>>6134530"Hm, well, it's an old adage, but I think it's good to mention it for your sake. Three can keep a secret if two are dead. The fewer who hear about any sort of secret, the better."
"Do you think I'm some sort to tattle tale and spread secrets? Me! Lady Kizaemon of the Kuroda clan!?" The cat yowls and bares her fangs.
The report is interesting and to be succinct. The captured escapee claims he is a dollman from the island of Romulus; he says his name is Arminox. He has never been to Roma, though he has heard the tales and knows it exists. He claims he had been falsely accused of murder, branded, and sentenced to pull the oars of the Zama for the rest of his life. He has no idea that he arrived in Camelot, only that after so many years on the ship, he could not take any more slavery. He hatched a plan with a fellow slave, broke the lock on their chain, and jumped ship. He begs as a pitiful supplicant for your protection.
"I think we should just hand him over. It was not worth the time questioning him; he's a slave who spent the last eight years on a ship pulling oars. Also, innocent, my hoof. He's got the look of a criminal and is likely lying every few words to make himself look good. Lost Children are infamous throughout Avalon as being tender at heart; it's an obvious play to win your pity when he realized a King was ruling."
"Tender at heart?"
"With the exception of Ser Rodomonte, tales oft told that humans lack the iron mettle to do what is necessary. Soft living in the hateful World makes for softheaded thinking... Apologies, Your Majesty; I am not berating you for actions you have not taken yet. It's just something we observe in Avalon regarding humans. The number of times Lord Mordred would go for the 'least asshole option' and have it backfire is too numerous to count. Mercy is a quality that must be tempered with good judgment and an ability to see the potential consequences of them. Baphomets shall obey your orders but have a care to any returning blow that might result."
"If he still remembers Romulus, then we can use a Guide to Gate over there. I prefer to somehow keep him to explore more parts of Avalon. Our map is incomplete after all. But keeping him when the Romans are expecting him back is difficult."
There goes your hope for a direct link to the mysterious city of Roma. Is the island of Romulus close to it? Does this escapee remember enough about his native island that the Guides can use him to get there? Or should you hand over the escapee to the Romans and figure out another alternative?
You finger the official letter of Emperor Lucius Hiberius and wonder what sort of girl she is. Lady Kizaemon sniffs the scroll and huffs.
"Hmph, what a strange perfume to scent a letter. Tis the same smell as that degusting yellow ball fruit."
The cat scratches the letter to bat it away from her. The Spy looks intrigued by something.
<span class="mu-r">Trait: Spy Spy Spy - Tradecraft skills, top secret.</span>
