El Mano gets interrogated in the Forbidden City
El Mano de Oro was captured in the Forbidden City. after your initial interrogation, you get tossed into a cell. there's a guy in the cell across from you and you exchanged the secret pleasantries.
Guy: So, I'm from the climbing team. we were 15 men when we started, lost 7 in the canyon due to accidents. Lost another 4 in a run in with Shin patrols on the other side. There were 4 of us left who came out of the forests in eastern Shin. we made our way here and scaled the walls in the dead of night. they caught us and I think the others all perished. I was captured.
El Mano: "I see, did you guys read any of the books that basically say we've been had? You haven't talked to the guards have you?"
the climber: "I told them nothing!" he spits. "what are you talking about books? we were taken as we scaled the wall. have you turned traitor?"
El Mano: I'll just laugh at the climber and explain how we so far have only lost one person the entire way, some climber he is.
And later El Mano tells a guard:
To Guard: "I want to meet the emperor because I have valuable information regarding the (platemail race).
El Mano meets the Emperor.
The guards tell you the emperor will see you. You are bound tight in metal hand cuffs and other restraints, there are many guards in the room and a man walks in. It's Wa Ren Tao, the monk you met on the road in Grundle who was accosted by bandits, and then you ditched him in a poor village cus he was going to help out the folks with medicine and farming (sound like anyone you know in another life?). "Ah! El Mano de Oro. I must admit that I am suprised to see you here. And how did you get into my Forbidden City? Where are your friends? I presume that Uusam sent you to kill me? My guards say that you claim to have had a change of heart. The guards also tell me that the son of Men Ten Jing is dead, and that you deny killing him in the cavern. That is regrettable, such a promising man. Perhaps his brother will be reformed and follow in his father's footsteps.
El Mano: Well he will be really dumb struck... "Yeah... I was sent to kill you, but I won't say by who just yet.. I ain't no thinker like the doc or the archertect... but when the doc started reading those books, well it just seems like everyone is misunderstanding everyone else... And it was the faceless's master who killed our guy... Basically the way I see it... you ain't so bad... Us Grundles are looked down on... I was planning on yeah... killing you and making a name for me, and then when I saw the magic whips... stealing them for my country... But now I'm thinking I'd rather gain renown for Grundle working for you... And I did see some of them magic whip users to the North... they were talking with Ussam. Hope you don't behead me, I'm pretty strong, I can be of great help. I don't want those demons taking over our land.. and I want to show the world what Grundles can do!
Emperor: "Indeed, the Grundle people have a stong will. I forsee that they will be a pillar of strength that leads mankind into the future. Perhaps I will have a use for your skills. Obviously you and your companions are resourceful, clever and at least some of you carry an open mind. As for the Sontaran's in the north, they were taken a few days after your encounter with them, most were killed, but two were retained for....study. I hope the freed Relbar slaves will serve as emmisaries for goodwill between the Relba and Humanity. Perhaps you will meet them someday and escort them home, if you prove trustworthy. However, if you decide to work for me, you will gain no renown for Grundle. At least not in your lifetime. Your missions would be secret, and their significance not revealed for hundreds of years, when peace again crosses the land and when humankind is ready to stand up to the great threat from the East."
El Mano: "Ah more secrets eh? Hmm well the pay might be good... and I sure am sick of being looked down on all the time... suppose I wouldn't want that for my brothers' and sisters' kids... Yeah sure... sounds nice. I ain't gonna kill my old comrades though... well cept maybe the faceless..."
