un: unlikely friend

[allforthecause]

[ Stealing a second pendant wasn’t easy, exactly, but not was it particularly difficult. As shrewd as merchants were, they were simultaneously arrogant when they thought they were going in for the kill - so using Kahl as a distraction (deliberately looking both well meaning and slow with too much coin weighing him down) made it easy to slip the device away and make his own exit long before the man noticed. He and Kahl met up again in a dank little corner, dark and damp, and crouched down over it as they changed the username and prepared their post.

They needed to get the word out - and quickly - but doing so as themselves would only paint a target on their back. So. Burner device, pretend to be a native from the city, get the word out, then ditch the device as soon as they were done.

Time to go. ]

To our foreign guests:

You’ve been promised to Rakkathu as bodies for his horde. Our King plays your host but has already cut a deal - your lives for ours. Or at least some of them.

A dozen plus a tax - this is what he has been promised.

My conscience won’t abide for it. You’ve done nothing but help where and when we’ve asked, only to get this in return. Don’t let him sacrifice you. Murder won’t buy us freedom, whatever our masters believe.

Please. If you’re anywhere near as strong as I think you are: help free us from him once and for all.

-L

[ ooc: comments with this icon and the un “unlikely friend” are from kahl and cass’s burner phone stolen pendant. Any replies from Kahl or from Cassian’s un “bee” are from their personal pendants. ]

Comments

un: unlikely friend

[allforthecause]

Some of your own have gone as couriers.

If you do not believe me, ask them.

I only bear a warning. Heed it or not.

[weifinder]

So you're saying that the king, in his wisdom, sent messages which would lead us, acting as couriers, to question his motives.

And you don't find that in and of itself a sign that things aren't as you, or those of us who were couriers, believe? I hate to ask, but does the concept of secrecy not occur to anyone of this place? Do you regularly send people around with notes asking for the couriers to be killed? Were these couriers bargained with to carry these messages for the sake of their own safety?

It's not that I wouldn't say such things happened. I question what it means, in the context of this war. You, stranger, feel more like a shadow manipulator than a king who is so obvious in intent that he sends couriers of the people he claims he'll "hand over" in the process of giving pretty promises to buy time.

[allforthecause]

Then make your own inquiries and keep your own council.

I’m not asking to to depose the King, as you seem to think.

I’m asking you to help render the sacrifice unnecessary.

[weifinder]

You may want to consider more clarity in wording, then. A call to "help free us from him" when discussing your royalty the moment before doesn't make it sound like Rathkinku is the one you're asking it from.

[allforthecause]

Forgive me.

As much as a betrayal like this stings, I’ve no reason to think the King isn’t doing it because he thinks it’s necessary. Though I do think he makes it easier on himself by seeing you as less than people.

A unwise man on a misled path can still be put right.

The evil that Rakkathu is… no words or actions will sway him. No bargain can be struck. Even if his plague on us ends here, it will only become a plague on someone else.

[weifinder]

Better understood in what your intent is now, thank you.

I wouldn't ask us to handle him in the sort of way you're implying. We ate one of the death lords youngest to his horrors. Another, trapped and weakened, was executed. Rattikins is neither of these at present.

He's plagued your world for years. Did it only matter now that your home is being razed like the rest of the citadels?