A'kos moves swiftly forward and let's fly a punch to the man's chin...hard enough to rock him, but not to kill.

He leans down, says, "I've no doubt that punches and kicks are not what you fear worst...but we've assembled enough folk with varied skills to test the limits of your perserverence.  Now answer the question."

A'kos's move surprised Loukas. So much so, that for a moment he simply paused and considered the Magyar's punch as a professional. It was only a snap second later that it occurred to him that he ought not to be giving advice on unarmed combat and he moved forward, "That is enough of that, A'kos. Our guest has been involved enough of these sorts of meetings to understand what he is up against.

"And knowing this he knows that physical pain is not the worst of his concerns."

Turning to Nicophorus, "Now, getting back to the issue of spellcasters in the Imperial Court. I did not ask whether or not he has them, nor how many he has, but whom the most powerful of them are. I want their names. And, of course, the Regent asked of the Imperial Intelligence service...."

He looks at him intently, "Please, understand, man, that you have no advantage here. You will give us the information we ask for without any more foolishness. In return we shall protect you from John.

"If you do not cooperate, let me explain what will happen... We will help John understand that you have given us information. That you were complicit in the destruction not only of his fleet, but his pet the Khan of the Pechenegs and the vast army that our much smaller army destroyed. And then we shall put you somewhere where his agents will easily find you and ensure that they do. Regardless, our actions hereafter will have a signature that indicates they will have been done with your assistance.

"Do you understand what I am saying? You will either cooperate and live out your days peaceably or you will spend them running from the Master you have served so ably up to now."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:27, Sun 23 Dec 2012.

Nicephorus looks up from the ground at both Loukas and A'Kos and scowls. He turns his head to the side and spits some blood and a tooth onto the floor of the Regents hall and says..."You might as well just kill me now then."

Loukas sighs as he looks at Nicephorus's tooth. Looking up with a somewhat apologetic look on his face, "Oh, dear. You really do not understand. We are not going to kill you. My Magyar friend has a rather harsh temper and I apologize for his slap.

"No. We are going to keep you very much alive. You see, sir, you underestimated us long ago and since that time not only have we become rather better at survival and expanded our abilities in general, we have gained friends who have significant powers.

"Powers that give us certain capabilities that you do not not know about. For example, I remind you again of what has occurred in the last week.

"So, here is what shall occur: you will either share with us the information we want or we shall take actions on the basis of the information we already bear and make it seem as if we gained this with your assistance. I am quite serious that while we are set upon destroying John we want to do so thoroughly. It is not enough that he merely dies... He must be perceived as a failure to history."

Loukas smiles and continues, "Do not misunderstand, we do not keep you alive because we like you or wish you any sort of good feeling. No. We are going to use our powers in a rather subtle manner and in doing so we shall make it seem to any who were your friends before you boarded the ship we took from you a few days ago that you have acted in concert with us. That you have been disloyal or maybe merely stupid..."

Holding up a hand, "I will admit that this plan is just coming together. Our actions from here very much depend upon what we get from you. It is really just a matter of how you wish to spend the rest of your life. I assure you that while A'kos has a definite opinion upon how we should deal with you and that would very much suit your own desires, he is alone in this.

"No, sir, I pledge to protect you. I will make your life long. If you assist us the Emperor will learn of your death and we shall move you to some place comfortable and safe for you to finish your years. If you do not assist us, the Emperor will hear a story something along the lines of your having joined the Knyaz and sworn to him. We have a few options before us that will end in some horrible surprises for the Emperor and we will leave sufficient clues that these actions were a result of your scheming. Obviously, at this point I will have failed to make your life long, but I shall have made your reputation last long....

"Is this clearer? I am not toying with you. I am not your friend. I hate you, but I respect you. You have no option here. Either you cooperate or your former Master will believe you cooperated and until you are eventually killed by him we shall do our best to keep Him focused on your treachery."

He turns to the Miroslav, "Perhaps our guest should be given some time to consider matters?"

Miroslav stands and picks up Nicephorus by the back of his collar and shoves him towards the guards..."Throw him back in his cell for the time being."

Once Nicephorus has been taken away he looks at A'Kos and says..."I have refrained from smashing his face thus far. I am glad you gave in and hit him...it looked satisfying."

"So we know Basil is being groomed to be his successor. My suspicion is that Nicephorus himself was the head of John's intelligence community. We have the man we need right here, getting him to talk may be another matter. We will give him a while to ponder Loukas's offer though...any other suggestions short of full on torture?"

"It may be no small surprise that I have some talents that might convince him to tell us what we want to know without even hurting him. In fact he will think that telling us is in his own best interest. I suggest that several of you accompany me to see him and we can get this over with without much effort. If I fail then surely Balthazar has such magic at his disposal as well and he can try."

Loukas rubs his forehead and considers, "I don't think we need rush things here. Let him stew in matters this night. Miroslav is right, though, Nicophorus is head of John's Intelligence service. He is as much to blame for the crimes committed against us as John is... I would like to break him and cause him to cooperate and then you and Balthazar may confirm whatever he gives us using your abilities."

"Check him for poison so that he does not kill himself," remarks A'kos candidly.  "And double the watch - assassins can find their ways into the tiniest of cracks.  This, I know..."

"Good point about doubling the guard, A'kos, though if had poison he would have used it already. We need to be certain that he can not kill himself any other way."

"He would not have killed himself if he thought escape was still possible," A'kos replied with a shrug, confused that Loukas would actually find the one thing to argue about in his statement just so he could counter it.

Boris, the Voevoda (Regent, might as well start using the actual correct term.) loyal retainer or Druzhinnik, nods his head and begins to walk off in the direction that Nicephorus was taken..."I will personally see that the prisoner remains safe from others and himself."

Loukas nods when the Druzhinnik goes to oversee Nicephorus's security. With Boris handling this duty he felt confident that whatever the out of shape, middle-aged bureaucrat got up to, it would be well managed. That is not to say that he is completely relaxed, after all, underestimating the enemy was the quickest way to get beaten. This was why he had appreciated A'kos's agreed with concerns about this stuff.
Wait, what was that he just thought about underestimating an enemy? "An old spy is still a spy!", he heard in his Uncle's voice.

"So, we have nothing to do but wait, then. Anyone up for a game of chess?"

"Suggestive spells are definitely the way to go here."

Dyanna flashes a warm smile at Balthazar and says,

Balthazar has the right of it. Why do we need to wait for anything? We can get the information we need out of him in a matter of minutes with his full cooperation. Why do you feel the need to wait?"

"Because I want to see if he can be broken. This man has been at the center of every plot aimed at us. I know we may use your powers to take the information we want from him, but I want him to give it to us willingly. If we were in a true rush for the information this would be a waste of time, but since we are not I wish to punish the man who killed my uncle, would have killed me, and the rest of the Fellowship."

He looks around his face more serious than it has been in a very long time, "Nicephorus knows this game my friends and we need to convince him that we know it as well."

"Mmm, I understand your desire to draw this out," A'kos said.  "Yet Dyanna and the Hedonite have the right of it, I believe.  The sooner done, the better...for a multitude of reasons."

Loukas shrugs his shoulders, "Reasons such as? We have days , if not weeks advantage and already decided that our purpose is to find ways to begin dismantling the confidence the Greeks have in John. This is a long term game unless we are able to know the precise questions to ask or suggestions to make to inspire Nicephorus to tell us everything we need to know."

He looks at Balthazar and Dyanna, "We did not begin this day  with this plan, so are you certain that you have the correct spells and quantities of them memorized for our interrogation? As we've said, this one is experienced in the use (or working with those who use) these spells. He is likely to know they've been used....

"Look, I realize that this is beginning to sound like my own vengeance scheme -- and I admit that this is most of my intent -- but I think we err if we rush things unnecessarily. Miroslav has agreed so far and as he is Voevoda. If he changes his mind that will settle matters and I shall abide."

"I care not," shrugs A'kos.  "My concern is chiefly that cells are not impregnable, and either escape or assassination seem likely.  John has agents everywhere...the sooner we get what we need to at least begin implementing a strategy, the better."

"It has hardly been five days since we captured him. As far as the Emperor knows he is dead and while you are probably quite correct that Nicephorus has/had agents here, and were wise to remind us of this for Boris to attend, do you think John has the means of immediate communication with all of them? Byzantium is weeks distant, their fleet destroyed, and the Master of His Intelligence service missing in action.

"Those magi in His Court may be powerful, but the power you suggest would have to be either impeccably prepared for this situation or godly. "

"I know nothing of 'power' such as you use the term," murmured A'kos stoically.  "If we are able to peer into his own throne room, however, I must believe John can reach out to any of his minions should cause arise.  Once we opened that window through the mirror we immediately put his spy in peril."

"Frankly, I cannot see why you would argue this point.  Nothing ever has been gained by waiting...and far more has been lost by delay.  But...as I said, I care not.  If Nicephorous is slain in his cell, or finds the means to flee then we will climb ahorse, and ride somewhere to regain the upper hand.  A far more exciting option to me than sitting and hiding in our own fortress..."

Loukas raises an eyebrow, "Will it seem a surprise if I don't give a damn for your 'excitement'? I've made my case about what we should do. My point is that this is the right time to wait and we ought to do so. I'm not suggesting we do nothing for months. I'm saying that we give the man a night to consider the threats made and the realities of his situation.

"That said, it is Miroslav's decision. If he disagrees with me then he will say and we will see what Balthazar and Dyanna may do today."

Again, A'kos is taken aback by Loukas vehemence...yet again he remains stoic in his reply.

"You react angrily to what is only modest and cautious counsel," he replies.  "I fail to see the heart of your anger - I am not, after all, the enemy.  And 'tis not only my counsel that suggests we move with mindful haste - such was given by Dyanna, Balthazar as well.  For my part such counsel is fueled by the belief that the Emperor will move swiftly in retaliation, and it will not be with armies this next time."

"Your anger, your ardor surely cannot be against me?" he continues rhetorically, showing some of the political seasoning reputed to run deep in his family.  "If so, then any offense I've given surely was unintended.  But I wonder if really, as you've already hinted, your own agenda of vengeance perhaps is coloring your vision.  As for me, I will abide Miroslav's words either way...but heed me, Loukas, 'tis not only me voicing this suggestion, so point your ire elsewhere..."

A'kos settles himself then on a nearby stool, his elbow resting upon a knee, his chin upon his closed fist as he awaits further word from Miro.

"I have the spell to charm an individual into trusting friendship memorized.  I do not know the spell of suggestion, but I'm hoping Dyanna does."

Miroslav rubs his bearded chin for a moment as he is lost in thought..."We will let him stew for the night but in the morning we will let Dyanna and Balthazar have him."