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*** THE FIRE KNIVES ***
Posted: 04 Feb 2006 04:37 AM |
((OOC: Ok this is a player thread along the same lines as the Black Hand thread. All things in this thread are known by a select few and should be Rp'd accordingly. This thread is designed to let people in on all the clandestine things that are going on behind the scenes.))
A letter left for Sirac in the usual place. ((a place where it is very unlikely that it would be intercepted or found by anyone but Sirac))
Sirac. I have some good news and some bad news.
Firstly our mutual friends have been dealth with. The Black Hand have taken back port. The battle with the nightstalkers was hard fought but in the end all the key players were taken down. Including our friend Breathstealer. I will not weep for his passing. The bodies were burned with exception to the heads. Which i believe went to an ally of Jessups. Most likely a man named Malagnar that was mentioned. I would not have a part in something so gruesome so i left soon after the battle.
Secondly. This is bad news indeed. I made some inquires about miss Macha as you asked. I had the chance to speak to a young human wizard by the name of Lucius just two days ago. I had noticed that they have been spending alot of time together lately, and thought he would have an opinion. I inquired about Macha and after only a short while i came to the conclusion that this man Lucius cares deeply for her. I am under the firm belief that he loves her. I told him that i had her best interests at heart. That i only wanted to help. He told me outright that Macha is evil. That he does not judge her. I asked him if he believed that she was capable of killing innocent people. He said that he would not ask her that for he was affraid of the answer. This was disheartening to say the least. I asked him if he would consider asking her to cut her ties with Fri'el. He said he would not chose her friends. A good answer. He is not at all a bad lad. Just a tad removed.
The very next day i encountered Macha in the great plains. She was very pale and had a single spot of blood on her face. She asked why i had been inquiring about her? ((most likely Lucius told her)) I told here that i cared and that was enough of a reason. She then broke down and confessed that she had killed Lucius in cold blood that very day. After some questioning i came to understand that she was forced to make a choice by her father. To kill Lucius or he would take revenge on all of human kind. Or something to that ends. So she did. Afterwards she begged her father for Lucius's life back. Told him that she loved him in turn. He complied but was very angry with her. As you know he has no love for humans and he took it as a betrayel on the part of his beloved daughter. She believes that he will hunt her in time. Which does not bode well for i know of no way he could be stopped.
She came to me because she wanted to be punished. We agreed to let her turn herself in to the militia of Buckshire. Where the crime took place. We ran into Lucius in Buckshire and after some drama he did not seem to want to press the charges to the local captain. He was more upset and wanted revenge at Tarik for forcing Macha to take these actions. He wanted to burn down the tree that he gave to Macha believing that it would hurt him. He could not get it to light with ordinary means. I had to leave them to chase after a thief that had stolen Macha's amulet. So i did not catch the end of the happenings. I think he still means to burn the tree.
Miss Macha is greatly disturbed by these happenings. I think now would be a good time to remind her she still has friends. I will continue to keep an eye on here whenever i can. I do not think it is too late for her.
Lastly. I have gotten a message from Blanche. She has agreed to meet you in one weeks time. In the Brandibuck woods.
That is all i have to report. I hope to meet with you soon to discuss these things and answer any questions you have.
Signed Conn |
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Re: *** THE FIRE KNIVES ***
Posted: 20 Feb 2006 03:31 PM |
(A letter left for Sirac in the usual place)
Sirac I have recently discovered something disturbing. It seems that the soirée the queen held for her daughter, was interrupted by a pair of assassins. Their targets were the queen, her daughter and Jessup. I hear that the assassins managed to kill the queen and her daughter before being dispatched by Jessup. A healer managed to raise the royals, so all is well. The most disturbing part is that after an interrogation from Jessup one of the assassins revealed that they were sleeper agents placed there by the Nightmasks. It seems that there were actually three of them. One of which must have escaped. This does not bode well. You know as well as anyone the lengths of which they will go to return. I have also heard that upon interrogation the assassin confessed that the third operative has in his possession an artifact known as the “Jade Talon”. I have learned that this artifact is very old and was once in the possession of Balthor. It seems that it was stolen from him some time ago by Breathstealer. I am not sure of the artifacts origin but I have learned that it is of a monk order. I will continue to look into this affair. I wish to ask a few things of you the next time we meet. Until then stay safe my friend.
Conn |
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Re: *** THE FIRE KNIVES ***
Posted: 22 Feb 2006 07:08 PM |
Conn sat in Winky's nursing his ale. His head still held a dull ache despite the heal potion Lord Tagereth had given him. He raises his ale and downed it in one long pull.
"Another Winky if you please." Winky laid down the glass he had been wiping and poured him another ale. "Ya feelin alright Conny? You looks like someone took all yer pies away?" Winky always did have a way with words.
"I’m alright lad. Had a rough couple of days is all." That had been an understatement.
It was bad enough that he had made a mistake that has cost him some trust with the Novus Aristi just the day before. Now he had failed his lord and, Sirac had been kidnapped from right under his nose.
It was hectic at Doc's. Doc was hurriedly taking orders back and forth form the kitchen. In between orders, pouring ales, and wiping the bar clean he had little time to chat with people at the bar. It was around mid-day when the merchants of the trading post near by usually took their break for lunch. So it was a little more crowded that usual. The dim flutter or candles cast a comfortable light around the room giving it a welcoming glow. The smell of cooking wafted in the air. There were a few merchants and farmers, sitting around and enjoying their lunch. Talking casually about trade prices and local gossip. Conn’s stomach growled, but this was no time for eating. He sat in the back of Doc’s at the last table in the corner. It was darker here, easier to blend in. Conn usually liked to sit at the bar and make small talk with Doc, but today he did not want to be noticed. He was expecting company. Company that did not like too much attention paid to them. Sirac. Conn’s contact in the Fire Knives. Conn’s eyes flashed to the door as it crept open. He frowned as two officers of the town’s militia walked in. Conn smiled to himself noticing something that only trained eyes could. Conn was no expert at the art of walking the shadows, of being able to travel the unseen path. This was subtle but he smiled as he picked it up. A slight delay between the militia coming in and the door closing. Conn leaned forward out of the dark corner revealing him self only for a split second. He sat back scanning the room. No one else had noticed it. How could they? Sirac was the best. A testament to a life time of study and practice. Conn had planned on asking Sirac if the Fire Knives had a trainer who could teach him the tricks of their trade. To give him lessons so he could develop his skill. Someday maybe even be as good as Sirac was. Conn jumped a little as a hand was placed on his shoulder. Sirac was standing right behind him. Concealed within the same shadow of the dark corner Conn was in. Sirac leaned in and whispered in his ear.
“Let’s go somewhere a little quieter eh? Somewhere we can talk in peace.” He Sounded tired. The words were thin and a little drawn out.
Conn rose from his chair and made his way to the door. He was careful to leave in one fluid motion so as not to leave an impression on anyone. The two traveled out of Buckshire on the eastern trail. Conn followed close behind Sirac. Scanning the trail ahead and behind. He knew how important it was not to be followed. Sirac always had sensitive things to discuss on these little meetings. Half way down the trail Sirac veered off to the left toward a small clearing near a stream and a waterfall.
“Here should be good. The falls will muffle our words” Sirac said scanning the trail behind.
Conn looked over Sirac for a second. He noticed that he looked much more haggard and worn out than usual.
“You feelin alright Sirac? You look tired?” Conn’s words were cut off by Sirac. “I have two tasks to ask of you lad.” He blinked taking in Conn question before responding.
“I be very tired lad” He said while digging in a bag. He retrieved a small brown package. “I be needing you to deliver this to the Novus Aristi”
Conn took the package from him and bent his head to stuff it in one of his travel packs. The package was awkward and hard to fit in the packs he had on his belt. He managed to put it one of his packs usually reserved for ore. It was larger and worked well enough. As Conn raised his head to look at Sirac a sharp pain erupted on the back of the head. The world swirled into a mass of dull colors, as darkness swallowed him up. He hit the ground with a thud.
Conn blinked as he came too. His face was firmly planted to the ground and his head felt like it was on fire. The world swirled into focus slowly as Conn struggled to remember where he was, why he was on the ground. His eyes widened as panic hit him. Sirac! He struggled to pull himself up into a sitting position. It was still day so he had not been out long. His hand crawled along the back of his head. He winced as he touched a large bump. His glove came back with a little blood on it. He blinked scanning the area. No sign of Sirac. He was still in the clearing. He struggled to get to his feet. He scanned the ground around him. His face whitened as he spotted it. Blood. There had been a struggle.
“Sirac?” He called out. No answer.
Conn brought his left hand up and noticed for the first time that he was griping a small piece of paper. He carefully unfolded it. He had some trouble focusing on the letters that seemed to be swirling around the paper. He shook his head and took a deep breath. The world stopped spinning just long enough so he could focus on the paper.
Dear Lord Tagereth. We know you have the ring. You will give it to us or Sirac’s life will be forfeit.
Conn stood there for what seemed an eternity. The shock of what had happened had just set in. He had failed. He had let Sirac be captured because he was snuck up on like some rookie. He tucked the small note away. He set off in a brisk jog. Lord Tagereth had to know.
The journey had seemed like an eternity. Conn struggled to stay hidden as he traveled. Skating from shadow to shadow. His head ached. His eyes were still blurry. The large lump on the back of his head throbbed with every step he made, but he was driven by need. He made his way to the Great Plains. Then paws. Carefully he skirted the red guards in Paws. He could not be sure he was not followed. He was not ever sure he was still walking. His legs seemed to move all on there own. He came to the cliffs of Puffins landing. He groaned as he thought of the climb down to the cave below to the secret dock of the Fire Knives airship the Goldenwing. He stared the careful climb down the crag. The climb was slow and arduous. One hand after another. His legs lowered slowly to find the footing he needed. Half way down his arms failed. He footing slipped. He grabbed desperately for any hand hold to save him. It was no use. He slid down the rest of the way, jagged rocks cutting into his arms and legs. The pain didn’t mean anything. He had to get it done. He stumbled into the cave. The guards blinked as they saw the state he was in.
“You ok? What happened?” Said one of the guards. Conn looked up. His mouth was dry. His head swam. “Lord… Quick!”
The guards clamored to get him aboard the Goldenwing. Conn loved soaring above the clouds on the Goldenwing. He usually had to be warned away from the edge. As he tended to lean precariously over for a better view of the lands far below. This time though Conn slept the whole way. The Goldenwing came down on the water just off the coast of the fire knives island. The Island of the damned it was called. A fitting name. The ship glided gently toward the shore. Large ropes were tossed over board, dock guards scrambled to moor the ship quickly. The next thing he knew he was shaken awake by the captain of the Goldenwing. A golden feathered Kenku. Conn was still awed by the majesty of the species. A perfect symbiosis of man and hawk. The captain called the two dock guards over.
“Get him to see Lord Tagereth and be quick as the wind!” The captain spoke perfect common, but there was a hint of an accent. The guards jumped at his order. Hurrying off into the caves.
Conn sat on the floor in front of a couch in the front foyer of the Fire Knives guild hall. The place was elegantly furnished and he did not want to bleed on the satin red couches placed for entertaining. The room was large. Paintings adorned the walls. The floors were or fine polished oak. A warm fire crackled in a marble fire place in middle of the west wall. Conn’s eyes sagged as sleep threatened to take him. He startled as a door opened. The Lord Tagereth sauntered in. Conn had never met him in person. Conn had hoped to be allowed to meet him some day. He had always imagined it would be for an accolade of some sort. Conn dreaded having to tell his lord the news of his failure. Especially since they have never been formally introduced. Lord Tagereth was dressed in fine elven mail the likes of which Conn had never seen. He moved with a natural flow. Each step careful and graceful. His armor making no sound as it flowed and moved with him. Conn rose to his feet. He attempted a bow but ended up staggering.
“I hear you need to see me” His hair was slightly grey. His eyes a pale blue His face showed signs of a hard life, but when he smiled Conn could feel the dignity and kindness of the man. It was immediately apparent why he was their leader.
“Ambush…. Sirac!” Conn exclaimed. Tagereth looked him over gauging his wounds carefully. “Here take this for your wounds first, then sit and start from the beginning.” He handed Conn a heal potion from his belt pouch.
Conn popped the cork and downed the murky liquid greedily. The potion did its work fast. The roaring pain in Conn head shrunk into a dull ache. The scratches and cuts from the fall closed instantly. Lord Tagereth moved to a couch and motioned toward to empty chair opposite him. Conn sat and made himself comfortable. The potion had not taken away the exhaustion of the hurried trip. Conn recounted what had happened carefully and handed Tagereth the note. The Lords face creased with worry as he read it over.
Conn’s eyes widened with panic as he mentioned the package that Sirac had given him. He reached for the pack and frantically reached a hand inside. Empty. It was gone. The weight of another failure pulled his eyes to the floor.
“Thank you for coming to tell me right away. I will dispatch another package as soon as possible. I will contact you in a few days. I will need a good man for this before the end.” The lords smiled warmly, but Conn could see the troubles behind his eyes.
He rose slowly to his feet. “If that is all I have some business to attend to right away.” Conn rose as well. “Yes my lord…. I am sorry I failed you in this.” Conn hung his head waiting for a response. “You have not failed me. You have done well. I will be in touch.” He smiled once more and was gone.
The words had lifted a little of the guilt from Conn’s soul but he still felt a sense of failure.
“Lad? Conny! You sure your ok?” Conn blinked looking up at Winky standing there waving a hand in front of his face. His ale was still full. “Aye I told ya I am fine. Though I think I will take a room for the night.”
Conn placed a small sack of coin on the bar and headed to the back room with a small wave. Winky muttered something about crazy bigguns and went back to polishing his glasses. |
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