Previous Gallilei and Jhereg file.
Ed.K:
Careful what's spoken and what isn't here. Only the last word is aloud, all else is hidden behind a poker face that's had 20 centuries worth of practice.
Narrator:
It's Elisabeth who has trouble walking. After a quick conference with her ladies in wait, Hesketh scoops her up and carries her. Kel motions at a few guards and the group sets off, back to the center of the camp. Gallilei finds the minor moon as he walks - it's not yet midnight - there will be many hours until daylight.
Gallilei goes to seek out Jhereg. Now, while the Stanley's are desirous of quiet time, will be a good time to attend to business. He finds Jhereg, also walking toward the center of camp. He takes a moment to walk quietly alongside for a moment is all it takes to realize that Jhereg was not especially close to any of the deceased.
Gallilei: [motions away from camp]
Shall we walk?
Jhereg:
Now?
Gallilei:
Right now, your guests desire time alone. Later, you may be able to aid them. Therefor, now is the logical time for this.
Jhereg: [mild sarcasm]
Logical.
Narrator:
A few minutes pass while the two of them walk out of the camp and into the small stand of trees where Gallilei had slept the night before. Jhereg stops a couple of times to bring a guard or some such, only to be waved off by Gallilei. The Elder said they would be alone, and alone they shall be. Jhereg does have a short conference with one man before he leaves.
Finally, they arrive, a nice dark spot in the trees.
Gallilei: [Old Elf, firm, clear voice]
Greetings, O Walker in Shadows! Elder Gallilei and Jhereg await your return.
Jhereg:
Now what?
Gallilei:
Now, I assume, we wait.
Narrator:
In less than a minute they both hear the sounds of underbrush taking weight where before there was nothing. Each turns and in the dark of a shadow there stands a very small morkon, crossbow up, aimed, and ready.
Shadow Walker:
Elder. Jhereg, son of Rabban, of the tribe of McMannon. If you would grant me the safety, I would deliver a message.
Gallilei: [cautiously but firmly]
Granted.
Shadow Walker:
No disrespect, Elder, but my message is for Jhereg. It is up to him to decide if you would hear it too.
Narrator:
Jhereg makes a very polite request and Gallilei moves off. Jhereg's not sure if Gallilei can hear at this range or not. Jhereg knows that he could, but this is not the time or place to make an issue of it. A millennia old elf should understand risk-management. If not, the leading cause of death in Elders is making a mistake in judgment.
Jhereg nods towards the morkon. The morkon's features are hard to make out, given that most of his face is concealed by the crossbow.
Shadow Walker:
My apologies for talking with this in my face and the threatening posture, but my work is dangerous. Rest assured that if my mission were to deliver death, there would already be a body.
Jhereg: [unspoken]
Yes, I am sure there would be. But whose?
Shadow Walker:
There are many factions involved in this matter, Jhereg.
Gallilei: [unspoken]
Oh boy.
Shadow Walker:
One of them has purchased my services to deliver to you this message. They would like you to be aware that there are players besides Windwalker and Wood, and their minions.
Gallilei: [unspoken]
Unlikely that it is humans. They'd not have ready access to the Morkons, and there'd be no need to lift the curse if they already had possession of the castle. That leaves....Drow. It would fit, we know they are dealing with the Morkons and the enchantment is likely human-specific.
Shadow Walker:
In particular, those who hold the castle now would like to work out a mutually satisfactory arrangement between themselves and you over the future of the castle and the lands about it.
Gallilei: [unspoken]
I'm sure they would.
If I'm right, this will actually be useful. "Won't let the humans have it? Would you rather the Drow keep it?" That will be a fun hand to play.
Shadow Walker:
They have paid half of my fee in advance should you like to return a message to them. If you have words for them, the cost to you is half my weight in silver, call it twenty pounds, paid to the guildmaster at the Traveling Anchor house in Ridenour. Tell him it is for the special evening message delivery service.
Gallilei: [unspoken]
Humans in league with Drow?
Interesting. Perhaps it is not Drow after all. That would certainly change the balance of power if it were, though.
Shadow Walker:
Given that half of the fee is paid in advance, and that you are of means, your credit is good. I required to warn you that failure to pay has in the past proven to be one hundred per cent lethal. We much prefer silver to bodies.
If you have a reply and agree to pay, I am at your service, otherwise I would go.
Jhereg:
Yes, I have a message. I will talk with your unknown patrons. Have them arrange to meet me here soon. I will break camp in just a few days so they should not tarry. Tell them this also. Morkons make fine messengers but your price is too high. Besides, I want to see the face of the party I negotiate with.
Shadow Walker:
I am pleased that you consider us fine messengers. I will carry your reply to them. Please ask your leaders not to harry us in the future, lest you violate the terms of the treaty. Good ni-
[he's gone before the word is completed]
Narrator:
With this, Gallilei returns to Jhereg. His face is a blank a mask as ever.
Gallilei: [matter of fact]
Opinions?
Jhereg:
I assume you heard most of what was said. What do you think? You know more of the players in this drama than I do.
Gallilei:
We need to know either who these people are who hold the castle now or the specific terms of that curse. Both would be more helpful.
I find it difficult to believe that a curse by Wood could be easily subverted, particularly without his knowledge.
What do the humans know of the castle?