Hairy Minotaur
Explorer
I think I'm being followed
After hearing Turgar’s report from the Courts, Xanthos narrows his focus down to Lord Burghondy. The party gathers to decide what to do with the statue of Lord Palmere, give him to the courts as is, beg the Kadors to restore him and then escort him to the courts, take him as is to the Park of Obscene Statues and set him up in there somewhere.
“I don’t think Lord Palmere had anything to do with this, I think it was a frame job all the way.” Kessen intones
“Why was Lord Palmere throwing the party anyway?” Xanthos asks aloud
“He had secured a trade agreement with a Virdistan merchant, which is a first under the current Overlord and was throwing the party to gloat.” Helle advises
Xanthos scowls in mock pain, “Were there more than one suitor for the merchant? I wonder if Lord Burghondy got slighted and took out his frustrations on Palmere? What happened to the visiting merchant? Did he get stoned as well?”
“Too late to find out know, with the constables and the School all over the crime scene, if he was there they’ve got him now. I wouldn’t put it past the Overlord to want this merchant for his information and Palmere was a stooge all along.” Helle offers
“There were quite a few assassination attempts and people who didn’t belong. It could be any number of factions that wanted the Virdistan dead.” Haimish offers
“I think I’m going to go visit this Lord Burghondy and see if my elven noble can coax anything out of him.” Xanthos advises and gets up to leave.
“You need some muscle?” Kessen asks
“No, I’ll be fine. As long as he thinks I’m a noble I think I’ll be okay.” Xanthos declines and exits the temple
Haimish raps his fingers across his forehead and stops abruptly and rises, “I’ll be back.” The trueborn announces and exits the temple as well.
Haimish nearly collides with Xanthos who was heading back into the temple, “Forget something?”
“Sort of, Lord Burghondy’s address.” Xanthos explains
“Well come with me, maybe I can give you some more background on Burghondy before you reach him?” Haimish offers
“Do tell.” Xanthos follows as Haimish leads him to the Bardic College and asks for an audience with the teacher he met a few days earlier, the pair are escorted in and given seats in a vacant auditorium.
“What is it that I can do for you?” Professor Brown asks as a middle aged man of fifty years enters the auditorium amidst a flurry of cloaks and scarves.
“We need some information on Lord Burghondy, I’ve come with payment.” Haimish relates. Xanthos shifts nervously in his seat eyeballing the exit hoping Haimish didn’t mean to trade him for the info.
“And what sort of news do you bring?” Professor Brown inquires
Haimish retells the story of Doopa and Menthos holding Kalen and jamming the liquid sun down the vampire’s throat. Even going so far as to have Xanthos turn into a living replica of Kalen and demonstrating on him. The performance is well received and Professor Brown elects to part with some knowledge of Lord Burghondy.
“The visiting Virdistan merchant did not stay with Lord Palmere last night, he stayed with Lord Burghondy and is still there this morning. Whatever deal was being brokered, it involved the movement of millions of platinum and pounds of diamonds. In all my years I have never seen such an amassment of wealth in one place.” Professor Brown concludes
“How do you know all of this?” Xanthos inquires
“I’m a bard we defeat our enemies by knowing their weaknesses much in the same way I already know yours.” Professor Brown explains to Xanthos, who them turns to face Haimish who gives back a sheepish grin.
“Where does Lord Burghondy reside?” Haimish asks
“In the northwest quarter by the docks, which is convenient considering the payment is due to leave the docks later tonight.” Professor Brown explains
Xanthos and Haimish are led out of the college where Xanthos asks, “What did you tell them about me?”
“It wasn’t just you, and nothing anybody who pays attention to you long enough couldn’t figure out anyway. All I did was save them the trouble of having to find it out themselves.” Haimish explains
“I’m going to still have that chat with Burghondy, and then I’ll…. Do something else.” Xanthos advises, trying to be not as forthcoming with his whereabouts as he just added Haimish to the short list of people who were likely not to be trusted, Menthos being the other person on that list.
“Sure thing, I’ll be expecting the unexpected then.” Haimish responds with a smile and bounds away down the street whistling along.
Xanthos sighed heavily, his indoctrination into the civilized lands was fraught deceptions and half-truths, as someone used to the exacting way of nature it didn’t sit well with the shifter. It wasn’t until after he had transformed into his elven noble role did Xanthos realize he too was playing something he’s not, but his own eyes he was being true to himself and nature and he wondered to what Menthos and Haimish were true to.
Xanthos was met at the entrance to the gated estate by a contingent of well armed mercenaries. After asking to speak with Lord Burghondy, a house slave is sent to speak with Xanthos.
“What do you want?” the slave inquires
“Where’s Lord Burghondy?” Xanthos asks
“Performing his duties as a merchant lord.” The slave replies
“Where was Lord Burghondy last night?” Xanthos prods
“Why? Did you have a meeting scheduled? I’m pretty sure he cleared his calendar for last night, I’m sorry if you didn’t receive notice. Leave me your name and I’ll have you contacted for a replacement session.” The slave offers
“No I didn’t have an appointment, can I get one? When do you expect him to return?” Xanthos asks
“I am not privy to the whims of my master, what is your name and what is the meeting regarding?” the slave inquires
“Tymoult Eveningstar, and it’s regarding the massacre at Lord Palmere’s party last night, I’m just researching some loose ends.” Xanthos explains
“And you think Lord Burghondy had some kind of role in that? It is not Lord Burghondy’s fault Jin Palmere was out of his league and couldn’t close the deal. Maybe you’re playing for the wrong team?” the slave relates and leaves Xanthos standing at the gate as he retreats to the estate.
Convinced ever more firmly now that Lord Burghondy had offed Lord Palmere, Xanthos also noted how the slave did not refer to him as Lord Palmere but used what sounded like his non-titled name, as if Lord Burghondy’s house knew how the court proceedings were going to play out.
Xanthos raced back to the Temple of Kador to meet with the party to discuss plans for Lord Palmere.
“I say we keep him like this until we get proof on Lord Burghondy and spring the trap then.” Kessen offers
“Doopa thinks we should throw statue at Lord Birkenstock and kill both with one throw.” Doopa proudly announces
“I think we should raid that barge and steal the money for ourselves.” Chimed in Turgar
“I think both are bad ideas, if you think that barge won’t be guarded by things that would ensure a safe journey for tens of millions of gold then I want what you’re smoking and showing up with a fugitive from the Courts of Maal will just get you thrown in jail along with Lord Palmere.” Haimish advises
“Why would that be? We’re bringing him in for justice, why arrest us?” Xanthos asks
“The Overlord isn’t rational it’s all law all the time. If you show up on with him in tow then obviously we were harboring a known fugitive from the law.” Haimish explains
“We could say we found him and were bringing him in.” Xanthos offers
“Better to let the authorities find him and bring him in, if you go down there now Lord Burghondy will have you arrested as well.” Helle offers
“What is with you guys? After I came back with my news from Lord Burghondy’s place you’ve all turned gutless. I’m no fan of the law just like the rest of you, but this is bordering on oppressive paranoia.” Xanthos relates
“It matters not now; I’ve had the package delivered.” Statinisor explains
“I guess he’s right it doesn’t matter now.” Kessen sighs annoyed the option was removed by someone other than himself
Statinisor and Helle begin to leave as Xanthos shouts back at them, “And were your handlers arrested?! And were they arrested?!” Xanthos throws his hands down in exasperation as the rest of the party stares at him.
“What?!” Xanthos shouts
“I don’t think you’re thinking clearly.” Menthos offers his only part in the conversation
“Oooh the temple’s whipping boy speaks.” Xanthos responds
“I don’t think you’re being careful.” Haimish replies
Menthos and Haimish get up to follow the two priests; they are then followed by Doopa, leaving Xanthos, Kessen and Turgar to ponder in silence.
After hearing Turgar’s report from the Courts, Xanthos narrows his focus down to Lord Burghondy. The party gathers to decide what to do with the statue of Lord Palmere, give him to the courts as is, beg the Kadors to restore him and then escort him to the courts, take him as is to the Park of Obscene Statues and set him up in there somewhere.
“I don’t think Lord Palmere had anything to do with this, I think it was a frame job all the way.” Kessen intones
“Why was Lord Palmere throwing the party anyway?” Xanthos asks aloud
“He had secured a trade agreement with a Virdistan merchant, which is a first under the current Overlord and was throwing the party to gloat.” Helle advises
Xanthos scowls in mock pain, “Were there more than one suitor for the merchant? I wonder if Lord Burghondy got slighted and took out his frustrations on Palmere? What happened to the visiting merchant? Did he get stoned as well?”
“Too late to find out know, with the constables and the School all over the crime scene, if he was there they’ve got him now. I wouldn’t put it past the Overlord to want this merchant for his information and Palmere was a stooge all along.” Helle offers
“There were quite a few assassination attempts and people who didn’t belong. It could be any number of factions that wanted the Virdistan dead.” Haimish offers
“I think I’m going to go visit this Lord Burghondy and see if my elven noble can coax anything out of him.” Xanthos advises and gets up to leave.
“You need some muscle?” Kessen asks
“No, I’ll be fine. As long as he thinks I’m a noble I think I’ll be okay.” Xanthos declines and exits the temple
Haimish raps his fingers across his forehead and stops abruptly and rises, “I’ll be back.” The trueborn announces and exits the temple as well.
Haimish nearly collides with Xanthos who was heading back into the temple, “Forget something?”
“Sort of, Lord Burghondy’s address.” Xanthos explains
“Well come with me, maybe I can give you some more background on Burghondy before you reach him?” Haimish offers
“Do tell.” Xanthos follows as Haimish leads him to the Bardic College and asks for an audience with the teacher he met a few days earlier, the pair are escorted in and given seats in a vacant auditorium.
“What is it that I can do for you?” Professor Brown asks as a middle aged man of fifty years enters the auditorium amidst a flurry of cloaks and scarves.
“We need some information on Lord Burghondy, I’ve come with payment.” Haimish relates. Xanthos shifts nervously in his seat eyeballing the exit hoping Haimish didn’t mean to trade him for the info.
“And what sort of news do you bring?” Professor Brown inquires
Haimish retells the story of Doopa and Menthos holding Kalen and jamming the liquid sun down the vampire’s throat. Even going so far as to have Xanthos turn into a living replica of Kalen and demonstrating on him. The performance is well received and Professor Brown elects to part with some knowledge of Lord Burghondy.
“The visiting Virdistan merchant did not stay with Lord Palmere last night, he stayed with Lord Burghondy and is still there this morning. Whatever deal was being brokered, it involved the movement of millions of platinum and pounds of diamonds. In all my years I have never seen such an amassment of wealth in one place.” Professor Brown concludes
“How do you know all of this?” Xanthos inquires
“I’m a bard we defeat our enemies by knowing their weaknesses much in the same way I already know yours.” Professor Brown explains to Xanthos, who them turns to face Haimish who gives back a sheepish grin.
“Where does Lord Burghondy reside?” Haimish asks
“In the northwest quarter by the docks, which is convenient considering the payment is due to leave the docks later tonight.” Professor Brown explains
Xanthos and Haimish are led out of the college where Xanthos asks, “What did you tell them about me?”
“It wasn’t just you, and nothing anybody who pays attention to you long enough couldn’t figure out anyway. All I did was save them the trouble of having to find it out themselves.” Haimish explains
“I’m going to still have that chat with Burghondy, and then I’ll…. Do something else.” Xanthos advises, trying to be not as forthcoming with his whereabouts as he just added Haimish to the short list of people who were likely not to be trusted, Menthos being the other person on that list.
“Sure thing, I’ll be expecting the unexpected then.” Haimish responds with a smile and bounds away down the street whistling along.
Xanthos sighed heavily, his indoctrination into the civilized lands was fraught deceptions and half-truths, as someone used to the exacting way of nature it didn’t sit well with the shifter. It wasn’t until after he had transformed into his elven noble role did Xanthos realize he too was playing something he’s not, but his own eyes he was being true to himself and nature and he wondered to what Menthos and Haimish were true to.
Xanthos was met at the entrance to the gated estate by a contingent of well armed mercenaries. After asking to speak with Lord Burghondy, a house slave is sent to speak with Xanthos.
“What do you want?” the slave inquires
“Where’s Lord Burghondy?” Xanthos asks
“Performing his duties as a merchant lord.” The slave replies
“Where was Lord Burghondy last night?” Xanthos prods
“Why? Did you have a meeting scheduled? I’m pretty sure he cleared his calendar for last night, I’m sorry if you didn’t receive notice. Leave me your name and I’ll have you contacted for a replacement session.” The slave offers
“No I didn’t have an appointment, can I get one? When do you expect him to return?” Xanthos asks
“I am not privy to the whims of my master, what is your name and what is the meeting regarding?” the slave inquires
“Tymoult Eveningstar, and it’s regarding the massacre at Lord Palmere’s party last night, I’m just researching some loose ends.” Xanthos explains
“And you think Lord Burghondy had some kind of role in that? It is not Lord Burghondy’s fault Jin Palmere was out of his league and couldn’t close the deal. Maybe you’re playing for the wrong team?” the slave relates and leaves Xanthos standing at the gate as he retreats to the estate.
Convinced ever more firmly now that Lord Burghondy had offed Lord Palmere, Xanthos also noted how the slave did not refer to him as Lord Palmere but used what sounded like his non-titled name, as if Lord Burghondy’s house knew how the court proceedings were going to play out.
Xanthos raced back to the Temple of Kador to meet with the party to discuss plans for Lord Palmere.
“I say we keep him like this until we get proof on Lord Burghondy and spring the trap then.” Kessen offers
“Doopa thinks we should throw statue at Lord Birkenstock and kill both with one throw.” Doopa proudly announces
“I think we should raid that barge and steal the money for ourselves.” Chimed in Turgar
“I think both are bad ideas, if you think that barge won’t be guarded by things that would ensure a safe journey for tens of millions of gold then I want what you’re smoking and showing up with a fugitive from the Courts of Maal will just get you thrown in jail along with Lord Palmere.” Haimish advises
“Why would that be? We’re bringing him in for justice, why arrest us?” Xanthos asks
“The Overlord isn’t rational it’s all law all the time. If you show up on with him in tow then obviously we were harboring a known fugitive from the law.” Haimish explains
“We could say we found him and were bringing him in.” Xanthos offers
“Better to let the authorities find him and bring him in, if you go down there now Lord Burghondy will have you arrested as well.” Helle offers
“What is with you guys? After I came back with my news from Lord Burghondy’s place you’ve all turned gutless. I’m no fan of the law just like the rest of you, but this is bordering on oppressive paranoia.” Xanthos relates
“It matters not now; I’ve had the package delivered.” Statinisor explains
“I guess he’s right it doesn’t matter now.” Kessen sighs annoyed the option was removed by someone other than himself
Statinisor and Helle begin to leave as Xanthos shouts back at them, “And were your handlers arrested?! And were they arrested?!” Xanthos throws his hands down in exasperation as the rest of the party stares at him.
“What?!” Xanthos shouts
“I don’t think you’re thinking clearly.” Menthos offers his only part in the conversation
“Oooh the temple’s whipping boy speaks.” Xanthos responds
“I don’t think you’re being careful.” Haimish replies
Menthos and Haimish get up to follow the two priests; they are then followed by Doopa, leaving Xanthos, Kessen and Turgar to ponder in silence.