Atlantic Roleplay Community Boards

[Thrax]

---

"It is a simple thing I ask of you," the hooded man stated, his tone thick with condescension. "What part of it needs further elaboration, Eric?"

The two men, one cloaked in crimson and black, and the other dressed in a poor man's rags, sat facing each other at a table on the porch outside of Papua's solitary Inn. A leather bag, weighed down with gold coins, lay between them. The hooded man pushed the bag closer to his doubting companion.

The shabbily-clad man fumbled with his pewter mug, half-filled with ale, turning it nervously in clockwise circles with both hands. He shook his head. "It's just... well... it doesn't seem right is all. I... I don't know what the stuff is that you want me to put in the river," he explained, not taking his eyes off the bag. "That's our water supply, you know."

The hooded man chuckled. "And you think it could be something harmful? That's understandable," he consoled him. He leaned slightly forward. "Is it because I wear this hood over my face... you don't trust me? Is that it? He leaned back in his chair and sighed. "I get that a lot."

Eric shook his head vigorously. "No, no, J'ruks! That's not it, I swear it! It's just... well, I do not know you very well. We only met recently. I live here, you know, and strangers asking favors... or paying for them, makes me, well, to be frank, a little suspicious." He forced a smile, only glancing at J'ruks, refusing to maintain eye contact for very long.

"You do know Pack Rat, though, don't you?"

Eric nodded. "Yes, yes I do. We used to fish off the pier together when we were young. I see him occasionally at the bank."

"Pack Rat is a close friend and associate of mine. Ask him about me next time you see him. He will reassure you that I am honest and that my intentions are above-board."

Eric reached out and slid the bag of coins to himself, his covetousness winning out over his doubts. "Well, like you said... it is a simple thing, and... nobody has to know, right?"

J'ruks nodded. "It will be our secret," he promised. "I will contact you when I am ready." He nodded once toward the bag. "That is just a downpayment on our bargain. More will follow; much more."

Eric took the bag of coins and tucked it away beneath his dirty shirt. He stood up, bowed once, and hurried off down the road toward the bank.

Beneath the hood that hid his macabre disfigurement, Skurj smiled, watching the fool scurry away. "Now if that dark elf would just hurry and finish his job," he thought to himself.