Around the fire, the subject of the Dark and Hand and Bandesing rises in discussion. Telosh, Clyte, the Axe Man, Shai-yeeni, Varisimuss, Mavon, Skelor, Leer, what and whom – have you.
“Beware the Light Foot, for death follows where the Singing Bandit steps…” Ezrin seems to reciting a proverb from the streets of Sutheron.
“Most I know would avoid them, but I suppose it is too late…
“And it seems you’ve already received a lesson, or your late companion did at least.”
The Sutheroni mage looks at his new companions with a mixture of fear, concern, and compassion, and perhaps a bit of awe and excitement.
“Supposedly the Foot, sorry, the Dark Hand – even young nuns wear old habits – is engaged in the traditional business of the Black Hills, but no one know who they sell their…”
It is obvious that Ezrin is used to using a particular type of slang when discussing these types of topics.
“Slaves to. And they do not do business with the traditional Hill-guilds. There have been a few conflicts, not with good results for the Hill folk…”
“Everyone knows they took the Kings’ betrothed, but beyond that..” the mage shrugs.
“Their goals and motivations are the subject of much speculation. Their power and danger are clear though, and you have placed yourself squarely in the sights of their crossbows, chasing treasures they desire…”
Ezrin is quiet and thoughtful for a moment, then he shakes his head a little, and smiles ruefully.
“So be it, Crimson Calling, if you’ll have me, I’ll cleave to you now and join in your work to undermine the… Dark Hand.
“What have you learned about them so far?”
Ezrin is clearly nervous about this choice, but also very serious about it.
“With how quickly you have made yourself useful to our group, I sometimes forget you were not with us during our run-ins with the Dark Hand. We have never directly spoken with Bandesing. We have fought some of his underlings. I believe we told you about the most recent fight where our brother Teolsh fell. We tussled with them more In our times at the Twin Mountains.”
“We fought many of their orcs that had a strange necklace that seemed to be giving them more power and was connected to Bandesing. Malor and Skelor were working with the Dark Hand as mercenaries. We convinced them to work with us for shares of treasure like you are promised. And then they made their own path hopefully without falling back into the Dark Hand. We would like to destroy the Dark Hand as they are a major force of evil, and more importantly, a force against humanity.”
“We are trying to find items of power to limit their power as well as help preserve human history and learn from it.” Gus looks over to Alexis and says “I am not convinced that all items of power should be brought to Sutheron to help only the scholars. Maybe we can give some to those we trust in the true Aegir.”
“The Dark Hand make deals with non-humans to help them find items of power! Can you believe they would do such a thing?” Gus looks around at the old crew smiling at his obvious sarcasm.
Ezrin nods as Gustav speaks, and occasionally looks at Red and Alexis too.
“Thank you Gus, Clyte, the axe-man, Shy-eenie who killed Telosh, Varis and Varrisamus right, they are the back up singers… sorry, underlings you speak of, is that right? Or are Varis and Varrisamus the same person? Are they also mercenaries like Skelor and Mavon?”
Ezrin looks at Alexis for confirmation too.
“Gus, what about the orcs? Are they different from other orcs besides just the three stripes? Do you they use any particular kinds of tactics in battle I should be aware of? Were there orcs with Clyte, the Axeman and Shy-eenie when Telosh was killed?”
“What non-humans besides these ‘Made Orcs’ have the Dark Hand made deals with that you know of?”
“Bandesingh is the leader we know of within the Dark Hand. Varis(imus) reports to him and seems to be a mage of some skill. He’s the one that uses the scrying pool in Barra’s cave near the Greyfax estate. The rest report to Varis(imus), although I would place a small wager that Thraan and Chai-eenee are lieutenants. When we first overheard Mavon and Skelor they were scared of Chai-eenee. And Mavon was always clear that Thraan was the best fighter the Dark Hand treasure-hunters have.
The Made-orcs are very different from the ordinary orc. Gus is a bit of a specialist, so he should be able to tell you more. I can say this: they are deadlier than normal orcs; they fight with better tactics than normal orcs; they use stealth; they ambush, often from up in trees; I’m not sure we ever heard one say a word. The last couple times we tussled with the Dark Hand they didn’t have the Made with them. I do wonder where their orcs are.”
“Thrawn… why is that name familiar? He was the best fighter? Was? What happened to him?”
“Was. Is.” Alexis shrugs in a way to suggest he doesn’t care about the use of the words.
“He’ll probably come back, but I do have to wonder why. He has been sold back to his family in Sutheron. He should thank us for not turning him over to the fort as a member of the Dark Hand.”
“Thraan fights with a rapier and is very skilled, although something about Telosh brought out the worst in him. Being around Telosh was like a bad-luck charm for Thraan. I’m a little nervous to go up against Thraan again without Telosh’s evil-eye on our side.”
Alexis gives a few words to Avv in remembrance of Telosh.
“A member of a named family was… defeated? humiliated? by a Known… and Westlander no less? Ah yes, someone mentioned it was Thrawn’s rapier in Telosh’s hand in the mudpit…”
Ezrin is clearly amused.