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<blockquote data-quote="Delemental" data-source="post: 4852017" data-attributes="member: 5203"><p>The remainder of the evening passed quietly. Ghost left to inquire after a reputable bordello for the evening, and on this occasion was accompanied by Kaliel. Luc also expressed a desire to go along, but was denied by Ayama, who would not relent even when Ghost assured her that he would make sure the boy’s companion was healthy. The young orphan took out his frustrations by vigorously practicing martial arts in his room, which Ayama allowed him to do unsupervised for a while before she stepped in to channel his excess energy in a more disciplined manner. After several katas and maneuvers, Luc asked Ayama to teach him how to read, a task which she took to with enthusiasm, to the point that both were awake until sunrise. She was pleased to see that the boy was a fast learner.</p><p></p><p> In the morning, Ghost went to speak to the smugglers and slave merchants in the city, while Zanka and Kaliel went into the inner city to look into House V’Neef’s affairs. They had decided to approach the matter with as much of the truth as they could manage; that Kaliel was looking for his sisters, who had been captured in a House Tepet raid, and he was interested in purchasing them back. He explained to the minor officials that first approached them that he had retained Zanka as his advocate to help him navigate the complex bureaucracy of the Realm. It took several hours and a good portion of Kaliel’s coin, but at last they were given an audience with V’neef Tase, a Wood-Aspected Exalt and the factor of House V’neef in Cherak.</p><p></p><p> “You were wise to come to us,” Tase said to them, sitting with Zanka and Kaliel at a small table in his offices. A light lunch had been brought up for the three of them. “When House Tepet arrived in the city, they sold all of their captives to my own House, since their departure was to be somewhat hasty. We have since, of course, resold those captives.”</p><p></p><p> “This is to be expected,” Zanka said. “I have already explained to my client that we will likely need to examine your records for the period of time in question, and then inquire with whoever purchased his siblings.”</p><p></p><p> “If you could provide names and a description of your sisters, sir, I am sure my secretary can help procure the documents you require.”</p><p></p><p> Kaliel gave the factor the information, which was dutifully recorded by a scribe standing nearby, and then sent off for processing. While they waited, Tase conversed with them, asking a few probing questions as to the true nature of their business in the city. This was where the decision to present the truth came to benefit them, for there was no ulterior motive for the factor to discover. Finally, when a stack of parchment several inches tall arrived, Tase stood.</p><p></p><p> “I have other duties to attend to,” he said. “I will come to check on your progress later, if you will excuse me.”</p><p></p><p> After an hour, Zanka looked up from the stack. “The descriptions of these women are similar to that of Kalliope and Kassandra, but none are an exact match. They were not sold to the V’neef.” When the factor returned, Zanka presented this fact to him.</p><p></p><p> “Did House Tepet keep any of their captives?” Kaliel asked.</p><p></p><p> “No, they were all sold to us. The ships that sailed out of our harbors contained Tepet soldiers only. In turn, we have sold all of the captives that Tepet brought with them.”</p><p></p><p> “Then why are there no records of my sisters here?” he demanded.</p><p></p><p> “Perhaps they never made it to Cherak at all,” V’Neef Tase explained. “There is a certain amount of loss expected on any slave caravan.”</p><p></p><p> “Unlikely.”</p><p></p><p> “I realize it is not a conclusion you wish to hear, but it is a possibility.”</p><p></p><p> “May we talk to some of the other slaves from this sale, to see if they remember my client’s sisters?” Zanka asked.</p><p></p><p> “You have the bills of sale in front of you,” Tase said. “You may negotiate with the owners for that privilege. Many were purchased by households here in the city.”</p><p></p><p> “And these are all the bills of sale?” Zanka asked.</p><p></p><p> “Of course.”</p><p></p><p> Zanka frowned slightly. She had used her Solar abilities to listen to the factor’s replies, trying to discern any deception. But his words only imparted his loyalty to his House and desire to protect their interests in the city, and did not indicate a particular attempt at evasion. She then tried to impart the tragedy of Kaliel’s plight to V’neef Tase, hoping to move him into looking into the matter further. But he maintained his stoic attitude, though he expressed sorrow at Kaliel’s loss, and maintained there was nothing more he could do.</p><p></p><p> They returned to the Water Fire Inn, dejected. Ayama and Luc were waiting in the common room for them; Ayama wore a slightly confused expression, while Luc beamed with eager anticipation.</p><p></p><p> “That was a waste of our time,” growled Kaliel.</p><p></p><p> “No it wasn’t!” cried Luc.</p><p></p><p> “Excuse me?” Kaliel turned to Ayama. “What is the boy talking about?”</p><p></p><p> “I do not know,” she admitted. “He will not tell me. He only said he wanted to wait for you to return. I was out this morning tending to a handful of heroin addicts I found in the slums. When I returned at midday, I found Luc gone, and he had left this with the innkeeper.” She passed Zanka a crudely-written note, which after some effort she was able to interpret as saying ‘Gone to help Zanka and Kaliel, be back later.’</p><p></p><p> “He was returning from the V’neef district as I went to find him,” she explained. “And you now know as much as I do.”</p><p></p><p> “I still do not understand why you insist our efforts with House V’neef were not wasted,” Kaliel said. “We found no useful information.”</p><p></p><p> “You didn’t,” Luc said, “but I did!” He pulled a sheaf of papers from his tunic and laid them on the table. “While the two of you had the factor and his staff busy, I was able to get inside the records room. Because of what Ayama taught me last night, I knew which words to look for.”</p><p></p><p> Zanka, who had already picked up the papers, handed them to Kaliel. “The boy is right,” she said. “This is what you seek.”</p><p></p><p> The documents detailed a transfer of political prisoners from House Tepet to House V’neef; among those listed were two women who matched exactly the description of Kaliel’s two sisters. It was now clear why no records had been found of them among the sale of captured slaves; they had never been considered as either captives or slaves. Other papers gave details about the arrangements that had been made for the two women; they had been moved to a country estate controlled by House V’neef on the northern shore of the Blessed Isle. The documents detailed the care provided to the prisoners, including access to physicians and tutors, but also documented that the estate garrisoned a talon of House soldiers, and that a pair of Dragon-Bloods had been assigned as personal bodyguards to the sisters.</p><p></p><p> “This does confirm our suspicions,” Ayama said. “They intend to use your sisters as leverage. Which means that they are aware of what you are, Kaliel, otherwise there is no purpose to holding them.”</p><p></p><p> “The factor was asking a great number of questions about the reasons I was there,” Kaliel said. “If he connects Kassandra and Kalliope to me, they will bring the Wyld Hunt.”</p><p></p><p> “I find that improbable,” Zanka said. “The questions V’Neef Tase was asking are typical for a man of his position to ask. There was nothing to indicate he saw anything more than what we presented to him. The possibility does exist that the factor could choose to look into the matter further and learn the truth, but more likely he has already dismissed the entire thing as a waste of his valuable time. Someone at his level in the House would not normally deal with requests such as ours.”</p><p></p><p> “I think it is unlikely they will call the Hunt on you,” Ayama said. “If they want to strike some sort of bargain with you, they will not want you dead. What I find more intriguing about this entire situation is that it seems Ghost’s mentor was aware of where your search would lead before any of us. Did Pearl not send us a message warning us not to go to the Blessed Isle?”</p><p></p><p> “That is true,” Kaliel admitted, “but I am not certain that I can heed her advice in this matter. I know where they are now, which gives me a target.”</p><p></p><p> “It would be almost certain death for you,” Ayama said. “And an action I cannot support. Your sisters are currently safe and well cared for, even if they are in the hands of your enemy. For us to initiate a bloody assault on the Isle to retrieve them goes against all I stand for.”</p><p></p><p> “It may be wiser to wait and see what the V’neef want from you,” Zanka said. “Given that dealing with an Anathema entails a great risk for them, it may be that the price they set for the freedom of your sisters will not be too onerous.”</p><p></p><p> Talk of Kaliel’s sisters continued through the afternoon, fading for a while but renewing when Ghost finally returned to the inn; having been unsuccessful in his inquiries among the smugglers, he stated he’d spent the remainder of the afternoon in the high-class districts of the inner city. He listened to the story with interest, and though was tempted by Kaliel’s attempts to talk him into attempting to steal two political prisoners from the Blessed Isle, he ultimately decided that too little was known to make the attempt now. Ghosts showed more interest in the tales of Luc’s efforts to help.</p><p></p><p> “Ayama,” he said after a while, “I would like to borrow your young charge for the evening.” He smiled. “I promise I will not ply him with wine or women.”</p><p></p><p> The Zenith grudgingly consented, and the two set out for the night. They did not return for many hours; Ayama was waiting when they opened the door of the Water Fire Inn.</p><p></p><p> “He is rough, but shows promise,” was all that Ghost said, as he went upstairs to turn in. Luc also retired for the evening, but was awoken by Ayama at dawn for martial arts training. Mercifully, he was allowed to rest in the afternoon, as he was taken out into the city again by Ghost that evening. Kaliel spent the day down by the shore, inquiring about ocean-worthy vessels, while Zanka made the circuit of teahouses and reputable taverns.</p><p></p><p> Ghost and Luc returned well past the middle of the night, and quietly roused everyone. “I believe we should plan to depart soon,” Ghost said.</p><p></p><p> “How soon?” Zanka asked irritably.</p><p></p><p> “Right now would be good,” Luc said, a little too quickly.</p><p></p><p> “Do we want to know?” Ayama asked.</p><p></p><p> “Of course you want to know!” Ghost beamed. “After we have left, of course.”</p><p></p><p> They all rose and made their preparations. Kaliel was the last to arrive downstairs, having strapped on his armor. They settled the bill, and then rode east along the main road. Luc, riding behind Ayama, kept looking backward.</p><p></p><p> “They will not even notice until sunrise,” Ghost assured him.</p><p></p><p> “What did you do?” Ayama asked sternly.</p><p></p><p> “Nothing that put Luc at risk,” Ghost assured her. “He was only a lookout. There was no real trouble. Well, a few Dragon-Blood guards, and some wards, but that is all. Oh, there was the bound demon as well. That was a new experience for me.”</p><p></p><p> The conversation was interrupted as they reached the outskirts of Cherak, in the slums area. Off to their left, they heard the sounds of a street fight. This in itself was not remarkable, for they had been told that gang fights were common in the city. However, just as the sounds began to die down, they saw a brilliant flash of silver-white light fill the streets and alleys from the same direction.</p><p></p><p> Kaliel had already leapt from his horse, and pulled his axe free as he ran.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Delemental, post: 4852017, member: 5203"] The remainder of the evening passed quietly. Ghost left to inquire after a reputable bordello for the evening, and on this occasion was accompanied by Kaliel. Luc also expressed a desire to go along, but was denied by Ayama, who would not relent even when Ghost assured her that he would make sure the boy’s companion was healthy. The young orphan took out his frustrations by vigorously practicing martial arts in his room, which Ayama allowed him to do unsupervised for a while before she stepped in to channel his excess energy in a more disciplined manner. After several katas and maneuvers, Luc asked Ayama to teach him how to read, a task which she took to with enthusiasm, to the point that both were awake until sunrise. She was pleased to see that the boy was a fast learner. In the morning, Ghost went to speak to the smugglers and slave merchants in the city, while Zanka and Kaliel went into the inner city to look into House V’Neef’s affairs. They had decided to approach the matter with as much of the truth as they could manage; that Kaliel was looking for his sisters, who had been captured in a House Tepet raid, and he was interested in purchasing them back. He explained to the minor officials that first approached them that he had retained Zanka as his advocate to help him navigate the complex bureaucracy of the Realm. It took several hours and a good portion of Kaliel’s coin, but at last they were given an audience with V’neef Tase, a Wood-Aspected Exalt and the factor of House V’neef in Cherak. “You were wise to come to us,” Tase said to them, sitting with Zanka and Kaliel at a small table in his offices. A light lunch had been brought up for the three of them. “When House Tepet arrived in the city, they sold all of their captives to my own House, since their departure was to be somewhat hasty. We have since, of course, resold those captives.” “This is to be expected,” Zanka said. “I have already explained to my client that we will likely need to examine your records for the period of time in question, and then inquire with whoever purchased his siblings.” “If you could provide names and a description of your sisters, sir, I am sure my secretary can help procure the documents you require.” Kaliel gave the factor the information, which was dutifully recorded by a scribe standing nearby, and then sent off for processing. While they waited, Tase conversed with them, asking a few probing questions as to the true nature of their business in the city. This was where the decision to present the truth came to benefit them, for there was no ulterior motive for the factor to discover. Finally, when a stack of parchment several inches tall arrived, Tase stood. “I have other duties to attend to,” he said. “I will come to check on your progress later, if you will excuse me.” After an hour, Zanka looked up from the stack. “The descriptions of these women are similar to that of Kalliope and Kassandra, but none are an exact match. They were not sold to the V’neef.” When the factor returned, Zanka presented this fact to him. “Did House Tepet keep any of their captives?” Kaliel asked. “No, they were all sold to us. The ships that sailed out of our harbors contained Tepet soldiers only. In turn, we have sold all of the captives that Tepet brought with them.” “Then why are there no records of my sisters here?” he demanded. “Perhaps they never made it to Cherak at all,” V’Neef Tase explained. “There is a certain amount of loss expected on any slave caravan.” “Unlikely.” “I realize it is not a conclusion you wish to hear, but it is a possibility.” “May we talk to some of the other slaves from this sale, to see if they remember my client’s sisters?” Zanka asked. “You have the bills of sale in front of you,” Tase said. “You may negotiate with the owners for that privilege. Many were purchased by households here in the city.” “And these are all the bills of sale?” Zanka asked. “Of course.” Zanka frowned slightly. She had used her Solar abilities to listen to the factor’s replies, trying to discern any deception. But his words only imparted his loyalty to his House and desire to protect their interests in the city, and did not indicate a particular attempt at evasion. She then tried to impart the tragedy of Kaliel’s plight to V’neef Tase, hoping to move him into looking into the matter further. But he maintained his stoic attitude, though he expressed sorrow at Kaliel’s loss, and maintained there was nothing more he could do. They returned to the Water Fire Inn, dejected. Ayama and Luc were waiting in the common room for them; Ayama wore a slightly confused expression, while Luc beamed with eager anticipation. “That was a waste of our time,” growled Kaliel. “No it wasn’t!” cried Luc. “Excuse me?” Kaliel turned to Ayama. “What is the boy talking about?” “I do not know,” she admitted. “He will not tell me. He only said he wanted to wait for you to return. I was out this morning tending to a handful of heroin addicts I found in the slums. When I returned at midday, I found Luc gone, and he had left this with the innkeeper.” She passed Zanka a crudely-written note, which after some effort she was able to interpret as saying ‘Gone to help Zanka and Kaliel, be back later.’ “He was returning from the V’neef district as I went to find him,” she explained. “And you now know as much as I do.” “I still do not understand why you insist our efforts with House V’neef were not wasted,” Kaliel said. “We found no useful information.” “You didn’t,” Luc said, “but I did!” He pulled a sheaf of papers from his tunic and laid them on the table. “While the two of you had the factor and his staff busy, I was able to get inside the records room. Because of what Ayama taught me last night, I knew which words to look for.” Zanka, who had already picked up the papers, handed them to Kaliel. “The boy is right,” she said. “This is what you seek.” The documents detailed a transfer of political prisoners from House Tepet to House V’neef; among those listed were two women who matched exactly the description of Kaliel’s two sisters. It was now clear why no records had been found of them among the sale of captured slaves; they had never been considered as either captives or slaves. Other papers gave details about the arrangements that had been made for the two women; they had been moved to a country estate controlled by House V’neef on the northern shore of the Blessed Isle. The documents detailed the care provided to the prisoners, including access to physicians and tutors, but also documented that the estate garrisoned a talon of House soldiers, and that a pair of Dragon-Bloods had been assigned as personal bodyguards to the sisters. “This does confirm our suspicions,” Ayama said. “They intend to use your sisters as leverage. Which means that they are aware of what you are, Kaliel, otherwise there is no purpose to holding them.” “The factor was asking a great number of questions about the reasons I was there,” Kaliel said. “If he connects Kassandra and Kalliope to me, they will bring the Wyld Hunt.” “I find that improbable,” Zanka said. “The questions V’Neef Tase was asking are typical for a man of his position to ask. There was nothing to indicate he saw anything more than what we presented to him. The possibility does exist that the factor could choose to look into the matter further and learn the truth, but more likely he has already dismissed the entire thing as a waste of his valuable time. Someone at his level in the House would not normally deal with requests such as ours.” “I think it is unlikely they will call the Hunt on you,” Ayama said. “If they want to strike some sort of bargain with you, they will not want you dead. What I find more intriguing about this entire situation is that it seems Ghost’s mentor was aware of where your search would lead before any of us. Did Pearl not send us a message warning us not to go to the Blessed Isle?” “That is true,” Kaliel admitted, “but I am not certain that I can heed her advice in this matter. I know where they are now, which gives me a target.” “It would be almost certain death for you,” Ayama said. “And an action I cannot support. Your sisters are currently safe and well cared for, even if they are in the hands of your enemy. For us to initiate a bloody assault on the Isle to retrieve them goes against all I stand for.” “It may be wiser to wait and see what the V’neef want from you,” Zanka said. “Given that dealing with an Anathema entails a great risk for them, it may be that the price they set for the freedom of your sisters will not be too onerous.” Talk of Kaliel’s sisters continued through the afternoon, fading for a while but renewing when Ghost finally returned to the inn; having been unsuccessful in his inquiries among the smugglers, he stated he’d spent the remainder of the afternoon in the high-class districts of the inner city. He listened to the story with interest, and though was tempted by Kaliel’s attempts to talk him into attempting to steal two political prisoners from the Blessed Isle, he ultimately decided that too little was known to make the attempt now. Ghosts showed more interest in the tales of Luc’s efforts to help. “Ayama,” he said after a while, “I would like to borrow your young charge for the evening.” He smiled. “I promise I will not ply him with wine or women.” The Zenith grudgingly consented, and the two set out for the night. They did not return for many hours; Ayama was waiting when they opened the door of the Water Fire Inn. “He is rough, but shows promise,” was all that Ghost said, as he went upstairs to turn in. Luc also retired for the evening, but was awoken by Ayama at dawn for martial arts training. Mercifully, he was allowed to rest in the afternoon, as he was taken out into the city again by Ghost that evening. Kaliel spent the day down by the shore, inquiring about ocean-worthy vessels, while Zanka made the circuit of teahouses and reputable taverns. Ghost and Luc returned well past the middle of the night, and quietly roused everyone. “I believe we should plan to depart soon,” Ghost said. “How soon?” Zanka asked irritably. “Right now would be good,” Luc said, a little too quickly. “Do we want to know?” Ayama asked. “Of course you want to know!” Ghost beamed. “After we have left, of course.” They all rose and made their preparations. Kaliel was the last to arrive downstairs, having strapped on his armor. They settled the bill, and then rode east along the main road. Luc, riding behind Ayama, kept looking backward. “They will not even notice until sunrise,” Ghost assured him. “What did you do?” Ayama asked sternly. “Nothing that put Luc at risk,” Ghost assured her. “He was only a lookout. There was no real trouble. Well, a few Dragon-Blood guards, and some wards, but that is all. Oh, there was the bound demon as well. That was a new experience for me.” The conversation was interrupted as they reached the outskirts of Cherak, in the slums area. Off to their left, they heard the sounds of a street fight. This in itself was not remarkable, for they had been told that gang fights were common in the city. However, just as the sounds began to die down, they saw a brilliant flash of silver-white light fill the streets and alleys from the same direction. Kaliel had already leapt from his horse, and pulled his axe free as he ran. [/QUOTE]
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