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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tokiwong" data-source="post: 1480891" data-attributes="member: 961">Chapter 3 - Part 3Lord Ironroot opened his eyes; the room was dim except for the glow from the dwarven shaper, whose form still glowed with divine energies that seemed to permeate the room.  She smelled of a spring wind, and her hair still danced in an unseen wind, as the final remnants of the discharged divine energy dissipated.“Lord Ironroot, I would like to apologize for allowing you to die under my charge, I have paid for this service myself,” another female dwarf replied her muscular squat frame draped in silver and gold full plate armor, glimmering in the flickering fire light.  Her mithril dwarven waraxe rested on her back, and was clean, and well cared for.Lord Ironroot closed his eyes as he recalled the last memories he had, “I was a fool, and she exploited me for it.”“She will not get away with this,” the Diamond Guard replied motioning for the shaper to leave them.  The shaper bowed her head, and then exited the fire-lit chamber with an ease and grace not normally associated with the dwarves.“No she will not Talon, not at all,” the dwarf lord replied, “what of the Light of Korum…”Talon scowled, “The Greenfalls assassin took it as well, we believe.  I have brought the matter before the prince and he assures me that the matter will be handled.  Ganthis Greenfalls wishes to have audience with you later, milord.”“Hmm and why do we suspect that Greenfalls is behind my demise,” Lord Ironroot replied with a grunt.“This dagger,” Talon pulled a dagger from her belt, that had the crest of the Greenfalls on the hilt, “is only given to scions of the Greenfalls house, and those that they favor.  In darker methods it is not uncommon for lords to express their displeasure by having one murdered and leaving a telltale sign as a sign of challenge.  It’s an old custom here in Anderland, milord.”“Interesting,” the young dwarf lord replied.“Interesting, you disagree with the facts?” she replied raising a brow.“No only intrigued that not only was I a target, but so was the Light of Korum.  Whoever had me slain must have known that I would not be dead long,” he paused thinking, “I have to wonder if the purpose to my death was only to steer us away from pursuing the artifact while we become embroiled in conflict with the Greenfalls, a stout ally with much to lose and little to gain.”“Your political acumen and eye for intrigue is as sharp as the court has led me to believe,” Talon replied as she stroked her chin, “it would be foolish to steal the artifact from us, it was to be a gift, a trade for the artifact they had presented to your father for safekeeping.  So you suspect an unknown third party?”“Yes.”“Then the question is who?” she replied.“That is your job to root out, Diamond Guard, not mine but I suspect you have been looking into this chain of events despite following standard protocol,” the dwarf lord grinned stroking his dark braided beard.“I have, but so far nothing has come to light,” Talon paused as one of her subordinates entered the circular chamber.“Please forgive me, milord, but a boy says he has a message for the protectors of Lord Ironroot, shall I turn him aside?” the male dwarf replied, one of his eyes shut in a perpetual squint; the remnants of an old injury wrought by a fire giant throwing stone. “Show him in,” Lord Ironroot responded.The dwarf soldier bowed low, and then exited quickly.  He returned shortly with a young dwarf boy behind him, he kept his face downward as was the custom not to look upon his elders, lest he show them disrespect.“Speak, young one,” Lord Ironroot commanded.The boy stumbled over his words, “Milord… my… my father sent me to tell you a message.  I… I… a moment please milord.  Three strangers were attacked today down on Silver Street, milord.  One of them, Brother Madrigal said he has information for you… milord.  My father took them to his tavern, Gorn’s House of Spirits.  I can show you the way milord if need be,” the young boy finished never once lifting his gaze.Lord Ironroot listened and then dismissed the child with a wave.  He turned to Talon, “Fetch me my travel clothes and let’s see what this Brother Madrigal has to say.  Shall we?”</blockquote>

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