*Torr and Ralam, you both head over to the safehouse by differing routes. Careful checking of your backtrail seems to confirm you haven't been followed. Arriving at the small residence later that day, you're both able to clean up and are served a meal by the servants attending. Hasord arrives much later in the evening, his broad face smiling. Waving for the servants to pour wine, he sees you each fitted with a glass before beginning to speak.*
"Well done, I must say. A bit of collateral damage, but that was always a possibility. I can say with authority that the Watch is both furious and baffled. And because you were both quite careful to misdirect as much as possible, they are very short on suspects, not wanting to accuse their fellow guardsmen," he says happily.
"Now, if you will both fill me in on the details, I can then pay you and send you on your merry way." With that, Hasord will sit back and sip his wine.
~~~
*Loviana, Brother Terrel will tell you that he entered Honor's Shield on the orders of his family.*
"Father wouldn't have it any other way, of course. I was the fourth son, and it was time for the traditional tithe. Putting me in clerical robes would be like putting a ballgown on a donkey, so he just 'suggested' I volunteer. At least I persuaded the old git to give me living expenses if I have to slave away all day looking at those that can't help themselves," he says airily. You smile nervously, as Larissa would, at his words, wanting to agree, but uncertain at this attack on your faith.
*Terrel prattles on for a while, and then says he'll walk you home. Taking you by the arm, he walks you through one of the artisan's districts and buys you a red rose before delivering you to your door. Giving you a "chaste" kiss on the cheek, he says he'll see you tomorrow after work for "dinner and some entertainment." Of the nature of the entertainment, you have no doubt. You've seen this type before. He considers one night of wooing and a dinner or two ample payment for whatever he decides to take. You'll probably have him in a rather delicate situation by tomorrow evening.*
~~~
*Aekir, Ssessaria tells you to meet her in a warehouse not too far from the Honor's Shield tomorrow in late afternoon. Though your night was troubled, your search for vermin is simple, and you are able to arrive well beforehand. Ssessarina, nearly unrecognizeable as one of the ubiquitous poor goodwives in their wrapped skirts and shawls, sells apples on the corner. A costume hard to move in, so it seems. She gives you a gesture with her head for you to conceal yourself in the alley to wait for your prey. Taking the inconspicuous form of a fly, you settle into the crevice of a crumbling brick wall to wait.*
*Loviana, you arrive at the Honor's Shield to begin work again. Lady Felsadora is not as snappish today, though she's quick to chasten you whenever she catches you in an idle moment. Though Orshallan doesn't show today, by subtle pumping of Miriam, the woman you met the day before, you learn a few interesting tidbits about the High Righteousness. Apparently with no high holy days of his church in the offing, he's going to be spending some more time tending to his flock. He'll be making more regular rounds of several charity houses, noble gatherings, and royal functions in order to maintain both his skill in politics and his humility.*
*On a more mundane note you learn that his favorite color is blue, he's been known to have more than a passing interest in the fine arts (he is the patron of several local artists of some renown), and he's a skilled horserider and jouster.*
*Eventually the intermitable day comes to an end. You amuse yourself by occasionally increasing the pain of some the wounded when you tend them. Most are barely able to communicate in a coherent fashion, and you're careful to make sure you won't be identified. But you can't expect to go the entire day without some entertainment. Besides, seeds of pain planted today may be reaped later.*
*Finally Brother Terrel comes to take you to a fine dinner at an even better inn, ordering strong wine (which you use slight of hand to remain far more sober than he) and rich food. He tries to be witty and amusing, and you laugh, staying in character.*
*Eventually he takes you on a stroll, coming, oh so coincidentally, near the Honor's Shield. Taking you down an alley, he carefully pins you against a wall, reaching to disrobe you. He feels the price of two meals and a flower is worth anything he cares to take from you, and he slaps you when Larissa puts up a token protest. Crying crocodile tears, you begin to let him corrupt himself.*
~~~
*Aekir, as you watch your target enter the alley with a lovely, black-haired woman, you see Ssessarina's eyes grow even sharper as she watches from a greater distance. Brother Terrel is obviously counting on the compliance of the girl he is abusing as well as the reluctance of anyone to interfere.*
*He strikes the girl and begins to have his way with her, as you watch and wait, her tears and faint sobs barely audiable where you are. This time, your watching is rewarded. From around the corner strides a knight in parade-ground finery. Silvery plate-mail, helm with a blue feather, and a blue cloak showing a device of a silvery throne topped with a golden crown. But what sets him truely apart are his glowing white eyes.*
~~~
*Loviana, before Terrel can go too far, he is struck away by a mailed fist. A glimmering knight with glowing white eyes appeared out of nowhere and has placed himself between yourself and the lustful laybrother.*
