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Seravin's Tales of the Night Below (Two Updates this Week - 07/24/07)
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<blockquote data-quote="Seravin" data-source="post: 2814171" data-attributes="member: 6783"><p><strong>No, Trust Me</strong></p><p></p><p><em>Apologies for the delay. DnD Online is a pretty cool game though. <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/nervous.png" class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":heh:" title="Nervous Laugh :heh:" data-shortname=":heh:" /> </em></p><p><em>Fortunately I was already working on this post...</em></p><p></p><p>----</p><p></p><p>Geoffrey Windemere shifted nervously from foot to foot while keeping an eye on the Modolan warehouse. Things were bad; real bad. Vigorously rubbing his hands over his arms to keep warm, Geoffrey reflected that being a torch bearer might not have been a bad career choice after all. It might have been marginally safer than the city and far safer than the current job.</p><p></p><p><em>”I can’t believe I’m doing this.”</em> Thought Geoffrey for the twelfth time this morning. <em>”They took out the Blue Diamond, the Gaming Den, and and the Blue Gorgon.”</em> He stamped his feet to relieve both the cold and his growing fear as he thought over his current circumstances. <em>"They took out Ker Deverex! - didn’t know he a wizard himself.”</em></p><p></p><p><em>”I never should have told Radik what happened to me. Should’ve just told him the two womenn had disappeared. Why did he have to tell </em>Lore<em> of all people that the women had taken me to…wherever?”</em></p><p></p><p>Seeing movement down the street, Geoffrey moved deeper into the warehouse doorway and waited for the walkers to approach. As he suspected, it was Lore. Word was starting to get around town that there was a new curfew; something about the cathedral being on fire. With the free-mage were three familiar faces; two soldiers and the scary-beautiful white-haired wizard. There was a fourth person but while she looked vaguely familiar Geoffrey determined she was a stranger.</p><p></p><p><em>”Father Dark must be loving this.”</em> thought the dark-haired young man somewhat cycnically. <em>"He’s already looking for this lot and here Kerress Deverex pays for an assassination. He gets paid for what he already wanted done.”</em></p><p></p><p>Worry tugged at Geoffrey’s mind, but he managed to put it down. <em>”Valadan’s the best there is.”</em> He reminded himself. <em>”And the woman has a Ereskian bodyguard; no one gets by one of them."</em> For the first time today he let himself smile as he watched them enter the Modolan warehouse. <em>”Lore will surprise them.”</em> He told himself – finally managing to push his worry away.</p><p></p><p>From his vantage point across the street Geoffrey heard the crack of thunder and saw the interior of the warehouse light up briefly. The door closed quickly after that. Geoffrey heaved a sigh of relief and settled back. Things were being taken care of. He only had to watch out for surprises coming up or down this street. Besides, if anything did go wrong no one expected him to get involved; he was just a hired watchman.</p><p></p><p>The budding young criminal had barely finished that thought when a soft, unnatural double-hum sounded behind him and faded away. Geoffrey jumped and whirled around to face the new danger; his calm heart was now beating like a dwarf’s hammer. He paled at the sight.</p><p></p><p>It was Lore and Kerress Deverex, standing there recovering from Lore’s travel spell. Lore was panting a bit, and the woman…the woman was still. Geoffrey’s heart stopped as he recognized the same effect that the wizardess had captured him with less than a month ago. As for Lore, Lore was always calm; scary-calm. It was his trademark. The free-mage knew he could kill you with a word a gesture and everyone who dealt with him knew it too. Right now Lore looked scared and that terrified Geoffrey even more.</p><p></p><p>Lore caught his breath as he focused in on the room and then on Geoffrey. With an effort of will the older man composed himself. “The ambush didn’t work.” There was still a note of fear in the man’s voice. He had never so badly underestimated his opposition. There was only one option right now and that was to retreat.</p><p></p><p>The free-mage managed to regain a measure of his usual calm. “Watch the warehouse.” He ordered. “If any of the marks come out you let them go. Note their direction but <em>do not</em> try and follow them. When they’re safely gone, or after an hour, head back to the safe house.” He paused, and then added. “Wait. If you see them leave, wait until they are safely out of sight and check out the warehouse.”</p><p></p><p>Geoffrey nodded, relieved that he wasn’t going to have to face these folks. He had been given a very stern warning by the one soldier and had no wish to cross paths with them again.</p><p></p><p>Orders given Lore reached out (Geoffrey would have said tenderly if it wasn’t so ridiculous) and touched Kerress Deverex on the arm. Invoking a word he and the woman disappeared through what looked to be a glowing rip in the air. The rip hummed softly and disappeared.</p><p></p><p>Geoffrey turned his attention back to the Modolan warehouse.</p><p></p><p>---</p><p></p><p>Geoffrey didn’t have to wait long. Only a minute or two passed after Lore left when the door of the warehouse across the street opened. At first Geoffrey couldn’t tell who was at the door and he didn’t dare stick his head out further to get a better look. He didn’t have to wait long for his curiosity to be satisfied though. Relief flooded through Geoffrey as he recognized Valadan.</p><p></p><p>Geoffrey had never met the assassin personally but he had seen the man around and had gotten a look at the man earlier this morning. Valadan belonged to the Night Sashes and he was Father Dark’s choice when people had to disappear. Seemingly normal, an onlooker couldn’t tell just by looking that Valadan was a nearly emotionless sociopath. Not quite yet thirty, Valadan had already killed some forty-odd people; most of them for money but not all.</p><p></p><p>Tall, dark, and non-descript, no one messed with Valadan. Geoffrey was almost relieved to see the man. The young man watched the assassin close the door and make his way down the street; showing no sign of a fight that had sent Lore himself running.</p><p></p><p>Geoffrey waited until the man was closer before going out to meet him. “Valadan!” He called, waving an arm to get the man’s attention.</p><p></p><p>Valadan stopped and turned to look at Geoffrey. Geoffrey paused as he realized he might have done something wrong. There was no thrown knife however and while Valadan’s hand strayed to his sword hilt, he didn’t draw it. Still Geoffrey moved closer before he started speaking again.</p><p></p><p>“Valadan. What happened? Lore said the ambush didn’t work.”</p><p></p><p>The assassin’s face was grim. “It didn’t. The others teleported out and left me behind.” He gave Geoffrey an appraising eye. “What’s the plan?” He asked</p><p></p><p>“Lore wanted me to check out the warehouse if everyone was gone and then head back to the safe house.”</p><p></p><p>“I see.” Valadan considered for a moment. “Don’t bother checking out the warehouse; there’s no one left in there.” He gestured vaguely down the road. “We should head back to the safe house and report.”</p><p></p><p>Geoffrey nodded and turned down the street. “Okay.” He said agreeably.</p><p></p><p>Seeing that Geoffrey was waitng for him to move, Valadan again gestured vaguely down the road. “You lead the way, I’ll watch for followers.”</p><p></p><p>Geoffrey didn’t like it but if the assassin wanted to kill him, he hardly had to wait for Geoffrey to turn his back. Suppressing a sigh Geoffrey turned and started the journey back to the safe house.</p><p></p><p>---</p><p></p><p>The safe house was an older two-story house only a few blocks away. Despite its age, the building and the small grounds around it were well kept. A small, waist-high stone wall surrounded the grounds. It certainly didn’t look like a criminal hide out. In fact, anyone investigating the ownership of the building would find that it was owned by a minor merchant family from Karos; who were renting it to others. In theory it was currently unoccupied and being watched over and administered by the Holtson family.</p><p></p><p>Geoffrey led Valadan right to the gate and was about to open it when Valadan bid him to stop.</p><p></p><p>“Hold up.” Said Valadan.</p><p></p><p>Curious, Geoffrey turned to the man. For the second time today Geoffrey paled in fright. Valadan’s form shifted and blurred for a moment and Geoffrey was now facing one of the soldier allies of the wizardess. <em>”Jared.”</em> His memory reminded him.</p><p></p><p>“I thought we told you that you shouldn't work for Father Dark.”</p><p></p><p>It was phrased almost like a question but Geoffrey found he couldn’t answer.</p><p></p><p>The fighting man looked disgusted. “Just go. Go and don’t come back.” He warned and then smiled grimly. “I can promise you bad things will happen to anyone working for Father Dark today.”</p><p></p><p>Geoffrey was still unable to move.</p><p></p><p>“Go!” Hissed the man.</p><p></p><p>Geoffrey’s eyes widened and he took off like a rabbit. He wasn’t going to come back here. He didn’t know what he was going to do, but he knew that much.</p><p></p><p>Jared willed the hat of disguise to change his form back to that of the assassin and watched the young man disappear from view. He spit once, shook his head, and then made his way back to the Library. At least now he knew where their attackers were.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Seravin, post: 2814171, member: 6783"] [b]No, Trust Me[/b] [I]Apologies for the delay. DnD Online is a pretty cool game though. :heh: Fortunately I was already working on this post...[/I] ---- Geoffrey Windemere shifted nervously from foot to foot while keeping an eye on the Modolan warehouse. Things were bad; real bad. Vigorously rubbing his hands over his arms to keep warm, Geoffrey reflected that being a torch bearer might not have been a bad career choice after all. It might have been marginally safer than the city and far safer than the current job. [i]”I can’t believe I’m doing this.”[/i] Thought Geoffrey for the twelfth time this morning. [i]”They took out the Blue Diamond, the Gaming Den, and and the Blue Gorgon.”[/i] He stamped his feet to relieve both the cold and his growing fear as he thought over his current circumstances. [i]"They took out Ker Deverex! - didn’t know he a wizard himself.”[/i] [i]”I never should have told Radik what happened to me. Should’ve just told him the two womenn had disappeared. Why did he have to tell [/i]Lore[i] of all people that the women had taken me to…wherever?”[/i] Seeing movement down the street, Geoffrey moved deeper into the warehouse doorway and waited for the walkers to approach. As he suspected, it was Lore. Word was starting to get around town that there was a new curfew; something about the cathedral being on fire. With the free-mage were three familiar faces; two soldiers and the scary-beautiful white-haired wizard. There was a fourth person but while she looked vaguely familiar Geoffrey determined she was a stranger. [i]”Father Dark must be loving this.”[/i] thought the dark-haired young man somewhat cycnically. [i]"He’s already looking for this lot and here Kerress Deverex pays for an assassination. He gets paid for what he already wanted done.”[/i] Worry tugged at Geoffrey’s mind, but he managed to put it down. [i]”Valadan’s the best there is.”[/i] He reminded himself. [i]”And the woman has a Ereskian bodyguard; no one gets by one of them."[/i] For the first time today he let himself smile as he watched them enter the Modolan warehouse. [i]”Lore will surprise them.”[/i] He told himself – finally managing to push his worry away. From his vantage point across the street Geoffrey heard the crack of thunder and saw the interior of the warehouse light up briefly. The door closed quickly after that. Geoffrey heaved a sigh of relief and settled back. Things were being taken care of. He only had to watch out for surprises coming up or down this street. Besides, if anything did go wrong no one expected him to get involved; he was just a hired watchman. The budding young criminal had barely finished that thought when a soft, unnatural double-hum sounded behind him and faded away. Geoffrey jumped and whirled around to face the new danger; his calm heart was now beating like a dwarf’s hammer. He paled at the sight. It was Lore and Kerress Deverex, standing there recovering from Lore’s travel spell. Lore was panting a bit, and the woman…the woman was still. Geoffrey’s heart stopped as he recognized the same effect that the wizardess had captured him with less than a month ago. As for Lore, Lore was always calm; scary-calm. It was his trademark. The free-mage knew he could kill you with a word a gesture and everyone who dealt with him knew it too. Right now Lore looked scared and that terrified Geoffrey even more. Lore caught his breath as he focused in on the room and then on Geoffrey. With an effort of will the older man composed himself. “The ambush didn’t work.” There was still a note of fear in the man’s voice. He had never so badly underestimated his opposition. There was only one option right now and that was to retreat. The free-mage managed to regain a measure of his usual calm. “Watch the warehouse.” He ordered. “If any of the marks come out you let them go. Note their direction but [i]do not[/i] try and follow them. When they’re safely gone, or after an hour, head back to the safe house.” He paused, and then added. “Wait. If you see them leave, wait until they are safely out of sight and check out the warehouse.” Geoffrey nodded, relieved that he wasn’t going to have to face these folks. He had been given a very stern warning by the one soldier and had no wish to cross paths with them again. Orders given Lore reached out (Geoffrey would have said tenderly if it wasn’t so ridiculous) and touched Kerress Deverex on the arm. Invoking a word he and the woman disappeared through what looked to be a glowing rip in the air. The rip hummed softly and disappeared. Geoffrey turned his attention back to the Modolan warehouse. --- Geoffrey didn’t have to wait long. Only a minute or two passed after Lore left when the door of the warehouse across the street opened. At first Geoffrey couldn’t tell who was at the door and he didn’t dare stick his head out further to get a better look. He didn’t have to wait long for his curiosity to be satisfied though. Relief flooded through Geoffrey as he recognized Valadan. Geoffrey had never met the assassin personally but he had seen the man around and had gotten a look at the man earlier this morning. Valadan belonged to the Night Sashes and he was Father Dark’s choice when people had to disappear. Seemingly normal, an onlooker couldn’t tell just by looking that Valadan was a nearly emotionless sociopath. Not quite yet thirty, Valadan had already killed some forty-odd people; most of them for money but not all. Tall, dark, and non-descript, no one messed with Valadan. Geoffrey was almost relieved to see the man. The young man watched the assassin close the door and make his way down the street; showing no sign of a fight that had sent Lore himself running. Geoffrey waited until the man was closer before going out to meet him. “Valadan!” He called, waving an arm to get the man’s attention. Valadan stopped and turned to look at Geoffrey. Geoffrey paused as he realized he might have done something wrong. There was no thrown knife however and while Valadan’s hand strayed to his sword hilt, he didn’t draw it. Still Geoffrey moved closer before he started speaking again. “Valadan. What happened? Lore said the ambush didn’t work.” The assassin’s face was grim. “It didn’t. The others teleported out and left me behind.” He gave Geoffrey an appraising eye. “What’s the plan?” He asked “Lore wanted me to check out the warehouse if everyone was gone and then head back to the safe house.” “I see.” Valadan considered for a moment. “Don’t bother checking out the warehouse; there’s no one left in there.” He gestured vaguely down the road. “We should head back to the safe house and report.” Geoffrey nodded and turned down the street. “Okay.” He said agreeably. Seeing that Geoffrey was waitng for him to move, Valadan again gestured vaguely down the road. “You lead the way, I’ll watch for followers.” Geoffrey didn’t like it but if the assassin wanted to kill him, he hardly had to wait for Geoffrey to turn his back. Suppressing a sigh Geoffrey turned and started the journey back to the safe house. --- The safe house was an older two-story house only a few blocks away. Despite its age, the building and the small grounds around it were well kept. A small, waist-high stone wall surrounded the grounds. It certainly didn’t look like a criminal hide out. In fact, anyone investigating the ownership of the building would find that it was owned by a minor merchant family from Karos; who were renting it to others. In theory it was currently unoccupied and being watched over and administered by the Holtson family. Geoffrey led Valadan right to the gate and was about to open it when Valadan bid him to stop. “Hold up.” Said Valadan. Curious, Geoffrey turned to the man. For the second time today Geoffrey paled in fright. Valadan’s form shifted and blurred for a moment and Geoffrey was now facing one of the soldier allies of the wizardess. [i]”Jared.”[/i] His memory reminded him. “I thought we told you that you shouldn't work for Father Dark.” It was phrased almost like a question but Geoffrey found he couldn’t answer. The fighting man looked disgusted. “Just go. Go and don’t come back.” He warned and then smiled grimly. “I can promise you bad things will happen to anyone working for Father Dark today.” Geoffrey was still unable to move. “Go!” Hissed the man. Geoffrey’s eyes widened and he took off like a rabbit. He wasn’t going to come back here. He didn’t know what he was going to do, but he knew that much. Jared willed the hat of disguise to change his form back to that of the assassin and watched the young man disappear from view. He spit once, shook his head, and then made his way back to the Library. At least now he knew where their attackers were. [/QUOTE]
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