Lotus' words seem to fall on deaf ears as Almah rivets her eyes to Ahnekhet and Ahnekhet alone. The tension in the room becomes as palpable and oppressive as the midday desert sun, and even the ever-calm Garavel seems hesitant to break the ensuing silence.
But in that time frame, however long or short it was, the crackling fire that raged behind Almah's huge, brown eyes sputtered and died - replaced by cold, hard flint.
It is as you say, Ahnekhet, her voice finally comes, though in an even whisper. I have brought you here for the sake of my family, but you are wrong if you believe that this is all for the sake of my legacy.
She begins to turn toward the northern window and then seems to think better of it. With a momentary hesitation, she instead walks a few steps to one of the sturdier benches in the chapel sanctuary and sits down facing you. Garavel walks slowly to her side and places a hand on her shoulder. For a few moments she is lost in thought, and then she speaks, this time quite clearly.
What happened in Kelmarane is a secret guarded closely by the Pactmasters themselves, for reasons that I neither know nor care to find out. You were not informed because it is a precondition for the re-establishment of Kelmarane that I keep it a secret - even from you. In fact, if I were to tell you, Garavel was to kill me on the spot, and then kill all of you, but... she looks at Garavel fondly, there are some things even the spells of the Pactmasters cannot prevent. At your side, a low growl issues from the throat of Dashki. Almah and Garavel seem not to notice.
Her gaze returns to the four of you. I am paying you with the last of my inheritance from my grandfather. It is more dear to me than you can possibly imagine, and the conditions with which I will part with it are mine and mine alone. I will make the final decision as to what we do with these gnolls and you, Dashki, she fixes the mongrel with a wilting stare. But it is the mark of a fool to act or speak without first considering all of the implications, her gaze swings to Ahnekhet. Dashki snickers, but falls silent and stares forlornly at the ground as both Almah and Garavel lock their eyes on him.
Almah sighs, then continues. I regret my earlier tone and I apologize, but my question remains. The flind and his minions are not dead, but stand within our hold. I suspect you have your reasons and I would like to hear them before I make my decision. She looks at you expectantly.
Ahnekhet doesn't back down in the face of Almah's anger, but Lotus' gentle touch and Dashki's grunts do seem to calm the towering elf. As Almah speaks, Ahnekhet levels a whithering glare at Dashki.
Well, Spirit, were the Three Jaw trustworthy in your time? I would just as soon execute these dogs, but your words have held the painful ring of wisdom before.
Ahnekhet doesn't back down in the face of Almah's anger, but Lotus' gentle touch and Dashki's grunts do seem to calm the towering elf. As Almah speaks, Ahnekhet levels a whithering glare at Dashki.
Siraaj stands arms akimbo as he holds firmly onto Dashki as Ahnekhet and Almah get into a somewhat heated discussion. He keeps his grip firm on Dashki as the two discuss matters related to the gnolls inhabiting their midst.
As Almah finishes speaking and waits expectantly for Ahnekhet's response, Siraaj speaks up,
I would just rather run these ragged creatures out from us. Let them live for now, as they do not seem entirely untrustworthy, but I have no desire to team up with these beasts.
Ahnekhet seems irritated as he looks impatiently up and out of the corner of his eye, as if waiting for something. After a few moments, he shakes his head and grunts in frustration.
He turns his attention to Siraaj, nodding as the muscled human speaks. "I don't trust them either. However, my main concern with what to do with them is for Kelmarane's well being after it is reclaimed. What good will retaking the battlemarket prove if, in killing or casting these mongrels out now, we only bring another army to the gates later."
The elf grimaces, turns and spits on the floor. It is obvious he is troubled by and struggling with what he is about to say.
"There is a part of me that wanted nothing more than to leave Narg and his ilk bleeding out, with nothing but the vultures to care for their rotting hides. There is another part of me, a louder part, that urges patience and temperance. I have been willing, even eager, to carve a path of blood and bone for the liberation of Kelmarane. I now have to ask myself if I am willing to work with something I hate if doing so would help ensure the battlemarket's prosperity after the fact."
"It is... an unsettling question."
Now you speak?!
You... you were pouting!
Lotus glances from Almah to Dashki before finally building up the nerve to speak again, "I think Dashki meant well." She turns to the trussed up tracker, "Honestly, Dashki, I believe you. I think that if you thought Nark or Narb or whoever could help, then I think they can help. If they will work with us, we should work with them. We would be fools to turn aside help, considering the circumstances."
She sighs deeply after speaking, using more words than she was obviously comfortable with. Her eyes glance from Siraaj to Ahnekhet expectantly.
"I suppose, in the end, my suggestion would be to hazard a temporary alliance with Narg and his gnolls."
"I agree with Ahnekhet."
The tall elf shifts uncomfortably as a dry breeze continues to bounce the tumbleweed across the floor.