"Maybe later", Eris replies cooly. "It wouldn't do if a priestess managed to lure out all my secrets before such an important meeting now would it?"[/b]
"This way, then." The man leads Eris (and any of her companions) into a large chamber with upholstered benches arrayed in rows to face a large symbol of three daggers facing outward from an inner circle, which is set above a silver altar built around a mirror. The room has several smaller doors off to the sides, from which muffled sounds of passion can be heard. A small handful of supplicants sit in prayer to the mercurial goddess.
After roughly an hour passes, a trio of women approach. One is young, barely above the age of majority, but has a hard look accentuated by an ugly scar running across her neck. An elderly woman with long, gray hair holds a bottle of perfume in her gnarled hands. The third woman is plain-faced, is thickly-built and carries a jeweled dagger.
"We speak for the Revered One," begins the old woman. "We are told you seek knowledge."
The older woman begins to anoint Eris with dabs of the perfume. The third woman then asks, "How shall you be paying? We must know before you may be brought to her."
"I suppose it would be useful to know, What a suitable payment would be" Eris responds, not at all intimidated by a trio of women.
Kage's first thoughts are, 'Wow she is amazing, and no doubt highly skilled too.' But then with a flush of embarrassment he remembers a perfectly awful lesson from Master Brinn, 'Yes highly skilled at seperating men from their money and their secrets.'
Deciding to turn the tables slightly, Kage whispers in elvish 'Alas I am on duty.' He winks enigmatically and returns to Eris's side.
When the trio of women arrive, Kage takes the opportunity to check out the the two older women. Partly because it was expected, partly because he could learn much from the way they presented themselves.
When the subject of payment comes up, he purses his lips as an idea presents itself. He casually makes a single sign. Eris will have noted it for sure, but as far as their hosts were concerned he scratched his nose.
:SECRETS:
Kage hopes his intent is obvious enough, trade secrets for secrets. In his mind, information is the only currency that is truely valuable.
The older woman begins, "It depends on what you have to offer in exchange. Generally it falls to coin, other information, or services. What do you have to offer?"
Eris keeps her cool after prying into the younger woman's mind. She itches to ask her what Zincher means but resists the urge for now."I started my quest for vengeance with little coin, which rules out the first option. Other Information I have, although whether its information relevant to the Revered One, only she would know. As for services, I have a good amount of experience in this, and feel confident we could work something out"
Kage adds simply, "We are good at solving problems."
The older woman eyes Kage after he speaks, then nods her head in both of their directions. "Very well. We shall convey this to the Revered One."
The three smoothly stand and leave the chamber. After roughly ten minutes, the thickly-built woman returns to guide you through the temple and up several flights to a sumptuously-appointed room that nearly occupies the whole third floor. Several columns are draped with silks that can be drawn to partition parts of the room.
Standing near a sculpture of a scantily clad elven woman is an exotic tiefling. She has skin with a faint purple hue and small horns on her temples. Her skin-tight leather places her ample curves on display, and her pose is casual but alluring nonetheless.
"So," she begins, "How can a servant of the Savored Sting be of service?"
"Well, don't feel like we're achieving much here, Ghiv. You want to go find the others now?"
"You can assist a fellow appreciator of Calistria by assisting her with her vengeance". Eris responds, mimicking the woman's pose.
"Several years ago, a man whose name I did not know at the time, committed some horrific injustices against me and my family. I managed to escape, but the scares from that encounter still haunt me still, and so I vowed to repay this man in kind. I searched for ages, before finally learning that this man Gyr Vestmark, a crime lord in this city. I prepared myself for vengeance, but encountered misfortune, for I later learnt that I had arrived too late, Gyr had been killed. Alas, I felt both joyful that such a man had departed the mortal coil, that my goal was complete, but also sadness and frustration that I was unable to achieve this task. You can imagine my horror then, when I discovered that even death hated Gyr Vestmark, for apparently he is going about his business as if nothing happened. I refuse to be late this time, but I don't know how he managed to cheat death, and I lack the specific information required to achieve my goal in person. Hence why I came here, assuming you could grant me guidance on this path."
As Eris speaks, Mama stands beside her with a hand on the Kitsune's back. As Eris does her work Mama chooses not to speak but to let her expressions amplify the emotion and energy of the tale.
We know more now than we did before. Ghiv mutters, no longer looking like a merchant. Indeed, let us find our siblings.
Shorafa listens to Eris intently, then she remains silent for a moment as she considers her words. The priestess nods appreciatively. "Oh, indeed, we Calistrians appreciate vengeance. Especially against horrific injustices." A look of extreme disappointment falls upon her face, then her eyes harden into smoldering pits of menace.
She takes a look at Kage and Bess, before refocusing on Eris. "Clumsy. You know Two-Bolt's name, you know his fate, you seek to kill him again. But you know little else. It would have been better to start with the truth than with a bad lie." A venomous smile plays upon her lips and she looks as cat about to play with its food.
"Do you wish to begin again, or shall we conclude our business here?"
Kage smiles his, too white, disconcerting smile. His blood red eyes glitter as he regards Shorafa. Without any pretense he replies, "She's normally very very good, although I think things here have thrown her a little off balance. That is part of the point of all this is it not?" he indicates the various murals and marble carvings that leave nothing to the imagination.
With certain amount of respect as befits a master of her craft, Kage continues, "All the little indiscretions whispered inflagranto or otherwise within these halls makes the Savored Sting very well informed. If anyone was to see through Eris it would be you. Besides openly telling people who we are tends to have a rather dramatic and usually unwanted effect. Perhaps we misjudged this time, in which case please accept our apologies."
Catching his breath, Kage takes a moment to marshal his thoughts before adding, "You know why we are here. A problem that everyone thought been solved forever, became unsolved. A most vexing situation that can not be allowed to continue! Of course information needed to permanently fix that problem is valuable. We wouldn't presume to impose, rather we're here to offer an equitable trade. Our services for your information. Like I said before we are very good at solving problems, permanently or otherwise depending upon your desires."
Kage awaits her answer.
As usual, Eris isn't intimidated. "So I misplaced a few facts, it certainly wouldn't be the first time anyone here did something similar" she responds, before falling quiet and letting Sa'Kage take over.
Shorafa glides elegantly across the room to a pair of couches and invites the assassins to sit with a wave of her hand. She half reclines on one, her pose enticing. She again studies her guests' movements and smiles.
"I did not know who you were or why you are here, but I believe I am correct in surmising that you are affiliated with certain red-clad individuals who visited Riddleport several months ago." She sighs. "And things have just quieted down again."
She crosses her legs sensuously. "You say that Two-Bolt is alive again. That is news to me. If he is, he is laying low."
Almost involuntarily Kage glances glances downwards once. Inwardly he curses, 'Fool! Think with your head not your crotch'. He takes a moment to master himself before replying in a cool and dispassionate voice, "The portents divined by the oracles were both specific yet vague. Two-Bolt has returned, that much is certain, but the manner of his return is not. Still he won't lay low forever, people are creatures of habit. All we need to do is to watch and wait patiently like the spider or a certain other creature. Of course the real trick is knowing is where to look."
"Quite true," Shorafa agrees with Sa'Kage with a sultry smile. She seems to take exquisite gratification in his slight discomfort and licks her lips. "Now that I know Two-Bolt lives, I can stay alert for signs of his whereabouts. In the meantime, you can busy yourselves with a task that can adequately compensate me for my efforts. And if there are... other services I can provide, I am certain that we can come to an accord."
She lets that sink in and the imaginations of her guests run for a moment, then she adds, "Shall I send for the others who arrived with you?"
"By all means" Eris responds, happy that a deal, even if it only the bare bones of one, had been worked out. "On the subject of other services, however, perhaps we could come to an agreement about information about the name Zincher?
Shorafa extends an arm and tugs at a nearby strand of silk. A distant bell can be heard, and in short order a young attendant comes running into the chamber. "See to it that an invitation is extended to the others who disembarked the ship that arrived this morning." The attendant bows and scurries out.
Afterwards, Shorafa returns her attention to Eris. "Clegg? Why are you interested in him?"
Kage waits until Eris has answered Shorafa's question. He too is curious about her question and wonders where she picked up on that name.
He then asks Shorafa, "Could you tell us anything about Two-Bolt's former gang? Our briefing was cursory on the matter. Given time I suspect he will end up associated with some of them again, unless there is a very strong reason for him not to."
Eris shrugs, "I've overheard the name before, but don't know anything about it. I just assumed someone as well connected as you would be able to satisfy my...curiosity"
Ghiv and Myra: you are approached by a street walker who tells you that Shorafa Pamodae invites you to the House of the Silken Veil.
At the House, Shorafa shrugs. "Well, Zincher does run the arena in town, and makes no secret of it. So the name is rather well-known in Riddleport. Although it is curious that you would mention him, since his operation is one that bears looking into as you investigate the whereabouts of Two-Bolt."
She rings the bell again and has a decanter of chilled wine and six giblets brought in as you wait for the others to arrive. "I'll fill you in when your companions arrive."
Yamyra shrugs at Ghiv, and follows the prostitute, ready for trouble in case it should be a trap. When she is taken to the other assassins lounging about drinking wine, she says, "Hey guys, glad to see you're busy while me and Ghiv were working..."
"What makes you think Sa'Kage, Mama and myself were not doing work?" Eris quips.
"Appearances, of course. What are we doing here?" Myra asks.
"Taking in the ambiance," quips Kage pointing to a statue of two male halflings inflagranto. There is a moment before he replies seriously, "You might be amazed by secrets whispered in these halls and into the ears of the myriad prostitutes across the city. They say walls have ears, but I think they mean it literally here. Anyway we've arranged for certain whispers to be collated, but nothing comes for free. I suspect mistress Shorafa will be along presently to tell us of what service she requires."
Ghiv looks utterly disgusted by the brothel, and makes ill attempt to hide it.
What use can suchdecadence be to those sworn in Blood?
Ghiv stares hard at the surroundings...
"Oh, there are so many uses, for those with imagination," Shorafa answers as she sashays into the room.
She motions, and several scantily-clad attendants refresh the drinks. The high priestess sits and with a wave of her hand dismisses the attendants. "Calistria teaches us to embrace our passions. We revel in them." She leans back in her seat and spreads her arms along the backs of the couch. "Your passion seems to be to serve He Who Walks in Blood, so I will not chastise you for eschewing all else."
Getting serious, although no less alluring in her demeanor, she speaks. "We now speak of our most high callings -- your bloody task and that of vengeance deferred. You desire the information to slay he who slipped from death's embrace. You seek to kill Two-Bolt again."
With a slight pause, she smiles as her eyes smolder. "I will direct my network to stay alert for whenever Gyr resurfaces. I have little doubt that I will locate him in short order. In the meantime, as payment for my efforts, you can busy yourself with a task that I require.
"One of Clegg Zincher's capps -- that is, one of his chief lieutenants -- needs to be removed in the most painful way possible. Preferably when he believes he is at his safest. I want news to reach Zincher, and I want him to know that he is not safe. I have a ... long view of these things." The tiefling gets a distant and dangerous look for a moment. Then she refocuses to the group.
"Are these terms agreeable?"
Kage regards Shorafa with his disturbing blood red eyes and replies, "Yes."
He than asks, "Did you have any particular lieutenant in mind? Or perhaps you'd prefer the selection to be a surprise. Plausible deniability and all that."
An observer of this exchange, had there been one, would have been chilled by the matter of fact way an assassination was being discussed. Kage for his part was looking forward to the challenges this town was providing, and to leaving his own unique mark on society.
"Zincher must have done quite a number on people linked to this organisation" Eris observes idly. "So, if you can spot our passion's, then what are the passions of one of his chief lieutenants, what are his likes, dislikes, safest places, defences and so on. I imagine you have been planning this for a period of time, and already have much of this information already"
Shorafa nods with an enigmatic smile. "I have a particular lieutenant in mind. His name is Yoran 'The Rake' Rakesworth. He assists Zincher with procurement of fighters and beasts that go in his arena, but he is far more specialized with disposal."
Shorafa's smile disappears and she gets a deadly countenance. "In this regard, his one mistake will be his downfall. He 'disposed' of someone who was not quite dead, and Calistria brought her to me.
"The Rake has four under-lieutenants, Mad-Iron, Fezzel, Broyl, and Lees. He always has at least two of them around him at all times. When he ventures into the Boneyard or the Burying Ground, he has all four of them with him.
"Zincher owns a five-story tenement northeast of his arena. He has the entire top floor as his living quarters and where he conducts most of his business. Zincher's capps -- including the Rake -- live on the lower floors. Rakesworth's suite is on the third floor, eastern wing, if you choose to attack him there. Be mindful that some of the best of Zincher's gladiators also reside there, as well as his other capps. It would be quite the challenge, but there are other options, should you feel to be cautious."
She shrugs casually, still managing to make it an alluring gesture. "He is at his busiest when there are matches at the arena. He removes the carcasses from the arena floor and sees that they are properly disposed of. Depending on the status of the deceased, they are either properly interred in the Burying Ground on the far northeastern hill, or simply dumped in the swampy, refuse-filled Boneyard which incidentally is also a ships' graveyard to the east.
"Killing the Rake in Zincher's compound would be a strike at his heart. Doing it at the arena has the potential to make it the most public, which would be a delicious irony. Killing him near the potters' fields would likely be the safest course of action, but would be less symbolic -- but could also be blamed on any of Riddleport's crimelords."
Eris analyses the options, thinking out loud. "Its worth remembering though wonderful Shorafa, that committing a perfect assassination only tips off all the crimelords that we are in the area, not only might this impact on Two Bolts movements after you find his location...rendering it near obsolete,, it also increases the defences he might have around him. This makes eliminating him in the arena one of the worst possible options, while eliminating him near the Potter's fields one of the better options, since as long as the attack could be blamed on any crime lord, no-one would think to link the attack with us and our organisation".
Eris pauses, still turning the situation over in her mind before continuing. "Killing him in the Compound is also a fair alternative, but again, only the best could eliminate him, and if you couldn't eliminate him at the compound without us, then it doesn't prove that it was your faction that had him eliminated. Plus, it still risks upsetting our actual targets movements and defences."
Shorafa looks unimpressed. "If he learns the Red Mantis are back, it matters little. There are few, if any, places he can go in Riddleport that I cannot find, and certainly not for long. If he flees the city, we'll learn of that inevitably. As for increasing his defenses, with what, exactly? He no longer has his gangs; those who survived have simply joined another. I doubt many would flock to him without a show of strength somehow. And such an act would necessarily expose him."
She stands smoothly and sensually. "I must attend other duties. Plan here, or wherever. I eagerly anticipate your results. If you decide you desire... other services, please let me know." With a lingering glance that speaks of myriad carnal delights, Shorafa slinks away with a smile.
Ghiv suppresses an urge to snarl at the elf Shorafa.
A public execution would be most fitting for this...Two Bolts. Public and painful...I care not for slaying this Rake. But if we must....then let us be done with it quickly. Ghiv says
Kage smiles nastily to Ghiv, "As master Brinn often told me, more haste, less speed. Shorafa has offered us a worthy bargain, she desires a statement with Yoran Rakesworth. His end shall be a work of art. Such things are not to be rushed. Fear not Give, we will not loose sight of the greater target... For now we must retire to consider our plan of attack. Any maps of this compound would be of great assistance."
Later in a secure location Kage suggests to the Mantisis, "Shorafa wants a statement. I say we give it to her. Death by bladed whip sounds particularly unpleasant and messy. What we'd need is exclusive access to him in his office for a while, perhaps half an hour. We'd also need a way to keep thing silent. I believe magic will help the latter, and all things considered perhaps a visit from a 'prostitute' can be our way in... Thoughts?"
"Oh please Shorafa, if you want to ask something of me, all you have to do is ask, I promise that I'm much less intimidating than I look" Eris quips as the Calistrian leaves the room, before she turns to the issue at hand.
"I could get in as a prostitute, heck, I could take the form of most people within this building and walk right on through. Unfortunately, that doesn't really help us bring anyone else in, so some of us would need alternative access points."
Kage smiles, "Some of us are able to pass unseen, and as for the rest of us disguise will help. If people expect to see a waiter with a tray full of food delivered, they won't bat an eyelid when one comes along... One way or another we'll get in and then we'll indulge in a little art."
Grumpy Ghiv is here...
Eris plans her infiltration with care, taking the form of a scantily clad female, before wrapping a large shapeless travelling cloak around her shoulders. The cloak was to prevent any onlookers strolling through the city half naked, she would remove it once she made it to her destination.
After making it to the gate, Eris moves to stage two of her plan, getting past the guards. Announcing herself as the entertainment for the evening (conveniently forgetting to state exactly who she is entertaining) Eris proceeds through the gate, easily bluffing past the guards. Once inside the building (I'm assuming by around the afternoon), Eris roams the building, taking note of any people she sees, so that she could possibly take their form later, until she eventually finds her target. Eris plans to meet up with Sa'Kage sometime (or more accurately, Sa'Kage will find her), and him and whoever else can make the attack. Before leaving, Eris points to her black ring on her finger, and changes it to half gold, have black. The colors represent Calistria, and allow the others to recognise Eris no matter what form she takes.
Kage plans his attack in no less meticulous fashion. Firstly he acted on a tip from mama. The Cypermage's library contained plans for all of the buildings. The plucky halfling had discovered the nature of their classification system but her cover was blown getting that. All Kage had to do was pay the exorbitant access fee and ask. Naturally he went in disuse, dressed like a merchant from Absolom complete with colored contact lenses to disguise his unnatural looks.
Armed with the blueprints, and serving staff' tails of the various toing and froing in the complex, Kage plans his rooftop infiltration. Hopping over from an adjacent building, he lands on the rooftop in the dead of night and waits till the small hours. Knowing that nobody will be around, he uses a glass cutter to open the skylight and secures several ropes to aid entrance and quick exits. Finding a (somewhat) comfortable spot among the rafters, Kage settles down to wait. At some point in the next day Yoran will come along with Eris in tow for an 'assignation'. Kage couldn't wait to see his face when the assignation turned to assassination...
Eris's infiltration is successful, though she must endure the worst of leering gazes and base solicitations while she slips through the building. It does meet its reputation as a veritable fortress, and the thugs and gladiators would make assaulting this place directly a folly with nothing less than an actual army.
Eris bluffs her way to the third floor and convinces Mad-Iron to let her into the Rake's section of rooms. Before long, she is able to maneuver herself to one of the balconies where she is able to signal Kage, who is lurking in the adjacent building.
Eris ignores the leering gazes and solicitations, it meant that her disguise was a success and she had gained access. After signalling to Kage, Eris roams the third floor, getting familiar with the place, happy to chat with anyone who she comes across. Shes mostly looking for exit points, notable defences, or the location of her target and so on, but is generally happy to let events unfold a little bit further.
Kage had been perched for some time on the rafters, cloaked by deep shadows high in the vaulted ceiling of Yoran's office. His legs where growing numb but he daren't move much for there was inch thick dust accumulated on the beams. The sudden appearance of dust below would raise suspicions. Still he wasn't unprepared for this, he had a large leather sack and had been meticulously shoveling the dusty filth into and avoiding sneezing for the fifth time, when a rather unpleasant idea struck him, 'What if I was to suffocate Yoran, at least a bit in this bag? I don't think he'd like that.'
Before he had any more time to continue with this line of thought, the door opened and he froze. Below Yoran had entered with his entourage, several very large bruisers and an exotic looking half drow elf with red hair like a flame and a certain black ring. 'Good work Eris. Still we need a bit more privacy before the party can really begin! Lets see if she can slip the aphrodisiac into his drink, that should have the desired effect.'