RP:The Trail and The Plan

Part of the Of Contracts and Families Arc

Location: Adventurers Guild HQ

Synopsis: At the behest of Sandman, Lanara receives an urgent letter and hurries to meet him at the weapons cache located within the Adventurers guild. Sandman discusses what he's discovered about the group that's now after them both, no thanks to the assassin. The group refers to themselves as the Serpents of Dissidence. What happens is a plot is revealed to clear their names, though unspoken, Sandman will stop at nothing to clear Lanara's name.

The Letter

~This letter is scribbled hastily, but still legible~

Lanara,

I know it might seem odd to send you a letter, considering our current living arrangements, but I feel that this is the safest bet. Do you remember the group who happens to be after us? I’ve tracked their location down in my free time and I am asking for your help, in whatever capacity you can give. If you can be by my side even better. If you’ll join me at the guilds weapon cache as soon as possible I will explain further.

-The Sandman

P.S. Burn this letter. I fear that we are being watched, and they must not know that I am onto them.

The Trail and The Plan

Not a single person would find anything odd about Eli’s presence within the weapons room. He is after all, the expert within the guild. Upon his desk lies a few maps, notes and details written in a secret code. One of his own creation, which only he has the key for. The desert born, flips through an old leather bound book which happens to be falling apart at the seems. It’s definitely weather worn and looks to have been severely mistreated once upon a time. As per the norm, Eli is dressed in his robes - his features covered by that damnable keffiyeh. The book is set down abruptly, his finger taps on a specific page and then moves to scribble down a few words on parchment. Whatever is going on, the man seems intent to plot something out. What can it be? If Lanara had decided to show up and meet him, she might wonder what he is doing? What’s all the notes for Sandman, he can hear her asking him already. Besides himself, no one else is around. The weapons lay in pristine condition. The armor, polished and ready for action. Even a sign in and out book has been placed near the stations for offensive and defensive items. It seems that he has taken full control of this area finally; save for making a log of each items enchantments. Which is, after all, his sole purpose within the guild. If he’s not interrupted though, he might keep this up for hours.

Having spent the morning at the funeral for Riordan, the witch had left the graveyard feeling glum. She hadn’t met Thalra for their morning run, which was designated for ever Sunday morning, nor had she stopped by the sanctuary on her travels. Some may call her a hypocrite for attending the services for the late expert of weaponry, but Lana couldn’t stay home and not pay her respects. True, the man was a drunkard, a woman beater, unfaithful to his wife, and he had even harmed a guild member… But he still was a part of Lana’s extended family, and it broke her heart to see his wife and two sons weeping over his casket. Riordan didn’t even have a head! Thankfully, the service was swift, and the widow didn’t request a peek inside the coffin. So now, as Lana makes her way back to her small cottage in the forest, she sees a hawk flying straight towards her, and she notices the note, almost instantly. Once the exchange is made, she tucks it into her coat pocket, and continues to her home. Lana assumes it’s from Valrae, operating under the guise of Sarah Grace, and that it was news of their next movement against Cramer. Never, would she have expected to return to an empty house, and to open the note and read that it’s signed by Sandman. Assuming the worst, that he had returned to the desert, or that didn’t want to see her anymore, she worriedly nips her lower lip and reads it until completion. She reads it again, and following his orders, she calls on the element of fire and burns the parchment until it’s nothing more than a teaspoon’s worth of ash. Next, Lanara heads into her closet to change out of her black dress and into gear for an adventure. Cargo pants, with a plethora of pockets, a thick strapped tank top, a backpack stuffed with essentials, and a few hidden daggers on her person, and she’s ready within minutes. She could practically feel the urgency in Eli’s letter, and so she moves fast, making sure to behave as though nothing were out of the ordinary, as she eagerly heads towards the guild headquarters. Once inside, she drops the backpack, heads into the adjoining room, and she exhales. How long had she been holding her breath? “Hey…What’s going on, Sandman?” Chocolate hues dart from the male’s robed form, to the diary, to the notes that he’s taking. Something was greatly amiss.

Eli, had spent the better part of his day in research, it’s true. Lanara’s gaze towards his notes and the diary are only an indicator of how much time he’s spent at this. He started long before these two had even met. “Thank you for coming,” the smile that stretches over his features could melt the hearts of any fair maiden. But it's only displayed for her; she actually came. He had been so caught up in his studies that even the scarf he normally wears, has been pulled down. His features are available for her to scan. “No need to fret, yet.” His voice is smooth and serene. He waves a hand to an open chair which sits next to him. “Have a seat and I’ll explain.” He begins the arduous process of piecing everything together to weave her the tale of this group. It seems they are more than just warriors, and mercenaries. When she finally takes a seat he begins. “So, the group that’s hunting me, which I’ve now dragged you into,” thanks for that Sandman. It’s all your fault. “Has left me some clues. Which I’m sure they didn’t know of.” The guild has been an awesome resource for him. Allowing him to put things together from their own library of books. “So, things have been weird. You remember that I searched the members after we took care of them?” He gives her a moment to recollect her thoughts about the event she was involved in. “Well, I was looking for clues about who hired them. There weren’t any. In fact the only group that had clues was the first.” He pulls two items from his pocket. The first is a signet ring, bearing blood red jewels and a symbol of some snake. The other item is a letter. Its a contract, which reads: ‘Hunt down the adopted son of Jez and bring him to me. Do not kill the boy, we need him alive - Signed, Jacob’. “None of the other groups carried these items. Except, each one had the snake signet burned into their flesh.” He’s now pointing out what he believes to be the groups marking. “I’ve spent some time researching and believe I’ve discovered the groups name and their whereabouts. If you’re interested in getting your name cleared with me.” Perhaps they could even question the leaders and figure out who this Jacob is.

That smile of his, gives her pause. How had he come to mean so much to her, in such a short amount of time? Finding her words, she clears her throat, and shakes her head, as if the thought of her staying away was asinine. Of course she had come, she’d always come running for the assassin, especially when he was in danger. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be… So. Tell me what you’ve found out.” Lowering herself into the chair at his side, she meets his gaze, and listens to the tale. Her face doesn’t betray an ounce of emotion as she listens to his voice, that hint of an accent tainting his words. Dark hues trail from Eli’s face, to the plethora of books that she knows are from the shelves in the next room, to his many pages of notes. How long had he been at this? A barely noticeable nod is given as he mentions the day they were attacked, and how he had looted the bodies of the deceased. How could she forget?! Reaching out, she lets him drop the ring into her palm, and she gives it a long look, her chocolate hues glued to the snake symbol. Hopefully, their signet was just the image of a snake, and they wouldn’t encounter any serpents on this mission he was plotting. Lana and snakes were not a good combination, ever! The rubies sparkle as she moves her hand to give it back, and she quirks a brow at the mention of the branding. “So… The signet ring was worn on the first group… And burned into the flesh of the second group? Hm… I wonder if there’s some sort of hierarchy to their group. Maybe, the higher ranking members get a signet. Or vice versa. And… They refer to you as a ‘boy’ which you clearly are not, any longer.” A faint pink appears in her cheeks, as she pauses, to explain, “I mean, you’re an adult male. It makes me think that they have been after you, since your youth. You have to find out why… This is much more than the death of an important person, Sandman.” Lana looks troubled, and she’s trying to figure out why Eli would be needed ‘alive’ when the group of assassins had been so well armed and clearly out to slaughter. Had they misread their actions? Was Eli in grave danger? Was Lana, since being drug into the fray by default? Swallowing, Lana considers their options, knowing he had to get to the bottom of things. He couldn’t live the rest of his life looking over his shoulder, or narrowly escaping a poisoned dagger. And she knows he won’t be doing this on his own… They were a team. “Okay. So. What do we need? Where are we even going? Do you have any idea what this ‘Jacob’ looks like? Just… Tell me what you need, Sandman. We can use the resources of the Guild, and of course I’m going with you…” Not just to clear her name, either. Though, she leaves that unsaid, as she reaches out and gently gives his shoulder a squeeze. “When do we leave?”

The Sandman is relieved to see that she understands the details. Her attentions aren’t unwanted at all, and a single hand comes to rest upon her thigh. He hadn’t meant for that letter to come across as so serious. Questions. Of course she would have questions over the details he had just given her, however the details aren't over yet. It gets deeper I’m afraid. “One moment Lana, there’s still more you need to hear.” His mismatched eyes glance over her features once before he continues. “I believe the group is referred to as the Serpents of Dissidence.” He pulls forth one of the books from the table and presents a page within that shows the same symbol the signet ring carries. “The details in here are minuscule at best, and I don’t know how credible the author is or even how old the book is.” By the leather bound wrapping and the spine, one could easily determine that it was created about a century ago. It’s entitled ‘Secret Organizations: The Ones From Your Nightmares.’ His eyes move to Lana hoping that he still had her full attention. “But according to this, murder for hire, among other things, is a big part of their business.” Great Eli, how does this help us find them? As if some unknown person asks that question exactly, the Sandman has already placed his finger on the page. “They use a drop point to set up meetings and contracts.” What luck! Except, who knows if the drop point would actually work? Would they show up if Eli went? Would he need to send someone else in his stead? “As for their current whereabouts, they would most likely be within Gualon, like the drop point. More importantly they were all dressed as if the deserts were their homeland.” He looks to her for visual confirmation. Perhaps she thought otherwise and came to a different conclusion? “As for this Jacob, I have no idea who this person is. But that’s why I’ve also asked for your help.” He’s suddenly remembering the night she spent healing his arm and ribs. “Can you make a truth potion?” He’s not even sure what he’s talking about or if that's even the correct term. “Something that can and will pull the truth from whoever drinks it, without it numbing pain? If so, can you gather the ingredients and make a couple? Trained assassins are difficult to get answers from. We must be patient and make our move wisely.” His mind wanders further, over the eventual drop point issue. “As for setting up a meeting… We may need to trick them.. If you’re okay with being the bait?” She was beautiful, and would be less recognized as he. “And, we can go as soon as we get the supplies needed. Plus some equipment for you. This most definitely won’t be a walk in the park.” Finally he turns to listen to whatever she has to say. The details are finished and he’s hoping she might offer him what he needs.

If he thought that she was paying attention when he first began the tale, well, he’d think she was riveted by the name of the group. Serpents of Dissidence!? Rewind. SERPENTS?! The widening of those eyes, the fear implanted in her expression, and the clenching of her jaw, are all indicators that she’s taking his words –very- seriously. Eli didn’t know about Lana’s aversion to the slithering, legless, creatures. He had no idea that her –only- fear was that of a snake. The mention of them, the sight of them, hell, if one were to crawl up on her, she just may go into cardiac arrest. But, this is just the group’s name, right? What are the chances that there would be actual serpents guarding their meeting place? This would likely be fine, and she was merely overreacting, right? It’s odd how she doesn’t voice her concerns over the serpent issue. The group name. The signet. All indicators that there would be an actual snake at some point, further down their mission. Maybe she didn’t want to add worries to the assassin’s mind. Or, it’s likely, that she doesn’t want to admit to having such a fear, as she wouldn’t want to be seen as ‘weak’ in his eyes. So, Lana puts her big girl panties on, gives a nod, and considers his words. Mumbling the first part, as though she didn’t even want to say the word ‘serpent’ she asks, “…of Dissidence? Hm. Okay… So, we’re looking for robed assassins, likely a small group of them, at least at the drop off point. They will either be wearing a ring, or have the marking on them. However, if they’re in robes, I can’t exactly see their flesh…” Lana pauses, considering, “Is the marking on the same body part, in the same area? Or is it different in each person?” The comment about her being ‘bait’ is offensive, and though she doesn’t comment on it, there’s a flash of hurt in her hues. Didn’t the desert man care if his untitled girlfriend perished? “Okay. So, you want me to make some truth serums… I can do that. And you’ll need several of them. Alright, I have enough supplies to make one or two, but for a larger batch, I’ll need to pick up a few things.” Lana pauses, wondering if there was another way, and she shakes her head at that ‘aha’ moment hits. “I know! Thalra! Her new shop! They’re having a half-off sale, -and- I know she has a huge stock of everything I’ll need. I can also pick up some ingredients to make a glamour potion… Maybe, if I go as a blonde, I’ll raise less suspicion. Just in case word traveled back to the group, since our encounter last week. The less wary of me they are the better, right?” Lana glances away, knowing full and well that Eli could also use a glamour potion, to mask his identity, and go along with her for this bait business. But, the further away he was from the danger, the better. Sure, he may be more equipped to deal with the assassin’s, but he was also the one they were hunting! If things went awry, Lana was at least expendable. “So… I’ll need a day or two to get the things and brew the potion.” A beat. “Are you going to try and find out their meeting place, in that time? Should we keep apart for the next few days, until we’re ready to begin this mission? I don’t want to screw up any of your chances at catching these guys.” It would majorly sting if they had to part, after spending all of their days together, but she understands. This was a serious matter.

Eli nods to all that Lanara has to say. But there is something she’s not understanding or at least it seems that way. “Lana,” his hand gives that thigh a gentle squeeze. “I’m not leaving you alone.” This is his response to her worry about having to spend time apart. That wasn’t going to happen. “And I did speak of bait, but it’s because you’re less recognizable. I will be there with you, the entire time. Moving within the shadows. There’s no way in hell I want to lose you. As for the meeting place, I’ve already discovered it’s location.” His eyes move to the weapons cache, “We just need to get you equipped. And these aren’t just my chances to get the group, its yours too. If there is any part of my plan that you don’t like or think can be altered, just say so. I’m all ears.” Lana is not expendable, but what other option did they have? If she had no disagreements, then Eli would close the diary and books, readying himself to leave the guild with her; including, covering his features with that Keffiyeh once more.