As they left the Orator's office, Danton saw an opportunity to try and
coerce the Hawk-Eye to his cause or at least temporarily and extended the offer
of information of the woman and Lord Rossley if he agreed to help them first. Umbra
took a few minutes to think and reluctantly agreed. In the meantime, Xera had
spotted Mavis riffling through the banqueting table and the far end of the
Oraea. He asked her what she was doing and in response told him that she was
doing his job. She had given up hope that they or Eryn would return to her and
had started to take matters into her own hands. She had fleetingly seen a priceless
whisky that Eryn had brought back from Auspar before he disappeared to the
Oraea and wanted it back. His eyes darted over to Raneaux who had snuck back up
the table and was again stuffing her face. He could on her the outline of a
bottle hidden under her clothes and hoped that she hadn't stolen it already.
Her actions were the last straw for the Grand Orator. He marched over to her,
grabbed her by the scruff of her collar and preceded to drag her to the door to
chuck her out. In response her shadow enveloped the room, snuffing out the
lights. There were shouts and screams from the monks who were plunged into
confusion. Danton yelled out to the Orator, warning him or his monks to never
to touch Raneaux again. From the other side of the room Mavis cried out with
joy as she grabbed hold of a bottle believing it to be the whisky she had been
searching for.
In the dark, Xera was helpless but was soon grabbed by Danton and helped
out of the and into the revelry outside. With a swift kick Raneaux slammed the
door shut, although the darkness she had caused lingered even after she had
left. She seemed far to happy for what had just happened but the explanation
was soon brought out from under her clothing, the rare and almost priceless
whisky. She wiped the food stains off from the faded label and stuffed in back
on her person. Satisfied she then scanned the crowd for hostiles and saw something
familiar yet made her uncomfortable. Two plain looking men were weaving in and
out of the crowd, with the embroidered symbol that she had seen on Dehart's robes.
She immediately turned to Danton and informed him that the curriers, or at
least their guards had arrived early. He turned to Umbra and asked him if he
could follow them as the three of them were more than likely to be recognised.
He nodded and Raneaux patted him on the arm and as her touch left him, he could
hear her voice inside of his mind. She said if he needed anything, all he had
to do was think it and she would respond. He squinted his eyes at the young
girl, her lips had not moved the entire time, she had only smiled. A little
confused, he slipped into the shadows, his skin melding with the tones and patterns
behind him before his body disappeared into the darkness. Raneaux smiled again
at his impressive abilities.
Danton had not been prepared for the schedule to be brought forward and
looked at Xera and Raneaux in hopes that one of them had an answer. It soon
dawned on him though that he did have a plan, although it would need a little
re-working. He asked the girl if she had kept the robes from the apartment
complex, the ones that were apparently made for a Magister. She nodded and
moved behind one of the buildings closest to them and the three of them put on
their costumes. Umbra soon communicated over that the two men were still
looking for the drop off zone and seemed to have no further clue to what they
were doing in the village. Raneaux relayed this information and Danton smiled,
his fanged teeth protruding slightly. He told her to tell the Hawk-Eye that he
should lead them away from the crowd to the north side of the village and to an
empty house they were about to claim. He hoped that they would follow without
question when he would mention the name Moma and when they would arrive, the
trap would be sprung. She replied that he agreed to the plan although he had
his reservations. Danton ignored Umbra's worries and soon a house was selected
and broken into and it was time to set the scene.
Only two pieces of furniture had been left, a
bed with a moth-eaten throw, and a sturdy desk. Danton and Xera moved the latter
into the middle of the room to provide a more imposing position. Danton asked
Xera what he really knew of the woman from Qi, to which his reply was nothing at
all good. She was brutally strong, deceptive, manipulative and a replicant.
Xera told him she could be one of hundreds of clones, a few of which he had
encountered in Auspar. Eryn knew a lot more about her and her kind and that may
be why he was kidnapped.
When the table was in position Xera searched
it to make sure there was nothing that would go against them. At the same time
Umbra announced to Raneaux that that he had been able to confront the two he
was following and convince them of a change of plans and were a feet away from
the building. As she relayed this information, Xera found a pair of shoes in
one of the drawers. As he reached in to grab them, a bright blue light was
given off by the soles and in tandem there was what could only be described as
the sound of an orchestra in full swing tumbling down a hillside. Umbra's voice
shouted in Raneaux's head, telling her that the guards had heard what was going
on inside and were now questioning the validity of his claim. She told him
everything was fine and to try and calm to the two of them down. He replied
that one was remaining outside to stand guard. Within moments there was raps at
the back door in what seemed to be an attempt to sound like secret knock.
Danton grabbed Raneaux to stand by him behind the table, while Xera was told to
stand to the side and then he called out for Umbra to come in.
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