When the pangs of one too many flagons of wine dulled the details of the plan returned to mind. First, simple satisfaction uplifted as knowing what lie ahead was a gift yet unreceived on this little journey. The seeds of doubt took root later, perhaps while walking the streets of Camlorn, or glimpsing the high walls surrounding the castle. Doubt came more freely than the wine. Placing trust in a ragtag lot recruited from the muddy floors of a poor town's dungeon did not seem wise, nor did thinking the plans of such [i]honed minds[/i] infallible. Still, though doubt might sour supper and spoil otherwise good drink, it also begged for attention. When the second day came what remnants of doubt remained burned up in the hot excitement for what was to come. 

The guards covered in shapeless mail took Brynn roughly. Meanwhile, the so-called ponce wearing leather spaulders and a plate cuirass more elegantly crafted than Faruq's smirked. They chuckled lightly, head shaking a little while unraveling a copy of the wanted posters littering the hold.

"If we shan't skin the cat I'll see one of his lots' heads upon pikes at the least," the ponce mused, seemingly to himself. 

Faruq watched the guards carry Brynn off, boots dragging against the cobblestone as a shadow cast over the bandit's face. Stories of violence to the Blood Red name came to mind along with horrorific scenes sewn by bandits unknown. The face of the farmer protecting his family from Brynn and this lot as they demanded food on the journey here shown quite clear. Yet, the face of the farmer remained vibrant with life and the demand could hardly be considered [i]banditry[/i]. Faruq stole one last glance of Brynn before he disappeared from view, then squared his shoulders.

[color=bc8dbf]"Indeed the khajit does not make tracking easy,"[/color] Faruq added to the musing. The ponce turned to him and Fiona, observing them both as the redguard stepped forward and paid a half bow. [color=bc8dbf]"We found the bandit there scouting about for a new campsite. Said as much the way we found him skulking about, looking for the next place to make camp by the looks of it. She wanted to wait there awhile and capture the khajit and the whole of his crew,"[/color] Faruq nodded to Fiona then shook his head.

Fiona managed to wipe the look of surprise at seeing Brynn dragged off for execution from her face, and shrug at Faruq and the white-caped man. [color=salmon]"Taking just the one man seems hardly a victory."[/color] Faruq seemed to be adapting to this far better than she was. It even sounded like something she'd do, in this particular story. Go after the head of the bandits, and end the threat, not merely nibble at it. Risky, but with great potential reward. 

The ponce chortled somewhat dismissively. "Fool girl... Sev'Ahmet would've gutted you, your captive would've gone free, and I would have no one to behead today." He studied Fiona momentarily, leaving her feeling a bit uncomfortable. "Rather young for bounty hunting, aren't you?" 

She ignored the question, holding her ground. [color=salmon]"Taking the scout's head is a mistake. He could be of use."[/color] Fiona was almost surprised at the words. It had occurred to her that letting Brynn die could well be justice, considering his history... but there were too many factors involved for her to be the judge. There was a better way out of this, and she had to try for it. 

The ponce tilted his head slightly, gauntleted hands finding their way to his wide belt. "And how is that, exactly?"

[color=salmon]"He could know where to find Sev'Ahmet. Surely the guard would be interested in dealing with those bandits once and for all."[/color] 

"And let him walk my men into an ambush? I thought that was [i]your[/i] plan," he retorted, taking a step closer. "Capture or kill his entire band. How were the two of you going to manage that, I wonder?"

She struggled momentarily for a response. This was not her strong suit. [color=salmon]"We... have contacts of our own. Enough to deal with the bandits, if we could find them."[/color] 

"I see. So why not bring the captive to them, and come to me when you have a real prize, not some raggedy scout?" Now her face was turning red, and she didn't know what to say. There was only so far she could go in defending the life of a man she'd supposedly brought in for a bounty, and her own logic had seemingly cornered her. 

[color=salmon]"Ah. Uh... well..."[/color] she began to trail off, looking uncertainly at Faruq. 

[color=bc8dbf]"I tire of this,"[/color] Faruq interjected, prodding at Fiona and giving a harsh look beneath a lowered brow. [color=bc8dbf]"Let's end this act shall we?" His words came slow. When he turned back to the ponce his expression hardened, his jaw set with a slight scowl casting lines down from his nose. He tried hard to summon the face he wore into battle, the face of the Bone Knight. "Indeed the girl is a bit young to hunt bounties. I happened upon her spending quality time on the burnt up remains of her family farm, her home and family gone. [I]Crisps[/I]. Your Sev'Ahmet did that. What does this fool-girl do?"[/color] Faruq glanced to Fiona again shook his head. [color=bc8dbf]"Takes her crisp-father's sword and looks for the bastards. And I followed her!"[/color]

The ponce lowered their hand from a hip and made to speak. Before they could, Faruq continued, [color=bc8dbf]"I caught the scout. I hoped she would cry or ask I cut him down or disembowel the sorry sack herself for fuck's sake. Whatever to sate this appetite for revenge, because I am sure as shit not taking on that many bastards with only some fool-girl by my side. So I convinced her to bring the bastard here to the castle to make a deal. Since revenge means more to her than coin, what say you we use this reward to pay you,"[/color] Faruq pointed to the ponce square in the chest. He then waved a hand over the guards standing about or walking the halls. [color=bc8dbf]"Or any of these fine men, to find this ratty khajit bastard. Paid and delivered a living fucking compass. The fool-girl gets her revenge, the count gets their bandits, and you get glory and nice bonus. Bah, we'll even go with you. What say you?"[/color]

The ponce looked between Faruq and Fiona, who had thoroughly reddened, though she supposed that was good for appearances. Faruq's tale had hit awfully close to truth, though there was little way he could know that. Her home gone, family lost, passion driving her to take up the sword and set out. Bandits had little to do with it, of course, but when put in these terms, [i]fool-girl[/i] seemed to fit quite well. She wasn't even particularly concerned with coin, so long as her expenses were paid. 

"You make a convincing case..." The ponce mulled over the tale, plotting something within his mind. "A swift strike, with the pair of you in the vanguard to soften them up, and a row of heads to bring back. Still, you're asking me to place faith in the directions of one of these scum." This also seemed a problem to Fiona. Brynn couldn't actually direct them to the bandits if he didn't know where they were, but even still it could buy him some time to carry out their mission, and maybe even clear some guards out of the castle. 

[color=salmon]"Appeal to his self-interest then,"[/color] Fiona offered, a little more confidently. [color=salmon]"That's what you can trust in these types. If it benefits him to turn on his kind, I'm sure he'll do it in a heartbeat. Anything to save his own skin."[/color] 

"True enough." He glanced at Faruq. "And what's your angle in this? Purely monetary? Unless you've some vested interest in the fool-girl's revenge?"

Faruq felt his lips begin to move before a proper lie could form. His eyes flicked to Fiona, her red hair and the powerful expression that rarely faultered. Suddenly the answer came to him, and as the redguard felt a heat gathering upon his face, he shot back, [color=bc8dbf]"I suppose you might say I fancy the foolish sort."[/color] The redguard cleared his throat then took on his hardened face once more. His gauntleted hand outstretched, Faruq pushed once more. [color=bc8dbf]"You've your gold and a guide and two recruits beyond your own guard, not to mention the promise of glory. I can't imagine a better deal is awaiting around the corner."[/color]

The silken white cape flapped as the ponce extended a hand. He gave only a small smile, so slight in fact that Faruq could not help but doubt the man as they shook hands. Once their hands clasped one another the ponce pulled the redguard close and whispered beside his ear, "Should you happen to fall to Sev'Ahmet worry not. The girl shall be in [i]capable[/i] hands." As Faruq eased out of the feigned embrace he bit his tongue so not to speak. He bit harder as the ponce extended a hand to Fiona as well.

Fiona wiped away any embarrassment left over from Faruq's words, which she truthfully had no idea if they were sincere or just quick thinking. For the moment, her wariness was fixated on the man in front of her, whom she did not trust or like in the slightest. Still, she reached out and firmly clasped hands with him, her features etched in stone. 

"We have a deal then," the ponce declared, waving a hand delicately. At once a guard approached and bowed their head. "Send word to the executioner that we shan't need his services quite yet. Our newest guest will be detained within the dungeons after his trial. It is imperative he remains alive until I no longer have need of him. Are we clear?" After the guard nodded, the ponce gestured to Fiona and Faruq. "These two are my guests. See they are made comfortable after the trial and that their needs are met."