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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Seravin" data-source="post: 3418997" data-attributes="member: 6783">Misdirected ExpectationsThere are events that no good person wants to see happen, yet when confronted by them these same people find that they are unable to look away.  As a battle-tested veteran of a handful of fights Senior Captain Rusuk knew this.  Further, the Captain knew that he was about to see another such event again as he watched the young Keress Thendry make her way to the only man in the entire building that was plotting the downfall of them all.  The only thing that stayed the Captain’s shout to stop her was the sorceress’ hand on his shoulder and the quiet confidence of both Kellron and Jared.  These three sober and competent people were giving the slight young woman their full confidence; for all that she was young enough to be his daughter and despite her reputation in the church as a pickpocket (albeit a likeable one).He watched Kestral cross to the opposite wall of the sanctuary and then followed her path to the doors that led to the colonel’s office.  Rusuk had to admit the woman walked with a grace that few trained warriors could match as she passed behind one of the many pillars in the sanctuary.  Rusuk allowed to himself that she might be able to hold her own against Merith if the man got violent.  Reflexively suppressing a snarl at the thought of the merchant’s name, Rusuk flicked his eyes to the door Kestral was heading to and then back to where he last saw Kestral.  She wasn’t there.  Frowning, Rusuk scanned up and down the far wall but there was no sign of the woman.  The only person there was a dark-haired acolyte marching purposely to the offices.“Where…?”  Murmured the captain, wondering which pillar Kestral had paused behind.  He had last seen her at that one over there, he mused.Keress Jallarzi made a soft noise and it took Rusuk a moment to determine that the young sorceress was suppressing laughter.Not trusting her voice, Jallarzi waved her hand at the young solider woman that the good captain had so obviously dismissed.Rusuk’s eyes snapped back to the acolyte and stared.  It couldn’t be.  The young Kestral was all of five feet high in her boots and her long, straight hair was a light brown (though in the past he knew it had been blonde – during the “incident”).  Only a few moments ago she had been wearing serviceable, if blood-stained, traveling garb.The acolyte was not the same woman.  Her black hair was cropped short, though longer than regulation usually permitted.  She wore a fresh white and blue tabard over her leather armor, and the captain frowned as he realized it looked as if it had been tailored. Rusuk wondered how Jallarzi had invoked the illusion.  He hadn’t seen or heard her cast a spell, but she obviously had.  That acolyte wasn’t one of his soldiers.  With an open mind he could still see Kestral’s grace shine through the soldier’s march as she disappeared through the door that led to the offices.“See? I told you; he won’t know what hit him.”  Said Jallarzi, smugly.---The confident knock at the door made Ker Quentin Merith look up from the papers on Colonel Megara’s desk with a frown.  The merchant was aware of just how little respect he was given here and had used it to be shuffled off to the good colonel’s office.  He hadn’t expected to be bothered in the meantime.  For a moment Mereith wondered if Captain Rusuk actually had captured the mercenaries.  Quentin shook his head and frowned as he touched the amulet hidden under his shirt.  No.  The captain hadn’t had enough time and his own watchers would have warned him.“Enter!”  He called out, wondering whether he was about to be presented with a problem or an opportunity.There was a brief pause and then the heavy wooden door swung open quietly.  Standing in the doorway was a young woman of medium height with short dark hair; wearing the same fighting leathers and the simple white and blue tabard that every other soldier in the building wore.  However the calculating look in the woman’s dark eyes was quite unlike the other soldiers.Opportunity  Thought Quentin with satisfaction.  Perhaps many opportunities. continued that same thought as he took in the soft curves under the leather armor and the woman’s friendly smile.“Excuse me mi’lord.”  Began the woman.  “Are you the one representing the Duke?”Quentin stood and waved generously to one of the colonel’s visiting chairs.  “That I am.  Why don’t you take a seat…”  He trailed off waiting for her to introduce herself.”“Private Claudia, mi’lord.”  Quentin smiled and nodded and waited for her to take her seat, and then sat himself.  “A pleasure to meet you Claudia.”  Answered the merchant as he was sitting.  “I am Ker Quentin Merith of the Merith trading house.”  He favored the young woman with all his charm.  “While we’re in private though please call me Quentin.  No sense standing on ceremony, is there?”The woman’s head nodded in a charmingly tentative way, apparently disarmed by his generosity.  “Thank you mi…Quentin.”  She said.The merchant nodded encouragingly.  “Now, what can I do for you?”  He asked pleasantly.  The woman took a deep breath, as if preparing herself for confession.  Quentin wasn’t blind to what it did for the woman’s figure.“It’s the captain here.”  She began.  “He’s going to let the people you’re looking for go.”Quentin favored her with a long look, wondering what she was up to.  He came to three conclusions.  The woman was pretending to an innocence that she didn’t possess; she was doing so in order to manipulate him, and he found it both charming and useful.“Are you sure?”  He asked, allowing a bit of anger to show through.Claudia nodded earnestly.  “Yes mi…Quentin.  I overheard him talking with some people.”Quentin leaned back, wondering if what the woman said was true.  It was entirely possible and he wouldn’t put it past the captain.  He almost hoped it was true so that he could have the pleasure of seeing the captain hang.After a long moment he finally asked “Why are you telling me this?”Claudia had the grace to look embarrassed for a brief moment before looking Quentin in the eyes.  “I don’t want to be a soldier all my life.”  She said ferverently.  “As an orphan I didn’t get many opportunities but I’m making the most of what I have.”  She shrugged.  “Besides, I’m not fond of someone who tells me I should follow orders but breaks them himself.”Quentin nodded with a sympathetic look.  “I can appreciate that.  These temples have gotten too full of themselves lately and I don’t mind telling you that the Duke is mightily disappointed in their leadership these days.”“I’m willing to help however I can.”  Said Claudia quite earnestly while leaning forward a bit.  “I want to do what’s best for the Duke.”Sure you are.  Thought Quentin cynically.  Still, he sensed he could trust the woman as long as she understood that he could help her.He leaned forward himself, putting his arms on the desk and clasping his hands together.  “Let’s say I believe you.”  He said.  “However, you’re a low-ranking soldier and I don’t doubt that the captain can find someone else to say that you’re a troublemaker.”Fear crossed the woman’s face, but it was quickly schooled.  “Just so.”  Said Quentin, letting her know that he understood her situation.  “As I said the Duke is displeased with the temple leadership as of late and has turned to new advisors.  You may have heard that his Grace listens to the wise counsel of Ker Aruk.  He’s an insightful man from up north that had been advising Baron Roth.  Now that the good baron is marrying the Duke’s daughter, Ker Aruk is advising his Grace.Quentin saw that he had the ambitious young soldier’s full attention.  That pleased him.“Being new to the city, Ker Aruk has gathered a number of advisors of his own.”  He paused meaningfully, “including myself.”  He added.Quentin saw the young woman putting the sentences together and she looked at him with even greater respect (and was that a touch of avarice perhaps?).“Ker Aruk is still looking for bright, capable people.”  Continued Merith.  “The corruption and hypocrisy that infects the temples are not limited to them, and with the current troubles Ker Aruk needs all the reliable people he can find.  I can further add that Ker Aruk rewards both loyalty and capability.  Do you think you might  be one of these people?”  Asked Quentin.Claudia rocked back into her chair, obviously considering what Quentin had just told her.  “What about his Grace?  She asked.  “He’s letting Ker Aruk gather private followers in the city?”It was a good question.  “Certainly.”  Quentin assured her.  “His Grace is getting on in years and won’t be around forever.  He’s planning for the future by seeing to his daughter’s marriage to a capable leader and making sure the city benefits from the best advice.  It’s a good arrangement for all.”“I see.”  She said and then she smiled radiantly as she leaned forward again.  “I think I’m just the person you’re looking for.  What can I do to convince you and Ker Aruk of that?”Quentin decided her smile was a dangerous weapon.  He wanted to trust her.  “Capable and loyal service.”  He answered her.  “Success brings the rewards, both monetary and otherwise.”Claudia’s smile seemed to grow wider, if that was possible.  “You’ll find that I am that person.”  She assured him.  “But…”  She trailed off and her smile disappeared.Here it comes.  Thought Quentin.  “But…?”  He asked, taking the bait.“You’ll need to assure yourself of my loyalty.”  She said, gesturing towards the door.  “There’s magic out there.  The Latinan temple had that pillar of flame, the mercenaries you’re looking for are capable of disappearing, and who knows what else that isn’t in the rumors.”Merith reappraised the young soldier.  “That’s pretty perceptive of you.”  He finally said.Claudia shrugged.  “You wanted somebody bright.  I told you I am that person.”  She paused.  “I’m willing to be interviewed by Ker Aruk or a truth-teller of your choice.”  She offered.“You mean you’re willing to meet one of the most powerful men in the city.”  Quentin said flatly.A cheerful grin crossed Claudia’s face.  “Certainly.  I’ve heard things today and I’m willing to pass them on, but it’s also worth my neck for selling out my superiors here.  I want to make sure there’s a position outside of the temple for me.”  Claudia saw the frown cross Quntin’s face.  “I do want to work with you.”  She assured him.  “I can benefit from your experience and leadership, but I also want some independence.  She gestured to her armor.  “I’ve had enough of discipline and order.”Quentin nodded slowly, thinking it over.  Claudia had finally revealed her true self and he was still trying to come to grips with it.  He decided he liked the real Claudia.  She really did seem to be as bright as she claimed.  She would make a better assistant than any of the fools currently working for him.“I think I can work with you.”  He said out out loud.  “I have some arrangements to make and I’ll contact you tomorrow.”  He paused a moment.  “Would you be available for lunch tomorrow?“I don’t know.  With the trouble and all…”Quentin grimaced and waved her objection away.  “I’ll make it an order.  Don’t worry, you’ll be released.  Expect to have lunch with me at the Crown’s Table tomorrow at noon.”Claudia’s eyes widened a bit, obviously impressed.  The Crown’s Table was famous for its food.  The Duke himself was said to dine there on occasion.Quentin stood and waited for Claudia to stand before speaking.  “I appreciate you taking your concerns to me, Claudia.”  He said, taking her by the arm and escorting her to the door.  “I think you’ll find that working with me will be everything you were looking for.”Claudia brought her hand up to touch Quentin’s hand on her arm.  “Thank you Quentin, I am sure it will be.”  She demurred.  Before he could respond, her hand gracefully sought out the door and she pulled herself away from him.  “Thank you for seeing me.  I look forward to lunch tomorrow.”Ker Quentin Merith bowed low, pleased with himself.  Things were going well.---Ker Merith left Sword House in a huff shortly thereafter, not even bothering to seek out Senior Captain Rusuk. Instead the merchant summoned a carriage and made his way immediately to his Grace’s estate.  He never found out that the three people he was looking for had been less than a hundred feet away and had watched him leave.</blockquote>

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