| Logs |
2000-04-16
| Starfall |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
Old Enemies, New Friends
- The Mercenaries' Guild
The Mercenaries' Guild is a large building, almost a fortress in its own way. The outer walls are stone, with access through a tunnel to the central courtyard. When Carroll and Alex arrive, the courtyard is alive with weapons practice, furs of all types honing their skills. The two speak briefly to the guards at the tunnel and are ushered to an office where they are soon joined by one of the Guild officers.
Alex watches the practicing furrs with bright, interested eyes while Carroll speaks to the guards. She doesn't lose track of him though, sticking close as they meet up with the Guild officer. Carroll greets the Guild officer politely after he has entered, and introduces himself and his sister. He then asks, "Has there been any response from House Pravinchandra regarding our ransom?"
The officer, a grizzled cheetah, nods. "They're quibbling. The factor is claiming that he shouldn't be counted as equivalent to a military captain, since his ship only had a few dozen hands. But at least they're negotiating. From that House's reputation, I half thought they wouldn't. How much latitude do you want to give them in the final ransom?"
Alex smiles coldly, "Considering their quibblings are costing us money... I'd recommend none, captain."
Carroll murrs, "I have to agree, even if it does wind up costing us money should they finally refuse." He smiles and adds, "I would consider that a worthwhile investment, myself."
Alex nods quietly, standing straight and proud at parade rest at Carroll's right... then she tilts a curious ear towards the cheetah, "Sir, does House Pravinchandra not pay its ransoms? Is that why you wondered if they would?"
The cheetah grins, showing her fangs. "That's what we thought. The rates are long since set, and one would think he'd consider his ship-captains important. I think he's just being a cheapskate, myself. We'll tell the factor that." She pauses for a moment. "Well, no, they do pay -- but slowly and they do try to bargain down. Ends up costing them more sometimes, but other times I suppose it works if someone is impatient."
Alex nods slowly, her eyes coolly amused, "We are not, right, captain?"
Carroll nods, and murrs, "We have the time. Either way, it is good for us."
The cheetah smiles. "I wouldn't worry about it. You'll get your money, and the excess costs will just go on their bill."
Alex nods, "That's fine. So... there was a cat brought in with the command crew, with a nasty gut wound. Is he still here? If so, may we visit him?"
The cat nods. "I'll ask him. He's still here and healing nicely. I still don't understand why you didn't want to accept his ransom, you know. He's a Guild member; it's part of the package."
Alex tilts her head, "He has enough troubles, sir, working for House P. We have no argument with the crews... just the command crews and the House itself."
Carroll murrs, "Our complaint is not with the crews of Pravinchandra's ships, be they of your Guild, or otherwise." Alex nods at Carroll's comment firmly.
The cheetah shrugs. "As long as Prav plays by the rules he can hire people though, and they can't just quit the way a crewfurr could... so if you beat them you do have the right to the ransom bond. If you run short of cash, you can change your mind later."
Alex says flatly, "He doesn't play by the rules."
Carroll explains, "Pravinchandra paid the same for your staff regardless of whether or not they are ransomed. I enjoy the thought of making him spend money he didn't have to. If we need the money, we shall remember it. I hope it will not come to that." Alex tilts her ears back apologetically for her outburst... it's obvious she really doesn't like House Pravinchandra.
The cheetah blinks. "Oh... no, it doesn't work that way. It costs him money if he doesn't hire enough guards, you know. The employer has to pay the ransom bonds if they're used, especiallyif it's because he didn't hire enough guards against professional advice. Prav has neverhired enough guards on that route, judging by the amount of piracy on it."
Alex's ears rise again interestedly... "Will accepting the ransom bonds cost the actual guards at all?"
Carroll's ears flick forward interestedly and he murrs, "I didn't realize that." He glances back, then nods, asking, "Another good question."
The cheetah shakes her head. "Not in this case, certainly. He fought as long as he could. If a Guild mercenary was to just give up then he'd have to pay the bond himself, but not if he was honestly defeated."
Alex nods firmly, "He was honestly defeated, as was the weasel."
Carroll ahs and murrs, "Especially considering there were not enough guards aboard."
The cat chuckles. "So I understand. You do realize that those below-deck ballistae aren't going to stay secret much longer, don't you?"
Alex smiles and raises an eyebrow... and doesn't bother answering. It's not like she can make it so, after all. Carroll nods, and answers, "Yes, but we're prepared to live with that." He pauses a moment and grins, a crafty look coming across his face. He murrs, "If you cannot answer this question in good faith please do not, but I am curious if Pravinchandra often has problems with pirates? And if others do?" Alex's eyebrows both go up -- what a goodquestion!
The cheetah frowns, thinking about this. "I don't know for certain, of course, but..." She purrs to herself, thinking for a moment. "I don't know of too many of our people who've sailed on his ships who've had trouble. Those who sail on other company's ships frequently do. Odd, wouldn't you say?"
Alex smiles slowly, "I wonder... does the Guild keep records of that sort of thing?"
Carroll murrs, "Not particularly, no. On those other ships would the pirates seem to be particularly organized, or well-equipped?"
The cheetah shrugs. "Hard to say. Haven't been there, myself."
Carroll nods and murrs, "Of course." He reminds quietly, "What of records? Would those be available?"
The cat shrugs again. "Not at this office. You'd have to check either in Starfall or Alburtis probably."
Carroll ahs, and murrs, "That is very good, thank you. I appreciate your help in this matter."
Alex nods thoughtfully, making a mental note... then smiles, "Thank you, sir, you've been mosthelpful! Should we wait here while you check with the cat?"
The cheetah grins again. "Nah, follow me. Just wait outside while I ask him. I don't think he's holding a grudge." She leads the way around the perimeter of the practice field to the hospital wing.
Alex grins, "Okay! Thank you."
Carroll follows, also murring, "Thank you."
The hospital wing is hushed for the most part. Staffed in part by permanently maimed mercenaries as well as healers, it is a sobering environment. Your guide checks with the desk at the front of the building, then leads the way to a room. She holds up her hand to stop you, then enters. From around the door is heard, "Juan? The privateer officers want to chat with you. You mind talking to them for a minute?"
His response is too quiet to follow, and then the officer's voice can be heard again. "No, the vixen isn't going to finish the job she started. Honestly, trooper. Stop sulking that you met someone faster than you." A grunt follows, then the cheetah comes out. "Go ahead. He's healing fine, but he's a bit grouchy. Will you need anything else?"
Alex covers a grin at that, but looks properly polite when she sticks her head in the door, "Good morning... we came to be sure everything was all right and you were healing fine?" Carroll follows his sister in, and smiles quietly at the fighter, and her statement-that-is-a-question. Alex settles into a chair next to his bed and smiles, politely folding her hands in her lap so they're no where near her rapier. Much...
Juan nods, a little surly but polite. "Well enough, I suppose. You folks were a little more than we were paid to face, I'm thinking."
Alex nods, "Well, we believe House Pravinchandra knows it won't be attacked by pirates along that route. I'm sorry you got hurt by Mr. P's conniving."
Carroll chuckles and murrs, "I didn't realize we were facing members of your fine Guild. It does explain why you stayed with the Captain rather than fleeing with the rest of his crew." He adds, "You represent your Guild well."
Alex glances up at Carroll as he speaks, then looks back at Juan and nods in quiet agreement. "At least you have a job when you get out though, right?"
The cat growls just a little, but seems mollified by the compliment. "We'd never had any trouble at all on that route before. Not on the grain ships."
Alex tilts a suddenly alert ear, but just inquires casually, "None, really? Interesting... were the Pravin steel ships having problems at all, d'you know?" Carroll looks like he's about to say something, and then stops, looking curious.
Juan grins a little in spite of himself. "I suppose. I'm not taking a job on THAT route again until you folks move on." He thinks about it. "Hmm. No serious trouble with any of House Pravinchandra's ships. An occasional pirate would show up but then leave once we lined up on deck. Though... sailed with House Allende on that route once and they carried a lot more guards. Jewelry, though... no surprise, really.
Carroll chuckles, "Well, you're safe from us as long as you're not on a Pravinchandra ship."
Alex glances interestedly up at Carroll again... then looks back at Juan, "That's nice, that House P lets you pick the route you ride along on." She waits to see what Juan's response to that comment is...
Juan just blinks at Alex. "Who said we got to choose? I've been back and forth on that route dozens of times, whenever I was on the roster."
Carroll adds, thinking, "As to others, I couldn't say. Do they seem particularly well-organized, or equipped?" He comments idly, "I would expect most pirates to be a rather ragtag bunch, myself."
The cat shrugs, then winces. "They generally are, yes. Can't say that these were any different. Less ragged than the ones you get down by Hamasura, I guess."
Alex looks puzzled at the cat's previous comments for a moment, then oh!s, "So are you saying that since you've gotten injured your contract with House P is ended? for now, at least?" She looks suddenly concerned, "Um... you weren't firedor anything, were you? You guys stood your ground, after all, when no one else would."
Juan looks enlightened. "Goddess, no. We only contract for one voyage at a time. We don't tell our clients which ships we'll travel on, and they don't tell us who's on the duty roster."
Alex says, "Ooh! I understand now, okay." She grins, then checks, "This won't cause you any trouble getting a new contract, right? once you're all healed up?"
"It shouldn't. Not when we were outnumbered and up against a Blackpool Marine."
Alex blinks, looking faintly indignant for a second -- then grins quietly, amused at herself. She really shouldn't expect them to remember her, when someone like Dimitri's stomping all over them, she supposes. Carroll murrs, "That's good. We were worried about that, although more worried that you wouldn't have recovered."
Juan does grin now. "Sentimientado. All part of the business, Captain. No hard feelings."
Alex nods, looking pleased. Carroll smiles and murrs, "I fear so, but that doesn't mean we won't try to avoid unnecessary pain and suffering."
Alex says, "Well good then." She's silent for a moment, thinking... then says curiously, "Juan... have you ever seen a um... a blowgun? Or know who might use one here?"
Juan shakes his head. "Can't say I've ever seen one. They do say that some of the primitives deep in the southern jungles use them."
Alex nods quietly, "I see. Well... thank you, Juan, I'm relieved to see you're recovering nicely." She looks up at Carroll and smiles, "So... are we done? I imagine he'd like to rest?"
Carroll nods, and murrs, "I'm sure he would." He nods to the feline, and murrs, "Get well, Juan."
"I'm working on it. Goodbye!"
Alex smiles and waves, "Bye!" then patters out after Carroll.