The underground anteroom where you sit is finely furnished, hung with old tapestries knit in Ress, depicting battles of old and red-lit by soft candlelight. The chairs are lush, burnished with fine gold, and the wine in your goblets is Mazirene Red, a good vintage.
The little girl stares at you with eyes are deep red, and never leave the soft flesh of your neck. Her skin is pale...perhaps she died centuries ago. Varun's fat, long-fingered hand strokes her golden curls. He chuckles. "I want Valkris dead," he says. "Is that so much to ask?"
A shambling minion enters, bearing a tray of roasted meats on skewers, deliciously smelling of smoke. He sets the tray down before you and backs away.
Verraine toys with one of the skewers, then thinks better of it and sets the roasted morsel down.
Khom-Bei chuckles softly at the Vorghol's revelation. "And how would you suggest that we accomplish this simple task, good sir?"
Varun's response is almost merry. "With my assistance, of course." He indicates the food. "Eat, eat my friends, I assure you, you will enjoy it. My hospitality is noted."
Khom-Bei leans forward and holds his hands above the tray of food. "Great Father, bless this food that we take strength from your bounty." A radiance issues from Khom-Bei's hands, shining briefly on the morsels and purifying them.
Kane replies stifly, "It all looks lovely but I just ate. You have my thanks however."
Khom-Bei takes a skewer of meat. "I will certainly enjoy your hospitality, sir."
Verraine reaches for the food, samples a bite, and nods to Khom-Bei.
Varun laughs. "'Great father!' It has been some time since I heard such an imprecation."
The roast pig is excellent, well-smoked and flavored.
Khom-Bei smiles a tight smile and swallows. "I am but a simple tribesman from the northlands. We keep the old traditions."
Varun smiles. "Old traditions. Of course."
Varun muses, watching you eat, "Sometimes the simple pleasures are best, no?"
Kane says, "What sort of help are you offering Varun?"
Varun chuckles as if thinking out loud. "Ah, to the point, of course, of course. You see, perhaps dead is overrated, hm? I would prefer to see him twist in the wind like the young upstart he is. Yes, that would indeed be better than death for him."
Kane replies, "Well there is something to say about the implosion to dust. It's always been a favorite of mine.
Varun waggles a fat finger at Kane, amused. "Very good, very good, Kane. But one such as you must enjoy the sweet pleasure of letting an enemy linger, knowing he is defeated and powerless, surely?"
Kane says, "Actually, I like to let dead dogs lie."
Khom-Bei finishes the roast pork and sets the skewer down beside the tray.
The Vorghol grins at Kane. "You see, for some time, Valkris and I have engaged in a rivalry of sorts. He, as one who would be the King's own right hand, has pursued me and mine in towns and cities in the land as I have pursued my own livelihood." He continues, staring idly at Verraine a moment, "But this latest endeavor of his, to claim rulership of this city...is just intolerable! You do understand, do you not, my friends?"
Khom-Bei laughs aloud at the Vorghol. "You see, Kane, even the immortal Dark Ones are corrupted by worldy desires for power. How petty."
Kane says, "It hardly matters if we do. You propose we kill Valkris, which we are not opposed to and you offer your aid in completing the task. That's all that matters to us."
Verraine doesn't snicker. She looks thoughtfully at you both.
Varun snorts at Khom-Bei. "What else is there, sir? Believe me, in a long life I have learned one thing: to walk the path I know best."
Khom-Bei nods to Varun. "Point taken, sir. But what of the time when your feet grow tired of that path?"
Kane says, "I think we can drop the pretense of this being a social visit. Why don't we get down to business. How do you propose we free the poor tormented soul of Valkris?"
Varun strokes the girl's hair. He sighs at Kane's abruptness, as if he's tired. "I think you misunderstand me, my friend. I wish him dead, but I would prefer to see him humbled. Valkris' goal is clear to me, as it is to you, no doubt. He wishes to be Claw. If that happens, I and certain of my associates will find our livelihood...inconvenienced. And I do hate to be inconvenienced..."
Kane says, "We will kill him for you. Humbling is not part of the deal."
Khom-Bei says, "In my experience, death can be very humbling."
Varun says, "Killing is easy, sir. Far too easy. A simple plan presents itself. The royal emissary is to be feted in the Old Keep in two watches. If this emissary were not to return to the Court...how would this be received? Valkris could hardly claim to control Camars, if even the King's own emissaries were not safe here. And for failing to provide protection, the King would probably kill Valkris himself, or at least exile him to one of the sunlit lands." He chortles at the possibility.
Verraine says, "Royal emissary?" She looks to Kane.
Kane says, "So there still lies the problem of how we are to abduct the emissary. Last I saw she was surrounded by a legion of Urag warriors."
Varun shrugs, waving his hand dismissively. "Logistical details...suffice it be said, there are ways to enter the Keep during the fete."
Kane says, "So far this doesn't seem like much of a plan. I hope you have more to offer."
Varun asks Khom-Bei, "Are you still hungry, sir? More wine? A woman for your pleasure, perhaps?"
Khom-Bei shakes his head. "Thank you, but no. If we must do this task, I require rest."
Varun turns to Kane. "Oh very well. You scorn my hospitality and wine and now you expect me to draw you a map like some Mazirin second-story man." He puffs his cheeks and sighs. "There are servants in the Old Keep in my...employ...who will make it easy to enter by secret ways. Once in, you secrete yourselves in a private area near the feast hall. When the opportunity presents itself, you strike, and leave by the assistance of the same servants."
Kane says, "I have a novel idea. Why don't you let us take Verraine with us? Believe me we would not miss the chance of disposing Valkris. There is no need of coercion."
Verraine sits back in her chair, tapping a skewer against her lip. "So why don't you do this yourself, then?"
Kane says, "I believe I can answer this one."
Varun gestures at Kane, chuckling. "Pray, do."
Kane says, "Varun, does not wish to take the chance of something going wrong and having Malivare sit up and take notice of him. The royal guest is Malivare's consort the Lady Merith. Malivare would not take lightly some one messing with his toys."
Varun applauds and laughs, quietly. "Well reasoned, sir, and correct. This is an intrigue. I cannot be seen to be involved."
Verraine says, "Lady Merith..." She knows the name.
The little girl says, in a voice dead and cold as the far moon, "He's a smart one, my lord."
Kane says, "You realize if we are caught we will sing to high heaven that you put us up to it. So it will be in your own best interest to see that this doesn't happen."
"Yes, but will they believe you? Hunters in league with such as me?" Varun finds this hilarious and throws his head back to laugh. "Absurd!"
Kane says, "As I well know they have ways of getting the truth out of people. I am sure that Valkris would not find this so far fetched. Also, I will need some guarantee that you will let Verraine free when the deed is done. By the way what would you like us to do with the Lady Merith when her role in this little scheme is finished?"
Varun says, "I do not keep Verraine as prisoner, Kane. She merely took refuge here from Valkris' men. Of course, she will go with you. I believe her talents will be indispensable in your task, hm?" He leans forward. "Her role in this scheme? Kane, you are too subtle for me. Whatever do you mean?"
Kane says, "Well, no one said this was going to be a two for one did they?"
Varun regards Kane idly. "Oh, perhaps you think I wanted you to kidnap her. Abduct a Vorghol Lady and carry her kicking and screaming out of the Old Keep. No, sir, you misapprehend me. Her demise will reflect badly on Valkris, and that is the true target of this attack. Malivare will be furious. I can see his face now, with that vein in his head bulging...oh, it has been years since I have seen him thus!" He positively giggles.
Khom-Bei looks at Kane and asks. "Can you do it, Kane? Will you be able to put her to her rest?"
Kane scowls at Khom-Bei."Very easily. I feel bringing death to the Vorghol is a mercy."
Varun studies Kane a long time. Then he nods. "Ah...ah, I had not realized. I see now. You...knew this woman."
Kane says, "Whatever I once knew of Merith is long dead. Long dead."
Varun grins with fangs. "So many have said the same of me over the years, and here I am."
Kane says, "Here who is? Certainly you don't claim to be the same man you were before the Turning?"
Khom-Bei stands and stretches pointedly. "Well, you three need to work out the details and I need to get some rest. I'm going to be busy."
Varun smirks, setting his fingers together. "The man I was could never have become Varun the Shadow."
Kane says, "What would the man you were think about the man you are today?"
Varun taps his nose with a finger. "It was so long ago, and minds before the Turning are so small...I do not mean to give offense, but it is true. He would be frightened, as he was of the lightning and the thunder and the great winged Dragha who rode the winds. But now...well, the Dragha are all gone, and there is very little I fear, at my age."
Kane says, "An honest answer. That's quite a shock."
Varun smirks. "I may be a thief, but I am no liar."
Verraine says, "Very well, we will do this. Merith will get the true death, and after we will be gone from the city."
Khom-Bei scratches his stomach under his tunic. "Right. So, where do we sleep?"