Chapter 9: Saresae
written by Gryazi, souloe, and RichterGotz, edited by Masato22
"Luthor Von Huss..."
The man was bigger than she expected. He must move quickly, but his apperance bore no such promises. She disentangled herself from Freegor to get a closer look. Her eyes perked in observation, dialating to large black sapphires. Saresae slinked her bosy up to the
"You are spoken very much of in the streets. A name spoken in beautiful tones, whether anger of admiration. I would like to know more of your person. Say, some services of mine for some stories of yours?" she murmured, closer to his face than a human would be comfortable.
Some of the baubles in her hair chimed as Saresae tilted her head. Freegor looked disticntly uncomfortable. From both her sudden inattentiveness toward himm, and her slithering body language. With but a few more seconds of her eyes drinking his visage, she returned back to her place. Saresae grew most hungry when something was veiled.
"You are spoken very much of in the streets. A name spoken in beautiful tones, whether anger of admiration. I would like to know more of your person. Say, some services of mine for some stories of yours?"
He backed his face away instinctively as the lithe woman approached him. He had never been comfortable around women, not since he was slashed by the female elf when he killed her father. As her nose came just past the tactful border towards his own; he passively realized that his hand was clutching Kneecaps' cleaver rather tightly. He did his best to lower his gaze and make it perfectly clear he was not interested in her wiles. It was quite difficult though, there was no mistaking that this woman, Saresae, was an expert at her trade. Tyr demanded no vow of chastity from his subjects, but Luthor prided himself in his own. He had devoted his life to the destruction of the Seelie, and he needed no distractions. All he could do was hope she did not take offense, or spread rumors that he was a eunuch. He had been forced to deal with such misunderstandings before, and did not feel like having to again.
He breathed a quiet sigh of relief as her inquisitorial eyes broke their stare, and she returned to Freegor's side.
"Unfortunately, I don't really have any stories worth telling." He replied, as she re-ingratiated herself with the Mortalis captain.
At least now he knew for certain the woman was a foreigner, and not simply a costumed prostitute. There was simply no mistaking the accent of an outlander. She didn't smell like Arcadia, or at least any place in Arcadia that Luthor had ever been. There was a difference in her manner that no amount of practice or training could mimic, with the exception of sorcery of course. In fact, the woman's exoticism was so apparent that Luthor doubted whether she was human at all. Certainly not a normal human, at any rate.
"Hah! If you keep saying that after today, I'll start calling you a liar Huss!" Freegor said cheerfully. He squeezed Saresae a bit closing to him as he chuckled for a few moments.
Luthor wasn't sure how he felt about Freegor so openly dealing with a prostitute, even if she was an informant. He decided it really wasn't his place to judge Freegor, but still.
"I see you've got Kile's chopper there." Freegor stated. "I've heard stories of that blade from the old days."
Luthor nodded tapped on the cleaver's handle.
"Borrowed it for a time." Luthor replied, trying his best to ignore Saresae's eyes.
He stood abruptly and reached forward to shake Freegor's hand.
"Sorry for leaving so soon, but I'm burning good daylight here. And you obviously have other things to get too." Luthor said, glancing at Saresae.
"Sorry for leaving so soon, but I'm burning good daylight here. And you obviously have other things to get too."
Walking silently down the long winding staircase, Yuna could hear a familiar voice. "Huss." She recognized. The man, the Old Quarter Demon, was once a part of the original resistance that had gone rogue in a sense acting on his own. She knew him by his fame mostly and he, she expected, likewise. They had met in the past, of course, but never quite got past the stage of simply acquaintances sharing the same goals. He was a strong character, well known through the ranks for both his strength and his attitude.
"Soul" Before Freegor could finish, Yunaria halted him with a single hand motion. Men. Still, as long as it did not jeopardize their mission Asuna was generally silent about these things. Freegor probably had new information as well seeing Saresae here, but since she is here in person. "Freegor, Saresae." Then there was this matter... "Huss." Souloe called again as if the first time was not enough to catch his attention. "I hear you've been rather busy in the temple district." The armor clad Yunaria stepped forward to hear what Huss has to say for himself. Of course, her mask and armor weren't her real gear but merely a manifestation of the illusionary spell Moonlight Mirage. Still, it served its purpose as a safety measure to hide her identity and that was enough.
Huss was not directly under the Mortalis so the normal chain of command was meaningless before this man. But with any luck, Saresae hopefully would have brought information about the Seelie member that was to be the next target. Since Finneaus was murdered and the suspicion thrown onto the Seelie, if someone of the Seelie was assassinated it should trigger a string of retaliations between the two most prominant power of the land. Internal affairs between the two powers were, of course, both political and classified information for the general norm. But if she pushed the right buttons, surely even Huss would move according to plan.
"I hear you've been rather busy in the temple district."
Luthor turned about, surprised by the sudden voice addressing him. The woman now standing behind him looked at him expectantly from behind a shimmering mask. His mouth suddenly tasted of iron, and the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. Sorcery. He resisted the urge to lash out, it took a conscious effort to keep his hand from straying to his cat-splitter. He understood she was "on his side", but like every other time he had encountered her, he was put on edge. Her sorcery was enough, but her fair hair and manner reminded him far too much of someone else he once knew. He rubbed his eye-patch, unconsciously letting a dark sneer split across his face as a memory returned to him. He recovered himself quickly, and hoped the honorable lady did not take offense at him. He chuckled mentally, it seemed quite possible he could exit this room with two women thinking less of him than when he entered.
"Miss Souloe..." He began, inclining his head respectfully. "You're skill is spoken of throughout the city."
Luthor hoped his greeting could smooth over his earlier untactful mistake. But it was obvious the masked woman had not come to this place for pleasantries.
"Yes, I've been quite busy today. I'm sorry if my handiwork has caused you any grief." He added.
It was impossible to gauge her reaction physically, but Luthor had a feeling Souloe was not very interested in reprimanding him. He had always been able to gauge emotions or tension quite well, thanks to the honed instincts that any person who lived their life in hiding acquired. Right now, he could bet that Souloe was more interested in action than talking, he was grateful for this, but cautious at the same time. He hated thinking like this, but there was a part of him that doubted whether such a soft looking woman could keep her wits and strength about her when the real killing began. He did not know Souloe near well enough to be sure, and the stories he had heard from other Mortalis captains seemed to turn in her favor. He decided that there was no way to know for certain.
Luthor sincerely wished to take his leave now. He had apparently dropped in on a scheduled meeting, but something stopped him. He wanted to know what kind of information this Saresae had to offer.
"You're skill is spoken of throughout the city."
The city? That would be an exaggeration. Maybe within the Mortalis. Yunaria thought to herself. Without first demonstrating an impressive prowess in battle it would have been impossible for her, a woman, to command the Mortalis. Even if she had the intellect and the funds to support the human rebels, the elites -those who took pride in their skills in combat- would simply have accepted her as one of many generous sponsers and then ignored her authority without an ounce of respect. What she needed was not a bunch of self satisfying elites but an organized army to liberate humanity and regain all that was lost.
"Yes, I've been quite busy today. I'm sorry if my handiwork has caused you any grief."
"Oh?" Souloe's dark hollow voice filled the room with a blatant tone of sarcasm. If Luthor had truly attacked her earlier, things would have been much easier. "So you are aware?" Yuna questioned rhetorically. "Then I suppose that the Old Quarter Demon wishes to apologize with more than just words." She paused a brief moment to let the words sink in. "I imagine that he is more than willing to apologize with actions. Wouldn't you agree?" Souloe manipulated her mirage to reveal a devious knowing smile.
But before Huss would have a chance to reply, Yuna suddenly interrupted without turning. "Saresae." Souloe spoke first and then turned towards the pale haired prostitute. "Can I assume that you bring the unfortunate news of an accident that is about to occur? About a fae of standings from within The Seelie?" Souloe's words were twisted with honey speaking casually as if the event had already taken place in some land far far away.
It was honey clearly offered to Huss as his act of 'apology'. She wanted the Old Quarter Demon to be performing the next assassination... an assassination of a fae within the Seelie at that. Yuna's eyes peered from behind the illusion towards Huss expecting an overtone of snickering and delight.
Sarasae replied after a moment, âIt would have to be a high standing member of the Seelie indeed. You should look no further than the blood of a council member.â
"What about 'Lord' Ingwë Léralondë? Does he make many midnight strolls to your bed?" Luthor asked. "Hard to miss, he's one of the few Elves in Arcadia who actually looks old.
Ingwë would be a good pick, as far as Luthor knew. He was respected and loved in the Seelie, a charismatic Elf who had spent many centuries on the Council. He had been an up-and-coming politician during the 'Magical Revolution'. He was one of the bastards who pushed for the Great Apostasy, the summoning of dragons. He would be a worthy kill, if they could get to him.
Luthor began to warm to the idea. If, in the end, it was up to him to do the deed, he would make sure the bastard didn't get off as easy as his friend from earlier.
"Oh? A sudden request." Yunaria commented idly buying herself time to inspect Sarasae for foul play. To gaze deep into the window of her soul; To check for specific wrinkles that might be tiny muscle movements betraying Sarasae's intentions; To check for cold sweat that sometimes appears when one was unnaturally tense. Yet all these, Asuna knew instinctively, would be meaningless against Sarasae if she was as Souloe had imagined. Women of her occupation lived off of deceit, wiles and charm... unless she was one of the exceptions... holding a unique weapon of seduction that Asuna cannot begin to imagine. "Very well." Yunaria replied simply. Information was rarely dealt this way, but. "If you have what Huss desires then this is a favor I am willing to grant. Freegor." Souloe nodded as Freegor went to the back room as if to retrieve the payment. Information brokers that were not directly under the Mortalis meant they hold no particular loyalty towards the group. Their relationship generally begins with money and ends with money. Trust is not easily earned, because misplaced trust could lead to one's own death. Freegor must have realized this because he was mumbling something inaudible as he left. Souloe then waited for her answer to Huss' particular request. When Freegor later returned, he tossed the bag simply over to Souloe.
âHe is not one of my visitors. I only deal with the aged once they are no longer in this world. However, a brothel closer to his home houses my dear friendâs little sister Lunay. She is ripe in beauty and fae blood. She is frequented by a fae politician that often unknowingly leaks information to her. He is a key to finding the right time to strike Ingwe.â Sarasae replied.
Tossing the bag over, Souloe silently approved the transection. "If the Seelie believes that the Wizard's Tower is retaliating..." Yuna held up her index finger. "One more." Though this conversation was about an assassination there was not a single mention of it now. The kill was never the objective, it had always been a means to the end. Thus Yuna made it clear that Sarasae would be paid not for the assassination but for the securing of a single idea in the minds of the Seelie. "If all later investigations leads to no results..." Yunaria referred to possibly the Seelie or the Lanterners while holding up two more fingers on her other hand. "Two more." As if to say that it would be a total of three more bags of money Asuna raised all three fingers on one hand. "A gift from me personally if all goes well."
Yunaria stole a quick glance at both Greegor and Huss to make sure they had no problems with her decision. She did not expect any resistance however, since the extra pay is going to come out of her private funds and not from the Mortalis. Then Souloe turned her gaze back towards Sarasae waiting for a response.
It should be a tempting offer. As long as the results are achieved, Sarasae needed not even participate and she would still get not just double the pay but now effectively four times the money. How she achieve the result would be up to her. If she failed however, like say if Lunay squealed or if her involvement was discovered in the investigation, there would be only the usual pay that the informant had already received.
"Keep Freegor updated and..." Souloe looked over at Huss to draw Sarasae's attention over. "I believe your request..." referring to how the mercenary wanted someone's assistance with her plan. "has been heard."
If all were in agreement with nothing else to add, Yunaria would slip away hidden by the mask of her Moonlight Mirage while her illusion would stay its place. Long after she has gone, and the conversation fully complete, the illusion of Souloe would turn towards the darkness fading away with the black gradient as if it were some sort of teleportation spell.
Luthor grimaced slightly as the sorceress seemingly evaporated into the air. He couldn't say he wasn't surprised, but he had expected some kind of outrageous exit by Souloe. It was probably meant to sew shock and awe in them, and solidify her position as de-facto leader of the coming operation. Once again, he felt a twinge of spite in his soul. He sighed and shook the inactivity out of his limbs.
"Well..." He began, striding over to Saresae. "It looks like that is that. I hadn't really expected her to come and play with us, but it looks like I'm taking orders from the Mortalis once again."
He began to make his way to the steps leading back up into the bar. He stopped short of the first step and looked back.
"Tell me all about this scheme of yours on the way if you please, no sense in wasting more time. Oh, and by the way, Souloe isn't one to default on her debts if I've heard correctly. So you can rest assured you've got quite a payday coming if you pull through for her. Don't lose it all at one gambling hall."
He smirked and began his way up the spiral staircase. He realized he should have thanked Freegor for his hospitality, but it was too late now. He smelled the proverbial blood now, and his own was pumping hot.