There is a knock on the door.

"Two barrels for ye, m'lord?" comes a muffled woman's voice.

"Oh, sod off," the mercenary calls back sourly.

The woman's muffled voice mutters something uncomplimentary as her footsteps disappear once more.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:12, Thu 30 Dec 2021.

Caled hastily stoops to pick up the mercenary's blade, while continuing to keep his own levelled at the man. As soon as he has done this he backs toward Larend.

"Cover him, Falnis," he says as he tosses the man's blade into the corner and sheaths his own. He then sets to tending his injured companion while he repeats his question.

"All right, first of all, where is the boy?"
This message was last edited by the player at 07:11, Thu 30 Dec 2021.

The mercenary watches Falnis approach warily.

"He's in a safe house on the other side of town," he says carefully, "Galnor had him moved there earlier this evening."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:11, Thu 30 Dec 2021.

Caled pauses as he takes hold of the arrow still protruding from Larend and skillfully yanks it out. He then proceeds to unbuckle his friend's bent pauldron.

"And where is this house?" he asks.

"I am happy to take you there," the mercenary replies quickly, "But I need some assurance your varim friend here isn't going to kill me the moment you have what you want."

"I am sure you'd be happy to. I am sure the guards there will also be happy to rescue you and kill the boy once you raise the alarm-- assuming he is there at all," Falnis agrees pleasantly. "After all, your track record of successfully doing for other people what you tell them you will do for them leaves much to be desired... or so I understand from the Lady Veldorn."

OOC: Dalmar Argant rolled 42 using 1d20+27.  Bluff Check.
Dalmar Argant rolled 14 using 1d20.  Sense Motive Check.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:12, Fri 22 Mar 2019.

The mercenary looks tempted to defend himself with regard to his track record, but realises alluding to any potential agreements he may have made with the varim may not be appreciated by the latter.

"I will not alert the guards," he replies, feigning indignance, "How about a deal? Once the boy is delivered safe and unharmed into your care you allow me to also go free and unharmed?"

He gets the impression that his awareness of this fact may indeed be beneficial to his long-term health.

"That seems fair," Falnis allows, with an inquiring look at Caled.

Caled does not look convinced.

"And what is to stop you from running off to Galnor Veldorn and warning him of our coming?" he asks suspiciously, "And where is he?" he adds after a moment.

He has finished removing the torn chain shirt from Larend's shoulder and proceeds to tear off fabric lengths from the bed sheet to bandage his friend.

OOC: Caled Aravor rolled 19 using 1d20+5. Treat Injury.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:44, Wed 27 Mar 2019.

"Galnor? No idea," replies the mercenary unhelpfully, "As for my not betraying you, I assume that 'my word' will not be sufficient?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:47, Wed 27 Mar 2019.

"It wouldn't, but it hardly matters. Once we have the boy, Caled, I highly doubt it will matter if Galnor Veldorn knows."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:36, Fri 22 Mar 2019.

"Very well," Caled replies slowly, "You will accompany us out of the town once the boy is rescued. Once we are out of sight of the walls, we shall drop you off and you can make your way back on foot. That way we can be sure you won't be able to make trouble for us the moment you are free."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:47, Wed 27 Mar 2019.

The mercenary frowns, but then shrugs.

"Agreed."

"We may also knock you out, just to be safe," Falnis adds, clearly not thinking much of a plan that requires Lyria to ride next to Tared for a good hour or two, and then leave Tared free to make whatever reports he wants to about that.

"And get finished off by the first passing footpad? I think not," the mercenary replies coldly.

"Perhaps a better plan would simply be to leave him knocked out or tied up in the room," Caled says thoughtfully after a moment, "Either way it gives us the time we need to locate Galnor before he escapes."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:56, Fri 22 Mar 2019.

"We had reached an agreement..." the mercenary mutters, but not loud enough for Caled to hear.

"You do have a point," Falnis (whose hearing is much better) allows. "Though I was hoping you would overlook that little detail."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:50, Fri 22 Mar 2019.

Caled, following the gist of this if not the particulars, opens his mouth, then closes it and shrugs.

"Very well," he says, rising and assisting Larend to do the same, "Lead us to this safe house. Oh, and where's that youth who led us in here?" he adds after a moment, frowning.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:53, Fri 22 Mar 2019.

"Oh, he's no one," the mercenary replies a little too quickly, "Just a local lad I paid a geld to keep an eye out for knights entering the tavern."

OOC: Tared Garn rolled 13 using 1d20+3. Bluff.

Caled raises a skeptical eyebrow.

"I see. Well, I want you to find him and have him accompany us, just to be on the safe side."

OOC: Caled Aravor rolled 17 using 1d20+5. Sense Motive.

"May I suggest an alternative? Since I am sure our friend here will have no objection to simply giving us directions to where the boy is being held now, why don't you stay here and tend to your friend, and I will rescue the boy alone and report back to you? I think we've established just how much use you are likely to be in a fight; if I go without you, I may be able to get in and out without the need to fight anyone at all."

Caled ignores the reference to his performance in the recent sortie.

"That will not be necessary," he replies, "We need to track down that youth anyway, and remaining here hardly seems wise."