Feast

[aestrix]

It is a special day, in the city of Orzammar. For one man, especially. It is a day of celebration for the second son of King Endrin Aeducan. Despite his physical... issues, he's been made Orzammar's newest commander. Tomorrow, there will be quite a lot of bloodshed. But tonight is for Stalas Aeducan. Not only is there a feast in his honor, but Provings, as well. It's his day, one of honor, but also his formal presentation to the heads of houses.

The merchants have even been allowed into the Diamond Quarter, a rare treat they only see on special occasions. They're probably regretting it, by now, after trying to talk to some of the dwarven nobles and tackle their very particular brand of pride, but it's a chance to win over the highest class, instead of hoping they deign to notice the Merchant Caste.

Regardless, today is certainly a day to remember. Possibly for the wrong reasons.

Comments

[thisvorlunatic]

"And who might you be?" he asks, showing no sign of surprise or dismay.

[aestrix]

"The guy who's having a bit of a problem. Y'see, I can't seem to get to the shield. I was sort of hoping you'd help with that."

[thisvorlunatic]

"I'm certainly going to retrieve the shield," he says. "And as an honourable, upstanding citizen, I'm sure you will be glad to escort me back through the tunnels so I can present it to my father."

[aestrix]

"Sure," agrees the mercenary lightly. "And as an honorable, upstanding nobleman, I'm sure you'll be happy to pay us handsomely for it."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Darkspawn not being known for their mercantile tendencies, I'm afraid I left my purse at home. But perhaps we can work something out. I'm a reasonable man."

[aestrix]

"As am I. What sort of plan of 'work something out' do you have in mind?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"Well, for example, one option is that you leave here along the paths we just cleared of darkspawn, and consider that easy journey your reward for clearing out this chamber for me. Or you could tell me how you got in here, for which information I would be happy to reward you after I return my ancestor's shield to Father."

[aestrix]

"Well, we came in through the door."

[thisvorlunatic]

He laughs. "I don't doubt it. And was it open when you got here?"

[aestrix]

"Nope. Bitch to find, actually, it's easy to find when it's open, but when it was closed, oh Stone no."

[thisvorlunatic]

"I don't doubt that either. So how did you find it?"

[aestrix]

"Stubbornness and six pairs of eyes."

[thisvorlunatic]

"If only you'd waited for me. And how did you open it?"

[aestrix]

"Trade secret. You understand."

[thisvorlunatic]

"I do," he says agreeably. "But I hope you understand that, under the circumstances, an escort through the tunnels isn't a service I'm inclined to pay highly for. I've managed very well so far without one."

[aestrix]

"Well then it seems like we're at something of an impasse, aren't we?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"It does," he agrees. "And I'm reluctant to pick up the shield until we come to an agreement, in case you decide to do something that might damage it."

[aestrix]

"Wouldn't dream of it," says the mercenary. "I can always do damaging things before any shield is picked up."

[thisvorlunatic]

"That," says Stalas, all friendly smiles, "would be inadvisable."

[aestrix]

"Well it's better than damaging the shield."

[thisvorlunatic]

"I don't think you quite catch my meaning."

He thinks this mercenary catches his meaning perfectly well, and is just being a prick about it. Well, that's still better than open combat. But maybe he should be a little more direct.

"Are any of you fine fellows Proving fans?"

[aestrix]

Two of the mercenaries nod. That is probably not the numbers he was hoping for, but it's something.

[thisvorlunatic]

"I don't suppose you were at yesterday's glory Proving? Heard about it, maybe? I hear I caused a bit of a stir, defeating all of the," he inclines his head respectfully in Frandlin Ivo's direction, "highly skilled warriors who fought to celebrate my commission."

[aestrix]

"I uh. I watched," says one of them, a little nervously.

[thisvorlunatic]

"Then maybe you'd like to tell your friends about how well I fight," Stalas says pleasantly, "when I am making a considerable effort not to kill or permanently injure anyone. It wouldn't have been polite, with them being there to honour me and all."