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Story Hour
"Second Son of a Second Son" - An Aquerra Story Hour (*finally* Updated 04/19)
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<blockquote data-quote="el-remmen" data-source="post: 4557826" data-attributes="member: 11"><p><strong>InterSession #27.2 – “Interrogation of the Would-Be Assassin”</strong> [sup]1[/sup]</p><p></p><p>As Peter poled the Signers towards the great keep at the center of Lilly City, he explained that Terrapin was built atop the famed ziggurat of Heliopolis. It had squat outer walls, buttressed by angled pylons of green veined stone that led deep into the water. The rounded ramparts were crenulated with areas wide enough for the many mangonels and catapults on the surrounding walls. There was a bark and they looked starboard to see Berenger the Taupe's gondola pulling up along side in the brackish water. Ewan, the watch-mage’s hound, barked again and wagged his tail. Guido, the gondolier, tipped his cap. The boats went right up to the gate, which stood open, and they noted an anchored barge about one hundred feet before the gate that caused boats to sail around it as the fortressed is approached. They saw lightly armored guards walking along the defensible war barge. </p><p></p><p>Berenger led the way, <em>jumping</em> from his gondola to land on the dock first. As Peter’s boat approached, the watch-mage could be seen speaking to an officer, flanked by four guards. They walked away as the Signers began to disembark. The inner building was a shining white spire with a tall rounded wall on its north side, and flanking towers topped with bombards. Between the outer walls and spire was an inner moat, allowing small boats to move around the keep. They noticed that there are several small boats with ironclad sides that the city watch use. Berenger pointed out that the city-watch worked from here. </p><p></p><p>"I have permission to lead you to the dungeons myself," Berenger said. Peter and Tymon remained behind, while Guido left to run some errands in the meantime. </p><p></p><p>Berenger led them through the busy courtyard to a wooden covered entrance flanked by two guards he nodded to. One lifted the angled wooden door with a chain and beyond were steps leading down into the stone beneath. The tunnel below was dank, its walls large mortared brick dripping with fetid moisture, the air filled with the acrid smell of lime. Bleys followed directly behind, pulling his robes tightly around him to ward off the damp chill air. He paused at the bottom of the stairs only long enough to allow his eyes to adjust to the dim light. Markos shuddered, feeling the weight of the stone walls on his shoulders but his face hardened and he frowned. The others followed silently, Telémahkos, Timotheus, Victoria and finally, Laarus. As the door above them closed, Berenger spoke an arcane word and light appeared at the end of his staff, which he used to knock on the great iron door they arrived at. </p><p></p><p>A slot opened in the door and the watch-mage merely said, "Taupe." The sound of the door unlocking echoed down the tunnel and it opened. From within could be heard the laughing voices of men, and as Berenger led the way in, the figures inside stood from their game of cards on a low table, surrounded by ragged chairs that look as if they once belonged in a fancy noble parlor. The guards carried clubs and were dressed in leather jerkins. In one corner was a desk covered in ledgers, some open, some closed, some crumpled and damp. An older man of average height and thinning long white hair and sharp bird-like features came forward. "Welcome young masters,” He coughed. "I am Zelazny Tumbler, humble turnkey and warden. I assume you are here to speak with the our latest prisoner…" </p><p></p><p>"You know why we are here." Berenger the Taupe was short with him. </p><p></p><p>"Yes, yes. . . Well, young Dobson will lead the way," The warden gestured to one of the guards took a lantern from a wall of pegs holding several more. The wall also held more clubs at the end of leather thongs, a man-catcher, a net and several pairs of manacles. He led them through the a door on the left, beyond which was another dank hall, though much shorter, that led to a precariously steep and narrow set of spiral steps that went down into clinging darkness.</p><p></p><p>Laarus of Ra moved up to the front of the line behind Bleys, quietly telling him that he had a spell prepared that might help the interrogation if it was needed. Telémahkos fell to the back of the group, clearly uncomfortable in the oppressive prison. The spiral staircase led to a small room, smoky from two torches high on one wall. The young nobles’ eyes stung and Berenger nodded to a guard standing by a thick iron door. "Desmond…" </p><p></p><p>"Sir Berenger. . ." The guard bowed stiffly and then took a large key from his belt and unlocked the door. As he held the door open, Dobson took his place on guard. Desmond gave each of the Signers of the Charter of Schiereiland an acknowledging nod as they walked by. On the other side was a short staircase that led to a hall about eight feet wide with another iron door on the far side, but Berenger stopped at the first door on the left. Desmond excused himself as he squeezed past them to unlock the thick wooden door reinforced with iron bands, taking a moment to peek through the iron grill in the door first. He held the door open and Sir Berenger led the way in. </p><p></p><p>The man within looked up and then tried to look away. His eyes (one nearly swollen shut) watered in the sudden light. He had dark reddish-brown hair and a long face with crooked nose. He was stripped down to a loincloth and in noting this the cold and damp of the cell seemed even worse to the young nobles. The man had bruising scars here and there, some recognizable from the battle at the inn; others are more fresh. Most strikingly, he was locked into wooden stocks, his wrists and neck enclosed by the wooden frame, a narrow wooden bench propped under his knees. The cell was small, not more than twelve feet to a side.</p><p></p><p>Berenger walked over and pushed the bench out from under the prisoner with his foot, and the man groaned softly as the weight of his body made his confinement all the more painful. "We have some people who want to talk to you, scum," Berenger said, lifting the man's head up by the chin so he was forced to look at his visitors.</p><p></p><p>Bleys the Aubergine walked over and bent slightly, looking the man full in the face. "I am not going to play games with you, make false promises, or be coy. Frankly, I do not have the time and neither do you. I wish you to speak with us, and speak true. It can only go better for you should you choose to cooperate. If you are going to refuse, tell me now so that we can be done with this and away from this place."</p><p></p><p>The man remained silent, his eyes defiant.</p><p></p><p>Bleys met his stare, hard and cold. "How long will it be before those you work for dispatch others to the task?"</p><p></p><p>The prisoner's head dropped again. He said nothing. Bleys reached down and clamped his hand around the man's jaw and chin, beneath the ears. Squeezing hard, he forced the man's mouth open, inspecting for a tongue. The man choked out an incomprehensible word, likely a curse.</p><p></p><p>"They have left you your tongue, you may elect to use it at any time." Bleys released the prisoner. </p><p></p><p>"We had no luck getting him to speak yesterday… I even tried a spell I know, but he was able to resist it," Berenger said, his tone even and serious, as if he were a light-colored version of Bleys. "I could try it again… If there are no objections?"</p><p></p><p>Bleys withdrew from the assassin, acquiescent.</p><p></p><p>Telémahkos, Timotheus and Markos were stood squeezed into a corner by the cell door. Telémahkos whispered to them, thinking no one else could hear. "Magic won't work ... burn him or flay him… Either he talks or he doesn't. Either way we get our revenge."</p><p></p><p>The prisoner's gaze shot over to Telémahkos. He smiled, his lips puffy and black, his teeth cracked.</p><p></p><p>Markos frowned at Telémahkos’ words, but did not look at him. Instead, he called to Berenger, "Cast your spell and let us see." Berenger the Taupe reached into his satchel and drew out a needle with a tiny piece of red thread attached. </p><p></p><p>"I will need for one of you to donate a drop of blood. . ." Markos' frown disappeared as he watched Berenger intently. Telémahkos stepped forward and offered a finger silently.</p><p></p><p>Berenger grabbed hold of Telie's hand from beneath and pricked the offered finger quickly, squeezing it and smearing the emerging drop of blood onto his own. And with that he began to intone, "<em>Amicus Fascinere Sanguinus Delphus!</em>" </p><p></p><p>A moment later, the prisoner looked up with a look of fear and confusion. "Wha. . . Why are you holding me?" he asked. He looked right at Telémahkos and said with a bit of gruff pleading in his voice, "I made a mistake. I didn't know it was you, friend. If you tell them it was all a mistake and get them to let me go, I'll go away and never bother you again! Even better I'll tell them you were killed that way they'll leave you alone." He looked to Berenger and then to Bleys. "It's okay, I'm friends with these watch-mages. You can convince them to let me go. No hard feelings right? You know how this business is… You're one of us!" </p><p></p><p>Berenger the Taupe looked to Telemahkos and frowned slightly. "As you can see, he should be a lot more cooperative now. He believes the four of us to good friends. If you question him keeping that in mind, it should prove more fruitful." [sup]2[/sup]</p><p></p><p>Telémahkos straightened up and in a calm voice said, "I indeed know how the business is but the fact still remains that we need a lot more information before we can let you go. You know as well as anyone, one hand washes the other, right?” He paused. “Can you tell me how you were set on my trail, who was your contact and who they are likely to send next? We <em>are</em> all friends here, so all your secrets are safe with us."</p><p></p><p>The prisoner looked at Telémahkos again, but his eyes narrowed as his gaze shifted painfully towards Laarus. "I know if it were up to you I'd be let go, but I don't trust that <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Rogues#cant" target="_blank">baldie</a>. Get him to swear to Ra…" He hissed.</p><p></p><p>"Laarus, this is not for your ears. Will you wait upstairs for us?" Telémahkos looked to the young priest.</p><p></p><p>Laarus stepped closer to the prisoner, looking down at him. "Your release or continued imprisonment is not up to me. So, there is nothing for me to swear to. The most I can do is put in a good word. But, for me to do that for you, we need you to share some facts with us."</p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, Markos, his eyes wide with an idea, began to whisper to Telémahkos to join him out in the hall to talk. Telémahkos ignored him,</p><p></p><p>"First of all, I would like to know your name," Laarus asked.</p><p></p><p>"I'm not telling him anything," the man replied, sneering,</p><p></p><p>"Then don't." With that Laarus turned his back on the prisoner and walked back to the cell door.</p><p></p><p>Markos sneered when ignored by Telémahkos. And his annoyance deepened when Laarus moved to the front of the cell and did not leave. He stepped over to interpose his himself between the prisoner and Laarus to block the latter’s view.</p><p></p><p>"He is of no matter,” Telémahkos said of Laarus. “These watch-mages will decide your fate. If you cannot trust us, who can you trust?" </p><p></p><p>The man did not reply.</p><p></p><p>Telémahkos continued. "The fur sure is flying in Thricia with everyone trying to grab a piece of the pie. It is an uncertain time, and in times like these a man needs good friends. Tell me what you can friend, and we will do all we can for you in return."</p><p></p><p>"I don't know what I can tell you…” The prisoner swallowed hard and then gasped. “I have no idea who would be sent next, if anyone. . . well, <em>someone</em> will be sent once the news gets back that Sancri and I failed… Can I get some water?"</p><p></p><p>"I will get you some." Markos stepped out of the cell to ask the jailer for some water.</p><p></p><p>"And how long will that be… before the Red Lanterns discover your failure?" Bleys asked.</p><p></p><p>"They might already know…It depends on who here is their informant…" </p><p></p><p>"Well, who was your contact for this job? We need names, anyone that you know besides your partner is in or working for the Lanterns," Telémahkos tried a different tact.</p><p></p><p>The prisoner coughed and futility tried to moisten his mouth by smacking his lips a few times as he waited for the water. "It was a halfling. . . People called him 'Gibbet', but I don't know his real name… I don't know much about him. . . But he is… or <em>was</em> a Lantern. . . We met him in <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Quillton" target="_blank">Quillton</a>, but from what I heard he used to work at <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Kraken%27s+Cove" target="_blank">Kraken's Cove</a> until you all killed everyone there…Good job, by the way, it was mostly <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/the+Coopers" target="_blank">Coopers</a> and <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Rubes" target="_blank">Rubes</a>. . . works for me!" He gave a smile and then began to cough again.</p><p></p><p>"And the bloodstone… Who gave it to you?" Bleys asked.[sup]3[/sup]</p><p></p><p>"Sancri had it from her last mission. . . we didn't work on it together. . . But the mistress usually gives those out personally. . . or at least one of her lieutenants. . ." He coughs again. "Where's that water friend? It is getting hard to talk. . ."</p><p></p><p>"Is the water coming?" Telémahkos asked, turning toward the others. Markos returned with a bucket of water and lifted a ladle to the man's lips. The prisoner drank the water greedily and then let out a relieved sigh after he gulping down the last bit of it. He glared at Markos, however. . .</p><p></p><p>Telémahkos waited for water for the man to drink a bit and then smiled. "Why do you say ‘<em>was</em>’? What happened to this ‘Gibbet’? And is he the one paying for the bounty on my head or is he just as agent of the Lanterns?"</p><p></p><p>Markos returned the prisoner's glare. "Master watch-mage, please tell your friend to stop eye-balling me...” He said between clenched teeth. “Actually, don't bother… I will return to the inn. Telémahkos, a word before I go, please." He placed the bucket of water in front of the assassin and walked back into the hallway.</p><p></p><p>Telémahkos rolled his eyes and said to the prisoner, "At least he brought you water. Excuse me one moment." He stepped outside to join Markos in the hall. Timotheus accompanied his cousin, looming over him in a typical bodyguard stance.</p><p></p><p>"That little shrimp yours? Impudent servants should be kept on a leash. . ." The prisoner said to Berenger and Bleys as Markos, Telémahkos and Timotheus step out in the hall. "You both are watch-mages so you already have people watching your back, but the rest of these fools? The more they learn the more dangerous it will be for them…"</p><p></p><p>Seeing that the water had sufficiently wet the assassin's whistle, Bleys continued despite Telémahkos' absence. "Tell me more about this...<em>Gibbet</em>, and where you got the stone?"</p><p></p><p>"I don't know if I should tell you… Gibbet is Gibbet. There is nothing I can say that will help you and not hurt him, and while I don't like the little shet… There is a code… Though he clearly sent me into a situation a lot more difficult than he described. . . Little shet!" He smacked his lips again and closes his eyes as in deep in thought. "He worked in that Cove crew with Captain Javell… You know her? He was the only one beside her to survive. . . And I don't know much about the stone, that was Sancri's to use."</p><p></p><p>"Well, tell me what you do know. You know it is imbued with a magic powerful enough to aid in your work… What else? There is certainly more..."</p><p></p><p>"It takes blood to work them and it can never be the same person's blood twice in a row…At least that's what Sancri said. . "</p><p></p><p>"Is there anything more? What about Sancri?" Bleys asked,</p><p></p><p>"What about her?"</p><p></p><p>Bleys' face showed no sign of frustration. "Did you not work with her in the past? Was she a Red Lantern? Or more loosely affiliated like Gibbet? Did you meet her in Quillton? Did Gibbet pair you with her? Who was her contact?"</p><p></p><p>"<em>She</em> brought me. . .Things are like that now. . . I was the muscle. She's the fncking brains. Stupid bitch was too eager. . . I thought we should wait and get a better shot, and then he'd be dead, like a snap! But no she has to do the message thing… " He stopped and looked up at Bleys and then Berenger nervously. "You won't tell Telémahkos I was saying that when he comes back, right? I mean, I <em>had</em> to try to kill him, you know?"</p><p></p><p>"He seems to understand <em>the business</em>. What 'message thing'?" Bleys said.</p><p></p><p>"To have the porter at the inn bring the message that Tenbrook was there to see him…"</p><p></p><p>"What about <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Harliss+Javell" target="_blank">Harliss</a>? What is her relationship to Sancri, and Gibbet?"</p><p></p><p>The prisoner looked back and forth and was silent for a long time before answering. Telémahkos walked back in, followed by Timotheus. Markos could not leave without Berenger the Taupe, so he went back to the first room and spent time with the guards there.</p><p></p><p>"Gibbet worked for Captain Javell… He answered to her and to her pig-fncker first mate, <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Drevoraz+Kabran" target="_blank">Drevoraz</a>. . . I heard Drevoraz escaped the cove, but you guys hunted him down and killed him, too… I assume the order to kill Briareus came from Javell. . . But I don't know. . . " He gulped and continued. "Harliss and what was left of her crew were not exactly in high regard with our mistress after what happened in the Cove. . . She was supposed to be working towards undermining the Coopers and taking over . . . Instead everyone is dead, all the booty gone and the Thrician navy is guarding the place. .. Sure, the Coopers are suffering and everyone loves that. . . but . . . well, but nothing. . . It just didn't work out right. . ."</p><p></p><p>"Well then, if this halfling pond scum isn't even in the good graces of your mistress any longer <em>and</em> obviously did not give one hair off his knotty little feet if you lived or died when sending you after me, seems more than fair for you tell me anything you can about him. What do you think?" Telémahkos said.</p><p></p><p>"I don't know what else to tell you about him," The prisoner coughed and then cleared his throat, hawking up a green and red nugget of phlegm. "Can I get some more water…?" </p><p></p><p>When he noticed that no one was going to oblige him, the man continued. "I don't give a shet about the halfling. . . It is just the principle of the matter. . . Let's see. . . we met him in Quillton at some man's house. . . I don't know the man's name, he wasn't there. . . I assumed that he was borrowing the place, but it was a man-place. . . not a halfling or gnome house. . . He gave us the drawing, your name and the name of all your companions, and the location: <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Death+%26+Taxes" target="_blank">Death & Taxes</a>. I got the impression he was used to spending his time at sea, he had a peeling complexion like the little shet you got out in the hall."</p><p></p><p>"When was this?" Bleys asked.</p><p></p><p>"We came into Quillton early last month. . . It was the fourth or maybe the fifth. . . No later than the sixth because we got to <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Sluetelot" target="_blank">Sluetelot</a> late on the ninth," the prisoner explained.</p><p></p><p>"Whom… Or when... were you supposed to meet when your task was complete?" Bleys continued with his questioning.</p><p></p><p>"Sancri knew… Though I guess we'd go back to the Port… or the Bosom. . ."[sup]4[/sup]</p><p></p><p>Victoria moved over to Laarus and whispered in his ear, "It looks as if we killed the wrong assassin. The woman would've known more, I think. If we can get little more out of this one, we should think about preparing ourselves better for the next attempt on Telémahkos’ life."</p><p></p><p>Bleys eyed Telémahkos up and down, taking in his full measure, assessing the smaller man. "How much is he worth?" He turned to inquire of the would-be assassin.</p><p></p><p>"I would have gotten a cut of 600 silver…"</p><p></p><p>"Blood flows on the cheap these days," Telémahkos spat, and then after a moment he opened up a new line of questioning. "After your attempt on my life in Sluetelot, where did you go? Who was putting you up?" </p><p></p><p>When the man hesitated, Telémahkos added, "I am not going after you and I am not going after your friends but we can only be even if you give me a chance to get to someone with the pull to call this whole thing off."</p><p></p><p>"If you want to get this called off then you need to speak to the lady in charge, or make them think you're dead. . ." He swallowed hard. "Seriously, can I get some more water?" </p><p></p><p>Still no one moved to help him, so he croaked out some more. "We left Sluetelot to let things cool down and then came here to Lilly City. We were going to return, but then the fire happened and we figured the town-watch would be more vigilant, so we waited and <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Bes" target="_blank">Bes</a> blessed us. . . You came here!"</p><p></p><p>"The gods work in mysterious ways,” Telémahkos sighed. “If you had gotten away from us but the city too hot to leave, where would you have gone?"</p><p></p><p>"Back to our rooms at the Tempe's Rising Inn," He coughed out, looking at the bucket and ladle longingly. Berenger finally reached down and puts a ladleful to the man's mouth and he slurped it down eagerly. </p><p></p><p>"More!" Berenger gave him another. </p><p></p><p>"We had been around for a while posing as brother and sister merchants in cloth and scrimshaw. . .There would be no reason to question us. We even saw you at that place's common room with Mercardo the shet-eater. . . It's a miracle that guy's not dead. If so, it's just because he is too pathetic to put a price on…" [sup]5[/sup]</p><p></p><p>"Did you have a secret word or anything when communicating with this halfling? If I wanted to get in touch with him, what would be the surest way?" Telémahkos asked.</p><p></p><p>"My guess is he's doing work for the Braids in Quillton now. . .[sup]5[/sup] If you know any of them you might be able to find him…"</p><p></p><p>"Question is, do <em>you</em> know any of them?" Telémahkos said.</p><p></p><p>“Nope.”</p><p></p><p>"Any signals, secret hand-shakes, anything that would help me figure out who is going to try to kill me next?"</p><p></p><p>"Uh. . . I don't know. . . You know how it works, the trick is to get the target when they think they are safe, though I imagine someone could go the sloppy route and go for the ole arrow from a rooftop while you are in market, won't matter how many bodyguards you got then… Or poison… poison works, but you might end up killing a bunch of extra people. . If you care about that sort of thing…"</p><p></p><p>"If you needed to communicate with the halfling now, how would you? Through the woman?"</p><p></p><p>"Huh? I <em>told</em> you, Sancri was the contact. . . But if I had to I'd go to Quillton and look for him, maybe scope out the house and apply uh. . . <em>pressure</em> to the man that lives there. . . Maybe bribe some big noses. . ."</p><p></p><p>"I'm done,” Telémahkos finally said, disgusted. “Bleys, do you have any more questions?"</p><p></p><p>The watch-mage shook his head. “This has been useless…” [sup]6[/sup]</p><p></p><p><strong>End of InterSession #27.2</strong></p><p></p><p>------------------------------------------------------</p><p><strong>Notes:</strong></p><p></p><p>(1) This InterSession took place on our messageboards between the meetings for Sessions #27 and #28.</p><p></p><p>(2) Berenger the Taupe cast Aquerra’s version of the <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Spell+-+Friends" target="_blank"><em>friends</em></a> spell.</p><p></p><p>(3) The <em>bloodstone</em> is what allowed for the <em>silence</em> spell in both assassination attempts, and perhaps Sancri’s ability to appear as the cleaning maid in the first. See Session #22</p><p></p><p>(4) These are references to <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Haffar%27s+Port" target="_blank">Haffar’s Port</a> and <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Misery%27s+Bosom" target="_blank">Misery’s Bosom</a>.</p><p></p><p>(5) Telémahkos met <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Mercado+the+Magnificent" target="_blank">Mercado the Magnificent</a> in Session #27, but the character has a reputation dating back to <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/The+Oath+Campaign" target="_blank">the Oath Campaign</a>, which was played from 1996 to 2000.</p><p></p><p>(6) While this was not said in the InterSession thread itself, this opinion was expressed to me by Bleys' player afterwards, and since the scene was left incomplete and the information gathered in the interrogation never came up in game again, I figured it accurately captured the feeling about the usefulness of the questioning, and thus served as a good place to end it.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="el-remmen, post: 4557826, member: 11"] [b]InterSession #27.2 – “Interrogation of the Would-Be Assassin”[/b] [sup]1[/sup] As Peter poled the Signers towards the great keep at the center of Lilly City, he explained that Terrapin was built atop the famed ziggurat of Heliopolis. It had squat outer walls, buttressed by angled pylons of green veined stone that led deep into the water. The rounded ramparts were crenulated with areas wide enough for the many mangonels and catapults on the surrounding walls. There was a bark and they looked starboard to see Berenger the Taupe's gondola pulling up along side in the brackish water. Ewan, the watch-mage’s hound, barked again and wagged his tail. Guido, the gondolier, tipped his cap. The boats went right up to the gate, which stood open, and they noted an anchored barge about one hundred feet before the gate that caused boats to sail around it as the fortressed is approached. They saw lightly armored guards walking along the defensible war barge. Berenger led the way, [I]jumping[/I] from his gondola to land on the dock first. As Peter’s boat approached, the watch-mage could be seen speaking to an officer, flanked by four guards. They walked away as the Signers began to disembark. The inner building was a shining white spire with a tall rounded wall on its north side, and flanking towers topped with bombards. Between the outer walls and spire was an inner moat, allowing small boats to move around the keep. They noticed that there are several small boats with ironclad sides that the city watch use. Berenger pointed out that the city-watch worked from here. "I have permission to lead you to the dungeons myself," Berenger said. Peter and Tymon remained behind, while Guido left to run some errands in the meantime. Berenger led them through the busy courtyard to a wooden covered entrance flanked by two guards he nodded to. One lifted the angled wooden door with a chain and beyond were steps leading down into the stone beneath. The tunnel below was dank, its walls large mortared brick dripping with fetid moisture, the air filled with the acrid smell of lime. Bleys followed directly behind, pulling his robes tightly around him to ward off the damp chill air. He paused at the bottom of the stairs only long enough to allow his eyes to adjust to the dim light. Markos shuddered, feeling the weight of the stone walls on his shoulders but his face hardened and he frowned. The others followed silently, Telémahkos, Timotheus, Victoria and finally, Laarus. As the door above them closed, Berenger spoke an arcane word and light appeared at the end of his staff, which he used to knock on the great iron door they arrived at. A slot opened in the door and the watch-mage merely said, "Taupe." The sound of the door unlocking echoed down the tunnel and it opened. From within could be heard the laughing voices of men, and as Berenger led the way in, the figures inside stood from their game of cards on a low table, surrounded by ragged chairs that look as if they once belonged in a fancy noble parlor. The guards carried clubs and were dressed in leather jerkins. In one corner was a desk covered in ledgers, some open, some closed, some crumpled and damp. An older man of average height and thinning long white hair and sharp bird-like features came forward. "Welcome young masters,” He coughed. "I am Zelazny Tumbler, humble turnkey and warden. I assume you are here to speak with the our latest prisoner…" "You know why we are here." Berenger the Taupe was short with him. "Yes, yes. . . Well, young Dobson will lead the way," The warden gestured to one of the guards took a lantern from a wall of pegs holding several more. The wall also held more clubs at the end of leather thongs, a man-catcher, a net and several pairs of manacles. He led them through the a door on the left, beyond which was another dank hall, though much shorter, that led to a precariously steep and narrow set of spiral steps that went down into clinging darkness. Laarus of Ra moved up to the front of the line behind Bleys, quietly telling him that he had a spell prepared that might help the interrogation if it was needed. Telémahkos fell to the back of the group, clearly uncomfortable in the oppressive prison. The spiral staircase led to a small room, smoky from two torches high on one wall. The young nobles’ eyes stung and Berenger nodded to a guard standing by a thick iron door. "Desmond…" "Sir Berenger. . ." The guard bowed stiffly and then took a large key from his belt and unlocked the door. As he held the door open, Dobson took his place on guard. Desmond gave each of the Signers of the Charter of Schiereiland an acknowledging nod as they walked by. On the other side was a short staircase that led to a hall about eight feet wide with another iron door on the far side, but Berenger stopped at the first door on the left. Desmond excused himself as he squeezed past them to unlock the thick wooden door reinforced with iron bands, taking a moment to peek through the iron grill in the door first. He held the door open and Sir Berenger led the way in. The man within looked up and then tried to look away. His eyes (one nearly swollen shut) watered in the sudden light. He had dark reddish-brown hair and a long face with crooked nose. He was stripped down to a loincloth and in noting this the cold and damp of the cell seemed even worse to the young nobles. The man had bruising scars here and there, some recognizable from the battle at the inn; others are more fresh. Most strikingly, he was locked into wooden stocks, his wrists and neck enclosed by the wooden frame, a narrow wooden bench propped under his knees. The cell was small, not more than twelve feet to a side. Berenger walked over and pushed the bench out from under the prisoner with his foot, and the man groaned softly as the weight of his body made his confinement all the more painful. "We have some people who want to talk to you, scum," Berenger said, lifting the man's head up by the chin so he was forced to look at his visitors. Bleys the Aubergine walked over and bent slightly, looking the man full in the face. "I am not going to play games with you, make false promises, or be coy. Frankly, I do not have the time and neither do you. I wish you to speak with us, and speak true. It can only go better for you should you choose to cooperate. If you are going to refuse, tell me now so that we can be done with this and away from this place." The man remained silent, his eyes defiant. Bleys met his stare, hard and cold. "How long will it be before those you work for dispatch others to the task?" The prisoner's head dropped again. He said nothing. Bleys reached down and clamped his hand around the man's jaw and chin, beneath the ears. Squeezing hard, he forced the man's mouth open, inspecting for a tongue. The man choked out an incomprehensible word, likely a curse. "They have left you your tongue, you may elect to use it at any time." Bleys released the prisoner. "We had no luck getting him to speak yesterday… I even tried a spell I know, but he was able to resist it," Berenger said, his tone even and serious, as if he were a light-colored version of Bleys. "I could try it again… If there are no objections?" Bleys withdrew from the assassin, acquiescent. Telémahkos, Timotheus and Markos were stood squeezed into a corner by the cell door. Telémahkos whispered to them, thinking no one else could hear. "Magic won't work ... burn him or flay him… Either he talks or he doesn't. Either way we get our revenge." The prisoner's gaze shot over to Telémahkos. He smiled, his lips puffy and black, his teeth cracked. Markos frowned at Telémahkos’ words, but did not look at him. Instead, he called to Berenger, "Cast your spell and let us see." Berenger the Taupe reached into his satchel and drew out a needle with a tiny piece of red thread attached. "I will need for one of you to donate a drop of blood. . ." Markos' frown disappeared as he watched Berenger intently. Telémahkos stepped forward and offered a finger silently. Berenger grabbed hold of Telie's hand from beneath and pricked the offered finger quickly, squeezing it and smearing the emerging drop of blood onto his own. And with that he began to intone, "[I]Amicus Fascinere Sanguinus Delphus![/I]" A moment later, the prisoner looked up with a look of fear and confusion. "Wha. . . Why are you holding me?" he asked. He looked right at Telémahkos and said with a bit of gruff pleading in his voice, "I made a mistake. I didn't know it was you, friend. If you tell them it was all a mistake and get them to let me go, I'll go away and never bother you again! Even better I'll tell them you were killed that way they'll leave you alone." He looked to Berenger and then to Bleys. "It's okay, I'm friends with these watch-mages. You can convince them to let me go. No hard feelings right? You know how this business is… You're one of us!" Berenger the Taupe looked to Telemahkos and frowned slightly. "As you can see, he should be a lot more cooperative now. He believes the four of us to good friends. If you question him keeping that in mind, it should prove more fruitful." [sup]2[/sup] Telémahkos straightened up and in a calm voice said, "I indeed know how the business is but the fact still remains that we need a lot more information before we can let you go. You know as well as anyone, one hand washes the other, right?” He paused. “Can you tell me how you were set on my trail, who was your contact and who they are likely to send next? We [I]are[/I] all friends here, so all your secrets are safe with us." The prisoner looked at Telémahkos again, but his eyes narrowed as his gaze shifted painfully towards Laarus. "I know if it were up to you I'd be let go, but I don't trust that [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Rogues#cant]baldie[/url]. Get him to swear to Ra…" He hissed. "Laarus, this is not for your ears. Will you wait upstairs for us?" Telémahkos looked to the young priest. Laarus stepped closer to the prisoner, looking down at him. "Your release or continued imprisonment is not up to me. So, there is nothing for me to swear to. The most I can do is put in a good word. But, for me to do that for you, we need you to share some facts with us." Meanwhile, Markos, his eyes wide with an idea, began to whisper to Telémahkos to join him out in the hall to talk. Telémahkos ignored him, "First of all, I would like to know your name," Laarus asked. "I'm not telling him anything," the man replied, sneering, "Then don't." With that Laarus turned his back on the prisoner and walked back to the cell door. Markos sneered when ignored by Telémahkos. And his annoyance deepened when Laarus moved to the front of the cell and did not leave. He stepped over to interpose his himself between the prisoner and Laarus to block the latter’s view. "He is of no matter,” Telémahkos said of Laarus. “These watch-mages will decide your fate. If you cannot trust us, who can you trust?" The man did not reply. Telémahkos continued. "The fur sure is flying in Thricia with everyone trying to grab a piece of the pie. It is an uncertain time, and in times like these a man needs good friends. Tell me what you can friend, and we will do all we can for you in return." "I don't know what I can tell you…” The prisoner swallowed hard and then gasped. “I have no idea who would be sent next, if anyone. . . well, [I]someone[/I] will be sent once the news gets back that Sancri and I failed… Can I get some water?" "I will get you some." Markos stepped out of the cell to ask the jailer for some water. "And how long will that be… before the Red Lanterns discover your failure?" Bleys asked. "They might already know…It depends on who here is their informant…" "Well, who was your contact for this job? We need names, anyone that you know besides your partner is in or working for the Lanterns," Telémahkos tried a different tact. The prisoner coughed and futility tried to moisten his mouth by smacking his lips a few times as he waited for the water. "It was a halfling. . . People called him 'Gibbet', but I don't know his real name… I don't know much about him. . . But he is… or [I]was[/I] a Lantern. . . We met him in [url= http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Quillton]Quillton[/url], but from what I heard he used to work at [url= http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Kraken%27s+Cove]Kraken's Cove[/url] until you all killed everyone there…Good job, by the way, it was mostly [url= http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/the+Coopers]Coopers[/url] and [url= http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Rubes]Rubes[/url]. . . works for me!" He gave a smile and then began to cough again. "And the bloodstone… Who gave it to you?" Bleys asked.[sup]3[/sup] "Sancri had it from her last mission. . . we didn't work on it together. . . But the mistress usually gives those out personally. . . or at least one of her lieutenants. . ." He coughs again. "Where's that water friend? It is getting hard to talk. . ." "Is the water coming?" Telémahkos asked, turning toward the others. Markos returned with a bucket of water and lifted a ladle to the man's lips. The prisoner drank the water greedily and then let out a relieved sigh after he gulping down the last bit of it. He glared at Markos, however. . . Telémahkos waited for water for the man to drink a bit and then smiled. "Why do you say ‘[i]was[/i]’? What happened to this ‘Gibbet’? And is he the one paying for the bounty on my head or is he just as agent of the Lanterns?" Markos returned the prisoner's glare. "Master watch-mage, please tell your friend to stop eye-balling me...” He said between clenched teeth. “Actually, don't bother… I will return to the inn. Telémahkos, a word before I go, please." He placed the bucket of water in front of the assassin and walked back into the hallway. Telémahkos rolled his eyes and said to the prisoner, "At least he brought you water. Excuse me one moment." He stepped outside to join Markos in the hall. Timotheus accompanied his cousin, looming over him in a typical bodyguard stance. "That little shrimp yours? Impudent servants should be kept on a leash. . ." The prisoner said to Berenger and Bleys as Markos, Telémahkos and Timotheus step out in the hall. "You both are watch-mages so you already have people watching your back, but the rest of these fools? The more they learn the more dangerous it will be for them…" Seeing that the water had sufficiently wet the assassin's whistle, Bleys continued despite Telémahkos' absence. "Tell me more about this...[I]Gibbet[/I], and where you got the stone?" "I don't know if I should tell you… Gibbet is Gibbet. There is nothing I can say that will help you and not hurt him, and while I don't like the little shet… There is a code… Though he clearly sent me into a situation a lot more difficult than he described. . . Little shet!" He smacked his lips again and closes his eyes as in deep in thought. "He worked in that Cove crew with Captain Javell… You know her? He was the only one beside her to survive. . . And I don't know much about the stone, that was Sancri's to use." "Well, tell me what you do know. You know it is imbued with a magic powerful enough to aid in your work… What else? There is certainly more..." "It takes blood to work them and it can never be the same person's blood twice in a row…At least that's what Sancri said. . " "Is there anything more? What about Sancri?" Bleys asked, "What about her?" Bleys' face showed no sign of frustration. "Did you not work with her in the past? Was she a Red Lantern? Or more loosely affiliated like Gibbet? Did you meet her in Quillton? Did Gibbet pair you with her? Who was her contact?" "[I]She[/I] brought me. . .Things are like that now. . . I was the muscle. She's the fncking brains. Stupid bitch was too eager. . . I thought we should wait and get a better shot, and then he'd be dead, like a snap! But no she has to do the message thing… " He stopped and looked up at Bleys and then Berenger nervously. "You won't tell Telémahkos I was saying that when he comes back, right? I mean, I [I]had[/I] to try to kill him, you know?" "He seems to understand [I]the business[/I]. What 'message thing'?" Bleys said. "To have the porter at the inn bring the message that Tenbrook was there to see him…" "What about [url= http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Harliss+Javell]Harliss[/url]? What is her relationship to Sancri, and Gibbet?" The prisoner looked back and forth and was silent for a long time before answering. Telémahkos walked back in, followed by Timotheus. Markos could not leave without Berenger the Taupe, so he went back to the first room and spent time with the guards there. "Gibbet worked for Captain Javell… He answered to her and to her pig-fncker first mate, [url= http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Drevoraz+Kabran]Drevoraz[/url]. . . I heard Drevoraz escaped the cove, but you guys hunted him down and killed him, too… I assume the order to kill Briareus came from Javell. . . But I don't know. . . " He gulped and continued. "Harliss and what was left of her crew were not exactly in high regard with our mistress after what happened in the Cove. . . She was supposed to be working towards undermining the Coopers and taking over . . . Instead everyone is dead, all the booty gone and the Thrician navy is guarding the place. .. Sure, the Coopers are suffering and everyone loves that. . . but . . . well, but nothing. . . It just didn't work out right. . ." "Well then, if this halfling pond scum isn't even in the good graces of your mistress any longer [I]and[/I] obviously did not give one hair off his knotty little feet if you lived or died when sending you after me, seems more than fair for you tell me anything you can about him. What do you think?" Telémahkos said. "I don't know what else to tell you about him," The prisoner coughed and then cleared his throat, hawking up a green and red nugget of phlegm. "Can I get some more water…?" When he noticed that no one was going to oblige him, the man continued. "I don't give a shet about the halfling. . . It is just the principle of the matter. . . Let's see. . . we met him in Quillton at some man's house. . . I don't know the man's name, he wasn't there. . . I assumed that he was borrowing the place, but it was a man-place. . . not a halfling or gnome house. . . He gave us the drawing, your name and the name of all your companions, and the location: [url= http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Death+%26+Taxes]Death & Taxes[/url]. I got the impression he was used to spending his time at sea, he had a peeling complexion like the little shet you got out in the hall." "When was this?" Bleys asked. "We came into Quillton early last month. . . It was the fourth or maybe the fifth. . . No later than the sixth because we got to [url= http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Sluetelot]Sluetelot[/url] late on the ninth," the prisoner explained. "Whom… Or when... were you supposed to meet when your task was complete?" Bleys continued with his questioning. "Sancri knew… Though I guess we'd go back to the Port… or the Bosom. . ."[sup]4[/sup] Victoria moved over to Laarus and whispered in his ear, "It looks as if we killed the wrong assassin. The woman would've known more, I think. If we can get little more out of this one, we should think about preparing ourselves better for the next attempt on Telémahkos’ life." Bleys eyed Telémahkos up and down, taking in his full measure, assessing the smaller man. "How much is he worth?" He turned to inquire of the would-be assassin. "I would have gotten a cut of 600 silver…" "Blood flows on the cheap these days," Telémahkos spat, and then after a moment he opened up a new line of questioning. "After your attempt on my life in Sluetelot, where did you go? Who was putting you up?" When the man hesitated, Telémahkos added, "I am not going after you and I am not going after your friends but we can only be even if you give me a chance to get to someone with the pull to call this whole thing off." "If you want to get this called off then you need to speak to the lady in charge, or make them think you're dead. . ." He swallowed hard. "Seriously, can I get some more water?" Still no one moved to help him, so he croaked out some more. "We left Sluetelot to let things cool down and then came here to Lilly City. We were going to return, but then the fire happened and we figured the town-watch would be more vigilant, so we waited and [url= http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Bes]Bes[/url] blessed us. . . You came here!" "The gods work in mysterious ways,” Telémahkos sighed. “If you had gotten away from us but the city too hot to leave, where would you have gone?" "Back to our rooms at the Tempe's Rising Inn," He coughed out, looking at the bucket and ladle longingly. Berenger finally reached down and puts a ladleful to the man's mouth and he slurped it down eagerly. "More!" Berenger gave him another. "We had been around for a while posing as brother and sister merchants in cloth and scrimshaw. . .There would be no reason to question us. We even saw you at that place's common room with Mercardo the shet-eater. . . It's a miracle that guy's not dead. If so, it's just because he is too pathetic to put a price on…" [sup]5[/sup] "Did you have a secret word or anything when communicating with this halfling? If I wanted to get in touch with him, what would be the surest way?" Telémahkos asked. "My guess is he's doing work for the Braids in Quillton now. . .[sup]5[/sup] If you know any of them you might be able to find him…" "Question is, do [I]you[/I] know any of them?" Telémahkos said. “Nope.” "Any signals, secret hand-shakes, anything that would help me figure out who is going to try to kill me next?" "Uh. . . I don't know. . . You know how it works, the trick is to get the target when they think they are safe, though I imagine someone could go the sloppy route and go for the ole arrow from a rooftop while you are in market, won't matter how many bodyguards you got then… Or poison… poison works, but you might end up killing a bunch of extra people. . If you care about that sort of thing…" "If you needed to communicate with the halfling now, how would you? Through the woman?" "Huh? I [I]told[/I] you, Sancri was the contact. . . But if I had to I'd go to Quillton and look for him, maybe scope out the house and apply uh. . . [I]pressure[/I] to the man that lives there. . . Maybe bribe some big noses. . ." "I'm done,” Telémahkos finally said, disgusted. “Bleys, do you have any more questions?" The watch-mage shook his head. “This has been useless…” [sup]6[/sup] [b]End of InterSession #27.2[/b] ------------------------------------------------------ [b]Notes:[/b] (1) This InterSession took place on our messageboards between the meetings for Sessions #27 and #28. (2) Berenger the Taupe cast Aquerra’s version of the [url= http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Spell+-+Friends][I]friends[/I][/url] spell. (3) The [I]bloodstone[/I] is what allowed for the [I]silence[/I] spell in both assassination attempts, and perhaps Sancri’s ability to appear as the cleaning maid in the first. See Session #22 (4) These are references to [url= http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Haffar%27s+Port]Haffar’s Port[/url] and [url= http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Misery%27s+Bosom]Misery’s Bosom[/url]. (5) Telémahkos met [url= http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Mercado+the+Magnificent]Mercado the Magnificent[/url] in Session #27, but the character has a reputation dating back to [url= http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/The+Oath+Campaign]the Oath Campaign[/url], which was played from 1996 to 2000. (6) While this was not said in the InterSession thread itself, this opinion was expressed to me by Bleys' player afterwards, and since the scene was left incomplete and the information gathered in the interrogation never came up in game again, I figured it accurately captured the feeling about the usefulness of the questioning, and thus served as a good place to end it. [/QUOTE]
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