Re: Meetings in the Palace
The Dwarf Metal Band, after much discussion, settle on Diamond Hammer as their name, and start reviewing and practicing with Phileas and Rory. They show off their traditional Dwarven instruments, which include rocks enchanted with a variant of the magic used to create “Thunderstones” that give a loud, clear sound when struck. Rory has much work to do- many of the lyrics the Dwarves know are a little too “Dwarfy”, and need to be adjusted for the wider audience of Lucimburic.
And there are still others to audition and schedule.
There is a girl so thin and frail looking that she seems like she could blow away in a strong wind… but she sings, and her voice is clear and strong and honey-sweet… Phileas puts her in the lineup at once.
Rory recalls her, vagues. Cirrus… somewhere they met, and Cado wanted her for the traveling show, but Cirrus had other plans.
And Phileas Argentos has an idea.
“We have a wide open plaza with a large crowd,” he says. “The acoustics are terrible. But her voice.. there is some magic involved, I’m sure of it. Her voice will carry through anything. With her… and with Diamond Hammer… this could be the over-the-top main event we really need.”
* * * * * * *
Meanwhile...
Tawna is not the only one with things to add to the negotiation. Texxor has his own. They can use a chapel in the palace for a wedding… but there is one more thing. Tawna is invited to a “security discussion” and asked to bring her uncle- and other Wereweasels. There may be a job for them.
So Tawna and Haakon come back later, with help.
Their meeting place isn’t in the palace proper, but in Texxor’s private conference room in the Lucimburic Guards’ Barracks, which is reached from the palace by way of a bridge.
Kyriel and Ali’cor are invited, and Texxor is the one in charge. Ovo and Cirostis may be there. There are also several of his palace guards in attendance, as well as Haakon and Tawna a small pack of Wereweasels, including “Uncle Wallis”.
Texxor presents the information, repeating mostly what Tawna told him about bounties on Aelasuria and Theoderic, and the discovery of a small Vulturegryph in the palace tower. It was that last discovery that moved him to action- the Vulturegryph is not a naturally occurring animal. The chances are high that the creature was sent here as some kind of spy.
But first, he wants to know from the Wereweasels if there has been any word of a bounty, other than what they heard from Kyriel.
Wallis stands up to speak. His beady black eyes take in the group before he starts.
“Your most toothy generalship, you know that there is little that happens here in darkness that we don’t know about, sooner or later, especially if it concerns gold being paid for some nefarious deeds. But no one has made us any offers.”
The other wereweasels confirm that this has been their experience as well.
“Nor have I encountered it on our travels,” Tawna says.
“I would suggest one of several explanations,” Wallis continues. “If one wishes someone killed by elite assassins, one does not simply declare a bounty. That’s foolish!”
“How so?” Texxor asks.
Wallis takes a breath. He reminds himself that Wereweasels may know about how the business of assassination works, but not Werewolves, who are so much more direct when it comes to violence. “You see, sir, a bounty attracts all manner of opportunistic, less precise… ahh… idiots. Amateurs. Against a king, sir, especially one like Theoderic, they are almost bound to fail, and they will get in the way of more capable killers, spoiling their efforts. No, the wise thing to do to would be to quietly employ a hand picked hunter, or group.”
“Then why the bounty?”
“Ahh. Well, there are other explanations. It may be simply a reaction out of frustration. It may be a move calculated to keep Theoderic from freely moving about in Gaul… which was where this bounty was announced, yes?”
So you do not think there is any danger?” Texxor asks.
Wallis shakes his head. “I said almost bound to fail, your wolf-y-ness. It has been my experience that opportunistic idiots can do surprising things. There is certainly a chance that some eager gold chaser has come here for Gaul, hoping for his chance.
"Do you have recommendations?" asks Texxor.
The Wereweasel shrugs. "If we were considering an attack by professionals, we would have many suggestions. Against idiots, I am afraid Wereweasels are less well skilled.”