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[Kinn]

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No messenger boy this time. The information in Kinn’s latest report was far too important not to be delivered personally. The Boss absolutely had to know what Kinn had seen and learned over the past few nights.

Having made up his mind, Kinn made an unusual early-morning trip to the Spider Kiss Trading Company. The Drow Quarter was typically quiet at this time of day. Kinn envied the Drow who were indoors right now, behind heavy walls and deeply shaded windows. Despite his mask, his hooded robe and his body-covering armor, the blazing morning sun was still difficult for Kinn to endure. Regardless, this message had to be delivered.

Kinn placed the sealed scroll on the Boss’ personal desk. He made sure the secret markings indicating that the scroll was poisoned in the usual spots (to ensure anyone too curious would die a quick death before they had time to finish reading the message) would be visible to the Boss. Once he was satisfied, Kinn crept back out of the Drow Quarter and back to his own dark tower for a much needed rest.

The scroll reads:

Boss,

I have troubling news. The recently quiet ninja of the Zento clans have been engaged in a flurry of training activity over the past few days. They spar and drill constantly now—at all hours of the day and night. They seem focused and motivated to train hard.

Even more troubling is the combat prowess that they show during their training. They have ninja who are as skilled in wizardry as they are in martial arts. I witnessed one summon an Air Elemental and another bring lightning to bear against his opponent. Some of them invoked the holy power of the Paladins as well.

They have a particularly dangerous one among them who slings spells and wields a staff with deadly skill. I believe he might be one of their war leaders, although I have not been able to discover his identity or verify his position as of yet. It is far too dangerous to get close enough to hear conversations now.

Maybe the flurry of activity in Zento is of no concern to us, but given your recent unauthorized “borrowing” of one of their beloved geisha ……

I leave it to you to determine the meaning of these things, but I would advise increased caution.

Usstan xun naut zhaun lu'oh mzilt l' Ilharess zhaun d' dosst recent provoking d'lil Zento ninja clans, drill dos xal daewl ulu warn ilta d'lil latest developments. Ka l' ninja ph' planning vharcan t'yin jal ilythiiri, tangis' jal d' Umbra, xal tlu wun sreen.

:K:

[Alaundril Do'Rhett]

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Alaundril carefully read over his latest report from Kinn. He liked the assassin, he was careful and quite adept at his job. It had been centuries since he had found someone with a knack for subtlety like his Watcher. The Drow's slender finger stroked his chin as he read the lengthy report. Perhaps his paranoia wasn't for nothing after all. If the Lotus was training intensively then there was a reason for it. He mulled the information over in his mind as he poured the last of Mr. Stark's whisky into his glass and walked upstairs, the scroll still in hand. Alaundril sat at his desk and set down Kinn's dispatch, right beside it his red eyes looked over the document that had kept his attention.
Perhaps this all happened at the perfect time...
He looked over the agreement of sale for the new property that the Syndicate would be acquiring in the next few days. The opportunity couldn't have come at a better time, his senses were telling him to make his time here in Umbra short. Especially after the Protectorate showing up last evening. Perhaps the location of this building would prove useful, as it would be right under their nose. There wasn't much time to handle this, and he had kept himself sparse, as he was worried about getting into a situation he couldn't get himself out of. He remembered what his old Veldruk told him centuries ago:
Never fight on the enemies terms. Look else where to divert the enemies attention without directly standing against them. The longer your enemy is kept guessing, the better off it will be for you. Attack their goals, know what they seek and hold dear...
The old Drow's words echoed through his mind as he looked over the final agreement of sale and made his mark on the paper, grinning as he did so. Alaundril swirled the whisky around in the glass and took a drink of the liquid and then began penning a response to Kinn.

K:
Your efforts are commendable and the information you have brought will be invaluable. Keep to the shadows and continue observation. If possible, we need names and more detailed information. Anything we can exploit or possible weaknesses are vital to know. We will speak this evening, as all of the employees will be gathering. We spotted some of the Protectorate, including Moonglow's Militia here in Umbra last night. I am unsure if there was a fight involved, however, this concerns me greatly. Word is, that the Matriarch is away on vacation. Some time for a pleasure cruise. She is of no consequence, as we have seen how much help the Umbran military will offer to our current predicament. Meet with us tonight, there will be punch and pie.

-The Boss-

Alaundril made sure the scroll was sealed and securely stored in Kinn's dispatch box in the vault. He then rolled up the scroll that would hopefully take him from Umbra, which was becoming more and more unsafe by the day...