Episode 18 – Money Money Money
| The Assassins |
Azareth - Wizard 1st Level LE (PC) Creighton - Fighter 1st Level LE (PC) Craven - Fighter / Rogue 1st/2nd LE (PC) Keldirk - Rogue 2nd level NE (PC) |
| Locale | In the office of Simpkin Furzear. |
| Date | 26th Readying 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Just after midnight |
Azareth lay in crumpled heap at the foot of Simpkin's desk. One eye had almost swollen shut and his battered body was criss-crossed with tiny, but obviously painful, cuts. His shallow breathing could be heard wheezing out of his damaged mouth and, to his colleagues, he looked barely alive.
Creighton stiffened and clenched his fists as he regarded Azareth's condition; he struggled against the desire to run forward and tear Simpkin to pieces. Keldirk regarded Azareth with the cool eye of one who knew the torturer's art while Craven searched Simpkin's eyes for a clue as to what would happen next.
Keldirk noted that although Azareth's wounds were many only a few would scar; whoever administered the torture had been a master. Keldirk silently wondered what information they had torn from Azareth. He realised that this was a tense situation; one in which their very lives depended on what story Azareth had told. All the exits were covered or locked; if the situation turned ugly Keldirk knew his hopes for survival were slim.
| Craven | (to Simpkin) You did this? |
| Simpkin | I'll be asking the questions here. What is your relationship with this man? |
| Creighton | He is a friend of mine. (pauses to gather his courage) And he sure as hell wasn't any threat to you or your guild! (begins to move forward) |
| Craven | (puts a restraining hand on Creighton) |
| Simpkin | (smiles) On the contrary. (gestures to Azareth) My sources tell me this man, a man with no ties to my guild, knew guild business! That is a threat to the security of my guild. A very real threat. And I don't like threats. |
| Creighton | (looks at Azareth, then back to Simpkin) He didn't know anything about your guild- |
| Simpkin | (eyes narrowing dangerously) Don't trifle with me, Creighton! Any of you! I know Azareth knew guild business. That is why he was brought here; Azareth knew you three were interested in joining my guild. (shakes his head in disappointment) I don't like anyone who is not in the guild to know anything about my affairs. (meets the eyes of the three assassins with a steely stare) I suggest you answer me very carefully tonight, because a mistake at this time will cost you your lives. (flicks some ash from his cigar onto Azareth) Who is he and why does he know guild business? |
| Craven | (his mouth dry) He is an associate of ours. We met him not long ago and decided to work together. |
| Keldirk | (nods) |
| Simpkin | Go on... |
| Craven | (swallows hard) We, Valrorn and I, asked Creighton and Azareth if they would like to join the guild. I realise now that was a stupid thing to do. Creighton agreed to join our bid to become members - but Azareth wasn't interested because his ... talents lie in other areas. You already know we are not from Almor or even the surrounding lands. You might also know we haven't been in town long. That's all there is to it. |
| Simpkin | (rubs his chin thoughtfully, then puffs on his cigar before looking to Creighton and Keldirk) Do either of you have anything to add? |
| Creighton | Nope. |
| Keldirk | (stares at Azareth with hatred, cursing him for this situation) What Craven says is the truth. Azareth declined to join the guild, but he swore that what we had told him would go no further. |
| Simpkin | (looks coldly at Keldirk, his eyes narrowing) It's a shame isn't it? |
| Keldirk | What is? |
| Simpkin | That Azareth must die. |
| Creighton | What? |
| Craven | You can't kill him! |
| Simpkin | Oh, but I can - I can do anything. Azareth must die. I will not allow a non-guild member to know my business. And this mage knows that you three are now part of my guild. I want to keep your membership as quiet as possible and I will not permit Azareth to leave here alive. (laughs) I didn't have him tortured to find out what he knew, he already knew enough to warrant death. No, I had him tortured to find out what you three had told him. I needed to be sure you weren't agents from another guild or moles sent here by the watch. I am satisfied with what I have heard. If you swear to keep guild business to yourselves in the future I will let you live and grant you admission into my guild. One more screw-up of that magnitude and each of you will be put to death. |
| Craven | (looks at Azareth, thinking fast) |
| Keldirk | (nods, then smiles at Simpkin) That sounds fair. |
| Craven | (looks sharply at Keldirk) Not to me it doesn't. (looks pleadingly to Simpkin) What if Azareth agrees to join the guild. I believe his skills would be a great asset and he works well alongside Creighton, here. |
| Simpkin | (looks at Craven) The mage - join my guild? (sits back in his chair and puffs on his cigar, keeping the assassins waiting for several minutes) I would need to test the mage, of course, to verify that he is worthy. |
| Creighton | Anything. Just don't have him killed. |
| Simpkin | Hmm. (opens a drawer on his desk and scribbles something down on a piece of parchment) Okay, but I want you to know this. If the mage betrays my faith, fails his test, or gives me reason to doubt his allegiances - I will have each of you killed! |
| Keldirk | What? |
| Simpkin | Of course, dear Valrorn. Your fate is now tied to the success of the mage. If he lets me down, he signs your death certificate. |
| Keldirk | (glares coldly at Azareth, swearing under his breath) |
| Simpkin | Now, tell me, what use will Azareth be to my guild? |
| Craven | He is a spellcaster and an academic. His brain is his biggest asset. I don't know him very well, but Creighton says he quick of mind and uses his spells well. |
| Simpkin | My organisation is always looking to recruit such people; fortunately for you there are few spellweavers in my ranks. (looks to Haldar who has been leaning against a wall in the shadows) Return the mage's equipment - all of it. |
| Haldar | (nods then leaves through the secret door in the rear of Simpkin's office) |
| Simpkin | You may tend to your colleague. |
| Creighton | (rushes forward, and kneels at Azareth's side) Azareth? Are you okay? |
| Azareth | (weakly) No, I'm pretty fucking far from okay. |
| Simpkin | Remember, all of you, I own you now. (watches as Creighton picks up Azareth in his arms, cradling him like a baby) I will contact you later with the details of Azareth's test. Once his task is accomplished, all four of you report to me at The Pit and I will furnish you with further details about the guild. |
| Haldar | (enters the room and hands Azareth's spellbook and pouch-belt to Craven) |
| Simpkin | (continues) Let what happened to your friend serve as warning: if you make a wrong step, I will know, and next time you might not live through it. Now, get out. |
The assassins were shown out of the room by Haldar and they returned directly to the Silver Gauntlet. Creighton layed Azareth on his bed and the mage fell quickly asleep.
| Keldirk | (looks at Azareth's sleeping form) The scalpel wounds will heal well; they were administered to cause serious pain but not to kill. Definitely the work of a professional. |
| Creighton | A professional what? |
| Keldirk | Professional torturer, of course. The other injuries are a bit more serious. Someone got carried away and Azareth's eye and lips are the result of a fairly serious beating. (leans forward and examines the mage's swollen eye) I'm no healer, but there's a chance he could lose the use of his eye. (looks at Azareth's sleeping form accusingly) I wonder just how much the mage told them? |
| Craven | About who we really work for? |
| Keldirk | (nods) |
| Creighton | (to Keldirk) I think we're safe. We've all been told how important it is to keep our involvement with the Family a secret. Besides, if Azareth had told them more than he should, do you think Simpkin would have let us walk free? |
| Keldirk | (looks at Creighton with a bemused expression) You surprise me Creighton. |
| Creighton | How so? |
| Keldirk | Based on your appearance, most folk would consider you slow-witted and dim. (slaps Creighton on the back) But, I'm happy to say, that is obviously not the case. |
| Creighton | (smiles) I learnt very early in life not to take anything at face value. (pauses to unbuckle his armour) Besides; the stupider you look the more surprised people are when you kill them. |
| Craven | (laughs) |
| Keldirk | (laughs) |
| Craven | We'll come back in the morning and see how he's doing. (thumbs at Azareth) |
| Keldirk | Yes, I want to hear from his lips exactly what he told the guild torturer. |
Keldirk and Craven returned to their room, leaving Creighton to tend to Azareth. Craven unstrapped his weapon belt and armour and clambered into bed.
| Keldirk | (sits on his bed and tugs at a stubborn boot) I don't think we should sleep without a watch tonight. If Azareth told them anything we might be having guests. |
| Craven | (nods) Fair enough. You take the first watch, wake me when it's my turn. |
| Keldirk | I'm going to hook up the crossbow trap, so if you feel the need to empty your bladder don't forget to disarm it before opening the door. |
| Craven | Gotcha. |
The remainder of the night was uneventful. In the morning, Craven and Keldirk dressed then proceeded immediately to Creighton and Azareth's room.
| Azareth | (sits up on his elbows as the two assassins enter) I am glad everything went well with your mission in the docklands. I do apologise I was unable to be here to welcome you on your return; I was ... (coughs) ... otherwise engaged. |
| Keldirk | Cut the dramatics mage. |
| Craven | How are you feeling? |
| Azareth | I have felt better. But Creighton has done a splendid job cleaning my wounds. I should be back on my feet in no time. |
| Keldirk | (sarcastically) Wonderful. |
| Craven | How is your eye? |
| Azareth | Apart from the fact it feels like a pumpkin - it is fine. I have retained my vision, which is the main thing. |
| Keldirk | What did you tell the torturer, mage? |
| Azareth | (coughs, then sips on a mug of water) As you are aware, I was taken from this room on the night of your indoctrination. I know not where I was taken as my two attackers knocked me unconscious in this room. I awoke to find myself in a cell, lying prone, bound but not gagged. I have reason to believe I was underground, perhaps near a sewer. When I woke I was questioned by two men - one named Toothless Andy and the other, a more senior member, called Haldar. Toothless Andy knew the torturer's art well and if it weren't for my training I would surely have divulged too much information. After they had questioned me, Haldar left and Toothless Andy set to work with his fists. I was barely cognisant at this time and I am only dimly aware of what transpired from that moment on. I assume that the beating was unsanctioned for it ended abruptly and I distinctly heard some harsh words between Toothless Andy and another man who's voice I couldn't recognise. |
| Keldirk | (shakes his head) Is there any way we might be able to speed this up? |
| Creighton | (looks to Keldirk) Shut up! |
| Azareth | I was woken sometime later and was ordered to open my spellbook. It seems someone tried to open it while I was unconscious and the magical protections that guard my tome killed the man. I refused to open it, of course, which only made them angrier. I then informed them that should they look upon the pages of my book they would lose their minds, if not their lives. |
| Craven | Is that true? |
| Azareth | No. (smiles) But it stopped them from prying. I was then taken from the torturer's cell to another room. I was chained to the wall and left to die. The next thing I knew I was lying on the carpet of a plush office looking up at you three and a fire breathing halfling. |
| Craven | Fire breathing? That was Simpkin - smoking a cigar. |
| Azareth | Of course. I was not in full control of my faculties at this point so- |
| Keldirk | Did you mention anything about the Family to the inquisitor? |
| Azareth | (regards Keldirk coolly) Of course not. You have a low opinion of me, Keldirk. Why is that? |
| Keldirk | I have no opinion of you, mage. And I - sure as Hades - don't need to explain myself to you! |
| Craven | (to Azareth) Keldirk says your wounds were administered by a professional torturer. How did you keep from divulging more? |
| Azareth | I have asked myself that. As Toothless Andy and Haldar's questions threatened to lead to more sensitive issues, the pain seemed to flow from my body and my mind was strangely clear. I was able to look on to the damage done to my body almost as though I were an observer. From this point I was able to answer his questions in a calm, rational manner. In short, I told them nothing that they did not already conclude from my person and equipment. They knew I was a spellcaster and could tell from my accent that I was not Almorian. I confirmed that we four were only recently associated, but I feel they gleaned nothing of any import from that seemingly interminable session of torture. |
| Keldirk | (nods, an expression of surprise and admiration on his youthful face) I had you pegged as a squealer, mage. |
| Azareth | I told them nothing. I guess things turned out pretty well in the end. |
| Craven | Well, you're not out of the woods yet. You still have to perform a loyalty test for Simpkin. |
| Azareth | Yes, that is of no small concern. But I will give it my best shot. |
| Craven | Whatever happens, I'll be there with you. Our lives are tied to your success and I want to make sure you succeed. |
The next day Slade made contact with Azareth and told him the details of his test. Azareth went directly to Craven's room to discuss the matter.
| Azareth | There is an area of devastation near the walls of the High Quarter where a fire destroyed an entire block. It has yet to be rebuilt. At midnight tonight there will be a meeting in the heart of this burned block between a city guard and a thief. I am to kill both men. |
| Craven | That's it? |
| Azareth | Yes. |
| Craven | Did Slade tell you that you were to go alone? |
| Azareth | No, but it was implied. |
| Craven | Good! If it wasn't explicitly stated that you should go alone then I'm going to be there with you in case things get out of hand. |
| Azareth | (smiles) Thank you. My ribs are still sorely bruised and, I must admit, the thought of battling two trained fighting men doesn't fill me full of confidence. (grasps Craven's hand warmly) I accept - and welcome - your offer of aid. |
While Craven and Azareth discussed plans for Azareth's test, Keldirk proceeded to Sam the herbalist's shop in the Artisan's quarter.
| Sam | Ah, hello again. Val Rorn, isn't it? |
| Keldirk | Yes. I just came to see if you had learned anything. |
| Sam | As a matter of fact I do have some news for you. As you know I passed the sample to a friend of mine and I received word today that he has had some success. |
| Keldirk | (smiles) That is good news. |
| Sam | Indeed. He sent word this morning that he wants to meet you, to discuss his findings. He asked me extend his invitation for you to come to his estate in the High Quarter. |
| Keldirk | The High Quarter, eh? |
| Sam | Yes, he maintains a moderate estate on Sunstream Terrace. the gentleman's name is Ethan Mulkynd. Can you read? |
| Keldirk | Yes. |
| Sam | (scribbles on a piece of parchment and hands it to Keldirk) Here is the date, time and address. The invitation is for dinner and Ethan told me that a third party will be present- |
| Keldirk | What? How many people has he told? I didn't want this to become public knowledge! |
| Sam | Um, as far as I know Ethan only told one other - a mage friend who hails from a distant land. It is this mage who will provide the majority of the information. |
| Keldirk | (nods) Thankyou, Sam. You have been most helpful. |
| Sam | As I have always said, I am ever the student. If the opportunity to learn presents itself I will do what I can to make it happen. Now is there anything else I can do for you? |
| Keldirk | No, that's all for now I suppose. (thinks) However, if Ethan needs to contact me I can be found at the Silver Gauntlet, though I may be moving from there in the next few days. |
| Sam | (nods) Let me know if and when you move. |
That night Azareth and Craven departed for the burned block, they had arrived early and spent time familiarising themselves with the area. The block was in a section of the Artisan's Quarter which had burnt to the ground several months ago. The fire had all but destroyed the houses as well as some businesses and as yet no effort had been made to repair the extensive damage. The twisted maze of charred wood and rubble provided many convenient places to hide. The two assassins evicted two families who had made a home for themselves among the ruins.
| Craven | (points to dark alcove) I'll be in there. |
| Azareth | (nods) |
| Craven | There's a good chance that someone from the guild will be here to evaluate your performance. I'll stay out of sight unless things go bad or you call for help. |
| Azareth | What is the signal? |
| Craven | Just call for help. |
| Azareth | Subtle. |
| Craven | Chances are they'll meet over there. (points) |
| Azareth | How can you tell? |
| Craven | There are multiple exits, very little debris underfoot, it's open enough to let the moonlight through and it's hard to see from the surrounding streets. If I was going to meet someone here, that area would be my choice. (points to a fallen wall) You hide behind there. |
| Azareth | Okay. |
Azareth concealed himself behind the fallen wall, cleared the rubble from under his feet and settled down to wait. Craven had chosen well, Azareth's vantage point provided a good view of the area and offered some protection from any would-be assailants. Azareth formulated a plan of attack; he only had the use of one spell and it was important that he ready himself. The last thing he needed was a repeat of the all consuming fear which gripped him during the incident on the caravan prior to reaching Del Mord. Azareth was sure he had exorcised those demons but couldn't shake the doubt which threatened to break his concentration.
Azareth's plan was simple. He would kill the thief with his magic missile, then throw two daggers at the guard. If the guard did not die, he would draw his last dagger and enter melee. If his two daggers missed their target he would call for Craven before closing; he knew his chances were slim against a fully fit, armoured soldier.
Azareth's heart began to race and his confidence evaporated like the morning mists when a cloaked figure emerged from the shadows and leaned against a blackened frame. Azareth bit his lip and resited the urge to begin casting his spell and resolved to wait until the second man arrived. He did not have to wait long. Another man strode confidently into the block dressed in the livery of the Del Mord City Militia.
The guard stood in the middle of the cleared area, a hand on his sword as the first man approached.
| Watchman | Do you have my money? |
| Thief | (nods) Have you brought the item? |
| Watchman | Yes, place my payment at your feet and I will do the same. We will swap positions and walk away. |
| Thief | Done. (places a bulky pouch at his feet) |
| Watchman | (places a small sack at his feet then steps back and begins to circle around toward the money pouch) |
| Thief | (steps back and makes his way toward the sack - his back to Azareth) |
Azareth completed his incantation and a green bolt of energy leapt from his pointed finger and shot into the thief's back. The man clutched at the wound before falling unmoving to the ground. The guard drew his sword and charged Azareth preventing the mage from throwing his daggers. Azareth raised his daggers and stood to face the fast approaching guard; a feeling of impending doom growing with each of the guard's steps.
| Watchman | (realises that he faces a single opponent) Lower your weapons! (looks around for other attackers) |
| Azareth | (swallows and lashes out with a dagger - slicing nothing but air) |
| Watchman | (steps in and aims a powerful cut at Azareth's shoulder) |
| Azareth | (raises his other dagger, barely managing to deflect the blow) |
| Azareth | (Slashes with his off hand opening a cut in the guard's forearm) |
| Watchman | (steps back, his eyes widening in surprise) You'll pay for that. (Feints with his longsword but kicks Azareth in the groin) |
| Azareth | (screams and falls to the ground - scampering backwards) |
| Craven | (emerges from his hiding place and moves silently towards the combat - a stiletto in his hand) |
| Azareth | (wedges himself into a tiny crevice using his daggers to fend away the guard's blade) |
| Watchman | (stabs with his sword to no avail) Come out of there cretin! You can't hide in there forever. |
| Craven | (continues to close on the watchman) |
| Watchman | (begins to chop at a support beam hoping to bury Azareth) |
| Azareth | (screams as he feels the roof start to collapse) |
| Craven | (plunges his stiletto into the watchman's back - piercing both lung and heart) |
| Watchman | (dies) |
Azareth crawled out of his hiding place just as the roof collapsed sending clouds of dust and soot into the air.
| Craven | (helps Azareth to his feet) Are you okay? |
| Azareth | (coughs) Yes, but chances of progeny are slim. |
| Craven | I'll search the bodies, you get the sack and the pouch. |
After they cleaned the soot from their clothing they returned to the Silver Gauntlet and went immediately to their room.
| Craven | You surprised me tonight Azareth? |
| Azareth | How so? |
| Craven | I wasn't expecting you to have the skill with dagger you showed tonight; that was nice riposte. I figured you'd have spent too much time in the library to learn martial skills. |
| Azareth | My training included time with Blademaster Kyam. He taught me the fundamentals; I have no delusions of grandeur, however. |
| Craven | (laughs) Kyam's training served you well tonight. |
| Azareth | Indeed it did. Shall we examine our ill-gotten gains? |
Azareth opened the sack and withdrew a small wooden box and placed it on the bed. Craven emptied the pouch onto the bed, a veritable torrent of platinum coins spilled onto the bedclothes.
| Craven | (whistles) Money |
| Azareth | (whistles) Money |
| Creighton | (whistles) Money |
| Keldirk | (picks up a handful of coins allowing them to spill through his fingers) Trouble! |
| 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. |