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A Question Answered... The hooded stranger shivered, it was cold here. Certainly colder than the climes that he was used to. Looking down from the hilltop upon the quiet city of Molag, the stranger began to pace expectantly. 'Why here, of all places ? This meeting could have taken place in either of their realms, at little inconvenience to the other'. His companion had grown tired of the wait, and had trekked down to the city. Woe to any of the residents who showed there faces to the doors ! 'The meeting must be in the Horned Lands, where we will both be free of... distractions...', The stranger remembered agreeing with the logic at the time. He heard footsteps, but did not turn turn to see who was approaching. The approaching footsteps belonged to another tall stranger. Wary of the ability of the person that he had come to meet, he had ensured that many contingencies were in place. If things went wrong, he would depart in an instant... less than an instant, even. He regarded the pacing stranger, who had stopped as if listening. It was time... "Give praise to the great one..." The pacing stranger was silent for a moment before replying "His time will come..." "Rary ?" "Kermin Mindbender" Both hoods came back. "This wretched place chills me to the bone !" "It is good to see you again, how many years has it been ?" "Many, and we have both been busy" "Tales of your activities are hard to come by Rary, and those that reach our ears are... shall we say... in conflict with each other" "They are as they are by design Kermin, I value my privacy" "The lady Eclavdra sends her greetings. She asked me to tell you that she has a new position that you may be interested in... filling ?" Rary considered for a moment "I feel that there would be no shortage of others before me" "Ah... yes" "Shall we dispense with this tedious small talk Kermin, my patience has already been tested" " " "I'll take that as a 'yes'. Did you bring the information that I requested ?" "Where is your security Rary, surely you are not slipping in your old age ?" Rary sneered "Robilar is in the city, but have no fear, He will be here in an instant... in less than an instant, even ?" Kermin shuddered. His desire to remind Rary that there was an open warrant on Robilar forgotten. Rary spoke: "Why Kermin, surely you are not lacking in protective spells ?" "Let us return to the business at hand. I have the information that you requested... do you have what has been asked... in return ?" "I have... You may wish to peruse these documents" Kermin Mindbender took the documents, and half turned to read them in private. He immediately thought better of it, and read it under the watchful eye of Rary, who stood unmoving. "I hope he is not trying to peer into my mind" thought Kermin, "If he is, he will be on the receiving end of a nasty shock..." Rary roared with laughter, Kermin turned with embarrassment, and began reading. After a time, he turned. "These documents are accurate ?", a beaming leer stretching across his face "There should be no reason for you to mistrust me, but just in case... 'I Rary of Ket, certify to the validity of the information contained in these documents, to the best of my knowledge'" Kermin squinted momentarily "I believe you" "As well you should. Do you not trust me ?" "Bigby is a person of some privacy himself, and has become increasingly so since my blessed lord marked him for the death of infinity." "Bigby is also a creature of habit. I spent some time planning my coup Mindbender, I watched, and he failed to notice... they ALL failed to notice me watching" "But this information is miraculous Rary ! His family, friends, allies ! If we can't get to him directly..." "Secrets, my dear Kermin, can be overcome. It is simply a matter of patience... or having the right bribe of course..." "My only question is: how contemporary can my allies regard this information" "It is accurate as I am aware. Bigby is no fool, and is protected by powerful allies of good. That wretched Crook also shields him, even if he is not in it's direct vicinity.. THE CROOK ! Mindbender's mind screamed with the memory of Iuz' wrath following the loss of some of his most powerful allies and servants. Even the Boneheart lived in fear of their lives for a time... ... anyway, I have fulfilled my part of the bargain. I now expect your co-operation" "Very well. The information you requested is but a trifle" Said Kermin Mindbender, surrendering some documents from his scroll case, "What could you want it for, Rary ?" "Let us call it a passing whim, details were hard to come by" "Why don't you tell me ?" "Not willing to risk a peek into my mind ? Don't worry, I will reveal all. But first, you have a summary for me ?" "Very well, Murq was indeed a servant of my lord for a time... at least, he served with allies at the time when the great one was afoot on his great adventure..." Rary scoffed "I know all about that great adventure ! Shall I tell you about how his majesty was actually imprisoned at the time, and Bigby very nearly..." "I see that you have been swayed by the lies that abound ! The great one has denied it to me personally !" "I suggest that no one in his empire has the courage to allege such a lie to his face. Why not drop the pretense Mindbender, you are using your position to get what best you can..." Kermin Mindbender stood silent "...And that you have no real love for your lord. You KNOW that his 'time' is coming. I think that you have even foreseen it. Yes ! You HAVE foreseen it, and you remain silent from fear... or perhaps for more selfish reasons... I know of you and your aspirations" Kermin Mindbender grew ashen "Amuse me Kermin, let me hear it from your lips... I HATE IUZ !" "There ! I said it, and I am here unharmed ! Go on Mindbender, I will protect you..." "I will not be be baited like this Rary, MY patience is not unlimited" There was movement all around him. If this disturbed Rary, it wasn't apparent to Kermin Mindbender. "Your will is strong Kermin. Let me be candid, I have tremendous respect for your lord. He and I share many goals" (To Be Continued...)