A Bright Day in Marn!

Shadowsong · Post by **Shadowsong** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 10:20 pm

Questioning made him nervous. It was a good thing he didn't hear "suspect of espionage."

'Thank you. Come with us.' Krevster stated, leading them towards the nearby guardhouse.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 11:06 pm

Sebek followed obediently, wondering what would happen next.

Gargash Grassthrower · Post by **Gargash Grassthrower** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 12:02 am

His bonuses had been recieved, and, as far as he was concerned, his job here was done. That the officer wanted him present during the questioning was unusual, but he was always willing to do something extra in effort towards rank promotion. It all seemed overboard, but this officer was obviously very thorough in his work. He brought up the rear, behind the kid, and followed them both into the dimly-lit, stone-walled interior of the guardhouse.

Shadowsong · Post by **Shadowsong** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:01 pm

'Have a seat.'

He then pointed at two men in the guardhouse, snapped his fingers...a difficult feat in gauntlets and said 'To the gate.'

Krevster removed his gauntlets and set down his shield before leafing through the holy book. It seemed in order, Krevster knowing more about religion than expected. 'So where do you come from, Sebek?'

A full report would be expected. Needed even, if they were to recieve the full reward for their duties.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 3:56 am

This brought an interesting question to mind. Sebek was not used to answering such questions, as such questions were needless when you never left your home and never met anybody new. And how was he to respond, when where he came from had been kept a secret from the outside world for centuries? Still, he tried as best he could. "I live in the Northern Mountains, in a monastery with my brethren."

Shadowsong · Post by **Shadowsong** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 6:11 pm

A monk. Fair enough. Krevster knew about religion, but not monks.

'A warrior-monk sect?' Krevster asked, 'You clearly know how to fight.' A part of Krevster wondered how well, but it made no difference to his life. It seemed like the monk would be of no use to him.

'What I would like to know is the name of your order, your code, your purpose and most significantly, your allegiences. Any mention as to your business in Marn would be welcome as well.'

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:11 pm

"I am sent from tan Order which has no name, ane we worship the God with no image. I am merely an acolyte now," he says, hanging his head a little, but only slightly. "When I return, then they will call me brother, but for now I can do little amongst the Order. We do not consider ourselves warriors, though we believe that training the mind and body is important.
"I am here merely to learn about what has happened to the world since we secluded ourselves in the monastery. If possible, I am to find a worthy young boy to bring to the monastery. With his parent's permission, of course. Upon my return, the monks of the Order will compare my journal with the ancient journals we have kept for centuries. Then they will decide whether they wish to return to the world their ancestors had left so long ago.
"I have no allegiences, other than to the poor and needy. And the brothers from my monastery, of course."

Gargash Grassthrower · Post by **Gargash Grassthrower** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:37 pm

Gargash dragged a heavy chair from a side office, along with the proper Foreign Spy Suspect Registration form, a pre-printed parchment with several categories to fill out. With a crudely-grasped, heavily-inked quill, he scratched out careful, slow letters, filling out the necessary spaces: "Name: SEBEK, Place of Origin: UN-NAMED CULT FROM NORTH, Violation: WRITING NOTES IN MILITARY AREA, Motivation: WRITING JOURNAL, Purpose of visit: RECRUIT CHILDREN FOR CULT Conclusion: _"

The last space was left blank, and he concentrated hard on it, holding the quill like a dagger, and waited for the Captain to speak.

Shadowsong · Post by **Shadowsong** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 8:18 pm

Disappointingly enough, everything said seemed to have been in order. It seemed that way from the start, but spies in general tend to appear in order - it was part of the job description.

A solution was already in mind. The monk could report back every day to the guardhouse while he was in Marn and show the notes in his journal. Arranging for the task to be handled by Gargash would be a good way of giving the junior guardsman some extra pay and opportunity for promotion. Maybe giving opportunities such as this would help Krevster win the half-troll's loyalty.

'Standard procedure in these circumstances, well, isn't pleasant. Depending on the duration of your stay in Marn, we can organise a kinder means of observation. Where would you be planning to stay while you conduct your research?'

It took saying that for Krevster to remember just how unpleasant standard procedures were. Not something he would want to inflict unnessecarily.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 11:45 pm

A blank looked crossed Sebek's face and he looked at the officer quizzically. "Where am I going to stay?" He hadn't thought about that at all. Of course it was a consideration, he needed to sleep somewhere, but the thought hadn't crossed his mind. "I...I...I don't know. I guess I'll need to find some place..."

Shadowsong · Post by **Shadowsong** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 12:39 am

With that, a deep, rich laughter erupted from Krevster. This was another point for Sebek's story; a spy would not be so naive to the ways of the world.

There was something strange in Krevster's personality. He was such a man to be vicious and cruel in achieving his goals, but he could act with kindness where his goals were not threatened. 'There is also the consideration of work. I would guess you have made no plans to finance your little expidition.' Then the random moment of kindness kicked in, 'It would be possible to let you stay in a free cell for the night, under the grounds of observation, but after that you would not be able to stay without us arresting you. A result you would prefer to avoid. By tomorrow you will need to have found work and shelter. That is all I can offer. Do you understand?'

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 2:44 am

Sebek was extremely embarrassed. "um...uh...yes...I understand, sir. Do you have any ideas for work for one such as myself?"

Shadowsong · Post by **Shadowsong** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 5:36 pm

Confusion was a rare occurance for Krevster. In fact, monumental occasion really. Some would suggest that such an instance be framed for it would not come again. His gaze slid away from Sebek as he finished his thoughts, organised them into words, and answered with the same measured, even tone as always...except when yelling.

'Decide what skills you have to offer. At this moment all I can think of is as a scribe or a labourer. Either would delay your work substansially.' A pause took place, and Krevster was firmly convinced that he was finished for all of half a second, until his calculating mind considered an opportunity open to be used. 'You could of course use work as a scribe to assist in your research, just be very convincing. And you will have to register what occurs with here.'

The following moment of silence reminded Krevster that Gargash in the corner had yet to say a word. This would not bode well for any attempts to assist the half-troll's advancement. 'Gargash, I will need your opinions on the matter as well.' He gave time to allow the creature his thoughts, and watched Sebek for a reply.'

Gargash Grassthrower · Post by **Gargash Grassthrower** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 6:01 pm

Gargash was carefully finishing the last entry of the report: "Conclusion: TO BE KEPT IN CELL OVERNIGHT & MONITORED AFTER." He folded the parchment into thirds and nodded, "I 'eard," he began, "dat the Mayor is lookin' fer workers to empty all the old cess pools in the Industrial District. 10 bishan a day."

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 7:29 pm

Sebek sighs. It sounded like a messy job; and not the pleasant kind of messy, either. "Well...I guess...I guess I'll check it out." With that he looks at Gargash and smiles, playfully yet with extreme mischief. "I guess since you'll be keeping watch over me, you can help too?"