Chapter 10: The Raid
Maybe it is weakness.
Maybe it is strength.
Either way you just can not let him do it, "Bari stop."
The Pathfinder pauses, his blade mere millimetres from Trakk's throat. His head snaps towards you, frustration and confusion plainly written on his face for but a second. A single word slips loose from his lips, "Why?"
A good question.
"I..." you pause. Why do you want to save the person that would have, should have, killed you tonight?
The answer comes to you quickly enough.
It is not his fault, not completely at least, you did this to Trakk. You put him here. More importantly you understand why he did it even if you can not exactly forgive him for it, "Bari I do not want you to kill him. He knows what he did was wrong, he does not deserve to die for it."
The dwarf scoffs, "For fuck's sake Derryth! He is a Wyrd damned traitor. Traitors die, it is as simple as that!"
Bari is convinced you are making a mistake but your mind is set. You will not watch Trakk die for this, "All the same Bari let him go."
The Pathfinder emits a slight growl but sheathes his knife, "Alright Derryth it is your call to make but he can not walk away from this unpunished."
"Well, what if you exile him?" you suggest after a moment of thought.
Bari grins, "Ah, here I though you were being merciful but that... now that truly is a fate worse than death."
He turns to Trakk and assumes a formal tone and stance, "Trakk, son of Dvalinn, son of Rugga. You are hereby banished from the lands of your people. You are unwanted. You are outcast. You are exiled. Until the very end of your days and beyond. You will be escorted to the edge of the kingdom and cast out into the world, alone and unloved," a solemn stillness settles in as Trakk absorbs this information. Bari for his part leans in close to the prisoner, "If I ever see you on dwarven soil again Trakk I will kill you, understand?"
Trakk does not make a sound, does not move a muscle, he rests broken in silence on his knees.
Then he springs to life.
He reaches for his blade, draws it and is mere moments from driving it home... into his own throat.
Bari wrestles him to the ground, the Pathfinder lets out a harsh cackle, "Oh no Trakk. You get to live my friend! You have to live and live a long time too!"
Two of Bari's people restrain Trakk as he sobs uncontrollably and screams into the night. You wonder if perhaps it would have been kinder to let him die. You also feel the need to say something to the dwarf. You drop to a knee and stare the dwarf in the eyes, "Go back to Muirthemne. We will see what we can do about your family-"
At the sound of your voice something in him snaps. The dwarf goes rabid, he attempts to lunge at you before being pulled back down to the ground, "They are dead Derryth! They are all dead! Bari is right! They are dead! I have lost them forever and it is your fault! Now! Now I won't even be able to die in my homeland! With my people! You have taken everything! Everything! Save your damned promises for someone that believes them! Your poison Derryth! Wyrd damned poison-"
You have a feeling he could continue in that vein for some time but Bari gives him a few good kicks to the side of the head and drives a rag into his mouth, "Well that was certainly interesting. You know if his family really is dead we should probably just kill him and be done with it."
You stare at the floor. This would be easier if his accusations did not hold a seed of truth, "All the same Bari... I don't want him killed for this. If he tries something later well I will deal with it then..."
Maybe it is weakness.
Maybe it is strength.
But you will not kill someone for trying to protect their family.
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"Derryth? Your head in this? We will be leaving soon." Bari drops down in a chair beside you to your left.
"Umm... yes, yes... just thinking I suppose," you turn in your chair to face him.
"Thinking eh?" he gives you a wink, "Thinking will get you nowhere. Sometimes you just have to 'do' and not worry about the consequences."
"You mean like you?" Thaïs comes up to join the two of you. She takes the chair on your right.
The Pathfinder grins at the woman, "Exactly. When was the last time you saw me think about something?"
You give him a half hearted smile, "Some people would say that, that is part of the problem Bari."
"Bah, you worry too much, you know that? Far, far too much," he waves his hand in the air as if he can physically drive off the notion. Then the smile slips from his face, "Look, about what Trakk said."
You try to interrupt him, "I am fine Bari-"
He nods, "I am sure you are Derryth. But I need you to know that what he said is not true. You are a good friend and Trakk does not know what the hell he is talking about. If not for you I would be dead twice over."
Thaïs chimes in, "He is right Derryth. You do far more to help than to harm. Take comfort in that."
You are not so certain about that at the moment, "He lost a lot though, he said he lost everything... I-"
"Oh cry me a fucking river!" he throws his hands up, "You have both lost people right?" you both nod, "And I have lost people..." he stops for a second, gives his head a shake, then pushes on towards his point, "Sometimes... no, most of the time, things don't turn out like we hope. Well you can't worry about that! And you sure as hell can't spend all your time blaming others or yourself. You just have to take responsibility for your actions and do the best you can. Move on and do better next time!"
"Sure Bari," he can tell you don't believe him but he presses on just the same.
"Yeah, life dealt Trakk a terrible hand here but he still had options. He chose to betray you just like you chose not to take vengeance on him. Though I admit, I still don't get why really. Though..." he gets a bit quiet, and far more thoughtful than you usually see him, "Though it reminds me of what Ari would have done," he shrugs, and the cloud that rests lazily over his eyes dissipates, he give you a mischievous grin, "Must be a woman thing. You are all a little soft."
"Soft, hmmm..." just for that you plant a suggestion in Bari's mind. That his slacks are filled with venomous spiders...
In the entire time you have known Bari, you do not think you have ever heard him squeal like that.
Or squeal at all really.
It is quite satisfying.
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The uniform does not quite fit. The gloves are a bit big, the tunic is baggy, the slacks threaten to fall down if not for the thin belt cinching them in place. Also the boots pinch a little. As a result it is a rather uncomfortable walk over to the Eberhardt compound on the north side of the city.
Bari and the dwarves are in great spirits, they make casual conversation as you slip through the side streets of Myrgard. The fact that you are all about to risk your lives does not bother them in the slightest and their confidence is contagious.
The Eberhardt compound is massive; easily covering several city blocks. The entire compound is surrounded by a high stone curtain wall. In truth the compound resembles a fort more than a family estate. Bari informs you that most of the major families have similar compounds throughout the city. Dwarves value their privacy and the Eberhardts place a premium on secrecy. Probably related to their many efforts to undermine the Royal House of Albrecht.
For a moment you consider the best way to gain entry but Bari and Ori simply walk right up to the front gate and pound on the massive, iron front doors.
Part of the door slides smoothly back and to the side. A pair of eyes stare out into the night, "What do you want?"
Bari points at your group with his thumb, "Transfer in from Muirthemne."
"One second," the panel slides back into place. You can hear a pair of voices discussing something though you can not make out what. Finally the panel slides in again, "We received no word of new personnel coming in from across the border-"
Bari chuckles and leans against the door, "Just figures. We march all the way down here from that fucking human backwater, fighting ghôls, undead and Wyrd knows what else and those damn paper pushers forgot to send word ahead. You know those boys are always fucking up, why last month they only gave me half my pay. I got half a mind to take this message for the boss and toss it in the damn desert."
The voice on the other side of the door hesitates, "You have a message for the boss?"
Bari feigns irritation, "Well that is what I said right? I was ordered by Mats over in Muirthemne to round up some of the lads and bring a message over. Supposed to be important too..." the Pathfinder assumes a worried expression, "And now because of some idiot up there or down here it is my ass that will get chewed out."
Well he has the guard's sympathy, "Damn brother, I would like to help but I can not just let you in without some sort of proof you are who you say you are. Who's the message from? Maybe you can just give it to me and I can take it to the boss for you."
Bari nods a few times, "Well it is good to see there are still decent folks out there but I was given strict instructions. This message goes straight to the boss and no one else."
"Well I guess that is it then, goodnight," the panel begins to close.
At the last possible moment Bari shouts out, "Wait! I have it. Is Dacey there? I know her from way back, she can vouch for me."
You wonder who the hell this Dacey could be. Then you remember Bari's 'chair' and it all makes sense. He probably had a few hours to extract information from her and he was planning on hitting the compound himself anyway. He would have needed a way to convince the guards...
Once again the guard hesitates, "You're a friend of Dacey's?"
Bari warming to his ruse nods enthusiastically, "Oh yeah, the two of us go way back. Tough bitch that one but a good friend once you get to know her. I served under her years ago in Stoneheim. For a human she shows an admirable concern for those under her command too. That girl... that girl will do almost anything for them, especially if they are in danger," something tells you Bari is not making that up. You shudder when you imagine how he got her to talk, "Hell if she likes you she will give the very shirt from her back. Hey, do you know if she is still seeing that young lad from Tyr... the tanner I think he was?"
The voice gains a bit of confidence at this revelation, "So you do know her! Yeah she is still seeing Roger worthless piece of shit that he is. She is out on assignment right now, taking care of some work for the boss. If you are willing to wait out there-"
Bari applies a bit more pressure, "Ah come on, don't make me stand out here in the dark. Let me wait inside at least, I think it is going to rain..."
"I..." the guard wants to help Bari out but he knows he shouldn't, "I can't let you all in."
Bari looks back at your group, then smiles at the guard, "Alright, alright. Fair enough, how about you just let me in then? One dwarf is not a threat to the entire compound right? Let me in and we can wait until Dacey comes back."
"Ah... yeah, alright. But the rest of your group has to clear off before I open this door," part of you feels a bit bad for this guard. If Bari does not kill him, his employers certainly will but such is the price of incompetence.
Bari shoos the rest of you off, "You lot go have a drink. I will meet you later... lets say in oh, five or so."
Ori plays along, "Five hours chief?"
Bari rolls his eyes, "No you idiot in five minutes... of course five hours. These things take time."
Ori, suitably 'chastised', leads you out of sight away from the compound as the door slowly opens.
Around the corner from the compound Ori begins counting, you turn to the nearest Pathfinder, "What is he doing?"
The Pathfinder shrugs, "Five minutes and Bari will have the door open for us."
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Five minutes on the dot and the front doors creak open.
As you enter you are met with an impressive sight. Ten dwarfs quietly sleeping... and one with his neck broken. You give Bari a questioning glance, he waves an empty vial in the air, "Very potent, very fast acting, but it costs a damned fortune to get," he gestures at the dead dwarf, "Shame he wasn't a drinker."
The Pathfinders set to work securing the room and hiding the bodies as Bari explains the plan again to make sure everyone is on the same page, "Alright. Now the door guards are not due to be replaced for a couple hours yet so we have time but we also have a lot to accomplish..."
He lays out the rest of the plan for you. The compound consists of six buildings. The central building serves as housing for the Eberhardts themselves and their closest supporters. Next to the central building are the financial offices of House Eberhardt. Across from them is the armoury and prison/dungeon. There is also a barracks where most of the guards will be. There should be about one hundred of them by Bari's estimation.
Your primary target is Dacey's contact:
Dacey gets her orders from a dwarf named Ullr, he is the one you have to find and he is probably in his quarters on the third floor of the central building. Bari will be going after him given he knows the location best and is the most skilled operator.
There are also a number of secondary targets the Pathfinders plan to hit.
Vandill, the captain of this team of Pathfinders, is going to hit the prison with half of his people. Hopefully they will find Trakk's family or other witnesses to the Eberhardts' subversive activities.
Ori intends to search the financial offices with two Pathfinders. Ideally they will find more proof of Eberhardt's dealings. They will also attempt to retrieve any financial information that might aid the king or the kingdom.
Finally you have been informed that two cloaked Pathfinders have slipped into the compound. They will set explosives in the barracks, the armoury and near the curtain wall as required. They should not be needed but if they are it will level those two buildings at least and should collapse part of the wall giving you another escape route.
The remaining Pathfinders will remain in the guardhouse to keep your exit secure.
Since you are on this mission in, more or less, an advisory capacity the Pathfinders are willing to let you choose which team you join.
1. There are two of you. Do you stay together or split up?
A) You and Thaïs stay together and join one team.
B) You and Thaïs split up and go with separate teams.
2. Which team do you join?
A) Bari - you will help capture this Ullr character.
B) Vandill - you will help search for Trakk's family
C) Ori - you will help search the financial offices.
D) Stay in the guardhouse with the last two Pathfinders.
3. If you split up which team will Thaïs go with?
A) Bari - she will help capture this Ullr character.
B) Vandill - she will help search for Trakk's family
C) Ori - she will help search the financial offices.
D) Stay in the guardhouse with the last two Pathfinders.