Interview with Greythorn, chief assassin and spy master to Protectorate Marutchie.

 

Interview with Greythorn

 

Who are you?

 

Greythorn is my name. I was a former Ruins dweller and inhabitant of the Brizarian forest. Now Neckar-Master Spy and Chief Assassin to Rhyka Hawk-Wing, lord and master of Protectorate Marutchi. Who am I, the truth is more complicated than you could imagine? 

My enemies would say a coldblooded killer, dedicated to protecting the interests of my Protectorate. Others might call me their saviour, but I'm guessing that is a matter of perspective, whether you're looking down the blade I hold or up at it. 

You may read of my infamous rise to serve my current master throughout Book I, The Rise of Rhyka Hawk-Wing, Scavenger Lord and later, in Book II, Artefact War, The Rise of Rhyka Hawk-Wing. As best I can recollect, I've seen some sixty summer's come'n go since I was born in the ruins east of the city of Brizaria. Fifty years of warfare have battered and burnt me into what I am today. I wasn't such a pleasant fellah in Book I as I am now, but you'll have read both to judge for yourself. 

You can find me at https://www.amazon.com/author/ralphhalse.

 

What makes you special?

 

Well now, that would be an ability to decipher the underbelly of the Brizarian Empire, particularly the essence of the city. I know what makes it tick, just like a well-set water clock. For a Ruins dweller, I hold a special affinity for that ancient city. I breathe its air and sift its smells in ways most Brizarian's cannot understand. My enemies believe, that I can smell a plot and hear intrigue a kilometre away, and I can kill an opponent just about anywhere I choose. Fact is, I know every wharf rat, guttersnipe, thief of any repute, pickpocket, conman, sleazy tavern, stand over merchant, sly grogger, thieving money lender, corrupt priest, bent watchman, bordello madam, horse thief and killer worth his salt in the city of Brizaria. Know how I know them? I've used most at one time or another in the interests of my previous and traitorous master, Todor Roth of Roth-Tar.

 

What are you doing right now?

 

Preparing to interrogate a traitorous Scavenger. Sneaky bastard's a spy, you see. Not a good one mind. Thought he could sneak in here tricked up like a Dargeman and report back to Todor Roth on Marutchies secrets, he did. But he's not as good at this game as I am. I picked him for a Scavenger warrior the second I set my eyes on him staggering around the deck of that darge. 

 

What's life like for you in Brizaria, living as a Scavenger?

 

So, its advice on life in Brizaria you're looking for? Well now, you've come to the right person. First off, you'd best understand that the ruling class, the Scavengers, are a people of their word. Haughty, some would call them. But by the god's they're fiercely loyal to their clansmen and, they are the bravest fighters I have come across. By the grace of the sacred Earth Mother, I am now proud to call myself one.

 

What is the most interesting thing that happened to you?

 

Well, now that'd be being made Neckar of Marutchi? You see before lord Rhyka found me, I was languishing underground with the Trogs. My career as an assassin and a spy was over. Todor cast me aside in favour of Rha-Knor. But in reality that was a stroke of luck. Now I am Neckar, a Scavenger and I command an army of spies the envy of the Brizarian Empire.

 

Did you do anything special after your first adventure?

 

Aye, that I did. I saved the life of a lowly slave who held the key to controlling Etol-Vos, a neighbour and avowed enemy of my master. It was no key. Rather several scrolls containing certain nefarious deeds carried out by Etol and a certain greasy Banker who goes by the name of Luftor Dista. Etol is a notorious gambler and womanizer, who has a bad temper, mean disposition and a nasty streak that cuts clear through to his whelp of a son, Etrol-Vos.

 

What other characters have most influenced you?

 

Well now, that'd be my master and his young bride, Lizet. Treated me with the proper respect they have, and raised me to a position that not in my wildest dreams did I ever believe that I could attain.

 

If you had the opportunity to meet another character, who would it be and why?

 

I want to meet that traitorous bitch, Rha-Knor. I'd cheerfully cut her heart out. Todor's, too, if I can get my hands on him. The pair of them have caused this land grief far beyond the tears ten thousand mothers have wept for their lost sons.

 

Do you think you are a superior being?

 

Not particularly, but I'm adept at staying alive in this land of thieving, corrupt priests and their filthy Activist dogs and that must count for something, surely?

 

What do you hold the strongest opinions on?

 

That's easy to answer, ridding the empire of artefacts leftover by the ancients. Useless, most are, unless those corrupt priests, the ones who call themselves Viro's and their blood-eyed Activist foot-soldiers figure how to get one working. Then lookout, it'll be the Disaster Wars all over again. Those two wastes of space, Scovar Borkazee and Todor Roth, nearly killed us all with artefacts when they executed their grand coup. Got away by the skin of our teeth, most of us did and by all the gods in paradise, they'll pay for that blasphemy with their lives.

 

What are the pros and cons to being a Neckar-Master Spy and Chief Assassin?

 

On the positive side, I can instruct any clan member to carry out any task and, they'll do it willing. I may perpetrate an act that on the face of it will appear traitorous and not be questioned by any other than my master.

 

How does one become a Neckar-Master Spy and Chief Assassin?

 

Under normal circumstances, one is born into a Scavenger clan and after serving an appropriate time as a soldier, an examination takes place and if one has a talent for assassination and spying, one is taken into the service of the serving Neckar. A blood oath is sworn in a ceremony before the Protectorate lord at which time, the initiate is given his first assignment. Then, after many years, if one survives numerous assassinations, state murders, kidnappings, bribing twitching Councillors and, if the Protectorate is confident in the Scavenger's skills, he'll be offered the post. It is rare, extremely rare that anyone outside a clan is raised to such a lofty position as I was.

 

Describe your best kill. Why was it the best?

 

That'd be that fat, wine-soaked, thief, Chaka-Durg. Miserable sod had the temerity to call himself a magistrate. Ha! Bought it he did from a corrupt Councillor for an apartment in the eastern quarter over a brothel. Many a Brizarian from the poor northern quarter counted himself a lucky man the day I slit Chaka's fat throat. Made it look like a half-botched amateur job, too, just to put Rha-Knor off the scent. But I left enough clues laying about so's she'd recognise it was me.

 

What kind of abilities do you acquire when you become a Neckar-Master Spy and Chief Assassin?

 

Acquire? The ability to predict the future if a certain someone does or doesn't die at a given time or another certain dumb someone doesn't take a bribe when they're offered it. Knowing when to strike, who to target and how to manipulate the after effects, takes wisdom and skill. Not something you'd learn on a campaign trail, that's for certain. Oh, and, knowing how to tactfully dissuade lords'n ladies from blundering into certain things that ought better to be best left alone, if you know what I mean?