Una cares little about the actual goings on of the game. The point is to get people to notice her copious wealth. She flippantly flips over the cards dealt to her.
Shakhan nods to Devargo, his tone boasts confidence and certainty. "Greetings. I'm Shakhan, champion."
Una places a few more bets.
before she gets bored with the game, and gestures to her attendant (Hytogg) to collect up the gold and move to a different location.
"Surely they serve refreshments here. I cannot imagine a pleasure barge that does not." She says, in an imperious tone,
Risdin clears his throat and takes a step forward,"If I may."
He takes a deep breath then says,"I am Kren Kolebrok, and this here is my fighter Shakhan. We have taken our time to seek an ally in a venture we are pursuing, and our path has led us to you, Spider-King."
"Shakhan here should be known to you. He is one of the most feared gladiators and cage fighters in Varisia. His spree of victories are more vast than the Streaming Sea itself, and yet he has more to give."
"After killing the wretched Gaedren Lamm and sating his vengeance, his heart now burns for combat. He has but one goal, and that is to once again become the best."
"Which brings us to you, King of Spiders. We propose a mutually beneficial agreement where you set up cage fights and gather the crowds, while Shakhan takes on anyone or anything willing to step inside with him."
"He's already known throughout the land by any that will wager money, so returning to center stage will be seamless for him. With your backing we can both make a tidy sum."
Bluff:
'Sir' Vlado Drafir looks down at the halfling imperiously as if noticing a rat scurrying over his shoe. He steps forward and takes the offered glass for his lady Thrune.
His words are curt, "Be off runt! {Rasp~}"
He raises his visor to reveal his heavily bandaged features concealed under many cloths only his frosty blue eyes revealed. He takes out of his pouch a small vial [Potion of Disguise] and drinks its contents through a part in the bandages for his lips. Then pours a small amount of the 'offered' drink to Lady Thrune into the vial and drinks it down.
He pauses a few moments, then turns to Lady Thrune offering the drink in exaggerated politeness, "Your Drink Milady... it is NOT poisoned...{Gasp~}!"
Those that take any effort to look closely realize that his face beneath the bandages is HORRIBLY Scarred from Burns!
He returns the vial back into his belt pouch and lowers his visor his breathing returning to its metallic rasping cadence...{Rasp~!}
"Hah!" Shakhan grins a little surly, "I wasn't thinking of fair competition. Rather something where the bets are a certainty." He motions to Risdin impatiently, "I'm good at violence - " Shakhan twirls his axe expertly, " - don't understand much else; but Kren here insists that we need a promoter, and someone in the shadows to pull the strings to ensure the fights will go exactly as planned."
Una accepts the drink carefully, attempting not to touch the glass where anyone else had touched it. She turns the glass slowly, and sips delicately at the wine.
"You should be grateful that it is not, Captain. I am in the mood for some true sport."
She looks down at the halfing waiter.
"I don't suppose you have fights here? It has been too long since I have been able to watch a man suffer at the hands of another, and I was hoping I might find that here."
As Lady Thrune
Una bows her head at the gesture accepting the reverance due.
"That will depend on what is offered, of course. I will wait here and enjoy your other entertainments until this King of Spiders can bring something of value. I should like to meet him. We owe him some gratitude for providing a place such as this for our entertainment."
As 'Sir' Vlado Drafir...
The Hellknight says nothing taking his lead from his lady, he merely nods his metal helmed brow a curt and brief show of grudging respectfulness. {Rasp~!} ...
"I'm afraid our motives do not end there."
"Shakhan is willing to throw three big fights in your favor. These will be done at the most opportune times to rake in the most profit. He's been a fan favorite for most of his career so this shouldn't draw much suspicion. After the three fights his career will end as easily as it started, the only difference being the wealth of his sponsor."
Risdin lets the message sink in for a bit before he continues.
"What, might you ask, do we want in return?"
"Well, we need your assistance in a matter."
"Shakhan's previous manager, the late Gaedren Lamm, came in to possession of some very incriminating evidence that implicates House Endrin in either a crime or scandal. Rumor has it he was originally tasked to dispose of this evidence by House Endrin, but not only had he kept it, but he blackmailed them with it. Lamm used it mostly during his run-ins with the Guard. The House can pull some strings and this is how he remained untouched for so long."
"When Shakhan started hunting Lamm down he was contacted by agents of the House. They proposed a trade. They would give him the location of Lamm, but in return they wanted something on Cheliax Ambassador - Darvayne Gios Amprei. The Ambassador plans to ruin trade concerns with Westcrown. His intention is to disparage all ties with Korvosa to dry up all the trade with the city, stopping the vital influx of supplies and gold in to the city all to his advantage."
"No man could slip away from House Endrin. So to satisfy their need we have come here. We gathered that the Ambassador likes the whores in 'House of Clouds', and we know nothing takes place at 'Eel's End' that does not get noticed by The Spider King."
"So in essence, we are willing to throw three lucrative fights in your favor, if you would assist us in this matter. Do you think these terms are agreeable, Spider King?"
A grim expression frames Shakhan's words, "Just dirt on Amprei, I will do the rest." Shakhan meaningfully hefts his blade.
Shakhan's teeth show, in what could be construed to be a grin. "Sure. But then throw in a bonus in the clouds."
"Yes, we can continue this conversation later. Now is a great time to display his abilities."
Risdin nods subtly and steps back.
As Lady Thrune
After waiting for her attendants to thoroughly investigate the elegant box of candied sweetmeats , Una delicately takes one.
While she is waiting for Rajeek to return with news from the King of Spiders, she places a few more bets at a different game, though she seems extremely bored with the event.
'Sir' Vlado Drafir leans close to his lady to speak, "I would urge caution ...{Rasp~}Milady! Let the warriors involved...{Rasp~} decide for themselves. This could easily become... {Rasp~} a legal trickery! Blood sports are Illegal here in Korvosa...{Rasp~} and this 'innocent' question could be a ploy... {Rasp~} to draw milady Thrune...{Rasp~} into incriminating herself with 'The Spider'{Rasp~}! All to get blackmailing evidence...{Rasp~} upon your actions here in Korvosa. {Rasp~}Best to leave your hands clean of... {Rasp~} the charge of 'sponsoring' a... {Rasp~} illegal entertainment!"
On the way to the Eel's End, Una attempts to drink her potion of disguise unnoticed.
As Lady Thrune
"Have no fear, captain. That was my thought all along, and it is not your place to instruct me on my thoughts."
To the Spider King.
"To see death would mean an end to a rather substantial investment, would it not? A man does not have to die to experience excruciating pain. I myself would not care to see such an early end. Pain is best experienced.... prolonged. However, on this matter, I shall let the fighters themselves decide."
Una curtsies to the Spider King, and sits delicately on the throne provided for her, checking first to make sure that no spiders were on it.
"Perhaps you will want to put down some sand, for the fighting circle, so that blood will not cover your deck."
As she speaks, Una gestures to her attendant, who is carrying the velvet box with the figurine. The box is brought forward and placed on her lap.
"And I am still holding on to my wager. Your man seems brutish enough, but who is he to fight?"
Shakhan lifts his axe up, "Me." He sizes up the opponent, adding: "What terms? I don't like killing without getting paid for it."
As Lady Thrune
She looks over Shakhan with a critical gaze, as though sizing him up.
"As I mentioned to the Spider King, I have little interest in seeing death. If it is agreeable to all, I would say Third Blood. What is your name?"
She gestures again and her velvet purse is brought forward. She withdraws a sizable volume of gold coins, 300 gp
"Here captain, place the wager. I have no skill for selecting winners. It is the thrill of the combat I am interested in."
'Sir' {Captain} Vlado Drafir nods, "As you wish... milady."
Vlado takes the coin purse in hand and walks toward the two warriors sizing them up, his breath rasping under his helmed visor.
He looks at their weapons and armor and declares before Shakhan, "I like the stance and demeanor of this one...{Rasp~} he is ...'hungry' for victory!"
But moving before the Spider's man, "...but this one's eyes speak of experience {Rasp~}!. Vigor and strength many times fall before...{Rasp~} experience and cunning!"
Walking over to the Servant, "I'll wager, 200 coin on the eager axe wielder [Shakhan] ...{Rasp~}, and 100 coin on 'The Spider's Killer'! {Rasp~} Fight well men, death comes for all... {Rasp~} but the victorious ...lastly."
That is what I thought you meant, although it's not a term I'd heard before.
Shakhan limbers up a bit, "Right here? Or is there some other place we should do this?" He grins a predatory smile at his foe-to-be, "Third blood... well - wouldn't it be nice if you're still standing after the third wound."
Risdin stands behind Shakhan, puts his hands on his shoulders, then quietly says into his ear,"Don't mind me, I'm just pretending to be your manager or whatever. I suppose words of encouragement are expected and all of that. Uhm...Maybe I should size him up for you."
Risdin moves to Shakhan's right. He puts his left arm loosely around Shakhan's neck and points at Yacoub with his other hand. While making sure everyone can see but not hear him, he says,"Ok big guy. You've done this before. No pep talk is needed. I don't think this guy can match your strength either way. Just make sure you connect with every hit and you'll be fine. Oh, and try to put on a show if you can."
He lets go of Shakhan's neck, gives him an encouraging slap in the ribs, then steps out of the ring.
Lady Thrune sits on the edge of her seat, the anticipation of the coming battle as thrilling as watching blood spill.
"Your man is well chosen, King of Spiders."
She looks around for a few seconds, hoping to find a nearby servant.
"Perhaps more wine?"
Shakhan assumes the appointed referee is satisfied with the proceedings, and enters the ring - axe at the ready and steadying himself in the low fighting stance he favors. The two warriors face each other and slowly circle around until one feels he has the clear advantage and the battle breaks into action!
As Lady Thrune
"Now, this is entertainment. Have you ever been to the fighting arenas of Westcrown?" She asks the Spider King, casually.
Shakhan ducks under the blow and returns a swipe of his own leveling at his opponent's knee - but he quickly responds and tripples out of the way.
"Heh, at least this won't be over immediately."
It takes Hytogg a moment to realize that he is being addressed. (And probably a sharp poke in the ribs from Una).
"Um Yes". Then in a more sinister and threatning voice "Yes...I shall judge the contest...To third blood then". "Begin when ready".