“Doctor, will you pardon my intrusion?â€Â Jin’li said politely as he entered a large room, full of dripping beakers, barrels, and boxes. The “Doctor†turned and fixed the small figure with his golden eyes, noting that the muscles in Jin’li’s neck were thicker.
Â
“Jin’li, it is never an intrusion.â€Â The “Doctor†bowed. “How may help you?â€
Â
“Master Adin wishes to know how much Blue Blood Strand One you have and how quickly your could make some more needle explosives.â€Â Jin’li said flatly, his eyes emotionless as they looked around the room.’
Â
The “Doctor†grunted in surprise at the request.Â
Â
“Well, we have plenty and could have more than forty such devices ready in a few days,â€Â the “Doctorâ€answered honestly. “But I thought the explosives were meant for later in the operation.â€
Â
“The masters have made a change of plans, my good Doctor.They apologize if this inconveniences you.â€Â  Jin’li replied, fixing his soulless, black eyes on the “Doctor†and his golden eyes. Eyes that belonged to Askier. “Askier is currently missing and the city is full with rumors as to where he has gone. My masters deem this to be the perfect time for you to shed that mask you wear, reveal your fantasied face, and set off a few explosives to sow panic and confusion.â€
Â
The “Doctor†was silent for a long time, his lips pressed firmly into a thin line behind his mask.Â
This was an unpleasant update, and would impact his research.
Â
“How many explosives?†the “Doctor†chimed back at last.Â
Â
“Just one or two.â€Â Jin’li answered and the “Doctor†relaxed. “The main point is that someone sees the face you honored my masters by volunteering to wear instead of your own.  We will let the rumor mongers do the rest.â€
Â
“Shall I set this off as soon as it is ready?†the “Doctor†inquired.
Â
“My masters would be most pleased if you did.â€Â Jin’li bowed, his face a blank mask.
***
Askier awoke in pain as his eyes jerked open, their golden hues glinting in the dim light that filtered through the small gap around the door to the room he found himself in.Â
Askier gasped as the ribs in his left side popped as he tried to move, at least a few badly bruised. Askier started to panic. He went to heft himself up with his left arm... and then feel back, screaming as his bruised ribs struck the wooded floor. He had no left arm! Askier's right hand frantically clutched for his left arm, his mind not realizing why he could not feel anything till his hand seized his shoulder and the stump there. Askier's golden eyes went wide as everything came back to him in a rush of memory.
The kidnapping. Meeting Natalie Mcbeef, agreeing to help her to earn Roen a pardon for her being Garlean just like him. Hiring Saravena, then hiring Crim, the mistake, Roen running into Askier and Crim, their improvised kidnapping, Askier hitting Roen over the head with a shovel, Crim tying her up. Things seemed okay. Their flight to Coerthas, the hut. Askier getting books and food and whiskey to make it easy on Roen. Crim snapping, torturing the poor woman, Askier uncomfortable, looking away but not stopping Crim. Askier heading to Ul'dah via the crystal in Dragonhead to try to find Nat, failing, using the crystal to teleport back before dawn. The time Askier had tried to make peace with Roen, set things right, help her brother, Crim snapping, hurting Roen, Askier snapping, throwing the bottle at Crim's face. The Roe and miqo'te snarling, former friends now enemies. Askier leaping out the window, Crim stepping out front door, holding Roen with a sword to her throat swearing to kill her if Askier didn't surrender. Askier throwing one linkpearl from his one ear, sending Drumstick as a message south. Askier pulling the pin on his grenade, blowing off his arm, a distraction to keep Crim having to hurry, from thinking properly, from noticing Askier's deception.
"Linkpearl..." Askier moaned, his voice pained as he slid slightly, the smell of salt filling his nostrils as the room listed with the sounds of the waves. "A boat." Askier grunted, recognizing the sensation, the smell.
"A boat just like Crim wanted. Burn in the hells, Crim." Askier cursed as he tried to move his one good arm, but a wave of exhaustion rolled over him and he slipped back into sleep.
Â
“Jin’li, it is never an intrusion.â€Â The “Doctor†bowed. “How may help you?â€
Â
“Master Adin wishes to know how much Blue Blood Strand One you have and how quickly your could make some more needle explosives.â€Â Jin’li said flatly, his eyes emotionless as they looked around the room.’
Â
The “Doctor†grunted in surprise at the request.Â
Â
“Well, we have plenty and could have more than forty such devices ready in a few days,â€Â the “Doctorâ€answered honestly. “But I thought the explosives were meant for later in the operation.â€
Â
“The masters have made a change of plans, my good Doctor.They apologize if this inconveniences you.â€Â  Jin’li replied, fixing his soulless, black eyes on the “Doctor†and his golden eyes. Eyes that belonged to Askier. “Askier is currently missing and the city is full with rumors as to where he has gone. My masters deem this to be the perfect time for you to shed that mask you wear, reveal your fantasied face, and set off a few explosives to sow panic and confusion.â€
Â
The “Doctor†was silent for a long time, his lips pressed firmly into a thin line behind his mask.Â
This was an unpleasant update, and would impact his research.
Â
“How many explosives?†the “Doctor†chimed back at last.Â
Â
“Just one or two.â€Â Jin’li answered and the “Doctor†relaxed. “The main point is that someone sees the face you honored my masters by volunteering to wear instead of your own.  We will let the rumor mongers do the rest.â€
Â
“Shall I set this off as soon as it is ready?†the “Doctor†inquired.
Â
“My masters would be most pleased if you did.â€Â Jin’li bowed, his face a blank mask.
***
Askier awoke in pain as his eyes jerked open, their golden hues glinting in the dim light that filtered through the small gap around the door to the room he found himself in.Â
Askier gasped as the ribs in his left side popped as he tried to move, at least a few badly bruised. Askier started to panic. He went to heft himself up with his left arm... and then feel back, screaming as his bruised ribs struck the wooded floor. He had no left arm! Askier's right hand frantically clutched for his left arm, his mind not realizing why he could not feel anything till his hand seized his shoulder and the stump there. Askier's golden eyes went wide as everything came back to him in a rush of memory.
The kidnapping. Meeting Natalie Mcbeef, agreeing to help her to earn Roen a pardon for her being Garlean just like him. Hiring Saravena, then hiring Crim, the mistake, Roen running into Askier and Crim, their improvised kidnapping, Askier hitting Roen over the head with a shovel, Crim tying her up. Things seemed okay. Their flight to Coerthas, the hut. Askier getting books and food and whiskey to make it easy on Roen. Crim snapping, torturing the poor woman, Askier uncomfortable, looking away but not stopping Crim. Askier heading to Ul'dah via the crystal in Dragonhead to try to find Nat, failing, using the crystal to teleport back before dawn. The time Askier had tried to make peace with Roen, set things right, help her brother, Crim snapping, hurting Roen, Askier snapping, throwing the bottle at Crim's face. The Roe and miqo'te snarling, former friends now enemies. Askier leaping out the window, Crim stepping out front door, holding Roen with a sword to her throat swearing to kill her if Askier didn't surrender. Askier throwing one linkpearl from his one ear, sending Drumstick as a message south. Askier pulling the pin on his grenade, blowing off his arm, a distraction to keep Crim having to hurry, from thinking properly, from noticing Askier's deception.
"Linkpearl..." Askier moaned, his voice pained as he slid slightly, the smell of salt filling his nostrils as the room listed with the sounds of the waves. "A boat." Askier grunted, recognizing the sensation, the smell.
"A boat just like Crim wanted. Burn in the hells, Crim." Askier cursed as he tried to move his one good arm, but a wave of exhaustion rolled over him and he slipped back into sleep.
