The Ancient Paths - Path I

[ae1vart0n]

In thoughts only: Mage next to me, dwarf presumed dead, more tyr folks showed up.

So he didn't have to touch the key. That made things easier. Or could Mars hear all of his thoughts? No. If so an impatient customer wouldn't bother asking questions.

 

[Legildur]

...Nae'talis looks to Hrolf and then back to Dowkan. "Well met, Dowkan. You mention others with you. How many are you exactly?"

The dwarf's eyes look to the ceiling as he ponders the question, absentmindedly scratching his bearded chin with the corner of the throwing axe in the right hand. "Maybe 5 score, give or take. Most are outside right now. Me and me buddy are some of a small group sent in to check if it was safe or not."

 

[hippocrachus]

~ Hildor ~

There is a long pause in the between sendings, filled with the introductions of Dowkan, Nae'talis, and Hrolf. Just as Hildor begins to think his curt report avoided him annoying interrogation, another message sounds in the elf's mind.
What of the dwarf next to you? the voice sounded far too knowledgeable. I will handle the Tyrrans. They will hold a great gathering and they will know my power.
Something was odd about Mars divulging even the slightest bit of his plans.

 

[ae1vart0n]

Mercenary of Tyr, different dwarf.

Mars knew about the Tyrrans. But why did he care about Tyr? Was the destruction of Silverydown, this cave and the barbaric treatment of the villagers ... was all that Mars? What about the mage. The two seemed disconnected. The Tyrrans seemed unimportant. Actually the presence of the Tyrrans seemed rather meaningless as well. This cave didn't deserve an army. Something very odd was going on.

Hildor needed some answers, but asking would be fruitless. Mars wouldn't give out unneccessary information upon request. Hildor wasn't even sure he'd give out neccessary information.

Perhaps questions wouldn't be useful, but maybe an insult. Maybe Mars would become careless in his anger and divulge more useful information.

Your scared.

 

[hippocrachus]

~ Hildor ~

You're an imbecile. Stick to the plan. I will contact you tomorrow. If the voice of Mars seemed flustered it was probably at having to put up with Hildor.

~ Ali'Shaun ~

The Circle Leader rubs the bridge of his nose with thumb and forefinger and looks at the raven-haired Cithara with a glum expression.
"Why do you use him again?" she asks to make conversation. She doesn't really care.
"The Zhentarim. The key. The mage..." he starts counting off on his fingers.
"Radcliff is a landed thief. The key is worthless. The apostate should've been done away with months ago," she answers over top of him. They stare at each other for a few seconds without sharing another word, the assassin with steely defiance, the wizard with growing impatience.
"Do you have the things you require?" he asks her after her eyes flutter to the side. His tone drips with renewed dominance. Cithara had attended him at the Circle Meeting this morning. She knew what he was capable of after the five apprentices imbued their powers into him. Ali'Shaun was being called off to the Rashemen border again to aid Thay in torturing their barbaric neighbors.
A supposedly "random" pick. Ali'Shaun knew better and had been grumpy all morning. Custodian Giomp was getting sick of the Circle Leader's excuses.
"This will give you a chance to strike out, Ali'Shaun." The Custodian wanted whatever Ali'Shaun had been pining after as soon as the apostate and his pitiful band had recovered it.
"Yes, what I have will suffice. What do I do about the wards?" she asks innocently.
"This token will see the wards don't affect you." He hands the assassin wizard a coin she quickly places in her pocket. "I will contact you tomorrow...after I have dealt with the elf."

 

[ae1vart0n]

At least he quit talking.

The attack on the Tyrrans had worried him, but if Mars was going to speak with him tomorrow it was likely this group would be safe from it. Still, should he warn the Tyrrans? The benefit of Radcliff's friendship weighed against a slaughter was not a balanced scale.

But the Tyrrans may know of the situation. And if they were all as single minded as Hrolf, they may welcome it. If this was the case, warning them would only inform them of Hildor's purpose.

"Who knows why you're here?"

 

[Legildur]

"Who knows why you're here?"

(OOC: Assuming that this was spoken aloud) "Me boss, for starters, and his boss, and who knows who else. And all the Tyrrans outside. And the rest of me merc buddies," the dwarf replies, mentally ticking off groups of people.

 

[ae1vart0n]

Hildor was taken aback a bit that a hired hand (not unlike himself) would be given information about the task they were hired for, beyond "go there, do that". He couldn't have been given the true reason.

"And it is?"

[sblock]Yes, light blue text in "quotes" is spoken. Dark blue in italics is a thought for Hildor[/sblock]

 

[hippocrachus]

[sblock]If you would do me a favor and follow similar format, Legildur, it would be much appreciated.
Put OOC comments in sblock /sblock tags, thoughts in italics, and speach in color.
It helps keep confusion to a minimum.
I'll have another favor to ask you when we get to combat

Dhes is having trouble getting onto the boards, so I ask that you guys be patient while we wait for the cleric to catch up...[/sblock]

 

[Legildur]

"And it is?"

"Ah, now that I don't know," Dowkan adds with a shrug of his shoulders. "But I'm being paid a bonus for today's risks," he adds, adding a slight frown with it. "Not that we've seen much yet."

He gestures with his head at Nae'talis. "What can you tell me of that fine weapon of me homeland?" he asks. "She's a mighty fine piece of dwarven craft, if I may say. Under other circumstances, I'd ask to have a closer look and hold of her........."