Episode 7 – Initiation
| The Assassins |
Argos - Rogue 1st level LE (NPC) Craven - Fighter / Rogue 1st/1st LE (PC) Keldirk - Rogue 1st level NE (PC) |
| Locale | Outside a warehouse in the Foreign Quarter of Del Mord. |
| Date | 24th Fireseek 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Late Evening. |
Keldirk, Craven and Argos were all relatively nervous, though none would admit it. They were scheduled to meet with Slade, a member of the local Thieves Guild who had told them to meet him here - a warehouse on a deserted street in the Foreign Quarter. Slade had instructed them to bring their weapons and armour, something that now unsettled the trio. They stood together at the side door to the warehouse.
| Keldirk | What do you think he has in store? |
| Craven | No idea. Knock on the door and we'll find out. After all, if he meant us any harm do you think he would've reminded us to bring our gear. |
| Keldirk | 'Spose not. (knocks loudly on the door) |
The door was unlocked then opened and a small, leather-armour clad man stood in the entrance - a loaded crossbow in his hands.
| Man | Yes? |
| Keldirk | (stepping slightly behind Argos) We're here to meet Slade. |
| Man | What're your names? |
| Keldirk | Valrorn. That's Craven and he's Argos. |
| Man | Ok. Come in. |
The man stood aside and the trio entered a small office devoid of furniture. In addition to the crossbow weilding man, five men occupied the room - one of which was Slade. A lantern shone dimly in the centre of the office. A torn piece of parchment depicting a map lay beside it as did three sticks of charcoal.
| Slade |
Fellas, these are the three bunnies I was telling you about. They're on trial
tonight and will be guarding the front doors with you, Ash. (points to a non-descript
man honing the edge of his longsword) Gather round the map and I'll go through it
once again. In the warehouse will be Willum, one of our men. He is going to make a deal with a group of guys who have been operating without guild sanction. Once the deal is made, and the guys leave the warehouse we will strike. Go for the kill, don't mess about. They'll have a cart out front (points to map) and while they climb aboard we hit. |
| Craven | What if they manage to get on before we kill them all. |
| Ash | Don't worry, that cart's not going anywhere. Before we get into position I'll be 'fixing' the cart; they'll need a fucking dragon to move the son-of-a-bitch. |
| Craven | (nods) How many guys can we expect? |
| Slade | Anywhere from five to seven, depends on who turns up. Willum suggested that they all make an appearance, but who knows... .You four (singles out four thieves) will take the back. We don't expect any trouble that way - but if they run - kill 'em. You three (pointing to the assassins) will be with Ash down that alley. When you see Willum... |
| Keldirk | (studying the map) Can someone get under the decking? |
| Slade | (remembering) I think so... yes. |
| Keldirk | Well, I'll hide under there and make an appearance when and where I can cause the most damage. |
| Argos | I'm not the best swordsman, but I'm a legend with the crossbow. (pats his crossbow) I'll climb the roof opposite and shoot from there. |
| Slade | Sounds ok with me. That just leaves Ash and Craven in the alley. Now, where was I? Oh, when Willum comes out he'll be wearing a red headband. When he touches it that's the signal to attack. Everyone clear on that? |
| Everyone | (nods) |
| Slade | Now we wait. The meeting is scheduled to go down around midnight. We'll move into position once the group is inside. Willum will keep them busy for as long as he can - giving you guys time to get into place and Ash a chance to sabotage the cart. |
The thieves talked amongst themselves ignoring the three "bunnies". Keldirk checked his knives and Argos gave his crossbow the once-over. Craven tried to begin a conversation with Slade, but his efforts fell on deaf ears.
The time passed and Slade ordered everyone to make their way to the rendezvous point. As they approached the target Ash called them all into a nearby alley.
| Ash | When the signal is given, we go. Understand? Remember, don't hit Willum - he's the guy with the headband; he's one of us. |
| Craven | This isn't the first time we've done this, you know. |
| Argos | (smiles) |
| Ash | I just don't want any screw-ups. |
The three assassins moved into position. Argos climbed onto the roof of the building opposite the front door, he loaded his crossbow and disappeared into shadow. Keldirk rolled under the deck while Craven waited around the corner in an adjacent alley and watched as Ash tampered with the cart. When he had finished his task, Ash joined Craven in the alley.
Some time later the door to the shop opened and eight men emerged.
| Man#1 | Well, that went well. Nice doing business with you. |
| Willum | (shakes Man#1's hand, adjusts his headband and turns to lock the door) |
| Man#1 | (climbs onto the cart, and sits in the drivers seat) |
| Men#2-7 | (clambering onto the cart) |
| Keldirk | (draws two knives) |
| Argos | (fires his crossbow at the driver, hitting him in the chest, punching him off the cart) |
| Man#1 | (dies) |
| Willum | (turns from the door and backstabs Man#2) |
| Man#2 | (dies) |
| Men#3-7 | (draw their weapons) |
| Man#3 | (to Willum) You son-of-a-bitch! We had a deal! |
| Willum | You don't cross the guild and live. |
| Craven | (enters the street, blades drawn) |
| Ash | (charges into combat) |
| Man#3 | (attacks Willum, striking him in the forearm) |
| Ash | (lashes out at Man#4 with his longsword, but misses) |
| Man#4 | (stabs with his short sword but the blow is turned aside by Ash's dagger) |
| Man#5 | (circles around Ash and attacks from the side slicing his ribs) |
| Craven | (closes with Man#6 and Man#7) Evening, neighbours. You chose a good night to die. |
| Man#6 | You're the one who's going to find out! |
| Craven | We'll see. (feints high at Man#7 with his rapier but disembowels Man#6 with his sabre) |
| Man#6 | (dies... painfully, vainly trying to stuff his intestines back where they belong) |
| Man#7 | (Watches his comrade die) That was my brother you son-of-a-bitch! I'll kill you slowly! (lashes out with his broadsword, but Craven easily steps aside) |
| Craven | (to Man#7) I think I'll play with you a while. |
| Keldirk | (slides out from under the decking and rises behind Man#5, plunging both his knives between the man's shoulder-blades) |
| Man#5 | (dies... quickly) |
| Willum | (lunges forward with his dagger at Man#3, but misses) |
| Argos | (reloading his crossbow) |
| Man#4 | (spins around and launches a blistering attack at Keldirk, striking him in the shoulder and forcing him back) |
| Ash | (slices at Man#4, wounding him slightly) |
| Keldirk | (reeling, stabs at Man#4 but fails to connect) |
| Man#3 | (strikes Willum a viscious blow to the temple, felling him like a tree) |
| Willum | (alive, but unconscious and losing blood fast) |
| Argos | (sees Man#3 about to finish off Willum. Fires his crossbow and strikes Man#3) |
| Man#3 | (falls over gripping the bolt protruding from his calf) |
| Man#7 | (grasps his weapon in two hands and aims a slice at Craven's neck) |
| Craven | (rocks back on his heels, smiles, then ducks low and kicks Man#7's feet from under him) |
| Man#7 | (falls to the ground) |
| Craven | (stands back and motions for his opponent to rise) |
| Keldirk | (throws two knives at Man#3; one embedding itself harmlessly in the wall the other entering his neck beneath his chin) |
| Man#3 | (blood fountaining from the wound, dies - clutching the knife in his throat) |
| Ash | (savagely strikes with his longsword, cleaving the man's pelvis, ending his life. The sword becomes wedged in the bone) |
| Argos | (assessing the situation, shoulders his crossbow and climbs off the roof) |
| Man#7 | (rises, hesitantly. Sees his six fallen comrades - fear creeping into his eyes - and reluctantly renews the fight with Craven) |
| Craven | (flicks his blades at Man#7, striking both of his hands, forcing him to drop his sword) |
| Man#7 | (shakes his hands in pain) Why don't you just finish it? (bends to pick up his sword) |
| Craven | You asked me to kill you slowly. Now pick up your sword or die like a dog. |
| Craven | (allows Man#7 to retreive his sword, whilst sheathing his sabre) |
| Keldirk | Craven! What're you doing? |
| Craven | Practising. (smiles at Man#7) |
| Man#7 | (snarls and launches into attack his desperation lending him strength and renewed vigour) |
| Man#7 | (has his blow deflected and continues his forward movement, off balance) |
| Craven | (whips Man#7's rear as he passes, slicing into his skin) |
| Keldirk | (approaches the combat) Finish it Craven, or I will |
| Craven | He's mine, keep out of this. |
| Craven | (tries to cut Man#7's pouch belt off, but misses) |
| Keldirk | (flicks two knives at Man#7, both piercing his chest) |
| Man#7 | (dies) |
| Craven | (looks coldly at Keldirk) He was mine... (wipes his blades on Man#7's shirt) |
| Keldirk | This is work, Craven, not play. If you want to show off, join the theatre! |
| Argos | (approaching the carnage) That was fun. |
| Ash | (tending to Willum) Craven, you and Argos get Willum onto the cart, I've got to fix the wheel before we can move anywhere. Keldirk, search the bodies. Make it quick, we gotta get out of here before the watch arrives. |
While Craven and Argos helped the injured Willum into the cart, Keldirk busied himself by stripping the corpses of their wealth. Ash set to work on the cart's wheel. As Keldirk was searching the body of the cart driver, he noticed an unusual bulge at his lower back. Keldirk carefuly removed a black velvet bag which was crudely hidden beneath a kidney belt and placed it in his own pouch, confident that he had not been seen. As the cart began to roll down the street, Ash at the reins, Slade emerged from a nearby alley. The cart stopped and Slade climbed aboard.
| Slade | (to the assassins) Nice work. I'll contact you again if I need you for anything else. In the meantime don't try and contact any other guilds. (to Ash) How's Willum? |
| Ash | He'll live. |
| Slade | (to the assassins) What you found on the bodies you can keep, (looks at Keldirk) with the exception of the black velvet bag you found on the driver. |
| Keldirk | (hands over a velvet bag) |
The cart rambled on and eventually Slade ordered the assassins off. They walked wearily back to their respective taverns, confident that they had impressed Slade with their ability.
As Keldirk crossed the threshold of the tavern the barman signalled for him to come closer.
| Barman | (handing Keldirk a bone scroll case) This came for you earlier. The guy said it was very important that I get it to you as soon as possible. |
| Keldirk | (takes the scroll and proceeds upstairs - ignoring the barman's outstretched hand) |
As soon as he entered his room he set the crossbow trap, opened the case and read the scroll that was contained within:
Valrorn,
It is of vital importance that you and Craven meet with me at my home as
soon as convenience allows. There is a problem with a member of your
family. There is no need for you to trouble Argos with this matter.
Saradock.
The scroll was sealed with wax bearing Saradock's Spice Trading symbol. Keldirk decided to wait until morning figuring that it would be easier to get Craven alone then, than it would be now. Besides, his shoulder was killing him and he needed rest.
The next morning Keldirk rose, dressed and wolfed down breakfast. He decided to wait for Craven in the outhouse - knowing Craven's penchant for morning micturation. When Craven did appear there was a brief discussion and, after Craven had excused himself from Argos, the two made their way to Saradock's place.
Saradock lived in a two storey building in the Artisans Quarter of Del Mord. His house was typical of the area; the ground floor made of stone and the upper storey made from wood. An alley led down one side of the building and the two companions made their way to the door which opened onto this alley.
Craven knocked lightly on the door. After a few moments the door opened and an elderly gentleman greeted them.
| Old Man | (looks them both over) Yes. Can I help you? |
| Craven | This is the house of Saradock, the merchant? |
| Old Man | Yes. Is he expecting you? |
| Craven | We received a message; it seemed urgent. May we come in? |
| Old Man | (pauses, looking disgustedly at their weapons and armour) Your names? |
| Craven | Craven and (motions to Keldirk) Val Rorn. |
| Old Man | Very well, you may enter but please leave your weapons by the door. |
| Keldirk | (pushes past Craven and the old man, entering the house) I'll not be told what to do by a servant. |
| Craven | (enters and begins to remove his sword belt) Is Saradock in? |
| Old Man | (looks disapprovingly at Keldirk) He will be down presently. Please wait in the sitting room (indicates a doorway) and I will summon him. |
The room where they waited was well appointed with good quality furniture and pleasant pieces of art. A decanter containing a brown liquid - probably whiskey - sat on top of a wooden buffet with six glasses around it. Keldirk wasted no time and poured himself a drink before sitting on a leather couch. Before long Saradock entered the room.
| Saradock | If Caruthers asks you something, you can assume the request was made by me. Leave your weapons by the door and, in future, don't bring them with you at all. This part of town is not populated by armed and armoured people and your frequent arrival bearing weapons may draw undue attention to me. |
| Craven | Caruthers is the man who opened the door? |
| Saradock | Yes, he has been with me for several years now and despite my best efforts to get him to retire he continues in my service. In truth, I doubt I could manage if it were not for him. I am sure you can see that I place a great deal of trust and authority with him. |
| Keldirk | Your message said there was some kind of problem. What is it? |
| Saradock | Remove your weapons and place them by the door. When you come back we will begin. |
| Keldirk | (scowling - removes his knife belt and tosses it through the door) Can we start now? |
| Saradock | (looks at Keldirk for a few seconds before continuing) I have received instructions from the family regarding your first assignment. |
| Keldirk | Finally. |
| Saradock | (reaches into his vest and withdraws a small black tube) I trust you both know what this is? |
| Craven | (the colour draining from his face) Is that... what I think it is? |
| Saradock | This is a black scroll. A messenger arrived with it yesterday along with instructions for its use? |
| Keldirk | (nervously) Who... is it for? |
| Saradock | Argos. |
| Keldirk | Whew, that's a relief! |
| Craven | Argos! Why? What's he done? He hasn't had a chance to do anything wrong! |
| Saradock | My instructions were clear. The scroll is meant for Argos and is issued as punishment for deceiving the family as to his true nature. |
| Craven | (confused) |
| Keldirk | What do mean by "true nature"? |
| Saradock |
Shortly after you left the island one of our brethren returned
to the fold after being imprisoned by the pirates for many years. He was
told of your graduation and was surprised to hear that Argos was among the graduating class. His surprise was due to the fact that he witnessed Argos' death during the attack on Kalmaird beach. (pauses to study the assassins' reactions) Upon hearing about Argos' graduation he related his tale to the Inner Circle. The Druaghi communed with the soul of the dead Argos and confirmed what our brother saw. The Marque de'Ahb commissioned the scroll. It appears that the Argos who graduated wit h you is an imposter! |
| Craven | (flabbergasted) There can be no mistake? |
| Saradock | None. Because Argos graduated he earned the right to a Family execution. You are to deliver the scroll and after his death his face is to be made a part of the Vilus Corumdak. Make no mistake, this is a great honour for you. Few assassins are ever required to take the face of their victim and it is being given to you as part of your first duty! |
| Craven | Couldn't the job be done by somebody else? There is another family member in the region... ? |
| Saradock | The message specifically stated that you were to make the kill and remove the face. |
| Keldirk | knowing his life was in no immediate danger and that am assassination was imminent he became rather excited Can I have a look at the scroll? |
| Saradock | (handing Keldirk the scroll case) I have been told that replacements are already en-route. I have no idea when they arrive but I will contact you as soon as they have. For the moment you have more pressing matters to attend to. Give him the scroll and in seven days, if he hasn't already killed himself, find him and eliminate him. You are excused. |
Craven and Keldirk were rising to leave as Caruthers opened the door and handed them their weapons.
| Saradock | Remember, next time come unarmed or don't come at all. |
| Normal Text | Character's words or descriptive text if part of a paragraph |
| Italic Text | Character's thoughts or actions if surrounded by parenthesis |
| Bold Text | Character is shouting. |