As promised...
* * * * * *
The first reaction of the Angels as a group to the news of the bounty is along the lines of: “2500 galifars each? 15000 in total? That’s just bloody insulting. Look at this! My damn magical belt is worth more than that. Now I feel under-appreciated!”
After absorbing this blow to their collective egos, the group sets out to find out the source of the bounty. Nameless takes the direct route, preparing and casting a series of
contact other planes, so that he can work around the ambiguity of the spell through repeated use and various indirect questions. The alienist is beginning to find the sensation that casting this dweomer gives him quite a heady one, and he revels in the slightly addictive pleasure of feeling his already vast intellect expand into realms and degrees of knowledge hidden to most others.
After numerous castings, Nameless returns to the others, the permanent blue glow of his eyes dampened somewhat due to his recent efforts. “I’m about as certain as is humanly possible,” he begins, before pausing to smirk and correct himself, “I mean,
inhumanly possible that the source is Saidan Boromar.”
“I am so surprised,” says Six dryly, glancing at Gareth.
“Anyhow,” continues Nameless, “We have three options, as I see them, at this point. One – we can go,” he grins at Luna, “What’s technically called ape-
, wipe out the Boromar estate, and then flee Sharn. Two – we could whack a couple of Boromar operations and warn them that if they don’t back off we’ll do more damage. This, I suspect, would be largely pointless. We’ve pissed them off enough that hitting them would just exacerbate it. And, finally, we could send a politely worded note telling them that we know what they are up to, and if they don’t back off, we’ll have to get nasty. This may actually work, especially if we send it to Ilyra and phrase it correctly. Opinions?”
Six replies, “I’d say that the bounty looks more like the pay of Halak and the slain twin, as opposed to a serious effort to kill us. 15,000 galifars would buy close to the complete resources of the Daask drug den that cleaned our clocks, and less than the cost of an earth sled. If Saidan were really serious, he would spend an airship’s worth on us. As for what we decide to do, I have places to go, people to see, and things to do here, so please don’t get us kicked out of Sharn for at least a month. That includes Breland too.”
“This is the problem with cities,” grumbles Luna. “We should just always assume someone’s trying to kill us. Because they always are.”
Fett, who is present, offers his opinion too. “I think you’re absolutely right about the second option. Saidan’s clearly pissed, otherwise he wouldn’t have put out a bounty, and if you take out some of their operations, that’ll just piss him off more.”
“As for the first one,” he chuckles and shakes his head, “You folks would probably be able to take the Boromar estate apart, but that would mean you’re done in Sharn forever, and effectively Breland too. The kind of damage you’d be putting out, not to mention attacking the estate of a very wealthy and highly placed member of society, would make you not just outlaws but very high on the list of dangerous ones. If it wasn’t for Nameless’
teleports, I wouldn’t even bet much on you making it out of Sharn. You’d have the Watch, the Blackened Book – which is only two districts away, remember? – and who knows what else on top of you soon enough. And if you need to start taking down Watch members to get out, do you really want to do that?”
“So the third option’s the best for you, in my opinion. But you do also have one more. I haven’t heard anything yet about someone having accepted the contract, and you do have a scary reputation, so that may make it a while before anyone accepts. I’ll know for sure nobody has yet, if I hear that the price has been increased. And if I can find out who’s accepted the contract, you could just go after them or try to set a trap of some kind. If you do that successfully, that’ll make it a lot harder to find someone willing to try and go after your group. So I’d say go with your third option and let me see what else I can dig out.”
He laughs and adds, “Unless you really want to blow stuff up, in which case, would you be nice and put the house in my name for when you’re not in the city?”
Gareth says, “I am also okay with the third option. We can tell them they need to back off or we will lay on the pressure. However, I do not want this to be a promise of us leaving them alone forever. No matter what, Boromar and Daask eventually have to go down – period. They are a blight on this city and on this country. Anyone who doesn’t believe that can go check some of lower Dura and see the drugs being peddled to children.”
“Come to think about it,” he continues, “There is nothing much we can say to Saidan that would make him not put a bounty on our heads. Do you think us saying ‘Saidan, back off or we will really put the pressure on you. Oh, and by the way, we still plan on destroying your drug dens’ will actually work? The man is evil, but not stupid, and I’m sure he does realize we are going to come after his assets eventually. So I think the idea about finding out if someone accepts the bounty and hitting them is probably the best thing to do. If we can flaunt our power enough, that would deter many would-be assassins. At the very least, we would only have to deal with the better, or dumber, ones.”
Nameless nods. “Yes, I think that would be a useful thing to do.” Then he smiles slowly, as an idea occurs to him. “Assuming the rest of the group agrees, Fett, could you find a group of would-be assassins, preferably not too bright, who might be willing to take the bounty and convince them that, say, only a pair of us would be at some spot and more vulnerable than usual because of some ritual that required us to expend most of our spells. Perhaps in one of the parks for a druidic ceremony? The rest of us would be ready to
teleport in once the attack began.”
Luna shakes her head sadly. “Let me guess – I’ll be the druid in the park, right? I’m fine with it, but this is the problem with cities. We should just always assume someone’s got a contract on us and is trying to kill us … because they are!”
Nameless grins, not at Luna but at another thought, and continues with his plan. “Also, perhaps, once we’ve defeated the assassins, we could publicly ‘thank’ Saidan Boromar for warning us about the attack.”
Fett starts laughing. “Oh my gods - that's just beautiful! Especially the bit about publicly thanking Saidan. Give me a few days and I’ll see what I can pull off. I’ll also keep an
eye out for any opportunities for you flexing your muscles in public. Balan’s probably a good bet to that end too.”
Fett stops laughing and says, “I just hope Flayer doesn’t get interested in this. He’s probably the primary freelance assassin in Sharn. We had a run-in with him which almost got me and a couple of the others killed, but it ended when he discovered that we weren’t the people he wanted. Later, when we were digging around for info about him, he sent us a polite note to stop doing it, and so we did.” He shakes his head at the memory. “He’s a priest of the Mockery. Has a habit of removing people’s faces and wearing them. Hit poor Amaris in the face with someone else’s face, actually. He actually had a pretty
good, if warped, sense of humor and was quite amusing, and we found him funny, though we figured we’d eventually have to take him down. Never got around to it, of course. Anyway, you guys are out of his league. I think.”
* * * * *
When Flim Turen visits a couple of days after the Tain Gala, he brings a copy of the Sharn Inquisitive with him, which features an article entitled “Break-In at Tain Gala!” about Luna’s little sojourn at the Gala.
“So,” says Flim, “Want to tell me what happened? We’ll be running a story about the Gala, since we always do, so you might as well use the opportunity for the real story. I mean, this is all wrong, right?”
“Actually,” says Nameless, “It was pretty accurate until it got to the whole spying garbage.” He grins. “And after that too. I didn’t threaten Haftak, but I shared some … information with him.”
“Wait – so one of you really did break into the living areas of the manor?”
“I didn’t break in!” interjects Luna. “I walked in. They throw damn boring parties, so I needed something to do!”
Flim laughs. “I should have known. So – tell me what happened.”
The Angels spend some time explaining the details of the night, while the gnome makes a few notes – and laughs a lot. “I’ll try to make this sound like just an error of some kind, but it’ll be tough.”
“No, no,” says Nameless quickly. “Don’t bother. Print the truth and exactly that.”
Flim looks a little surprised, “Well, I wasn’t planning to lie. Just have certain implications, but if you don’t want….”
“No, I don’t. It’s better if people realize exactly how nuts and dangerous we all are, especially in social settings. Then they might avoid inviting us to social situations we can’t turn down.”
“Not a bad idea,” agrees Korm. “The party had a few … ahem, benefits, but they came later. If we don’t get invited to any others, it might be better.” Luna shrugs to indicate her lack of interest in the matter and Six says nothing, with only Gareth looking unhappy with the idea.
“Okay,” says Flim, “But I don’t think you’ve got much to worry about regarding social invitations. Getting invited to the Tain Gala automatically opens a
lot of social doors. And getting
dis-invited, as you were, slams them firmly shut. I’m betting there are half a dozen people around town who’re canceling plans to invite you over.”
Gareth looks even unhappier and says, “You know, some contacts with people in the upper levels of society could be quite beneficial to us.”
Before the others can reply, Flim continues, “And there are a few monetary benefits too, especially to the Tains liking you. You didn’t get any gifts at the Gala, did you?”
“No.”
“I thought not. Invitees to the Gala, that is, people like you and not the regular attendees, always get very lavish gifts before leaving.”
“What sort of gifts?” says Luna, with a frown.
“Jewelry, clothing – that kind of stuff. Of the very costly kind.”
Gareth smiles and shakes his head. “Now see what you did, Luna!” Korm grins and adds, “Yeah. We could have got lots of shiny things for you to roll around on.”
Luna scowls and begins, “Hey – I didn’t know that they were…,” but Flim jumps to his feet before she can finish. “I can see you have things to discuss,” he says with a smile and wink. “I’ll be off.”
Two days later, a copy of the Korranberg Chronicle is delivered to the Gray House. The society section has an article about this month’s Tain Gala. It mentions Luna entering the living quarters of the Tain mansion, and while being consistently truthful, does do a fair job of emphasizing the social ineptness of the Guardian Angels, especially Luna.
* * *
A surprise visitor to the Gray House is Lalia, whom Gareth has been avoiding since the proposal. Part of the reason is advice from Cedric who, besides letting Gareth drown his sorrows in drink and cry on his shoulder, has also suggested to the younger ‘paladin’ that he shouldn’t pressure Lalia. When Gareth visited Cedric immediately after making the proposal, Cedric told him, “The next time you see her, just say, ‘Regarding what I asked you, I just want you to know that there’s no pressure or hurry for an answer. Whenever it, and whatever, is convenient to you would be fine with me. Take your time.”
When Gareth sees Lalia, he also recalls Cedric’s typically idiosyncratic follow-up to the advice, which involved smacking Gareth on the head and saying, “Also, you’re an idiot! What the hell did you go and do that for? With your lifestyle, do you really think it’s fair to her to get married? What with being a paladin and being out there fighting and making enemies, you’re just asking her to sign up to be a widow! You dumb, selfish bastard!”
While he’s still trying to work out exactly what to say, Lalia asks if they can speak privately. Gareth takes her to his room, ignoring the curious looks from his companions, whom he has not informed about the proposal. Of those in the house, only the Endless Blade knows, but Gareth has sworn it into secrecy, threatening to stick it in an extradimensional space forever if it breathes a word to anyone.
Once in his room, Lalia looks around as if searching for something to talk about, and then says, “I was expecting to see you by now.”
“We’ve been busy,” says Gareth blandly, not really sure what else to say. Though he does not even notice it, he is also slightly enjoying Lalia’s discomfort.
“Anyway,” says Lalia, taking a deep breath, “I have an answer for your … offer. And please,” she adds quickly, “Let me finish.” She pauses again, and then says in a rush, “I’m flattered. Very flattered. But right now, I just cannot see myself getting married. I could talk about my work and other things, all of which would be true, but, in short, not now. I’m sorry if you’re disappointed, but I think you’d be more disappointed in the long run if I said ‘yes’ when I’m not sure. I hope this won’t affect our relationship, since I’m really fond of you, and I’d like us to keep seeing each other.” She stops abruptly, and then waits for an answer.
To his surprise, Gareth actually finds himself a little relieved. “All right. And yes, I would like that too.” Lalia emits a relieved sigh and produces the ring from a pocket. Before she can say anything, Gareth quickly reaches out to close a hand over hers and says, “Keep it, in case you ever change your mind.” Lalia hesitates and then says, “All right,” and slips the ring back into her pocket.
Then she asks, “What are you doing day after tomorrow?”
“We’re going to the Burning Ring. We’ve been taking part in combats there.”
Surprise replaces awkwardness on Lalia’s face. “The Burning Ring? Why?”
“We’re involved in a sting operation for the City Watch.” Gareth proceeds to relate the details of the Angels’ work for Silaena Cazal. Lalia listens with interest.
Once he is done, however, there is a certain degree of awkwardness and Lalia quickly takes her leave, promising to see Gareth at some point when they’re both free.
* * *
Besides entertaining visitors, the Angels also make a few trips of their own. The first, to meet Hass ir’Tain, parliamentarian and eldest child of Lady Celyria, takes them to one of the many Brelish diplomatic buildings servicing the embassies and consulates of Ambassador Towers. Almost all of them, that is. Four of the Angels agree that one of them needs to stay home. The fifth, Luna, disagrees, but grudgingly does so after being reminded over and over of the possible repercussions of her actions at the Gala, just to avoid hearing their “whining any more!”
When they meet Hass, he seems quite unconcerned about the group’s actions at the Gala. Nevertheless, Gareth puts his considerable diplomatic skills* to work, apologizing for their companion’s unconscionable behavior, expressing deep regret at the disruption caused to Lady Celyria’s party, and only requesting an opportunity to apologize to the Lady personally. Hass seems quite taken by Gareth’s speech and says that he will put in a good word for them to his mother.
Hass also says that the reason he wished to talk to the Angels was because he has been hearing a great deal about their abilities, and is curious about the fact that they’ve recently become Brelish citizens. The Angels’ honest answer that they did it to buy a house seems to disappoint him a little. Hass also asks about the fact that they have worked for the Citadel, which they confirm.
“That’s good to know,” he says. “People with your skills can be very beneficial to Breland.”
“We are always willing to work for a good cause,” says Gareth.
“Tell me,” Hass continues, “What do you think of the monarchy?” There’s a momentary silence as the Blades try to follow the sudden shift. Korm is the first to reply. “Honestly, I really don’t care about or follow politics.” Nameless and Six agree. Gareth says, “From all that I have heard, he is a good man and a fine ruler, so I have no problem with him.”
Hass laughs. “I’m seeing a trend with you here.”
“Let me ask you a question then,” says Gareth. “What do you think of Saidan Boromar?”
Now Hass looks surprised. “Saidan? I know him more by reputation than really in person, but we’ve interacted at my mother’s Gala. Why do you ask?”
Gareth goes on to explain that Saidan Boromar has put a bounty on the group’s head. Hass seems more curious than surprised, and spends some time asking about the bounty, whether the Angels are sure about it, why it was placed, and other such questions. Gareth and the others answer the questions for the most part.
Once that subject is dealt with, Hass says that he’s hoping that he might be able to find a way to use the Angels’ talents for the good of Breland, and if he can think of something, he would like to contact them. The Angels say they will be happy to consider any offers, with Gareth adding, “Any good and worthy cause,” drawing another laugh from Hass. “I’ll remember that,” he says.
After leaving Hass, the group picks up Luna and heads over to Warden Towers to meet Balan and Silaena.
* Got a 43 on his Diplomacy check
![:]](http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png "Devious :]")
