Eris doesn't particularly like the idea of lying directly to Glorio unless she can really help it. "I'm a kitsune, which is probably why you might not know about me. I can be rather difficult to detect if I require it."
Alenaya shrugs, "Why I leave my skills to more mundane sources," she replies with a devious sneer.
Kage walks behind Eris, his face a mask of impassive nonchalance. Inside however he's like a coiled spring, watching Glorio very closely...
A part of Kage keeps aware that they might be about to meet Kalepopalis, a meeting at which Kage intends to be unnoticed until the time was right. At the first sign of the chancellor's approach he intended to hide in whatever shadow recesses where available.
A kitsune? Very interesting... Glorio becomes quiet and thoughtful the rest of the trip into the caverns.
Glorio's countenance changes about midway through the journey down into the grotto. If you had to guess, he thought of a new idea that intrigued him and he was mulling over his next course of action.
Glorio's eyes once track Kage's movement, but he then pretends to ignore the assassin. A small table covered with parchments has been set before the largest statue. A large, golden quill rests next to a vial of ink and a large red candle already lit. The lord of House Arkona takes his place next to the table and invites Eris to stand next to him.
After a short while, a ravishingly beautiful woman enters the shrine, escorting a weary-looking but unharmed man in disheveled finery. He looks around in surprise and awe at the chamber. Then his eyes fall on the people waiting on him.
"Glorio? What is this place? These statues?"
"Never mind that. All you need to know is that this is the seat of my power, so I felt it fitting that we do what we talked about here."
As he's escorted forward, he eyes the desk and shakes his head. "Where are the other houses? At least three should witness this. Otherwise, they may not believe the decree is official."
Glorio smiles. "I've found a better solution. The witnesses do not make it official. They are simply... witnesses. So I've procured my own." He gestures to Eris. "She will be all that is necessary."
Kalepopolis looks unsure, but he slowly inches toward the table. He flinches somewhat under the large statue of the tiger-headed man, but takes a seat. He takes up the quill, blots it a few times, then begins writing on the parchment.
After several minutes of writing, he takes dribbles a bit of wax on the parchment, and presses his signet ring against it.
After roughly a half hour of waiting, every Red Mantis suddenly feels a lessening of the tension around their hearts. The anxiety of taking a contract on Ileosa has vanished -- supernaturally so.
When the man is finished, Eris gives him a radiant smile. It seemed unnecessarily cruel to tell him that was his last act, so merely signals Kage with Mantis speak, after giving the parchment a quick once over. The loss of tension was not lost on her, which Eris took to mean that the contract on Ileosa had indeed been sanctioned.
Kalepopolis looks up at Glorio, and seems to appreciate Eris' bright smile. The Arkona lord clears his throat and gestures back to the table. "Make another copy, please. I will store one in safe keeping, while the other can go with my associate, here. I would hate for anything to happen to a single copy."
The seneschal nods and his attention returns to the parchments on the desk. He begins repeating his actions.
You begin to eavesdrop on a telepathic conversation.
An associate? Your madness deepens, dear 'brother.' You will bring ruin upon the Arkonas with this reckless power play.
Call me reckless, Vimanda? Your counsel to turn over Kalepopolis to Ileosa was the worst sort of debasement. Groveling to a mortal trollop as she for her favor? I'll take bold action any day.
You want bold action, Bahor? I'll show you--
Uh-uh, dear 'sister,' he interrupts, and you feel his hand on the back of your neck. I think I've found one of your pet kitsune, a lost stray far from her original home.
Her eyes narrow as she studies Eris. Impossible. The last were slain decades ago. None escaped me.
Are you so sure? Glorio gives Vimanda a predatory smile, and the woman begins to look unsure.
While the seneschal works, the woman who escorted him in and Glorio begin glaring at each other. After a moment, the Arkona lord speaks out loud. "Eris, I'd like you to meet Vimanda Arkona. I think you two will have much to talk about. In fact, I believe she could become something of a mother figure for you."
Vimanda sneers at Glorio, but then puts on a polite smile at Eris. "What's your full name, my dear?"
Kalepopolis finishes the second copy that Glorio promptly takes from him, allowing Vimanda to remain distracted with Eris.
Eris glances at Vimanda, appraising her for a moment. "I'm Eris, but I don't see how she could be much of a mother figure to me. My actual mother was intelligent, capable, a master of deception and combat. This one, appears to think groveling is an appropriate action to take in any given situation".
Eris lets the sentence hang in the air for a moment, making it clear that she was offended at having it sprung on her, before continuing onwards.
"Furthermore, I have no wish to be used as a bargaining chip in a power play between your dysfunctional Arkona. I have respectfully seen power yes, and strength shown by this family, but also squabbling and infighting impacting on the schemes attempting to be carried out in this city. Why should that impress me or encourage me to take on a surrogate mother figure?"
Kage noticed a change in Glorio and regarded him with suspension. He was up to something but whatever it was, was quite literally over Kage's head. In the end he mused it didn't matter. The only thing that mattered was the ritual, and he wrapped up secondary issues like how to get out of here alive up in a box in his mind and shut it.
Concentrating on his breathing he donned his mask and noticed with detached irritation when Glorio tracked his movements in the shadows. Moments later Kalepopolis and escort arrived. Kage studied the man's counternance as he wondered if he had any inkling he was writing not only the Queen's death warrant but his own as well.
With the last flourish of Kalepopolis's pen a tightness around Kage's heart lifted. Oh sweet surprise, Holy Achaekek's spirit was with them, willing them on. Of course things had to be done just so. There must be clarity over the legal issues, a duplicate would be most useful. It seemed Achaekek was feeling generous for that's exactly what Kalepopolis provided!
Now was the time, Kage's eyes glanced at Glorio as he started to move, ready to vanish if needed.
Gliding forward he felt a momentary pang of sadness that others, even Jagen, were not here to witness the ritual. Snapping into focus, Kage subvocalised a prayer, 'Holy Achaekek, your humble servant commends onto thee the soul of Senchal Kalepopolis of Korvosa. May this sustenance sustain thee!'
Aiming for the heart, Kage thrusts out with a sabertooth sabre at the unprotected back of Kalepopolis.
Achaekek willing, the last thing the man would see was Kage's bloodied sword poking through his chest and his fearsome mask staring unblinking as Kage whispered to him, "Achaekek take thee!"
The tension in the air between Eris, Glorio and Vimanda is thick. The fox-like woman narrows her eyes at the assassin like a predator eyeing prey. Yet before any of the three can act, the form of Sa'Kage materializes behind Kalepopolis with a cry. The tip of his sawtooth sabre protrudes satisfyingly from the center of the seneschal's chest as crimson spreads across his tunic.
Vimanda gasps, Glorio's eyebrow raises, and Kalepopolis gurgles in his own blood.
After a moment of stunned silence, Vimanda draws a pair of kukri and turns to face Kage. "How DARE you! Do you realize what you've done?!?"
"He's removed a superfluous end," Glorio says calmly. "All that's left is the removal of the now illegitimate ruler."
Vimanda's tension relaxes only slightly as she turns her attention to Glorio. "You are mad."
The Arkona lord tsks. "Hardly. Though I suppose I was incorrect in assuming that the Lady Eris would be interested in learning where her gifts had arisen. Eris, Vimanda here once had quite the sizable retinue of your kind. I had hoped you two would have lots to talk about."
"I don't have a problem unlocking more of the potential of my gifts - and I see the potential to discuss certain subjects - but I don't see perhaps a...maternal instinct there, or am I mistaken?" Eris finishes, a little bit of a sarcastic edge creeping into her voice towards the end, before grudgingly deciding to at least make use of the situation as it was. "In the spirit then, of finding something to talk about, why is it Vimanda that had such a retinue of kitsune?"
Kage studiously ignores Vimanda despite his senses screaming at him to kill her. After the exchange between her and Glorio, Kage adds solemnly, "The Vernai would appreciate his head, I presume you have no further use for it? Oh and a copy of the proclamation will be needed. As you know the new contract will prove rather controversial with the traditionalists but these two things, plus whatever payment is agreed, will grease the wheels."
Kage tries hard to bury his concern for Eris, it wouldn't do to give predators like these any edge. He didn't like the idea at all of her having 'matronly' interactions with Vimanda.
Vimanda studies Eris and shrugs. Her face distorts and shifts into that of a fox. "I found them amusing. I saw potential in their ability to change shape, and bred them to be my eyes and ears. I brought them with me when I moved to Taldor. They made delightful pets. Would you like for me to take you under my wing? I'm sure there's much I can teach you."
While Vimanda speaks, Glorio waves his hand to Kage, dismissing him. "Indeed. That's why I had a copy made. Just take the body out by the grotto before you remove his head, please. Oh, and give Acantha my regards." He gives Kage a tight, humorless smile.
While a logical request, that would leave Eris alone with two monsters...
Kage shrugged and picked the corpse up, he glanced at Eris wondering what her intentions where.
:SHOULD I HIDE?:
"I'm fine, do as you will", Eris signs back as she gazes back at both.
Eris tilts her head to one side. "What do you however, want from me? Am I just another pet? I'm not opposed to learning more - the gifts that I have already been given have been invaluable on several of my missions - but perhaps I might need to know what being under your wing, might entail."
Glorio dips his finger in the spray of blood on the table and studies it. "I shall escort our assassin back to the rest of his brood," he says after a moment. "They have news to report and much to prepare for. I'll leave you two to decide if this reunion is a happy one." He eyes Vimanda and Eris.
He leads Kage out of the cathedral and allows him to do his grisly work, then escorts him back to the upper level and through the manor to the dining hall. The rest of the mantises all turn and see Kage holding a head and a copy of the seneschal's proclamation. The contract is completed.
When they leave, Vimanda steps close to Eris and sensuously draws a hand through her hair. "I can offer many benefits," she coos breathily. "What did Bahor -- I mean Glorio -- offer you? No doubt he wished to distract me, and it almost worked. I would love to make you totally devoted to me, but I don't have the time. Instead, shall we forge a partnership? I would supplant him as head of the Arkonas, but I would like something of our status to remain intact."
Kage returns to the sight of Lilith randomly casting her orisons for (seemingly) no reason.
"Looks like we got our prey. Good work, Kage," Lilith says with a smirk. "Say... Where's Eris? Unless I'm going senile in my old age, I could've sworn she was with you."
Eris isn't entirely fooled by the sudden shift in behaviour, knowing that she can turn her attitude in an instant. Still, she keeps her own tone light and breathy as if she wanted nothing more than to be totally devoted to her.
"We did have an arrangement where he promised was that he would try to unlock more of my strengths and abilities, but I couldn't go into more detail on that, he was rather...brief. If you wish to move against him, I'll have no wish to stand in your way. When you mention much of our status will remain intact, what are you specifically referring to, just so I could understand an arrangement."
Jon, still with his mask on puts his hand out. "May I?" He wants to peruse the paperwork.
After doing so, he returns it to Kage or gives it to whomever else wishes to see it.
Servants begin to clear plates and trays from the table while offering not-so-subtle cues that the mantises are no longer welcome.
A flash of irritation crosses Vimanda's face in having to explain herself. "Taking over a house in disgrace and dishonor doesn't have the same charm, now, does it?"
She takes a breath. "Help me remove Bahor before his schemes bring down this house, and I can make you chief among my new servants. I had managed to introduce some of my abilities into the kitsune years ago. I can teach you these things as well. Would you like that? The ability to read minds as though they were speaking out loud to you?"
Eris winces inwardly at Vimanda's request. It was exactly the thing she had hoped to avoid. Both Vimanda and Bahor where in all likelihood much stronger than her, and both would view her not only as a soft target, but disposable tool in any conflict. That said, outright refusal to Vimanda's face would anger the Rakshaka.
Eris wasn't stupid, she knew that the Rakshaka could probably read her thoughts as easy as she could eavesdrop on any conversations they might have. Furthermore, not only did they have a silver tongue as good as her own, but they were exceptionally perceptive, Eris knew she would struggle to lie shamelessly in front of one. Which meant she had to be very, very careful.
"Servants are many things, diligent, hard working, obedient, devoted, but most of all, they are loyal. A true servant would do anything for her mistress, loyalty transcends all bounds. That said, its not simply bought, true loyalty is earned, and the servant repays that ten-fold, because they have been looked after, cared for, acknowledged, respected, trusted, by such a master or mistress"
Eris pauses for a moment, making eye contact with Vimanda, keeping her down level, deferred. "Now, I might share some genetic trait with you, but I hold no obligation over you, I make no judgments, no expectations, no requests, or deals, or compromises. You bred me to serve and I understand my place".
Eris tilted her head downwards in a respectful half tilt of subservience, before slowly lifting her head as she goes on. "That said, you ask me to show loyalty, you make demands on me, to carry out your attack on Bahor. Had I been brought up at your side, no doubt I would be begging for this opportunity, but I was separated, forgotten about, abandoned. Try as I might, how can I have the opportunity to create such a bond with my mistress, a bond of loyalty you could trust without question, when I only met my true mistress but a few moments ago."
Eris looks up at Vimanda, brushing a hand through her hair in a similar matter to Vimanda, but the gesture is an imitation, an attempt at flattery "Imagine Mistress, how much it hurts that it was Bahor, not my Mistress, that first located me, met with me, told me of my true obligations to serve you, and then introduced me to my Mistress. How can you ask me to shoulder a burden of loyalty and act against someone that brought me to you?"
Having attended to his grizzly business, Kage returns to the other Mantis in the dining chamber. He nods at Lilith's words and replies, "She's talking with one of the Rahshaka called Vimanda, I'm not entirely sure what about however." Kage doesn't look entirely pleased about this.
He hands Jon-Wyn the paper saying, "It appears to be legitimate although we'd need the layers to go over it with a fine toothed comb."
Vimanda caresses Eris's cheek and smiles the sated smile of a hunter that had just feasted on prey that had eluded her for years. "You are so precious. Show me your true form. There's a good girl. You need not concern yourself with shame over Bahor. Obey me now, fully, and all shall be forgiven."
"Now, tell me: Bahor has employed the very mantises under the employ of Queen Ileosa to eliminate her. Is that correct? What else does he plan? How does he intend to take control of the city? Does it involve that ridiculous man who calls himself emperor?"
All examinations of the document reveal it to be genuine. It declares, with the full weight of the seneschal of Korvosa, that Ileosa's rule over the city-state has been annulled and rendered illegitimate. Her continued exercise of authority is illegal and without sanction. It is clear that so long as this document (including any additional copies) exists, Ileosa is not a legitimate ruler.
Eris obediently leans into Vimanda's caress, smiling as if she were at peace. "Mistress, I would prefer not appearing in my true form, I cover myself in subterfuge and deceit, and change my form so often, that my traditional fox form is unique to me, I never shift into it, its the only trace of individuality that I have, the only thing that I'll ironically never change or use, the thing I cling to, to prevent myself losing focus under a wave of never ending disguises. Please let me keep this one thing of mine."
Eris keeps herself differential in her request, but tries to labor the point as much as she can that its important to her, before addressing the question. "Bahor means to eliminate Queen Ileosa as a means to return things to the way they were. He doesn't seek to openly harm you, in fact, I'm a gift to you, from him, to ensure a united House. I doubt that he would look to unite with an old emperor, Bahor seeks to reclaim the city for all of House Arkona"
Jagen stands after glancing at the papers in Kage's hand. "All right. Let's get moving. Time to go see how the Vernai responds to our newest mission."
Vimanda's eyes narrow. "Now's not the time for insubordination. I can keep your true self better than you can."
Her attention is distracted by the information on Glorio's plan. "You need to understand, Bahor seeks his own glory. He wants only what's best for himself. Anything else is incidental."
"Sure thing, Jagen. When Eris gets back, we'll head out," Lilith declares as she nonchalantly extinguishes her umtenth Light spell.
Eris ducks her head. "I meant no offence Mistress, it just allows me to stay focused on who I am, and who I look up to. Its so easy for a humble servant, unskilled in her talents, to lose track constantly shifting from one disguise into another. Surely you would want me to stay true to myself and remember what I am to you?" she asks,as a respectful counterpoint, before addressing Vimanda's second point.
"In that case, might this servant ask a question? Eris waits patiently for a yes/no, but hoping for a yes. "Why then, would Bahor direct me to you, what does it get him? It gives you a free servant, it gives me a mistress, but it gets him utterly nothing, he had the Mantis behind him before he brought me to you."
Alenaya looks over the document, "Good enough for me, let's kill the b++~$," she says with a mischievous smirk on her face, removing a vial of liquid from her belt. "This ought to do the trick, if we can be clever and sneaky enough."
Jagen shakes his head. "We'll go now. The witch can catch up. She knows where to go." He jerks his head in the direction of the exit and starts heading that way.
Astrid glances around the table and slowly stands. "He's got a point," she concedes.
Vimanda shakes her head, disagreeing. "What I want, is devotion and subservience, not individuality. I can tell you who you are and what your purpose is."
"Bahor gave you to me as a distraction, I've already told you. Perhaps he believes you are stronger-willed than you let on, requiring more effort and time for me to properly mold you. How do you respond to such an accusation?" She leans in focusing on Eris' eyes intently.
"You have my devotion though" Eris responds, looking a little sad that her mistress didn't believe that. "Mistress, I regret to inform you that I don't have much experience dealing with the lightened members of your race. I can only draw upon the limited experiences I have today. For instance, I can understand that Bahor might be a master deceiver, full of ulterior motives, but every other rahshaka I met today was exactly the same, charming, but ruthless if required, intelligent, and manipulative should the occasion call for it. Therefore while I obediently listen to what you say, I cannot help but compare two the rahshaka I have interacted most with today. Bahor gave my friends and I a gift, the gift of completing a mission. He gave my friends and I an additional purpose and goal in our lives in a new mission. He gave me the purpose I was bred for, and he gave me to you, my Mistress. No doubt he could have forced my friends and I into doing something that accomplished his goals, but he didn't. He could have pressured me into your service, but he didn't. In doing so, he encouraged a sense of loyalty, of trust. In the same space of time, my true mistress, the person I was born to serve, has doubted first my existence as a servant , then further doubted the level of devotion I have for her, ordered me to betray a confidence, and asked me to give up the only thing I care about, all within a few moments of meeting her."
Eris is careful to have not a trace of accusation in her tone, only sadness. "I'll never judge you Mistress, I dont have that right, and I don't consider Bahor a paragon of virtue either. That said, the way Bahor has spoken to me - doubtlessly deviously planned this way - has created a small measure of trust, in that he has never forced me to do something I feel extremely uncomfortable doing. So, you can give me the order again Mistress, you can order me, as is your right as my Mistress, to make me take my true form, and I would obey, as your servant, but Mistress, but no matter how much I wish otherwise, no matter how much I wish it would not be the case, such an order would hurt our bond, no matter how much I hope otherwise...and maybe, maybe thats what Bahor wants all along."
Inwardly, Eris is slightly thrilled. She has sprung her trap, and wonders how Vimanda will slip out of it.
Without making demands, she has created a pressure situation for Vimanada. The rahshaka can of course, give the order again and force her into doing something she does not wish to do. That said, such an order would harm the relationship between her and Vimanda, and risks Vimanada playing into Bahor's plans, by directly pitting the relationship to the test. Eris suspected Vimanda had a healthy degree of paranoia towards Bahor, and hopes she can avoid giving up her true form to Vimanda by drawing on this. Furthermore, Eris suspects Vimanda sees herself as a Mistress to be adored, and has deftly attempting to put Vimanda in a situation where she can show Eris a magnanimous gesture and thus elevate her standing in her servants eyes.
Eris pauses for a moment before continuing onwards,
"Its not my place to decide if I require proper molding, that decision lies ultimately with my Mistress, a servant does not get a say in this. I will, however, attempt to understand something. As you said, you created us, bred us, to be your pets, playthings, your servants. Therefore, you would have promoted the qualities that you most highly prize, and weeded out undesirable characteristics."
Eris shrugs "As I said, I am woefully uneducated, so forgive this servant if she offends her Mistress, but if I am molded in your image, if Bahor see's you as a surrogate mother, if I was created as a pet to serve, surely you wouldn't have allowed such a characteristic as a strong will to slip through, unless you didn't wish it. Surely everything that I am has come directly from my Mistress"
Privately, Eris is again, rather pleased with herself. She had avoided questioning Vimanda directly, and instead indirectly asked her to back up her lofty earlier statement, that she had had a hand in the creation of a kitsune order dedicated to serving her whims. Either Vimanda had to argue that she was not as all controlling as she had claimed, or that Eris's own Iron will was a direct correlation to what Vimanda prized, in which case she could hardly be blamed or it. While happy, with her responses, the mind games were rapidly pushing Eris to her limit, attempting to gain even footing while appearing to be two steps behind was a taxing exercise.
Vimanda's lips curl, baring her sharp teeth at Eris's continued refusal to obey her whims. She listens quietly, then seizes on a piece of information she hadn't realized. "Your friends? The Red Mantis?" she glances back the way Bahor and Sa'Kage had gone. "You're a Red Mantis?"
She snaps her fingers. "Of course. The kit they requested as payment for that one job, but that was decades ago." She tilts her head, appraising Eris in a new light. "So they raised you -- no, your mother, perhaps? into their faith. And now you come back to me."
She paces in thought for a few moments, every so often looking again at Eris as she ponders. Finally, Vimanda turns back to her. "My long-lost child, allow me to dote on you. I can give you fulfillment in your true nature and purpose. I can give you that education you woefully lack.
"But a servant cannot have two mistresses. I shall assist you on this job you have brokered with Bahor, and then you can make a clean break. Nothing may divide your loyalty to me. And I can show you first-hand why I alone am worthy of your worship and devotion."
Eris thinks for a moment. Just as a notification, I'm hoping to become a Vernai in future. I'm only mentioning it because I know how much you would like to know about any assets that might be available"
"That said, are you going to give me fulllfillment in my true nature, purpose, and education now, to make up for lost time, and then permit me to help my friends? Also, what did you mean in that you would assist personally, wouldn't you want to do the opposite of what your brother wants?"
"...Point. Well, if Eris knows where to go, then I guess we can head out," Lilith also concedes somewhat wearily. She briefly looks over at Alenaya and shrugs before following the Jagen and Astrid out. That being said, she keeps her pace carefully calculated just in case anyone objects.
Alenaya shrugs in response to Lilith before replacing the vial and following her out.
Kage glances at Jagen and replies gruffly, "Very well." He wasn't happy about leaving Eris behind, but he failed to see what could be done about it. The monsters where nigh impregnable to their blades. Eris would have to rely on her wits, but it occurred to him when had she done else? Achaekek willing she would be fine.
With his gruesome trophy in a burlap bag over his shoulder, Kage stared filing out with the others. He glanced at those he trusted, Jon-Wyn and Astrid as if to say, We're not quite done here...
Vimana gives Eris a look of strained patience. "Try to follow along, please. If Bahor wins, House Arkona is ascendant and his position is secure. If he loses, the house is in disgrace and worth nothing. Either way, I lose."
She throws her hands up. "He gives you to me thinking that you'll distract me from interfering with his plans. But what he doesn't realize is that you're going to give me something much better: an inroad to one of the greatest organization of assassins in the world."
Her form shifts, and she returns to the immensely attractive Vudrani woman she had first appeared as. "Your order has had losses in the service of the pretender queen, yes? I shall be one of those losses, having survived and vouched for by you. Then we shall work on your elevation to Vernai, but your obedience will be only to me. Not some mortal priestess or an insect pretending to be a god."
Her smile is no less predatory now that she has shifted out of her fox-headed form. "So, my dear? Shall we get started?"
The Mantises leave the estate, some reluctantly, and move down the street to their earlier meeting place where they are joined by Nordusk and the other Mantises who had stayed outside the initial fray. A quick flash of Red Hand relays the information that the ritual is complete, and that they are all to return to the mainland.
"As always, I live to serve" Eris responds casually, choosing not to ask some of the obvious questions such as how she was going to pull the con off successfully. If Vimanda wants to be impatient, then she would suffer the consequences.
Leaving Old Korvosa is relatively easy. The group of Mantises eventually congregate at the only intact bridge linking the island to the mainland. The large barricade and force of Gray Maidens enforcing the quarantine eventually allow you to cross, and you are once again in true Korvosa. Your time in the old quarter has seen little change in the main city, though still the heavy air of oppression hangs over the populace. Patrols of the scarlet-plumed women warriors enforce curfews and order, while the populace eke out their mundane existences as quietly and unobtrusively as possible.
A short journey through the streets eventually gives way to the secret entrances and hidden tunnels that lead to the Mantis' secret headquarters. The group disperses momentarily and joins back up in the secret underground lair, with their prize in hand. Now all that's left is informing Vernai Acantha...
Vimanda extends her hand and invites Eris to come with her. If there's no resistance, she leads Eris back into the manor and up the stairs into an austere chamber. The bed is made, sheets drawn tight against the mattress and pillows arranged perfectly at the head. A dressing table and chair at the bed's side are both dust-free and polished to a shine.
She instructs Eris to sit down in the chair. "Think now upon a lost mantis. I suggest you think of someone you know, who is missing or dead, whom I could impersonate easily. In return, I shall unlock the gifts I've introduced into your lineage."
"Get out, of my head... please Mistress, there is a much easier way, let me show you what she looks like" Eris responds, her tone have irritated before she remembers respect, and brings her tone back in line by the time the sentence finishes. Eris might not be extremely religious, but she isn't happy at the disrespect that Vimanda is showing to her and her organisation. Using magic to influence her mind was the final straw. Eris thinks back to the massacre at the old hideout, that both her friends had examined. Picking probably one of the most attractive female Mantis she remembers (knowing Vimanda's preference) massacred (and knows vaguely by name), Eris shapeshifts, mimicking the form precisely, movements, shape, standing.
"Here is your impersonation target, a member of the mantis stationed in our hideout. You will be unfamiliar to the members of the mantis came into this building with, therefore they will have limited opportunity to...pry."
Kage didn't dawdle, it's quite possible Vernai Acantha would be furious with their deal but things would be worse if there was any delay. Secretly Kage felt that Vespid would be most please with how things had worked out, assuming of course Eris returned unharmed. Hmm Eris, that
make him anxious, what exactly did the Rakshasa what with her?
Kage strode up to Acanth's study, on the threshold he paused for a moment composing himself before knocking and calling out, "Vernai the ritual has been completed."
Kage bows and enters with a grizzly cargo, held in both hands is a cushion upon which is a head. "Vernai Acantha may I present the head of Neolandus Kalepopolis, former seneschal of Castle Korvosa. Many Mantises died to make this possible and there was a significant complication. We heard he was being protected by House Arkona, we went in expecting an army of mortals. Instead we found outsiders, Rakshasa, apparently from Vudra. They where nigh impervious to our blades, only Jagen could touch them with his prayer attack. In the end we where forced to deal with their leader Glorio. We where able to bargain for Kalepopolis's head but Glorio extracted a heavy price..."
He then offers Vernai Acantha their copy of the proclamation and kneels head down at her feet. It was possible he was about to die as was her prerogative, but some said it was hard to argue with success. Kage fervently hoped they where right.
Jon allows Sa'Kage to speak. If the Vernai Acantha had questions, she would ask them.
The Vernai stands imperiously in the shrine to Achaekek, her mouth turned down in her perpetual frown. Her eye twitches when Kage reports the deaths of so many mantises, and her upper lip curls in distaste when he tells of the rakshasas they faced.
"What price?" she asks as she swipes the decree away from Kage. Jagen stays close to the Tith'Kali slayer, tempted to claim part of the glory of the kill but also wary of Acantha's wrath. The rest of the mantises stand wary in the tense silence as the cleric unfurls the decree and studies it.
"This is the seneschal's decree declaring Ileosa's reign as illegitimate," she states after a moment. "Obviously this is the decree that Her Highness was hoping to prevent, but it matters little with him being dead. No one would believe it or move against her anyway, despite--" Acantha's eyes widen, then narrow as she fixes her gaze first on Kage, but then every other mantis in the room.
"Do not tell me," she says, her voice deathly quiet and full of menace, "that you actually accepted a contract on Queen Ileosa?"
Vimanda suddenly grows furious. "You refuse me again?!? Your thoughts are mine! You serve me!"
She leans in close. Her kukri is in hand once more, and she brings it up to Eris's face where a spark jumps along its edge filling her nose with the scent of ozone. "I shall have to break you, won't I?"
Kage winced at her tone, the thought of letting the guild down sickened him to the core. Attempting to remain calm Kage explained, "We were outmatched, force did not work. I firmly believe subtlety would have failed too, not only are the grounds extensive, with an army of retainers, complete with a large cave system hidden under the statue of some Vudrani god, those damnable Rakshasa have eyes like hawks. Worse according to Eris they are telepaths and can read minds. Eris was invited to watch Kalepopolis write that document, I invited myself. Glorio tracked me when I hid. And no I didn't scrape my mossacins or anything like that. If somebody told me they could sniff us out I wouldn't be surprised either." A note of bitterness was evident in Kage's voice, he was particularly scrupulous about such things, bathing more than strictly necessary.
Daring to look the Vernai in the eye with his unblinking crimson eyes he continued, "It had been made clear to us that failure in this matter was [i]not an option. So negotiation seemed the only viable alternative. Glorio made a somewhat convincing argument that he is the real ruler of the city from the shadows, that he has leant on Illeosa to perform various acts of his bidding, and that she was illegitimate from the start. As far as I can tell only this document and it's copy provide any legal force to that assertion, should something happen to them... Anyway we where clear that no contract could be entered unless Ileosa was unambiguously shown to be illegitimate. I don't claim to be the judge of that, I believe you are. Also I can't help but wonder if Golorio is covered under the original contract? If so then anything that was said is simply null and void. Anyway the answer to your question is yes, and I accept full responsibility. In my defense I simply offer you Kalepopolis's head and accept your judgement."
Kage was intensely curious about one thing, could he really enter a contract on behalf of The Mantis? Before now he didn't believe so, but the Vernai's anger suggested otherwise.
As an afterthought Kage added, "Oh one other thing you should be aware of, it seems the Rakshasa are not entirely united. Kalepopolis's minder a Rakshasa called Vimanda was most displeased when I killed her charge. She though Golorio mad..."
Kage deliberately isn't talking about what happened to Eris partly because he doesn't know what happened to her, partly due to loyalty and because so far the Vernai hasn't asked. Of course if she did...
"Sa'Kage does not speak for me in this matter, Vernai." Jon adds. "Some of us argued against the arrangement. However the situation was as he has said so allowed this scheme to play out. We all played a role. So any repercussions should not fall upon Sa'Kage alone." Jon stands near his brother. He may not like what has happened, but they were a team and he was not going to leave Sa'Kage out in the wind.
"He also, did not express that there are some loopholes in the agreement. We would need to have the authority to actually enter into the agreement in the first place. Even if we did, we insisted that our superiors had final say. Also, the document would need to be legitimate."
Eris remains relaxed in the face of Vimanda, holding her hands in a placating gesture."There is no disobedience here mistress, look, I took the most attractive form I could of a Mantis I know. I even took the form personally do you can see how she looks, moves, facial expressions, characteristics. I'm mirroring this one perfectly...isn't this going to help you so much than a static picture in my mind?
Eris looks earnestly at the other women and then kisses her brow gently. Mistress it's been a long day, you have been reading my mind for much of this time, and experienced no problems, with an unmatched ability to detect falsehoods, you would know if I'm being untruthful. Isn't it more likely that stress or distraction affected your abilities than me having the ability to thwart you?" Eris gradually entwines her hands around the neck of the other women before slipping around to her neck, rubbing the shoulders gently in a massage like motion. "Mistress, flattering though it is to claim that I would have the mental strength to resist you and the abilities to lie to you, we both know that's not the case. Remember, bred by you to serve you...besides what do I gain, I want to embrace and unlock my heritage and purpose, and surely you want that for me as well, our goals are identical, there's nothing to gain".
Lilith decides to play the ace card that was up the group's collective, metaphorical sleeve.
"For what it's worth, Lord Achaekek has not revoked my spell privileges. I understand that's... an occurrence for our clerics who displease him. I know that I'm not exactly a traditional holy woman, but I'm fairly certain that similar conditions apply to me."
Acantha listens attentively, her gaze boring into each speaker. When Lilith finishes, her brow furrows and she again studies the document in her hand for a prolonged silence. Finally, she speaks, and amazingly a hint of a smile graces her lips. "It is the will of Achaekek. We should be used as scalpels, knives in the dark. Instead, the queen wields us like a drunken woodsman, hewing left and right without thought or care." She shifts her stance, straightening as though a great weight is lifted from her shoulders.
"Rest. Prepare. Plan. This will not be an easy task." She waves her hand incants some words over the head, then takes it and the document to the shrine where she places them reverently. Then the Vernai lowers herself to her knees before the symbol of Achaekek and buries her face in her hands.
Vimanda's anger fades to a simmer as Eris embraces her. She is silent as the kitsune rubs her shoulders and lavishes praise upon her. Eventually she draws her lips to her own in a sensuous kiss.
"Perhaps this will get you to open up to me," Vimanda whispers breathily when their mouths part.
Eris's mind opens and Vimanda explores her carnal desires, coaxing them to the surface as each hidden want and need is teased with the promise of fulfilment. Her pleasure builds as temptations are introduced, then held just slightly out of reach. The rakshasa shifts her form, becoming the very embodiment of the kitsune's desire, then maddeningly teased until she cannot help but beg for release. Even when she cries out with agonizing need does Vimanda only give her a taste, enough to build the need further and draw out her heated desire. The promised relief would be granted only if Eris worshipped the rakshasa openly and fervently.
Pain and pleasure are mixed in an incomprehensible swirl as time passed. Somewhere in the night (nights?), Eris felt a vitality or essence draw into her from Vimanda.
Daylight streams through the shades of Vimanda's room when Eris comes to. A servant stands at attention with a silk robe. "Would you like a bath, ma'am?"
Eris stretches before rolling out of the bed, probably giving the servant an eyeful but being equally at ease on whatever form she was masquerading as. "Sure, I would like a bath...where is our mistress?
The servant does not appear to react to Eris's state of dress. He simply turns and bids her follow out to the upper balcony, which overlooks the garden on the ground floor. Birdcalls and a warm, heady aroma of exotic plants rises from the tropical area below. He opens a heavy mahogany door and stands at the entrance. "Your mistress is helping the Master entertain some guests."
The air spilling out of the bath chamber is incredibly warm and humid, filled with steam rising from the bubbling oval bath set in the floor. The walls, ceiling and floor are set with polished marble tiles of alternating blues and greens, giving the entire chamber a pervasive aquatic feel. Three lacquered wooden benches sit near the bath itself.
Eris observes the bathhouse thoughtfully."I suppose that I'll attend to her shortly. Of course, I'll need suitable clothing unless the mistress expects me to wander out in a towel of some sort" she remarks, before stepping into the room, running the bath. If undisturbed, she quickly baths before heading out to meet the mistress.
A bit later. After the group has had time to rest some. Jon goes to them and says. "It seems like my concerns about taking the contract were not necessary. I hope that my actions once the decision was made tell you that I am with you as a teammate and as a brother. That you can trust me as we do this."