(Co-Written with Randy)
It was utter chaos. In the crowded Council chambers atop the highest, oldest tree at the center of Jhurna, with delegates, advisors, guards, and confused onlookers vying for position -- literally and figuratively. The halls echoed with debates that occasionally turned into actual physical fights. Mari had only had a chance to breathe, but she knew she didn’t have much time. She passed the nearly half dozen amber-glass doors ringing the chamber, before she finally came to the archway before the long spiraling staircase, currently flanked by armed guards intent on keeping those present, well, present until a functional government could be re-assembled. There was her quarry.
Warily standing as near to that exit as he could manage was a sallow-faced human of middling years with a thin layer of graying hair pasted to his high forehead by a sheen of sweat that had little to do with the pleasantly balmy jungle night air. A too-bright green-and-yellow emblem bearing the letters RUT was stitched onto his messy but otherwise expensive-looking tunic and trousers alike. This man was Roblos Ukhit, mercantile sailor extraordinaire.
Mari took a breath, taking pause at a pane of door to take in her appearance. She looked bone tired, after fighting through literal nightmares, and yet that brought determination in her gaze. However, she felt bolstered by her armor, gleaming plate and fabric mirroring the night sky that marked her as her Godmother’s guardian. She tucked a bit of her own strawberry blond hair behind her ears before placing a practiced smile. She approached Roblos attempting her normal warmth which usually wasn’t forced. “Mr. Ukhit, might I have a moment of your time?”
He watched her approach with increasing apprehensiveness, but she saw him adopt a pained facsimile of a welcoming grin at her greeting. "Of course, of course, yes. You, ah, seem familiar with me, but alas, fair lady, I am confident I have not yet made your acquaintance," he replied in a shifting and rapid -- almost slithering -- pattering. He bowed deeply, several gemstone-studded necklaces and bracelets shaking noisily in the process.
***
“Atar, what if you’re trying to make peace with someone who’s rude or mean?”
Her father tapped his chin thoughtfully, considering the question of a much younger Mari. “Well I find it’s important to approach with a smile”
“Especially yours, little one, make sure you have those who would underestimate you eating from your palm, before shoving them on their backfoot” Her mother chimed in, her tone light but her steely expression revealing she was deeply serious.
“Sabina, my sun, I don’t know if we need to go that far, but a smile does help soften most approaches” Her father said, laughing a bit.
***
So Mari smiled beatifically before the “merchant” . "I've heard a few things from a few of my peers, and I apologize I haven't introduced myself" Mari said before gracefully curtsying before him "My name is Mari Grimm, I'm helping with the protection of the people of Bosaa. Nasty things have been happening , and I'm so glad to be here to help. I heard you were very well traveled, and was wondering if you might have some insights into a few concerns I have?"
He nodded along studiously, his gaze occasionally sliding around her toward the shrouded door. Suddenly a vigorous argument broke out between two Councilors behind. He winced, offering an apologetic expression. "My many friends do tell such kind tales about me, don't they, Ms. Grimm? Alas, this chamber is a poor place for proper conversation. Perhaps we should retire to one of the lovely gardens I've heard so much about?" he said, gesturing toward the nearest amber doorway.
"I have been told you are quite the businessman " Mari agreed "Of course, please lead the way. Orion, let everyone know I'll be back in a few".
Orion nodded officiously, mimicking Roblos before soaring off towards her friends. The merchant sprung the latch on the doorway free and led them out onto a sizable balcony grown onto a massive tree limb. Thick vines and fragrant flowers from all across the island draped artfully from overhead, and a faint trickle of water from small clay aqueducts could be heard, watering the garden and slightly cooling the air on the balcony. A faint breeze carried with it the scents of the city below, and the murmur of life all around. As the door slid closed, the chaos of the council was cut short.
"That's far better. Now, tell me, what concerns do you have that I might be of. . . assistance with?”
Mari took a moment to drink in the surrounding nature, and despite it not even being close, it still made her homesick for the garden she played in as a child. Finally, she took a breath and gave her full attention to Roblos. " Well I heard trade had become slightly limited in the past few months. You've been here a few weeks, correct? Has it been hard or have your goods been well received? '' Mari asked
His smile widened as the conversation turned more fully into his area of expertise. "Ah, truth be told, I came with little to sell on this particular trip. Rather, I had hoped to make some. . . purchases. As you noted, trade with Koumazot has grown complex, and many outside merchants are finding it difficult to re-secure contracts that have lasted decades. So, of course, where better to direct my efforts than this noble Council? Little did I know that I would find it in such dire straits. A terrible thing about the Haskal, isn't it? Gods' mercy, does it look like she stood on death's doorstep and knocked thrice."
" Yes, I'm glad we were able to come to her aid in time. What resources were you hoping to acquire here?" Mari asked, tilting her head curiously. She took a moment to study his nervous demeanor. He was relying too much on his station, and it seemed she would need to get him on the backfoot.
She lulled him into a false sense of security easily with pretty little lies, pretending she didn’t quite understand how all this merchant business worked. He was initially hesitant to discuss his business in greater detail, but eventually, the allure of showing off his success was too much.
"Well, you did not hear a peep of it from me, but I had actually managed to secure a handshake agreement with one of Councilor Chaliya's representatives to be awarded the first large new contract to transport Bosaan ironwood in weeks. Some. . . friends of mine were eager to see those lines of trade reopened, and I can be very, very convincing. Unfortunate to see that she seems to have mired herself in a bit of a scandal, but I'm confident that I will be able to make that deal work with whoever winds up on top in the end."
"You must be incredibly skilled to have secured that contract. Which trade routes will those bring you through? " Mari asked, continuing with the lies, and sheepish, girlish smiles. He would confidently answer a question, and Mari would ask a “benign” follow up that caused him to stumble and attempt to pivot. Mari watched him continue to sweat and fluster and she continued , knowing she was so close.
"Ah, but of course, it would take me directly into the waters plied by the deadly Windfallan pirates; I'm sure you must have heard of those on your ride over from Hallea, Ms. Grimm." He caught that as he spoke that he knew much more about her than he had mentioned.
"Which, of course, weren't really a concern. As you yourself said, my skill is immeasurable and I do not enter into these negotiations without being fully prepared. Why, in fact," his voice pitched higher with excitement as he continued, "my contact who orchestrated the purchase assured me that even if I were to run into these pirates, merely flying the appropriate banner -- he helped me secure some curiously accurate fakes of Damenthalan regalia -- would apparently lead to them (can you believe this?!) actually paying me for the goods they'd make off with! Apparently the second chain in the lumber's progress must move through them for some unfathomable reason. Very upsetting people, pirates.” Mari nodded with agreement, gently egging him on.
"Vehlas is a savvy operator, so I'm unsurprised he managed to set up such a clever means of disguising his intent." Ukhit gulped noticeably, his eyes darting back and forth, and he seemed to decide to settle into the error of giving his contact’s name, leaning towards her conspiratorially and speaking in an even more hushed whisper. "Why, and again, you did not hear it from me, but Vehlas Kaizer is more than just a savvy operator. He's a positively unholy terror. His face all carved up and blistered red by gods only know what fell encounter, trundling around in that garish violet armor of his, he certainly scares the daylights out of anyone who'd cross him, pirates or otherwise." Ukhit relaxed noticeably, seemingly confident he covered for his slip of the tongue and sat back; closing his eyes as he interlaced his thin, ring-studded fingers across his paunchy belly. Mari bit her tongue , as she gripped the railing of the balcony, but kept a placid expression on her face.
"Of course, if he were walking around with a painting of me in one of his alarming little dossiers, I'd certainly make myself scarce, Ms. Gri--" his eyes shot open. "N-not that he has one of you. Or, erm, anyone. Anyway, yes, the lumber, it must sail, am I right?" He laughed nervously and glanced toward the railing, swallowing hard again as he took in the prodigious height of their conversation upon the balcony. Mari felt rage she had not realized possible. Yet she knew that this was not the time to be rash, not yet. But the game was over and it was time to show her cards. She straightened herself, turning to face him.
"I am grateful for the name, I had heard of such a notable man. It is with this gratitude I offer you a chance at redemption " Mari said and held out her hand " you will tell me exactly what you know about Vehlas, his frequent locals, and who is in his dossiers, and I will assist you in turning yourself in and finding redemption. Flee or fight me, Mr. Ukhit , and I shall pursue with the fury of an eternity of dawns and I cannot guarantee you a chance to better yourself". To fully express her intent, light gleamed upon her back, and infinite-feathered celestial wings spread out in terrible grandeur, causing Ukhit to shrink backwards.
"Y-your beneficence is deeply appreciated and fundamentally acknowledged, Lady Grimm. I am unworthy of such a kindness offered from one of your. . . grace.” His voice trembled and eyes shone, nodding all the while. "Vehlas Kaizer is a terrible, terrifying man. Well, I say man. Some fell ancestry clearly poisons his blood. Perhaps that explains his constant requests for alarming quantities of illegal reagents and equally vile weaponry. I. . . I don't dare ask for more details when I can avoid it. Yet, even he seems to take his orders from somewhere further above. Or perhaps below, if you catch my drift. That man trucks with unspeakable forces, Lady Grimm. Do not cross him lightly.” Mari stared dispassionately in her shining regalia. She was clearly not taking this matter lightly. Yet Roblos was more intent on saving himself at that moment, pulling back and trembling.
"Because, yes, he is hunting you. He has put a small kingdom's ransom toward the search by now, in the years I've known him. More than a few disreputable cohorts scour the land, searching for details about you. I suspect they draw nearer, now. The portrait I saw was freshly painted, and very accurate. So, I must therefore assume, was the one of a young man with features similar to your own. Uriel, I think the documents said? Whatever the two of you have done to draw Kaizer's attention has surely marked you for a very, very unpleasant death. A fate I myself would prefer very much to avoid, Lady Grimm."
"I was a girl who ran from being slaughtered, that was my great transgression. I'm not running anymore " Mari stated , letting her anger show briefly. His expression changed in a moment, hardening with purpose. A silvery blade flashed out from his sleeve with a whoosh, but it did not strike her. Instead it caught onto the railing with a grinding rasp and Ukhit toppled backward over the edge of the balcony, a thin black wire swiftly unspooling from somewhere on his person, slowing his descent with an audible grinding noise as he disappeared into the canopy below.
Mari let out a sigh, before she stepped onto the railing. Her hand went to her wand, but instead of drawing it, she imbued some of her own light upon it to help alleviate the darkness. She then flew into the canopy after him. Branches flashed by Mari in an explosion of leaves and bark, each briefly illuminated in the darkness by her shining focus. Unslowed by any mechanical implement, she was able to catch up to the coward in the mad descent through the canopy, sharp eyes tracking as he crashed unsteadily into a massive limb far below.
A whizzing noise by her head alerted her to his safety line retracting rapidly toward his belt as he gathered himself and began to run, leaping from limb to limb with panicked swiftness, moving ever steadily toward the massive machinery that transports goods and people to and from the docks far below. As he caught sight of burning radiance winging down on him from above, Ukhit began to use his winch mechanism to pull branches back and fling them toward her with the resulting backlash. Mari easily dodged past most, until one of the hard seka wood branches exploded into a thousand glinting, crystalline shards against the sigil-traced armor she bore. She felt the impact deep in her bones as her breath rapidly left. Momentum carried her forward, and she was able to maintain trajectory just enough to land, gasping for breath and covered in broken seka wood, several feet in front of Ukhit, who skidded to a halt, screaming.
The small man fell to his skinned, bleeding knees before her, raising his hands in supplication, then swiftly tugging off his largest rings to offer them to her. "Please, please! I knew myself unworthy! Would that I had been dashed to death upon the ground below, rather than face judgment! I. . . I'll tell you anything! Anything!"
His face anguished, he seemed to reach some internal decision point. Tears streaking down his haggard features, he continued, "I was meant to meet with Kaizer in a month's time, after all the business with the pirates had concluded. In Silmaseryn. I. . . I have the details here. Please, take them! Take them and leave me be! Whatever spirits you consort with would flense the sinful flesh from my bones!"
He pushed a small envelope into her hands , trying to back away but instead fell hard on his rump and nearly went over the side of the branch the two were unsteadily balanced upon, the ground, still a hundred feet or more below. Mari took a moment to think, and she felt a hand upon her shoulder, warm and gentle. While she knew no one was physically there, she still felt her Godmother and heard her words.
I trust your judgment, my child, but know that there is no justice for letting him free as he is now, to continue to arm those who would bring harm to the innocent and weak.
Mari rose and steadied herself. “That is the difference between myself and Kaizer. I consort with those who hold me to be better for even my enemies. My Godmother teaches me mercy, which while you rue today, you will thank me eventually for showing you at your weakest” Mari said before pulling him up and using his struggling as momentum to pull them both to safety, before she was able to tie him down. She then made the trek back to Jhurna, before meeting the guards loyal to the Haskal, with Roblos in tow.
“He’s an arms dealer, and I’m sure will have information to help you find the broken links” Mari explained during the intake, before finally breaking into a yawn, and her armor dropping revealing her more simple attire. It seemed to make the hardened guards slightly more uncomfortable as it showed how young and vulnerable she really was. A mid-ranking lieutenant pulled her aside before she left, and placed a small pouch in her hand that sounded with the clattering of coins. " We thank you for your continued service to Bosaadack.” Then, in a quieter tone, he continued, “The Colonel sends his regards, and thanks for a job well done. And well-wishes, for whatever must come next for you."
Mari gave a small smile, for the first time in hours that was genuine. “Is very kind of you, but I think what is next is some sleep” Mari said before turning to see a familiar glow of a dawn about to rise.