The BOSS #24

Slowly rolling the hay cart back, you’re able to kneel down, out of sight, right at the edge of the tent. You can hear someone pacing vigorously on the other side of the cloth form the scuffle of his feet across the rugs. Suddenly there is a clatter of shields.
“Are you alright, Captain Toma?” calls one of the soldiers.
“Yes, yes!” snaps the Captain. And then, “You imbeciles!” he hisses in a forced whisper. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to blackmail these damnable foreigners? They’re not as stupid as they look!”
“I’m sorry sir.” It’s Corey’s voice. “There was nothing Julian could do—we were ambushed! Gunther was killed and I had to run, or I would have joined him.” Corey pauses, then adds, “They had powerful dwarves with them, sir! You know how fierce they are first hand, sir.” Another pause, “Five of them…”
So that’s your real name…Cory, not Keelan.
Dorbane looks at you cross eyed and bites his knuckles to keep from bursting out in laughter.
“Did you even go back for Gunther’s body?” snaps Toma.
There’s a span of silence and then Toma growls. “I create the perfect plan to rid our country of this dwarf and elf…filth, and I end up working with idiots!”
“There’s nothing to worry about, sir,” says Julian cooly. “The girl only saw my face and I can make myself scarce. Lord Raywhen’s kid is with those tutors of his until dark, as usual. We’ve drugged their wine. When they fall asleep, we’ll snag the boy and meet you in the alley behind The Three Swords. Get Erdmuth into the alley and we’ll do the rest. We can blame Gunther’s death on the dwarves as well—as soon as we have the initial leverage. The rest will be easy enough to believe once we create a little prejudice in our favor.”
“You…are also smarter than you look, Lieutenant Julian,” says Toma.
The tent breaks out into laughter.
“Oh, the look on their faces when Deron Erdmuth is arrested for murdering the son of an Evolu Lord,” continues Thornberry, “This tent city will erupt with bloodshed. High King Gaston will be forced to end his treaty for the good of his own people! Andilain will once more be for the human race.”

If you decide to run to Captain Deron Erdmuth, go to page #113
If you decide to visit Lord Raywhen, go to page #25