Chapter 3: The Enemy Within

[Jeremy]

Goran is bedded down for the night. He will take the next 'shift' at guard when awoken.

---

Sorry I don't have more, but it seems like a quiet time on deck.

[Jeff]

Sar, the 7th of Rhaan 998 YK

When you wake—at your various times—you find that the Thunderhead is moving slower than usual, and when you emerge from your cabins you can see why. The ship has reached the Whisper Woods and now glides along the treeline, moving westward. Ralsor had risen early and re

Ralsor's proposed shift systems went well. At least, in that nothing unpleasant happened and no one, on their watch, observed anything more than the night sky and whatever fragments of the Twelve Moons were visible.

In the early morning, the last of the food is gathered together for breakfast. Misha remains almost conspicuously absent, but Ralsor doesn't seem concerned so you assume she's holed herself up somewhere.

"All right. We need to talk about what's going to happen tomorrow. I must, of course, remain with the Thunderhead, or else the ship won't be going anywhere. Mist is my security, so she needs to stay to help guard the ship, in the even that we are discovered. Lever, too. Miss Fherina....I assume you don't consider yourself an expeditionist?"

The gnome seems torn on the matter, as if wanting to see dangerous things but not wanting to be too near to them. "Umm, no," she says in a small voice after a moment's pause.

Ralsor looks to the rest. "How do you want to do this?"

[Darren]

"As you say, Captain, Mist, Lever, and Fherina will stay aboard the ship with you. The rest of us are going down to the obelisk to check out the surrounding area and see if we can't line anything up with that map we've got. Try to stay low to the ground where we can get to you, but if trouble comes your way, take to the sky and try to come back when you can. If we're not back by nightfall, head for the sky and come back down in the morning. If we need to, we'll try to signal you by some sort of flare shot into the sky." Kal shoves a forkful of food into his mouth. "First thing's first, though," he says around a mouthful. Swallowing, he rises from the table and says, "Has our Captain Relith awoken, yet? I want to speak with him before we head to the ground."

[Josh]

Grafth merely nods at Kalarian's plan of action. "Do not forget that Pel must still be guarded for the time being. I assume that Mist can take care of this without difficulty."

[Ken]

Belarin says with a smile, "A couple of things I'd like to mention: First, breakfast was outstanding! If Misha is responsible for any of this, pass along my compliments, Captain. I half-expect she'll utter some unspeakable curse in reply, but I get the feeling she's not used to hearing compliments from the passengers. I enjoy making someone's day brighter ... unless they annoy me.

"Second, the stone of the Shadow does contain magic within -- not 'By the Host, we're all going to die!!!' magic, as far as I can tell," he mimes a look of horror at some unseen behemoth, "but I can take a closer look once we're back on the ground.

"Third, Lord Kalarian, that's a fetching sword you're wearing. Why, it looks remarkably like Captain Relith's!" The smile fades into a knowing smirk. "By all means, let's question him -- I wanted him kept alive for that reason, after all -- but I think you'll get further if you don't insult his warrior's pride by openly displaying his own weapon."

[Darren]

"Belarin, my friend," Kal says with a wide grin, "it is exactly his warrior's pride that I hope to offend. However helpful he may have been, he's still an agent of the Emerald Claw."

[Jeff]

Mist readily agrees to continue to guard Pel, as needed, as long as someone is able to relieve her from time to time.

With breakfast out of the way, those who wish to participant in discussions with Captain Relith are able to do so. Ralsor, possessing the only key to the makeshift "brig," goes to the door, unlocks, and allows the daylight to shine in.

The Captain is bound with rope, and is still in his armor. He looks battered indeed, but quite conscious. He squints up at his captors.

Who approaches?

________________________________

Bear in mind that the cabin is relatively small. Unless you wish to be part of the discussion, you will most likely need to stand in the hall to bear witness.

[mike]

Torhak stands outside the "brig", ready to listen closely to the interrogation of the Captain.

[Darren]

Kalarian stands in the doorway with his arms folded, the light at his back allowing only his sillhouete to be seen by Captain Relith. "Good morning, Captain," he begins. "We're both warriors, so I won't linger on pleasantries. Let's just start with what you and your men were doing here, and why they turned on you, shall we?"

[Ken]

Belarin, who had earlier said he wanted to participate, follows Kalarian, feeling that his presence may avoid any false preambles from Relith.

He gives Relith a curt nod of acknowledgement. "And I'm grateful for that interruption, Captain, believe me," he calls out from behind Kal. "But these strange fellows who showed up don't seem to appreciate that. Shocking as this may sound, they've had some issues with the Claw! I've vouched for your valor, and they've healed your wounds,* but such charity demands compensation. You'd best answer his questions."

*OOC: Yes, I know Relith didn't receive any healing. Belarin is fibbing.

[Jeff]

Let's just start with what you and your men were doing here, and why they turned on you, shall we?"

Captain Relith squints back at Kal, trying to take his measure. "Actually, let's start with introductions, as I don't know with whom I am speaking. My name is Captain Relith of Rekkenmark..." He looks down at the ropes, which Ralsor himself had tied. "...And I seem to have made a bad impression with you and your companions, that you would bind me so."

_______________________

So Kal is wearing the Rekkenmark blade openly?

[Marcy]

Late to the game, but...

Charis stands outside with Torhak, wanting to hear, but not interested in interacting with the Captain directly.

[Darren]

It's on his belt, yes.

Kal smiles, but it's not friendly. "Excellent. Now I know who you are. But then, I knew that already, didn't I? You are tied up because you are a member of the Emerald Claw. Now that we have that out of the way, you can answer my question. What were you doing and why did your men turn on you?"

[Jeff]

The older man nods solemnly. "Because I am a member of the Claw. I see. We're done speaking then, boy." There is utter disgust in his voice. He says nothing more to Kal.

"Belarin," he starts again, squinting in the other man's direction. "It is good to see you alive still. I'm...sorry things didn't work out...as I expected them to. I take it my former subordinates are well and truly dead?"

Charis, standing in the hall beside Torhak, hears the footfalls of Misha. She turns to see the Karrn approach. The woman's expression is guarded, but she seems interested in the interrogation.

Meanwhile, Matheu appears before Grafth, Streko, and Goran. It's the first time they've seen him since last night.

I am undecided, whether to remain with this ship or observe your adventure along the forest this day. That's all he says.

[Darren]

"Yes, Captain," Kalarian says, the word dripping with sarcasm, "I suppose we are done, then. Stay here where you belong, you Claw bastard, and rot." Kal slams the door, once again plunging Relith's room into darkness. He turns to find Misha standing behind him, and says loud enough to be heard through the door, "Feed him, if you'd like, but I wouldn't waste the food." Kal then gives a wink and a grin to the rest of the group and motions for them to move to the hatch that will give them access to the ground.

[Marcy]

May 27, 2008 19:46:03 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal slams the door, once again plunging Relith's room into darkness.

Charis gives Kal an odd look.

"Ummm...isn't Belarin still in there? Alone, in the dark, with the prisoner? Is that really...wise?"

[Ken]

OOC: Yes indeed, Belarin is still inside. Dark or not, it doesn't really matter to him.

"That went about as well as I expected," says Belarin softly, "but there was no point in telling that to his Lordship. In our short acquaintance, I've found him ... temperamental. Deliciously unstable at times!" He smiles. "No telling what could happen....

"So..." he turns to the bound Relith. "Yes, your other soldiers died. Their decision to defy you and side with those grey-cloaked fiends was their final mistake. Who were they? You seemed to know them, but you were also surprised to see them. And why did they suddenly decide to slay the lot of us? Not only was that rude, but also ridiculously wasteful considering the amount of time and effort spent to get us to that spot!

"I know you have family. And I appreciate you trying to save the ... well, I was going to say 'innocents' but that didn't really seem appropriate for our lot, does it? Hmph! I'm a stranger to these vicious vagabonds, yet they've taken a liking to me. They kept you alive on my word, and I believe I can negotiate for your freedom ... but only if you give me information about that location and those people."

[Darren]

Kal lowers his voice so as not to be heard through the door. Once again smiling, he says, "Of course, my dear. He obviously will trust Belarin, and I've now set him up as the 'good watchman', if you will. It's really elementary interrogation technique...."

[Marcy]

May 27, 2008 23:05:42 GMT -4 Darren said:

"He obviously will trust Belarin, and I've now set him up as the 'good watchman', if you will. It's really elementary interrogation technique...."

Charis returns the smile, though her own is a trifle strained. When she speaks, her voice is pitched low, so no one beyond the door will hear.

"No need to be condescending, Deneith. We're well acquainted with...interrogation...in Thrane, as I'm sure your shifter friend could tell you. It was a reasonable question; given what I've seen of your temper thus far, your slamming the door closed with no regard for who was still inside seemed just as likely -- if not more so -- than your having cooked up some scheme with Belarin prior to questioning the prisoner."

Charis gives him an appraising look.

"Perhaps there is more to you than meets the eye, after all."

[Jeff]

You can hear the very slight murmur of soft conversation*—between Belarin and Relith—behind the brig door.

_______________________________________

* Which will take place exclusively in Belarin's private area.

[Josh]

I am undecided, whether to remain with this ship or observe your adventure along the forest this day. That's all he says.

"A sentiment I believe all of us have shared at some point in the past week," says Grafth lightheartedly, "I personally would regret your departure, but I'm sure you have more important matters to attend."

The shifter sits in silence for a moment. Knowing how his compatriots' interrogations tend to turn out, he feels no need to observe directly.

[mike]

"I also hope that your methods work, Kalarian," says Torhak. "Myself, I do not trust such convoluted schemes. I prefer more direct ways of asking questions."

"But as long as Belarin gets the answers we seek, I shall defer to your judgment."

[Jeff]

Kal, Torhak, and Charis hear a loud knock—three times—on the door to Captain Relith's brig. Then Belarin's muffled voice. "Hello? Could one of you brigands open the door, please? It's very dark and I can't tell how handsome I am today!"

[mike]

Torhak opens the door.

"The light is better above decks," he says to Belarin. "Shall we go?"

[Ken]

Squinting a bit as he steps into the hallway, Belarin closes the door behind him and says to Torhak, "Excellent idea!" He moves past Kal, Charis, and Torhak and leads the way back to the upper deck to rejoin the others.

Once he has everyone's attention, he says, "Well, that worked out nicely, even if it was improvised." He raises an eyebrow at Kal. "We're certainly at the right spot ... at least as far as your quest is concerned. Captain Relith was ordered to bring myself and my deceased colleagues to Shadowcrest Manor. Wonderfully dark name, no? And quite appropriate! It's the current base of operations for -- wait for it -- the ir'Turian house. It used to be the family's summer retreat, which is another appropriate word since they retreated there after the family came into disrepute. Heh. That's funny. Alvek ir'Turian is now the family's leader, at least as far as Relith knows.

"The captain was told to bring us to this spot and wait for a messenger to guide us the rest of the way to Shadowcrest Manor. And then those things in the grey cloaks showed up. ...yes, yes, I'm getting to that.... Relith doesn't know what they were and he was clearly repulsed by their actions. He believes that Alvek sent them, but that's likely conjecture on his part.

"As I mentioned earlier, Relith is a Karnaathi patriot and a soldier. A slaughter like last night's was against his principles, and he did try to stop it. His fellow soldiers, however, lacked his scruples and turned against him.

"Relith believes the grey-cloaked sorcerers came on foot, so Shadowcrest must be nearby. Perhaps we can backtrack their steps? Could be exciting! And very illuminating, especially if the family is also involved in the crimes in the Reaches.

"One last thing..." He addresses Ralsor and Kal specifically. "I know that you've had many troubles with the Emerald Claw lately. By Bonescrape's bloody jest, who hasn't? Ha! But don't paint them all with the same brush. Relith can be reasoned with. He didn't have to tell me this, but he's clearly disgusted by what those fiends did below, and he wants answers, too. He says he's willing to assist us if we grant him a safe release once we're done."

[mike]

"Backtracking their steps is an excellent plan," Torhak says. "Our path seems clear. To Shadowcrest we go."

The dwarf looks at Belarin. "We should scout the manor once we get there ... but perhaps a ruse might help us gain entry. Would you care to still be a prisoner of the Emerald Claw, good sir, should the need arise?"

[Darren]

"You'll pardon me for not trusting members of the Claw and taking them at their word," Kalarian says. "I've seen how they infiltrate even those who seem most uncorruptable and how they keep their word. Relith may have been an honorable man at one time, but anyone who is from Rekkenmark should know better than to align themselves with scum like the Emerald Claw. I don't believe their intentions are ever noble, and despite Relith's disgust at the actions of the gray-cloaked sorcerers, the truth of the matter is he was still working for Malov, whether intentionally or not. All Relith has won himself, so far, is that we won't kill him right away. We'll see how much farther his usefulness extends."

Kal takes a moment, seeming to clear his mind of Relith. "Okay, we should see if we can find this Shadowcrest Manor. I wonder if it is what is referenced on our 'map'. Goran, can we see that again?"

[Jeff]

"I personally would regret your departure, but I'm sure you have more important matters to attend."

Matheu listens to Belarin's account from Captain Relith, then looks back to Grafth. I only mean that I could remain with the ship as it waits for you, or I could accompany the scouting party. I could also search for this 'Shadowcrest Manor' from the air, but if I happen to be spotted, you may wish to consider the consequences of your enemy thinking you are allied with a dragon of Argonnessen.

In any case, I have not yet decided my course.

[Ken]

May 28, 2008 14:01:08 GMT -4 @Torhak said:

The dwarf looks at Belarin. "We should scout the manor once we get there ... but perhaps a ruse might help us gain entry. Would you care to still be a prisoner of the Emerald Claw, good sir, should the need arise?"

"Considering that those two from Shadowcrest tried to incinerate me, my continued existence might not be looked on with great favor, friend Torhak," says Belarin. "And I wasn't a prisoner, actually -- I was hired labor! I get the feeling that the ir'Turians wanted to eliminate anyone connected to the forgeries and smuggling going on around here. Or perhaps use us for the 'experiments' that Charis here heard mention of.

"But that reminds me... it's been many hours since our battle. Those at the manor will certainly be on guard at this point. Captain Relith may come in quite useful here...." He grins broadly. "...or perhaps someone disguised as Captain Relith, the sole survivor of the attack, looking for shelter. I'd be willing to do that -- unless Lord Kalarian succumbs to a frenzied seizure and madly attacks me because I'm wearing an Emerald Claw uniform. You really should seek some treatment for that malady, m'lord!

"In any event, yes, let's see if the tracks coincide with this 'map' of yours." He suddently takes a stumbling step. "Woooo ... too much planning.... When do we start?"

[Josh]

He believes that Alvek sent them, but that's likely conjecture on his part.

Grafth listens to Belarin's report with interest, "Hmm... if it was the captain's duty to bring your group to Shadowcrest Manor, it seems unlikely that Alvek would have then sought the group's premature demise. Did Relith say that Alvek put him to the task?

"None of this seems to explain Charis's circumstance, either. Perhaps it was mere coincidence that brought her here... there are certainly strange things afoot in the Whisper Woods."

At Torhak's suggestion, the shifter nods, "It shouldn't be too difficult for Goran and myself to find a trail, now that we have daylight on our side."