The Manse of Xeshal Elan Xharos

[Horas]

A manse of exquisite beauty and wealth, owned by an influential member of the Pureborn.

[Horas]

Xeshal Elan Xharos summons his newest acquisition to his chambers.

[Imry Willfyre]

His 'acquisition' arrives in true Qartheen garb, blue silk slippers and fine samite lined with tiger fur. He lowers himself before the Pureborn, averting his eyes from Xharos.

[Horas]

The room is expansive and fantastically furnished. At the far end two beautiful women recline on a divan, each playing a mournful song on a pair of matched harps.

The master of the house sits in a lavish armchair closer to the door. Xeshal Elan Xharos is a thin and balding man who appears as if a light breeze might blow him over. But looks can be decieving, and the Pureborn is well known in Qarth for his cunning and ruthlessness.

"Kelleenton," Xeshal pronounces the name with a thick accent, "Pick yourself up from the floor. I cannot trust a man who will not look me in the eye."

[Imry Willfyre]

Kellington presses himself against his knee, rising from the floor, and straightens the folds of his clothes as he does so. "Yes, master Xharos. What do you request of your Kellington?"

[Horas]

"Tell me about your Sunset Kingdom, Kelleenton. Word from so far to the west travels here slowly." Xeshal smiles kindly, then turns back to look at the musicians once again.

[Imry Willfyre]

"I believe you know what circumstances brought me to Qarth, master Xharos. King Rodrick is cruel man with little inclination to do good or live virtuously...unfortunately he also has the strength to maintain his rule. Is there something more than this you wish to know, master?", Kellington said, prepared to answer anything required of him.

[Horas]

"My peers look at your kingdom and see thousands of barbarians in their thatch hovels and stone keeps. But I look and see possibility. You have connections in your Sunset Kingdom, yes? From what you have told me the war against your Rodrick was a popular one."

[Imry Willfyre]

"It was very popular...Rodrick had effectively alienated half of the realm before the civil war started. What do you wish done?"

[Horas]

"Done? Hmm... I do not know the situation well enough to say for certain. But I wish for you to return there, Kelleenton. Go and plant your ears and do not come back until you have found something that will please me. Consider it, hmm... a test. To see if you are as good as you claim." Xeshal smiles softly.

[Imry Willfyre]

"What would please the Pureborn that he does not already have?"

[Horas]

"Friends. Gold. Information. All of these things please me."

[Imry Willfyre]

Kellington nodded and gestured towards the door. "If there is nothing more, I shall return to the Sunset Kingdom."

[Horas]

"That is all. You may leave," Xharos says.

[Imry Willfyre]

And he does.