Group 22

[Kinslayer]

Varin Blackthorn watches as you read your oaths and study the peculiar ceremonial blades contained within the rolls. As you finish reading and look at each other, he holds his breath in anticipation. If he can not persuade you to sign his contracts, he will have to look for workers elsewhere and reward you in some other, lesser way. Fiat is first to respond, clearly knowing the meaning of the blade he takes it and slices open his thumb, signing his name in blood on the dotted line. Vryala follows suit, cutting open her palm and signing her contract. Varin watched Karonath and Thesbe for a long moment, Karonath looking shocked and Thesbe apparently still carefully studying the wording of the contract.

"Do not worry my friend, you will not find you sign your name in blood to anything except that which we have discussed. As for you... Karonath isn't it? Why do you look so unwilling to sign this contract. Is my reward not enough for you, do you not accept my offer?" he sounded like he was getting slightly distressed, "After your beautiful display outside I thought you would be the first one to sign yourself over. It's not like you are giving away your freedom, it just means I will be your boss. Of course, if you want to remain in my service you would do as I asked of you without question."
He paused again, apparently noticing Karonaths' inability to inflict harm upon her own body, or at least disgust at the idea. "I am afraid for the contract to be worth anything it must be your own mark left on the page, nobody can open the cut but you, nobody can press your hand to the page but you. You must be completely willing..."

[Layne]

I want to sir, I want to... I just need some time. Please. She was willing alright, but the ceremony asked a lot of her. She shut her eyes, and thought of Ghrond. In the Temple the Hags spilled blood freely. She couldn't make out what it was all about, but Varin's contracts had now shed some light on what she had witnessed. The blood was a pledge, as the noble had said, and the pledge was held to be stronger if the contractee's own hand spilled the blood. But to whom were the Hags pledging?

Here, Varin could look on and see that the thing was done to his satisfaction, but in the Temple, the thing was done by a lone Hag, standing by the great table, and that enormous cup, with the big statue behind. This, they said was Khaine. A contract with a statue? The marble couldn't hear their oaths, couldn't see their hands and blood. Maybe someone or something lived in the statue.

Karonath supposed that one day she would have to take an oath before the statue, and make a contract with whatever it was that lived inside it. In the meanwhile, it seemed a good idea to try and do something like that now, to see the other side, whatever that might be.

She opened her eyes. She turned to look into Blackthorn's dark eyes for a moment. She looked at the others sitting around the table, waiting. Blackthorn's question had focussed all the attention on her. She didn't much like having everyone look at her. Her instinct was to run.

Yet she took up the knife. She put in the palm of her left hand. She lifted it. She closed her eyes, and closed her palm tight about the blade.

Funny, I ought to be in some pain now.She opened her eyes and her hand simultaneously. The bloodstained blade dropped to the table, and a birght stream of her own blood dripped over it. Still feeling no pain, she stared into the falling blood, just considering it as if it were someone else's. She couldn't feel it, it may as well have been.

This is the blood of a cornered hood, dripping from his throat while he chokes. The thought of rage bolstered her fragile temper. This contract will give me the pwoer to take such lives, to watch such hateful blood flow down into the street. Vengeance for all the long terrible years.

Her right hand moved to the contract, and dragged it under the falling stream of blood. She let it run for a while, just watching that blood fall into the paper, thinking of it as her vengeance falling inot the streets. Then she was suddenly aware that all in the room were attending to her behaviour, even the gaurds, and suddenly she shut her hand.

There was rather a deal of blood soaked into the lower half of the page.

She turned to Varin. He said I was beautiful.

Satisfied, sir?

[Silar, hand of khaine]

ooc: sorry for lateness, sudden Internet problems.

Thesbe was astounded by the amount of food layed out, and she quickly dug in. Despite being from the harsh hills of the Shades, the one comfort she did insist on, was food. As normal when seated with other druchii she began to talk quite a bit, though not mentioning the her capture and story after that.

The after more of the Noble speaking he does like the sound of his own voice

As the contract/blood oath parchments came out, along with the swords, she began to read, seeing nothing too horrendous, she took the blade at sliced a small cut on her finger, letting her blood drip onto the required spot

Well done, Noble-Kin, you are now one of the few Highborn to have a shade at you disposal

[Kinslayer]

"Satisfied, Sir?" asked Karonath after staining her contract with blood. Varin kept his expression free from all emotion as he replied.
"A few drops would have done, but yes, I am satisfied."
Thesbe was last, cutting open her finger and letting her blood drip onto the dotted line of the blood contract.
"Well done, Noble-Kin, you are now one of the few Highborn to have a shade at you disposal"
Varin looked at Thesbe, something seemed to amuse him,
"Indeed, lucky me."

Varin clicked his fingers and Sevro rose from his seat once more, collecting the oaths and blades and returning them to his master. He gives each of you a look of some sort, probably not friendly, as he passes you. Something tells you Varins' guards and his mercenaries do not normally get along, and you seem like fresh blood for the guards to pick on. Still, you know they will bite off more than they can chew should they start anything. Varin breaks the awkward silence that follows by rising once more from his seat and beginning his next little speech.
"I am honoured to have adopted the four of you into my services, you can expect many great oppertunites from this moment forward and your exploits shall be heavily rewarded. Of course, these rewards must be earned and will be delivered in due course.
I have a task for you already planned out. I was going to hire professionals as I mentioned before, but now I can get you started on the job earlier than expected and maybe have better results. You have proven much but you still have a long way to go before I would class you as 'trusted employees'. Hence, this task is a simple delivery, though in Vikahr that is not without its dangers."

Varin turns to his cousin who rises to his feet, "Morius was recently 'ripped off' by a merchant-noble in the City. This was a great insult to my family and its honour, and one I intend to avenge. What happened is not of importance, at least not to the likes of you. All you need to know is that in answer of this insult a package shall be delivered to the merchants' house containing some sort of 'peace treaty'. You understand this?"
Morius reached down to a black bag hanging by his side and pulled from within a small package, peculiar in shape and roughly the size of ones palm. Ha lays the package gently on the table and then speaks in a rough, brutal accent.
"You lot look like an unworthy rabble to me, not fit to serve the Blackthorn house, but that judgement lies with my cousin not myself. Just see to it that what we ask of you is completed as soon as possible. This is the package, and these are the rules.
You do not give the package to anyone but the intended recipient, a merchant-noble known as Ranor Tvar or one of his higher ranking employees. It should never leave your possession or sight until you reach his house, which lies somewhere in the west quadrant of the noble quarter, I am sure you can track him down. The most important rule is this: you do not open the package. ever."

Morius turns and leaves the feasting chamber, leaving the four of you before Varin and four of his guards. The package lies on the table, ready for one of you to take it. Guessing this is the signal to leave, you prepare to make a move.
"See that this task is done properly and your lodgings shall be ready when you return" said Varin, "Guards, escort them to the front gate and return their belongings. Until next time, my friends..."

OOC - edit - I used the old 'names in a bag' method to see who has possession of the package at first, not that its really that important. Fiat is carrying the package.

[Kefka]

Fiat looked to the others, who seemed rather reluctant to touch the object. He quickly licked the remaining blood off his bleeding finger, then grabbed the package. It was surprisingly more heavy a small object than he thought.
Tying the package to the belt that once held his sword and scabbard he turned to the others. Well? We better hurry, the sooner we get this done the sooner we can be back here and get some sleep. He patted the package tied to his belt. And don't worry about this, I'll carry it. Though I would rather we didn't look at it, I'm sure it would make things more bothersome then they already will be. I just hope it's not to fragile... or explosive.
Heading out to the gate Fiat was glad to have his sword returned to him. He felt incomplete without some blade at his side, and was happy to place it back on his belt, opposite the package.

Ooc - sorry my post is a little short, I'm in the hospital and can only get limited access to a rather slow computer. I'll be out by friday, so I'm just getting my post up there now so I don't delay the game.

OOC - it's not a problem, I hope everything is okay for you? Just remember, all of you, real life always comes first. You don't have to apologise for being in hospital etc, just let me know if something like that comes up if you can.

[Layne]

Oh, not to worry, we're just going for a walk through the nice part of town... it should be fun.

So it was just an errand they were to run. Go take this there.What sort of a package might need four hired gaurds, it was beyond her power to guess. So she paid it no more mind, resolving to enjoy the sight of all the beautiful buildings and parks and such in this nicer part of town.

Whoever knows the way, lead on, and if you want anyone to die, just let me know. Such was her flip remark, but inside she was all turmoil. It had by this time crossed her mind that maybe whoever was in the statue might not take kindly to her taking oath with the noble. If that was so, then maybe the statue might have said as much, instead of just being a dumb statue. Then again, the Hags might take exception too. And they were the only people she was truly afraid of. They were totally crazy. Maybe they would hear of it, maybe they would come after her, and be angry.

She had seen what they could do when they were angry. Now all the shadows of the fine avenues were filled with fear, with ears listening and eyes watching. Yet with no better choice, she went on with the group.

[Raneth]

Blackthorn's honeyed words almost had Vryala lulled into a sense of security, it was Morius' gruff and distinctly un-noble accent that instantly sharpened her mind again. Vryala knew full well the ways of the noble and rich, and she felt a shiver climb up her spine.

When something seems too good to be true, it usually isn't.

She waited until they were a bit on their way to hushingly voice her suspicions, after thoroughly checking if they were followed of course. Guys, I have the feeling we're being used. If this package was truly important Blackthorn would not have trusted us with it... unless he meant us to be part of the message, something I don't particularly look forward to.

Fiat, can you open it so we at least know what we're dealing with when we find this Tvar person?

[Kinslayer]

OOC -
Silar, Hand of Khaine: As you were mentioning internet problems on your last post I shall carry on the game for the other members sake, so just post up as soon as you can.
Kefka: I never mentioned the weight of the package, but it is not actually very heavy at all.

IC -

Not long after they had left the Blackthorn estate they were already discussing the contents of the strange package. It seemed some members of the group were planning on following Varin's words to the last to ensure success on their first job for him and, more importantly, payment. Others, however, seemed to have let suspicion and curiosity play its part and suggested opening the package before delivering it. It's not like they will know, but it still feels wrong seemed to be the general thought passing through everyones mind as Vryala suggested it.

As they continue in a general westward direction, heading for the western section of the Nobles Quarter as instructed, they continued to discuss wether to open the package or stick to their orders. As they still have perhaps half an hours walking ahead of them, not to mention the search for the right address, there is plenty of time to discuss the issue and come to a mutual agreement.

[Kefka]

OOC- I'm back! Hospital food sucks BTW.

IC- Fiat placed his hand upon the bag when Vryala mentioned opening it. He didn't want to seem like a mindless drone, but felt it was a bad idea.
The package should not be opened. I don't want anymore trouble then what is necessary. Besides, we're in public and we don't know what's in here. If we open up something that is only meant to be viewed by this merchant, then who knows what might happen. And if it is dangerous, it would be better opened in his hands then ours. For our own safety, let us deliver this and be on our way to a comfortable bed. My wine has worn off and left me with a harsh hangover.

[Layne]

You gotta headache, toughguy? Want me to sing it better? Such was her way of putting a brave face on her troubles. She hadn't been in Vikarh long, and there were some... unexplained absences from her memory, but she had learned that you couldn't expect to live long if you wandered around in a frightened daze.

In Naggarond, the gangsters had much worse to fear than the likes of her, likesay the Black Gaurds for instance... but there are no Black Gaurds in Vikarh. Criminals are bold and dangerous here, and you cannot show them your fear. And yes, she was in league with these three, but they were likely enough to be criminals of a sort.

Who cares what's in the bag anyway? Let's just get ourselves rid of it as soon as we can and get paid.

[Raneth]

OOC: @ Kefka: treat yourself to a good meal eh?

IC

Vryala's words didn't take hold, the others were tired and their first priority seemed to be getting some rest. Blindly assuming we'll make it back in one piece... She decided to press the matter a little more.

Blackthorn cares, child, and so will Tvar in all likelyhood. We are being sent with a 'peace treaty' to someone our employer obviously wants to exact vengeance on. She turned to Fiat. And you speak of our own safety? We are mercenaries, expendable. We mean nothing to Blackthorn, is it so hard for you to imagine he could just be using us?

[Kefka]

Fiat stopped in his tracks and sighed heavily.
Look, I got this feeling that if we open the bag something bad will happen, but if we deliver the bag then something bad only might happen.
Fiat started walking with the others again. He thought about the situation a little. He remembered that his father had used him, as well as other mercenaries, but most of them had not died in a simple duty like this. It was a waste of lives.
There must be some reason why Blackthorn has sent us to deliver it personally. I am sure he has many able vassals who would be able to just place this in Tvars home without being noticed, leaving no trail. A couple of street urchin like us would be noted entering and leaving the place of a high merchant. Maybe this IS a symbol of good faith between the two of them.
But if you are unsure, then I can give the bag to you, let you sneak your shadey little behind with this package in there and back again by yourself. You can look at the package too if you like, just make sure I'm not around to die for your curiosity.

[Raneth]

Vryala laughed, amused by the withholding nature of such a brutish fighter. Okay, how does this sound? I'll take that bag from you and inspect it, hidden in a nearby alley. If it's not directly threatening, we'll proceed as normal - if it is, at least I'm the only one to be caught in its effects.

I'd better be right about this...

[Silar, hand of khaine]

ooc: sorry guys, my Internet should be fixed now

As the left to deliver the package the other began to talk about whether or not to open the item Whatever it is it is probably very dangerous, possibly fatal, or damming

When Vryala suggested walking off, then opening it, Thesbe decided to speak Walking off may still mean it could affect the rest of us, it could possibly be some arcane curse of some kind, lets just deliver it, I don't feel like dying anyone who opens it, I'll kill you quicker before you can even begin to open that dammed thing

Thesbe will ready her crossbow in case someone opens the package

[Kinslayer]

The group stopped outside a dark alleyway, Vryala stopping first and the others stopping to turn to her. They exchanged words, arguing if they should open the package or not. Fiat gripped the package tighter to his waist as the confrontation started to kick off, he was not about to give up the potentially dangerous item inside to someone he had known five minutes. Thesbe sided with Fiat, unslinging her crossbow and looking menacingly at Vryala, daring her to try and take the passage. Karonath was there too, urging they move to the house with the package unopened. They stand there, frozen in the moment, and the tension builds.

OOC -

This was a fix, I PMed some members urging them to request opening the package. The result does not matter, the story can take a similar route if you open the package or not, let's just say a different path to the same outcome. You need to decide what your doing with the package in the next four posts, so work in character to sort something out. Mod out.

[Raneth]

Whatever. I'm not going to die over a hunch. Vryala raised her hands, hoping to ease Thesbe's posture. She glowered, then looked back up at the large, indecisive Warrior and the agitated Shade. Karonath was spared her angry gaze, She is obviously unsettled by this tension... who can blame her, she's just a child. She fixed her eyes on Fiat and snapped:

Have it your way. It seems Blackthorn has found himself some well trained mutts.

[Layne]

The little un's insecurity had been steadily growing. She began to feel that if she could get to Tvar's house and put some walls between herself and the Hags, she would feel a little better - even within the walls of someone who was almost certainly not going to be pleased to meet her. This Tvar might be pretty nasty, but I'm pretty sure he's not as nasty as the Queen. Impatience bloomed within.

So are we going then?

[Kefka]

Fiat was disappointed in himself and his team mates. He didn't want to get in any trouble for opening the package, but at the same time he felt like a slave for being so obedient. He placed his hand on Thesebes crossbow and pushed it lower, it was creating too much tension with people he didn't know enough to trust. He looked Vyala straight in the eye as he did this and spoke:
Just because I am following orders doesn't mean that I like them. Personally I would have forced a bit more out of that Blackthorns mouth before we left, but we're here now, and may as well find this merchants place and finish the job.

[Kinslayer]

OOC - times up again im afraid Silar, I like to keep things flowing so I am posting the next section as it has been 3 days since your last post and things are again stood still. Please try to post within the 3 day limit everyone.

IC -

The four of you come to some sort of agreement, deciding it is better to just get the job done than risk looking at the package, even if some of you are not 100% happy with the decision. You take off to the west once more, passing noble housing estates and rich merchant stalls as you go, until you come at last to another crossroad. The signs at the crossroad are simple and easy to follow. Continuing straight on will take you back out of the Nobles Quarter, going back will take you east. Left will head into the Western Noble Estates and right will take you to the Merchants Market and a Temple dedicated to Khaine. You wait there for but a moment, no discussion is really needed of which way to turn at this moment, and continue along the left path.

As you push deeper into the large housing estates there the four of you feel totally out of place. Dark nobles scowl at you from behind their armoured guards, or push snobbily past you. At one point a cart races past, pulled along by four lightning fast horses, and splashes a large muddy puddle all over you. This just makes you look more out of place than before, the Noble housing estates are no place for mercenaries and beggars. Thinking the better of waiting outside, the group quickly hurries into the nearest tavern they can see, The Bloody Spear. Perhaps in here you can find some answers to the location of Tvar.

Inside, The Bloody Spear is full of nobles and merchants just as the streets are outside. All eyes turn upon you as you enter, each face clearly saying 'your not welcome'. You hurry past the crowded tables and approach the bar. A tall Druchii with dark hair and a heavily tatooed face turns to you and looks you up and down in disgust.
"Let me guess. One of the nobles sent you and your looking for someone else, and you came here to see if I know where he lives? Your lot just keep coming don't they?" he sighed, "What's in it for me?"

[Silar, hand of khaine]

ooc: sorry I couldn't post, anyway it didn't seem like I could do much more really

When they continued on through the noble quarter some wise guy decided to splash them all, with Khaine knows what in the water Thesbe felt extremly lucky she was wearing a full shade cloak.

When they enterd the bar, with all the stearing stuck up nobles glaring at them, This is why the shades prefer the hills, to this hellpit

When they began to talked to the barmen he tryed to brush them off, and when he asked for some offer she looked into her money bag, it contained a measly 1 gold coin from the mercenary earlier, but if the group turned up with nothing better, it might be worth it.

[Layne]

Karonath felt fairly sure she had nothing to give that would help loosen the barman's tongue. She could hardly guess which of her friends might. Thesbe at least had made it clear that she had little in the way of pecuniary encouragement. But there might be other ways.

And it might be her place to find some way of encouraging this man to talk - at least it seemed clear that he would know something. Yet she also figured that she, the smallest and nakedest of the group, was not going to be their spokesman. The two warriors were undoubtedly the most impressive looking of the group, with their armour and what have you.

It seemed to her that Fiat was the natural choice for a spokesman, he was the biggest for a start, and had the best equipment, and, it somehow seemed, had something of a noble's bearing about him.

[Raneth]

Vryala felt indignified with all the mud staining her armor, but couldn't help laughing inwardly at the barman's direct approach. Still annoyed by the group's blatant disregard for common sense, Vryala was all too content to let Fiat deal with the mess of his own choosing. With his verbal skills, this should be quite amusing.

Nevertheless she couldn't pass up the opportunity for a snide remark.

Well I'd buy you a drink, kind sir, but you'd have to lend me the money first.

[Kefka]

Fiat spits mud from out his mouth when the barman speaks, uncaring for his reaction.
Well aren't we quick to judge, assuming you know everything about us because we're a little dirty. Fiat grabbed a stool and took a seat, leaning his forearms on the bar. And even if you did give us information, how could we know it was any good or trustworthy? For all we know you could you may not be able to tell the difference from a bar tap or your mothers teet. He let the insult sink in a little, it felt good to snap back and someone who looked down on him, it gave him a sense of direction and worth, that he was truly better than this man. He rode that feeling and continued.
It is true, we have business in this area, but what makes you so sure we want your help in the matter? Perhaps we just stopped by for a drink, which I must say I shall not be having here with dismal service like this. Offer me a drink that isn't mud, and maybe we can discuss this matter a little more... He let his words sink in, and would wait to see the bar mans reaction.

[Kinslayer]

The barman looks Vryala and Fiat up and down as they speak, then shares his dark expression with Karonath and Thesbe as well. It seems this was not the reaction he expected from a group of mercenaries such as yourself, and is not quite sure how to react. He looks left and right of your positions, and you realise two burly looking Druchii 'bouncers' are stepping up.
"These thugs hassling you Ferir?" says one, putting his hand on his scabbard.
"It's nothing, return to your stations. Nothing I can't handle."

The bouncers return to the door and the barman looks at the group and chuckles, "I was right, you're all the same. You there, thumbing your purse, got some form of payment have you? Dig a coin out of there and tell me who you are looking for, and I shall try to be of service to you, for the sake of your noble masters. You will not, however, be able to drink here. No offence, it's the way it is. If i sit you down to drink these nobles will never let it drop... so are you paying or what?"

[Layne]

The little one was getting impatient again. No, a spokesman she never would be, but she was losing her lifelong habit of keeping her mouth shut. Yep, she was slipping straight through from gibbering wreck to howling headcase, and losing little time about it.

Turning to Fiat, she said,This guy is a boring jerk. We know he knows his own name, and that's a start, but does he know the guy we want? She stood there rocking on her heels with narrowed eyes, grinning a daft little smirk, and tapping her fingers on the hilts of her swords. If something didn't happen soon, she'd start humming, no matter the consequences.