Protecting Diplomacy

"Another glass of wine please!" Katherine had to yell to be heard over the noise in the bar. Normally she would never be in place like this but she had her orders. As the server returned with another glass, Katherine went over her orders in her head. She was supposed to meet a foreign dignitary in this backwater, border town and escort them to the Parliament of Axony in the capital. She hadn't been told who the dignitary was but apparently they were important enough that someone might assassinate them.
As Katherine sipped at her wine she got lost in her thoughts. Thank Gaia that none of the men in here have tried to hit on me. I don't know if it's the uniform or where I'm sitting but I'm glad I don't have do deal with them. Indeed, Katherine had chosen her seat well. She was sitting in a booth at the back of the tavern which let her survey the entire bar and hide her in shadows.
Just then a guest of cold air blew through the bar, announcing a new arrival in the tavern. Katherine looked up from her drink, hoping that this would be the dignitary and she would finally be able to leave.

Hull peered out his window, seeing a fairly steady fall of rain, "Hmm, today seems the perfect day to visit the tavern, to lift the spirits does it not!" He did not wait for the groggy presence to fully awake to answer, getting his cloak on above his leather vest and walking out the door. It's cold, we could catch a cold and you know that getting 'frisky' as you would call it is not the only reason we visit this tavern. Sometimes, he could swear his brother was actually quite dull in his calculations, needing to lighten up a bit. No, best not to think like that, he chastised himself-- Action-Reaction, it was the only way. Yes, so please do remember that, or attempt to when thoughts like that creep your way. He nodded, continued walking 'till he reached the bar. Very well, he would warn the woman, but only after he was refreshed. Entering the tavern, he was greeted by smiles and grins alike, and a question as to what had taken him so long. "So, Freddy my lad, what's the special today?" The barkeep sighed, " How many times must I tell you, fool, I am ten years your elder and my name is Howard-as for the special, you know we don't have any. This isn't a blasted tailer." He did not have the money on him to buy his usual, had been hoping for Freddy's kindness- oh well. He walked over to the new face, a woman in armour, who was seemingly disinterested in anything going on, though this was not true-- she had looked expectant as he had walked in. "Looking for little old me? Ah, of cource not, I jest, for it is I who was looking for you! Aah, don't look so dour, on the latter point I was as serious as I am physically able. There we go, the, 'What the heck, to pass time I'll listen to this fool' look, that is exactly what I need." He signalled the wench over, made a gesture with his hand, his code with her for his usual upon which she frowned by walked away. He smiled, he could not remember the story he associated with that gesture to get what he wanted, but it worked. " Now's when I tell you I killed one; one of the men, only one, whom trail you since you entered this gorgeous village, with blades drawn and of malicious intent. Oho, you did NOT expect that eh!?" He could sense his brother palming his face repeatedly, and he was amused and curious as to what he had done this time. Must you even ask me? Gods above, why don't you tell her you just came from killing the man but minutes ago? NO, NO I WAS NOT SERIOUS. Sometimes, Brys, you make me want to scream.

Who in the Under Dark is this guy? And why is he already drunk? Thought Katherine as she examined the fool before her. He appeared to be physically fit and the two swords he wore led her to believe that he at least could kill a man. Maybe I should hear him out. If assassins are after me already...But he's just so ridiculous. Katherine continued this internal debate for a few more seconds, but soon came the conclusion that the man was just trying to hit on her. She then decided to send him on his way. "Listen buddy. I have more important things to do then you. Beat it." Katherine then turned to watch the door again and ignored the stranger.

Hull casually walked past her, sighing, shifting the masks casually yet quickly, now wearing Tragedy, walked back over to resume conversation. "You leave me little choice in this matter of dissuading you from leaving this area." He left the bar, after several minutes returned with a bag, plopping it on the table. " This man was a hard kill. I expect less arrogance from the others in their endevors. Now, I strongly advise you to come with me, please, you do not, nor are expected to understand fully what the value of your health-- or death means to some." Brother, what is the difference in what you are doing versus what I was? [i]You were playing with words as if this were all but a joke, now silence. He scanned the tables around him to assure himself there was still time, and was relieved to see none of the others entering the bar yet. Still time, yet time that was thinning. The wench came, delivered his ale yet he did not possess his brother's ability to keep such concentrated alcohol down, much less think under its influence. "I promice, should you follow I will explain everything along the way, and how I acquired such knowledge, however we need to get to the safepoint. Soon." they had killed one, there would be reinforcements to enquire who and the motive, then proceed with a far greater number.

Katherine was at once pleased and unnerved but the stranger's sudden transformation. She was happy that he wasn't trying to hit on her but the sudden shift of attitude and change of masks reminded her to much of her own dual nature. Further more, the revelation that there were assassins after her already was extremely disturbing. She hadn't even met the dignitary yet. She had a brief internal debate on what her next course of action would be. However, Her sense of duty and the practicality of her roots in Belhurst won over the suspicion bred into her by the same.
"Trust me, I would like nothing more then to leave right now, but duty calls. And even if i was going to leave I wouldn't go with you. You have to admit, you don't exactly look trust worthy. You could even be one of those you claim to be protecting me from. So if you want me to trust you sit down and introduce yourself properly." And take off your mask. It's freaking creepy. She added in the privacy of her own thoughts. She smiled attractively as she tried to charm the stranger into dropping his guard."My name's Kate by the way, or did you already know that. Why don't you tell me yours." she said with a laugh.

Hull, sighing impatiently, sat down. " You would like for me to tell you who I am. Very well, I am Hull Glithen, an average man who use to earn pay to track and cause the dissapearance of designated peoples." He scanned the room once more, wondering what they would be doing at the present. Most likely waiting with crossbows drawn on the door, best make them wait. Brother, with that thought how about we just go out, eh? Take a look, oh a quick look, maybe a taunt too! Think of the looks they would exchange, it would be hilarious! How did you ever manage to be the one who got us into this buisness, with such idiotic ideas such as that? Must you ask? You already knowl; you were there. Tsk tsk, and here I thought you were the smart one. He didn't humor that comment a responce. "Thus, I know the routines these hunters have, are and will follow assuming they don't already know they are playing against one who knows the game inside and out. For the past few years I have remained in the city for reasons irrelevant to all that is happening at the moment." He reflected she had flashed him a smile. " Oh, and please return to your original stance towards me for the time being, for it shortens the could-be unneccesary conversations best saved for after this ordeal. Now, may you PLEASE follow me, I assure you I am no stupid drunkard wishing a good time, nor will I be, mind you for I can consome plenty of ale without bad effect." He thought about what he was going to say next, knowing that they way the first part would come out it would erase her view of what he had just assured her. "Now, they are most likely watching the front and back doors, so we will use neither. You will need... to come with me to the upstairs guest room, NOT for reasons you are most likely thinking-- I cannot explain with so many potential evesdroppers." He gnawed at his lower lip behind his mask, if she wasen't going to be persuaded to act now, he would have to leave her to the agents. You may as well slit her throat right now, Rhulad, better she die than to be of use as captive for them. Silence brother, else you say something you may very well regret.