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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cerebral Paladin" data-source="post: 2887000" data-attributes="member: 3448">Dame Brionna looked at her comrades. "Since the other two assassins disguised as humans are targetting the high priests, we should make them our next priority. Saving the Archbishop of the Sun should be our first task. After all, he is the highest representative of the state church, and also if he died, a coronation would be impossible until the consecration of his successor." Kit shook her head. "But the skaven said they would time the attack on him for after Alistair's grandmothers death. The halfling priestess may be in danger before then." "I agree with Kit," said Alistair. "Besides, if the Archbishop of the Sun were killed, the people would probably rally around the House of Canberry. But if the high priestess of Gunnora were murdered and it was blamed on us, it might turn the people against us. Based on what we've heard, the assassin in the Archbishop's entourage is probably this Father Giorgio. So let's send some guards to seize him and to defend the Archbishop while we go with Aunt Cecilia to find the assassin lurking near Midwife Burry." The group quickly reached Midwife Burry's large, but not ostentatious, home. The halfling matron herself answered the knock on the door. "Oh! I had hoped to meet with you, Lord Alistair, but I hadn't expected you to come here unannounced. Come in, come in..." "This isn't a social call," Dame Brionna informed the halfling, as a group of guards established a defensive perimeter around the high priestess. Because of the difference in size between the little priestess and the guards, any attack would literally have to have gone through them to reach her. "One of your attendants has been replaced with a skaven assassin." The remainder of the guard swept through Midwife Burry's house, which was fortunately scaled for humans for the occasions when she assists in the difficult birth of a human child. After a few moments, Princess Cecilia gestured at an unusually thin halfling. "She's the one!" The guards rushed forward, tackling the midwife to the floor in an effort to take the skaven alive. But before they could knock it unconscious, it simply exploded. Several guards, as well as two other halflings who simply had the misfortune of being too close, died in the blast. "We regret having to bring such pain to a house of healing, Midwife Burry," said Alistair. "Still, it would be best if you came with us. They may send another assassin to replace the one that failed." "Yes... I probably should. I never would have thought that the ratmen would have realized that we were a threat to them..." As they made their way back to the palace, Dame Brionna approached the Gunnoran high priestess. "Do you do matchmaking, as well as midwifery?" "Of course. Are you seeking a husband, Dame Knight?" "No. My fiance was taken by slavers, but I still hope he will return. I was thinking of Lord Alistair. The main candidates for his hand that we have heard discussed are the Duke of Brightspan's daughter and the daughter of Queen Thyastis of Hanal. Do you have any thoughts?" "Oh, my. I often act as a matchmaker, but rarely for such a lofty marriage." The halfling priestess paused in thought. "Neither of those matches is at all suitable. They would kill him as soon as a child was born to the marriage. Queen Thyastis's daughter has been through six lovers, none of them still alive. As for Brightspan, while he would welcome the marriage, he would count the days until he could be regent for an infant grandson. "I think either a daughter of one of the Kings of the Cities of Gates or maybe the daughter of King Erich of Stormwall. King Erich was the last surviving monarch of the Confederacy of the South Kingdoms; he acted as a ruler for all of the refugees, and tried to defend them, until the slavers killed him a few years ago. None of his children have been crowned as his successor, but his elder daughter is of marriageable age and would have a good claim to rule over all the refugees. But the best match is probably with the Princess from the Cities of the Gates. Her family is very wealthy and would get Canberry control of another pass. They also have eight Field Armies, more than a little reason for a marriage of state in troubled times. And she's supposed to be a nice girl, for all that she's very young; they say she's as quiet as a mouse."</blockquote>

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