From: Naron (naron_at_bigpond.net.au)
Date: Tue Sep 16 2003 - 11:20:33 BST
Pean settles back in his chair and smiles at the guard facing him. Its
an open smile, with no malice, a smile very similar to when he begins
negotiations with a merchant, back home.
Inside, he is in turmoil. At last, he is a respected, even feared,
Adept, and he is almost tempted to use his Talents to intimidate the
guards further. He has not become a successful merchant and advisor in
his own right, however, by being small minded, so he instead turns to
the lessons he has learned working for his father, and uses all the
persuastion he has at his disposal. As much as he glories in the
fearful respect he gains, he understands that more of it may be due to
the fearsome reputation, and deeds, of fellblade, and nethermancers
never have a good reputation. The two combined could give people all
sorts of ideas, and he has no wish to be executed out of suspicion, or
misplaced loyalty to a man he's recently met;
"My name is Pean, merchant and Adept of Bush Namur. I do not recall
ever having been to Travar. While you're caution is commendable in
dealing with strangers, so soon after the scourge, may I advise that
you check all newcommers for taint? I would be delighted to
demonstrate my lack of horror influence whenever you desire.
But, you have not brought me here for my professional opinion, I see.
The man you refer to as Fellblade, we know as Mearath. I named him
thus, when we rescued him from some bandits near our home. He
professed no memory of his past, nor even his name. He bore no taint,
and so he returned to Bush Namar with us.
While he may, or may not, be this Fellblade, the man he is now appears
to have no knowledge of these events. If he was a wanted man here, do
you think he would willingly and openly return?
"Fellblade is a man that travels to his own beat. We believe him to still have unfinished business in the city and there are many reasons why he would return, knowing fully the things that he has done."
To us he has been a loyal companion, and fought with us against several
foes, asking nothing but our companionship, so, until it can be proven
otherwise, I believe his lack of memory.
Now you know as much as I. Since I am a guest, i have gone first, and
given a gift of knowledge. Perhaps you would be so kind as to gift me
in return with what this fellblade has done, and how you are so sure
the man we know as Mearath is him?"
"There are few in Travar who would not be able to pick Fellblade at one hundred yards for he was once one of the greatest champions this city has ever seen. His crimes are not secret though they are not talked of in this time. He is a foul murderer and a cheat who broke the lives of many in his time as a magistrates champion. You be well advised to leave his memory behind and travel ahead alone."
Pean's whole demanour throughout this has been of one talking over the
dinner table. The threat of violence seems to have passed him by..
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