A light breeze circulated the cool evening air through the barred window and into the master bedroom. But tonight, the air was not the only thing passing through the window. With a deathly silent flap of its wings, the tiny barn owl propelled itself through the iron bars of the tower window. Governor Trachus Corelli snored loudly from behind the silk curtains that adorned his bed, blissfully unaware of the feathered intruder.
The Governor awakened with a start, only to find a hand over his mouth and the feel of cold steel at his throat. A man hooded in a dark green cloak was leaning over him, his face so close to the governor's that he could feel the prick of the assailants long goatee against his cheek. 'I am going to take my hand off your mouth,' whispered the stranger in a low hiss, 'If you make a sound without my say so, I will slit your throat from ear to ear before you can blink. Am I understood?' The governor nodded enthusiastically. 'Good,' said the man, releasing his hand from Trachus' mouth, 'allow me to introduce myself, I am called Daryuun. A name that perhaps you have heard before. If you haven't, believe me when I tell you it is a name that is going to cop up a few more times in the near future.' Daryuun grinned and pulled up a chair by the bedside. Trachus could see that this man had a small sickle cradled in his arms. 'Well, Governor Corelli,' I have come to discuss a certain business matter with you, 'I hope this wont take to long, but please make yourself comfortable.' Daryuun smiled again and lowered his hood to reveal a head
of chestnut hair streaked with grey.
'What is it you want of me?' croaked the governor.
'I don’t recall asking you to speak,' said Daryuun leaning close to the frightened man and grabbing him by the hair. 'Now keep in mind, good sir, that we can carry on these negotiations even if you are short a finger or two.' Daryuun released Trachus and reclined back in his chair, his finger brushing the edge of the sickle. 'Do you understand me? Of course you do. Now It has come to my attention that a certain fleet of ships bearing reinforcements has been bit overdue in port. I think it might have something to do with the navigators of those five ships inadvertently misplacing the compasses. Why all their navigation instruments just seemed to turn up here,' Daryuun dumped onto the bed the contents of a bag he had been carrying under his cloak. 'I really cant imagine how all these compasses and stuff ended up in my bag, but then I suppose there must be a simple explanation. I suppose the instruments *could* accidentally dropped into my pockets when I was in the process of kidnapping all the navigators from the ships. Yes, that must be it.' Trachus' face seemed to turn even paler in the moonlight. 'Now, dear governor, I understand that you are in some disfavor with the powers that be back in Darnicia.' The Governor nodded his agreement. 'Well then, I assume the loss of this fleet would be interpreted as one too many displays of gross incompetence, and would result in the emperor passing your title on to some other worthy person. And either a humbling dismissal or perhaps even worse for you. Now, as it happens, neither of us want that.
'Here is the situation. I know where your ships are, and I have your navigators locked up. I can get your ships into port inside of a few days, if you simply comply to a few of my business propositions. First off, I've reviewed your strategic position, and have decided that you need to deploy the vast majority of these reinforcements against the dark armies to the north. Are we agreed on this?' The governor attempted what he thought was a most enthusiastic nod of assent. 'Good, very good. I was told you were a reasonable and rational business man, governor. I see my sources were well informed.
'Now my second proposal. If your are as clever and resourceful as I think you are, you might even be able to gain some favor with the crown if you play your cards right on this one. The interests that I represent are in need of some certain materials. I understand that you are man that is capable of seizing an opportunity when it arises, and are thus familiar with some of the finer arts of embezzlement and creative resource appropriation. My client, being a generous personage, has decided to allow you to pay in whatever form you find most convenient. I will accept either 7500 pieces of gold, arms to equip a small force of Heavy Cavalry, or a Sailing Vessel of reasonable size and quality.' The Governor gawked for a minute before nodding weakly. 'Though we leave it to your own good resources to determine exactly how to make delivery, I will offer my own humble suggestion. First you arrange for the item to be shipped, and have one of your aids make the arrangements. Find out who is put in charge of the caravan, and then write a letter or have a number of conversations, talks with your spies, etc., that you suspect his person is treasonous and/or incompetent. When the caravan or ship disappears under mysterious circumstances, it will seem your suspicions turned out to be true. Perhaps people. the Imperial people namely, will feel laud you for your insight rather than condemn you for the loss of the goods. But of course, the method is entirely up to you. We have no quarrel as long as the payment comes as promised. I will be back sometime tomorrow to find out if payment can be arranged. Once I know that things are in motion, I can set your little fleet back on course. And of course, you don't want to try to pull a fast one on me. You know how easily I can come to you, and I can make things quiet in here so no one will hear your screams if I decide to take my time. I think you understand me, yes? good. I am happy to do what I can to keep you in power here as long as you cooperate. I like to know that there is a reasonable man that I can do business with in the future. Well then, I suggest you get an early start. We'll be seeing each other again very soon. And remember, I don’t handle disappointment very well.' Daryuun smiled and stood, replacing the hood of cloak. 'Soon my friend.' With two strides around the edge of the bed and light rustle the druid had vanished into the night.
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Mich, my demands may vary slightly from those above depending on some things from the round 2 update.