RP:The Pirate Pitches the Governor

Part of the Birds of A Feather Arc

Summary: Hanan, eye witness to the pirate's sacking of Cenril, and unbeknownst agent of the Governor of Rynvale, debriefs Arien on the activities on the other side of the Bay. The pair discuss options for a course of action in Rynvale's preemptive defense.

Characters: Arien, Hanan

Location: Rynvale; Town Square

Arien’s gem like gaze was fixed, for the moment on the mists that rose from the fountain as it surged skyward in graceful arc, before yielding to the pull of gravity to fall into the pristine whiteness of the marble sculpture below. Sitting, silent and hooded on one of the many benches that littered the town square, the governor would appear as little more than a resting traveler, if a slightly mysterious one with her distinctive locks covered by her garments. She would not be difficult for her expected guest to indentify however, having made it a point to leave word for the privateer where she might be found, and what she would be wearing. The deep burgundy of her cloak was dark enough not to draw attention to herself, while being a color that would yet stand out from the fray. It was past time she gleaned details of exactly what it was Eliah was up to, in that port across the bay.

Hanan ambled slowly into the Rynvale square, seeming to most onlookers almost lazy in her movements. After all, most wouldn't notice the subtle flare of her nostrils as she scented out any followers--if her bastard of a sire had given her anything, it was a dog's nose--or peering into adjacent alleys. Tense shoulders relaxed when she saw the deserted square and within it the burgundy-robed woman on the bench. Readjusting her satchel she made her way straight for her. "You look kinda conspicuous," she muttered softly, settling down beside Arien. "Can't tell who you are, but every thief in town thinks you're worth lookin' at. Find somethin' more common."

Arien wouldn’t turn her head Hanan’s way when the pirate settled into place, though pale lips would curve in the shadow of that hood. “Next time, perhaps..I had to be sure you would not end up debriefing the town drunk.did I not?” she murmured softly, some humor evident in her tones. “And I am not without my protectors, unseen though they may be. What news? Is Cenril utterly fallen?”

Hanan snickered. "Still, were it my choice we'd be meeting indoors. But you're the governor, Gov." She set her satchel down between her feet, opening it while speaking. "As far as I could tell, yes. The corsairs have taken over, and killed a good share of those who defended as well. As for civilians, I couldn't get a good death toll. But there was a good deal of death." There, she found it--a folded bundle of papers, which she handed to Arien. "What do you know about this Eliah guy? He seemed... eratic, when I caught a glance."

Arien reached out to take the folded parchment as fluidly and inconspicuously as she could, beginning to speak even as she tucked the documents away. “Eratic, would be perhaps the best word I can think of to describe him. At heart..he is not..evil, but he is not beyond wickedness if it serves some present purpose.” Her brow furrowed slightly as she struggled to categorize the Carrion. “I do not doubt that he has some distinctive purpose in mind in holding Cenril..it will be, in part, your responsibility to find out exactly what that is..and what consequence it will come to bear for Port Rynvale.” She allowed herself a glance then, “You will of course, be compensated handsomely for your efforts. And should his activity bring him into our waters, I would be more than willing to hire your services to ensure that it does not make our lives –too- uncomfortable.” That dry half smile fluttered to the surface again.

Hanan rolled her eyes. "Who is evil? Even the idiot rutters in the tavern who paste skulls to their armor and rename themselves 'Bloodlord Darkheart' or whatever aren't evil. Leave evil out of it." She leaned back, stretching her arms like two wings behind her. "Whatever he's planning exactly, it looks pretty permanent. He's asking to negotiate with local leaders, and using a venue as public as that board in Kelay to do it. That is bad, because if he sets up shop as ruler he'll likely harass your port. And even if he doesn't, it's trouble." The arms fell. "Fight's coming whether your hire me or not. He was doing the killing personally in Cenril. His captains seemed afraid of the way he was acting. Especially Mr. Fiske, who I believe is his first mate--high ranking if not."

Arien leaned back in turn, careful to ensure that hood did not slip from her locks. A pensive expression crossed her face. “That piece of information..is interesting,” she mused. “Eliah is no politician..though he is a royal of his people..was.” A finger tapped idly on the armrest of the bench. “I would be most surprised to discover him sitting in some governmental seat-he is never more comfortable than at the helm. He must have a partner..someone willing to be his political face, something I will wish to ascertain sooner rather than later.” A small hiccup of breath left her as sudden thought came to her person. She had been aware of Eliah’s savagery that night..and the reasons behind it. But had her sister been a part of that massacre? “Were there..any others you recognized as authority? I think, in particular of a female..a red headed elf..What was her role in the events that unfolded?” Did she even want to know what Aiya was yet capable of?

Hanan folded one leg over the other, casual as can be. "I'll figure it out, it shouldn't be too hard if they're looking to negotiate. Maybe we can figure out some kind of front organization. Or I can just say I'm "Healer's Guild," they'll never know better." She turned in Arien's direction, not ascertaining her expression, exactly, but recognizing emotion when she hears it. Red headed elf? She'll look into that. "Yes, I did. High ranking, couldn't catch her name but she's distinctive enough to inquire. Didn't see her whole role--I had gone to peer in on Eliah himself when she came into view." A pause. "She's a good fighter, but barely killed anyone. Lots of headbashing and carrying on. She ended up carrying Eliah to safety after the battle. That satisfy you?" Another pause, this one more pregant. She heaved a sigh. "Look: do you want to end them or not?"

Arien recognized the exasperation in Hanan’s tones, and glanced her way again. When she spoke, her tones were slightly cooler and more reserved. “Very rarely do I seek the ‘end’ of another Hanan.. What I do seek is enough intelligence with which to protect my own interests. What Eliah does to Cenril, matters not a wit, unless and until I determine if he intends to cause trouble for my Port. The High Born have spilled enough blood for causes that were not their own in that city, for me to attempt at liberation or any such dramatic gesture at the moment.” A grim little smile danced across her face. “Now if you wish to know my intent should they attempt at causing trouble in my waters..by all means, by directive will be. End them. Utterly..”

Hanan exhaled sharply through her nose, a small, almost impotent note of annoyance. Almost. "I don't care a whit about the "high born," these low born have done enough. I saw... things come out of the water. I have no idea what hell they were. And they killed without needing a ship to transport them." She shook her head. "And believe you me, I know about killing. Hunting is what my kind do... Those things in the water, they were killers. Those men who cut down the defenders of Cenril? They wouldn't be kinder to Rynvale..." Her voice trailed off; her eyes narrow. When she spoke again it was in darker tones. "I'm not sure what your threshold of "trouble" is, but it's going to come. And I think when it does, you'll wish I'd been a bit more active early on. It doesn't take an army to wage war."

Arien’s brow furrowed again. “Things..out of the water? People? If there is one thing I dislike, it is working in the dark, it’s impossible to plan effectively for war when you do not know what your enemy is..” she murmured. “There is a danger to preemption. -If- the corsair means no harm to Rynvale on the outset, and we attack his forces, surely we invite the trouble we seek to avoid? But you know this.” Curiosity shimmered in her gaze. “If one does not wage war with an army, how -does- one do so?” she asked. It was becoming increasing evident that her unexpected ally was more than capable of strategy as well. “ I can make no commitment to action, one way or another without more intelligence, and I desire to speak to my army chief in determining a course of action..but I shall give your ideas consideration.”

Hanan 's serious look morphed into a serious smirk, a glint in the eye--was it safe to be around someone who liked the idea so much? No matter. "There'd be a great deal of danger IF he knew Rynvale was behind it. What if he didn't?" She turned a bit more, leaning forward and lowering her voice. "The Hollow way of war is to attack him face-to-face. But that's foolish. We'll get him in the arse. Now this Eliah is probably going to decide he likes that--he seems the steadfast type--but his sailors will bail. Even if he keeps Cenril, we can make it so he lacks the necessary force to threaten your own port. We attack his men." A dark snicker. "It won't take much. Some poisoned beer, some disturbing but targeted deaths--the men of the Carrion will decide Cenril is a bad port, and sail elsewhere."

Arien’s brow lifted delicately at the use of Language as much as at the ingenious scheme. “An admirable concept, though, perhaps a challenge with limited resources to implement. And it will take time for the fear to take hold..time we may not have. And there are yet these sea creatures of whom you speak. Supernatural in themselves, they may not fall easy prey to such lies..but it is certainly worth discussion and pondering for the implications of how it might be done.” The elf shifted, sitting forward in outward expression of the wheels that yet turned in her head. “But our priority now, is information. Find out who is in charge of the city, and what their intended relations with the lands might be- and it will take some work, but we must determine the Corsair’s long range plans for our Port,” she said quietly. “And those creatures from the sea. What they are..and with whom they might be affiliated. I would know mine enemy,” she added. “Is there anything else that I might be forgetting? In the meantime, I will discuss the merits of your strategy with my officers and be in touch the usual way.”

Hanan shook her head. "I can't think of anything... well, the dragon, but he didn't much matter." She scratched her chin, eyes becoming momentarily distant. "There was considerable resistance on the Cenrilian end. They were cut down easily, but there may be more where they came from. I think this Eliah will find Cenril slightly harder to hold than he thought. But slightly. It may be good to offer a safe harbor to refugees from Cenril if there are any, they'd make loyal fighters should Eliah turn your way. I'll look into Eliah's negotiations, maybe find whatever bar his men frequent--there will be one--and see what I can overhear there. But I can tell you one thing." She reached down once more to her pack, retrieved a flask, and began to unscrew the cap. It seemed an absentminded habit. "You won't need many men to spook the sailors; only publicity. But in any case, you will know your enemy." She took a long swig. "Next time, let's meet indoors. If you tire of the 'usual way.'"

Arien allowed herself a grin. “For a sailor and one that I’d generally expect to be appreciative of spending time beneath the open sky, you are peculiarly reluctant to do so. Still, if you prefer, we can meet at my private residence on the beach front, or at the governor’s mansion..There are private means of entry that we can provide that will keep your identity safe from the public.” The elf rose to her feet then, drawing her cloak about her. “Until then Hanan, my the gods direct your paths.”

Hanan stood with Arien, slinging her satchel back over her shoulders. "The gods are fickle. I prefer a compass." To the other woman's suggestion- "It's not the sky I dislike. It's windows and rooftops. We're easily watched here, your cronies or not. In any case, I'll see you're informed. Here's hoping you're active as well." With a small nod of her head, she turned and left.