(Closed)Meeting of the Minds

[Seigmand Dezmar]

The day had been busy for Seigmand. Between inducting the newest batch of gladiators to the coliseums, settling court disputes and trying his best to appease the counsel on his dealings with the Sumata, he was glad to have a moment alone in his study. The room was sparsely decorated, save for a few finally crafted sculptures, a vast bookcase and his armchair. He reclined back with his favorite book, "The Art of War".

The book, along with many others had been found in an abandoned settlement long ago when he was with the Asmati and he had fell in love with its deep wisdom. Even now he applied Sun Tzu's teachings to his life, and they had often pulled through for him.

"Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy's plans, the next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy's forces, the next in order is to attack the enemy's army in the field, and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities."

It had been this very passage that had lead Seigmand to how he would deal with the Sumata. In faliure to cooperate with them he saw doom and death for his kingdom. In their victory he saw ruin and madness. Yet in the path to victory he saw peace between their nations, prosperity of their people and only minimal losses in sieges against the Hero's Army. After all, in the end all Seigmand had to do was delay and disrupt all of Trucido's plans in order to delay his victory indefinitely. It was for this reason that their venture to the Donnertburg catacombs had met with failure. The documents held valuable info that Trucido could have used and they would have been discovered by one of his lackeys soon enough. In bringing forth the quest first, he not only gained the benefit of stopping its discovery but showed his commitment towards Trucido's goals.

Hearing the small rap on his door, he smiled in anticipation. "Come on in."

[Ingway Desmodius]

Opening the door, a cloaked figure stepped forth into Seigmand's chambers. Pulling off the long, draping cloak, Ingway breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hello your highness," he said taking a bow. "God I hate wearing that damn thing, it gets way to hot. I'd prefer if you'd just leave a window open or something like that, and I could just sneak into it, but hey, you're the client, so you make the rules. Anyway, I've got the documents you got what I asked for?"

Ingway tried to keep his cool, but he was really quivering with excitement on the inside in anticipation of claiming his end of the bargain.

[Seigmand Dezmar]

Ingway Desmodius. A curious man Seigmand's spies had spotted near a range of mountains later revealed to conceal an ancient ruin. It was mutual luck they had found each other when they did, for Seigmand had required a man who knew his way around ancient architecture, and Ingway needed the power of alchemists available only to the royals in this world.

"Ah yes, good to see you. Simply extract the required documents on the floor here and you'll have your prize." With that Seigmand gestured towards a plain looking granite brick, about 2 feet squared in size. He wanted to keep the encounter brief, lest anyone come this way and see the two of them together.

[Ingway Desmodius]

Making it look like he was reaching into some hidden pocket, Ingway put his hand into his cloak and materialized the scrolls that Seigmand had requested. Placing them on the floor, Ingway waited patiently for Seigmand to inspect the documents and determine their authenticity; It wasn't that Ingway was uncertain that the documents were correct, but more of the mannerisms one learns in this line of work.

"Those should be what you asked for, but I gotta a question for you Seigmand, can I call you Seigmand? We're buddies here right? Anyway, what's your next move? I mean, this Trucido guys got it in for everyone, so what's your plan to stall things from here on out? If you need my services to aid you in your endeavors, then I'm sure I can make them available, but only because were buddies," Ingway exclaimed with a friendly grin and a movement of his elbow, as if nudging Seigmand slightly.

Ingway wasn't really interested in this whole squabble between the Sumata and Crepusculum Kingdom; that was the case anyway until this whole "destroy the world" thing was brought to his attention. If that happened then, well, destruction of the world would be kinda bad for business, plus Ingway liked being alive. If he was to stall or stop this thing from happening he'd have to take an active roll and help Crepusculum Kingdom out. Sure, it might very well take away from his treasure hunting time, but at least he'd still have time to do it after this Trucido guy was through.

[Seigmand Dezmar]

Segimand gave the scroll a quick look over before knowing for certain that it was the one he'd requested. He looked up towards Ingway with a satisfied smile. His elation grew only more so with Ingway's request. Though he was still uncertain about the man's true motives, and as such could not totally trust him, he did see some benefit in continuing his relationship with the skilled treasure hunter.

"Allow me to make this very clear Ingway. You do good work, and I think given recent events I need a spy who isn't on my payroll. The Sumata know all my men, and to get this done I need someone who's beneath their notice."

Seigmand moved his hands upwards in a forceful push, causing two statues to extrude themselves from the ground. Their features were well defined, showing two men of muscular build and spiked hair. "The Sumata have started plans to head to Earth in search of relics. Given the circumstancs my hands will be tied mostly while there, which is why I need the Heroes there to provide the necessary distraction. These men are Mark Angelus Fri and Andy Jammer. I need you to find them, and relay the message to make for Earth as fast as possible."

Seigmand picked up the granite block in his hands. Concentrating for a moment he let the solid stone turn to sand, letting it slip through his fingers. Beneath the now dissipated rock two gauntlets rested in his hands, both glistening with their renewed power. The alchemists had been unable to tell what the ancient magics on the gauntlets would do, but it was no real concern of his what Ingway wanted them for. He tossed them at the treasure hunter.

"Know that if you succeed on this task I'll pay you handsomely. What say you...buddy?"

[Ingway Desmodius]

Ingway always enjoyed watching Seigmand's abilities at work. He wished he had somethings, whether it be artifact of weapon that could emulate it, as it would be so useful for his dungeoneering exploits, but alas, such an item had yet to be brought to his attention.

I regards to Seigmand's request, Ingway saw an opening to aid this situation the best way he knew how, plus he could make a bit of scratch on the side to fuel his other interests when he had some free time to pursue them. Being a spy wouldn't be to different from what he already did. It required stealth, cunning, social withdrawl, basically everything Ingway already had a good grip on. Ingway was pretty sure what his answer would be, but upon receiving his gauntlets, his attention focused on them like a narrow beam, blocking all other thoughts from his mind.

Everything was repaired allowing for flawless use, and they shone like Ingway imaged the Heavens would if one could see them. Ingway's eyes glistened with an emphatic glow as he stared at the gauntlets, but upon looking back at Seigmand he could see the signs of impatience starting to set in. Slipping the gauntlets into his cloak, he briefly contemplated Seigmand's proposal before voicing his stance.

"I'm always glad to be of service. So where exactly can I find these Jammer and Angelus guys? If your not sure, I have my own sources of info I can count on. And one other question, what exactly are the Sumata looking for on Earth?"

[Seigmand Dezmar]

Seigmand's hand drummed against the chair monotonously as he waited for the response he knew Ingway would give. He had supposed the man's skills were greater than mere knowledge of architecture, and his agreement to be a spy confirmed it. Whatever he could do, whatever his history had been it had prepared the man for a rogue's life. Only one mystery remained, but Seigmand knew better than to pry when he had what he wanted.

"Of course. Andy tends to spend time in the Crepusculum kingdom. It was where I met him not too long ago. The difficult one will be Mark. I'm afraid he has the power of flight so tracking him through conventional travel forms is quite impossible. You'll need a bit of luck and a lot of perseverance to find him."

"As for the mission to Earth, all I know is Trucido is looking for some relics. They could be anywhere, and they could be anything. I don't think he quite trusts all of us, something that only shows his age all too well." Seigmand trailed off in thought for a moment, lost in pondering how much Trucido really knew. Remembering his company after a moment, he quickly snapped out of it. "Umm. yes, well you'd best leave. Remember not to talk to anyone about even knowing me. If any of the heroes ask, it was Yeligar who sent you. The man looks like this." He moved his hands in a strange but purposeful way as the image of Andy reshaped to form the one-eyed man. "Just in case they ask you to describe him. Goodbye Ingway, may your ventures be profitable." Seigmand did not rise from his seat, merely turning his attention back to his book.

[Ingway Desmodius]

"Alright then, good day to you Seigmand. I'll shall report back once I've contacted both Jammer and Angelus." Giving Seigmand a quick bow, he places his large, hooded robe back on and makes his way out of Seigmand's chamber, and eventually out of the castle.

Okay, first I gotta go to Creuasculum Kingdom and find this Jammer guy, convince him that what I'm saying is true and then track down this Angelus guy... God I hope I get something good for all this, I mean like really good. Anyway it'll be good to have relations with a King, especially when this whole thing blows over. Heck, I might even be considered a hero! I'll get to be part of this big parade with all the other heros and have women swoon over my sheer heroic valor. Oh, what the hell am I thinking, now I'm just being delusional, but damn if it ain't motivating.

A big smirk now on his face, Ingway makes his way to Crepusculum Kingdom, post haste, to inform the heroes of the impending trip the Sumata are planning to Earth.