A Royal Gamble

[Gar]

The barbarian straightened her posture and crossed her arms, making use of her height. She stared straight forward and maintained a calm, stoic exterior even as the hobgoblin circled her.

"Because if I was a citizen, perhaps you'd listen to what I've come to tell you. Perhaps my words would hold more weight," Gar replied simply, drawing a deep breath before adding, "I bring news of a foreign threat; a dangerous group of zealots that spread their creed across kingdoms for an ominous purpose."

She turned her head to stare directly down into the king's eyes, challenging him to doubt her truth.

[Bay]

"Oh... do you now?"

The king tilted back his head and laughed.

Nirdrang approached Gar and brought his hand slowly to her face. He turned her head side to side, examining it closely.

"Wrong jaw for an orc from the Jade Marsh. You're a decedent from the Prutis tribes... 'Eagle Crusher' most likely. Possibility 'Blood Claw'."

He released her face and touched the edge of Gar's armor.

"Your armor and weapons are of masterwork quality, but older pieces. Not black ore..." 

The king walked back to his throne and grinned.

"Tell me if I'm mistaken champion: you've crossed the sea to be here haven’t you? Your orc heritage is too strong for it to have come from a grandparent and half-orcs are rare in this continent. I doubt both your parents were half breeds."

"Your weapons were made by the humans of Lisal to the south too, correct? You could have stolen them I suppose, but it's more likely someone gave them to you."

The king leaned forward from his throne, his dangerous intelligence clearly beaming from behind his eyes.

"Now... why would a half-orc from across the sea with ties to my human neighbors risk her life in the trials to bring us this warning?"

[Gar]

Gar was unable to hide her annoyance as the king touched her jaw and moved her head. Her upper lip curled on one side reflexively, revealing bright teeth and one sharp upper canine. Once the king returned to his throne she finally remembered herself and pursed her lips.

"This world faces something much larger than rival kingdoms or social ties," answered Gar resolutely, "That is why I'd go this far. If these zealots should succeed in freeing Odjir from his prison, then all we have and all we know would be lost. Such a defeat would transcend territories and kings."

The half-orc studied the hobgoblin's face for a moment. Did he already know her thoughts? Was he playing with her? Or was he testing her honesty? Was she correct to assume that this was the crown they were after? Well, that was finger-waggler business. She didn't have a clue.

"Also," Gar added carefully, lowly, "there have been rumors that you are in possession of something these zealots are after...something that would strengthen their goal..." Her gaze drifted to the emerald crown.

[Bay]

"Hold your tongue!" The king ordered before another word was spoken.

He turned to his guards. "This half-orc was a weakling and she fell by my hands!" he announced, "If anything else is said regarding this meeting,  all of you shall pay with your lives. Now leave us."

As one, the guards raised their spears, barked, "As you command," and began marching out of the main chamber, leaving Gar and Sahltie alone with the king.

"You divulge your secrets too easily mixed breed," he growled, "I am all too aware of the Serpent's Hunger cult and have already expunged their filth from my domain. Do not think me an ignorant weakling like humans or elves!"

The king leaned back on his throne and rested his chin on his palm. A flash of white beamed from his eyes and his  crown glowed in that instant.

The king smiled, "Well, well, well... you and your friends have been quite busy haven't you Gar, Herald of the Hornblower? "

[Gar]

The half-orc's fists clenched, one hand moving instinctively to her greataxe and pausing over the hilt. But she could expect that she was no match against him, and he had called the guards away. Perhaps there was yet some common ground between them. She forced her arms down to her sides and glanced at Sahltie.

"As promised, I release you from your oath," Gar muttered to the hobgoblin, "Your fate is no longer tied to mine. Forget everything you've heard and seen. Go now."

Then Gar faced the king and stated with strong conviction, her nose wrinkling irritably, "The Serpent's Hunger is very resilient. They will hardly be deterred by threats of death or momentary defeat. Perhaps you have held them back this time, but there are more powerful beings among them that could step up to the cause, if necessary, to obtain the objective. And since what they are after sits on your head you can be sure that your life will be their primary target." The barbarian paused a moment to inhale deeply and calm herself before stating, "That is why we have come. The Heralds are on a mission to secure and hide these items so that they do not fall into the cultist's hands and strengthen their quest to bring Odjir back to our world."

[Bay]

"Do not move Sahltie." Nirdrang ordered off-handedly.

"You overestimate those foolish cultists," he said turning to Gar, "and you overestimate yourselves. What would you do if I gave you the crown? Go back to the mad sorcerer king and hide it in his vault with the goblet?"

Nirdrang flashed his teeth again, "Oh yes, I read your thoughts as easily as words on a page."

"No, the crown will remain where it is," he said leaning back on his throne with a tone of finality, "I can think of nowhere safer."

"Now, let us speak about the slaves your friends have freed."

He stood and walked until he was a foot away from Gar, "I shall take you into my confidence half-orc: I wish to terminate the dark ore mining operation. At least for a few months. But to do so would encourage my rivals to challenge my decision. The ore has become extremely popular with the blacksmiths."

He grinned, "But should the mines collapse as a consequence of a slave uprising..."

[Gar]

The half-orc did not falter even as the king approached, squaring her shoulders and staring back into his eyes skeptically. She squinted and lifted her chin. "So by looking into my mind you also saw that the black ore is connected to the cultist's schemes. At least that saves me from explaining it..." Gar muttered, her eyes flashing with the sudden realization that she now verbalized, "And you'd allow us to sabotage your own structures to put an end to it?"

The barbarian couldn't help but feel a small touch of admiration for the king in that moment, though it quickly faded. She crossed her arms and frowned. "My party would not agree to work with a hobgoblin, even if he was a king. They abhor your slave culture, and I side with them in this regard..." she grunted, "Plus, one of them may even think to double-cross you after it was done to get the crown...and on the other hand..."

Gar stepped forward boldly and searched the king's eyes. "How do I know you won't just use us and then double-cross us as soon as we've served your purpose? Your armies could put a quick end to--and reverse--any progress we made once these slave uprisings were no longer convenient."

[Bay]

Nirdrang couldn't help but scoff, "You again overestimate your prowess. None of you have the ability to oppose me, much less take this crown. As far as the ore is concerned, my sources made no direct link with the cultists, but I've had my own doubts for some time."

His expression then softened. "Regardless, it's like you said it yourself," he whispered, "'This world faces something much larger than rival kingdoms or social ties.' You need allies to combat Odjir's return. I need allies that can help me remain in power for the same goal. Both of us have much to gain working together."

The hobgoblin king smiled broadly and spread his arms, "And yes, you may detest my culture, but it hardly matters when we both have so much to lose doesn't it? If you think your fellow Heralds will protest, then don't tell them. Return to them, lead the slaves back to the mines, and make your grand stand. You'll win! A few dozen slaves is a small price to pay to close that mine. Consider them payment, for services rendered."

[Gar]

Gar's expression also softened at these words. "Yes, we have too much to lose to get hung up on cultural differences. This I agree with fully..." she sighed and shook her head, "The rest of the party won't see it that way, though, and I cannot hope to make them understand..." she looked away for a moment to ponder this. "If we are going to make it convincing, I'll need to target more than just one mine...and before I agree to work with you..."

The barbarian inhaled deeply and locked eyes with the king once more, her expression hardening with resolve. "I need to know for certain that I can trust you. Allow me to look into you the way you looked into me so that I may be assured that your word is good," Gar offered resolutely, "Your first-hand insight into my life would tell you that I have no foolish aspirations of challenging or tricking you. And if you are as confident as you say, then this should pose no risks to your person." She offered her wrists to him and smirked sardonically, as if to gode him, "You may even bind me beforehand if this would put you more at ease. But you should already know that I have no intention of running. I just need to know, without a doubt, that you mean what you say before I stake my friend's lives on this partnership."

[Bay]

Nirdrang's eyes narrowed, "I have many secrets half-breed. Some of which are worth more than just my life or that of my station. Secrets that only the rightful king of Gruzol may know. Should I allow you to peer into my mind, these secrets will be made bare to you."

The king shook his head, "No, I cannot allow you to see into my mind."