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The Name Of The Shadows

Thinking quickly Klik thinks of something. "The last trip I did was in the Graypeaks. and I found a lovely little sword. Would you like to see it?"
 

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Zol, Therendor 17, 998 YK

Verthick sighs heavily, muttering a curse under his breath.

" Forget it, just forget it! I'll let the boss sort you out. You better think of something clever to show him or you're going to be thrown out on your ass. Not some pretty sword, mate, we want to see your pretty deeds! "
 


Verthick leads you away from the Cornerstone, to one of the nearby lifts. A couple of shifters, a dwarf and a khoravar join you, and then the lift begins to lower itself down to the next level, where the shifters get off, and a human gets on. One level further down, the human and the dwarf get off, and then Verthick nudges you and steps off himself.

The two of you make your way through the streets, empty but for street cleaners and a single Watch patrol. Verthick takes a shortcut through an alleyway, and then you cross a bridge over to another tower, and soon you have arrived at your destination.

What is apparent, is that the building in front of you looks to have been a tavern and an inn, and a fair sized one at that, with three stories. However, now the windows are all boarded up, the street in front of it is cluttered with debris. In fact, most of the street seems to have the same unkept look. There is a place for a sign above the door, but the two short chains from which it would swing are currently unburdened. Verthick reaches into one of his pockets and pulls out a large skeleton key, fumbling a bit to slide it into the keyhole. He turns it twice, and it rewarded with a satisfying click. He pushes open the door, and you enter, after which he closes it behind you.

The inside of the tavern doesn't seem to be doing much better than the outside, and is sporting a small collection of mismatched chairs and tables, as well as corners piled with broken pieces of furniture. There is a fireplace, though it probably doesn't get used much, and the counter in the far left corner of the room looks to be mostly intact. Behind it, there are some shelves and a few bottles of wine and spirits.

Sitting at one of the two intact tables, is a man in his early twenties pouring a golden liquid from a dark red bottle. His clothing looks somewhat expensive, a red silk doublet and white leggings. He is human, with shoulder length black hair tied back in a pony tail, sharp features are piercing grey eyes. He looks up as you step forward, a thin smile spreading across his lips does little to hide his impatience in his eyes.

" A visitor, Verthick? " he asks. " Hurry up and introduce him, then leave me to my drink. I don't feel like listening to you prattling on about the hrazhak match today, like you are won't to. "

Verthick grunts, the colour rising slightly in his face. " He calls himself Klik Blaze, and he thinks he's should be so privileged to join our merry little band, Barayle, " he says. " Where've the others gotten to? "

Waving his hand dismissively, the man identified as Barayle says, " My sweet Seneira has not yet deigned to join us yet today, and is still sleeping upstairs. The others went out this morning, and I didn't care to ask why. "

His eyes move from Verthick to you almost as an afterthought, and he asks, " I don't suppose you have anything to say for yourself, eh, Mr. Blaze? "

This is the moment, Klik. What you say now will determine whether you find yourself having made new allies, or having wasted another perfectly good morning of my time. Please do not disappoint me, Klik. I would hate to think I had been rescued from that pit by an ineffective incompetent.
 

Sense Motive 20 (7+13) What is his deal? Business? Dangerous? Melee or talker?

Know: Local 10 (3+7) Where am I. What is known for this area of the city?

Spot 17 (6+11) Anything of note within the place and on the host.
 

Zol, Therendor 17, 998 YK

You get the feeling that Barayle is feeling a little bored, and that he isn't much interested in you unless your going to make his day a little more exciting and enjoyable. The worst that is likely to come out of a failed encounter is a few harsh words and maybe a kick to the curb, neither he nor Verthick seem particularly homicidal.

You're still in Cornerstone, you've just changed levels.

A door by the end of the bar is slightly ajar, and in the shadows you can see a worn set of stairs climbing up to the next level. You catch a glimpse of amber hair and a flowing golden house coat. Fingers edge around the door, and you catch the eye and tip of a smile of a young woman, but she moves silently back out of sight before you can get a good look.
 



"Not too bad of a place." , says Klik as he looks around, "I would guess many underestimate the signifigance of this place."

Listns and looks about..."Who else is here or will be joining us?" Klik hopes to learn more about the girl he spotted without being too obvious.
 

Zol, Therendor 17, 998 YK

Barayle takes a long sip from his glass, emptying almost half of it. However, his eyes remained locked on you. He lowes his glass to the table and tajes a moment to wipe his lips with his handkerchief, an ellaboratelly embroidered affair.

" Verthick, what did I tell you about bringing uncooperative folks back to the lair? " he asks, quietly.

Verthick shuffles his feet a little, uncomfortably, then replies, " You did tell ol' Verthick to only be bringing back people who looked like they were going to be good fun to hang out with. But, Barayle, there was something about this one I didn't quite like. Something, you know, dangerous. I thought he might surprise us. "

Well, Klik, it appears that, through no fault of your own, that this might in fact turn into a favourable encounter. Not that I did not see this coming, of course.

Barayle drums his fingers impatiently on the table for a moment, his expression distant. " All right, " he says, slowly. " I will allow you to accompany us. For the time being. However, should you disappoint me, don't expect to be welcome here for very long. "

At that moment, the young woman slips out of the doorway, moving lightly over the floor, her feet bare. Giggling, she sets herself down on Barayle's lap, surprising him, causing him to knock over his wine glass and making him curse.

The young woman is intensely beautiful, her hair managing to shine even in the dim light. Her eyes are a deep shade of blue, her lips bright red. Everything about her is a delight for the eye, from the shape of her face down to her wonderfully enticing figure.

Oh, what a vapid creature...

You can't help but to disagree.

" Barayle, my love, " she asks, smiling, teasing. " Has ' ol' Verthick ' brought home a new plaything for me? "

Barayle closes his eyes, groaning slightly. " No dear, this man here is Klik Blaze, Seneira. He will be joining us, for a time, " he says.

His eyes open again, and he is staring daggers at you. Seneira doesn't seem to notice, snuggling up to him as she is, planting a kiss on his neck, one on his cheek, and then a long one on his lips, which finally draws his attention away from you.

My, my... I do not believe this could be going better had I planned it myself...

At that moment, Verthick claps you on the shoulder. " Uh, how about I show you to a room, mate, and uh, we'll leave these two to themselves for a moment? " he whispers, and tugs on you gently in the direction of the stairway.
 
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