RP:Dark Alley Dealings

Part of the Thy Kingdom Come Arc

Summary: Pilar enters Frostmaw with the intention of finding supplies, only to come across an altercation in an alley. A gang of Balgruuf supporters, including one who already got his teeth knocked out by a mage, strong-arm two giants into joining up with the Bloody Beard's militia. (Credit to Xzavior for playing the giants)

Curve in the Road

In the shadows of a shady alley a group of armored giants sporting both swords and sly grins as they corner a couple of civilians who happened to cross paths with these unsavory individuals. The lead giant, who had dyed his beard red to show just who they supported, took a step forward and flashed them a hole filled grin, "You should really reconsider. Support your hometown and get rid of the filth that don't belong here! This is the home of giants, not some puny weaklings who think that they can be wherever they want without facing the consequences!" The two cornered passersby just looked at each other nervously before the one on the left spoke, "W-we really don't want any part in this alright? We just want to get home and warm up..."

Pilar and Aira had been living off the land for a few days, now. Pilar proved to be less of a burden than originally feared, as her only basic need was for blood, and she could get that easily enough from the beasts Aira felled. But, there were things Aira's bow and knife couldn't provide. Herbs, bandages... rum. Pilar had enough gold on her to hopefully get what they needed without too much hassle. Though, she wasn't above rooting around in the garbage if it came to that. Anything useful she could salvage and bring back to camp, she would. As she neared the western gates, she focused her energies and vanished from view. She moved quietly through the gates, the guards none the wiser. She turned down the nearest street and was about to drop the spell when she heard voices. She should have turned and kept walking. But she needed to know what was going on in Frostmaw. So, carefully, she ventured further into the alley.

"W-well, you really need to start thinking about the good of your kingdom!" The lead giant mimicked the cowering one's response, "If you and your buddy here plan on just sitting around and letting everyone else handle your problems you're not fit to call yourselves giants and might as well leave with the filth! We don't need a bunch of weak pathetic fools weakening this fine kingdom. It would be an insult to Balgruuf and all he stands for!" the giants behind him give throaty chuckles with tossed in agreements and jibes. The one that had been silent before furrowed his brows and mumbled almost inaudible, "Says the one beaten by a snake..." The red bearded giant stops where he was and lunged into the others face, "Would you care to repeat that?" The smell of booze was intense as he growled into the man's face. "I said says the one beaten by a snake!"

Pilar had heard that name before. Balgruuf. She thought for a moment. Yes, the name had been thrown around the tavern a few times. What else had she heard? She racked her brain, trying to recall the details, but nothing came to her. She could surmise, however, that he was at least partially responsible for the unrest in Frostmaw, if these were the types of people he had supporting him. She had to find out more. Maybe if she could catch Drargon--but that thought was interrupted when the quiet one snapped back. Beaten by a snake? Were there even snakes in Frostmaw? Or, wait, did he mean... a naga?

The lead giant stared at the other with hate filled eyes and with slow deliberate words said, "That over grown worm got lucky." That didn't deter the cornered giant from stepping forward and yelling, "I was there yesterday! I saw that whole thing go down! It didn't look like he got lucky when he smashed you in the face with that staff, maybe he's right! Maybe someone who knows what's best for Frostmaw should rule!" The outburst left the giant shaking out of both anger and fear as the red bearded one stood there deathly still. After a moment of this stand off he turned to his companions with a laugh, "The boy's got spirit, I love it! He would make a great addition to Balgruuf's army wouldn't you say?" his companions all gave him nods of agreement one of them spoke out with a sneer, "You're right, Brerdhor. This lad will do mighty fine." The giant stood there confused as they began to praise him for the outlash and began to stammer, "W-wha?" As soon as he began to speak Brerdhor whipped around and slammed his fist into the side of his jaw with an audible SNAP as his jaw broke and crumbled to the ground unmoving. The crowd behind Brerdhor began roaring with laughter leaving the only unarmored giant cowering in fear and shaking his friend to see if he was still alive, "Listen here and listen well, Balgruuf is going to be the new king of Frostmaw and anyone who says otherwise will be crushed. No one other than the giants will have control over this city but we will not hesitate to get rid of any undesirables. Through any means necessary." He let that hang in the air for the one still conscious to register.

Pilar clapped her hands over her mouth, Brerdhor's words horrifying her to the core. Any means necessary. She knew what that meant, and she was sure the cowering giant knew it, too. She shook with fear, now sure of the consequences of revealing herself. What was she supposed to do? She couldn't overpower that many giants, even if she wasn't using all her magical power to remain invisible. Could she call a guard? No, no, they couldn't be trusted. No way to tell who was pro-Balgruuf or not. She stayed in her spot, still invisible, still watching.

"P-pl-please j-just leave us alone! I-I'll give you whatever you want, just go!" Brerdhor bent down to one knee and placed a hand on his shoulder causing him to flinch, "Hey now, we're all friends here. No one else is going to get hurt as long as no one else does anything stupid like your buddy here." He spoke in honeyed words as if to comfort the frightened giant before coming to a stand, towering over the still trembling giant, "Now I just have one thing I want from you, I want you to join with me and my friends here to solidify the strength of Frostmaw and its people. Do you think you can do that for me?" The giant on the ground could only give a small nod as Brerdhor grinned widely, "You hear that? We just got two more new recruits for Balgruuf and the great city of Frostmaw!" The giants all give a quick cheer before he turned and looked at him sternly, "Now, I fully expect to see the both of you at the training sessions here soon you got that?" The giant gave a quick look at his downed friend and looked back up nervously, "B-but I don't think he could make it to any of those any time soon..." Brerdhor just looked him dead in the eyes, "Both of you, he just got his first lesson in being a soldier. Never talk back to your commanding officer," With a dark laugh he added, "Not like he'll be doing that again any time soon."

Pilar was starting to feel faint. This was the longest she had ever kept her invisibility spell going, and it was wearing on her. Feeling like she'd seen enough, she backed out of the alley and headed back out of the city. They needed those supplies, but she would never be able to get them and get out safely with the condition she was in. When she was well into the woods, she finally flickered into view and leaned against a tree, holding her head. Hopefully Aira had captured dinner already. She seriously needed some blood.

One of the giants turned around and looked at the spot Pilar previously occupied, seeing nothing there he gave a shrug and turned back to Brerdhor. "I think our job here is done. Thank you for your kind service to your king." With that Brerdhor and his posse left to terrorize more civilians into joining their ranks. Leaving the still trembling giant to weep above his injured friend. Just another day in Frostmaw.