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"Then yes, please arrange me an axe, a double headed one like the Dwarves are taken to carry. If I may." She asks with as much confidence as she can muster.

"Master Fraso, it has been a pleasure to serve you, it has been most enlightening." Her hands tense as the tent is revealed her displeasure obvious, rising to her feet (and no one stops her) she knees down beside the girl, throwing a cloak over her firm she turns back to the Primus. "I am not pleased with this, she is a person, not property. You leave us with little choice, dress her, if she is your guest then staring at her body will not be required. And allow her a bed, she is no slave."

The legionnaires bar Angel's way, not reaching for their swords, but looking stern.

Tanulan reaches into his belt pouch and fishes out a silver coin, which he flicks over to Lucius. "You win. She held it together.
"You surprise me, Gallius. I had half expected my...message to provoke you to violence. I applaud your self-control.
"Of course she will have a bed. And clothing and food in your absence. It does me no good to harm her at this time. But make no mistake: this child is hostage, to ensure you and your people adhere to the terms of our arrangement.
"Now I suggest you go. There's no telling how long the man on the gibbet will last. Zelmo will give you an axe on your way out."

Fraso looks down at the table, not wanting to meet anyone's eyes. His own eyes are swollen with tears.

"What good would violence do me? I am in an Armed Camp, I.. We... undertook this plan willingly, and you threaten us." Shaking her head she looks at him with pity in her eyes. "Desperate people do deseparate things."

"I will leave willingly, expect to see a trail of Zombie heads." She pauses taking Fraso's hand, "Thank you for believing I am more than Violence. We will return, and we will ensure she is freed. You know I care for her also. Tell Hiric... I will not let him down." With that she leaves the tent, not waiting for the others.

A sudden anger rises in Liri, and she rushes over to Salia's side. Pointing to the chain around Salia's neck, she exclaims: "No, harm, you say? And what is this? I know that serving the Empires needs compromises, but sinking as low as this?"

[OOC:] I know this is taking liberties, Stik, but somehow I couldn't think that elves in any world openly use slavery. I'd rather imagine they pride themselves in "not needing such things" (and instead use manipulation and psychological coercion to get what they want).

Aei simply glares at him.

"Relax, Quicksilver. The child is a hostage, not a slave. I do not keep slaves, nor allow any in my cohort to do so. I merely chained her up to remind her to behave herself. She was quite uncooperative when she first arrived.

"Now it is best you go. Tempus fugit."

"Oh, really" Liri says in a sarcastic voice. "I didn't know hostages had to be clad so scantly.". she kneels beside Salia and whispers in her ear. "I promise we free you. And avenge you, if necessary."

The legionnaires at the partition do not let anyone through into the other room.

Tanulan says, quietly, to Liri: "It did make an impression, though, did it not? Now, on your way. You people have work to do."

Angel stamps her feet, moving to collect the Axe with a look on her face of complete anger.

Later, lass. Ari says where only she can hear. I've ne doubt he'd much worse if'n he thought it'd serve his purpose... time lass... time...

Liri quickly bites her tongue, because she almost said to Tanulan "You're a wicked bastard", in elven. Just in time she could rein in her anger.
She follows Angel out of the tent and collects her belongings, then goes to the stables to saddle Casta and get her ready for setting out.

"No amount of refinement can change an Evil man into a saint.." Angel comments as Liri leaves, "Did you see Master Fraso. Releasing us was NOT his idea, we have been maniputated into doing this task. I do not enjoy that feeling." Shooting an Evil glance at the tent she makes a gesture at the man and walks away.

"Going for an excursion, yes?" says a raspy voice nearby. As the group looks up, Haro steps from the shade of the stable. He wears the same robe he wore yesterday, which bears a new set of stains - blood and soot. His left hand, wrapped around a staff, is filthy. His right hand is hidden by his sleeve. "Oh, do not worry. I will not stop you. I understand that Tanulan has taken measures to assure your return and your loyalty.
"Of course, I need assurances of my own, so Vani will be going with you."

Vani then appears, leading a small horse. The boy is about sixteen years old, and ugly, with a double chin and a scraggly beard beneath greasy hair. He wears a legion uniform, but with a filthy sash across his chest bearing the six-arrow symbol of Hextor.

"Keep good watch, boy. I do not fully trust these mercenaries," says Haro.

Vani grins the sort of grin usually found on someone torturing animals, and says, "I shall keep close watch, sir."

Ari eyes the youth... bit like havin a rabid dog heel ye... he thinks to himself.

Liri looks at Vani, then at Haro, raises her eyebrows, then shrugs, making sure Haro sees it.