Episode 37 – Membership
| 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 Whistler's common room, awaiting the return of the ghost |
| Date | 3rd Growfest, 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Early Morning |
Not one of the assassins got any sleep that night.
Across town, in the room of a ramshackle hostel, Creighton lay alone - a hair's breadth away from death. His throat felt raw with each intake of breath and it felt as though sometime during the night he had managed to re-open the wound. A quick check of the bed-sheets confirmed his fears. For what seemed like hours, Creighton weakly called for Azareth before he slumped back into his pillow and resigned himself to his fate. He lay still and stared wide-eyed at the ceiling, a meager scrap of sackcloth wrapped tightly about his throat. The only sound was the feeble rasping of his breath and the steady hum of circling flies. He had never felt more alone.
Deep in the heart of the Foreign Quarter, in the decrepit common room of The Whistler, Creighton's three colleagues were too frightened to drift into slumber. Instead, they spent the remainder of the night huddled in a tight group talking quietly among themselves. They didn't dare discuss any of their plans on the chance the ghost could hear them. Keldirk honed his knives incessantly; each slide of the whetstone sending Azareth's fragile nerves even further on edge. Craven spoke inanely about happier days and the fun times he had shared with Argos. He didn't notice, or perhaps didn't care, that his audience wasn't paying even the slightest skerrick of attention.
| Azareth | All this sitting around, just waiting, is driving me crazy. (shakes his head) I feel like I'm sitting in a cell waiting for the guards to lead me to the gallows. (sighs and looks across to Keldirk) Keldirk, would you please stop making that sound? |
| Keldirk | (looks up from his knives for a brief instant before resuming his work) |
| Azareth | Curse you, Keldirk. (shakes his head then looks around the dark room) Surely the sun is up by now. Do you think we should do something? |
| Craven | (sneers) What do you propose, Azareth? What brilliant plan have you devised? |
| Keldirk | (despite the situation, chuckles) |
| Azareth | No plan. I was just thinking- |
| Craven | Well do us all a favour and stop thinking. |
| Azareth | Fine. |
| Keldirk | (chortles) |
| Azareth | (rises and walks across to the still darkened windows) It should be morning by now. (wipes the window with the sleave of his robe) Strange, this magical blackness seems to have become an integral element of the window. I wonder what other powers this ghost has at its disposal? |
| Craven | Let's hope we are never in a position to find out. Now come back here and sit down. I don't want to give the ghost any reason to get violent. |
| Azareth | (studies the window a moment longer before returning to the others) |
| Keldirk | (slides his knife into its sheath and draws another blade) I hate being kept waiting. |
| Azareth | It seems we have little choice. The ghost's terms were quite specific; we try to leave and we die. |
| Keldirk | I heard what the ghost said, mage. All I said was I hate waiting. |
| Azareth | (speechless) |
Suddenly, as if on queue, the air in the common room chilled and the ghost rose through the stone floor and hovered some ten feet from the assassins. Its sexless face betrayed no emotion as it regarded the trio with lifeless eyes.
| Keldirk | (rises to his feet, butterflies fluttering in the pit of his stomach) |
| Craven | (stands and places a hand on his rapier) |
| Azareth | (moves forward, halving the distance between the others and the ghost) Well? What is your decision? |
| Ghost | If you help me I shall give you the tavern to do with as you will. |
| Azareth | (claps his hands in delight) Excellent. |
| Keldirk | (pushes forward) You will not harm those who enter the tavern? |
| Ghost | As long as you remain true to your part of the bargain, those who enter the tavern will be safe. |
| Craven | (joins Azareth nearer the ghost) Workmen will be arriving soon. Part of our bargain is that you allow the renovations to proceed without interference. Agreed? |
| Ghost | I care not for the structure. (floats a few feet higher) But there is one place that remains sacrosanct. |
| Craven | Uh, huh? |
| Ghost | Beneath the cellar is a vertical shaft. Do not allow people to venture there. The shaft is mine. |
| Craven | What about us? Will you let us look in the shaft? |
| Ghost | No, not yet. (raises a finger) But, once you have fulfilled your part of the bargain both the tavern and the shaft will be yours. |
| Keldirk | (distrustful) What's in the shaft? |
| Ghost | My salvation. |
| Keldirk | What in hell does that mean, 'my salvation'? |
| Ghost | (drifts lower, its translucent robes billowing) |
| Keldirk | Well? |
| Ghost | The Staff. You must find me the Cardass Staff. |
| Keldirk | What the hell are you talking about? |
| Azareth | Why? What is the Cardass Staff? |
| Ghost | The staff is that which will grant me salvation. |
| Craven | Where is it? Who has it? |
| Ghost | The goblin, Runcas, worked long and hard to locate its custodian. And only last week did he bring me the name. (pauses) |
| Keldirk | And? |
| Craven | What's the name? |
| Ghost | Guldar Heel. |
| Keldirk | (shrugs and looks to Craven) |
| Craven | (shakes his head) Azareth? |
| Azareth | Never heard of him. |
| Keldirk | (to the ghost) Who is Guldar Heel? |
| Ghost | Guldar Heel is a mage of no small repute. Runcas believed he maintains a tower within the River Quarter of Del Mord. |
| Keldirk | So, let me get this straight: we get this mage's staff, bring it to you and you die. Is that how it works? |
| Ghost | Yes, in a fashion. |
| Craven | How will this staff, this Cardass Staff, help you die? |
| Ghost | Beneath the floors of this tavern, at the base of the shaft rests the remains of my corporeal form. Those that ended my life cursed me to become what I am. The only way to break the curse is for my spirit to rejoin my remains. Only then will I find eternal peace. |
| Craven | You failed to answer the question. How will the Cardass Staff help you die? |
| Ghost | The magics within the staff will permit me to break through a barrier that separates me from my skeleton. |
| Azareth | What is the barrier? Who put it there? |
| Ghost | The barrier is an obsidian-like, magical wall of force placed there by those who slew me. The Cardass Staff will cut through this barrier with ease. |
| Craven | Perhaps we can tunnel around the wall. Would that help? |
| Ghost | No. I have been able to travel through matter for some time. The barrier is a sphere; it totally and utterly surrounds the chamber that holds my remains. |
| Craven | Damn. |
| Azareth | (rubs his chin thoughtfully) What do you know about this mage, this Guldar Heel? Perhaps we could borrow his staff? |
| Ghost | You may try but your chances for success are slim. According to my research, the staff will have to be broken to bring down the barrier. |
| Azareth | Will such a retributive strike result in any collateral damage? The tavern will be of no use to us if you destroy it to break through the barrier. |
| Ghost | No, there will be no physical damage. |
| Keldirk | Who put up the barrier? |
| Ghost | That is no concern of yours. |
| Keldirk | Crap. Tell me, who killed you and put up the barrier? |
| Ghost | (floats towards Keldirk, the deathly chill becoming painfully intense) That is my secret to keep. |
| Keldirk | (backs away) Okay, okay. Just making conversation, you know? |
| Craven | Well, Varashar Tzamushakkan, you have a deal. We will bring you the staff and you will leave us alone to do what we want with the tavern. That safety extends to everyone, workers and patrons alike. Agreed? |
| Ghost | (nods) You will bring me the staff as soon as possible. |
| Craven | We'll need to do some preliminary investigations, of course, but once we have determined exactly what we are up against, you will have your staff. |
| Ghost | Agreed. The tavern is yours. (disappears into the stones, his voice a hollow echo) |
| Craven | (sighs) Whew. |
| Keldirk | (claps his hands together, scaring Azareth half to death) Excellent. I'll tell Moritz the work can begin. I'll meet you boys at the River Snag. |
| Azareth | (breathless) Craven, shall we? (motions to the door) |
| Craven | Yes. |
| Azareth | (looks at the now transparent windows with professional curiosity) Impressive. |
| Craven | Huh? |
| Azareth | Nothing. (leaves the Whistler alongside Craven) I hope Creighton is feeling a little better. |
Once back at the dockside hostel, Craven and Azareth quickly discovered that Creighton was feeling worse - much, much worse.
| Craven | Perhaps I should go find a healer? This town is full of priests. |
| Azareth | No. We can't afford the clergy of Pelor to examine any one of us that closely; the aura of Vypre could alert them to our nature. (sadly) Creighton will have to rely on us to help him recover. |
| Craven | I hope he pulls through. I couldn't look myself in a mirror if he died because of me. |
| Azareth | (looks solemnly at Craven) It is well you understand that. (looks back to Creighton, concern in his eyes) It looks like he's been bleeding all night. (scribbles on a piece of parchment) Now, here is a list of herbs I want you to procure. Spare no expense. The herbs are costly but they are potent; if they don't help him pull through then nothing will. Make haste, I fear our time is short. |
| Craven | (snatches the piece of paper) I'll be back in no time. |
Keldirk walked somewhat wearily to the office of Mickey Moritz. It was still very early in the morning and when he found the doors locked he decided to sate his hunger with some fresh bread. After demolishing a steaming loaf he purchased from a local vendor, Keldirk bought himself a mug of cider and returned to find Mickey's office open for business. Keldirk ambled lazily into the foyer and proceeded directly to Mickey's office-door, ignoring the startled look of the pretty, young desk clerk.
| clerk | (hautily) Ahem. Can I help you? |
| Keldirk | Nup. (bangs on the door) |
| clerk | Do you have an appointment, sir? |
| Keldirk | (tries the handle but finds the door locked) Moritz, open the door! |
| clerk | Sir, if you persist with this rudeness I will be forced to alert the watch. Now come away from there. |
| Keldirk | (spins on his heels and advances menacingly on the young girl) Are you threatening me? |
| clerk | (frozen) Um. (glances at the door) I was just saying- |
| Keldirk | (quickly grasps the girl by her throat and pulls her across the desk towards him) |
| clerk | (swallows hard, fear in her eyes) |
| Keldirk | (pulls her to within a hair's breadth of his own face) Don't ever talk to me again. (slowly and deliberately, licks her from chin to forehead before pushing her away) |
| clerk | (slumps back in her chair, her face ashen) |
| Mickey | (watching from his office door) Bravo. (applauds softly) Your courage astounds me, Mr Valrorn. Tormenting young ladies must make you feel quite the man. (his expression darkens) Now, leave her alone and wait for me in my office. I will attend to you in a moment. |
| Keldirk | (turns to face Mickey) You'll attend to me now, Moritz. (walks hurriedly into Mickey's office, pulling the skinny business man inside with him) |
| Mickey | Unhand me, or I shall see you flayed alive before the sun sets. |
| Keldirk | (coldly) Your threats don't concern me, Moritz. (kicks the office door shut behind him) |
| Mickey | It's not me you have to worry about? |
| Keldirk | (sneers) |
| Mickey | (takes his seat behind his large wooden desk and tries to gather his composure) What do you want? Your kind isn't generally awake at this time of day. |
| Keldirk | (smiles despite himself) I haven't slept, yet. |
| Mickey | Ahh, perhaps that explains your foul disposition this morning? |
| Keldirk | No. |
| Mickey | I see. (motions to the chair across the desk) Take a seat. I am a busy, busy man and you've already wasted too much of my time with your childish antics. |
| Keldirk | I prefer to stand. (looks about the office appraisingly, taking great delight in Mickey's displeasure) |
| Mickey | Well? |
| Keldirk | The tavern. It's yours. Send the workers in today, if you like. |
| Mickey | The ghost? |
| Keldirk | Will no longer be of concern, I took care of the matter personally. |
| Mickey | Good. (stands up and extends his hand across the table) Then it is with dubious delight that I welcome you and your colleagues into the guild as full members. |
| Keldirk | (ignores Mickey's outstretched hand) I thought we already were. |
| Mickey | (withdraws his hand) You were mistaken. Only now, with the ghost eliminated, will Mister Furzear recognise your worth. In fact, there will probably be a party to celebrate your inauguration into the guild. These events are customarily held at Mister Furzear's farm. Once I have notified Mr Furzear of your achievement I will see to it that details of the party are forwarded to you at (shuffles some papers on his desk) The River Snag Hostel. |
| Keldirk | A party? That won't be necessary. |
| Mickey | Be that as it may, your attendance is mandatory. (waves his hand nonchalantly) You are dismissed. |
| Keldirk | (turns and leaves) |
Once outside Mickey's office, Keldirk approached the clerk's desk. The girl shrank away in fear as Keldirk blew her a kiss before stepping out into the street. The young assassin returned to the hostel, relayed Mickey's invitation to the others and caught up on some much needed sleep.
Later that night Keldirk woke to find the room silent save Creighton's laboured breathing. He dressed and shook the warrior awake.
| Keldirk | Creighton? |
| Creighton | (feebly) Huh? |
| Keldirk | Where are the others? |
| Creighton | Vesper. (coughs) |
| Keldirk | (nods) I'm going out. I'll be back later. |
| Creighton | (already asleep) |
Keldirk left the Hostel and entered the surprisingly chill night air. With his cloak wrapped tightly about him, the young assassin walked down the Strip and entered the Green Dragon. It was a busy night and Keldirk had to settle on a small, rickety table near the kitchen. During his meal three men approached and sat down beside him. Keldirk placed a hand on the hilt of a knife and watched them with unfriendly eyes.
| man #1 | Do I know you? |
| Keldirk | (shakes his head) No. Bugger off. |
| man #2 | My name is Macca. This is Calahan and that's Shayne. |
| Keldirk | So? |
| Macca | So, you've heard of us, right? |
| Keldirk | No. Piss off. |
| Macca | Steady on, pal. |
| Shayne | We just wanna know if you've seen Creighton lately? |
| Keldirk | (looks at the trio closely and remembers Creighton mentioning their names) Maybe. |
| Shayne | We're just wondering where he is. We haven't seen him around here in ages. |
| Calahan | Is he okay? |
| Macca | We need a fourth to play Hydra, you know? |
| Keldirk | Creighton is occupied at the moment. I'm sure he'll be back to play with you kiddies sometime soon. Now go away and let me finish my meal in peace. |
| Macca | Well, as long as he's okay. |
| Shayne | Yeah. As long as he's okay. Give him our regards, will ya? |
| Keldirk | I'll be sure to do that. (smiles unpleasantly and returns to his meal) |
After dinner, Keldirk proceeded across town to the heart of the Foreign Quarter. He strolled along the busy streets until he found the wily information merchant, Slick, standing beneath a streetlight with his two, large companions. Warily he approached.
| Keldirk | Slick are you busy? |
| Slick | That depends on who's askin'. (leans forward and peers into Keldirk's cowl) Ah, Valrorn, so nice to see you again. (combs his greasy hair back from his forehead with his fingers) What can I do for you? |
| Keldirk | (looks quizzically at Slick's two companions) |
| Slick | Never mind them. (smiles warmly) Howie got kicked in the head by a horse a few months ago and Mister Jones was born a brainless oaf. Half of what I tell them they don't understand and what they do understand they forget. (sighs) I tell you, Valrorn, it's hard working under these conditions. |
| Keldirk | (laughs heartily) I know exactly how you feel. |
| Slick | How is Craven? |
| Keldirk | Same as always. Tell me, what's new? |
| Slick | (rubs his rat-tail beard) Bit o' this, bit o' that. |
| Keldirk | (waits) |
| Slick | (waits) |
| Keldirk | How much? |
| Slick | A noble will just about cover it. |
| Keldirk | (fishes in his money pouch and hands Slick five copper pieces) Half now- |
| Slick | Half later. I know the score. (looks about the area furtively before continuing) There is a gent staying in the Silver Gauntlet who, it is rumoured, has with him a decent sized dowry that he plans to hand over to someone-or-other. The local guild isn't interested so it's there for the taking if you want it. |
| Keldirk | Why isn't the guild interested? |
| Slick | Two reasons. One; the Inquisition is in town and the guilds have agreed to cease operations until they leave and two; the gent is staying in the room next to Benhi the Leech. And you'd have to be one crazy son of a bitch to mess around so close to Benhi. |
| Keldirk | Well I'm far from crazy. What else have you got? |
| Slick | The Butcher of Del Docks is still at large and the city is offering a reward to those who bring it to justice. |
| Keldirk | Dead or alive? |
| Slick | One hundred gold dead, one hundred-fifty alive. |
| Keldirk | (whistles) |
| Slick | That's what I thought. If I had a spine I'd be going after it m'self. |
| Keldirk | What have they learned about it so far? |
| Slick | Delva reckons the Butcher isn't human. Apparently he found tracks in the mud at the site of one of the killings. |
| Keldirk | What kind of tracks? |
| Slick | Big ones. |
| Howie | With claws. |
| Slick | (rolls his eyes and turns to face his companion) Howie, if I've told you once I've told you a hundred times: I do the talking you do the hitting. Understand? |
| Howie | (nods) Got it boss. |
| Slick | (turns back to Keldirk) Sometimes I think I'd be better off alone. |
| Keldirk | My sentiments exactly. |
| Slick | Anyway, the tracks were definitely not human and even Matthugh couldn't accurately identify them. He said that it looked like tracks of a lizardman but that they were much, much bigger than any lizardman tracks he'd ever seen. |
| Keldirk | Who is Matthugh? |
| Slick | Oh. He's the leader of the Forest Wardens who operate in and around Del Mord. They keep Del Forest free of nasties, you know, goblins and the like. |
| Keldirk | I see. Anything else, Slick? |
| Slick | (rolls out his tongue and clutches at his throat) All this talk has got me thirsty; a man could die without liquid sustenance. (winks) |
| Keldirk | I'll pay you the other half when I feel you've earned it. |
| Slick | (looks pained) Okay, okay. The last thing I'll tell you is a personal message. (looks to his companions) Fellas, make like trees and leave. |
| Howie | (slaps Mister Jones on the back) Let's go fer a walk. |
| Mr Jones | (nods and walks into the night) |
| Slick | (lowers his voice) Jock is wondering when you guys wanna go after Topper. He says that if you don't do it soon you'll miss your chance. |
| Keldirk | Why? |
| Slick | (shrugs) Perhaps Topper is planning a trip outa town, or somethin'? You'll have to ask Jock. |
| Keldirk | Hmm. (thinks for a moment) Slick, I want you to get word to Jock that he can lead us to Topper this Starday. |
| Slick | The day after the festival ends? |
| Keldirk | Yes. We'll come here at sundown and you can lead us to him, right? |
| Slick | I suppose. |
| Keldirk | (hands over a silver piece) See you in four days. |
| Slick | (takes the coin eagerly) Thanks for the tip, Valrorn. |
Across town, in the modest yet well furnished townhouse of Saradock the merchant, Azareth and Craven sipped port and chatted to their Vesper.
| Azareth | So, you see, the ghost has agreed to allow work to begin on the tavern provided we procure it the Cardass Staff. |
| Saradock | You truly intend to help this ghost, then? |
| Azareth | (looks to Craven then back to Saradock) I don't believe we have much of a choice. If we don't help Varashar then it will simply reappear and all our efforts to ingratiate ourselves in Simpkin's Guild will come to naught. |
| Saradock | Hmm. (thinks for a moment and takes a draft of his port) What do you know of the mage, this... Guldar Heel? |
| Azareth | Nothing. |
| Craven | Yet. |
| Saradock | I will make a few discreet inquiries on your behalf, if you like? |
| Azareth | Please. |
| Saradock | (after a long pause) How are the others? |
| Azareth | They are both doing well. Creighton is recovering after a serious wound but I think he's through the worst of it. I worked on him all day and I'm pretty sure he will pull through. |
| Saradock | How was he wounded? |
| Craven | (hastily) In the battle with Runcas. |
| Saradock | And master Keldirk - I mean - master Valrorn? |
| Azareth | Same as always; abrupt, obnoxious, rude and thoroughly unpleasant. |
| Saradock | (chuckles) It takes all kinds. |
| Azareth | (quietly) I suppose. |
| Craven | (happy to change the subject from his fellows) Is there any official work for us on the horizon? |
| Saradock | (nods) There could be. It's still early days yet, but my contacts tell me that there could be a job coming in soon. |
| Craven | Good. (leans forward, a smile on his lips) Hopefully this job won't involve lycanthropes. |
| Saradock | (laughs) This time? I doubt it. |
| Craven | (looks to Azareth) Speaking of which, remind me to buy us some silver weapons. The last thing we want is to be unprepared in the future. |
| Azareth | (nods) |
| Saradock | Tell me, how is your schooling progressing, Azareth? |
| Azareth | Fine, thank you. The masters at the Academy are excellent tutors and the library is an excellent resource. I enjoy my time there but, sadly, I am not there as often as I'd like. To tell you the truth, Vesper, I could spend a whole year in the library and it still wouldn't be enough. |
| Saradock | (looks to Craven) And how is your fencing coming along? |
| Craven | Quite well. There will be a tournament soon that I plan on entering. I will have to join as a novice and duel my way into actual competition but I feel confident I'll make it through to at least the third round. You should come; it will be quite an exhibition. |
| Saradock | I will. Let me know when you begin. (yawns) Well, gentlemen, it's getting late and I have a business appointment first thing in the morning. (rings a small bell) Caruthers will see you out. |
After meeting with Slick, Keldirk decided to take the long way back to the River Snag Hostel. He needed time to think; time to come to grips with the situation with the ghost and time to assess the one thing that was causing him the most concern - Craven.
Keldirk felt sure that the young swordsman had lost it. His chaotic outbursts and lack of self-discipline were becoming an all too frequent occurrence. Keldirk knew that he should've made a bigger deal about the incident with Runcas but, instead, he decided to bide his time and observe Craven closely. He felt that it was only a matter of time before Craven lost control again and, when he did, Keldirk would have all the evidence he needed to approach Vesper and formally request a replacement. Creighton was lucky to survive Craven's last episode and Keldirk knew he would have to be careful lest he become the next hapless victim.
Keldirk's meandering had taken him deep into the Foreign Quarter, further from where he wanted to be. Just as he was taking stock of his surroundings, a dark figure rushed from the shadows and reached for the young assassin's pouch belt. Keldirk saw the flash of a blade and leaped back instinctively.
| dark figure | (deftly cuts Keldirk's belt pouch strings) |
| Keldirk | (moving backwards, his hands moving to the hilt of his short sword) |
| dark figure | (hefts Keldirk's pouch in the palm of his hand, winks and turns to run) |
| Keldirk | (tears his sword from its scabbard and lunges at the fleeing cutpurse) |
| dark figure | (manages to avoid Keldirk's strike and weaves down the deserted street) |
| Keldirk | (give chase and manages to catch the cutpurse's cloak in his free hand after only a few strides) Not so fast, thief! |
| dark figure | (spins and tries to break Keldirk's grip) Now! (drops to his knees) |
From out of the shadows of a nearby alley, a second figure emerged - a loaded crossbow in his hands.
| crossbowman | (fires) |
| Keldirk | (sees the crossbowman a second too late and reels as a bolt pierces his leather armour and enters his body, an inch or two below his right shoulder) Aghhhh! |
| dark figure | (shrugs off his cloak and sprints away) |
| Keldirk | (instantly weighs his options and charges at the crossbowman) |
| crossbowman | (unable to reload his crossbow due to Keldirk's rapid advance, draws his short sword) Back off, man! |
| Keldirk | (coldly) You should've killed me when you had the chance. (stalks the man, forcing him into the shadows of the alley) |
| crossbowman | (awkwardly parries Keldirk's deft strikes - quickly realises he is outmatched) Fitz! I need your help. |
| Keldirk | You need the Undertaker more, scum. (draws a knife with his off hand) |
| crossbowman | (trying to be brave) We'll see. Fitz! |
| Keldirk | (takes the thief's sword wide with a flick of his short sword then closes and stabs the man in the neck with his knife) |
| crossbowman | (gurgles as Keldirk's knife tears across his throat) |
| Keldirk | (twists his blade and stares into the dying man's eyes) Know, scum, that Fitz will follow you soon. |
| crossbowman | (gurgles some more, then dies) |
Keldirk stumbled to the mouth of the alley and waited for any sign of Fitz's return but, after a few minutes, the pain of his wound became too much to ignore and he decided to leave. After a cursory search of the crossbowman's body, Keldirk left the alley in darkness. He had lost a little under twenty gold pieces but had gained a crossbow and short sword worth considerably more. Keldirk snapped the bolt in half, pushed through the pain, and walked as quickly as he could back to the River Snag Hostel. Keldirk committed Fitz's face to memory and entertained himself with fantasies of the cutpurse's death.
Azareth and Craven were already back at the River Snag Hostel from Saradock's by the time Keldirk entered the room. Bloody and angry at being taken unawares by two petty thieves, Keldirk unbuckled his armour and ripped the shirt from his back. Azareth's eyes went wide when he noticed the bolt sticking from Keldirk's shoulder and immediately reached for the healing salves and poultices.
| Azareth | What happened to you? |
| Keldirk | A minor disagreement with the locals, I'm afraid. (thumbs at Creighton) Is he still alive? |
| Azareth | (nods) And doing much better. Now sit still so I can tend to your wound. |
| Keldirk | Whatever you do, mage, do it quickly. (stuffs his shirt sleeve into his mouth and prepares for the pain) |
| Azareth | (gently draws the bolt from Keldirk's shoulder and drops it with a clatter to the floor) |
| Craven | (leans over Azareth's shoulder) Promise me something, Azareth. |
| Azareth | What's that? |
| Craven | Next time - you let me do that. |
| Keldirk | (snaps) I'd rather die. |
| Craven | Either way it's a win-win situation. (smiles) |
After Keldirk's wound had been cleaned, dressed and bandaged Creighton woke and sat up for the first time in a few days. He was still groggy but able to draw breath without feeling as though he would faint. The warrior reached a hand to his throat and poked at the bandages; it was still very sore to touch.
| Creighton | (quietly) Hungry. |
| Azareth | (looks across to Creighton) Did you say something? |
| Creighton | I'm hungry. (scratches his head) And thirsty. Anybody got a beer? |
| Azareth | (smiles warmly) That's a positive sign. (to Craven) I think the worst is over. |
| Craven | (smiles warmly) Good news. I'll get him some food. |
| Keldirk | That's the least you could do. |
Two days later, a little before dusk, the four assassins left the hostel and made their way to a farm some three miles outside of Del Mord. They were a little bemused that Simpkin would throw a party in their honour but Creighton, for one, was looking forward to the free food and ale. In the intervening days the warrior's strength had returned along with his monstrous appetite. The only visible sign of his injury was a jagged, four-inch scar across his throat.
Two unlikely farmers greeted the group at the farm-gate; both men were heavily muscled and looked thoroughly bored. One leant upon the handle of a wicked-looking pitchfork while the other drew lazy circles in the dust with a scythe.
| farmer #1 | (watches the assassins approach) Watcha want? |
| Craven | We are here for the party. |
| farmer #2 | What party? |
| Craven | The party that is being held in our honour, that's what. |
| farmer #2 | Oh. |
| farmer #1 | What's ya name, pretty boy? |
| Craven | Craven. This is Azareth, Creighton and Kel... Valrorn. |
| farmer #1 | You weren't followed, were you? |
| Keldirk | We aren't that stupid. |
| farmer #2 | (chuckles) I just figured I should ask cos you look so darned stupid. |
| Craven | (rolls his eyes towards Creighton) The man's a comedian. |
| Keldirk | (leans in a little closer to farmer #2) Think about it, champ, we'll be the ones drinking free ale while you two stand here and guard the gate. Now, you tell me, who's stupid? |
| farmer #2 | (snarls) Why, I oughta... |
| Azareth | (pushes forward) You ought to let us through the gate before you start something we'll finish. |
| farmer #1 | (backs away as Creighton steps forward) We should let them through, Furrow. |
| Furrow | (laughs nervously as he spies Azareth open his pouch belt) Yeah, I was only kiddin'. Go right through. |
| farmer #1 | Um, have a good night, boys. |
| Keldirk | Oh, we will. |
The assassins left the 'farmers' at the gate and proceeded up a long dusty path to an imposing country homestead atop a hill. As they climbed the porch steps and neared the front doors of the squat wooden building, they heard sounds of merriment coming from the rear. After a quick discussion they decided to follow a path around the side of the homestead. Here they found a large barn in front of which a celebratory throng had gathered. A huge bonfire burned bright in the yard and a band played loudly (if not well) from just within the barn. A makeshift bar had been erected alongside the barn behind which stood Haldar, pouring drinks with seemingly gay abandon. As the assassins pushed through the fifty or so assembled thieves, the band suddenly stopped playing at Simpkin's voice shattered the near-silence.
| Simpkin | (standing atop a beer barrel, a fat cigar wedged between his yellowed teeth) At last, my new family members have arrived. |
Simpkin beckoned the assassins, a drunken smile on his lips and definite wobble in his legs. The gnomish Guildmaster smoothed back his thinning hair and would've toppled off the barrel if it weren't for the quick reflexes of his aid, Mickey Moritz. Simpkin rudely battered Mickey's hands aside and waved the assassins forward. The crowd opened a path and the assassins crossed the short distance to Simpkin.
| Simpkin | (crossly) Haldar! Where is my drink? |
| Haldar | (calmly) Where you left it sir. (points to a shattered mug at the base of the barrel) |
| Simpkin | (crossly) Well get me another, damn you, I must make a toast. (shakes his head and nearly falls again) Moritz, are you trying to tip me off this barrel? |
| Mickey Moritz | Heavens, no, sir. I am merely trying to stabalize- |
| Simpkin | If you don't get your hands off this barrel I'll remove them myself. (whisks his short sword from its sheath and waves it drunkenly in the air) |
| Mickey Moritz | (ducks the sword and backs away hurriedly) |
| Haldar | (moves forward and hands Simpkin a ceramic mug full of Almorian Ale) |
| Simpkin | (drops his sword to the ground and hoists the cup to the heavens) Attention everyone! (waits for the talk to die down before continuing) I want to take this opportunity to introduce some new members to my guild. (indicates the assassins) I am not going to tell you their names but I want each of you to commit their faces to memory. From now on these four are to be considered full guild members. I hereby bestow upon them all benefits and restrictions membership to my august guild affords. (invites the crowd to drink) Now, my friends, I want you to welcome an old friend of mine who comes to us all the way from Tusk. Ladies, gentlemen, cutthroats and thieves, drink to the health of my friend, Ursh Fraxx. (nods to a muscular half-orc standing near the barn door) |
| Ursh | (hoists up his flagon and drinks deeply) |
| Simpkin | (drains his mug and flings it over his head) That's about enough formality for one evening, I think. Drink up people, no one leaves this farm until they've drunk at least my weight in ale! |
| crowd | (cheers wildly) |
The crowd broke rank and mingled among themselves. The music resumed and the assembled thieves returned to their laughing, chatting, eating and drinking. Creighton fetched himself a drink, tore half a chicken from the spit and approached the burly half-orc, Ursh Fraxx.
| Creighton | (indicates a massive crossbow leaning beside Ursh) Impressive weapon. Is it yours? |
| Ursh | (eyes the warrior briefly and nods) It does the job. |
| Creighton | It must be painfully slow to reload |
| Ursh | (snorts) If this baby hits you there is no need to reload. |
| Creighton | But if you miss.? |
| Ursh | I never miss. |
| Creighton | (laughs) What brings you to Del Mord? |
| Ursh | (shrugs) Business. (suddenly turns and grabs a nearby thief by the shirt) Hey you! Get me a drink and a piece of chicken. |
| Creighton | (hands the man his empty mug) And fill this up. |
| thief | (looks at the two massive figures, bites back a stinging retort and scurries away to do their bidding) |
| Creighton | (smiles, obviously impressed) Do they all jump like that when you talk? |
| Ursh | (nods) They do if they know what's good for 'em. (looks Creighton up and down) I'm in need of a drinkin' buddy and you look the goods. What's yer name big fella? |
| Creighton | (wipes the grease from his hand on the barn wall and extends it to Ursh) Creighton. |
| Ursh | (grips Creighton's forearm in the warriors clasp) Well met Creighton. Now, what were we talking about? |
| Creighton | What brings you to Del Mord? |
| Ursh | Hunting. I'm huntin' some killers. |
| Creighton | (obviously confused) |
| Ursh | That's what I do, I hunt people. I'm a bounty hunter and I'm here on the trail of two humans who offed Sergeant Dunne. |
| Creighton | Who? |
| Ursh | Sergeant Dunne. He was a successful member of Del Mord's militia and two folks, possibly more, lured him into the Poor Quarter and killed him. (leans in close to Creighton) If you ask me the killers did us all a big favour, but a contract is a contract. |
| Creighton | (tries to hide his surprise) Have you got anywhere? I mean, do you have any leads? |
| Ursh | (looks around furtively) Where's my drink? (turns back to Creighton) Have I got anywhere? Yeah, I've got a few leads - a few irons in the fire - but I don't wanna say too much. Word travels far and fast, you know? (winks) |
Craven and Azareth stayed mostly to themselves; Azareth had no intention of mixing with thieves and Craven didn't trust himself enough to engage in lengthy conversations with a host of strangers. Keldirk, however, took the opportunity to familiarise himself with the other members of the Foreign Quarter Thieves Guild. As he moved through the party, listening and making idle conversation, he spied a familiar face in the crowd. Keldirk stopped dead and studied the face for a few seconds before finally recognising the man as Fitz, the cutpurse who had accosted him two nights ago. With a wicked gleam in his eye Keldirk handed his mug to a nearby thief and approached Fitz from behind. Just as Keldirk neared, Fitz turned and locked eyes with the assassin. Fitz glanced furtively in the direction of the barn then back to Keldirk whose cruel smile promised death.
| Fitz | (tosses his mug at Keldirk and runs, pushing through the crowd) |
| Keldirk | Damn! (wipes the ale from his eyes, skims the crowd and spies Fitz fleeing toward the barn. Fleeing towards Creighton) Creighton! Stop that man! |
| Creighton | (turns and sees Keldirk pointing at the rapidly approaching Fitz) |
| Keldirk | (gesturing wildly, trying to push his way through the throng) Stop him, you idiot! |
| Creighton | (lifts his arm in the path of the fleeing thief, catching the lithe man just under the chin) |
| Fitz | (falls to the ground - senseless) |
| crowd | (push forward to get a closer look at the action, forming a circle around Creighton and Fitz) |
| Haldar | (steps through the crowd, takes stock of the situation and challenges Creighton) What is the meaning of this? |
| Creighton | (shrugs, his face the very embodiment of innocence) I dunno. |
| Keldirk | (enters the circle and stands before Haldar) |
| Fitz | (gets to his feet and tries to back away, keeping Haldar between himself and Keldirk) |
| Keldirk | (points to Fitz) That man and his friend attacked me two nights ago. I killed his friend and now I'm going to finish the job. (draws his knife) |
| Haldar | (raises a hand in warning) Put your knife away. Now! |
| Keldirk | (slams his knife into its sheath) |
| Simpkin | (staggers into the circle, the crowd parting to allow the Guildmaster through) What is going on here? (staggers drunkenly but manages to remain upright) |
| Haldar | Newboy, here, claims that Fitz attacked him a few nights ago. He says he iced Fitz's friend and now wants to kill Fitz. |
| Simpkin | (stares at Fitz then Keldirk) Nobody kills anyone who belongs to me - except on my authority. (turns to face Keldirk) Don't you ever forget that! |
| Keldirk | (nods, his displeasure written plainly across his face) |
| Simpkin | (turns to face Fitz) Is what he said true? |
| Fitz | (more than a little afraid) No, I've never seen him before in my life. |
| Keldirk | Then why run away, you stupid little shit? |
| Haldar | (glares at Keldirk, his eyes demanding silence) |
| Simpkin | Yes, why did you run away? If you are innocent of any wrongdoing, why be frightened? (looks Keldirk up and down) He doesn't look that scary to me. |
| crowd | (chuckles) |
| Keldirk | (fumes, not at all happy at being the centre of attention) |
| Fitz | (glances around and then stares at his feet) Okay, the truth. Marcus and me tried to mug him a few nights ago. (falls to his knees before Simpkin, his hands clasped pleadingly before him) But Guildmaster, we didn't know he was one of us! |
| Simpkin | (slowly, deliberately lights a cigar and begins to smoke - deep in thought) It is true, two nights ago this man wasn't of the guild. And, as such, he was a fair mark. |
| Fitz | (hope lights his eyes) |
| Keldirk | (clenches his fists) |
| Simpkin | But, (draws on his cigar), I have expressly forbidden any guild activities until The Inquisition leaves town. (blows smoke towards Fitz) You broke Guild Law. (drops the remains of his cigar to the ground and crushes it into the earth) And for that, Fitz, you will die. (waves over two nearby guild members) Don't let him get away. |
| Fitz | (the colour drains from his face and he tries to sprint away) |
The two men easily overpowered the terrified thief and deftly tied his hands and feet.
| Simpkin | Now the only decision is how to execute him. |
| Ursh | (turns to Creighton) Wanna see my baby in action? (pats his crossbow) |
| Creighton | (nods) Sure. (smiles) |
| Ursh | (pushes forward) Simpkin? Perhaps I could be of assistance. (raises his crossbow in the air for all to see) |
| Simpkin | (smiles broadly) A fabulous idea. (motions to Haldar) Haldar, have Fitz tied to an empty barrel and Mickey, get me another drink! |
| Fitz | (gets dragged away) Noooooo!! |
| Keldirk | (quietly) Oh, yes. |
| 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. |