Episode 14 – Now That's What I Call An Entrance
| The Assassins |
Azareth - Wizard 1st Level LE (PC) Creighton - Fighter 1st Level LE (PC) Craven - Fighter / Rogue 1st/1st LE (PC) Keldirk - Rogue 2nd level NE (PC) |
| Locale | Craven and Keldirk are sitting in The Warhorse waiting for Jock to arrive with some information, while Azareth and Creighton had parted with Saradock and are in search of accommodation for the night |
| Date | 21st Readying 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Late evening |
They had been waiting for almost an hour now and Keldirk was beginning to get annoyed. He didn't like being idle at the best of times and he liked the idea of waiting for some low life guide less than most things. Slick had arranged the meeting but said he had more pressing - and lucrative - business to attend to elsewhere. It had been over one week since the death of Sergeant Dunne and they had not yet heard word of Saradock's return and Sam had thus far turned up nothing on the grey substance.
| Keldirk | This beer is pig swill. |
| Craven | Compared to the Silver Gauntlet's brew I agree, but it is wet and cold. What more do you want? |
| Keldirk | Flavour, froth, clean mugs, no wrigglies - you know? |
| Craven | Well, it's cheap. Stop your complaining. (looks around, spies a serving girl then pokes Keldirk on the arm and nods in her direction) She's cute. |
| Keldirk | (glances over to the barmaid then grunts) She's got two legs, a mouth and all the right curves. (looks back to his beer) I don't really care what they look like. |
| Craven | You couldn't afford to. I, however, have high standards. I think I'll get to know her once this business is concluded. |
| Keldirk | I'm not really interested, Craven. But with any luck you'll sleep with her and I'll get the room to myself. I could do with a good night's rest; your snoring and farting sounds like a fucking orchestra. |
| Craven | I thought music was supposed to sooth the soul? |
| Keldirk | Music doesn't usually smell. |
| Craven | (pushes his mug away) You're right, this stuff is crap. I wonder how much the spirits cost? |
| Keldirk | Why don't you go and ask your girlfriend? |
| Craven | That's the best idea you've ever had. Excuse me, I'm going to work. (smooths his hair and straightens his shirt) How do I look? |
| Keldirk | Like a pompous arsewipe. |
| Craven | Perfect. (stands up and makes his way to the barmaid, engaging her in conversation) |
Azareth and Creighton were wandering the streets looking for a tavern after parting company with Saradock. They had a meeting scheduled with their Vesper tomorrow morning and needed somewhere to stay for the night.
| Creighton | This one? (indicating a tavern) |
| Azareth | (looking at the comatose body lying on the decking, blood trickling from a wound on his forehead) No, it also looks a bit rough. Let's move on. |
| Creighton | (grabs Azareth by the shoulders) Azareth, get it in your head - all taverns are rough. We're going into the next one and that's that! |
| Azareth | I want to stay out of trouble. |
| Creighton | Stop being such a wimp. We'll be fine as long as you don't start intellectualising with the patrons. Don't worry - I'll look after you, little buddy. (smiles and pats Azareth condescendingly on his head) |
They walked further down the street and Creighton pulled Azareth towards a tavern with a mailed horse's head hanging over the door.
| Creighton | (reading the writing branded into the wooden sign) The Warhorse. That sounds friendly enough. This will do. |
| Azareth | (looking through the window and examines the patrons within) This looks worse than the last one. Let's move on- |
| Creighton | (opens the door and pushes Azareth inside) I knew you'd see it my way. |
| Azareth | (off balance he trips on the hem of his robe and tumbles inside) |
Keldirk raised his head with some surprise as he saw a robed human come stumble through the doorway, trip over his robes and fall flat on his face.
| Keldirk | Now that's what I call an entrance. (chuckles) |
Keldirk watched as the robed man was helped up by a massive warrior who followed him inside. It didn't escape Keldirk's attention that this huge man had a face even a mother couldn't love. The pair looked somewhat embarrassed as they made their way to the bar - the warrior glaring at those few who dared make fun at their unusual entrance. Keldirk watched, with an interest born out of boredom, as an equally large man and two companions approached the newcomers, each one wearing a distinctive blue cloak. Keldirk leaned back on his chair and prepared to enjoy the drama that he sensed was about to unfold. It was apparent to the young assassin that these men did not have good intentions.
| Large Man | (nudges his friend in the ribs before tapping Creighton on the shoulder) Hey, ugly! |
| Creighton | (turns around slowly and looks into the man's curiously handsome face) You talkin' to me? |
| Large Man | (laughs and points to a wart on Creighton's chin) Look at that mountain! (nudges his companions who are laughing heartily) You are the ugliest son-of-a-bitch I have ever seen. You must have Fomorian blood in you. Guys, check out his nose - it's got more curves than the Harp River! |
| Creighton | (looks squarely in the man's eyes, sizing him up) Your face is so pretty I don't know whether to knock you out or buy you dinner! |
| Man #2 | Don't take that shit, Babyface, show him who's boss. |
| Man #3 | Yeah, take him out back and kick the shit out of him. |
| Babyface | Ha! If I did that there'd be nothing left! |
| Azareth | (whispering into Creighton's ear) We don't need this aggravation now. He can wait. |
| Creighton | (nods and assumes a flat expression, his voice taking on a feminine quality) Please don't hurt me mister Babyface! I am a poor common farmer and I don't like violence. Leave me be. (holds his hands up in exaggerated fear) |
| Man #2 | Get him Babyface. Knock his head off. |
| Babyface | How about you and me go out back and go at it? |
| Creighton | (snorts) I don't dance, thank you all the same. Maybe some other time... |
| Babyface | (sees Rexx the bouncer approaching, his battleaxe glinting in the lantern-light) Ahh - you're not worth the trouble. (shoves Creighton backwards into the bar) Hell knows what disease I'd catch if I laid my hands on your ugly gob. (spits in Creighton's face) |
| Azareth | (places a restraining hand on Creighton's arm, again whispering) Not now. |
| Creighton | (shrugs off Azareth's hand, his eyes locked on Babyface's) |
| Babyface | (snorts derisively) Let's go boys. (walks past Rexx and nods) Yeah, we're going big fella. (leaves the tavern) |
| Creighton | (wipes the spit off his face, using his sleeve and turns to face Azareth) Why did you stop me? |
| Azareth | Later. Let's just get a room and be done with it. We've made enough of a spectacle of ourselves. |
Azareth arranged for the two of them to get a room and he and Creighton immediately retired upstairs. Just as they disappeared Craven rejoined Keldirk at his table.
| Craven | What was that all about? |
| Keldirk | Just some kiddies playing games, nothing much. Heh! I reckon that ugly fella won't be letting the matter rest, though. He seemed more than a little pissed off and if it weren't for his friend I reckon it would have ended in bloodshed. Damn, I was in the mood to see a good fight. |
| Craven | Any sign of Jock? |
| Keldirk | Nope. |
| Craven | He'd better show up soon, Bernadette's due to go off shift at midnight. (winks) |
The two assassins were kept waiting another hour before Jock entered the tavern and approached their table.
| Jock | (taking a seat) I know the name of the guide who lead someone to Rose Petal's place. |
| Craven | (taken aback somewhat by Jock's abruptness) Err, okay - who? |
| Jock | You said I was going to be paid handsomely... |
| Keldirk | You kept us waiting half the night you little shit. I've half a mind to gut you let alone pay you. But you've been helpful so I'm cutting you a little slack. (to Craven) Pay the man, Craven. |
| Craven | (fishes into his pouch belt and slides an electrum lucky across the table) What's the guy's name? |
| Jock | (reaches for the coin) Topper. He works out of The Hole and is a rival to my operations. |
| Keldirk | Well, Jock, we need to have a chat with this man; we want to know who it was he lead there. Can you arrange that for us? |
| Jock | I avoid The Hole at all costs. Not only is it dangerous but Topper has a brother who leads an influential gang which practically rules the streets - he's not someone I want to go up against. If I were to touch Topper I'm sure I wouldn't live long. |
| Keldirk | We don't want you to get him, just point him out to us or arrange a meeting. We'll do the rest. (pauses to heighten the impact of his next sentence) We'll pay you a golden orb for your trouble. |
| Jock | A gold won't do me much good if I'm dead. |
| Keldirk | (eyes narrowing) Two gold and that's our final offer. |
| Jock | (barely able to suppress his greed) Okay, I'll see what I can do. It will take some time. I'll let Slick know when I've got it organised. |
| Keldirk | Done. Now get out of my face, you smell like shit. Haven't you ever heard of bathing? |
| Jock | (leaves) |
| Craven | Was that necessary? |
| Keldirk | Was what necessary? |
| Craven | Insulting him like that. |
| Keldirk | Screw him. He's getting paid. Let's get out of here. |
| Craven | Two gold pieces? Isn't that a bit steep? |
| Keldirk | You want to find out who killed Rose Petal, don't you? |
| Craven | (nods) I guess so. But this time you can pay him, I'm not a merchant you know? (stands up and flashes Keldirk a smile) I'll meet you tomorrow morning, I'm going to chat with Bernadette a while. |
| Keldirk | The barmaid? |
| Craven | (winks) |
The next morning Craven met Keldirk in the common room of the Silver Gauntlet. Keldirk was sitting alone eating breakfast when Craven walked in, a happy spring to his step.
| Craven | (whistling) Good morning. |
| Keldirk | Shut up, you can't whistle. |
| Craven | (indicates to the barman to bring out a plate of food) It's good to be alive. |
| Keldirk | We got a message to see Saradock. We'll be leaving after breakfast. |
| Craven | Sure. (whistles) I'll just drop my weapons upstairs. Hey, you don't have a smoke on you, do you? |
| Keldirk | I didn't know you smoked. |
| Craven | Only after sex, Keldirk. I'm trying to give it up. |
| Keldirk | Well, at least you don't smoke that much. |
| Craven | Oh, about a pack a day. |
| Keldirk | That'll kill you! |
| Craven | It won't kill you. (smiles) But it will make you very sore! |
They finished their meals and left immediately for Saradock's residence. After being admitted by Caruthers they found themselves in Saradock's lounge room, but this time they were not alone. Occupying two of the five seats sat the robed man and his ugly companion who had made the not-so-grand entrance into The Warhorse last night.
| Keldirk | (addressing the two strangers) Who the fuck are you? |
| Creighton | (stands up quickly) Shut your mouth weasel or I'll tear out your tongue! |
| Craven | Whoa! (holding out his hands) Calm down. |
| Azareth | (casting Creighton a disapproving glance) Yes, Creighton, relax. Don't let your bad mood influence important business. If you think for a moment you'll know who these two are! |
| Creighton | (sits) |
| Keldirk | You're the dickheads who made the nice entrance from last night. Have you always been so comical or is it something you have to work at? |
| Craven | Shutup Valrorn - just drop it. (looking to Azareth ) You said you might know who we are - so who are you? |
| Azareth | Let's just wait for the merchant to make the introductions, shall we? |
| Craven | Whatever you say, Jack. |
The tension in the room grew as they waited, Creighton's eyes were drilling holes in Keldirk and seemed as though the whole scene was going to erupt into chaos when Saradock finally entered the room, closing the doors behind him. He studied the four men seated before him, smiled then sat in the one remaining chair.
| Saradock | Sorry about the delay; work issues I'm afraid. Now, gentlemen, allow me to make the introductions. (addressing Craven and Keldirk) These two men you see before you (indicating Creighton and Azareth) are fellow Family members - graduates, in fact, like yourselves. They have been assigned to the East Almor region and will be working along side you. |
| Keldirk | Like hell they will! Saradock, what is going on here? (stands up) You have already put me with this idiot (indicates Craven) and now you want me to work with these clowns? |
| Saradock | (patiently) Take a seat, Keldirk. |
| Keldirk | (glares at Saradock for a long moment before walking over to the liquor cabinet and pouring himself a drink) |
| Saradock | The large man to my right is Creighton, a warrior and the man to his right is the mage Azareth. (looking to Azareth and Creighton) The man by the liquor cabinet is Keldirk, an assassin who operates under the pseudonym Valrorn. The other man is Craven, a warrior-thief. |
| Azareth | Well met gentlemen. |
| Keldirk | (spinning on his heels and glaring at Azareth) Do you think so? I don't think you know what in the nine hells you're talking about! (finishes his drink and pours another) I think you're a sorry pair of no-hopers who, going on last night's efforts, have found themselves out of their depth and out of their element. You're going to be the ruination of all that we're trying to accomplish here. |
| Saradock | (his ire beginning to show) Take a seat, Keldirk! |
| Keldirk | (sits) |
| Craven | (keeping his voice calm) So, Vesper, you intend us to be one big happy family? |
| Saradock | Something like that. If mister Attitude can control himself for a few minutes I'm sure things will sort themselves out. (casts a disapproving glare at Keldirk who is shaking his head and swirling the liquor in his glass) All of you are highly trained professionals and I would have hoped any petty personality problems could be overcome. Now, (looking to Azareth) what happened last night. |
| Azareth | Nothing of any import, Vesper. We entered a drinking establishment with the intention of finding ourselves some accommodation and were accosted by a local ruffian. We avoided any conflict. End of story. |
| Saradock | (looking to Keldirk) So, what is your problem? |
| Keldirk | Oh, nothing. We'll get along fine. One big happy fucking family. The more the merrier, that's what I always say. Hell, I don't know why the Family doesn't just invade Del Mord with an army of assassins. (looks up from his glass and meets Saradock's steely stare) I wasn't happy when we were three and now there are four of us! Hmph - with all due respect, Vesper, this sucks. How the hell am I supposed to get anything done with that lumbering fool clanking around behind me? (thumbs in Creighton's direction) |
| Saradock | I assure you, Keldirk, they are both well trained and are just as capable of moving silently as you! |
| Azareth | (thinking about what Keldirk said) Three? Who is the third member and, unless my mathematics is failing me, wouldn't that make five? |
| Craven | We had another member but he had to be eliminated. |
| Saradock | (to Azareth and Creighton) Yes, I was meaning to tell you about Argos. No matter, the others can fill you in later. (addressing the whole group) Get this straight. You will work together and you will get to like it. If not I'll have one or more of you shipped back to the Olmans. Is that clear? (not waiting for a response) Good. I knew you'd see it my way. Now, I'd like to have a word with Azareth alone. (to Craven) Take Creighton back to the Silver Gauntlet I'll have Azareth meet you there later. |
| Craven | Okay. Let's go guys. (leaves) |
| Creighton | (leaves) |
| Keldirk | (downs his drink with a gulp and leaves the room, an angry spark in his eyes) |
| Saradock | (waits for them to leave) Now, Azareth, I understand you were given some special instructions. |
| Azareth | Yes, Vesper I was. |
| Saradock | Well, I'll let you know my expectations. What your group achieves here in Del Mord is a direct reflection on my performance. As yet there is no established leader - Keldirk and Craven both seem content to operate without either assuming superiority. But now that there are four of you I would say that the situation will have to change. You have been earmarked as the leader of the group by the masters back at the Olman Islands - are you comfortable with that mantle? |
| Azareth | Yes, Vesper, I believe I am. My experience is limited but I am a fast learner and there is no better way to temper my proverbial steel than in the forge of the real world. |
| Saradock | Indeed. Now, be warned: Keldirk is a fiery customer and he will no doubt be a disciplinary problem but he comes to me as a highly regarded student. His methods are not orthodox but his results, to date, have been exemplary. |
| Azareth | And the other one - Craven? |
| Saradock | He, too, has proved himself to be most capable. He had a rough start to his campaign due to the death of a close friend but he has seemed to overcome that adversity. (pauses to smooth his smoking jacket) I want to stress that my future is closely tied to this group's success. If you fail then that failure is reflected upon me. I want to avoid that at all costs. If things go well then perhaps we can move onto bigger and better things. I'm sure your goals aren't limited to life in The Prelacy of Almor and neither are mine. |
| Azareth | My first goal is to succeed here. They key is focus. I will endeavour to make both you and the masters proud. |
| Saradock | Glad to hear it, Azareth. Would you like me to formally announce your leadership to the others or would you prefer to assert your influence in your own time? |
| Azareth | I shall do it myself, Vesper. Creighton seems to hold me in high regard and the others will come around. |
| Saradock | Excellent. I had been planning on issuing the payment we have received for the timely execution of our first contract, but given the circumstances I will delay it. Once you feel that the time is right I would ask you to bring the others here. (stands and shakes Azareth's hand) You and I will be working closely, I feel. If we both work hard then the rewards will come. |
| Azareth | Indeed. I will see you soon. (leaves) |
Azareth returned to the Foreign Quarter, located the Silver Gauntlet (a much nicer tavern) and found the other three assassins sitting in silence at a table near the fire. He went over and pulled up a chair. It was obvious that there was tension in the air.
| Azareth | Shall I buy us a round of drinks? |
| Craven | No. I think we should go upstairs to our room and fill you in on what Keldirk and I have achieved here. |
| Azareth | Okay. (looking around) This looks like a remarkable establishment. (to Creighton) I will organise us lodgings. |
| Creighton | (nods) |
| Keldirk | (to Creighton) Does he always talk like that? |
| Creighton | (nods) |
After a few minutes all four assassins met in Craven and Keldirk's room. It was a room designed for two and Azareth opened a window to let in some much needed air. It was a beautiful sunset and Azareth enjoyed the sight for a long moment before turning his attention to the matter at hand. Craven updated the newcomers on the events that had transpired and discussed their plans for the future. Keldirk and Creighton remained silent during the exchange.
| Azareth | So, you intend to join the thieves guild? Hmm. I think I will opt out of that arrangement and find other more savoury employment. I believe Creighton would be well served if he joined you in that venture, however. Creighton, does that sound reasonable? |
| Creighton | Whatever. I don't really care. |
| Craven | Okay, then it's decided. We'll arrange a meeting with the guild contact, Slade, and see what we can do about including you in our bid to gain membership. (looking to Keldirk) You don't see- |
Suddenly terrified screams could be heard through the window and an impossibly loud 'whooshing' noise. All four assassins moved to the window to see what was going on. Standing outside the tavern was a massive black dragon, its scales glinting in Luna's silver light. It's foot long claws had dug into the road and had uprooted many cobblestones. A wave of fear washed over the assassins and Creighton, who was affected the most, fell a shivering heap on the floor unable to control his bladder. The others stood in transfixed horror as the dragon looked around the street and raised its head to the level of their window. The mule-sized head swivelled around with seemingly impossible ease and the assassins saw their deaths in the beast's eyes.
Dimly, the three stunned onlookers were aware of a cloaked figure sliding off the dragon's back to the street below. They watched with fascination as a group of five brave (foolhardy) adventurers appeared in the street before the dragon. It looked a hopeless situation; how could mere men stand against such a magnificent creature? If anything the dragon seemed relaxed, even amused, at the paltry force arrayed before it. Just as the adventurers in the street were about to launch into action, the cloaked rider issued a command and the dragon unfurled its' wings and rose into the night air.
The streets were all but deserted; only the five adventurers and the cloaked rider remained. All others had since fled or found a place to hide. The dragon fear slowly dissipated and the assassins motor skills returned. Just as the five adventurers began to close on the rider a large contingent of the city watch appeared, the watch sergeant stepping to the fore.
| Sergeant | Who are you and what is your business in Del Mord? |
| Rider | I am Ambassador Shade of the Great Kingdom. Your government has been informed of my arrival. |
The watch sergeant issues a few commands and the Rider is taken into custody and lead towards the High Quarter.
| Keldirk | (slaps Azareth on the shoulder) Now that is what I call an entrance! |
| 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. |