The Masterson Bank

[Shadow]

Nestled in the hear of the commercial district is Mastersons.

Owned by Orilles Masterson, this offers the widest banking services available in the City. From simple money holding through secure storage of items, investment counselling, advice and brokerage in select merchant ventures, Mastersons handles it all.

The bank largely owes its success to the stroke of genius Orilles had when he hired Marien Jarell as his manager. Marien has an absolute genius for this kind of thing.

Orilles himself is here only three to four months of the year.

[Shadow]

*He arrived at the bank from his home in Caleria in midmorning. Greeted respectfully by the staff, he entered his sanctum, was served his coffee and started to read a digest of the last few months.*

*Near the bottom, he started laughing to himself. So they had come here when they fled that place? This was one of the richest jokes in creation. He had come back to trace them, only to find them on his doorstep. That was rich.*

*A few discreet enquiries would show whether they were all here, he hoped. And why not use the time and reingratiate himsel with them? He would hate to lose the chance. Good thing he had brought those guards.*

*Haye Centre? Another one of those places? he would have to check it out. Why had he forgotten them?*

*Oh yes, he recalled after summoning a file. They had never borrowed money.*

[Shadow]

*Another day, another gp...-*

Orilles spent his day as though it wee much like any other. Working.

He studied business ventures, had a long chat with Marien, and laid out some investment suggestions.

After a light lunch he considered his options and went for a walk in the spring sunshine.

[Shadow]

*He considered his possible dealings as he worked through the afternoon. There were still unresolved quetions to be considered.*

[The Council]

-A gate opens in front of of the bank and Rift steps out. He is wearing black silks today and is carrying a small container. He walks into the bank.-

[Shadow]

*The staff recognise the newcomer and greet him. Marien orders a clerk to fetch Orilles and comes over.*

Good day, Councillor. We are honoured.

How may Mastersons serve you?

*Orilles comees hastening from his office, smiling.*

Good morning milord.

[The Council]

Shadow said:

*The staff recognise the newcomer and greet him. Marien orders a clerk to fetch Orilles and comes over.*

Good day, Councillor. We are honoured.

How may Mastersons serve you?

*Orilles comees hastening from his office, smiling.*

Good morning milord.

-Rift ignores all but "Orilles". His voice is calm and pleasant, yet... somehow chillingly cold at the same time.-

Good morning. I wish to use your vault.

-The container fades away and reappears on the ground next to Orilles.-

I also heard you are proficient in other areas of commerce... such as The Dark. There is a matter I wish to discuss with you.

[Shadow]

We are honoured milord. I will take personal custody of this. *He picks it up*

Shall we retire to my office for this other matter? *He gestures in the direction of his office.*

[The Council]

Shadow said:

We are honoured milord. I will take personal custody of this. *He picks it up*

Shall we retire to my office for this other matter? *He gestures in the direction of his office.*

-Rift nods and disappears, reappearing inside of Orilles' office.-

[Shadow]

*He orders marien to prepare a secure storage vault, and inform him when it is ready. He then enters his office, and invites the Councillor to sit.*

And how may I be of service Councillor?

[The Council]

Shadow said:

*He orders marien to prepare a secure storage vault, and inform him when it is ready. He then enters his office, and invites the Councillor to sit.*

And how may I be of service Councillor?

-Rift takes the offered seat.-

I hear from my sources that you are more than you seem... and that you are asking around for information on certain individuals. Tell me what you know of these people. Oh, don't bother lying. Should I find anything amiss...

-He sets a strange twisted bottle with a cork closing off the top on the desk.-

...the results will not be pleasant.

[Shadow]

The said:

-Rift takes the offered seat.-

I hear from my sources that you are more than you seem... and that you are asking around for information on certain individuals. Tell me what you know of these people. Oh, don't bother lying. Should I find anything amiss...

-He sets a strange twisted bottle with a cork closing off the top on the desk.-

...the results will not be pleasant.

*He eyes the bottle uneasily.*

Councillor, I do not know what you have heard. Without that knowledge, how can I know what to say in answer? Who has been saying what, exactly?

I am interested in all new arrivals to the city, Councillor. Can I be of service to them, and perhaps enrich myself thereby? And as you well know, information cannot be gained without asking questions.

Also, there is a secondary question. Do these - new arrivals - have enemies, people who might bring discord and trouble on the city - conditions so troubling to business.

With an ordinary man or woman, the answers probably do not matter. But with people who come to occupy postitions of influence in the community - then it might.

I am mainly concerned with three new arrivals, of course. Mellinore Brightshield, Catriona Trevain, the new proprietor of Evensong - as the only inn in the City Centre it is significant of itself - and Julia of Hillsdown, the keeper of the new Church.

[The Council]

-Rift smiles and fiddles with the bottle.-

You know, I would believe you... if I hadn't found out that Jingzu has set Serenia on you. That means you are very significant in someone's eyes. You obviously asked about the wrong people this time.

Do you know what a Spiralburst Bottle is, Orilles? It is a gate within a bottle. A magnificent creation of the more horrific sort. You see, the gate is 1/2 an inch wide with a nearly limitless amount of pull. Considering things that go through it are rarely 1/2 of an inch wide, it is a very messy but effective tool. It tears apart walls and people with just about the same amount of effort.

Tell me everything you know about these people, Orilles. About yourself, too. I heard from my sources that you seek The Dark on many things. Should you answer me, Orilles... you will have my gratitude, your life, and perhaps someone to employ the skills of a person so well-lanned in The Dark.

If your answers are not to my liking... in other words, if I do not get a sufficient amount of information from you... then I'm not going to take any chances, and you are going to have very little time left. I certainly hope you have enough information.

[Shadow]

The said:

-Rift smiles and fiddles with the bottle.-

You know, I would believe you... if I hadn't found out that Jingzu has set Serenia on you. That means you are very significant in someone's eyes. You obviously asked about the wrong people this time.

Do you know what a Spiralburst Bottle is, Orilles? It is a gate within a bottle. A magnificent creation of the more horrific sort. You see, the gate is 1/2 an inch wide with a nearly limitless amount of pull. Considering things that go through it are rarely 1/2 of an inch wide, it is a very messy but effective tool. It tears apart walls and people with just about the same amount of effort.

Tell me everything you know about these people, Orilles. About yourself, too. I heard from my sources that you seek The Dark on many things. Should you answer me, Orilles... you will have my gratitude, your life, and perhaps someone to employ the skills of a person so well-lanned in The Dark.

If your answers are not to my liking... in other words, if I do not get a sufficient amount of information from you... then I'm not going to take any chances, and you are going to have very little time left. I certainly hope you have enough information.

Councillor I resent this. I consider it blackmail.

I refuse to answer your questions.

Please take your bottle and your package, and be gone.

[The Council]

Shadow said:

Councillor I resent this. I consider it blackmail.

I refuse to answer your questions.

Please take your bottle and your package, and be gone.

That's because it is blackmail.

Oh really? Pity. I had high hopes for you.

-He tosses the Spiralburst Bottle at Orilles. A gate opens between them and the bottle disappears into it. A moment later, a gate opens directly behind Orilles and the bottle comes out, right at the middle of his back.-