They
all awake at around 8.00, with some of them, especially Corrow,
nursing aching heads as a result of enjoying too much of Boris’
hospitality the previous night. Once they have bathed and removed the
dirt from the journey, they all move into the large room to see that
Boris has arranged for a large breakfast to be prepared for them.
Once they are all assembled and have started eating, Boris starts to
speak to them all:
‘Orright, so I guess the
party’s over now an’ yer’ll want to finish off yer mission so as to
carry on with yer lives. So let me tell yer everything that I think
yer’ll need to know.’
‘Firstly, this is yer mark,
Slavomir Pavlichek, the Black Diamonds’ Guildmaster in
Hradetz.’
He produces from a leather
bag a small pencil sketch of a man which he gives to Winnacer,
telling him to pass it around the table so that all can see it. The
picture is of a man in his late fifties. He looks as if he was very
fit in his earlier years, but that he has gone a little to fat in
recent years, appearing a little jowly. His hair is thinning, yet he
appears to have an evil sparkle in his eyes. The somewhat avuncular
figure is dressed finely and has a neutral expression on his
face.
‘Don’t be fooled by
appearances’ Boris warns them. ‘E might look like an ‘armless old
man, but ‘e surely ain’t as passed it as yer mights think. In ‘is
day, 'e was one o’ the greatest thieves in these parts, ‘e pulled off
some incredible ‘eists in ‘is time, did ‘e. ‘E’s still a pretty tough
old goat that would be more of a match for any one of yers. If ‘e
weren’t such a complete bastard, then I’d be quite in awe of ‘im. Yer
might think that the Blue Dragons ain’t no better than the Black
Diamonds, what wiv our greasin’ the Nyemetz palms ev’ry now an’ again
to turn a blind eye while we carries on wiv our business. But it’s
one thing to try an’ work ‘round the Nyemetz, an’ another thing to
work FOR the Nyemetz, if yer asks me. The Blue Dragons’d never stoop
to some of the low down dirty tricks the Black Diamonds would.
Turnin’ over the location of a gnome village to the Nyemetz for a
fist full o’ gems? That’s down right terrible, if yer asks me. Some
o’ me crew are gnomes, and I’d never do nothin’ to ‘arm any of their
kind. No, some of yers might disagree with me, but there can be ‘onor
amongst some thieves, but yer can’t call what the Diamonds are up to
‘onorable.’
‘Anyway, I’m ramblin’, now
where was I. Oh yes. Now, Viktor sent one of ‘is boys over to tell me
you were all on yer way an’ ‘e told me all about yer success in
blowing up the Witchfinder Building in Dvur. Ha! Ha! Ha!’ laughs
Boris.
‘What I’d ‘ave given to see
that bastard Reinburger’s face when ‘e came back to see ‘is building
naught more than a pile o’ rubble. Bleedin’ good on yer, the lot o’
yers.’
With that, he gives Winnacer
a mighty pat on the back, startling the young lord somewhat.
Boris then stops laughing
and becomes a little more serious:
‘I’m sorry to say that
gettin’ in to the Black Diamonds’ Guild an’ killin’ Pavlichek ain’t
gonna be at all easy, even compared to the Witchfinder Buildin’. From
the sound of it, Reinburger was over-confident. That’s typical o’
what I’ve ‘eard about ‘im, the stuck up bastard. I reckons ‘e thought
no one would dare to try an’ infiltrate ‘is manor. The Black Diamonds
are smarter than that. They’re confident, but they ain’t
over-confident, and there’s a big difference, if yer asks me. Another
thing is that, if the Black Diamonds gaffe is goin’ to be sprung by
anyone, then it’d be us that were gonna do it. We’re the ones that
would ‘ave most to gain by doin’ them over. Not that they’s expectin’
anythin’ to ‘appen at the moment, not with the truce. But they ain’t
stupid, so they ‘aven’t let their guard down.’
‘That’s gonna be one o’ yer
major problems. A sneaky approach into their gaffe ain’t gonna work.
I can guarantee that whatever sneaky tricks yer might come up with to
get inside their gaffe, they’ll ‘ave thought of as well, an’ then
some an’ all. Jus’ tryin’ to muscle yer way in through force alone
ain’t gonna work neither. There’s somethin’ like 50 crew that they’ve
got in that buildin’ at any one time, includin’ some o’ the very best
from the Bodyguard’s Guild. No, you jus' try an’ fight yer way in and
fight yer way out again, an’ you’ll achieve nothin’ more than gettin’
yerselves killed. An’ that ain’t gonna do no one no good.’
‘No, the best chance yer’ve
got of gettin’ away with it is usin’ yer noggins’ Boris continues,
tapping his forehead. ‘Now, I ain’t sayin’ that the Diamonds are
stupid, nor nothin’. No, on the contrary. Yer don’t get to control
all o’ Pardubitze an’ two thirds o’ Hradetz through bein’ stupid, but
I reckon that’s yer best bet.’
‘The best weapon that yer’ve
got is the element of surprise. They ain’t expectin’ that no one’s
gonna try to pull nothin’ on them, so I reckons yer should use it.
Pavlichek ain’t an easy man to get close to. It ain’t very often that
‘e leaves the safety o’ the Guild’ouse these day. ‘E only comes out
every few months an’ when ‘e does, e’s surrounded by goons. Even when
‘e’s inside the buildin’, ‘e’s always accompanied by a couple o’
muscle’eads from the Bodyguard’s Guild. Best chance yer’ve got, I
reckon, is to find an excuse to get close to ‘im, do ‘im over, an’
then get the ‘ell out o’ the place before anyone finds out what’s
‘appened. Then we’ll get yer all out o’ the city as fast as we can.
As for ‘ow yer gets close to ‘im, yer on yer own on that one.’
Boris pauses for a short
while:
‘Orright, that’s what I
reckons, but I’m sure that you’ll ‘ave some other ideas. Viktor said
that yer's a resourceful bunch. Needless to say, we’ll provide all
reasonable assistance that yer could ask for. ‘Owever, I can’t get
any o’ my crew too involved. If the Lord Protektor knew of our
involvement then we’d ‘ave the ‘ole garrison down on us like a ton o’
bricks.’
‘So what are yer thoughts?
‘Ow else can I ‘elp you?’
Winnacer takes a minute to
contemplate before opening his mouth:
"Well, first things first.
We have three friends with us whom deserve the chance to start
rebuilding their lives already. I would appreciate it if arrangements
could be made to smuggle Heimlin, Bekkah, and Granny out of the city
and set them up with funds to rebuild their lives wherever they may
choose."
Boris shakes his head
sadly:
‘I’d like to ‘elp 'em out,
really I would. Like I said, it’s a cryin’ shame what them Diamonds’
bastards did to their kin. The problem is that I’m gonna be short o’
manpower once you off Pavlichek. As soon as word gets out that
Pavlichek is no more, me crew ‘as only got a few days, a couple o’
weeks at most, to make the best o’ the situation. All big jobs are
off at the mo’. As soon as the word's out, every man, woman an’ child
who’s anyway connected to the Dragons is gonna be workin’ night an’
day to take advantage o’ the chaos. They’ll be out tryin’ to muscle
in on every one o’ the Diamonds’ operations, tryin’ to persuade them
to change their allegiance from the Diamonds to the Dragons. It ain’t
gonna be an easy operation, even with Pavlichek gone. I need all o’
me best crew on the case, so I can’t spare none to act as strong arms
to get the gnomes to wherever it is that they wants to go. I can put
‘em up ‘ere until yer finishes the job, then it’ll ‘ave to be up to
yers to get ‘em out o' the city. I’m sorry, but that’s the best I can
do.’
"We will also need a place
to stay until we are ready to spring our still-undeveloped trap and
supplies and a route of escape from the city once our task is
completed" Winnacer continues. ‘If we could be supplied with horses
during our escape, even better."
Boris shakes his head once
again:
‘I ‘ates to say the word no,
but it ain’t me who’s makin’ the decisions. It’s the big boss back in
Dvur what gave me an’ Viktor the rules as to what we can an’ can’t do
for yers. A place to stay an’ some provisions ain’t gonna be no
problem. Stayin’ ‘ere seems like the best plan to me. There ain’t
gonna be no one rumblin’ this gaffe. If yer don’t fancy it, then I
can set you up in one o’ the other safe’ouses, but it ain’t gonna be
as comfy as this gaffe. As regards gettin’ out o’ the city, then that
shouldn’t be too much o’ a problem neither. We should be able to pay
a shift o’ the gate guards off to turn a blind eye while yer exits
the city sharpish. It’s comin’ up wiv ‘orses an’ stuff, that’s what’s
gonna be the problem. If there’s 11 of yers to provide for, then
that’s a lot o’ ‘orses. An’ they’ll ‘ave to be decent ones an’ all,
if yer plannin’ on wearin’ all that metal while yer ridin’ them. We
could be talkin’ up to two grand to fit yers all out wiv that
lot.’
Boris is quiet for a moment,
obviously thinking:
‘I’ll tell yer what I’ll do.
Chances are that, when yer takes out Pavlichek, ‘e’s bound to ‘ave
some sort o’ gear wiv ‘im. A decent amount o’ cash, prob’ly, an’ if
‘e ain’t got no cash, then ‘e’s bound to ‘ave some decent magickal
kit on ‘im that will be worth some serious bunce. I’ll do yer a deal.
If yer tells me what yer wants, then I’ll provide an advance in order
to get the gear ready. Yer can pay me back from what yer gets off o’
‘im. I’m sorry, but that’s the best deal what I can offer yers. Jus’
tell me what yer wants me to get yers, an’ I’ll get it ready for
yers.’
"Before any solid plan can
be developed," continues Winnacer. ‘The general lay-out of the city
and some of the city's secrets should be made available for our
perusal. A calendar of events that may lure the Guildmaster from
hiding would also be of some use. Any information about the names and
natures of those he travels with during his forays into the open
would be extremely useful, especially pictures or known locales so
that we can view them."
Winnacer looks at Corrow
then Yaz with a half-smile.
"Without Witchfinder sticks,
we may find some of our magicks to be more effective."
‘A map o’ the city ain’t no
problem to come up wiv, but it ain’t gonna be easy to come up wiv
anythin’ that ‘e’s bound to show up at. That’s the first rule when
yer in ‘is position, or mine. Never follow no set pattern. When yer
knows that there’s people who’d like to see yer dead, then yer don’t
follow no set pattern. Yer might as well walk around wiv a target on
yer back if yer does that. No, if yer wants to flush ‘im out o’ the
buildin’, then I reckons yer’ll ‘ave to set somethin’ up that ‘e
can’t resist gettin’ involved in. Mind yer, it’d ‘ave to be somethin’
interestin’. Otherwise, ‘e’ll jus’ send one o’ ‘is many flunkies out
to check it out. I don’t know anyone ‘e ‘angs round wiv neither. It
don’t pay to ‘ave too many friends outside yer crew when yer in ‘is
or my position.’
"As for a plan, I must admit
that espionage is not my strongest suit" adds Winnacer, thinking out
loud. ‘But if some of the more stalwart members of our group were to
find employment as bodyguards, or just assume his bodyguard's
appearance, it would certainly be a start. Any comments on this angle
would be appreciated."
‘Could be worth a try’
shrugs Boris.
"Besides masquerading as his
help, or perhaps using Yaz's special charms to get us close to him, I
can only think to try to anticipate his moves and ambush him
appropriately. I know little of the man, so such things would require
much of your time, Boris."
‘I got all the time in the
world for yer’ replies Boris. ‘But like I says, ‘e’s not one for
followin’ no set pattern, so most of it’s got to be down to yers. I
don’t know much about no magick, neither.’
"I am sure that the more
stealth or magic-minded may have alternatives that my straightforward
mind may have missed, so I beg of all of you to say what is on your
mind, no matter how off-the-wall it may sound right now. Perhaps a
review of our abilities may be in order, for many tomes of magery and
items of magick have entered our lives since we last had a chance to
take a breath."
‘Quite right’ says Boris.
‘What does the rest of yers reckon? It’s gonna ‘ave to be a team
effort to get at the bastard.’
"I don't see any way we
could pull of getting in there as a group' interjects Bennett. 'If
this guy's as suspicious as you say, even if we gave him a reason, I
don't see him letting in more than one or two to actually see him.
Added to that the fact that if these guys are in tight with the
Nyemetz, I can't think of a reason why they would see any of us in
the first place. They would gain far more in turning us in than we
could offer them in services and we have nothing in terms of value to
them."
'You're absolutely right'
replies Boris. 'If the Guildmaster knew that yers were the ones that
is makin' their way up the Nyemetz' most wanted charts in record
time, then 'e'd turn yer all in in an instant. I don't reckon that
'e's got a good description of yers, but if yer all approached 'im
together, then it wouldn't take 'im long to figure it out. Yer ain't
the most common o' parties in these parts.'
'No, I reckon that yer'll
need all o' yer talents to pull the job off, but I don't reckon that
yer'll be wantin' to use 'em all at the same time. I reckon yer'll
need the talent o' the sneaky ones amongst yers for casing 'im an'
'is gaffe, an' perhaps a bit o' infiltration. Then yer'll need the
spellcasters for addin' an element o' surprise or any kind of stuff
that 'e won't be expectin'. Finally, yer warriors should be the ones
to finally take out the bodyguards and to finish off the act. That's
what I reckons anyway, although yer've prob'ly got some ideas o' yer
own.'
Winnacer thinks about this
for a minute. "You have to wonder if rumors of our presence might be
enough to mobilize the bastard. He can't have any love of us since we
sliced up his boys at the ford and I'm certain we are probably worth
a pretty penny if turned over to the Nyemetz. And it would again
credit his death to us, keeping the Dragons from the spotlight. But
how would one go about spreading and taking advantage of such rumors?
And if this approach is not feasible, it makes me wonder what types
of rumors we could propagate to lure the bastard out? The Diamond of
Lushka being smuggled out at midnight? The Guildmaster of the Blue
Dragons' night plans? That is another thing we could pull off with
smart use of illusion. It would be quite ironic to destroy their
leader when he was bent on destroy that of his competition.
Hmmm....."
'Lettin' 'em know that yer's
in town wouldn't be a problem' answers Boris. 'Everyone knows
everythin' that goes on in this city unless yer take steps to make
sure that folks don't talk. But I reckon that it's a dangerous
approach. If the Nyemetz find out who yer are, then it ain't gonna be
very easy for yers to move around the city and to get out once it's
all over.'
'I reckon that yer on the
right track with yer ideas, but there's another factor to take into
account. Pavlichek don't get involved in none of the 'eists these
days. 'E's too valuable for 'em to risk in that way, too 'igh profile
as well. 'E leaves that kinda business for 'is minions these days.
Also, settin' me up as a target ain't gonna work neither. If the
Diamonds were to bump me off, then that would violate the terms of
the truce an' the Nyemetz would 'ave them out o' the city in
days.'
'No, these days Pavlichek is
more o' a figure'ead. 'E spends most o' 'is time on strategy an
diplomacy. 'E's more o' a negotiator rather than gettin' involved in
the day-to-day stuff, no matter 'ow juicy the target would be. P'raps
if yer 'ad somethin' juicy to talk to 'im about, then yer might be
able to flush 'im out. Otherwise, yer'd just end up wiv one o' 'is
minions. As well as the negotiator, 'e's also the figure'ead o' the
Diamonds 'ere. I know it's 'ard to believe from 'is actions, but 'e's
actually a respected figure in 'is part o' the community. The few
times I've clocked 'im as been at some grand Nyemetz functions,
tryin' to keep in wiv 'em. As far as I know, there ain't nothin' like
that comin' up, unless yer got really creative an' could set
somethin' up.'
Boris listens on quietly as
a couple of more possible suggestions are put forward regarding ways
of flushing out the Black Diamonds' Guildmaster.