"Understandable," Gillian agrees. Now she finally felt that she knew enough about her new companions to be able to make some judgements of her own if she had to - or at least the three from the Gold Goblin. She'd not spent a great deal of time speaking with Sinmara and Aishe on the trip out to the island but there would be plenty of time to get to know them better.
Or not, she muses. There's likely more akatas out here, not to mention this Zincher. Hells, we'll probably be lucky if the Tien doesn't kill at least one of us to prove some sort of point.
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Finding Zincher's camp is an easy task; the plume of smoke from the camp's fire rises into the clear sky and serve as both warning and welcome to everything on the island.
The entire camp stands in a wide forest clearing off the western trail and about 200 feet south of two partially collapsed buildings. One massive tent dominates the encampment, with three lesser olive-green tents to the south and a line of even smaller canvas tents to the north. Ahead of the massive tent and between the lines of others burns a huge bonfire, creating a tremendous plume of white smoke. Sections of high palisade walls offer minimal protection around the edges of the camp, although stacked tree trunks and lines of narrow, deep trenches indicate the palisade is meant to eventually engulf the entire camp.
A pair of guards sit next to the bonfire, keeping careful watch.
"Well, we're here. Are we here to talk or assassinate? If we are here to talk I suggest we have something to say. Mr. Zincher seems the pragmatic sort and given the size of the camp I doubt he'll feel he needs our help without a compelling argument."
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"I expect there'll be a rather strong vote for the assassination route," Gillian whispers, a wry smile on her face as she glances at Nel and Tamiro. "My own vote is that if we're going to fight, and if this man has tried to assassinate you three before then I'd say it's likely even if we try to parley, then there needs to be a good reason to do so."
She shrugs. "And if it'll save us trouble in the long run to deal with Zincher now, well...that seems like a fairly good reason to me."
"The Boss wants to talk it out, so we talk it out. I can only hope talking doesn't work." Tamiro says, crossing his arms, and shaking his head.
"Technically, he has only tried to directly kill Nel and Tamiro. He did, I suspect, send the men who tried to burn our ship out from beneath us at dock before we came to harvest the star metal all for himself, but in a way that just seems to be good business sense. If you like I can do the scouting. Or should it come to it provide ample distraction to any guards."
__ 1st—bless, command (DC 15), disguise selfD, sanctuary (DC 15)
__ 0 (at will)—create water, guidance, resistance, stabilize
Nel furrows her brow at the slight jab, before turning her attention back to the camp. "I have no reason to hide from Clegg Zincher, besides if he's built his camp on top of the entrance to the library, it is going to be easier if we can talk our way in. I am not particularly stealthy, and I would think that any attempt at subterfuge would only illict an unwillingness to grant an audience with us." Dismounting off of her horse, Nel waits to hear the others suggestions.
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Aishe nods, "Got it. We're not expecting open warfare, but it could happen at any time. I'll be watchful."
He walks along with the others, trying hard not to keep his hand on his weapon.
"You mentioned a library? Are we supposed to be on the lookout for something?"
"Even if we are to parley, we should know what we're walking into," Sinmara proposes. "I won't be seen in these woods." It sounds like her mind is made up as to the best course of action, but she defers to Nel's judgment. "Shall I?" she asks, one eyebrow raised.
"Talking it is then," Gillian nods. "And the idea to scout a bit first is a good one, though not something I can be much help with obviously."
"Now...what's this about a library?" she asks, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"Oh we're all friends here. I'm Rilia...."
"This is Nel, Gillian, Sinmara, Aishe, and Tamiro--Tamiro's Common is not so good so should you need to speak to him do so loudly and very slowly. Alas they need to be going. Don't you?"
Will you please get going already?
Aishe nods as he's introduced and wonders if all Zincher's people are as simple minded as these appear to be. Or is Rilia just that powerful? Hard to know which for now, but he files it away to consider later.
Getting the message he says, "Of course." and begins to move along, presumably with the others. He tries to follow Nell's lead.
Heh...she's a slippery one. Not surprising, considering her vocation.
"Oh! Yes, of course - we're late for a very important meeting," Gillian agrees, playing along with the ruse. "Sorry we couldn't stay and chat longer, but it was nice meeting you!" she continues with a cheery wave as she makes to follow Nel and the others.
Nel rolls her eyes as the men fall for Rilia's charming gaze, but gently nudges her horse forward. "Indeed, you are doing your jobs most admirably. Keep up the good work." Offering a sly grin to the others Nel leads her the party towards the large tent. "I don't know much about the library, just some local rumors that say it is supposedly here. I expect that it will be underground but in magnificent repair."
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"Of course, we must report in. Akron is waiting." One of the guards is a short, stocky man - a very dwarf-looking human whose every feature is short but thick. He looks over at his rather elfin partner and nods. "We're ten men down, so we don't have time to stay and chat. But if you want to come with us, we can talk by the fire?"
The elfin man gives a delightful laugh and begins walking onward. "Follow us, please. Come with us."
Aishe moves toward the camp, and finds a good place to hide where he can see the clearing at least. He is hiding in the closest full cover he can get, presumably in a large shrubbery. He sneaks into position carefully.
Aishe fingers his crossbow but does not ready it. He tries to look relaxed, but it feels like they're walking into a trap, so he's extra wary as he walks with the others.
As Aishe and Sinmara fan out to cover the camp, Gillian follows Nel and Tamiro as they head towards the large tent. Although she'd rather things not to come bloodshed right away she nevertheless maintains a wary eye on her surroundings, watching for potential openings and ways to create havoc should things get ugly.
Tamiro ignores the jab from Rilia, and advances with Nel towards the camp. He keeps a hand on his blade, as he eyes the inhabitants and says, "I hope someone takes offense at our entrance."
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As Rilia walks into the camp with her enthralled gaurds, the rest come to see what is happening. All but one of the guards - a towering yet graceful dark-skinned man - fall under her thrall, holding on to every word the drops from her lips.
The man gives a smile and says, "Well, well, who are you? I'm assuming you're not friends of Zincher, given that you've got most of the camp under your spell. Lovely spellwork, I must say."
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"You're too kind, Mr...?"
Aishe, crossbow resting on his lap, kneels in the dirt and leaves. He tries to tighten and loosen his muscles in groups to prevent cramping and hopes for a short meeting.
He watches carefully...
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Curious to see how this encounter would play out, Gillian watches the proceedings with interest. She's especially curious about this towering man, who clearly has some knowledge of magic himself.
Not Zincher, but he knows magic so he's not just some common thug. Maybe a second-in-command?
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"Erix, Akron Erix. I help out Clegg in this little venture. Now, he's just in his tent over there. I could call out and let him know that Saul's little birds are here, but I figured it'd be more interesting to talk first. So," he says, pulling out a cheap cigar and lighting it, "let's chat. I'll trade you, question for question. What are you doing here and why have you got Clegg's men enthralled?"
Sinmara considers joining Aishe in his stealthy approach as she enters the camp, but decides to remain with the group. Best to put on a strong face, she thought. Don't want Zincher's men... The ones who still have their heads, at least... to think they outnumber us too badly."
"Erix, Akron Erix. I help out Clegg in this little venture. Now, he's just in his tent over there. I could call out and let him know that Saul's little birds are here, but I figured it'd be more interesting to talk first. So," he says, pulling out a cheap cigar and lighting it, "let's chat. I'll trade you, question for question. What are you doing here and why have you got Clegg's men enthralled?"
"Fine let's talk. I can talk all night if you're interested. Enthralled? These men are merely men and taken with the exotic. I'm not doing anything to them they they would not gladly pay for under normal circumstances. And that was two questions Erix. I'll answer the second when you answer one of ours."
Tamiro spits on the ground, "We put that bastards head on the counter for a few days, the Gold Goblin is ours, not his."
Looking to Rilia, he nods at her negotiations and adds, "This is not a question, merely a statement. The Gold Goblin is ours now, Saul and his men are dead. Any problems Zincher had with that man are in the Boneyard now. If he is merely competing with the Gold Goblin, then have him tell us that. I do not want to be considered one of "Sauls Men""
Aishe strains to listen to the conversation, and hopes their voices don't drop conspiratorially. He keeps his crossbow handy, but hopes he won't have to use it.
He waits patiently.
Nel frowns heavily as the Erix and Rilia converse. "I don't care if Zincher finds out that we are here. I want to have a chat." crossing her arms, Nel wearily eyes the remaining enthralled men before turning her attention back to the task at hand.
"That's really all we want," Gillian adds, speaking up for the first time since they'd stepped into the camp. "And we even had the decency to be direct and ask nicely; that should merit a little consideration on your part and Zincher's right?"
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"... I'll answer the second when you answer one of ours."
"I'm sorry, my friends are all at least partially human and therefore do not hear all that well. Your proposal was a question for question. They must not have heard. I however am ready with one--an interogative statement that is: what interest do you have in helping Clegg?"
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Erix gives a lopsided smile and holds his hands out, palms facing upwards. His eyes dart quickly still, obviously assessing.
"My apologies, dear. I have no interest in helping Mr. Zincher. You'll find that our interests are closer than you first expect. We've both, after all, found ourselves working for crime lords. I can get you an audience with the man, but you'll find that he isn't quite like himself these days. I'm not quite sure what's causing it, as it seems like he can't quite talk about it."
"What dealings have you had with Zincher before?"
"For myself none, but some of my fellows have at times been on the wrong side of the man."
"Erix, Akron Erix. I help out Clegg in this little venture."
"Problematic since we now know you to be duplicitous yourself. You just said you were helping him and now you claim to be his enemy. So who are you really Mr Erix?"
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Erix chuckles and holds out his hands again, as if caught. "We've already agreed you can work with someone but be against them, no? If you insist, I am of the Sable Company Marines. We had a man in Zincher's" he waves his hand around to indicate the nearby camp, "operations round about four years ago. Zincher sent us his head via post, addressed to one of the most prominent merchants in our markets. After that, well, they sent me."
"He's not aware of this whole deal, of course. My loyalties are with the Sable Company. I know that you can't trust, but I know that I can't trust you. So, let's make a deal - I'll get you a meeting with good ol' Zincher, and you'll leave me to my own ends?"
Now this is interesting, Gillian muses. I didn't expect we'd meet someone that isn't an ally but isn't necessarily an enemy, either. Rilia is good at what she does.
Sable Company...hmm...wonder what their business here might be, though?
No, doesn't ring a bell. Maybe one of the others might know.
Sneering at Rilia and fingering the pommel of his blade, Tamiro turns to Nel turning his back to the conversation, and growls rather angrily,"Naze kore ga watashitachi no tame ni ieba, nado sarigenaku anata o kaiko akuma o mimi yubi s!++e imasu ka bosu?"Glaring at Rilia he continues,"Kanojo wa, bugai-shadearu kanojo ga okotta ka, watashitachi no rigaitamonono nani mo shirimasen! Watashi wa kanojo no soto ni jōshi o doraggu s&*@e itadakemasu ka? Chikaku no shi wa hijō ni kichōna keikendesu."
Nel's eyebrow twitches as she attempts to stay passive in the conversation. At Tamiro's words, Nel abruptly removes her shield from her back and slams it into the dirt before her. "Enough." Turning to the Calistrite and the Tien, Nel narrows her lips and puffs up her chest. "Rilia. Tamiro. Enough with the back handed insults, the death threats, and the blatant racism." Pointing at them, Nel grits her teeth.
"Starting now, the next time I hear a back handed comment about someones heritage, or another freakin' death threat, you're going to have to answer to me. Capeesh? We're all a great big dysfunctional family. If you've got a problem with that, well, there's a boat that's coming in at the abandoned town in about a day. Go hitch a ride on that." Pointing aggressively to the shore, Nel turns her attention the the other three members of her adventuring party.
"Thank you all for being mature, despite all of this madness." Leaving her shield in the dirt, Nel kicks it with the toe of her boot. "Erix, you're from Korvosa, yeah? I got this thing off a defector. It should probably return there." Pinching the bridge of her nose, Nel looks over the tent. "We'll keep your secret Erix, if you could, please grant us an audience with Clegg Zincher." Cracking her neck, Nel waits for approval to approach the tent.
Aishe continues to cover the party from the shrubbery, but wonders how effective he'll be if the fight begins inside the tent. Still, he has his orders, and though they may be dull, he will rigorously follow them.
Odd that he'd be this far out. Korvosa is quite a trek from here! I wonder what his story is?
He wonders if the big man is telling the truth.
Uncertain of the right-hand-man's motives, he waits, fingering his crossbow and wondering what lies ahead.
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The man chuckles a bit at Nel's outburst and picks up the shield. "A Korvosan guard? How interesting." He gives a clear re-appraisal of the half-elf as he runs his hand over the wood and metal studs. "I see that you hold secrets as well. I do have... use for this. Ah, but I can't simply take it without paying, can I?"
He pulls from his belt a bag clinking heavily with gold.
"You'll find enough in there to make up for most of this shield. Now, follow me."
This immense red pavilion sticks out in the forest setting. Easily fifteen feet tall and twenty feet wide, the tent is larger than many buildings in Riddleport.
Before opening the flap that serves as a door, Erix looks at Nel and Tamiro's swords with a bit of a sheepish grin. "Now, I can't be letting you take those in with the boss. You can leave them out here - I won't be running off with them, but, well, orders are orders."
A bizarre place of opulence despite its isolation, the inside of this pavilion is divided by a curtain that runs from roof to floor. In the open front half, a massive, iron-banded wooden trunk rests along the north wall while a row of boxes lines the south wall. Four heavily cushioned leather chairs sit in the middle of the open space in pairs. A tall, wrought-iron candelabra stands in the center of the area, its twelve evenly spaced candles burning merrily and giving off a mixture of pleasant aromas.
Zincher stands the party enters and offers a wide grin and outstretched arms, "Friends, friends. So good to see you! Take a seat, please. You must be so fearless to brave the perils of the Devil's Elbow to pay good ol' Clegg a visit." His grin cracks into a smirk as he elaborates, "Or perhaps you are desperate? Ah, let's not get too much into that. How do our other guests on this island fair?"
The flaps remain open during the meeting and Erix stands on guard as the meeting comences.
Sneering at Rilia and fingering the pommel of his blade, Tamiro turns to Nel turning his back to the conversation, and growls rather angrily,"Naze kore ga watashitachi no tame ni ieba, nado sarigenaku anata o kaiko akuma o mimi yubi s~$%e imasu ka bosu?"Glaring at Rilia he continues,"Kanojo wa, bugai-shadearu kanojo ga okotta ka, watashitachi no rigaitamonono nani mo shirimasen! Watashi wa kanojo no soto ni jōshi o doraggu s%*%e itadakemasu ka? Chikaku no shi wa hijō ni kichōna keikendesu."
"He says 'after you', Akron."
Before opening the flap that serves as a door, Erix looks at Nel and Tamiro's swords with a bit of a sheepish grin. "Now, I can't be letting you take those in with the boss. You can leave them out here - I won't be running off with them, but, well, orders are orders."
Rilia puts up her hands and smiles innocently. She looks ready to be thoroughly searched for hidden weapons. "I can be quite dangerous you know." Her smile goes sly.
*****
Rilia hesitates for a moment upon meeting 'good ol' Clegg'. She makes a formal bow and says: "Kono otoko wa miryō sa remashita. It means," and she can't help but put emphasis on the fact that she is translating her words for non-speakers, "'We are charmed to see you.'"
She graciously takes a seat and looks about the tent.
"You have a beautiful place here--nearly all the comforts of a home."
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"Yes, I do like the comforts of my wealth. It's something that you get used to when you are a man such like me. Nice bed, good food, ample wine. It's the rewards of having worked so hard for so long." Zincher gives a smile, "You are rather charming, but we were having a conversation. Do you have news of the others on this island?"
Still rather bemused by this strange little trio that she, Aishe, and Sinmara have joined, Gillian accompanies the others into the tent. She offers no objections to leaving her weaponry outside; in this she can appreciate Rilia's own attitude.
It takes a little more than that to disarm us, doesn't it?
As Clegg greets them, Gillian finds herself surprised at the man's rather welcoming attitude but notices that none of the others seem alarmed - yet.
Even after the briefing I still feel in over my head, she thinks ruefully. But looks like now is a good time to catch up.
