A Multitude of Plans

"Keep the other two occupied." I whispered to Lariss as we made our way to the road. She gave me a nod in response.

Once we got onto the road, she started to engage Hrothgar in conversation. Asking him where he grew up, what his family was like. The man gave quick non informative answers. She would then answer the same questions without being prompted, giving long detailed answers that were mostly lies mixed with truths. Feadr would also answer the questions even though she never directed them at him.

"So, what's the plan?" I asked Thelora.

She glanced back at the other three before answering. "There's about a dozen possible scenarios I'm running through in my head. It all depends on where everybody stops for the night."

"Everybody? You don't think their group will stay together?" I asked.

"It's not just the group we're targeting that I'm working into our plans. We can use the two groups that passed by before them." My own mind started to work through how we could use the Followers of the Holy Light and the alcohol merchant to our advantage.

"You want to pit them against each other. But how does that get us the wagon? If the Followers of the Holy Light find out they're transporting stolen goods, they'll want to confiscate it all." I said.

"It's about pitting them against each other in a way that doesn't involve what we're after. If all three groups stay at the same inn, it will make it easier. If not, it'll just get more interesting." She went on to explain a few possible scenarios that she had in mind.

"I don't like how easily it could all go wrong. All of your scenarios put Lariss and I in the most immediate danger." I said.

"People in the underworld have worked with each other on various jobs over the years. I recognized a few people in their group and I have no doubt they would recognize me or the other two. They shouldn't know you and your girlfriend so you're the best to send in." She said.

"My other concern is innocent people getting hurt. Also, she's not actually my girlfriend." There was a quick upward twitch to the edges of her lips at that last part.

"I was wondering why I didn't hear anything from your room last night." She said.

"Haha, what about the innocent people? Most of your plans put them in danger." I said.

"You can't really avoid that in this line of work." She said.

"First off, even if it can't be avoided, you certainly can try to minimize it. And second, I'm not in this line of work." I said.

"Until you've finished helping Skadi you are in this line of work. And my plans already minimize it. I have a few others that would have left most of them dead." She said.

"Well that's good to know." I said.

She was quiet for a moment. "I've just done what I need to survive." From her tone, she seemed to be trying to justify herself.

"You could always become an adventurer. You certainly have the skills." I said.

"How would you know? You haven't seen me fight." She said.

"There's more to being an adventurer than fighting. You have good stealth skills, are confident, can assess situations, and you have a good presence. But I also know you're a good fighter from the way you hold yourself." I said.

"You seem to have a high opinion of me. Let's hope you not girlfriend doesn't over hear." She said.

I then decided to steer the conversation in a different direction. "So I of course have no reason to trust the other two, but how much do you trust them?" I asked.

"Trying to place a seed of doubt in my mind?" She said. I tried to look innocent.

"Do they work directly for Skadi or were they hired for this job?" I continued.

"A little of both. They've worked mostly for Skadi but have worked under a few others over the years. Our groups are ever shifting, the Bandit Queen has never really wanted anyone to have too many direct subordinates." She said.

"So you can't be really sure where their loyalties lie, can you?" I said.

"The same could be said about me. Maybe in the end I'll put a knife in Skadi's back?" That came with a smile that I just couldn't read.

Was she really hinting at what I thought she was hinting at? I had to ask, why couldn't she betray Skadi? I didn't really know their relationship and Floriana didn't seem to know much about Thelora. Of course this could all be to try to gain my trust, making it easier to betray me when the time came.

But I didn't feel any threat from her in my heart.

As it got close to sunset we came to a village that we had rushed through early yesterday. Thelora had us wait outside the village while she Cloaked herself and went towards the inn. After several minutes she returned.

"We're in luck, all three parties are staying at the inn." Thelora said.

"Why should that matter?" Hrothgar said.

"We're going to use them for a distraction." Thelora laid out the rest of her plan.

"That's insane. There's no way we aren't getting caught." Feadr said.

"Just keep your head. Wilmaer and Lariss are the ones that will be in the most danger and I don't hear them complaining." Thelora said.

"That's because she doesn't know any better. Don't listen to the crazy woman, she's jealous of your beauty and is trying to get you killed with her insanity." Feadr had taken Lariss' hand and was trying to comfort her.

"Umm, it's not the worst plan I've been a part of." Lariss extracted her hand from Feadr. I could tell she may have been regretting the innocent angle she had been going with to gain his sympathy.

"Every plan is going to have risks. And this wouldn't be the first time I've walked into a dangerous situation with Lariss. We're actually pretty good at getting out of them." I said as Lariss gave me a confident smile despite not remembering any of those situations.

Not too long after our conversation, Lariss and I walked into the inn together. There were two deer beast kin playing instruments on a raised platform at the far end of the main room. Two tables had ten of the bandits that we had seen. Another table had the alcohol merchant with his two guards. There were a few locals scattered about, but what really drew my attention was the last set of occupied tables. Nearly 20 Followers of the Holy Light were having a discussion on one side of the room. They had only seen nine on the road earlier.

"Are you looking for a room for the night?" An older male gnome called from behind the bar. "I still have a few rooms in the attic."

"Thanks, we'll take one and a meal if it isn't too late." I said.

"Of course it's not too late, we'll be going strong for a while now. Just take a seat and we'll bring you something. The name's Gledarfi, howler if you need anything." He said.

The only open tables were those closest to the Followers of the Holy Light. We took our seats and a waitress brought out two plates with roasted chicken and some vegetables. On her way to get our drinks, the alcohol merchant was watching her from behind with a lecherous look. As we started eating the musicians ended their current song.

Before they could start up again the merchant started to call out. "Again, again. Or if you're tired you could join me." He patted the seat next to him as he gave an impure smile to the female musician. She grimaced as they started their next song.

"This is why I didn't want to stay here. We've had to deal with that… man for the past two nights." One of the Followers said. We were close enough that with my enhanced hearing I could hear everything as if I was sitting at the table.

"Oh, just get over it Turnus. Not everyone is going to stick to the Teachings as strictly as you." A middle aged female knight said.

"This isn't about the Teachings, even a witch would be a better companion then that man." Turnus said.

"You must not have met many witches if you think that lowly of them." She said.

"Renata, don't start. We didn't gather for a debate on doctrine." An older priestess said.

"Sorry Matrium Myrgol, but keep in mind that you're the ones that asked for my help." The others at the tables shifted uncomfortably at her words.

"I think you'd play better without your blouse." The merchant called out.

The other Followers became even more uncomfortable but didn't complain this time. Even though it might interfere with our plan, I was about to get up to shut him up but Renata beat me to it. The clank of her armor could be heard over the music as she approached him. Everyone but the merchant became aware of her destination.

When she stood in front of him he squirmed for a bit, before giving her a grin. She leaned down and whispered in his ear. His red face paled and he started to stammer an apology before she left him and returned to her table. The music had stopped for a moment but had picked up again by the time she sat down.

"What about not everyone following the Teachings?" Another priest asked her with a smirk.

"Ha, he's still alive isn't he. And I actually dealt with him rather than whine like a child from a high horse." Renata said.

I shared a quick smile with Lariss. This might actually be easier than expected.