Tiadora simply says, "Your loss." and turns away.

---

Eventually, the time comes when the Cardinal summons you all to the meeting room once more. Along the way, you pass Elise heading the other way, she seems... jovial. "Off to assassinate some clergy, oh what a time to be alive!"

In the meeting room, the Cardinal awaits, "Your transport will arrive at the cove due east of here early tomorrow morning. You can leave now and camp there tonight, or stay here and get moving before dawn, I care not. The ship is a Knarr by the name of  Frosthamar. The captain is a mercenary by the name of Kargeld Odenkirk. He will get you where you need to go. Here is his payment." The cardinal taps a small but heavy looking ironbound chest on the table.

"Your first priority is to get the gear to where it needs to go. Keep Odenkirk on task and defend the ship against any threats. My understanding is that the route can be quite dangerous."

"Your second priority, obviously to be completed after the first, is to kill Odenkirk and all of his crew. Since the last time we spoke on the matter, I discovered that he's been talking to the Mitrans. He is being paid more than enough to buy his silence, but apparently that is not enough. He knows almost nothing, and so could tell them almost nothing, but they're offering him a bounty if he can discover more about who we are and what we're up to. Based on what he's been telling his crew, he plans to complete the shipment, but then hand you over to our enemies rather than to safety. So we will pay him, use him, then dispose of him. Oh, and do be sure to get the chest of money back when you're finished, that along with whatever other belongings can be recovered will be your reward for a job well done."

"Unless you care to swim back south, pay attention and learn how to manage the ship, those of you who do not know already. It will be slightly undercrewed with just the four of you, but Lake Tarik is placid enough that should not be a significant problem. The Frosthamar should never be seen again after this, though I would not object to it being saved for future use so long as you go to sufficient efforts to change the ship's appearance. Frankly it would be easier to simply sink it and move on, but I won't dictate that choice."

"Once safely on the southern shore of the lake, your next destination will be the town of Aldencross. I will arrange for a wagon and some horses to be left for you to aid in the journey. The town lies in the shadow of Balentyne Keep, which guards the best path through the wall for Sakkarot to pierce the Mitran's soft underbelly. Using the circlets I granted you, you will infiltrate this place, learn its weaknesses, and crack them open just in time for the assault. Balentyne crushed the last assault from the north, this time I want it to be crushed in turn. I will be in touch with you, if you need resources to complete the task, I will see what I can do."

"Do you have any questions?"

Respar does not hesitate.  "Several.  First do you know what our route is?  We are being picked up on the eastern shore, but will we sail north from there, then head upriver along the river that flows east from Lake Tarik?  Or will we head into Cambrian Bay, then north eventually up that other river to the lake?  Also, since I am not terribly familiar with the geography of this land, is Aldencross east or west of the lake?  I would guess you'd want to attack a keep that is relatively isolated from reinforcements...Anyway, where do we land on the north shore of the lake?  Or do we actually land on the coast, deliver the shipment, then sail to the lake?  All these details make a great difference, especially to the added mission."  He pauses, obviously turning over information in his head.  "If Odenkirk were going to completely sell us out, he'd pick us up and sail straight into the Mitrans' hands.  He should have negotiated for the payment regardless with them.  We'll need some way of preventing him from accessing the chest until we have delivered the goods, or else he'll just keep the money and claim he was stopped by official naval forces, nothing he could do.  At least that would be my story.  So if he really is planning on delivering the shipment, which I can't believe the Mitrans would allow, and then turning on us, he is playing a very dangerous game.  Because the Mitrans would likely keep him too to wring as much intelligence as possible from him."  He pauses once more, then adds, "I am sure the ship will have some charts, but if you have any we could look over, that would help.  By knowing where we are to deliver the shipment, we will know where to look for possible ambushes by the Mitrans, both before and after delivery.  And also where we could find a safe place to hide the ship, assuming we can do so, rather than scuttle her."  Finally he turns to Jesla.  "Your time at sea will undoubtedly be useful.  Besides teaching us how to sail, watch his crew for any who are also novices.  He might have Mitran among his crew.  If they were smart they'd have a veteran sailor for that part, but maybe they can't spare any good sailors for long."

Eya chimes in, "I know our route, and the geography of the area very well. I even got a compass from our shopping to help with navigation. Unfortunately Respar, we will need to be wary of Mitran ambushes as we sail as well, not just before and after delivery. Mitran patrol ships are out and about along the way. Not to mention all the other various natural nasties out on the high seas. There's also a group of Tritons in the area that work together with the Mitrans to keep the seas safe. So that could be an issue. 

If our Intel is saying that Odenkirk is to betray us,  then we should disguise ourselves for this entire trip."

Respar nods in appreciation of Eya's remarks.  "Excellent.  Hopefully before we board the ship you can share that route information.  And your point about being in disguise is well taken."  He turns to the group, "As someone who has gone about disguised in the past, I would like to offer a tip or two.  If you need to change your appearance quickly, don't just focus on hair and face.  People who know what they're doing when following will look for clothes and their colors.  Since these magic devices can alter them, make sure you change the color and style of your clothes.  Even your footwear."  He activates his circlet, now appearing as a darker skinned fellow, with longer dark hair, a few tattoos, a bright green jacket, black trousers and grey boots. 

Kiven moves his mouth and his hands several times as Respar goes on and on with the questions and the speculation, but keeps biting his tongue due to the last experience he had in this room.  Finally he grits his teeth and speaks, although he is clearly carefully minding his words.  "Perhaps Cardinal Thorn would be more impressed when we have accomplished our tasks if we have figured some of it out for ourselves, yes?  Shall we get on with our work?"

  Jesla frowns as she hears of their missions.  " Respar, I can easily captain a ship of this nature.  I look forward to teaching each of you how to sail.  " Her face turns red in anger as she thinks of the planned betrayal.  " So they plan on turning us into the Mitrans.....I Will enjoy killing every last one of them.   This will be good practice for the killing of many other Mitrans.   I do not tolerate betrayal.  They will die looking at my claws holding their entrails skyward.   " She appears to struggle holding back the beast within.  

  After a short time she pulls herself together. " Yes, it would be wise to disguise ourselves. Maybe I should go as this.  " She now looks markedly like Tiadora.  " How is this?" She winks at Respar.  

Eya looks at Jesla's disguise with tremendous weariness in her eyes, "Jesla, please no... any disguise but that. Ughhhh, I really don't need to be reminded of her throughout this entire mission."

The Cardinal holds up a hand to forestall any bickering, "Both of you are correct. I picked the Nessus Knot for this mission because I believe that you are the group most capable of adapting to circumstances that cannot be foreseen. This mission has a great many unknowns to it, and even if I wished to hold your hand throughout, I will not be able to. I do suggest not proving me wrong as to how capable you are."

"But Respar is right to be concerned about delaying Odenkirk's betrayal. I did think of that as well though." He turns the chest around so that you can better see the front. There is an intricate pattern lock with rotating pieces. "When placed correctly, this forms the draconic rune for greed. I thought it fitting to use Odenkirk's greatest weakness for the key in this case."

"Show him the gold, reseal the chest, and tell him he'll have the combination to open it when the delivery is complete. I suggest also telling him that there's a spell on it to prevent tampering just in case. The man is superstitious enough that the mere possibility of it will make him cautious. That should suffice to keep him on the course we want for as long as we need."

"One other thing, the chieftain you are going to see along with his lieutenants are the Avernus Knot. Their followers however know nothing of the greater scheme involved. Sakkarot will have told them that you are allies and are not to be harmed, but bugbear discipline is lacking to say the least, and they tend to despise humans. If the chieftan is not physically present to rein them in, I would expect trouble. Do not hold back if you are attacked, they are more likely to respect you if you crush the first one foolish enough to break the peace."

Respar can't suppress a smile at Jesla's initial disguise.  "Very nice.  Though since your arms are more muscular, they tend to pop outside the illusion a bit.  Practice in the mirror once or twice and you'll be fine."  For a brief moment he entertains some thoughts about what sort of antics the circlets could be used in boudoir games but says nothing further about it.

He then listens to the next set of remarks from the Cardinal.  "Thank you.  I do have one last question, though.  Do you consider the leader of one knot blabbing on about her next mission to another knot a security risk?  Or is it simply part of the good-natured rivalry and competition you foster?  After all, if the second knot was compromised, anything they knew of other operations could be extracted, especially from one the first knot seemed to consider incompetent, and so on.  But if you don't care that Elise told us about her assignment to slaughter some clergy, I will no longer bring such things to your attention."

The cardinal smiles, "I heard her, had she given any details on who she was targeting or how, I might consider it worth acting on. As it is, she told you nothing that will compromise her mission more than you being captured and choosing to talk already would. Upon hearing that the Church of Asmodeus has returned and is striking back, one of the first things they will do is protect the important members of the clergy. The same goes if they hear of an unspecified plot against the same."

"That said, no I do not particularly appreciate her just blabbing it out like that. If it happens again, we will definitely need to have a... talk."

He sets a small stone disc on the table, "Here, this will let us keep in touch. By activating it, you can send me a message. I cannot guarantee that I will receive it or respond immediately. but I will do so when able. The magic only works once a day, so do be sure of what message you wish to send."

Eya inspects the stone disc for a moment, then pockets it. "Thank you, Your Eminence. We will now go discuss when to leave as we make our final preparations for the mission." Then, she transforms into a human woman of similar height and build but with black hair and icy blue eyes. Unlike Eya, the woman is mostly wearing white and could probably pass as a cleric of Mitra. She even appears to be wearing a symbol of Mitra as a necklace. She wraps her tail around her waist like a belt to help the illusion. 

She leaves the room with the others then brings up the subject of when to leave, "When do you all want to leave? I would vote that we make our way as soon as possible and camp overnight. That way we can keep an eye out as they arrive. Plus, it would give some good adventuring experience for Master Aloro."

As they exit the room and are a good distance from the Cardinal, Kiven asks Respar "is there no one else you needed to tell on before we depart, my garrulous friend?  I believe Jesla here may have had an extra portion at dinner last night, for one."

With regard to getting started, The Prince says "well I guess we'd better be up quite early."  "Clearly we're not going to camp anywhere."  The disgust at the notion of camping is palpable.

Respar shrugs off Kiven's attempt to needle him.  "Just trying to learn the rules of the game.  I don't want to end up on a rotisserie unless absolutely necessary."

As to the travel arrangements he says, "I'd prefer to leave tonight and stay close to the rendezvous spot."

Kiven scoffs "and sleep on the ground?"  "Only peasants and trappers sleep on the ground!"

Eya responds, "Actually, I bought a hammock to stay off the ground. Did you not purchase one, Prince Aloro?"

"Well if we must go on such an expedition, won't the porters have all of that?"

Eya looks puzzled, "Porters? Ok look, I know you aren't used to roughing it, Master Aloro, but you're going to have to get used to camping. Grumblejack can help carry some of your things, but you have to bring a blanket or something at least. Just grab some things from your room real quick."

Respar refrains from making remarks in Kiven's direction regarding roughing it and so on, though he visibly winces at the mention of 'porters.'  Though he does whisper to Jesla, "Have you ever know a trapper that wasn't a peasant by his standards?"

 Jesla smirks at Kiven's obvious discomfort of camping.  " Kiven, you will have to get over your disdain for camping.  While you might live a life of comfort after we achieve power here, we are at the bottom of the totem pole currently.  We must earn our way here.  Besides, you might find that you like it.  Things could be worse.  Tiadoda could be coming along with us.  She seems to like you.  " Jesla grins as she still appears as Tiadora.  " As to this choice regarding camping or leaving early...I say we leave today and camp.  It's much easier to find a new location in the daylight.  No reason to leave in the middle of the night when we can be fresh from a good night's sleep.  " 

 She leans towards Respar to hear his whisper.  Jesla responds in kind.  " That is a good point.  I guess I am a peasant in his eyes as well.  " 

Using her circlet  she changes form again. Now she appears as a willowly blonde with green eyes.  She is wearing  a green gown with black slippers  and is quite attractive.  " How is this? I want them to dismiss me as a threat.  " 

"Well of course he'll carry my things!  That's what he's for!"  Kiven walks off shaking his head a little and muttering to himself.  He returns a short while later with a blanket and pillow from his bed.  He is also adorned in the studded leather armor stolen from one of the guards at the prison, but it has been cleaned and repaired a bit, probably by magic.  Underneath he wears relatively nice clothing well suited for hunting or travel and is adorned with a thick traveling cloak.  Other than that he just has two daggers, spell components on his belt and a small shoulder bag with his spellbook in it hanging from a strap across his chest.  There is no backpack and no other supplies.  He hands the pillow and blanket to Eya and says "here, for your new friend to carry then."

The Prince says "very well then."  "If you all insist we leave today, I will allow it.  You do have more experience with this type of thing, after all.  It is only logical that I yield to your discretion on this."