The best? Of that there was no doubt. Yet in the Dark City, nothing was as it seemed. Was this Kabalite looking to make an example of some brave fool? Or was he simply wishing to see who had the will to scatter those that sought the same prize, a place in the Kabal? Slipping through the assembled crowd, the former Corsair gave one of the potential recruits a shove to the fore. "If not this one, I'd wager there is a quicker way to find the answer." Voice low and laden with the threat of coming violence, he eyed those around him with murderous intent. His hand already rest around the hilt of one chainsword. Let none say that Kholivaz Scarnax, former Helliarch in the Middle Darkness and headache for Eldar regardless of origin wasn't eager.
Listening to what the Stranger had to say, (and making a mental note of the mention of being good-hearted and blackness, evidently someone who wanted her to know it was Vect making the request of her), Heltherith's mind turned to the greater reasons behind this simple exchange, after all the Archon had to be a serious contender to warrant such attention, and she had to be in a prime position to give such information.... So the Wych said "I'll accept your generous offer." Naturally, she wasn't exactly willing to point out how she knew who was wanting her services, and instead spring that surprise by being prepared for a meeting, and for the inevitable double/triple/ however many crosses happen as a result of that. The Commorrite then turned to leave, heading back to the pleasure bar, mind turning over what in the information she was given that could be key to unlocking the enigma of the Archon (But more so on what they would gain to support him). Was it Drach, with his status as a former guard to Lady Malys either a motive for vengeance or a ruse for her creating another ally? There was also a potential connection to Drazhar..... And she didn't want to start on what Lyn'shela and Kouron would be getting out of supporting the creation of the Crimson Moons. Still, once she reached the Pleasure Bar, Mertrixa would take a seat by Kaesar deciding to seek out a little company that wasn't exactly going to be too scared of her position to do more than just suck up to her in the hopes of her taking would be sycophants under her wing.
<Thû> "Well, that is a relief, Lord," Thû replies, dissembling smoothly, "Thû admits his knees aren't what they used to be." He even does a decent job of appearing stiff and creaky as he rises, not all of which is feigned, either - a long life of adventure and violence has left its marks on him. "Three matters for your attention, Lord. The first is administrative - our Enforcer corps took heavy losses in the previous raid, and will need reinforcing. To tell the truth, I was not over-fond of that last lot - no chemistry, as it were, and their stealth was insufficient for my purposes. With your permission, let me handpick the replacements - I will take the youngest and rawest of the new recruits and mould them into your eyes and ears, your will and your word in the field. " Counting off the next item on his fingers, Thû continues. "The second item concerns enforcement business also. Again with your permission, I should like to investigate the Sybarite Aerith. I have reason to suspect he was behind the premature fire that very nearly compromised the raid on the defence hub in the last raid. Whether it was negligent overzealousness, or something more deliberate, I cannot yet say, but his obvious rivalry with Aesra the beastmaster cannot be overlooked. By your will, I shall keep him under observation for the time being, and report in once I uncover further proof, one way or another." Counting off the third item on his fingers, Thû looks Zar'uil straight in the eye, his own glowing a faint toxic green as he smiles his quirky half-smile. "Last of all, Lord, has to do with my employ under your good self. I can certainly acquit myself well in mass battles, and to be your will and word in the field is a great honour...but we both know my true purpose, my calling, as it were. I crave to stretch my claws, Lord - have you enemies, inconveniences for me to remove? But say the word, and I shall send them to the jaws of the Dark Prince."
<Incubi business> Venessia @Wata + @Maleth Upon returning to the pleasure bar, Heltherith would spot Kaesar and his colleague right outside of it, just about leaving the place. If she wanted, she could probably go with them (or go directly into the bar to get more refreshments) although the look on the female Incubus' face was anything but welcoming. "Yes, lets do that," Venessia told Kaesar and walked straight forward out of the bar and towards the spire, expecting him to follow her. Pushing past the drunken Kabalites as well as couple columns of slaves headed for the arena, she led the way into the spire itself, walking a familiar path without much issue. Arriving on one of the lower floors, Venessia and Kaesar entered a place quite familiar to them. A statue of Arhra was erected on far side of the room while in the middle of it, black sands dominated the picture on top of which Incubi dueled. There were seven of them in total, six of them fighting duels on separate spots within the room while the seventh warrior was Hierarch Drach himself, standing close to the statue of his Master and watching the duelists solemnly, his face hidden behind his baroque helmet. Approaching him, Venessia bowed in respect. "Lord Drach, I..." she stopped in mid-sentence as Drach rose his hand and placed it on the pommel of his demiklaive. "I know why you are here," he replied, the sound of his voice like a graveyard bell. "Question is, why is he here," he said and tilted his head towards Kaesar, awaiting the response while all around them, Incubi continued with practicing, paying the newcomers no heed.
<Grand Arena> @Kalle @Grall_Stonefist + @kanila Much more relaxed now, young Kabalite gave away a sigh of pleasure as he enjoyed Kadara's company, for a moment forgetting his current predicament. However if Heliarch cared about it, he showed no sign as he took couple of those eggs and swallowed them whole. However then his look became more intense as he fixated Kadara, his lips twisting into a not-so attractive grin. "Indeed, no more flattery. After all, I'm a terrible liar - I saw much more fine looking Kabalites than you, so I'm not interested in that," his tone was like ice and it made young Kabalite turn towards him but Heliarch's feral look dissuaded him from speaking up. "Now, I'm interested in two things. First, I want you in my gang. You're the only Kabalite out of your Archon's precious pets that is flying solo. Everyone else has certain influence except you which means that you ain't gonna last for long like that and I'm willing to help you out. In return for your services, I can offer you protection and to be frank, even my dogs have more balls than this coward you're sitting with, so I'm sure some of my boys can help you out with your needs." "Second thing is, I'm looking to learn as much as I can about a certain Beastmaster that goes by the name Aesra. He's your colleague and I'm pretty certain you can tell me lot of things about him?" While they talked, Hetax made his way towards the bottom level and eventually found the person he was looking for. Surrounded by lots of slaves and soon-to-be dead gladiators was a rugged looking female with a tall mowhawk and scarred face, cracking with her whip against insubordinate servants. Spotting him, Slave Mistress Eliria waved Hetax over, a friendly smile crossing her face. "Hello there Razorhand! I've been told you were coming to fight! Gotta hand it to you, you have some serious guts to enter the arena with the Blood Queen, serious guts and serious brain damage! I mean, I saw the white Kroot you caught and he's tough, but Lyn'shela is completely different kind of a monster." Around at that same time Aesra found his way here as well, after checking the slave pits the local guards told him that Eliria was working at the new arena, herding slaves and all of that, so he had to go there next. He spotted her talking to Hetax and their gazes met, Eliria laughing out loud when she saw him. "You came to fight as well?! Did some pulse round hit you guys in the head while I wasn't watching?!" <Barracks> @bossaroo @Skarboy There was around fifteen Kabalites standing between Kholivaz and Ave'ras (and Uravel), and half of them reached for their weapons at Corsair's remark while the one Dark Eldar who he pushed forward regained his footing and pulled out a wicked knife, about to strike at him but not going the whole nine yards due to couple of Scourges who while flying nearby, saw the commotion and slowed their pace while properly aiming their shard carabines into the crowd below. However that also didn't stop the Kabalite recruit from hissing at Kholivaz, teeth bared. "Take those words back or I'm gonna cut off your insolent tongue and then shove it up your ass!"
"Ha, that's a good one Eliria! No im actually here looking for a certain Tau cur." He patted the Helspider tattoo that she had done for him prior to the realspace raid. "You see that one is due for a particularly painful session due to the death of one Helspider." Patting Hetax on the back, "I'll give you the pleasure of dancing in the arena!" Aesra leaned against the wall and watched the slaves and would-be gladiators prepare for the next dance. "But of course I won't interrupt your business here." Raising his mask he gave her a grin and a wink before reseating it. Content in waiting for the show to commence before he got to deliver the pain to that Tau pilot.
<Meeting with the Archon> @Draconion Archon listened patiently as Thû spoke and nodded once the Mandrake finished. "You know how they say Thû, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?" Even though I personally find that proverb pretty stupid for you don't really need your enemies closer, you need them tortured and then fed to the Ur-ghuls, this time around I just might find usage for it." "Firstly - I admit I might've told those Enforcers how to act, what to do and what not to do, but I agree, you need a better type of soldiers if you are to prosecute my will. Matter of fact, Ave'ras was already given the task of checking out the new recruits so you can head down to the barracks outside and help him with that, maybe you'll find someone there who will serve your needs." "Secondly - you'll leave Aerith alone for the time being. He's not really a valuable asset to my Kabal however he's one of the worst liars I have ever seen in my life and I need servants like him, especially when they are playing for the other side as well. You see Thû, Aerith was not completely honest with us and while pretending to serve me, he is actually serving another interested party, the one I would like to think its cover hadn't been blown. Of course, if Aerith dies on the field of battle so be it, but I would not want him to die tripping over some bones Gorm left out in the open and breaking his neck in the process. So, observe him if you will, but do not touch him, not yet anyway..." "Thirdly - yes I do, matter of fact, I would need a whole lot of your kinsmen to help me deal with all the problematic individuals trying to take a shot at me and my Kabal," Zar'uil laughed, which sounded more genuine than it should be. "I know that your talents were somewhat wasted in the last raid, however they will be sorely tested on the mission I'm about to send all of you (my lieutenants) next. I will tell you all about it in due time but rest assured, there will be ample of skulls for you to collect for your Shadow King."
The laughter that shook Kholivaz could have been wearing a sneer of its own, his permanent and decorative grin doing nothing to lower the volume of his mirth. Before his cruel laugh could begin to fade, it was drowned out by the screaming teeth of paired chainswords. It was by the design of the Eldar that such weapons blurred their diamond-tipped teeth without a sound. It was by intentional sabotage that they now screamed with the same effect as those created by the mongrels of the Imperium and the Greenskins. The blades traveled in lazy arcs, the weight of the individuals blades as nothing to their well practiced master. Their teeth had drank deep of the prey of Realspace. Mon-Keigh, Greenskin, Hrud, Tau, Tyranid.. It would be a shorter list of which species the Commorrite hadn't sank his teeth into. "Better Eldar than you have tried and they've all lost their heads, dog. Now still your wagging tongue." The chainswords snapped to stillness and with that their incessant wail ceased, their call for blood hushed by their master. "Unless you wish to give the Kabalite Ave'ras a proper example", again that sneer that came through by tone alone, "Of what a weak and unworthy aspirant truly looks like. Sharpen your blades in the Middle Darkness, if you're smart."
Spoiler Kadara listened to what the helliarch had to say. She really did. However, what he had to say seemed thoroughly disinteresting to her. "That'd be a nice feather in your cap, bagging one of the Archon's rising stars," she replied in her cold purr, dark eyes fixed on him. "But I can't help you. Skyboards isn't my style. I would make a poor hellion." Her hand clenched against the younger Kabalite's thigh, squeezing hard, before she released him simply and leaned forward in her seat, folding her hands under her chin as she studied the helliarch. "As for your beastmaster, I don't know much about him. He masters beasts. Did you want him to discipline your dogs, perhaps? Or your boys?" she suggested with a twist of her lips. "No matter. I haven't spoken to him and I don't care to. You are asking the wrong woman, Saghiar, on all counts."
Kaesar smiled and bowed, as one would expect. He considered what to say for a few moments. Kaesar ran a finger over his little scars under his eye lost in memories for a few fleeting seconds, his smile slowly vanishing all the while. He had not felt anything close to what these stored memories brought him. These two kills. "I-" He started, but realized he had no real impressive reason or good speech. Then he smiled, like he always did, it seemed more like a veiled threat than a warm gesture. "I must kill." He stared at Drach. "..but I need discipline." Silence passed as he glanced at Venessia. "Also to get her off my back."
