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17/01/2019 8:39 pm
This post occurs about 2 months after the raid on House Vandree
She stood in the marble foyer of her newly constructed compound. It wasn’t quite as large as the stalactite but contained more than enough room to conduct her business and house her employees. As the ranking member of the Freth Trading Company, Zaiwure took it upon herself to rebuild and begin anew what Karis Freth hoped would be a most successful venture. It had taken several months and quite a bit of coin but that wasn’t a concern for the tiefling. Her Mistress had many investments and business endeavors that held true to their contracts with her successor, though some saw the death of Mistress Freth as an opportunity to profit and renege on their agreements. Zaiwure knew if she was to remain profitable this could not be allowed to go unanswered. She looked through the glassteel windows out to the courtyard watching wagons load for delivery while others unloaded their wares. That wasn’t her reason for being here right now though. She was waiting, hoping her message was received and that her guest would arrive shortly. She had taken to pacing, the wait was beginning to take its toll on her. “What if he doesn’t come.” She thought to herself. “He doesn’t owe the company anything.” She thought to herself. “How much can I really expect. Friendship goes only so far.” Mistress Freth’s death had been difficult for both of them, she knew it. But he had done what he could to console her and avenge their former employer. What more would he be willing to do? Was it right to even ask for his help?
She looked again into the courtyard and saw a cloaked figure talking to the guards at the gate. She watched as the conversation continued with no signs of distress or disagreement. Finally the visitor placed his hand on the soldier’s shoulder and walked past unimpeded. Her eyes narrowed wondering if she was going to have to fire or kill the careless guardsman. No one should be permitted free access to the compound after the razing of the stalactite. As her anger began to creep from her stomach to her face, the figure walking toward the manor came into focus. A drow wearing an embroidered black Piwafwi and silk like leather armor was approaching. He bore twin drow longknives and she could tell by the way he moved that one of them if loosed from its sheath would be constructed of opalescent black stone. The butt end of a weapon could barely be made out, poking its end cap from behind his back. “Hmmm.” She thought to herself. “That’s new.” The guards at the double doors a few feet from where she stood seemed a bit too joyful at the sight of her guest.” The captain opened the door.
“Mistress. Lord Valas Vandree seeks an audience.” His eager tone made her smile.
“Show him in captain. I’ll see Lord Vandree.”
“Zaiwure.” he smiled. “How have you been?”
As the door closed she stepped toward him. Her tail instinctively snaking forward and grabbing him by the sword belt. “Come here you.” She drew him in and hugged him tight.
“Very nice decor Mistress. Fancy”
She smirked at him. “Yeah thanks.” She offered him her arm. Allow me to show you around.
He bowed graciously and accepted her arm as her tail wrapped around his waist.
“I see you’re up and running again. That’s good news. Mistress Freth would be pleased. And you kept the name. I like that.”
“It has recognition.” She said. “And there is always hope she may return.”
Valas stopped. “Zaiwure…I….You know we did what we could. We never found a body. I’m not sure what they did with her but I have a sad suspicion whatever it was… she’s not coming back.”
He could feel her talons dig into his wrist as her tail constricted uncomfortably around his waist for a moment then released.
“You may be right.” She said flatly.
Valas decided it best to change the subject. “Do you have a bar here?”
A smile fought its way across her face. “Do I? Of course.” They walked through several corridors until they arrived at an open archway 20 feet tall. The dining hall was a measure smaller but furnished with fine woods. The bar was cut from Bocote and had beautiful natural striations. The bar keep, a homely deep gnome with a bulbous nose and oversized eyes opened the pair of glass doors behind him and retrieved a dusty black bottle. He poured two glasses of the black liquid and pushed them forward. Zaiwure grabbed them both and handed one to Valas. “To old friends” she toasted.
Valas smiled, “And sometimes more.”
They emptied their glasses and returned them to the bar. “Let me show you the operation.” Zaiwure led him to the southern end of the estate where a large warehouse had been erected against and into the stone cavern wall. She pointed out storage areas, order preparation areas and staging areas for wagons and transports. This more than anything else reminded him of the stalactite.
“Impressive” he complimented. Looks like everything is running smoothly.”
“Looks that way huh?” Zaiwure said. “Come. Let’s talk somewhere more private.” They exited the warehouse and walked casually toward the manor. Along the way they talked about old times. How Karis Freth found him and his brothers and brought them to her home. They laughed about fun times they shared over bottles of Abyssal Black Brandy. Zaiwure even joked about how angry she was when Freth sent him on assignment back to the guild. “I’m certain that bitch of a barkeep you fancy so much had something to do with it.” she said with slanted eyes. “But I understand now. Sometimes business calls for unpopular decisions and distasteful actions.”
They arrived at double door cut from a surface wood called Bubinga. It had a glossy reddish brown color with pleasing grain streaks. She pushed the doors open and they were in a library. “I do my best thinking here. I always did. Karis and I spent day after day and night after night in the old stalactite library reviewing contracts and researching prospective business opportunities. I figured here would be as good a place as any to ask a favor of you.”
Valas tilted his head. “A favor. Sure.” He bowed low in mock deference. “How may serve you Mistress.”
She slapped him in the shoulder. “Dumb ass. I’m being serious now. I’ll pay.”
“Pay for what?” He asked confused, wondering what could be so pressing she would offer to compensate him for his services. “Who do you want dead?” he asked matter of factly.
She grinned. “Remember that wiry old merchant who tried to stiff Freth a while back?”
“You mean the cowardly maggott who got his entourage killed with his hubris? I remember him. I also remember cutting his men down like overgrown grass.”
“Yeah well he’s back to old tricks. He’s refusing to pay his vig and outstanding debts. What’s worse is he’s convinced a consortium of my business associates that perhaps a change of leadership is in order. He’s trying to ruin me before I really get started. I need to send a message.”
“Messages are what got us here in the first place. Are you sure this is what you want?” he asked concerned.
Zaiwure nodded. “I have a meeting planned in two days with the heads of the other five families to discuss their vote of no confidence in my leadership. I’d like to make a statement before then.”
“That’s fast. The guild will want to negotiate a price. I’d have to go back and bargain for you. It could takes some time.”
“What if there was a way around all that.” She asked.
“What do mean. I won’t freelance in the city. That would invite way too much trouble for both of us.” Valas was serious.
“Not freelance. Please. Follow me.” They turned down the hallway and into a corridor that ended with no door visible to the eye, a dead end. She pushed a sequence of rocks and the wall slid open. Behind it a corridor lit by pleasing faerie fire opened in a parlor where there were 3 doors on the far wall. She walked over to the central door and opened it. Inside was a room of rich furniture and artistic tapestries. Nearby a bookcase was an ebony wood desk and matching dressers. The four post bed was carved from the same wood. The cut stone floor had a luxurious area rug that extended well beyond the ends of the bed. “This is my bed chamber.” She announced.
“Is this how you plan to convince me? Seduce me into doing your bidding?”
She laughed. “Not what I had planned but if that’s all it takes..” She stroked the small of his back playfully. “Is that a kukri?” She asked.
“Yeah.” He grinned. “So what did you have in mind? Convince me.” He said flirtatiously.
She wrapped her tail around his waist and drew him in close. “This would be a nice perk.” her lips were a hair from his. “But you’re right. It doesn’t solve the problem of repercussions with the Dark Embrace and I have enough enemies right now.”
“So what do you propose?” He asked softly.
She grinned wide baring her fangs as her talons scraped down his arms. “Do this for me and I’ll give you a twenty percent stake in the company. I’ll make you a partner. Surely the guild wouldn’t object to you protecting your holdings. With you on board the other heads of the consortium would have to take me seriously. They wouldn’t be able to hire assassins from the Dark Embrace because the guild would never cross one of their own and they’d know that no one would be out of my reach.”
“I’m not the business owner type.” he said. “That’s more Naris and Nazmyr.”
“Let’s just say I’m looking for a more silent partner.” She smiled. “Silent yet deadly. You can’t want to work forever. Consider it a retirement investment.,, for when you seek a career change.”
“So besides a dead merchant, what else do you get out of it?”
“Not just a dead merchant but everyone. I want his family dead. His workers dead. Hells kill his dogs too. And I want his head on a serving platter. “ Her expression had become somewhat irate with fury.…”.Ahem.” She cleared her throat.”…That and the reputation of a skilled assassin as part owner make this a worthy investment.”
She led him out of the bedroom and over to the door directly to the right of hers. She opened it to reveal another luxuriously appointed bedroom similar to his old room in the stalactite with the fresh hot spring pool but with considerably more lavish furnishings. “This would be yours. For when and if you decide to stay.”
“Twenty percent huh?”
“Mmhmm” she answered.
He considered her offer for a moment. A source of income that didn’t involve him crawling through dungeons or sneaking into well guarded locations had some appeal. “We have an accord Zaiwure.”
“Excellent.” she grinned as she closed the door behind them with her tail.
This topic was modified 6 years ago 3 times by Dorym
Topic starter
29/05/2019 9:04 pm
It had been more than half a year since the Freth compound had been leveled to ground. Patrols about the city of Rilauvin seemed to normalize and even the threat of the demonic incursion appeared to have been regulated. Valas studied the tour schedules of the guards, learning their patterns, discerning who was active and who slacked. He was attentive to locations where they would congregate for extended periods. He was careful to time responses to incidents and felt comfortable with his calculations of their potential arrival should an alarm sound. It was his intent though that there would be no alarms. The Ilalykur compound was in an envious location west of the Spider’s Kiss in a wealthy section of the city tucked into the cavern wall somewhat secluded from the rest of the ward. Such was the wealth of the house. It was quite impenetrable from outside the city but Valas was not outside the city. As he moved through the streets, his ring of invisibility hid him from sight. Even so, he kept to the shadows to avoid detection, moving silent as still water. It was sometime after high moon on the surface marked by the magical clock tower in the town square. Humans would have long been asleep. Drow required no such inconvenience. Reverie provided all the rest they needed and even that rarely lasted more than four hours when required. Still many businesses closed and street traffic was at a minimum. Most of the residents retreated to the relative safety of their homes during this time of ‘night’. Valas smirked. There would be no safety for this man despite his best efforts to protect his house. “I want him dead. I want his family dead. His workers dead. Hells kill his dogs too…” Zaiwure’s words echoed in his head. He hoped it wouldn’t come to that. Valas had come to like dogs. His own was unquestionably loyal and attentive…for a hellhound.
He was some distance away from the villa but still able to survey the place. He had spent days observing the compound. Valas had used his hat of disguise to assume the place of workers, infiltrating to learn its layout. He knew exactly how many guards he would encounter. He was aware of scheduled comings and goings and was surprised to learn that in addition to drow soldiers the merchant recently hired on a score of ogres to guard his caravans and accompany him when about the city. Perhaps he felt the larger stronger beasts more capable of safeguarding him. Valas was about to show him that thought was but folly.
The compound was surrounded by ten foot high walls with a singular entry gate centered toward the main of the city. The setback meant less visibility from the street proper though the open path alight with faerie fire made keeping to shadows difficult to say the least. For Valas it was just another protective measure he knew he could easily defeat. There would be two, possibly four guards at the gate but Valas wasn’t entering through the front gate. He made his way along the wall to the area where it buttressed against the southern edge of the stone cavern. A quick jump up and he found himself atop the wall. Valas paused studying the guard just feet away from him… waiting unseen. A quick glance confirmed the next nearest guardsman was out of sight so he dropped down striking quickly. The guardsman was dead instantly and Valas slid him in the corner. He made his way along the wall repeating this action until he was just clear of the guards at the gate. Four he confirmed. He translocated past them and continued along the wall eliminating each guardsman he encountered until he reached the northern edge of the cavern. He moved as quickly as he could as he knew his timing had to be precise if he hoped to avoid a change in guard and potential discovery.
Valas summoned his hellhound. “Keep to the shadows and wait for my signal.” The hound melted into the blackness and out of sight. Valas made his way back to the main gate pausing only to cast an enchantment on a drawn crossbow bolt and load it. He skulked along the wall until he was in range of the guards who were talking quietly amongst themselves unaware of the impending danger glaring at them from the shadows.
Thwak! The bolt pierced the left eye of the furthest guardsman ending his life. The man nearest him screamed…. Nothing. The silence spell cast upon the bolt stole all sound. The hound lunged biting hard, ripping the throat of another as it forced him to the ground. Valas dropped his hand crossbow to draw his shardblade as he pressed his advantage against the two remaining guards. Moving in he cut the man to his right twice as arundar met the flesh in his neck before pushing into his chest. The newly loosed shardblade sliced the leg of the man to his left hobbling him. As the man fell to one knee the assassin watched as his hellhound snapped the guardsman’s face. Valas did him a mercy in finishing him.
“Hide the bodies” he commanded. The hound dutifully obeyed dragging them off into bush and brush. Valas retrieved his crossbow before walking toward a newly constructed small building off to the side of the compound where he knew the ogres would be asleep. As he reloaded the weapon, he cast a second silence incantation on the nocked bolt. He quietly moved through the unlocked barrack into a symphony of snoring and loud body gases. “Savages.” he thought to himself. He walked over to the nearest cot where a bloated gray skinned ogre was deep asleep in an undersized bed of straw and hay. He stunk of rotten onion and moldy cheese. Valas watched him sleep a few seconds. Nose hair bristled and twisted with each breath. Valas found the sight repugnant and could bear it no longer. He ran his Ioun blade across the beast’s throat and it gurgled in silence then died. Valas made his way through the barrack and in short time he was in the company of a dozen corpses.
Exiting the structure he found himself on a cut stone path leading toward a large manor house, home to the merchant who in Valas’ mind had forfeited his life by betraying Zaiwure and the memory of Mistress Freth. There was a single guard at the double doors. He wore ornate drow chainmail. A jeweled sword hung from his hip. His tabard bore the coat of arms of the merchant house. Valas considered this man, thinking he must be more formidable than the others to be trusted with the door. Judging by his garb he was certainly well paid. Valas thought it time to test that worth. With a whispered command he activated his ring and faded from sight. Slowly he crept nearer the guard watching, studying with every step.He was barely a few feet away when he noticed the man was not alone. A dusky red imp sat on a large bell. The creature had a hammer slung across its shoulder and was whispering words in abyssal to his master. “Why the door Narlkos? Always the door. We’re better than that. I say we kill the old codger and take his place.”
The guardsman shook his head. “Time little one. We bide our time. Soon the old man will run the consortium and we’ll be well placed for promotion. Perhaps even be given control of our own company. Surely he’ll have no use for the remnants of what Freth has left behind.”
The imp smiled sarcastically. “I thought you drow were superstitious. Never live in a destroyed house..isn’t that how it goes?”
Narlkos looked scornfully at his companion. “A business is not a house. I’ll gladly choose wealth over old wives tales.”
“Yes…” The imp bounced up and down. “I like wealth.”
The man offered the creature a half smirk then froze as the ioun blade cut through his throat nearly severing his head. The imp raised his hammer to strike the bell only to be taken off the top rail from the impact of Valas’ longknife. Its body shook then shimmered for a moment before it stilled upon the dirt unable to return the the abyss.
Valas inspected the door…..trapped…two in fact. The first was a poison needle hidden in the lock mechanism. Basic. The other could actually be considered quite clever if not for drow levitation. The stone walk had been designed to open into a pit, full of poison spikes he guessed but was not about to trip it to be certain. Once he picked the lock allowing him entry to the dwelling the true massacre began. Hall to hall…room to room. Valas methodically killed everyone he encountered. Silently death crept through the place embracing all it found. Guards and nobles alike. Men, women and children….none were spared. None would go free….lambs to the slaughter. Blood ran like rivulets and streams collecting in small pools behind him. In short time the manor house had become a mausoleum. At last he found himself behind a pair of etched doors. The scent of sweet pipe smoke mixed with the smell of firewood. His hellhound nudged into his thigh as they both listened intently to the conversation just beyond.
Inside a fire crackled softly in the hearth. The room was warm and lighting soft and pleasant. Caltrag Ilalykur smiled wide placing his pipe on a nearby table. “As I expected. Profits have doubled. The extra coin was well invested. Once I assume control of the consortium my profits will double again. Truly the death of Mistress Freth will make me wealthy beyond even my imagination.”
“Excellent my lord.” his aid replied. ‘There is the small matter of the tiefling though. She controls the Freth Trading Company now. Is there enough support to usurp her?”
“Ha!” the wiry old drow laughed. “The half devil?” he shook his head. “No my loyal Zeelin. She lacks the means to hold her position and her influence wanes by the day. Several of the more affluent companies are ready to support my leadership. She’ll be lucky to keep her life let alone her business.”
“Mistress Freth was well respected.” Zeelin Abbyl countered. “Some might say loved by the heads of the other 5 families. Are sure it’s wise to attack her legacy so soon?”
Caltrag scowled. “Did you not hear the part about our profits doubling?.” He waved his hand in irritation. “Be gone. Sometimes I wonder why I keep you around.”
“As you say sir.” Zeelin bowed low and made way for the door as his master reclaimed his pipe and returned to reading his ledger with a childlike excitement in his eyes.
Valas stood to the left of the archway, his hound to the right. As the door opened and Zeelin made to step through, Valas pushed his ioun blade up through the man’s neck and chin into his skull. He barely gasped falling forward into Valas who slid him gently to the floor. Caltrag Ilalykur didn’t take notice.
With the door open his hellhound softly padded into the room. It wasn’t until the beast’s shadow fell upon the old drow that he looked up startled then shrieked. Valas closed the door behind him as the thinly framed merchant turned his head. “ZEELIN!” he yelled.
Valas glared at the man for moment before he calmly responded. ‘Is no longer with us.”
The hound made its way in front of the fire staring menacingly at the merchant then crouched low enjoying the bask of the heat emanating from the flames.
“Guards!!! GUARDS!!!” he screamed.
“I’m afraid they are no longer with us either.” Valas waited while the man yelled and yelled again, panic in his voice, terror in his eyes. The hound seemed amused.
The merchant had drawn his feet up to his chest and sat cradling himself in the oversized chair, the bledger falling to the floor. Panting loudly he croaked. “Who are? Who sent you? Whoever it was I’ll pay double.”
“Double?” Valas asked feigning interest as he smirked behind his hood. The echo of this man’s offer of twice value triggered a memory. He had once before paid this price to make good on his contract to Mistress Freth. He had been warned never to cross her again. Twice was no longer enough.
“Triple even. Please..tell me who you are…what can I do? Surely you have a price!” he whimpered.
Valas edged around so the flicker of firelight kissed him with illumination and drew down his hood. The hilt of the weapon Karis Freth had gifted him exposed to see.
“Shardbearer.” he gasped as all color drained from his face. “No…you were all gone..”
“Not all.” Valas said flatly.
Caltrag scrambled to think, “Your Mistress is dead… work for me.. I’ll pay you.”
“Twice what I’m worth?” Valas cut him off. “And what do you consider my worth?”
The wiry old drow stuttered but couldn’t find an answer.
“Mistress Zaiwure did warn not to cross her again did she not?”
“Mistress? The half devil? You serve it now?”
Valas clenched his teeth and slowly drew his shardblade.
“No..please..wait… I mean no disrespect. Certainly we can do business.” he stammered.
“You tried to ruin Mistress Zaiwure, take what was hers. You broke your contract for a second time and you insult the memory of Karis Freth.” Valas took another step forward.
“Please no!” He yelped…”Anything”. The man was crying.
“Beg me for mercy.”
“I do my lord. I beg your mercy. Please show mercy. I’ll make good. You have my word.”
“Beg me for forgiveness.”
“Forgive my lord. Please.. I beg your forgiveness. Allow me a chance to show your mercy is well placed. Please forgive. I’m a sorry old fool. Forgive…” his voice trailed off.
“Look in my eyes and know that words will not be enough. You wish to live? Then I offer you a choice. Keep your life and the price of your greed shall be the lives of your sons and daughters. Or…Valas produced a vial. Drink this. You will die so they may live.” He reached forward with the poison.
The man took it, his hands shaking terribly. “My life or theirs?”
Valas nodded.
The man looked miserably at the vial in his hand a finger tapped the stopper nervously. He took a deep breath and exhaled sharply. The man lifted the vial and threw it hard into the fire. I choose to live. Kill them all if you will. If they must die so I can be spared so be it. Take them and be gone.” He said with emotion.
Valas stared at the man with unbridled disgust. “Come.” he commanded the hound, she stood and walked toward the door. Valas paused. “You did offer to pay twice?”
The man stared blankly at Valas.
“What is twice the value of their lives…equal value?”
The man blinked confused.
“It would seem if their lives were worth yours….then your life is worth theirs..” Valas turned hurling his shardblade at the merchant pinning the old drow to his chair through his chest as shocked realization flashed across his face. He knelt next to the now dead Caltrag Ilalykur and raised a hand. “Sol.” and his right eye turned purple…..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Zaiwure stood at the head of a long conference table. Gathered about were the heads of the other five major merchant families and a few new up and coming members. Several of the more ‘important’ nobles had taken to bickering and complaining.
“Doesn’t she have any idea? A fat merchant leaned into another.”
“Perhaps old Caltrag hasn’t told her.” a rather wizened female drow scoffed back.
“Thank you all for coming.” Zaiwure began. “I know how busy you all are”
“Not so busy as Lord Ilalykur it seems.” The fat merchant said with some annoyance, waving his hand at an empty chair to Zaiwure’s left.
Several in the room chuckled.
Zaiwure continued, “I know some of you are here out of respect for my former mistress, while others are still true friends to the Freth Trading Company.”
The fat drow coughed.
Zaiwure smiled gently at the man dressed in garish fuschia with wide white ruffles her fangs only just exposed her tail draped over her left wrist. “While others I’m sure are here only to listen to Lord Caltrag Ilalykur’s words and his motion for a vote of no confidence in my leadership and that of the Freth Trading Company.”
Murmurs….
“Allow me to begin with this. I have important new business to discuss and an announcement to make. I’ve recently entered into an arrangement that will secure our place in power, controlling the city’s trade for the foreseeable future. But first I’d like to announce that the Freth Trading Company has taken on a new partner, for a significant stake of ownership in the business. This not so new individual had been with us for some time I and thought it quite appropriate he share in our future successes.”
More murmurs…
“Zaiwure.” the fat merchant said with exasperation in his voice. “Can we just do away with the charades. Everyone here knows you lack the muscle to hold your position. Once Lord Ilalykur arrives we shall vote him in and you out. You must have realized this by now. You can’t be that dim. Why Karis would leave her holdings to one so stupid is beyond me.”
“I’m sorry my good lord Vakoth Tossz. I assumed you were aware he had already arrived.”
A stern looking drow strong of build and of middle age seemed to smirk as she spoke.
“Lord Vandree if you would be so kind as to show Lord Ilalykur in.”
Valas appeared from nowhere… an ornate lidded silver platter in his hand. He placed it in front of the fat merchant.
“Lord Tossz.” she gestured toward the platter. “If you please.”
The fat merchant eyed her warily slowly lifting the cover from the plate with caution, almost as if he expected something to jump out and attack him.
Vakoth Tossz gasped at the sight of the severed head of Caltrag Ilalykur looking up at him with one eye hued an unnatural deep purple.
“Lord Tossz.” Zaiwure said with menace in her voice, “Were you truly so dim to think I was unaware of Caltrag’s plots against me? Could you be so stupid to think that I didn’t know you were in league with him?”
“I…I” the fat merchant stuttered.
“And its “Mistress Zaiwure.”
Valas pushed his ioun blade into the fat man’s left flank just between his sixth and seventh rib killing him instantly.
Zaiwure turned to address the remaining merchant lords and ladies. “If anyone else has a problem with my leadership…Now is the time to speak up!”
The room had gone quiet as a grave.
“Good. I believe you are all familiar with the reputation of Lord Valas Vandree. He’s graciously accepted my offer to become part owner of the company. I’m certain by days end you will all come to understand the full realization of how I plan to handle disloyalty.”
“I’m sure they will.” the well dressed drow sitting to her right said as he stood. “Congratulations Mistress Zaiwure, you hold my full confidences.” The rest of the room echoed his sentiment.
“Thank you Lord Vrammyr.” she said with a smile. “Your good faith has not gone unnoticed.”
As the room cleared Zaiwure approached Valas. Once they were alone she smiled. “That should keep them quiet for a time. Thank you.”
Valas offered her a mischievous grin in return. “You’re welcome..partner.”
Her tail flashed at him snagging him by the sword belt and drawing him close to her. “Something tells me I’m going to enjoy this arrangement.”
Valas smiled. “We’ll see…”
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