<Training pits> @Wata @Grall_Stonefist @Virgil_Corbec

Hetax "saved" Eetlis for any further stabs as his shotgun riddled the incoming wych with deadly shards, the toxin in it working to a degree as it tried to fight off the effects of the combat drugs the female pit fighter was using. He also became fully aware of multiple hostile looks from the Dark Eldar around him, couple of those even reaching for their weapons with the clear intent of shooting him right then and there.

However before they could do anything, something completely different occurred. As Kaesar victim's head fell on the sand, at that very same moment did Succubus unsheathed her daggers. Like a viper, with speed and unnatural agility she descended on the ring, her beautiful visage twisting into a horrible nightmarish face of a goddess of death. Even before he could turn and react, Kaesar felt his head spinning as she hit him with a roundhouse kick in the back of his head, the blow strong (more likely precise enough) to suddenly launch him onto the ground, lights out.

The unconsciousness lasted for couple of moments, enough for him not to see as Succubus attacked the wych in front of him, stabbing her twice through the chest and removing her heart in one experienced process before getting to the one Hetax dazed and simply stabbing her dagger into her skull from one ear to another. It was the moment both the Bounty Hunter and Eetlis realized that these wyches didn't have the tattoo or any other symbol of the Crimson Moon on them or their gear, the fact soon after proved by the Blood Queen herself when she called out to some nearby guards.

"Clear these vermin from my arena. The more I stand here the better I see how Zalaya's warriors are indeed of inferior stock," the guards obeyed, quickly clearing the arena of bodies while not really helping Kaesar to get back on his feet, although he should do it quickly for the Succubus clicked with her fingers again, not paying any more attention on the stricken Incubus. "And send in the next batch."

OOC fighting in the pits is over, unless you want to watch our Blood Queen inspect another couple of wyches from the troops we assimilated after the deal with the Severed Hope

With his claw holding an iron grip around the neck of the kalabite whom seemed stunned by the serial stabbing the now dead wych had visitid upon him, Hetax Saw that now might be a good time to leave, the succubus was seemingly not in a great mood, and he had made himself unpopuler amongst these seemingly lowcaste dark eldar jugding by their reactions.
Luckily his helm was unreadeble as he pretended to ignore the hostility towards him, as he hooked the kalabites splinter rifle by the strap before bowing to the succubus and then starting to make his way out.
"Seems like you owe me now kalabite (@Virgil_Corbec ) after we get you to someone who can patch those wounds" he said, though still holding his grip as he walked with him, he needed to know the kabalite wouldent over react with hostility.

@Maleth @kanila

Yrara smiled and chuckled as he finished the last of his experiments his Assistant currently having a arm regrown continued to scream as the process continued, Deciding to go scout out the other possible team members or possible clients, Yrara decided to to go to the pleasure bar, maybe a few drinks along with seeing who was around and who would likely being need of his services maybe training pits next.

Walking in he spotted the beast master around the back seemingly alone while it seemed to be a wych from there team and the slave master it seemed, Deciding to take a seat at the bar, He made a request to the bartender for something more regal a type of wine of Commgragh that he had a personal preference for. Looking over to the wych beside him he decided to see who see was she was defiantly one from his team but likely someone he had not gotten the names off.

"Quite a small crowd is here today it seems, The beast master, and our slave mistress and one of the new members like me our wych from the team earlier that aided with the last mission. apologize for my Rudeness but may ask of your names?" Yrara asked as he sat down his smiled had faded just into a grin as his dark eyes looked over them.

@Vulpas

Aesra turned his head as the haemonculus spoke, it would seem they were all slowly being drawn to the pleasure bar. "I am Aesra, the artist here is the Slave Mistress Eliria, and of course our very own Wych Heltherith. You find much use of the earlier 'harvest'? I saw them bringing in quite a large number for you if I'm not mistaken." He poured himself another glass and slammed it back enjoying the feeling rushing through his body. He was curious who was going to be next to join the little gathering. Too many more show up and they'll need to 'acquire' another table!

Kaesar picked himself up and shook his head to clear the roundhouse he had endured. He removed his helmet and checked on his facial injuries. He got all he could from the pits it seems, so there was not much else but leaving to nurse his injuries. He looked at Hetax and the kabalite who had involved themselves at the fight and wondered if he was to work with them in the future.
He smiled, bowed for the queen and left, looking for a place of healing that didn't involve his limbs getting replaced by an unwanted tentacle.

@kanila @Maleth
"It is a pleasure I make your acquaintances, I am Yrara the current Hamonculus hired on by our archon." Yrara said as he sat down before getting a drink and began taking a sip of wine as he readied to begin conversations with the others. "You both were quite Impressive on the field, Heltherith and Asera," he added as he looked to them, "I wanted to come down to also see if you two needed any my services from the battle with any minor injuries you could have sustained." Yrara lastly said finishing his own words and waiting for a response from the others.

<Thû> @Draconion

And indeed, soon after the Mandrake heard or rather felt the familiar low-pitched growling of Archon's hound catching his scent, the chase was on. Eventually he managed to loose the creature in the maze of spire's chambers and corridors at least for enough time for him to have the private conversation he wanted.

Speaking of food, Thû found the Archon in his throne room, sitting behind a long table and having a dinner while busying himself with reading from some dusty old tome in the process. Of course, an Archon was never alone and Thû saw the familiar shapes of his Incubi bodyguards, all five of them, placed all around the chamber while couple of slaves hurried around, bringing the Archon everything he needed. But despite them, the Mandrake knew his conversation won't be overheard by unwanted ears so he was free to make his move.

Alas, as soon as he started approaching once again the effect of Archon's silver sword began manifesting and his strength once again began ebbing away as well as the shadows surrounding him, the fact the damned Archon also somehow became familiar with as he simply nodded towards an empty seat across his without even rising his head in the process.

"Come Thû, it's rude for you to stand around. Come and take a seat," he said and clapped his hands at which two slaves set up that part of the table, bringing food even before Thû sat down. As for the food itself, it was some kind of mix of various cooked vegetables and small pieces of soft meat, medium rare.

OOC EDITED

<Thû>

"M'lord is a most gracious host," says Thû, his faultless manners disguising just barely his struggle to maintain composure against the icy drain of Zar'uil's diabolical weapon.

Having dissembled just enough to don his robes and mask as the shadows fell away from him, he glides to the high table, managing through sheer force of will - curse that abominate sword! - to hide the trembling of his legs behind a dancer's grace.

"Thû shan't keep M'lord from his meal for long, but he shall have a cup of wine out of courtesy, and drink to m'lord Zar'uil's health," he says, seating himself at the offered place and raising a goblet in toast to the Archon, "May M'lord reign till the gods die, and the stars burn cold."

Taking a polite sip, he sets the cup aside.

"The truth, Lord, is that I have come to discuss terms of extended employ. Aside from the usual market rates - room and board in slaves and other living flesh - there are two special requirements."

Raising gloved hands, he counts off on his fingers.

"Firstly - my pick of skulls from any and all combat and assassination actions, either solo or as part of a group effort. I regret to inform M'lord this supercedes any and all trophy claims...up to and including yours. This requirement is non-negotiable."

Thû adds a second finger to the count.

"Secondly - access to two parts of M'lord's chambers. M'lord's court, with full leave to interact with regular habitues and visitors alike. Also, access to M'lord's library. While I enjoy these...complimentary risk assessments of M'lord's security arrangements, I would rather come and go in more above-board fashion. Exact terms of access are, of course, negotiable."

Spreading his hands to indicate the conclusion to his petition, Thû adds, "If M'lord is amenable, that concludes my business here."

<Keshariel - Introduction> @Jorimel

"Indeed he is," Dracon nodded, "And you are in luck, our lord will see you momentarily. Follow me."

He led Keshariel through the gates and towards the spire, him seeing the interior of the fortress for the first time. The place was quite busy and packed with all kinds of kabalites, both warriors and servants as well as multitude of slaves going about their business. The whole place had the looks of a bustling city which meant that the rumors were probably true - this Kabal was rising in power and fast. However his guide didn't let them waddle around for long and soon he reached the great obsidian spire which held the center of the fortress. Bidding him inside past the multiple security checkpoints and after crossing few initial chambers the Dracon left him as he finally entered the room where the Archon himself resided.

The chamber he entered now was quite large, at each side there were great statues of old Archons made to look as if they were holding the ceiling, although since the chamber was also quite high it was impossible to see its end so the statues gave the impression as if the occupants of the chamber were being looked down upon by those ancient Dark Eldar. Around those statues the Wych could see shadowy forms of Kabalite warriors standing guard, but keeping their respectful distance.

In front of him, further in the back he could see steps leading to a great dais on top of which a throne was placed, a thing made of crimson marble which had the effect of always raining blood down onto the steps beneath it while a number of Incubi bodyguards surrounded it, five to be exact, their baroque armor making them look like those very same statues from before as they made absolutely no movement in their silent vigil.

However the throne wasn't occupied - instead Keshariel saw a long table to his right, close to the edge of the chamber where an interesting Dark Eldar sat, currently busying himself with reading something from a dusty old tome.

He was dressed in long crimson robes trimmed with silver lining, bulky enough for the Wych to know that the man carried armor beneath, that looked ordinary, completely opposite with the weapons the man had on himself. A long-barreled pistol of archaic design not know to Keshariel and an elegant sword made of silver metal that seemed to draw the light from the chamber onto itself and twist it in wonderful shapes, the shapes that also hurthis eyes if he was to look at them more closely. As for the man's face, he was looking somewhat young (which was definitely wrong and thus just another trick), while his eyes, even from this distance, were pitch black and similar to the eyes the newcomer saw on the halberd-wielding lord at the gates, only these hid infinitely greater malice and even greater age, if such thing was even possible.

Hearing the newcomer, the man waved him over, his gaze still focused on the book in front of him. "Tell me," he suddenly spoke, his tone conversational, even friendly, "Are you familiar with the work of Ivor Elitibad and his treatise on the Curse of the Black Sun?"

<Armory> @bossaroo

"Dismissed," the Seneschal stated and exited the armory, going back to his business and leavign Ave'ras alone with his men. Well, not alone.

"Huh, congratulations?" Aerith returned quickly, as if he was standing around the corner up until then (probably he was since he seemed to overhear everything Kouron told them), "Now you are just a step away from being a proper Sybarite again and joining my ranks! Who would've thought? Two of us back in the saddle again, with eager troops behind our backs - that's what I call a success!"

Although after hearing the question Aerith's lips twisted in a grin. "Sadly, I cannot. Not now anyway. I gotta prepare my boys and girls for the upcoming raid. But don't be sad Ave'ras - what's interesting is that a little bird told me we'll be going in together as a part of the strikeforce, so we'll even share a battlefield once again, would you look at that!"

<Thû> @Draconion

"My dear Thû, in the Dark City everything is negotiable," Zar'uil smiled as servants poured them wine. It was deep red, just like the colors of the Archon's robes. "You are quite a talker, I give you that. In fact, I find you to be quite an interesting individual with all these juxtapositions surrounding your character not to mention the very first fact - a talking Mandrake."

"But don't get me wrong, I do understand the need of a predator hiding his own nature by making himself be something else. Like those carnivore plants some Haemonculi use as pets, they look like simple greenery until you come closer, then they catch you with their tentacles and devour you alive. It is also one of the reasons I wanted you here, for believe it or not, I do find your presence reassuring. It is one of the reasons why I gave you my signet ring."

"Now, about your requirements..."

"First one: ""my pick of skulls from any and all combat and assassination actions, either solo or as part of a group effort". I agree to those exact words. Your pick of skulls from the actions which include you."

"Second one: You wish to become a member of my court without actually being one. I understand that you firstly serve yourself or your Shadow King, however if your second requirement is to be accepted, then you must give me more than just your words. I am fully willing to make you a part of my circle - I never had a Mandrake Assassin before - if you can give me assurances that you will stay here until our task is done. If that requirement of mine is met, than I will allow you to stay here and use this spire fully. And Gorm won't hunt you anymore - your trick was quite ingenious however he can, like yourself, go through the solid matter without much issue so trying to escape him with normal means won't work."