Once Larrius Varro is convinced there is no one close enough to make out their words, he begins his story.
"Once upon a time there was a bad magistrate who took gold from criminal organizations to reduce the sentences and fines of criminals. Everybody knew he was doing this, but nobody could prove it. Because even if it could be proved, the bad magistrate had important friends, and proof is not as powerful as important friends.
"At the same time there was a good officer who enforced the laws because he thought laws made people happy and safe. And it bothered the good officer that enforcing the laws did no good, because the bad magistrate let the criminals go as quick as the officer caught them.
"And even better, the good officer suspected that the bad people who were bribing the bad magistrate were probably criminals themselves. So the good officer decided that it would be good if the bad people who were bribing the bad magistrate should go away. Forever.
"So that good officer made a little special prayer that there would be a little bloodbath to wash the bad people away. There. Isn't that a nice little story? Maybe not a perfect story. Because it ends with a prayer, and not a bloodbath. But maybe the story isn't over yet."
Through his entire story, Garyn listens in stony silence. He answers slowly, not raising his voice.
"These...bad people in this story of yours...they wouldn't happen to be Camonna Tong, would they?"
Larrius Varro shrugs theatrically. "You said it, not me. No one will tell me, because I am an officer. And it is against the Code to tell officers things. But I do know that there are five of them. I know they are a scout, a pawnbroker, a savant, a thief, and a smith, and that they are in Balmora. Unfortunately, I don't know their names. But maybe you can find their names. And where to find them. And then maybe my story could have a happy ending. With a little bloodbath, instead of a little prayer."
Garyn's lips tighten into a grim smirk. "You know, I've heard a little story myself that the Thieves Guild doesn't like the Camonna Tong very much. And another little story about where I can find Thieves Guild members in Balmora. Perhaps the parts of the stories that I know could help to finish yours."
"Oh, I certainly do hope so. I'd hate to leave it unfinished."
no subject
"Once upon a time there was a bad magistrate who took gold from criminal organizations to reduce the sentences and fines of criminals. Everybody knew he was doing this, but nobody could prove it. Because even if it could be proved, the bad magistrate had important friends, and proof is not as powerful as important friends.
"At the same time there was a good officer who enforced the laws because he thought laws made people happy and safe. And it bothered the good officer that enforcing the laws did no good, because the bad magistrate let the criminals go as quick as the officer caught them.
"And even better, the good officer suspected that the bad people who were bribing the bad magistrate were probably criminals themselves. So the good officer decided that it would be good if the bad people who were bribing the bad magistrate should go away. Forever.
"So that good officer made a little special prayer that there would be a little bloodbath to wash the bad people away. There. Isn't that a nice little story? Maybe not a perfect story. Because it ends with a prayer, and not a bloodbath. But maybe the story isn't over yet."
Through his entire story, Garyn listens in stony silence. He answers slowly, not raising his voice.
"These...bad people in this story of yours...they wouldn't happen to be Camonna Tong, would they?"
Larrius Varro shrugs theatrically. "You said it, not me. No one will tell me, because I am an officer. And it is against the Code to tell officers things. But I do know that there are five of them. I know they are a scout, a pawnbroker, a savant, a thief, and a smith, and that they are in Balmora.
Unfortunately, I don't know their names. But maybe you can find their names. And where to find them. And then maybe my story could have a happy ending. With a little bloodbath, instead of a little prayer."
Garyn's lips tighten into a grim smirk. "You know, I've heard a little story myself that the Thieves Guild doesn't like the Camonna Tong very much. And another little story about where I can find Thieves Guild members in Balmora. Perhaps the parts of the stories that I know could help to finish yours."
"Oh, I certainly do hope so. I'd hate to leave it unfinished."