Post by lucesi on Mar 22, 2012 9:09:53 GMT -5
Andric sat, perched on the edge of the ancient ruined wall, rubbing at the new growth of stubble on his chin, which was returning after his necessary shaving. He reflected upon the news the wizard had given him on this very spot. Examining the desolate ruins beside him the bard in him noted that it could be an apt metaphor for his own ambitions if recent events were not controlled.
It had been proceeding so well! The subterfuge against the enemies that had struck against him was off to a promising start, his own role in it (as his ego prompted him) played to near perfection.
And then this. The bumbling incompetencies of his associates had brought their plans close to ruin, a dangerous road when their enemies surounded them still. The fool soldier was dead it seemed, killed by the forces of undeath supposedly,though Andric had few doubts that his own recklessness would have played a major role. He had proved a useful ally in the past and his talents would need to be replaced.
Still perhaps it would prove to be a blessing in disguise, he had become belligerent and erratic recently, his actions often hard to predict. Particularly since the duel at the pond when Andric had bested him. He smiled at the memory. No doubt the soldier found it hard to have been defeated by what he probably considered a foppish dandy. Regardless he would need to be replaced, there was a steady stream of sell swords in these parts and it should not prove too difficult.
And then there was the attack on the wizard. The fools. He had told them that they should have killed her when the evidence of her treachery unearthed. She knew too much of their plans anyway. But no, the soldier was too full of lust for her flesh to listen, ensnared by her tongue (and body also, undoubtedly). And the wizard, well he had a keen intelligence for abstract matters and the arcane, but his understanding of wordly affairs was negligable. And it had nearly cost him his life.
He paused a moment. She had sensed her opportunity well it seems, striking at the wizard, when he was weak, isolated and without armed guard. Only bad luck seems to have prevented her succeeded. And then two of the triumvirate would have been dead, with only Andric himself left alive. Perhaps her intention was to have assassinated him afterwards? His brow furrowed.
But who was behind this? He had no doubts she had a benefactor somewhere who wished them dead. Perhaps even the enemy who had bested them previously. The woman would be well rewarded for eliminating them all, Andric reasoned. But she had failed.
He fleetingly glanced at a small puddle puddle at his feet, his image staring back at him for a few moments. He noticed with approval his own handsome features and gleaming mithral armour cut quite a dash, a heroic character fit for the ballads he learnt at bardic college.
But she had failed. And this weakened her immensely. She could no longer play the game she had been for so long, her motives out in the open, obvious to all. She was vulnerable. Andric smiled to himself darkly. And therefore useful. Yes, yes indeed after this she would be much more use to him alive than dead. She would need protection against the wrath of the wizard, and would therefore be malleable.
She would be in hiding, he knew that, and difficult to contract. And she did not trust him and would do so even less after this incident. To find her, to contact her would be fraught with difficulties. An inter-mediary perhaps?
Yes of course, the Spider. He nodded to himself. Catching the Spider would be the key...
It had been proceeding so well! The subterfuge against the enemies that had struck against him was off to a promising start, his own role in it (as his ego prompted him) played to near perfection.
And then this. The bumbling incompetencies of his associates had brought their plans close to ruin, a dangerous road when their enemies surounded them still. The fool soldier was dead it seemed, killed by the forces of undeath supposedly,though Andric had few doubts that his own recklessness would have played a major role. He had proved a useful ally in the past and his talents would need to be replaced.
Still perhaps it would prove to be a blessing in disguise, he had become belligerent and erratic recently, his actions often hard to predict. Particularly since the duel at the pond when Andric had bested him. He smiled at the memory. No doubt the soldier found it hard to have been defeated by what he probably considered a foppish dandy. Regardless he would need to be replaced, there was a steady stream of sell swords in these parts and it should not prove too difficult.
And then there was the attack on the wizard. The fools. He had told them that they should have killed her when the evidence of her treachery unearthed. She knew too much of their plans anyway. But no, the soldier was too full of lust for her flesh to listen, ensnared by her tongue (and body also, undoubtedly). And the wizard, well he had a keen intelligence for abstract matters and the arcane, but his understanding of wordly affairs was negligable. And it had nearly cost him his life.
He paused a moment. She had sensed her opportunity well it seems, striking at the wizard, when he was weak, isolated and without armed guard. Only bad luck seems to have prevented her succeeded. And then two of the triumvirate would have been dead, with only Andric himself left alive. Perhaps her intention was to have assassinated him afterwards? His brow furrowed.
But who was behind this? He had no doubts she had a benefactor somewhere who wished them dead. Perhaps even the enemy who had bested them previously. The woman would be well rewarded for eliminating them all, Andric reasoned. But she had failed.
He fleetingly glanced at a small puddle puddle at his feet, his image staring back at him for a few moments. He noticed with approval his own handsome features and gleaming mithral armour cut quite a dash, a heroic character fit for the ballads he learnt at bardic college.
But she had failed. And this weakened her immensely. She could no longer play the game she had been for so long, her motives out in the open, obvious to all. She was vulnerable. Andric smiled to himself darkly. And therefore useful. Yes, yes indeed after this she would be much more use to him alive than dead. She would need protection against the wrath of the wizard, and would therefore be malleable.
She would be in hiding, he knew that, and difficult to contract. And she did not trust him and would do so even less after this incident. To find her, to contact her would be fraught with difficulties. An inter-mediary perhaps?
Yes of course, the Spider. He nodded to himself. Catching the Spider would be the key...