>>5731191The Hall of the Elders is nearly empty at this hour. What few clerks and judges remain are on their way out, or at the cusp of completing last-moment duties. Despite this, the guards stationed at the front insist that you are required to relinquish your weapons while inside, a demand which you grudgingly acquiesce to. Searching high and low, you keep the evidence given to you by Emitia Rouzet close to your chest and comb the halls for the red-haired mage or his apprentice.
"Arright, hit me!" Exclaims the gruff, throaty voice of Sten Silvershard, the city's High Captain and de facto leader of the council. You follow the sound to its origin, the office of the same man, and peer through the door left slightly ajar. This room, so utilitarian that you would be inclined to describe it as 'barren,' is weakly illuminated by wax lights, serving to highlight four figures seated at a circular table. There is, of course, the paladin, still in his armor even at this hour. Flanking him is Dulnur Darkshadow, as mirthless as ever, and the boy Lael, with an exasperated Amaranth sitting on the opposite end.
Each holds a hand of cards, drawn from a deck which rests at the table's center. With a confident smirk, the paladin takes a drag from his cigarette and expunges the tobacco smoke through his nose. "I got a good feeling about this one. Tymora's gotta be smilin' at me right now." The dwarf waggles his pipe at the human in admonishment. "I say horseshit, Silvershard. Yae've all the luck of whoreson cursed by Beshaba."
"That... is not quite how I would have phrased it, but Dulnur is correct. It may be best if you cut your losses for tonight, Sten," remarks Amaranth, brushing a stray strand of hair from his face as he gestures for his apprentice to pass him another card. The paladin pounds his armored fist against the table twice. "Shaddap! You guys are starting to sound like my wife. Y'know what? I'm goin' all in!"
It suddenly occurs to you that you have a unique opportunity to eavesdrop on the men before you make your presence known to them...
>I can spare the time to listen in on this conversation.>No delays. I must show them the letters immediately! 