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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carlo-One" data-source="post: 8107844" data-attributes="member: 7015827">As the bickering was still ongoing, Dermot walked in and greeted them, asking for the latest word. Darrow and Shanni quickly got him up to speed on the potential ambush scenario at the Empty Fish, Jandrico’s offer for security assistance, and the Scarlet Company’s rogue Slipster dropping by. In return, Dermot related how he had looked over the meeting site and its surroundings. He described it as pretty typical, with some fields out back, some farms and fences to the front, streets and a well on one side and Cormaeril Vale on the other. If it came to a fight and they had to run, he said he would probably recommend the back door.This fed back into Aerikoth and Shanni’s argument, as the wizard remained skeptical of an ambush. Shanni countered by emphasizing how adamant Juril had been that there would probably be a fight, along with the concern he expressed for her not to be there. Aerikoth took the point, but still did not believe the meeting would start with an ambush. As Darrow shrugged and continued drinking from his ale glass, Dermot cut to the central question of the meeting scenario, which was how many of them would go into the Empty Fish, and how many would hang back outside.Darrow reckoned that at least he and Rahnee should go in, as the toughest warriors, which Dermot and Shanni seconded. Shanni, returning to the subject of the Scarlet Company’s intentions, then raised the idea that even if their counterparts meant them no harm directly, what if Cormaeril had decided to take matters into their own hands? Dermot thought she had a point, while Darrow approved of the chance to bash some Cormaeril heads as a bonus.Discussion returned to tactical planning for the meeting. In response to a question from Shanni, Aerikoth indicated that he could take two of them, with all their equipment, along with him on a teleport. Dermot therefore recommended that the wizard enter the inn along with Darrow and Rahnee, ready to bring them out if necessary. Meanwhile, Dermot and Shanni would be watching the front and back entrances for trouble; if they ended up having any of Jandrico’s “friends” along, their allies could also hang back and wait for a signal. Since Juril was already expecting Shanni to try to come up with an excuse not to be there, she believed this would match his expectations. The three inside could explain she had come down with something horrible, she suggested, and that Dermot was administering healing poultices to her or whatever.At this point, the always-solicitous Jandrico Swift stepped into the room, mentioning that he had to be off for a while, until later in the evening. He inquired if there was anything they needed before he departed. Shanni immediately said that they thought they should take him up on his offer. The innkeeper indicated he would need to know the details of the situation – not all, perhaps, but at least what the “insurance” he could arrange would need to cover.After some further questioning from Shanni, Jandico informed them that four “insurance agents” could be made available for them outside the Empty Fish starting an hour after sundown – for the price of 1,000 gold per hour. Darrow whistled at the figure and Dermot did a double-take in reaction. Jandrico further specified that for that price, there would be no questions asked regarding the targets; whoever engaged the party would be dealt with. (Looked at from the perspective of the "insurance" provider, in effect each "agent" is offering an all-you-can-kill service for 250 gold an hour - which for assassins seems a bargain rate. Of course Jandrico would be taking his cut off the top, so in reality it would probably work out to 200 gold received by each "agent" for the job. It is important to do the maths for these situations. --R)Shanni, after a few more questions, sighed and mentioned that she had “a bit stashed for a rainy day” and that this was probably one of those. She was particularly concerned about the possibility of them being outnumbered. Ever polite, Jandrico told them he considered them capable individuals, so perhaps the arrangement would not be necessary. Yet, he was willing to make the offer out of trust and gratitude for their previous actions.</blockquote>

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