Episode 2

The conversation continues until arrival at the Hall of the Nasi.The hall is a massive stone building with polished walls, columns, and flower garden planters circling all around.

Without much delay, Balanser escorts Kray inside and introduces him to other government officials and aristocrats. The food is good. The company is mixed - some men are kind enough, but many seem more concerned with the food and entertainment than talking business or exchange.

Eventually Balanser routes Kray to one Magistrate who is said to be the gateway to making the highest appeals for exchange or propositions. His name is Gon Brosh, and he is titled as a High Consul . OOC: Referred to in a translation of "Venerable High Consul Gon Brosh."

He is the one that Kray should focus his attention on if he wants to propose work or cooperation or exchange on a specific program.

Magistrate Zuri Tzofar is there also. He comes directly over, servants and a guard in tow, and without a doubt starts throwing barbed conversation.

Zuri Tzofar speaks only in Heshbaan, with no translator. Hasa is there and starts to translate, but then stops and looks angered. Gibon starts to translate, but then falters and begins to stammer and stutter, seeming nervous.

Balanser starts talking to Tzofar directly, and the two are back and forth in a short series of verbal volleys. Tzofar acts like he has other places to go and keeps moving, trying to be condescending. Balanser blows him off and waves his hand, turning his back and shaking his head like he doesn't have time for that.

After the interchange is over, and Kray has time and space to force Gibon to give account, Gibon does so, but he says he was afraid with an argument starting between noblemen. He did not want to offend you or mistranslate something with his poor Yuoric. He is not used to being around men of such wealth and power and he is very nervous. He begs forgiveness. But he does translate:

"Magistrate Balanser, I see that you have found a way into the party, but I suspect that your excuse will soon be found lacking. And Nobleman Mecon, I see that you have found a way to fit accordingly, adjusting your sights to a lower house magistrate as you stay here in the city as our guest. Perhaps it is for the best, since a minor House such as yours might have the most in common with a newer magistrate who is only recently learning his trade. You may have felt out of place talking with those in the highest circles of influence. You made the right choice it seems to know your role, make your visit here until you run out of your short money, and then you can return back your country to say that you saw a beautiful city in a faraway forest."

The party continues. Kray is near Balanser and Hasa through the rest of the night, and is introduced to the wine and cheese crowd. Kray is always in overwatch, checking the crowd.

There is good food, drink, and entertainment. The entertainment includes some extravagant dancers and and an acting show. The show is the story of Ysengeld and the Copper Cup. It is the story of an honest and hardworking son of a noble who is kidnapped and stripped of his rank and station. Eventually he works himself back up and serves as an exceptional manager, and then his measure is restored just before his villainous cousin permanently takes all of his land and rights. Ysengeld is vindicated, but also learned the importance of his privilege.

The night goes late until finally it is time to go.Optional Action: 1 person can make 1 Persuasion check to see if there are opportunities to capitalize on conversation to learn news, gossip, or intrigue from party attendants. Results will be based on score.

Kray, Thorn, and Gibon depart from the hall, returning with Honorable Balanser's entourage. They are escorted to the House of Imin Bash where they stay.

As Balanser and his attendants and guards depart. Thorn confirms it. They have been followed. A lurking trailer creeps about, across the street hiding in the shadows.

Absolutely; whenever it works.

Never wanted to replace his roll. Once the dice are on the table, they're on the table. I'm cool with it.

Earlier, at the Hall of the Nasi...

Thorn tries to mingle and talk with whom he can, but it is tough. He struggles with the language. Few to none are speaking Yuoric. And Gibon is full-time devoted to supporting Kray.

At one moment still early in the party, Thorn does hear a Yuoric conversation going on between a Heshbaan magistrate and a man dressed in battle uniform in the style of the Markelands. The man's accent is Korvaran. Thorn decides to give a head nod to Kray to tell that he is stepping away, then he goes back to follow the two men as they move away from the main common room and head up a granite staircase to an upper floor that has balconies overlooking the lower level.

Thorn tries to get an angle by which he might be able to read lips, but their backs are turned. Thorn is a bit out of earshot. He trails behind far enough away to not look conspicuous, but close enough to keep in sight.

Upstairs he gets close enough to hear the robed Heshbaan man laugh out loud in some exchange, speaking with grand hand gestures. The Korvaran man, who looks like a legionnaire in dress armor though it is clearly not marked as a standard uniform, walks steadily, talking attentively but not loud enough to hear from any distance.

The two men round a corner and go down a palace hall. Thorn follows a little more. He rounds a corner just in time to see them go through another through-way in the hall. When they do they close a bronze barred gate-like door shut. Thorn goes up carefully, finds the gate door locked, and sees that the men have already disappeared around another corner.

Thorn now finds himself in an empty hallway, upstairs away from the crowd. The quiet is a bit eerie perhaps.

Just then he sees some movement down at the other end of the hall, a slender figure in a white and red gown moves by, looking one way and then another. Still in the small alcove at the door gate, Thorn wonders if he was seen. He isn't sure.

The other end of the hallway, where the figure just past, seems to lead to some balconies. Thorn can tell because he can see the last light of the sunset casting out and coating the far end of the hall in a heavy orange.

After the social, in the streets near Imin Bash's house...

The group feints to be making a loop around to the back of Imin Bash's. The side alley works well enough for the ruse.

As Thorn and Gibon round the corner, Kray watches from a hidden indent in the neighboring house. The trailer creeps forward, from shadow to shadow. Around the middle of the alley, he stops. Stops dead still.

Kray knows that the skulker probably senses something is wrong, but it is too late. Kray is already close enough.

Early in the evening, at a bedroom in the house of Imin Bash...

Bryn yells out in a feminine squeal as he wakes. Another nightmare. He is soaked in sweat. When he stands up beside the bed...oh no, he has pissed himself. His robe is dark colored right at his crotch.

A good looking young servant girl peaks in, investigating the effeminate scream. Her eyes widen when she looks down at Bryn's pee stain. She turns her nose up and tries to hide a chuckle as she pitter-patters down the hall, giggling.

She tells her girlfriends.

Just after lunch, in the outhouse...

Maeriks has checked everywhere, on every shelf in the privy. There is not a piece of parchment left. What is worse, he ran out here in only his loin cloth, so he can't even tear off a piece of his own fabric to wipe.

The diarrhea has lasted all through the night, this morning, and has already hit again twice after that chili pepper sausage soup lunch. Maeriks' ass is stinging like fire. The stench is overwhelming. He is a complete mess.

Sitting on the bench, Maeriks looks at his two hands. He knows he has to choose one of them. He picks the right one, because he always picks his nose with his left. He doesn't want to smell the shit any more than he already has too.

Maeriks goes ahead and wipes.