Alstair had seen the fliers pasted here and there during patrol.Brightly colored sheets that drew the eye.

COME SEE THE CIRCUS!

He had finally decided that it was a fine enough day and had taken it off. Dressed in a fine red shirt that he had worn the day he had first met Ilythia he set out upon foot. A few shills in his pocket and his longsword hanging at his side. He savored the warm light of the day and the sound of people living. It made him pleased to not feared by the humans. To wonder amongst them without causing a stir. With any luck he would perhaps find more possible allies...

Siduri had also taken a rare day off. He'd left work with a splitting headache and pain in his right wrist from an endeavor which involved the meticulous copying of approximately five hundred pages of notes by hand the evening before. Knowing how much overtime he already put in, his superiors had agreed that a day to rest and recuperate was in order.

He'd woken up early as usual and tried to read for a few hours, but found himself oddly listless. As the weather seemed pleasant, he came to the roundabout conclusion that the fresh air might do him good. Pulling on his trademark saffron overcoat, he headed out into the streets, with no particular goal or destination in mind.

As Alstair rounded a corner he spotted a young Galdor dressed in a bright yellow coat. His features were dark and he seemed ill at ease. Alstair couldn't help himself. There was something about the young man. It made him think of himself in a certain way. He to had been restless when he had been in Vienda during his youth and carried himself with that same proud air.

"Young man!" He yelled trying to draw his attention."Perhaps you would like a traveling companion on this fine day."

Siduri had paused and was somewhat absently eying a display of books when he heard a shout behind him. At first it didn't occur to him that he was the one being addressed, but he turned to look anyways in the direction from which the shout had come. It took him only a moment to identify the man who had hailed him from the rest of the passersby.

Pausing for a moment, Siduri found himself unsure exactly how he ought to respond. Arching a brow, he replied, "Good day to you. May I inquire as to where you are headed?"

Alstair smiled pleasantly.
"I am Alstair Murdoh." He said offering a hand. "There is supposed to be a circus in town.Would you like to join me in seeing it?" His voice was calm and polite as he spoke and left hand held steady.

Siduri genuinely did not know what to make of this. Someone he had never met before in his life now wanted to spend time with him. . .on purpose? But the man was clearly a galdor, and his athletic frame, so unlike Siduri's own, suggested power. Not that he was prone to making unfounded assumptions, but as far as traveling companions went, there were much worse possibilities.

He took the offered hand after only a brief moment's pause. "I hadn't thought to do so, but I suppose it would be worth looking in to," he replied, with a gracious inclination of his head.

Alstair gave the young man's hand a firm shake and bowed in return.
"So tell me young sir. What is your name?" He asked looking at Siduri intently. "It may not be performing yet but, at least we may see something interesting don't you think?"

Siduri forced a smile; although it looked natural enough, it certainly didn't come easily to him. "No need to 'sir' me," he murmured nonchalantly, with a slight dismissive wave in the other man's direction. As much as he appreciated the display of deference, there was a fairly good chance that the man outranked him in the general social pecking order. He cleared his throat and continued. "My name is Siduri Sasan . . . and I would be more than willing to accompany you to see the circus."

"It a pleasure and an honor." Alstair replied as he looked about. "So tell sir. What is it you do for a living?"
The way Alstair asked was casual enough but already he was beginning to figure out how he could piece this man into his next move.

I may be just setting the board up. But, you always must know where each and every piece can move. Even pawns.

"Clerical work, for the most part. Nothing particularly exciting," he replied with an equally careless shrug, glancing at his new-found traveling companion from beneath his long, dark bangs. He turned forward against, but continued to watch the other man out of the corner of his eye. "And yourself?"

Alstair shrugged.
"Nothing truly major. I am an ex-soldier and currently work for the Seventen." He replied almost carelessly. A careful ploy but, with any luck it may lure this young man in. A person in the system could be handy.

Siduri paused for a long moment. Then, "I see," he replied smoothly at last, carefully clearing his voice of any emotion. He had rather mixed feelings about the Seventen, having been raised by a father who held them in frightened disdain. As much as he admired their power and influence in society, he still retained traces of his original wariness towards them.

"I am off duty today my good man." Alstair replied smoothly. "Today I am merely a man enjoying the city. So please think of me as such."
Alstair frowned inside. He needed this piece for the game. If he was so hard a nut to crack it could prove bothersome.
"Tell me. Who is it you work for?" Alstair inquired mildly as he continued to look about.

At this, Siduri faltered slightly and glanced over at the other man with a slight frown, his suspicion kicking in despite himself. "I'm not working today either," he replied. "So with all due respect, I must ask why it matters. Is there a problem?"

"Simple curiosity." Alstair replied smiling."Also, can you say that you're satisfied with your position?" His tone was still nonchalant as he spoke. He hated to but, he may have to use his lesser means to get himself this piece.

Siduri's green eyes narrowed slightly, betraying his sudden wariness. Despite Alstair's insistence that he was off-duty, this conversation was beginning to seem increasingly like an interrogation. Even so, he forced another smile. "Mr. Murdoh, if I were satisfied with my current position, I would be completely devoid of ambition."

"That is good to here." Alstair replied smiling."Tell me if I could make you gain the position that your employer is working at would you be willing to do me a favor?" Alstair asked mildly. "If so Your employer may be suddenly suspect for treason."

There now we have set the bait. Time to wait and see if we get any bites.

Siduri glanced slyly at the other man, his expression suddenly inscrutable. "Mr. Murdoh, if I didn't know any better, I would suspect you were offering me a somewhat less than moral means of advancing my own position to the detriment of my employer."

Alstair's expression didn't change.
"Possibly. Of course you must be willing to scratch my back in return. If you do I may be able to make you a very powerful man." He replied calmly."So will you take my offer?"

Now let us reel him in.

Siduri turned his gaze forward again, folding his arms over his thin chest, lowering his voice in spite of himself. "Is that so. And what could a lowly clerk such as myself possibly offer a man such as yourself?"

"A watchful eye. I need you to be a man within." Alstair said in a low voice."I would like to see from all angles my good man. Though I have power in the seventen I can only know so much. You could help to keep an eye upon those who may prove a threat to my operations. I must tell you this though. Betray me and I will kill you with my bare hands."

At this, he arched a brow, tightening his arms further across his chest. His heart was pounding, despite his calm outward appearance, and he was afraid it would betray his anxiety. "Is that so. May I ask as to what it is you would be interested in knowing and seeing?"

Alstair smiled on the inside.
"Whatever I may require. I will make sure that you are free of worry and will not be questioned by any Seventen. I intend to make you a powerful man sir. I will require you to do things that may very well make you a traitor to the throne. But, do not forget this I will guard you from behind the scenes think of me as a guardian angel so long as you are loyal to me." Alstair said calmly as he looked at his young companion.

"I do not mean to startle you with this but, you must realize I intend to do great things. And with any luck you will help me in these endeavors." As he finished speaking he extended his hand once more."Do we have a deal my good sir?"

Exhaling slowly, Siduri let his arms drop to his sides. He had been clenching his hands so tightly that his joints ached, and he flexed his fingers experimentally. "I am not a presumptuous man, Mr. Murdoh," he began after a moment's silence, "but you seem to claim a great deal of influence within your organization. How do I know that I can trust you to keep your word in such matters?"

"I hold in truth little actual power my good man. But, My strength comes from those who work with me. One piece is little more than a twig to be broken. But, I have gained connections and know how to cover my trail. I served alongside many good men including a doctor that saved my life. I swore to him that day that I would keep him from harm and shall do the same for you." Alstair stated trying to keep the vigor of his beating heart out of his voice. "I am a gracious ally and a terrifying foe Siduri. Which shall I be for you?"