[Though Morla had not provided the names of her "champions", news of the siege of Mair travels quickly, and even without his normal channels for information, it hardly takes days for Lamont to ascertain who now rules the castle there: Ganondorf. It's a strange name, and one Lamont recognizes immediately; he recalls the message the Gerudo sent before departing from Caer Scima earlier in the month. Seems this was the guarantee the businessman was hoping for.
It's just a few hours after sunrise when Lamont, still in his quarters, picks up his locket to contact the king.]
King Ganondorf. [He bows his head in deference before looking to the locket again.] My name is Lamont Toucey; I've been charged by High-Queen Morla to do a bit of information hunting for the Unseelie cause, and she told me to come to you, should I find anything before she holds her next audience. I haven't left Caer Scima yet, but I plan to once I've set up a reliable network of eyes and ears around the Drabwurld. If I may, Your Majesty, I would like to ask whether you would recommend anyone trustworthy for me to get in contact with?
[At the first, the proper use of his title is enough to give special consideration to this man. With the castle newly won, it is only logical that more would soon come to the front lines. And yet, it is no secret to the world at large that Ganondorf is ambitious. His tone remains courteous.]
Well met, Lamont Toucey. Your service to the High Queen is admirable, but it is an easy thing to lay claim to allegiances, but another to prove it. Would you submit to having my servant confirm your presence in Caer Scima?
[And so Ganondorf falls silent and focuses his sight through the phantoms, anticipating Lamont's arrival. The man seemed to be a spy of some sorts and such men were always useful. Ganondorf always enjoyed having an intricate web of informants around Hyrule to keep him informed of what his foes were up to. He had yet to establish such a network in this world.]
[Lamont takes Ganondorf's near-repetition as his cue to get going. Thankfully his room is close to the stairs, owing to his lack of social status, so getting to and through the Great Hall and kitchens is fairly quick. However, given the labyrinthine set-up of the cellars, it takes a few minutes longer than the deliveryman hoped to find who -- or what, really -- he believes is Ganondorf's servant. The phantom looks enough like its creator anyway, and by the way it seems to be waiting, there's really only one thing to do.]
[The phantom was every inch as tall as its master, but it seemed to have no weight at all. It wore a skulled and horned helmet, though there was nothing to be found underneath but two eyes with an unholy glow about them. It spoke in the same voice as Ganondorf.]
This is my phantom. It would seem you are at least among the Unseelie.
[Well, hearing Ganondorf himself speak through his so-called servant was admittedly unexpected. However, despite his surprise, Lamont seems to accept the situation pretty readily, and he bows his head, with an apologetic smile.]
I wish there was another way to verify my allegiance-- [But as soon as he says the words, an idea comes to mind and he cuts himself off. After a brief, thoughtful pause,] At the very least, I can offer you knowledge of an ability given to me by High-Queen Morla.
[With a slight nod, Lamont reaches into a pouch on his belt to produce a simple iron bracelet, holding it up between his thumb and forefinger to show it off to the phantom. While the item may not seem like much at first -- what little light exists in the cellars is too dim to cause the metal's odd gleam -- once Lamont slips the bangle onto his wrist, he will suddenly appear as a knight fully clad in ink black armor, visored helmet obscuring his identity. The businessman waits a few seconds, then just as suddenly as the armor materialized, it's gone, and Lamont pockets the bracelet once more.]
I haven't been able to confirm this yet, but the High-Queen ensured that the armor would be white and silver were I to travel to the lands of the south.
[And that's where the real power in this boon is, of course.]
[As a phantom, Ganondorf is unable to ascertain if the armor is real or just an illusion. That alone is impressive enough. Illusion magic is a tricky business without the proper effort put into crafting the disguise.]
And should someone seek to challenge this armored knight?
[The choice of disguise struck Ganondorf as odd. If one was to be left alone, it was best to appear either overwhelmingly helpless or impossibly terrifying. An armored knight was neither.]
[There is a pause and the phantom begins to leave, rising through the ceiling. The locket comes to life again, with Ganondorf once more speaking through it.]
I will trust your claim for now. Those that can be counted on to further the Unseelie cause are named Lord Celegorm and Lady Grell. They have come to Castle Mair alongside me and are both intelligent and formidable warriors. They have given themselves entirely to waging this war.
A man named Waver Velvet is among our court. He shows no true devotion to the court, but he is a man of intellect. He may yet prove himself useful.
I have heard a young woman, Ariadne, has been given men to build for her. Much like Waver Velvet, her allegiance remains questionable.
Lastly, we have recently received the wizard Harry Potter. Like you, he works under High Queen Morla's orders. He had set a Fairy Ring near the city so that the Unseelie might travel between Caer Scima and Castle Mair with greater ease.
[Lamont watches with a raised brow as the phantom suddenly floats up and away, but his gaze snaps down to the locket once Ganondorf's voice resumes coming from the device. He listens to the names and notes given with each very carefully, and with a grateful bow of his head,]
You will not regret giving me your trust, King Ganondorf.
[Honestly, the fact that the Gerudo gave him so much to go on makes him a bit wary to ask for more, but what other options are there?]
If I may, Your Majesty, I'd like to ask one more favor of you.
[Can't get easier than the potential debtee asking for it. Lamont's expression turns almost apologetic as he explains,]
The information I've been tasked with gathering requires that I leave Caer Scima, and as I've yet to leave since arriving in the Drabwurld, I've been well provided for, until now. From what I understand, the Castle of Mair is a place of, ah -- commerce, so if you've any wealth to spare from your conquest of the city, would it be possible to ask for a sort of... stipend? Just enough to cover room and food for, say, a month?
[Information gathering was something they were as of yet still in need of. The lockets were useful for keeping up on the doings of other shardholders. But he could always use more eyes. This man seemed as good a start as any.]
Allow me to offer an alternative. Provide me with the same information you will give to the High Queen and I shall keep you well paid and financed for as long as you have things of interest to report.
[Considering it was part of his orders to keep Ganondorf abreast of his finds, doing so was already a part of Lamont's plans. But he's certainly not going to turn said alternative down.]
[Ganondorf would not be surprised to know of that arrangement. But all the same, he'd rather instill loyalty to him over the High Queen when it can be managed.]
Then I am pleased to welcome you into my employ, Lamont. When you have made your final arrangements in Caer Scima, then seek out my servant. It will guide you to the Fairy Ring that will bring you to Castle Mair.
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video; dated to 6/27
It's just a few hours after sunrise when Lamont, still in his quarters, picks up his locket to contact the king.]
King Ganondorf. [He bows his head in deference before looking to the locket again.] My name is Lamont Toucey; I've been charged by High-Queen Morla to do a bit of information hunting for the Unseelie cause, and she told me to come to you, should I find anything before she holds her next audience. I haven't left Caer Scima yet, but I plan to once I've set up a reliable network of eyes and ears around the Drabwurld. If I may, Your Majesty, I would like to ask whether you would recommend anyone trustworthy for me to get in contact with?
video; dated to 6/27
Well met, Lamont Toucey. Your service to the High Queen is admirable, but it is an easy thing to lay claim to allegiances, but another to prove it. Would you submit to having my servant confirm your presence in Caer Scima?
no subject
Certainly. Just tell me where and when to meet them.
no subject
My servant waits now in the cellars for you.
shall we set up a log?
I'm currently in my chambers, so please allow me a few minutes to get down there.
I don't think we need one, since it'll stay on the lockets
[And so Ganondorf falls silent and focuses his sight through the phantoms, anticipating Lamont's arrival. The man seemed to be a spy of some sorts and such men were always useful. Ganondorf always enjoyed having an intricate web of informants around Hyrule to keep him informed of what his foes were up to. He had yet to establish such a network in this world.]
ah, good call. just wanted to make sure!
Excuse me. You serve King Ganondorf?
no subject
This is my phantom. It would seem you are at least among the Unseelie.
no subject
[Well, hearing Ganondorf himself speak through his so-called servant was admittedly unexpected. However, despite his surprise, Lamont seems to accept the situation pretty readily, and he bows his head, with an apologetic smile.]
I wish there was another way to verify my allegiance-- [But as soon as he says the words, an idea comes to mind and he cuts himself off. After a brief, thoughtful pause,] At the very least, I can offer you knowledge of an ability given to me by High-Queen Morla.
no subject
A boon from the High Queen is always of interest. I should be glad to hear of it.
no subject
I haven't been able to confirm this yet, but the High-Queen ensured that the armor would be white and silver were I to travel to the lands of the south.
[And that's where the real power in this boon is, of course.]
no subject
A useful trick. Is the armor merely an illusion?
no subject
[After all, mirrors can be quite tricky to fool.]
no subject
[The choice of disguise struck Ganondorf as odd. If one was to be left alone, it was best to appear either overwhelmingly helpless or impossibly terrifying. An armored knight was neither.]
no subject
This armor will not be worn lightly, Your Majesty; few will know that this "knight" even exists to be able to challenge him.
no subject
[There is a pause and the phantom begins to leave, rising through the ceiling. The locket comes to life again, with Ganondorf once more speaking through it.]
I will trust your claim for now. Those that can be counted on to further the Unseelie cause are named Lord Celegorm and Lady Grell. They have come to Castle Mair alongside me and are both intelligent and formidable warriors. They have given themselves entirely to waging this war.
A man named Waver Velvet is among our court. He shows no true devotion to the court, but he is a man of intellect. He may yet prove himself useful.
I have heard a young woman, Ariadne, has been given men to build for her. Much like Waver Velvet, her allegiance remains questionable.
Lastly, we have recently received the wizard Harry Potter. Like you, he works under High Queen Morla's orders. He had set a Fairy Ring near the city so that the Unseelie might travel between Caer Scima and Castle Mair with greater ease.
no subject
You will not regret giving me your trust, King Ganondorf.
[Honestly, the fact that the Gerudo gave him so much to go on makes him a bit wary to ask for more, but what other options are there?]
If I may, Your Majesty, I'd like to ask one more favor of you.
no subject
[He remains patient. Ganondorf is not a generous man, but he will gladly have people indebted to him if it can be managed easily enough.]
no subject
The information I've been tasked with gathering requires that I leave Caer Scima, and as I've yet to leave since arriving in the Drabwurld, I've been well provided for, until now. From what I understand, the Castle of Mair is a place of, ah -- commerce, so if you've any wealth to spare from your conquest of the city, would it be possible to ask for a sort of... stipend? Just enough to cover room and food for, say, a month?
no subject
Allow me to offer an alternative. Provide me with the same information you will give to the High Queen and I shall keep you well paid and financed for as long as you have things of interest to report.
no subject
It would be an honor to accept that offer.
no subject
Then I am pleased to welcome you into my employ, Lamont. When you have made your final arrangements in Caer Scima, then seek out my servant. It will guide you to the Fairy Ring that will bring you to Castle Mair.