"Well let's see what she wants of us now." Austin says with a glance to the others. She squares her shoulders, runs a hand through her auburn hair, then moves towards where the Right Hand is sitting.

"Maybe," Atal answers in a low undertone.  "I'd thought she took a shine to you, gave you some advice instead of trying to smite you on sight, or something.  But I mean look at all these people.  Are they on our side?  Are they not?  It's confusing!  I half-want to go around asking everyone what their names are so I can stop calling them 'that guy with the big nose' or 'the one with the short red hair' but on the other hand, I'm a sparkling conversationalist and might get my teeth punched in," Atal sighs.  He relaxes, cracks his neck, and decides to  follow Austin to the table Felix pointed out, straining his ears to catch snippets of their unguarded conversation.

"Well, they're not trying to kill us, which is better than most of the people we've met so far. I'd say that we should at least hear them out. If nothing else we just need to escape a wagon again." 

Anearis follows his companions as they walk to the table

Atal eavesdropping: 26

As they walked across the tavern, Ura's straining to hear the conversation yielded the clear end of the conversation. "They're in bad shape. Barracks razed. Ranks depleted. They have nothing to offer new recruits. Only a matter of time before service is an alternative sentence for crimes." Sharpe reported to the Right Hand. She replied, "Then you're right. We'll send 2,000 from the confiscated funds to rebuild, and another 1,000 for hiring quality skill. Have them recruit from the areas south if they need to."

The Right Hand and two Chosen Men turned to look at the party as they approached. Every member of the party now had a full look at the individual people talked about so often, the Right Hand.

Often, the party heard mention that Austin bore a passing resemblance to the Hand, however having the two in the same room, enhanced just how different they were. While yes, both were young human females with fair skin, greenish eyes and reddish hair; the similarities stopped there. Facial features and body type differed. The Right Hand was atleast three inches taller than Austin and maybe 10 pounds lighter. The weight difference was difficult to tell for certain, given the armor both wore; however the Right Hand's frame was thinner more so than muscular in comparison to Austin. Some might call her 'wirery'.

With having both in the same place to compare, the only way a trained eye could really mistake one for the other, is by someone who had only heard a description without having seen either previously.

Neither Sharpe nor Harper showed any surprise at the party's arrival. Harper smiled for some untold reason, as of yet, though Sharpe simply showed no emotion at the sight, at all.

"So you're the ones that have been giving the Berossus's so much trouble. And me and mine, as well." The Right Hand motioned towards the empty chairs at the long table between the two groups. "Please, sit."

Seeing the sheer number of well-equipped and seemingly competent fighting men and women in the same place, all apparently under the command of this woman, gave Current a slight hint of fear. If these people were working with the villains that were poisoning the ocean, then the genasi woman wouldn't stand a chance. To Tide, she mutters, "I fear we may have just wandered into a trap. I don't know for sure, but this is making me a little uncomfortable. Please just stay alert." The sprite immediately turns invisible and takes to the air, studying people as the group approaches (Perception: 12). When the woman asks them to sit, Current hesitates for a second before taking a seat. She shifts uncomfortably as the woman speaks. Current remains silent for just a moment before bursting, "Which side are you on then? It really is quite simple. There are the people that are trying to kill everything that lives in the waters off of the coast, and the people trying to stop them. So which are you?" As soon as the words leave her mouth, she looks nervously around at the mass of warriors but stands her ground.

Uthal rotates the head of his hammer so that it's once again resting on the floor and then crosses his hands on the hilt, leaning on the long pole. "Well, since I don't know how appreciative you are of our assistance and judging by our last encounter, I'd prefer to stand. At least then your men will have to work to put me in irons." He looks over to Current as she speaks. "The lady asks good questions. It seems that dark forces are about, are your with them or against them?"

Atal slides into a seat with ease, making himself comfortable.  "Don't mind if I do, thanks."  He raises an eyebrow.  "Sorry, I couldn't help but hear you talking about what I can only assume is Midgar's terrible security situation.  If I might make a suggestion that will likely fly over like a lead brick...  spend some time trying to recruit among the demi-humans in your populace.  Despite all the craziness that went down there, it was mainly the demi-humans of the city who took up arms to defend and protect it when the guards were overwhelmed.  Us included of course, but it was much more than that.  You have a great number of people who know that city, and consider it their home, and will likely be willing to defend it if given the chance.  And then you have many humans dismissing all of those feelings and efforts just because of their tails, or their scales, or the shape of their ears.  A little gamble outside of your established comfort zones might go a long way if you're trying to muster new, loyal, and competent forces."

Austin shrugs and steps up to the table. She slides into a seat. As the questions are asked of the Right Hand she raises an eyebrow in challenge. "Though, learning that you are working with the evil powers that are currently working to destroy this land won't exactly do us much good, as we are truely in your power right now..." She comments softly, eyes scanning the many warriors around them.

The three listened silently as the party members decided to say their pieces, as they sat at the table, or didn't in Uthal's case.

After Atal spoke, Ser Sharpe spoke, though although evident it was directed to the Right Hand, he kept his eyes on the party. "Unwitting ignorance. It motivates their actions as well as their words." Ser Harper chimed in. "Aye, but could be worse. Could be unwitting incompetence. Least they have that."
"Captain. Sergeant." While speaking quickly in response, there was at least an intentional delay by the Right Hand not to interrupt, but in just noting the ranks, she must have been saying more, as the two said nothing further.

The Right Hand looked between her two knights before looking back to the party members across from then. She then addressed Atal first. "If it were so simple, the North Midgar ranks would be filled. They recruit citizens of North Midgar, regardless of race. The Captain of the guard in North Midgar, is herself, one of these 'demi-humans', as were many of those who were murdered by Anton Berossus and his followers. I doubt Captain Rippley would exclude any based on something so blunt, especially in such a dire time for their guard. If anything, she has been too liberal, but the funds should allow them to set higher standards."

She then turned to Current, "As for the water's off our coast, they are of no concern to me. My charge is the safety of Cathaan. However, should the two align, so be it."

Addressing the group in general, "Captain Sharpe and Sergeant-Major Harper may be blunt, but they are not wrong. You may wish to end the reign of terror being wrought by a sect of the Berossus lineage, but you do so by rushing in without comprehension. Comprehension of what you're facing or why.  Comprehension even of how the world around you even works."

At about this time, Felix sits down between the two groups, looking very much in the same need of proper grooming, though much more awake. It is possibly due to the water on his face and about his head and shoulders, as well as the steaming liquid in the large bowl-sized mug he brought with him to the table. He says nothing, just listens to the conversation.

The Right Hand continued, "Ignorance," She says, in reference to Ser Sharpe's earlier statement, "can be corrected. Whereas I have no time or place for incompetence. Felix puts his faith in you, and being that I am willing to put forth trust...for the time being."

"Anton Berossus has been dealt with, this I have heard. However, Zelda and Tetra, and their followers are still a threat. A threat, that as of last night, completely fled beyond Cathaan's borders, where due to political agreements, my men and I cannot go. As the Right Hand of the Kingdom, during a time of crisis, I have decided to 'out-source' to you all; non-Cathaan citizens whose actions can benefit us all, but whose impacts have no association with the Kingdom."

Anearis listened carefully to Lady Harstrum’s side of the story. Though there was some truth that they barely knew the ramifications of this continent, they had some knowledge of their enemy. And while it might not be complete, they certainly were not the fools that she painted them to be. He decided against arguing over that, as it did not seem relevant.
"With all due respect, Lady Harstrum, while we may have been rash in the past, we believed that time was of the essence. The Berossus are gaining power and allies rapidly. If left unchecked, they might become too strong for anyone to handle. And considering, we have been attacked by their agents on multiple occasions, trust is something that we have learned to give sparingly."

As the Right Hand mentioned Zelda and Tetra, Anearis clenched his fist to contain his anger. "Who is this Tetra? We have heard the name but have yet to know who she is. And what do you know about where they have gone?"

"Thought without action is a dream, but action without thought is a nightmare." The tabaxi that the party had met the previous night walked by the table, seemingly for the purpose to purely interject the 'words of wisdom'. She placed a cup infront of Ser Sharpe before running a hand along his shoulder and returning to the bar counter, where the other two tabaxi now stood; having added nothing of value further to the conversation.

The Right Hand continued on, as though the interruption had not occurred. "You are correct, that time is running out. But is that rashness 'in the past', the same that caused you to attack a tortured and prisoner who was just trying to keep waters at bay; and allowing Zelda Berossus to escape now to parts unknown?"

She did not give time for the question to be answered, possibly indicating that she had asked rhetorically. "Tetra is the elder sister of the current Baron, and mother to both Anton and Zelda Berossus, birth and adoptive, respectively. I doubt her involvement is purely a mother protecting her children. We know they've gone to Shinra, however beyond that, we are still unsure."

"I believe I can shed some light on that," Felix spoke up for the first time since coming to the table, holding up a finger as he took a gulp of his mug's contents. "Their locations thus far have not been accidental. They are searching for very specific ancient ruin sites, across the continent of Theviranne. And for the first time, with the help of a friend in Midgar, we may have an even better idea than them, as to where the sites are located."

"And this 'friend' is willing and able to assist. Assuming they can be trusted?" "Absolutely. There's nothing the Berossus's could give or do to him that could persuade him away from his own morals and values." "Very well." The Right Hand looked from Felix, up to the party. "Then we shall take you as far as Midgar."

"All your words of wisdom may work for you but stop and consider things from our perspective. We are all attacked and forced to fight back to survive. When we finally escape we are blamed for the things our attackers have done. We had little reason to believe that anyone outside of a select few would ever believe the Berossus's were actually a threat, let alone help us. So we chose to do what we thought was right and attempt to put a stop to them. All evil needs to flourish is for good people to do nothing." Uthal says as he stops and considers for a second. "So let me get this straight, you are giving us license to do what we have already been doing, just outside of your borders? I can work with that, though I think Felix here likely already knew my answer." 

Atal leans back and in his chair and shrugs.  "Lofty words, nice philosophies, but in the end we're still the victims of your corrupted system, ripely set up to be either sacrificed by that very corruption, or upon rescuing ourselves, to be used for your 'noble' ends to stop the very same problem.  People in positions of privilege always find neat ways to explain why their way is smarter, better, and always right... especially against foreigners.  Just remember us ignorant fools aren't the ones who grew this family in your homeland.  You allowed that to happen all by yourselves.  But well, since the Berossus family burned us all first, I'm okay with this arrangement.  You use me, I use you, it works out rather nicely, since I never intended to pass all of my time here in Cathaan anyway."

He thinks of speaking up about the mute mage whom he rescued from the pillar, but decides against it, thinking of his experiences with Ryehan and Virgil.   "Holding out a helping hand never seems worth it in this land," he mutters to himself, falling silent.

"Then perhaps some sound advice that you will heed: watch your tongue, least it be cut from your head." The tabaxi had walked back over to the table, standing near Atal and looking down at him. Following her words, a sound of metal on metal rang as a narrow blade protruded at the under side of her wrist from beneath her sleeve. While the words could be conceivably a threat to Atal, her physical stance shows no intent to actually use it.

She was not the only one reacting to Atal. While some stayed where they were, others moved closer toward the table, as the entire room had seemed to turn their attention. Even Felix, who now starred at Atal, wore an expression somewhere between insult and annoyance.

Sharpe spoke with fists clenched and raised voice, though still below that which one might consider a yell. "Tetra and her children, are but three in a royal bloodline of 30 still alive today. Everytime you open your mouth, you further demonstrate your lack of understanding of what goes on around you. You claim to be a victim of the Royal family and their 'corrupt' system. Forgive us for not honoring you, for forcing their work into public light, while you were busy robbing the damn royal estate!"

While the Right Hand did not react so abruptly, she allowed the outburst, speaking up only after she new the Captain to have finished. "I came into this conference with the intention of cooperation and assistance towards the goal of ending this threat. I will make it simple. You WILL hunt down, find, and end these threats."

Felix shook his head dissappointedly. The Right Hand stood from the table, which in response, the rest of the Chosen Men stood as well, as did Felix, until she had walked from the table, and up the stairs at the far end of the room.

Uthal watches them go before speaking quietly to the group. "At some point I think we need to have a discussion about thinking about the consequences of our actions before acting."

"Maybe," Atal said, watching them go.  "I've never been known for my diplomacy, though.  Also, I'm not a terribly huge fan of their brand of heavy-handed cooperation.  They set up this meeting as though we had a choice, but when stripped of the pleasantries, we got the blunt truth.  This was never a negotiation, nor an offer of friendship.  This was an order, to be received either amicably, or carried out by force.  I do apologize for souring the frosting on the dirt cake, though."

Anearis looks sympathetically at Atal. "Do not beat yourself down over this. They have pointed us to our next destination.  But we will still stop the Berossus, ordered to or not." 

If Felix is still present, Anearis will try to catch his attention before he leaves.

Austin continues to sit at the table, raising an eyebrow as the Right Hand got up to leave. She keeps her thoughts to herself as she wonders just how such a one, if so prickly about simple truths being spoken, could find such loyalty in their followers.

"Well at least we have one situation resolved." Austin speaks up finally, glancing to the various warriors around the room. "We no longer have to worry about hiding from the Right Hand while doing something to end this darkness threatening this land." She shrugs. "I am here to aid in that, but I still plan on getting my quarry at the end, and getting whatever part of him I can back for the bounty I came here for to begin with."

Felix sat back down, once the Right Hand left. As did Harper, though he paid no mind to the party at the table. Sharpe went with the tabaxi back to the bar, and and the others casually went back to what they were doing, previously.

"Uthal is right. You may still be going in the same direction, but you would have been better off, had you stopped yourselves and listened to what she had to say." Felix said as he finished his drink.