Private Tales A New Opportunity

A private roleplay only for those invited by the first writer
Petrus Ritus Iskandar

Petrus Ritus Iskandar

Head of House Iskandar
Member
Monthly Poster III Can't Stop! You dabbed :| Seriously Likeable II
Messages
152
Character Biography
Link
proxy.php


The man who had appeared to Feyrith after her encounter with the cultists within the aqueduct had given her an invite to appear at the manor of House Iskandar within Alliria in two days time. Noting that this would be a meeting with the head of the House who would no doubt have a keen interest in hearing a firsthand account from her for several reasons. The first being that she was not a direct subordinate of the House so was less likely to paint the House in an overly charitable light in her report. Second was that though she was not a direct subordinate she was still a contact of the House and so could be considered more reliable than some random drunkard. Lastly was that an insinuation had been made by the man who introduced himself as "Drystan" that further, lucrative work would await Feyrith with the House Iskandar should her meeting go well, incentivizing her with a monetary reward to ensure satisfaction.

With all this in place it was an early Allirian morning with the sun just peaking over the high walls of the manor when Feyrith was let inside, escorted by a pair of guards and a House servant into an internal courtyard of fine construction, parts of it doubling as a garden with exotic and colorful flowers, and in the courtyard's center was one Petrus Ritus Iskandar who seemed to be in the midst of, all things, training. indeed he was not in a state many would ever see him in as the middle-aged noble currently held a rapier in one hand, facing off with an instructor of some sort, and was unclothed from the waist up. He was sweating rather heavily as well and was not adorned in his usual finery. Instead he wore a pair of plain, rough black breeches and boots more suited for rigorous physical activity.

The two seemed on the cusp of beginning another round when the instructor would note her approach and nod to her wordlessly. Petrus, looking up, would sigh and wave at the man casually. Remarking in a low, level tone despite his sparring.

"That will be all for today it seems."

Holding up a hand the servant accompanying Feyrith would take the cloth off his arm and toss it to Petrus who would wipe his face and sheathed the rapier expertly before wiping at his arms as he addressed the short Drow woman.

"You must be the mercenary I am expecting. Fiana, was it?"

He did not look directly at Feyrith as he addressed her and took a goblet from a tray another servant brought to him, drinking from it for a moment, before placing it back and sighing deeply.

Feyrith​
 
The grounds and Manor of House Iskandar were no less impressive than it's reputation. The stark elegant arches reminded her of the carved stone architecture of the underdark in a way. Only here the manor seemed to stretch upwards to an endless sky. A thought that made her dizzy when she spent too much time thinking it.
Her gaze dropped back down as she followed the servant.

A rapier....a sword for Nobles. She wondered if learning it was in fashion here or if it spoke to Iskandar's personality that he chose to train in a weapon that required finesse of it's user.
It was a very unorthodox reception. She half wondered if he had forgotten the invitation entirely.
Whether it had made some offense or not, she didn't let as much show on her face.
"No, it is Feyrith, Sir Iskandar."
Being that this was a matter of business she had worn her usual practical leathers and bits of armor.

"I do still occasion to work as a sell sword....but I am first a member of the city watchmen."
That should suffice for impartiality, she thought. In truth it hadn't been so long since she took advantage of the stroke of luck that had lead her to joining the city guard. It had not been an impulse but it still felt as if she had done so in a split second decision.
Her drive to protect was plenty, her desire to serve, markedly less.
"You have requested a report on the incident at your....what was your cistern under construction. I am here to deliver such."
 
  • Yay
Reactions: Petrus Ritus Iskandar
Petrus was pleased to hear this Drow woman wasn't so much of a doormat that she would let him call her by the wrong name at least. As she continued to reiterate her profession and why she was here he would nod as a servant brought over a cream-colored, frilled shirt that he would slide on. The servant buttoning it up before he adjusted the collar and returned his amber-eyed gaze to Feyrith.

"Indeed. You may begin."

No need to tell her of all people that the cistern was already ordered to be cleansed and rebuilt. Instead he would turn to the servant who had brought him his shirt, nod, and the servant would leave for a moment as Feyrith began her explanation. The servant would then return in the midst of Feyrith's explanation, bag in hand, and place it into Petrus's waiting palm. Once the explanation was finished Petrus would stare Feyrith in the eye, searching her eyes closely, as he took a step forward and spoke.

"It is my understanding, given to me by both a Sergeant of my own House troops and my personal messenger, that you confronted the efforts of these cult terrorists with some distinction."

A brief pause, enough for a heartbeat, his piercing gaze levelled solely onto Feyrith as he asked.

"Is this true?"

Feyrith​
 
Amber eyes met a stiff expression in violet hues. She could tell that she was being tested but not to what end.
Her hands hovering hesitantly at her sides as if unsure where to rest them. Yet her eyes maintained his gaze unflinchingly.
"I fulfilled my duties to the limits of my abilities. Distinction....would be difficult to discern given the number of exceptional individuals gathered be this incident. Had the Lord commander and several members of Noct Yeager not been present I would likely have at the very least been gravely injured."
She supposed it was distinct that she was alive at all given the chaos she had been truly unprepared for. Few of her fellow watchmen were skilled enough to attempt tackling a lich.
"I had only intended to apprehend the initial trespassers. If they hadn't barged their way in then I likely would have only inspected that all was well around the out side entrances and continued my assigned patrol."
In the aftermath of the chaos it was clear that if there was nay lingering clue to be found about what the cultists had been up to it lie with that male Drow. Though she suspected that was surely a dead end. He struck her as someone's hound. Be it money or loyalty he seemed the type to complete a job without too many pesky questions. It was something that she recognized well because she too had been such a way once.
Feyrith's brows knit together a touch pensively.
"One of those trespassers was almost single minded....but from the looks of the gathering when I had chased them down into the cistern....the cultist groups must have been down there for quite some time...or perhaps several times, to erect such an alter and arrange their people."
Now that she considered this it troubled her. It was possible the cultists had carefully watched and found a suitable gap in the guards watching the cistern then arranged everything around that gap.
However there were two much more troublesome and much more likely possibilities. Namely that the cultists had placed some members to pose as guards of House Iskandar to gain access, or..... Petrus had known or allowed this ritual to some degree. Either would be unwise to claim without some form of proof.

Petrus Ritus Iskandar
 
Feyrith was indeed being tested and she performed well enough. The sergeant's report matched more or less Feyrith's own brief moments of testimony, as did Drystan's own, and seeing that she was not attempting to lie to him and make herself out to be some sort of hero for extra coin; a result he found passable. That being decided upon Petrus would toss the bag, jingling with coin, to Feyrith. It would possess enough money to cover two weeks of her usual expenses. Food, lodging, whatever she desired.

With that done Petrus would nod, at least tacitly approving.

"Honesty is a value that coin can hardly buy, but it can reinforce."

Turning Petrus would motion with a small wave of the hand and command her.

"Walk with me."

Not waiting for her to verbally or physically respond he would take his first steps, thinking for a moment, until the two of them passed through one of the side alcoves of the manor garden and he would muse.

"Given your words on the frequency of this cult's activities, or how long it lingered, you believe they have help from either within my own House or those of Alliria at large, yes?"

Giving Feyrith a glance Petrus would nod, continuing without needing an answer.

"The thought occurred to myself as well. Rest assured these savages will receive nothing but hostility from me. Which owes to the reason for why I have called you hear today."

Plucking a flower from one of the nearby plants he would offer it to Feyrith. It was a lily, primarily white around the petals with a ring of pink-purple coloration around the bud in the middle. Petrus did not stop walking as he did this and it was simply a method of endearment being performed out of rote.

"I wish to see the influence of these creatures curtailed. Immediately. If you would allow me to buy out your employment with the city watch I wish to offer you a contract of employment. One you will find to be very lucrative, I assure you."

Feyrith​
 
The weight of the bag of coin was noted as she caught it. Her brow knit slightly considering it was much more than a simple bonus.
Along with the double speak they nearly mistook it as some form of bribe. Luckily she didn't object, deciding to hear out whatever proposition he seemed to be gearing up to say. She followed him along through the garden. Her eyes occasionally alighting on a flower or a bight of the decorative architecture.
He had of course picked up on her insinuation. She had come to learn that the dealing of the upper crust and the council here were only a touch different from home in the under dark. Certainty they hid their moves behind amicability and order a bit more but there was an air of cut throat machinations in the shadow just as twisted as any Drow house might commit. She carefully avoided looking too agreeable or too suspicious.
So it seemed that the offer was more one for retainer than a bribe.

His proposal gave her some pause. She had only just established herself as a part of the city watch. She didn't wish to sew her loyalties when she had such a foggy view of the top. Especially considering that her admittance to the watch had been via personal recommendation. Then again, the lord commander had been instated via the council and to some extent house Iskandar.... so really the loyalty wasn't so divided she told herself.
Then it occurred to her that the very notion that Iskandar had sought her employ directly instead of having the council assign someone or delegating it to the city watch was meaningful. Not in his faith of her, but in his caution of them.

So after only a small pause of deliberation she agreed.
"it is in the best interest of the city that the efforts of these cultists be cut short. There of course should be no grounds for refusal of a commission to find and stamp out it's roots, lord Iskandar......though what are the terms of the contract?"

Petrus Ritus Iskandar
 
  • Yay
Reactions: Petrus Ritus Iskandar
Petrus would walk with Feyrith as she spoke at a more leisurely pace. Not wanting to tax the small woman as she accepted at least the proposition of a contract and he would pause as a servant approach, unfurled a document before his eyes, and he would read it over in silence for a long moment before nodding and the servant would stamp it before rolling it back up and leaving them to their discussion.

"The terms are quite simple. You will be assigned to a small squad of agents with one goal: the eradication and exposure of these cultist heathens from Alliria."

There was, of course, more to it than that.

"I will place what resources I can spare at your disposal. The council can of course divert additional funds for each successful operation but I'm not interested in getting too far into hypothetical council discussions."

Waving a dismissive hand he would shake his head.

"Rather. Should you prove successful in this task I would find it fair and appropriate for a woman such as yourself to be rewarded. While our city watch is an able force I keep a constant eye out for talent and exceptionalism, when and where it can be displayed."

Giving Feyrith a sidelong, studious glance he would nod after a moment and turn his gaze forward.

"Is there anything you would request of me, for such a reward?"

Feyrith​
 
Last edited:
A contract to Eradicate the Cultists was on the surface not an unpleasant prospect. Seeking and Killing were among the few skills she excelled at. Yet it set a small frown to her features all the same. Undoubtedly the citizens of Alliria would be safer with these cultists culled. The display in the cistern was proof of that.
Yet, she couldn't help feeling that accepting this contract was a little of slipping back into old ways.
A little too comfortable a prospect.

Not only that but the term of the contract had a very vague end. How could one be sure all members are eradicated. In prospect of coin that wasn't so unfavorable assuming she kept getting paid per head. It was more a question of murky loyalties and potentially long term entanglements.
"....I suspect you have some lead?....."

It was true he said he had scouted her as potential talent but there was something double edged about that assessment. Just what did house Iskandar intend to do with their acquired talent?
Her mind was blank at the prospect of naming her own reward. She had never been good at that game. It was always a genies curse to name the terms of ones own payment. Even if Lord Iskandar was generous and earnest in their payment of her chosen reward Feyrith was a woman who had never allowed herself to want.
Not openly anyway.
".....I would prefer to name to the terms of any additional reward at completion."

Petrus Ritus Iskandar
 
Petrus would pause in front of some tropical, foreign tree he had had imported years ago. It produced a spiky, large fruit that was bitter but juicy and he would listen to Feyrith's concerns before nodding.

"I do. Several, in fact, but as for terms of completion...."

Petrus trailed off, shaking his head, and his expression stiffened in consternation.

"The issue with eliminating cults or groups of terrorists is that it less like trying to cut the head off a serpent and more like trying to catch a nest of rats by hand. You may find where they hide at the moment, get your hands on one or two, but then they spread and run, creating more hideouts, more nests and invite more rats into your home."

Letting out a haggard sigh Petrus would rub at his face.

"In any case, the goal of the first few assignments will be not only eliminating what cells you find but, more importantly, trying to do so discreetly and gather what information you can. The only true end to a group such as this is to eradicate every nest, every hideout, at once while also ensuring the death of their leaders."

Petrus would turn the rub to his face to cradling his jaw.

"A tall order.... hence my need for women such as yourself. But if you feel you are not up to this task then you need only say so and I will leave you be."

Feyrith​
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back