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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 3263415" data-attributes="member: 143">Very interesting musings! It looks like I will most likely be traveling for business for part of next week (Tues-Thurs), so I will likely only be able to manage 4 updates. Fortunately I have a nice cliffhanger in store for chapter 81.  <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":]" title="Devious    :]" data-shortname=":]" /> * * * * * Chapter 77ANATOMY OF A COUP“Nice headquarters you guys have here,” Dar said.  Talen regarded him with a cold expression.  “We make do with what we have, mercenary.”The two men stood facing each other within the open hold of the merchantman Fortune’s Folly.  A gentle rain pattered on the deck above, but did little to mute the noises of Camar’s bustling harbor that trickled in through the open hatches.  “I’m surprised that the Duke’s wizards have not sussed out your hiding place yet,” Dar said easily.  “Or have had one of your own turn you in for a cart full of silver.”The young men that had escorted Dar into the ship’s hold bristled, but Talen restrained them with a wave of his hand.  “The mages of the Guild of Sorcery are not omnipotent, and there are means to defeat magical viewing,” the captain said.  “Just being on open water has a way of fouling some forms of magic.”“I had no idea you were so broadly versed in the arts of conspiracy, Talen,” the fighter said with a grin.  “It was Marshal Tiros who did most of the organizing,” Talen said.  “He had a number of contingencies in place... even for his death.”“Looks like his planning ahead paid off.”“Allera said you had agreed to help us.”“Indeed.  I found that I missed your company just too much.”“She spoke of your desire for a reward.”“Oh?  That is a surprise.”“We will speak of prizes if and when the Duke has been overthrown,” the captain said.  “But rest assured that a liberated Camar will have need of leaders to help move it forward back toward liberty and stability.”“Ah.  Well, my dear captain, the people have stability now, and from all accounts, most consider liberty highly overrated.”“They are not so placid as you might assume.  The Duke has at best a reluctant allegiance from the mercantile guilds, and from what I am told, there are those in the Guild of Sorcery and the Church of the Shining Father who would be quite happy to see a replacement come forward.”“Being willing to countenance an alternative and being willing to support insurrection are two different things.”“I know that.  We all do.  But we are prepared to do our best to bring about the necessary change.”Dar leaned against a nearby strut.  “So, what’s the plan?”Talen smiled, but it was cold.  “Now you must really take me for a fool.  You will be briefed when we are ready to carry out the operation.”“Not too long, I hope.  I have a business to run, and important things to consider.  My neck, for one.”“Don’t worry yourself unduly.  We have a plan, and we have resources to draw upon.  It will succeed.”“Your optimism is notable,” Dar said.  “Say, where’s Allera?”“She is out in the city gathering supplies.  Don’t worry, we’ll do our best to entertain you.”“What do you mean?”“Come now.  You don’t imagine that we could let you go back into the city, now that you’ve seen this place?”“You going to stop me?” Dar asked.  He pushed slightly away from the spar, bringing the hilt of his sword within easy reach. There was a sudden and dramatic shift in the atmosphere in the hold.  In addition to the two men behind him, there were several others within view nearby, all of whom carried weapons openly.  And there had been at least half a dozen others on the upper deck of the ship, within an easy shout. There was a loud crack, and several people jumped as a hatch in the floor sprang open.  A wiry old man’s head popped up, and looked around.  “Eh?  What’s with all the racket up here?”“Master Alucinor,” Talen said.  “I apologize if we disturbed your work.”“If you want those bombs ready by Founder’s Day, then you’d best not disturb my concentration,” the old man said, pointing a finger at the captain.  “It’s bad enough with all this... rocking.  Very inconvenient!  And that ‘assistant’ you sent down, Jaros?  It’s impossible to think with him always humming!” “I’ll see if we can’t find someone else to help you, Master Alucinor,” Talen said.  The old man snorted and disappeared back down the hatch, slamming the hatch after him. “Bombs, eh?” Dar asked.  “We’ve got hammocks set up in the forward hold,” Talen said.  “Grab one; I’ll have food, drink, cards, and dice sent up.”Dar held the captain’s stare for a moment longer.  “Fine,” he said.  “But this had better be building up to something good.”</blockquote>

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