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<blockquote data-quote="havenstone" data-source="post: 4734218" data-attributes="member: 61094"><p><strong>The Great Betrayal</strong></p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">AFTER DARREN'S CAPTURE</span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">, he is dragged to the dungeons and thrown without ceremony into a damp, deep pit in the rock. Tumbling desperately, he manages to cushion his fall enough to stay alive, but dislocates his shoulder in the process. After popping his arm agonizingly back into place, he spends most of the night drifting in and out of consciousness. During the following day (of Ontaya’s almost fruitless investigations), the inventive Darren dismantles his leather jerkin and tries gamely to use its straps and belts, Calla’s scarves, and some of the rags and bones at the bottom of the oubliette to assemble a climbing harness to improve his chances of scaling the slick-walled pit. After several near-fatal tries, he makes it to the top but has no leverage in his precarious position to shift the heavy trap door; only his jury-rigged harness keeps him alive through the repeated falls. While lying half-conscious at the bottom of the pit, Darren despairingly overhears Meeshak and Nina’s <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4731762-post59.html" target="_blank">failed rescue attempt</a>.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">A long time later, he hears the door open far above him. “Boy – you’re to be moved to another cell in preparation for questioning,” a guard shouts. Darren allows himself to be lifted out of the oubliette in a rope harness; in his famished, battered state, he decides against trying to use his concealed needle-launcher against the guards who tie his hands and feet. His spirits soar when he realizes he is being locked up near Meeshak and Nina, but a boot to the head sends him back into oblivion, and it is hours before he painfully comes to himself.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Darren uses up most of his few remaining needles trying to shoot Meeshak, giving him something sharp to work on his bonds. When Meeshak finally gets one, Darren takes two of the remaining needles and tries to pick the lock on the barred cell door. He is making scant progress when he hears booted feet approaching the cells, and quickly slumps down to feign unconsciousness.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">His heart skips a beat when he hears the haggard, hateful voice of Agerain d’Aramant at his cell door: “Oh yes – this boy was there when I was killed. I’ll be interested to hear his story when he wakes up.”</span></p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">STILL BARELY CONSCIOUS </span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">himself, Nina glances up in shock to see Agerain limping across the dungeon, two guards in tow. The young d’Aramant’s skin is an unhealthy greyish color, but the cut across his neck is gone, and he has no wound on the back of his head where <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4712537-post52.html" target="_blank">Darren clubbed him</a>. “And you say these two tried to break in two days ago?” Agerain continues venomously. “I recognize the priest. We’ll let Astacius have a word with him when he arrives; he’s wondered <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4440912-post36.html" target="_blank">for months</a> whether we have a renegade Sistechern in our midst. And the other? Give me their cell keys.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Nina has sagged into his bonds, but Agerain unlocks his cell door, grips his chin, and turns his face into the light. There is a white circular mark on Agerain’s forehead that had never been there before. His bloodshot eyes are fixed on Nina’s for a long minute before he speaks.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“When I first met you, I thought you looked familiar. Thought I’d seen you at some Family gathering. But that wasn’t it – was it, <em>Anseron</em>?” Nina remains silent. “I should have thought about your eyes. You were dressed up as one of Ontaya’s <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4389283-post23.html" target="_blank">barbarian girls</a>. I almost slapped you.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“I’m sorry, Agerain.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The young d’Aramant’s fists crack back and forth across his face in a frenzy of loathing. “<em>Shut up!</em> I don’t want to hear your damned voice. Time for that later, plenty of time for that, when Astacius is here. We’ll hear everything before we send you off to seal the bargain.” He pauses, then whirls on the guards. “Go. Get the girl ready and bring her here. We’ll see how they like seeing each other cut to pieces.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">As the guards walk away, Agerain leans in close to Nina. There’s a sickly grave-smell on his breath. “What was it all for, Anseron? You and Atrix and Ontaya and your little group of friends. What were you trying to accomplish?”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“I betrayed you,” Nina admits. “What does it matter what it was for? It’s over now.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Yes, it’s over,” whispers Agerain, a note of delight entering his voice. “For you, for your friends, for House d’Loriad. Yesterday Athriam rode out with Sarquin, and Mercon led the rest of the host north. By the end of this morning, there will be only four Families. You were on to the scent, my little traitor, but it’s too late to stop it now.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“What are you talking about?” Nina coughs weakly, hoping against hope that if Agerain just keeps talking, Darren will be able to pick his lock and get away.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Agerain looks at Nina with disdain and pity. “Still trying to get the information? I’ve wanted to tell you <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4707048-post47.html" target="_blank">for months</a>, falsest friend. There’s no reason to hold back now. There’s nothing you can do.” He glances around before continuing in a harsh whisper. “We will destroy the d’Loriads utterly, Anseron. Control of Senallin requires controlling <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4363981-post19.html" target="_blank">three of five Families</a>; the d’Orbis will never really join us, and the wretched d’Syrnons have already chosen their side. The only way forward is to wipe out the d’Loriads, and the only question was how to do that without inciting the other Families against us. Everything became clear when the Arawai campaign took shape. If a Family betrays the North to the Arawai, all of Senallin will rise up to demand that Family’s extinction. So we have orchestrated that great betrayal. We have set all these things into motion, that the name of Sarquin the Betrayer will be remembered even when his Family has been forgotten.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“What?” Nina says in disbelief. “I don’t understand.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Agerain laughs. “Of course you don’t. Sarquin d’Loriad is leading the flanking force – the lynchpin of the Northern strategy. But we’ve made sure that the Arawai know that force is coming, and will send their full strength to wipe it out. We’ve prepared a few witnesses in reserve, who can testify that Sarquin rode to join the Arawai while his men died or fled. Poor, brash Uncle Athriam thinks he’ll be one of the survivors, but he’ll be our chief martyr instead. Today, Mercon will ensure that that no relief force arrives until every soldier in that flanking force is dead.” Agerain’s smile is pure malevolence. “That includes your dear friend Ontaya, incidentally. But we’re sure that in fact Sarquin will lead a brilliant, bloody last stand, and we don’t foresee any problem for the remainder of the Northern host to wipe out the remnants of the Arawai.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Why... why do you think people will believe your lies about Sarquin?”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The young d’Aramant shrugs. “Because they’re about the d’Loriads, not just about Sarquin, and because many of them aren’t lies. Uncle Mercon is a master at spinning rumors, and he’s been preparing for this for months. It’s already well known around Lynar that the d’Loriads wish to weaken the d’Nereins and d’Aramants – the Families with the largest landholdings in the south of the realm, who stand to gain the most from an expansion into Arawai. It’s also widely known that General Marcor d’Syrnon was murdered by <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4703285-post46.html" target="_blank">a d’Loriad boy</a>. That was a necessary murder for us, incidentally, to ensure that no surviving General could contradict the story of Sarquin the Betrayer.” Agerain’s lips twitch with anger as he continues. “Of course, everyone will soon know that Atrix d’Loriad, his brother, and their disguised friends infiltrated the d’Aramant Family with murderous intent – and believe me, you and your friends <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4727938-post56.html" target="_blank">will confess Sarquin’s involvement</a> before we let you die. Above all, the d’Loriads played into our hands when they brought an Arawai girl to Lynar, let her <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4440905-post35.html" target="_blank">seduce</a> half the d’Loriads in the place, gave her <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4439076-post34.html" target="_blank">Patriarch’s Gold</a> to toss around, and brought her along to Guardwatch – from which she mysteriously disappeared on the eve of the battle.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“What have you done to Kyla?” Nina groans.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Sent her home,” Agerain says indifferently. “For what it’s worth, she probably has actually betrayed us – though we weren’t relying on her to do so. May she die with her people, where she belongs. If she comes back here, we’ll make sure she dies with her d’Loriad lovers.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Nina shakes his head, forcing tears to add to the image of despair. “But... who’s the hooded man? The one who arranged for Marcor’s murder?”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Agerain cocks his head. “Were your allegiances with the d’Syrnons then? No matter. Uncle Mercon handled almost everything himself. I believe he wore a hood and mask when he needed to.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Why did he tell you all of this? What was your role?”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Mercon couldn’t have pulled off this scheme without the knowledge of our Patriarch,” Agerain says, smiling arrogantly. “But <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4547760-post42.html" target="_blank">Uncle Athagon</a> is an old man, and doesn’t know when Death may come for him. He wanted to make sure that his most trusted nephew knew what was going on, and could intervene if Mercon started to lose control.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“But... how do you hope to dominate a Senallin led by Four Families?” Nina asks, stretching desperately to keep the young d’Aramant talking.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“There must always be Five Families, Anseron. If you were really of our blood, you would know that.” Agerain is beginning to look bored, and he glances around to see whether the guards are back yet. “When Mercon leads our allies to victory despite the crippling blow of Sarquin’s betrayal, he will be every Senalline’s hero. He’ll become Patriarch of the new Family to replace the extinguished d’Loriads. I believe he intends to call it House d’Angor, after his father Angor, lord of the north. That’s the prize for Mercon’s game.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">He straightens slowly away from Nina. “And he’ll help to make sure I’m Patriarch one day, when my uncle’s gone. You almost stole it all from me, Anseron – or whatever your name is. But Astacius the Sistechern is desperate to establish his Order in Senallin, and he was willing to <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4410575-post25.html" target="_blank">summon up Death</a> to stay in favor with House d’Aramant.” Agerain’s eyes grow haunted and distant. “We made a bargain, traitor. Your life for mine. Death agreed to restore my soul if I hunted you down and killed you. That’s why I’ve told you all of this – so you understand that your death today isn’t just for me. It’s for something much bigger. It’s for our Family.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Trying to be impressive, d’Aramant?” comes a caustic voice from across the hall. “You weren’t so high and mighty when I bashed your brains out.”</span></p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">AGERAIN SPINS AROUND</span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"> to see a feeble-looking Darren clinging to his cell door. Having failed again to pick the lock with his battered hands, Darren is trying a last desperate scheme. “You <em>struck</em> me?” Agerain snarls, murder in his eyes. “You probably wouldn’t have survived questioning long enough to give us anything useful anyway, would you, you miserable little tinker?” He stalks vengefully out of Nina’s cell and slams the door – not noticing that the drop bolt has failed to catch. While Agerain unlocks Darren’s door, Nina works his hands out of their ropes, which he managed to loosen a few hours ago. He tries to remember the eight ways his uncle taught him to kill a man without weapons, and limps out of the cell, his ankles still chained together.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Just as he gets his former friend within arm’s reach, Nina’s stealth fails him, and he stumbles with a noisy clatter of chains. Agerain wheels around, mouth opening in shock. Nina punches him in the gullet, choking off his cry but not seriously hurting the d’Aramant, who almost knocks Nina out with his return blow. While Nina grapples weakly with Agerain, Darren hurls himself at the young noble’s throat and makes a valiant effort to fire a needle up into his brain.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Then a harsh voice echoes through the cell. Meeshak has finally managed to cut his bonds, yank off his gag, and cast Hold Person just in time to save his friends’ lives. Seconds later the guards return with Carwyn in tow; Meeshak’s spells drop them before they have a chance to raise the alarm. “Get me out of here,” Meeshak says urgently. “If Astacius is really on his way, we need to be gone before he arrives.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">A shaken Carwyn relieves the guards of their daggers and the paralyzed Agerain of the dungeon keys. While she unlocks Meeshak’s cell, Darren dons his dwarrow amulet and considers the currents of air, heat, and sound for a moment. “It feels like there are hollows below these passages,” he whispers. “Drainage channels.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Meeshak claims one of the guards’ daggers from Carwyn and quickly drops some light healing spells on his friends. “Help me carry the d’Aramant, Nina. We’ll need a hostage if we run into trouble.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">With Darren’s help, they find their way into the narrow, flooded drainage tunnels below the Guardwatch dungeons – pausing for a few moments to gag and hog-tie Agerain so he’ll be helpless when his paralysis expires. They move in total darkness, trying to splash as little as possible. Darren guides them away from side passages with dead air and follows the flow of air toward an exit. With his perception of the visible spectrum reduced, his companions see the dim torchlight coming around a corner of the passage before he does. Nina puts a warning hand on Darren’s shoulder to halt him. The light increases to the point where the four severely injured friends can see each others’ faces; they exchange silent glances as they prepare to make a last stand.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4672813-post44.html" target="_blank">Lune</a> appears at the corner, brandishing a knife in one hand and a torch in the other, with Carwyn’s crossbow strapped to his back. “I hoped this passage would get me into wherever they’d tossed you. Should have known you’d meet me halfway.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Carwyn barely restrains a delighted yelp as she sloshes over to the scruffy gambler and clutches him tightly. Lune leads them back to the end of the drain, where the cold water spills out through a gap at the foot of the rocky shelf below the castle. It’s almost noon when they emerge, but though they cautiously scan the wall of Guardwatch for guards, none appears. The great camp of settlers and army followers appears to be breaking up in inexplicable disarray, with massive streams of people heading north along the road. “I don’t know what’s going on,” Lune mutters in confusion. “Things were normal here just before dawn.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Bad news from the south,” Meeshak guesses grimly.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Lune blinks incredulously. “Is it possible that the Arawai might have <em>won</em>?”</span></p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">AS SOON AS</span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"> they’re a safe distance from the castle, Meeshak drops Agerain and brings the dagger to his throat. The young d’Aramant’s eyes bulge helplessly in terror and he froths against his gag. Carwyn averts her eyes.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Nina catches Meeshak’s hand. “No. Don’t do it.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Meeshak’s brow furrows. “We don’t need him, Nina. We’ve got to make a run for it, and he’ll only slow us down.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“He’s mine to kill,” Nina says softly. His utter <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4701793-post45.html" target="_blank">betrayal</a> of Agerain’s trust weighs hard on him, even after hearing how great a treachery the d’Aramants themselves had planned. He knows he can’t kill the defenseless Agerain in cold blood <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4712537-post52.html" target="_blank">a second time</a>, or stand by while someone else does. “And I say this isn’t the time.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Meeshak stares into Nina’s eyes for a moment before shrugging curtly. “We don’t have time to argue. He’s your responsibility. Just remember: his life depends on killing you.”</span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="havenstone, post: 4734218, member: 61094"] [b]The Great Betrayal[/b] [B][FONT=Verdana]AFTER DARREN'S CAPTURE[/FONT][/B][FONT=Verdana], he is dragged to the dungeons and thrown without ceremony into a damp, deep pit in the rock. Tumbling desperately, he manages to cushion his fall enough to stay alive, but dislocates his shoulder in the process. After popping his arm agonizingly back into place, he spends most of the night drifting in and out of consciousness. During the following day (of Ontaya’s almost fruitless investigations), the inventive Darren dismantles his leather jerkin and tries gamely to use its straps and belts, Calla’s scarves, and some of the rags and bones at the bottom of the oubliette to assemble a climbing harness to improve his chances of scaling the slick-walled pit. After several near-fatal tries, he makes it to the top but has no leverage in his precarious position to shift the heavy trap door; only his jury-rigged harness keeps him alive through the repeated falls. While lying half-conscious at the bottom of the pit, Darren despairingly overhears Meeshak and Nina’s [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4731762-post59.html"]failed rescue attempt[/URL].[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]A long time later, he hears the door open far above him. “Boy – you’re to be moved to another cell in preparation for questioning,” a guard shouts. Darren allows himself to be lifted out of the oubliette in a rope harness; in his famished, battered state, he decides against trying to use his concealed needle-launcher against the guards who tie his hands and feet. His spirits soar when he realizes he is being locked up near Meeshak and Nina, but a boot to the head sends him back into oblivion, and it is hours before he painfully comes to himself.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Darren uses up most of his few remaining needles trying to shoot Meeshak, giving him something sharp to work on his bonds. When Meeshak finally gets one, Darren takes two of the remaining needles and tries to pick the lock on the barred cell door. He is making scant progress when he hears booted feet approaching the cells, and quickly slumps down to feign unconsciousness.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]His heart skips a beat when he hears the haggard, hateful voice of Agerain d’Aramant at his cell door: “Oh yes – this boy was there when I was killed. I’ll be interested to hear his story when he wakes up.”[/FONT] [B][FONT=Verdana]STILL BARELY CONSCIOUS [/FONT][/B][FONT=Verdana]himself, Nina glances up in shock to see Agerain limping across the dungeon, two guards in tow. The young d’Aramant’s skin is an unhealthy greyish color, but the cut across his neck is gone, and he has no wound on the back of his head where [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4712537-post52.html"]Darren clubbed him[/URL]. “And you say these two tried to break in two days ago?” Agerain continues venomously. “I recognize the priest. We’ll let Astacius have a word with him when he arrives; he’s wondered [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4440912-post36.html"]for months[/URL] whether we have a renegade Sistechern in our midst. And the other? Give me their cell keys.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Nina has sagged into his bonds, but Agerain unlocks his cell door, grips his chin, and turns his face into the light. There is a white circular mark on Agerain’s forehead that had never been there before. His bloodshot eyes are fixed on Nina’s for a long minute before he speaks.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“When I first met you, I thought you looked familiar. Thought I’d seen you at some Family gathering. But that wasn’t it – was it, [I]Anseron[/I]?” Nina remains silent. “I should have thought about your eyes. You were dressed up as one of Ontaya’s [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4389283-post23.html"]barbarian girls[/URL]. I almost slapped you.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“I’m sorry, Agerain.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]The young d’Aramant’s fists crack back and forth across his face in a frenzy of loathing. “[I]Shut up![/I] I don’t want to hear your damned voice. Time for that later, plenty of time for that, when Astacius is here. We’ll hear everything before we send you off to seal the bargain.” He pauses, then whirls on the guards. “Go. Get the girl ready and bring her here. We’ll see how they like seeing each other cut to pieces.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]As the guards walk away, Agerain leans in close to Nina. There’s a sickly grave-smell on his breath. “What was it all for, Anseron? You and Atrix and Ontaya and your little group of friends. What were you trying to accomplish?”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“I betrayed you,” Nina admits. “What does it matter what it was for? It’s over now.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Yes, it’s over,” whispers Agerain, a note of delight entering his voice. “For you, for your friends, for House d’Loriad. Yesterday Athriam rode out with Sarquin, and Mercon led the rest of the host north. By the end of this morning, there will be only four Families. You were on to the scent, my little traitor, but it’s too late to stop it now.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“What are you talking about?” Nina coughs weakly, hoping against hope that if Agerain just keeps talking, Darren will be able to pick his lock and get away.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Agerain looks at Nina with disdain and pity. “Still trying to get the information? I’ve wanted to tell you [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4707048-post47.html"]for months[/URL], falsest friend. There’s no reason to hold back now. There’s nothing you can do.” He glances around before continuing in a harsh whisper. “We will destroy the d’Loriads utterly, Anseron. Control of Senallin requires controlling [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4363981-post19.html"]three of five Families[/URL]; the d’Orbis will never really join us, and the wretched d’Syrnons have already chosen their side. The only way forward is to wipe out the d’Loriads, and the only question was how to do that without inciting the other Families against us. Everything became clear when the Arawai campaign took shape. If a Family betrays the North to the Arawai, all of Senallin will rise up to demand that Family’s extinction. So we have orchestrated that great betrayal. We have set all these things into motion, that the name of Sarquin the Betrayer will be remembered even when his Family has been forgotten.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“What?” Nina says in disbelief. “I don’t understand.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Agerain laughs. “Of course you don’t. Sarquin d’Loriad is leading the flanking force – the lynchpin of the Northern strategy. But we’ve made sure that the Arawai know that force is coming, and will send their full strength to wipe it out. We’ve prepared a few witnesses in reserve, who can testify that Sarquin rode to join the Arawai while his men died or fled. Poor, brash Uncle Athriam thinks he’ll be one of the survivors, but he’ll be our chief martyr instead. Today, Mercon will ensure that that no relief force arrives until every soldier in that flanking force is dead.” Agerain’s smile is pure malevolence. “That includes your dear friend Ontaya, incidentally. But we’re sure that in fact Sarquin will lead a brilliant, bloody last stand, and we don’t foresee any problem for the remainder of the Northern host to wipe out the remnants of the Arawai.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Why... why do you think people will believe your lies about Sarquin?”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]The young d’Aramant shrugs. “Because they’re about the d’Loriads, not just about Sarquin, and because many of them aren’t lies. Uncle Mercon is a master at spinning rumors, and he’s been preparing for this for months. It’s already well known around Lynar that the d’Loriads wish to weaken the d’Nereins and d’Aramants – the Families with the largest landholdings in the south of the realm, who stand to gain the most from an expansion into Arawai. It’s also widely known that General Marcor d’Syrnon was murdered by [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4703285-post46.html"]a d’Loriad boy[/URL]. That was a necessary murder for us, incidentally, to ensure that no surviving General could contradict the story of Sarquin the Betrayer.” Agerain’s lips twitch with anger as he continues. “Of course, everyone will soon know that Atrix d’Loriad, his brother, and their disguised friends infiltrated the d’Aramant Family with murderous intent – and believe me, you and your friends [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4727938-post56.html"]will confess Sarquin’s involvement[/URL] before we let you die. Above all, the d’Loriads played into our hands when they brought an Arawai girl to Lynar, let her [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4440905-post35.html"]seduce[/URL] half the d’Loriads in the place, gave her [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4439076-post34.html"]Patriarch’s Gold[/URL] to toss around, and brought her along to Guardwatch – from which she mysteriously disappeared on the eve of the battle.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“What have you done to Kyla?” Nina groans.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Sent her home,” Agerain says indifferently. “For what it’s worth, she probably has actually betrayed us – though we weren’t relying on her to do so. May she die with her people, where she belongs. If she comes back here, we’ll make sure she dies with her d’Loriad lovers.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Nina shakes his head, forcing tears to add to the image of despair. “But... who’s the hooded man? The one who arranged for Marcor’s murder?”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Agerain cocks his head. “Were your allegiances with the d’Syrnons then? No matter. Uncle Mercon handled almost everything himself. I believe he wore a hood and mask when he needed to.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Why did he tell you all of this? What was your role?”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Mercon couldn’t have pulled off this scheme without the knowledge of our Patriarch,” Agerain says, smiling arrogantly. “But [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4547760-post42.html"]Uncle Athagon[/URL] is an old man, and doesn’t know when Death may come for him. He wanted to make sure that his most trusted nephew knew what was going on, and could intervene if Mercon started to lose control.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“But... how do you hope to dominate a Senallin led by Four Families?” Nina asks, stretching desperately to keep the young d’Aramant talking.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“There must always be Five Families, Anseron. If you were really of our blood, you would know that.” Agerain is beginning to look bored, and he glances around to see whether the guards are back yet. “When Mercon leads our allies to victory despite the crippling blow of Sarquin’s betrayal, he will be every Senalline’s hero. He’ll become Patriarch of the new Family to replace the extinguished d’Loriads. I believe he intends to call it House d’Angor, after his father Angor, lord of the north. That’s the prize for Mercon’s game.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]He straightens slowly away from Nina. “And he’ll help to make sure I’m Patriarch one day, when my uncle’s gone. You almost stole it all from me, Anseron – or whatever your name is. But Astacius the Sistechern is desperate to establish his Order in Senallin, and he was willing to [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4410575-post25.html"]summon up Death[/URL] to stay in favor with House d’Aramant.” Agerain’s eyes grow haunted and distant. “We made a bargain, traitor. Your life for mine. Death agreed to restore my soul if I hunted you down and killed you. That’s why I’ve told you all of this – so you understand that your death today isn’t just for me. It’s for something much bigger. It’s for our Family.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Trying to be impressive, d’Aramant?” comes a caustic voice from across the hall. “You weren’t so high and mighty when I bashed your brains out.”[/FONT] [B][FONT=Verdana]AGERAIN SPINS AROUND[/FONT][/B][FONT=Verdana] to see a feeble-looking Darren clinging to his cell door. Having failed again to pick the lock with his battered hands, Darren is trying a last desperate scheme. “You [I]struck[/I] me?” Agerain snarls, murder in his eyes. “You probably wouldn’t have survived questioning long enough to give us anything useful anyway, would you, you miserable little tinker?” He stalks vengefully out of Nina’s cell and slams the door – not noticing that the drop bolt has failed to catch. While Agerain unlocks Darren’s door, Nina works his hands out of their ropes, which he managed to loosen a few hours ago. He tries to remember the eight ways his uncle taught him to kill a man without weapons, and limps out of the cell, his ankles still chained together.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Just as he gets his former friend within arm’s reach, Nina’s stealth fails him, and he stumbles with a noisy clatter of chains. Agerain wheels around, mouth opening in shock. Nina punches him in the gullet, choking off his cry but not seriously hurting the d’Aramant, who almost knocks Nina out with his return blow. While Nina grapples weakly with Agerain, Darren hurls himself at the young noble’s throat and makes a valiant effort to fire a needle up into his brain.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Then a harsh voice echoes through the cell. Meeshak has finally managed to cut his bonds, yank off his gag, and cast Hold Person just in time to save his friends’ lives. Seconds later the guards return with Carwyn in tow; Meeshak’s spells drop them before they have a chance to raise the alarm. “Get me out of here,” Meeshak says urgently. “If Astacius is really on his way, we need to be gone before he arrives.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]A shaken Carwyn relieves the guards of their daggers and the paralyzed Agerain of the dungeon keys. While she unlocks Meeshak’s cell, Darren dons his dwarrow amulet and considers the currents of air, heat, and sound for a moment. “It feels like there are hollows below these passages,” he whispers. “Drainage channels.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Meeshak claims one of the guards’ daggers from Carwyn and quickly drops some light healing spells on his friends. “Help me carry the d’Aramant, Nina. We’ll need a hostage if we run into trouble.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]With Darren’s help, they find their way into the narrow, flooded drainage tunnels below the Guardwatch dungeons – pausing for a few moments to gag and hog-tie Agerain so he’ll be helpless when his paralysis expires. They move in total darkness, trying to splash as little as possible. Darren guides them away from side passages with dead air and follows the flow of air toward an exit. With his perception of the visible spectrum reduced, his companions see the dim torchlight coming around a corner of the passage before he does. Nina puts a warning hand on Darren’s shoulder to halt him. The light increases to the point where the four severely injured friends can see each others’ faces; they exchange silent glances as they prepare to make a last stand.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4672813-post44.html"]Lune[/URL] appears at the corner, brandishing a knife in one hand and a torch in the other, with Carwyn’s crossbow strapped to his back. “I hoped this passage would get me into wherever they’d tossed you. Should have known you’d meet me halfway.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Carwyn barely restrains a delighted yelp as she sloshes over to the scruffy gambler and clutches him tightly. Lune leads them back to the end of the drain, where the cold water spills out through a gap at the foot of the rocky shelf below the castle. It’s almost noon when they emerge, but though they cautiously scan the wall of Guardwatch for guards, none appears. The great camp of settlers and army followers appears to be breaking up in inexplicable disarray, with massive streams of people heading north along the road. “I don’t know what’s going on,” Lune mutters in confusion. “Things were normal here just before dawn.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Bad news from the south,” Meeshak guesses grimly.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Lune blinks incredulously. “Is it possible that the Arawai might have [I]won[/I]?”[/FONT] [B][FONT=Verdana]AS SOON AS[/FONT][/B][FONT=Verdana] they’re a safe distance from the castle, Meeshak drops Agerain and brings the dagger to his throat. The young d’Aramant’s eyes bulge helplessly in terror and he froths against his gag. Carwyn averts her eyes.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Nina catches Meeshak’s hand. “No. Don’t do it.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Meeshak’s brow furrows. “We don’t need him, Nina. We’ve got to make a run for it, and he’ll only slow us down.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“He’s mine to kill,” Nina says softly. His utter [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4701793-post45.html"]betrayal[/URL] of Agerain’s trust weighs hard on him, even after hearing how great a treachery the d’Aramants themselves had planned. He knows he can’t kill the defenseless Agerain in cold blood [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4712537-post52.html"]a second time[/URL], or stand by while someone else does. “And I say this isn’t the time.”[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Meeshak stares into Nina’s eyes for a moment before shrugging curtly. “We don’t have time to argue. He’s your responsibility. Just remember: his life depends on killing you.”[/FONT] [/QUOTE]
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