He's just taking a drink order, the duergar thought. No need to get antsy.
Despite his self-admonition, Khorrl knew he would not rest easy for at least another minute or two. It would not be the first time some fool had allowed himself to be followed during a meeting with the duergar mercenary, and he never again wanted to be in such a position, caught unaware and forced to fight his way out of a corner. Not only had he barely escaped, but it had sullied his reputation to boot. That part had angered him most of all.
Finally, when he was certain no one was studying either of them on the sly, Khorrl relaxed, though he had to consciously release his grip on the doubleaxe to do so. He looked across the table at Zammzt, noting the lack of a House insignia anywhere on the plain-looking drow's clothing. For his part, Zammzt was reclining casually on the cushioned bench, the tiniest hint of a smile on his face. Though Khorrl didn't consider himself a great judge of attractiveness, especially in other species, it was plain enough to him that Zammzt's face was far from noteworthy. The drow was simply too ordinary looking. If he didn't already serve a noble House, he would have never amounted to much more than a common artisan, a step up from a slave but little more. Khorrl supposed the fact that he was such a shrewd negotiator was the dark elf's single biggest saving grace.
«I assure you, I was not followed,» Zammzt said, interrupting the duergar's musings. «I would have known it, if someone tried, and there's no reason at all for anyone to do so.»
«Why do you think I was concerned about that?» Khorrl asked, settling back himself. «I haven't accused you of anything yet.»
«The sour look on your face and the furtive glances you keep casting out the door make it plain enough,» the dark elf replied, «though I don't question your concern. You will no doubt be glad to know that I observed your arrival from a secure position, and I will tell you that no one followed you, either.»
Khorrl stiffened slightly again, trying to decide if he should be insulted or impressed. Few creatures had managed to study him unnoticed, certainly not in recent years. For him not to notice Zammzt's observations was surprising, if what the drow claimed was true. The duergar narrowed his eyes, wondering if the dark elf was merely lying to impress him. He doubted it, but still. .
«Then you must feel secure enough to speak freely, hmm?» Khorrl asked, baiting his boothmate to see what his reaction would be.
Zammzt's smile deepened the tiniest bit as he waved a hand in dismissal and turned his gaze on the table in front of him.
«Of course,» he said. «Though I would think you'd prefer to wait until the host has brought us drinks first.»
«I've already turned him down,» Khorrl replied, giving his own wave of dismissal. «I don't care to partake while I'm doing business.»
«As I'm well aware, Master Xornbane, from your reputation. I, however, have already requested that a refreshment be delivered to the booth. I believe I hear it coming now.»
Khorrl turned his gaze for the merest of moments to the crack in the door, even as he opened his mouth to point out that he'd heard nothing. He started to turn back to Zammzt, but then did a double-take, for sure enough, the host from the other booth had appeared at the far end of the hall with a tray of drinks. Khorrl snapped his mouth shut again as he watched the servant first deliver a pair of beverages to the other booth, then proceed toward him and his companion. Apparently, in addition to his surprising ability to shadow someone, Zammzt also sported exceptional hearing. After delivering the drink and inquiring if the duergar had changed his mind and wanted something, the host departed. Zammzt reached over and pushed the partition shut the rest of the way.
«I think it's safe to discuss our business,» the dark elf said, his red eyes glittering in satisfaction as he took a sip from his frosty mug. After a long pull, he sighed in delight and said, «Everything is in place. You should be receiving delivery of the first payment in the next day.»
Khorrl eyed the drow for a long moment before finally nodding.
«And the amount is satisfactory?» the duergar mercenary asked. None of my people goes into the city until I know that we'll be paid what I said.»
«Absolutely. My mistress has instructed me to inform you that your fee is more than satisfactory. For the services you will be providing, she considers it a small price to pay.»
Zammzt smiled that knowing smile again and nodded in acquiescence.
«I can only assure you that she and her allies intend to see this through to the very end. Once they set foot down this path, there is no turning back for them, either. You should be well aware of that.»
«Perhaps, but if things go sour for us,» Khorrl said, running his hand across his bald gray head, «I will come looking for her personally.»
«Please, please. There's no need for idle threats here. The initial payment is coming. Just be sure you have the first group ready to go when it arrives.»
Khorrl nodded, more firmly this time. He had never reneged on a contract before, and he wasn't about to now. His clan was getting paid an exorbitant sum to fight, and his employer considered it money well spent precisely because of that reputation. Clan Xorn-bane might be merely a mercenary band in the greater scheme of the duergar hierarchy, but he had always made sure they honored their commitments. That wasn't going to change as long as he was the head of the clan.
«They will be there,» he said finally.
«Excellent,» Zammzt replied. «My mistress is counting on it. Despite your assistance, toppling the rival Houses will not be easy. That is why she and her allies are paying you such a generous retainer.»
Khorrl frowned again, thinking of what work lay ahead. The drow was right; overthrowing one drow noble House, even when their clergy was hamstrung, was no small feat. He and his males were expected to help bring down several. The clan would suffer losses in this, no question about it, but they had been eager to accept this particular contract, anyway. The rich reward of helping the dark elves destroy themselves paled only slightly in comparison to the payment itself. Those among Clan Xornbane who survived would receive larger shares for this work than for their last four contracts combined. It was well worth the loss of troops, especially among the lesser races of the front ranks.
By the Abyss, Khorrl thought. I might even consider retirement when we're through here.
«We will do what we're paid to do. You know our reputation,» the duergar said, affectionately running his hand along the handle of his doubleaxe. «Though I would feel a lot more confident if I knew for sure that your priestesses won't suddenly find themselves kissed by the spider queen in the middle of the fight. It would be our downfall) and yours too, most likely.»
Zammzt spread his hands in a placating gesture.
«That is a risk, to be sure,» he said, almost—almost — sounding apologetic. «But the opportunity for my mistress and her co-conspirators is worth it. Rest assured, you will not be forgotten in this. She looks forward to the moment when she can thank you from her new position as one of the highest-ranking matron mothers in the city.»