Beneath Hallowed Halls

[quarim]

You will be negotiating for your life. You give me answers and I give you freedom. You do not and I will kill you. So now please answer, what is your purpose for being in Winter Court?

[The Book Keeper]

“My reason in winter court is simple; I come to winter court for two reasons. First and foremost I came to winter court to help represent the Spider. Contrary to popular belief most of the spiders are in support of the current emperor rather then that upstart Toturi. The other reason I came to winter court is, I was hoping to get a list of suppliers. For you see I’m a craftsmen, I make things with my hands and with magic. I was looking for suppliers for my materials needs. I’m looking for merchants’ from all over to find materials and books on everything that I can do to from magic and building in addition to a set of goals I have to accomplish. For you see I came for my personal business as well as.” Taking a pause.
“Now if you don’t mind, how about you tell me something about yourself.”

[quarim]

Quarim thought a moment if this man was a threat to him. The Jackals were all so different. He expected the Tainted were just as diverse. He would reveal a bit, as long as the focus remained on the Spider and not Qaurim.

I am from the Burning Sands. I have dealt with many just like you. I am aiding in tracking down another Spider: Daigotsu Yoee. Do you know of him? Do you know his location? Are you involved in his presence here?

[The Book Keeper]

“Daigotsu Yoee” Looking down at the ground to try to think if he knows anything about this Spider, and drawing a total blank. “I do not know this Spider, honestly I thought I was the only Spider that was hear in winter court. Why are you looking for him? What did he do?” then a look of understanding passed before The Keepers eyes “You’re talking about the Jackals aren’t you?”

[quarim]

Quarim was slightly surprised. An open confession. A murder has taken place. He is our suspect. We know of your innocence in this matter. If you agree to assist us in this investigation you will be set free.

To answer your question yes I have dealt with Jackals before.

[The Book Keeper]

“Then if you know I was innocent, then what’s with all this” The Keeper was looking at the dungeons “With the drugging me, bring me under false pretenses? And you want me to just help you find this Spider, and for that matter how do you even know it was murder, for all you know it could have been self defense. Who was murdered, when where did all this happen? What makes you believe that it is this Daigotsu Yoee? So far it seems that this “investigation” is more like a witch hunt, now I don’t know how you dealt with your Jackal, but we Spider are not some murderers without reason, we are always looking for some reason or revenge.”

[quarim]

Allow me to make this as clear as possible for you: THIS IS A WITCH HUNT. Daigotsu Yoee will be found. And he will be killed. And you will aid us or you will die as well.

Mitsuru may have been shocked to hear such a bold proclamation. But the gaijin was not expected to act in such niceties as samurai.

You may not know Yoee. But I'm sure you know where to find one such as he. Take us to where he may hide. And if he is there you will be set free.

[The Book Keeper]

The Keeper look at this Gaijin with a look of pride, it’s rather rare to find someone who can one moment show proper etiquette, then next minute be rude and honest. The more he was talking with this Gaijin the more he was thinking that an alliance with him would be most beneficial, now to only find out what this man wants the most?

“Well if you wish to find this Daigotsu Yoee, then we must go to the home of all Spiders, we must go to the City of the Lost. But if you want to go their then I have to know how many people are coming with and what clan there from, what talents and as much information, so I can plan our route accordingly.”

Let’s see, maybe he might know of some merchants, which i could open some business with.

[quarim]

My merchant caravan will travel there. Approximately eighty men. We have free reign to go anywhere in the Empire we please. Our business of finding and dealing with Yoee will be dealt with discreetly when we arrive there. Are these terms agreeable to you?

[Isawa Mitsuru]

I can't really think that under normal circumstances I would condone Kuwairmu's actions, and, in fact, I didn't really condone them now. I was quite uncomfortable as I listened to the conversation, but I was generally unacquainted with interrogation or techniques thereabout. I felt sorry for Kuwarimu at the same time. His lack of manners would likely gain him few friends or business contacts outside of the direct forthrightness of the Unicorn or the Crab merchants. Perhaps I could give him some pointers on dealing with delicate matters of speaking with and to samurai later.

The Spider's form vibrated in my vision as my concentration drifted. I snapped it back to him and searched him over for new signs of deceit or uneasiness. I presumed he was familiar with lying calmly but there were likely to be other emotional signs of his deceptive nature.

While continuing to concentrate I spoke with a little bit of difficulty, trying to split my attention, but still feeling that my unique viewpoint might be of use in keeping all of us alive.

"Kuwarimu-san, it is hard to say but...um, we can't just run a whole caravan into the Shadowlands. We should think about...that is to say, if you are allowed to traverse the Empire then we can't get outside of it. The Empire does not include the Shadowlands. And also...also there's a very big wall in the way that we can't get past."

((OOC: I really wanted to add, "One does not simply walk into the Shadowlands." but thought better of it.))

[quarim]

Without a word being said Quarim stood and left the room the motioned for Mitsuru to follow. Once out of earshot of the Spider Quarim spoke his mind to the Phoenix.

I assumed we would have the support of the Jade Magistrates to help us get past the Crab Wall. We could apprehend Yoee and have a unique opportunity to spy on the Spider. I'm sure the Crab would be most delighted to have any information we could provide.

Quarim could see Mitsuru was slightly uncomfortable but was unsure if it was the course of action he was suggesting or just a side effect of his spell taxing him. Not knowing any magic he had no context to know it's consequences and how it effects behavior.

[Isawa Mitsuru]

"Yes, we probably could, I think...maybe. After we are done here I can speak with the people in charge of that...the Magistrates. But we should finish our business here first."

Presuming this was just a small aside, I went back into the cell and nodded curtly to the Spider before sitting back down on the mat and watching him intently.

[quarim]

Quarim followed Mitsuru back into the cell. Rather than take a seat across from the Spider he stood over him.

It is agreed upon. My merchant caravan will travel there. Now all that remains is your cooperation. Will you agree to lead us there and assist in the capture of Yoee in exchange for your freedom?

[The Book Keeper]

“Since there are that many people then we must go by sea, we can get a vessel big enough from Kyuden Kasuga and from there we can get to the city of the lost that way without dealing with the crab or anyone else in this war. But by the sounds of the little birdie over their, it sounds like he disapproves of our conversation, would you mind letting me in on his council since I’m assuming. He will be coming with us? I will bring you to the city of the lost in exchange for my freedom. But we will go by sea not by land it’s the best way to get their fast and safe.”

Ooc. Thanks for the lol. One does not simply walk into the Shadowlands, it’s funny

[quarim]

At the mention of the sea Quarim remembered his his stay on the Mantis ship when trying to help Kakita Mitsouko. He felt sick the entire time. That was not an option.

The Crab will not be a problem to me. We will cross the Wall on foot. There will be no issue.

(ooc: sorry for the late delay on this. i have a killer cold going on.)