[center][b][h1]Nelf the Elf Himself[/h1][/b][/center]

Next to him the dwarf’s mouth opened and closed soundlessly.  It was a lot to process, Nelthurin thought, with a mixture of amusement and pity.  [b]”As to the Captain,”[/b] the harbor master pointed out, [b]”he has no reason to think I know anything about his sword and dagger, nor has he asked me about them.”[/b]  His elf eyes saw the sword and glanced at it meaningfully. [b]”As to your plan-”[/b]

[b]”You have to cut those miscreants down to size,”[/b] the dwarf burst out angrily, cutting Nelf off: [b]”let them know Your Grace is not playing that game anymore!  I’ll help you capture this ‘Cat’s Paw’ guy, sure. I’ll help you skin him, too!”[/b]

Nelthurin waited until he was sure Bork was finished before continuing.  At first he was annoyed at all this insufferably square self-righteousness, but then he realized that it could be a resource.  [b]”To capture this [i]Cat’s Claw[/i] leader,”[/b] he suggested, stressing the name slightly for the sake of the street-lingo-challenged dwarf, [b]”we first need to find out who and where he is.  I think we know who at least one of the members is, don’t we, Master Bork?”[/b]

The dwarf gave the elf a sharp, surprised look.  [b]”You mean that miscreant who threw a rock at me?  Could be.”[/b]  The elf nodded.  The dwarf was a bit slow on the uptake, perhaps, but not hopelessly dumb.
[b]”Do you know who it was?”[/b] he asked.

[b]”I think it was that Werli kid,”[/b] Bork answered.  [b]”Tall for his age, thin, upturned nose, kinda pretty-looking.  The sort who’d feel like he had something extra to prove to the guys.”[/b]

Nelthurin nodded knowingly and looked at Andrew.  [b]”The sort who’d come up short in an established guild, but feel like he could make it big in a new, upstart outfit.  A useful idiot.”[/b]  He looked between the engineer and the abbot.  [b]”We could lure him, capture him, question him.”[/b]  He shrugged.  [b]”You and me, Your Grace, probably no one in town would think we’d do anything drastic, but [i]him[/i]…”[/b] he head-nodded towards Bork.  [b]”I reckon he and the Captain could convince the Cat’s Claw they’d do whatever it took to get to the bottom of things, find out who CinC CATCOM is.  Someone who could convince Werli that he might end up short a few fingers if he didn’t talk.”[/b]  He looked at Bork.  [b]”Would you be up for that?”[/b]

Bork gave the elf a sharp, puzzled look.  Nelthurin gave him a few breaths.  Slowly, insight dawned in the dwarf’s eyes.  [b]”You reckon I should lure him,”[/b] he said.  [b]”’Werli, I think you and I got off on the wrong foot.  I tell you, working for the abbot ain’t easy, so I think I know where you’re coming from.  Let’s have a drink?’”[/b]  He looked expectantly back and forth between the elf and the abbot.

Nelthurin looked at the abbot as well, perhaps with a touch of smugness.  [i]You’re not the only one who knows how to work a mark[/i] his look said.