DM POST... Humble Beginnings.

1 year ago.. [or 101, depending on from where you are measuring ;)]

He walked in through the front door fully aware of the many crossbows and eyes trained on him. Surveying the room he quickly made his way to a dark corner to a small figure sitting in the shadows.

"Eventually, you will learn some sense of protocol for walking in here uninvited", his host stated flatly as he approached the table.
 
"Eventually, your guards may muster up the courage to actually confront me. Though I have no doubt they have been both warned of the repercussions of such an action. Nor do I doubt you had ample warning of my impending arrival".

"Nevertheless, it would be nice if at least once in a while you paid me some measure of respect in my own household. You are just a man, regardless of whatever else may be wrong with you", the small one finished with a chuckle.

"This is true", he answered, his tone indicating that the statement had flung his mind far afield, "I am just a man...."

"Oi... here we go again. I take it you have not deviated from your course then. You still mean to proceed with 'him'?"

"You know I must".

"I do not think he will bring you the satisfaction. That one seems fiery, no doubt, but like fire, his aim is wild. My sources say he is not all together... stable".

"And what other news do your 'sources' have for me?", he asked as he dropped a pouch of gold on the table.

"Nothing that meets your specifications to be sure. The same news really. The hooded rogue still prowls the streets, no news yet of his loyalties. He does well to cover his tracks. I honestly have considered if he would welcome my employ"

"No"

"You cannot presume to tell me to..."

"No", he stated evenly, the look in his eyes indicating that in no uncertain terms he was not to be questioned on this matter.

"Interesting. Have you information then? More news of that one that you have not yet shared?"

"A hunch, yes, that you may have just confirmed. Still, Silvus Highblade is our first priority"

"Why? In all seriousness my friend, you must tell me, why him?"

The question was simple enough yet it challenged him to reconsider everything he had been planning to this point. Silvus Highblade.... was he really the answer to his problem? Could he really deliver what he so desperately craved right now?

"You know my designs. Zarcharis can be fixed. If the Prosecutor can be provided with better evidence and more opportunities to put guild members and even leaders into the Prisons, would not the city fare better?"

"Certainly, until the guilds form around a new leader, or the Wraith's simply make him disappear"

"There is always that. My plan was never to make a martyr out of him, but the first Prosecutor to stay for a second term. If ever there were a moment it would be now"

"I can't disagree with you. So, have you approached him yet?"

"No. I have been waiting for the opportune moment. I have come from another "meeting" with Amir though. He is on board, even if he does not fully trust me yet".

"No small feat, to be sure. Your pieces fall into place, are you now ready to play your game?"

"I can only hope".

They sat together in silence for a time, each consumed with his own thoughts. Eventually he stood and took his leave without a word.

6 months later

He rushed through the door and ran to the usual corner, yells and more than a few insults following him through the room.

"Come in. Have a seat. Can I get you something?"

He took a seat on the opposite side of the table but he could barely keep his excitement at bay.

"My friend, you have either just met with the woman of your dreams, and the gods know it would be about time you had finally spoken to her, or are under some terrific spell of which I must learn the caster, should it make everyone as "excited" as you happen to be right now", he greeted with a knowing smile on his face.

"I know you have news. One of your couriers found me and delivered a cryptic message, as usual".

"Well get to that, surely. Tell me, did you finally 'speak' to her?", he asked with a knowing smile and just a hint of provocation.

"Your attempts at humor still fall remarkably 'short', dear friend.".

"So, instead you continue to watch her from afar, she who has inspired all of this planning and dedication"

"For now. I aim to ensure her safety, until the time is right"

"How romantically... creepy... of you"

"Have you had enough fun at my expense yet?"

"Hardly. Though I know your intentions are not purely founded in her safety, I did hear a rumor that you had recently intervened on her behalf".

"How so?", he asked with sudden urgency.

"Relax, its an internal source. A random Gatherer was out, saw your Lady in White following the trail of what appeared to be some simpleton muggers. Little did she know of the ambush that awaited her down that alley. According to my sources, a fight she had planned to just be three on one was quickly developing into a slaughter, for the other three bandits closing in behind her surely would have been the end of her. Remarkably, one turned on the other suddenly, plunging a dagger into his back before he fell to the ground clutching his head. The third began to run to the others before he also found himself standing in the middle of the alley with no memory of where he was or who he had come there with. A rather fortunate moment of treachery and sudden amnesia for her, don't you agree?" He continued to look at his visitor with more than a little amusement in his eyes. He had never seen him take to anyone as quickly as he had to this person, the coincidence that it was a woman just added to the humor.

"Enough of this. You have news for me. I came to know what it is".

 "Well, forgive me for trying to participate in just a little gossip. You really should open up more my friend. People are going to start wondering if you even have friends"

"I would prefer it if "people" did not know I existed at all, as you well know. Now, the news...".

"Very well. You told me to keep an eye open for "person's of interest". Well, I may have one for you. A talented individual, very specific skill set. I have had him under "surveillance" for a few months now. Came here, with a vendetta. He may fit the bill. I warn you though, he is more unstable than the other one. Put the two together, and I wonder if you will be able to control them"

"Its no matter, I have to try. You know that"

"Yes well. I never figured you might actually succeed in this little venture of yours. And what, pray tell, is your plan for this little band of yours? These.... do you even have a name for them yet?"

"I figured I would leave that to you"

"Ahh, I'll have to work on that I suppose"

"Indeed".

"Well, my friend, perhaps that will have to be my new source of income, naming groups of foolish people. For if this plan of yours ever comes to fruition, I may very well find myself out of a job"

"Oh, I am sure your resourcefulness knows no bounds. Sooner or later, you will find yourself in a lucrative business yet again".

"I appreciate your vote of confidence".

"You are very welcome". 

"And the others?"

"Balthor has recommended two others to me. He has even employed them at the Segrac, to keep them close by. I have observed them. One is fearful, stealing glances over her shoulder, watching every shadow as though at any moment something or someone will spring out and drag her away"

"Doesn't sound like the type of behavior that suits your needs"

"On the contrary, it is that brokenness, that fear that I need. I have looked into her mind and I see her fears. There are gates and doors there that once opened will threaten to consume her mind and soul"

"Better that they stay locked then. Don't go probing around too much, you may break the dam"

"On the contrary, the day when she unlocks those gates and faces the fear behind them, is the day that I believe she will become a force that not even she knows she could do. Her skills have been forged in fear and survival. The day where she can use them for the good of others, will be a brighter day in this city"

"I never took you for an optimist"

"That's because I am not."

"Could have fooled me"

"Then you are easily fooled"

They both chuckled at that ridiculous notion. Danno may be many things, easily fooled was not one of them. After a few rare minutes of mirth, the conversation continued.

"And the other..."

"Now who is more than a bit interested?"

"Well, can you blame me? Not that I would expect you to understand, you who are so confused by the ways of women".

"Yes, certainly you are a master in the subject. It is so rare to see you without at least a dozen hanging around at your beck and call".

Again they both chuckled. Danno realized indeed that his visitor was in high spirits, rarely did he allow this much humor in their meetings. Rarer still were the occasions when he would even offer a joke or jest, yet here he was, even employing a bit of sarcasm, a skill he thought lost on his visitor.

"Yes well, what am I to do? Its so hard being me you know. Single, rich, incredibly attractive. Its all I can do to keep just those dozen satisfied, never mind the other 3 dozen I have on the waiting lists".

"I am sure they cannot wait until it is time for their moment in the sun, to stand in awe of your glorious presence".

"My, we are in a good mood this evening aren't we? No doubt remains for me now, you have seen her again this evening, have you not?"

"I have. I ran across her on another one of her patrols. This evening she prevented what looked to be a certain murder and theft of a young tiefling. Truly she has renewed my hope for this city"

"Truly you should stop skulking in the shadows and work up some nerve".

"Its not that simple, and you know it".

"Well then, I will arrange a double date then. I with that fascinating bard at the Cellar, and you with your white-robed  vigilante-princess".

"No", and with that simple rejection the mirth of the conversation ended. Clearly, he had struck a nerve here, one that he should tread carefully around.

"Well, back to business then Mister Killjoy: your prospective Bard, beauty and talent aside, what can she offer to this plan of yours?"

"Balthor recently told me of her prowess, and heart. She felled three goblins on her own two nights ago. Speaking of which, I need you to look into how they got here. Any information could be important".

"Certainly. So, beautiful, talented and deadly. I shall definitely have to meet her now"

"I am sure there is nothing I could do to keep you away"

"And what of the dark one?"

"The Reaper? For all intensive purposes, he stalks the Stoneyard for to be sure, but to kill its inhabitants. Apparently it is not enough for him for the creatures to be confined, they must all be destroyed".

"So, a rogue cleric? For the temple has made no declarations of his affiliations. Rumor is, they are even trying to hunt him down"

"That would be my guess, though I think there is probably more to him than just a cleric of the Queen."

"You still wish for his help then"

"I do. I have many other components, the Hood brings aggression and swordplay, as well as some "other" assets. Evellyn and Zorah are both competent, each gifted in their own ways. The White Lady is raw firepower... well... you know what I mean. As for your friend Hernando over there, its easy enough to explain his roll. Though I still do not trust him completely..."

"...You shouldn't....", he interrupted.

"....good to know. Now what I need is an element of fear. An individual that fights as much with presence than with a blade".

"He fits the bill perfectly then"

"Indeed. I only hope my appeals to the Raven Queen do not go unanswered. If he is indeed a servant, perhaps she will see fit to steer him in our direction. I only hope that my designs and hers can at least run parallel for a time"

"Who can know with her?"

"Hopefully he can"

"So now what? Do you plan to just convince all these people to come sit in the room with you and have a little chat? Because I hate to say it but that is not necessarily your strong suit".

"Clearly. No, now we set a plan into motion, just the two of us. We need to gather all these people around a single cause, get them to work together. Then I will appeal to their sense of justice. Then perhaps we can begin to save this city"