Faction Hall (John)

[john]

John approaches his erstwhile master, the skeletal githyanki, "Lady Scree. It has been some time since we've talked, except across crossed blades, as you tend to prefer."

She nods, her elaborately plaited hair clacking as she does so, and she lays a hand on the sword beside her desk.

"I've no desire for another beating, Lady Scree. I come to you when I need to learn my place. But... I am in need of a favor. You have no small amount of insight into the truth of what's going on within the politics of our faction as a whole, something I stay out of because I find them distasteful, wishing to find my own way."

She nods again, her hand pulling back from the sword and tapping on the table, almost as though she's keeping time to his death-march of words.

"I need to know where Marrek dwells, his weaknesses and vices. I have been asked to seek him out and bring him to... justice. I am being compensated. As I will compensate you, if you can find our fellow Fated. A term of service, or a task, as always, will be the price I pay you. I know well your terms. If there is blood that need be spilled, I will spill it as I did in your service in the hives. If there is a weight to be carried, it will be borne by my shoulders. I stand before you, fellow fated, and invoke the contract you set before me, that I answered when you first taught me my letters. Because you have the knowledge I need, you are master, I am servant. I am your blade and an extension of your will. But in return you must grant my favor, as according to custom."


He kneels for a moment to her, awaiting the price she will name.

[Stix]

"What it costs you," she rasps, "will be commensurate to what it costs me."

After briefly inquiring about any details John knows, the githyanki dismisses him.

*****

Several hours pass before Scree sends for her student and meets with him again. "Marrak is out of touch. From what I gather, he tumbled to the fact that someone was looking for him -- someone other than you.

"If you're interested in where he's gone and how long he's been there, I can call that up as well, but it will take some time... and deepen your debt," she says with narrowed eyes, one corner of her mouth twisting into a cruel smirk.

[john]

"Do it, Scree. I made a deal to find this fellow and I'm not going to back out on it, no matter how much it costs me. Always maintain a bargain once it's made, just drive it hard first."

John sighs for a moment, and asks, "Any idea how you want me to work it off?"

[Stix]

"I'll have business on the Astral that needs doing. We'll be in touch, I assure you." With that, the githyanki stalks off to go about her business.

(I'll put the info in your private board soon.)