Dragon quickstep

[Anastasia]

The wall begins to part but you disintegrate it halfway. Either way, it's open.

Within stands a efreet dressed in the clothes of a servant, well appointed and rich. A royal servant, no doubt about it. "Hamid." Akil's voice is openly disappointed, "I expected better of you." He rises, Razalim drawn. "I'll make this quick." His eyes flash with blood red flames as he adds, "But in times like this, the only atonement is blood."

Hamid's eyes darken with resignation and he bows his head. But he calls, "You've always been a piss poor sultan, Akil. Dragon dog! Devil dog! Groveling mutt!"

[Corwin]

"So who'd make a better sultan?" Seira asks, since someone on the opposite side might actually know who they're serving so zealously!

[Anastasia]

Razalim rests on the man's throat, but does not slice. Not yet.

"Anyone," He answers in despair, "You sold us for your own profit, Akil!"

[Corwin]

"To be fair, you were losing pretty badly," Seira points out. "And the previous sultan was incompetent and didn't inspire loyalty, I'm sorry to say. That said, are you truly so foolish that you threw your lot with someone you don't even know? I know a mortal might be thinking 'well it can't get any worse' but you actually know about the Lower Planes! What's wrong with you?!"

[Anastasia]

Hamid is quiet a moment, "I know who I serve - for fair coin and before all this began."

"Too bad," Akil agrees, pleasantly, even as his eyes gleam with fire. "Who?"

"Imix, paid and sold," Is his answer, "Through his servants, though they tried hard to hide it."

[Corwin]

"I was only joking about the Imix thing earlier. Really? Imix? Can he even become the new sultan while keeping his current role?"

[Anastasia]

"Not a chance," Akil says, "Just an ordinary spy then. A pity."

[Corwin]

"Who are those servants, then?" Seira asks Hamid. "And who else are you working with?"

[Anastasia]

"Commute my sentence to exile, and I will tell you, as well as turn over all the evidence I have gathered," Hamid says, quickly.

[Corwin]

"I can hold him at the Cauldron," Seira offers to Akil. "If he lies about anything, even through omission, that would negate the agreement and he will regret it. Otherwise, Hamid here will be freed for that exile in the aftermath."

[Anastasia]

Akil is stone silent a tense moment, "Fine," he says shortly, almost a snap, as his hand holds Razalim tight.

[Corwin]

"Speak, then," Seira tells Hamid, making sure to spot any lies!

Taking 10 on Sense Motive with Divine Insight for 110

[Anastasia]

"Samar of Imix," Is the answer, "He is the ringleader, a minor functionary in the city for Imix. He has a few toadies who also serve him, and I know well he reports to Hol Imixblood. The evidence to support his and others is buried beneath my room, magic is best to get it."

A few beats before a book appears in Akil's hand, a slender little one. He scans it briefly, "Evidence enough," he agrees, "Very well. You are exiled. Stay in the Cauldron as matters are determined. Step foot in efreet lands on the pain of death, save by the Sultan's invitation."

[Corwin]

Seira nods at Donald. "Please arrange suitable accomodations for Hamid."

And should there be more information of interest, Donald could also arrange to hear it and have it reported to them while it still matters.

Strange news, she meanwhile tells Zaaman Rul. I caught a spy here in Brass, who claims he was working for Imix's underlings, Samar of Imix and Hol Imixblood. Does that make any sense to you?

[Anastasia]

'Yes. It's hardly unheard of for them to spy on each other. They're usually discreet enough not to be caught. Someone was sloppy or got unlucky.'