lie, there is going to be a certain level of risk."
”Fighting I can do”, the minotaur is quick to answer. ”If I was worried about risk I wouldn’t be here.”
He grins, a warriors grin. "Do that and don't insult anybody and you'll be fine. You might face a rare threat but you'll mostly be beating up weak malnourished slaves."
”There’s not much challenge in that but I’ll play along as best I can.”
"What information do you want exactly?"
"Why Targ is suddenly becoming so friendly with the other Slave Princes and why the slaves whisper of war. And, well anything else you can figure out about him would be much appreciated."
"That reminds me. We need to discuss supplies. We all agreed that hot weather outfits and a pair of everfilling mugs would be in order. Also rings of messenger so you may communicate with each other. Beyond that we were unsure of what supplies you would want, so we are open to suggestions."
Bjorkus ponders the question. ”A healing wand would be good in case we run into trouble we’ve got to fight our way out of.”
"Maybe a wand of Endure Elements if things go awry and we cannot find shelter."
Krokar glances at the other council members momentarily, then continues. "Should be easily obtained, both are more than reasonable requests. I would remind you that magic brings attention to you in Yenrick, particularly magic items."
"Out on the seas there's rumors of enchanted containers that can hide items from magical detection. It's a dream for smugglers. Think we could get somethin' like that for the wands?"
At the mention of smuggling the council turns in unison to Jasper. He pauses a moment, then grumbles. "Yeah yeah, I'll dig one up."
A desert. Not a place for a watery fellow like myself. With the enhancing items from the council, it would seem possible Dalton could get along, but he would stick out like a sore thumb.
The empathizing words of Krokar were trumped at the moment by the duplicity of Heff. Who must be taken at his word for as long as one needs him. Dalton was familiar with greed, though theirs was true democracy as stated. The needs of the many bludgeon the needs of the few. Bjorkus was just one person; Heff's need for that pirate exchange must involved a few. At least Dalton hoped so - otherwise he was being lead astray.
Dalton glances to the soft-voiced man. "Master Drosil, your ears seem to miss little. While we are tasked with things to see and hear, much can be determined by what is unseen and unheard. Does anything come to mind which would be especially queer if it were not the case in this land?"
Rilka is going to ask about the two previous teams when more details are given. She bows her head, thinking of the people who died.
Following the interaction between Bjorkus and the Five with interest and surprise, Rilka studies Heff for any hint of shame
Nodding in agreement with the suggested wands, the halfling pipes in with, Maps. We need copies of the best maps available.” She flips over another page and writes with her pencil into her notebook. ”We need means for counteracting poisons. I hear deserts are filled with scorpions, snakes, spiders, and insects. Do we have anyone from Yenrick in the organization? I’d like to ask her or him questions about language, customs, and generalities.”
Drosil shrugs. "Every man bows to one of the slaver princes, so you best answer quickly if somebody asks who yours is. Giant and undercommon are common tongues there, although many languages arise in an effort to hold secret conversations. There are two kinds of magic users in Yenrick: The ones that keep it secret, and the ones everybody fears. You should also let go of any squeamishness or thoughts of protecting your lessers. The land is harsh and the slavers harsher."
At the mention of poison the council once again turns to Jasper, who barks a laugh. "I would feel insulted if you weren't right. I have a small stock of antitoxin, I'll bring some."
"Map is easily done. You will have two contacts while in Yenrick. A dwarf who goes by Yorden Gravelheart runs the Green Scorpion inn at Buldera, this little town right in the middle of Targ's territory. He's an Aestheric of thirty years and has only spent five of them outside Yenrick. The other is Kienyach, a half-drow who's one of the lowest slaves under Targ. Not an official Aestheric but he tells us where Targ moves and who is seen in his camp in exchange for us giving food and money to his human family. He's one of Targ's prized pit fighters and harder to kill than sand."
"I can speak fluent undercommon and will learn giant if needed."
Heff shakes his head. "You won't have time to learn a new language."
Rilka appears dismayed when Undercommon and Giant are mentioned. She brightens when Lindale says he can speak Undercommon and is willing to learn Giant. ”We can at least practice a few basic phrases together Lindale. Help each other learn.”
She asks the leaders, ”What were the two previous groups’ cover stories?”
"First group pretended to be merchants who seconded in drug smuggling. Second group tried to simply remain completely off the grid."
Giant would be useful to know. . .
"What is the economy of Yenrick like? It cannot be all the buying and selling of slaves. The climate isn't right to support an exceptionally large breeding population. From whence do they buy their slaves? How do they pay for them? Imports? Exports?"
"I speak the giant-tongue", Bjorkus adds. "I haven't used it much since I was a calf but it won't be hard to pick up again."
"There are vast tunnels under the sand with coal, diamonds, and other natural resources. Also there are rare plants where many medicines, drugs, and poisons are derived from. Their slaves come from wherever they can find them, they have everything from humans to drow to aasimars in chains. Pay is very open ended. Gold is accepted, but so is valuables, people, and favors. No area haggles like Yenrick."
"Well then." Dalton glances around the group. "I cannot imagine you're eager to act as slaves. Nor I your slaver. I've seen enough arrogance in my days to make that mask believable, but cruelty not so much. Let us hope Bjorkus catches the overlord's eye to negotiate an exchange rather than a domination."
Dalton glances back at the now-untrustworthy Heff, then over to Jasper. "It seems your mind for values exceeds my own. While I'm sure they value gems and coin as we do, perhaps there is some other currency they would value more which we would be quite willing to part with. There is a saying: "For a man stranded in the cold, a hot bowl of soup is worth thrice the price of frozen gold.""
Jasper smirks at the compliment, but shakes his head. "Sorry, information like that is Heff's department."
"That is why Bjorkus is the bait, his eye for odd slaves. The fact that Bjorkus is a fighter will only sweeten the deal. It's one thing to have an interesting slave to look at, it's another to have them be useful as well."
"If Master Dalton's cover is that of a slaver, will he not be expected to buy and sell slaves while he is there?"
"Then a proposal, if you're up for it: I show off my "ware" for the slaver. I do not know if they have arenas for entertainment, but I imagine bloodthirst does well as a passtime there. Targ sees the value in Bjorkus and perhaps drops a hint or two at what purpose he has for accruing fighters in the meantime."
"The only hitch is Bjorkus could not fall. Not that I'd like to doubt him!"
”He already said most of the bouts would be against half-starved slaves. All I’ve got to do is put on a show. I know a thing or two about putting on a show.”
"He will. The specifics of the mission will be left to you, we learned long ago that micromanaging does not always turn out well. If there is a true emergency and you are unsure of how to continue than you can break the seal to contact us early."