A Commision from Paninrath

Slipping out of the misty shadows, Sudama, the Anointed Finder of the warlock Rakesh, sensed the presence of others without having to see them. "There'ss a handsssome reward for what I ssseek." He hissed into the night air. The conniving upstart let his words hang before continuing. "Lord Rakesh fearss retribution from the godss, he would not ssstrike at that which will ultimately dessstroy him. I have no sssuch fearss. I will bend dessstiny to my will. The twinss of Uttam musst be found. My sssecret sssource within the palassce tellss me that they have fled to the land of Cossrin to gather remediess to aid their ailing parents." Sudama's tongue lashed out in search of a scent. A frightening smile curled up his razor thin lip when he caught what he was looking for.

The mist hung low and heavy over the marsh streets of Paninrath. Few sounds made their way to this dismal area. Even the insects were afraid to reveal themselves. In an eat or be eaten world, such was the way of life.

The silence was broken as a cloud of mist seemed to part; from its core came a sleek and slender sorcerer. "My word isss my bond, Sssudama. My partner and I ssshall find your half-breed twinss." Sylphlx's beady red eyes darted around looking for his cohort, Dredge. Always uncertain in which shadow the stealthy assassin lurked, he knew his back was well protected.

Seeming to take no notice of the hidden bounty hunter, Sudama concluded the business transaction. "I have been informed that you are resssourceful and dessscreet, just the qualitiesss I require. Lord Rakesh hass no idea of my plan. I would keep it that way." Sudama's pointed head bobbed up and down, emphasizing his point. "Now, I need the exact location of the royal offssspring and no more. Written word of their whereaboutsss will sssatisfy my goal. You will be paid an obssscene amount for sssuch little work."

The quick flick of an invisible tongue across Sudama's scaled face caught the older official off guard, but served to indicate Dredge's endorsement of the agreement. "You will find our ssskills and essxpertissse to be invaluable. Ressst asssured, they will be found" hissed Dredge from the darkness behind Sudama.

Sylphlx's tail curled around his body, delighting in the promise of riches ahead. He sealed his employment with raising a healthy amount of phlegm into his mouth and spitting on to his palm, which he then held out for Sudama to take. The traitorous lizard repeated the ritual and shook the bounty hunter's slick hand. The pact was made.