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Conversations in Kitor – Feeling that their opportunity for revenge had come at last, Astarov and Lexmarcus set off for Kitor, the capitol of the Western Reaches, where they intended to present their story to the Lunar Governor. They chose the Padishah’s Eye to resolve the dispute, rather than Satrap Haraxalur, because the transfer of the mine had been an Imperial decree from the office of Goveror Palamtales. On the way to Kitor, a mercenary band known as the Black Club Gang attacked the Rhugandy brothers. A battle almost ensued, but Lord Astarov saved the day through his renowned persuasive ability. The Black Club Gang agreed to switch sides and accepted a contract granting House Rhugandy their services at an unspecified later date in exchange for a cash retainer. When Astarov and Lexmarcus arrived in Kitor, they were contacted by a mysterious stranger whose message said only “I have valuable information concerning your father. If you are interested, please meet me at the following address…” Astarov accepted the invitation, accompanied at a discrete distance by his brother, the hazar-knight Lexmarcus. The address turned out to be a mostly empty office building, and inside Astarov found the Hazia Smoking Man. He was tall and thin, wreathed in smoke so thick that his features were difficult to discern. He was smoking Hazia from a large hooka, and the drug was of such potency that merely being in the room was intoxicating. Astarov maintained control of his faculties with some difficulty and pressed the stranger for information. The stranger refused to give his name or to divulge the source of his information other than to say that he had powerful connections at the imperial court in Glamour and a widespread network of informants throughout Peloria. He proposed an exchange – secret information concerning Astarov’s father Kustavas in exchange for gathering information on the White Moon cult during the Rhugandy brothers’ long trek to Glamour. Astarov agreed, but only if he found the information on his father to be genuinely useful. The Hazia Smoking Man agreed to these terms and imparted the following information: “Twenty four years ago, your father was contracted by the Taloned Countess of Spol to participate in a trade expedition to the lands across the Sweet Sea. The western cities had only recently been released from the Emperor’s Ban, which held them in isolation for most of the previous century. The opportunity for establishing trade and influence among those desperate cities was immense. The Countess had an ulterior motive for the expedition, though.” “Countess Yolanella and your father were part of a conspiracy to ‘revitalize’ the Lunar Empire. Kustavas was under the impression that this conspiracy was supported at the highest levels of the Imperial government. Your father’s role in this conspiracy was to locate a particular barbarian mercenary and bring him back to Yolanella in Spol. The barbarian was a bear worshipper from the great forest of Rathorela who sold his spear to the various potentates of the splintered kingdom of Jonatela. The barbarian’s name was Harrek.” “Your father succeeded in this task, and convinced Harrek, called the Berserk, to return to Spol and meet with the Countess. His mission accomplished, Kustavas returned to his family in Jhor and had no further contact with either Harrek or the Taloned Countess. Imagine your father’s distress when less than a year later the Emperor Reclusus transformed himself into the Pillar of Justice to ‘purge Raibanth of traitors’ – several of whom had been co-conspirators in this plot! It was at this point that Kustavas staged his vicious and unlawful attack on House Vhemadzy, and accepted a position in the Provincial Army as a form of exile. This is the reason your father left Carmania, and why he so seldom returns.” Astarov was shocked by this revelation, and resolved to confront his grandfather with the information as soon as possible. The following day, Astarov gained an appointment with Governor Palamtales. He explained the situation and presented the two captured Vhemadzy hazars as proof. No sooner had this been done than did Noble Fazzik Boylandir of Great House Sarat, liege lord of House Vhemadzy, arrive. Boylandir apologized profusely for the “terrible goings-on” among his vassals in the silver mine. He disavowed any knowledge of illegal acts perpetrated by his minions, and offered compensation to House Rhugandy – the return of the silver mine to House Rhugandy. He also claimed that Fazzik Riedpauv of House Vhemadzy would be brought to justice as soon as the fugitive lord could be found. Astarov was left with little choice but to accept his rival’s apparently contrite offer. Lexmarcus wore magical ring that possessed the power to separate truth from deceit. The ring grew heavy and cold as soon as Fazzik Bolyandir began speaking. This did not indicate falsehood, which would cause the ring to grow warm, but rather the complete failure of the ring to make a determination. This had never happened before. Noble Fazzik Boylandir was more than he appeared… |