1. Plans Within Plans

What's the next scene? The intro to Ordway? Does Marya join you?

The Mouse Market
Much trade gets done in open air markets in Arrakis. Impromptu tented alleys, public squares lined with merchants on carpets, semi-permanent bazaars with stalls and awnings against the heat of the Arrakeen sun. Wherever there is space, the millions of residents of Carthag find a way to barter for the necessities of life.

It is in a warren beneath the Merchants district that you find the Mouse Market. A network of tunnels in the hard stone, reminiscent of a Fremen sietch no doubt, most passages narrow and dimly lit, it's is said that only a mouse could find it's way to the whole market. Despite the gloomy atmosphere, it's not an uncommon visit for the people of the Merchant district, which is to say that it's safe. Or safe enough, as long as you don't wander to far from the central tunnels.

No such luck for you. The location given to you by Shadron Korr to meet Kendeth Ordway is well away from safe zones. Not that you're afraid of what you might find down there, not the four of you.

How might you prepare for this clandestine meeting?

To prepare for the encounter, Marya taps into her informants network.

One of her informants, Gladys, is an old Carthag native. She has a coffee stall set up deep within the market, and hears a lot of the rumours and gossip that fly through the place. She is also well know by market regulars. Gladys became friendly with Marya after Marya started to frequent her stall - Marya's natural charm bringing her positive attention, and Marya's natural curiosity and interest in other people forming a welcome connection for both the women.

Marya asks Gladys whether there is anything in particular their group should be aware of, if they were to enter the region of the market where they are meeting Kendeth Ordway. Marya also asks whether Gladys has heard anything about a man called Kendeth Ordway.

Does Marcus know if House Heslin's Swordmaster is aware of this mission that our quartet has been tasked with?

Rook knows some of the Mouse Market of course for he has supplied several merchants with illicit goods. But the location where they are to meet Ordway is unknown to him. He's been in many of these narrow passageways, at least those leading to or from the more valuable stalls, and thus he is a familiar presence among some of the tradesmen.

In preparation, he makes sure the poison reservoir in his dagger is full and the dagger itself is razor sharp. If a throat needs to be slit, he wants it to be fast and lethal.

Hural polishes his steel and wraps himself in a cloak to better protect his features from wandering eyes. Otherwise, his mind remains sharp as always - his best weapon - and meets with the others to look for Ordway in the warrens.

He does make a stop with one of his contacts, a water supplier name Zarim Torna, with the intent of requisitioning a small bottle of fresh water - a bribe, or payment, should it be needed.

Marya passes on the information she got from her informant, Gladys.

The area they are heading into, to meet Ordway, is controlled by a secretive bunch of people – heavily armed, and quick to disappear if they want to.

Based on the conversation, Marya's best guess is that Ordway has chosen this location as a neutral place, and has hired the 'locals' who operate there as backup.

Marya plans to join the meeting mostly focused on watching for what Ordway might be leaving unsaid - to get some gauge of what he's thinking and feeling. She'll also be keeping a close eye out for potential allies and backup that might be trying to hide or blend into the background.

Oh, and she's ready with her blade too, if it comes down to that.

You gather in the tunnels, prepared for the wonder and horror that is Mouse Market. The directions you have make sense only to someone like Rook, who navigates the warren with unfailing comfort, while Hural verifies each turn with his remarkable memory. Marcus' senses indentify potential enemies throughout the journey, leaving him in edge. Marya maintains her composure knowing that many of the people they pass see them for representing unfathomable wealth and with corresponding suspicion.

When you get close, you get your emotions prepared, and enter a slender corridor, which twists several times then opens into an octagonal chamber with three other exits.

A man stands up from where he sat in the center, while four others loiter near the edges. Your familiarity with the dress and style of the day tells you the contact must be the man in the center and those around the edges members of the gang Gladys referred to only as "Rats".

The man takes you in, gulping at the presence that each of you command. "I'm Ken Ordway," he says, "and you must be Rook. And guests." He looks at one of the Rats briefly them faces Rook directly. "What can I do for you and hopemany solaris does it pay?"

Tensions rise.

"Mr. Ordway, we are pleased you agreed to meet us. We seek information and can pay reasonably for it."

He doesn't say much further at the moment, only focusing on the immediate reactions of those before them, and allowing someone with more skill with words to step in regarding their purpose of being here.

Ordway looks at you closely, and asks suspiciously, "How much?" He doesn't ask what you want to know, more concerned with a payday.

Rook whose eyes rarely missed anything had spotted the bottle of water that Hural had brought and knew that it could prove a valuable bribe in addition to any solaris. It would also speak to their group's connections.

"Yes, I am Rook and my guests are here seeking information that we hope you will provide for us. We are looking for a smugglers lair and will pay well if you can tell us what you know of their location. I'll defer to my colleagues for the question of payment."

Hural calculates a reasonable sum for the information provided and makes the offer.