Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="JollyDoc" data-source="post: 4794636" data-attributes="member: 9546">AN OFFER YOU CAN’T REFUSEIt didn’t take the group long to search Pilts’ ‘palace’ and find a single locked room off the Emperor’s bedroom.  The air in the cell was an unpleasant mix of body odor and paint.  A lumpy straw mattress lay on the floor in one corner, partially covered by a few blankets, while in the other stood a large easel upon which rested a nearly completed painting of immense fiends attacking a village.  A plain-looking man dressed in paint-stained rags, his skin covered with flea bites and his eyes sunken, stood next to the easel, a brush in his hands.  He turned sharply when the door opened, fear etched on his face.  When he saw the faces of his rescuers, however, he fell to his knees and broke into desperate sobs.“Please!” he cried.  “Take me with you!  Don’t leave me here with him!”“Relax Mr. Scream,” Kat said as she knelt down beside him.  “That’s exactly what we’re here to do.  We just want to ask you a few questions first.”“No!”  Salvator wailed.  “He’ll kill us all!  You have to kill him and take me out of here!  I won’t tell you anything until you promise!”“Relax,” Ratbone said with deadly calm.  “The Emperor is no longer a problem.”The druid tossed a gilt crown on the floor, and then held up the decanter and spoon.“He…he’s dead?”  Salvator asked in disbelief.“As a doornail,” Valeris smirked.  “Now do you wanna talk?”“I’ve always found that torture is a good motivator,” Laori offered.“That’s enough!”  Kat snapped, and then she turned back to Salvator.  “Mr. Scream, we’re looking for Vencarlo Orisini.  Do you know where he is?”“Orisini?”  Salvator asked.  “Isn’t he at his academy?”“Not anymore,” Kat replied.  “It was burned to the ground, and now his home has been as well…by members of the Red Mantis.”Salvator’s eyes went wide.  “Oh no!” he whispered.  “There’s something else,” Kat said.  “We found this when we went looking for you at your home.”  She produced the scrap of uniform that Laori had given them.  Salvator’s eyes widened again, and then he bowed his head.  “I guess I should start at the beginning,” he said.“That’s probably best,” Kat nodded.“My…work has drawn many eyes and admirers,” the artist began, “and not just among the regulars at Exemplary Excrables.  It became a favorite of many noble families and other prominent citizens.  They found my subject matter shocking, and safely scandalous.  Among my wealthier patrons was the seneschal of Castle Korvosa, Neolandus Kalepopolis.  After he attended a showing of my Tears of Abendego, he asked to meet me.   It turned out that we had many common interests, and we became friends.  We began meeting on a weekly basis at various eateries to discuss art, history, religion, politics…you name it.  You must understand that a man in Neolandus’ position could not afford to be seen with someone so base as a common artist, and he kept our friendship a secret.  So you can imagine that when he showed up at my home early on the morning Eodred died, desperate, bloodied, and poisoned, I was shocked, to say the least.  He was delirious, but he managed to tell me that he needed a place to hide.  I took care of him, nursed him back to health.  Once he’d recovered, he confided in me that Ileosa had murdered her husband, and that she had entered into an alliance with the Red Mantis.  They were the ones who’d tried to assassinate Neolandus, and his escape was as much luck as anything.  Worse, he said that there was something about Ileosa that wasn’t quite right…that she’d changed recently, grown worse, whatever that meant.  He refused to divulge more to me, saying that the less I knew the safer I’d be, and that he needed more time to think things through and do some research before he decided on the proper course of action.”“We both knew that my home would not be a secure hideout for long.  Through my art dealings I had connections with the Arkonas, and when I suggested to Neolandus that he seek them out for asylum, he grudgingly agreed.  I escorted him to the Arkona palace late one night, just a few days before the quarantine, and I haven’t seen him since.  As it turns out, it seems my efforts to help were a grave error in judgment on my part.  Still, can you blame me?  I’d always known the Arkonas to be trustworthy, and the fact that they haven’t turned him over to the queen says something right?  Still, when I went to Vencarlo, a man I’ve known and trusted for years, and told him what I’d learned, and what I’d done, he was furious!  He told me that he suspected the Arkonas were more…criminal-minded…than I’d suspected.  I was afraid that I’d traded my friend’s danger for a different one, and now that you tell me Orisini’s missing, I’m afraid he may have done something foolish…like trying to infiltrate the Arkonas' compound.  You have to save them!  Korvosa’s not a safe place for them!  They need to escape the city!  Me too…and you as well!”“It seems you were well-intentioned,” Michael spoke up, “but you were indeed very foolish.  It is a poorly kept secret that the Arkonas are involved in every form of criminal activity in Korvosa, from gambling and prostitution, to smuggling and murder-for-hire.  They are truly a nest of vipers.”“One we must walk willingly into it seems,” Kat added.  “What about him?”  Valeris nodded towards Salvator.  “He comin’ with us?”“No!”  Salvator screamed.  “I can’t stay here!  You’ve got to get me out of the city!”“I can do that,” Laori interrupted.  “I need to speak with Mr. Scream anyway…in private.  I’m done here, and I can make sure he makes it safely out of the city.”“Scream,” Ratbone said sharply.  “I don’t trust this woman.  She’s a follower of Zon-Kuthon.  She’s a sadist!”Salvator’s eyes narrowed.  “You have seen my work, haven’t you Mr.…Bone?  I don’t paint flowers and puppies.  I think I’ll take my chances with her.”Laori smirked and winked at Ratbone.“Don’t worry,” she said.  “I don’t think we’ve seen the last of each other.  I look forward to the next time we meet.”___________________________________________________Palace Arkona was perched at the highest point atop Endrin Isle in Old Korvosa.  The grounds were generally open, decorated here and there with tiny copses of trees, exotic topiary animals (elephants, cobras, and tigers being the most common), beautiful flower gardens, and exquisite fountains.  The palace itself was a breathtaking structure built in the Vudran style, with golden pillars, high windows that rose to tapered points, minarets and domes decorated with slender spires.  As the companions approached the front gates, a quartet of armed guards met them.“What is your purpose here?”  one of them asked in a polite but firm tone.“We are here seeking an audience with Lord Glorio Arkona,” Kat said simply.  The group had agreed earlier that an open and honest approach might be the best tactic when dealing with opportunists such as the Arkonas.  The guard nodded and instructed the group to follow him up to the palace.The interior of the estate was just as elegant as the outside.  The walls were made of ebony and carved with depictions of elephants, tigers, monkeys and peacock, all with shimmering mother-of-pearl eyes.  The doors were made of mahogany and were carved with images of the Vudran deity Chamidu, the God of Wild Beasts, a six-armed, four-faced giant riding a tiger with human hands for paws.  Exotic plants in clay pots were in abundance, and each room was rich with their scent, mingled with that of sandalwood incense that burned in brass censers which hung from the high ceilings here and there.  In the main entry hall, a black marble arch that depicting dozens of elephants standing one atop the other, framed a great ebony door in a far wall.  Above the door, a single one-eyed elephant looked out over the hall, its eye a glittering bloodstone the size of an apple.  Tall windows granted a commanding view of the palace grounds, and a rich red carpet, ten-feet wide and luxuriously thick, provided a pathway between doors to the west and north, and around a corner to the east.  The companions were greeted by a tall, pleasant man who wore an eye patch.“I am Carnochan, the Arkonas’ majordomo,” he said, bowing slightly.  “How may I be of service?”Once again, Katarina acted as spokesperson for the companions.  “We are friends of Vencarlo Orisini and Neolandus Kalepopolis,” she said.  “We have reason to believe that they are…guests of the Arkonas.  We would very much like to speak with them.”Carnochan bowed again.  “That would be a matter for you to discuss with Lord Arkona,” he said.  “If you will follow me, I will see if the master can make time for you today.”He led them down the richly-appointed hall to a spacious lounge.  The comfortable room was warmed by a large fireplace, its marble sides and mantle carved into a parade of capering monkeys and tigers.  A large sofa sat to one side, while a few comfortable-looking chairs sat on the other.  Carnochan left them there for no more than five minutes before returning on the heels of a handsome, middle-aged man with black hair, graying at the temples.  He wore a rich velvet robe of deepest scarlet, trimmed in what appeared to be genuine tiger fur.“Carnochan!” the man exclaimed.  “How could you be so disrespectful of our guests?  No wine?  No cheese?”“Forgive me, master,” Carnochan replied, bowing low.  “I will rectify the situation immediately.”He backed hastily out of the room.“Please forgive the rudeness of my house,” the man said.  “I am Lord Glorio Arkona, and I am honored to make the acquaintance of such esteemed persons as yourselves, for the Saviors of Korvosa need no introduction!”He casually seated himself in one of the chairs, facing his guests.“While I have done what I can with my limited resources to keep Old Korvosa from falling into complete anarchy,” he continued, “there is so much more that could be done, and my contributions pale in comparison to yours!”“Do not belittle your endeavors so quickly,” Kat said, smiling politely.  “Your reputation among the poor of Korvosa is one of ministering to their needs when no one else will.”Glorio returned her smile, though his eyes were sharp and piercing.  “Well, despite my best efforts,” he said, “this quarantine has all but nullified everything my family has worked so hard to achieve, though I daresay our queen had little choice in the matter.  Still, perhaps if things had not been allowed to escalate out of control so quickly, that drastic proclamation would not have been necessary.”“You would have handled things differently in the wake of Eodred’s death?”  Kat asked, raising one eyebrow slightly.Glorio inclined his head.  “It’s just that in times of crisis, I’ve found that a firm hand is not always the most useful way to persuade the masses to your cause.  A velvet glove sometimes brings better results, and at least letting the people think that they are helping to make policy will often lead to them aiding you in your long-term goals rather than opposing you at every turn.  Is Korvosa truly better off since Ileosa’s rise to power?  I think not.  I believe that the people have seen this as well, and it may only be a matter of time before their voices are finally heard.”“We’re not here to discuss politics,” Ratbone abruptly interrupted, rising from his chair.  “We’re here to see Orisini and the seneschal!”Kat stood quickly and placed a hand on the druid’s shoulder.“We are grateful that you have offered safe haven to our friends,” she said carefully, “but we are concerned about their wellbeing, and would very much like to see them.”Glorio steepled his fingers beneath his chin and smiled.“I like a man who speaks his mind,” he said.  “It is possible that I might be able to help you, but I haven’t risen to my current position by showing all of my cards at once.”“What is it that you want?”  Ratbone growled, cutting to the chase.Glorio nodded, still smiling.  “Just so,” he said.  “There is a certain little weasel of a man who has styled himself emperor of my little piece of Korvosa.  His name is Pilts Swastel, and I want him…removed.  Once he’s gone, I’m certain his mob will collapse and then my agents can step in and pacify Old Korvosa.”“Done,” Ratbone said, once more tossing Swastel’s crown on the floor and displaying the spoon and decanter.Glorio’s eyes went wide, and for a brief moment his mouth dropped open a fraction of an inch.  He quickly recovered his composure, and his face positively beamed.“My, my,” he said softly, “you are indeed as resourceful as I’d heard.  Perhaps when this is all behind us, you might be in need of new employment.”“Orisini and Kalepopolis,” Ratbone said.“Yes, yes,” Glorio said as he reclined in his chair once more.  “I will, of course, allow you to see them, but that might be…complicated.”“How so?”  Ratbone asked, his eyes narrowing.  “A man in my position can never show weakness,” Glorio stated flatly.  “To do so would invite subversion, if not open rebellion.  I cannot simply hand my…valuable guests over to you.  The loss of face would be catastrophic.  If you, however, were to find them on your own, then that would be an entirely different story.”“Find them?”  Kat asked.  “Where are they?”Glorio cleared his throat.  “I’ve sent them to the Vivified Labyrinth for…safekeeping.”Kat’s face drained of color.“I see you’ve heard of it,” Glorio smiled.“Kat, what is it?”  Michael asked.“A dungeon,” the fortune teller replied quietly, “a notorious one meant to test both prisoners and agents alike.”“Just so,” Glorio nodded.  “So as I was saying, if you were to retrieve them on your own, thus surviving the perils of the labyrinth, then no one could fault me.”“What sort of perils are we talking about?”  Herc asked suspiciously.Glorio shrugged.  “Oh, you know, traps, monsters, the usual.  Oh, and you may run into an operative or two of my household.”“And what if they try to stop us?”  Ratbone asked.  “I fully expect them to,” Glorio laughed.  “What good would they be to me if they didn’t?  If they succeed, then that would be unfortunate.  If they do not, then they were not worthy to serve House Arkona in the first place.”“How far away is the labyrinth?”  Kat asked, her voice still hollow.“Not far at all,” Glorio said.  “In fact, it is just beneath us.  Carnochan will show you to the gardens.  There you will find a full-sized statue of an elephant.  Speak the words, ‘Chamidu is blind,’ and it shall show you the way.  Once below, you will find yourself in a deep sea cavern.  Find your way to the bottom, and then look to the southern-most wall.  There is a cleverly concealed door there which will take you inside the labyrinth.  I must warn you, the labyrinth was designed to be quite deadly.  In several locations you will find levers that, when pulled, can literally shift the rooms about, but be forewarned, my agents know of these as well and will doubtless use this to their advantage once they discover you are trespassing.”“Sounds charming,” Valeris snorted.“One more thing,” Glorio said.  “Take this as a sign of my good faith.”  He took a beautiful platinum ring set with a huge bloodstone from his tunic.  He handed it to Valeris.“With this, you will find your reflexes expertly honed, allowing you to evade even the deadliest of spells.  Take it and use it well.  If you survive, it’s yours.  Now, I must take my leave of you, and you’ll pardon me for saying that I hope we do not soon met again.  I wish you safe journey, and good luck.”____________________________________________________The gardens hardly seemed to be part of a palace…it seemed more like a clearing at the heart of a vast jungle, teeming with life.  The sky above was a deep, cloudless blue, while in the distance, hazy towers of distant structures rose above the verdant canopy.  Exotic bird calls filled the air, the scent of dozens of unfamiliar flowers and plants assaulted the nose, and everywhere a riot of color demanded the eye, be it the wing of a tropical bird, the petals of a brightly hued flower, or the glittering multicolored tiles that made up a round fountain to the north, its central plume a stone pillar around which entwined two cobra statues that clutched green gems in their fanged maws.  Opposite the fountain to the south stood an immense, life-sized jade statue of an elephant, a howdah perched on its back, its tusks and trunk raised high in greeting to the southeast doors…doors that, from inside the room, looked more like gates set into a wrought iron fence that encircled the garden.  Other gates set in the fence doubtless led to other parts of the palace, and after a bit more observation, the somewhat static nature of the jungle and landscape became apparent…the walls of the garden were in fact an incredibly realistic and clever painting of a Vudran junglescape. As instructed, the companions stood before the statue of the elephant, and Katarina spoke the words, “Chamidu is blind!”The statue suddenly animated and stepped off its pedestal, which began slowly rotating like an immense cap unscrewing from a container.  As it did so, a curved opening appeared, granting access to a flight of spiral stairs descending into the ground.  Down and down the group climbed, several hundred feet into the earth, until they reached a vast underground grotto.  The iron stairs descended to a semicircular ledge, which in turn wound down along the cavern’s inner wall to a series of rope bridges that descended even lower from ledge to ledge.  The upper ledge, before it reached the ropes, was a strangely breathtaking beauty…a garden of all manner of strangely colored fungi, lichens and molds.  The fungi had been cultivated, shaped into all manner of symmetrical patterns normally not seen in nature, transforming the ledge into a sort of underground fungal garden.  Here and there, flickering torches burned in sconces above the fungi, while from somewhere in the darkness below came the soft splash of water against an unseen shore.Ratbone took the lead, having assumed a new shape, vaguely similar to his ape form, but larger, and more feral.  Two large horns curved from his forehead, and an extra pair of arms protruded from his sides.  He had traversed no more than a quarter of the ledge when he stopped short, his nostrils flared.  His senses were much more attuned in his bestial incarnations, and thus he perceived a presence moving towards them, something bipedal and large.  Before he could turn and warn the others, the creature abruptly materialized in front of him.  It stood almost eight feet in height, and was mostly skeletal, like a giant cadaver, yet its bones were encrusted with fungus.  In one hand it clutched an enormous scimitar, while in the other it held a spiked shield.  No sooner had it appeared, then Ratbone sensed three more similar creatures approaching unseen, but they were coming from directly over the abyss that plunged down the to sea below…they were flying!Herc rushed to Ratbone’s side as the first giant appeared, and his sword landed heavily against its ribcage, sending bone and lichen flying.  Meanwhile, the other three fungal giants appeared, hovering above the open cavern, all similarly armed.  Valeris sent arcane power surging through his own blade and hewed at the nearest one.  Suddenly, clouds of yellow spores exploded from all four of the creatures, filling the air with a choking haze.  Herc, Michael and Katarina all doubled over in coughing fits, their faces red as the spasms wracked their bodies.  O’Reginald felt his own lungs beginning to fill, but before he started coughing, he spat out the words to a spell, and a ball of fire exploded around the combatants, completely immolating one of the giants, and burning away the strangling spores.  Ratbone launched himself at the creature in front of him, and literally tore the thing limb from limb.  He then turned, and in the blink of an eye, transformed into his condor form and flew at one of the flying giants, ripping and tearing at it with beak and talons.  It went spiraling down into the darkness below.  Herc, recovering quickly from his coughing spell, dealt with the remaining giant, smashing it to splinters beneath his shield.</blockquote>

Verification