Private Tales Rebel Yell

[Elliot Aldmar]

SIX MONTHS AGO​

All the townsfolk of Ypress were on their knees. A dead man, once the mayor, before them in the center of the town square. The mercenaries of Blair Company behind them and around them, their weapons out, swords hovering close to men, women, and children alike. And Leona Blair herself on horseback, trotting around in front of them with a satisfactory smile on her face.

"Where. Is. James. Farson?" she called out to the captive crowd.

Elliot stood over the mayor's corpse, wiping blood from his dagger. The company had been interrogating them for over two hours. If someone among them was going to break, they would have done it already. They might be terrified, but they weren't going to reveal his location--if they even knew it. Ypress was Farson's home. The center of the small rebellion at the southwestern edge of Dalriada. The Ypressians would hold firm, so was Elliot's reckoning.

"No one?" Leona scoffed, and scoffed in such a way that it was clear she enjoyed the challenge the townsfolk were presenting. She trotted close to him and said, "Impressive lot, aren't they? For a bunch of backwater peasants. Elliot, my sweet, what do you think we should do?"

Elliot shook his head. "Leave them. This is a waste of time."

"Not the answer I expected from you," she purred. "Our Obanese benefactors won't be very pleased if we return empty-handed."

"We're going to return empty-handed regardless."

Leona drew in a slow breath through her nose. Elliot knew her well enough in bed and on the battlefield to know that tell. She wasn't going to let this go. She was thrilled by the challenge, like a predator toying with prey for sport.

As her gaze remained unbroken on Elliot's, she called to the mercenaries, "Round up the children. Put them inside the church. They shouldn't see what's about to happen."

The mercenaries followed her orders stoically, casually, apathetically. They went amongst the crowd and pulled children from their parents, babies from their mothers' arms. There was crying, wailing, children panicked and frightened, but no one raised a hand against the mercenaries. Half of the mercs stood guard on the kneeling townsfolk while the other half shepherded the children toward the church at the other end of the town square. Leona kept staring down at Elliot, Elliot returning her gaze. Neither blinked.

When it was done, Leona smirked. She gave her order.

"Burn the church."

* * * * *

FORT PERSEVERANCE, GRIFFIN'S PEAK
PRESENT​

Commander Urgen Goldsmith sat at the end of the long table in the high chamber of the keep. A veritable feast was before him, a vast array of meats of all kinds. By the look of him, he ate such large meals regularly. He didn't even spare a glance to Elliot as he was escorted in by the soldiers. Urgen merely gave a lazy gesture to an empty seat at the table with one hand, while biting into the skin of a chicken leg with the other.

Elliot sat. His lip curled slightly in disgust as the chamber was filled only with the loud sound of smacking lips and chewing. Urgen, quite evidently, didn't bother to close his mouth while eating.

After a long moment, long enough for him to finish his leg of chicken and start digging into slices of ham, Urgen said, "I understand you were once in Blair Company, yes?" Still he had not looked up from his food.

"That's true," Elliot said.

"And you had something of a falling out."

"I quit the company."

"Pay not good enough?"

"Yes," Elliot lied.

Urgen poured some honey onto his next slice of ham and ate it, a trickle of the honey running down his lips. "Mmm. Spoken like a true mercenary. Good. Good. You're exactly what I need." He wiped at the wayward honey with a well-used handkerchief. "Because from what I understand, you know Captain Leona well. Quite well."

"You could say that."

"And you could find her, I take it?"

"It wouldn't be very difficult."

"Splendid." Tiny bits of ham spewed from his mouth when he pronounced the 'p' in splendid. As he went on to explain, still he had not lifted his attention from the feast before him. "We quelled that southwestern rebellion some two weeks ago, even if James Farson eludes our justice. But...word travels. What Captain Leona did in Ypress trying to find Farson was too much. The frontier folk are in an uproar about it, and Oban does not want yet another rebellion to be sparked because of the good captain's admirable enthusiasm."

Urgen pushed away the plate of ham and got started on some cuts of turkey. "So. Captain Leona. Alive or dead. Keep your team small. We're not trying to wipe out Blair Company--that'd send the incorrect message to other prospective companies. We only want her. Understood, mercenary?"

"I'll see it done."

Urgen dismissively flicked his hand toward Elliot. The soldiers standing behind him shifted, their armor rattling, as they made ready to escort him out. Elliot stood from his seat. Still Urgen hadn't looked up from his feast--he never had. Elliot kept his face neutral, but inwardly his disgust for the man was supreme. Urgen exemplified one of the pinnacles of decadence that civilization produced, and he was allowed to be so because society shielded him from nature. From the primal laws of the world.

Elliot was escorted out from Fort Perseverance and back into the mountainside town of Griffin's Peak. Far in the distance, up high in the town's namesake mountains, tiny dots--a small flock of feral griffins, likely.

Elliot went to one of the town's several general stores. Purchased some ink and parchment. He had some letters to write. One of which was to Nysia, to inform her of his current mission. Just the basics: the rebellion, Urgen and the Obanese military, and Captain Leona. He didn't write anything more than that--didn't want to overreach.

But if everything here went according to how Elliot planned...he'd have some solid progress to report to the Lamia. Concerning what they had spoken of in private aboard her ship.

Their cordial negotiation.

Nysia Srivani Siegewright

 

[Mahir]

Dogs barked incessantly as Mahir walked through the streets, the sound of their anger echoing through the night. One in particular stood by it's fence, jowls thrashing about as it demanded that he leave it's territory. Slowly the mimic came to a stop in front of the beast.

Pin prick red eyes slowly turned to face the hound, staring at it.

Silence almost immediately came to the little village, the dogs barking silenced into a quiet whimper as it quickly ran away back towards it's outdoor abode. Mahir tilted his head, watching the hound for just a moment before slowly he turned away and continued on his path.

It had not been hard to reach Griffin's peak. A few days ride, and then a short jaunt up the mountain. Nysia's direction had been exact, as they always were. The Lamia did not ever lead him wrong, unless she wanted to anyway.

Within short order he found his hand pressed against the open door of the Griffin's Tail. A tavern that by all accounts was about as average as any other.

As he stepped inside the low din of voices seemed to drop for a moment, more than one man looking up from his mug of ale to peer at the stranger. Mahir looked them over, and then took an easy smile to his scarred and torn up face. "I'm looking for a Dark Elf."

He declared simply, waiting for an answer from those within.

 

[Siegewright]

The last several months had set Siegewright's existence on an entirely new trajectory.

Centuries of solitary travel and mercenary work had molded him into the warforged he was: quiet, diligent, and perhaps slightly socially awkward. But now, it was all different. He wasn't alone anymore. And although he struggled to find the words to express it, he enjoyed the company.

They made an odd pair; a towering man of metal standing next to a petite fire genasi. As they gazed across the cobbled streets, Siegewright offered his arm to her. Both of them got quite nervous whenever she got lost in crowds. It didn't seem to matter however; the crowds seemed to part for them as they pushed forward. His large and unusual appearance usually drew attention, especially in small villages such as this. Elliot probably wouldn't appreciate the lack of discreetness on their part.

"Let us walk for time." He spoke soft and low to Srivani. "Until the villagers move on from our arrival." Siegewright had yet to learn of all the details of the impending mission, as Elliot's letter was concise, but keeping a low profile would likely be best. They didn't waste too much time; just enough of a stroll for Siegewright to understand the layout of the village, as well as a quick stop outside the bread stall of a portly woman with wiry hair. "Here." He handed a small loaf to Srivani. "You need to eat."

That was another adjustment for him. Being mindful of her need for sustenance and rest helped Siegewright feel more human than he had in decades. Many employers saw his lack of flesh as an advanage, but he appreciated the fleeting moments in which the divide between himself and humanity seemed smaller.

The duo approached the tavern Elliot had mentioned upon finishing their jaunt, and Siegewright herded Srivani closer to him. They could not risk anyone possibly recognizing or taking interest in her. Unfortunately, their timing was poor. In his fretting about his companion, he nearly bumped into the figure standing near the entryway, many eyes already upon them. This only grabbed his attention momentarily, as the presence of the man before him was much more commanding. He certainly seemed human, and yet there was something distinct in the air about him. Something different, something off.

He offered a slow and sincere dip of his head, the tip of his helmet grazing the celing. "Apologies."

 

[Srivani]

'Let us walk for a time.'

Her golden eyes had been gazing, wide with curiosity at the faces that stared back at them. She was used to it by now, though it was the sight of the war forged of whom she clung to who drew the looks of fear and fascination. She looked up from underneath her large hood as the sonorous sound of his voice rumbled through her and she nodded. Srivani had been unable to shift the apprehension she felt about the request that Seigewright had received to meet with Elliot again, but she understood the type of creature her companion was, dutiful and devoted, and she trusted him completely.

'Here, you need to eat.'

Srivani's lips curled into a smile, the warmth of which met her eyes as instantly as they always did when he looked after her. She stood onto her tiptoes to press her hand to his cold, metal cheek as she took the bread. "Thank you my friend." she answered softly, lifting the fresh bread to her nose to breathe in the comforting aroma.

"Smells good." she informed, feeling that it was only her duty to do so. "Tastes good too." she added, her words now muffled by the mouthful. Sri happily allowed the giant to tuck her in against his side as they wandered toward the tavern, though as they stopped abruptly she peeked up at the figure to whom Seigewright had spoken and the mouthful of bread went down with an audible gulp.

Despite the power she wielded, the world was far too large a place for Srivani. Siegewright had been her guardian, her walking bastion, the one being she knew had no intention of harming her or using her for whatever benefit. Her distrust of everyone else had her look upon most people with a timorous glisten in her eyes, but what made the one before them now different was that she felt Seigewright's unease and not just her own. Her hand tightened it's hold on her companion's arm, as much to ease his discomfort as her own.

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

The patrons of the Griffin's Tail cast glances to one another. Maybe a little wary of the traveler, Mahir, but not overly concerned. They never were with newcomers. Being in the shadow of Fort Perseverance had its benefits.

A collective recounting from among them:

"A dark elf?"

"Don't those live in caves?"

"What, like bats? Are they bats?"

The barkeep, a man with a braided white beard, waved with a big dismissive gesture. "Shaddup, you drunk lot." Then to Mahir he said, "I seen a dark elf, yeah. Was one here not but an hour ago. Got some supper and then left. He--oh."

The barkeep interrupted himself when Siegewright bumped into Mahir. He looked to the three of them--Siegewright, the hooded woman on his arm, and Mahir--then beckoned them forward with big, friendly loops of his hand. "Well come on in, it ain't gettin' any warmer out there, I can tell ya that."

Then to Mahir in particular, "Like I was about to say, the dark elf said he was comin' back. How 'bout a drink in the meantime, traveler?"

Mahir Siegewright Srivani

 

[Mahir]

The unwashed masses were often so...uncouth. As he received a myriad of answers Mahir already found himself facing a myriad of answers that helped little. Lips thinned to scowl, and he was about to speak when something nudged into him from the back.

Almost immediately he turned, the changeling shifting as he was about to bite out a retort towards one of the peasants.

Then the thing that struck him turned out to be something all together far more interesting. Eyebrows raised for a moment, lips snapping shut. This...thing, whatever it was, he could not emulate. That he could feel to his very core. "Oh."

His voice was a rasp.

"No apologies necessary." Mahir sounded the picture of politeness, even though his tone was that of a dying man. "I was the one in the way."

His gaze flickered to the demure girl behind the metallic man, red eyes lingering.

Something tickled in the back of his mind, something the Lamia had said.

Before he could piece the memories together the barman called out to him, and his attention was dragged away. "A drink? Yes. I think I will, and how about some for my friend here?"

He asked the Golem of a man. "To show there's no hard feelings."

 

[Siegewright]

The stranger's voice seemed to scrape and creak through Siegewright's mind, especially as it was accompanied with pleasantries. Interesting... The hollow man stood fixated for a moment, trying to decipher what he deemed an unreadable expression before him (which unfortunately wasn't saying much; catching on to facial expressions and cues was still quite foreign and difficult to him). Such was his concentration that he nearly missed the man's offer of a drink.

No part of his sturdy body betrayed his surprise nor his conflict, although a hint of conflict likely wouldn't have been missed by Siegewright's travelling partner. It seems unwise to turn down an offer from a man who seems to be here for Elliot as well. I do not want to come across as disrespectful... He glanced at the strange man again. I also do not know this man, nor the role he will play in whatever Elliot has designed. A drink would not kill me; it would not do anything more than sit inside me, but perhaps I cannot assume it is only in good nature...

After his brief reflection, Siegewright nodded once more. "I appreciate the gesture." Establishing rapport with whom he'd likely be working with seemed like the best option. Having no body of his own to protect made these types of gambles less risky for himself. He glanced to Srivani in hopes of assuring her that for the time being, they needn't be concerned. Should circumstances change, he would be prepared. For now, it would be best to wait until Elliot returned.

 

[Srivani]

Srivani's eyes shifted to the barkeep and the man's vivaciousness eased her slightly, but what semblance of a smile she had mustered at his welcome was brief as she met Mahir's crimson gaze. A discomforting chill spider-walked up her spine and she glanced up at Siegewright, awaiting his answer to the stranger's offer.

Even without the ability to use expression, Sri took the intended reassurance from her friend's glance. She tried to avoid catching Mahir's eye again as she looked around, and she tugged at Siege's arm to lead him toward the empty table closest to the hearth. At least beside the fire, she felt a little more at 'home'.

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

Some five minutes after Mahir, Siegewright, and Srivani had sat down at one of the tables, Elliot arrived.

The door to the Griffin's Tail flew open and bounced roughly off of the wall, swinging back slightly on its hinges. A balding man with a scruffy beard was thrown into the tavern, his shoulder clipping the door and forcing it to smack against the wall once more as he fell down. The patrons and the barkeep glanced toward the commotion, the latter more concerned than the former. Elliot stepped through the doorway. Stood over the man. Then reached down and grabbed a fistful of his collar and yanked him to his feet, saying tersely, "Get up."

The balding man, altogether lacking the build of a fighter with his gangly arms and smooth jaw, had an anxious look on his face. His hands raised in a half-hearted defensive posture, he did as Elliot said and moved as Elliot directed, the dark elf pushing him along toward the table by the hearth.

Elliot pulled out one of the chairs, sat the balding man down in it roughly. When the man got a look at Siegewright and Mahir, his mouth opened, and he made to speak to the other two men. Elliot saw this and slapped him on the back of the head, hard enough to make his body lurch forward, his elbows on the table the only thing stopping his face from smacking against the wood. He balding man said nothing after this.

Elliot took his own seat then. He looked to Mahir: he was expecting that Nysia would be sending a 'representative.' She wanted to keep a closer eye on matters than he originally thought. Such was fine, for this current mission would be pivotal in Elliot's efforts, and Nysia's close observation only made sense. To Mahir he gave a knowing nod, not yet alluding to any relation between him and the Lamia.

He looked to Siegewright. It had been sometime since they last were a part of the same mercenary company, yet more and more they were crossing paths in freelance work. If ever there was a dependable person, Siegewright was it. Elliot truly felt a sense of guilt for when it became necessary to mislead him. "Good to see you again, brother."

And then he looked to Srivani. Her face was partially obscured by her hood, but Elliot could tell it was her. Even though she had quite evidently decided to travel with Siegewright, he was surprised nonetheless by her presence. She could have elected not to come, even if Siegewright himself still had. What she might think when Elliot's true plan unfolded, he honestly could not say.

"How have you been?" Elliot asked of her, careful not to say her name.

He didn't bother to address the elephant in the room: the balding man whom he held captive.

Siegewright Srivani Mahir

 

[Mahir]

He had slowly followed along with Sirvani and Siegewright to their table, fully intending on following through on his promise. Of course, that was interrupted when Elliot came crashing into the room. Almost immediately the mimic moved to step forward, but then stopped when the Dark Elf instead came towards him.

He watched for a moment, then sat himself down.

Mahir tilted his head in greeting to Elliot as he approached the table, that strange amused smile still resting on his face as he watched him. Gaze flickered towards the captive man for only a brief few seconds, figuring that it would best to wait for an answer to an unasked question.

A part of him was all too curious.

His mistress had not exactly been thorough with the details, she never tended to be. The great serpent enjoyed her secrets, even when it came to her agents. Often times it was best to simply watch and wait for the details that he required.

Besides, this was so...interesting.

What he did know of his companion intrigued him. He couldn't wait to find out more.

So all Mahir did was follow through on his promise to buy the big metal man a drink. He waved over towards the Waitress, ushering her to the table of strange companions. "Would you like anything?"

The Mimic said, asking Sirvani.

 

[Siegewright]

Suddenly, Siegewright was not concerned with any lack of discrepancy on his part. Elliot's attention-commanding entrance ensured that. He watched as the dark elf dragged a rather scrappy looking man to their table. The warm, low flames within the hearth danced on his armor, emanating a more life-like quality as he silently observed. This man was clearly frightened, so much so that he almost sought help from his captors companions. How intriguing.

His analysis was interrupted by Elliot's greeting. "And you, brother." He returned it swiftly, bowing his head in acknowledgement and maintaining eye contact (as much was possible for a man without eyes, in any case).

Siegewright shifted slightly as the target of both Elliot's and the mystery man's attention was now Srivani. He offered her his arm underneath the table to hopefully provide some type of support. Although they had been traveling together for quite some time, she still had few opportunities to socialize with others beyond himself. That combined with apprehension she may feel towards Elliot after their last adventure might not design a pleasant feeling. Siegewright kept his attention on the hooded man, still slightly wary, although Elliot did not seem to mind him. The gesture of providing drinks to the table could be either benevolent or malicious in nature, or so he had heard from other mercenaries. That remained to be revealed.

 

[Srivani]

The sudden crash of the door being near thrown off its hinges caused the fire dancer to jolt, her head whipping toward it with the wide eyes of a timorous doe. Seeing that she knew the dark elf who'd entered, she should likely have eased a little more than she did, but her gaze shifted between the unfortunate man and his captor and the trepidation she'd felt since the moment Siege had received the summons now doubled.

Elliot had freed her before she'd even realised she'd been captive. He'd kept to his word, and yet she couldn't shake the distrust she felt that'd stemmed from his involvement with the Lamia and the ease in which he omitted certain details of his plans. She doubted that anything to do with Elliot was going to be a simple thing, it would be a dangerous thing, a risky thing, and she so feared Seigewright being lost to her that she had felt no choice but to go with him.

Her brow furrowed as she watched, knowing nothing about the one Elliot shoved unceremoniously into a chair other than the fact that she did not envy him. Elliot's question drew her attention back toward him instead, though she floundered for a moment until Siegewright's arm was offered and she settled her hand atop it. For a man made of metal, he'd been nothing but considerate of her comfort.

"I have been well, thank you." she answered quietly in her usual, melodic accent. She'd been about to say more when Mahir spoke to her and she turned instead to him with a polite shake of her head and a soft smile. Her attention shifted once again to Elliot, question and expectation written in her expression as she wondered who the other men were and what the hell was going on this time.

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

The waitress returned with drinks for Siegewright and Elliot, and it was then that Elliot finally spoke more. The captive man stayed cowed, clearly ill-at-ease with his bowed head and downward, eyes-peeled-open gaze.

"This is Mahir," Elliot said, making an open-handed gesture to the same, introducing him to Siegewright and Srivani. "We have mutual interests in what I'm about to discuss."

There was no denying that there were clear similarities between what was happening here in the Griffin's Tail and what had happened back in the Grayshore at Grand Fair Harbor. Elliot had requested Siegewright's help, Srivani had been dragged into it, and there was a fourth party involved. As then, so it was now too: Elliot had to carefully dispense some truths, half-truths, and crafted falsehoods.

He got right to it.

"I'm working for the Obanese military this time."

"Several months ago, I was employed in a mercenary company led by Captain Leona Blair. A rebellion in the southwest of Dalriada was going strong. We were tasked with raiding a town called Ypress, the home of the rebel leader, James Farson. Farson wasn't there, nor would the townsfolk give up his location--if they even knew it."

Elliot shook his head. "Captain Leona ordered the company to burn the town's church, killing all of Ypress's children locked inside." He didn't outright say she had gone too far, but his tone carried that weight.

The captive man glanced toward Elliot, a measure of shock in his eyes. This was evidently the first he had heard of it.

Elliot at last touched his drink, taking a long gulp of the beer. Then he said, "The Obanese military wants Captain Leona, dead or alive."

He glanced to Siegewright. To Srivani. Back to Siegewright. "Are you in?"

He already knew Mahir's answer. Siegewright's he was fairly confident of. Srivani's would be interesting. Clearly she had developed a strong friendship with Siegewright in the wake of the negotiation with Nysia, but would she go with him if he agreed to this mission?

If so, something even more interesting would occur. Something that, to Elliot, would be telling of Srivani's character: her reaction when his true plan was revealed.

Mahir Siegewright Srivani

 

[Mahir]

Mahir simply inclined his head as Sirvani rejected his offer, noting the face that she made.

"Just two ales." He told the Waitress, ushering her away with a wave and a golden coin slipped into her palm.

The Mimic studied each of his new companions in turn. Watching them, every little twitch of their face, every expression they made. All the way down to their body language, how they seemed to shift and tug themselves closer as he inspected them.

Was that why Nysia had sent him here? So that he could learn? Lips thinned for a brief moment, and then Elliot began to speak. His gaze slowly migrated away from the woman and turned towards the Drow, listening as he explained a situation Mahir already knew.

There was no need to agree. No need to say anything at all.

Instead his attentions turned back towards the strange Golem and his companion.

His mistress had told him of these two, whispered a few words into the Mimic's ears. He knew enough, but...it still seemed so scant. The bargain had been made with Elliot, the other two? Well they were enigmas, mysteries that he still did not quite understand.

As he waited, the waitress returned to the table. Awkwardly placing one ale in front of Mahir, and the other in front of Siegewright.

 

[Siegewright]

The dark brown liquid sloshed in its tankard as the waitress slid it across the table. Siegewright watched his reflection distort and twist as it settled, a feeling of uneasiness gripping his consciousness. It felt very off every time, but he didn't want to be disrespectful of the gesture. He gripped the tankard handle (it was a pleasant surprise that it fit his large hand) and brought it to his helmet, his movements slightly stiff and awkward. With a nod to the man now identified as Mahir, Siegewright lifted the front of his helmet and tipped the ale in. A hollow, tinny sound accompanied it, and he 'chugged' it all before setting the tankard down. The splashing of the ale within his chest cavity was hardly discreet, and made it's presence known more so as he shifted closer to the table.

Elliot's proposition appeared rather straight forward. in Siegewright's experience with the drow, however, straight forward was hardly ever the case. Despite the changes in plans he'd witnessed in the past, Siegewright had yet to be given a reason to not trust his mercenary brother. Their last interaction with the Lamia would've been the first time the warforged felt doubt or concern regarding Elliot's intentions, and certainly one experiences couldn't overshadow many.

Siegewright glanced to Srivani, illuminated in the low light of the fire and tucked against his arm. She was likely to have more reservations about this job. Her interactions with Elliot were limited, and not necessarily positive despite him having made her freedom possible. Should Srivani decline, what was he to do? He did not want to let down Elliot when he specifically requested him, but leaving his traveling companion on her own seemed equally terrible. Siegewright stared at the ground, leaving a heavy blanket of silence on the table for several moments. After taking a moment to pursue clarity in his jumbled thoughts, his head snapped up and he looked to Elliot. "If Srivani's safety can be guaranteed, whether she choose to be involved or not, then my answer is yes." His voice had taken on a more somber tone than he intended, and he glanced to Mahir nervously. "Her safety is my priority."

 

[Srivani]

Srivani watched Siegewright with a look that sat between confusion and amusement as he drank the ale down, assuming he was just trying to be polite and wondering how he was planning to empty the sloshing liquid out later. She stifled a chuckle and returned her attention to Elliot, the gentle frown returning to match the seriousness of what he had to say.

To Mahir, she offered a shy nod in acknowledgment of Elliot's introduction, though otherwise her gaze remained fixed on the drow, the shifting emotions clear on her face as he told them why they were here. Her eyes were molten with rage and she had to grip Siegewright's arm a little too tightly with the effort it took to contain the urge to cry.

"Children!?" the word tumbled out with a shudder.

'Are you in?'​

It was interesting that Elliot seemed to be including her. She wasn't entirely sure what use she could be, but she looked up at Siegewright. If he was 'in', then she was too. His answer caused something in her chest to twist, and there was nothing she could to to stop the tear that rolled free from her glistening eyes as she looked back to Elliot with a firm nod.

"Yes."

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

Elliot flicked his eyes from Siegewright to Srivani. Hmm. Surprising. He would have thought their answers to be reversed, Siegewright with the solid affirmative, and Srivani asking for the guarantee of safety. Things had changed in the intervening time when last he'd seen Srivani, so it appeared. Perhaps she had been forced to use her fire for more than merely a dazzling show. The open world, with all its brutalities, its harshness, despised innocence, after all--it did not survive long.

"Safety can never be guaranteed," Elliot said to Siegewright. "And there will be combat."

He couldn't help the glance to Mahir. Nysia, most likely, did not send one of her creations here only to observe. Perhaps she was seeking a down payment of sorts on their deal. Bodies, hostages, whatever it was the Lamia sought to be gained from the strife here in the southwest of Dalriada. And there would be plenty, once the second phase of Elliot's plan was in motion.

The second phase of the plan. Elliot already knew Siegewright wasn't going to like it.

"However, the Obanese military doesn't want a bloodbath. They only want Captain Leona." He pressed a finger onto the table, adding emphasis to what he was to say next, "If all goes well, we won't have to take on all of Blair Company."

Elliot's captive bristled with anxiety at this, and Elliot ignored him.

It was going to be a delicate game, but that was why Elliot had requested for Siegewright, and had sent the letter to Nysia. Srivani proved to be a bonus. Together, once they were in the right setting, they could come up with an answer for Blair Company. Siegewright, Srivani, Mahir, all of them would have different perspectives to add.

"So," Elliot said. "She's coming."

Guarantee or no guarantee. Srivani was willingly taking on the risk, and Elliot respected that.

To Siegewright, "Can I count on you, brother?"

Siegewright Mahir Srivani

 

[Mahir]

Mahir glanced over towards the odd man of metal.

There was something utterly interesting about him that he couldn't quite describe. The Mimic found himself almost enamored. His lips thinned for a brief moment, before his attention turned back towards Elliot and what he was explaining.

"There are ways..." He interjected before Siegewright could confirm his own place.

His mistress had sent him here to be helpful for Elliot's plan.

Mahir was not entirely sure what the whole of the plot was, but this at least he could assist with. If the Lamia desired it, then he would see it done. The fact was that simple. It was what he had been created for. What else was there to do?

"That this Captain could be taken." He offered. "It might even appear that one of her own did the deed."

Briefly the Mimic glanced at all those gathered at the table. "That would be enough, no?"

Mahir looked back to Elliot.

 

[Siegewright]

Siegewright would be lying if he were to say that Srivani's answer was expected, or to say that he wasn't concerned. He glanced at her sidelong, studying the fire of determination dancing in her eyes. It was a look he had become familiar with and rather fond of. It was rather out of character for himself to be concerned with safety; it had never mattered before. Siegewright could not die as easily as other beings, and his death was never something important. It meant he was fulfilling his purpose. For Srivani, however, he wanted her to enjoy her new found freedom and build the life she longed for. But if she was determined to become involved, Siegewright would follow.

His hollow gaze then turned to Elliot. His brother in arms; a man equal in both intelligence and cunning. Siegewright had worked with the drow enough to be familiar with his workings. He was an efficient and well sought out mercenary, but it wasn't lost on Siegewright that Elliot's priorities were his own goals and desires. Taking out this captain seemed to be a task beneficial to the people of Oban, but the man of metal doubted that was the only reason this group had been assembled.

Then there was the matter of this Mahir, mysterious but seemingly friendly. His aura carried that similar stifling energy that was burned into Siegewright mind on the ship of the Lamia, but other than suspicion, he had no means to link the two. Perhaps his apprehension of Srivani being involved in a more dangerous mission made his thoughts too tumultuous. It wouldn't be right to act based off of mere assumptions. Elliot had always been good to him, and it seemed like this captain needed to be dealt with. That was enough for now.

After a period of silence that was just long enough to be uncomfortable, Siegewright looked to Elliot. "I will come." His voice was low and somber, but strong. He glanced to Srivani once more. "I will do my best to protect you, but you must likely fight as well." He was unsure how she felt about battle, but her willingness to come along was promising.

 

[Srivani]

The anxiety of what she'd just agreed to slowly settled over her as she listened to the others speak, her eyes like embers as they shifted from one to the next and lingered on the captive man who still sat there, now looking back at her. She pulled her gaze away from him and looked up at Siegewright as he spoke to her. Her brow rose at his gentle warning.

Fight? She wasn't a fighter. She had no idea how to wield a weapon, but she nodded in understanding. "I.. will try to find some way of being useful." she said quietly and gently chewed on her lower lip.

"Elliot?.. Who is this man?" Srivani asked with a jerk of her chin toward Elliot's unfortunate guest in effort to shift her thoughts away from the encroaching dread.

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

"It's good to have you, brother," Elliot said to Siegewright. For what was to come, it would always be welcome to have a trusted comrade alongside.

For just a small moment, the captive man seemed intensely uncertain about something after Mahir spoke, lifting his eyes even to look the mimic's way. Then the look collapsed, and the captive man returned to trepidation.

Elliot turned his attention to Mahir then. "Yes. That would be enough." After a quick moment, he added, "Taking her alive would be preferable."

Elliot entwined his hands and set them on the table, leaning forward slightly. "Captain Leona knows me. She trusts me. And she does not suspect my intentions."

He passed a knowing look around the table to Siegewright and to Srivani. A hard look that encapsulated in a gaze, I'm aware that this sounds like last time. It won't be.

"I've organized a meeting with her."

Elliot reached over then and clapped a hostile hand down on the captive man's back. He spoke to Srivani while glaring at the man. "And to answer your question, this man is coming along with us so that the surprise for Captain Leona isn't spoiled."

It didn't really answer her question, no. Not in the way she would have liked it answered, Elliot suspected. But the captive man's custody was nonetheless crucial to the plan.

Mahir Siegewright Srivani

 

[Mahir]

Mahir only smiled.

His mistress had spoken to him of the Drow and his ways. Information was always key, something that even the most powerful tended to hoard. The Lamia was no stranger to that tactic, but neither was Elliot, at least from what little he'd been told.

"Do those around her know you?" The Experiment asked plainly.

He was not privy to the intent behind all of this, just what Elliot was trying to do. The Lamia had kept that information from him, something she was apt to almost always do. He was a tool, a servant, there was no need for him to know.

That didn't stop him from wanting to know though. "It may be best if we greet one of them first."

Mahir said with a smile.

"And use his, or her..." It didn't matter which. "Face."

 

[Siegewright]

At this point, Siegewright elected to remain silent. Strategizing and planning had never really been his forte. His mere existence was for the purpose of brute force and muscle. In the past mercenary companies that requested his aid, there was usually someone else involved to ensure plans ran smoothly. All he had to offer here was his sword and protection. Mahir's involvement peaked his interest. Did he have something to gain? His eerie smile seemed out of place in the somberly lit tavern, speaking of methods that Siegewright doubted were friendly.

Of course, the point here was not to be friendly, evidently. He leaned back, the chair groaning under his weight as he loosely crossed his arms. It would interesting to see what course of action Elliot would choose. This Captain Leona was familiar with him, it appeared, but where did the rest of them come in? How would they account for their presence and establish trust? Siegewright found that most tended to be wary of him, especially since he lacked facial expression. Srivani was rare in that regard; she treated him more human that most. He glanced at her fondly. Risking himself for her safety was a given, of course. Whatever lie ahead of them, he would handle it.

"When is this meeting? How much time do we have?" Siegewright kept his voice low, in case the other patrons had gained interest in their conversation. Someone could always be watching, even if Elliot had taken the precaution of a captive.

 

[Srivani]

"And to answer your question, this man is coming along with us so that the surprise for Captain Leona isn't spoiled."
​

"That didn't answer any of my question." Srivani muttered her retort with a quiet huff as she sat back in her chair, folding her arms across her stomach with another wary glance to the captive man. Elliot, who had liberated her from her own, less literal, bonds now seemed perfectly content to drag this man around. She wondered if he was dangerous, if he had committed some crime deserving of such restraints, or whether he was just another innocent pawn in Elliot's game. She wanted to pry, to have such questions answered, but she could see that as usual, the dark elf was playing his cards close to his chest. Whether rightly or wrongly, she found herself feeling pity for the prisoner.

Mahir's suggestion quickly dragged her out of her own thoughts and back into the room, her head whipping around to look at him with wide, amber eyes as she subconsciously leaned a little more into the warforged beside her.

"Use.. another's face?" she asked, horrified at the disturbing images her mind conjured. She hoped he didn't mean that quite as literally as it had sounded. She glanced up at Siegewright with a look of concern and a quiet groan at the terrible feeling she had about this entire mission.

 

[Elliot Aldmar]

Mahir made his suggestion. Elliot considered it, the tips of his entwined fingers pressing lightly into the backs of his hands. The captive man seemed unperturbed by the sinister suggestion, his focus alternating between staring down at the table in a pensive manner and stealing quick glances, little flicks of his eyes, to Srivani and Siegewright.

"The majority of them do, yes," Elliot said to Mahir. He spared to momentary glance to Srivani, who was clearly aghast at the possible implications of Mahir's option. Normally, Elliot wouldn't have a problem with such a thing. But here, on this mission, a delicate balance needed to be struck. So he needed to inquire further.

"And I know them. Will this method kill the subject in question? It would be best to leave Blair Company as untouched as possible."

After the answer was given, Elliot had Siegewright's question to address.

"Three days from now. It's due south, in a town just beyond the border of Dalriada." With a confidence that subtly spoke to the carnal relationship he had shared with the captain, Elliot said, "Leona will be there. But she won't stay for long."

Mahir Siegewright Srivani