Nyles and Harlan

[Ethan Flatrivers]

The squire seeks out his sister's guard to discuss the funeral.  He offers the man a swig from a flask.  "Hope your wound is feeling better," he said.

[Vex]

Harlan politely refused the flask as he had a shift later. And it was a little early in the day for him.

"It is, thank you," he replied with a small smile. "You did well that day, regrettable as that incident was..." He shook his head.

[Ethan Flatrivers]

"Regrettable?" Nyles asked. "If we hadn't been there that girl would have died. We saved her AND got Lord Reyne's favor. May as well count it as a win." He shook his head. "It also told us we can trust no one."

[Vex]

"Regrettable it even happened," said Harlan, studying the squire a little cautiously now. "We should be protecting the smallfolk, not slaughtering them like pigs. In a holy place, no less." He sighed. "But you're right. The civil unrest is far from gone."

[Ethan Flatrivers]

"I agree, I promise," Nyles said. "But this wasn't an accident. There's a man inciting it, beyond the dragons across the sea." He looked about. "I did a bit of investigating and found out some merchant lord named Benjy has been stirring people up. Those rioters said he was the one who made us as allies to the Blackfyres.." He looked at the old and noble knight. "I think we should find him."

[Vex]

Harlan, who wasn't even that old by the way, looked a bit surprised. "Have you told anyone?" he inquired. "Fireball? His Grace?"

He thought a while. The king had given him the task of bringing him the people responsible for the events at the sept. "What proof do you have of this?" he asked Nyles.

[Ethan Flatrivers]

"My uncle and Lord Reyne," he said. "I found one of the men who insulted the queen's honor while he was assaulting a girl." Basically true. "He gave me the name."

[Vex]

Harlan opened his mouth to commend Nyles on his good sleuthin', but he was only half a man and Harlan thought it better not to encourage any more of his solo missions. Instead, he nodded. "And what did Ser Richard and Lord Reyne think of it? Did they advise you to go after the man?" he asked.

[Ethan Flatrivers]

"My uncle received permission from the king to kill the man if we can find him. Lord Reyne is burning for vengeance". He shrugged. "Success would vindicate any misunderstandings that could occur."

[Vex]

(OOC: Do you mean your uncle already got the permission?)

Harlan frowned. "We need to bring that man to justice," he said. "Trials exist for a reason. Besides, he might have information about other loyalists in the city. He must have some contacts, perhaps even an entire network."

[Ethan Flatrivers]

///

After the king's edict, Nyles returns. "Ser Harlan," he said. "The King has given us permission to bring Benjy down. Are you up for helping?"

[Vex]

"Oh, that is good to hear," said Harlan, clearly more willing to participate now that it had been officially authorized. "Of course I'll help. It would be nice if you'd let me know beforehand so I could organize another guard for your sister."

Ever observant, he noticed Nyles's limp. "What happened to your leg?" he inquired.

[Ethan Flatrivers]

"My second meeting with our target," Nyles said. "Someone had to find the dirty bastard. That," he looked about, "spy mistress was far from helpful so I found him myself. I hope he doesn't go too far," he admitted. "My uncle will let you know when we strike."

[Vex]

Harlan frowned, not exactly happy about this. Yet at the end of the day, Nyles was the king's squire, and Harlan was there to protect Alice, not him. Nyles would be spared a speech on recklessness this time, but Harlan was already mentally composing one for the next time, even if he hoped he wouldn't need to use it.

"You mean she refused to help you?" he inquired, immediately feeling like the spy mistress was personally overhearing them now. He nodded, having always thought highly of Ser Richard. It was heartening to assume someone like him was going to lead this 'hunt'. "I'll be there," he said.

[Ethan Flatrivers]

Nyles had heard rather enough speeches on recklessness. He had to give everyone else a speech on getting shit done. He nodded, happy the knight was so helpful. "Good," he admitted. "It'll be tough even with your sword. Not sure it's possible without it."