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<blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 7581489" data-attributes="member: 143"><p>Chapter 271</p><p></p><p>The tabaxi village was an odd juxtaposition of traditional structures and three dimensionality, tied together by a complex map of bridges and rope lines, branches bound together or otherwise shaped to form avenues, and in more than one case dangling vines that the inhabitants used to swing from one platform to the next.</p><p></p><p>It was certainly exotic to the travelers from Voralis, but as the initial newness began to wear off, they could begin to notice patterns in the layout of the place that were familiar to them. The sailors’ adaptation was made easier in one respect. The means of travel around the city was not that dissimilar from the rigging they’d had to crawl over on the <em>Gull</em>, and they were used to negotiating great heights from their work on the ship. At first, still terrified by their ordeal with the dragonborn, the sailors huddled in the huts provided for their use by the tabaxi, but as the day went on some of them began to filter out and explore their new surroundings. Rumor was that the cat-people might offer them sanctuary, a sentiment that was borne out by the polite curiosity of their hosts. The sailors’ clothes were in a shoddy state, and most of their possessions had been confiscated by their captors, but a small commerce began nevertheless, with the sailors offering what few trinkets they’d been able to conceal for new garments or other necessities. Perhaps they sensed that they were being given overly generous deals by the tabaxi traders, but it helped all of them to preserve the illusion that they were equals.</p><p></p><p>The cats visited the cluster of huts that hosted their guests as night descended, bringing leather satchels full of fruit and gourds packed with a nutritious paste made of nuts and insects. While their leaders went off to parlay with the cat-men the crew enjoyed the feast and continued their trade with the locals. They lacked a common language, but some of the sailors quickly made connections by demonstrating rope knots and other elements of the sailor’s craft to their bemused hosts.</p><p></p><p>With both humans and tabaxi coming and going, no one particularly noted the figure that slipped off and crossed to a small hut on an adjoining platform. From the sagging fronds that formed its roof the place was clearly not currently occupied, but as the shadowy figure ducked through the low opening of its entrance he saw someone waiting for him. There were no lights on the platform or inside the hut, so he was just a vague outline in the dim glow that penetrated through the gaps in the slumping roof.</p><p></p><p>“Is the meeting with the elders over already?” the newcomer asked.</p><p></p><p>“The essential negotiations are concluded,” the other said. “They’ll probably be up feasting for hours yet.”</p><p></p><p>“You won’t be missed?”</p><p></p><p>“I told the dwarf I was feeling ill, but I needn’t have bothered. They hardly even notice me anymore,” the dark figure said. “They see only what they expect to see. You should attend to your role with equal devotion. All it takes is one slip to someone to awaken suspicion.”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, yes, your lessons on the way here were quite thorough. I’ve even learned to wake myself every hour in order to maintain the <em>Mask of Many Faces</em>. But I’m not a bloody machine, nor can I change my actual form like you can. There were plenty of places where an accidental contact almost gave up the game, especially on the ship.”</p><p></p><p>“You only need to maintain the disguise for a little while longer. Once we’ve located the book, we can eliminate the others.”</p><p></p><p>“Did the cats have some useful information?”</p><p></p><p>“Perhaps. They know of an ancient city deeper within the jungle where supposedly the last Syvalian expedition ventured. Bredan and the others will be setting out for it tomorrow, with a few native guides to show them the way. Sond and the crew will be staying behind. You will need to arrange to be included in the expedition.”</p><p></p><p>“That won’t be easy to set up so quickly.”</p><p></p><p>“Nevertheless, it must be done. I have probed a few of the crew and sensed a general discontent. They fear the dragonborn and some are suspicious of the tabaxi after that first encounter on the beach. Those sentiments can be exploited, with the proper care.”</p><p></p><p>“It would be easier to do with your talent.”</p><p></p><p>“No. Even this brief meeting is a risk. There must be no connection perceived between us.”</p><p></p><p>“What if someone saw you coming out here?”</p><p></p><p>The figure leaned forward a bit, drawing off his cloak to reveal the features of a tabaxi female.</p><p></p><p>“Clever. I’m sure the others would be happy to brand me as some kind of pervert.”</p><p></p><p>“As long as it keeps them from discovering the truth. I must get back, just in case one of them thinks to bring me a purgative. Remember, they leave in the morning.”</p><p></p><p>“I’m not likely to forget.” As the other rose and started toward the door he said, “Wait. You said that we could kill them once we located the book. Shouldn’t we wait until we get it in our hands? What if we need them to get past its defenses?”</p><p></p><p>There was a pause. “Bredan is the key, but he must not be permitted to get his hands on the book. The rest of them, they are expendable. In fact, it would be to our benefit if we could thin out their ranks a bit before we get to this lost city. I assume you have no difficulties with this plan?”</p><p></p><p>“No. No difficulties.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lazybones, post: 7581489, member: 143"] Chapter 271 The tabaxi village was an odd juxtaposition of traditional structures and three dimensionality, tied together by a complex map of bridges and rope lines, branches bound together or otherwise shaped to form avenues, and in more than one case dangling vines that the inhabitants used to swing from one platform to the next. It was certainly exotic to the travelers from Voralis, but as the initial newness began to wear off, they could begin to notice patterns in the layout of the place that were familiar to them. The sailors’ adaptation was made easier in one respect. The means of travel around the city was not that dissimilar from the rigging they’d had to crawl over on the [i]Gull[/i], and they were used to negotiating great heights from their work on the ship. At first, still terrified by their ordeal with the dragonborn, the sailors huddled in the huts provided for their use by the tabaxi, but as the day went on some of them began to filter out and explore their new surroundings. Rumor was that the cat-people might offer them sanctuary, a sentiment that was borne out by the polite curiosity of their hosts. The sailors’ clothes were in a shoddy state, and most of their possessions had been confiscated by their captors, but a small commerce began nevertheless, with the sailors offering what few trinkets they’d been able to conceal for new garments or other necessities. Perhaps they sensed that they were being given overly generous deals by the tabaxi traders, but it helped all of them to preserve the illusion that they were equals. The cats visited the cluster of huts that hosted their guests as night descended, bringing leather satchels full of fruit and gourds packed with a nutritious paste made of nuts and insects. While their leaders went off to parlay with the cat-men the crew enjoyed the feast and continued their trade with the locals. They lacked a common language, but some of the sailors quickly made connections by demonstrating rope knots and other elements of the sailor’s craft to their bemused hosts. With both humans and tabaxi coming and going, no one particularly noted the figure that slipped off and crossed to a small hut on an adjoining platform. From the sagging fronds that formed its roof the place was clearly not currently occupied, but as the shadowy figure ducked through the low opening of its entrance he saw someone waiting for him. There were no lights on the platform or inside the hut, so he was just a vague outline in the dim glow that penetrated through the gaps in the slumping roof. “Is the meeting with the elders over already?” the newcomer asked. “The essential negotiations are concluded,” the other said. “They’ll probably be up feasting for hours yet.” “You won’t be missed?” “I told the dwarf I was feeling ill, but I needn’t have bothered. They hardly even notice me anymore,” the dark figure said. “They see only what they expect to see. You should attend to your role with equal devotion. All it takes is one slip to someone to awaken suspicion.” “Yes, yes, your lessons on the way here were quite thorough. I’ve even learned to wake myself every hour in order to maintain the [i]Mask of Many Faces[/i]. But I’m not a bloody machine, nor can I change my actual form like you can. There were plenty of places where an accidental contact almost gave up the game, especially on the ship.” “You only need to maintain the disguise for a little while longer. Once we’ve located the book, we can eliminate the others.” “Did the cats have some useful information?” “Perhaps. They know of an ancient city deeper within the jungle where supposedly the last Syvalian expedition ventured. Bredan and the others will be setting out for it tomorrow, with a few native guides to show them the way. Sond and the crew will be staying behind. You will need to arrange to be included in the expedition.” “That won’t be easy to set up so quickly.” “Nevertheless, it must be done. I have probed a few of the crew and sensed a general discontent. They fear the dragonborn and some are suspicious of the tabaxi after that first encounter on the beach. Those sentiments can be exploited, with the proper care.” “It would be easier to do with your talent.” “No. Even this brief meeting is a risk. There must be no connection perceived between us.” “What if someone saw you coming out here?” The figure leaned forward a bit, drawing off his cloak to reveal the features of a tabaxi female. “Clever. I’m sure the others would be happy to brand me as some kind of pervert.” “As long as it keeps them from discovering the truth. I must get back, just in case one of them thinks to bring me a purgative. Remember, they leave in the morning.” “I’m not likely to forget.” As the other rose and started toward the door he said, “Wait. You said that we could kill them once we located the book. Shouldn’t we wait until we get it in our hands? What if we need them to get past its defenses?” There was a pause. “Bredan is the key, but he must not be permitted to get his hands on the book. The rest of them, they are expendable. In fact, it would be to our benefit if we could thin out their ranks a bit before we get to this lost city. I assume you have no difficulties with this plan?” “No. No difficulties.” [/QUOTE]
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