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Valdaer slowly retreated his foot, which had been edging out to kick a stone piece that had chipped off. His face contorted into shock when he realized whom the shadow was. His feet carried him back as his mind raced, then is it possible that even he does not know?

When he asked for an excuse from Irrafay he felt a slight p***k. It was something he had felt before, but it had come up quite a lot lately. He glanced down at where the stone mess when laid. He could hear Irrafay reply of "Of course my Lord. And thank you for your generosity."

Why am I not addressed? Why can't I be in charge, I've done just as much? He knew the answer the reason why his ties here were not announced like Irrafay's were, but that didn't change his feelings. The chill of the room only seemed to solidify the feeling, but as Valdaer looked over his shoulder he saw the awe and admiration the people of their tavern gave her. It would be unwise to break this partnership. I need the roof and power she ties me to and maintains for me. For now.

Valdaer felt the swipes of cold before the ice of the voice hit him harder. He didn't glance back, if he did he was bound to give away his 'purpose'. As Val'atar words ended, Valdaer said quietly, "I understand my Lord. I merely am...tired and forgot my place. I am flattered that you would take the time to address my anger, but also assure you that it was merely temporary."

Valdaer leaned against the wall seek some sort of warmth, from the chill. Is this the cold that entered the veins when the sky fills with white on the surface.

Irrafay stood by the counter and felt the drop in temperature. The staff was busy causing drunken feed costumer and preparing to feed others. She glanced around seek the reason, the only possible reason. Her eyes simply registered that Valdaer was stand shoulders against the wall. She present a smile to him.

What by the abyss is he doing? And why would it require a visit from the Lord? ...We will have to talk about this. She thought and looked at Nym who had come through the door. "Please see that two goblets of the most fresh Orbb Jhinrae is brought up to my office."

With Nym nod, she walked through the door. Heavy in thought she considered the situation vague registering the greetings. My foolish brother will through doubt our way if he continues like this. I begin to wonder why I have him here and then I remember his skills and the Lords interest in those skills. And she put the personal plots aside to allow the buzz of plans to take over her mind as she sprinted up the stairs.

Valdaer listened in silence. Watching. As they're employees moved around washing away the fear with thick alcohol and awaking the fools loss tongues.

As the chill left, Valdaer didn't leave directly afterward. He's mind was occupied with the latest set of information and request that he had gotten off of Irrafay's desk. Pushing his shoulders off the wall and turned to the door, I have people to talk to and gather. Rival the enemy huh? Maybe my sister was right...fine, I guess I can stay a little longer.

Why is it that the Lord turns up just when I think...Never mind that. She thought startled into backing up. Her hands pressed themselves against her skirt attempting to calming her suddenly jumpy nerves.

And then she heard what he wanted and then what he threaten. Why you sly..."I understand my lord. I shall select a force worthy of you. And I will ensure the safety my current base. In truth my Lord, we have made such headway already." She kept her eyes downcast, but her voice firm. There were times to play the humble worm like woman, now was not that time. To reaffirm my loyalty and skill, humble must not be used to often.

Irrafay eyed her guest through the cover of her veil with some doubt. His arrival had been through back door, yet from his posture and facial feature it suggested that he planned to leave through the front a very happy messenger.

"So you see I can not possible continue to do business with you. Not only the events of earlier play on my mind, but also the stagnate waters of the Au Shinduago. In fact," his mouth twitched at the ends. "You might consider leave with my people. We're planning to move our operation to Ulorbbath. With you as the head we would be sure to succeed."

His hand had raise to indicated her, almost as if he was present her a crown. I am no one figure head! Instead of clasping his hands, she sat in the chair she had been standing behind. "Well your plan seems solid. Though..." She paused as he took a seat. "You must understand that I can not leave. Where you see a dead market, I see the opportunity to control. Control that I plan to have over much of the market. I invited you here, not to leave the city, but at the chance to own more of it."

She eyed him, tilting her head. Once he had begun to shift back and forth in his chair, she smirked and opened a draw in desk, pulling out a stack of papers. She shifted through them speaking causally, almost friendly with a touch of concern in certain places. "I'm sure that in the past few days, things have been getting rather tight. And thus in my understanding, my leaders decided to hid this from the ever growing hands of Druu'giir. I'm sure the Lord of the House would be most upset to find that you were planning to sell the newest set of jewel fragments from your mine to some not of his house. Even more so that you planned to sell not only the jewels, but also the large metal deposits to the Oussana. That would have put you on very bad terms with the Druu'giir, in fact I would think that they would attack you for it. And though your people are stationed in one of those abandon fortress I wouldn't suppose those mercenaries that you own would be enough to fight against the Lords forces."

The messenger looked more then unnerved. He looked like he had gone into shock, then fear slowly spread across his face. Irrafay simply portrayed the image of friendly understanding. "W..we..we... wait..Impossible...Not possible. I just..we...it was. Are you sure he knows of this? He could possible know of it? I just broke the deal-"

"5 cycles ago. I know. And I'm not aware that he knows. I would presume that if he knew you, the owner of the fifth largest farmland owning, largest mine owning, and third largest merchant fleet holding guild leader. Would mostly be a gray headless husk on the ground by now. However this can change since as a good citizen of the Lords city I would be obligate to turn in such information. And we know that the houses you dealt with won't back you, right?" Irrafay shuffled more papers around sorting through them as the merchant began to mutter and twitch.

"Wh..wa..what about a de..deal? Silence in return for a share of the profits? Or ma..may.be..." He hands attempt to grip each other only to have one slip out and then fumble to grasp the other.

"Ah, yes. That would put an end to all this. A deal." She flipped out a paper and slide it across her desk towards him. "The deal. You hand over the deeds, the real deeds please no copies, to me. In return my lady and lord will offer you protection from the Lords grasp. It quite simple. From there we will continue to talk, of course. Just to make sure everyone knows how things are going to run from now on."

The owner looked speechless, and then Irrafay waved the sheets of paper. His eyes tracked them back and forth, in till even he could clearly see that they were the contracts. He began to shudder with fear and then rage, but before he could move. Two of Irrafay's guards caught him. "I will request to my lord and lady to have a runner sent your way. I hope you understand that I don't with to due this too you, but my lord feels like this will be for the best."

The owner was dragged out, and Irrafay finally removed her veil. Taking a deep breath, she sunk back in her chair rubbing the bridge of her nose. That went better then I originally thought. I give him two days and then meet with the bugs peoples, She smiled standing and preparing to change out of the only noble type clothes she owned.
And then formal announce my new investment to my Lord, since he already knows, and then ask his new interesting assassin take out the trash.Slipping into the tavern outfit, cheap dying her hair, she pulled it up thinking. And then I'll have a firm ground, power, and an information circuit that spans the entire city. A perfect deal.

A wide smile spread across Negai's face. "Y'see m'lord, Th' Guildmaster... 'e 'as certain finacial intrests within yer compound, those interests have been siphoning a percentage of our profits into a private coffer since th' days 'o Reivan Quel'Aran. Master Ironclaw wants to know more abou' that particular coffer and th'one who taps it 'e does." a deep chuckle rose in the dwarf as he stood there paralyzed. "T'make it simple fer yeh, the guilds payin one 'o yer people and not even we know who or why yet... as fer the spy, we figured why not use yours since you already 'ad 'im lurkin about our hall." he added with a glint in his eye.