Over the next couple of days, the Guardian Angels go through a number of meetings. The first stop on their list is to Warden Balan Cord, to apprise him of the challenge from Halak Boromar and check if this can be linked in some way to the Watch’s interest in the underground gladiatorial arenas in Sharn.
As fairly regular visitors, they’re quickly ushered in, but informed that they need to wait for a while since Balan is busy. He emerges soon, accompanied by an unusually tall half-elven woman. Unlike Balan, who is generally dressed in mufti, if a little formally, she wears a dark uniform with the badge of the Blackened Book prominently displayed. Balan waves the group over and introduces them.
“This is Lady Warden Maira ir’Talan, my commanding officer. Maira – these are the Guardian Angels.”
Maira gives a short bow and says, “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard a fair bit about you, especially from Balan, and I’m thankful for all the help you have provided us. And the work in general that you’re doing in Sharn.”
“Hey – nice to meet you too!” says the Endless Blade, from its position behind Gareth’s back.
The adventurers thank her for the compliments and shush the sword, after which she takes her leave. Balan ushers them into a meeting room to ask what occasions their visit. He also mentions Six telling him about Gareth insulting Saidan Boromar, which he seems to find very amusing. As he is by the Endless Blade, which Gareth introduces.
Gareth then hands over the note from Halak and says, “I’ve really got no interest in this Halak’s challenge, but we wondered if you wanted to use this chance for a sting operation of some sort, since one of the jobs you’d offered as an option to end Nameless’ time in prison was to do with these gladiatorial arenas.”
Halak reads the note and chuckles. “Somebody doesn’t like you much. And yes, that’s definitely a possibility.” He hands back the note. “I’ll take you to the person you need to speak to. I’m not directly involved – nor is the Blackened Book – with this matter, just like I had no real connection with your work for Talleon and the Citadel. It’s just something I know about. The person dealing with this issue is Silaena Cazal.”
Balan leads the group out of his office, explaining along the way that Cazal is the commanding officer of the Menthis Plateau branch of the Sharn Watch. Since the gladiatorial arenas are generally in existence in lower Menthis, they fall under her jurisdiction and she has been trying to close them down for a long time. Conveniently, since the Blackened Book’s headquarters are in part of the Watch headquarters for Menthis, she’s actually in the same building.
When they meet, the Angels find Silaena Cazal to be a serious-looking female elf approaching middle age. Balan introduces them and explains what the situation is, as well as vouching for the group’s reliability and expertise. Silaena listens quietly, and then says, “This is something I’m definitely interested in talking advantage of. We have actually had a couple of reasonably successful raids, but the Burning Ring – which is the largest and most successful of the arenas – just seems to reopen again. The primary reason, I think, is because we never caught the ring-master, who runs the operation, a man called Hoas Junter. With your help, we might be able to.”
She considers for a bit, and then says, “Even though we have only two days, I should be able to get a sufficient force ready. One of our problems has been that the Burning Ring consistently moves around lower Menthis. You have significant magical ability, correct?”
Balan, who has remained in the room, says, “They’re some of the best in Sharn, to my knowledge.”
“Good. So you wouldn’t have trouble sending us a message to let us know where you are?”
“Not at all,” says Nameless.
“Good. In that case, what I suggest you do is accept this challenge, show up to the Burning Ring, and send me a message as soon as you know where the location is. I’ll have my troops waiting, and we’ll be there as soon as we can. Once the raid begins, since you’ll already be inside, hopefully you can help cut down on casualties. There’ll be a lot of people there, very likely, and a lot of armed gladiators, guards, and so on, so your help will be very valuable. And it’ll be especially valuable if you can make sure to intercept Hoas Junter before he escapes.” Silaena goes on to describe Hoas as an athletic-looking shifter, with neatly trimmed sideburns and a penchant for black clothing.
Six, who has been steadily getting uncomfortable with the overall plan to get involved with the Watch and this operation, and with the specific plan itself, speaks up. “I have a few questions. Firstly, we’ve had some trouble with both Boromars and Daask, and I don’t want to add a bunch of enemies, if I can avoid it. Is this Burning Ring affiliated to either Boromars or Daask? And what kind of people go to watch these things? If they’re society bigwigs, I’m sure they’ll get out soon, and I’m sure they’d be upset about our role in their arrest.”
When he finishes, Silaena shakes her head. “The Burning Ring isn’t run by Daask or the Boromars, though Hoas apparently gets along fine with both groups. He does sometimes have Daask or Boromar members taking part, as the challenge to you already indicates, and while it’s not really neutral ground, Boromars and Daask meeting each other won’t fight there, since there are far too many other armed people to interfere. And the people going there are mostly upper middle class downwards. The odd person from the upper towers may go, but they generally don’t want to risk being in lower Menthis at night. So I think you’re safe on that score.”
“Even so,” persists Six, “Don’t you think you might be better off if you use us to gain information and decide on a raid with that at hand? We could build up some popularity there and subtly,” Six pauses to look at his companions and say “Don’t laugh!” before continuing, “Find you future locations and things like that for you.”
Silaena thinks a little and then says, “You do have a point. What do the rest of you think?”
The rest of the Angels say they are willing to do so, especially Korm and Luna, both of whom are thinking, That might mean we get to have a few extra fights there. Great!
“All right,” says Silaena. “Then this is what I suggest. Go there as the challenge says, fight Halak Boromar, and try to come out of it alive. Tell Hoas that you’re interested in competing again and try to get him to invite you back there. If you get to take part a few times, you should be able to see a number of the different locations they hold the fights at. Once you’ve done that a few times, we’ll have a much better chance of a successful raid that can shut them down permanently. While I can organize it in two days, I’ll be able to do so much more effectively with weeks to prepare.”
“That sounds good,” says Gareth. “We’ll help however we can. Since I, or maybe a few of us, will be taking part, can you tell us anything you know about the Burning Ring and the kind of fights they have?”
“Types of fights? Well, most of them are one-on-one fights in an arena, with some involving small groups and sometimes bringing in an exotic monster to fight one or more people. They’re not supposed to be to the death, and I believe they keep healers at hand, but sometimes people die.” Silaena grimaces and adds, “I believe those are the most popular.”
Six simply nods, thinking, as he often does nowadays, that people are very strange.
“Are the fighters forced to do it?” asks Korm. “Or are they willing participants?”
Silaena eyes the big orc for a moment, her expression saying that the question isn’t really relevant. “They’re willing. It’s not hard to find people after the War who don’t have many skills beside fighting. And it’s also an easy way to make money, so it attracts amateur fighters. There’s no pay, but there’s a lot of betting, and you can make good money by putting money on yourself. If you survive.” Korm says nothing, and she continues, “I believe most of the fights happen without the use of magic or armor.”
“What?”* Gareth’s tone and especially the look on his face makes Nameless chuckle and the other Angels grin. So does Balan.
Silaena, however, does not. “I believe they find armor and magic cuts down on the volume of gore produced. Which isn’t a positive factor for the audience.”
“That makes things a little different,” says Gareth, giving his companions a dirty look. “I’d be significantly weaker without using magic or armor, and I’m guessing Halak can’t use magic, and with his size, and probably agility, no armor would bother him less.”
“I believe they do also have armored fights, however,” says Silaena. “Just like they have fights where magic is used. They often have warforged competing, many of whom have built-in armor and some of whom have had it enchanted, so to even things out they allow it to the opposition. If you want it bad enough, I think they’ll let you use yours and let Halak do so too.”
“All right,” says Gareth, though not looking much happier. “Anything you can tell me about Halak?”
“All I know is that he came here from the Plains a few months ago and made a quick rise through their ranks. He’s Saidan Boromar’s head enforcer now. Supposed to be very good with that tangat of his.”
“So he’s not the head of security?”
“Halak? No! I doubt he’s smart enough for that. He’s just muscle. Highly effective muscle, but still muscle.”
“All right.” Gareth asks a few more questions, and then the Angels prepare to go. As they are about to do so, Silaena says to him, “Gareth Byron Deneith? Are you working for the family here?”
Surprised at the shift in topic, Gareth says, “No. I’m of the bloodline, but I’ve never worked for the family. I considered joining the Sharn Deneith, but I’m already spread too thin.”
“That’s good,” says Silaena, her tone curiously flat. “Working for the House might curtail your options.” Then her voice changes and she says, “Well, thank you for the information. I’ll be expecting you on the 6th, after your visit to the Burning Ring. And best of luck.”
“Thanks,” says Gareth, wondering what her interest in House Deneith was.
The Angels head outside and, after bidding Balan goodbye, leave the Watch building. “So,” asks Korm, “Tell me again – why are we helping shut this place down? There’s nothing wrong with two consenting adults fighting each other and betting on it, right?”
Gareth shakes his head. “It’s not legal. And this Hoas is getting rich off other people killing themselves fighting.”
“I don’t really care,” says Luna, “But I’m up for a good fight. Hopefully they’ll let us join in.”
“Yeah,” says Korm. Then he grins. “Otherwise, it’ll just be Gareth running around in his underwear being chased by a halfling.” He looks at Gareth and says, “Oh, and when it comes to fighting without armor, let me just say,” and places a thumb on his nose and waggles his hand, “Nahnahnahnah!”
Gareth grimaces, looking at the unarmored orc, and says, “Easy for you to say!”
Nameless chuckles and says, “We’ll find out tomorrow. For now, I presume we head down to Dura and meet that bugbear called…”
* * * * * *
“…Dhurmhaac?”
The dirty-looking dwarven bartender at the Cracked Mirror looks up from the glass he’s wiping and points at a corner. A bulky figure is rising already and walks forward to join the Angels. It is a particularly thick-set, poorly dressed bugbear, the muscles of his arms rivaling those of Korm. He is, however, much older, with sparse and stringy white hair hanging off his balding scalp, just as the flesh hangs loosely off his frame.
“I am Dhurmhaac,” he says, in a voice that still has traces of a foreign accent. Droaam or Darguun, thinks Korm, while the bugbear looks at the barkeep and asks, “Can we go in the back?” The dwarf grunts wordlessly and nods.
Dhurmhaac leads the Angels into the back, followed by the curious and suspicious looks of the primarily shifter-populated main room. Once inside, he sits across a table from the Angels and looks at each of them keenly.
After a few moments, he says, “Thank you for coming. If I can ask, are you working for or friends with Daask? Their people in Malleon’s Gate say that you are allies with them or scared of Daask.”
“No!” says Gareth quickly. “Why? Is this connected to them?”
Dhurmhaac nods and then pauses. After a few seconds, he says quietly but flatly, “I want you to kill them.”
Nameless opens his mouth to speak, but the old bugbear does not stop. “They killed my son. Rhash’mhaac. He joined them, because he wanted to be with others from Droaam, and he thought he looked tough with armor and a sword. I told him he was wrong, but he did not listen.” His voice softens, but remains flat, as he continues, “Three nights ago, the people he was with found two goblin girls. They wanted to rape them. Rhash’mhaac was a foolish boy, but he was not bad. He tried to stop them, so they beat him. And then they made him watch. And then they brought him to my home, and they cut his throat, and they left him by my door.” His voice trembles very slightly. “He died slowly, but without strength to call me for help. I slept, while my son died by my door. I found him in the morning.”
Dhurmhaac reaches to his belt and places a large bag on the table, which clinks as he pushes it towards Gareth. “Take this. If you see anyone from Daask, kill them. Kill them for me. I know you are rich and powerful people, and it is not much. If you need more, I think I can get more by tomorrow. Many people have been hurt by Daask, but they are too scared to say anything. But they will give money to see Daask hurt like they have been. I will go to them and bring the money to you.”
Gareth shakes his head and pushes it back. “Keep the money. We will be happy to make Daask suffer.”
Nameless adds, “But we cannot do anything to them for about five months. After that, they’re fair game.” Gareth’s face darkens and he clenches his jaw for a moment, but he nods.
Dhurmhaac looks confused. “I do not understand. Five months?”
“It’s a complicated story,” says Six. “We have an agreement and cannot harm them for five months.”
“But, after that,” says Gareth grimly, “We can unleash hell upon them.”
Dhurmhaac sighs and bows his head for a moment, and then says, “All right. Thank you.”
“Happy to do so,” says Gareth, again pushing the money back.
“No,” says Dhurmhaac, noticing the motion. “Keep the money.” He smiles thinly. “Rhash’mhaac had a wife and two children. He used to play with the little girl every morning before going out. I have sent them back to Droaam. I do not need any more. I have only a day or two. Daask will know soon that I have spoken to you, and they will kill me.”
“Are you sure?”
The bugbear smiles again, a trifle more grimly. “Yes. There are Daask people outside.”
“In that case,” says Gareth decisively, “You can come and live in our house with us for the five months.” He looks around the group. “Does anyone have a problem with that?”
A little surprised at the sudden offer, Nameless says, “Nope.” The others nod.
Dhurmhaac now looks significantly surprised. “Live in your house?”
“You will be safe there from Daask.”
Dhurmhaac smiles slightly again and shakes his head. “There is no need.” He lifts both hands and places them palm up on the table, revealing a mass of wrinkled, callused and seemingly horn-hard flesh, with thick fingers ending in broken, twisted nails. “I am old. I have worked in Sharn for fifteen years, and all I have left is there”, he says, pointing to the bag of money. “My wife died in the plague three months ago. And then I had only my son and my daughter-in-law and my grandchildren. They are all gone now. It does not matter for me.” His expression firms and grows grim. “But someone should make Daask pay. You can do it. I heard people in Malleon’s Gate say you used strong magic against Daask. You are heroes, no?”
Nobody answers for a moment. Then Gareth says, quietly, “As I said, we will make Daask suffer. Believe me, I wish we could do it right now, but we cannot. But we will do so when we can. And we cannot take your money.”
Dhurmhaac rises awkwardly to his feet. “Then you can give it to someone who can use it. I will not need it. They will come for me soon.” For a moment, a fierce light gleams in his eyes and he clenches his fists. “I will be waiting.” Then the expression is replaced by that of sheer hopeless tiredness that he has worn for much of the meeting. He genuflects to the group. “Thank you. Thank you very much.”
As he turns to go, Gareth opens his mouth, but Korm’s hand closes on his shoulder. “Let him go,” says the big orc firmly.
“Why?” asks Gareth, but Korm just shakes his head, not bothering to explain how the bugbear’s story, and especially his choice, has resonated with Korm’akhan’s personal fatalism and belief that while all things will pass and wither in time, living well and dying well – especially in battle – is more than enough.
The Angels arise and follow Dhurmhaac, Gareth pausing to check the coins. They are all copper and silver, and it looks like the entire sack might hold about a hundred galifars worth, less than the cost of the clothing that some of the Angels wear. He sticks it in his haversack, thinking that he can donate it to the Church.
Dhurmhaac is gone by the time they emerge, but when they reach the street, they see him at the end of it, heading towards Malleon’s Gate. “Well,” says Luna, looking after him, “That was depressing.”
“I told you what damage Daask does to people of Sharn,” says Gareth, not addressing anyone in particular.
“Nobody denies that,” says Six. “All I am saying is that we’re not in a position to just eradicate them. And just doing so won’t necessarily improve things much.”
“Speaking of things we’d like to eradicate,” says Korm, “But aren’t really in a position to, I think we’re supposed to be stopping in on…”
“Not me,” says Nameless, even before Korm finishes. “I’m going back to the house.”
“Maybe just you should go,” says Six to Gareth, “Since he’s your buddy.”
“Who?” asks Gareth, before he realizes who Six means. “Oh,” he says with a scowl, “you mean…”
* * * * * *
“…Killian.”
The gnome grins up at Gareth and the others and waves at the seats around the table, the one which he is always present at in the Lucky Nines casino. “Sit down, sit down. Where’s Nameless?”
Gareth opens his mouth to reply and is interrupted by a voice from behind his neck. The Endless Blade says, “Hey, Six – so this is the squirt you mentioned?”
Even as Six chuckles and Gareth glowers, Killian cranes his neck to see who spoke. “Who was that?”
“Me. Up here.”
“You have a talking sword now, Gareth? What happened to Kizmet? Are you cheating on it?”
“I don’t like him,” says the sword decisively.
Gareth, who’s glowering more and more, says firmly to the sword, “Remember I said there’ll be some times I’ll have to ask you not to interrupt? This is one of them.”
“Sheesh!” says the sword in a sulky voice. “Fine, fine – wake me when you’re done.”
“So,” says Gareth, “Why did you want to meet us?”
Killian smiles around cherubically and says, “Couldn’t it be just for your scintillating company? After all, you were kind enough to visit me at the shop. So this could be just a friendly meeting, right?”
“No, it couldn’t,” says Korm.
“Aw – you know me so well. All right, I did have a possible job in mind, but first, and this does matter for the job – I believe you had an interesting dinner with the Boromars?”
“Oh yes,” says Gareth, with a grin, remembering the pleasure of telling Saidan Boromar exactly what he thought of him. “It was very enjoyable.”
Killian grins back. “Not for Saidan, from what I hear.”
“What did you hear?” asks Six, curious about exactly how much Killian knows.
“Hmmm – let’s see now.” Killian puts on a show of trying to remember. “You sat down to dinner, Saidan tried to hire you for a job, you refused, he asked why, and you told him he was as dirty as Daask.”
“Bloody hell!” ejaculates Luna. “Were you hiding under the damn table?”
Killian just grins, while Korm shakes his head silently. Gareth also smiles and says, “Actually, you’re not completely correct. I told Saidan that he was dirtier than Daask, since at least they’re open about what they are.”
Killian chortles. “Oh, that’s just beautiful! I wish I’d been there to see the look on his face!” He grins sideways at Luna. “Which I wasn’t. Just doing my job here.”
“Tell me,” says Six, “What exactly is your job?”
“Me? I already told you guys. I track information.” Killian grins broadly. “And measure inseams.”
Six emits a metallic chuckle. “Sure you do. So what’s this job you wanted to talk to us about?”
“Well, in view of your current situation with the Boromars, I thought you might be interested in bothering them a bit more. The Boromars have some illegal goods coming in by riverboat in a couple of days. Naturally, the Watch will not be there to inspect the cargo, and it’ll be picked up by Boromar operatives. It would be a big blow to them if a group of adventurers showed up to disrupt things.”
“Perhaps that would be a…,” begins Gareth, but Six interrupts, with a firm, “No.” When both Gareth and Killian look at him quizzically, he clarifies, “We’ve already got enough things on our plates without upsetting the Boromars any more. No.” He looks over at Korm. “What do you think?”
“I agree. We have better things to do.”
“Luna?”
“Me too. Let’s go.”
Gareth shrugs. “As you can see, my friends aren’t interested. So I’m sorry but we can’t do it.”
“I’m heartbroken,” says Killian, putting on a mock pout, before adding, “Maybe you could do it. You and your talking sword?”
The Blade’s voice breaks in. “Oh, f*ck me sideways and call me Sally – how dumb does he think you are, Gareth?”
Gareth scowls and says, “I asked you to be quiet,” before replying to Killian, “No. And they are right. I’ve already got enough issues with the Boromars, what with dueling Halak Boromar tomorrow.”
“Halak Boromar? The enforcer? A duel?” Six notes his response and thinks that either Killian is feigning beautifully, which they do now he can do, or this came as a genuine surprise to him.
Gareth continues. “Yes. He challenged me to fight at the Burning Ring. So we will.”
“In that case,” says Killian, “I wish you the very best of luck. And if you do reconsider about the job…”
“We won’t,” says Six, rising. Korm and Luna follow suit, and head for the door. Gareth shrugs again and rises to follow, saying, “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you.”
“Yes,” says Killian, with a nod and a smile.
Once they’re outside, Gareth says to the others, “Why would he be offering us a job to mess up the Boromars? Isn’t his father part of their supporters on the Council?”
“So?” says Six. “Firstly, he’s a gnome. And secondly, he’s Killian. It could be some strange competition in the family. Or a trap. Or something else altogether. Whatever it is, we don’t need to be involved.”
“Okay. No need to get excited,” says Gareth. “We’re not getting involved, so he’s not getting anything from us this time.”
Back in the casino, Killian continues to sit at the table, sipping his wine, a little smile on his face. Now that was interesting. Very interesting.
* What was especially funny was that the tone and look on the player’s face was exactly what I imagine Gareth’s was.
![:]](http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png "Devious :]")
