Let it never be said that a man with Jolly in his name can't be magnanimous at Christmas time! I've decided to divide this latest update into two parts, so here's the first one as a little bonus for you all, dear readers. Enjoy!
BLACK MAIL AND BLACK TIE
It was a simple matter for Thrisp to find the hidden door through which Rowyn had fled, but by that time there was no trace of the Lady of the Lotus. Only a short hallway lay beyond, ending at a stout, locked door. After learning the hard way that the guild treasury would not be unwarded, the group was rewarded with quite a windfall (after having taken a volley of poisoned darts and suffering punctured feet courtesy of a footlancer trap). It seemed that the Lotus Dragons had amassed quite a bit of ill-gotten booty, and since there was no chance of finding out whom the loot had been stolen from, the company claimed salvage rights. The same could not be said for the contents of another chest, since all of the coins and gemstones inside were neatly collected into silk bags, each one bearing the Vanderboren family crest. Although Anwar briefly toyed with the idea of keeping this as well (after all, Lavinia had not charged them with recovering her stolen wealth), ultimately he decided that the reasoning he’d used with Rowyn still stood. He needed to remain in Lavinia’s good graces for a bit longer yet, and so he would insure her utter devotion to him by gifting her with her birthright.
Back in Rowyn’s bedchamber, a thorough ransacking turned up a small cache of letters hidden between the mattresses. These were from none-other-than Vanthus himself, and consisted mostly of exceptionally racy love missives, dating back several weeks. As Thrisp read through them, however, he uncovered a few interesting pieces of information.
“Listen to this,” he called to the others, and then began to read aloud. “This is dated two days before the death of Lavinia’s parents: ‘My parents have grown soft. I’m not worried in the slightest that they suspect anything, my delicate flower. The funds you’ve trusted me with have been more than enough to pay off the local guards, the harbor watch, and the ship’s crew to say nothing about the new cargo. Hell, they even offered to help load the barrels! Of course, I didn’t tell them what was inside. I’m sure they’d sing a different song if they knew just how much alchemist’s fire we loaded into the hold of my father’s new plaything. I’ll be following the ship’s progress for a few days to make sure the fire does the trick, so you’ll not be seeing me for at least a half a week. Keep your bed warm for me!’” Thrisp paused to flip through a few pages, and then continued. “This is dated three days after the ship fire: ‘It’s unbelievable! Sure, she’s the eldest sibling, but she knows nothing of life! She’s spent the last half of her childhood in Thenalar learning how to fold napkins and play the violin for Hell’s sake! It just goes to show you how insane my parents really were…leaving everything in her care like that! Whatever. She’ll need the house to live off of, I suppose. Lavinia’s not a bad lass, really…I kind of miss our time together, to tell the truth. Think she’d be interested in joining the Lotus? I doubt it, and anyway, a second Vanderboren tragedy might get too many people curious. No, for now, whatever’s in the vault will have to do…’” Thrisp flipped to the last page. “This one is from two days ago: ‘I really wish you could have been there, my little dragon, to see their faces before I closed the door! Lavinia’s never going to get anywhere hiring fools like them. I wonder if they’ve found Penkus yet? I hope they didn’t die too quickly. In any case, on to the purpose of this letter. Brissa’s in the other room, getting ready for a night out on the town, so I’ll have to be quick. Remember that thing she hinted about to me? About the pirates who were supposedly using Kraken’s Cove as a base for their smuggling operation? Turns out she wasn’t spinning tales. I’ve heard that they’ll be arriving within the week with a particularly rich cargo. I’ll bring her with me on the pretext of joining up with them, get their guard down, and when they’re not expecting it, my men’ll light the ships on fire! It’ll be a simple task to pluck the treasure from the water once all those fools are dead. Should be more than enough to make up for what we lost when Lavinia inherited rather than me. I tell you, burning people to death on their own boats? It’s the best way to make money yet! Wish I’d thought of it years ago!’”
“Man after my own heart,” Anwar muttered thoughtfully. Then aloud, “We’ve got what we need here. Burn the rest, and let’s be on our way.” They set fire to the guild vault and Rowyn’s quarters, making sure to take the incriminating map with them, and then made their way back to the Taxidermist’s Guild, encountering no further resistance on their return trip. When they arrived at Lavinia’s and told her all they’d discovered, including Vanthus’ role in their parents death, the young noblewoman was shocked, but it was becoming more and more clear to Anwar that she was made of sterner stuff than he’d first thought. He saw steel in her eyes, and resolve on her face.
“I owe you all much,” she said at length, “and you will be rewarded for your efforts. I ask you to continue your search for my brother’s whereabouts. He must be made to face justice for his crimes. In the meantime, what of this mercenary you rescued?” She indicated Xerxes. “Do you vouch for him?”
“He is useful in a fight…up to a point.” Anwar answered grudgingly. “I suppose we can use him.”
Lavinia nodded. “Then you are hired,” she said to Xerxes. “You will receive equal pay and a share of any monetary or material salvage gained while in my employ. You are now an official member of the…”
“Legion, my love,” Anwar said, smiling. “We are as one from many, and your enemies shall tremble before us.” Lavinia smiled as well, though somewhat uneasily.
“There is one other thing, my sweet,” the bard continued. “We told you of the map we found implicating several organizations in the Lotus Dragon’s machinations. We would like to set up a meeting with the Dawn Council in two days time to apprise them of this information.”
“It will be done,” she nodded again. “You will all be heroes!”
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Late that night, in a small study in Thrisp’s small but comfortable house, the bard and the gnome sat talking by lantern-light.
“The way I see it, this is a win-win situation,” Thrisp explained. “Forget about the Watch garrisons. There may be corruption internally, but not totally. We’ll have nothing to gain by threatening them, and those who were with the Lotus Dragons may take it upon themselves to retaliate. As for the two noble houses, Dracktus and Kellani, as well as the guilds, my plan is simple. I have a contact who can act as a go-between. He will deliver the message for us to each of them, telling them that we plan to expose them to the Dawn Council unless they agree to our terms.”
“Which are?” Anwar asked, his full attention on the gnome. The fact that the little beguiler had come up with this on his own impressed the bard…and concerned him. His pint-sized protégé was learning quickly, perhaps too quickly. Anwar would have to keep a close eye one him.
“Each of the guilds will pay us five-hundred gold galleons for our silence. The nobles, on the other hand,” he paused, grinning, “they will agree to endorse us, one-hundred percent, for membership on the Dawn Council.”
“But you already are a member,” Anwar observed.
“Merely an affiliate,” Thrisp said. “With the nobles’ sponsorship, we can be full members. In time, the houses of Doogal and Rosznar will rise to positions of prominence among the Tashlutan nobility.”
Anwar considered this for a few moments, and then nodded. “I concur whole-heartedly, but if it’s all the same to you, I’d like to add my own twist.” The bard reached up and touched the feather of a jaunty cap he’d taken to wearing recently. For an instant, his features seemed to melt, but an moment later Rowyn, the Lady of the Lotus sat where Anwar had been. Thrisp rose to his feet, a spell on his lips, but the figure in the chair opposite chuckled and raised a placating hand.
“Relax my friend,” Anwar’s voice said. “It’s merely an illusion. Surely one such as you should recognize it. Do you like my new toy?” He pointed to the ribbon which tied back his long, dark hair…the ribbon that, a moment before had been a feathered cap.
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So it was that Captain Shadwick of the Whalers Guild, and Vico Brevenin of the Chult Trading Concern each received a late-night visit from the Lady of the Lotus herself. She informed them, in no uncertain terms, that she was liquidating all of the Lotus Dragon’s assets in Tashluta, effective immediately. She demanded that each pay her a certain sum of gold by the following sundown, lest she insure that a list of names and other incriminating evidence be delivered into the hands of the Dawn Council before her departure. She did not wait for a reply, and she was not afraid of direct action against her by the guildmasters. They feared the power of the Lotus too much.
Rowyn also paid a visit to Anteki Alresian of the Thayan embassy, but for a different purpose. Again, she told him of her plans, but made no demands of him.
“Rest assured,” the Lady said, “we will make no mention of the assistance you have given us. We may have need once more of your services when we begin operations again.” The bald, tattooed, scarlet-robed man looked at her levelly, no emotion in his eyes.
“I am confident you would never be foolish enough to draw the unwanted attention of the Red Wizards, my Lady,” he said coolly.
“Just so,” Rowyn agreed. “As long as we understand each other. I just wanted you to be aware of events before the reckoning.” She then took her leave, making her way from Champion’s District to Shadowshore, and the house of Dracktus.
When the major domo answered her knock, she passed a rolled parchment to him, instructing him to deliver it immediately to Lord Emil Dracktus. Recognition shown on the man’s face, as well as fear, and Rowyn/Anwar knew that the noble would receive her ultimatum post-haste. Her final visit of the night was to Azure District, and House Kellani, where all of Anwar’s carefully laid plans took an unexpected turn.
A serving girl answered the door, holding a small lantern above her head and peering out into the gloom.
“Lady Rowyn!” she said in surprise, her voice tinged with worry. “Are you well?” Anwar’s eyes narrowed.
“Yes,” he replied, mimicking Rowyn’s voice. “Rouse the house steward…immediately!” The young girl hustled away, leaving Anwar in the foyer. He glanced about in interest, noting a large portrait of a middle-aged, handsome woman with hard eyes which hung on one wall. A moment later a balding, portly man in a nightshirt came hurrying down the hall, the serving girl on his heels.
“Lady Rowyn?” he asked. “Is everything alright? I was led to believe that you would be away for some time.” Again, Anwar sensed that something was not right. He chose his words carefully.
“I have returned sooner than planned. I have urgent business to discuss with your matron, Lady Heldrath.” The man looked confused.
“By all means, my lady, but your mother is sleeping just now. Should I wake her?” Shock jolted Anwar, but he somehow managed to keep his expression neutral. Mother? The Lady of the Lotus was a scion of a noble house? Unbelievable! Quickly, he regained his composure.
“Yes…yes of course,” he said, bringing one hand to his head as if in pain. “You are right, I’m not feeling well, and I fear I’ve partaken of a bit too much of the Plucked Parrot’s finest this evening. Can you just show me to my room? I’ll speak with mother in the morning.”
“Of course!” the major domo said, relief on his face. He motioned to the serving girl, and Anwar followed her upstairs to a suite of tastefully decorated rooms…far more so than the pirate’s boudoir Rowyn inhabited beneath the city streets. Once the servant left, Anwar immediately began tossing the room, searching for anything that might reveal just what was going on in House Kellani. Ultimately, he came upon a small diary. From its writings he was able to ascertain that Heldrath Kellani was working in full cooperation with her daughter. It seemed that House Kellani stood to gain much once Tashluta’s shipping concerns were consolidated under one banner. Anwar found a sheet of blank parchment and a quill and jotted down a brief note, perfectly forging Rowyn’s handwriting. In it he informed Matron Heldrath of all that he knew, and intimated that he and his companions had magnanimously spared Rowyn’s life. He listed his demands, then sealed the note and tossed it casually on Rowyn’s bed. He then slipped from the room and the house, and disappeared into the night.
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The following evening found Thrisp seated in a corner booth at the Plucked Parrot, a pint of ale sitting untouched on the table in front of him. His eyes were on a cloaked figure making its way across the room in his direction. When this person reached his table, he slid onto the bench on the far side and pulled down his hood, revealing a young, non-descript man with muddy eyes and lank, black hair.
“Lucius,” Thrisp nodded. The other returned the nod. “How went your business this evening?” Thrisp asked.
Lucius shrugged and surreptitiously passed two sacks under the table to the gnome. “The guildmasters paid,” he said, “but there was no sign of the nobles or their representatives.”
“I didn’t expect there would be,” Thrisp said. “Their payment will come tomorrow, at the meeting of the Dawn Council. Are our…superiors satisfied with this arrangement?”
Lucius shrugged again. “That depends on the final outcome. Your efforts will be looked upon favorably only if they bear fruit. If, however, you bring down the wrath of two noble houses, you will find yourself all alone.”
“I understand,” Thrisp answered.
“Then our business is concluded,” Lucius said, slipping from his seat and disappearing as quickly as he came.
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The Dawn Council met the following morning at Lavinia Vanderboren’s behest. All of the noble houses were represented by their heads, with the notable exceptions of Houses Dracktus and Kellani. They had sent non-family representatives in their place. The guildmasters were all present as well. When the session was called to order, Lavinia explained that her hirelings, while searching for information about her missing brother, had stumbled upon an organized thieve’s guild known as the Lotus Dragons. Upon further investigation, she continued, they had discovered a plot by the guild to take control of all of Tashluta’s shipping, and in order to accomplish this, they had been assisted by corrupt members of several district Watches. This brought numerous shouts of outrage by those assembled, and proof was called for. It was at this time that Anwar produced the map and notes they had retrieved from the guild. There was no mention in his presentation of the involvement of the Whaler’s Guild, the Chult Trading Concern, nor any noble houses. He did accuse the Taxidermist’s Guild of collusion, and detailed the unfortunate demise of its guildmaster. When he was finished, the Council asked for a recess to consider all the evidence. They asked for all of the Legion members to make themselves available for further questioning, if need be.
As the meeting began to break up, Anwar approached the emissaries from House Dracktus and House Kellani.
“Good morning, gentlemen,” he said, bowing. “I had hoped to see your master and mistress here today. Perhaps they sent a message?”
The man from House Dracktus simply scowled. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said, turning on his heel and walking away.
“Here’s a message for you,” the dark-skinned man from Kellani said softly, “do not meddle in the affairs of your betters, and the next time you set foot on Kellani property, you will be killed on sight.”
Anwar smiled. “You should hire more observant servants.”
The other smiled in return, though it held no mirth. “Oh, don’t worry. Their replacements won’t make the same mistakes.” With that, he to turned and left.
“Touché’,” Anwar said.
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An invitation was delivered to the Vanderboren estate the next morning. The Legion was to be honored that evening at Stormwall Keep. Formal attire was requested. It seemed their tale and supporting evidence had proved credible, and that day investigations were set into motion to look into all the district Watches. Despite all odds, the motley crew of misfits was to become heroes. The night’s festivities included a banquet and dance in their honor, so that the members of the Dawn Council could thank them in person for the great service they had provided to Tashluta. When the banquet ended, Lord Worrin Lidu presented each of them with the Spire of Tashluta, a medal awarded to those who performed above and beyond the call of duty for the city.
“Well, at least I’ll never have to buy my own drink again,” Gotr muttered as he regarded the medallion.
