An ill-fated meeting

Posted on 31 Dec 2020 @ 11:43pm by Mage Kalian Winter & Warrior Martin Josceran & Warrior Rhiannon Cadash & Rogue Elinowy Ursulas

3,392 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: Lore's Labour's Lost
Location: Jader outskirts
Timeline: Cloudreach 17th - mid-day
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The sun had risen to almost mid-day by the time they found the recruiter. In truth Martin had held little hope at this point of finding her but there she was, looking quite bored, sitting on a large rock on the middle of a crossroads, her qunari guard leaning against that same rock as he idly sharpened a dagger. So far she matched the description given by Orla perfectly and besides, Martin didn't figure there were too many dwarves walking around with Qunari friends. He exchanged a glance with Kalian. This was where their mission would either end in success or disaster.

***

Roxa had been about to call it a day when she'd spotted the small group heading her way. Probably the dwarf she'd been told to expect ; recruiting had slowed to almost nothing now. The most desperate refugees had already signed up, and the others may be getting suspicious, not seeing the others come back with pockets lined in gold. They may have to update their recruiting methods a bit but there was no hurry, the current workforce did a satisfactory job. With the help of a whip and half-rations as an incentive those Fereldans sure could work hard.

She squinted at the approaching party, frowning when they proved to be more numerous than expected. She was waiting for one dwarf and maybe a guard or two, not a whole effing retinue ! Five - no, seven - no, eight of them ! She shifted a bit uncomfortably. Being outnumbered was never a good thing, even if Gangue was easily worth three of anyone.

"Problem ?" Gangue asked. He was a Qunari of few words.

"Dunno yet." Roxa would have felt better if he hadn't sounded so damn hopeful. She knew - or suspected - that her Qunari acolyte's greatest ambition was to die fighting, but that sort of thinking could be as dangerous to her as to her enemies.

"Say the word." He sheathed his dagger and grabbed the huge, huge sword that he lugged around - and wielded like he would a letter-opener.

By then the party had got close enough for Roxa to get a good look. One female dwarf on a dark grey horse - that must be this Rhiannon she'd been told to expect. Six guards...? But two of them did not have a weapon, and were dressed in rags. One obviously hailed from Rivain, the other's fair complexion and coppery hair gave little indication as to his origins. Orlesian, most likely. And the last - and tallest - of them was a woman with flaming red hair and... fairly obvious attributes, that were not those she would expect in a guard. Roxa wasn't worried... yet, but she was definitely vigilant now. Her hands found the twin axes at her belt and rested there, in a casually threatening pose.

"Hail, travelers," she called. "Would one of you happen to be called Rhiannon ?" Her eyes rested on the silver-haired dwarf woman, whom she'd dubbed the most dangerous.

Rhi made small talk with Elinowy, Korbyn and Martin as they had made their way to the meeting place. After a bit she could see a couple of figures up ahead. A female dwarf and a Qunari. *This must be Roxa.* thought.

It had taken a little longer than had been planned but the company had been very pleasant. As the group approached Rhi heard Roxa call out. Rhi seen how the woman stood with her hands on her axes with a practiced ease that said 'I know jow to use these.' Rhi gave a nod when the dwarf called out her name. "I am Rhiannon Cadash. You must be Roxa. Forgive our lateness. Found these young travelers (motions to Martin, Elinowy and Kalian) walking this way. It is always nicer to have company while on the road."

By the time they found Roxa, Kalian's repertoire of small talk had been exhausted, and he was beginning to regret presenting himself as the fictional Korbyn in Rhiannon's pleasant company. But he felt no relief at the sight of the recruiter and her Qunari guard.

Roxa regarded the pretty young dwarf representing the Night's Kiss – the captain's daughter, according to her sources. That Rhiannon had, by her own admission, befriended people on the road spoke volumes about her character and potential to be manipulated. The four dwarven guards deferred to her. A grin spread across Roxa's face, oozing persuasive warmth. "I am indeed Roxa. It is an honor and pleasure to meet you, Rhiannon Cadash, of the Night's Kiss."

Remembering that he was supposed to do the talking, Kalian spoke. "M-madam Roxa, the three of us," he gestured to include Martin and Elinowy, "saw a flyer, and we understand you're hiring. One royal a day. What kind of work would we be doing, and where?"

Roxa's attention shifted to the humans, her irritation with the interruption quickly masked. It was almost too easy, exploiting the desperate and gullible. All three humans appeared healthy, and strong enough. The woman was tall and pretty for a human, and by appearances accustomed to working on her back. Deciding which work party to assign that one would take extra consideration.

"It's hard work. Mining. That's why the advertised pay is a royal a day, but you three look up for it. My roster is nearly full, but luckily for you there are three positions left. As for the mine's location, if you want the job I'll be taking you there today." Roxa pointed dismissively to a wagon waiting behind the rock she was standing on. "Wait in the wagon while Rhiannon and I talk."

Martin hesitated briefly and glanced at Kalian. If they got on that wagon, there were committing themselves past the point of no-return with no inkling as to what lay ahead. On the other hand, Roxa looked like a far cry from a drooling maniac murdering people for kicks, which meant there was something else going on. And from the number of people already involved, something of more considerable scope than he'd imagined.

Mining ? What the Fade could that have to do with anything ? But if Kalian had doubts he didn't show them, and knowing Sister Elinowy she would let herself be carried by the Maker's will. Hoping silently they'd find a way to get out of this alive, Martin climbed on the wagon, offering his hand to his "sister" to help her climb.

How Elinowy kept her mouth shut in front of Roxa was a minor miracle in itself. They were there to learn more about the flyer and missing workers. And it seemed the presence of Rhi with them had made the Dwarf recruiter not so discerning. While aching to perform her line of being a desperate poor woman of lowly station looking for work, events seemed to not require her performance. Mining. She had done her share of hard labors rebuilding her Chantry in Bette Noir, hauling and hammering lumber, applying tile and securing windows, but nothing like extracting minerals from solid rock. She felt a bit un-prepared for that type of work, but she had faith the Maker was guiding her to where she needed to be. And if she was called to be a miner, then mining she would do, to the best of her ability. At a minimum, she could bring water to the other workers, and care for their injuries when they occurred. She had many skills that would be useful to those working the mine. She would wait for the moments the Maker chose to use her.

She reached up to take Martin's hand to climb into the wagon. Her long hair flowed out behind her as she turned to wave farewell to Rhiannon. She found the normal peasant clothing to be freeing, a very different look from the hooded habit. Stepping over the side of the wagon she quickly found her way forward in the wagon to await her companions. She lightly hummed and mouthed a passage from the Canticle of Exaltations. A popular chant, no reason a poor desperate woman of the streets wouldnt be contemplating them while waiting. It also gave her hope that the Maker would deliver them from whatever tribulation lie ahead.

Kalian followed Sister Elinowy – no, he must think of her as just Elinowy so he didn't slip up again – into the wagon without protest. Although it did feel like they were willingly stepping into a trap, nothing nefarious had happened… yet. They hadn't been tied up or drugged - they were there willingly. Presumably at the end of the wagon's destination, they would discover the location of the missing people and what was going on there. Kalian was beginning to feel guilty they hadn't warned Roxa, who seemed to be as much in the dark as they were. He motioned in what he hoped was a subtle way for Martin and Elinowy that they should listen to the conversation between Rhiannon and Roxa.

Gangue watched with simmering disappointment as the three humans got into the wagon, just as most of the other humans and elves had done. No protest, no struggling. No blood for his greatsword. He gave a bored sigh and his gaze wandered past the female dwarf Roxa was speaking with, a potentially dangerous foe and yet an apparent ally. Then he focused his attention on the four dwarven guardsmen, fingers wandering to his greatsword's pommel. Now, there was a challenge. He waited, hoping the four would attack or Roxa would give the command.

Roxa had stopped paying attention to the three humans, entirely focused on Rhiannon. That unusual eye and hair colour made her stand out, even more so with her sailor garb. She looked fairly young, early twenties perhaps, presumably bumped to her current position on account of her mother. This was something Roxa could work with - perhaps even take advantage of. Rhiannon looked confident, probably too confident for her own good. Roxa's face remained neutral but inside she was smiling a toothy, hungry grin.

"Your captain must trust you a great deal to send you to negotiate in her stead," she said. A bit of flattery could not go amiss. "I will not waste your time. I would like to offer you a one of a kind deal. We need goods shipped discreetly. The quantity isn't huge - a few crates, monthly or bi-monthly. For a generous fee, of course. Interested ?"

Rhiannon watched as the three humans headed to and started getting in the cart. The short time she had spent with the three Rhi thought she had a good read on them. Of the two men, Martin seemed like the only one who would not have to much trouble in the mines. Korbyn, it would take a while to get used to hard labor. Elinowy though, she would not survive the mine. Roxa would probably put her to work relieving the stress of those who were guarding those who were mining. Then again, it would depend. If Rhi's suspicions were true about the young lady, what would Roxa do, if it was true. Rhi just couldn't figure out what would bring a Sister out here. If Elinowy is a sister, then that meant Martin and Korbyn were probably her guards. Rhi thought. It was Korbyn's slip of 'Sis...' that planted the seed in Rhi's mind.

Her attention shifted back to Roxa when she spoke about how her mom must have such trust in her to make a deal with out her. Flattery was usually nice but the small tone was there. That told Rhi that this dwarf thought she was a push over. So let her think that. "Yes, yes she does. Well I hope so." She put a bit of nervousness in her voice. As Roxa gave a quick pitch to what she wanted Rhi listened carefully. A few crates monthly to bi-monthly with a generous compensation. She knew enough to know that whatever would be in the crates could definitely cause major issues if customs decided to do their jobs.

She gave Roxa a warm and innocent smile. "Yes, yes, we are interested. I would like to discuss the details over a drink." She reached down to fish out a a leather whiskey holder. "Spirits from the Night's Kiss." She and her guards will follow Roxa.

Roxa allowed her toothy, hungry grin to spread across her face. This youngster was not so naïve as she appeared, bringing her own liquor to a negotiation with the Carta. There was more than one way this sailor could be useful to her. "Excellent, first mate Rhiannon. Please do accompany us to the mine, where you can see the operation firsthand and we can work out the finer points of our arrangement."

"Gangue," barked Roxa, striding toward the wagon's front seat.

With a frustrated grunt, the qunari stopped fondling his pommel and followed his mistress. He lifted Roxa into the driver's seat of the wagon, then joined her, taking the reins.

Roxa did not sit on the wagon's bench seat, but instead climbed up to perch on the seat's back, looking down at her three new recruits and toward Rhiannon with her retinue on horseback following behind.

"You there," she addressed the red-haired human woman. "What's your story? Why are you here instead of comfortably plying your trade in a brothel?"

Elinowy was not really grasping everyone's preoccupation with thinking her the harlot. She stopped her humming and looked up at the dwarven woman. "I am just a desperate poor woman of low station looking to make money." she recited with some eagerness. "I've not been in a brothel, but I do have experience balancing accounts receivable against staffing resources." In truth her experience as a "mother" of her Chantry had her much more suited to manage a mine than actually work inside one, but she would need to play the part the Maker presented.

Kalian had been getting more worried about the potential consequences of Elinowy's disguise. If there was one thing he knew about the deception of hiding in plain sight, was that it worked best if he kept the lies and fake information to a minimum. Elinowy had done well, not pretending she'd been in a brothel, and his mind raced thinking of a way to build on her offer of skills she truly possessed.

"If I may add, madam Roxa, Elinowy has only recently taken up uh, this work. She was really good at managing the accounts for the, uh, merchant company she used to work for. But then the owner disappeared and took all the money with him. A customer at the tavern where I used to work said that if she was so desperate, she should try, uh…" Kalian shrugged, playing the part of the irresponsible family friend. "I guess they call it the oldest profession for a reason."

Roxa stroked her chin and considered this information. She did need someone she could trust to manage the books and manage supplies. The current bookkeeper was Carta, undoubtedly skimming, but fully on board with all aspects of the operation, including the indefinite delays in paying the workers. Roxa regarded the red-haired woman's brother. She could use a family bond to control one by threatening the other. "New, huh? She'll have plenty of eager customers in the camp to break her in."

"Hey !" Martin did his best to infuse his voice with indignation. "That's my sister you're talking about !"

Roxa gave him a disillusioned look, almost overflowing with condescension. "Then that makes you her pimp, I suppose. And not a very good one at that, or you wouldn't be here."

Too bad Martin couldn't summon an embarrassed flush on command. "We couldn't go on as we'd been doing. This is our chance to start again and get a better life. Better than the street."

"Yet you pimp out your sister, but not yourself." Roxa snorted, amused. She would have done the same, had she had a sister and need of coin. She glanced at the quiet Rivaini, then at the red-haired beauty. If that one wasn't worth her keep in the mine, Roxa already knew where she'd be assigned. In fact, she might give her to Gangue for a night, to loosen him up a bit.

They had reached a junction with a small path and Gangue pulled the reins to direct the horse to the right. It knew the way well, having picked up workers several times a week for months now. The ride was a little bit rougher there than on the main road, the uneven terrain making the ride bumpy. Roxa was used to it and easily kept her balance, smirking when one of the humans nearly fell out of the cart after an especially bad lurch of the cart.

Kalian had been trying to think of something to say. So far whatever he said to Roxa made their situation worse. They were headed southeast, through a thick forest, along a road that was little more than a path. The wagon shifted suddenly, giving him the sensation of nearly falling out of the cart, but he caught himself just in time. After that, he held tight.

Gangue glanced at Rhiannon, reins loosely held in one hand. The horse had smelt that they were headed home and needed little further prompting, giving Gangue leisure to examine their guest. She looked tough and resourceful. Of course her diminutive, dwarvish height put her at a disadvantage, but if she was fast she could still prove a worthy opponent.

"You know how to use that ?" Gangue asked, pointing his chin at the sword hanging at her belt.

Rhi listened to Elinowy answer Roxa's question. The more the young woman talked the more Rhi was being convinced that she was not a woman of the night. She was still not convinced though that she was a Sister. Maybe awaken one or more likely a disgraced initiate. Then Martin spoke in defense of her. He truly sounded as if he was her brother.

When Gangue asked her if she knew how to use her sword. She tilted her head and gave the Qunari a wickedly mischievous grin. "Ohhh this old thing? Why I would hope so. Have had this sword in my hand since I can't remember when." She un-sheathed it slowly. The rapier was a double edged straight blade. With an Orlesian guard. The blade, guard, and grip was a mat black in color with a dull crimson line down the middle on each side of the blade. The grip was wrapped in black leather. The guard and blade looked to be made of black mithral. The pommel was also black mithral infused with red diamond dust.

Gangue tilted his head as he examined the sword. Its understated elegance was more appealing than an heavily adorned weapon, but he sneered inwardly at the flimsiness of the blade. A rapier. Absolutely no match for his two-hander. Still, it could be good fun if the dwarf was good at dodging.

"Care to test your skill ?" He tried not to look too eager - Roxa had told him that it scared people off when he did that. Come to think of it, she'd asked him not to smile for the same reason.

Rho looked at the Qunari and gave him a playful grin. "Test my skill? Why, what skills are you referring to? Sword play, dancing, cooking? Course there are many other skills that you could be referencing." She slid her rapier back in its sheath.

Roxa threw back her head in a deep-bellied cackle and reached over to slap Gangue near the base of his neck. "Ha! She got you there, Gangue. Dancing. Cooking. Heh, heh! In a battle of wits she already has you beat." Roxa shifted her attention back to Rhiannon, eyes narrowed but still chuckling unpleasantly. "You're smart, sailor girl." Maybe too smart. Roxa would be careful with this on.

Gangue scowled and turned his back on Roxa and that other irritating dwarf who had denied him the satisfaction of an honorable fight, while also insulting him with some kind of Bas joke. He consoled himself with the knowledge that eventually Roxa would give the command he wanted most to obey.

 

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