<Jayda> It was the day after Calanthar had been taken into custody by the Ourani soldiers that he would be roused from his cell (though "small room" would be a closer description of his acomidations). Assuming he continued to cooperate, a pair of guards would escort him through what was clearly the home of some noble or well-to-do merchant, his short trip ending when one of the pair rapped lightly on a door, ducked inside, then mot
<Jayda> inside, then motioned the old man on inside. Seated behind a desk was the same woman responsible for incarcerating him and Sadurean, though her coat was gone, leaving her in a very crisp black uniform with dragons emblazoned on shoulders, collar and chest and enough red piping to make it seem that perhaps it was red with black stripes. "Good afternoon. Please, have a seat." She hadn't bothered standing.
* Calanthar grumbles a bit, something about accomodations and being bothered, but sits down, arms crossed, and stares at the woman across the desk from him, trying to remove all traces of emotion from his face. He's faced interrogations before, but this woman may already have one vital piece that others didn't - information. She seemed pretty knowledgeable before.
<Jayda> She had seemed knowledgeable as it was her job to know things, not to mention to continue learning as much as she could. She squared some papers on her desk then folded her gloved hands and gave her attention to Calanthar, brown eyes seeking to capture his with a steady gaze. "Master Jitahn, do you still claim that you had not met Sadurean Avinash before trying to enter the city with him?" May as well cut to the chase,
<Jayda> the chase, it seemed.
<Calanthar> "You mean Damien Black? That would be correct." Hopefully the boy hadn't caved in and told her everything, but he really had no way of knowing. When in doubt, stick to the story. The old man will examine her expression as he says this, looking for any subtle clues as to if she has any knowledge about his relationship to the boy, or is just stabbing in the dark.
<Jayda> "Then you deny that you were both taken on as crew for the same ship in Sinari?" She lifted a page and passed to him, and if he cared to examine it, it bore the name of the ship and the captain as well as a list of passengers, crew and a list of cargo.
* Calanthar shrugs "Not at all. But that doesn't mean I knew Damien... Hell, I didn't know anyone on the ship. That's when I made my plan to enter the city with him, which was, I believe, what you asked." That much at least was true, and could be (hopefully) seen as somewhat plausible.
<Jayda> "Then you would deny that your fellow crew members vow that they did see the two of you together on the ship?" One eyebrow was arched as she regarded him, carefully arranging facts and possibilities inside her head. She didn't intend to play with him much longer as she had larger fish to fry, but she needed to make her point.
<Calanthar> "Again, no. As I said, and will continue to say, I made my plans to enter the town on the *ship*, so of *course* I had to talk to him, as I am, sadly, not a telepath. If you ask around, I'm sure you'll find out that I had boarded the ship long before him, as I'd been hired on for security. Sergeant at Arms, I believe these papers will say. I met him when I pulled him aside for questioning as he got on. Routine stuff." The old man was ge
<Calanthar> stuff." The old man was getting tired of running around in circles, but he had no desire to get poor Sadurean in much more trouble.
* Jayda gives the faintest of shrugs, perhpas suggesting that she had further information that she wasn't going to bother tossing around to try to get the man to admit his lie. "Regradless of your excuses, both you and Sadurean Avinash are being held as spies, and as such can be duly executed on my word." She released him from her gaze and shifte another pile of papers till she uncovered two pages of folded, sealed parchme
<Jayda> sealed parchment. "And yes, I haven't given that order yet as I do hope to make some use of you. The man you claim not to know is the son of a noble of Ashetai, and despite his actions, we trust to be able to ransom him." And she would let him think on that to draw his own conclusions as to what she wanted.
* Calanthar raises one eyebrow. "Sure... If he's some noble's kid, you might make some good money off of him. Even more if you go with this 'He's a spy and we can kill him' line you're feeding his parents. Me though? You and I both know I'm old - got no parents to ransom me. No family at all, and I'm no good for the mines or manual labor. You're not signing the death warrant yet because you've got something else in mind. If you think I'm a spy s
<Calanthar> in mind. If you think I'm a spy so damn much, it can't be that, so cut to the chase. I'm an old man, I don't have time to sit around."
<Jayda> It would have been simpler if the man had admitted to knowing Sadurean, would have removed a few uncertainties, but she would have to try to bank on something else. "I have no intention of trying to ransom you. What I intend is for you to deliver the message to the boy's father. I would then intend for you to return here to escort the boy home." She could say more, she could give him incentives, but she would wait to
<Jayda> wait to see how he responded first before she gave too much away.
* Calanthar sighs. "And here I was trying to get *out* of that town. Now why in the Hell would you send me back there with just a message and my word if you don't trust me so much? I've never met the boy's father either..." That part was true. Cal didn't even know what Kaden *looked* like. "What's the catch, miss?"
<Jayda> "You can go back, or you can be hung as a spy. I do not believe you are telling me the truth, but rarely do I equate honesty with trustworthiness." That answered a bulk of his questions, and surely she didn't need to point out that an uncertain death was preferable to a certain one. "And it is a simple enough matter to find the boy's father--he's a Master and a Council member." Jayda certainly believed he was a spy an
<Jayda> spy and was in cahoots with Sadurean, and the more he lied, the more she was sure he was a spy.
<Calanthar> "Oh, I'll head back there, but I'm curious as to why I should come back, other than my good will. Heh, and here I thought I'd spent half my life to *not* look like the compassionate type. Whatever, I'll go back and face them, though I must admit, a name for the boy's father would be helpful. Hell, a good hard drink couldn't hurt." Anything to buy Sadurean some time, at this point. Would be a damn shame to see him swing, though Cal's not e
<Calanthar> him swing, though Cal's not exactly sure why.
<Jayda> "You would be compensated for your time. If you have a reasonable request, it would be met, otherwise we can offer coin, property, land." It was all very business like, almost desultory. Jayda had been confident he'd agree, so this was simply an act on his part to cover his reasons. Regardless, she was true to her word--if she weren't, it became harder to convince others to believe her promises.
* Calanthar leans back in that familiar thinking pose and remains silent for a long time, staring off into space, glassy-eyed, as if trying to remember some minor detail. Finally, he exhales sharply - the sound of someone who has been worn out over the years - and leans forward again. "Alright... I don't demand much. Just my effects, a chance to talk to the boy face-to-face, preferably *alone* so that I can explain the gravity of this to him, an
<Calanthar> explain the gravity of this to him, and, say, 50 gold for private expenses, if it isn't too much."
<Jayda> "It can be arranged." Of course it could be. While she didn't bare any official badges or emblems denoting rank in the Ourani military, her uniform was decorated enough to imply that she was important, and compounded with the confidence of her dealings, well, then she had to have clout, or she was a superb actor. She would then advise him that the details would be worked out and he would again be summoned when the time ca
<Jayda> time came. And without waiting for an answer she summoned the soldiers with raised call. If Calantar wanted anything else, he should act quickly or miss this chance.
<Calanthar> "Wait a second miss. One more thing - you'll have to excuse my old memory. Give me your *word* as a soldier and woman of honor, that the boy will come to *no* harm during this time. That boy's got a future; me, I got a couple of years. I'm trusting you, miss - I haven't even got your name, and frankly, I don't care. Just tell me that no Ourani soldier will harm him." An odd move, and Calanthar doesn't really even know where it's coming
<Calanthar> even know where it's coming from or why he's saying it. Perhaps he feels that this is somehow his fault.
* Jayda refolds her hands on the desk and watches Calanthar with an impassive gaze. "I give you my word that no harm will come to Sadurean while he is held for ransom. If the ransom is refused..." She let the threat hang there, but then it wasn't a threat for him so much as it was one for the boy's father. "Is that satisfactory?" The soldiers hesitated, apparently not comfortable around the woman, but certainly respectf
<Jayda> certainly respectful.
* Calanthar nods. "Yeah, yeah I'll take your word for it. You've got mine, and I've got yours - seems like a fair a trade as we're like to get." Then, with a glance back at the soldiers, "Come on lads, straighten up, let's get moving! What are you standing around for, shifting from one foot to the other like child who just got reprimanded, eh? You're supposed to be soldiers, so let's get a move on!" He just couldn't resist the prospect
<Calanthar> just couldn't resist the prospect of shouting orders at the poor, hesitant guards...
<Sadurean> Compared to the last time the bard was in Jayda's care, he certainly can't complain about his treatment now. The room he's staying in is nicer than his own room at his home, and he gets good food and hot baths. Still, he can't find any peace or appreciation of the situation. Instead Sadurean is filled with a growing sense of dread. He's taken to meet with Calanthar, likely to keep the man from knowing where the hostages are
<Sadurean> hostages are being held so that information won't be leaked, and he's very sullen looking when he's left alone in the room with the elderly man. He's wearing clean, fresh clothes, and has obviously washed up, but while he looks more himself the young man seems very troubled.
<Calanthar> "Well now, don't you look like you've just been through the wringer. But this is no time for joking around, we have a little bit to discuss. And by discuss, I mean I talk for a while." The look on his face is one of stern seriousness, and he seems to be in no mood for sarcasm from the young bard-to-be.
<Sadurean> "What's there to talk about?" He asks solemnly, moving to sit down with a soft sigh. Usually he's angry, or completely full of shit. Now the boy just seems depressed. With every up is a down it seems, and Sadurean is definately down right now.
<Calanthar> "I'm returning to Sinari, boy. And more importantly, I'm going to talk to your old man... About you." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his last cigarette, crumpled though it may be, and lights it, giving the words time to sink in. "Now, I'll be coming back, regardless of if he pays the ransom... Which I'm certain he will, but all the same, stay strong, don't cave in, and don't do anything stupid - I *will* be locating your wife a
<Calanthar> I *will* be locating your wife and speaking with her. You've done a wonderful job, boy... You got caught, but you've held strong so far, and done far more than anyone could ever ask. If that woman didn't know you from before... But don't let it get to your head!"
<Sadurean> "My father won't care." He says in a desolate tone, "And I did a horrible job. I failed." He goes on a soft tone, "Don't mention my wife.. I don't want her to know about Evi..please. She'll get her, and hurt her.."
* Calanthar raises one eyebrow. "Boy, I think you underestimate the paternal bond. He may not like the situation, but he'll pay to get you back because no father could stand to let their child hang over some coin. And like I said, the only reason you got caught was because one person, out of all the soldiers, recognized you. It was just chance, boy... Nothing you can do about it now except remain strong. I have faith in you... But now, to the po
<Calanthar> faith in you... But now, to the point of this. Is there a message you'd like me to give to anyone back in Sinari? I'm sure by now people are worried sick..."
* Sadurean actually laughs, a rather stressed thing, "No he won't, he disowned me. My father hates me. He got me suspended from the guild, and told me if I ever went in his house again he would report me for theft." He just shakes his head, quiet while he thinks. Then, again in a soft voice, "I wrote a letter to my father, but it's really for Evi. It says what it needs to. Don't let her try to come for me.. She will." Th
<Sadurean> She will." The young bard is terribly demoralized, caught by the same woman that had him before. It's shameful.
* Una has joined #Sinari_Wilderness
* ChanServ sets mode:
o Una
* Jayda has quit IRC (Exit: "Barefoot on the moon!" -The Doctor)
* Calanthar sighs. A pity party, and he wasn't even given a chance to RSVP. "Boy, look. I'll admit I don't know your dad. All the same, I can tell you from personal experience that even *bad* fathers have hearts. I wouldn't let one of my kids die over a grudge, and I never even *raised* 'em. As for the girl, I'll do what I can. I give you my word, she won't be coming back with me when I return for you, and she won't be finding any other way to A
<Calanthar> won't be finding any other way to Ama'til. You've just got to promise me that you won't sink so far that you let yourself do something foolish. I expect you alive and in one piece when I come to bring you back to her."
<Sadurean> Pity? Maybe.. But a lot of it stems from absolutely no confidence in his father. At one time he might have had Calanthar appeal to Ryn'an, but that's hardly an option now. "I'm not going to do anything... I just.." He sighs, sinking back in the chair, "I thought I could do it. I really did. I should have stuck with music."
* Calanthar takes a long drag on his cigarette and studies the boy carefully for a moment. "You were called by your city, your people, to do what you had to, and you performed as well as could be expected. Any lesser man would have cracked under these circumstances, but you have the discipline, the fortitude to not give in, and there's pride to be found in that. Even if your father wants to distance himself from you, you shouldn't think ill of y
<Calanthar> you, you shouldn't think ill of yourself. In time, he'll see your strength and your devotion to duty and to making life safer and better for those you care about at your own expense. You did this for her, right? That's about as selfless and brave as it gets. Foolish as *hell*, but I'd have done the same. Any man would."
* Una is now known as NuclearSleep
<Sadurean> "I did it for money." He says, tone flat and matter of fact. Why not go with a little honesty for a change. "And I wanted to show Ryn'an that I could do my duty. This had nothing to do with the city, D'Cint made me an offer. She has her own agenda, and I have mine. Evi won't enjoy the bakery until it's hers.. Are you going to talk to D'Cint?" He asks, brow furrowing.
<Calanthar> "Honestly, boy, I hadn't decided on that one. She's not that near and dear to my heart, if you know what I mean. If you want, I can tell her exactly *where* to stick her agenda, though... And as for Ryn'an" he says, rolling his eyes, "I can give him a similar concept, but he'd be damn ignorant to *not* see that you could do your duty after holding out like *this*."
<Sadurean> "You keep saying that I'm holding out.. I'm not doing anything. I couldn't even get away when they kicked the door in and there were only two of em. You don't have to make me feel better." He mutters, thinking Ryn'an would probably throw a little party with news like this.
* Calanthar furrows his brow. "I'm not worried about making you feel better, boy! If I thought you were a waste of time or doing a piss-poor job, I'd let you know it! I've got no qualms about reprimanding people..." This much is true - throughout his time in the military, Cal managed to reduce more than a couple young men no older than Durean to tears. "I think you can go now, if you wish. I'm not going to waste my time and breath if you'r
<Calanthar> waste my time and breath if you're just going to feel sorry for yourself like this. Regardless of how you feel about yourself, *I've* got faith in you. That is all for now; I'll return for you as soon as I can."
<Sadurean> "Wait.. " He's scared. Calanthar could possibly be his last chance and he's not ready to go. The boy is silent for a moment, then says, "Thank you for helping.. I mean, it didn't work out, but.. I don't know if I would have gotten off the ship by myself."
* Calanthar sighs and walks over to the boy, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Sadurean, I know that you would have. Fortune favors the bold, as they say, and damned if you aren't the boldest son of a bitch I've ever met. You would have made one hell of a soldier, and as I can see it, you'll go far as a bard. I'd have been proud to fight alongside with you. But enough of this! Unless there's something more to say, I should get ready to go. Sooner
<Calanthar> I should get ready to go. Sooner I go, sooner I come back and we get the hell outta this god-forsaken town."
* Sadurean lets a small smile form at the talk of boldness. He has that in droves. "Evi gets so upset when I do things.. She wanted me to prove my love, so I climbed up on some shipping crates at the docks, and started announcing it.. then she yelled at me to stop shouting. Women.." He rises, heading for the door, voice louder as he pulls it open. "And I hear that the nimodo people have horrible flatulence.. a right stink
<Sadurean> right stink of an affair after meals. They burn everything to cover up the smell.." Lucky for him that the nearest guards are human.
* Calanthar can't help but laugh as the boy swings the door open. At least *that* part of him is acting normally again. Now to prepare for being shipped back to Sinari and dealing with the inevitable slew of questions. With a small sigh, he takes a final pull from the cigarette and crushes it out. It's always the questions that get you, and he's got what, three people who will be screaming at him? "I'm gonna need a harder drink than I thought...
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