Narrator: [Jhereg's encampment after dark]
A warrior walks out of the darkness and joins a group of men about a fire. He waves a flask of wine at the group and invites them to join him as he raids the pot for some meat. The men recognize him as Niramlek, a nomad from the East who spends most of the daytime scouting the area about the camp. He is known for his ready wit, fondness for losing at dice and a seemingly endless supply of drinkables of one kind or another.
Warrior:
Niramlek, what do you have for us tonight?
Niramlek: [grinning, holding some wine skins up]
Feed me first and we will see. I feel lucky today. I shot a deer for the pot and was on my way back to camp when I ran across a merchant who wanted fresh meat for dinner.
Narrator:
The men look knowingly at each other. Between the wine and his "luck", Nimamlek will be an easy mark later on when the game begins. They press food into his hands and talk among themselves as they wait for him to finish his meal. Soon the wine flows and the dice begin to roll.
Niramlek: [losing another toss of the dice]
Bah! These dice are cursed tonight. Is there not justice for a poor nomad? You men have all the luck.
[waving his hand at their tent]
You have friends to guard your back and good leaders while I am forced to hire out to anyone who asks just to have food to eat. Would your captain like to have another fighter? What kind of man is he?
Narrator:
Even in the dark, the man who walks out of the tent is quite a sight. Pockmarked face. What's left of it, anyway. The right side is missing an ear and is heavily scarred. But the bearing says "noble" and the demeanor says "unstable."
PFN [Pockmarked Face Noble]:
A cautious one.
No offense, but these men, loyal, brave, strong and true have been with me for a very long time. They are the only ones who are part of my band. Even should one fall he would not be replaced. Perhaps in a few years, should you prove yourself to us we would know you well and welcome you to join.
But for now, you are welcome at our fire as good company.
Tell me stranger, where are you from? Where have your travels taken you?
Narrator:
Kel by now has pegged the men as Waltham nobility. None are from Waltham city, but one of the other cities. The one with the damaged face rings a bell. It takes Kel a while to realize that this must be Brandon d'Harrogate, heir to Marquis d'Harrogate. [GM realized that Kel has a fantastic memory].
Kel also realizes that he'd best answer the question. These men are armed and well equipped. The tone of voice says very clearly that this is going to be a dangerous conversation.
Narrator:
Kel rises easily to his feet and bows in the fashion of a Snowdonian nomad, his hand touching his forehead, his lips and his heart. He is wearing heavy leather armor, several daggers and a saber rides easily on his hip. A buckler lies beside his saddlebags.
Kel: [his accent thickening]
Oh great Captain, you honor me with your presence. I am Niramlek, once of the Blue Horse Clan. You would know our lands as Snowdonia. Of late, I have been in Lethbridge and McMannon scouting for the noble Lord Jhereg.
Brandon:
What brings you this far from home Niramlek? And why do you seek to join my company rather than swear to that half-breed elf?
Kel: [speaking as one man to another]
I have always wanted to see new places my Lord. Besides, there was the small manner of some gambling debts and a woman who thought I planned on marrying her.
Narrator:
Brandon's face purples dangerously before he realizes that a wandering nomand would know nothing of his recent troubles. Kel smiles inwardly as his barb sinks home, although his face reveals nothing.
Kel:
The Noble Lord Jhereg pays me well but I would not swear to serve one of *them* if I was starving.
Narrator:
Brandon welcomes the nomad more warmly than he had earlier and invites him to join their fire whenever his duties permit. His men relax and the gambling begins again as they realize that the storm has passed. Brandon thinks carefully of the value and the danger of having Niramlek spy for him in Jhereg's camp. He decides to watch and wait for now.