Midnight RPG - Chapter 14.44

This conversation takes place between Zal'Kazzir and Shadaar over food, after he has returned from the tower roof with Kyuad, and after Zal has lifted the charm from him.

Adam/Zal'Kazzir

*Zal'Kazzir stands near a brazier, grilling a piece of meat, his body half turned to Shadaar and his face illuminated by the firelight*

*Turning his head, he begins to speak in fluent erenlander with a warm sarcosan accent*

Again, my apologies for enchanting you. I find that trust is, alas, a rare commodity in these times, and is a luxury ill-afforded in dark places like this. However, Durgaz seems to believe your tale, and his sight in such things in uncannily accurate.

*Smiling slightly, and handing the now-cooked steak to Shadaar*

But please, let us talk; I would rather have you as an acquaintance than a stranger, and I would be a poor host indeed if I told you nothing of myself.

*Zal'kazzir makes a short bow, and then continues in a polite, determined voice*

I am known as Zal'Kazzir Ghulvenne, of Sharuun, and I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I am a trader, by profession, but have developed many other skills as well. If you have the chance to earn my friendship, you will find that I am both generous and loyal to those who are generous and loyal to me; I believe that it is the bonds of friendship and loyalty that keep us strong in these dark times, and we will need strength aplenty if we are to survive...

*Zal'Kazzir turns solemnly to Shadaar, ink-black eyes deep and somber*

You said you were in the resistance, yes? In Cambrial? If so, then your strength is certainly not in doubt; tell me more about yourself. How did you come to be in such a foul place, and how did you find the strength to persevere and survive? I would love to hear more of you, if you would be so kind. *Zal'Kazzir smiles, waiting*

Brandon / Shadaar

*Shadaar sits perched on the floor like some gargoyle watching Zal'Kazzir intently. Like a bird his head darts back and forth watching everyone in the room, taking in their movements and conversations.*

*Shadaar shuffles over and excepts the steak offered to him with some trepidation. Around savagely hungery bites of steak he speaks with an Erenlander tongue, spoken by a voice rough with disuse.*

I don't blame you for bespelling me. As a resistance fighter, if I had access to the same power as you, I would have done the same. In fact some problems could have been solved if we had access to powers such as yours. And while I can say I don't appreciate it, I can say that I understand the use of such magic. This place. It makes me feel so... cold.

*Shadaar nearly drops his steak and his eyes go distant, then he seems to clear his head and again begins to tear off chunks and slurp up the juices noisely.*

*Spoken with a mouth full of meat* Ah, Sharuun you say. I have never been that far south. I myself am from [farther to the north]. I came with another resistance fighter to Cambrial. Honestly, we have been out of our league for some time now. Things are terrible in Cambrial. *He shakes his head* It just goes to show the determination that we all have to continue to fight against the Enemy even in such dark places as that cursed city.

As to how I came to be here, in this black spire... I think... I think the forces of the Shadow captured me? Why would they bring me here? What is this place?

*Shadaar looks at Zal'Kazzir and stares deeply into the blackness of his eyes. It seems that Shadaar finds something of his own path within the inky darkness of Zal'Kazzir's eyes. Yet it also seems apparent that it makes him wary.*

A trader? And how does a simple merchant come to find himself in such a place as this?