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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4748007" data-attributes="member: 3285">Serpentine Path: Part 5b – Arrival in SemarThe note Kham received when he was at Klos Ka’Ra indicated that Quablo val’Inares, a politician in Semar, wanted to meet with him for a matter of “unquestionable discretion.”  Finding the council building was a relatively easy task. The building was built to be a very small-scale replica of the meeting chamber for the Council of Wisdom in Althre’.  Traveling thorough the first two walls of the city was easy: A cursory glance from some sharpshooters manning the walls and a couple of simple questions asked at the gates.  But the third wall was entirely different.The guard at the gate put one hand in front of Kham’s face.  “Halt.  Papers please.”“Oh yeah.” Kham took out the document and showed it to the guard.  As he did so, his overcoat revealed the pistol bandoleer across his chest. “Do you have proper authorization to carry those?”Kham lowered his green-tinted lenses, revealing his pupiless eyes. “Take a look.”The guard stiffened.  “Right.” He handed Kham’s papers back to him. “We’ll escort you.”Once through the gate, Kham was taken under escort to the council building.  At the building, he was once again subjected to questioning and a thorough search.  He was then ushered into a waiting area.A dark-skinned man met Kham.  “Hello.  I am Washaka, Quablo’s personal aide.” He handed Kham a glass of wine.  “Savonan Red.  I was told you enjoy it.”Kham downed the drink in one shot.  Washaka seemed unfazed. “You’ve done your homework.”Washaka merely smiled and ushered Kham into a waiting room.  After a brief wait, Washaka returned and led him to a palatial inner chamber that obviously served as an office of someone of import.  Seated behind a large marble desk, a distinguished-looking gentleman wearing blue silken robes rose in greeting.“Hello my friend.  I am Quablo val’Inares.  Thank you so very much for coming on such short notice!  Please, make yourself comfortable.”  He motioned to carved marble chairs with silk upholstered cushions.“Don’t mind if I do.”  Kham flopped down on one of them.  “So what’s this job you’re talking about?”“I will come straight to the point.  I believe the general in charge of the garrison of Semar is misappropriating funds.  I need an outside, unbiased investigator to look into this matter for the good of the Altherian people.”“What’s Bunkakin done to make you suspicious?”“I am suspicious of him because of all the recent activity at Klos Ka’Ra.  Bunkakin also contracted most of the alchemists, armorers and weapon smiths in Semar.  All his men are equipped beyond their means.  I understand he has several import-export contracts with the merchant’s guild as well.  I would like to know what exactly Bunkakin is importing and exporting and where is getting all this funding.  I know the military budget doesn’t even cover a fraction of the activity I’ve seen around here lately.”“Interesting.  I can do this, sure.  Any place you want me to start?””Well, I have a list of likely places to find information and why I think the information may be there.  The most likely place to start is the headquarters of the patrol.  I understand they have a soldier on guard tonight who has been reported for drinking and sleeping on duty.” Quablo broke into a broad grin that only made him seem more sinister.”He handed Kham a list.“And pay?”“Two-hundred owls for your trouble.  I’m sure that a capable individual like yourself can have this wrapped up in no time.”“Okay.”  Kham got to his feet. “Very good.  Washaka will see you have any paperwork you need to pass unmolested between the walls.  I’m afraid I cannot grant you access to the citadel itself; even I am forbidden to go there except in the vent of an attack.  In case you haven’t noticed, the Shining Patrol is VERY dedicated to their job.  I would strongly advise against provoking or antagonizing them.  This investigation may do precisely that, so I recommend discretion.”“Yeah, I know how to handle discrete matters,” said Kham.  He turned to walk out the door.“Be wary of Bunkakin,” said Quablo.  “The general is as smooth as a val’Mehan emissary and as duplicitous as a Freeport slaver.”“I’m familiar with both, thanks.”</blockquote>

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