Posted by Irzen on 5/2/2008, 2:23 pm, in reply to "Re: An Unwanted Encounter continued..."
"Wait a minute, Neven is missing too?" quipped the elementalist with a puzzled look on her face. "I don't know if Venger is the least of our problems, Irzen, he acted like he was up to something himself. As if he REALLY wants us to leave...so he can...," the elementalist trailed off.
"Do what?!" asked the Swordsman, "There isn't too much that Venger can do to us here without running the risk of a magical battle that could level the city. Remember, Fair Weather and its fields are more valuable to him intact than they are if they are burned to the ground. Venger would not risk an open confrontation with us for that very reason."
"That maybe true, Irzen but my gut is telling me that Venger has other plans," she shrugged again, "more along the lines of of retribution."
"You could be right," the Dark Elf sighed, "I would not put revenge beyond the Dark Lord--even if he knows he has much to lose by doing so here."
High Lord Irzen stared at The Elementalist intently and grabbed her shoulders, "Alyson, I need you to answer this question and do so honestly because everything we do from this point onward depends upon your response. Does the Doppleganger know that you know that he is NOT the real Willow Bark?"
"I think so. He was saying words to me like, 'My liege' and he definitely was off on his timing. I even asked what was wrong with him and he stared at me with a blank look," Alyson threw her hands up in the air.
The Dark Elf sighed and shook his head, "Then we are going to have our work cut out for us. I've had some prior experience with Dopplegangers and I have to tell you that they are at their most dangerous when their cover has been blown. They are liable to do anything at that point and if this Willow impersonator believes that you are on to him he may return to his Handler, tell him that the jig is up and the real Willow--wherever he is--may end up paying the ultimate price."
"I hope that does not come to pass," Alyson's eyes gleamed through her glasses.
"On the other hand," Irzen added with another sigh, "The Doppleganger may come clean and give us a ransom note that his Handler may provide to him should he be discovered. However, we need to find the Doppleganger, interrogate him and discover who the kidnapper is. Once we know the identity of our enemy, I believe we'll also know his motive and intentions and from there we can proceed accordingly."
The Dark Elf folded his arms across his chest, "But the first thing we need to do, Alyson, is to keep you out of sight. The Doppleganger may believe that you are onto him, but he may also believe that you have not told us about his true identity yet."
Alyson yawned suddenly, "Fine. I will lay low but I am not staying in this city. I'll take my chances outside the walls. Trust me, it's better that way, so I don't go and do something rash. Like giving into my anger."
"Fair enough but becareful," replied Irzen with a firm nod, "If you ran across Venger outside of the city, God only knows what else he may have lurking there as well."
Irzen held up his hands, "There is a possibility that we can set a trap for this guy, but I need you to keep a low profile until we have him. If he should see us together, then he will know for certain that we know who he is and at that point all hell could break loose. Are you open to the idea of sitting on your hands for awhile?"
"Sure. Why not." Alyson turned around and headed back down the stairs towards the door, "I need to rest anyway. I'll be outside the same gate we entered. Don't worry, I'll be fine."
"If you need something to do, how about going to Madame Zenobia's Sauna and checking up on Kana and Serna," asked the Dark Elf with a smile, "Her place lies in the opposite direction of where I sent Tommy to--"
"--Oh my God!" Irzen snapped his fingers in wide-eyed disbelief, "I just remembered. I sent Tommy after the Doppleganger. At the very least, he should know what he is getting himself into. I'll see if I can catch him before he gets there. Take care and I'll see you in a few, Alyson."
The Dark Elf spirited himself down the stairs, out the door and took off down the street towards the Black Moon Inn.
