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[Ghazkull]

Corvinus showed a predatory grin

Aye. I did. Isn't that what your commander wanted?

[Shootandrun]

Kathos looked around him. No one was near - what he was going to say might get them into trouble.

"A young, inexperienced queen without older family members with whom she could seek advice... A kingdom full of potential and a growing strenght in the north - far enough from the dragon empire or from the uddanese lands to be safe, but near enough to know the most powerful nations in this part of the world... Sounds like a good place to have some spies. This kingdom's power will grow, and if Retcyl was to become an advisor of the queen, he might be able to take control of many things in these lands. And when that will happen, the hatcuri empire will have a good beachhead in the storm coast."

He hesitated. That was enough for now.

"But only time will tell what are the plans of this ambassador. We cannot prove anything against him, and he might only be trying to help us - making a move against him in this situation would be foolish."

[Dwarmin]

"The pleasure is mine, miss... Alanis. Don't be mistaken, my first goal here is not to serve her highness, but rather to achieve a lifelong dream of mine: I have been offered financial help to create a university in Talama. My serving the Queen is just a mean to repay her kindness and make good use of my political skills while I plan my project. As for my exact function, her majesty entrusted me with diplomatic affairs, a charge I carried for almost ten years under the command of the Duke of Vasir. He observed a silence after that last sentence, his eyes staring at a mental image of his old home over Tala's shoulder. He then took a more joyful tone of voice and continued: Enough has been said about me, young lady! What does a noble miss do in this empty palace? Don't you have a family estate or lands? Or maybe it is the town and its life that you find most appealing..."

"Indeed-but my estate and lands are being tended to by my mother. I generally spend my time learning about the nuances of politics and people here, and there are amusing diversions to be had in Talama, if one has the means to find them. All those years cooped up in my manor, I am not overly eager to go back now.

But truly, I am looking for an avenue in which I can impress the Queen and regain my families honor. It had been many since House Alanis held any sort of distinction, and I hope to change that"

She had a thoughtful look of her own. She had been pondering how exactly to do that before speaking to him.

"Well, as you say, this palace is fairly empty now. Would you allow this fair young lady to escort around the city and show you the sights? No one would think us improper for walking together, and we could talk a bit more. Unless you think me a viliianess, to take you unawares?"

'Tala' laughed good naturedly.

[leone313]

After a brief hesitation, and a laugh thrown in for good measure, Avitus smiled at Tala:
"I would be glad to have you show me around this jewel of a city. And who would refuse such an exquisite company!"
He said, the accents of laughter still in his voice.

[filiusenox]

William's face remained blank throughout Thunderblade's talk.
"Yeah, alright... But the people of Ligoria would have suffered if the cropblight infected the rest of the feilds. Famine, you know, that would have hurt my people, so I wouldn't be pleased if it caught, I  would personally string that Hatcur up, damn diplomatic immunity to hell...."
William seems angry, his bad leg is folded over the other and he is tapping the side of his heavily padded boot. Then he changes the topic.
"On a lighter note, what did you think about Madami Alanis's party?"

[NUKE9.13]

Return to Embassy, meet with Hugo and Kawakai

"Retcyl, my friend. Welcome back. I trust you had a good trip?"

"Kawakai? Bad news. Poor dear came in bleeding one night, fainted whilst I bandaged her wounds, and hasn't woken since. I don't know much about medicine, but it seems to me she is fine- just tired. Very, very tired. She's in a back room. There are people taking care of her. Another Hacturi came looking for her a short while after she fell asleep, but she hasn't been back since. I don't know what happened."

"On a more cheerful note, let me show you around! I think I did a very good job with the place, don't you? The innkeeper is back, and taking care of the inn part of the establishment. Towards the back and on the upper floors we have quarters for you and your men, and rooms for all number of purposes. A little empty at the moment, but I'm sure your men will have no trouble settling in. I took the liberty of granting myself a room and office on the upper floor- small thing, you won't miss the space. And"-Hugo looks around for a moment-"...if we twist this candlestick and push this floorboard down, this door opens up- wonderfully hidden, isn't it?- which gives us access to the 'lower floors'. I haven't had much time to find staff for those, yet, though I think I might be able to find a few folks- I've seen one or two down at the docks, not to mention this one fellow who stole one of my paintings right in front of the queen!"

"Anyway. I'll show you all the various doors later. If you forget where they are, the paintings"- Hugo gestures to the wall, where a small, quickly-doodled painting hangs-"contain clues and directions, to those in the know. The current lot are temporary, I will paint some truly worthy of the place when I have the time. So much to do, so little time!"

Hugo pauses for a moment, looks around as if thinking, and then concludes:

"Well, I'm rambling. There are details to be explained, but that can wait until later. Was there anything else you wanted?"

[Dwarmin]

Outside the Hacturi embassy...

"Sick you say? Hasn't waken up? How horrible...

Awalia walked away from the embassy with a nasty smirk. Of course, the boss hadn't allowed poisoned weapons to the fight. And, of course Awalia has poisoned her own sword-but nothing that would show up right away, oh no. It was a very careful poison, one that left it's target in a case of extreme weakness, but had a delayed effect-and it was extremely difficult to detect. She was no alchemist, but she knew how to obtain such things. Pretty brilliant, she had to say for herself.

She had made sure no second rate Hacturi wretch would be taking her job. Her foe was still alive-there would be no investigation, and the boss would assume she had just backed out like a coward. Awalia would be on top again soon, once she managed to find the bosses target by herself. In fact, she had gotten pretty fed up with the boss too. Maybe he could use a dose of the poison in his morning coffee. Who knows what could happen?

Then, maybe, Awalia thought she would visit little Kawakai and finish the job she started.

[micelus]

((Sorry for delay. Just got addicted to my PS3 again... ))

"Seems that you've done a good job with what you were given...Wonderful. Shame about poor Kawakai but things must go on after all"

Retcyl looked around, and asked him in a much quieter voice.

"Have you contacted the underworld of the city yet? I do believe we need them to accomplish our goals, artist...And yes this art thief, he may be useful...Where could he have gotten wings? Either he's a skilled inventor or a mage...Track him down, won't you Hugo? I'll find staff for our...lower rooms soon enough."

In a much louder voice, Retcyl said:

"These paintings do need replacements yes, daily scenes of life in Ligoria and of course of anything you desires. But I do wish for something that will make it obvious that this is an embassy. A painting of the Emperor or some major battles in the history of the Empire. My scribe has books on them if you wish to know.."

After speaking with Hugo, let it be known to the criminals of the underworld (via beggers, secret messages, messengers and rumours) that the Hatcur Embassy is looking for spies and contacts. Retcyl will be alerted if any are found. Also, send a messenger asking for the construction of a ship (which I believe is 1 ducat).

Spoiler: Holdings (click to show/hide)

Retycl Jementeten

1 infantry regiment. Ambassador Guard. In Talama
1 mediocre ships. In Talama
1.5 ducats.
3.5d/y

Budget Breakdown:
+1.5= Ship Lease
+2= Commercial/Service Business (Size 2)

[Shootandrun]

Kathos was surprised by the question, but he answered honestly.

"There's not much to say about the party... I was not interested in the art. I came to learn about the woman, and I did. Lady Alanis is a woman of words, and not a woman of actions. A fool disguised as a flatterer... Or a dangerous woman disguised as a flatterer. Once again, only time will tell. I do not think she will manage to rise high in the queen's esteem. She might be a woman, just like the queen, but they are not made of the same metal."

Steel and silver, he thought. Silver might be beautiful, but it will never cut steel.

"Do you have anything to say about her?"

[filiusenox]

"Eh...Quite beautiful I suppose. And indeed a flatterer. But she seemed too intelligent to be a fool. But perhaps she is, having a dagger strapped to your thigh means your incredibly stupid or brave.
But what I do know is that she wants power, that's what the party was really about...I mean really, only a few paintings and so many people invited? That's weird, considering the expense lavished. If I was going to have a party for viewing art, I have at least thirty paintings, several sculptures, mysterious artifacts wrested from some gods-forsaken ruins, and have a good bit of theatre topping it all off, perhaps some dancers."
He opens his coat and pulls out a small glass decanter of liquor and two metal shot glasses.
"Do you drink? This is prime 320 Old Elberthian Brandy..."

[CyberGenesis]

After speaking with Hugo, let it be known to the criminals of the underworld (via beggers, secret messages, messengers and rumours) that the Hatcur Embassy is looking for spies and contacts. Retcyl will be alerted if any are found. Also, send a messenger asking for the construction of a ship (which I believe is 1 ducat).

You find an old sea captain looking to retire. He's apparently spent most of his life as a simple courier for merchants, but he's done well for himself and wants off the seas while they're still calm. You manage an easy 1d for his ship.

Spoiler: Holdings (click to show/hide)

Retycl Jementeten

1 infantry regiment. Ambassador Guard. In Talama
1(2) basic ships. In Talama
0.5 ducats.
3.5d/y

Budget Breakdown:
+1.5= Ship Lease
+2= Commercial/Service Business (Size 2)

Corvinus showed a predatory grin

Aye. I did. Isn't that what your commander wanted?

You can almost hear the laugh in Eshir's voice, "It was, but he is not me. He is also no longer a commander in this state, and not by his own choice. So I ask you, mercenary: What use are you to me?"

[CyberGenesis]

((Tari or Nuke: If you could, roll my sales please)

1 Heavy Carrack, 2 Holds [6 move]

Vasir: 2x Flax ->Galam [-1M]
Galam: NONE->Ligoria [-1M]
Ligoria: 2x LQ->Lechem [-1M]
Lechem: 2x Fish->Galam [-1M]
Galam: NONE->Vasir [-1M]

Starting Autumn, 15% sales tax in Vasir

[micelus]

(Imma guessing that no criminals have turned up to my service...Looks like I'll have to do things myself...)

Another ship for the mighty Hatcuri Empire! Ha! If only this accomplished much...Still lots more to do before the ship could be useful...Well actually it would become quite useful in spring, but not yet.

But enough of that, Retcyl needed to find these criminals.

Retcyl went again to the Robber's Flask, Hugo's former resting place. He waited...

Send scouts out to find out who are the major criminal groups in Talama are. Go to the Robber's Flask (the cheap inn) and look for any criminal gangs or dealings.

[Ghazkull]

Well, lets see you are short of a commander and i am a mercenary captain. You are a Military State and i could provide you with Weylandish Mercenaries. And i know that you are planning something. I mean come on, a peaceful militaristic state? The whole thing seems too awfully convenient.

[Shootandrun]

Kathos was not surprised when the man talked about the dagger strapped to the woman's thigh - most inexperienced nobles liked to have a weapon with them at all time, as if it was going to protect them if someone tried to kill them. Foolish. He was surprised, however, when William offered him a drink.

"I do drink a little", he answered. 'A little' meant 'But I will not get drunk'. "Are we going to drink for a special occasion?" Most people tried to keep their good bottles for themselves, unless they had a good reason to share them.