Quote from Arcturos >>

Four total days of simple luxury for the price of hearing out a proposal for work?  This man must be extremely wealthy.  I must get my hands on his books.  Of course, they're probably in the master's quarters...  that could be a problem, and could get me thrown on my ear, which would be an utter waste... Might be worth it to just keep quiet and continue trying to figure out his patron's gift.

"Patience, my young friend," a voice echoes in Salazaar's mind that only he can hear.  "The tome you spent these last three days steadfastly crafting is just the beginning of the gifts I have for you.  Your power will grow under my mentoring, till these mere mortals are but fleas to be ignored and trodden on.  But enough of that, for now, know that there is a place I desire you find. 

North of here is a settlement called Paradin.  Dominating that place is an ancient tower shaped like a demonic snake.  I wish you to find the entrance to that tower and plunder it of its secrets.  There is no rush on this task.  Take your time.  But if the opportunity comes to guide and encourage your companions to Paradin and the tower - take it."

As soon as it was there the voice is gone.

Nos Heliwr frowns at Neville. “Given th’ Baron’s lack of urgency ‘twould seem this delicate matter ain’t so all fired important t’ th’ running of the barony.” He walks up to Neville and says, “This is just practice so take no offense if ye please.” And as he tells Neville this he’ll attempt to pick his pocket.

8

”Ye just gotta pays attention t’ things, friend,” he grins mightily.

Salazar, unsettled by the sudden and very direct communication from his patron.  The task itself didn't seem too outrageous, though it probably would be more than a mere breaking and entering.  Since there is no rush on the task, it might be good to do some research.

Quote from Blakey>>

"As for the person in Barusi you wish to contact, may I ask whom?"

 

"Ah," Claire replies.  "I've heard of a very famous smith who lives there, Kastor.  Maybe you've heard of him?  He learned his art in a land far from here, and I have a weapon in need of repair that is very special to me.  I want to entrust it to only the best, so I need to pay the man a visit," she tells Nevil.  "I just want to be sure I'm not, uh, burning any bridges before I even get to cross them, you might say.  I suppose I should ask these details of the Baron himself, though I'd appreciate any tips you can give me, of course."

"You are free people, of course," replies Nevil.  "But be warned that the relationships between the three barons are ... strained.  I am not sure that Baron Gilbert would be too pleased to hear that you can't answer his request for dinner in a few days time because you are off in Barusi.  If I may be so bold as to suggest a course of action, it would be to wait here and hear what the baron has to say to you in a few days' time, then make a decision."

He turns to Nos Heliwr,  "Impressive sleight of hand Master Heliwr.  Might I have my coin purse back now, please?" he smiles.  "The baron will be ready to receive you in just a couple of days, maybe sooner.  I can say no more other than that at this time," he tells you.

Vaclav shrugs. "I mean, I'm happy for a few days rest at this point. Plus, unless I'm forgetting, he still needs to pay us for our endeavor." (I honestly don't remember if we've been paid or not. Please ignore if we have. Vaclav's memory is better than mine.) "On another note, would you perhaps know if there is a place in town where they have books about the arcane? I have something of a curiosity that, with some downtime, I could satisfy with a nice bit of reading."

"Oh, I wasn't thinking of setting out immediately anyway," Claire clarifies.  "Of course we need to speak to the Baron of this Delicate Matter before anything else.  It's why we came here, after all.  Thank you for your insightful answer," she tells Nevil.  

(Claire's pretty much done with the questioning; she's going to get a good night's rest and then go to the temple in the morning, unless anyone wants to speak with her.)

"The baron did not agree to 'pay' you anything, sir," Nevill points out to Vaclav.  "If you feel that being put up in his accommodation completely for free isn't good enough for you, then you are welcome to move out into the local inn, at your own expense, and I'm sure the baron will pay you some coin for your services.  It's entirely up to you.

"As for books, the best place in this town is in this very room," he tells you.  "If you can't find anything to taste here then the baron has his own personal library, but I suspect he may wish to have more of a long term relationship with you before he allows you access to that."

“No payin’ us!” Explodes from Nos Heliwr. “We’re a bloody merc company! Whadda mean ‘e ain’t payin’ us? I dinna bes workin’ fer showers ‘n fluffy pillows. Nae on yer muthers wrinkled udders. If the Baron be wantin’ ‘r services e’d bloody well best be showin’ some gold!” He is a bit out of sorts upon learning this tidbit of information.

Vaclav places a hand on Nos's shoulder. "We never did discuss payment, so this is really on us. And, as the Baron did outfit us for the expedition, we have also incurred no cost. Rather than making an enemy I suggest that we let cooler heads prevail and count this as a learning experience about the value of discussing all facets of a deal." 

"Grastsa belafter nobefoinc urtin Blasted Dragon turds!" He looks at Neville, "Ain't yer fault sirra, no offense t' ye."

Nevil smiles, almost condescendingly at Nos Heliwr as if such an outburst is what he might expect from a child.  "I assure you, Master Heliwr, the baron is not pulling a fast one on you.  Payment for the trip you have performed would not normally cover free food, lodgings and residence in such wonderful surroundings as these," he says indicating the opulent drawing-room.  "As I say, if you wish to be paid in coin, then feel free to remove yourself down into the town and take up lodgings with Varnell in the Torrent.  I will arrange for some coinage to be sent down there forthwith."

"Perhaps, when the Baron sets out his Delicate Matter later this week, you would be wise to decide what recompense you feel is reasonable.  You are, currently, the only mercenary company in town," he says these words almost distastefully.  "So, you may find yourselves in a strong bargaining position.  But I warn you to tread lightly.  The Baron is a proud man and not one used to haggling."

"Now, if there is nothing else you need I will bid you all good day.  If you need a member of staff, merely pull on one of the bell ropes and someone will quickly appear."   He looks around to make sure there are no further questions and then glides out of the room.

Claire crosses her arms.  "Listen.  I'm no happier about this non-deal than the rest of you.  But right now, what we needed was to make a name for ourselves, and learn a bit about the country.  We've managed to do both of those.  We just need to go into our next round of negotiations for whatever this 'Delicate Matter' is with our eyes open this time.  And, um... someone personable enough to sweet-talk the Baron into granting us a payment that we justly deserve," she adds.  "Besides... I, for one, am quite willing to 'put up' with living in these quarters for the next few days rather than wondering how many bed mites might have gotten into the straw matting down at the inn."

Vaclav just shrugs and walks over to the bookshelf. He pulls the book with the most interesting title and sits down to begin reading. 

(Preferably a historical book if one is available.)

Salazar takes his time, trying to evaluate his position as a negotiator.  If he was going to be the impromptu manager of this... organization, he should know how best to get the most gain from it.  "Before everyone breaks apart to enjoy our luxuries, how much do we want to push to get a good deal on this work?  I am a fairly good haggler, but I also know that men in this man's position are terrible at it, expecting the price to be the price."

After everyone breaks off, Salazar is going to peruse the libraries, trying to find any lore or knowledge about his patron from somewhere external to his patron's own word.

“Sal... work this Baron for every penny. I want a big score and to go on my way to freedom. Bigger the better.” Louis claps Salazar on the shoulder. “But if I come out of this with no money in my hand, I’m going to be very, very unhappy.”

“Until we know just what the Baron wants,” Nos Heliwr says, “we can’t know what to ask for. Suppose he wants us to start a war, but make it as though the other side started it? Be a much different story than if he only wants us to quietly suppress a potential peasant revolt in some outlying part of his demeaned.” He shrugs, we should all go someplace private and come up with a schedule of fees; so much per sword per day, what sorts of extras we do and for how much. Do we want to hire out for a flat fee, do whatever we’re told, or are there limits and if so, what are they? We’ve a lot to consider I’d say.”

Vaclav shakes his head. "Great. We're well on our way to becoming a guild for political repression."

"Fees are one thing.  Becoming the tool of an oppressor is quite a different thing," Claire replies sharply.  "I'm worried that we'll be drawn into the three baronies' political machinations if we don't carefully question just what this Delicate Matter is.  Stopping stolen coal shipments is one thing.  Being hired for assassinations is quite another.  And before you ask me where I came up with that, I collected a few rumors around town that this is exactly what happened to Baroness Ilsa in Barusi... a place I need to eventually get to.  Of course, that little bit of intrigue wasn't from Gilbert's side, or so I gathered; a small relief.  Still, rather than be cloak and dagger about any of this, I'd rather we put all our cards on the table, and have Gilbert display his as well.  I want to know what we're getting into before I ask -- or accept -- any sort of payment for it."  Claire juts her chin out stubbornly, crossing her arms as she finishes.

The next morning Claire and Louis head off to the morning service at the local church.  

The Church of the Light is a reasonably impressive building - one of the few in Grunal built of stone. It has a set of stone steps leading up to an arched entrance and sports a large dome on top, like many of the churches of this faith across Lucarcia. The local priest, Father Ungin, is a devout and holy man who tends for the flock of Baron Gilbert's manor and beyond.

Rodinian Gazetteer

 Father Ungin leads a fairly dreary and dull service.  It's hardly inspiring and the faithful trudge out and back to their dreary lives once it is complete.   

The next three days pass quietly and uneventfully.  You spend a pleasant time enjoying the extreme luxury of life in the manor house.  Your occasional trips into town just go to show the complete disconnect in the standards of living between the poor folk who live and work there and the baron and his family.  Currently, you are enjoying life as one of the wealthy nobility and it's vastly better than what you'd have if you lived in the settlement.

During this time you don't see much of Nos Heliwr.  He spends his time out and about in the town and even occasionally out into the fields nearby, talking to local farmers, craftsmen and merchants.  He talks to the little folk and begins to make friends and acquaintances.  He spends a lot of time talking to the grubby children who play in the streets and to the washerwomen, scrubbing their clothes down at the river.  It is a slow but steady process but undeniably something is beginning to take seed.  There are plenty of people in the town and even in the underclass who serve the baron who are willing to gripe, moan and gossip.  Many just appear happy to have a sympathetic ear to listen to them.  Some clearly are after a copper coin or two for their information. 

A seed has been planted.  At this stage, just a small seed and there is nothing to show of its existence but Nos is a patient man.  He knows that from tiny acorns do mighty oak trees grow, given time.  Nos is prepared to wait and see the fruits of his labour in the coming months.