“You should not speak into an empty corner, people might think you are mad.”
The lithe form of the woman suddenly faded inwards as if she were stepping back into a dark shadow before disappearing right before Leon completely. The man would feel a slight sting as the right side of his neck was suddenly flicked by the unmistakable shape of a finger.
“Nor should you speak to a stranger in the shadows so carelessly, it is not a safe thing where I am from, human.”
The woman stood now behind Leon, completely disinterested in him for the most part - her eyes lain on Lord Hastlon as he spoke further, “Over the past several weeks I have dispatched agents to Scardale Town. They have… sent word on the goings on in the fallen city. The good people of the dale have no idea the danger and evils that fester within. Thieves and street gangs are the least of concerns now. I have since approached the governor and members of the council with this information and still they remain noncommittal.” Hastlon’s upper lipped and inner brow crinkled into a sneer. “I can no longer sit idle while gods-know-what stirs within our capital. And there are many others that feel the same.”
“And so you seek to hire adventurers and mercenaries to destroy the growing threat you speak of in Scardale Town.” the Helmite woman pointedly stated, many heads in the room turning to her and then back up to Lord Hastlon expectantly.
“Yes.” Hastlon replied flatly. “I wish it were something I was not compelled to do. I do loathe going beyond the governor and my fellows. But I cannot waste time appealing over and over while we sit vulnerable. I am a man of action.” A pause. “I do not expect all of you to reclaim the city entirely on your own. You will, should you all accept to be part of this, have my support and the support of my agents in this difficult endeavor. Not to mention there are many in the city itself who wish to see it free of the chaos that has gripped it so. And you have my word that you will all be greatly rewarded for your efforts and successes.”
“What are these ‘dangers’ and ‘evils’ of which you speak?” came a voice from the crowd followed by grumbles of added interest.
“I will leave the deeper details to my agents whom you will all meet when you arrive on the outskirts of the city,” Hastlon said carefully, “but I will tell you that there is a particular criminal organization that have quite ambitiously begun taking over the entire city in the past two months. And then there is also report of a new cult and wizard activity.”
More grumbles of uncertainty followed by a third person turning on their heels and marching toward the far door. Lord Hastlon stiffened visibly, eyes darting about the room, obviously looking for anyone else who may turn to leave. But no one did which made the noble relax after a moment.
He is keeping something from us all, Iliskra thought, I just wonder the gravity and implications of whatever it is.
The lithe form of the woman suddenly faded inwards as if she were stepping back into a dark shadow before disappearing right before Leon completely. The man would feel a slight sting as the right side of his neck was suddenly flicked by the unmistakable shape of a finger.
“Nor should you speak to a stranger in the shadows so carelessly, it is not a safe thing where I am from, human.”
The woman stood now behind Leon, completely disinterested in him for the most part - her eyes lain on Lord Hastlon as he spoke further, “Over the past several weeks I have dispatched agents to Scardale Town. They have… sent word on the goings on in the fallen city. The good people of the dale have no idea the danger and evils that fester within. Thieves and street gangs are the least of concerns now. I have since approached the governor and members of the council with this information and still they remain noncommittal.” Hastlon’s upper lipped and inner brow crinkled into a sneer. “I can no longer sit idle while gods-know-what stirs within our capital. And there are many others that feel the same.”
“And so you seek to hire adventurers and mercenaries to destroy the growing threat you speak of in Scardale Town.” the Helmite woman pointedly stated, many heads in the room turning to her and then back up to Lord Hastlon expectantly.
“Yes.” Hastlon replied flatly. “I wish it were something I was not compelled to do. I do loathe going beyond the governor and my fellows. But I cannot waste time appealing over and over while we sit vulnerable. I am a man of action.” A pause. “I do not expect all of you to reclaim the city entirely on your own. You will, should you all accept to be part of this, have my support and the support of my agents in this difficult endeavor. Not to mention there are many in the city itself who wish to see it free of the chaos that has gripped it so. And you have my word that you will all be greatly rewarded for your efforts and successes.”
“What are these ‘dangers’ and ‘evils’ of which you speak?” came a voice from the crowd followed by grumbles of added interest.
“I will leave the deeper details to my agents whom you will all meet when you arrive on the outskirts of the city,” Hastlon said carefully, “but I will tell you that there is a particular criminal organization that have quite ambitiously begun taking over the entire city in the past two months. And then there is also report of a new cult and wizard activity.”
More grumbles of uncertainty followed by a third person turning on their heels and marching toward the far door. Lord Hastlon stiffened visibly, eyes darting about the room, obviously looking for anyone else who may turn to leave. But no one did which made the noble relax after a moment.
He is keeping something from us all, Iliskra thought, I just wonder the gravity and implications of whatever it is.