Bad Company (2/2)

Writers: Estelle, Eimi, Bree
Date Posted: 18th September 2005

Characters: Verora, Meijah, Jerandra
Description: Jerandra proposes that Meijah and Verora join her in her quest to retake Amethyst Cliff
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 8, day 3 of Turn 3

Jerandra had sat next to worse killers - had even slept with one, much to her disdain - and she didn't flinch at what to anyone else would have been a shocking statement. Instead she glanced at the man, her disbelief evident.
"Is she mad?"

"No," Meijah said with a shake of his head, regaining his composure, "just a sharding fool of a woman. She tried to kill the steward and snared the Lord in her trap as well."

"You certainly didn't help," Verora retorted sharply, glaring at Meijah.
"And at least I managed to actually _kill_ them. I can't imagine how Ryalane managed to survive..."

"Perhaps it was because you called the guards on me," he replied in a dangerously sweet tone. "It's not wise to remind me how you got us _both_
into this situation, Verora. I could just leave you to fend for yourself in the wild." The look he gave her told her that could be the _least_ of her punishments if she continued to annoy him.

"Dear me," Jerandra said sweetly when the other woman remained resentfully silent. "I have fallen into bad company." She wasn't certain whether to believe them or not, having heard no news from Garnet Valley. Perhaps they were both deranged...but it would be worthwhile to play along.

Meijah turned a sneer of a smile towards the new-comer as he said, "Oh, I don't know about that. Considering the list of crimes, not to mention the hefty reward that has been laid on your pretty head, _Lady_ Jerandra, I'd say you are in just the _right_ sort of company for you." After all, she bungled up her murdering schemes just as much as Verora did...

**But succeeded in so many other ways...** The ex-guard of Garnet Valley Hold had to admit that this woman must be a clever one if she could survive this long without being captured, not to mention the fact that she had no fear of walking up to strangers alone in the wild. Why would she do that if she was not absolutely sure of herself. Her self-confidence was appealing, especially after dealing with Verora. There was more to Jerandra than a pretty face and a delusion of grandeur.

"I hope you're not thinking of trying to collect the reward," Jerandra said, hiding her annoyance. This would have been easier if they'd been unaware of the price on her head, but perhaps that had been too much to hope for. "If what you claim is true, you'd be immediately imprisoned yourselves...and besides, I can defend myself. If you really wish to earn some marks, however, I have need of...assistance in order to claim my rightful position as Lady Holder."

"Who knows, perhaps I can turn both you _and_ Verora in for the rewards on your heads. Which is the greater prize, after all - a man who can be accused of no more than killing a guard and... well, the attempted murder of an assistant headwoman - or two woman accused of multiple murders of persons of rank? If I cannot collect on the reward, I might at least be able to negotiate a pardon." Meijah rubbed at his chin thoughtfully, his eyes gleaming with interest. "What could you offer me to make this little venture of yours worth my while?"

"Anyone who helps me will gain great wealth." Jerandra's voice softened to a whisper filled with promise. "With the resources of Amethyst Cliff at my disposal, I could give you twice the value of the reward on my head. You would have enough to live in luxury for the rest of your life. And, of course, I would pardon you and your companion for your crimes. Wouldn't that be better than handing me over and risking capture yourself?"

Meijah shrugged. "And so let's say we dance up to the door of Amethyst Cliff, murder the current Lord Holder and all his possible heirs and proclaim you Lady. Just how are you going to get around the little problem of the Council? I'm sure they wouldn't be too happy to see your return. You might pardon me and Verora, but I have a feeling they won't be too keen on pardoning _you_. How do you propose to overcome that small obstacle?"

"By a little law called 'Hold Autonomy'. Lord Cazriel murdered his father and exiled his brother, remember, and the Lords _still_ confirmed him in his position." Jerandra smiled. "Besides, if successful, we will have two very important hostages: the mother and sister of Lord Enrizial. I'll let the Lordling know that if he doesn't support me in my claim, then the poor ladies will each suffer a lingering and painful, but ultimately fatal...illness."

"Ah, but your little poisoning trick reached a bit further than your Hold alone." Meijah pulled his knife from its sheath and crouched down on his knees. He dung the point into the ground, twisting it as he thought. The woman was mad, but sometimes the craziest people could achieve the most success. And if they _did_ succeed, the rewards would be worth it. If they _did_ succeed, the woman would need a Lord too... Of course she had already tried to kill one husband. Perhaps that man just didn't have the forward thinking to kill her first. **Best not be too greedy yet, Meijah.** But what was he supposed to do for the rest of his turns on the run?

He pulled his knife from the ground, wiped it on his pants and returned it to his sheath. "I'm willing to consider the possibility."

"That's all I ask. You'll have plenty of time to consider while we travel to Amethyst Cliff." Well pleased with her new recruit, Jerandra turned to Verora. "And you - will you join me? I will need a new Headwoman when I take Amethyst Cliff. The current one has long since outlived her usefulness." She had special plans for Vivvi, whose outburst had first wakened her former husband's suspicions.

Verora looked suitably suspicious... though it seemed irrational to hold a grudge against Jerandra for attempting to poison Aswic when she had actually poisoned him herself. "I doubt I have any choice in the matter. But I suppose it might be... interesting."

"Well, Lady, it seems you have an army of two," Meijah said with his sneer-like grin. This certainly should prove... interesting.

"Two is sufficient for now. Until I reach Amethyst Cliff I do not want to attract notice, and I can hardly fail to be spotted by the dragonriders if I march with an army." Besides, having lived for so long with bandits she thought that she could survive with only two servants.

She smiled. "Now that we are working together, it surely makes sense for me to share your dinner..."

Last updated on the September 19th 2005

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Bad Company (2/2)