“You seem…confused. Ah, yes, of course.”
“Hmmm…”
“*cough* One second…”
“Ahem…there…”
POIK
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“Back so soon?“
“Your friend left this note behind on the counter. Is it to you?”
“Here we are; thank you for waiting. I see you’ve been entertaining Gut Tugger. He doesn’t meet many new people more than once.” “These are the collected love letters sent to me by Vanthus, minus a few of a more “personal” nature I’ll be keeping for fond memories. The more recent of them I have no more need for, and should allow you to discern where he’s got, a place called Kraken’s Cove.” Setting the chest down near you, she adds, “Although you’ve cost me quite a bit in your little raid, you’ve shown me where our weak points lie, and you did see the reason in a diplomatic solution, so as a sign of good faith, and to be able to “prove” you did what you came for, I’d like to return to you a portion of what Vanthus donated for the cause. You may do with it what you will, and feel free to report this place to the authorities without guilt, as we’ll be relocating shortly after yourselves.” “If you’ve eaten your fill, I’ll send Gut Tugger with you to see you off via the way you entered?”
“Excellent! Not as well as I had hoped but certainly better than I feared.” “If you would be so kind as to wait another few moments, I’ll gather some materials for you to aid in your search for my wayward beau.”
Sorry we busted up the place, but then again, it just means you need better locks." “Truer words were never spoken.” “Of course I know where he is, but I can’t simply whisk him up with a wave of my hand.” “Are you suggesting we make an exchange? I provide you with the current whereabouts of your lost Vanderboren, and you walk away from here without ruining any more of my carpets?” “If you all agree, I’m beginning to think Vanthus is far too dangerous to keep on the payroll, anyhow. I don’t suppose there is anything else I could tempt you with to bring you on board? Have you ever wanted to be Harbormaster?”
“I’m in the middle of a discussion with our new friends. If you could wait outside?,” she commands, the tone of her voice indicating there is no question or implied “please” in her statement.
“Now then, where were we?,” she asks you, before segueing, “Ah yes, I was surrendering myself into your custody.” She holds out her arms, wrists upwards, before giving you a slight mocking smile with only the right side of her mouth raised. “As a noblewoman, I won’t permit you to bind or lay hands upon me, but I will go willingly and assure your safe passage from my home away from home.” “Unless you’d prefer to explore my first offer, of course, which still stands.”
Out loud Terin says "Penkus, shut up." “How do you know Penkus? He was a good friend and an even better employee. I give Vanthus another black mark for his disappearance, though I can’t prove it. Wherever he is, he’d have returned by now if he was still alive.” Out loud again, "Who ordered the Harbormaster's death? “I’m afraid that information is for loyal Lotus Dragon members only, and that ship is quickly sailing out of the harbor. Perhaps it will come out at the trial, perhaps not, though I will tell you truthfully that orders, if there were any, would not have involved Lord Islarin’s murder.”
“While we do have our own specialty in-house brand of poison, I have all my own stores checked regularly, so you may enjoy the food without misgivings.” “As for Vanthus, he simply isn’t here for me to hand over, even if I so wished. He is away on mission, and if you won’t wait for his recall or honor your own terms, then what choice have I?” “You may wait here as I have asked, at which time I’m hand Vanthus over to you no questions asked, or you may attempt to track him down yourself, blindly. In which case, I willingly surrender myself to you for trial. I’ll leave Gut-Tugger here to guard my property in my absence, unless your tree-worshiping friend wishes to arrest him as well? I’ll kindly thank you not to lay hands upon me or rifle through my possessions like common burglars, either. I’ll go with you peaceably, and we’ll see who can present the better case to the authorities.”
"Your group seems divided. Do you need some time in private to talk amongst yourselves?"
“The role of hostess does not come naturally to me; please do not try my patience with blind ignorance. I am well aware of your own hypocrisies, so kindly keep your own council on that matter.” “I am Rowyn, eldest daughter of House Kilawni. You need not provide your names, I am well aware of whom you are and for whom you work. I wonder, do you?” “Your offer is not without merit. It saddens me to hear you are not interested in sharing in the glory of Sassarine’s cleansing.” “I agree to your terms, though I would require you to spend the agreed upon time sequestered. You have disrupted operations here, but not to the point of collapse. I would be happy to allow your party the use of my personal quarters for a period of seven days, after which you are free to go and do as you wilt. This should prove sufficient time to conclude our business, and present ample occasion for the recall of Vanthus. I will see that my staff meets your every need during your stay, and I will provide recompense for your lost time as well.”
“My dear Marius. You were well aware when you signed on for our little organization that there is only one way out. You may take it any time you wish.” “As for the rest of you, you seem awfully high-handed for a group that has cut a bloody swath through not just my redoubt, but several points within or nearby our fair city of Sassarine. You will note I remain seated in your presence, not out of arrogance or indifference, but in the hope that your actions are due your environment, and not symptoms of a bloodthirsty nature.” “Sit, stand, it makes no difference provided you are willing to listen.” “I was born in Sassarine, lived here the entirety of my life, and I speak no lie when I say I would give my life to protect this city. In years not long past, I found I could no longer sit idle and watch the mounting threats from the sidelines. I attempted to take a more active role in politics, only to find treachery and danger lurking within that place as well. Desperate, I set upon a new course to carve out the rotten heart of Sassarine.” “I live a double life, as respected noble and dread underboss of the Lotus Dragons. At times, I must face dealings with persons of low character, utilize ham-fisted tactics, and make hard decisions, but I do so with the long-term security of Sassarine in mind. I mean to seize power, strip the Dawn Council of authority, and reseat the rightful monarchy.” “To be candid, your capabilities impress me, and I could use allies such as you.
“As for Vanthus, I will hand him over to you if I can. If I cannot, I can certainly lead you to his current whereabouts.” “Besides, think on this: even if you were to cut me down in cold blood, the Lotus Dragons would simply reform under a new leader unless you wiped the entire complex clean. One with far dire intents than I, to be certain. The rank and file members need only think of us as an organization for thuggery, but you, in your leadership positions, will know our true goals ”
"A felldrake eh? How did such a goodly creature become corrupted to work in such a group? More systematic animal torture?" The lady claps in excitement, then regains her composure. “Well done! Not many fathom his true intelligence until it is far too late. I assure you Gut Tugger is here of his own free will. In many ways, he might be the only ally I can trust.”
The woman thanks Tyndal for wiping his feet with no hint of sarcasm in her tone. “Vanthus! He brought this down on us? He’s been nothing but a thorn since we met. A handsome thorn, mind you, but this is intolerable.” “Regardless of which of us carried the day, both sides would incur appalling losses. Having already lost Syn, I’ve no desire to test steel against you without a chance to parley. I suppose I’ll have to pay for his return, I can’t imagine what I’d tell his grandchildren at yuletide otherwise.” “To be truthful, we want much more than to simply survive. We wish to flourish!” “Please, be seated; relax, eat, and enjoy yourselves, for I would like to present a counteroffer to you, once you have heard my vision of Sassarine.”
The woman acknowledges you presence with a nod, and waves her hand at the table in invitation, saying “Welcome to my home away from home! You’ve come far, fast; even you, Dear Marius. So glad to see you’ve managed to pass your test; I knew there was potential hiding in there somewhere, you just needed a little nudge.” |