Episode 15 – Four Assassins and a Funeral
| 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 | The Silver Gauntlet |
| Date | 23rd Readying 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Morning |
None of the assassins talked about the dragon's appearance until the following morning. It's appearance had drained them and all they felt like doing was getting some sleep. In the morning they once again met in Craven and Keldirk's room.
| Craven | So, does anybody have a good explanation for what happened last night? |
| Creighton | (shakes his head in the negative) |
| Azareth | I have formulated a theory on the subject. It is quite simple, really. A dweomercrafter of no mean ability fashioned a powerful illusion to disguise some lesser beast as a dragon. |
| Creighton | (scratches his head) How does that explain the fear we felt? I don't usually lose control over my - er - bodily functions! (looks embarrassed) |
| Azareth | The fear we felt was, in all probability, borne from some magical enchantment perchance added to enhance the realism of the manifestation. I think it was an elaborate ploy meant to dupe - to give onlookers the perception that the rider was powerful and commanded respect. Seriously, have any of you ever heard of a man riding a dragon? Preposterous! Dragons are magnificent, majestical beasts and would never willingly serve any of the humanoid races. |
| Creighton | Who said anything about 'willingly'? |
| Keldirk | (ignoring Creighton instead addressing Azareth) You speak of dragons as if they really exist. That's crap. Dragons are just myths used by mothers to keep their children attached to their apron-strings. Dragons - yeah, right! (pauses) Though, I must admit, it did look real. |
| Craven | I'm not so sure it was a trick. I went out early this morning and the road is still torn up. (to Azareth) Can illusions do that? (points out the window to the road below) |
| Azareth | I have no doubt that the rider arrived on some powerful beast capable of flight. It is not outside the bounds of probability that the damage to the road could be attributed to such a creature. A griffin, shielded by a dweomer, is still a griffin and has the same power in its claws! It seems, in this instance, Keldirk and I are in partial agreement. I don't believe what we saw last night was a dragon. (to Keldirk) However, dear Keldirk, I have absolutely no doubt that dragons exist. My studies at- |
| Keldirk | Don't patronise me, Mage! Despite your opinion I am not some stupid street urchin! (pokes his finger in Azareth's chest, driving him against the wall) And, while I'm at it, a word of warning: if you ever call me Keldirk when we are in the public eye I will gut you then and there! |
| Azareth | Don't be so quick to threaten. Magic is something your kind would be well served to avoid! (his eyes narrow to mere slits) Do not anger me, Keldirk, and do not be so quick to defend your ignorance. There are dragons in these lands - that is fact! Now extricate your finger from my chest or I will... |
| Keldirk | You will what? (pushes harder) |
| Craven | (pulls Keldirk away from the mage) Don't be so bloody childish. We all know that if we lay a hand one another we end up with a black scroll. |
| Azareth | (his eyes still locked on Keldirk's) Yes. Listen to Craven if you will not listen to me. Keep in mind we are effectively brethren and fighting each other is counter productive to our goals. You may choose to disagree with - |
| Keldirk | I'm hungry. (leaves) |
| Craven | (sarcastically) Well, that discussion was productive. (shakes his head) I'm going to make a move, too. I am heading off to Sergeant Dunne's funeral. |
| Azareth | Why? |
| Craven | I want to see who turns up - call it professional curiosity. Is anybody interested in coming along? |
| Azareth | I will accompany you. (looks at Craven's adventuring garb) may I suggest we procure some more suitable clothing if we are to avoid unwanted attention. And perhaps you should leave your weapons behind. |
| Craven | (nods) Creighton? |
| Creighton | Nah. I think I'll go for a run. (pinches his stomach) I'm getting soft. |
Craven and Azareth purchased some high quality funeral attire then proceeded along the Promenade in the direction of the High Quarter (where they presumed the service would be held). The guards at the High Quarter gate, however, told them that the service was a semi-private affair and was being held in the Artisans Quarter. There was a sizeable crowd gathered outside the large chapel and Craven was amazed that the sergeant was held in such high regard by so many people.
| Azareth | (whispering to Craven) Why aren't they holding the service in the High Quarter? I understood Dunne was man of means? |
| Craven | They are probably holding it here to allow more common folk a chance to pay their last respects. I'd say the High Quarter residents don't like it when the general populace gain unsupervised access to their prized neighbourhood. (laughs at the thought of a thousand people trampling the well maintained gardens of the rich) Besides, look at the turnout; there must be hundreds of mourners here! |
| Azareth | He was obviously a well respected individual. |
| Craven | Yep. Brings a tear to my eye. |
| Azareth | (looks at Craven's face, but is unable to discern if he is genuine) Hmm. |
After the service, Azareth left Craven to go and explore the Academic Quarter of Del Mord. Once there, he immediately felt more at ease. Despite, or perhaps because of, his years of training he felt most comfortable around academia than he did anywhere else. He spent much of the afternoon wandering the streets until he finally entered a tea house called The Bookworm Cafe populated, primarily, by students. He found the environment warm and inviting and before long was engaged in a heated debate centred around the apparent genealogical inconsistencies of the Furyondy Thrommel Dynasty.
Craven proceeded immediately to The Silver Gauntlet and sat alone at a table while he awaited the other's return. Craven hadn't bothered to change out of his high quality clothing and soon realised the folly of that decision when he drew the unwelcome attention of five unruly adventurers seated at an adjacent table.
| Adventurer #1 | (leans back in his chair and pinches Craven's sleeve, holding it up for inspection) Fancy clothes! Are you lost mate? The High Quarter is that way. (points) |
| Adventurer #2 | Clothes like that must cost money. How about you buy us all a drink, Fancy Boy? |
| Craven | (looks over his shoulder at the man holding his sleeve) Let it go. |
| Adventurer #1 | (lets go of Craven's sleeve) So how about buying us a drink? We've just arrived back in town and what better way for you to show some of that good ol' Del Mord hospitality than by buying us each a beer? |
| Craven | (ignoring them) |
| Adventurer #3 | Looks like he can't hear you, Muldok. Maybe all that fancy music has made him deaf. Knock him about the ears a bit and see if you can't get his attention. |
| Craven | (reaches for the hilt of his sword, but remembers he left it upstairs) Don't touch me. |
| Muldok | (laughs) What are you going to do to me, Fancy Boy, poison me with snuff? |
| Adventurer #2 | (laughs) |
| Adventurer #4 | (flicks a peanut at Craven) |
| Adventurer #5 | (laughs) Hey, Fancy Boy go get us a drink or sing us a song. It's your choice. |
| Muldok | (slaps Craven on the back) |
| Craven | (spills his beer. Now thoroughly annoyed he places his mug on the table and rises to face the table of five semi-drunk adventurers) Which one of you wants to die? |
| Muldok | (raising his hand) Me! Me! (laughs) |
| Adventurer #2 | No, me! I want to die! |
| Craven | (to Muldok) Meet me out front. I'll just get my weapons. |
| Muldok | Just run away, is more like it! |
| Craven | My weapons are upstairs. (thinks) I am quite willing to use one of yours. |
| Adventurer #3 | (hands over his sheathed short sword) Here ya go. If Muldok wins you buy us all a beer. |
| Craven | And if I win? |
| Adventurer #3 | That won't happen. (smiles grimly) |
| Craven | (raises his eyebrows) Don't be so sure. |
| Adventurer #3 | Your overconfidence is your weakness. |
| Craven | Your faith in your friend is yours. |
Craven, the five adventurers and the majority of patrons left the Silver Gauntlet and gathered outside. Craven and Muldok faced each other while the remainder formed a loose circle around the two would- be combatants.
| Craven | (ignoring the jeering crowd) How far do you intend on taking this? |
| Muldok | What are you talking about? |
| Craven | To the death, first blood or yield? |
| Muldok | Ha! That's not how things are done down this neck of the woods, Fancy Boy! (nods his head and his four companions rush out of the crowd and grapple with Craven, disarming him and holding him immobile) |
| Craven | (realizes the seriousness of his predicament, but too angry to play it safe) You are making a serious mistake, Muldok. |
| Muldok | We (punches Craven in the stomach) don't (punches Craven in the head) like your (punches Craven in the stomach) kind (elbows Craven in the chest) here! (knees Craven in the stomach, then signals his friends to let Craven fall) |
| Craven | (falls to the ground, bleeding and disorientated) Erghhh... |
| Muldok | Now go back to where you belong! This is the Foreign Quarter - not the Pansy Quarter! |
| Craven | (blood bubbling from his split lips) You have made an enemy this day! |
| Muldok | (laughs and walks away) |
| Adventurer #3 | (spits on Craven) Next time stay with your own kind! (follows his four companions down the road) |
| Crowd | (disperse) |
| Craven | (slowly gets to his feet and staggers upstairs to bed) |
Craven cleaned himself up, donned his normal adventuring clothes and lay on his bed to rest. He stayed in his room for the remainder of the day and refused to discuss how he got his cut lip and bruised eye with the others.
That night, the four assassins sat at a table in the Silver Gauntlet waiting for Slade to arrive. Earlier that day, Keldirk had arranged for Slick to organize the meeting with Slade; the assassins were as yet unable to contact the thief-contact directly. They talked little as they ate their meals, each absorbed in his own thoughts.
Azareth knew he would have to work hard to get this group of individuals working as a team. Creighton and Craven seemed to get along well enough but Keldirk was going to be a problem. No matter what Azareth tried the brash young assassin would either ignore him or become angry. The mage came to the conclusion that in order to gain Keldirk's acceptance he would have to prove himself worthy. For now he would use Craven to get through to Keldirk. Craven was a strange individual, as far as Azareth was concerned. He had obviously been well educated and well groomed but for some reason chose to disregard the benefits of his breeding and assume the characteristics of the company he was in. He seemed equally capable conversing on an intellectual level as he did assuming the gutter speak which the informer, Slick, preferred. Azareth could see the potential of this group and was beginning to understand why the Marque de'Ahb had placed him in their midst. They needed a catalyst to nurture and guide them, to facilitate their growth and allow them to reach their full potential. Azareth was confident that the Marque de'Ahb's faith was well placed.
They had just finished their meal when Slade approached their table. He was dressed in well maintained black leather armour and wore two short swords by his side. He crossed the crowded tavern confidently and without pause, as though he did not have a care in the world. Without word he pulled up a chair at their table and waited.
| Keldirk | (annoyed by Slade's cocky nature and by the fact he felt obliged to break the growing silence) Slade. |
| Slade | (to Keldirk) You wanted to see me? |
| Keldirk | (nods) We need to talk business. |
| Slade | (looks around the table and studies Azareth and Creighton before returning his gaze to Keldirk) Who are these two? |
| Keldirk | The big one is who I wanted to talk to you about. The other guy is nobody. |
| Slade | (to Azareth) What's your name? |
| Azareth | My name is Vincent Harstvaan. |
| Slade | (raises his eyebrows questioningly) And.? |
| Azareth | (looking confused) And what? I told you my name. |
| Slade | (to Keldirk) Is he going to be a part of this? |
| Azareth | No, I am a simple trader and I have no interest in thieves. I accompanied this large fellow (indicating Creighton) on a caravan from Chathold and I am having a meal with him. |
| Keldirk | Like I said - he's nobody. |
| Slade | Well get rid of him! |
| Keldirk | (to Azareth) You heard him Vincent. Bugger off! |
| Azareth | (glares at Keldirk and stands, taking his mug with him) I shall retire to my room. |
| Slade | (watches keenly as Azareth climbs the stairs) Okay, now what did you want to talk about? |
| Keldirk | I want you to meet an associate of mine. (indicates Creighton) He might be useful to your group. |
| Slade | What is his name? |
| Creighton | I have a mouth and my name is Creighton. |
| Slade | (to Creighton) A face like yours is pretty hard to forget. (looks back to Keldirk) About the only thing he's got going for him is his size. (looks at the weapons around Creighton's waist) Can you use those things. |
| Creighton | Yeah. I'm pretty good with them. (leans in toward Slade so that their faces are only inches apart) I also know when to keep my mouth shut - do you? |
| Slade | (sits back and laughs) |
| Craven | (smiles and places his hand on Creighton's shoulder) We'd like him to become part of the team. If you don't like it we'll find other employment. |
| Slade | (begins cleaning his nails with his knife) I don't have any problem with him. Right now, I'm more concerned about that other guy, Vincent. (quietly) The guild doesn't like too many non- members to know about "things". What is Vincent's relationship with you three? |
| Craven | He's a friend, that's all. (shrugs) He'll tell you his story if you ask him. (quietly) So, is Creighton in or out? |
| Slade | I'm not even sure if you're in or out, yet. Don't get pushy. These things take time. Now, listen: there is a job coming up and we could use a few more sword arms. I'll give you the details another time. I can tell you this, it's going to involve going up against the Watch, so if any of you guys feel squeamish about killing militia you can forget it. |
| Keldirk | Doesn't bother me. |
| Creighton | (takes a large mouthful of ale and shakes his head) I don't care. |
| Craven | When and where? |
| Slade | (looks at all three assassins, covers his mouth with his hand and whispers) Come to the warehouse where you met me the last time in two nights. Come armed and be prepared for action. You two guys (indicating Craven and Keldirk) did some good work the last time so I assume this guy will be able to pull his weight. Understand? |
| Craven | (nods) |
| Slade | Good. If this goes well then perhaps your admission will be granted. (flips his knife into his other hand with dexterous ease) Are all three of you staying here? |
| Keldirk | (nods) |
| Slade | Are you all in the one room? |
| Keldirk | Why? |
| Slade | (shrugs) I need to know where to contact you in case anything changes. I don't like coming into The Gauntlet; the owner doesn't like my kind. |
| Keldirk | (snorts) A tavern owner has got you on the defensive? That's bullshit. An organization like yours shouldn't be worried about a small time tavern owner. |
| Slade | (glares at Keldirk) You've got no idea what you are talking about. Don't try and second guess what my "organization" does and doesn't do. The owner of this place isn't the concern, it's his regular guest - Benhi the Leech. The less he sees of me the better. Most folk in the know leave this place alone. So, I'll ask again, are you all staying in the same room? |
| Craven | No. |
| Slade | What are your room numbers? |
| Craven | Five. |
| Creighton | Nine. |
| Slade | Okay. (stands) I'll get in touch if there are any changes to the plan. |
Slade left the table and approached the bar. He conversed with another patron for a few moments before leaving the tavern. Keldirk watched the exchange before returning his attention to his mug.
| Craven | What are we going to do about Azareth? |
| Keldirk | The mage is going to be a problem. He'd better not jeopardise our entry into the guild. |
| Creighton | Az's alright once you get to know him. He can be condescending at times but he's got the brains to back him up! I'm not smart enough to understand most of the crap he talks about but I can recognize a man with intelligence. I wouldn't worry about him, he's probably got a dozen things planned and he'll know how best to handle things. |
| Craven | I admire your faith, Creighton. |
| Keldirk | Well I'm not convinced he can tie his shoe laces. I'm not going to cut him any slack until he proves himself worthy. (to Craven) As far as I'm concerned it's just you and me. (looks to Creighton) After this job we're doing for Slade I'll decide if I like you. (studies his now empty mug) But until something other than words come out of Azareth, he's baggage. |
| Craven | Good to see that old team spirit again Keldirk - I thought you'd lost it. |
| Keldirk | Shove it up your arse Craven. I'll work with you three - but that doesn't mean I have to like it. |
The following day Azareth announced that Saradock had received payment for the Sergeant Dunne job and would like to meet with the party. He organised for the four of them to meet at their Vesper's home after lunch. The morning passed swiftly and without incident and the four assassins sat quietly in Saradock's lounge awaiting his arrival. They weren't kept waiting long.
| Saradock | (entering the room, a mug of steaming tea in his hand) Gentlemen. As you are aware, the payment for your first contract has come through. Unfortunately, it was not as much as I initially expected since the client felt that there was insufficient care taken to absolve them from guilt. In short, gentlemen, the thieves guilds are still under suspicion. |
| Keldirk | (the colour rising in his cheeks) Screw that! It was a clean kill; there were no witnesses and we posed as Rhennee, what else could we do? |
| Craven | (nodding) Our instructions indicated that we were not to take our time. In the little time we had, there seemed no way to properly channel the suspicion to other areas. |
| Saradock | (waving his hand in a gesture of silence) I'm not interested in you excuses, gentlemen. I have no doubt that you did your best but according to the client the terms of the contract were not fully met so they withheld some payment. |
| Craven | With all due respect, Vesper, the thieves guilds would be under investigation even if Sergeant Dunne had been killed by a priest during worship in the High Quarter. No matter how Dunne died, his death would always be investigated and the guilds would, without doubt, be number one suspects! |
| Saradock | (sighs) As I said, some of the payment was withheld so do not be disappointed if it is less than you expected. |
| Keldirk | Surely The Family does not let clients get away with not paying? That wouldn't be good for business. |
| Saradock | If the terms of the contract are not met, then I'm afraid we have no choice. If - after hearing your report - it is discovered that you did meet the conditions of the contract then I will send in people to collect the rest of the money or to remove the client permanently. So it's all up to you. Which one of you wants to explain what happened. |
Craven spent the next hour providing Saradock with a detailed explanation of how they went about killing Sergeant Dunne. Saradock interjected occasionally to ask him for a clarification or justification on a few select matters but kept silent for the majority of the time. When it was over Saradock leaned back in his chair and remained quiet, deep in thought. Craven poured himself a glass of Almorian brandy and waited, while the other three sat quietly.
| Saradock | I can't say if the Rhennee ploy was successful or if it was enough. What I do know is that the thieves guilds are under suspicion and few, if any, other leads have been forthcoming. I agree that it would have been difficult - if not impossible - to direct suspicion away from the guilds entirely but I feel that possibly more of an effort could have been made on your part. |
| Keldirk | That's complete shit, I - |
| Saradock | (raises his hands to silence Keldirk) Your kill was, as you said, clean and you got away without notice. I am pleased with the results you achieved and it shows me you are capable of carrying out the tasks for which you have been trained - but I will take no action against our client at this time. (he reaches beside him and rings a small silver bell) The payment will be twenty gold each. I have kept some payment aside to assist in your future training fees and some has been sent back to the Olman Islands. |
| Caruthers | (knocks, then enters the room) You called for me, sir? |
| Saradock | Yes could you please bring the two pouches I have laid out in my study? |
| Caruthers | (bows) Very good , sir. |
| Saradock | Now, onto matters of a more general nature that involves you all. No doubt you are aware of the arrival of the Ambassador for The Great Kingdom? |
| Azareth | (nods) We witnessed the arrival ourselves! Our room afforded us an excellent vantage point. |
| Saradock | The ambassador has arrived ahead of his retinue which is due in Del Mord in a few weeks. Apparently he is here on an unusual political mission. Del Mord is currently playing host to a small contingent of Knights from the Shield Lands and Ambassador Shade is here to extradite these knights to the Great Kingdom. It appears they are charged with some serious crimes against the people of his country. The negotiations and legal proceedings will drag on and on, no doubt, but until they are exonerated or handed over to Shade they are 'guests' Del Mord. |
| Craven | (remembering his geography) Why did these knights bother to stop in Almor in the first place? Why didn't they just keep going until they made it back to the Shield Lands? |
| Saradock | I'm not sure, yet. Perhaps The Great Kingdom contacted the Almorian authorities and asked them to apprehend these knights? I am not privy to the various treaties between The Great Kingdom and Almor but, by all accounts, they are many and convoluted. Whatever the case these knights are in serious trouble; I have heard horror stories about The Great Kingdom's judicial system and how it treats criminals. |
| Craven | So these knights are being held in prison? |
| Saradock | No. That is the strange part. They have been granted restricted freedom as long as they do not leave Del Mord or it's immediate surrounds. |
| Keldirk | (scoffs) That's ridiculous. If the knights hang around then they deserve whatever they get. |
| Saradock | You and I know that, but knights have their own weird code of honour. (laughs) It's not for us to understand how it works, but it is our job to exploit it. (smiles) |
| Creighton | Um, Vesper, what do these knights have to do with us? |
| Saradock | Nothing... yet. I like to keep you updated with the affairs of Del Mord, especially those to which you have limited access. I have a few contacts in the courts and I thought you might be interested. Have no doubt, Creighton, I will let you know as soon as the knights or Shade become your business. |
| Creighton | (nods) |
| Azareth | If there is nothing else? |
| Saradock | No, that is all. |
| Azareth | I would like to talk to you about a few matters... in private if I may? |
| Saradock | Of course. (to Craven and Keldirk) Caruthers will give you your payment on your way out. |
Craven, Creighton and Keldirk left Saradock's house leaving Azareth to talk with their Vesper. Caruthers handed both Craven and Keldirk velvet pouch containing a handful of gold coins and closed the door behind them. Craven had already decided where he was going to spend some of his money and could barely suppress his smile as he thought of his next night of pleasure. He figured he would see Kazza again or, if he played his cards right, he might manage to obtain the services Madam Fifi herself!
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