Volume 2, Part III: Stalemate
Special thanks to our friend Blue for writing the part of Aarin Gend!
The spymaster stood beside his desk with his arms folded over his chest, calmly watching the couple entering his office. "Welcome, Tanith and Nagendra Couleuvra," he said evenly, his deep voice sounding like dark velvet. "I have been expecting you."
Soundlessly he walked closer, his tall frame still a few inches taller than Sand's new human form. Gend's intense dark brown eyes scanned them up and down for a few moments before he walked around them, inspecting them thoroughly from all sides. Finally, he finished his round and came to a halt in front of them again.
"Your disguises look good. I approve," he said slowly. The spymaster turned and walked back to his desk, moving a couple of sheets and apparently checking a list. "You will be traveling from Neverwinter to Luskan by wagon. The travel will take about five days. You will find among your papers an invitation to a certain auction in Luskan, held by a certain Orban Asrar. These papers should be enough to let you through their gates."
Gend soundlessly paced around his desk once before settling in front of the desk, half sitting on it with both arms and outstretched legs crossed. There was a catlike smoothness to his every move that made him resemble a prowling black panther; the dark skin and rippling muscles of his bare arms accentuating the impression. Although presently leaning on a desk in an office, there was no doubt this man was ever on his guard and could spring into action with the swiftness of a taught metal coil in less than a second.
"I assume Nasher told you of the Scales of the Sphinx. Orban Asrar made this enchanted map. With the right magic words, it reveals the identity and location of every of my spies - in Neverwinter or elsewhere... even those within Luskan walls. Asrar has put this map up for auction to the highest bidder, and I don't need to tell you the significance this will have for Neverwinter."
Aarin Gend's dark eyes nailed Sand with a piercing stare. "You, 'Tanith' - and I suggest you start using your new names constantly from now on, since the slightest slip of your tongues will have the direst consequences - you, Tanith, are well known to value the colour of money far more than any bothersome moral allegiances to Waterdeep or any other place. That is why you have been invited to participate in this auction."
Sand watched the pacing spymaster. Torio liked to pace as well. What was it about spies that they liked the pacing? He stared up at the ceiling, considering Gend's words. "It will likely cost a significant amount of gold - which, I am hoping Neverwinter will be so kind to provide, as my little shop in the Docks simply cannot afford to front that kind of money on the spot."
Sand glanced at Torio - Nagendra, he reminded himself. "I know of Luskan auction practices for rare magical items; we won't be able to get close enough to Asrar to kill him without bringing down all of Luskan on our head."
"That is where you are wrong, Tanith Couleuvra," Gend said lightly. "Never underestimate your own talents - or those of your wife." Soundlessly, he approached Nagendra and ran his fingers smoothly through her blond, silky hair, letting it fall from his fingers like a pale waterfall.
"There is a reason you were given this hair, Nagendra. I know from reliable sources that Asrar has an... affinity for blondes, and with your considerable talents from your time in Luskan, I know you can find a way to get closer to him than the auction practices normally allow for."
Torio stiffened slightly when Gend's hands plunged into her hair, but she forced herself to relax. Apparently she was going to have to do a lot of that in the next week.
Sand felt an uncharacteristic, protective prickling as he watched Gend stroke Torio's hair. It seemed to be coupled with another sensation: jealousy at the thought of this Orban Asrar man touching her, caressing her, kissing her, pulling off her clothes...
All for a map.
Just the oaths. They'll make you feel that.
But he didn't half believe it.
He could feel her discomfort at being touched by Gend bursting through his mind like a small ray of light before she quickly snuffed it out. Keeping his eyes trained on Gend, he sent her a message -You all right, dear girl?
She could sense a muted indignant buzz in the background of his head; she was somewhat surprised at her instinctual aversion to the thought of having to do...well, anything that Gend was suggesting she would have to do to get close to Asrar. I'm fine. She would have to play her cards right; getting him alone would be easy, but controlling the situation afterwards might prove difficult...
She sent him a reassuring afterthought. I'll be careful, bodaes.
I know you'll be careful, Helkaer but I still worry about what you'll have to do or what he'll force you to do. I swear, if he hurts you, dear girl, I'll personally disintegrate him and scatter his ashes around Toril so he can never be resurrected... Apparently the oath was a lot stronger than Sand gave it credit. He risked giving Torio a long serious look, sealing his promise, before looking back at Gend.
It was all she could do to keep her face schooled into blankness when Sand looked at her. Maybe it was his sudden enlargement in size; she found herself suppressing an urge to curl herself against him, to huddle inside his larger frame, to wrap him around her body like a protective shield. She merely swallowed...He will be dead, and we will have fled that place, before he has a chance to try anything...and let her gaze fall back on Gend,
I suppose I should be a gentleman and give you the pleasure of killing him then, my dear? Is that something a human husband would do for his lovely human wife? You 'take care' of our friend and I'll handle the map.
It seems the spymaster is leaning that way. She couldn't keep the wry note from her thoughts. And they say chivalry is dead.
Walking over to Tanith, the spymaster ran a finger down the man's cheek and over his chin, before he pulled Tanith's sleeve up and ran the same finger over the hairs on his arm. "As for you, Tanith, you must learn how to behave like a man. How to walk and talk - and not least, how to shave. You aren't an elegant elf anymore, so you'd better get used to your new body right away - how it looks and how it works - everything that makes it different from your Elven form. Get used to your lack of grace, dexterity and endurance, as well as your increased strength and constitution." Returning back to his desk, Aarin Gend again settled against it, folding his arms and looking expectantly at them both.
Sand unconsciously ran his hand over his new stubble, feeling the coarse prickly hairs. "Yes - I'm noticing. It is very different being human." Being taller aside (it was interesting to see the tops of people's head now as oppose to always looking up their nostrils), Sand could feel the heaviness with which his limbs moved. His fingers didn't seem to want to follow his commands as readily when he was casting. At the same time, the spells were no longer as exhausting and he just felt stronger.
But coupled to that was a stranger sensation, an almost tangible passing of time he could feel. Was this what it felt like to be a human? It was unpleasant, uncomfortable, always looming in the blood that coursed through his new body, a slightly desperate feeling of having to do so much in so little time. Sand absorbed the shudder that threatened him.
"Suppose we kill him but don't win the auction," Torio said evenly. "The Scales will still exist, and no doubt destroying their maker won't stop some enterprising young mage from discovering how to activate it. It is much too valuable a tool against Neverwinter to simply be left there." Her mouth twitched wryly; never in her life would she have thought she'd be using such words. "Are we to steal it from the real winner? Destroy it? Disable it?"
Not long ago, you'd be vying to buy this map yourself.
She looked at the spymaster, adding quietly, "As far as our escape; suppose I can manage to get Orban alone long enough to kill him, and we manage to destroy the map; it might be difficult for us to simply walk out of Luskan's gates." Secretly she prayed that they actually did have an escape plan for them and that Nasher wasn't simply sending them in there on a suicide mission...
After studying the couple for a while, watching their tentative movements regarding their new looks, and the exchange of gazes at each other, the spymaster finally spoke again. "As for Orban Asrar, you have no choice but killing him - either that also gives you control over the map, or not. As long as the creator lives, there is a chance he will make another map. How you kill him is something you two will have to decide, although I can offer some means to that end when we start looking at equipment."
While speaking, Gend had started pacing again, and at the mention of equipment he walked over to a cabinet with glass doors. Visible on the shelves within, were small daggers, rings with poison hidden inside gems, and the like.
"Regarding the map itself, you will have several options. The primary goal is to have it brought back to Neverwinter, and you should do your outmost to reach this goal. However, if you end up in a situation where the only other possible outcome is to have the map discovered or falling into somebody else's hands, it should be destroyed. Disabling it will not be an option, since there may be several ways of activating it, and I doubt it will truly be disabled without being destroyed."
Opening the cabinet, Gend took out two identical rings, simple gold bands without any kind of decoration. "Humans often use simple wedding bands, as opposed to elves," he looked pointedly at Tanith, "so these will not raise suspicion. In addition to being your wedding rings, they also have properties that will be helpful when leaving Luskan. We will talk about this in due time."
He walked over to them looking more than ever like a hunting wildcat, and gave them one ring each. "Put it on and get used to wearing it."
"The greatest danger you two face, is to accidentally do something out of character for the persons you are supposed to be. One slip of your tongue or one faulty move and suspicion will be raised. As you both know, nobody are as suspicious as Luskans, expecting spies everywhere and trusting nobody. To counter this, you two need to train your parts meticulously, starting immediately."
Gend stalked back to his desk where he settled as before, leaning against it with arms and legs crossed. In his eyes was a strange gleam of amusement, and the corners of his mouth were twitching as he watched his newest spies.
"Show me that you can behave like a plausible married couple. How would you behave towards each other? Give me a demonstration. And Tanith - don't forget to move like a human at all times, even when your mind is occupied with everything else. I cannot let either of you leave until I know you truly areTanith and Nagendra Couleuvra."
"A demonstration..." said Torio, her voice flat and even. She slipped the enchanted ring on her finger, along with the ring of protection Sand had given her; her fingers would definitely be a testament to their supposed wealth. She glanced at Sand's face; if the situation wasn't so grave, she would be laughing at the irony of it. Carefully, refusing to let her face betray any emotion, she slid her hands up against his shoulders and lifted on to her toes, pressing her mouth against his rather fervently.
"Right - move like a human merchant. Mostly clumsy, loud, heavy..." But before Sand could reply further, Torio (Nagendra!) was already coiling herself around him, pressing her hot mouth to his. He stiffened slightly, feeling exposed and embarrassed by the sudden need to perform for a man he barely knew, his round blue eyes darting over to where Gend was watching them.
Right - move like a human merchant.
Pretend as though you have never kissed this woman before while acting like you have been kissing her for years.
I can do that.
He cupped her face roughly, his hands feeling large and overbearing, pulling her face closer to his, bending down to meet her lips. He slid one hand through her hair, to the back of her head, and slipped his tongue inside her mouth (which technically he knew he didn't have to do since Gend wouldn't be able to see that but...)
How much of a demonstration would he want?
Feeling even more lewd now, especially since he could feel himself starting to harden, he crouched slightly, and using his new found strength picked her up easily by her backside, his fingers sinking into the firm flesh, and carried her over to the spymaster's desk, putting her down on a clear spot at the edge of the wooden table.Well at least Gend can't complain about the view now.
Torio clung to his shoulders as he dropped her somewhat roughly and pressed against her, his mouth passing hungrily down her neck. Sand wrapped her legs around his waist, scraping his teeth along her neck. "Nagendra, my love, let us finish with our business here and head back to the Seven Sails. I simply musthave you soon." Now he really was feeling both aroused and ridiculous. It would take some getting used to his slightly deeper voice, coming from deeper in his chest now. Sand hoped that the Seven Sails Inn was still in business but at least they would have 5 days in the carriage to brush up on Luskan places, people and politics.
Her pulse raced instantly through her body; Torio could feel him beginning to harden slightly from where he was pressed between her legs, her skirt bunched up above her knees. She felt instantly embarrassed that someone was watching them; they had been creeping, sneaking, hiding for so long that even the thought of someone now seeing Sand kiss her made her heart twist with panic. And there was no denying the chemistry between them...
Well, and Gend shouldn't complain about it; it would help them in their mission, after all, if they were attracted to one another. Simply act as if you truly hate him, and you are pretending to love him.
She devoutly ignored the sly, mental question mark that surfaced at the last part of that thought, and slid her arms around his neck. "Apparently you must," she said silkily to Sand, her eyes darting to the spymaster's face momentarily. "Why wait until we return to the Sails, my darling Tanith? I'm sure the spymaster would leave the room if we asked him politely..." She hooked her legs tighter around Sand's waist and nuzzled his ear as she spoke, realizing with a pang of disappointment that his human ears were most likely not as sensitive as his sharper Elven ones. The things we sacrifice in the name of Neverwinter.
Aarin Gend was watching the couple intently with a slightly amused look on his face. Truth be told, he was surprised at the gusto with which they had both instantly interpreted that acting as a married couple meant public displays of affection. Perhaps there was more to it than what met the eye... it did not pass his ever watchful eyes by that they were both showing subtle but visible signs of arousal; slightly quickening breathing and widened pupils. For two persons who were supposed to hate each other, they certainly had a good chemistry...
"It almost pains me to break this up, now that you were doing so well," he finally said, his voice with a hint of laughter, "but you don't need to demonstrate further than what will be seen in public - and I assume you will have no wish to get arrested for lewd behaviour." Chuckling slightly, he raised his brow at them, expecting them to leave his desk.
"What amuses me is how you both instantly interpreted my request for demonstration with such a passionate tryst. There is no denying there is great chemistry between you... I could see that you didn't have to act all that much, and during the five days you will be on the road, I suspect you will explore this a bit more. That isgood! It will make you believable as a young couple who have only been married for a few years yet."
"But - the clue here is that you havebeen married a few years, so you aren't all affection all the time. What else would a couple do?" Grinning widely, showing off pearly white teeth against his dark skin, Gend added: "Don't forget that fighting couples often pull in former 'sins' their partner has done - so you must keep your back story straight. Who have forgotten to pick up their dirty underwear, or to let the cat out, or kissed somebody else on the cheek last Saturday? Try a fight and see if your chemistry still works."
Torio smirked inwardly...this part, Sand and she already had plenty of time practicing for. She instantly shoved him away from her, her face twisted into a horrible scowl, eyes flashing dangerously. "You viper," she hissed. "Don't think I didn't see you making eyes at that cleric of Sune that's been frequenting the shop." She continued pushing him pack, light, jabbing shoves against his shoulders as she paced forward. "If I ever see her anywhere near you again, you lecherous bastard, I will personally.." shove "...carve your heart out with..." shove "...my bare fingers." She plunged a clawed hand into the front of his robes and drew his face down to hers, her eyes narrowed into slits, her teeth bared as she practically snarled at him. "And don't think that I won't, Husband."
Sand narrowed his eyes at Torio, smacking her hands away from his robes. "Don't touch me like that, Wife. All your clothes..." He gestured at her. "Your jewels..." He looked pointedly at her rings. "Who bought those for you? Who works at the shop, enchanting the items so you can go and spend the gold recklessly on shoes? Just how many pairs of shoes do you need?" Sand folded his arms defensively across his chest and said surly, fighting back a laugh, "Besides, I wasn't making eyes with her - I was just attending to a good customer! She comes in at least twice a week! It's good merchant practices!"
"Ha!" She flipped her long hair over her shoulder indignantly...hmmm, this hair is not too terrible a thing, in all actuality. "Good merchant practices? Don't take me for a fool; she can't keep her eyes off of you, much less her hands. Is that merely a good merchant practice?" Her voice was thick and acidic. "And don't even mention my clothing, Husband......would you want me looking like some street beggar scrounging for scraps in my husband's own shop?" She glared at him; the corner of her mouth twitched, the only indication that she was fighting back her amusement, but thanks to her back being to the spymaster she hoped he wouldn't notice. "Or maybe I should dress like a priestess of Sune..."
"It's not my fault she can't keep herself away from me! You should consider yourself lucky to be married to me," Sand sneered. "And I wouldn't care so much if you dressed like a worshipper of Sune if you would behave like one to your own husband - and then maybe - just maybe - I wouldn't find it so pleasing that a woman paid me any attention instead of seeing me as a bottomless coin purse. Tell me, Nagendra, when was the last time you made going to bed, pleasant?"
Sand found it easy to remember to call Torio 'Nagendra' when she looked so different with her long blonde hair but it was her eyes that always caught him off-guard - the same astute clear gray eyes...
A deep laughter from Gend interrupted the arguing couple. "Very good!" he said approvingly, still chuckling. "You certainly have practiced fighting before, I can tell. You will also get more time to hone your interactions during the travel, so I will trust you to not raise suspicion regarding your marital status."
Sand nodded at Gend, "Ah, Nagendra and I first met over a dispute, I suppose you could say. And we continue to meet over disputes it seems as she cannot hold her tongue. If arguing is a sign of marriage, then I'm certain we won't have difficulties there." He gave Torio a coy look.
"You have to practice on those skills where you earlier relied on your higher dexterity," Gend nodded and walked over to a cabinet, revealing a variety of practice weapons inside. "What is your preferred melee weapon, Tanith? Whatever it is, you will need to practice a bit - your movements won't be the same now, and although you are stronger than before, you lack the speed. What would you choose? Spar with me a few minutes to see if you still want the same weapon or choose a new one."
Sand gave Gend a small smile. "I prefer to stay out of melee combat, if you really must know. But..if I must, a wizard's staff or quarterstaff. I have used daggers on occasion."
Torio watched with some amusement as Sand moved around the room; she had hardly noticed how smoothly he had moved before until now, when he no longer possessed the cat-like grace that permeated his movements. It had been seemingly replaced by an intrinsic physicality; every movement suggested latent strength, power, and a very raw, solid presence.
And knowing the mind that was inside that human body...? A dangerous combination to be sure.
She stepped back against the desk when Gend mentioned weapons, not really looking forward to being in the way of a possible sparring match.
"Hand me a staff then. Whether I am human or Elven, I am still a wizard and wizards are known for the magical staves." Sand did not relish the idea of battling the larger and obviously more capable human and he was suspecting this would be little more than an exercise in futility and embarrassment.
He sent a bemused message to Torio: Dear girl, I had always hoped to spare you the horror of watching me in actual combat. I thank Mystra that you're more interested in my superior intellect and not my ability to fend off obviously well adept spymasters...
"I'm aware that wizards seldom use melee weapons," Gend said evenly, picking out two simple quarterstaffs and two wooden daggers before closing the cabinet, "but you know as well as me that even wizards may get cornered, surrounded or even run out of spells."
"Relax," he added and smiled at Tanith when he saw the less than pleased expression on the wizard's face. "I have no interest in humbling you. This is simply a practice to help you get used to your new body's movements before you suddenly find yourself up against the wall. I'm also a firm believer in hidden poisoned daggers, even in bed, so I will show you a few useful moves for when you are surprised without your staff handy. I will teach them to your wife as well."
The spymaster pulled a string next to a large curtain covering his entire back wall, and the entire curtain slid aside, revealing that his office was only half the size of the room - the other part was mostly empty, except a few training dummies and targets by one of the walls.
Gend motioned for them both to follow him into the training area, asked Nagendra to wait by the wall and led Tanith out in the middle of the floor. He stuck one of the daggers in his belt and handed the other to Tanith, telling him to do the same. Then he walked about ten feet away and stood with his back to the wizard, still holding both staffs. Weighing one of them in his hand to get the feeling for the balance of it, he suddenly turned and tossed it at Tanith.
"Catch!"
Torio followed them into the training room, a slight frown pulling at the corners of her mouth; but her thoughts were amused as she sent them to Sand. Oh, but I am quite looking forward to seeing what you've learned from your head-bashing companions, Bodaes...and it seems I shan't escape such ministrations, either. She leaned against the wall, arms crossed over her chest, and watched as Gend tossed at quarterstaff in Sand's direction. Try not to take any blows to the head...I would be devastated if anything happened to that sharp mind of yours...
Sand caught the quarterstaff, fumbling only a little bit. He glanced at Torio. I have healing potions in my pack...just in case...
He squared his shoulders and held the quarterstaff in front of him. "So...uh... ready?"
Sand defended himself as well as he could against the agile attacks of the spymaster, surprised at the force at which he could block the incoming assault. But when the spymaster took a swipe at his legs and he tried to jump up out of the way, Gend's staff hooked him around the ankle and sent him crashing to the floor, landing hard on his backside.
The impact of the fall jarred him a moment; he was so much heavier and it seemed that he fell much heavier too. Sand rolled away from another swing, but not fast enough; it caught him on the shoulder and he had an intake of breath in pain.
He rolled again, this time at least making it to his feet and parrying another blow to his torso, pushing back with all his strength until he felt Gend take a step back. Sand wiped his forehead. "Let us hope then, that my survival defends not upon my skills in combat. There's a reason why I'm always hiding behind the paladin." He stopped his hand from going and touching theariikgem, but looked at Gend ruefully.
Torio watched in bemusement as Sand was quickly dispatched by the spymaster. Sand didn't move too badly; but it was slightly obvious that his power was in spell casting. Still, Gend would be merely a pile of charred remains with one well-placed spell...
And she could manage neither. She had been shown how to hold a weapon correctly, but her body was not trained for parrying blows or dodging the thrust of a blade. Nor could she conjure up a ball of flames to destroy her enemies at will. "I do hope you don't have such high expectations from me either," she called to Gend ruefully, her mouth twitching in a smirk. "I slaughter willing sheep, not well armed men twice my size."
Glancing over at Nagendra, Gend smiled at her. "I certainly don't intend to beat you, pretty lady, but I do want to teach you both some useful movements with a dagger. Perhaps a couple of unarmed attacks as well. There are certain points on a human body that mean instant death or paralysis if touched the right way."
Pulling the training dagger up from his belt, Aarin Gend asked Tanith to do the same. "Please watch closely, both of you. After Tanith has had some tries, I want you to train them as well, Nagendra."
Sand pulled out the small practice dagger, rolling his injured shoulder back and forth, trying to work the knotted muscle loose. His bottom was also throbbing in pain and he hoped he didn't look too incompetent. It would be embarrassing to have Gend call the whole thing off because Sand was unable to stay on his two feet. He held the dagger up, mimicking Gend's stance. "Ready as I'll ever be, spymaster."
Gend nodded and went down in a crouch, beginning to circle Tanith. Sometimes he made attacks, but did not touch the wizard, stopping when he got past his defenses and explained, demonstrated and then did it again.
Suddenly, he twirled around Tanith and got behind him, bend one of his arms painfully up his back and held the knife to his throat. "Now, Tanith, you are suddenly attacked from behind like this. Show me how you would get out if it without magic."
Sand nearly rolled his eyes. Well for one...I wouldn't... But since they were playing the "without magic" game, and the hand holding the practice dagger was free, Sand twisted his head sideways and ducked, sliding out from Gend's hold. At the same time, he spun the dagger around and stabbed backwards, stopping his hand when the tip touched the spymaster's ribs. He looked up at the bigger man questioningly, waiting for his critique.
"Very good! You have the right idea! Now, if you adjusted your movement like this, and aimed the dagger like that... if they do it to your dagger arm, you can press the nerves in my elbow here, stick your fingers in my eyes or do press those points here... " Gend explained, showing a few other movements as well, training with Tanith until he felt the wizard had it under control.
"I cannot train you with staff and knife in one night, I can only show you - but I expect you to train for yourselves when possible during your travel. Now you, Nagendra... I hope you have been watching the instructions. If you could kindly come out here, take my knife and show your husband how it is done when he attacks you." Gend stepped back, signaling for them to start sparring with each other.
Sand watched Gend carefully. His - or Torio's - life may very well depend on what the spymaster was showing them now. He practiced the movements slowly, carefully, his years of practicing the arcane arts and needing to mimic movements coming in handy.
Sand's blue eyes widened as Gend gave Torio the dagger. "You want me to attack her?" He took a hesitating step towards her. He didn't want to hurt her and yet...
...you don't want to be bested by a woman, do you Sand?
Torio took the dagger with a look of mild irritation, but she walked out onto the floor, squaring off against Sand. This would be slightly fairer if he was still an elf...
Then Sand was lunging at her, his arms reaching low while he ducked, clearly intent on catching her around her midsection. She backed up a step, and tried to dodge to the side; his arm caught her around her waist and she grabbed his wrist, attempting to twist under his arm and yank his wrist up high against his back. By gods, but his arms were strong...
She was agile, Sand had to give her that. He could feel her bending his arm back even as he caught her around her waist. With one arm useless and the other still holding a dagger, he couldn't very well pick her up; instead he let his momentum carry them both forward and they crashed spectacularly to the ground. He yanked his arm away from Torio, fumbled with the dagger and then swung the blade towards her throat just as she swung her own dagger to his. Both their hands stopped a mere hands breadth away from the exposed skin.
He froze, his chest panting from the exertion, his blue eyes shining as he carefully considered their symmetrical position. "Stalemate, dear girl."
Torio gasped for breath, her arm shaking with the adrenaline fueled strain of holding the knife against Sand's throat. "I suppose it is," she managed to get out. Ironic, that. She could barely swallow without feeling the steely edge press against her skin.
Her grey eyes narrowed slightly up at his, before she glanced over at Gend, waiting for his reaction.
Gend gave a deep, warm laugh as he stepped closer. "All right," he chuckled, "if you were ever to fight each other, you would end up in a stalemate. Very good Nagendra - I can see you have used a dagger before."
If he noticed the rather pointed silence that Torio met this statement with, he ignored it.
He signaled for them to break it up and collected the training weapons. "I think this will be enough for now, but it's important that you both remember to train on these moves while on the road. Come with me back to my desk, there are a few more details we need to sort out before you leave, including the use of your wedding bands."
Walking in front of them into the office part of his room, he pulled the strings to close the curtain again, and then placed the training weapons back in their cabinet. Then he prowled back to his desk, leaning back on the corner of it like before, and waited for them to get seated on the chairs next to it.
"Those wedding bands are magical, as I'm sure you have noticed, and they will play a vital part when you are to get out of Luskan again. The less you know, the less you can tell if you get captured, so let me simply tell you that they are a homing beacon. When they are activated, one of my agents will find you and get you out. They are to be used in an emergency only... the preferable way of leaving would be the way you came in - on a wagon with your luggage intact."
Gend's voice lowered and he leaned forwards, staring intensely at them. "It is extremely hard to keep Neverwinter agents in Luskan undetected, so the few I have are must never be compromised. I will not give you any information about them - everything can be revealed under torture or by mind scrying. But if - and only if- youhave the map and are in immediate danger of being caught with it, you can activate either of the rings to have somebody come to find you."
He walked over to Nagendra and lifted her hand with the ring, turning her palm up. "The rings are to be activated like this... " he demonstrated a combination of pressure points that were to be pressured simultaneously with the fingertips, "... or by whispering these power words to it..." Gend leaned in and whispered the words in Nagendra's ear, "...but in the opposite order. Do not speak them unless you mean to activate the ring, because it will happen regardless of how faintly you whisper. Give the words to your husband."
Walking back to his desk, Aarin Gend again assumed his usual stance, his deeply brown eyes watching them intently.
Torio stared at her ring for a moment, before turning and muttering the words into Sand's ear, backwards of course; no need to activate them prematurely.
Sand spun the wedding band around his finger absent-mindedly as Gend explained it to him. It was really clever, he had to give them that. He burned the words of activation in his mind as Torio whispered them to him. "We will, of course, use such an instrument judiciously. It would not surprise me that if activating the ring invited scrying from the Hosttower and that is something we wish to avoid."
She looked at the spymaster, then, her fingers toying with the ring on her finger. "Otherwise we leave as we came in." She couldn't see that happening; sneaking in to an auction, killing the artificer and stealing the artifact? Luskans were not fools. But she merely nodded. "Is there anything else, then, Spymaster?"
"I have a small device that you might need," Gend nodded and walked off to the cabinet again, taking out an elaborate hair comb decorated with glittering gems. "This one - wear it in your hair at all times, especially when you have a chance of meeting Orban Asrar. Inside it is a small pin..." Gend touched one of the jewels, and a small pin sprang out from the spine of the comb and he pulled it out. "It contains a very powerful poison. One prick with this, and Orban will die within a couple of minutes. Be careful not to touch it - I have no antidote." He pressed the pin back in, and it disappeared with a faint click. Quietly he held it out to Torio.
Torio took the comb delicately, examining it. She remembered many of the Luskanite street women and courtesans having such things on them at all times, usually in the rougher parts of the streets when killing and robbing your customers was merely considered good business practice. She slipped the comb into the inside pocket of her cloak, merely arching a brow at Aarin. "It's quite ingenious, Spymaster. I shall use it carefully." There was no hesitation in her voice about the likelihood of her having to use it.
"What else is there for us? Clothing, you had implied, but am I correct in assuming that those have been already packed for us? I have no weapons on me at the moment so I will need those as well." Sand paused. He had always known death was eminent but never thiseminent. "If there's nothing else, there is something I'd like to do before we leave. All I would require is some parchment, a quill, ink and some sealing wax..."
"Yes, I've been informed that clothing and other things one usually brings on a journey, has been packed and ready. When you leave here, somebody will take you to the armory where you will get some weapons. There isn't much left for you to do here, but I will of course give you time to write what you need. Just a moment." Gend opened a drawer in his desk and took out parchment and sealing wax, quill and ink, and placed it all on the desk. "You are welcome to use my chair, Tanith," he said, unexpectedly warmly - he had a feeling it was something that was important for the wizard.
Sand took a seat at the desk, "Thank you." He bent his head low over the parchment, writing carefully in long hand, the quill scratching lightly on the surface. He glanced up when Torio and Aarin Gend began speaking but returned his attention to the matter at hand. A part of him wondered if he was crazy; another part wondered in the wisdom of doing such a thing (especially if he survived and Gend - being a spymaster and all - read the note) but a larger part of him was realizing he didn't care. Much, anyway. He quickly read it over and then folded the parchment. Melting the sealing wax over a candle, he let a large, substantial puddle of wax drip onto the paper and then pressed his personal seal into it.
He stood and handed the document to Gend. "If you wouldn't mind - if I don't return from this task, open it and carry out the instructions here."
Gend accepted the sealed parchment with a nod. "I promise," he said seriously. "I honestly hope that will never be necessary, but you can trust me. When you return, I will give you your parchment back."
Gend took out a small key that was chained to his belt and unlocked the bottom drawer on his desk. Quietly he placed the parchment inside, locked the drawer and slid the key back into an inner pocket on his leggings.
Torio gave Sand a quizzical look, but merely watched the exchange. She looked over at Gend; something had been nagging at the back of her mind ever since meeting him, and there was something she had to ask. "Let me ask you something, spymaster," she said evenly. "I know tales of you...piracy on the high seas, your exploits in Chult; I know Nasher offered you the chance to serve Neverwinter as a way of keeping you out of the cells. Tell me..." She leaned against his desk, looking up into his eyes squarely. "Is it worth it to you? Serving Neverwinter under a prison sentence?"
Aarin Gend watched Nagendra quietly for a few minutes, thoughtfully forming his answer. "I'm very grateful for the chance Nasher gave me. I get to do what I do best, while being paid for it - and being respected for my work. I feel I'm where I want to be."
When his eyes met hers again, the gaze was softer, warmer... and so was his voice. "I know it may not seem worth it to you, yet, but it will come. You may feel you are being thrown out in harm's way now, but consider it. You have a chance to change your life, get a new start. You are young, pretty, and..." Here Gend cast a glimpse over at Tanith who was busy writing, "...have an interestingpartner."
He chuckled to himself. "Oh, yes, I've noticed your brilliant chemistry... you know each other better than you want to admit. Would you rather have chosen death, than have this chance... and this partner?"
"Are you ready to leave now? Then the man waiting outside, will take you to the armory." He moved close to them and shook their hands firmly, intently. "Good luck! May the Gods follow you on your path."
Sand clasped Gend's hand firmly. "Thank you for everything. I do hope to be getting that parchment back." He stepped back and exited the room, to meet the man outside to go to the armory.
Torio gave Gend a long, considering look, before she too curtsied. "Thank you, Spymaster," was all she said, before she turned and followed Sand.
The man outside Gend's chamber guided him down a hallway, turning left and right a few times before stopping in front of a large set of double doors. Sand looked behind him and saw Torio following a short distance away. "Go ahead, take what you need." The man opened the door and gestured inside.
The room was filled with weapons of every imaginable sort. He held his hand out, feeling for those with magical enchantments, trying to think ahead of time to what he would need. What would they expect to encounter? Mostly humans, evil ones. He would have to limit the magic and power of whatever he took though; no better way to incur scrying from the Arcane Brotherhood than to come into their city loaded down with magical items stacked upon magical items. He recognized the Staff of Valmaxian but would a young merchant from Waterdeep really have such a powerful weapon? He settled instead on a Staff of Curing: neither he nor Torio had any ability in the healings arts and it may come in handy. He also picked up a small dagger with some minor enchantments.
Sand turned to Torio and pointed to a small blade lying on the table. "A courtesan blade, girl. Seems fitting, doesn't it?"
Torio snorted at him, but the corners of her mouth curled in a slight smile as she propped her foot up on the table and rolled up her skirt. She slipped her trusty little knife from the garter and picked up the courtesan blade; its edge gleamed slightly greenish in the light as she turned it. Magically poisoned? She'd have to be careful; she delicately slid it against her leg and flipped her bootknife around, sticking it point first into the tabletop.
She dropped her leg, brushed her skirt down and glanced at Sand. "Do you think they would search us?"
"Probably." He watched her slide the knife and garter up her legs. By Mystra, that was arousing...her calf was subtly flexing as she worked the lacey material over her knees and Sand watched as her hands and the weapon disappeared under the hem of her skirt. "But it's Luskan. Everybody is expected to carry a weapon. If I remember correctly, the Cutlass Tavern confiscates weapons when you enter and returns them when you leave. But I have no plans of going there." He frowned. "I'm more worried if they try to Dispel Magic on us."
Torio chuckled. "That would be a problem; we'll have to be careful of what spells we've got activated; if they don't think there's anything worth dispelling they won't bother with us." She moved to a side table, feeling the weight of the comb in her traveling cloak pocket tapping against her leg as she walked. She fingered a few small items, but weapons were usually not her forte...
She found a small, spring loaded bootknife, meant to be slipped into the sole of a shoe and activated by putting weight on the release catch below the blade. She fingered it thoughtfully and then picked it up, slipping it into her pocket as well. "I think this is the most heavily armed I've ever been in my life." She turned and looked at Sand appraisingly; the staff he had chosen seemed to glow benignly in his hand. "Are we ready, then?"
"I think we are." Sand exited the armory and the man led him towards a back entrance. The man turned to them before opening the door. "All you need has been packed on the carriage for you." He handed each one of them a coin purse. "For your incidental expenses. Anything you don't use, you may keep upon your return, in addition to any other monies Lord Nasher deems to pay you. If you have no further questions, the carriage awaits you outside."