"Church," the Roegadyn provided, his deep voice maintaining an urbane, smooth gentility, as if they were two business acquaintances mouthing niceties prior to getting down to the haggling. Which, perhaps, they were. "Micah Church. A name as fictitious as your own, Oan, but in a place like this, it will serve as well as any other. I trust it suits the tongue more than Sea Wolf names conventionally do."
He leaned back in his chair, the wood freaking slightly with the shift in the great armored form's weight resting upon it. He turned his gaze thoughtfully back to the empty bloodsands, the blank rows of seats ringing the slice visible of the arena. "Yes, Rosewater was a nasty business, and dead now, I presume, either by your hand or someone else's. An instructive lesson, however, in what happens to poor players of the game you have joined."
His eyes returned to Gogonji, meeting the goggle-hidden state levelly. "Your act with the girl would be quite convincing if I hadn't found one of her financial cut outs, hiding more wealth than you ever will make in your lifetime. So if she doesn't need you for money - it's more likely you need her. And like the late Rosewater, I know enough to tell you both are capable. But this is no patter of mages run by a cocksure Ala Mhigan thug dressed up as a noble. This is the Great Game, where the blow that moves to decapitate you will not likely move against you directly, but against flank and rear."
He paused for a sip of the brown liquid over ice he has been enjoying. "Rosewater was convinced your little cherry blossom was an assassin known in the Knuckle as Diamond for the distinctive pattern on their mask. A Lalafell can't hide race, but Diamond conceals gender and age, as well as any other identifiable marks, in a full-body leather suit. Diamond does work for the Syndicate's henchmen primarily, and specializes in a discreet, natural-appearing death. At this point, Diamond's reputation is such that just the threat of sending someone like that after a business opponent tends to achieve the desired result.
"And if it's true that this person is your Annunu - it would connect nicely with your sudden interest in Ul'dahn politics and spycraft. Which means your little party stunt delivered the message I expect you intended - it announced your arrival on the scene as a player of the game."
He set his glass back down, smiling faintly. "And not all of the other players in the game are going to approach you in a friendly way, as I have. I seem to recall the instrument of Rosewater's downfall was Garlean entanglements. And they are even more fond of knives in the dark than the Syndicate."
He leaned back in his chair, the wood freaking slightly with the shift in the great armored form's weight resting upon it. He turned his gaze thoughtfully back to the empty bloodsands, the blank rows of seats ringing the slice visible of the arena. "Yes, Rosewater was a nasty business, and dead now, I presume, either by your hand or someone else's. An instructive lesson, however, in what happens to poor players of the game you have joined."
His eyes returned to Gogonji, meeting the goggle-hidden state levelly. "Your act with the girl would be quite convincing if I hadn't found one of her financial cut outs, hiding more wealth than you ever will make in your lifetime. So if she doesn't need you for money - it's more likely you need her. And like the late Rosewater, I know enough to tell you both are capable. But this is no patter of mages run by a cocksure Ala Mhigan thug dressed up as a noble. This is the Great Game, where the blow that moves to decapitate you will not likely move against you directly, but against flank and rear."
He paused for a sip of the brown liquid over ice he has been enjoying. "Rosewater was convinced your little cherry blossom was an assassin known in the Knuckle as Diamond for the distinctive pattern on their mask. A Lalafell can't hide race, but Diamond conceals gender and age, as well as any other identifiable marks, in a full-body leather suit. Diamond does work for the Syndicate's henchmen primarily, and specializes in a discreet, natural-appearing death. At this point, Diamond's reputation is such that just the threat of sending someone like that after a business opponent tends to achieve the desired result.
"And if it's true that this person is your Annunu - it would connect nicely with your sudden interest in Ul'dahn politics and spycraft. Which means your little party stunt delivered the message I expect you intended - it announced your arrival on the scene as a player of the game."
He set his glass back down, smiling faintly. "And not all of the other players in the game are going to approach you in a friendly way, as I have. I seem to recall the instrument of Rosewater's downfall was Garlean entanglements. And they are even more fond of knives in the dark than the Syndicate."
People have forgotten this truth. But you mustn't forget it. You become responsible forever for what you have tamed.
Howl's Wiki
Howl's Wiki
