OOM: Arkngthand, 8 First Seed, 3E 428

[moonandstar]

They emerge from the bar onto an ancient bridge, made of a metal that Ibani won't be able to identify - but clearly the work of an advanced and accomplished civilization. It bridges the foyada, high and deep on each side.

They won't have time to admire it, however. Because there's a bald Imperial in an iron cuirass standing at the other side of the bridge. He conjures a skeleton warrior, who charges toward them as its master launches bolts of lightning at them.

Comments

[last_kallig]

Ibani settles on nodding in greeting at the guard. She's automatically assessing the place for weaknesses, gaps she could slip through, exploitable aspects of the layout.

"I was expecting something closer to what I'm used to," she admits to Garyn.

[moonandstar]

"We can't all build like the Dwarves could."

The interior is a bit more welcoming, if no less stone-y.

[last_kallig]

"I suppose." She raps the stone suspiciously with her knuckles, as if expecting it to not be up to snuff even for stone.

The interior is met with a nod of acceptance. "I've seen worse interior design," she remarks, tone wry. Like her 'palace' on Nar Shadda. "Which way from here?"

[moonandstar]

The stone holds up well. Rock solid, one might say.

"Actually, Radd Hard-Heart is right over there. Wait here, I shan't be long."

[last_kallig]

Ibani nods in agreement, eyeing the dragon insignia. Red is a good color.

If anything happens to Garyn, of course, she makes no promises about staying ANYWHERE.

[moonandstar]

Garyn removes the head of the centurion from his pack and approaches the commanding general.

"I have acquired our prize for the hunt, sir."

A big, burly Nord in an ornate officer's reds rises to his feet. "Ah, you took down a big one, I see! This will show up the Armgers for certain...and begin your new command with a little prestige. You've earned your new rank, I think. Come forward, Champion."

Garyn steps forward.

"Kneel."

He complies, and General Hard-Heart draws his broadsword and taps him on both shoulders.

"By the power vested in me by Emperor Uriel Septim VII, I declare you, Garyn Balvadares, a Knight Errant of the Order of Vvardenfell. Arise, Ser Garyn."

[last_kallig]

Ibani tenses a little when the general draws his sword, but thankfully doesn't do anything rash.

The knight rank pleases her though, as it helps Garyn's prospects here in his world.

[moonandstar]

In fairness, that particular ritual isn't possible with a lightsaber.

He rises to his feet and salutes.

"Sir!"

Radd Hard-Heart nods. "I've already informed the armorer. There's a fitted uniform appropriate to your new rank and command."

Garyn nods and heads toward the armorer.

[last_kallig]

Ibani is trying to look like she's not loitering or ready at a moment's notice to cut through anything or anyone between her and Garyn.

She's perfectly fine. Perfectly. Fine.

[moonandstar]

Garyn won't keep her waiting long. This promotion was expected, so the armor had been waiting for him.

He emerges from the armor dressed in a very fetching red-and-bronze set of armor, with ornately carved silvery dragons on the pauldrons.

[last_kallig]

"A new uniform indeed. It suits you." Ibani LIKES as Garyn can surely tell.

[moonandstar]

"Well...I know it's true if you say it, love."

[last_kallig]

"Such faith in my taste when you KNOW I'm incredibly biased," she teases.

"Only one more stop to make?"

[moonandstar]

As Garyn is about to answer, a voice calls out from across the room.

"Ah, Knight Balvadares! I'm glad I caught you!"

A uniformed Imperial steps toward them.

"If I could have a word, please?"

[last_kallig]

Ibani is annoyed when the uniformed Imperial steps forward, but she hides it well.

"I suppose I can wait here a little longer." she tells Garyn. And if the Imperial so much as twitches in a way she doesn't like, he'll be sorry.

[moonandstar]

"Certainly, Captain Varro, I'd be happy to discuss business with you."

Varro nods his head in the direction of his quarters. "Not here."

Garyn raises an eyebrow. "I see...I'll follow you, then."

Varro clasps a hand on his shoulder and walks alongside him, as much to block others from watching too closely as anything else.

"You see, Balvadares, I've got a little story I'd like to tell you..."

[last_kallig]

Ibani leans against the wall somewhere out of the way and moves her awareness into spectra that even mages in Nirn haven't dreamed off. In the Force, the walls obscure nothing at all. Garyn's presence is bright, and she can read emotions plain as day.

And if things become TRULY desperate, she can likely act THROUGH Garyn long enough to buy time for her to rescue him.

[moonandstar]

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."

[last_kallig]

Ibani keeps her senses on Garyn through the Force until he's where she can see him with her eyes.

"Something worth our time?"

[moonandstar]

Garyn strides out, walking hand in hand with Ibani.

"How would you feel about ambushing and killing five very bad people?"

[last_kallig]

Ibani chuckles. "Sounds better than my usual missions from my superiors."

Her heart flutters a little at him walking hand in hand with her in HIS world, in public, which is ridiculous!

[moonandstar]

"I know they're Camonna Tong, and I know that the Council Club is where they like to congregate. I don't know their names, or when they'll all be together, but I know some people who can help us case the place."

Garyn pulls a couple scrolls out of his bag.

"These will get us to Balmora quickly."

[last_kallig]

Ibani feels SOMETHING from the scrolls, but it doesn't make much sense to her. "How are they going to do that?"

[moonandstar]

"Read from it and you'll appear outside the Temple entrance in Balmora."

[last_kallig]

Ibani raises an eyebrow. "Just like that?"

"Might be best if you go first, so I see how it's done."