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Message: <blockquote data-quote="drnuncheon" data-source="post: 371090" data-attributes="member: 96">Session Six, Part Three: An Unlikely AllianceThe restaurant was in the Eastern District - a bit farther from the Kesir than Dru would have liked, but if it made Finn more at ease, she couldn't blame him.  As she studied the place, her conversation with her father ran over again through her mind.  I will not send my people to scour the city for those who cannot follow orders, he had said.  But Ivellimor...the twins...she had known them since she was young.  Ivellimor had helped save her from an assassin's blade.  How could Papa just throw all of that away?  She shook her head.  He must have his reasons.  For now, we've got to focus on Finn. Straightening her shoulders, she walked into the restaurant.Finn had reserved a private room in the back, and Ellerand preceded her into it, his eyes scouring the room carefully for any sign that something was amiss.  It was only moments before their host arrived, the muscular form of his lieutenant, Dunbar, trailing in his wake."Ah, Miss Naïlo, a pleasure to meet you at last."  Finn's half-smile turned his words into a subtle jest as he offered his hand.  "I must say that your father's request comes as something of a surprise.  Our prior relationship has not been one marked by cordial intercourse.""He believes that you both share a larger problem," Dru began, lowering herself to her chair even as Finn did the same.  "I understand you've had some trouble with interlopers."Finn's eyes locked on hers, as if trying to scour her mind to find out how much she knew.  After a moment, he agreed.  "We have.  And I know that your father has had the same sorts of trouble."  The halfling paused as a waiter entered the room, and he rapidly rattled off an order in his native language.  The man departed, and Finn turned to Dru. "I hope you do not mind...I ordered something of a chef's specialty...a traditional halfling dish."  Leaning back, he looked her over. "So.  'The enemy of my enemy is my friend.'  I don't believe in that saying, and I have no illusions about Tensin's feelings towards me.  On the other hand, 'the enemy of my enemy' can indeed be a useful ally."Dru nodded. "Papa has sent other messengers as well.  Gallowglass has been hit by these people, and he's talking to Patch Carty and Bloody Jack to provide some extra muscle.""The Buccaneers and the Cutthroats?" Finn looked mildly surprised.  "He must believe these interlopers to be a greater threat than I had suspected."Dru hesitated. How much should I tell him? Papa hadn't saud, which meant it was up to her best judgement. She took a breath, then nodded.  "They're a criminal organization from the city of Highgate," she said.  "They call themselves the Dragon's Claw."Finn's pupils widened, although he betrayed no other sign of his surprise.  "So...the Claw has decided they want to control both ends of the trade routes.  That is a serious matter...very serious indeed.  I have encountered the Dragon's Claw before, years ago, in my adventuring days."Adventuring days?  Dru looked at the stout little halfling, trying to picture him strapping on a sword and raising havoc in the taverns.  "That knowledge could prove very useful," she said, and opened her mouth to continue, when the door opened and Finn raised a hand."Please - the food is arriving, and I dislike discussing business as I eat - it detracts from the pleasure of the meal."The food was an enormous shared plate of spicy meat layered over vegetables and some sort of bean paste.  Finn showed them how to eat it in the halfling manner, scooping it up with bits of the spongy pancake-like bread that came with it.  The halfling attacked it with gusto, while Dunbar merely picked at the food sourly, muttering something about gas.After the plate was clean, Finn leaned back in his chair contentedly. "After consideration, I believe it is in both of our interests to form this alliance.  Tensin is a dangerous and canny opponent, but I would certainly choose him over the Dragon's Claw.  Tell your father I agree - we must meet - Gallowglass and the others as well - to discuss our strategy."<img src="http://www.io.com/~jeffj/b2sep.gif" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /> "Your father is not here," said Kennic.  "I take it that the meeting went well?"Dru nodded.  "We're going to have to set up a meeting place - somewhere on neutral ground.  Perhaps the Temple of the Merchant God?""That will be difficult, especially if Gallowglass agrees - there's no way for him to get there without passing through our territory or Finn's.  Still, he may be willing - and it's safer than the docks."A desperate knock shook the door, and Kennic leaned to the peephole to see who it was. Throwing the bolt, he stepped back, hand on his blade.  The door opened, revealing two elves supporting a third between them - hanging limply, covered in blood.  They pushed in through the door."We found him dumped in a heap on the edge of the Kesir," one said.Dru's eyes checked the rune inscribed above the door, but it was dark - no magical disguises. As she knelt to look at the wounded elf, she recognized his face with a shock.  "Adan," she breathed.  Turning to his bearers, she said, "Let's get him to a room.  Ellerand?"Her bodyguard was already digging a healing potion from his pouch as they swept down the corridor.  Dru supported Adan's head as Ellerand poured the liquid down his throat.  His tortured breathing eased a bit, but he did not awaken."He's a mess," said Dru.  "Let's clean him up." She carefully peeled the remains of his shirt from him, and then sucked in her breath.Carved into her friend's back, half-healed from the potion, was a message."Tensin.  Do not send your men looking for us again."It was signed with a curious glyph.  Dru had just enough time to realize that the red of the glyph was the red of fire, not of blood......and then the room exploded in flames.</blockquote>

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