Khutuluns follows Kiwa into the room but stands behind her as she sits, not taking a seat.

"So you don't know anything so far?"

"Well, we made some guesses that this is due to the tensions between the peoples, but there was something almost ritualistic about the muti- about the crime that we're not sure about. We decided that the first thing we should do is meet Adik Kiwa and see if she knew of any enemies her father may have had." Mal speaks up from the back of the group, not used to serious dealings like these.

Jupp leans forward a little "Whoever comited the this act new what they were doing to stop those who came after from being able to have the dead answer questions."

Mal looks surprised at Jupp, He doesn't say anything, but from the expression on his face it's clear he didn't know there were magics that could accomplish that feat.

"I know that the master had been having ongoing issues with Seto that had become rather heated."

"But then there has also been unrest among the Lokanan and Merubat."

Krikoris turns back and forth to try and follow the conversation, trying to both hide his lack of comprehension about who and what they're talking about as well as learn as quickly as he can about what may be his new home, at least until something comes looking for him.

Kiwa nodded at Jupps words her jaw tight, " We have been so informed."

" For me to step into my fathers position would be hard enough in good times, but anyone can see that a pogrom is brewing among the people of this city."

" Bapak Isow was my fathers ally, but he is powerless to protect the my people so long as the  merchants are being tormented by extortioners.    And the man behind that....the coward behind that...I believe to be the man that murdered my father."

Her lip curled in hatred, " Smiling Seto is the one who did this, of that I am certain."

She settled herself and resolved a calm and pleasant face once more, " But tell me of yourselves.  I do not entertain foreigners as often as I'd like and I thirst for tales of the wider world."

Krikoris smiles faintly, "The tales of my homeland would feel ill suited to this lush paradise. I come from a hellish wasteland in comparison to this island's beauty. And in that wasteland, all that lives is made into slaves or food for the dragon-tyrants that rule there. Serving its petty whims, and dying in its meaningless wars for pride or territory with other tyrants. I fled that place and would die before returning. This island may not be paradise, but its the closest I've seen and I'm happy to do what I can to ensure its peace and urge it closer to the ideal it could become."

Jupp grins a little "I come from a mountain range far from here where it is you vs the wild as your next meal wants to make one of you, my village wasn't the best so I wandered a lot. Things went bad but a queen helped me out so I have been traveling trying to do the same"

Uce remains quiet with a slight smile on his face, taking in everything, not feeling the need to shed light on his past. 

As Kiwa and her entourage's eyes fall on Mal, he grins, and says "Oh, I'm just a local boy. I'm Merubat, but my only memories are of this city. No parents, no siblings, tons of cousins. Just glad to be accompanying such distinguished visitors, really."

Kiwa looks pleased at the tales especially Krikoris words.

" Now.....though I suspect him, without proof I cannot make a move against Seto, he is very popular among the poor."

" Perhaps you should know more of him, his parents were poor labourers who were caught delving into the forbidden tunnels, places taboo to our people. As a punishment for their trespass, they were thrown out of the quarter and forced to make their living among the Lokanan and Merubat. His father took up whoring and was beaten to death by a drunken customer; his mother was later executed for killing the man who did it. With no relatives willing to help him, Seto became an expert thief, plying his trade on foreign traders for the most part.", her eyes lingered for a moment on Malambing.

" Over the years, Seto has become something of a godfather to other Garunam renegades, and is quietly supported by many of the poor folk here within the quarter. He has been known to slip food and other necessities to those in deepest want, and the debts so charged buy him a great deal of silence. Even the poor Garunam who are still ostensibly loyal to my House are willing to do him favors and overlook his trespasses.", her eyes glittered slightly and passed over the household servants, her lips trembling slightly.

" Those trespasses are many. According to what I overheard my father complaining about, for some time now he has been excavating tunnels beneath the ruins for the buried tribute and forgotten relics they hold."

Her face grew angry, " This blasphemy against our custom enrages all the good souls of the quarter, but the poor have little luxury for reverence when a silver ingot can spare their families from starvation. I believe Seto has formed a small corps of supporters who are even willing to fight and kill for him."

" They are also willing to extort. Merchants are approached in the dead of night and “encouraged” to contribute food and goods to the poor Garunam. Those that fail to cooperate
find their shops ravaged by thieves or their steps dogged by footpads at night. With no specific soul receiving the payments that are demanded, Bapak Isow has been frustrated in identifying the culprit- but my Father could discern Seto’s hand in it."

 " That discernment cost him his life." 

" Loathe as I am to suggest it I found writings of my Fathers that seem to indicate that If you enter certain tunnels on the edge of the ruins you should
be able to find a way beneath the walls and into the works beneath Seto’s home. If you come up from below, you could take him by surprise and
acquire the evidence I need."

"So that pleasantries are out of the way, I am know as Khutulun, bodyguard of Kiwa".

She steps forward, next to Kiwa, her eyes resting on then young woman. "I am not sure that we should go right to Seto's home. He is a crafty one and would love nothing more than to force you into action which he could then use a leverage to encourage others to support him. I do know of a Lokanan who has said she knows something about who is behind the extortion around Smoking Streets. She has also mentioned she knows a man who has had his lover kidnapped by bandits. If we could find and rescue them, then we could have someone on the inside who is trusted by Seto".

"And while we wait, the city suffers - I know of this Seto, and have taken great pains to avoid him... but I didn't know the extent of his corruption. What do you all think? We could use your help with this." Mal is surprisingly serious in tone.

Krikoris bites back his initial response of 'burn down the homes of him and anyone who works with him and roast those who complain', "I think, from the sound of things, that getting this witness would help, but I wouldn't try and count on them as a spy, someone turned can be turned again, given time. We should make use of their knowledge immediately. Find this lover, bring her back to get this person to speak against him and his dealings. And while the authorities follow up on that information, we can search these tunnels and see what we find. Does that sound like a plan?"

KIwa smiled slightly and some of the tension left her face as she took a long drink and watched the visitors and her friend discuss the situation.

"I agree with Krikoris - I can lead you all to the tunnels when we're ready to go." 

Uce nods. "I'm ready when you all are." 

"I will come as well" she says sternly.

Quote from IAmButADream >>

"I will come as well" she says sternly.

 Krikoris gives her a friendly grin, "Of course you are. You're the one that knows this person with the kidnapped lover, we'll need you. So, which way to these bandits?"