>>5367245>>5367179>>5367131>>5367065>>5366970>>5366964>>5366960“There isss an ancient wissdom among we of the Massster Race,” you eventually answer the Herbalist. “It transslatess as: ‘trusst nothing ssomeone tellss you, and only half of what you obssserve to be true.’”
The dwarf’s face falls, and she squints her eyes to hold back tears.
“Sir—”
“I trusst you,” you interrupt.
She looks up, startled and confused by this emotional whiplash.
“But I will be obssserving, verifying, alsso,” you continue. “Do not make me regret my trussst… Or you and your fellow captivesss will regret it alssso.”
She gulps, but nods. Without another word, she rushes from the room—presumably to prepare for the journey ahead. You crane your neck a little to watch her go. That posterior!
And this SCHEME… It makes you wonder whether you are genuinely having a corrupting effect on this mammalian female. Then again, you trusted her. What effect, you wonder, is SHE having on YOU? You set such thoughts aside, and summon the Thief to your presence.
“Superior One, you called for me? Is it to be another decapitating strike? A false-flag?”
You do not answer right away, instead presenting him with the bundled mask. He unwraps it, a little suspiciously—but then, you suppose it is in his nature not tot rust readily. You try not to begrudge him it; the sudden widening of his eyes and tail-swishing excitement of the Silkscale when he realizes what he’s been handed certainly goes a long way towards appeasing your wounded pride.
“This is a Mask of Face-Changing!” he balks.
“Yes,” you acknowledge. “You need not bear the mark of shame on your face around us. You have proven yourself to be an exemplary Reptilian in my eyes, through your ambition and spirit.”
He looks at you, dumbfounded. This act of generosity and recognition is clearly a source of immense pride, but also uncertainty. It is natural for a Reptilian to expect a catch. While there isn’t REALLY one, well, you anticipated this. There IS something he can do for you, after all:
“Has the Novice Fleshweaver prepared you an Amulet of Disguise suitable for going among dwarves?” you ask.
“Yes, Superior One.”
“Good,” you say. “Use that, and this mask, to disguise yourself as a dwarf female—one of those in our captivity. You will be send with Da—with the Herbalist, to enact an operation of subversion and subdual. We are going to trick and poison the dwarves of this next fort, weakening them with toxic herbs and luring them out to where we may capture them to break and enslave.”
