These rumors date from January to September of 2000
My cousin's been seeing this little chambermaid out at the al-Malik place and she saw the whole thing. Seems the Lictor and the Justice--Okay, well maybe not the whole thing, I don't know what he was doing there, seeing as the whole town knows they're not speaking, but he was there meeting privately with the justice. Except the end of the meeting wasn't so private.
Seems the Lictor bursts out to where Indira (yes, the chambermaid, do you want to hear this or not?) is working, looking like he's going to explode into a thousand pieces right then and there. He's fussing and storming, then the Justice comes out, and she's as cold as he is hot. I don't know what they were arguing about, but my cousin says Indira said that the baron was threatening to tear down the mansion. And that almost started something between him and the freak--oh, you know, the big al-Malik, always wears sunglasses, the one that's supposed to be some kinda half-demon psychic warrior.
Yes he was there too.How should I know what he was doing there--he lives there don't he? Anyway, that almost starts some macho thing between the two of them, but apparently the justice didn't want the attention taken off her because she interrupted, telling the Lictor to 'go home and play with his toy soldiers, since he obviously couldn't handle a real woman'.
Yep, I swear that's the exact words my cousin says Indira said she told him--and who's gonna make up something like that about one of the Hazat, I hear they'll chop off your head soon as look at you. Except the Lictor didn't, so maybe that reputations a little overblown. He just stormed off. But I'll tell you, Indira's a little worried about the whole thing.
[Return to the top of the Page]
Dead Man Walking
Just listen! The dead've risen and are walking the streets! No, no, I'm not drunk no, not more than ususual...
...it was just east of the Agora, I tell ya. A shambling corpse of a man, near the theatre, in nothing but rotten rags.. 'I hungry' and 'Must feed now' it sais, and I say it wants to eat human flesh! Yes, really! And stink it does, I tell ya, like it's been dead for pretty a while, and one of its eyes falls out while it stumbles forward! It sends the people running like hell, no joke!
Then, that Masquer boy, Sarno he's called, arrives with that freak Baron, panting like they've run quite a distance. Alisdair, that's him. He's dressed in black robes, wet and smelling of salt water, really strange... No, I am NOT drunk, I told ya! He, the baron I mean, shouts at the monster to stand back. As if a deadman would listen! But it really mumbles 'Reporting for duty, Sir!' or something, before it walks at him with its claws! There's yellow dust coming from its mouth when it speaks, no joke.
The Baron draws his swords now, he tenses and growls like a wolf. He's fangs like one, I tell ya! Really couldn't say which is more of a monster, the baron or the dead man... The Decados attacks, and that's when that VSP man, Morgan, ya know him, strolls in from the Agora, and starts attacking that corpse too. They hit it with their blades, again and again, but nothing but dust comes out of the wounds! Sarno and that Decados chick, Cecilia, watch 'em fight, pale they are, I can tell ya! Then Sarno jumps forward to help, and eventually, they kill the corpse. Yeah, I know "kill's" not the right word...
Then, Alisdair carries the corpse to the Cathedral, and the others bear torches to burn it, in case it starts walking again. What, I shouldn't have followed them.. wan't to hear the story or what? Okay. They go into the Cathedral, and after a while, the baron comes out again, and heads right to the Amalthean hospice. His hand is bandaged, seems he's been hit by the claws. And the priests carry the corpse to the Temple Avesti, of course, bearing torches too. Dunno what happened in there. Well that's it. I tell ya that's some of their witchcraft again, folks! The dead stayed pretty dead before them off-worlders came. Yes, I know I'm right, and now bring more beer!
[Return to the top of the Page]
Did you see that??
Are the Li Halan's moving into the Decados Tower? A whole bunch of crates arrived there. Some Li Halan servants and Decados Householders working together, carrying them in. Strangest thing I have ever seen I tell you..
This all shortly after Count Hector went there. He left looking happy. They say that Old Stoneface, yes.. Count Andrei was happy about something as well.. quite a buzz at the Tower at the moment..
[Return to the top of the Page]
"Say, mate, have ya been watching the light show up in the sky?" a buxom, leather-clad yeoman asks the freeman on the barstool beside hers.
"Light show? What the blazes are you yappin' about?" counters the man in grungy workclothes, clearly preferring to savor his drink in peace.
"The last few nights there've been strange lights in the sky, sort of circling around each other..." She illustrates by moving her hands sinuously through the air. "And every so often there'll be a brighter flash. Last night I heard a guilder say they must be spacecraft performing 'orbital maneuvers'--but she didn't seem to like what she saw for some reason, let me tell ya."
"Lights in the sky..." muses the freeman. "I
wonder if that has somethin' to do with that big hunk of metal that fell
in the Agora.
One of the merchants said it dropped right out of the sky a couple nights
back, just as he was closing up; nearly took out his stand, he told me..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
A pair of off-duty roustabouts are overheard conversing at the bar in the Sovereign State late one evening:
"...so, a couple nights back I finally talked that Hazat householder into meeting me in the empty field," the raven-haired woman with bulging biceps confides to her burly companion. "You know, the one at the end of South Hapsburg Road? There's a collapsed wall there, a little pile of broken masonry really; it's a perfect place to . . . steal a kiss out of sight of the road. Anyway, things between the householder and me were just starting to get interesting, when I look up and see this streak of light in the sky, dissolving into a shower of sparks. The householder, he got kinda scared; me, I figured it was just a meteor or somethin'. Then, this huge shadow blocks out the stars overhead, and /I/ get kinda scared . . ." The woman raises her mug and takes a long pull as her companion waits for her to continue, his interest clearly piqued. "Mmph. Until I realize it was just a parachute. Yeah, you heard me; a parachute. Some joker parajumpin' in the middle of the night. He drops out of the sky and lands in the field about ten yards away--bad landing, too. I figure the idiot sprained his ankle, at least. Anyway, me and the householder, we watched from behind the wall as this fool rolled up the chute and shoved it under some rocks, then limped away toward the road..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
"Were they really scared?" asks the one named Greene, wearing a troubled expression.
"Well, they was excited, anyway--oh, and the Lictor was there; he looked pretty agitated. A little while later, he and a couple of them overeager Hawkwood knights took off, too; said they were headed for the starport, I think..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
A freeman in the Grinning Gannock takes a long pull at his beer, then turns to the chap on the next stool. "Like I said, I was talking to this Charioteer I know, and she said Consul Olivares got some sort of urgent message from the space station. Next thing you know, he's climbing into a shuttle on the landing field and blasting out of here like he'd just heard the plague had struck Vargo. My friend said she'd never seen a Bronko move so fast...eh? Nah, nobody knows where he went; he didn't take the time to file a flight plan."
[Return to the top of the Page]
In a dark corner of an alley leading off the Agora:
"WHAT?"
"Shut the fuck up! They'll hear you.. I tell ya, prices have doubled. No bartering!"
"But..."
"Pay it or leave it, friend."
"But I need my stuff!"
"Your problem. It's four 'birds per dose now."
"I.. I'll..."
"Get it from someone else? Forget it, man, I'm the last one who's still got some stuff in store."
"Okay, okay, I.."
"Oh, by the way, prices have just risen again. Five birds per dose now, friend."
"But..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
"Where you bound for, mate?"
"I'm leaving this place before it all goes to hell in a handbasket. Y'know, if you're wise, you'll pack your bags and leave with me."
"Why is that?"
"I've been on the Agora last night, man. The sun was just setting, and the merchants were closing shop, and suddenly I saw this guy standing on the Agora looking up at the sky, frightened like you wouldn't believe. There were some stragglers lurking around one girl of those al-Maliks and that bard guy and the Scraver boss-woman and our Lictor. You know, Lord "I am the Law." Anyway, there's this guy average height, with the sides of his skull shaved and green snakes tattoed on it and only a strip of hair left in the middle, and everything about him says "Tough Guy", but he looks up and whimpers like a child. Then there's a freaking bright flash in the sky, bright enough to make everyone throw a shadow, that makes most of those offworlders look for shelter, the Tough Guy runs off down Prophet's Way, and then..."
"Then what?" "Then I saw the ghost. A misty cloud in the shape of a child, floating above the ground, came in from the Promenade, looked at everybody we were as rooted to the ground, mate and then floated away again. This place is cursed, man. The Dead return to claim the Living, and I won't be here when that happens!"
[Return to the top of the Page]
"Who *didn't hear 'em? But they weren't explosions. I heard a Charioteer at the Gannock correct somebody on that point; they were 'sonic booms', whatever the blazes that means. The wheeler said they were caused by those ships that buzzed the city right afterward."
"Do tell? And whose ships were they?"
"Somebody said the big 'un was a Charioteer ship; I dunno what the smaller ones were."
"Huh. Well, there should be a law against that. Making sonic blooms when decent folks are trying to catch a last few minutes a sleep before rising to an honest day's work..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
"So Joe, 'd catch anything that now that you got the beach back?"
"Nope. And I'm going to the wharves to fish from now on."
"The wharves? You been fishing off that beach for the last fifty years."
"Yeah. But thing's've just gotten too weird since them offworlders came. First, there was that metal crab, then VSP take it over, and then this morning while I'm fishing, Fido digs up some bones."
"Bones!"
"Yeah, chicken bones."
"Chicken bones? You're giving up the beach to the offworlders cause somebody had a picnic down there."
"Wasn't no picnic. Not unless those offworlders are even stranger than we been thinking. Somebody carved all over these bones. Weird, scary pictures. Then wrapped'em up in some yellow cloth--expensive stuff like silk."
[Return to the top of the Page]
"Damn you, you've drunken that imported beer again! Flying cars.. bah!"
"No, no, half the city's seen it. Hovering just three feet over the rooftops."
"Yeah, seen it too.. a large, blue car. Great thing!"
"Really? No bullshit?"
"No, it's there. More of that damned off-world witchcraft, if ya ask me."
"No, I say it's a wonder! You should've seen it!"
"So, where's it gone?"
"I dunno. Last seen it at Agora Road."
"I'm off to have a look.. see you around!"
[Return to the top of the Page]
"You mean Brother Tobias?"
"That's the one; somebody knocked him out cold!"
"Nah! You're kiddin', ain't ya? Who could take down a Brother Battle?"
"Somebody who snuck up behind him and clocked him with a hunk of wood while he was giving directions to a pilgrim, that's who."
"What a cowardly thing to do...did they catch the blighter what done it?"
"Nope; he run off straight away. Some rough-looking guy with the sides of his head shaved, tattoos like serpents or something over his ears..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
"Been at the Gannock last night?"
"Nope, why?"
"Should've been there. Ya missed that sneering guy with the gold tooth. Talks to that al Malik bard and that short Muster chick. And there's that other fellow who wants to beat him up."
"Ah, so what? There's a brawl twice a week."
"Nah, tell ya, they wanted to kill each other. Mr. Gold Tooth, Sonny they call him, had some guns under his jacket, and I bet that other fellow, the one with the black coat, had one too."
"Leave me alone, y'old gossip! Would've heard 'bout a shooting."
"Hey, didn't say there's a gunfight. That giant cook, the one that works at the Chainers cantina, told 'em to stop."
"And?"
"Nothing 'and'.. they just did. Ya know how big that guy is. He told Mr. Black Coat to leave his gun alone, and left together with that Sonny guy."
"Didn't miss that much then, seems to me..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
"Good day, Mama Shaum," an Agora merchant hails an elderly customer. "I must say, you're looking spry today. And you seem to be breathing a lot easier; the apothecary give you something for that cough of yours?"
"No, Fredo," the old woman replies with a wry expression. "I couldn't afford his prices. Stood there hacking my lungs up, and the greedy bloodsucker wouldn't even come down a talon."
The merchant looks confused. "So, the cough went away by itself?" he asks dubiously. "To be honest, Mama, I thought for sure you wouldn't be with us come fall."
The woman smiles, exposing the few teeth she has left. "Well, lad, I put my faith in the Pancreator." She turns her rheumy eyes toward the crude pile of rocks that stands forlornly at the northern end of the Agora. "It's amazing what a little prayer can accomplish..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
"I swear, I have it on my honor. I heard from an al-Malik householder that this ex-Muster talked to someone in the garden of the Lady Sarasvati. Only, that noone was there except for him. He was talking to this dead lover of his, the turncoat Kossack, the child-saver. And I heard strange sounds coming from there... like... kissing... and such. It was very weird. I mean, the circumstances of his death... He might have risen from the dead as well. Returned as a husk or dybbuk. He certainly has business yet unattended to."
[Return to the top of the Page]
Do you know what happened at the Cathedral of Saint Vargo? No? Bad Luck I hoped you could explain to me what happened there. But wait lets see if you can make more sense of that crap than I. I was on my way to the Agora when an beautiful girl almost ran me over while I was passing the church. She had long blonde Hair and beautiful blue eyes, ones a man can drown in. I wanted to offer her aid but she already had run into that church. I was trying to decide if I should follow her when two armed mean looking figures passed by. Seconds later three men's were shouting in the cathedral. Than a woman entered the shouting. I couldn't understand much, but she was clearly the loudest and she had a tongue to her that nearly made my ears drop of. I guess the voice belongs to that female warrior type priest terrorizing the people here. This terribly male Warriormonk, that's the one living with the female warrior preast heard that and entered the church. How I hate that warrior-type ones, all day running around telling us there here to help us , that they are necessary to keep down the violence's , I say we will only be at peace again if al aliens leave Vargo. The voices were lowered than. A third men entered the cathedral, slowly. The first two came out of the church like beaten hounds shortly after that. Then came a forth men, running. The fourth man came out again short after he had entered, he had the girl gripped. He looked dangerous so I didn't dare to free her. Than the third came out again smiling. Now do you think? What do you mean it wasn't her eyes that fascinated me. Get lost.
[Return to the top of the Page]
Anyways, there I was, just bought some o' dat nice bread from Carmen's bread stall when I almost get trampled. Well.. trampled would be extreme. Hmm. Would not mind one of those two.. anyway. Those.. All Malik? The funny dressed ones, all elaborate and stuff. I think it was all of them. The nobs, servants. That Charioteer girl. Tempting? Strange name.
Well they go marching down the street chatting and all happy. Between you and me... it look like there was some wedding going on. A wedding processing. I don't know her name.. dressed the fanciest of the lot. She looked happy.. and that other one. Yes. With the cute behind.. Tempting? Temptress? Whatever.
Eh? No. Not in the direction of the Cathedral. Well maybe.. but a very roundabout route let me tell you, would take them past Cerny Point. Hmm. Yes. just Al Malik. Not one of those other nobs. Oh well. Perhaps I will have some more bread today. Yes..
[Return to the top of the Page]
"That was weird... went for a walk at Karbydos Boulevard this morning.. yeah, I come to the point. There comes a group of those Decados soldiers, escorting a figure in a dark, hooded cloak. Pale it was, I can tell ya. Wore shades. And either drunk or injured... stumbled along with stiff knees, they had to support.. him, t'was a man, I think. Not exactly sure where they went, to the Tower, I guess. And shortly behind, there came two of those Mantis Lords... no, t'was not a nightmare, I was there...
[Return to the top of the Page]
I'll tell you, mate, it's too bad you weren't at the Gannock last day, 'cause you sure missed some fine action. You see, I was at my usual table, sipping my usual beer and chewing the fat with Small Tom. Then came this guy, walking like he was owning the place. You know, one of those new boys that look like bad news? ... Yeah, the bunch that sleep that the hotel down the road. Anyway. He was sitting at the bar, smiling quite smugly, when that other guy came in. You know, the one with the tatoos on his face. No, not the crazy one, the other one. You know, the scraver...? ... Yeah. Him. Anyway, so he enters the Gannock, and suddenly mister cool at the bar goes white and isn't so cool looking anymore. The scraver sits further down the bar, and the two guys just stare at each other. As you may guess, it didn't took long before electricity was in the air. After a while, the thug gets up and goes for the exit. We all breath. But just as he was to get out he spins around and pulls out a gun! Yes sir, a gun! So everyone screams, ducks for cover. There is this Charioteer fella that throw the lady he was speaking with on the ground (by the way, don't the fellow awfully often at the Gannock? And it is me or is he always with a different lady?). But this scraver, quick fella this one is, jumps on the thug and kicks the gun outta his hands. Just like that! The thug squeaked like a pig and immediatly ran for the door. Not the coolest-looking action I ever witnessed, I tell you. So that's how it happened. And I will tell you what: I have the feeling this is not over. No sir, no way. Believe my old experience, there will be some more action at the Gannock soon. Anyway , all this chatterboxing made me thirsty. You in for a quick brew?
[Return to the top of the Page]
[Return to the top of the Page]
"Poor Anand, I guess they will tear the Tailors shop into pieces next time. I guess this Hawkwood is having a good time now. He played the big hero, driving the Security forces away. That his actions will only make the rate rise isn't interesting this offworlder, he had his triumph over the tugs. "
"Yes, I heard Anand had trouble to pay his tax anyway."
"No wonder, the time between the payments decreases fast. I wonder what they need the money for."
"Looks like another turf-war too me."
"Yeah, guess you are right. Seems to me things are getting worse."
"Everything got worse, since the offworlders arrived, only Karl at the Gannock seems to profit from it."
"Yeah the offworlders really saved his lousy bar."
[Return to the top of the Page]
"...So there I was, in the Gannock, when that little brother battle came in. He sees the Reeve there, and starts talking to her, right? Well, I couldn't hear what they were saying, but from the way that little pip-squeak ran out, you'd think his bald little head was on fire. Hahahaha....."
[Return to the top of the Page]
[Return to the top of the Page]
Overheard in the Agora:
"Oi, didja 'ear abou' Nikus?"
"No, wha' 'appen t' Nikus?"
"Wash'd u' dead as Mercedes nobby on t' beach las' eve."
"I tol' 'im i' wa' ill luck t' try t' sell fruit to a Decados..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
"Did you see him? The Muster cook at the cathedral?"
"He's no muster. He's from a strange guild on Severus. Poisoner's guild or something, professing to be the chef's guild, but I have heard about Decados *cuisine*."
"Well, if he's a poisoner, then he's suffering pangs of conscience now."
"He what?"
"I saw him at the cathedral, praying on his knees. Strangely enough I saw him in St. Vargo's memorial chapel, and in the Chapel of Mantius, and that of the Scorned Woman. Strange, I say."
"What about mass?"
"Aye, not a single service he has missed for the last days. I think he might have to atone for something *big*."
"A poisoning?"
"One never knows."
[Return to the top of the Page]
"...I swear, there was a demon in the Square, cloaked like midnight, and a Decados confronted it! Then they departed from the square, together! Those Decados, the demon must have been the consort of those Decados!"
[Return to the top of the Page]
The second man looks dubious. "You're ribbin' me, ain't ya? Why, that codger's been stone deaf for nigh on twenty years now."
"By Saint Paulus, I swear it's the truth. Damndest thing I ever saw. I was watching Dreyfus hobble across the Agora, when he paused to rest, leaning against that there pile o' rocks some folks call a shrine..."
The other merchant's eyes drift over to the crude cairn with its heap of withered flowers and burnt candles.
"...then, the old man gets this thunderstruck look on his face, and he starts shouting, 'Did you hear her? Did you hear what she said?' I started laughing, and yelled to Fredo..." He turns toward another merchant. "What was it I said Fredo?"
The vendor in question looks over from his stall and mutters tiredly, "You said, 'Look now, the old fool's daft as well as deaf.' That's what you said."
The first merchant nods. "That's right, and when I said that old man Dreyfus, he turned to look straight at me with a scowl, and he said, 'I ain't daft you blasted upstart! And I ain't deaf no more neither!'..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
"Is that everything Sir? "
"Yes that's all"
"Okay that's a wind and two crests"
"Are you kidding? What happened to your Prices?"
"I'm sorry, but I'm forced to charge higher Prices for a while the Fire fight has ruined half of my goods."
"The Fire fight?"
"You don't know of the Fire fight? The Scravers have taken her turf war to an new dimension. Two of Sonny's thug's tried to burry an Scraver with an strange name under an stable. Do you see the debris over there? That's what is left of it. He wasn't hurt by that. The Agora was crowded with offworlders when that happened, and they started to pull out arms and shouted over the angora. Sonny's tugs were aiming with submachine guns at the Scraver with the strange name. When one of Sonny's guy was distracted by an crazy greyface, I think it was the one named Rico. The strange Scraver attacked the other, Milan I guess. Sonny's Scravers started to shoot, as did a Hawkwood. There had been an Decados too, with wolffangs he and an half-naked Hazatlady were running towards the Scravers with drawn blades. I got some better cover then and couldn't see what happened. When the shooting was over, I stood up again. The sword of wolffang stuck in Rico's chest, Milan's head was blown away and the other Scraver bleeding, an Amalthean and the Greyface were tending them. They brought the Scraver and Rico to the Hospice although I'm sure Rico didn't reach there alive. "
"And the Police?"
"The Police! The didn't even show up, they are quick making trouble if you miss one silly Paper, but if it get's dangerous the keep hiding."
[Return to the top of the Page]
One of the servants of the al-Malik household speaks to another:
"... Yes, and he climbed right up ontop of the dome, the highest part of the mansion. All he was wearing was a pair of shorts, and he just stood there facing east.
The other servant nods silently.
"It was strange, quite strange. I didn't realise how late I was becoming until the sun rose above the horizon. I should have left to get on with my work, but for some reason I stuck around." He shakes his head. "Because the guy was so high up on the mansion, he was one of the first things in the city struck by the sunlight." He pauses for a second to take a sip of his water.
The other servant rolls his eyes, and takes a glance down the hallway impatiently.
"Well, as the sunlight hit him, his hair practically glowed and his eyes caught like those glowbulbs some of those offworlders have. But that wasn't the worst of it! As the sunlight crept down him, a pattern of blue rivulets and ribbons formed upon his skin. It was far too symetrical and complex a pattern to be made by nature. It seethed, with the light, pulses of brighter light passing along its patterning in rythms of their own."
The other servant has by this time stopped looking down the hall and is watching the first servant with shock and curiosity.
"Then the whole spectacle began to fade. The pattern vanished from his skin, and his eyes darkened back to their crystal depths. Very bizarre, don't you agree? Oh, yes. Then he fell off the dome. Yes, right off, onto a lower section of the roof. I had to run and do one of my chores, but when I passed by again a half hour later he was only just getting up. He moved very stiffly, but didn't look injured."
The two servants scatter as they hear the chamberlain coming down the hallway.
[Return to the top of the Page]
I tell you, I'm switching to the Vortex. I know it's halfway across town but its getting to the point a man can't enjoy his pint in peace at the Gannock.
What was it this time? You have to ask? Offworld nobles a'course. There was a group of'em you see, this real pale lady, a dark man, and a giant. No, I don't mean a real giant you fool, just a real big guy.
Anyways, they sit down at a table and they've barely started drinkin, so ya can't blame it on the liquor, when the 'lady', heh, yells across the place at another one that was lurking in the corner. What? No, a'course I don't know their flaming names. This was some red-headed guy, dark, but not near as dark as the other. Anyway, the 'lady' hollers at him across the tavern, and he walks over to their table. I'm not sure what happened next, hard to hear with all the noise in there you know, but apparently some words were exchanged. The big guy, he gets up and walks out like a smart man. The lady and the redhead though look like they're spitting venom at each other. And the dark one, he just sits there, smiling like the cat what ate the canary. Next thing I know, the lady's up with the redhead, the two of'em right in each other's face and the redhead's got his hands on the woman like he can't decide whether to kiss her or choke her. And the dark one just keeps sitting there like nothing unusual's happening, even taking time to chat with that alien.
What alien? The one-legged one, a'course. What other aliens you know? I don't know when she got there! I was busy watching the looker and her friends. Dang it, just let me tell it.
The point, yeah, well the point is the next thing that happens is the redheads' got his big sword out, waving it around like he's insane, and yelling for blood. He almost cut poor Julia. Yeah, I swear. Well, the lady's got enough sense that she don't like that, and she's hissing at him like a cat. And the dark one's still just sitting there! I mean yeah, the first one's nuts to be swinging a sword around in a crowded place like that, but what kind of idiot just sits there while he's doing it, without touching his own blade?
Then? Well, then the readhead puts up his sword and stalks out. Yeah that's it. The lady and the alien sat back down with the guy that stayed and they finished their drinks like nothing happened, and then the lady leaves on the dark one's arm like they had just been to a ball or something.
I'm telling you any Vargen, or sane off-worlder if there is such a thing, otta stay out of the Gannock.
[Return to the top of the Page]
Early in the morning of October 8th and horrid howling came from the roof of the al-Malik mansion. So far, no one knows who was howling but it was certainly a human's voice.
[Return to the top of the Page]
"You know what? The new cook of the al-Malik is behaving strange. There seems to have been an argument between him and the security advisor of Lady Sarasvati. Then, he went off, without packing his things, strangely enough. Well, and he hasn't returned yet. He didn't even show up to do his part in the kitchen okay, not a great loss, since he was only dessert cook, but the boss of the kitchen was fairly upset. He has never come late or even taken a day off. He seemed to love his work. Last time I saw him, he was wandering the streets aimlessly, looking sad and lonely. Don't ask me why, I only tell you what I've heard and seen."
[Return to the top of the Page]
Early today, Ethan stepped out onto Hapsburg road from the al-Malik mansion. In one hand he held a letter, and the other a candle. With a very showy flourish, as if to announce to those that might be watching, he lit the paper on fire. Holding for long moments as it burnt, he let it fall to the ground in ashes. Only one part remained unburnt: "...no life for me out there, Ethan. Yours, A..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
Not a few hours later a messenger carried a letter to the al-Malik mansion. Ethan received it and read it. If his features could grow more pale, they did, as he slumped to the ground and hasn't moved since.
[Return to the top of the Page]
"This guy becomes stranger and stranger every day... He is pale and
seems not to get much sleep. He looks haunted to me, haunted, I tell you.
And he has a fresh bandage around his arm, like he has cut himself. And
I heard him murmur: `I am myself. Am I? Who could I be? Why does he come
back? But I am myself, right?´ I tell you, he's
going crazy...."
[Return to the top of the Page]
A short time back, the Major, as some call him, was rushed to the Hospice by one of the engineers at the al-Malik cook. Apparently he was unconcious, or paralyzed, or dead... or worse. But then, only a few short hours later, after the Engineer had left the Major came strolling out. All smiles, and grins, he was followed by the cook who looked just a tad bewildered and worse for wear. All attempts, by the cook, were hushed by the Major, at least until they were within the al-Malik compound.
[Return to the top of the Page]
Fredo nods absently, preoccupied with getting his stall set up for the day's trade. "Yeah, yeah; what of it?"
"It ain't there no more. The coppers just impounded it. That there Lictor showed up with a trio of VSPers, he did. Only he weren't playin' the dandy today; he was all decked out in black plastic armor, like he was expectin' a battle or summat."
Fredo looks up with interest now. "Do tell...and what happened? Weren't there a couple of toughs keeping a hawk's eye on that truck?"
The other man nods. "Well, the Hazat, he handed a piece of paper to that head-crackin' VSP, the one who travels in a cloud of cigarette smoke. He showed the paper to one of the toughs, and them two they just backed off and let the truck be driven off. The one who looked at the paper said they was 'happy to cooperate with the law', he did."
The one called Fredo snorts. "Sounds kinda boring to me; you wasted your time standing around to watch all this?"
"Well, that weren't quite the end of it. The Lictor, he muttered something into his cloak pin, and then half a squad of Hazat soldiers come marching down from Watergate Road. Most of 'em kept right on a going, but one got in the truck and drove it off north, toward the Muster HQ..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
Did you see that Alien woman in the Sovern State last night? Who does she think she is?
Lucky as sin is what she think's she is. I seen her takin it in hand over fist. I don't know how the Casino Boss can afford to let her win like that
That don't make sense at all. Don't she have some kind of reputation for bein the poor knight or somethin? How did a Poor knight get to be a card shark.
Cheated is what she did with her alien powers!
Oh go on *laugh Alien powers again!
It's true I tell ya! And they's out to take us pancreator-fearin lot down a peg.
[Return to the top of the Page]
So my brother Marcus was in the hospice after a barfight last night. He says they brought in two Skraver punks who were beaten to knees-and-forehead, the looked like a rotted chicken, all blue and brown with bruises and bleedin all over the place. They was in to be tended before they went into the tank. So marcus wanted to know what barfight they were in and they says they were beat up by a one-legger alien. Yeah right, not too many a' those indeed. So anyway seems these poor blokes were in the alley behind the Sovern State nevermindin their own business when this Alien woman got the drops on em and beat em both silly.. That's right with her alien powers.. DON'T Laugh at me! I'm tellin you straight from the Skravers an my brother's mouth I'd swear on the Gospels!
[Return to the top of the Page]
Oran eyes the frothy mug approvingly, and looks askance at the merchant. "Well, if I were you, friend, I'd write off that there shipment. I hope 'twas insured..." He gathers up the mug and raises it to his lips.
"Them damn wheelers stole it, didn't they? Why, I'll..."
The Musterman shakes his head. "There's a freighter overdue, long overdue. In fact, I'd not be surprised if she were declared lost by the end of the week. She jumped through the gate at Tethys, oh, four weeks back. Never showed up here, though..."
The merchant wrings his hands. "Damn, this could ruin me, if the
insurance
doesn't come through..."
The cargo handler takes a long pull of his free beer and shrugs. "Once the wheelers finally admit she won't be reaching port, now or ever, the insurance folks'll have to pay up, friend..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
Apparently a new noble is in town, sent here to take the Hawkwood in hand. Word is he arrived quietly only a few days ago, headed to the Hawkwood Mansion and hasn't been seen since. Not like these nobles to go any where without pomp and bluster.
Anyway anyone passing the Hawkwood manse may will notice that there have been a few changes...
[Return to the top of the Page]
"And then comes..."
"Heh! What are you talking?"
"Ah, shut up and listen!"
"Well..."
"And then comes that cute al Malik girl, walks in from Promenade, and throws her glove at the Decados!"
"Which Decados?"
"Hrm. The pretty one with the purple spots on her skin."
"Okay. So what does she do?"
"Ah, just listen! She.. no.. the little al Malik lady, she walks at her yes, at the Decados and throws her glove..."
"Whoah! A duel!"
"No, no duel. The al Malik shouts at the Decados, right, somethin' about a challenge."
"But?"
"But the Decados simply giggles and calls her challenge a jest. Really!"
"She backed down?"
"The al Malik calls her a coward, but she won't stop to giggle and calls her honor yes, the al Malik's honor, of course, idiot! her honor not worth duelling for. Weird, huh?"
"And then?"
"And then, the al Malik calls her a coward again, and that she's no real lady, but the Decados goes on as if she were just jesting."
"Strange..."
"She the Decados says the other one's behaviour is 'unbecoming of a lady' or so. Then, the al Malik turns and stalks off."
"That's it?"
"Yeah, that's all."
"So do you think she's a coward?"
"All Decados are cowards!"
"Uh well... better be quiet, man."
[Return to the top of the Page]
That Fire-headed Charioteer was all around Vargo last night, So much for cleaning up her act. I saw her in the Double-S last night picking a fight with an Engineer and I hear she was doin the same in the Vortex. Walkin all over Vargp dragging a bottle in her fist, drunk and shamefully mean-spirited. You' gotta wonder what goes on in that House on the Hill that all the Countessa's subjects become crazed..
[Return to the top of the Page]
A man in the uniform of a Li Halan soldier is sitting at the bar talking to an Imperial soldier, at first it is just about battles they have taken part in, but then it moves on to discussions of commanding officers, the Li Halan soldier listens intently to the usual gripes about CO's from the Imperial soldier and then begins to tell his own story.
"Well, that new Weapons Master that arrived a few months ago has been training us pretty hard."
"I hate that," the Imperial soldier says, "I
know it is good for us, but damn it gets tiring."
"I thought that it would suck too, new CO's are always a scary prospect.
Yeah, it's tiring, but it is almost fun too," the Li Halan, "He has
drilled us a lot in hand to hand and guerrilla tactics, he said it is like how
he was trained on Stigmata, only easier."
"He was on Stigmata?" The Imperial.
"Yeah, got in some nasty duel or something though and came here. But anyway, he has been really nice too because he is pretty kind on his discipline practices, discipline has improved, no one likes to be humiliated by him in a training duel, and boy can he humiliate us! But at least it is quick and not tedious. That guy knows how to use a sword. I think he is the best CO I have ever had, and I served in the Emperor wars under quite a few CO's. I know I speak for all of us when I state that we feel we are ready to take on pretty much anything. And Count Visserion, I know we are pretty confused by his quarrels with his brother, but we are one hundred percent behind him."
With this they go back to talking about more mundane things and the night wanes on.
[Return to the top of the Page]
Two mechanics working for the Scravers Guild, overheard while drinking in the Sovereign State bar:
"You heard? They've tried to kill the consul!"
"Yeah, one of them guards told me. Know any details?"
"Yes, was having dinner at Carik's Place when it happened. Had a fine view on the Agora through a window."
"So what happened?"
"There's the consul out there. She's near that crude shrine, talking with some of them dark skinned nobles. Al Maliks, I think. Two men, one lady."
"Okay, and then?"
"Then
one of them lords, that one with the really dark skin and the golden eyes,
hurls himself at the consul?"
"What! I know she's a chick, but..."
"Wait! The other lord, the one with the dreadlocks who calls himself a bastard, pins the lady, yeah, the one who's challenged the Decados this week, to the ground as well."
"But why?"
"Suddenly, there's a red laser beam! Misses the consul but nearly hits that lordling who's saved her."
"How could they know?"
"One of the bodyguards tells me there's been a read spot of light on her head, like from a laser sight. You know what a laser sight is?"
"Yeah, yeah, go on!"
"Well. The consul and most nobles take cover behind the shrine, only the bastard lord shouts into his radio. There's another shot from the laser gun, but it misses too."
"Heard some Engineers guards talk 'bout that laser. They've seen the beam from their courtyard! Must have come from far down The Parade"
"Yes, from down there the shot comes. And then, one of the consul's bodyguards is hit!"
"Shit!"
"Don't worry, just hit in the leg. There's a cloaked guy there, the one with the scarred face, who runs over and carries him to the shrine. Then he collapses himself. Seems he's injured himself or so."
"Okay. Go on."
"Then these al Malik soldiers arrive and are everywhere. And the consuls stands and walks away with three soldiers who carry her bodyguard. And that Engineers doctor, the cyborg guy, you know him."
"Yeah. And the sniper?"
"Never found him. But they've nearly arrested a Decados lady. The one who refused to duel. Yes, quite a coincidence, I know..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
Get this; I was standing in line at the Charioteers Guild, waiting to find out about a delayed shipment of Delphian tobacco--you know, all the freight's backed up since they stepped up the customs inspections. Anyway, the Port Patrol hauls in this star pilot, a fellow wheeler, and they drag him down the hallway in back. A while later he comes stormin' out, lookin' mad enough to chew ceramsteel, and that there scar-faced Charioteer consul walks out behind him, his face grim. The mad pilot, he turns around and yells, "I'll go broke you old bastard! And how the blazes am I supposed to get back to Tethys without my key?!" The consul, he just grunts and looks at his watch, then says, "Well, if you run you can just make the regular courier." The pilot stares, mouth open, as the consul turns to walk away, but then the old man turns back again and says, real cold, "When you get home you tell 'em; no more of their garbage comes through here on my watch."
[Return to the top of the Page]
"Boy, if I were you, I wouldn't go that way."
"Yeah? Why?"
"I'd stay where the VSP's patrolling, lad. Them alleys aren't safe."
"I always go that way, Mister."
"Remember these guys in colored leathers? The ones that've made trouble for weeks now?"
"O'course, but they leave me alone."
"Someone's now playing hard on them. Wanna get in the line of fire? Fine, just go on that way."
"More shootings?"
"Not yet. But I've seen some dark figures going at each other in that alley. And ol' Joe who lives over there saw 'em drag off a body."
"Err, I think I'll take the other way then..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
"Darling!
Ohhh, I've had a most dreadful day!"
" Why? What happened?"
"You know how I serve on the 'Selene', and one of those offworld noble families...the 'al-Malik', was staging a party on it?"
"Well, yes..."
"Well, everything went into the latrine today. First, the ship got beached on a sandbar. Idiot captain..."
"And then?"
"The blasted engine gave out!"
"That happens all the time!"
"You haven't heard all of it. Then...people
started shooting at us from on the shore! And there was someone on the
ship with
a gun...he shot
one of the crew, poor Jimmy."
" ..."
"Oh, yes. They started putting bullets through the portholes!"
"...How about all the offworlders on board?"
"Oh, they were running around like headless chooks. There was a scantily clad young lady, some weird man/machine cross, a weirdo with golden eyes, a young girl with antennae sticking up, a man in white...the 'Lictor', I think his title was. Anyway...who else? Oh yeah...some man all in black with two swords, the party's host, some Chainer, a girl with a too-tight dress, three Wheelers their Captain-Consul was one of them-, a tall guy with flame-red hair, and this really tall man dressed all in blue. They all went nuts, pulling swords and guns and what have you...eventually, the flame-haired guy, the Lictor, Two-Swords, Goldeneye and the Chainer went down the stairs to try and take down the gunman on board ship and hold off the guys on shore. The tall guy in blue stayed back. He didn't look happy about it."
"Wow! Just like something on the Magic Lantern!"
"Yep, it sure was. Eventually, the guy in blue went down to join the fight. He brought poor dead Jimmy's body with him."
"What'd they do to Jimmy's body?"
"Think they used it as bait for somethin'...the head was missin' from the body afterwards. So, anyway, a while later, the guys downstairs have killed the gunman on the 'Selene' and are duking it out with the guys on shore, who are chucking firebombs and shooting at the ship, and then Antennae, the girl with the tight dress, and some others went into the boiler room to fix the engine."
"They must have fixed the engine, or else you wouldn't be here."
[Return to the top of the Page]
Last night, three Kossacks, clad in their full, demon-like combat armor,
were seen walking all the way from the starport to the Decados Tower. They
were reportedly led by a tall, bald
man in a black uniform.
[Return to the top of the Page]
"You'll never guess what I saw in the Agora last night. No, it wasn't the VSP arresting the right person. It was those bloody off-worlder nobles again. About 5 of em squaring up for a fight I tell yer. Which ones, hmmm let me think. That really big one who wears the dress, y'know with the dreads. And that Hazat that runs the VSP, don't laugh. There were a couple of others arguing over this girl, she was playing up to em both I tell yer.&RRai, that's it. One of em said his name was Rai. Anyways, this Rai fella was squaring up to all the others and this girl was trying to calm him down and that. Did they what? No.. she said something to that big dress wearing one then he kissed her hand and they all went their separate ways all trying to look scary. Reckon we haven't heard the last of that, mind."
[Return to the top of the Page]
The staff and patrons of the Sultan were suprised last night by a touching display of affection between a comely young al-Malik knight and a hot-blooded Hazat of a certain reputation in matters romantic. Although speculation might be premature, the passionate embrace the two shared seemed a clear indication to those present that the pair had more that mere casual friendship on their minds...
[Return to the top of the Page]
"Say, did you see them leather-clad thugs the last days?"
>"No... not a single one of 'em."
"Hope they'll stay off for good."
>"Me too. My wife's getting afraid to go out at night, y'know. I hear they're warring with the Scravers. The ones with the black coats, I mean."
"They did... saw them kick ass myself once or twice. Right in the alley behind my house, the damned bastards. But not this week."
>"Perhaps the black coats have won?"
"Mayhap. They are still lurking around. Patrolling their turf, if y'ask me."
>"The Agora isn't their turf!"
"Yeah, but they're lurking around anyway."
>"Yes, have seen them too. This afternoon, there comes half an army of them, led by that tatooed guy who was shot in the shoulder a few weeks ago."
"And they rooted out the guys in leather?"
>"No, no. They've rebuilt ol' Tompson's stall. Yes, the one that collapsed in the attack on the tattooed fellow a few weeks ago."
"Now that was about time!"
>"Yes, but it was the other guys who've made it collapse."
"Strange... but then, someone had to do it."
>"Yeah, right..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
Fredo grunts in annoyance, and shakes his head.
"Started here in the Agora," continues the first merchant. "That quick-tempered Decados Lady went chasing poor Dardo down the road, yelling, and beating at him. This redrobe caught sight of that--or rather, caught sight her, and *he went chasing after the pair of 'em..."
Fredo looks up with interest. "Now, that's something I approve of; pit the redrobes against the Mantis. Maybe they'll kill each other off and spare us all a bit of anxiety."
The first merchant snorts. "Well, seems that this particular redrobe and Mantis had themselves a little shouting match, but then came away from it all smiles."
Fredo grimaces. "Avestites and Decados smiling at each other? Isn't that a sign that final judgement is at hand?"
[Return to the top of the Page]
An upset Vargen talking to a VSP patrolman:
"A murder?"
"Yes, a murder! Ya know, my house's right behind Pandora's Box hotel, and..."
"Pandora's Box? At Agora Road?"
"Yeah... it was last night. Was at my first floor window to show my little nephew that flying car. Yeah, the blue one. Never seen another flying car on Vargo, y'know. As usual, it hovers at the back side of the Box, in front of that balcony."
"All right, what happened?"
"Then, the balcony door opens, and out steps that strange fellow with his bodyguards."
"Strange fellow? Do you give some more details?"
"Tall, grey hair, beard. Always wears these expensive off-worlder suits. Never seen him in the streets, just on that balcony, when he enters that car."
"All right. Go on, please."
"Okay. That other fellow, on of them thugs in leathers, opens the door of the flying car, and Mr. Smart Suit steps out on the balcony. Then, he goes down on his knees!"
"So does he. And why?"
"He's hit by an arrow! And another one! Black arrows, I tell ya!"
"Arrows? All right, did you see who fired them?"
"There's a dark figure on the roof next door... but they ain't seein' it. I want to shout a 'over there', but.. uh.. there's my little nephew. You understand, I.. uh.. don't want to put him in danger... so I keep my mouth shut."
"I see... did you recognize the assassin?"
"Nope... just a black figure in the dark. Broad shoulders, couldn't see the face."
"All right, go on then."
"'kay. A third arrow hits, and Smart Suit falls over and down from the balcony. The guards fire a few shots, but the black one just jumps from the roof and runs like hell. Moves like a cat."
"Right. And why didn't we find a body, Mister?"
"Well, there's some shouting on that balcony, didn't understand the language. More of them thugs are on the balcony now."
"I see. And the body?"
"Some of 'em get into the car, an' it lands down in the alley. They drag the body into the car, and fly away. Dunno where."
"So there's no body to be found there?"
"Yeah, that's what I said, officer."
"All right..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
"I'm standing right next to you ain't I? A handful of knights, a dozen personal guards and a thirty person entourage with wagons loaded high is pretty dang hard to miss!"
Yeah, well, it looks like the two Li Halan counts are finally going to settle up."
"Doubt it, Count Visserion hasn't been seen for over two months, and COunt Hector there apparently got a message from his homeworld a while back, had his prince's seal on it and he looked pleased as punch to get it."
"I remember that, one of the servants onboard the Selene said it happened just before all the shooting at that party."
"Yep, I figure he got word to assume command of his house's affairs if Count Visserion didn't appear today. Makes sense, I can't see anyone expecting trouble with such an attractive lady on his arm."
"That was Lady Iliyana wasn't it? The two
of them looked downright chummy didn't they? Guess House Li Halan and House
Decados can
be expected
to be rather friendly towards one
another in the coming months..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
"Say, brother, didja happen to see that big damn ship that landed last night?" queries a brawny woman with close-cropped brown hair.
Her companion grunts, taking a long pull of his beer. "Nope," he replies, pausing to belch. "Ain't been on duty yet today."
"Well, it's a big 'un alright," the woman asserts. "No
markings, either..." She scratches her head. "Though, I'd swear
I've seen it before..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
Two commoners talking to one another:
"Did you hear what happened in the Agora?"
"No, what?"
"Another
hit attempt. A Charioteer and a Scraver were talking. Some guy firing black
arrows tried to kill both of 'em."
" Really?"
" Yeah. First shot missed. Second and third hit the Scraver. Fourth was
aimed at the Wheeler and missed."
" What was going on while the man was firing arrows?"
" There were some others present. A drunken guy, a Hawkwood with four guards,
two Hazat, two al-Malik. another Scraver. Plus the first Scraver's goons.
When the first arrow fired, the others all went for weapons, except the
drunk, who kept watching. The Hawkwood and his men aimed their weapons
after the second shot, while the others were assembling to try and take
down the archer. After the third arrow, the Hawkwood plus his guards
began to fire while everyone else went over to the alley mouth, preparing
to go in."
" What alley mouth?"
" Oh, sorry. The archer was shooting from an alley. So anyway, the Hawkwood
didn't hit anything, and the others all went in...and then they came
out again! Empty-handed! I heard them talking...apparently, the archer
climbed up the wall at the end of the dead-end alley!"
"Weird..."
"Then the Lictor showed up. The Hawkwood went off; everyone else was talking to the Lictor."
"That's it?"
"Yeah, that's it."
"The Agora is a nasty place to be..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
[Return to the top of the Page]
"I have overheard that this weird Decados chick... yeah, the boyish one, blonde, green eyes, the one with that tattooed bodyguard in tow. She has set a price on somebody's head... in the midle of the Agora, discussing it with some guilders. I heard she pays a handsome sum to someone who is willing to kill someone who has impaired her honor or some such noble stuff. Well. I heard she is awaiting people applying for the job... but be very, very discreet about it... and noone knows who the target is... Weird politics..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
A small knot of guilders and freemen gather around an Agora merchant as
she
relates a fascinating tale...
" ...an' I'm tellin' ya, the Agora was a crawlin' with Hazat. That pale
one with the black hair, the one all you louts drool over whenever she passes
through don't deny it; I've seen you! She was chatting up that new Captain
of the Guard o' theirs, but she kept throwing these *looks* at Count Alvaro,
who was standing across the square with Morgan Snow and that new Hazat
knight, the one with a pony-tail who's almost as pretty as the Lictor himself.
Hey; if you louts can drool, so can I! Anyway, that *other one, he wanders
in. The one with the hair like a pyre atop his head. Then, like a pair
of runaway river barges that are gonna crash no matter what ya do to stop
'em, the night-haired beauty, she spots her cousin with the fire on his
head..."
" Night-hair, she marches up to him and sticks herself right in his face,
muttering something or other about his father and brothers. Flame-top didn't
seem to appreciate it one bit! He sneers something back at 'er, and then,
night-hair grabs him by the vest. Looked like she was wild enough to kill
him right then and there but instead, she kisses him! Yes! So hard she
splits his lip! That's when the blows started; flame-top cuts loose a punch
to night-hair's gut, then she tries to throw him. He got the upper hand
on her though, and started to choke the life out of 'er. Migh 'ave, too,
if the Count and that other Hazat hadn't interfered. The Count went in
and tossed his cloak over the pair of 'em, I guess to distract 'em, and
then he and pony-tail dragged the pair apart. Almost too late; night-hair,
she passed out in the Count's arms, and he rushed her off to that Compound
of theirs..."
" You know, it a mystery why the Hazat haven't killed each other off by
now, as much as they take to fightin' among themselves."
[Return to the top of the Page]
"I hear ol' Higgins has disappeared?"
*Aye, went out fishing in his boat and never returned, the poor fellow.*
"Did you search for him?"
*Aye, aye, found nothin'. Not even a single plank of his boat.*
"Mayhaps it sank in a storm?"
*Mayhaps, just the day he goes fishing, there isn't a single cloud in the sky. Ol'Higgins ain't a fool.*
"Strange..."
*I tell ya, it must've been a monster of the sea... a kraken, or a giant shark!*
"Or some more off-worlder witchcraft?"
*You name it!*
"Holy pancreator..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
"Hey, cousin, I'm returning to the farm tonight. Yes, I know, I've been in the city only since yesterday, but what I saw sufficed me. I went to that bar, the Grinning Gannock, just to see the talking monkey. ... yes, I know, you told me not to go there but I mean, come on, a talking monkey! How cool is that?
"Anyway, I was sipping my beer and gawking at the monkey when it started. You see, there was these two guilders - don't ask me that, you know they look all the same to me - speaking in a corner. They were speaking real low. Until one of them made that grunt - rather like my bull does when he's pissed off - and slammed his fist through the table. Yes, /through/! The other guy just sit there. The table puncher cursed aloud, long and well - I will never ever see a dead goat in the same manner again, take my word for it. After all those curses, he hisses something to the other guy, and they both get out the Gannock.
"No, wait, it isn't over. After, oh, five beers, they come back. The one that was pissed was laughing and looking quite jolly. And the other one what quite a sight. A nice bruise on the side of his face, blood on his lips, limping his way through the bar. But he looked, well, happy too. So they are there, and do you know what they order? Water and coffee. Ayup, you heard me well. /Water/ and /coffee/.Mother was right. There is something foul in the city's air that rot everyone's brain. The quicker I'm off this place, the better I will be."
[Return to the top of the Page]
That red-headed charioteer has been all over the market talking with the wheeler merchants. Seems like there's some sort of special deal going on with them. She's payin em sacks of money for signatures on something. She's pretty private about what's on that paper but a friend of mine who works for Otto the Piroshky Man next to that Wheeler flower merchant said the Flower Merchant got near 75 Firebirds! I don't think her whole stand is worth that mich.. Could that little firebrand by trying to buy out the Agora??
[Return to the top of the Page]
"Hey, do you remember those gangers in colored leather?"
*That were kicked out of the Scravers guild recently?*
"Yeah, that's them."
*What's up with'em?*
"Well, they've disappeared."
*So they've left the city? That's good news, I must say.*
"No, no... they didn't leave, they disappeared."
*Okay, tell me more if you must.*
"Well, my cousin works as a receptionist at the Pandora's Box hotel."
*That's where they've got their headquarters, no?*
"Yes. But they haven't shown up for weeks now."
*And?*
"Well, seems they hadn't paid their rent for January."
*So they were kicked out of the hotel?*
"No, I told ya, they've disappeared. Can't kick out someone who isn't there."
*Right. And what happened?*
"They'd left all their luggage and clothing and stuff. Like they hadn't plan to leave. That's why I say they disappeared!"
*I see. And?*
"Well, the owner of the hotel ordered all their stuff be put into a boxroom, and so it was done."
*How exciting...*
"Well, howver, I'm wondering if they're gonna come back. I tell ya, I don't wanna be at the Box when they return, and you shouldn't either!"
*I hope they'll never return! They've already caused enough trouble.*
"Yeah, right. But I don't believe they're gone for good..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
A few merchants talking during a short break at the Gannock:
"Have you seen Graham the last days?"
*Graham Redwood, you mean?*
>Bald big man, the one they call 'Crusher'?<
"Yes, Graham 'Crusher' Redwood. So, have you seen him?"
>Not this week.<
*Me neither...*
>Perhaps he's visiting some aunt out on the countryside?<
"No, he's got no aunt, and his wife's missing him too."
>Well, that's strange, then.<
"Yes, he isn't one to disappear without a word."
*Perhaps he's been robbed and killed? The streets aren't safe any more, you know...*
>Forget it... they don't call him 'Crusher' for no reason. Ever seen him fight at the Sovereign?<
*Ah well, you're right... noone with a brain between his ears would try robbing the Crusher.*
"So if he shows up again, please come and tell me. His wife is worrying..."
[Return to the top of the Page]
So how did the al-Malik's big ball go? No terrorist attacks I hope?
Well, um, not exactly.
Not exactly, what does that mean?
Means, no terrorists, but plenty of fireworks.
Uh huh? . . . well, come on, what happened?
I'm trying, give me a second, it's kind of complicated. Okay, well, you know the Hazat, and that gold-eyed al-Malik that's all tied up with them? They were all there. First the al-Malik and the Hazat woman--and this time she really was half-dressed, nothing above the waist but paint. So the two of them are there, hanging all over each other, smelling of April and May if you know what I mean. 'cept then that pretty Hazat Count showed up. Then Madame Butterfly (yeah, that's what the paint was of, though I'm not sure anyone but me noticed), she drops the al-Malik like a burned out fusion cell and heads off to plaster herself on the count--who's limping, don't ask me why. Al-Malik wasn't happy of course, he glowered at the pair, then took off, left the ballroom altogether. Well, he came back after not too long, took up a place along the wall where he could glower some more while them Hazat 'danced'.
So they ended up in a fight? That's your fireworks, nobles trying to kill each other off again?
No, that was just the prelude. Cause next the Contessa finally showed up, after missing most of her own party. And when she showed up she pretty much ended, cause you'll never guess what she had to say.
Okay? Well, go on then, tell me.
She quit. Said she'd made her peace with the Church--whatever that means--and she wasn't going to be Contessa or Judge anymore.
She just quit? So who's in charge of the al-Malik now? Who's going to be the judge?
I don't know. But what she said, get this, what she said was that she was giving her authority to that gold-eyed al-Malik. Yep, the one