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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Broccli_Head" data-source="post: 276079" data-attributes="member: 105">Storms and Fire 14 Ches [early evening], Year of Rogue Dragons, somewhere off the road between Westgate and Reddanspyr: Rebuilding, part IJhovan the Grey, assassin in the "employ" of the Fire Knives, cat-napped as he waited for his pursuers. He had found a defensible position on a rock-covered hill in the woods and hid there patiently recovering from the chase earlier. A noise startled him and he quickly awoke, alert and ready for trouble. They were coming up the hill, with the half-drow in the lead. Two other men accompanied him. One looked like one of his own men. The other was the crazy warrior. He activated his boots and readied two daggers, concentrating on the leader....==========Kith scanned for thoughts ahead of the party as they came to the end of the woods and peered up the hill. Stormwolf wanted to be out in the open and draw their quarry out. Khiros followed close behind. The doppleganger detected sentience too late. He heard the twirling blades and tried to call out, but it was too late. He saw his leader and friend get sliced by one dagger as another clattered to the rocks around him. Blood poured from the wound."A-, Jenner!" he cried and moved in front to protect his Lord from any other attacks. ==========The half-breed didn't drop. In frustration for missing the jugular, Jhovan kicked loose the rocks that hid him as the crazy one fired and missed with two arrows. Two of his hunters dodged the minor rockslide and kept moving up towards him. The other stood back and fired arrows. One hit him in the right shoulder and his third dagger fell to the ground. The assassin sprang forward and sliced into the leader, tactically moving back to his original redoubt before the drow-thing could counter. Then they, including the insane-looking bowman, closed. His former Fire Knife  "companion" tried to flank him. Jhovan rolled between them hacking madly with his scimitar as he passed by, again drawing a wound on the half-drow. They were persistent, however, and soon surrounded him, once again. =========Jenner Stormwolf was impressed as he held Blue Destiny in front of him considering his options. He held his fist up, commanding Khiros to hold. This assassin had nearly killed him and had continued to attempt to finish the job even though injured. He also did not fit the "profile". Unlike the majority of the Fire Knives, who hailed from Cormyr and were of Dale-stock, this man had dark skin like a Chultan. There really wasn't a need to kill him so Jenner took a chance."Who are you? Where are you from?"The assassin hesitated."He's confused and wondering why you just don't kill him," added KithJhovan looked back and forth between the half-drow--who was oddly a shade of dark blue, and a breeze seemed to blow through his hair--and the other rogue, who looked just like one of his men, but had a different voice and certainly couldn't read his mind. The Fire Knife answered,"I am Jhovan the Grey...of Tashalar."Jenner smiled as he reviewed his geography. Tashalar was a city far to the south, across the Shining Sea from Calimshan on the edge  of the Black Jungles."what brings you to fair Westgate? Why do you work for the Fire Knives? They are from Cormyr."The assassin did not answer. Jenner continued, "How much are they paying  you? I will double that. In fact here is an advance."Stormwolf  tossed a back of coin and some gems. "That's the oldest trick in the book, Night Mask."The assassin remained silent. Kith replied for him. "My Lord, His mother and son are being held as slaves by House Cormaeril."Jhovan gave the mind-reader a sinister look. Kith returned the baleful gaze with a smile and a wink. Jenner took the advantage. "If you become my man, I promise that I will free your family."The quiet lasted a while, during which Jhovan looked back and forth between the blue drow and the mind-reader (who gave him a smug, "I know what you're thinking" look). Khiros breathed deeply and slowly two paces behind Stormwolf, his own eyes darting back and forth between their quarry's scimitar and legs. If he moved towards his friends, the Mithral Knight would strike him down!"Why should I believe you, drow?" Jhovan spat. Jenner Stormwolf sheathed his weapon and turned his back to the assassin, slowly undoing his chain shirt. Kith's eyebrows raised supernaturally, causing the changeling to create a caricature of the man he mimicked. Khiros gripped his great-sword tighter. Jenner removed his cloak revealing the scars of countless whippings."Because I detest slavers and slavery and want, just as you do to see you and your family free."Kith muttered, "I've never seen this before!"For some strange reason, the assassin believed him, and lowered his weapon and his eyes. Kith thought he saw a tear. "Alright then," said Jenner Stormwolf putting his clothing back on, "Back to camp!"The trio fell in behind him. Khiros jogged to catch up with his nimble leader. Jhovan paused to pick up his advance, and Kith brought up the rear, making sure that their new recruit didn't suddenly change his mind....</blockquote>

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