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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Herremann the Wise" data-source="post: 1857713" data-attributes="member: 11300">Checkmate - Part IIn the Great Hall of Gumbil’s Turm at the Immediate Conclusion of Chess’ Performance…The flat plunge of darkness enshrouded the expanse of the hall as a voice whispered urgently in Chess’ ear “We must escape immediately, they have come to kill you.” The speaker’s hands grabbed her and pushed her towards the side door before she felt a twinge of magic, as she was instantly pushed{1} into the corridor beyond. She looked behind her at two figures that had run through the doorway carrying short swords onto the darkened stage beyond before turning to see her rescuer. It was Primmas Rose.He spoke with exigency, “If you value your life Chess, I suggest you follow me as closely as you can.” Primmas Rose swung around without looking to see if she followed. As confused as she was, she did not wish to tarry. She followed at her best speed, or at least as best as her outfit would allow. A thought was trying to penetrate her consciousness but the drama of the quick exit and her trailing of Primmas Rose would not let it surface. She followed him down a set of stairs that led deep into the bowels of the Turm. There was little light except from the occasional torch that fluttered dramatically as the two went past. They stopped for a moment as Primmas’s careful fingers traced the line of the wall besides several crates. With a push it gave way, allowing entrance to a secret chamber beyond. He ushered her through as he waited looking for any signs of hostile pursuit.She looked into the chamber illuminated by two lanterns. A table, two chairs, an unlit candle and a selection of fruit waited patiently. She looked at Rose in surprise, giving him a questioning look as she went through. He closed the door firmly behind her with a click. Chess looked at the man, his economy of movement, his dashing features and his current cordial and courteous mannerisms. He lit the candle and motioned for her to sit.“And so what do I owe the pleasure of your company master assassin.”“Please good lady. Such indelicate words sound so course coming from your velvet voice.”She waited anyway for an answer as her eyes glanced the fruit. She picked up a choice ripened persimmon as her blue eyes were cast once more at the man. He smiled. Poisoning was not his way at any rate.“No thank you for your rescuing? I’m quite surprised. I thought you might have been a little more… appreciative… pleasant even.”“Come on Primmas Rose… if I may name you such. I’m sure your motives extend past sharing an evening repast with me.”“Indeed they do. But for the moment, please rest. Enjoy the fruit. Your face is slightly peaked if I may be so rude.”Chess looked at him while she collected several more pieces. She could not explain or understand his motives, a situation not to her liking. He seemed at ease but that could mean anything.“I suppose then you know who wished me ill this evening?” she asked, picking another berry.“Yes, yes, a somewhat delicate matter from the sounds of it. I believe you have had recent dealings with House Elarayan. For some reason, the Housemaster has become a little upset with you.”She looked at him carefully not wishing to say anything. Her suspicions in regards to her plan’s discovery seemed to be at the very least confirmed. Teroncé had obviously found out something but how? She focused back on Primmas and asked, “And how did you manage to find all this out, rescuing me with such exquisite timing.”He paused before answering. “I was in town and heard several whispers here and there. Besides, I like you Chess. I like a woman who challenges the mind whilst being so very easy on the eye.” He gauged her demeanor before continuing, “I am however curious on a few matters. While we have the time and solitude, perhaps I could ask a query or two?”She looked at him again but could sense nothing but urbane politeness. “I can see I have little choice, even if I wished to be silent.”“Come now. I’m not entirely the ogre I’m made out to be; where as Teroncé would very easily suit such a repugnant category. No, I’m just somewhat curious as to the game you were playing that could lead to such an unfriendly reaction from him. There have of course been consequences that you may not yet have discovered. This afternoon in fact.”Chess stopped eating. “What do you know? I believe you are trying to tease me now.”Primmas Rose laughed. “I believe your little interlude with Gareth of Elarayan was discovered. In all honesty I thought you more discrete?”“I was discrete,” she frowned.“Obviously not enough.” He let the words linger a moment before adding, “Things seem to have gone somewhat downhill for Gareth. Apparently now there is some distance between his head and his shoulders.”“What has happened? What has Teroncé done?”“As you well know, Teroncé is a determined individual when given cause and particularly stubborn to boot. Perhaps he wished to teach the senior master of his Trading arm a lesson.” Primmas Rose then directed his most penetrating gaze at her, “Or perhaps his thoughts went beyond that. Perhaps he was disturbed at the actions of a wayward and long lost niece?”Chess bolted upright as Primmas Rose instantly drew his legendary double crossbow up to her throat.“Come now Chess. Don’t get all excited. That’s it sit back down, nice and slowly. I believe there are still some persimmons left to your taste.” He paused. “Now where were we? That’s it, you were telling me about your little amour with the noble but recently deceased Gareth. Truly, I thought such things against your inclinations{2}?”Chess shivered in recognition. His tone was completely even and never wavering, the glistening tip of the crossbow bolt pointed at her equally resolute.“Why are you asking? You seem to already know the answers.”“Just so,” he laughed again. “Well allow me then to be more direct shall we. You have sensitive papers I believe that the good Housemaster would be significantly embarrassed by. For example, if they were well known, your Mother might have legal grounds for considerable financial redress. I believe he would wish them returned, with none the wiser.” Primmas Rose paused once more before tersely asking, “Give the papers{3} to me if you please.”“They are with my things. I would have to return to my room and…”“No you will not as they are neatly secured in your bodice. Remove them and give them to me. Now!”She thought of some sort of heroic resistance but knew as she looked at the bolt’s head that it would penetrate her before she had the chance for anything. She slowly reached inside her bodice but with annoyance realized that the parchment had travelled further down than what the tight bodice would give access to.“I will have to loosen my corset to retrieve them if you don’t mind.” She pulled carefully at the laces loosening them giving at first ample view of her cleavage before releasing her bosom entirely. She looked to see if she had distracted him but unfortunately the crossbows orientation had not faltered. Curse the bastard but he was good. She slid her hand underneath her left breast where the parchment had relocated to, its shape moulded to her form. Chess pulled out the somewhat crumpled documents, warm to the touch.“They are here,” she said as she placed the parchment upon the table. “Take them please and let me go.”“Let you go? Whatever for my dear.” He reached over for the papers applying them carefully to the inside of his jacket. “The dark hours are but young and you still have several songs I wish to hear. I would be honoured to hear your final performance.”Primmas Rose started to chuckle as he saw her features go pale with recognition; the blood totally lost from her face and neck.“I won’t say a thing,” she rushed. “No one needs know of any of this. I will keep your secrets safe...”“I think not young Chess. You are a singer and taleteller after all. I am not so trusting as to casually leave such a loose thread around any more.”Chess was getting desperate now, anger warming her voice. “There is someone who will hunt you down. Know that with all clarity when he kills you.”“Your wizard friend,” he laughed and pointed to the second bolt in his crossbow. “Your wizard friend will not be appreciating this bolt. It will guarantee him certain death{4} let me assure you. However, I wish not to boast, it does not convey the image I normally like to present. While I would wish it otherwise, your death is unfortunately necessary. I hope you understand that there was no other way.”Just as Chess was about to respond, a pulse of magic was suddenly felt in the room; a figure appeared in the corner; Chess reactively stood; Primmas Rose’s attention however had not swayed, drawing instantly his assassin’s dagger and plunging it deep into her throat: the entire movement too quick for the eye; the poison having already acted. Chess had not even seen the blow that killed her.***{1} Primmas Rose was wearing special boots imbued with a magic similar to the Shadowdancer’s “Shadow Jump” ability (like a limited dimension door). A Dimension Door normally requires a willing participant, which Chess was due to the initial exchange. They could be used three times per day for up to 20 feet at a time. This had been the second activation.{2} While Chess was perhaps the perfect vision of male lust, her own inclinations were also directed at the female gender. While she had slept with many men over the course of her career, she took no pleasure in it. Such joinings were purely business.{3} While Gareth had given him nothing, further thought and evaluation from Jerigar (Primmas Rose) had led his suspicions in a particular direction. A quick chat in the early evening with his Elarayan aide had resulted in the requisite information now being used against Chess. In some respects, Primmas Rose was very lucky to have stumbled across this information when he did, several threads of fate entwining at seemingly the correct instant. Primmas Rose had he known of this would have smiled – for him; there was no such thing as luck.{4} The second bolt in Primmas Rose’s double crossbow was a bolt of silencing that would enact on contact. The bead that made up the head of the bolt was designed to be dislodged inside the target’s body, rendering them incapable of most spell castings. Primmas Rose had planned for this contingency and knew the bolt would give him the time to make sure of the wizard’s death. The first bolt was standard lotus poison, capable of killing most people.</blockquote>

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