Hemaor comes to in a sizable tent, tied to a large wooden post that appears to have been simply made by cutting down a large tree, then hacking off the upper section, with all those pesky branches. A rather thin, intellectual-looking Mountain Goblin is watching him, smiling. He is dressed very similarly to Icya, though he also seems to be wearing a chain shirt beneath his robes, as well as a pair of spiked gauntlets. Like her, his eyes are coated in heavy purple makeup. " 'The master of the beast, and the beast he has mastered'," he states in ringing, satisfied tones, in a manner that makes it sound like he's quoting something. He glances over to the side, where Hemaor realizes Lady Icya is lounging on a chair. "You've done well, Icya."
"Thank you, Lord Agrid," she answers, fluttering her eyelashes.
"Though I do wish you'd stand at attention when you're around me," he notes, quietly.
"I'm tired," she replies, with a sulky pout.
"Not one of your sisters is," notes Agrid sternly.
She smiles at him winningly. "That's because they do not labor under the heavy burden I do. You see, they are merely 'adequate', while I am 'fantastic'." She makes a sign of mock exasperation. "You see the problems this creates for me?"
Agrid chuckles. "You are a saucy minx," he notes fondly, "and I suspect you've been sent by Vathek either as a gift or a test." He spreads his hands. "Ahh, well. Who am I to question the will of the Gods?" He turns back to Hemaor. "Now, then, I see you're awake. Allow me to introduce myself--I am Lord Agrid Stargaze. I wish you to know, young Nibelung, that you are about to be granted the highest destiny, I can imagine--service to Vathek, the Iron Fist, whose Will is Law! I suspect that both you, your wolf, and that young man over there will resent this, but believe me--if it were my destiny to be in your place, I would leap under the knife." He chuckles fondly. Hemaor glancing to the side, is surprised to see a short, dark-haired young man tied up on another side of the post, his mouth in a gag.
Lord Agrid seems about to say more when another female Mountain Goblin walks into the tent. She is clad like they are, though seems slightly drabber. "Lord Agrid--the Blackbird clan--the ones you left at--the place. They are--unhappy about things. I believe they attacked Lord Renfaw, and now are in open revolt..."
Agrid clicks his tongue. "Well, Renfaw's made his usual mess of things, I see." He glances at Lady Icya. "Tell me, Icya--I am filled with--disgust and nausea by these--savages. They seem to me a shame to my species, and I must supress an urge to destroy the disgusting brutes. But now they spurn my authority, and I can't help but feel that I should give into my anger and slaughter the bastards, allowing them to taste the hell that we of the Purple Eye tribe can unleash. Do you think I am right to do this?"
"Absolutely," says Icya, standing to attention. "Flay their skin from their bones. Kill their women, and children! Leave none alive! That's the way to handle things."
Lord Agrid nods. "So I thought." He smiles. "Do you think my 'wind spirit' could accompany me?"
"I think she'll do so with pleasure," answers Icya with a smirk.
Agrid glances at the other female. "Lady Icya and myself will deal with this mutiny. As for you, Greffa, I'd like you to guard my prisoners."
Greffa bows. "It will be done, my lord."
Lord Agrid and Lady Icya leave the tent, both bearing cheerful little smiles...
