Argrave, without much option, took Durran to an establishment that he knew had private rooms for eating. Dawn was just arriving, so their timing could not be better. Some Vessels ran the place, but they worked for Aurum, so Brium would likely never find out about them. Even still, ever cautious, Argrave had warded their conversation.

Of all the characters in Heroes of Berendar barring the custom-made one, Argrave had definitely played Durran the most. Melanie stood at a close second. They were fun to play, mainly, but Argrave liked their personalities the most. He understood them well. It helped him plan a course of action for this conversation rather quickly, suppressing his panic.

Durran was a fairly tall and lithe man with light brown skin and wavy brown hair that generally contributed to his natural charm. With his robe set aside, one could see the golden tattoos all along his skin, some marred by scars. Unlike during the raid, he did not wear his wyvern scale armor, instead bearing simple brown leathers.

Trying to kill me with the weight of debt? inquired Durran, whod taken two chairs to both sit and support his feet. This place is expensive.

If youre destitute after raiding Argent, Ive got to seriously question if you can understand this conversation through your haze of stupidity, Argrave returned, leaving his arms atop the table. Youd have to be stupid to lose that much money, after all.

Durran laughed, then set his glaive against the wall. The cloth wrapped around the blade fell away briefly, revealing a black edge that didnt look metallic. Shiny bits of metal dont mean much in the mountains, unless its steel.

But I know you spend more time away from the mountains than most, Argrave said, and Durran merely grinned, saying nothing. Surprised Boarmask isnt here. Busy feeding the poor, saving people, giving sermons?

Durran frowned. Gods above, how much do you know? He took his feet off the chair and leaned in. Whats my mothers name?

Trick question. You dont know, Argrave shook his head.

Durran leaned back. Was asking as a joke, but he looked to Anneliese and Argrave. You three what in the gods names are you? Super-spies? Cant guess your angle. Northernersnorthern elves, at that, sticking out like pearls in the sand.

Im the only one you need to worry about, Argrave shook his head. So, you want to illuminate me on this genius idea you had to ruin everyones plans? Yours, mine? Were you feeling a little suicidal today?

Durran looked uneased, but he set his feet back on the chair. I dont know. I had to know who in the world was talking about something Ive done my best to keep quiet. I kept thinking about it. The whole thing made me uneasy, had to do something. I just he started to shake his head, then paused. Hold on. I came here to ask questions, why am I feeling interrogated?

Because Im better at talking, Argrave answered smoothly. Just because its weighing at you, you trod across the desert and cause all of us undue trouble? You have to work on that impulsivity. Its a liability.

Better than sticking about, waiting. You want something, youve got to He stopped, then held his hand out and shook his head. Whatever. I came here to demand some answers about

And what makes you think you deserve answers? Argrave interrupted at once. If I hadnt told you anything, youd be leading your tribe to the slaughter. Youd throw yourselves against Aurum and Argent, dying en masse, and then Brium would butcher your peopleor perhaps itd be better to call it dehydrate your people. Lets clear the air. Argrave pointed at Durran. You didnt come here for answers. You came here because you cant stand that psychopathic wannabe poet with a spray-on tan played you for a fool, and I stopped you from running off a cliff with your tribe following just behind.

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Durrans face tensed, anger and defensiveness both seizing him. The door of the room opened soundlessly, and the servers outside stopped at Argraves ward. Argrave dispelled the ward with one hand, refusing to break his gaze from Durran. The innkeeper and his serving staff entered.

The meal for todays goat meat, with the house spices plus some gold flakes, courtesy of the Lord of Gold, blessed she be, the fat innkeeper explained gruffly. Some bread from the farms, recently baked, and a soup. Considering youre mostly foreigners, and one of you is an unmarked tribal twelve gold.

Argrave pointed at Durran. Hell pay.

The innkeeper looked down at Durran, holding his hand out. Durran finally broke his gaze away from Argrave, then reached to his pocket. He counted out the coins, then passed them to the innkeeper.

Enjoy, the innkeeper left them, then he and the serving staff filtered out, recognizing the tension in the room.

As soon as the door was shut, Durran began immediately, First of all, none of thats been established. You dont have a shred of proof. If I hadnt seen you coming from Cyprus, even your association with Brium would be up for question.

Argrave laughed as he brought back the ward, blocking out the sound. What do you want, pal? A journal detailing all of his malice? Maybe a poem or two about sucking your people dry? Sorry, fresh out of incriminating things.

Brium promised

Promised what? Argrave interrupted. That hed leave your people alone? Maybe liberate some of the people underneath Aurum and Argents control, allow them to return to the tribes? Andlet me guesshe swore under the name of Fellhorn? Hes a Vessel of Fellhorn, you mustve thoughtsurely he cant break that vow.

Durran stared wrathfully, and Argrave leaned back into his chair.

You trust the guy willing to kill his own people to get ahead? Hes jumping at the idea to get at other Vessels, to get this whole town under his control. Its not because he thinks the other two are tyrants. Its because he wont share power with them. Argrave tapped his temple. I thought you were a cynic. Howd you fall for this scam? You owe me a hell of a lot more than this meal. You owe me the lives of thousands.

Anneliese pushed a plate closer to Argrave. You should eat, she urged.

A bit taken aback by the consideration amidst the heated argument, he picked up the fork without much thought and began eating. Durran stared heatedly, making Argrave find it difficult to enjoy the taste of his food.

He had time to finish chewing, and so Argrave continued, Look. Listen. I get where youre coming from. You feel like youre on a sinking ship, and so youre desperate to find anything thats going to help your people. Argrave waved his fork. Dont let that desperation make you stupid. If there was any dissent among the Vessels about the southern tribals fate, things would never have progressed to the point they had. Youre dumb, but not that dumb.

Durran crossed his arms, and Argrave continued to eat.

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Stop holding back. Tell me what youre really thinking, Durran shook his head.

Argrave lowered his fork and started laughing, caught off guard. Durran joined him in laughter.

Gods be damned, Durran wheezed out after theyd finished. Look what youve done to me. How am I to eat when you hit me with a gut-punch like that, you bastard?

Truth is a heavy meal, isnt it? Argrave picked up his fork. It tastes foul, too. But its good for you. Good for all of you.

Takes a while to digest, thats for certain, Durran finally removed his feet from atop the other chair, then leaned into the table, picking up his fork. I dont know. You make a lot of sense, but Im not sure. Not sure about too much. I have to look into this.

Well, whatever you do, dont pull this little stunt on Brium, Argrave said firmly. Youll find that conversation much drier than this one, I promise you.

Durran chuckled, weighing the fork in his hand before setting it down as though unable to stomach the food before him. You wont answer me, though? About how you know Gebicca?

I spoke to her, Argrave shrugged.

Where? he asked.

Northwestern part of the mountains, crushed beneath rocks.

Durran bit his lips. Whatd she look like?

Uhh jet-black skin, black hair long-ish, I suppose sharp, big nose, a bit angry-looking, and a pretty broad chin.

And her eyes?

Argrave paused. I dont know. I didnt gaze into her eyes as she died. Bit weird.

Yeah. Dont know why I asked. Cant remember, either. Durran picked up the spoon, settling on the soup. He looked confused.

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Argrave enjoyed the meal, feeling quite self-satisfied with the contemplative silence that followed. Pretty good, isnt it? he nudged Annelieses elbow.

Very hot, she confessed. It is too much.

Come on, Argrave pressed. The more you eat, the easier it gets in the future.

Durran swirled the bowl of chunky soup around, saying little. Finally, he let the spoon go, and raised his gaze to Argrave once more.

Alright. Lets forget all this other nonsense. I just want to knowwhats your position in this? You working beneath someone? Rivals from another town? Interfering for the northern kingdoms? Wandering prophet, maybe, got a god to sell me? That last one would explain all the things you know that you shouldnt.

Argent has something I want. Cant get it from them directly, so I have to use the tools Ive got. Argrave took a bite as he allowed Durran to process his words, and once hed finished chewing, continued, I could just go along with Brium, but I dont fancy letting the Vessels run things uncontested. Hence, I want your people to come out ahead.

If things are as you say, I think itd be best to just let Brium throw himself on the sword.

You could, Argrave agreed, though he did feel a bit disquieted at the notion of the southern tribals backing out. I know youre not the type to do that, though.

Pfft. What do you know about me? Durran leaned back, putting his feet up once more.

Lets see your father was a tribal chief, youre a self-studied mage after you found some stash of spell booksoh, and youre hiding that fact from the tribe. Especially your father. You like gardening, but this embarrasses you. You killed your uncle because he was well, worthless, frankly. You hate the traditionalists of the tribes, but you want to see your people flourish nonetheless. Argrave planted his fork into the meat before him. Need I go on?

Durran had grabbed the table while Argrave was speaking, and now he stared wordlessly ahead. Argrave could practically see the thoughts running through his headArgrave had disclosed things that Durran had never told anyone. He was just shy of having an aneurysm, Argrave suspected.

I have some more embarrassing bits, but I spared you from that, Argrave commented. Mostly because I didnt really want to say them.

Durran rubbed at his chest. Never thought the first one to take my breath away would be some weird-looking northerner. Gods, I

Durran stood up, stepping towards his glaive. Argrave watched him.

List he pointed, then stopped himself, curling his fingers into a fist. Ive gotta Ive gotta go.

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He grabbed his glaive and then made for the exit. Argrave dispelled the ward, allowing him to pass. Once the door had shut, Argrave grinned smugly and hunched over his food.

I think the food is splendid, Argrave shook his head wistfully. Lets take our time.