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Act II - Growth & Balance
Scene II
3 Timber, 1051
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The dwarf named Salvatori had watched the Nazushobok contacts from the mountainhomes arrive and trade, then leave. One of them had stayed behind, an emissary of sorts from the Nazushobok business partners, awaiting an audience from the head of the Nazushobok family.
Salvatori deemed all these events to be convenient. They provided a distraction from the dwarves' normal activities, which meant that has own doings would not be monitored.
He had appeared deliberately unappealing to the Nazushobok caporegime who had interviewed him. The caporegime believed him to be slovenly, tradeless, and dimwitted. This was advantageous.
As the days went by he kept his eye on Nazushobok dwarves. The one named Barrantino interested him. When the time was right, Salvatori approached the soldato.
Winter had come. It did not snow or freeze in this hot region, but the normally humid air had grown cold and clammy. Barrantino, with a sheen of sweat on his brow despite the weather, was busy in the kitchens. He'd shown some considerable skill as a cook, and had been put to use when not busy with more important matters.
"Smells good," Salvatori said by way of greetings. He waited for Barrantino to acknowledge him, which the other dwarf did with a polite nod.
"Hey, I need to talk to you. That okay?" Salvatori grinned, turning on the charm.
The soldato, though, seemed to have an unusually sharp demeanor. He merely shrugged. "Alright, make it quick."
Salvatori paused. This was dangerous ground, and he'd have to be careful. "So, look. I've heard your Boss isn't too wild on the idea, but I know a few people back home who are into the herb business. They have access to some of the stuff that's really hard to get - directly from the elves."
Barrantino considered...
Barrantino has passed a Loyalty roll."Nah, not interested," The soldato grumbled. "Too risky."
"I see," Salvatori said. The other dwarf sounded as if he couldn't be convinced. This was unfortunate.. and he'd have to be more careful now lest he arouse further suspicions. "Yeah, you're probably right."
Barrantino picked up a ladle and began to stir the stew he'd been busy cooking. "Best to forget that sort of thing, pal. And don't go talking to people about it. The orders from the Boss expressly forbid it." It was a warning, clear and simple. Salvatori nodded graciously, mumbled a thanks, and walked off. Apparently he'd misread the character of the soldato. But it wouldn't happen again..
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Note: I have no untaken male dorfs left at the moment. Anyar, I've put you on hold until the next migrant wave, unless you'd like a female instead.