Episode 36 – Party Politics
| The Assassins |
Azareth - Wizard 3rd Level LE (PC) Creighton - Fighter 3rd Level LE (PC) Craven - Fighter / Rogue 2nd/2nd LE (CE emerging) (PC) Keldirk - Rogue 4th level NE (PC) |
| Locale | In the River Snag Hostel |
| Date | 3rd Growfest, 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Mid afternoon. |
Azareth was the first to wake. He looked across the room to Creighton and was relieved to see the big man breathing evenly. It had been touch and go for a while; the grievous neck wound Creighton received at the hand of Runcas had stretched Azareth's healing skills to their limit. No doubt, Creighton was lucky to be alive today. The mage turned his head to Craven's bed, half expecting it to find it empty. It was not. Craven lay on his bed sleeping peacefully, a crumpled pile of bloodied clothes at the foot of his bed.
| Azareth | (quietly to himself) You have got some nerve sleeping here, Craven. |
Azareth sat up and looked across to Keldirk's sleeping pallet. The young thief slept soundly, his favourite knives - as always - next to his pillow. Azareth feared what would happen when Keldirk woke and found Craven in the room. Before Keldirk and Azareth had fallen asleep the night before, they had taken part in a heated discussion on the night's events. Azareth had the distinct impression that Keldirk would attack Craven at their next meeting, such was the extent of the young thief's ire. By the time Keldirk and Azareth finally drifted off to sleep, Craven had not yet returned.
Azareth swung out of bed and quietly moved across to his backpack. He withdrew his pouch of herbs and set about making a healing poultice. Once he was satisfied with the composition of herbs he moved across to Creighton's bed and gently roused him.
| Creighton | (feebly, his throat aching with the effort of speech) Wha? |
| Azareth | (places a hand on Creighton's brow) It's me, Azareth. Can you sit up? I need to change your dressing. |
| Creighton | (nods and rises, the effort sending jolts of pain through his body) My throat hurts... |
| Azareth | (helps Creighton up and starts to change the bandages) Shh. You've been cut badly, Creighton. It's better if you try not to talk. |
| Keldirk | (awoken by the soft talking, opens one eye and surveys the room) |
| Azareth | (peels the blood-sodden bandages from around Creighton's neck and examines the result of last night's ministrations) It's looking a bit better. (examines the wound with his fingers, testing for signs of infection) It looks clean which is good news. (looks around the room) I could do with some clean water, though. Psst, Keldirk, are you awake? |
| Keldirk | I am now, thanks to you. |
| Azareth | Refill that bowl, please. Clean, tepid water. |
| Keldirk | Why don't you ask him to do it. (indicates Craven) He's the one responsible. |
| Azareth | It was Runcas' blade that dealt this wound, Keldirk. Let us not forget that. |
| Keldirk | Bah. I'll get your bloody water. Give me a moment. |
| Azareth | (turns back to Creighton) Lie back down, big man. Try and get some rest. |
| Creighton | (lies down with a sigh and tries to piece together the events of last night) |
| Craven | (hears Keldirk getting dressed) Hey, keep it down. I'm trying to get some sleep- |
| Keldirk | (with venom) You'd best keep your mouth shut, weasel. |
| Craven | (instantly awake) What did you say? |
| Keldirk | You heard me. (leaves the room with the empty washing bowl, slamming the door behind him) |
| Craven | (looks to Azareth and indicates the door) What's his problem? |
| Azareth | Keldirk is a little upset. (pauses for a moment) And rightly so, I might add. |
| Craven | (pulls on a clean pair of trousers and pads over to Creighton's bed) Yuk, he's a mess. What happened. |
| Azareth | (incredulous) You don't remember? |
| Creighton | (opens his eyes and growls at Craven, a low rumbling deep in his chest, then coughs - spitting up blood) |
| Craven | No. Should I? |
| Azareth | (with disdain) Most assuredly. |
| Craven | Hmph. (baffled, returns to his backpack and continues to dress) At least the goblin is dead. |
| Azareth | (wryly) Oh, you remember that do you? |
| Craven | Of course. (stops pulling on his boot) Azareth, what are you insinuating? What is going on here? |
| Azareth | I think this should wait until Keldirk returns. |
| Craven | (laughs) Keldirk! What could he possibly contribute to this conversation? That boy has a definite attitude problem. |
| Azareth | Well, we are going to wait anyway. Okay? |
| Craven | (shrugs) Suit yourself. (tries to recall what happened to Creighton - the images come to him jumbled and confused) |
A few minutes later Keldirk returned and, without a glance at Craven, handed the bowl of water to Azareth.
| Keldirk | (looks at Creighton's wound) Is he going to live? |
| Azareth | (frowns, his voice tinged with uncertainty) Yes, of course. |
| Keldirk | (peers closer) You really think so? I see the blade didn't sever the carotid artery but there are other concerns. |
| Azareth | Do you think me unaware of that? There are a multitude of issues here but it is my considered opinion the worst is over. The blood loss has been stopped and the wound looks clean. He will be off his feet for a while, but I have absolutely no doubt that he shall pull through. |
| Keldirk | (raises his eyebrows and shakes his head) Perhaps. It looks bad to me. |
| Creighton | (groans - softly) |
| Keldirk | (returns to his bunk and straps his weapon's belt about his waist) If he lives through the day I'll be amazed. |
| Azareth | Shut your mouth, Keldirk! That kind of talk will not help Creighton one bit. |
| Keldirk | I'm not going to lie, mage. I'll tell it how I see it and from where I'm standing it doesn't look good. |
| Craven | He'll live. |
| Keldirk | (turns on his heel) No thanks to you, arsehole. |
| Craven | (a little taken aback) Arsehole? |
| Keldirk | Yes, arsehole. |
| Craven | What did I do? (looks across to Azareth) Tell me what happened last night? |
| Keldirk | (interrupts Azareth) You screwed up. Big time. |
| Craven | I've had just about enough of you for one day, Keldirk. If you wish to remain healthy I suggest you shut up. |
| Keldirk | (laughs) See, mage, he won't be satisfied until he's killed us all. |
| Azareth | (finishes the last of his ministrations and rises from Creighton's bed) Harsh words will only exacerbate the problem. Let us try to remain calm. (looks to Creighton) We shall go downstairs to talk, Creighton needs to sleep. |
| Creighton | (with considerable effort and pain) No. Stay here. I want to listen. |
| Azareth | (looks at Creighton, concerned) Okay Creighton, we shall discuss it here. (to Keldirk and Craven) Sit down then, we should all take a few deep breaths and remember who we are. |
| Craven | (sits on his bed) |
| Keldirk | I'd rather stand. |
| Azareth | (sits on his bed) We are professional assassins who have been asked to work together. We are a team. We are all on the same side. Let us keep that in mind. |
| Creighton | (tries to sit up, but slumps back into his pillow) |
| Craven | (nods at Azareth's words) So, tell me, what happened last night? What did I do that was so horrible? |
| Keldirk | You killed the goblin, you useless piece of shit. |
| Craven | Yeah, and? |
| Keldirk | We were supposed to take it alive. Remember? |
| Craven | So I got a little carried away. |
| Azareth | (under his breath) Understatement of the decade. |
| Keldirk | A little carried away! (laughs humourlessly) You cut the little freak up into tiny chunks. You call that a "little carried away"? |
| Craven | (remembers, vaguely, dismembering Runcas) The goblin cut me pretty bad, Keldirk. Let's see if you can hold back when it happens to you. |
| Keldirk | I am the very embodiment of control, Craven. (smiles) |
| Azareth | I am not so concerned with the manner of the goblin's demise, rather what you allowed to happen to Creighton. |
| Craven | What I allowed to happen? What are you talking about? Creighton is responsible for his own actions. |
| Keldirk | (laughs) |
| Azareth | Incorrect. We are a team and each us have a responsibility to help keep each other alive. You showed an almost callous disregard for Creighton's safety last night. If the goblin had not rolled him off the roof to where I was waiting, Creighton would most assuredly be dead right now. |
| Creighton | (makes a soft whimper) |
| Craven | (looks to Creighton solemnly, then back at Azareth) I still have no idea what you're talking about. |
| Keldirk | (spits) Selective memory loss, Craven. An excellent defence, I'll have to remember that one. |
| Craven | (sneers at Keldirk, then turns to the mage) Azareth, tell me what I did that was so terrible. |
| Azareth | The goblin used his magic to immobilise Creighton early on in the melee and then used him as a hostage in the hope to keep you at bay. Runcas held his short sword at Creighton's throat and threatened to kill him if you approached. (sadly) You never even slowed your advance, Craven. It was like Creighton was invisible. |
| Keldirk | Nah. More like Creighton was irrelevant. |
| Craven | (places his head in his hands) It can't be true. |
| Keldirk | Face the facts, Jack. |
| Craven | (runs his fingers through his hair and stares at the pile of bloodied clothes at the foot of his bed) No. |
| Keldirk | Yup, 'fraid so. |
| Azareth | (casts Keldirk a disapproving glance) Perhaps you were ensorcelled by Runcas. Did you feel any magical effects take hold during your fight? I know of spells that incite violence in others and it is conceivable that the goblin used such a dweomer upon you. |
| Craven | (meets Azareth's stare, his expression solemn) Don't provide me with a convenient excuse, Azareth, in this frame of mind I'm liable to use it. (shakes his head) No, I felt no magical influence. Hell, I can't even remember the incident with Creighton. I have no idea what I was thinking at that time other than the certainty that the goblin must die. |
| Keldirk | Well, you got that part right. |
| Craven | Give it a rest, Keldirk. I feel bad enough as it is without your constant barbs. |
| Keldirk | Not as bad as Creighton feels, I'm sure. |
| Craven | (stands) I said, give it a rest. |
| Keldirk | Or what? |
| Craven | Or you'll regret it. Don't make me hurt you. |
| Keldirk | (rests his hands on the pommels of his knives) Tsk, tsk. Remember what Azareth said, dear boy, we're all on the same side. (pauses, regarding Craven coldly) Or are we? Based on last night's efforts your loyalty must be under considerable doubt. |
| Craven | (his anger rising, steps toward Keldirk, and indicates the thief's knives) Go ahead. I dare you. It'll be the last move you make. |
| Azareth | (gulps, a little concerned) Keldirk, don't provoke him. |
| Keldirk | (smiles evilly) Well, Craven. What is it going to be? Despite your best efforts you failed to kill Creighton last night, am I to be your next victim? |
| Craven | (whisks his rapier from its sheath and points it at Keldirk's heart, his rage beginning to surface) You asked for it. |
| Keldirk | (raises his hands, backs away and looks to Azareth) I rest my case. |
| Craven | Huh? |
| Azareth | Sit down, Keldirk. Put your sword away, Craven. |
| Keldirk | (sits down, a smug look on his face) |
| Craven | (sheaths his rapier, the rage dissipating like a morning fog) |
| Keldirk | You see, mage. All it takes is a little provocation and he loses it. (to Craven) No control. |
| Craven | (shocked at what just transpired and more than a little confused) |
| Keldirk | Mage, I suggest you go visit Vesper and ask for a replacement. (thumbs in Craven's direction) This model is defective. |
| Azareth | No. We leave Vesper out of this. This matter has to be settled between us; we will only lose face with The Family if we make this formal. |
| Keldirk | What do you propose? The only way I'll trust him is if his hands are tied together. |
| Craven | That won't be necessary. Obviously I have some issues to sort out. Now I that I have been made aware of my shortcomings I'll take steps to remedy them. I swear, I will make every effort to keep my anger in check. |
| Keldirk | (sarcastically) Well, I feel a lot safer. How about you, mage? Creighton? (laughs) |
| Azareth | (seriously) Craven, no one can get you through this but you. We'll stand by you if you give it your best shot. |
| Keldirk | Speak for yourself, mage. (sneers at Craven) If there is a weed in the garden you remove it; you don't leave it there and hope it becomes a rose. I'll not trust him until he proves, beyond any doubt, he has regained some semblance of control. |
| Craven | (nods) Fair enough. Your points are valid and I'll do my best to regain your trust. I make that promise to all three of you. (to Keldirk) But I want you to stay out of my way. You have a habit of getting under people's skin. |
| Keldirk | I know. (grins) |
A knock on the door put a halt to their conversation.
| Azareth | Who is it? |
| Keldirk | (draws a knife and hides it behind his back) |
| Craven | (kicks the pile of bloodied clothes under his bed) |
| Young Voice | I have a message for Mister Azareth. |
| Azareth | That's me. Slide the message under the door. |
| Young Voice | (a little hesitation) How do I know you are Mister Azareth? |
| Azareth | Because I said I am. |
| Young Voice | Um, okay. (slides a sealed envelope under the door) |
| Keldirk | (rolls his eyes) Idiot. |
| Azareth | (picks up the message and examines the seal) It's from Mickey Moritz. |
| Craven | (sarcastically) Wonderful. |
| Keldirk | So, what does he want? |
| Azareth | (opens the envelope and reads the contents) He wants the four of us to come to a warehouse in the Foreign Quarter. |
| Keldirk | When? |
| Azareth | Midnight, tonight. |
| Craven | Strange time for a business meeting. |
| Azareth | And they want us to make sure we aren't followed. Creighton will have to stay behind; he's in no condition to walk. |
| Craven | (moves across to Creighton's bed and squats down beside the injured warrior) Creighton, can you hear me? |
| Creighton | (nods - his lips curl in a sneer) |
| Craven | I'm sorry for what happened. I know that probably doesn't mean much to you right now, but it's true. I am truly sorry. I never meant to cause you any harm. |
| Creighton | (his voice cracked and hoarse) Do it again and I'll kill you. |
| Craven | I'd never hurt you willingly, Creighton. You have to know that. I am so sorry. |
| Creighton | (nods) I'll forgive you, this time. |
| Keldirk | (sniffs and wipes his eyes in a mock display of emotion) Touching. Does any one have a handkerchief? |
| Azareth | You aren't funny, Keldirk. |
| Keldirk | (snorts) Mages, no sense of humour. |
Later that night Azareth, Keldirk and Craven proceeded to Warehouse number twelve, half way down Wolf-fang alley. The large double doors at the front of the ramshackle building were heavily chained so they proceed around back and knocked on a smaller door.
| Voice | (beyond the door) Yes. |
| Craven | We are expected. |
| Voice | Names? |
| Craven | Craven, Azareth and Valrorn. |
| Voice | (unlocks the door and swings it open) Enter. |
The three assassins entered the warehouse and looked warily around what appeared to be a sparsely furnished office. Before they could take careful stock of their surroundings they were ushered out of the room, through a solid wooden door and into the warehouse-proper. Several torches flickered dimly throughout the massive chamber; the inadequate light unable to chase away the foreboding shadow. In the centre of the room, illuminated by a small circle of light, sat a simple wooden table and six chairs, none of which were occupied. From the darkness a voice was heard.
| Voice #1 | Where is your other companion? |
| Keldirk | Who are you? |
| Voice #1 | Answer the question. Where is the fourth man? |
| Azareth | (recognising the voice from his time in Simpkin's dungeon) He is unwell. |
| Voice #1 | (whispers something) |
| Voice #2 | (whispers in return) |
| Craven | (raises his eyebrows to Keldirk in inquiry) |
| Keldirk | (his fingers moving rapidly, almost imperceptibly, in Thieves Cant) I couldn't make it out. |
| Craven | (frowns) |
| Voice #1 | (more whispers) |
| Keldirk | (coughs) Is this going to take long? I'm missing out on my beauty sleep. |
| Voice #1 | (loudly) Take a seat, gentlemen. |
The three assassins strode confidently forward and sat down at the table. Seconds later two men emerged from the darkness and joined the assassins. One of the men was the slimy lawyer Mickey Moritz, the other was Haldar, a high-ranking member of Simpkin's Thieves Guild.
| Mickey | The gentleman seated to my right is Haldar. He is here with Mister Furzear's full authority. |
| Keldirk | (unimpressed) And? |
| Mickey | And he would like to say a few words. Haldar? |
| Haldar | I'll keep this simple and to the point; I'd hate to be responsible for any misunderstandings. It seems Mickey's warning fell on deaf ears. The renovations were scheduled to commence on The Whistler at the end of last month. That date has since elapsed. Why? |
| Azareth | (clears his throat) There have been extenuating circumstances, Haldar. We tried to alert Mister Moritz of a likely delay but he didn't seem interested in the details. |
| Mickey | You lie. |
| Keldirk | (to Mickey) Screw you! |
| Haldar | Watch your tongue, Valrorn. If it continues to flap you'll lose it. |
| Keldirk | (bites off a stinging retort) |
| Haldar | (smiles at Keldirk's frustration) Smart man. (turns his attention back to Azareth) Now, tell me, why isn't the tavern ready for the work crews? |
| Craven | (cuts Azareth short) We are close, very close. All we need is a few more days. In fact, one major obstacle was removed just last night. I assure you, Haldar, we are making every effort. It is not a simple thing you have asked us to perform. |
| Mickey | It sounds simple to me; empty the tavern so work can begin. |
| Craven | With all due respect, Mickey, shut the fuck up. |
| Mickey | (opens his mouth wide, but no words come out) |
| Haldar | You say you have made some progress. That is good. I hope, for your sake, it's enough to appease Simpkin. |
| Mickey | (regains his composure, opens a leather satchel and withdraws some papers) Do you idiots have any idea how much you are costing Mister Furzear? |
| Craven | I'm sure you're about to tell us. |
| Mickey | We have lumber waiting on the wharves, masonry supplies in storage and a crew of twelve skilled artisans on a hefty retainer. I could go on- |
| Craven | I'm sure. |
| Mickey | -but I will spare you the finer details. Suffice it to say that your ineptitude is costing our mutual employer the sum of five gold, three silver pieces a day. (places the papers back in the satchel and closes the lid with a slap) What do you say to that? |
| Azareth | Please extend our humble apologies to Mister Furzear; we had no idea. We were under the impression that the guild wanted the job done right, the first time. Haldar, as you surely appreciate, removing the ghost is not a trivial matter. My colleagues and I will have the matter resolved, permanently, by the conclusion of Growfest. If that timeframe is unacceptable then we must humbly withdraw our services. |
| Haldar | You'd best hope it doesn't come to that, Azareth of Westwall. (thinks, tapping his temples with his fingers) I will allow you until the close of Growfest before... before reparations will be made. Do you understand? |
| Craven | (nods) Of course. |
| Keldirk | (smiles a fake smile) Sounds dandy. |
| Azareth | Thank you, Haldar. You have been a voice of reason. |
| Haldar | (raises a finger in warning) Remember, gentlemen, you entered into this agreement with your eyes open. We are not playing games, here. Simpkin is a serious man with a serious agenda. He does not handle disappointment well. I will attempt to present this situation to Simpkin in a favourable light but if you fail to meet your self-imposed deadline then you will find yourselves explaining your incompetence to Simpkin personally. Now go. |
| Mickey | Yes, go. |
| Craven | (sneers in Mickey's direction) You are a small man, Mickey Moritz. |
After leaving the warehouse the three assassins wandered towards The Whistler. None of them wanted to explain things to Simpkin "personally"; they all understood the threat in Haldar's words. After a quick discussion they decided to pay the ghost a visit and attempt to cut a deal. In a little over an hour they assembled at the front doors to the run-down tavern.
| Craven | (looks at the double doors) I'm feeling a little nervous. |
| Azareth | I, too, feel a little anxious. It is not every day that one willingly petitions to converse with the undead. |
| Keldirk | Well let's get it over with. Craven, open the doors. |
| Craven | (reaches forward and tests the doors, finding them unlocked) Let's do it. (opens one of the doors and strides inside, stopping a few yards into the common room) |
| Azareth | (indicates that Keldirk should follow) I'll watch the rear. |
| Keldirk | Like hell. (grabs Azareth by the sleeve and forces him inside) You first, mage. |
| Azareth | (rolls his eyes and moves to stand beside Craven) |
| Keldirk | (moves inside and takes his place midway between his companions and the door) |
| Craven | Ahem, Ghost. Are you here? |
Nothing.
| Craven | (waits) |
| Azareth | (loudly, with aplomb) Whistler's ghost I request that you make yourself known. We wish to converse. |
Nothing.
| Azareth | We cannot wait all night, Whistler's ghost. We know you are here, and we know you can hear us. We mean you no harm. |
| Craven | In fact, quite the opposite; we wish to help you in whatever endeavour you are undertaking. |
| Azareth | Please, Whistler's ghost. Appear before us. |
Nothing.
| Azareth | What is it you want? We are here to help? |
| Craven | Yes, damn it, speak with us. We have considerable resources at our disposal and would make invaluable allies. |
Nothing.
| Keldirk | (annoyed) Fuck it. Hey, ghost - we killed your little goblin-friend. We killed Runcas. |
| Craven | (looks at Keldirk in horror) |
| Azareth | (looks about the room nervously and shuffles nearer Craven) Oh dear. |
Suddenly the front doors slammed shut and a deathly chill permeated the room. A dull luminescent glow, seemingly without source, filled the tavern; its eerie light spawning a host of twisted shadows. The assassins huddled together, a preternatural fear clutching at their hearts. All the doors to the common room slammed shut and the glass in the windows turned black. From nowhere a fierce, bitterly cold wind arose sending dust and debris into the air, all but blinding the trio. The screams of a thousand tortured souls sent shivers through the assassins' spines and forced them to their knees. Torrents of blood flowed down the walls and dripped from the ceiling, coagulating into vast pools of scarlet on the cobblestone floor.
| Azareth | (screams) |
Appearing just beneath the surface of the walls, clawing against the stone, hundreds of withered figures strove to escape their torment. Anguished howls combined with the soul rending screams already in the air to form a ghastly cacophony of suffering and misery. The shadows on the floors and walls leapt to life, cavorting and gyrating in a primal dance.
The assassins were unable to tear their eyes from the terrifying spectacle before them. Each sight burned directly through their eyes, forever etched in their minds. Keldirk tried to run but his legs betrayed him. Azareth tried to find sanctuary within his mind but the sounds and visions overwhelmed his meditative powers. Craven drew his swords but dropped them with a clatter to the floor. He clutched his head in pain as the onslaught of sensations threatened to drive him to insanity. Just as the three assassins began to lose their grip on reality, the room fell silent. From beneath the floor, its arms wrapped about itself in a serene embrace, rose the Whistler Ghost.
| Ghost | The death of Runcas has sealed your fate. Through your actions you have sentenced me to another aeon of undeath. For that, you will pay. (floats towards the trio, its hands outstretched) |
| Azareth | (haltingly) Wait, we... we... we wish to help you. Take up where Runcas left off. |
| Ghost | (reaches for Craven) |
| Azareth | (draws on the reserves of his courage) Harm him and you seal your own fate! |
| Ghost | (stops and floats menacingly towards Azareth) You will pay for your crime with your soul. |
| Azareth | (slides backwards along the floor) Think. Just think for a moment. If you kill us, you will truly be alone. |
| Ghost | (pauses in midair, its ghostly robes billowing) |
| Azareth | (hurries on) We will willingly aid you in your quest; just give us the chance to prove our worth. |
| Craven | (rises to his knees and crawls towards Azareth) Yes, trust us. |
| Azareth | We can go where a goblin cannot. Surely that fact alone is worth the risk. |
| Craven | Couple that with the fact that there are four of us and you will see the wisdom in our offer. |
| Ghost | (regards Craven and Azareth coldly) And what do you ask in return? |
| Keldirk | The tavern. Give us the tavern. |
| Craven | And we will give you what you want. |
| Azareth | (nods) It is that simple. |
| Ghost | I will think on this. Stay here tonight as a guest of Varashar Tzamushakkan. Try to leave and you will die. I will give you my answer with the rising of the sun. (starts to descend into the floor but stops midway) Tell me, why did you kill Runcas? |
| Azareth | We wanted to give you no choice but to work with us. |
| Keldirk | Now we need each other. And that's a good basis for a relationship. |
| Ghost | (seemingly content with the answer, disappears) |
| Azareth | (breaths a sigh of relief) That was too close. |
| Keldirk | Don't celebrate yet, mage. This is far from over. |
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