M3: Assassin's Knot (Patlin judging)

[Manzanita]

Phillip ushers them out the door, evidently bouyed by the talk of the princess. "That Esmerelda has fire in her blood. One of the best bloodlines in all the lands. She would make a fine heir for me, not to mention making his creation a lot of fun, eh?" he jabs Rinaldo lightly with his elbow. "And without a heir, well... this kingdom would go to...ah well. Do keep an eye on your hawk. He wouldn't escape from a tussel with the apes around here!" He laughs some more.

He leaves the party in the hallway.

Hutchinson meets them at the door to the tower and leads them through the tunnel. This time grunting noises can be heard through the tunnel, but the source is not visible. Outside, Hutchinson helps them board the boat. Ashore, the guard is standing with a middle aged man. A horrible scar is all that's left of the left side of his face, where his eye and ear used to be. His one eye gazes at the party suspiciously. He is dirty and wears boots and overalls.

Feel free to backtrack a bit for more conversation.

 

[jkason]

Eanos

Hutchinson meets them at the door to the tower and leads them through the tunnel. This time grunting noises can be heard through the tunnel, but the source is not visible.

Taking you up on the backtrack offer

Eanos stops at the sudden sound of grunting, putting his arm up and playing guard. He levels a questioning gaze at Hutchinson to ask "What is that noise, and where exactly is it coming from?"

 

[Manzanita]

Hutchinson glances guardedly at Eanos. "Ne'er you mind those noises. You're safe enough in here. But don't be trying to wander 'round this place. Be very dangerous. But don't be askin' me questions like that."

 

[Velmont]

Rinaldo nods at the man, greating him silently, before boarding into the boat.

 

[jkason]

Hutchinson glances guardedly at Eanos. "Ne'er you mind those noises. You're safe enough in here. But don't be trying to wander 'round this place. Be very dangerous. But don't be askin' me questions like that."

Eanos raises an eyebrow, but says nothing further, waiting until he and his companions are alone again to confer with them.

 

[Manzanita]

Hutchinson rows the party back to the docks, saying little. The interview has eaten up most of the afternoon.

 

[jkason]

Hutchinson rows the party back to the docks, saying little. The interview has eaten up most of the afternoon.

After disembarking and leaving their escort behind, Eanos looks at the sun on its downward track and makes a suggestion.

"I suppose we ought to make for the Inn, grab a bite. We need to see about trying to set up a way to compare notes with the others. I was thinking Mordik and I might prove useful, there, as we'd have the cover of 'patrol' if someone found us wandering the halls at night."

Glancing around and lowering his voice even more, Eanos adds, "Was I the only one who got the sense there was something the prince wasn't saying in regards to that animal fur?"

 

[Knight Otu]

"I suppose there could be something he didn't tell. We should be careful with what we say or do. Which reminds me, Rinaldo... why did you tell him about Persephone?" Ashnar whispers back.

 

[Velmont]

"That man is in love with Persephone. By talking about her, I was distracting his mind from the subject I found important. Love is a bad advisor in negotiation. I tried to use it to my advantage." answers Rinaldo to Ashnar ear.

 

[Knight Otu]

Ashnar nods, though he is a bit surprised that the merchant would readily act this way... yet.
"He was quite ecstatic to hear about her," he agrees, "but I'm sure she'd not be very happy to hear that. Of course, you would not actually do it." he continues his whispering.