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 Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 9:45 pm
Mikaril found himself chuckling at Imordana's advice. "You'd be surprised how many houses display their cheap junk like prize slaves and hide their best pieces in broken pots or tombs full of dusty bones." It was a fairly common trick, especially among the lower houses, always more prone to thievery. And they wonder why they have such a hard time advancing, he thought with a touch of prideful arrogance. It wasn't very often that he felt proud of his House.
He nodded as Imordana related her plan. "Fifteen minutes is more than enough. If you take down the wards, it should take even less time, and should this guard of yours for some reason forsake the lure, I can hide or slip past him easily enough. Enamored drow can be like a rothe with its eyes.....put out." He winced visibly as the words tumbled out, not really thinking about who it was he was saying them to.
Hoping Imordana had overlooked it or considered it too small a thing to be insulted over, he looked deliberately at the scrying bowl and the still water within. "Tonight's just fine with me, but are we going to wait until this Dra' of yours contacts you and gives you the information you seek?" He figured that whatever information the drow had to offer, it would be relevant to their night's work. After all, if the matron was indeed dying, surely the surviving offspring and some of the more important servants would be there to bear witness, and no doubt fight over the newly opened position.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 2:44 pm
Imordana found herself drawn to staring at Mikaril's face as he spoke to her. He wasn't a bad looking fellow, though the fact that he hid his head and ears with the hood, made her wonder exactly what there was to hide. She wasn't really paying too much mind to his words, until the words "Enamored drow can be like a rothe with it's eyes...put out." slapped her back into alertness. She saw him wince, as though he were expecting her to hit him. Her eyebrows narrowed and she straightened up in her seat, fully indignant with his thoughtless words. She didn't say anything but let him continue speaking.
When he was done, she just sat there without a word. For several moments they sat in uneasy silence, until she finally spoke.
"Take care with your words Mik, a mad female is likely to take organs or appendages from males who offend them. You may want to remember that for future reference. As to Dra's information, its more along the lines of my needing to know than yours. All you need to be concerned about is doing the job and nothing else."
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 4:20 pm
When he noticed that instead of being answered, the female kept silent, Mikaril half-guessed that his careless slip had not gone unnoticed after all, and he expected a blow, if not physical then magical. Surprised at being merely chided, he accepted it stoically, knowing that Imordana was right. Inwardly, he cursed himself for such a slip; he had been feeling more and more at ease with Imordana, and he was certain that was partly to blame. He needed to remind himself that partnership does not equal friendship, and everything else aside, Imordana was still a female; temperamental and easily angered. He even accepted her calling him a shortened version of his name, which he hated with every fiber of his being.
He sighed and nodded once. "I admit I was free with my words, and I apologize. However, I hope you do not think me nosy asking about your information. When you do what I do, any sort of information helps. I confess I know nothing of the information's type; I had assumed it was pertaining to the job, hence my asking. If you say it doesn't have anything to do with the job, then I believe you, and I will not pry further."
He realized as he finished what had happened. He had lapsed into a sort of defense mode; polite and carefuly selective of his words. He only did that when his mother was addressing him, and seldom outside his own house. Then again, he made it a point to avoid those who intimidated him so.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 4:46 pm
Imordana relaxed a little after he had apologized, relieved that it had been merely a slip not an intentional insult. Those she did not usually let go without striking back in some way. However, she was getting a bit restless with all the talking and inquisitive eyes of the male in front of her. It was about time to finalize the plans and get Mikaril out of her secret cave. He had long overstayed his welcome, she had spells she had to ready for his job and didn't really like to have people watching her work. Especially since most onlookers wouldn't understand her techniques of accomplishing them.
"I suppose most thieves are just curious by nature, so that's fine. I can also understand your need to know everything that may be involved in a job. The information Dra' will be relaying is more for what ingredients or magical means I will need to procure in order to heal the matron or negate the bonding spell. It's that simple. Whether or not he sends the information today doesn't matter, just as long as I have the money to get what I need when he does send it. I'm thinking one of the late hours when there is no one about the House or outside in the streets would be the best for the job. My room is on the northeast wing, it's the only part of the house where the wards are weak...I'll keep an eye out for you and lower them even further to prevent you tripping the alarms. The Treasury Room won't be hard to spot, its down the hallway, on the south end of the House, the second to last double set of doors on the right. Is there anything else you need to know for the job?"
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 5:29 pm
Unintentionally thinking along the same lines as Imordana, Mikaril was just as eager to be out of the cave as Imordana was to get him out. He was still inwardly shaken at his verbal lapse, and he did not think he could ignore the biting twinges of Haellara's tracking spell much longer, not even with the most potent of drugged beverages; or even a blow to the head.
Quelling the urge to scratch himself (because he knew it wouldn't help and would just make him look like he had fleas), he got to his feet rather quickly and nodded his understanding. "House Fi'reth 'ul, Northeast wing, Treasury down the hallway, South end, second to last double doors on the right." He could mentally picture the route, with some details deliberately left out due to lack of information. He didn't need to know any decorations in the rooms or hallways, or even what was in Imordana's room. He cut that thought short immedately, in case she, like his sister, enjoyed snatching thoughts out of thin air.
He turned to leave, sorting his thoughts, and paused just long enough to add, "That will suffice. Just mark your window." Then he walked quickly out of the cave, breaking into a run when he felt that he was far enough from the cave. He didn't stop until he had reached the outskirts. When he felt himself surrounded by buildings once more, he found a quiet unoccupied alley (once he had shoved a drunken goblin out of it), and leaned against a wall, panting and waiting for the pins-and-needles feeling to subside.
He felt mixed, which he realized with a weak chuckle that that pretty much was his usual feelings all of the time. He was excited about the upcoming job, but dreading it also; trusting a female drow with no eyes to help him rob a House ruled by a mad Matron, and part of his cut being a pair of eyeballs. He wondered if his mother would believe this story later. There was always the paper-thin hope that she would spare him from his sister for 'spicing up a dull story.' He blew his bangs out of his eyes in frustration. Why couldn't he have found something easier to rob? Like a goblin horde?
Well, nothing for it now. He stretched and flexed his arms and legs, smiling as he noted the absence of the stings and twinges. He pulled his cloak close and swept along the alley and out into the marketplace. Time to find some sacks.
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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 7:03 pm
Imordana was quite relieved when Mikaril suddenly stood to his feet, and nodded his head, understanding and picking up on her wanting him to finish the proceedings. He repeated "House Fi'reth 'ul, Northeast wing, Treasury down the hallway, South end, Second to last double doors on the right." as if to get it stuck in his memory so that he wouldn't forget.
She caught a snippet of a thought from him about decorations and items that might be in her room, but then it was cut off. Her face scrunched up, wanting to ask him why he had even thought about her quarters when he abruptly turned to go, only pausing long enough to say, "That will suffice. Just mark your window." And then he was gone from the cave.
Imordana frowned after him, wondering how she might be able to mark the window without it being visible to anyone else outside the House. She waved the thought away resolving to just stay up until the hour he showed up and then to wave a candle in the window. Then the rest of the job would be left up to him.
She gathered up the mugs and the kettle, carrying them over to wash them out with the stash of water she had in the cave. After they were washed, dried and hung up on one of the jutting ledges in the cave, she walked over to the scrying bowl and looked down at it. The water was still, clear and without any signs of Dra'. She suddenly remembered she had forgotten to complete setting up the boundaries of the scrying bowl and cursed under her breath.
She pulled out several hairs that she had collected from Dra' and let them fall into the bowl and started chanting under her breath. The water became mirror like, momentarily showing her a reflection of herself and then the mirror surface clouded over and saw Dra's profile from the side. He appeared to be looking over several books, apparently looking the information that she needed to know. Then he turned and was staring back at her. Imordana grinned, and spoke.
"So, do you have news for me Dra'?"
Dra' stared at her for a moment, not saying anything, his face a mask of emotions though his eyes showed something akin to despair.
"Dra'?" She asked again, a little more sharply, "what is it? Something bad?"
Dra'nafiel gulped, laid down the book he had been holding and then replied speaking haltingly. "It's not good, 'Dana. Your Matron's disease can't be cured. From what you've said about her symptoms she won't last much longer. She may have a week at the most."
Imordana swore, feeling her anger rise.
"And what about the bond spell? Is there a way to counter it in time?"
Dra' looked even sicker at this question, and turned and rubbed his forehead. Imordana felt her anger rise even more and wished she could reach through the bowl, grab Dra' by the throat and shake him around a bit so that he would stop stalling and tell her what he knew. Instead she picked up the nearest dish and threw it across the cave where it hit the wall and shattered into pieces.
"Well? Are you going to tell me or not?" She demanded.
"There's a way to counter it, only it takes about a week to prepare the spell properly. So even if you were able to locate all the supplies for it, there would still be the possibility that your Matron and you would die before you could complete it." Dra' replied, looking almost forlorn as he spoke.
"Suck it up Dra' act like a mage!" Imordana shot at him, gripping the sides of the bowl so tightly with her hands that it almost cute into the palms of her hands.
"Now tell me what the ingredients are for the counter spell." She added, letting go of the bowl and pulling some parchment and a quill out to write on.
Dra' told her as he regained his composure and hide the fact that she had hurt his feelings when she had gotten mad at him. Imordana scribbled the ingredients down, and then looked them over carefully before asking.
"And the instructions of what I'll need to do with them?"
Dra sighed, and told her, speaking slowly so she had enough time to write them down. Once she was down, she folded the parchment twice, and stuck it in a leather case which she attached to her belt.
"Thank you Dra'. If you'd rather not wait for your favor, seeing as I may not be alive longer than a week, we can meet tomorrow if you'd like." She offered, feeling slightly overwhelmed by what he had told her.
If she was going to die within a week, she would like to spend it doing something enjoyable at least. And spending a day or two with Dra' would be a good thing for her.
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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 7:42 pm
((Bummer. DX
Fast-forwarding to the crucial hour; hope you don't mind. ^^))
Mikaril crouched down in the darkness, in a patch of shadows across from House Fi'reth'ul. He absently ran his fingers over one of the two thick sacks he had found. They were stiff, but good for holding heavy items (like coins) and being quiet about it. Checking to make sure no one was glancing his way, he silently dashed to another shadow, on his way to the House's Northwest side.
He had been able to prepare himself accordingly, though he still wished he had his armor, if for just one bit of peace of mind. He still hated the thought of robbing a maniacal matron; insanity could be one Hell of a weapon in the Underdark, and not one easily obtained by everyone. Still, the gain was promising.
He reached the Northwest side and proceeded to look around. It looked like there might have been a fence reinforced with magic, but now it seemed like just a useless flimsy barrier. He easily cleared it and landed noiselessly, keeping low to the ground until he found himself up against the wall of the structure. He looked up at the windows dotting the wall like skull's eyes, waiting for a distinct mark that would set one apart from the rest.
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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 7:57 pm
(((that is fine! Thanks. I thought we would never get to this point)))
Imordana stifled a yawn, sitting at her perch by her window peering out on the grounds surrounding the House. She had been able to bribe the servant girl to seduce her brother, which would be in several moments. She hoped that Mikaril was on time, it would suck if things didn't go as planned and he got caught or her brother was quicker than she thought.
She was glad that she had remembered to overfeed the ancient gargoyle that guarded the House, otherwise he might have become a problem for Mikaril. The gargoyle had been sleeping for the past two hours and had shown no signs of waking up anytime soon. Imordana had created an illusion of the monster gargoyle to keep any other intruders out of the House, she wasn't about to let the House fall to other enterprising individuals on a night like this. If what she was doing was discovered, she wouldn't live out the day, let alone the week.
Bitting her bottom lip, she glance out once more and caught sight of someone launching themselves over the worn down fence that surrounded the House. She immediately reached for her lit candle and held it aloft in the window between the slightly parted curtains. As she did this she started lowering the weak wards around her window slowly so that it wouldn't be noticed.
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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 8:32 pm
((Heh; me too XD))
Mikaril spotted the harsh light of the candle and winced. He had expected a signal, but not something so blunt as a candle. To sensitive drow eyes, it might as well have been a miniature sun. He hoped that candles in the windows were a common enough thing in this House that no one on the grounds would think it out of the ordinary. He didn't worry about anyone on the streets; they didn't care enough.
He reached up and carefully felt around for handholds. Finding a few, he began to scale the wall, choosing his way carefully. He was glad the window he was looking for wasn't the highest one; one of these days he HAD to commandeer himself a good strong rope.
He reached the window and quietly slipped inside, sparing a quick glance out the window to make sure there was no one out in the compound that had watched his climb. He was glad that no alarms sounded or spells activated; Imordana must have already lowered them. He smiled at the shadowy form of Imordana before putting a finger to his lips and continuing past her and out into the corridor.
He slipped along the corridor like a shadow, careful to step toe-to-heel and make certain his cloak didn't snag on anything. He didn't pay any attention to decorations, but he counted the doors and paused ever so often to listen for the echo of any footsteps. By the time he spotted the doors to the treasury, he had encountered no one. So far so good.
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:47 pm
(((Rain...tell me if I'm doing this wrong. I get mixed up a bit when I'm telling it from her Point of view.)))
Imordana watched the lithe drow scale the side of the House, and marveled. He was climbing the side of the House without any type of rope or enchantments, proving he was stronger than he appeared to be. Impressive to say the least. He quickly made his way up to her open window and slipped quietly inside. He shot her a smile and then disappeared out her door and towards his target.
She had already put out the candle flame and waited a few moments for him to get down the hall before she left her room and followed after him. She wanted to make sure that Gir' branur had been distracted, if not, she'd have make sure the thief got around him. She didn't want anything happening to the thief, especially since he was from one of the top House's of Undrek' Thoz. It would cost a retaliation from Mikaril's House and House Fi'reth 'ul could not afford that with d'Maorda so sickly.
She smiled widely when she heard the unmistakable sounds of Gir'branur and the servant girl engaged in her quarters. Luckily, the servant in question had her small quarters a few doors down from where the Treasury was. Which was probably one of the reasons why Gir'branur had been drawn to her, having seen her so often and not being able to ignore her after hours, days and months of trying her passing him in the hallways.
She checked the weakened wards around the Treasury to make sure that they were low enough that Mikaril's entry would go unnoticed. They were at the right level, which was a relief to Imordana. Usually the Matron's personal servant, a somewhat magical minded individual would go about the House checking the wards to make sure they hadn't been tampered with. She retreated from the hallway, turning to go down the hall where the Matron's quarters were, and to keep on eye on the said servant. She didn't want him to go wandering around the House and discover the weakened wards and raise the alarm.
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Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:04 am
((Looks okay to me. ^^))
Mikaril would have smiled had he known the impression his scaling the wall had made on Imordana. He hadn't really given it much thought, but wearing armor constantly and bearing so much weight had a tendency to strengthen ones self. But then again, it was best he didn't dwell on such things; notice of any kind with females was something that made him nervous, and nervousness was the last thing he needed when he was in the middle of a job.
He could hear Imordana following him and felt a mixture of comfort and suspicion. On the one hand, it was good to have her at her back should any part of the plan go awry or something unforseeable showed itself. Then again, if they should run into someone, like a higher-ranking noble, it would be easy for her to entrap him and insist that she had been on HIS trail. He would have then been at their mercy, with no guarantee that Matron Dilayne would go to any trouble to rescue him. Females and their unpredictability.
As soon as he spotted the Treasury, he carefully put a hand on the handle and turned it, trusting in Imordana's presence that the wards would be down. Sure enough, nothing happened, and he carefully closed the door behind him, knowing that it would look a lot better if it were to remain closed, and he figured Imordana would prefer to remain outside; better to look like it was an inside job. Even if by some unbelievable magic they were able to detect that she had been outside the treasure room, she could easily say she hadn't know it was being robbed.
His eyes took in the surrouding wealth, impressive and rather intimidating. He pulled out a satchel and began the task of shoving coins in without making any unnecessary racket.
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Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 2:43 pm
Imordana paused outside the Matron's quarters and looked around for a good spot to hide out of sight, should the servant emerge from the room. The first thing that caught her eye were the elegant stiff curtains that framed the large picture window that overlooked the armory entrance of the House. She frowned, staring out at the branch of the House that the Matron had added on for the House's Armory and training facilities. The lights were on, which meant that the eldest was most likely training and honing his skills.
Ad'hemar tended to train at all hours of the night into the wee hours of the morning. Usually he stayed there and didn't emerge until everyone else was just getting up for the beginning of a day. And then he'd drill the few soldiers that still served the House. He was a powerhouse, and didn't seem to ever sleep, much to the disappointment of Gir'branur.
Imordana admired his tenacity and zeal, but knew it was smart to keep him at an arm's length. at one time, the two of them had worked together and consulted with each other, but since the failed test with the seers bowl, he avoided her like a plague. Imordana didn't really mind, if he had any idea what she was planning he would have done anything to stop her. His alliance with the Matron was almost, unnatural. As though there had been something more going on between d'Maorda and Ad'hemar.
Imordana slipped behind the curtains, and kept watch over the Matron's door and every now and then would cast a glance over at the armory, just to make sure Ad'hemar wasn't going to break habit. It would be just her luck if he chose to change his schedule this night of all nights and threaten to ruin her chance at getting out of under the Matron.
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Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 3:39 pm
Mikaril finished with the first satchel and carefully set it aside. It was a bit heavier than he had figured, but if Imordana chose to follow him and guard his way out, he shouldn't have much of a problem. He actually took less time that he had figured to fill the first satchel, and that set him ahead with filling teh second one.
When they were both full to the brim, he set then aside within easy reach if he had to grab them and dash, and he proceeded to take a closer look around the treasure room. He passed the cheaper materials standing on pedestals and flanked by silk and velvet, and eyed several dustier displays and a few boxes decorated simply or not at all. He picked up a plain wooden box about the size of a book and opened it. His eyes widened and he quickly closed the lid with a tiny pop. He tried to pretend he hadn't seen what he had; a pair of eyes soaking in some kind of gel-like substance that gave off a potent smell of medicine. He looked about him at the other boxes, and quickly made his decision.
Moments later, he reemerged from the treasure room with the two satchels, one with a noticable box-like bulge on it's side. He looked about for Imordana, knowing better than to cry out for her or even whisper.
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Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 6:45 pm
After fifteen minutes had passed and there was no movement or sounds coming from the Matron's quarters, Imordana emerged from behind the curtain, and quietly made her way down the hallway back towards the Treasure Room. She was about halfway there when she heard a door behind her squeak open and footsteps coming down the hallway. Imordana cursed under her breath and broke into a fast walk, making sure to keep her footsteps silent. Just as she neared the Treasure Room's doors, the doors opened and Mikaril stepped out looking around.
Imordana gestured for him to run to get into her quarters madly and then set to raising the wards back up on the Treasure Room. She felt her heart jump sporadically around in her chest as the footsteps came closer and closer. She worked frantically to raise the wards before the servant came upon her.
Then much to her horror, the door to the servant girl's quarters creaked on it's hinges. Gir'bran'ur! Inwardly she swore, as she curled up against the side of an immense bookshelf, trying to keep out of sight and raise the wards without anyone catching sight of her. She felt as though her heart was going to explode from fear when the wards finally reached the level they had been at, and the servant and Gir' bran'ur stepped into the hall. She froze against the side of the bookshelf, praying for Lloth to hide her from their sight.
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Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:59 pm
The first thing Mikaril saw as he emerged with the two heavy sacks was Imordana gesturing wildly for him to continue down the corridor and back to where they had come. Not taking time to question, he hitched up the bags, which gave off just the tiniest chinks, and broke into a fast trot down the hallway.
And not a moment too soon! He heard a door opening behind him and the sound of footsteps echoing down the corridor. He assumed it was the supposedly preoccupied watch, and he swore under his breath. If Imordana was caught, he might still be in the clear, but it would leave his partner in crime at the mercy of her house and her mad mother.
He reached Imordana's chambers and closed the door in a flurry, setting the bags down and waiting for his breath to return. He was rather grateful of the absence of his armor; any more weight, no matter how slight, and he wouldn't have been sure of his escape. But what to do now? Get away of course, he thought at once. She knew the risk, and besides, she turned you to stone, or have you forgotten? And she never even apologized for that.
Apologize? Another voice chimed in. Waiting for a female to apologize is like waiting for the rocks to turn purple. You shouldn't expect such things. But you have what you want! the voice insisted. Do you? A small, yet oddly familiar voice spoke gently. One of the greatest weapons a thief can have is a goodly supply of informants and favor-holders. An imagined wink, and the voices went quiet.
Certain that this was one of his worst ideas ever, he scanned the room until he found a large silken scarf with a rather modest design. Turning it inside out, so that the design would be covered and making the cloth unrecognizable, he scooped two handfuls of coins out of his sack and placed them in the scarf's center, grabbing the ends and making a smaller, if impractical, thieve's sack.
He carefully eased the door open and creeped out into the hallway, slowly and meticulously making his way back to the corridor where he had left Imordana. If she was caught, he hoped his ruse would work. He figured he stood a fair chance; Imordana had seemed to describe the guard as a rather brainless sort.
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