[center]Ahmar Aezil[/center]

	Ahmar Aezil was relaxing, his booted feet resting on the table infront of him. His gloved hands were interlaced over his midsection. His handsome, stubbled brown face, marked with familiar red tattoos, was shadowed by his hood and obscured by his scarf. Dark eyes peered up at Bellinar as he approached. Though his mouth was hidden, Ahmar's eyes carried his polite smile for him. He didn't get up or react much at all to the Warlord Prince's bold approach. 

	[color=ed1c24]"Bellinar. Your price? Your honor and pride wasn't enough, I suppose."[/color] The tone was cordial, but there was no attempt to disguise his contempt. He rose a placating hand pre-emptively.

	[color=ed1c24]"I understand you meant your financial gains- and that will be discussed. Gotta pay off those gambling debts somehow, hmm? But for now, I'd like to know about these powerful people protecting the Black Widow. Who are they? How many? What jewels to they wear?"[/color] He removed his feet from the table, placing them back on the wooden floor boards. He interlaced his fingers in a cradle and leaned his elbows on the tables surface.

	[color=ed1c24]"You understand that the more heavily protected she is, the more difficult it is to take her alive. An assassination is much easier than a kidnapping. I accepted this condition in order to acquire your services. You tell me where she is, as long as I promise to take her alive. However, we are in the same town, now, closer than ever to the target. Hypothetically, we don't [i]need[/i] you anymore. We were to strike soon, and now you've come bringing me news like this."[/color] He shook his head. 

	[color=ed1c24]"And the first thing to cross your mind is how much money you stand to gain?"[/color] He raised an eyebrow. [color=ed1c24] "If I were you, I'd be thinking about what I could do to help ensure the survival of my beloved Faeril. And how to most prove myself useful. I'm not just going to callously toss my men into the meat grinder of these 'even more powerful people'. You're in a precarious position, here, Bellinar."[/color] Ahmar evaluated the situation. 

	[color=ed1c24]"For example, instead of barging in here and demanding more money, perhaps come to me with a solution, or a plan? Like this:" [/color]Ahmar leaned back now. He splayed his hands out in the open air, as if to illustrate the possibilities. 

	He put on a pretty good, if exaggerated, imitation of Bellinar. [color=ed1c24]"Ahmar, our operation just got more difficult. The Black Widow is more protected than ever. However, in order to make myself useful, I, Bellinar, have decided to aid you directly. I will lure Faeril's defenders, or perhaps even Faeril herself, out of position. That way we can secure her safely. None of your men get hurt or killed, and most importantly to me, Bellinar, Faeril continues to draw breathe."[/color] He lowered his hands into a shrug, then crossed his arms. Some of his men chuckled, watching their leader work. Ahmar's lack of respect towards the Warlord Prince was apparent. Or rather, his dislike of him as a person. The men in the bar had quieted down a little to listen more closely. It was rare to see him interact with someone that disgusted him. Usually, he just ignored them. But he was playing mind games, now.

	His voice switched back to it's normal, lighter tone. [color=ed1c24]"Or, I suppose I could just stuff a few extra coins in your hands. Then we keep trailing them for longer and longer until someone else finds them first, and a bloody battle ensues. Or, I just lose interest and leave, and a much less understanding a charitable group of men come along and take the contract themselves."[/color] He counted the alternative possibilites on his fingers.

	Then he leaned forward, squinting. Now some sardonic wit and sarcasm more clearly entered his tone. [color=ed1c24]"Or, and this would be a real shame, I just keep the money and kill you. Then I go kill Faeril and take her head (literally take her actual head by the way, some people are quite insistent on that) to my client, collect our payment and be on our way. Which would...suck, right? That would suck for everyone. It would suck the most for [i]you,[/i] though. Kind of a fail state, really. For me it would just be an inconvenience."[/color] He relaxed in his chair again.

	[color=ed1c24]"So, I dunno. Your price has gone up, sure. But we're in the home stretch now, Bellinar. Faeril is only a few streets over. And you want to re-negotiate now? Personally, I like the first plan that the hypothetical, smarter, and more handsome version of you suggested. You lure Faeril or her defenders out of position, we snatch her up, and we pay you even more for your services." [/color] Ahmar concluded. He was having a little fun with this.  

	[color=ed1c24]"Everyone's happy. Except Faeril, of course. But, she'll come to appreciate this in time, won't she? What you've done for her?"[/color] He smiled a condescending smile beneath his cowl.  

	He put up both his hands apologetically, closing his eyes for a moment. [color=ed1c24] "Sorry. I got caught up in the sound of my own voice. You were about to tell me the specific details of these new defenders, if I recall."[/color] He rubbed his chin and finally stopped talking, letting Bellinar speak his mind.