Kage shivers as he crosses the bridge, but doesn't see anything amiss, 'Now is not the time for butterflies! Concentrate!'
Kage remains silent while Eris talks, although he begins to feel a trickle of sweat the small of his back. He reflects, 'It feels so strange for my life to be literally in her hands. Master Brinn drummed self reliance into me, he would never have approved of such a risk. Yet maybe that's why he never became guildmaster, he who dares wins.'
Too focused on the imposing citadel, Mama misses the movement in the water.
When Eris takes on an air of arrogance and superiority with the elder hellknight, Mama holds her breath. She's gambling that Wren outranks this man, eh? But the guard deferred to him, and he addressed her by her first name. I hope she guessed right...or if she's misstepped that she is able to talk her way out of it.
With focus she restrains her hand for reaching for her whip, concealed within the folds of her clothes.
Kiddrik follows the group in the guise of an a$$hole Hellknight bladesman … an easy task for an a$$hole Red Mantis bladesman to accomplish. He does his best to school his features to a calm facade as they pass through stout defense after stout defense, trying to look for any tactical advantages they might be able to use if things go sideways. Unfortunately, vigilance can only be spread so thin.
As they wait for what he hopes is their final checkpoint before entrance, Kidd feels tension begin to build as the Chelaxian man approaches Eris. He watches the man, but keeps his place a few paces from he and Eris, breath unwittingly held in anxiety.
Eris' plan to fluster the Hellknight is about as successful as a light breeze against a fortified bulwark. His features grow solid and severe and he takes a step toward her, looming over Eris. Very well, Paravicar Wren. What's this about an interrogation?
I'll see that, armiger. He takes the forged document from the hands of the guard and draws it up close to his face.
In a whisper only meant for the paravicar, the Hellknight says, All these years, you have never known me to lie. I say to you: I had no part in this.
Kiddrik watches on, covering his growing concern with a fake cough into a fist.
Mama maintains the stance of a slave...willing herself to keep on breathing.
If Eris can talk her way through this one, I'm baking her the cake of her life!
Myra tries very hard to hold in her urine. This suddenly seems like a very baaaad idea.
Whats going on here? The man didn't react well to Eris's gambit, but why? A premonition of dread fills Kage. Its all kage can do to stand to attention while concentrating on ignoring the sweat trickling down his back. Subconsciously he'd noted the exits and decided which guards would have to die for him to escape.
Then the man whispers to Eris, 'Isn't that passing strange. Seems they are acquainted and he thinks Pravicar was set up for something...' Unable to share his insight, Kage seeths internally with frustration.
In response to the man's whisper, Eris softens her facial expressions for a moment, before whispering back "I disagree, I have known you to throw half truths when it serves your interests", she answers, before almost grudgingly adding "that said, I have yet to discover a time where you were untruthful to me...your statement s noted"
Her voice returning to full volume and Eris retaining her look of irritation, as she frowns suspiciously."You didn't hear, I am tasked with getting that irksome thorn Valdis Portuni to...feel encouraged enough to divulge the methods he allows escapees to flee the state. In addition, if he should have any information on the whereabouts of some of the recent escapees well, that should prove useful as well. You might now understand the urgency of this task, the quicker we can gain access to this information, the quicker we can crush those that seek to evade those of which hope to avoid lawful punishment".
The man presses his lips together, making the lines of his face even more severe. His eyes flick once to the armiger, then to the retinue with Eris before returning to match her gaze.
Very well, then, he says, stiff and formal. He passes the order back to her and nods once to the guard. It appears in order. I'll have him brought out to the Confessional. Giving Eris one last, hard look that belies distrust, he turns and strides out into the inner courtyard.
Distantly, he yells to someone just outside your view. You there! Stablehand! Get the draft animals hooked up to the platform! Quickly!
In the gatehouse, the guards step back and let you through into Citadel Demain.
Bess looks to see who's close and then whispers to Eris, "Paravicar, the Confessional is a stage. Appropriate for getting criminals to publicly admit the error of their ways...but perhaps not the right venue to get a criminal to answer sensitive questions. As you see fit of course, Paravicar."
Myra adds her own whisper, "But perhaps the perfect stage for a flashy...performance..."
"That won't be necessary", Eris responds quickly to the stable hand, or whoever is sorting out the Confessional. "I'm aware of the traditional method of interrogation, but as a prisoner with important information in his head, I'm concerned about the possibility that the resulting humiliation in front of an audience strips so much of his pride from him, that he attempts to take a cowards way out and prefer death. Instead, I want to talk to him in private first...then, if he should prove stubborn, a public torture session should loosen his tongue"
"Indeed Paravicar our orders are clear, time is of the essence, results are the only thing that matters."
While acting as if he belonged here, Kage kage keeps his eyes open for any complications...
Later when there are no obvious prying eyes, Kage whispers to Eris, "An impressive recovery, remind me not to play cards with you. From that man's reaction I get the impression something happened politically to Paravicar, something we didn't pick up. The back exit may be wise."
Taking a few steps into the courtyard, you learn that the thief's tale did not do the Confessional justice. The stage is massive; covered with an elaborate roof with statues of glaring devils down upon the platform. The stage itself is outfitted with a wide variety of grisly racks, chairs and tables -- horrible implements that immediately set the imagination running scared. The Tower of Contemplation overlooks the Confessional. Its barred windows giving the occupants a clear view of the horrible stage.
Beneath the stage is a complicated array of gears, that look capable of turning and even raising the Confessional up to give those in the Tower a better view. A dusky-skinned servant responds to the Hellknight's orders with a prompt Yes, Master Haelcant, and quickly heads off to a very clean and orderly set of stables set flush against the inner curtain wall.
When Eris and Kage speak, the Hellknight turns back around. He studies Kage hard. Then he draws Eris away from her entourage and over by the stables. He again lowers his voice so that only she may hear amidst the bustle of the activity in the courtyard.
Did the Order of the Chain give you these orders? We've denied their requests to question Portuni repeatedly. Did they think I would simply hand him over to you? What have you gotten yourself involved in?
As they enter the Confessional, Kage concentrates hard on not gawking, thinking 'The Hellknights are depraved. They sully the sacred rite of murder by toying with their pray like a cat would a mouse. Torture somebody enough and they'll tell you whatever they think you want to hear. No this isn't about extracting the truth, there are far more reliable ways. This is theater, for the pleasure and sustenance of Asmodeus and his minions.'
Kage concentrates on staring into the middle distance, and outwardly ignores Master Haelcant's glare, 'Maybe it was a mistake coming here in person, my unique parentage is giving him pause for thought...'
Despite standing to attention some feet behind Eris, Kage finds himself able to her the whisper and heart sinking he subconsciously checks the place for exists and calculates which guards he must kill in order to survive.
Ghiv observes his surroundings, disguised as a mere stablehand.
Eris is in a hole and she knows it. Haelcant's pride would never allow him to turn over his prize to the Order of the Chain, and while he was paranoid that she was doing the Chain's dirty work, he would never grant her a private audience that she needed. That said, Eris thinks back to his earlier remarks, and decides to play a game. Perhaps she can play up on Haelcants paranoia of the Order of the Chain, as well as his apparent interest in her, to finally gain private access.
Stepping slightly closer to Haelcant, Eris allows her features to soften, projecting a more vulnerable exterior. As she can easily do, Eris taps into her inner fears, and then projects them into her face, allowing her to genuinely mimic the emotion of fear.
With her voice barely above a whisper, for Haelcant's benefit only, she carefully responds with "How truly you see...always you have been able to get to the heart of the matter". Glancing from side to side to build up tension, Eris turns to Haelcant again. "It is as you say, The Order of the Chain has indeed given me these orders, but its not quite as you suspect. Haelcant, you must be aware of the political maneuvering around the leadership of the Orders, and the Order of the Chain claims to have obtained information that, should come to light, makes my position rather politically...vulnerable. The information could be fabricated, but I do not know more, and besides, you know that I spend time occasionally at the opera Haelcant...and how the vulnerable sometimes end up. My best defence, is to give them something they would want almost equally as much, although in truth, I suspect they gave me these orders largely as a throwaway gesture, if I succeed they gain access to something they highly prized, if I fail then they can proceed in gradually removing me from my position."
Pausing slightly for breath, Eris continues onwards, adopting an earnest tone. "You promised me that you had no part in this, and told me that you have always been truthful to me. You know the motivations behind my visit here, and now I leave it up to you to decide how this dilemma I have fond myself in will be resolved."
EDIT
Apologies to anyone that feels currently left out during this gigantic monologue. I'll try and finish up this 1v1 conversation so we can all contribute as a team again ^_^
Myra holds still, behaving as a slave should, and waits for her "mistress". She has a hard time keeping her eyes from darting up to examine the craftsmanship of the Confessional though. As f!+&ed as it is, it sure is pretty. Lot of work went into that.
Master Haelcant's eyes soften as Eris speaks earnestly. He nods in understanding, at first. Then something she says changes his countenance, and he scowls. You would place yourself in my hands? Is this your final ploy? He glances over to the attendants that arrived with Eris. He again studies each one, before turning back to the disguised paravicar.
You'll get your chance with Portuni. But out here. Upon the Confessional. There should be witnesses enough to suffice that you -- or your handlers -- did their job.
Ser knights! he shouts at a passing group of three Hellknights. They immediately respond and approach. See to it that Paravicar Wren of the Order of the Scourge is attended to as we ready the Confessional. Her entourage can remain where they are for the time being.
He spares a glance at the stablehand. Well? Quit gawking and get going! The elder Hellknight strides off toward the ominous inner bailey.
The heavy oxen are hitched to the massive stage. Within a short while, they are soon bellowing and straining against the great wheel. It begins to turn, and the whole stage rises about twenty feet in the air. Then another large lever is thrown, and the stage rotates away from the Tower of Contemplation, and soon it is facing a large, ornate balcony extending from the inner keep.
The gears and workings beneath the stage are a marvel. What's more, the large pillar beneath the center looks like it extends deep underground. Going into the gearworks beneath the Confessional may be a way into the chambers beneath the citadel.
EDIT, whoops missed the update.
Mama is too swept up in the drama of the space, and the conversation unfolding around her, to notice the depths of the gearworks.
Likewise Kage is furiously working how best to have an 'accident' that won't draw undue suspicion, he has no time for studying the gearworks.
Having to simply watch as the chess match ebbs and flows, Kiddrik takes a moment to readjust some of the laces on his gear. He watches to catch the eyes of his team members, though, and his fingers deftly flourish with additional movements … sending discrete messages.
:: If we strike publicly, gates drop. How to escape? ::
Seemingly satisfied with his uniform once again, Kidd watches the courtyard around him and its walls, counting the number of possible combatants should the situation become violent.
Kiddrik takes in six at the main gate. There are twelve armigers (Hellknights-in-training) in various spots around the courtyard, and two groups of three knights. There are also roughly ten servants running about performing various chores.
While waiting uncomfortably, the assassins are able to take in the various last-minute preparations for the Hellknight Conclave set to begin in just a few hours. Just within view, the northern courtyard is filled with bleachers lining a jousting lane. The southern courtyard has numerous pavilion-style tents up, each flying the banners of various Hellknight orders representing the delegates in attendance. Despite the ominous stage being lifted before the citadel balcony, very few actually pay heed to the events around it.
A thin walkway extends from the Tower of Contemplation to the Confessional. Two Hellknight guards lead out a short, portly human man with a hood covering his head. At roughly the same time, Haelcant steps out onto the balcony from within the bailey. His helm is on, disguising his features and expression from those on the courtyard grounds.
Once the guards and hooded man are upon the stage, the walkway is retracted. Then, Eris and the rest of her entourage is escorted to a small platform at the front of the stage. When shestep upon the dais, one of the Hellknight guards turns a large crank which raises the platform up to the stage's level.
By the time they reach the Confessional, the hooded human has already been strapped to one of the heavy chairs. Sounds of whimpering can be heard from beneath the hood as the figure casts about at the different sounds. The acoustics of the stage seem to project sound directly to the balcony and back. All there upon the stage easily hear the soft but firm voice of Haelcant as he sits on one of the high-backed thrones. Do your questioning, Paravicar, and be quick about it. I've got a Conclave to prepare for.
Eris sizes up the situation and quickly indicates for the human's hood to be removed, such acts were beneath her. Looking at the area, she decided it look very much like a stage, which Eris wasn't too particularly fussed about, after all, sometimes it was nice to have an audience.
@GM I didn't mean do we know Ghiv is here, I meant do we even know he exists? Kage would likely be very surprised and suspicious to see someone else using the sign language.
Kage eyes the portly man they are sworn to free, and feeld a visceral thrill. So close, yet how to do it and get away? He enters a subtle questioning stance.
:: Anyone found an escape route?
As the scene unfolds, and the stage is literally set, Kiddrik approaches the ‘Paravicar’.
”Sir,” he says, mimicking the rigid crispness he’s heard the militant use with their superiors, ”would you like all of us to accompany you onto the stage for your work? Or would you prefer some stay below? I don’t know how much of a distraction you want.”
At Eris's proximity, Kiddrik’s emphasis on the word distraction is obvious … if a quick escape becomes necessary, a distraction would be better made by someone not on the stage. As he waits at attention for an answer, he crosses his arms, the fingers of his right hand—barely peeking out of the crook of his left elbow—flashing a response to Sa’Kage as his gray eyes flit to the walls encircling them.
:: I can get two of us over the walls. No other ideas, yet. ::
Kiddrik studies Haelcant, and has a hard time putting a finger on how he's acting. The evidence of some personal relationship is readily apparent, but short of wild speculation, he's unable to deduce what exactly has him responding this way, nor is he able to predict with any certainty what he's likely to do next.
Feeling the tension rising, Kage's predictor instincts start to kick in. He scans the room for threats, of course Haelcant is the obvious one, 'Why did he give in? Feels like he's giving us just enough rope to hang ourselves...'
Then of course Kage looks at their true prey, Vladis Portuni. The man doesn't look like much but looks can be deceiving, there must be steel somewhere under all that flab for he had resisted the attentions of the Hell Knights for quite some time...
Kage takes a step towards Eris and quietly asks in a deadpan, "Maybe we should offer him freedom in exchange for cooperation, that or having his viscera slowly removed and then magically healed, repeat ad nauseam."
:: Maybe he'll jump
Ghiv studies the scene and notices the hand signals. He grabs the reins of a nearby mare and walks it near where the RMA's are assembled.
::He Who Walks In Blood has sent me allies?::
Yamyra having never been clever enough to learn Red Hand, simply continues to play her role as a slave. She glances about to see how the other slaves in the courtyard are behaving. I assume it would be abnormal for me to go on stage with the others. Bah! This is a disaster, how are we going to get out of here with that devil right there to stop us?
Kage does his best to conceal his surprise at a stable hand using the sacred hand signals. He covers the odd hand signals he uses to reply by taking somewhat rough control of the prisoner. A push here a slap there makes him look like a thug to a casual observer, but if the stablehand is part of the brotherhood... Well he'd know to read the concealed message.
::Better he also sent Prey. We need an escape route.
Having cajoled the prisoner to stand where they wanted, Kage steps back so that he may casually observe the stablehand.
::The Sewers?:: Ghiv signs
Kage is momentarily confused, 'The sewers, whatever does he mean?'
Kage glances around anew.
His eyes settle on the pilar beneath the stage gears, heart sinking, 'Surely not! Oh gods he's serious. Hell it might even work. But how to tell the others...'
Quickly he makes another suggestion to Eris, "Another though occurs ma'am, maybe the prisoner is afraid of heights and the dark. Its a looong way down there into the foundations."
Just to move this along (since I feel its pretty much: GM waits for me to post ----> I post ---> I wait for GM to post ---> GM post and repeat), I'm going to spell out exactly how I envision this going down.
Eris is going to ask Vladis Portuni questions on how he managed to get people out of Cheliax. Whether Portuni answers honestly or not is irrelevant, Eris is simply going to appear unconvinced as to whatever Portuni says. Eventually, the anger at the "lies" Portuni is telling results in Eris losing her temper and Portuni "accidently" dying as, oh I don't know, a knife "accidently" slipped and cut an artery or something. Realistically, Eris should avoid blame for this since with torture its difficult to know whether a prisoner is lying, telling you what he or she thinks you want to hear, or telling the truth. As for Portuni dying, I expect certain cheliax people will be pissed, but hey, accidents happen and he's just one more dead heathen.
I can roleplay this torture out if you want, but we prolly need to schedule a time to rapid post in order to have a proper two way conversation done in an acceptable timeframe.