Gadreman and the Mage

[evandariel]

Gadreman walks with a slow, easy pace down the road. His large blade glistens in the sunlight, dull in spots where blood now cakes it. The point rests in the back of a man in robes that identify him as a wizard. Gadreman had originally fought to defend this man, but upon awakening him, had decided that the work was not worth releasing the man. The mage had been hostile, and Gadreman's safety after releasing him was in question. Thus, the bruised and bloody wizard is now lead down the road towards a certain residence of a wealthy family. Here it is said the wizard was wanted, for a hefty reward, after attacking some of the trade caravans owned by said family. Hoping for a reward less questionable than that offered by this unknown wizard, Gadreman checks to make sure the cursed dagger rests securely in the sack he had put it in, after removing it from the mage.

He doesn't offer the wizard any conversation, and propositions go ignored. The wizard has little company, since the large giant of a man hardly counts as good company. Silence reigns, broken only by sharp directions and orders from the mercenary and fugitive. With the potential for a job destroyed, Gadreman must hurry to either secure another or move on, still unsure whether his previous owners continue to pursue him.

 

[Emiricol]

The wizard is full of promises, both for wealth and power. "Listen, Sir, why must we mistrust one another? Surely two men of wisdom and intelligence, such as ourselves, can come to some accomodation?"

Across the street lay the manor of the Walden family, merchants of wealth and power in this region of Mittendein. The manor is unusually active, with many more guardsmen than one would expect from a mere merchant family.

Indeed, what the gnome and his meddling companions said at the tavern melee must be true - the wizard was eliminating the members of this family. Only for a clear and immediate threat would anyone go through the expense of such a heavy load of guardsmen.

 

[evandariel]

The mage once again finds mute silence, though Gadreman will occasionally humor the mage so as to measure how frightened he is about the approaching manor.

Gadreman shouts a hullo, walking nonchalantly up to the guards, the mage being pretty much dragged at this point by the ropes that bind him. "Good morn to you!" Gadreman grins before his is able to continue, "I have a little something here I would like to see if the Waldens are interested in purchasing." At this, Gadreman pulls on the ropes to the mage, and he is lifted off the ground by a good 2 feet and moved to face the guard that are on watch.

"Well, what'll ye have? I'm anxious to be rid of him, that's no doubt in my mind. He talks too damn much."

 

[Emiricol]

One of the guards instructs another to run to the manor, while two remain, with polearms at the ready some 10 feet away. The remaining guards are not conversational, though the one who instructed the other guard does say, "Wait here." Not very talkative.

The activity level on the manor grounds goes up tremendously, as they prepare for the possibility that this is a diversion.

After several minutes, a tall, well-dressed man wearing some sort of imported fabric you recognize as silk, comes out and greets you.

"Good day. I am Lord Walden's nephew, but you may call me Brenheim. I am visiting from Marzen, for reasons I presume you know."

After introductions are handled, the man looks at the wizard closely and nods. "Aye, I know this man. This is he. And what might you be seeking for such a package, warrior? We will of course pay fairly well to have this threat delivered to us like this."

 

[evandariel]

Gadreman bows low to the man, and suprisingly the mage still hovers above the ground as he does so. "Hello, Master Brenheim." Gadreman smiles wickedly as he tosses the mage at his feet and kicks him once to keep him still. "I too have had my own share of betrayals at this mage's hands. I had also heard tell of your family's misfortune and the desire to have the man for yourselves. I have come to the decision to spare my own needs of vengeance, so that you and your family may have yours. I would hate to indulge in asking your family for money after such hardship, but I myself am in a bit of a hard place. You see," he says with a wave to the far off horizon, "I am hunted as well as this mage, though not by such honorable folk as you. My hunters fancy themselves powerful men in Ulruz, hobgoblins, goblins, and even a human or two. I, you see, was once a slave, and no less a slave than a gladiator as well."

He kicks the mage again as he notices squirming. "I would ask that if you have an item to aid in my hiding, or even just some gold or gems to support me on my long journey, that this be given in exchange for this miserable excuse for a man."

Gadreman smiles disarmingly, though his sweat soaked muscles still glint dangerously in the sunlight, as does his great blade. "What conclusion do you come to, Master Brenheim? I implore that you be generous to a man in my situation."

Gadreman plays himself off as a man in need, but is nowhere so desperate as to let the noble take advantage of him, if that is indeed his intention. He knows perfectly well that the thieve's guild would pay handsomely for the mage, and does not settle on a pittance of a reward. If prodded, Gadreman recounts the same story regarding his childhood and life until now, hoping to garner either respect or sympathy.

There is no doubt that he wants good pay and will get it by any means necessary.

 

[Emiricol]

((What amount of wealth did you begin play with, by the way?))