Chapter 13: Steaming Ahead
Gorion leant across the solid oak table which sat in the centre of one of the more secure and 'snug' rooms within the Athkatlan Harper hold three days later, his gaze flickering over each of the four party members seated before him, each with varying degrees of nervousness or confidence.
Darial appeared totally in control; cool, calm, confident, and she met his gaze without wavering. This was what he had always expected of her – even if the Hells themselves were about to rise onto Faerûn, Darial would meet it with a confident air, no matter how panicked she might actually be. It was irritating to work with a bard – the best were ever-so impossible to read. And Gorion tended to only work with the best.
Belgrade was a little fidgety, seeming somehow guilty, and he didn't make eye contact with Gorion. He made the occasional glance at Jaheira, who forcefully ignored him, and seemed far too aware of the underlying tension that was running rampant throughout the room.
The aforementioned Jaheira seemed to somehow be sitting in the middle of it. Whilst her stance was casual, and she slouched in her chair in a relaxed yet not impertinent manner, the tilt of her head, the way her hand gripped the armrest, and the occasional flashes of anger in her eyes – especially when Belgrade tried to make eye contact – told the extent of her strain.
Then, finally, there was Khalid, who looked a little calmer than usual. This was not saying much, because whenever Gorion's gaze turned in the warrior half-elf's direction, he seemed to almost leap out of his seat, flustered, and look unnecessarily embarrassed. Whilst Gorion had heard of the young man's ability from Darial and other Harpers Khalid had worked with in the past, he was still waiting for this jumpy individual to prove himself suitably.
He finally felt that he had waited long enough, and the tension was even beginning to get to him. These were important days, with important matters, and sitting around trying to evaluate people was merely a waste of time when they could prove themselves far better with action. Gorion straightened up. "What have you found?"
Darial leant forward casually, pulling a scroll out from an inside pocket of her leather jerkin and unrolling it. Even upside-down, Gorion could recognise the surprisingly neat calligraphy of the bard's on the paper, with the occasional scrawl of Belgrade's annotating it.
"Ployer's in our pocket," Darial told Gorion confidently. "He thinks we're a pair of investors, and we had the gold to prove it. He's just lapping it up, and the more successful he becomes, the more influential and important within his business we become, the more chance we'll have of being close enough to slip a knife in his back."
Belgrade nodded slowly, confidence seeping into him in the face of official matters. "Aye. We have also made contact with Ployer's prize gladiator, a Rashemani called Aergoth Xanthus. Provided he lives long enough to see our plan come into play, he could be extremely valuable, especially if his status wins him certain favours with Ployer," the Luskan thief offered quietly.
Gorion pondered this for a moment before nodding. "Very good. Things are going ahead as planned. Excellent." He opened his mouth as if to say something, then hesitated and turned to the other two. "And you? Did you find anything of importance at the Copper Coronet?"
He wasn't going to ask us anything at all, Khalid thought with a sinking heart. We're very much being pushed out of the carpet on this one. Oh, Gods, Jaheira's realised he might be patronising us…
The half-elven druid raised an eyebrow at the ancient sage. "We did indeed," she answered, a little defiantly. "Although there was little at the Copper Coronet for us to do regarding Ployer, whilst there we ran into someone who shouldn't have been in Athkatla at all." She smiled tightly at the curious glances this statement won her. "Ramman Thorstein. The Seawolf is still in Amnian waters. She's returned."
Gorion, to his credit, merely blinked at the news. "This was unexpected," he declared, frowning a little with thought. Then he straightened up. "I shall have people to look into it. Whilst it does not directly affect our work with Ployer, it is still a curious development, and one which could be quite important. Especially if Bates and Thorstein decide to get involved with Ployer again." He nodded slowly to Jaheira and Khalid, wearing a slight smile. "Good work."
He watched Khalid sag with relief and mild gratitude, much of the panic visibly seeping out of the young fighter whilst Jaheira merely nodded, loosening a very little, as if this was simply what she had expected of the conversation. These two inexperienced Harpers both amused and intrigued him, and he was quite interested in seeing how they developed or proved themselves. Perhaps they could be given some more responsibility after all – if they had no chances to prove themselves, how could he expect them to?
"Matters have changed a little," Gorion declared, looking at them all. "We no longer have the week or so of time that had been anticipated. Galvarey informed me that apparently Herald Vedus wishes us to push ahead, as the slaving black market has been flourishing and a quick attack on one of the more prominent faces in the underworld might make things slow down significantly. We need to act as soon as possible."
He shifted to glance at Belgrade and Darial. "You mentioned that you have someone on the inside. Very good – we shall need him, and he'll fit in to what I have intended quite nicely. Ployer is showering him with favours for his victories, yes? We shall take advantage of that…"
All four listened attentively to Gorion as he explained his plan calmly and confidently. It was simple, but could definitely work.
The main problems with accusing Ployer were twofold: one, finding the necessary evidence to convict him. This was a simple matter, especially with Darial and Belgrade established within his business. The second was what made things complicated: the absolute nature of Athkatla which made bribing so very easy to do. As the Harpers were not constrained absolutely by the legal limits the authorities in Athkatla were, they had considerably more liberty in their implementation of justice. However, it would not do for them to decide Ployer's fate themselves – that would have to be left to the courts.
It would not be a simple matter of producing the incriminating papers and leaving the rest to Athkatlan authorities; that would fall through. He needed to be caught red-handed, and such a matter was not particularly easy. Especially as Ployer would not willingly allow a collection of perceived vigilantes into his house, and they could hardly lay siege to a nobleman's mansion in the middle of the government district.
The plan dealt with these problems and, barring unexpected twists to throw them off course, looked as if it could work admirably. It was also fairly short and simple to explain, and so the party found themselves standing outside in the Docks District, again in the evening light, within a handful of minutes.
Belgrade glanced at them all, looking worn and weary yet fairly attentive. "Another trip to the Sea's Bounty?" he suggested lightly, looking as if he might fall asleep on his feet if the suggestion was rejected.
Jaheira grimaced. "Perhaps for Khalid and myself, but it would not look good if Ployer heard that his two wealthy investors were spending time with a pair of low-lifes like us. Maybe you would do well to stay at the Mithrest," she suggested, not looking at him. "For the length of this quest, would it not be better for us to minimise unofficial interaction?"
A silence fell on them all as tensions rose once more, almost everybody sensing what was to come. Darial glanced around desperately, then fixed her gaze on a spot over Belgrade's shoulder as she grabbed Khalid's arm firmly. "By Tymora, Khalid, there's a boat over there! In the Docks District! Maybe we should go look at it."
Khalid looked infinitely relieved at the suggestion, and nodded firmly. "Th-that's an excellent idea, D-Darial," he replied, looking as mock-amazed as she did. "D-definitely investigate s-something so s-suspicious." And with that, the two hurried off, probably planning to take cover before the fireworks.
Belgrade stared quizzically after them, then grimaced slightly and looked at Jaheira a little tentatively. "Alright. What's going on? Why do you look as if you want to kill me all of a sudden?"
Jaheira glared, and he took a step back. "Maybe because that's an excellent idea," the druid growled, hands on hips. "Since you don't deem it necessary to keep me in the loop about important things."
The thief grimaced again. "Such as? The quest? You're malcontent because –"
Jaheira rolled her eyes. "Thank you. I am glad you think I am quite that pathetic, Belgrade. It truly warms my heart to know you have such a low opinion of me. No. I refer to the history of you and Darial." For some reason, she wasn't yelling at him. This was odd. She rather felt like doing so.
Belgrade grimaced yet once more. "Oh, that… yes. I see. Well… it's a little bit complicated. Mayhaps I should have told you, but I never thought it quite necessary, and…" He paused a moment, then frowned. "What's so important about that, anyway? Is it really that much of your business for you to know?"
Jaheira shrugged, her eyes flashing dangerously. "Perhaps. Especially with the two of you working in the role you are, maybe I have reason to wonder?"
"And so? Is that really much of your business either?" Belgrade demanded, then halted as the words finished tumbling out of your mouth, and he stared at her a little blankly. She didn't look shocked or hurt, or even angry. This was quite bad. "Ah, that is to say that… ah…"
Jaheira raised an eyebrow, an emotionless mask slipping across her face. "Don't. Try. To finish that sentence," she murmured warningly, raising a finger, then turned and strode off, heading in the direction of the Sea's Bounty.
Belgrade stared numbly after her, vaguely aware of the other two detaching themselves from their fake wonder at the ships, somehow noticing that Khalid had hurried after Jaheira, and only returning to reality when a light tap on his shoulder brought him back.
"You. Are. An idiot," Darial sighed as she stood next to him, shaking her head. "Can't say I blame her, either."