el-remmen
Moderator Emeritus
InterSession #21.1 – “Prelude to Intrigue & Alarm” 1
The buzz of mead and some shots of fine dwarven spirits made Telémahkos’ head waver pleasantly as he leaned against the outhouse wall, relieving himself. Even from within the dark secluded shack behind the inn he could hear the revels of the common room. As usual, the party at Death & Taxes was roaring, with musicians, dancing, furtive groping and card games. Word has gotten around about the slaying of the great landshark, and more than one person had called for him to tell the story as drinks were purchased for him. Despite the ache in his bones from the long journey north, and his sleeping companions up in the suites, Telémahkos could not resist the call to fame.
One particularly lovely lady had asked him to tell her the story more privately, and she awaited him back in the common room. Telémahkos lowered and smoothed his toga, cinching his sash, and was startled as he opened the outhouse door to see a figure standing there.
"You get the best apricots this time of year," Floris Tenbrook said. He was oblivious to the light rain, looking at the piece of fruit in his hand. His other hand rested on the hilt of his rapier. He stood with a casual demeanor, his tall sinewy frame a bit slouched, his cream colored billowing blouse wrinkled and stained in more than one place with a mix of apricot juice and wine. He looked to Telémahkos with a smile, his brown hair slicked back and dotted with beads of rainwater reflecting in the light of the lanterns hanging under the eaves of the inn. "Find any apricots down in the Disputed Territories?"
Telémahkos immediately reached for his rapier, his senses coming to him quickly as a rush of adrenaline burned off his light drunkenness, but relaxed when he saw it was Floris. He smirked and settled for resting his own hand near the hilt of his rapier. Telie's fingers absently traced the intricate filigree of the Steel Whip's basket-hilt.
"Too hot and dry for such things down south. If you wish to walk in this refreshing air, I would be happy to do so but otherwise I am heading inside and away from the lovely scents of the outhouse," Telémahkos answered beginning to move as if making to walk around the inn and away from the area.
"No, no, back here is just fine. No one is going to disturb us," Floris gestured with his head and Telémahkos could see the silhouette of two figures (maybe more) crowding the doorway back into the inn. "No need to worry that we'll be overheard." He turned his back to Telémahkos and took four or five steps along the patch of grass that was adjacent to the brick path leading to the building, and then turned back around, clearly giving Telémahkos the room he needed to get away from the immediate vicinity of the outhouse. He took a big bite of the fruit with a flourish.
"So. . ." Floris said with his mouth full. "I would have thought you would have stayed away longer, what with your failure at the Cove. . ." 2
Telémahkos looked about a bit dramatically as if still worried they might be overheard. He replied in a whisper, "You are thrice bold, friend. First, for admitting your knowledge of the plot, second for telling me I have failed, and third, for the presumed threat of the statement… Be that as it may, I am no assassin not to mention I share the company of a priest of Ra. You have no doubt heard of them before? They are the ones presiding at court and other legal proceedings…" Telémahkos smiled without rancor and continued. “Let’s ignore my disinterest in the arts of villainy and the moral compass of my companions and stick with the facts. When we arrived at the cove it had already been torn apart… By the time we encountered what we sought, we were in sorry shape and our militant of Anhur quickly offered an assurance of truce under the awful circumstances we shared. We then raced off to save the Vanderborn manse as good heroes should…”
Telémahkos straightened himself to look young Tenbrook in the eyes. “So now, good sir, how do we proceed? I want nothing to do with being a lackey and killer. But we still share a common enemy. Shall we consider this a boon that we may benefit from in the future or do we need to waste worry, time and maybe even blood with the fact that you misjudged me?”
"Villainy? Plot?" Floris laughed overloud and now, away from the outhouse, the smell of liquor on the young noble was nearly overwhelming. "My dear, Telémahkos. . ." He draped an arm around Telémahkos's shoulders and slouched with easy affection. "What did you think your were getting involved in? I thought you were interested in playing . . . I thought you wanted to aid yourself, your House and Thricia? I thought you said you were loyal to the Trumpies and interested in getting rid of the Barrel-makers 3 and other foreign influence on our trade and internal business? How do you think it's done?"
He gave another laugh, which bordered on a cough as he slid off Telémahkos and took a few stumbly steps and spun around. "Anyway, it much too late to pull out now, no matter what your excuses are. . . People know you and your friends were there and most assume you did all that killing. . . the question only remains. . . for whom did you do that killing? I am sure each side thinks its for the other. . ."
Telémahkos’ expression grew sardonic. “So each side is trying to figure it out? It would be a shame if in our wake, the trail led to you. What exactly is your point? While I enjoy life and limb, I have little else to lose, and I am pretty certain that with a concerted effort I could make a decent start at making your life pretty miserable before sailing off for one of the quaint kingdoms far, far away…” Telémahkos covered his mouth with a fist and cleared his throat. “Have you forgotten that I am a ne’er-do-well with a father that is excitedly grooming more suitable heirs? Are you perhaps wondering which of the forty or fifty girls and women I have fΩcked you might hold over my head? I either have weak seed or am exceedingly careful so there are no bastards for me to worry about. Or perhaps you think will win easily. You are so well-connected that you will bring me down without hardly trying, as though you are swatting a gnat, but regardless I will not do your bidding. Any other thoughts?”
Floris Tenbrook laughed so hard he hawked up a big glob of phlegm that ended up hanging off a few blades of grass. "Master Briareus, you have me all wrong! I don't want to do anything to you. I just want to secure your aid, or failing that, I want to warn you that other people and groups will want to see you come to harm." He stood up straight and got more serious. "It wounds me that you would turn against me so quickly when it was you that let us down. . . And, besides, there is little you can say about me or accuse me of that many other people do not already believe to be true of me. . . I would be surprised if it would make much difference. If I had some personal issue with you then I would challenge you to a duel leave you sufficiently humiliated, and take Kilgante's sword, which I see you have taken to wearing rather brazenly…"
Floris took a seat on a nearby stone bench. "The task you were given was given as a means of seeing if you could be trusted, as much as it was about accomplishing it. . . You have to understand, that now your trustworthiness is questioned, and if you go around threatening people with 'talking' it is only going to be cast further into doubt… I want to be your friend, Telémahkos. . . Not your enemy. . ."
“Well, considering what we found at the cove and what we were able to accomplish … if you were with us, you would understand why it is an offense to say we failed. I was not aware of what I was sent to do. While that is a result of my own ignorance, you were aware of this when you sent me, thus, the idea that you and your ‘friend’ sent me off to kill someone obviously the better of me and my companions can look an awful lot like a set up. And as for talking, I would do no such thing unless it became clear that you and your friends were doing the same with our various friends and enemies among the barrels and lanterns and heralds.”
Telémahkos ran a hand through his hair, attempting to look amiable. “Look, I simply refuse to be a pawn. However, if you are the enemy of the one you sent me against, we are certainly on the same side … sort of. But, try to get me to be a killer again, and I doubt things will go well whether with the mission or our working relationship. If that is your only use for me we are at an impasse. However, if there are other ways to work against them I am interested. But forgive me if I believe we are at a point in our relationship where mutual caution seems like the most pragmatic approach.”
He paused, looking at Floris, who held his head as he looked down at the grass listening. “And I am always up for learning a thing or two about fencing if you have any interest in sharing your secrets,” Telémahkos added, not sure how to interpret Floris’ demeanor and trying to add levity.
"You should not assume that I knew what you would be doing when I sent you to our mutual friend," Floris replied, looking up. "I only knew after the fact, and no matter what the reason for your failure to accomplish it, not doing it or convincing your companions to do it leaves you in an unenviable predicament. Our friends will not help you because they feel you let them down and did not see to make an explanation or apology afterwards. The barrel-makers will assume you purposefully disrupted what was happening in the cove, and you wearing the known magical sword of their agent will not help, and finally the lanterns, well. . . the one you let get away is going to tell whatever story about you and your companions that she needs to in order to save her own skin. . ." He sighed and stood again. "I was not trying to set you up. I thought we could count on you the way we used to count on Demosthenes. 4 He never asked questions or shirked his duty. But now you stand alone, and until you make the proper overture to someone . . . be it barrel-maker or trumpie, or even that old pirate-bitch and her lickspittles, you are going to remain that way and you and your companions will remain in peril."
Floris began to step towards the inn. "I hope you make the choice that will allow us to remain friends and become even like brothers . . . but if not, rest assured, that whatever has to happen, will be business. . . " He stopped by the door and turned. "For the sake of appearances, I expect you to buy me at least one drink and play a hand or two cards at my table, though you should wait a few minutes before following me in…"
Telémahkos watched him go and then sat on the bench. He looked up at the night sky and watched the rainfall. A few moments later, he planted a fake smile on his face and headed back into the inn and played the part of the fool for the rest of the night, careful to keep his wits but appearing to recklessly indulge in singing, dancing, gambling and carousing. Affecting an air of noble superiority, he eschewed any romantic encounters in such a away that his arrogance might seem attractive if he should choose to seek out the interested woman once again.
Near dawn he lay down to sleep, but tossed and turned in misery never catching a wink.
End of InterSession #21.1
-------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
(1) This InterSession was played out on our messageboards between Sessions #21 and #22. The events therein take place on the night the Signers arrived in Sluetelot.
(2) The party visited Kraken’s Cove and were witness to the immediate aftermath of the massacre there. Telémahkos had been recruited to go there and kill Harliss Javell. See Sessions #6 through #8.
(3) Floris is referring to the Coopers and the Herald’s Guild thieving organizations.
(4) Demosthenes Briareus was one of Telémahkos’ older brothers, presumed killed in the loss of the ship known as The Siren.
The buzz of mead and some shots of fine dwarven spirits made Telémahkos’ head waver pleasantly as he leaned against the outhouse wall, relieving himself. Even from within the dark secluded shack behind the inn he could hear the revels of the common room. As usual, the party at Death & Taxes was roaring, with musicians, dancing, furtive groping and card games. Word has gotten around about the slaying of the great landshark, and more than one person had called for him to tell the story as drinks were purchased for him. Despite the ache in his bones from the long journey north, and his sleeping companions up in the suites, Telémahkos could not resist the call to fame.
One particularly lovely lady had asked him to tell her the story more privately, and she awaited him back in the common room. Telémahkos lowered and smoothed his toga, cinching his sash, and was startled as he opened the outhouse door to see a figure standing there.
"You get the best apricots this time of year," Floris Tenbrook said. He was oblivious to the light rain, looking at the piece of fruit in his hand. His other hand rested on the hilt of his rapier. He stood with a casual demeanor, his tall sinewy frame a bit slouched, his cream colored billowing blouse wrinkled and stained in more than one place with a mix of apricot juice and wine. He looked to Telémahkos with a smile, his brown hair slicked back and dotted with beads of rainwater reflecting in the light of the lanterns hanging under the eaves of the inn. "Find any apricots down in the Disputed Territories?"
Telémahkos immediately reached for his rapier, his senses coming to him quickly as a rush of adrenaline burned off his light drunkenness, but relaxed when he saw it was Floris. He smirked and settled for resting his own hand near the hilt of his rapier. Telie's fingers absently traced the intricate filigree of the Steel Whip's basket-hilt.
"Too hot and dry for such things down south. If you wish to walk in this refreshing air, I would be happy to do so but otherwise I am heading inside and away from the lovely scents of the outhouse," Telémahkos answered beginning to move as if making to walk around the inn and away from the area.
"No, no, back here is just fine. No one is going to disturb us," Floris gestured with his head and Telémahkos could see the silhouette of two figures (maybe more) crowding the doorway back into the inn. "No need to worry that we'll be overheard." He turned his back to Telémahkos and took four or five steps along the patch of grass that was adjacent to the brick path leading to the building, and then turned back around, clearly giving Telémahkos the room he needed to get away from the immediate vicinity of the outhouse. He took a big bite of the fruit with a flourish.
"So. . ." Floris said with his mouth full. "I would have thought you would have stayed away longer, what with your failure at the Cove. . ." 2
Telémahkos looked about a bit dramatically as if still worried they might be overheard. He replied in a whisper, "You are thrice bold, friend. First, for admitting your knowledge of the plot, second for telling me I have failed, and third, for the presumed threat of the statement… Be that as it may, I am no assassin not to mention I share the company of a priest of Ra. You have no doubt heard of them before? They are the ones presiding at court and other legal proceedings…" Telémahkos smiled without rancor and continued. “Let’s ignore my disinterest in the arts of villainy and the moral compass of my companions and stick with the facts. When we arrived at the cove it had already been torn apart… By the time we encountered what we sought, we were in sorry shape and our militant of Anhur quickly offered an assurance of truce under the awful circumstances we shared. We then raced off to save the Vanderborn manse as good heroes should…”
Telémahkos straightened himself to look young Tenbrook in the eyes. “So now, good sir, how do we proceed? I want nothing to do with being a lackey and killer. But we still share a common enemy. Shall we consider this a boon that we may benefit from in the future or do we need to waste worry, time and maybe even blood with the fact that you misjudged me?”
"Villainy? Plot?" Floris laughed overloud and now, away from the outhouse, the smell of liquor on the young noble was nearly overwhelming. "My dear, Telémahkos. . ." He draped an arm around Telémahkos's shoulders and slouched with easy affection. "What did you think your were getting involved in? I thought you were interested in playing . . . I thought you wanted to aid yourself, your House and Thricia? I thought you said you were loyal to the Trumpies and interested in getting rid of the Barrel-makers 3 and other foreign influence on our trade and internal business? How do you think it's done?"
He gave another laugh, which bordered on a cough as he slid off Telémahkos and took a few stumbly steps and spun around. "Anyway, it much too late to pull out now, no matter what your excuses are. . . People know you and your friends were there and most assume you did all that killing. . . the question only remains. . . for whom did you do that killing? I am sure each side thinks its for the other. . ."
Telémahkos’ expression grew sardonic. “So each side is trying to figure it out? It would be a shame if in our wake, the trail led to you. What exactly is your point? While I enjoy life and limb, I have little else to lose, and I am pretty certain that with a concerted effort I could make a decent start at making your life pretty miserable before sailing off for one of the quaint kingdoms far, far away…” Telémahkos covered his mouth with a fist and cleared his throat. “Have you forgotten that I am a ne’er-do-well with a father that is excitedly grooming more suitable heirs? Are you perhaps wondering which of the forty or fifty girls and women I have fΩcked you might hold over my head? I either have weak seed or am exceedingly careful so there are no bastards for me to worry about. Or perhaps you think will win easily. You are so well-connected that you will bring me down without hardly trying, as though you are swatting a gnat, but regardless I will not do your bidding. Any other thoughts?”
Floris Tenbrook laughed so hard he hawked up a big glob of phlegm that ended up hanging off a few blades of grass. "Master Briareus, you have me all wrong! I don't want to do anything to you. I just want to secure your aid, or failing that, I want to warn you that other people and groups will want to see you come to harm." He stood up straight and got more serious. "It wounds me that you would turn against me so quickly when it was you that let us down. . . And, besides, there is little you can say about me or accuse me of that many other people do not already believe to be true of me. . . I would be surprised if it would make much difference. If I had some personal issue with you then I would challenge you to a duel leave you sufficiently humiliated, and take Kilgante's sword, which I see you have taken to wearing rather brazenly…"
Floris took a seat on a nearby stone bench. "The task you were given was given as a means of seeing if you could be trusted, as much as it was about accomplishing it. . . You have to understand, that now your trustworthiness is questioned, and if you go around threatening people with 'talking' it is only going to be cast further into doubt… I want to be your friend, Telémahkos. . . Not your enemy. . ."
“Well, considering what we found at the cove and what we were able to accomplish … if you were with us, you would understand why it is an offense to say we failed. I was not aware of what I was sent to do. While that is a result of my own ignorance, you were aware of this when you sent me, thus, the idea that you and your ‘friend’ sent me off to kill someone obviously the better of me and my companions can look an awful lot like a set up. And as for talking, I would do no such thing unless it became clear that you and your friends were doing the same with our various friends and enemies among the barrels and lanterns and heralds.”
Telémahkos ran a hand through his hair, attempting to look amiable. “Look, I simply refuse to be a pawn. However, if you are the enemy of the one you sent me against, we are certainly on the same side … sort of. But, try to get me to be a killer again, and I doubt things will go well whether with the mission or our working relationship. If that is your only use for me we are at an impasse. However, if there are other ways to work against them I am interested. But forgive me if I believe we are at a point in our relationship where mutual caution seems like the most pragmatic approach.”
He paused, looking at Floris, who held his head as he looked down at the grass listening. “And I am always up for learning a thing or two about fencing if you have any interest in sharing your secrets,” Telémahkos added, not sure how to interpret Floris’ demeanor and trying to add levity.
"You should not assume that I knew what you would be doing when I sent you to our mutual friend," Floris replied, looking up. "I only knew after the fact, and no matter what the reason for your failure to accomplish it, not doing it or convincing your companions to do it leaves you in an unenviable predicament. Our friends will not help you because they feel you let them down and did not see to make an explanation or apology afterwards. The barrel-makers will assume you purposefully disrupted what was happening in the cove, and you wearing the known magical sword of their agent will not help, and finally the lanterns, well. . . the one you let get away is going to tell whatever story about you and your companions that she needs to in order to save her own skin. . ." He sighed and stood again. "I was not trying to set you up. I thought we could count on you the way we used to count on Demosthenes. 4 He never asked questions or shirked his duty. But now you stand alone, and until you make the proper overture to someone . . . be it barrel-maker or trumpie, or even that old pirate-bitch and her lickspittles, you are going to remain that way and you and your companions will remain in peril."
Floris began to step towards the inn. "I hope you make the choice that will allow us to remain friends and become even like brothers . . . but if not, rest assured, that whatever has to happen, will be business. . . " He stopped by the door and turned. "For the sake of appearances, I expect you to buy me at least one drink and play a hand or two cards at my table, though you should wait a few minutes before following me in…"
Telémahkos watched him go and then sat on the bench. He looked up at the night sky and watched the rainfall. A few moments later, he planted a fake smile on his face and headed back into the inn and played the part of the fool for the rest of the night, careful to keep his wits but appearing to recklessly indulge in singing, dancing, gambling and carousing. Affecting an air of noble superiority, he eschewed any romantic encounters in such a away that his arrogance might seem attractive if he should choose to seek out the interested woman once again.
Near dawn he lay down to sleep, but tossed and turned in misery never catching a wink.
End of InterSession #21.1
-------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
(1) This InterSession was played out on our messageboards between Sessions #21 and #22. The events therein take place on the night the Signers arrived in Sluetelot.
(2) The party visited Kraken’s Cove and were witness to the immediate aftermath of the massacre there. Telémahkos had been recruited to go there and kill Harliss Javell. See Sessions #6 through #8.
(3) Floris is referring to the Coopers and the Herald’s Guild thieving organizations.
(4) Demosthenes Briareus was one of Telémahkos’ older brothers, presumed killed in the loss of the ship known as The Siren.
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