"Not even a guess, Wallis?" Doumane says, clucking his tongue, "You don't know about a single Razvan safehouse? That is a shame."
The halfling touches the knife to the bound man's throat. "To quote another cliche, any last words? You were fairly helpful so I'll try to make this quick for you...which is more then you have given any number of others in your time, I am sure."
Wallis winces slightly as the knife if once again pressed against his throat. "I would have a few guesses, yes. As you've probably learned there are quite a few properties to consider. It is a shell game of sorts - parts of the operation being shuffled around to avoid detection. I could tell you where the boy once was but not where he is now."
Doumane gets the feeling that Wallis is stalling for some reason. But the question was, why?
The man was stalling and being unhelpful besides. It was time to end this before someone showed up looking for the rat.
"Times up, Wallis. Thanks for playing. Tell 'J' I said hello."
Then Doumane does two things in quick succession. He uses his magical hat to change his face to that of Wallis and then stabs the man in the front of the throat, to turn any screams into a gurgle of blood.
Wallis slumps to the left as his blood streams down his neck and chest. It doesn't take long for him to bleed out and soon the light goes out in his eyes. As he becomes dead weight, there is extra strain on the rope and one of his arms flops free before rigor sets in. That's when Doumane realizes that the man had managed to get one of his hands almost out of his bindings. Another minute or so and he may have gotten himself free.
Doumane looks down at the nearly freed man and ruefully shakes his head. Clearly the halfling needed practice with interrogation. He moves to the door and mutters through it, "Coast clear, Fara? Watch out, I am wearing Wallis's face."
The door cracks open slightly and he sees one of Fara's eyes. "What?!? What do you mean you're wearing his face? What exactly did you do to him?"
"The coast is clear. Do you need my help?"
"The hat, Fara, the hat of disguise." Doumane says, a ghoulish smile on his face. What, did Fara think he had skinned the poor man?
"I just didn't want to startle you. We need to talk, do you think you can do that in here, considering the...mess?" for his own part, Doumane just tried to ignore the corpse.
Fara looks slightly embarrassed at Doumane's response. "Sorry, I'm still not used to the magic thing. I should have realized...but thank you for the warning. Your voice with his face is a little unnerving."
She opens the door a little wider, "I...I think so." She takes a step into the room and her eyes are immediately drawn to the body. She involuntarily gasps and leans heavily against the wall. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath as she obviously tries to collect herself. Her voice comes out shaky, "Sorry, this is my first dead body but I'll be good in a minute."
She pushes herself away from the wall and takes a couple steps towards Doumane, pointedly keeping her back towards the corpse. But she also finds it hard to look at Doumane considering he's wearing Wallis' face so she looks at the ceiling. "You said we need to talk so let's talk."
"I aplgoize for the look. It is just in case anyone sees us leave, to muddy the waters."
Doumane sighs and says, "Ok, I'll talk. Wallis here said that you have been identified as a threat to the Dragomir's. I had been hoping Wallis hadn't reported you to his boss yet, but unfortunately...he has. That means you can't stay here. Your research for me has put you in too much danger."
Doumane then says, "I haven't told you exactly what I am doing, am I? I think it is time you know. Flavius Dragomir's brother, Razvan, has kidnapped my friend's young son and is using him as blackmail. I have been trying to help my friend and free his son. I wanted you to know so you could see this was a good cause...." Doumane swallows and says, "If you want to stay safe, you'll have to come with me. I know it probably feels like the earth is swallowing you up but I can't see any other way for to escape Flavius's and Razvan's anger. For what it is worth, I think it was too late even before I did anything to Wallis. 'J' certainly seemed to have no compunctions about attacking you directly."
"I guess I wasn't as careful as I thought. Or maybe I just underestimated the Dragomirs."
As Doumane explains himself Fara looks aghast, "That's absolutely terrible! To use a child like that is abhorrent. I already disliked the Dragomirs but this..."
She looks surprised when Doumane suggests she go with him. "Won't I be a liability to you? Coming with you is good for me but I don't think it'll be good for you. I'm a distraction to you. Maybe I can find a place to lay low where they wouldn't think to look for me."
She spares a look at the body and immediately regrets her decision. "What do we do about that?"
Doumane shrugs, "Since you aren't staying, I'm just going to leave it here....once I add a final signature. Perhaps finding his fixed dead in the Council of Ushers will give the Dragomir's pause. Or perhaps not."
The halfling walks over and puts a hand on Fara's shoulder, "Maybe you are right. As much as I would enjoy having your 'distraction' around, it might be too dangerous. Come, let's find a place for you to lie low. We will pick am inn at random or something. Not even the Dragomir's could find you then, at least in the short term."
He points to the door, "I'll be right out."
Doumane heads back tot he body, and dabbing his finger in some blood writes, The Black Chypers.
Fara nods mutely and allows herself to be directed towards the door.
Before exiting she turns and asks, "So does this mean I cant ever come back? And are we leaving together with you wearing his face? Or do you have a different plan?"
"Can you get us out without going right past a guard? It is late, so it might be slow upstairs. While I don't want to greet a clerk with this face, at a distance...it might add more confusion, hence my wearing it."
"As for you coming back....perhaps if we up-end the Dragomir apple cart completely..." Doumane traisl off, wondering at what he was getting himself into here. Rescuing Mihail's son was one thing but destroying the Dragomir operation? Might just be easier to grab Mihail's son and hightail it for Absalom.....but leave the city? unthinkable. This was Doumane's home.
Fara nods, the color returning to her face as she gets further from the body. "There are exits to the building that employees are allowed to use to leave so we won't have to go right by the doorman at the main entrance."
She looks sad, but not distraught, at the possibility that her life as she knew it could possibly be over. "I guess this is a chance to start over somewhere else. Maybe reinvent myself and become someone else, somewhere else...but hopefully you'll be successful and I won't have to. If anyone can, it would be you."
The two halflings leave by a side door and soon step out into the cool of dusk. Fara still seems a little stunned by the days events but walks beside Doumane with a quiet acceptance. He takes her to what looks like a tavern called The Forlorn Elk in a quieter part of the city.
Seeing the confusion on her face, Doumane assures her that the place was more like a rooming house where the tavern owner had a few rooms that one could stay in longer than just an inn.
She smiles slightly, "Then it's safer because it's not an inn. That makes me feel better."
She follows Doumane into the tavern and over to the bar. The portly man behind the bar smiles heartily when he sees Doumane but you can hardly tell because of the large, bushy mustache partially covering his mouth. "As I live and breath...Doumane! It's been a long time. Drink?"
Doumane grins at Ivan and nods, "I could use one. Been a long day, I'll tell you that much, and not over yet." The halfling waves to Fara, "Got a guest for you if you have the room? She wants to lie low for a week days, maybe a week. I told you you couldn't go any lower then the Forlon Elk."
Doumane laughs at the mild joke and reaches for his money bag, "Do you have space for her? I promise, she'll be quiet as a temple-mouse, Brabec and you know my money is good."
Ivan is already pouring a couple drinks, "Sounds like you need something stronger than just ale. Here drink this."
He laughs heartily at Doumane's joke. "Don't you forget it. I've worked hard for the Forlorn Elk to be undesirable. It keeps the snooty lot from darkening my door and bothering the working folk from the neighborhood who want to enjoy their food and drink in peace."
He twirls the end of his mustache and regards Fara thoughtfully. "Doesn't look like you need much space." Finally he nods, "I have a room that most find too small but should be just right for you, lass."
Ivan holds his hand out for Doumane's coins and chuckles, "Your money is the only good thing about you." He winks at Fara and slaps Doumane on the back, "Well, maybe not the only thing."
"Food and drink for you both? Or do you just want me to show you to your room?"
"Food and drink for the lady, but something I can take with me for myself. I have to get moving." He glances at Ivan and drops his voice, just for the bearded man, "No questions for your newest guest, all right?" He hands over an extra coin or two, "No fuss, no muss, alright? Should all blow over in a few days but until then, might be some unfriendly eyes looking for her."
He grabs Fara's hand and says, "I'll keep in touch as best I can. Sorry but the next few days might be lonely. Should I have Ivan bring you a book or something to pass the time? Gods only know what he'd pick but it might entertain you." The joke is a pathetic attempt to cover the awkwardness.
While Doumane and Ivan talk, Fara grabs both of the drinks that Ivan poured and downs them in succession. She sucks in her breath as the alcohol burns down her throat and warms her chest. She sways slightly as the drinks go straight to her head and she realizes it's been awhile since she has eaten.
Ivan raises a similarly bushy eyebrow as Doumane requests discretion for Fara. But the man knows enough not to ask questions and just palms the extra coins in agreement with the halfling's instructions. "She'll be safe, don't worry."
Fara smiles a bit too big and says, "I'd rather Ivan bring me more of whatever he has in that flask." She shakes her head vigorously, curls a dance, "Noooo books...but maybe some yarn and knitting needles. I'll make you all scarves!" Then she giggles heartily as if she said something hilarious.
Doumane finally gets Fara settled and makes her promise that she will eat more than drink before he feels comfortable enough to leave to make his way back home. If he is right, Mihail will be anxiously waiting for him. The last thing he needs is a path worn down in the floor from the man's pacing.
The halfling uses his skill and the dark of evening to move through the streets of his city undetected. He takes a few precautions to make sure he isn't followed and also makes use of the hat of disguise to further muddy the waters if someone had been trying to follow him.
Soon he makes it to his door and looks around before entering. Sure enough, Mihail practically pounces on the halfling as he steps inside. "Thank the gods you're okay! You have no idea about what I've been thinking happened to you for the last thirty minutes."
As soon as Doumane gets inside he feels like there's something different about his place but he can't quite put his finger on it. Maybe it's because he's had company the last few days or maybe he is just on edge because of everything that's transpired. He looks around but nothing seems out of place. Thinking he's imagining things, he turns his attention to the agitated Mihail.
Doumane looks around, uneasy. It had been a busy day and clearly he was still keyed up. Killing someone, even scum like Wallis, took its tool on someone.
"I'm fine but it has been a busy day." The halfling turns to find something stiff to drink. "How about you? Any changes to our plans?"
Mihail forces himself to sit but his leg continues to shake as he rapidly taps his heel on and off the floor. "No, no changes. I shadowed the boy and everything was quiet. No one else tried anything so I'm just expected to do the same tomorrow."
His brow furrows at Doumane's edginess, "Everything okay with you?"
"And what about tomorrow? What's the plan, exactly?"
Doumane shakes his head, "Like I said, a rough day. I...may have taken some steps to upset the Dragomir organization. Things may be tense at your new place of employment tomorrow. Stay sharp."
Douamne sits in a chair and says, looking hard at his friend "You look nervous too, for a 'quiet' day. Something up? This is no time for secrets." The halfling says, internally wincing at the lie of omission he just did regarding Wallis. But did Mihail really need to know? And what was bothering him? Bothering both of them.
"Tense? That sounds like things are going to get complicated."
Mihail rakes a hand through his hair. "No new reason for the nerves. I think that I get more anxious with each day that passes that I don't have Karlov back. The longer it takes, the more I feel like I've already lost him."
The man's eyes glance towards his backpack. "Did you need to go into my bag for some reason? When I got back, it was knotted differently than when I left it. Not that it matters, I was just curious."
Doumane, who was still uneasily settling down in his chair jumps up when Mihail mentions his knot.
"I didn't do anything, I haven't been here all day. We are blown. Someone was here and knows far too much. We need to move and plan what to do." The halfing's mind races. Who could it be? Jarvyrce, snooping on his newest hire? Another minion of the now-dead Wallis? Perhaps even an agent of another faction? Too many.
"Did you check the bag Mihail? Do that, and let's go. "
Mihail sits up straight in his chair, immediately on alert at Doumane's reaction. "But everything was locked up when I got here and nothing appeared disturbed, that's why I didn't think much of my bag. And I checked, I'm not missing anything. What about you?"
The man quickly gathers his belongings, "Where are we going?"
"The bag didn't retie itself, and besides, we both feel jumpy. Isn't that reason enough when the two largest gangs in Magnimar are after us? As for where....let's just get out of here and shake any tails."
Doumane leads them both of a window, checking to see if any is watching the house.
Mihail nods, "You're right. It's just strange that someone would break in and then go to great lengths to make it look like they were never here." He pats his bag, "I'm ready when you are."
As Doumane peers out the window, there is a knock at his door.
Doumane curses softly. He says nothing to the mysterious knocked but mutters to Mihail, "Go out the window. Last thing we need is for someone to spot you. Just hide near the window ledge, I'll answer the door."
Mihail is already moving towards the window and has one leg over the threshold by the time Doumane finishes speaking. He disappears into the night as the halfling cautiously moves towards the door.
He silently creeps towards the door and then starts as knocking sounds again. He opens the door a crack to see Jarvyce standing on his stoop.
The large tiefling grins and looks down at the rogue. "Ah, friend Doumane. Good to see you haven't left yet. It's been a busy day for you, no?" He cocks his head to the side as if listening to something that isn't there. "May I come in? And you can tell your friend he can come back inside. It's always good to put a face to the belongings. We have much to discuss."
Doumane sighs in defeat, glancing up at the tiefling. How much did the madman know? And how much was a guess, a self assurance to throw him off?
Still, the fact that Mihail was known to him was not good. Not good at all. How tangled was this net going to get?
"And what if I tell him to simply run down the street?" Doumane says conversationally, sitting back down himself. "Do you have the place surrounded with an army?"
Jarvyce enters when Doumane opens the door. He laughs heartily when Doumane suggests he have Mihail run. Then he speaks as if explaining something difficult to a child, "Doumane, I thought you and I understood one another. Surely you know better than to think I would come here alone or that I would knock on your door without having all the exits to your home covered. One doesn't need an army for that, just good people. People like you."
He follows Doumane's lead and sits down, a concerned look on his face. "Nothing of yours was damaged earlier during my requested reconnaissance, was it? I sent some of my best but you would tell me if they didn't show the proper respect to your belongings, right?"
He pauses as if waiting for something or someone, "Would it be too poor of manners to request a drink while we wait for your friend to join us?"
Doumane grimaces, "No, although I have to say, I don't enjoy having strangers in my home. Would you? Even if they take care not to mishandle the silverware."
Then the halfling sighs. Escape was clearly not a possibility although he did wonder what the teifling was listening to. Some connections to his cronies? A magical communication? Or was he simply mad?
"Of course, there is wine on the table. Help yourself. Is it too rude for me to ask why you are here? I have had a busy day and look forward to my bed. I have work to do tomorrow, work for you, actually."
Jarvyce manages to look both contrite and dangerous. "Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet. Isn't that something your Miss Cutton would say? Besides, Jarvyce needs to know who is working for him. A little inconvenience is worth it in Jarvyce's opinion."
The tiefling helps himself to a glass of wine. "Jarvyce is appreciative of your hospitality." He drains the glass and then leans forward, tenting his fingers. "Your busy day is why Jarvyce is here. As you know, news travels fast in our circles. And when you use the name of the Black Cyphers, you get Jarvyce's personal attention."
He sits back in his chair, appearing relaxed but eyes missing little. "Jarvyce can see the wheels turning in your head, Doumane. You aren't getting rusty, your skills are well honed. When one seemingly knows too much about you, the answer is always magic. One does not become the leader of an organization by trusting the word of anyone who knocks on their door, that's just a sad reality."
"So...Jarvyce came to ask Doumane some questions."
"Thanks for the compliment." Doumane says, mind still racing. Jarvyce couldn't know about Wallis....could he? He knew about Fara though....the walls were closing in.
"In any case, please go ahead. I would not dream of answering a late night visitor who has gone through all this trouble." A ghostly smiles, "So I am working for you now?"
Jarvyce claps his hands together making one loud smack. "Good, good. Now, news has reached Jarvyce that someone has been killed and credit given to the Black Cyphers. Jarvyce has kindly interrogated all of his current employees and none of them have taken ownership of the deed. Since it occurred at the place where your Miss Cutton works, Jarvyce has come to ask whether this is your handiwork."
He smiles but his eyes are hard, "And if this is your handiwork then Jarvyce thinks asking whether you work for Jarvyce or not is rather moot. Don't you agree? It is good to have initiative, friend Doumane, but Jarvyce would like to know how this helps advance the standing of the Black Cyphers in Magnimar."
The tiefling motions outwards with his arms and inclines his head slightly but never breaks eye contact with the halfling, "The floor is yours. Enlighten Jarvyce."
Doumane is thrown by the blizzard of facts the teifling throws out, names, places, things the gang leader should not know about. How? How did Jarvyce already know about Wallis? He had told no one, only Fara and himself. Yes, he left a signature but already? Was news that fast? Was the gang leader that good?
And how did the man know about Fara anyway?
"You introduce me without a script, my friend." Doumane says carefully, "May I ask how you know about all of my affairs? I didn't know Miss Cutton's connection to myself was public knowledge. If you could tell me where I slipped, I would appreciate it. Consider it on the job training."
His eyes tracked the teifling carefully knowing the man would not put up with much more trivial talk.
Jarvyce shakes his head and makes a tsking sound, "Come now, Doumane. That is not enlightening Jarvyce but Jarvyce enlightening you." The tiefling stares silenty at the halfling so long that Doumane begins to squirm. Jarvyce sighs before a large smile settles on his face, "Very well. Jarvyce needs you to focus on what he needs and I can see that won't happen until you have your answer. Consider this your first," his smile disappears, "And possibly last, lesson as a member of the Black Cyphers."
He clears his throat dramatically, "You didn't slip. Jarvyce already said that your skills are well honed. Jarvyce also told you how he came by his knowledge." He slows his rate of speech, "Maagiic. That's how Jarvyce knows what you've done and with who. Ever since you sat in Jarvyce's office, he's been able to observe you from afar. As to how exactly, Jarvyce doesn't reveal all his secrets. Until you passed your job interview, Jarvyce was watching...and you didn't disappoint. That's also how Jarvyce knows about your other friend. Are you going to leave him out on the window ledge all night? Your choice, of course."
For a moment, Doumane is crushed. Jarvyce knew everything, had come here with help and was going to skin both of them. He would die, Mihail tortured and killed, and his son lost to the Dragomir's forever. The game was up, the walls fully closed in. There was no mercy in the tiefling's eyes.
"Come in." he says to the window, "We are busted." Dejection and despair in his voice. The voice of a man defeated.
But then, a light grows in the halfing's mind. Jarvyce did not know everything. He had said it himself. The gang leader had mentioned he had asked his other underlings about the killing. That had sounded true, not a mere figure of speech. And that meant...Jarvyrce did not know the truth about the Wallis killing.
Doumane leaned on that hope and played his last card.
The halfling looks up at the gang leader of the Black Cyphers. "Sorry for my delay, I am merely shaken. As you said, I am well trained in my craft and someone penetrating it disturbed me. Forgive my stammering. I will tell you all, for it involves you more then you might guess."
Doumane takes a deep breath and plunges in, "I was involved with Miss Cutton for purposes of my own, a job taken before I got involved with you, Jarvyce. I was at her workplace late, finalizing some minor report with her. Then Wallis, her superior entered. I assume you know who he is? A hatchetman for the Dragomir's?"
"In any case, he confronted me with my membership in the Black Cyphers. I do not know how he found out, either through some slip of mine or some other leak. Would you know?" Doumane asks, playing on Jarvyce's 'magic' revelation. Throwing the gang's leaders advantage back at him.
"He threatened me and also you, saying the Dragomir operation already had plans in place to 'take care of you'. He underestimated me however, and came alone. So I killed him," Doumane says casually. "I left your gang's name there.....it seemed appropriate. It was war already and I merely claimed my allegiance. I am backing your horse Jarvyce."
Mihail slowly climbs back through the window but doesn't join the others by sitting down. He stays standing by the window, hands near his weapon but not touching it, eyes watchful.
Jarvyce smiles a toothy grin, "There, that's better. All together. It's good to put a face to the belongings. It was quite obvious that the items in that bag did not belong to a halfling." Leaning towards Doumane, he lowers his voice and asks, "Are you going to introduce us or do I have to guess?"
With the niceties out of the way, Doumane begins his tale of enlightenment for the benefit of his new boss. Jarvyce watches Doumane's every word and movement as he speaks. At times he nods slightly but doesn't interrupt.
When Doumane finishes, Jarvyce's eyes narrow slightly. "Jarvyce can tell that you haven't told him the whole truth...but, enough of what you've told him rings true so Jarvyce will let you have your secrets. Only because we have just begun to work together. Consider this a kindness that won't be extended again. Moving forward, Jarvyce expects Doumane to be forthright with him because now you represent the Black Cyphers."
He levels his gaze at Doumane. "Your actions with Wallis were both helpful and harmful. Jarvyce appreciates that you chose a side so eloquently but now you have also drawn the full attention and ire of the Dragomirs on to the Black Cyphers. They will try to retaliate. For that, you should have come to Jarvyce and told him what you did. If something like this happens again, Jarvyce better hear it from you directly." The warning mixed with a threat hangs heavily in the air.
The tension releases from Jarvyce's face and a smile returns. "Thank you for your hospitality but it is late and there is much to be done because of today's events so Jarvyce really must be going. Jarvyce expects all three packages tomorrow as initially agreed upon yesterday." With that he gets to his feet and heads for the door. "Jarvyce can see himself out."
Doumane thought for a moment. Should he explain about Mihail? His role in tomorrows planned heist? Then the halfling realizes something. If Jarvyce was watching him at all, he would certainly watch that, assuming the Dragomir's hadn't nailed him to a barn door somewhere. And if he watched that, and knowing Mihail's face......all would be undone. he had to tell the mad teifling about Mihail's role but that opened more cans of worms. Where did this end?
"Wait." Doumane says to the retreating gang leader. "This more. Consider it...penance for my silence."
A pause then he waves to Mihail, "My friend is in with the Dragomir's operation. In fact, he has been given the task of guarding the packages you so dearly want." He lets that sink in before going on, metaphorically crossing his fingers, "I have a suggestion, Jarvyce. We have a great chance here, a spy in the enemy camp. An enemy who is actively moving against you. Might it be better if he succeeds in his tasks, rather then fails? Might a rising star of the Dragomir's organization on your side be worth more then a few packages?"
Jarvyce stops mid-step and doesn't move at first when Doumane tells him to wait. The tiefling very slowly pivots on his feet until he's facing the halfling, red eyes piercingly sharp. His voice has a dangerous tinge as he says, "Jarvyce is listening."
The leader of the Black Cyphers stays stalk still and silent as Doumane makes his plea. His gaze bores first into Doumane and then Mihail. Was this the calm before the storm or acceptance of what Doumane had proposed?
After what seems like an eternity, calm prevails, or at least well restrained anger. There is no doubt as the tiefling speaks that his patience is growing thin. "Why? Why would your friend want to secretly work for Jarvyce? And how does Jarvyce know that your friend won't go running to the Dragomirs with information about Jarvyce?"
Doumane cocks his head, inwardly cringing at Jarvyce's swings in emotion. This was a very, very dangerous man.
"My friend doesn't want to work with you, but he does want to work with me and, most importantly hates the Dragomirs even more then you. You can be an ally in his struggle against them. And isn't a willing agent the best kind? The kind you don't have to bribe or bully? Besides, if he ratted you out, he would rat me and I wouldn't have a friend like that."
"Would you?" Doumane holds his breath. Much depended on what the gang leader of the Black Chypers said here. If he said no, if he made Doumane choose between Mihail and Jarvyce....things would get very difficult. His original job and friendship of course came first, but if the needle could not be threaded....
Jarvyce takes a few steps forward and then bursts into laughter, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Is that right?" The tiefling sobers, "Except Jarvyce does not have friends because they become leverage against Jarvyce."
He taps his chin thoughtfully, "But, I accept your premise. What matters is that you two are friends."
Jarvyce pins Mihail with his gaze, "Understand that if you cross Jarvyce in any way, Doumane will pay for your indiscretion in ways that only involve pain."
"So, now that we all understand each other Jarvyce needs to leave. Jarvyce will see you tomorrow." He holds up his hand as Doumane looks like he's about to protest. "Jarvyce understands that your friend will succeed and you will fail in taking the items from the boy. However, the packages contain information. Information that your friend can acquire without Razvan knowing and pass to you which you will bring to me. Each of the packages contain a list of names. That's what you need to bring to Jarvyce."
Doumane stand sup, slowly as to not startle the teifling but to show he is serious. "How? My friend is not trusted, not yet. What is he supposed to do, ask the boy for the list of names? Something guarded like that is not for casual eyes. Even if he 'defends' the packages, they probably won't let him see the names. Jarvyce, you might be pushing too fast here. We can work on the names, I promise you, but we might not be able to deliver them tomorrow.
Jarvyce gives a feral smile, "Don't let it be said that Jarvyce is unreasonable. Jarvyce can see the wisdom and thought in your words. But you also need incentive to get the job done. So Jarvyce will give you five days for delivery. And Jarvyce would like regular updates. You do work for him now after all, even if your friend does not."
Doumane nods agreeing, "You will never hear me say you are unreasonable."
"Thank you, Jarvyce." Douamne says, "You won't regret this. Good luck tomorrow against the Dragomirs, they seemed quite confident in their ability to attack you."
Jarvyce gives a small smirk, "They will most definitely try but thanks to our conversation, Jarvyce will be ready. Sleep well, gentlemen." With that, a cloud of darkness envelops Jarvyce as he exits the door and both Doumane and Mihail are momentarily plunged into absolute darkness.
Mihail's voice sounds from the darkness, "Nemeia used to do that when she didn't want me to follow her. I guess he's done with us for now. You weren't kidding about him."
The darkness recedes and the two of them are alone at last. Mihail looks at Doumane with a mixture of sadness and apprehension. "Things just got complicated, didn't they?"