Setting Boundaries

As the party slept, using her experience as a rogue and deep gnome, I quietly broke into Lluthe's and Aster's room. Lluthe was meditating and Aster, being a human with dwarfism, was buried in a bed of sheets and blankets. Had I not known Aster was already in there, I probably would have missed his presence.
 
I quietly made it to the corner and squatted, and I waited patiently. Waiting is a tool of the assassin. One has to understand opportunity, advantage. This could be a while.
 
Several hours later, Lluthe opens her eyes. They fix upon me in the corner. She was indeed Drow. She didn't show any form of surprise. She just cocked her head to the side, narrowed her eyes and quipped "Yes, can I help you?"
 
Quietly, so as not to wake Aster, I begin:
 
"Why are you above ground?"
 
Lluthe responds: "I do not see where that is your business"
 
I ask again, "If the reason you are here could affect me or the party, it is my business, so I ask again, why are you above ground?" This time with a little more emphasis.
 
Without getting into the detail, Lluthe shared that she was hunted by powerful forces and was forced to flee. She came above ground to reduce the chances of being discovered.
 
With that information I carefully respond: "I too am being hunted by those in the Underdark. We seem to have something in common. This can be the basis of a truce. That being said, this does not mean I trust you. If I see any indication of betrayal, your death will be quick"
 
A wry grin spreads across her lips. Her eyes narrow and she responds: "Yes, but understand this little one, if I suspect you are going to break our truce, the reprisal will be swift and final. Make no mistake, your death will not affect my conscience."
 
Calanthia expected as much. Glancing over to the other bed, the blanked begin to stir. Calanthia stands, nods to Lluthe and leaves as quietly as she entered.
 
After purchasing some breakfast, the party sits down to eat. I eat at a separate table from the Drow. Weston appears to understand my choice. Paladin insight is adept. Weston moves to my table as I am eating. He shares he understands my choice, but also requests cooperation for the benefit of the party. I nod in acknowledgment. He also asks that I not show myself as we enter the target location. He wishes me to remain unseen in case things go badly. Again, I nod in acknowledgment.
 
After breakfast, the party heads to a supply market. This market apparently has magic items as well. I must make note of this. After a short shopping spree Weston has us all head to the to the target location.
 
I successfully take up a position under a ladder that appears to head to a bunk. While waiting, the guard from the original office where we accepted this chore shows up. Weston converses with her. I see her flip her lapel. There is a Harper insignia under the lapel. I did not see this coming. The Harpers are an organization with watchful eyes on the realm. They are good aligned, but there goals are not always where the average folk would believe. Because they have a greater realm understanding, many people misjudge their decisions as selfish, instead of helpful.
 
As Weston is chatting, 2 ruffian types enter the tavern. Many cheer as they intimidate the bar tender to provide free libations. The bar tender is no slouch, a half orc of some height and build. He does however provide as they ask. This is unusual, Half Orcs do not usually roll over so easily. There must be more to this group. They have scarves around their arms that appear to indicate rank.
 
Weston appears to make a ruckus. I am not sure what he is trying to do, but the 2 who walked in take umbridge with his actions and a fight breaks out. Prior to our entrance, Weston emphasized that we need live prisoners to interrogate. Not sure I can comply, all I have are bolts. The fight goes quickly. The Harper makes quick work of the white scarfed ruffians. I ascend the ladder and take one out. In the end, we are able to capture several of them.
 
The bartender gives the party the back room for interrogation. I suggest we loot their coin and give it to the bartender to offset some of the cost of their free drinks. He appreciates the gesture, but it is no where near enough.
 
Weston plays good cop, bad cop. Unfortunately for the prisoners, he wasn't playing. Part of being an assassin is knowing what hurts, what kills. Aster appears to be giddy at the thought of extracting information. Weston leaves the room as we work. I suggest others leave if they get queasy over this work.
 
In the end, the 3 males spill everything. It was the female who held out. Unfortunately for her, she will not be useful to the organization any longer. The information extraction left her blind and mute. Ironic, males consider themselves to be the stronger of the genders, but this woman was the one with the steel resolve. Too bad she gave up everything for her loyalty.
 
Weston takes time to look over the information. Apparently, the Harper wishes us to report to her, and not the portly fellow back in Phandalin.
 
We shall see if the information we extracted is helpful.....