Bah. I'm sure they'll be something to collect. Just need to catch him first. So thinking, Mar attempts to put on a burst of speed and overtake this foolish gambler. He does not bother speaking as he closes, however, instead concentrating on maintaining speed, a task that seems slightly harder than it should. I had not realized how out of shape I am. Obviously I have relied too much on magic when it comes to hunting my prey.
It shouldn't have taken me that long to run him down. Annoyed, Mar slows to a halt with his staff pressed against Saem's throat. Suppressing his panting, Mar offers some friendly advice. "I'd advise you not to try that again. It's not a good idea at all. And you probably don't want to move either. It could prove painful. Now, why don't you tell me exactly what it was that caused you to bolt. After all, I'm told that talking things through is a good for your future health."
Mar sighs. "You haven't a lick of common sense, do you? You waste resources you can ill afford to lose on games of chance, and try to flee when debts come due. Maybe your labor is worth something..." Mar says the last to himself, trailing off in thought. Snapping back to attention, he puts his hand on Saem's shoulder, and helps Saem regain his feet, though he keeps a tight grip and remains wary for any other attempt at fleeing. "Really, now, no reason to be so fearful. You knew what you were getting into. And if you didn't, you should have. Let's take a walk. Calmly, and without trying to leave. And I do hope I'm not hurting your arm with claws or anything." Mar smiles at Saem. "Just a little longer, and then I'll be done with you." I hope. "I think that if we pay a visit to the holder of your debt, you can explain in person why you don't have enough. Better to get it over with now, after all. And who knows - you might get lucky."
"It's far too late for that," Mar mentioned in a surprisingly pleasant tone as he began his attempts to guide Saem closer to the Orzhov stronghold. The disconnect between his tone and the subject matter kept growing greater with each passing moment as Mar maintained a friendly demeanor in an attempt to keep Saem focused on what he said and not on where he was leading. Mar shifted his grip on Saem's shoulder slightly. "Please ignore any slight pricking sensation you may be feeling right about now. Anyway, where was I? Oh, yes. Your sword is, as you said, standard issue. And, you presumably use it as part of whatever it is you do. How do you plan to get anything without it? Obviously dice aren't going to work. Besides, I'm not doing anything particularly horrid at the moment, am I? You should be happy I am even talking to you. Would you prefer someone else? I'm sure other agents can be arranged, but I'm equally sure they wouldn't be nearly this... kind and forgiving." If I can keep him distracted, play off his fears, and prevent him from noticing that this path leads to the Syndicate, perhaps I can foist him off on Lucian and get on with the rest of this task. Mar smiled again, baring his pointed teeth at Saem pleasantly. "Do you know what civilization runs on? A host of fears and unstated social contracts, all of which ensure that society runs smoothly. They ensure that people maintain a standard of behaviors, and enforce a penalty for when they are broken. For instance, someone who often lies soon becomes distrusted, and others stop believing in what they say. In your case, you said you'd be able to repay your debts. Yet, not only have you not done so, you've not done so for a prolonged period. And, you've engaged in behavior that will keep you from repaying them. This shakes our trust that you will be able to follow through with your promises. You are paying attention to me, I trust? You see, unless you can provide me with clear proof, I cannot trust you." Mar looks around briefly, but soon maintains to keeping his eye on Saem, and his other on the path. All I need to do is get Saem to the Church and find Lucian. Then, I let them figure out what to take.
Saem opened his mouth to protest, but nothing came out. The way back to Orzhova was uneventful, and Lucian was easily found. "Saem, friend. It's good to see you again." "Lucian...pal..." Saem said with a noticeable quaver in his voice. "Look, give me another week..." "That's what you said last week...and the week before...and the week before." He turned to a heavily robed man by his side. "Take him away." Saem's protests were loud, but largely unheeded, as he was dragged into the church. "Are you ready for your next assignment?" Lucian asked.
And that is why we pay our debts. Satisfied that this first debtor did not require too much effort to bring in, Mar does not concern himself with the fate of Saem. Failure to live up to one's commitments is a crime that few enough punish, but it is a crime nonetheless.
When Lucian asks his question, Mar does not hesitate in his answer.
"I have not yet visited the rest of those on your list, and I honor my agreements. I am ready for the next name on the list."
This response assumes that Lucian kept the list of names and Mar does not have the list of debtors.. If I have the list, then instead I'll edit to say something about how I would prefer to finish this task, but if Lucian does not mind a delay in the debt collection I'd be willing to hear out the next assignment.
Lucian smiled. "Look again at the list." He said. Sure enough, somehow, another name is below it. "You should find her in the Selesnyan district, in the small log house."
Mar blinks briefly at the new name, and a quick look of annoyance flashes across his face when he hears where he must tread. "Well. Interesting." Mar looked back up at Lucian. "I'll just be off now then, before it gets too late." Turning, Mar heads off towards the Selesnyan district. Let's get this over with as soon as possible. Hopefully this will be as she will be as easy as Saem was to deal with, though with those conformists you never know.
It takes some time to reach the Selesnyan district. It's getting late, but luminous crystals line and light the street. People are wandering the street chatting idly.
Suppressing his desire to examine the luminous crystals in detail, Mar wanders down the street listening to the conversations surrounding him and watching out for any building fitting the brief description he was given. At the same time, he keeps an eye out for any other buildings that might be useful to visit later on, though he doubts that there is much he would want from the conscious which runs this district.
"Ah." Mar tenses slightly, ready to slam his staff into the door to jam it open if she tries to slam it shut. "In that case, I need to ask if you have the fourteen-fifty."
Tira sighed. "Would you come in, please? I would rather this not get out onto the streets." Violent coughing can be heard inside. "Who's there?" An elderly voice called out. "Just a friend, mother." Tira replied.
"Of course." Mar waited for a moment before stepping inside the building. Briefly looking around the interior, Mar took in the surroundings, waiting for Tira to either plead her case and beg for time, or, ideally, surrender objects of appropriate wealth.
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And thus do empires and settlements fall
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And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
When Lucian asks his question, Mar does not hesitate in his answer.
"I have not yet visited the rest of those on your list, and I honor my agreements. I am ready for the next name on the list."
And thus do empires and settlements fall
Lucian smiled. "Look again at the list." He said. Sure enough, somehow, another name is below it. "You should find her in the Selesnyan district, in the small log house."
Tira Angael, 1450 Gold.
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
And thus do empires and settlements fall
The creator of Maro's Magic 8-Ball!
And thus do empires and settlements fall