The burden of proof… pt 1.

(These events took place during the camping event.)

Tannas sits alone in a dimly lit corner booth of the local tavern, far from the Consortium hall in the town of Meadowmere. Wanted posters lay in front of him awaiting signature. Familiar faces with echoes of their voices roam his memory. So much has happened in these past weeks. There are many things to think about.

The first morning in Baahir… After Tannas woke and did his morning hygienic routine, he noticed a delivered letter nearby. Whom ever left it, didn’t get close enough for Tannas to sense, or be present enough for others to notice. Normally, Drandor is up earlier than Tannas, and he hadn’t said anything about a delivery while milling about.

The letter had two folds and no smell to it, which was odd. New and old parchment have a distinct smell to it, and so does ink. This had neither. That in itself made this interaction a curious one. Seeing no runes or sigils, Tannas opened the letter.

“Your presence is requested with due haste. I require an audience in secrecy for a malevolent force upon you and to what end is uncertain. Please come alone to the alley behind the brothel.”

Of course, it sounded suspicious to Tannas. Of course, it sounded like a trap. And of course, he was going to go alone to spring it. Drandor walked in and said something about a butterfly war. Tannas was too lost in thought, though, to register what he was fully saying. He then looked up to Drandor.

“OK. Don’t die. I’m heading out for a bit. If I don’t make it back, you’re in charge.”

Drandor giggled in the way he did, then said something about more money for himself as he walked out. Tannas grabbed his sword before walking out of the room, checking over his shoulder. Everything in its place.

10 minutes later, he approached the building of ill repute. The past evenings patrons of the brothel were either gone by then or still sleeping off last nights drink inside. There wasn’t much movement in either case. The ground was hard, compact dirt. Any vantage points from above were two stories up and would make for an unconventional shot through the thin alley behind. It was barely more than a walkway. Whatever trap this may be, they could have picked a better location.

Behind the brothel wasn’t any better. Piles of broken bottles, wooden boxes, and ragged linens lay in a heap, creating a choke point. An uneasy feeling washed over Tannas. He wasn’t alone. *Tracking* At the end of the walkway, a tallish man was hidden in the middle of two wooden support beams, barely distinguishable between the layers of shadow betwixt them. Tannas looked him in the eyes and said, “Hiding will not keep you safe from me.” A gruff and almost pained voice replied, “These shadows are for my protection, although not from you.”

Tannas realized they were the only two there, and he was the only one armed. This wasn’t a trap. This was business. His posture relaxed some as to invite the messenger from the dark. That’s when he noticed the man was greatly wounded. Tannas’ hand reached forward to assist the man from the darkness but was waved off.

“My name is Ahmog, and my time here is limited. A contract for death was made, unjustly, on a well-to-do noble. It was a trap. The one who was called for the job was captured, tortured to near death, and misled to whom wrote the original warrant. They escaped and are now coming for the one called Bruzog, the Mayor of Meadowmere.”

Tannas was puzzled. Who would want to frame Bruzog? Or was he just a noticeable name for the warrant? Ahmog saw the look of Tannas working it out. In a weakened voice, he tried to fill in possible voids. “I have a copy of the warrant. It bares no seal, just a signature.” A withered hand reached out from the murky shadow, rolled parchment in it’s grasp. Tannas reached for it and noticed the man was burdened by a violent poison. He didn’t have long to live. Their eyes met again, and Tannas nodded in gratitude. “Ahmog, the one who did this to you, are our targets the same?” A one-sided grin shown on a tired face. “I am beyond seeking vengeance. As my time comes to a close, I will pay for it as the gods see fit. Save your friend. Time is running out.” Tannas turned to leave, then noticed Ahmog’s presence had left. Time was running out, and something needed to be done.