Chapter 1: Subversion

[Agita]

At the question, Sen closes her eyes and frowns. "Lord Musker is from one of the 'rice families'... No..." She falls silent for a while, then opens her eyes and looks around. "Lady Natsukawa could be looking for help with her problem from the youngest and most active advisor to the Eldest. I am open to suggestions."

[Prime32]

That might not be a bad idea. "It seems we are of one mind." Fumiko says, smiling at Sen before stepping forward.

"I have never had the chance to meet Lord Musker myself. Though when I was... turned away by your lordship's house," she adds, her gaze drifting, "I did have my concerns that their behaviour was unusual. In the past the Suuldaran had always met House Natsukawa warmly... if Lord Musker is indeed responsible, then-"

She prostrates herself before Nalan.
"I humbly request that Lord Nalan allow me to lead the investigation, for the sake of both his family and mine."

There had probably been enough reasons for the Suuldaran to refuse her anyway, but that was beside the point.

[Jackinthegreen]

Henk turned away for a moment to hide his eye roll.  He had never understood how that level of submission could appeal to anyone without an egotistical disorder, and wondered if indeed every noble had that problem.

[skydragonknight]

Glacia was thoughtful. "That may indeed provide vital clues. Though I believe we need not limit ourselves to a single course of action. Until we have enough information to make a move, it would be less suspicious to travel in so large a group and more efficient to pursue information along multiple paths."

She looked at those assembled, and decided, then looked at Fumiko. "Mind if I take Henk and Ty...Zeus out on a trip to the city's slums? We have no history in this country and could easily pass as traveling sell-swords. By hitting up the darker side of the capital, we could get the feel on the street. And if we're lucky, make contact with the Brotherhood."

Glacia trusted Ty with her life, and from what he had told her he sounded like he had picked up some useful skills. And Henk.... Henk was the kind who would seemlessly fit into the criminal underbelly of any major city.
She looked at the half-ogre seeing if he had any objections.

[Jackinthegreen]

Henk gave Glacia an odd look.  "I was born and raised in a village named Jinan, so I do have a history here.  That history might work to our advantage though since I lived up to my ogre heritage a little too well.  I have worked as a mercenary before, and I don't think the reparations I made with my home village have yet reached the ears of other towns."

[phaedrusxy]

Zeus looks visibly relieved as he says "Yes, that sounds great. I've spent most of my life at sea, or at least involved with the affairs of those who were. I fear I would stand out too much during any business that involves subtle diplomacy, and might give too much away inadvertently."

[Agita]

Sen nods. "Good. Asking audience in a group of seven wouldn't have been feasible, anyway. Then, Arai and Lady Natsukawa, you'll be with me." Then, she fixes her gaze on Hadron. "And what will you do? I don't know your skills, but if you keep pretending to be a statue, you might fit in either way."

[sirpercival]

Nalan nods quickly to Fumiko. "Of course, of course -- I have no doubt you will approach this situation with the most appropriate tact." He hesitates before continuing. "Are we to keep your connection to the God-king a secret? I would not want to further Lord Musker's agenda inadvertantly..."

[Jackinthegreen]

"Our operation would likely be in jeopardy if word got out that we were connected to Singorn, however remotely.  All of us had best be discreet." Henk said simply.

[Agita]

Sen shakes her head. "For anyone who had previous contact with the God-King, it would be unnecessary and pointless to hide that. The mission itself should be kept quiet."

[VennDygrem]

Hadron looked around at the group, then directly at Sen. He had been carefully weighing the situation, and calculating the options.

"I have access to a deep well of knowledge, both worldly and otherworldly, as well as magical abilities to hinder and incapacitate foes. I am not, however, made for particularly subtle tasks. As you can see, I stand out in a crowd, and am not made for fitting into tight spaces. I am afraid I am, figuratively speaking, in Zeus's boat."

[phaedrusxy]

Zeus smiles and says to Hadron "Welcome aboard!

And as for previous connections to the God-King, I'd not met him before today."

[sirpercival]

Nalan breathes out in relief. "Well, then, we have a course of action."

((I'm now going to split you into separate threads.))