King, Countermanded

Cirith, Oilrag, Punch

Cirith comes from the iner gate with two guards behind her.

The Advisor learns of /everything/ that goes on in the palace, and already, though he wasn't present, Oilrag knows he should get out of there. Wrapped in a black cloak, hiding his distinctive dark robe, and the hood obscuring his face, the polecat silently slips over towrads the outer gate.

"You there!" Cirith says "who are you?"

Oilrag doesn't answer, and proceeds along the courtyard. After a moment, however, he replies, not turning around. He speaks in a low voice, mostly devoid of his distinctive wheedling tone. "Just a traveling beast. Since when was it the custom of this Empire to challenge random passerby?" Ironic words, for Oilrag was usually the one doing so.

Cirith says, "I am looking for The queen and tha head adviser"

Oilrag stiffens for a moment, but his voice remains calm and level. "Well, I haven't seen them. Good luck in your search, friend."

Cirith starts waiking again to the main gate "hm...mabby you could help us in our serch"

Oilrag starts walking again towards the gate, saying, "I'm afraid I'd be no use to you. I'm not a fighter, or a tracker." One paw, concealed in the folds of his robe, is slowly reaching for his hidden blade.../You can't be too careful,/ Oilrag reasons.

Cirith says, "oh, fine...again who are you?"

"As I have said, just a traveler passing through here." Oilrag's voice remains nonchalant, but his heart is racing and sweat is beading on his forehead.

Cirith says, "hm...I mene whats your name?"

"Er..." Oilrag is /really/ sweating now, and swiftly he invents a name. "They call me Brogg in these parts."

Cirith turns to one of the guards "do you know that beast Brogg?

The guard begins to shake his head, and, seeing this out of the corner of his eye, Oilrag swiftly explains, "Well, y'see, I'm not from around here. Just dropped by, never been here before. Nobeast knows me here."

Cirith asks, "hm, and why did you say that they call you Brogg in THESE PARTS?"

"Oh! Er..." Oilrag curses inwardly. /Now you've done it, you blasted fool, you've blown it, the game's up./ "That's what I call myself when I'm around here."

Cirith asks, "uh huh, have you ever been here before?"

"Well, yes...Just now, of course," Oilrag laughs nervously. "I mean, I wouldn't be heading for the gates if I hadn't gone through them at some point...Er...ah..." He tries to divert the conversation, in a falsely cheerful voice. "Er...so...How was your day?"

Cirith says, "hm..." she takes her whip out "you arnt who you say you are, so who are you really?"

"I'm a beast minding my own business," Oilrag says, just to buy time. "Well...erm...Talk to you later, then!" He bolts for the gate

She cracks her whip at him "GET back here! closs the gate! clos the gate!" she then starts runing after him, the guards see this and go to closs the gate

Cirith says, "i dont know..."

Mere seconds too late, Oilrag collides with the gate. Instinct kicks in, and he yells, "Hey! You lousy idle good-for-naughts open this gate! Don't you know I'm an Advisor to His Majesty and I could have you all hanged by next sunrise for this?!?!" Suddenly he remembers the situation and clamps a paw over his mouth...Too late! The hood also falls, revealing his head in its full slimy glory.

Cirith walks over to him, "well, so thats who you are...be quiet or I'll whip ya"

Just as the guards are inching greedily forward to take hold of the unctuous adviser, Punch comes gliding down the path from the inner sanctuary, his limber legs carrying him toward the scene with ease. "W-w-wait a moment! One m-moment!" The guards look up, their faces coloring with disappointment. Perhaps they were savoring the thought of revenge against the demanding polecat. The builder reaches Cirith's side and places a restraining paw upon her shoulder. "The... the k-king has r-realized his mis-mistake," he says sharply.

Oilrag sighs in relief. "Thank GAWD." His paw, which had just closed on the hilt of his hidden blade, emerges from the robe once more. "So...Can I hang these traitors?"

Cirith asks, "what?"

"You heard me. I said, can I hang these traitors, meaning YOU." Oilrag rubs his paws together gleefully at the prospect of payback.

"She acted on th-the king's o-orders," Punch barks. He slips to Oilrag's side and repeats the command to open the way for them both to pass, pooling his own authority with the polecat's. "Come!" He jabs the polecat. "Let us ch-check on pr-progress at the docks." He says this rather forcefully.

Oilrag blinks, confused, then nods. "Oh...er...Yes! The docks!"

The gates open and Oilrag strides out, pride wounded, but still intact

Cirith calls after them "did he mistak all ofthem?"

Punch has already fled through the gates by the time Cirith calls to him, and it's uncertain if he hears her. He does not turn when she calls, only continues his long run away from the fortress.

Cirith says, "hm..."