Payne-ful proposition

Dragon Synizn

"So what is your proposition?" my mate and love asks.

It takes a LOT of self control to not rush out. The had threatened my mate's life and that is NOT something one does to a dragon lightly. However, my wife/mate has things well at hand right now, so I shan't tip her hand.

She wait, still playing the part of an old enemy of mine, as the leader of this rabble lays out his proposition.

...

Now, forgive me if I digress a little bit, but I feel that a little bit of background on this Payne Gang (also known as the Paine Gang in other realities). Certain Freds and Astras had run afoul of these brigands on their way en route from their various Walants to their various Southern Caverns or whatnot. Small details vary from reality to reality, but remain mostly the same in the main. Here is a breakdown of the group some of our clan has a history with (even if only en passant with these thieves):

Paine/Payne Gang

Tolan-Leader of the band of thieves
Lester-in charge of guarding various Astras and Freds in another reality where those two had been captured and being set up to be sold into slavery
Roddy Calaister -betrayed Payne gang to law (for a cut of profits from slavery sales)
Bill - Searched Astra and Fred in another reality
Harry-Searched Astra and Fred in another reality
Four other unnamed henchmen total

....

In those other realities, there had been six other unnamed henchmen. Tolan must have had either a recruiting problem or two recent. . . er . . . openings in positions (i.e. capture or death). Cannot tell from what I hear and smell from outside, but that's not exactly important right now.

His proposition is rather straight forward. Seems that there is good reason for two of the three recent annoying encounters. The demifoxes had homed in on the Chrystallic being used. Fine, we're not using it now except under dire circumstances (if that) to avoid further magical detection (hopefully). The other two times happen to do with a rumor of rich rewards for information on one Sir Frederigo D'Honaire and Princess Astra Thessamer (this world's Fred and Astra). Seems that the D'Honaires and Thessamers got off early on seeking out lost kinsfolk and wanted to entice others to give information about their whereabouts. Why so early (at least for the D'Honaires) remains a mystery. Maybe the family mage divined trouble in the works and gave the alarm. Maybe something else. The Payne Gang had been hunting around Walants (a place where people go who are in or ARE trouble) for word of the missing. Either by hunting them down directly, or by interrogating travelers (like us) for word. Followed up with a generous "donation" from the interrogated, but that was basically their idea.

.....

The rewards had been offered by the Thessamers and the D'Honaires AND one third, mysterious party through the underground villain grapevine. The reward (much MORE generous one) from this third source had also mentioned something about a magical artifact.

But whatever the case, these rewards meant that there were a LOT of people out there looking to make their fortune. People who we probably will keep running into for a while yet. Probably need a few more days travel to get out of area, but all that said and done I'm worried.

It had been magically posted hither and yon, written in various tongues. That spoke of literatacy in the one making the offerer AND he or she had great magic at their disposal. One or the other, in the Payne Gang's minds, meant the offeror was both serious and rich (and worthy of serious consideration by them).

.....

The author of the message hadn't revealed his or her identity, but some of the Gang had it in their heads that perhaps it was the very king of the Black Market Cult making this offer....but Tolan now believes that it is Moreau who's made the offer. He hopes that that's the case why my mate (who's playing a part) is here about and is NOT looking for a snack (like him and his men).

1. "Mistress," Tolan offers feverantly. "Let us show you what we have learned so far. Would that please you? Please you and show we are worthy of being your instrument as we seek out those you wish found?"

Go Back