Mutually Assured Destruction

[Balthazar Black]

10 Cylus 721

Balthazar could feel the number of eyes on him increasing as he moved towards the best stall in the bazaar, Jacien Raque's. He'd been doing his best not to attract attention but even if he wasn't known for being "Balthazar Black" he was now known as the man in charge of the group of spenders who'd come to the bazaar to get building supplies. Either he was a target for being an Element or he was a target because they thought he had a big coin purse but either way he was being watched and he knew it. The problem was that, as far as he could tell, he was being watched by the Land Troopers working around the bazaar. There were more now than last arc and yet... Balthazar didn't feel safer.

How many of them do you think are in his pocket? Balthazar thought to Fuego as he assessed the number of eyes on him. After Rharne, Balthazar felt like he could take on every person in the bazaar if he needed to but he didn't want things to come to that. He was really hoping that Jacien would make things simple for him- well as simple as deals like these ever went. He expected, or perhaps hoped, that Jacien had something he wanted that Balthazar could get for him. Failing that, he was hoping to pressure Jacien with threats about making his life difficult... and if that failed he thought about using threats of physical violence to get his way. What would the Land Troopers do? Stop a Flame Trooper from investigating? Balthazar could take and hold Jacien for up to thirty trials before he needed to have any information that was viable for trial and Balthazar only needed twenty.

You couldn't fit one person in his pockets! Fuego replied as an unexpected but familiar face arrived to the bazaar just before Balthazar could reach Jacien.

[Elisabeth Black]

10 Cylus Arc 721

“Where the Beneath are you, Balthazar Black?”

Muttering under her breath as the ferry landed, Elisabeth could see immediately that the mage was not there to greet her. The message she had gotten was specific but then again, it was Balthazar. For someone with a high degree of discipline, he certainly could get distracted. A very brief flicker of concern crossed her features before being dismissed. Did he have a talent for mischief? Absolutely...but he was also a very smart, powerful man who could take care of himself…

…and who apparently forgot she was coming to Almund...at his invitation.

Grabbing her pack, sword strapped across her back, the young mage disembarked from the ferry landing and started into the city, letting her mind wander as she walked. The last several trials, Balthazar had been more busy than normal, and a bit more secretive. Elisabeth hadn’t pushed the issue because she knew better than to do that without good reason. However, they were slowly crawling towards ‘good reason’ though.

She knew it was late in the trial, although sometimes it was hard to tell with Cylus being what it was. Darkness permeated the season and although she enjoyed it, it did make some activities a little more complex – like navigating her way through a strange city. The young mage hoped he was around someplace where she could find him. Otherwise, they had a problem as she had no way of getting ahold of him. He, however, had multiple ways of finding her.

The market was bustling and before long, a familiar head of white hair found its way into her view. The market? That was what had distracted him? Swiftly finding her way to him, she quickly put away her annoyance, shifting to concern at the sight of the tired mage. She wanted to hug him but in public, not the best idea – not until she had a better idea of what she was walking into. Sapphire eyes gazed up at him gently, voice low. “You don’t look well, Balthazar. What’s the Beneath is going on?” Her tone was one of concern, laced with a bit of frustration. As always though, her expression was full of concern and affection for him.

She would have preferred a different type of reunion, but Elisabeth was slowly sensing that whatever he was up to, was important. The young mage had questions – she always had questions. But they were going to have to wait a beat.

[Pegasus]

The Almund Bazaar.

In front of them was the Bazaar Administrative Office. Home of Jacien Raque.

Either side of the door were two Elements - Land Troops. The Administrative Office door opened, and then closed. Out of it stepped a man. He walked forward and stopped directly in their path. In front of Balthazar and Elisabeth, however, as their reunion began, stepped out a man with red hair and a red beard. Balthazar would know him as Borik Ikalgo, head of security / commander of the Elements here.

"Trooper Black," Borik said, nodding. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

Then, he held a hand out to Elisabeth, offering to shake. "I am Captain Borik Ikalgo. A pleasure to meet you ma'am. Any friend of Trooper Black is welcome here." He turned his gaze to Balthazar. The pair of lovers might notice that there was quite a bit of distance around them, now - like people had backed away. "Are you wanting to see Mister Raque, Trooper Black?"

He smiled, passively, and waited for Balthazar's answer.

The man's eyes flickered and just for a second it seemed as though he was looking elsewhere. Balthazar didn't noticeCompetent Detection and, while Elisabeth didExpert Detection she didn't have the information needed to know what - or who - he was looking at. Borik quickly righted his gaze and steely eyes regarded Balthazar as he asked a further question.

"And will you be bringing your friend in?"

[Balthazar Black]

10 Cylus 721

Oh, it's her. Fuego's voice echoed Balthazar's thoughts in the mage's head when Elisabeth stepped into Balthazar's view. It was followed by a few Yari curses but he quickly composed himself and began working on another plan. He forgot that he'd invited Elisabeth while he was asking around and hadn't shown up to get her from the ferry she took over. Then he remembered that she'd just asked him a question. What was going on? Oh if only things were so simple that he could explain them in a sentence before the world moved around them. Unfortunately there was little that he was willing to divulge aloud in the middle of the marketplace. All she needed to know was the cover he would use and he could tell her the rest later when there were less dubious eyes on them.

"I've been asked to help build a settlement on Faldrass, that's where I've been for the last few trials and why I haven't had as much time to contact you." He couldn't argue his letters were lost in the mail because he did not send letters to her, he just projected and gave his messages directly. "I only came back to get supplies, workers, and well, you and Tornado." But Tornado was not there with Balthazar at the moment, he was still hitched to a tree just outside the Almund. "I must have lost track of time-" But that was all he had time to say before the commander of the bazaar's Land Troops emerged from Jacien's residence. Strange that he was here to 'greet' you with two other guards. What was he doing? Doesn't matter, focus on the goal. Balthazar's thoughts bounced back and forth slightly as Borik emerged from the Administrative Office and came to greet Balthazar.

As expected, he was too popular now not to be known. Problematic but not the end. Borik asked what Balthazar wanted in more pleasant terms than most and after a trill, Balthazar answered. "I've been asked to help build a new settlement on Faldrass," he began, "but I am in desperate need of good- preferably inexpensive workers and materials. Good quality, just... you know. I've been around the market but can't seem to find what I'm looking for. I was hoping Mister Raque would be able to help me." But then there was the larger issue of Elisabeth. Was he going to take her into the lions den with him? She knew nothing about what was going on... but perhaps her memory could serve useful in the future. He could keep her safe if he needed to. So far everything seemed pleasant, but in Quacia his trial had gone from pleasant to watching blood sacrifice in a matter of breaks so he was prepared for the situation to change.

"Of course. Captain Ikalgo this Elisabeth, a friend I met in Rharne." Hopefully Elisabeth would pick up the cue there but if she did not he would have to be less subtle the next time. "Is Mister Raque free to speak for a little?" What he really needed to do wouldn't take long but it wasn't as subtle as it used to be. Still, there was practically no way any of them could have known what it meant when it happened.

[Elisabeth Black]

10 Cylus Arc 721

The feeling that something was not right persisted. Unfortunately, the young woman was not able to determine what was causing the sensation. It was like how she had felt at the Mummer’s Ball – a pervasive nudging in the back of her mind.

They had skipped straight past the pleasantries, as they usually did, and Balthazar’s comments did little to ease her confusion. A settlement? Out of the blue? Elisabeth was familiar enough with the mage by now to know he got himself into all sorts of shenanigans. He had told her about a lot of them but something…just did not add up. How would he have gotten himself involved in a settlement? That did not sound like him. He liked moving around, not being settled. Weird. He also did not address her comment about his appearance, which was less peculiar.

The mage had often spoken of his dislike of specific conversations in public and while she had a million questions, she reigned them in for the time being. Thank goodness for discipline. There were still days she let her incessant curiosity override things but, in this case, it was probably a good idea to listen to her gut a bit. Good thing too as they were immediately interrupted by the arrival of a Captain Borik Ikalgo. She listened carefully as Balthazar explained the same thing to the red-haired Captain as he had told her. Well, at least those stories lined up. The settlement thing seemed to be…well…a thing. Smiling, she took the Captain’s hand, shaking it firmly. “A pleasure, I assure you, Captain.”

Out of everything in the conversation, the only thing that struck Elisabeth as the slightest bit odd was Balthazar’s use of the word ‘friend’ to describe her. They hadn’t ever really defined what they were, but it had certainly bounded beyond 'friends' about a season ago. But it made sense that he would introduce her as a friend to someone like the Captain. What else were you supposed to say? This is my lover? Girlfriend? Apprentice? No, none of those seemed right. Yet, he didn’t have to go that far and state she was his ‘friend’ - the Captain had already assumed that and stated as much. Hmmm…interesting. It was just one more thing added to the already niggly feeling of something being off. Balthazar likely had the answers, but they weren’t in a position to discuss them right then. It was an unknown situation and as with all mysterious circumstances, she stayed alert - eyes and ears open - just in case.

Rharne had taught her that.

[Pegasus]

The Almund Bazaar.

As Balthazar asked if Mr Raque was free, one of the guards glanced into the building and said something quiet to someone in there. Meanwhile, Borik shook Elisabeth's hand and he smiled brightly. "A pleasure to meet you, Elisabeth." He glanced at Balthazar and while the importance of that gaze was lostCompetent Detection, No Psychology to Balthazar, Elisabeth spottedExpert Detection, Expert Psychology it. She saw that Borik was concerned ~ worried. Maybe even threatened. Just for the briefest of moments, and it was under control again so quickly that it might have been a trick of the eye.

Borik Ikalgo looked at Balthazar, in response to his question. "I think so. Hold on," and it was not very long after that one of the guards - having received an answer, presumably - stepped forward and spoke quietly to Captain Ikalgo. "Yes, of course, please, both of you go in. Trooper Tonden will escort you."

The guard who had spoken to Captain Ikalgo nodded and gestured. "This way," he said. He didn't chat as he led them into the building. Passing by a reception desk, behind which sat a human woman who looked at them curiously, Trooper Tonden led them to the left. Down a short corridor, they passed two doors and then, at the end of the corridor was a third door. A quick knock on the closed door in front of them prompted a "come in" from inside and Trooper Tonden opened the door for them, holding it open so that they could walk in.

The room which he gestured them into was obviously a room where someone worked. There was a desk, there were shelves, there were comfortable low seats, sofas and armchairs. It was rich and well-furnished, beautifully appointed. The man who stood to greet them was quite obviously the man in charge. There were no other people in the room, and it seemed to be the only door.

"Trooper Balthazar Black! I don't believe we've had the pleasure," he said. Jacien Raque nodded his head, first to Elisabeth, "Good trial, I am Jacien," he said, politely. If Borik had been in control of his emotions, Jacien was more than that. His smile was obvious, his eyes gave away nothing. Nothing at all. Then, he turned to look at Balthazar with a raised eyebrow. "How may I help you to-trial, Trooper Black?"

[Balthazar Black]

10 Cylus 721

Balthazar found Borik's response interesting but did not think much of it. The man was either there or he was not and it seemed strange that Borik wouldn't be certain. Still, it was not so pressing that it needed to be commented on. Poor accounting but accounting was not the job of the Land Troop the last time Balthazar checked. When the answer came and the captain informed him they would be able to see Jacien, Balthazar gave the captain a grateful nod. Tooper Tonden, another name to remember, lead them through the building and passed the reception desk. Balthazar tried to take note of as much as he could while he walked, looking at the woman behind the desk before glancing around at the building itself while they moved through it.

There were many more doors than the one they were lead to and the mage wondered what was behind each one but kept his focus on the coming meeting. Tonden opened and held the door so that Elisabeth and Balthazar could enter so the Flame Trooper did just that, sweeping into the room with another glance around at Jacien's rather luxurious room. Fine furnishing but nothing unexpected. Doran lived in a similar level of luxury. Balthazar didn't understand much about design but he was certain someone else would have appreciated the room more. Jacien seemed pleasant enough, his greeting gave the mage no reason not to trust him, but Balthazar still had a bad feeling.

"I do not think we have, I'm sure I'd remember." Balthazar replied when Jacien said he did not think they'd ever had the pleasure of meeting before. He did not make any effort to introduce Elisabeth because he'd have preferred that they knew as little about her as possible. Instead, when given the chance, he moved quickly onto one of the reasons he had come to Jacien. "I've come seeking your help. You may have heard of the disaster that struck Faldrass almost an arc ago now. I represent a group of refugees who need decent workers and materials to build houses on the island. I hate to say we're looking for charity but a smart man knows when to admit he is out of his depth. The people can't afford much of anything right now and I was hoping you'd be able to help." It sounded believable enough. It was true but it was not the whole truth.

[Elisabeth Black]

10 Cylus Arc 721

The entire situation unfolding in front of them was a bit confusing to the young woman. Captain Ikalgo was polite, but something was off, and it seemed to be stemming from Balthazar himself. The look the man had given the mage was…something. At first, it seemed to be concern, but there might have been a hint of something else. Did he feel threatened by Balthazar? She couldn’t tell but he was certainly concerned about him. That could be taken a few different ways though. Was the Captain concerned about Balthazar, or for him?

Regardless of what the answer was, the information likely wouldn’t interest the mage so she didn’t concern herself too much about the inability to tell him what she had witnessed and focused on other things.

Captain. Trooper. Oh Elisabeth, that took you way too long to piece together. Elements. Of course. Balthazar had told her about working for the Scalvoris military – The Elements. He had expressed concern about hearing that the Elements were unhappy with the way he did his job. The Captain, besides two notable exceptions, was behaving in a manner she would expect from a military man. She had enough experience with soldiers from her time at Storm’s Edge to have at least a basic understanding of what that looked like.

The exceptions were what bothered her though. The first glance she saw had been dismissed by her as an anomaly. He simply could have been checking on something. Coupled with the second look he had given Balthazar, Elisabeth wasn’t so sure about that original assessment. They were being given wide berth for a reason – she just couldn’t riddle out what that reason was. Was it Balthazar? She knew he was a skilled mage but was he really that dangerous? Especially to his own people? Or were they reacting to something else?

Also, why was the military stationed outside the administrative offices of the bazaar? Why would they know, or care for that matter, if the person being asked for was there? She was willing to accept that perhaps there were things about procedures that she didn’t know but she didn’t have the time or opportunity to ask Balthazar.

Add that to the pile of questions mounting in her mind.

As they were led inside, Elisabeth focused. Yes, she had a lot of questions but that didn’t mean she couldn’t figure out what to do. It just meant it would take more time. There were a lot of things she couldn’t do or didn’t have the skills for, but her mind was solid. Lore had told her once that her biggest asset would never be her sword; it would be her heart and mind. She had done what she could to keep her mind sharp so she could be useful to people. That was, at her core, all she wanted to do. Help people.

What she could do at that moment was be Elisabeth. There were many things she couldn’t do, but equally many more that she could.

Smiling at the woman sitting at the desk as they passed, and again at Trooper Tonden as they entered the ornate office, she decided that a smile never hurt a situation, even if she was extremely wary of said situation. As well, she had given all the doors they passed a quick look, just in case something popped out at her.

As they entered the room, she took those few moments to look around, knowing that after a certain point, any glances around might draw attention to her. People normally looked around in new places so the raven-haired mage could get away with it for those brief ticks. The smile she had given Trooper Tonden persisted – that she made sure of. She wanted the man Balthazar was there to see to have a positive first impression of her – just in case.

It wasn’t long before she got her first good clue - Balthazar did not introduce her. The mage had introduced her to Captain Ikalgo but not to Jacien. Interesting. In her mind, that meant Balthazar viewed Jacien as more of a threat. Well, maybe not a threat, but he did not want to give up information about her. Jacien had obviously heard of Balthazar. Balthazar knew of Jacien. The Elements knew of both men.

She was the unknown in the situation…and Balthazar was trying to protect that, or at least appeared to be, to her.

When the man introduced himself, she simply continued to smile and responded in kind to the sentiment. “Good trial, Jacien. The pleasure is mine.”

Jacien himself was a mystery. Any of the thoughts or opinions she had of others were simply absent when she tried to gauge him in the same manner. That, in itself, would have made her wary had she not already been so.

Balthazar moved quickly onto the reason for the visit. Whether or not it was the truth, she didn’t know. Most of it tracked with what she knew of the situation, so she had no reason to doubt any of it but then again, she knew almost next to nothing about this whole settlement thing, so Elisabeth was in no position to judge anything.

Listening to the men talk, she made sure to keep her eyes and ear open. For the moment, that was her purpose.

Now if she could just get the butterflies inside her to hold still.

[Pegasus]

The Almund Bazaar.

Elisabeth said hello, but didn't give her name. Jacien smiled at that and said nothing.

Then, he seemed to turn his attention to Balthazar and his request. When Balthazar said that he was sure he'd remember them meeting, Jacien glanced down at Balthazar's hands. "Indeed you would," he said. Then he listened to what Balthazar was asking and he sat on his desk looking at the two of them.

"Trooper Black," he said. As he spoke his voice betrayed nothing, his eyes and expression even less. "I'm not sure what help you are asking for? Are you seeking charity? If so, I believe that coming to a market is the wrong place. The people here are interested in money." He seemed to consider. "It may be that you are asking for credit with the vendors? I will not be able to provide you with that, for I am not selling ... in the market." He paused. Just briefly. "But surely, your rank here as an Element will give you more rank and kudos."

He gestured outside. "Of course, there are people who seek nefarious, underground items. Illegal ones. But, no one would come here where there are so many people in uniform," his eyes flickered to Elisabeth, then back to Balthazar. That Balthazar wore the uniform of an Element seemed to not concern him. He was concerned by not knowing who Elisabeth was. "So, please, enlighten me Trooper Black. What help, exactly, are you seeking?"

[Balthazar Black]

10 Cylus 721

Elisabeth was being more quiet than usual which Balthazar hoped meant she'd picked up on a least a few of the things going on. Social cues were often hit or miss. However one thing Balthazar did miss was Jacien looking down to his hands. He'd wrapped them like he was ready for a fight but the mistake there was that he had not covered up his fingertips. He only recognized it because Jacien made the comment agreeing with Balthazar and lamented his failure to hide the mark. Then again... he didn't want to hide the mark. He was proud to be marked by Vri and given the skills to do things most could not. However if Jacien knew what darkened fingers meant, Balthazar was uncomfortable to think what other information he might have.

Would he be able to tell when it began? Most couldn't if they did not have the magic and he did not feel Jacien probing him as he expected Jacien probably would have. In the peddlers position, Balthazar would have. However it was a crime and if the man was well informed he would already know Balthazar was an Attuner. Still, knowing someone could do something and stopping them were entirely different things. Balthazar wasn't confident enough that he had the moral high ground yet so he did nothing but talk and prepare. Jacien didn't outright admit anything or offer any charity which didn't surprise Balthazar but it did keep the mage thinking. He needed to choose his words carefully like the man on the other side of the room was. Jacien said he could not give Balthazar credit for the vendors and Balthazar did not believe that but he did not think on it because of what Jacien had ended his statement with. He did not sell in the market. Then he referenced Balthazar's rank among the Elements and suggested that it ought to help him and Balthazar nodded in agreement. He probably could and would turn to the Elements for help eventually, but not now.

Then Jacien gestured outside and mentioned the various, nefarious individuals who were looking to shop on a darker market then the conventional one. "I heard different accounts of the security in Almund. Experienced it too. I was once nearly stabbed to death in the middle of the bazaar. There are plenty of places to avoid prying eyes if-" Balthazar paused, noticing that Jacien had looked at Elisabeth again and growing a little uncomfortable. There was no way this could be a trap and yet Balthazar got the same uncomfortable feeling in his gut that he got when he walked into traps.

"Beth, I don't want to trouble you with these stories. Could you go look around and make sure Tornado is alright? I tied him to a post not far from the bazaar. I know I promised a date but you understand... business." Balthazar asked Elisabeth with a small gesture back towards the door. He'd left more than a few cues in that but he wasn't sure if she'd pick up on them and frankly it was exhausting his ability to spin his words to keep her from being put on edge. He wanted her there but had come to the conclusion, after seeing Jacien look at her a few times, that it would be best for her to go outside. He might lose some of her rather useful ability to interpret Jacien, but he did not think he'd need it. Balthazar waited until Elisabeth left the room and only continued when she was gone. Hopefully safer.

"For all my memory, I forgot she was supposed to meet me here tonight. I've been spread thin with the settlement on Faldrass. I may never forget, but things can slip my mind all the time." Balthazar said with a friendly grin on his face when he turned back to Jacien. He took a deep breath, looked around the room as he exhaled and the smile slowly slipped from his face. Maybe being a little more direct would help. "I believe you know what kind of help I am looking for. I would not have come to you if I could afford to pursue other options because I know working with me could put you in a difficult position. I hate to do that to business partners."

As they spoke, he slowly began to let his soothing slip. The shine in his eyes would become a little more prominent, slowly washing out other detail and his skin would seem to crack around his hands and eyes with an ethereal glow. When the transition had finished, Balthazar's eyes widened and he looked away for a moment before seeming to decide there was nothing he could do. "My apologies, I've been in the bazaar for a while and it seems my concealment is slipping." Balthazar said to dismiss the change in his appearance. The seed planted. "I am willing to do what I must to get shelter up on Faldrass. Can you, or do you know anyone, who could help me get it done?"