Kazeem shrugs and then lays down to sleep, again by the door. He is tired, dirty and smoke-stained but doesn't seem much moved by it.
Sevak slept fitfully. In spite of knowing it was not his fault... in spite of knowing he had no way to be sure going back for the servants wouldn't have killed him, too... the nagging voice of guilt would not wholly leave him.
He awoke sometime around midday, and went about his morning preparations, even though there wasn't much morning left. Once done he nodded to Kazeem, and stepped out to face the day.
Sevak finds the guards still outside when he exited. "Thank you," he says, "Ah, might I ask, is anything known about the proprietor of the Floating Tulip? I had wished to express my condolences to him."
The guard opens his mouth to speak but another voice speaks first. A man comes striding up the walk, quickly. It is the barkeep, Sevak's contact. He looks tired, smoke-stained and more then a bit nervous.
"Good Morning, friend!" he says but is stopped instantly by the guards, who cross spears in front of him. "I say, move aside!" The barkeep says but the guards are unmoving.
"We'll take care of him, sir." The guard says, drawing a club at his belt.
"No, I know him," Sevak says. "He is a fellow survivor of the tragedy last night. I would speak with him."
The guard is un-trusting but allows the pair (and Rasthiss) to go talk under a small tree nearby.
"I am glad to see you escaped from the fire, sir." the barkeep says. 'I am also glad to tell you I am done with all of this." he wrings his hands and shakes his head, 'I am not being paid nearly enough to brave fire and attacks." He seems quite adamant.
Sevak sighs. "It is indeed a sorrowful day, with so much lost to those who have no respect for peace. I am glad to see you alive, as well, and I understand your desire to distance yourself from such pain."
He hesitates a moment. "If I might but ask, one last time, for anything more that you might know in regards to my mission, I, for one, will do my best to see you are not drawn back into such things against your will."
The man purses his lips, "I want to stress I am finished with his whole business. that fire.." he shudders but adds, "I will say this. Master Feng is a hard man to find. However, if you go to the One Eyed Monk tavern, go to the Go tables at noon, you will find him there. The Master is a great player."
With that the man shakes his smoky clothes and leaves, after eyeing the snake.
Kazeem seems disappointed in the man for giving up on a contract, although he doesn't voice an opinion.
"Thank you, and may you find peace," Sevak says, giving the man a slight bow as he departs.
He looks over at Kazeem. "Do you know the way to this tavern?"
Kazeem nods and smiles widely.
"Then please, lead me," Sevak says. "The sooner we can conclude this business, it would seem, the better for all involved."
Kazeem, still grinning leads the way through the city streets. With Rasthiss with them they get looks, but he does seem to scare off any pickpockets or beggars. A giant snake goes a long way towards personal security.
The druid is glad he has that extra security. Kazeem leads them into rougher parts of tow, down near the docks. the streets become narrower, less well-kept, full of slimy puddles and garbage strewn alleys. A unpleasant stink fills Sevak's nostrils. Manure, rotting food, mud and vomit.
How he wishes for the clean, vibrant jungle!
Soon they arrive at a large, sprawling but dilapidated tavern. It is wooden, and was once painted but has long since faded and peeled to rough, bare wood. The shutters hang loosely, the porch sags and the chimney totters. Still, it looks busy as men walk in and out of the gaping doors.
Heading inside, Sevak sees it is not 'just' a Tavern. Well it is. Men drink at tables, play at dice and tiles, some are even eating. But the woman...instead of the quiet, reserved girls he saw before these are bold and, now he knows why Kazeem grins. Most of them are half dressed, in scandalous mockeries of the kimonos he had seen on the street. Ones with long slits or made of nearly transparent silk.
Still, Sevak is hardly distracted by human women throwing themselves at men for money. Along a back wall he spots a few tables of older men playing Go, that abstract strategic game so popular in Tian Xia. A few girls hover here, but are mostly ignored.
"Remember one might be trying to kill us," Sevak murmurs to Kazeem as they enter.
Sevak himself has no trouble ignoring the women's attentions--his heart belongs to the jungle, and his soul to the Naga. He carefully threads his way through the crowd, Rasthiss at his heels, towards the Go tables. He looks over the group there curiously, interested in more than just his mission, but most of all he looks for Master Feng.
Kazeem is more distracted but does keep close to Sevak. rasthiss causes a stir through the room. Men jump up, woman scream, even a few of the Go players curse.
One of them, an old man with a long white beard wearing simple brown robes doesn't look up. He stares at the board, rolling one black stone in his hands, as if nothing unusual was happening.
After a long moment he slides the stone into place with a quiet click, then says, 'Master Nagaji. I wondered when you would arrive." He looks up for the first time, face old and weathered, line with old age.
His quiet voice cut through the hubbub like a knife through butter. "Everyone, leave us." After a moment the room empties, leaving Kazeem (who watches the departing women sadly), Rasthiss and Sevak with the old man. He eyes the snake for a moment then says, "Proceed." Waving him to the other side of the board.
Sevak sits down, glances down at the board, and then back up at the Master. "I apologize for my pet's presence, but earlier events have driven home to me the danger that all associated with me face..." He sighs. "And, it would seem, even those who happen to sleep in the same place as I."
"You no doubt know why I am here. I would have wished circumstances to be otherwise, but it is clear to me now that I must accomplish my purpose without delay, lest my enemies cause more havoc in their pursuit of me. And so, I shall come to the point."
"What would it require to gain your vote in support of granting the trade deal to my Mistress Iskassala? I will do anything honorable that lies within my power."
Master Feng looks long and hard at Sevak then says, "Do you play Go?" He means the question seriously and clears the board of the current game.
"I find it fascinating. Both players have the same tools, the same information, nothing but skill versus skill. No chance, no luck, nothing random. Much unlike life." He places a shiny white stone on the board, looking up.
"I fear I know little of it," Sevak admits. "It is little played in Nagajor--or at least, in the parts of it in which I live. Perhaps in the larger cities it is better known."
He seems about to go on, but then stays silent. He does not bring this up idly...
"A pity. It is a useful tool for centering the mind and spirit." The Master waves a hand at the crude tavern. 'Even a place such as this can be transformed into an arena for the intellect and a battleground for skill."
He leans back, looking at the druid. His dark eyes are sharp, glittering slightly in the dim light of the tavern. "You are bold to simply ask me what it would take to win my vote, master Nagaji. Revealing your plans too hastily has been the doom of many a player." A old wrinkled finger taps the Go board.
"But here it may serve you. I need you to be my tool. The isolationists have been a thorn in my side for years. They are also a obstacle to you, so in this we can agree. A blow against them is a help to you, yes? A well palced stone may win both games, yours and mine."
The old man smiles, his teeth old and brown. "My stone is a letter that would tie the isolationists and a rival silk company together. This letter, which I know exists, is damning enough to sink both of their aims."
'My play is simple. You steal the letter, which recounts illegal activity, and plant it at a time and place of my choosing." The old man then adds, quickly, "The planting will not incriminate anyone not already involved."
'What say you, my little stone?"
"It seemed to me that the wisest play for a novice against a master was simply not to play at all," Sevak states, simply.
He takes a moment to consider the proposal. "I had thought it too convenient last night that a rabble-rouser should appear on the scene of the fire..." he murmurs. "Yes, I shall do this."
The old man nods at Sevak's first words and stands up, leaning on a glossy black cane. 'This is true, but one cannot stay a novice forever." He looks at Kazeem for the first time closely, the monk silent as usual.
Master Feng makes an odd gesture with his hands and Kazeem's eyes widen and then he falls to his knees, bowing deeply.
The old man rolls his eyes and gently nudges the younger man upright again, clucking his tongue. "It isn't that impressive."
Without explaining anything he turns back to Sevak, "The letter is at the Red House a rival silk firm on the edge of the city. You will want to get into the main office, right at the center of the large compound. I hear they have increased security lately so be careful."
Then the old man's face grows more stern, " Fail, and I will not defend you. I will sacrifice you just as easily as any Go stone. I would not advise you to fail."
"Of course. I should hardly expect otherwise," Sevak replies, silently wondering at the exchange between Kazeem and Master Feng. He also rises. "Is there anything further to tell this stone that might help your play succeed, or shall I go and play my best now?"
Master Feng smiles, "I can give you this, to aid you." he reaches into a small bag that was hidden beneath his chair. He hands Sevak a small bundle of well wrapped cloth.
Sevak can tell, once holding it it is a Cape of Bravado.
"More rewards if you succeed, my little stone, if you play the way I hope. Many rewards." Then the master waves at the druid, 'Now begone, so I can finish my other games." From memory he refills the board, putting the dozens of stones back exactly where they had been.
Sevak gives Master Feng a slight bow, then turns and departs. He looks up at the sun once outside, gauging the time.
"Likely it would be best not to simply walk up to the door," he comments to Kazeem. "In truth, it might be more difficult to accomplish this with company... if it comes to combat, I have likely already lost."
Kazeem ponders this, glances at the sun as well. It is nearing noon now, a clear and sunny day. Not the best for sneaking.
The monk speaks, his voice soft, "Do you desire a distraction?"
Sevak was faintly surprised that Kazeem had spent his one time speaking for the day upon this. "I shall, when the time comes. But first, I think I should like two things--first, a map of the city, and second, an idea of what large birds might dwell in the area. The first I imagine I can purchase, the second... well, I shall have to keep my eyes open. If you know of a place I might purchase a map, please lead me there, Kazeem."
The part about birds make Kazeem stare for a moment, then he nods. He leads Sevak into a crowded marketplace, full of booksellers, artists and other more cultural pursuits. In front of a large, green tent he pauses. An elegant hand has written, above, 'Xio's Calligraphy"
Out of the tent, a young Kitsune appears, dressed in bright red flowing robes. His fur is sleek, gleaming with health and prosperity.
"Hello, what can I do for you?"
Sevak smiles, secretly glad to see someone else who was not human.
"I was hoping to purchase a map of this fair city," Sevak states. "There is not time enough to see everything, and it would be helpful to plan where I shall go."
The fox like humanoid grins, 'A map? Interesting challenge. Do you want it right now?" Even as he speaks he pulls out a bottle of dark emerald ink and a sheet of fine rice paper.
A small lacquered table sits nearby the kitsune sits down, brush poised. 'What style? How artistic, how much license can I take for effect?"
"Ah, yes, now would be good..." Sevak seems lost in the sudden barrage of questions. "Ah... I simply want something sufficient for navigating the city..."
The kitsune tuts, as the ink starts being spread across the page. "But my friend, it should be a work of art? Perhaps the High Dynasty Style? Something of Zheng Ho? Or Ping Hui?" A few more ink lines spring into being, "No, no, perhaps the Mid Dynasty Sunrise style?" He keeps painting as he speaks, rattling off styles and painters.
Finally though the work is done, which is, as Sevak hoped, a map of the city, fine in detail and composition. It has some vauge artistic license, but nothing too worrying. The artwork is stunning though, very well made.
Xio grins at the nagaji, "What do you think?"
"Oh! It is beautiful!" Sevak exclaims. Then unease begins to make its way into his face. "Ah... I should have inquired before. What is the cost?"
Xio grins, showing needle teeth. "Nothing. I have never made a map before. It was very enjoyable and besides, it is a treat to serve someone not of boring human features." he carefully consider's Sevak's face. "Allow me to use you as a model, if you must consider a payment."
"Ah! My thanks," Sevak says, giving the Kitsune a little bow. "Hmmm... I think I must be on my way at the present, but perhaps I might return tomorrow about this time to do so for you?"
'No, no. You misunderstand. Merely permission. I have your face memorized, it is quite distinctive." The kitsune says, bowing in return. "Have a good day, enjoy the sights of the city."
"Ah, I see," Sevak says, a bit mystified. "Thank you again."
He walks away purposefully, but when they get a little ways from the calligrapher he turns to Kazeem. "Let us go to a quiet place where I may think and look at this map."
After finishing looking over the map, Sevak frowns. "If something goes wrong, it will not be so easy to lose pursuit on the edge of the city," he murmurs to Kazeem.
He then explains his plan.
"I will call twice when I am ready for your distraction," he says.
Now, he needs to determine what bird to appear as... he cannot do anything too small, so some type of hawk native to the area must do.
"Do you know the call of the sea eagle?" Sevak asks Kazeem. "If not, I can demonstrate when I change."
Kazeem frowns, thinks, they shrugs, nodding. Obviously he think he'll know it when he sees it. He looks intrigued at seeing some more flashy magic.
"Very well, then. Let us get somewhere closer... here should suffice, yes?" He points out a spot on the map. "I will change here, and then you can get in position for your distraction. I will call when I am ready."
Soon they are on the edge of the silk groves surrounding the house. It is a pleasant green area on the edge of town. The city stinks are less here and replaced with the fresh growing smell off the trees and plants. A little way off is a drying shed and next to it, a shack full of the caterpillars which make all of this possible.
Sevak appreciates the growing things here, though he wishes to some degree that there was more cover around their target.
He considers the situation for a moment, then turns to Kazeem.
"I would prefer to do this with the minimum of damage," he whispers. "Perhaps... could you make it seem that you were aiming to steal some of their caterpillar stock, then escape? That would likely draw their attention. All I need is to be able to fly in the front door. Do not risk yourself too much."
Kazeem nods, understanding. He flexes his joints and muscles for a moment, warming in the sun. It appears to be some sort of ritual, complete with deep breathing. Then he takes a deep breath and nods again.
As Sevak transforms, he darts into the trees and bushes, loping over the bright green grass easily and quickly, headed toward one of the sheds. No one raises an alarm instantly, at least.
Once Kazeem is ready, Sevak shifts into the form of a sea eagle and takes to the air. He circles over the Red House a couple of times, then calls out twice, readying himself to dive for the door when Kazeem's distraction begins.