[Shane] "What makes you so sure I'll help? What has he done? What is he after? Did you have some part in our group disappearing?" He watched the elf for any signs that might help him make a decision. There were things about this man he was working for he didn't like. He was definitely a man on the run, he knew the signs for what they were. He had been there himself a few times. "What's in it for me? He's paying me well..." [Sephyr] Yes. That was the crux of the matter, wasn't it? This man was a mercenary and mercenaries were always on the look out for what was in it for them. Her job here was to convince him that their cause was more important than whatever pittance M'Tago had promised the man. "I don't know what M'Tago has told you, but it's almost certain he hired you under false pretenses. Have you received any pay yet?" The look on Shane's face told her he had not. "I'm not surprised. Nor do I expect that you will ever. M'Tago is not the type to waste valuable coin on those he considers inferiors." She saw the man bridle at her words and rushed on. "Let me tell the story and then you can decide for yourself what the best course of action is. M'Tago comes from a realm called Haversheim many months journey to the west of here. The country is in a state of unrest. The last king died some fifteen years ago with no clear successor to the throne. Several of the most powerful Dukes have spent the years since that time consolidating their power until they have a strong enough backing to claim the throne. In recent years, two of the dukes have risen above the others. Duke Averin of Frierhorn and Duke Jarrold of Caerpeak." [Shane] "Let me guess. You work for the good guy and M'Tago works for the other." [Sephyr] She smiled. "That's a bit of a simplification, but yes. Duke Averin is a shrewd ruler and fair. His duchy thrives and his people are well cared for and represented. Jarrold is little more than a Warlord, obtaining support through force of arms. His people are forced to support his continuous wars with excessive taxes both in coinage and their own blood. "An artificer of great skill in the employ of Averin stumbled across the plans for a magical weapon of mass destruction. He showed the plans to Averin and a debate ensued as to whether or not to build the weapon. It was finally decided that the cost the weapon would take in innocent lives outweighed the benefits of eliminating Jarrold and the plans were to be destroyed. One of the artificers apprentices, insane with the quest for power, stole the plans and escaped to Jarrold's camp. He convinced Jarrold that he could build the weapon for him in exchange for a position of power in Jarrold's conquered kingdom. Jarrold agreed." Sephyr looked Shane in the eye. "M'Tago is the apprentice." "The machine is nearly complete. All it lacks is a power source. Several months ago M'Tago learned of a potential source here in your country. You might remember tales of a star that fell from the sky and crashed into the mountains here some years back. Such stars often contain stones of immense magical potential. It is these starstones that M'Tago seeks. Should he find them and return home to complete his weapon, thousands of lives will be lost." [Shane] "Did you have anything to do with the disappearance of my companions?" He asked, stalling for time. He knew he would have to give this elf an answer. [Sephyr] "This is the first time we have approached any from the party. If you speak of the man on the horse or the gnome and his cart, I can only tell you that they left here heading west." [Shane] "So what happens now? What do you expect from me?" [Sephyr] This was the moment of truth. If she could get this man to agree to their plan, the chances for stopping M'Tago would be greatly improved. She hated to think of the alternative. Shane was likable, and she would hate for him to get injured or killed. "We need to stop M'Tago from reaching the crash site. He must not be allowed to obtain ANY of the starstones. We intend to set a trap for him, here if possible. He will be neutralized and taken into custody. He will stand trial in Frierhorn for treason. We just need you to give us access to the camp, and stay out of the way when the fighting starts." Sephyr paused to study the human. She could see the indecision on his face and guessed that he was wavering. Most likely he was thinking of the money. Most humans did. Still, there was something different about this one. She hesitated, wondering if her next words would offend. She hoped not, but they needed to be said. She tried to couch them in the best possible way. "I realize that you have no reason to trust me. Very likely you joined with M'Tago because of the money he offered for your services. I will not try to buy you off, but rest assured that should you help us, your efforts will not go unrewarded. I would not expect your aid for the greater good of a country you've never heard of without some recompense. The choice is yours, but make it quickly. We have need to prepare and the time grows short." [Shane] "Where are you from? What Clan do you belong too?" [Sephyr] The question was so off-topic that Sephyr knew the man was stalling for time to sort things out. She decided to humor him. "I am part of the Tirrahassellan clan of the Northern Shorewoods. I would be surprised if you have ever heard of it. Our clan is small in number, and few ever venture beyond the sanctity of our homeland." [Shane] "Does this mean anything to you?" He bared his left breast and showed her an intricate design scarred into his breast. [Sephyr] She really didn't have time for this nonsense. M'Tago could return at any moment. She reached out a hand to stop him when she saw the mark. Her eyes grew wide and she gasped involuntarily. It was a Soulbond! Most sacred among the rituals of the elves, Soulbonding was the way some her people chose to signify a permanent life commitment to another. The process was painful, the souls of the two metaphysically connected even as their bodies were jointly scarred. She was surprised that an Elven elder had consented to perform the ritual on a human. Her opinion of Shane rose dramatically. [Shane] From the look one her face she did recognize it, even if she didn't fully believe it. The fact she didn't kill him there and then gave him some security that he could trust her for now. [Sephyr] The pain in his eyes was unmistakable. He had lost his Soulmate. His reaction to her as she had approached the fire now took on new meaning. She wondered how closely she resembled her. She wanted to say something, but words failed her. [Shane] "Like you said time is short and it doesn't really matter now. You know he's not alone don't you? The man with him took out at least half of a horde of orcs by himself. If your plan is to succeed you're going to need my help. Maybe we can work something out. When they come back they're going to expect dinner. What if Dinner was spiked? " [Sephyr] "The man with him � I believe he's calling himself Stiele � is with us. At least he was until we lost track of him in Monfort. We hope he has stayed with M'Tago in an attempt to get close to him. He hasn't contacted us for some time. Hopefully that doesn't bode something ill. If Stiele is against us now, we'll have quite a task ahead of us. "Spiking dinner would indeed be useful if you can manage it." She paused for a moment. If Steel had turned on them, it would be best if he were affected, too, though it galled her to consider drugging her friend. "It will have to be a natural spike. Stiele will be unaffected by anything of a magical nature. Do you have the necessary herbs?" [Shane] "I think I can whip something together. There are several components around here that can be mixed. It might not completely knock him out, but it will at least dull his senses. Maybe enough to help. Mixed with alcohol it would be sufficient. We'll have to see. I guess you'd better go hide yourself." Shane looked about as if weary of being watched. "The one you call Steel, seems to not be very sure of himself. He seems distracted. Not sure that means anything to you or not. Good luck." He turned his back on her to begin preparations. (to be continued...) |