text:
(written in a code, previously agreed upon)
I do not know if this missive will reach you in good time, however, I wanted to update you on the battle thus far. First, let me say that the trading post has held, and while there were deaths and we lost equipment, it was minimal to what we had envisioned.
It began fairly straightforward, the abominations both with flesh and without staggered forward as we had envisioned. The Prince's Guard and the dwarves waited in their tunnels as ordered, and they moved forward. The ballistae were most effective against these forces, picking them off one group at a time. The Cynthians waited, again as they were ordered, and if they had been the whole of the effort by Barius, then none would have passed beyond life.
Only one group of abominations fell into the pit, which was disappointing, however, the pit did slow the approach of all, allowing the ballistae to have the time to continue decimating the ranks. At this point, the Cynthians were moving in to pincher the abominations from behind, whirling, shooting and riding, such as we have not seen! However, as they moved onto the map, Barius also sent forth his horse. 3 units of Cynthians moved to harry them while the other three continued fire on the abominations.
One of the commanders noticed at this point that there was something like a twister descending upon the middle tower. In the blink of an eye, the central ballista was pick up and flung from the battlements. The first volley of arrows upon the demon of air were simply sucked up into the wind. At that point, someone remembered that Darkarus had mentioned that air demons (I believe he called them elementals) were susceptible to fire. A second volley from both the bandit troops and the local levy hit the monster and destroyed it. All the crew for the ballista had managed to jump free before the ballista had been lifted. I would tell that priest to send our thanks to the gods for us. We did scurry to move one of the back wall ballista into place, as this was a key position. It was also around this time that we noticed a boat traveling up the river. We chose not to use the catapults at that time because we wanted Barius' troops fully committed before revealing that we had such equipment. It remained out of easy Ballistae range, and we chose to focus on decimating the abominations.
The Cynthians, now in place, began firing, both on the abominations and on the enemy's cavalry. However, the outcast Cynthians fired back and we lost one unit of the light horse! The Cynthians began evasive movements, circling back to their compatriots, as they realized that they were much too vulnerable. Both groups exchanged fire several times, before the Ballistae began shooting at the enemy cavalry. Though we were saddened by the lost of such a robust troop, things still seemed to be going well for us.
We continued to watch the barge move up along the shore, however, it did not pull into the docks as we had expected, rather, it moved in front of the keep. The few shots we took with the ballista were ineffective and there was no fire from the ship. Frankly, we were all watching carefully as the abominations finally got within extreme bowshot range of the archers on the wall. Then, the unthinkable happened. The barge stopped it's motions, and a fiery beast lifted chains upon the barge, flew up to the top of the corner post and dropped the barge on the turret! The catapult, never had been fired, was destroyed instantly. From the boat, jumped two squads of Amyklai. The scorpion units, previously out of range for all attacks, immediately fired, destroying one of the units, but there was chaos upon the wall.
The Demon breathed fire, and the ballista and crew were destroyed. The fire carried to the levy led by Maulmin. In the blink of the eye, they were struck twice, and almost destroyed. Maulmin called a retreat, and the men regrouped away from the demon, but leaving one of the bandit crews in the path of the demon. During this chaos, the Amyklai army we had been waiting to prove that Barius' troops were fully committeed, appeared. A runner was dispatched to alert the princes guard and the dwarves that their part of the battle plan was about to unfold. The ballistae and the cynthians had finished off the abominations. The wall units closest to the Demon tried using the water hose, but missed horribly. The ballista replacement finally showed up, just in time to shoot at the demon, along with the other archers on the wall. The demon struck at the bandit squad, and nearly killed them, but they rallied, knowing that they were the last stand before death. Between the scorpions, the ballistae, and the remaining squads, the demon and the remaining Amyklai force were defeated. Those injured retreated to the triage hospitals.
I hope this finds you well. We did attempt to hit the tower with the catapults, but we only got two rounds of shot off, and we only had 2 catapults to fire (as the Demon dropped a boat on the third) before I felt it was safe enough to send the missive to you. We will continue to watch and aid as we may. May the gods bless you in your endeavours and may you vanquish the evil.
Yours truly,
Calista Degrano
After my tribe had agreed that I should be the one to find our missing members I went along the route they took. When I was a couple days journey from the Serpentine River I came across a place where an ambush had happened. What I saw was very strange. There had been a fight. My people must have prevailed because they had enough time to bury their bodies in the traditional way (on a raised platform with their stuff and under some hides). When I went to check on the bodies to get a better idea of how long ago this had happened THERE WERE NO BODIES!! What would anyone want with 3 dead Cynthians. Are the city people that weird?
Once I had crossed the Serpentine and the Crawl River I came across the second ambush. Here there was a hand that was more decomposed than the battle that had taken place. This ambush had not happened to long ago. I was close. I started to follow them and as I came very close to them I went through the woods to get ahead of them. I saw a group of about twenty four men and the rest of my people. I saw one group who sounded like they had been hired take most of the horses and go. Another group took the rest of the horses and my people. The last group seemed to be the leaders and were heading toward a rendezvous. I followed the people who were going to the rendezvous.
I followed them to a place where they left two men and their horses. I got off my horse and took care of the two men. I followed the trail the other three men had left to a farm house. They were trying to break in. I could hear a woman inside telling them to go away. I snuck up and took care of the three men. After I had helped the woman tie the men up I went back to get my horse. There was one guy who was up and knocked me out. When I woke up I got my horse and went beck to the farmhouse. I stayed with the woman that night and asked the men some questions. They refused to tell me who they were working for, however I took these badges that they all were wearing
The woman was a farmer with her husband. They had three children. Both the nights I stayed I told them stories from the Cynthian Plains. The second day I loaded up my horse with the stuff from the men and tied them up to go to town. The sheriff, who I guess is the bringer of law in small towns, took them. He didn't seem to mind after I told him who they had been attacking. I sold my stuff to the shopkeeper, the person who distributes what people need if they have these coin things, and went on my way to Wickshine's Inn the place where the rendezvous was to take place. I had received instructions on how to get there from the sheriff.
Today we have decided to go down the river to investigate Barius's activates in a trading post near the cynthain plains. The trip down was ok we encountered a few storms and fierce winds that Aliella took full advantage of to practice her acrobatics and to goad her demon she calls a god into reminding her of his power.
When we arrived at the Cynthian Outpost, we disembarked to take care of business. However, we were tailed. I did not know how the others were doing with their tails but once I caught onto mine I reversed the roles and followed him. When he almost saw me and started to draw his crossbow I decided to act and being up on the roof I jumped down on him. The fight was over almost before it began. Unfortunately, the local law showed up and hauled us both to the jail. I, however, looked more innocent when compared to an assassin armed with concealed poisoned weapons and I was released. They also promised to tell me if they discovered anything from him (I highly doubt they will be able to and that I will need to break him.)
It turned out this was rather fortunate as Raganash was being jumped by three assassins himself. Acting swiftly I whipped out one of my bolo's and threw it at the bandit with the crossbow rendering him incapacitated. Raganash took a stab wound from a sword but was able to send the other two assassins packing. The other one tried to run off but we managed to catch him (it is hard to run away with your hands wrapped around a crossbow.) But luck was against us Fiona who had been too late to help with the fight; spotted another assassin with a crossbow on the rooftops and she yelled DUCK. Then when we dropped to the ground he fired upon the assassin who Ragaonash had covered himself with.
That, however, was not the worst of it Raganash Volthar was rapidly growing sicker as if the wound was more serious then it looked with the help of Fiona we were able to get a message to Aliella that she needed to return to the boat. Between her skills and Fiona's they were able to put Raganash Volthar back together. In the morning Lierin and I went to visit with the sheriff to see if they had broken the assassin (Lierin went along both because of the assassin's and because I think she wanted to get off the boat for a little while). After trying a good cop cute cop routine (which as I suspected it would failed to break him) I suggested to Lierin that it might be a good idea to distract the guard on duty so that I could do my own interrogation after probing his mind I decided to ask him about the man who he kept thinking of. After realizing that I was in his head he decided to tell me everything including that that person was an master assassin.
With all the knowledge I needed from him we (Lierin, Raganash Volthar, and I) then began to hunt a master assassin (perhaps not the wisest course of action but it was a necessity). I had trapped him within his mind but he broke free. However, we were able to hunt him down and Lierin and Raganash Volthar took him down and then we high tailed it to the boat. The sheriff tried to take ownership of our captured prisoner. Lierin pulled rank and we were able to keep him so that I could interrogate him on the way to the suspected ambush site.
When we arrived there we found an empty beach, however, more investigation revealed that it had been some kind of semi-permanent settlement that served as an on/off load point for our boat; which was abandoned after we liberated the boat from Barius. Now after we resupply the boat we will continue down the river to spy on Barius directly. When we stop I intended to broker a deal with the sheriff for the other assassin I apprehended in return for the master assassin.
After I came back from the Cynthian Plains I told my friends what happened to me. Turns out Aliella had gone on a pilgrimage (maybe she will stop saying "I want to go on a pilgrimage down the Mad River!" Only she would want to go where there was a plague that was most likely caused by Barius, may Cynthia curse him for forever pain after I kill him) and also had dreams that were sent by her gods, what she calls the Old Gods, who actually exist. Now instead of being a four year old with nothing to do she is a four year old with to much to do. At least she isn't so over dramatic, or what she keeps saying that we all might die, which I suppose is true, but you don't have to say it every single day.
So the Prince wishes for us to help Colvin get two of the groups of bandits who want to become Elweir's allies. We are going to the Symkin Lakes to take a fort from one group of bandits and turn it over to one of our new allies. I am exceptionally pleased that we are doing this, since Cynthia told me that Jackob would be there. So Aliella bought our supplies for the trip,and we have a company of the Prince's Guard to help us.
We make camp far enough away from the camp not to be seen. I snuck up to where I could see the fort. I also ran into by friend the Shambling Mound. I asked him a few questions about the fort and what he had seen. From what I knew Jackob wasn't in the fort. The next night we stormed the fort. Darkarus, Lierin and I climbed the walls and took out the guards. We then captured all the bandits. Most of them were sleeping. We asked them a couple questions about this mysterious barge that was crewed by skeletons. Turns out it was only a few days until it was supposed to show up.
The day the barge was supposed to show up we made it look as normal as possible. With some well aimed shots the Garrick (Status : Dead) who was controlling the skeletons died. All we had to do was round up the rest of them. There was however something different about this barge. There was a second one full of skeletons, who according to Darkarus after he burned them where very dangerous.
After we gave Harry, our new ally, his fort we set back to Elweir. As we went the Cynthians started to recover more. However they were hardly back to what they had been. When we got back to town we reported to the Prince. Lierin did most of the talking, however Aliella kept interrupting her and the Prince(I got that he is very important, but still don't get a leader of leaders. Oh well it is their government.)
As the Cynthians, well, grew up mentally I brought them to the stables to help the stable hands. I couldn't control over two handfuls of child like adults at once. They didn't mind and had lots of fun. Eventually Jackob started to remember who he was. When he became a "teenager" he became very weird around me, like we had been when we were younger. Finally when the Cynthians had reached their real mentally level I sent them home, except for Jackob. He was very useful when Aliella became a child for real, but that is another story for another time.
We got back from the rescue of Sir Alon and found out we'd missed a few developments. Some group calling itself "Black Shield" was taking over in Lowtown and, with help from the weasel of an agent who tried to feed us to the Carrion Crawler in the basement, was pressuring us to play nice with them … to the loss of our profits. Aliella looked into that (when she wasn't chasing Dr. Itu around all moony-eyed) and decided we'd be better off moving. Somehow, Fiona (who can't read) and Ardel (who can read a little) ended up with the task of finding us a new place. Amazingly, they found a place in Uphill West that would work. Fiona thought the big room on the second floor perfect because "we can all sleep in one room like a proper family!" Yeah … right. We partitioned things up a bit. Darkarus ended up with his own space and Fiona, Aliella, and I are sharing one big room. Raganash still has the basement. The staff has rooms on the main floor … and we can take in a tenant or two from time to time. It'll work.
In the meantime, we also discovered from the gazette that the "Slayer of Women" was still at large. There had been a gruesome murder or two right before the Revels … and another one (involving a young lady from the Fifty whom I'd seen at a ball) before we left to aid Sir Alon. There had been a number while we were gone and the frequency was picking up.
So is the frequency of balls. Colvin and I were eating together when I returned … and he invited me to another one … which means I need more ball dresses (and another shopping trip with Aliella). More importantly, while we were eating and I was sharing the story of the rescue of Sir Alon, Colvin (astonished that we'd actually seen Uruk-hai) also let it slip that the sword he'd given me is his great-grandfather. (Oh ye gods! I had no idea!!! The man is indeed quite serious about me – not that I'm complaining.) Good thing I had another one for him. I'd already given him the first of the two ceremonial swords I picked up at Simkin Lake. Now he has the second.
But he and the others of the Guard are no closer to solving the slayer of women situation. And – back to the ball again – I agreed to go with him only if he promised that he would not allow Dr. Itu to have more than one turn with me on the dance floor and that under no circumstances would he permit Dr. Itu to take me out of his sight. That man's overwhelming charm gives me the creeps – and that Aliella is so starry-eyed over him only adds to the overall creepy effect.
I got dresses; we did the ball. Nothing happened. Another woman was found brutally murdered. The frequency is getting up to one a night.
Darkarus has been doing stake outs since we came back. The next time, he wanted to borrow my spyglass. Does he know how to work it? No, he does not. (You want my spyglass; you get me – that's the deal.) So I went along with him and as we were waiting, I helped him learn to work it. He'd been able to figure out the women were being killed somewhere other than where the bodies were left. A pattern was emerging that suggested the killer was bringing the bodies to the dumping sites through the sewers. By this time, Darkarus had narrowed down the possibilities to two places where the killer would be likely to exit the sewer with a body. He watched one of them and I watched the other. Darkarus had my spyglass … and I was the one who "got lucky." The killer came up the manhole I was watching. As I followed his progress from behind a fence, something I bumped caused him to stop and look around for the source. I made a sound like a cat … and heard a muttered "damn cats" in a vaguely familiar voice. After I saw him with the body, I gave Darkarus the signal. He followed the killer back down the sewer … which was very foolish of him (especially since he had my spyglass on him).
When he didn't show up the next day – and it was looking like Dr. Itu was the killer, we launched a plan of action. Aliella, who was now as sour on Itu as she had been over the moon (since he'd swiftly and viciously killed a would-be attacker right in front of her), went to see him with Fiona to create a diversion so Raganash and I could get in and see if we could find (and free – if still possible) Darkarus. It wasn't easy I heard later, but Aliella managed to distract the bad doctor. We found Darkarus … who was alive and by that time had thoroughly perused a journal recording all of Itu's crimes. I managed to slip out with the journal and ran to Colvin with it. After quickly paging through the thing and seeing the depth of Itu's sickness, he rounded up a squad and summoned the magistrate. I led them back to Itu's place and helped them find the sewer entrances to cut off Itu's possible escape routes. Itu was captured and tried to creep us out. But the killings have stopped.
I think we're all breathing a little easier now. Aliella was apparently trying to get books, herbs, and other goodies out of Itu's office-residence, but that didn't work out too well. It has worked out better for her to try to continue the clinic Itu started in Lowtown. But most of all, I'm free to enjoy the balls again.
Just when life seemed to be settling into something that might be considered normal, Ergal, Sir Alon Mendor's squire, was found half-dead on the doorstep of our tavern one morning. When the pair had passed through Elweir before the revels, Sir Alon mentioned they were going out to discover why villages were disappearing on the frontier along the Nylsen Forest. When Ergal regained some measure of consciousness, he was muttering something about Sir Alon needing help and having told him to press on until he'd found some. Fiona was the one who found Ergal on her way out to the stables … and when she went out, she found Ergal's horse had been left there in no better shape than the squire was. They'd come a long way – and come hard and fast.
As Ergal recovered a bit, he was able to tell us more. A band of Uruk-hai had attacked the village where they were. As Sir Alon prepared to defend the villagers, he sent Ergal to summon help from the lord of the local manor. This lord, however, refused to do anything to help. When the local lord refused, Ergal continued on to find Aliella and me. It was a long way to come to get help – and there was no further word on what had happened after Sir Alon engaged the Uruk-hai in combat. So Aliella and I persuaded the rest that we needed to go and try to help … or at least discover what had happened. We wanted to leave Ergal behind, but he insisted on coming. Fiona insisted his horse had to stay. But we have an extra thanks to that one I took when we stole back the shipment for the Arcane Beaker.
Traveling at a brisk pace, we reached the estate of the lord from whom Ergal first requested help. Although this lord did allow us to overnight at his manor, he provided no further assistance to us. So we pressed on the next day to discover what had happened. The village had been completely leveled to the ground – almost nothing remained. However, the path trodden by all the residents of the village and the force that obliterated it was obvious and easy to follow. It led to a clearing in which all the men of the village had been slaughtered and many of the items taken from the village had been discarded. I looked through the bodies but did not find Sir Alon, which was only a bit of a relief because I did find his sword and shield among the items that had been left there.
Following the trail after that was a bit more difficult, but still quite possible. It led us to a village of the Uruk-hai. As we observed the village, we noticed there were two barred enclosures. Sir Alon was kept by himself in one of them. The other was home to the women of the village and their children. Although the women were taken out during the day (apparently to work in the fields, prepare the food, and so forth), the children were left in the enclosure (apparently to ensure the women would not try to escape). In the evenings, after the women had been returned to their enclosure, Sir Alon was taken out of his. We didn't know where he was taken; however, when he returned he was obviously battered. After that, some of the women were taken away; their dazed and confused expressions when they return pointed to the use to which they were put at night. (Sir Alon later informed us that his nightly battering was something of a training exercise for the Uruk-hai warriors.)
Once we understood the pattern of Uruk-hai village life, we devised a plan for rescuing Sir Alon and the other captives. Aliella suggested smuggling some herbs to the women which they could put into the food, herbs that would cause drowsiness and gastric disturbances. Fiona helped her locate the desired herbs. Darkarus smuggled the herbs to Sir Alon who passed them to the women and explained what to do. I think Fiona also enlisted Darkarus' help in getting a message to her Cynthian tribe, asking them to come to our aid. In the meantime, we set such false trails and traps as we could arrange.
Once the herbs had taken effect on the Uruk-hai, we slipped into the village and freed Sir Alon and the others. We set off as fast as we could manage toward the place where Fiona's tribe was coming to meet us on the east edge of the forest. Our efforts did much to slow the Uruk-hai – but not completely … and not nearly enough. A horde of warriors (maybe 100 or so) and two chieftains followed us into a river ravine. In that ravine, we found a narrow chokehold in which we prepared to make a stand. A few warriors from Fiona's tribe surprised us there and explained that the rest of the tribe was up on the ridge. With their help, we were able to rig some ropes so the children and the women could climb out of the ravine and be protected by the rest of the Cynthian tribe. We set a trip line along the river and chose our positions. Before we dispersed to face the Uruk-hai, Sir Alon prayed and blessed us. It did help.
Sir Alon, Raganash, and an Amyklai fighter who came with the Cynthians prepared to engage the onrushing Uruk-hai with their weapons. Darkarus was to try to divert some of the horde. Fiona and the remaining Cynthian warriors fired arrows from further back. Aliella and I were up on the embankment so we could jump in (or push things down, in her case) once combat began in earnest.
Darkarus must have been successful because some of the horde did turn back, apparently to find a way out of the ravine and up on the ridge. Fiona and the other Cynthian riders fired away with their arrows as the rest of the tribe made occasional shooting passes up on the ridge. Once the chieftains came charging up the river to engage Sir Alon, I jumped into the fray as well.
Apparently, the Uruk-hai's primary defense is his mean, ugly look. The regular warriors were fairly easy to put down. Their chieftains, however, were another matter. Sir Alon fought them valiantly (and they seemed unwilling to engage anyone but him). I protected his back from the rest of the horde along with Raganash and others in the thick of things. At some point, Aliella did manage to push a rather large boulder down into the horde. Something else seemed to happen around where she was, but between the Uruk-hai and the tree I was fighting under, I really couldn't see what it was. But whatever it was definitely disturbed her; that was evident enough in the aftermath. Once the chieftains were felled by Darkarus' blade, the messy affair was brought to a swift end. It would seem that a sizeable dent has been made in the Uruk-hai population and they should not be troubling the periphery of the Nylsen Forest within the foreseeable future.
For Fiona's sake, her tribe sheltered us while Sir Alon went to find his squire and our horses where we left them when we entered the forest and to then arrange barge transit back to Elweir. The Cynthian tribe agreed to take in the women and their children and help them to rebuild their lives. Much to my surprise, Fiona introduced me to her mother as her sister and I was permitted to join in some of the family rituals grieving the death of her brother. Fiona's people made a lot of fuss over my hair, which was kind of weird. But for the most part, it was a relaxing, healing time while we waited to get back to Elweir.
I did leave a note for Colvin when we left, in case he called for me while I was away … and when Sir Alon offered to send messages on ahead while he made arrangements for the barge, I sent a longer note with more explanation because by that point I was rather certain he'd be wondering about my whereabouts. It's nice to be missed ….
Darkarus mentioned … back before the revels, I think … that he had someone who wanted to talk to all of us about a possible job. Apparently something in the gazette caught Darkarus' fancy as work he could do. But when he made contact with the person responsible for the notice, he was told he could not do it alone. Whoever it was would be willing to meet with us and discuss the matter after the Revels had ended. I'd almost forgotten until the chief steward of the Uril household showed up at our place with quite an entourage.
The company included none other than Branda Uril of Gold's Reside. (I'd encountered her briefly when I was recently at a ball with Colvin.) She was looking for someone to find out what circumstances led to the death of her son, Tiran, around the time of the late prince's tragic hunting accident. This was years ago and would likely require a fair amount of delicacy in investigating since there were potential political complications (which would be why Darkarus needed help as he has very limited political connections in Elweir and is seriously lacking in delicacy). This old case was being brought to new light because a cousin of the family had recently been found in hiding. This cousin had disclosed to Branda that Tiran had heard some hint of a plot against the prince shortly before he died and the cousin was convinced this hint had led to Tiran's murder …which is why the cousin fled from Elweir. The apparent cause of Tiran's death was as mysterious as it was clear. Tiran was accused of murdering a merchant from Gibberish in Lowtown in the middle of the night. He was executed on the spot by Magistrate Malick Rotwell (yeah, the self same nasty piece of work that took off Raganash's hand). This swift execution was deemed unusual only in that, had the magistrate waited, he would have received some substantial bribe. Although Tiran was known to be a frequent user of illicit substances, murder was not consistent with his character (and that a merchant of Gibberish should happen to be in Lowtown at night – with money – was an even more bizarre element of the whole story).
The recently returned cousin informed us that Tiran had overheard the troublesome hint at the Colorful Smoke and that the party he had overheard went by the name "the Protectors of Elweir." One thing I'd picked up on when I was at that ball in Gold's Reside was that there is some tension between supporters of Duke Coeur (who wants to annex Elweir into his duchy) and supporters of the free-city status quo under Prince Summerset. In a further conversation, Colvin was most helpful in providing the details of the hunting accident that claimed the life of Prince Summerset's father. The late prince had taken a position where it was difficult for him to be seen by other members of his party. Three of the men hunting with him shot him with their arrows – Lord Drake Saltbraid, Lord Sandover Reed, and Magistrate Lustshine. Each took responsibility for his action and all professed it was an accident. Colvin, who had been present at the time, acknowledged that the claim the shootings had been accidental was quite plausible, given the situation. Colvin also told me that although Tiran was from a fine family, he did suffer from an addiction to illicit smoking products. To his credit, Colvin did not fault Madame Uril at all and saw it as due to a lack of paternal influence due to the untimely death of Tiran's father. The issue of Tiran's addiction may have been why he happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time so that he overheard the plotting of to so-called Protectors of Elweir. It certainly would have undermined his own credibility as a witness had he even tried to report to anyone what he'd heard.
Through his own contacts at the Colorful Smoke, Darkarus learned that these three men had a long-standing habit of meeting once a week in a private room at that shop. However, getting into that room while they were in there would be very difficult. Darkarus had an idea that might work, but there was no other option if it didn't … not to mention absolutely no back-up plan if it went very badly and he were discovered spying. So Aliella and I agreed to go as back up. If he weren't able to find out who were the Protectors of Elweir, we would accidentally stumble into the room as a couple of intoxicated sillies looking for the loo.
To further help in the pretense, we enlisted the Shury Brothers (who happened to be passing through Elweir) to accompany us. (I also found out the Brass Bowl is their local contact point for their illicit substance trade.) The four of us went to the Colorful Smoke a short time after Darkarus had entered the shop. While we waited, we enjoyed a glass of wine and some cigars Darkarus had recommended. (He has okay taste, but I wouldn't make a habit of any of this … including the company!) When Darkarus showed he had been successful in his efforts, we left shortly after he did.
Back at our own tavern, Darkarus reported that he had been able to listen in on their conversation and he discovered that there was a signed agreement about the assassination which was in the possession of the son of Duke Lothar Coeur who resides in Little Romnel. That document, were it ever revealed, would prove the assassins' guilt. The so-called "Protectors of Elweir" were none other than Lord Drake Saltbraid, Lord Sandover Reed, and Magistrate Lustshine – the same members of the late prince's hunting party who had accidentally (on purpose) shot his highness. To further increase the risks for everyone involved, Darkarus had also learned that the three men were aware of the Uril Cousin's return and that Branda Uril had people looking into the matter of her son's death … and they discussed how they'd had him killed to keep him from talking about what he'd heard. The longer we sat on this information, the more likely they'd start picking us all off. Raganash knew of someone in town who would likely be able to procure the agreement for us. Who that person was and how he did it, I have no idea (and I'm not sure I want to!). But this mystery person did obtain the document and delivered it to us. Knowing the assassins were aware of the Uril family's interest in this matter, we did not give the document to the household steward when he came for his regular appointment at our tavern. We let him know that we had it … and that we would deliver it to Madame Uril. I was quite certain he was being watched and would likely be ambushed if the "protectors" had a chance.
I doubt Aliella ever wondered why I took it my head soon after the Revels to go shopping for a day dress. We were going shopping and that's all that mattered to her. However, it was for just such an occasion as this. In that dress, I could pass as a lady from Gold's Reside. Aliella dressed as my maid and Fiona passed as a guard along with the men folk. With the pass Madame Uril had entrusted to me, we slipped into Gold's Reside within the usual flow of traffic.
Madame Uril was stunned, yet satisfied, by the contents of the document we delivered to her. At long last she knew that her son had been framed for the murder as an excuse to kill him – and why this had been done. She had the document delivered to Prince Summerset and the next day we were all assembled, along with the conspirators, for an audience with the prince. Colvin and a couple other members of the Prince's Guard came to escort us to the palace … and Colvin was looking at me like he'd never quite seen before. He asked "What did you do?" and I grumbled something about "I'm wearing a dress." (I really wish he wouldn't do that!)
Having already reviewed the documents and the information that Madame Uril had obtained from her nephew and through us, Prince Summerset was ready to issue his judgments. Because of their rank and status, he declined to have his father's assassins summarily executed. Instead he opted for in-house confinement to prevent any further conspiring or ability to take such actions. Magistrate Rotwell was allowed to remain in his position because he was a good enforcer, which Lowtown seems to require, and because there was no evidence he was directly connected with the plot. Even less clear was whether or not he knew he was being used to eliminate an inconvenient witness. We were given significant rewards for our efforts – royal pardons (one of which we needed later for the tax on the load we brought back from Simkin Lake), free transit on the Uril's barge (should we need it) and I was allowed to keep the pass to enter Gold's Reside.
Apparently, Malick Rotwell was given some additional instructions about his past conduct and guidance for improvement going forward. He came into our tavern again and apologized for the previous incident. Raganash just smiled and waved at him … and, regarding the magistrate with a completely baffled look, I said "What incident?" He quickly fumbled his way back out the door.
Perhaps all is well that ends so well….
We had only just arrived back from the treasure hunting escapade, when local Magistrate Malik Rotwell decided to come by the tavern and collect his tax levy in the form of a free meal. Of course, he didn't announce himself … nor did he say anything in advance about expecting to have his choice of the menu selections gratis as collection of our taxes. He ordered. He ate the food he was served. He stood up to leave, not having yet paid, and announced he had collected our taxes. At that point, none of us knew who he was. But we were about to find out.
Raganash treated him as he would any other patron who tried to leave without paying, confronting him at the door. The magistrate took it as a challenge to a duel and they went outside. Last time I tried to stop Raganash, he took a hefty swing at me and I wasn't of a mind to intervene in this one. I just stood in the doorway to keep what was outside from spilling back inside. It was probably a good thing. Almost too fast to see, the magistrate whipped out his sword and cut off Raganash's hand. It took all the self-control I possess to get help putting pressure on the bleeding and collect the severed hand. It didn't seem right to just leave it lying out there.
We bundled Raganash inside and up the stairs. Fiona and Aliella joined the group. Once we got Raganash and the hand upstairs, I let them do what they could and went downstairs to see about hot water and some linens to tear for bandages. Apparently I missed the miracle. According to Fiona, Aliella started chanting and held Raganash's hand up to his arm and somehow, they rejoined and healed.
Raganash fled to his room in the cellar. We tried over the course of the next several days to get him to come out – or let one of us in – so we could check on his arm and hand. He stubbornly refused. Ever since our encounter with the Shambling Mound, he's been saying Fiona is "half-mound" and has been somewhat wary of her. It's also clear he has suspicions when it comes to Darkarus (but then don't we all?). So now that Aliella has done this miraculous thing … maybe he's steering clear of all of them. On a hunch, I chased them all out of the place one morning and pounded on the cellar door. I told him everyone else was gone and that I needed to look at his hand to see how it was healing. He agreed. His hand looked like nothing had happened to it. He was willing to show me the various designs he's been drawing and talk about his ideas on sword crafting. It sounded like he was doing as well in mind and spirits as his body seemed to be doing, so I let him be.
The next day, who should suddenly appear but my former mentor, Sir Alon Mendor and his squire of the year, Ergol. A year or so ago, I might have been delighted to see Sir Mendor. After all, he was the one who showed me wider possibilities than I might otherwise have imagined. I doubt I'll ever forget how we first met. The barbarian incursions were particularly bad that season and it was the first time my youngest brother was permitted to go out with our forces. My mother and I were at home with the household and a few older men-at-arms to defend the place. A party of barbarians managed to get through my father's line. They reached the estate and were coming into the manor itself. As I hurried up the main stairs with my mother while the barbarians were bursting through the door, I saw the ropes used for maneuvering the chandelier so the candles could be replaced and lit. I suppose it was fear-induced insanity that moved me to secure the rope around the railing, grab a sword and swing down. I cut two of the barbarians through the mid-section as my father and brothers came inside, accompanied by a knight I'd never seen before. The scene sort of froze for a moment … except for me, still swaying on the rope. My brothers' jaws were all gaping open; my father looked surprised … maybe a mix of being startled and impressed. After he'd surveyed the scene for a moment, the stranger turned to my father and said, "Actually, I think it should be her."
That was Sir Alon Mendor. I had no idea what he was talking about at the time – but I was about to find out. He and my father told my mother that I was being offered a position in his school, a finishing school … which it was … sort of. It certainly did refine my manners a bit (even though I try not to let my mother know that) and teach me even more about how to conduct myself in social situations – lots of different social situations, not just at court. But I knew there was going to be a lot more to it than just a finishing school for ladies when my Uncle Ansel, our family fencing master, gave me an early present of my rapier and main gauche, telling me he was giving them to me because I really was the best of the class and that he was thrilled I was given this opportunity.
Suffice it to say I learned a lot under Sir Alon's tutelage. And I acquired a number of important connections. However, that network of connections had a hand in the unfortunate arrangement that all but forced me to leave home and come to Elweir. So I was not happy to see anyone connected to that awful situation here at all – certainly not in my place.
Seeing him come in, unannounced and unexpected, was surprising enough – but that was not the biggest surprise of his visit. The biggest surprise was that he greeted Aliella as well as me. It turns out she studied with him, too – not that you'd ever guess it the way she acts around combat … or her complete inability to pull watch duty. He invited both of us to join him for a private conversation and Aliella (un)helpfully suggested the common area upstairs.
It was quite clear early in the conversation that she'd been ratting on me to someone in that network for some time. I was furious with her! It did not escape Sir Alon's notice that I was none too pleased with him, either. He asked why – and I reminded him of the unacceptable arrangement made on my behalf and that they had a role in that. He informed me that he hadn't been involved in that one and personally considered that arrangement to be a waste of good talent. Well, that softened my attitude toward him considerably.
Then Aliella proceeded to tell him about Colvin – emphasizing the romantic possibilities. I pointed out the potential usefulness of the connection … and then brought up her relationship with Dr. Itu. (She's been making time with him ever since the incident with Raganash and the magistrate … and oh yeah, Colvin told me more about Malick and warned me to never cross swords with him – as if! Anyway, Aliella's attitude about Dr. Itu has been softening considerably over the last few days. She's been going to visit him and help at the Lowtown clinic every chance she gets.) Sir Alon asked what the issue with Dr. Itu is. Before I could respond, Aliella went all dreamy about him. So I just looked at Sir Alon, nodded toward Aliella, and said, "That."
Sir Alon was very pleased that I've been practicing with the Prince's Guard – and he was very displeased that Aliella had not been practicing at all. He reminded her of that "special room" back at the school. I asked how many times he'd had to put her in it; he only said, "More times than we did you" … which isn't saying a whole lot since I was only in there once. I came within inches of running the man they put me in there with through with my rapier and they never put me in there again. Then Sir Alon essentially forced her to agree to a practice session the next morning in the alley behind the tavern.
So the next morning, Raganash and I watched them go at it from the upstairs windows. We were even openly betting on how things would go between them. It serves her right for ratting on me like she did – and bringing up my relationship with Colvin. Sir Alon did have to chase her around quite a bit. But eventually she did manage some solid work with her quarterstaff. It was worth every copper I lost to Raganash.
Sir Alon and Ergol left the next day. Villages on the frontier at the edge of the Nylsen Forest have been disappearing and they were going to investigate. Fiona also left. She had no desire to remain in Elweir during the Revels, so she was heading out into nature for the duration of the festivities. Darkarus mentioned something about someone was going to come to talk to us about some sort of job once the Revels had ended.
Aliella wouldn't have missed the Revels for the world. She did some shows here and some back at the Abyzinian Night. She even hired someone else to entertain here when she was there … and then she got involved in his knife throwing act at one point. It was crazy. In many ways it was a lot like the fall in-gathering back home. Lots of people come to the estate to bring in the harvest and other provisions and store them for the winter. As good hosts, we would feed the workers, serving alongside the usual servants … and it is something of a celebration as well … and with enough drink people start to forget who the noble family is and who the help is. Knowing how to deliver a solid, well-deserved slap came in handy back then and it did again here during the Revels. But sometimes that wasn't enough. I think every table in the dining area now has at least one gouge from my dagger. I missed the hand every time – just like I meant to do. We did make a good profit from all of it, and now it's over so maybe life can get back to normal … whatever that is.
Did Darkarus say something about someone coming to talk to us about a possible job when the Revels were over?
Darkarus had been hired to do a job – and we could help. He'd been asked to go to a place where many of The Fifty of Elweir once had summer homes. Although they had long since abandoned those summer homes, a cache of treasure had been left behind. The reason for abandonment had something to do with reports of "berserker wolves' in the area. Darkarus' employer wanted four specific items from the treasure. All the remaining items would belong Darkarus … and anyone he engaged to help him. Aside from the four specific items the employer wanted, Darkarus had been informed of a number of other valuable items in the collection. Just like everyone else in the group, I agreed to go … mostly because I didn't have anything better to do. (Note to self: I need to find better things to do.)
Of course we'd need supplies for this adventure, so of course, Aliella flew into action. In addition to the usual food, ropes, and things like that we would need pack mules. Assuming we did find the treasure and it was as extensive as described, yes, then we would need pack animals. But in any case, it would be impossible to find mules or anything else once we got to where it was we were going. Plus, pack mules would allow Aliella to take her pavilion. The journey would not take too long and it would be a good test of the abilities of our staff (such as it is) to manage things in our absence. Packed up and ready to go, we headed out.
We didn't meet with any trouble until the night we camped close to where the summer homes had been and the treasure was supposed to be. At some point fairly early in the night, there was a strange noise like nothing I'd heard before. Raganash and Fiona were up and about; I was on the wrong side of the pavilion to see what was happening. By the time I caught up with them, I wasn't sure what I was looking at or what was going on. There was this … thing … that looked like a small hill had detached itself from the ground and started walking around on its own. Maybe Raganash had whacked it with his act and the … thing … had hit back (somehow). I wasn't sure. Fiona was speaking to it in her own language, so I didn't know what she was saying … but it seemed to be listening to her. Then Raganash made another lunge for the thing. Hesitation seemed a more appropriate course of action to me, so I put out my blade and tripped him. He thanked me by taking a swing at my legs. But Fiona was able to calm the situation. The thing is a shambling mound and meant us no harm … so long as we did not seek to harm it. I think Fiona and the mound stayed up talking all night; the rest of us went back to sleep.
The next day we found the spot Darkarus was seeking. He and Raganash and Fiona all went down into the ruins to find the treasures while Aliella and I kept watch on things in the area. Nothing happened where we were. I'm not sure what all happened down in the ruins, but Raganash came out with all kinds of ideas for traps and gizmos. Darkarus found the treasures and we hauled them out. After we brought the loot back to camp, Fiona went hunting and shot a deer. I was about to start work on cooking it when her mound friend returned. Fiona explained that the mound was warning us there had been Wargs in the area and was suggesting we go over to its place. Raganash, Darkarus, and Aliella started arguing about whether or not to go. I grabbed the deer, threw it over my horse, then jumped up behind and said, "If you want dinner, I'll be over at the mounds." That settled things. During the night we did hear some howls from the direction where our camp had been.
Nothing more exciting happened until we were returning to Elweir. Apparently anyone who brings any amount of goods into Elweir has to pay tax on those goods. Darkarus did not think to also get compensation for this from whoever hired him. Somehow, I don't know how, he and Aliella managed to have the whole cache pretty much overlooked. We'll see how this plays out, but I've got a bad feeling about it …
Darkarus took the requested items back to the person who hired him. We dived up the rest of the goods. I ended up with a silver ewer, a spy glass, and two silver, ceremonial swords. The spy glass is definitely useful; I just need more practice with it. Having the ewer in my room reminds me I really am a lady; it's good to have a little something nice. As for the swords, I know what I'm going to do with them. I can give back as good as I get … maybe a little better.
After another annoying run in with the Jibber-Jabbers I needed to refresh my magical supplies. However, fate had other plans for me because it appears the most recent shipment of my much needed supplies has been stolen and not only will this disrupt my magic but the Arcane Beaker might have to close it's doors. And as if that was not troubling enough they were on the wrong side of Elweir for bandits and they were reports of blue lighting ugh another mage but at least this was just one of his apprentices and not Barius himself. So after convincing the rest of the party to go along, Raganash Volthar made a statement that they had to be within a week of Elweir just two problems one how does he think he knows this and two a week in what direction the only thing we had to go on was that they were not in Elweir and in fact had intentionally avoided Elweir.
Aliella Gyneth was able to make herself useful and found the river trolly captain who had taken them across the river and then we chased them down and after the first day I tried to find out just how far ahead they were because we had been unable to find out from travelers coming from the other direction. All may efforts did however was alert them to our presence. Because they greatly increased their speed and the next day we were forced to hunker down from a massive storm at the Wickshine's Inn. Latter Fiona was able to lead us to a good ambush site where we set our trap for them.
Raganash Volthar and I set up a log to block off the bridge where Lierin and Raganash Volthar were going to engage them while [:fiona | Fiona]] provided archers support the log and dispatching the guards went fine the archery had some trouble. I used my magic to help in the rescuing of the shipment however a slight backfire prevented me from assisting fully (I need to find a master to finish my training) it did however, prevent me from being awed by her magic. [[:aliella-gyneth | Aliella Gyneth] threw some smoke and flash potions to some effect. Lierin knocked one of the Amyklai off their horse (that I later bought) and into the water and took his horse captive and the mule with the supplies we needed. I tried to capture the mage however, she was able to escape my grasp and flee. After we got away and went to a farm with whose family Fiona had become attached to. It was their that I discovered the real reason for hijacking the shipment instead of an albino horse bone their was a Benthara bone a tool that would make a necromancer far more powerful. The folks who run the Arcane Beaker were most grateful to our efforts.
It is a month from now. You are back in Elweir and you have slipped back into your old routines. You do a few more blessings, some charity work, and occasionally preach. In the distance, a blackness starts to creep into the background. Your vision self sees this but the self in Elweir ignores it.
In the spring you travel with your companions and have a number of 'seemingly meaningless' adventures. Again your vision self sees the blackness creeping closer to Elweir.
By late summer/early fall, you and your companions travel south, up The Serpentine River. You are sent by someone but you don't know who. Your vision self sees that you all go into the blackness.
Then your vision self is high above Sarth looking down. You see the blackness spread down The Serpentine River enveloping everything as it goes. The Nylsen Forest and Cynthian Plains disappear. You see the blackness head towards Elweir.
Like ants, you see men of arms, warriors, bandits and nobility from Valdoria charge towards the blackness. At the lead is Alon Mendor with his retinue of knights. You can tell there are not enough of them to succeed. They all disappear into the blackness and do not return.
The blackness envelopes Elweir. Everyone you know and love in Elweir dies as the blackness covers them. And then in horror you see them rise again but they are not alive. They are the living dead.
As you watch in horror all of Sarth is covered in blackness.
It is a month from now. You are back in Elweir and you begun to fervently preach that the gods are returning. You are regularly miraculously healing people of their physical injuries. Small numbers of people are starting to believe and have faith that the gods are going to return.
Working with Holden Littletree the both of you develop a vibrant community of believers. Holden Littletree believes that the gods are going to return.
In the distance, a blackness starts to creep into the background. Your vision self sees this but the self in Elweir ignores it.
In the spring you travel with your companions and have a number of adventures that you sense are intended to prepare for the future. Again your vision self sees the blackness creeping closer to Elweir.
By late summer/early fall, you and your companions travel south, up The Serpentine River. You go on your own accord. Your vision self sees that you all go into the blackness.
Like ants, you see men of arms, warriors, bandits and nobility from Valdoria charge towards the blackness. At the lead is Alon Mendor with his retinue of knights. The host that Alon Mendor is leading is beyond counting. But they all disappear into the blackness and do not return.
In the spring you travel with your companions and have a number of adventures that you sense are intended to prepare for the future. You see people building fortifications along a lake. You see barges being prepared. You see weapons, armor, horses and men being trained for warfare. Again your vision self sees the blackness creeping closer to Elweir.
In late spring you and your companions travel south, up The Serpentine River. You go on your own accord. Your vision self sees that you all go into the blackness. After a time you and your companions come out of the blackness. You see fear in everyone's eyes.
Then your vision self is high above Sarth looking down. You see the blackness spread down The Serpentine River enveloping everything as it goes. As the blackness begins to envelope the Nylsen Forest and Cynthian Plains you see something different.
Although fewer in number there are men of arms, warriors, bandits and Cynthians. At the lead is Alon Mendor with his retinue of knights. Into the blackness the host charges. You see that you and your companions follow Alon Mendor with his retinue of knights to the heart of the blackness where you face the deepest blackest pit you can imagine. You and your companions do battle with the blackness with all of your might.
Alon Mendor with his retinue of knights have engaged another part of the blackness. Your vision self does not see who strikes the final blow or blows but the blackness is slowly replaced with light.
Your vision self sees the carnage of the battle. So many dead. So many wounded. And your vision self can not see if any of your companions, Alon Mendor or even yourself are still alive.
But time passes and your vision self sees Ardel Nyseen, your young ward, now a man. He has four children playing around him. He has a wife and his parents are with them. They are in the Carry n' Crawler which is full of people. And your vision self hears Ardel Nyseen singing the Ballad of Sir Amgel and his might army but he has changed the words to be about you.
NOTE: Game terms here… Your character left on the 20th of 1023 VA False Heir's Month and you will return on 16th of 1024 VA Founder's Month. Aliella does know the calendar 1024 VA.
You are now at a point where you don't take on cases that you don't want to. You are now getting two types of 'clients'. Your clients are either poor and have no where else to turn. They can pay very little to nothing but you have found them to be a great resource for finding out things. Most of these poor clients are looking for someone to help them because they are being 'shaken down' by a street gang.
Your second group are people with wealth. They have been merchants or ship captains. The wealthy want to find out who is ripping them off. If you want to avoid using your magic then you would be engaged in good old fashion detective work. Find the target, tail the target, learn everything you can about the target by talking to people around the target. Once you are sure you can prove the target is in fact guilty then you can either use your bounty hunter skills to get the individual or use your magic to accomplish the same goal.
You and Russa are still very much together. Her daughter, Ceila is an attractive and charming young lady. Russa is clearly grooming her daughter to make a fine wife for a wealthy merchant in town. She wants three things for Ceila when it comes to marriage – mutual love, respect and a comfortable life. You have been helping Russa in the vetting process to find suitors for Ceila.
One afternoon while you are enjoying your afternoon kaffee a small package arrives for you. Upon opening it you find the following cloth symbol
and a note:
Brother Darkarus,
We must meet at 10pm at The Watery Lagoon. Come alone.
The symbol is the symbol of the Cult of the Black Sigil.
You enter The Watery Lagoon and find a table to sit at. (read The Watery Lagoon description). At the appointed time directly in front of you on the table, in High Abyzinian script the following letters glow. *3rd. Left. 3. 2 short, 1 long, 1 short. Enter." As soon as you finish reading the letters, they disappear.
You decipher the message as instructions to go to the 3rd floor, turn left, go to the 3rd door, knock 2 short-1 long-1 short and go in the room. Someone who wanted you dead would have just killed you where you sat instead of giving you a message that only you could read.
Following the instructions, you enter into a room that has a single table, three candles, a 'person' sitting across the table from you and a chair for you to sit in. This 'person' appears to be distorted – like looking through quartz.
The rest of the room is very dark and quiet. Obviously someone has used magic to make the room dark and silent.
The hairs on the back of your neck raise up because you 'feel' like there is something else in the room. You 100% certain you don't want to know what it is.
The 'person' in front of you gestures to the chair. When you sit down the 'person' in front produces two wine glasses and a fine Abyzinian wine. You both drink your glass of wine. You knew that it would be wise to bring a couple of fine cigars. You hand one to the 'person' across from you and they take it and lite it as do you.
After smoking for a few moments, the 'person' across from you says "Brother Darkarus I am glad you heeded our invitation. We have known for a long time that you have been seeking to kill Barius. It has come to our attention that in fact where others have failed you may succeed."
You can now tell that this 'person' is a man. "We do not know how you can succeed as your magic is not that powerful. But you may succeed. We want Barius dead… As much as you do. Because of this we are going to offer you some assistance."
"We know you travel with companions. You and your companions need to be protected against Barius' powerful sorcery. To that end we have crafted the following amulets. As long as they are worn the person wearing the ring will receive some protection against Barius' sorcery."
"We also have two scrolls with maps. They have been in our archive for a very long time. We do not know if what they contain is true or merely a storyteller's dream. That is for you to find out."
"Finally you must understand. I was never here. No one must know that we have meddled into the affairs of Sarth. If anyone from Valdoria found out they would declare war on our country. We no longer have the strength of arms or magic to keep such an army from eventually succeeding."
At this point the amulets and scrolls are left on the table and you find yourself in a very plain room at The Watery Lagoon.
Previous The Idyll is Over
In the morning you quickly pack. Just as you finish you hear rustling leaves and branches coming from inside the hedge. As you watch a 'tunnel' opens up in front of you and the others. The tunnel is ~25 feet wide and nearly as tall. You can see daylight on the other side but you can't tell how far away the other side. There are four attendants. Three of them approach Kyle, Marco & Thom. The one who approaches Kyle has a number of mules equal to the number that Kyle brought with him.
Marco & Thom and their attendants appear to know each other and there is a very pleasant conversation going on between them.
The fourth attendant walks up to you. She is a plain looking woman in her late 20's. She is healthy, plainly dressed and by the look of her hands knows what hard labor means.
She walks up and says "I am Xikou. If you desire to enter and spend time in" Hermitage of the Deep "then you must follow a set of rules. The first rule is that you can never describe to the outside world what happens here. If you receive direction or visions you may share those. How that happened you may not share. If you agree to this, parts of this experience will never be able to describe."
"The second rule is that when you enter we will provide you with a place for you to leave all the possessions you brought with you. We have places to stable your animals. We will provide you with some simple clothes to wear."
"Lastly do not change or disturb any artifacts or items you find. Do you agree to these rules?"
"We share common meals. If you decide to help with chores please let someone know and they will be very pleased to give you the directions you need. We have common sleeping areas. One for men and another for women."
When you go to sleep you just crash. It is a combination of physical and emotional tiredness.
You remember two dreams.
In the first dream you remember when you were the caravan and the many times you were helpful and did not fail people. There were the times when you would entertain children and teach them useful skills/chores so they would stay out of the adults way. You remember helping with the 'shows' and there were times where your suggestions helped everyone make more money. You had the idea for the 'collapsible stage'.
In the second dream you remember the time you spent with the priest who trained you. You were a comfort for him in his old age. You cooked, cleaned and helped him with other chores that he wasn't able to do for himself. He enjoyed your entertainment at night. You were there when he died.
See Journey into Yourself
Previous The Journey Awaits
I get off the barge, and work on saddling the horse, still thinking of a good name. I haven't ridden her enough yet to really figure out her temperament. this will be a good chance to get to know her. Whenever Fiona is around, the horses are very obedient and follow her lead, this time it's just me and…
Everything is packed, and I wave goodbye to the barge behind me, clambering onto my horse. I cluck my tongue and tap my heals to her sides, and say, "Walk, girl."
Please read all the links I have included they have information that Aliella would have and I don't want to repeat here
The barge shows up in the evening at Worm Haven (please read). Whether you stay on the barge or at an inn isn't that important because the next day you travel to the Hermitage of the Deep.
Holden Littletree has told you all that he can about the Hermitage of the Deep (please read). The one thing that Holden also told Aliella is that it is ok to be frightened when she arrives at the Hermitage of the Deep. He specifically says "It would be unnatural to not be afraid. I can tell you I was afraid to be there by myself without a friend with me. And as surely as the sun will come up tomorrow you will be safe there while you wait overnight. Be up and ready to leave at dawn. You have one chance. Be sure to be ready for that chance."
If pressed about what the Hermitage of the Deep, Holden would say "I remember every moment I was there but I cannot form words to describe it."
You arrive at the Hermitage of the Deep. There are two other pilgrims there already and a merchant with two mules.
I spend some time listening to their banal talk, and trying not to show my impatience to get going. Their faces are a little stunned, maybe it is awe of me. I refuse to think about what Holden said about being scared. Just because he was frightened doesn't mean that I need to be.
I stare at the hedge in confusion. Holden hadn't talked about this. I turn to the merchant, interrupting his recitation, "have you been here before? bringing supplies to the mendicants or some such? How do you get through the hedge?"
While waiting for his answer, I poke around and see if any of it moves, and if the horse trail goes directly into the hedge, I'll try continuing forward. (With a cloth around my hands to mitigate the wounds).
Merchant I am Kyle. I do come here about once a month. I bring supplies to the people who live inside Hermitage of the Deep. Mostly spices, ale, beer, and cloth. I usually go home with honey, mead, and a few other items that the people inside make. How we get in is an experience best seen rather than having it explained." Kyle is an older man. At least 50 years old.
Pilgrims "I am Marco and this Thom. Yes we have been here before. As Kyle said how we get in is best seen rather than described. We have some bread, cheese, and drink if you care to join us? An entertainer? Please share some of your entertainment for us." Marco and Thom are in their thirties. Both are dressed in very simple garb and only have staffs, a small pouch, a backpack each, bedrolls and a tarp for a makeshift tent.
If you join them you will find the three of them to be pleasant men.
When you go to check out the hedge you will notice that it is covered with thick thorns. Also you can't see to the other side. Thom comes up and says "An interesting plant isn't it. In all the times that Marco and I have been here we have never seen it being trimmed or treated at anytime. When droughts have been in the area and all the other plants wither and die this hedge stays green and healthy."
As he starts to walk away he says "Oh don't try to climb it. I saw a man try that once. He was wearing protective clothing but the hedge didn't like being climbed on. Poor fellow I can still remember his screams."
As the evening gets later your three companions decide to sleep. Kyle asks if you want to join them near the fire. If you say no they will all say their good nights. If you decide to join them they will also say their good nights.
No matter what you do you get a good nights sleep. If you dreamed you don't remember them. When you wake up it is early. Your camp mates are packing up. They suggest that you get ready as well.
And then…..
See Hedging for the future
Previously Feeling Unsettled
I got together a bunch of scrolls that I was interested in reading. There were a couple about the religion from my stash, one of new herbs that I needed to re read. I also took along a collect and carry bag because you never know what you will find when you're traveling. I am running somewhat low on the herbs, so, that is probably a good plan. <gm:>. I brought along the bare minimum of money of what I would need, with an additional 50 coppers. I had done with less in my life, though I hadn't enjoyed it. I was careful, however, to sew the extra coins I wasn't sure I'd need into my clothes in little pockets. They'd literally have to strip me to get the money out of me!
It felt freeing to know that I was going to be walking away from the hustle of the city, and moving on my own again. I liked my friends, but, I was used to moving from place to place. The stationary life had never appealed to me, and I wouldn't think it would now, except for the people that it involved. Also, there were some friends along the worm that I hadn't seen for a while. They were probably looking for me to wander past again.
The fact that Holden Littletree had not had dreams before he met me was disturbing. Actually on two counts. There were people who existed who believed without the dreams, without the "miracles" occurring. That was amazing. The more disturbing bit was that I seemed to be some sort of catalyst for others. Was I the bringer of the dreams? Again and again, the question rolled about in my head, "Why me, of all the people you had to choose from?"
I finished tying my pack onto the small horse I owned. I left word with one of the stable boys for Fiona, saying that I would be out for several days, and not to worry about me. She probably wouldn't, but how was it that I felt that I needed to let people know where I would be? These attachments were new as well. The idea of people hurting where I was going was intriguing. Was I hurting? I didn't think so. I was confused, but I wasn't in pain. Thinking about others in pain, I rummaged around and grabbed a few of the potions I had created. I could make more along the way if necessary, but if there were others in pain, I could do what I could. A small quiet feeling grew, that this was what I was supposed to do. It came across as a whisper of a song, reminding me that music was healing in its own way, and the stories I had to pass along didn't always need to be rude or low humor….
I was packed, and I debated long and hard about bringing an instrument, beyond my voice. He did say to find the quiet, but there is a quiet within the music, a point where you meet your gods and all the world hangs in the balance. I planned to keep the music for myself though, and not share it, allowing myself to experience this… journey alone, without the crowds clamoring. I knew though, if someone needed that gentle music to ease their pain, I would provide it, but not for profit… Not this time. The gods were waking, and I was gently playing their entrance tune….
Aliella has a choice about how to get where she is going. You are heading to the County of Sincerre (see The Frontier for a map). That means you are going to be traveling almost 500 miles. On horse back, good thing she has a Cynthian horse, it will take ~ 8 to 12 days to ride there. That is 10 hours a day at 6 mph.
If you go by barge, which you can take your horse (there are barges big enough), it would take ~14 to 20 days. Going by barge would be much safer but slower. You have your barge passes from Uril family.
Let me know what you decide to do and then we will proceed.
After thinking through her options, Aliella decides to find a barge to ride on, over to Sincerre. Being pious is one thing. Being uncomfortable and unsafe is altogether another.
You find a barge that is owned by Uril family that is going up the Worm River. This time of year the leaves on the trees have already fallen off the trees and there is a southern wind (which would be cooler). There is a rhythm to the work on a barge. You notice that when the men and woman are hard at work they find ways to make the work more pleasant – good natured ribbing, jokes, personal stories, discussions about family and their personal lives, hopes and dreams. They will sometimes sing "river holler" type songs ("field holler").
In the evening their is even more comradery amongst the crew. Because the Worm River is safe from banditry and piracy sometimes the barges will 'camp' on their own at night. And other times there will be gatherings of barges.
The passengers on the barge are all merchants, except for you. They do not have anything to sell along the way as they are delivering specific items for clients along the way. They are pleasant enough and a few initiate conversations with you.
Every couple of days you will 'camp' at a village dock. The barge captains have specific items they deliver to each of these villages. Usually it is necessary items that they can't produce themselves. Sometimes he brings 'toys' for children or candy. Just enough so every child gets one toy or piece of candy. Some of these villages are 'home' villages for crewmen/women. When that happens the barge stays for a whole day.
As for Aliella is not having nightmares or unpleasant dreams. In fact she has slept very very well on this trip. If she has a dream she remembers it is always very pleasant. There is nothing 'unusual' about these dreams.
There are people who need minor treatments and if you let anyone know you are a priestess, there will be blessings, quick weddings, and other minor priestly duties you can perform. If you do perform any of these priestly duties in a village the family you help will ask you to stay with them. The accommodations range from very simple homes (think the Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie) to merchant homes (Oleson family home).
The trip has been just what I needed. The dreams have subsided, and it feels so good to be moving again. The Worm River was my stomping ground for a long time, and, I feel like I've returned to a simpler me. I truly enjoy the barges, and singing along with the crew while they do their work. I have happily tended to bumps and scrapes, entertained villages, and even performed a few blessings and weddings. When I spend the night with a family, I watch the social structures, so different from where I grew up. The families are more cohesive and welcoming, although, my family never would have invited a priest to stay with them, so I suppose I only get to see the welcoming families. Still, it's a wonderful change. At night, when everything is quiet, I just sit and listen to the house breathe, and I try to breathe in rhythm, matching that point of perfection. I am getting up earlier, because the boats like to leave on the early tides, but once I'm squared away on the ship, I've been finding a small corner to sit and meditate. The crew has been very understanding of this, letting me have my time. The merchants were at first inquisitive, but after a while, they too left me be. It's getting easier to sit still and just exist, I never thought I'd say that.
Tomorrow I am due to leave the barge, and travel onward. I've been thinking about naming my horse. Seems a bit silly for me to continue to call her horse. I will have to think on that. I have made some arrangements to try to meet another barge for the return to the city, but considering I don't know how long I'm going to be wandering, it's going to be fairly hit or miss. Still, I have a rough schedule, and at worst case, I'll work on my riding to get back to the city… This small idyll has been wonderful, but, it's time to move forward. I may not be having dreams to haunt me, but I still feel a pull towards …. I can't name it. My saddlebags are packed and ready to go, however, and I need to get some sleep for the morning will be when the idyll ends and I return to work. I wonder what the morning will bring.
See The Idyll is Over
Lierin, something I have to do has come up. Can you cover for me with the shows? Get the guy who throws knives, and let Ardel spread his wings a bit. You know how to get word to me if absolutely necessary. I can't promise a fast response, and this could take an hour (at which point you won't even know to look for this note) or it may take a few days. If Fiona asks, tell her that the nightmares are back.
— Aliella
By the might of the Infernal Princes I am pissed I have already broken two quills and almost smashed a jar of ink to write this latest entry. For the past week we have ridden under the guise of merchants to try and be attacked by bandits to say it worked would be putting it mildly. At first everything is working we reached our first town we were supposed to travel to. Then it got ugly the towns chest with all of their money was stolen when we had chased them down we were trapped and forced to surrender and then locked in a cellar. We were able to break free of that. We then tracked them to their hid out ambushed the unaffiliated bandits. I used my mind control to deepen everyone's sleep so that the rest of the party could sneak up to join us. Only to be rewarded by getting recaptured this time by a bandit lord (hey that was the goal.) Raganash Volthar was able to negotiate with the leader because they had meet before somehow… We were taken to the main camp an old fort of some kind. The next day Lierin and I went to talk to all the lords and 'ladies' (if they even qualify as such) to inform them of the prince's terms.
The seemed skeptical of his ability to fulfill some of them mainly military training and aid. However, we did manage to convince two of the lords to join us. However, Hanging Hyr and Lady Slaughter said they would need a new fortress as the swamp would no longer be safe for them. They would like us to clean out a new fortress in the Simkin Lakes area.
Apparently Barius was staffing an old fort for his own purposes and if someone were to relieve the garrison there they would be willing to move there. After this we were escorted out of the swamp and taken back to the town with their chest of money. Where we were thanked profusely with pie and a box of cigars to replace the box the bandits had smoked And we finally returned to Elwier after a long time on the road.
It's hard to live the life of the sumo.
There's so much sun, the days get hot, everyone wants to always fight you. And all day you just want to eat the food.
Man it's hard being a sumo, if only people understood, inn's always run out of food and there's never enough wantons to satisfy you.
How these people treat their own kind. How indeed! They starve them and give them these shells to eat, with a bit of cheese never enough food to please.
This 10 year old girl in the bar who performed surgery. This girl only 80 pounds, can this be a miracle did I see?
So please, next time you see this poor sumo in the merchant wondering the streets, stop please, feed me, I plead.
When the sun was down, the day was cool, and the battles had been won, I came, I saw, I ate.
A poem from Su Hu, after the food ran out at the carrion crawler inn. :(
Some days it is a good thing that I am very good at what I do. I woke up late one morning around 9am and as I am eating my breakfast Russa Edor come in the door and tells me a member of the The Black Shield has taken her daughter as a way to try and force her to sell the The Colorful Smoke. And although they had offered a fair price for the place she did not want to sell.
I was able to locate Ceila Edor through my mindscan I was also able to tell that there were 6 people guarding her. She being held prisoner in Gibberish at a warehouse. … I was able to sneak in through a window(an advantage to living in a hot place is the windows cannot be closed due to the heat) I had turned invisible and entered the back of the warehouse; and then I killed one of Ceila Edor captors. I had hoped to sneak around and kill a few more but the other guards noticed one of their comrades was missing. And that is when things got worse 2 of Ceila Edor captors were threatening to kill her if any more funny business happened. I had to act quickly when they tried to retreat from the warehouse. I was able to stop them just before they could get out with Fekura's Binding fear and I knew they were in fear. while ther rest retreated I freed Ceila Edor by pulling the 2 remaining thugs off her and then I tied them up and after turning off the invisibility then I unbound Ceila. I returned Ceila to her mothers. Then we made sure she was safe in the Carry n' Crawler because I knew she would be safe there because my friends could protect her. As I walked in I saw a giant of a man not as tall as me but he was massive. Lierin had questions for me and seeing as I had questions for her we decided to postpone our explanations.
Then it was off to the Abyzinian Night to trap Varia Brancaccio I had the letter informing Russa of the kidnapping the guards were waiting in the wings, and I was able to out wit him with my conversation skills. I knew he would be there because his guards would not have wanted to admit their failure. I was able to suggest to him that the The Colorful Smoke was the wrong place to expand to because it would mean dealing with me. So in return for his agreement I allowed him bribe his way to freedom that was preferable to having to face the penalties for his crimes. Then he tried to threatne me by saying Russa and her daughter are safe. But we had best not cross paths again. To which I replied Don't give me a reason to.
The value of doing the right thing is a reward worth more than a mere 200 sp. And Russa and I enjoyed our own sweet rewards…
(see 1023 VA Coward's Month 26)
Dear Diary,
5 am is NOT when I'm at my best. Little Tree is a monster, I tell you, a MONSTER. He asked me to come by for something special. I was thinking, maybe a field trip to meet some of the other priests in town, learn some things, home not too late. HE was thinking walk EVERYWHERE, literally, and look at EVERYTHING. Well, everything except the barbarians who didn't like it when I stared. Here is a funny fact about me, I usually pay attention to lots of things at the same time, but the minute you tell me to concentrate on something, it flies away. And just so you don't mistake me, by everywhere, I meant it. He even hired a canal boat to take us up and down ALL the canals. It was his money but… We even walked into Gold's Reside, to the temple there. I'd been expecting that all day… Maybe Little Tree got lost? But the sermon? I could have done better in my sleep. Matter of fact I think I did sleep until Little Tree pinched me. Finally the day was done. Time for me to return for a well deserved rest, and to think strongly whether I wanted anymore "spiritual" advice from Little Tree. I mean, I can understand a bit of the meditations, and the saying prayers and stop charging people to make them feel better. I get that. But the gods don't want me as I am, they want me as they want me to become.
NEVER again. The money we got paid was too little for the amount of leg work I had to do. First we are expected to guard the ship as well as the shipment. On the second night they attempt to storm the warehouse and take the ship. We repelled them with minimal difficulty and I took a prisoner who revealed to me the location of the place he was hired and the agent used to employ them.
Then we sailed for the fort and again on day two (Everything likes day 2 the bandits, the attempt to storm the shipment, and now the boat). They tried to halt our vessel by firing ballista bolts with ropes attached to them. There skiffs were shielded from attacks by wooden shields. At the same time a large boat with 4 ballista on board 2 in front 2 in back was attempting to barrel down on us.
Well I had no intentions of allowing that, so I immobilized several of key members and after the skiffs had decided to retreat with encouragement from our ballista and fire from Fiona (who had set her arrows on fire) and Aliella Gyneth throwing lightning at their vessels.
I turned my focus to the main vessel and created a state of chaos. From the captain I was able to learn several key details like that they have a vengeance for the duke, they are connected to the bandits, they sell the stolen goods in Elweir and they are trying to build a new generation of pirate ships to unload the cargo faster.
Then we arrived at the fort. Lierin and I used the prisoner to get in the fort. While we were doing that Raganash Volthar noticed an unusual geographic feature that I would later investigate and nearly got caught to uncover the secret exit/ entrance to the fort.
Aliella Gyneth was called into the fort to save several troops and came back later groggy.
Although the most unusual thing was we fulfilled the task as specified in our deal yet we were paid 3.5x the agreed amount. Hmm will have to ask who else paid.
(see 1023 VA Coward's Month for dates).
A Place of Our Own
If you kill something big and nasty in it, it's yours!
We were settling back into Elweir after returning the hijacked shipment to the Arcane Beaker. In the morning, we caught up on the local gazette and then we scattered to do the various things we all do when we're in town. That afternoon, we gathered at the Abyzinian Night. Darkarus had just mentioned that he'd tried to get into Gold's Reside that morning because the gazette had reported that some Lord Something-or-other in that part of town had lost his seal and a few other items of identification. However, he'd been refused admission into that exclusive part of town. While he was relating this, two members of the Prince's Guard walked in and asked for me. They proceeded to hand me a brief note – from Lieutenant Colvin Habets – inviting me to join them for practice at the garrison in Gold's Reside the next morning. I let them know that I was accepting the invitation and they left. It was too awesomely ironic … there was Darkarus lamenting his inability to gain admission to Gold's Reside and I'd just been handed a hand-written invitation to go there. I made some awkward effort to steer the conversation in a direction away from the note I'd received from the Prince's Guardsmen. That didn't work very well, but I did manage to stonewall Aliella about the contents of the note. (She is so nosey!)
The rest of the day was uneventful. As night was wearing on, I'd been up reading my logbook in the common room of our suite. Darkarus was reading something from his collection. Fiona was already in our room. Just as I was about to call it a night, I heard a thumping sound from our room that was quickly followed by some thumping sounds at the door – not a few polite knocks … rather it was stomping feet and an attempt to force the door.
A bunch of things happened at once. I pulled my dagger out and went over to the door. Darkarus stood up and grabbed his sword. More thumping and the sound of something heavy falling on the floor came from the bedroom. Just as the unknown persons at the door were about to force it open, I pulled the door open … forcing them to come staggering into the room where the first of the three pretty much stumbled right onto the end of Darkarus' sword. Somewhere on the floor below but near our rooms, there was some muffled thumping quickly followed by a scream that seemed to be arcing through the air and then ended rather abruptly with a slight squishy sound.
There was no time to figure out what the other thumps were about. Three men had staggered into the room. The first was instantly felled by Darkarus. But, completely unfazed, the second proceeded to demand "Where's the stuff you took?" Darkarus, apparently catching their meaning, replied, "Oh, you mean the [bad wizard] bone? I suggest you try searching the river." The speaker dismissed that remark with "I'm not just talking about that. He wants all the other stuff you've collected, too." However, the other man spoke over the first with "Wait – what?!" Someone who is somewhat confused is generally easier to deal with than someone who is staying on task in situations like this. So I thwacked the first man on the back of the head with the hilt of my dagger, figuring it would be easier for Darkarus to get answers from the second. I really wasn't sure what this little scene was all about at this point.
As Darkarus started to ask questions of his own, the one guy left standing suddenly started to choke and gasp. (Maybe he took some kind of drug, but based on what happened next, maybe he didn't.) He fell on the floor and the one I'd knocked unconscious started writhing, too. I think it was around this point Fiona dragged yet another man into the main room from our bedroom. Anyway, I did find out the thumping sounds from that room involved another man swinging in through the window and Fiona smacking him with her quarterstaff.
The scene quickly became even freakier. Suddenly all the bodies burst into flames and were quickly reduced to dark smudges. This was the freakiest thing I've seen since that night at Hellmouth where I met Darkarus. When it was done, I just stared at him and shrieked, "Why is always you?!" (Okay, it wasn't exactly Darkarus. Apparently, this was all Barius' doing.)
Apparently during all this, Aliella went and roused the innkeeper because she was there with him … and the local magistrate turned up shortly thereafter … and we found out the scream arcing through the air was from a fifth man who swung into Raganash's room the same way the fourth did into the room Fiona and I share. Raganash through the intruder in his room right back out the window … and he landed on some of the iron spikes of the fencing around the inn. That corpse was charred, too. To top it all off, the magistrate wanted a bribe to take care of the matter.
The innkeepers reaction, though certainly disappointing, was more understandable. He gave us a week to find someplace else to stay. Well, yes, I can certainly see his reasons. Scenes like that night's are very bad for business. After seeing bodies instantly cremated, I wasn't too keen on staying in the room myself.
Not sleeping so well that night, it was easier to be up early to walk up to Gold's Reside in time to practice with the guards. Colvin met me at the gate and took me to the practice yard. I'd brought the long sword he'd given me since I definitely could do with more practice using such a weapon. At one point during the training exercises, he put his hand on mine to adjust my grip just a little. (He seemed so shy about it; none of the other teachers I've worked with have hesitated a moment before doing something like that.) Anyway, after practice, I was permitted to breakfast with Colvin and the others before he walked me to the gate. As we were going, I told him that my friends and I would need to find a new place to stay and I asked if he could recommend any parts of town. He named a few that he considered to be safe enough. '"But," he cautioned, "stay out of Lowtown."
That afternoon, back at the Abyzinian Night, Darkarus reported that he'd found a lead on a house we might be able to rent. There was room for all of us; the price was good … and we might even be able to do something with the space like run an inn or a tavern. He'd already arranged for the owner's agent to meet with us that night to discuss the place further. Oh yeah, and it was in Lowtown. (Great. Colvin just told me to stay out of Lowtown.)
The agent turned out to be oilier than a ready torch. However, from what he described to us, the property was worth a look. Although it is in Lowtown, it is just inside Lowtown. It's right on the Prince's Road, so there are regular guard patrols. The previous tenants just disappeared after having done some work on the place with the intent of opening a tavern in it. No, the agent didn't know why they disappeared so suddenly. He was in a bind and needed to re-let the place as soon as possible, which was why he had the rate so low. We agreed to take a look at it the following morning.
People, especially women, do not generally go about carrying weapons in Elweir. However, this was a special case. I belted on the long sword low around my waist and tied my cloak over it in a pretty fair approximation of a skirt. We were going to Lowtown, after all.
When we entered the place, the very first thing we noted was a terrible smell. The agent dismissed it as the result of the place having been shut up for awhile. But musty smells result from that; this was not a musty smell. We toured the main floor and found adequate space for a dining room and an ample kitchen with a large bedroom behind that. Upstairs were four bedrooms of various sizes as well as a common area. Although he had told us the place had a basement, when we asked to see that space, the leasing agent refused to go down with us.
So, taking a couple torches, we went down there ourselves. Most of the space in the basement was filled with this gigantic worm-like monster thing with no real head – just a giant mouth ringed with lots of sharp teeth! Fiona and Raganash were closer to it than I was. She hit it with her staff to no avail. It spit foul smelling discharge of some kind at them. I think it bit Raganash or was going to bite Fiona. I was towards the back of the line coming down the steps, but when I saw it, I quickly saw enough that I knew I had to take action. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. I dropped the pretense of a skirt grabbed my long-sword and vaulted onto the back of the thing. Then I heaved my sword into its back and gave it a good twist. The thing went down under me.
Once it was dead, I figured it was no threat. So I ran back up the stairs to deal with the other threat in the house – that rat of an agent. As I came out through the basement door, I looked right at him and said, "We, uh, just killed your pet." He professed he had no idea what I was talking about it. I told him that he obviously planned to feed us to the thing in the basement like he'd done with the previous tenants. He continued to deny any knowledge of what was in the basement as Aliella came up, verifying my story and informing him that the bodies of the previous tenants were down there … and would need burial with the proper rites observed … and since she's a priest, she could do that for him … which would help keep the whole matter from becoming public knowledge. I backed up her case by letting the agent know that I had contacts of my own in Gold's Reside (where the owner lives) and that the owner wouldn't think much of an agent who feeds tenants to some flesh-eating monster in the basement. When he continued to assert his ignorance of the matter, I told him he was the least curious person in the whole world. Tenants disappear without word in the midst of a renovation project? There is a terrible smell and he doesn't investigate?? If word of this were to get out, things would not look too good for him and his reputation.
It came down to this: we were about the only people he could rent the place to in its present condition. He agreed to forego the huge deposit and allow us to pay monthly rental. He allowed us access to the place rent free while we made it habitable since that would obviously take some time.
The thing I killed turned out to be a Carrion Crawler. Apparently it likes to live in damp tunnels and Lowtown is rotten with that sort of thing since the Lowtown of today has essentially been built on top of an older version of Lowtown. When the tenants were working in the basement, they dug a hole (for some reason) and the hole allowed the crawler to enter … and devour them.
It also turns out that hide from this crawler thing is prized by Fiona's people for armor. So she arranged for her friends at Bridget's Armor to skin it and make armor for all of us … as well as some for her intended, Jakob … and they'd still have enough to make a couple more sets to sell. Darkarus and Aliella realized the gastric juices and the teeth of this thing have some sort of useful purpose and high value, so they collected those and sold a bit of it to the Arcane Beaker. (The rest they are keeping in reserve until the Arcane Beaker is able to buy more.)
I had the task of finding a renderer to deal with the remains of the carcass. As I made my way down to the place, I realized no one would believe me if I described to him – I wouldn't believe me if I hadn't seen it myself! The man who runs the establishment thought I was foolish, befuddled, or delusional when I said that I had a big carcass in the basement of my place that I needed him to come and haul out of there. But he did agree to go with me, giving his workers a knowing look as we left. (Ha! What did he know?) He took it all back when he saw the monster in the basement. Although it would be a lot of work to cut it up and haul it out from there, he also realized he would make a fair sum off the remains and was willing to do it for a few pieces of silver. We decided to have the head saved and stuffed so we could mount it on the wall.
True to her word, Aliella arranged for the burial of the previous tenants and performed the appropriate rites. We hired on the family of the boy whose been helping her so they can cook for the tavern business and take care of the place in our absences. They helped the rest of us with the cleaning. Aliella was busy running around, arranging contracts with suppliers for food items, ale and cider, oil and things like that. Oh yeah … and she had to meet the doctor who opened a clinic in Lowtown while we were in the process of getting the tavern ready for opening. (Since she does some healing herself, I figured she went to see him to check out the "competition" and ended up being thoroughly charmed by him.)
It was a lot of work, but we moved in within the month and opened up our tavern, which is called "The Carry'N Crawler," of course. Aliella did shows during the opening to help bring in business. Colvin turned out one evening during the opening, which was quite a surprise … and even more surprising, he asked me to accompany him to a ball. Apparently, a number of mothers among The Fifty have been all but throwing their eligible daughters at him during these events and he thought my presence with him would discourage that. (False court intrigues are a specialty of mine. I provided a public distraction for several of my friend's beaus by being the obvious object of attraction, diverting attention from the real romance. One time I even pretended to romance the brother of the girl my oldest brother fancied to distract him from my brother's interactions with his sister. I was pretty good at it … which might have had something to do with my parents becoming so insistent on seeing me married – no, on second thought, that couldn't have had anything to do with it …)
Anyway, I did go to the ball with Colvin and I had a wonderful time. Aliella's Doctor Itu was there and he took a turn with me on the dance floor as he did with most of the ladies there. The man is disarmingly charming; I do admit that – and I like it not! (Note to self: Try not to be alone with this man ever again!) I also caught wind of some tensions within The Fifty regarding the future of Elweir, whether to maintain the status quo with Prince Summerset as ruler or become part of Duke Romnal's territory. I'm not sure what all that might mean, but I'll keep it in mind for future reference.
Another person who appeared during the time of the tavern opening met with Darkarus. I don't know exactly who he was or what the business between them was, but the man has really odd syntax when he speaks. Apparently, there was to be some exchange of favors. Darkarus was to retrieve some treasure for this man and the man would do something for Darkarus in exchange. All of this, however, is another adventure.
That was disturbing. There had been a string of murders throughout Elweir. I decided to investigate them seeing as it was right up my alley. My first stakeout went ok I guess I saw the murderer as he went to dump the body. Unfortunately for my hopes of arresting him that night I was on the wrong side of the river. I was able to locate all of his exits from the Underpath ( A glorified name for submerged Elweir) as it is known or at least all the ones in Lowtown. The next stakeout was much more successful. Lierin was with me and I had borrowed her spy glass. He emerged in front of where Lierin was watching. She made the agreed upon cat noise and I checked to make sure that is was not just a stray cat. I saw him again then turned invisible and waited for him to reenter the sewer. I didn't have to wait long I followed him and he lead me to his below ground hideout after at little while I was able to sneak into the lair and the sight disturbed me. Various instruments of torture were on the wall, many of them were so cruel that I could only hope the victims had died before they were used. I saw his torture table as well as the most thoroughly vile experiments I have ever seen: the intestines were canned and he was eating them. He also appeared to be making some kind of wine from the poor women's blood. The next day the rest of the group came to get me. I took the diary from Eto's sanctum which was proof he was the killer. Lierin took this to Colvin they rounded up Malik Rotwell and several guards. Then we stormed into Eto's place and he tried to flee through the sewers; we chased after him until we caught up with him. Fiona then shot him in the butt. I forced him to be held in place and apparently Raganash Volthar jumped down on the exit to sewer breaking his arms. For our services we were paid 1000 silver which was nice as I needed it finance the ring. I have also gained a reputation as the fixer.
Dear Diary,
I've taken my medicine, and while the taste was cloyingly sweet, the medicine was poisoned. I survived. Therefore, I am stronger in some way. If only I believed that.
I've not written in several days, so maybe I should back up a bit. We had recently returned from a successful rescue of my mentor. Though I will never admit it to the others, I was only dead weight on the journey. I wonder when they will realize that.
Anyway, when we got back, evidently the Black Shields had decided that we were too profitable. They were going to change our rents, and force us to buy from registered vendors. I went to a couple. Supercilious jerks. It's been rather nice having a steady crowd, and gathering a following, and… well, until they kick me out, I really don't want to leave the group. I feel like I'm supposed to sit still for a while, to learn, to perhaps even pray. Maybe this is my chrysalis, and when I'm reborn, I will be confident and centered, and beautiful. Maybe I'm dreaming again. Anyway, we found another spot in Uphill West. It's bigger, but the rent is still affordable. We decided that we could do a boarding house on the upper floors, and the tavern/show on the bottom floor. Raganash wanted the basement, again. Well, he's welcome to it, I guess. I even set up an agreement with a local bathhouse to partner with us, and provide me endless baths. Joy and glory. The final show at the Lowtown spot went well, for the most part, although the Black Shields look like they're going to open a bar in place of our old spot. I hope another beastie crawls up from the basement and eats them. It would serve them right.
Itu took me out, in the midst of this flurry, and I have to admit here, that I was truly falling in love with the man. The place he took me to was so upscale, we wined and dined and talked about my journey to rescue my teacher. He was especially interested in possibly dissecting one of the orcs. It didn't really seem feasible to bring the body up there, and they were likely rank. I tried to leave out the connection between Fiona and the Cynthians coming, leaving it as a chance encounter. I may have been in love, but I also cared for my friends, and Fiona really didn't like Itu. I wasn't going to betray her that way. I also didn't tell him about my dreams though, or about how the gods seem to be impinging on my life. I definitely didn't tell him about the lightning that streams from my fingers. I wanted the man to look at me with adoration, not fear. He even walked me home, the gentleman! And then the veneer slipped, and beneath it, was something feral and cold, staring out of eyes that had crinkled at me in laughter.
We were being held up by two thugs. They wanted our coins. I told the first one to leave us alone, and he did pause, but the second sprung out and put a knife to my throat. Itu looked like he was going to hand over his money, and I was terribly upset. How would he think of me if I caused him to lose so much money? I tried to wriggle out of the hold, but the man thrust the knife in further, drawing blood and growled at me to stay still.
Itu, like some exotic dancer twisted, and ran a tiny scalpel across the first man's throat. His eyes were clear and hard, as the man fell back gurgling. Itu then told the man holding me to either let me go or die. After a brief pause and I was still captive, he threw the knife at me, I thought, to hit me. I could feel the movement of air and then the arms around me loosened. I fell to the ground, paralyzed by the thought of death, and how close I had come. I felt as if I was waking from a daze, and beneath the benign mask, Itu was a monster. His mask snapped back into place so quickly, and once again he was solicitous of my welfare. But, I KNEW now.
I knew and I couldn't trust myself with the information. I didn't go to anyone, and I continued to see Itu, though I cut my hours back significantly due to our recent move. Or at least that's what I told him. I didn't see the crack again, and I was too afraid to tell the others. Thoughts of their ridicule, their "I told you so" ran through my mind. Besides, maybe I'd just imagined it. I did watch, during my time with Itu, for the mask to slip again. And, strangely, I no longer felt beguiled by him. The love? It never existed. But, I'm a good actor, and, out of fear, I continued the masquerade.
I suppose because I was keeping secrets, secrets were kept from me. Dakarus was chasing the Slayer of Women. He even caught sight of him one night, and went out with Lierin another night to follow the killer. I kept up with the motions of life, without engaging in them.
When Lierin told us that Dakarus had not come home from their foray, and that he had absconded with Lierin's telescope, I felt a cold shiver run up my back. Dakarus was dead, he had to be, crawling alone through a sewer chasing after a cold hearted killer. I may not LIKE Dakarus, but he's useful, so I pretend. The others gathered to go on a rescue mission, and I wished them well, and began making a list of things I would need to gather to say the correct prayers over his body.
Soon after the party left, Fiona came running back, for her bow. Evidently, Dakarus wasn't dead. He was talking to her, either that, or Cynthia was sounding really weird. And he was in Lowtown. I decided to come along, evidently he couldn't get out, and I might come in useful to stitch up his scrapes. Maybe his leg was broken or something, and that was why he hadn't come back. They wouldn't believe that they might need me, but I knew they might. Then Dakarus revealed something that somewhere deep inside I had been dreading. Itu was the Slayer of Women.
I distracted Itu while Lierin and Raganash snuck into the clinic's basement to free Dakarus. Fiona watched over me, in case I became beguiled again. Itu was, again charming, and I had to be very careful not to let slip the taste that the idea left in my mouth. Eventually, he told me he had plans and ushered me out of the clinic. At the time, I didn't know if they had freed Dakarus, or if ALL of my friends were now trapped below. But once we got outside, I saw the men. I didn't stop to talk to them, moving beyond the view from the windows, and around the corner. It wouldn't do the scare the quarry. Evidently Lierin was running for help from Colvin. I wanted to run home to Uphill West, and sob into my pillows, but I had to stay close, and see the ending.
Oh, diary, the things he had in his basement! How could such a man, so smart, so skilled be so souless. That room chased away all my doubt that the man was indeed a monster, wearing the veneer of civilization. I wondered how long it was going to be until I was a victim, or Lierin, or Fiona… There was no chance of that. His end was very grisly, very public, and very… proper.
I'm trying to deal with this, this betrayal. I saw the priest again, and he believes that everyone is special, just because of who they are. I don't understand. People are valuable for what they can do for someone else. When they are no longer valuable, you leave them behind. The gods right now find me valuable. They will stay with me as long as I am useful to them. And when they leave me behind, I'll have to rely on what I have learned, and what I can continue to pretend. I don't understand the priest, but he's giving me homework to study. I'm not sure what he expects. I suppose that will become apparent as time goes on, just like Itu. Let's hope that this pill is not so bitter.
The Hijacking of the Hijacked Shipment
"Girls Ride Horses, Too!"
Once Darkarus was safely returned to our party – along with Raganash, Aliella needed to go shopping. It seems like she always has some reason for going shopping. Whatever she was looking for this time, it had something to do with a shop that Darkarus frequents, too – the Arcane Beaker. (Hmmm, I wonder what in the world he could possibly be doing with stuff he can only buy there. Let's see … it has five letters … the first one is "m." Aliella makes a big show of spitting whenever the word "magic" is uttered and denying that any such thing exists; however, I think the lady protests too much.) Anyway, off they went to the Arcane Beaker.
As it turned out, something one of them (Darkarus, I think) was looking for wasn't available. It was part of a shipment that the shop owners were expecting … but that shipment had been hijacked. Without the shipment, the shop owners were likely to lose their business … and then Darkarus and Aliella would lose a source for their needed supplies … the only source, it seems. This would not concern me at all – except that Darkarus suspected agents of Barius were involved … and Barius' activities do interest me. (I want information!)
So Aliella organized a flurry of activity (including shopping, of course) to prepare us for tracking down the lost shipment. Darkarus briefed us (a tiny bit) on what we might expect to face – skeletons, mostly. That being the case, what weapons did we need if we were to take those creatures on? My answer is to chuck stuff at them from a distance; I have no interest in getting close enough for hand-to-hand combat with those creepy, freaky things. Packed up, saddled up, off we went in pursuit of the purloined goods.
It took some hard riding and tracking, but we caught up. Along the way, Aliella put on shows when we stopped for the night and there were people around … usually trying to work us into her act, too. We did pass by the Wickshine Inn where everything is fine and peachy now – literally! The peach trees were setting fruit and everyone is looking for a great harvest later this year – the first one in a long time. It was too early to stop for the night, so we pressed on.
In the end, that proved to be a good move. By making as much time as possible, we were able to catch up with the group that had stolen the shipment and to gain an opportunity to scout the road ahead for a good ambush location. We found one around a narrow bridge over the river. Raganash saw to rigging a log so it could be dropped on the far side of the bridge right after the leading guards had passed. It would block the way for the rest of the party and create a scrum on the narrow bridge when the rest found their way blocked. Fiona would provide cover by shooting arrows from a nearby ridge while Raganash and I dealt with the rear guards. Darkarus was "helping" somehow – not hand-to-hand, though. Aliella was supposed to get the shipment. It was a good plan.
Like most good plans, though, it didn't exactly work. The log dropped just fine and created the exact situation it was supposed to do. Fiona definitely had the range and a fair amount of accuracy for her shots, but the core of the party (one woman and two men … and from what Darkarus has said, think the woman is one of Barius' apprentices – who are supposed to be very powerful) were well-shielded. I don't know what Darkarus was doing. Aliella's role, which was to get the shipment, didn't go as planned. But Raganash and I managed the rear guards fairly well … which is a big reason I'm not quite sure what happened with everyone else.
In any case, I took out the guard I was assigned and saw the mule with the stolen shipment packed on it. I could cut the mule loose from its lead rope and lead it away … but the woman and her near guards were still mounted and would easily overtake me leading a mule. Even if I got on the mule, the horses were still faster. The answer was obvious: what I needed was a horse – and the only horses available were theirs.
Well, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. I took a flying leap at the guard on the nearest horse, knocking him off the horse, into the river, and landing myself in the saddle in his place – and, to top it all off, the pack mule was attached to this very horse. The horse recognized something had happened, but a few hard pulls on the reins and some knee work let him know there was still a rider in charge. With the horse settled, I turned to the woman and the remaining guard and hollered, "We have what we want; now let us go." I wheeled the horse about and took off. Spotting Aliella coming down the bank, I timed the pace so the mule would be right where she could climb up on it. Then we took off to where we left our own horses and supplies.
The whole way back to our stuff, Aliella kept blathering on about how sorry she was for messing everything up, that it was all her fault everything went wrong. (It didn't go that badly astray. The plan basically worked. We got the shipment … and a rather nice battle charger as a bonus.) That was bad enough. But she also kept going on and on about how great I was and blah blah blah. (I seriously considered sending her off to my brothers. They'd tell her how great I'm not – and toughen her up quite a bit, too, while they were at it.)
I'm not really sure what happened after Aliella and I hauled the ass with the shipment out of there. Fiona caught up with us soon enough. But Darkarus and Raganash took a lot longer. They were so long in coming back that we decided to head back to the river to find them. We met them along the way. That night, we stayed at the farm Fiona was so fond of. As she said, the family there was very nice. Aliella dealt with a few minor medical and priestly issues and those activities restored her confidence (and not a moment too soon!).
We made it back to Elweir without incident. In addition to the items the shop owners at the Arcane Beaker needed, there was a small box of something that was mislabeled as "Albino Horse Bone" (if I remember right). But it was actually some other kind of bone … the name involves some bad wizard and this is used for (apparently) the most foul forms of magic. Darkarus disposed of it by dumping it in the river.
But all's well that ends well. Darkarus wanted the horse I commandeered. That's fine. I'd much rather have my own mare because she was a gift to me on my 13th birthday. What I really wanted at the end of the escapade was a bath – which I got.
Not long after we arrived back at Elweir from the Farpoint trip, a couple of men from the Prince's Guard turned up at the Abyzinian Night asking for me. When I identified myself, they presented me with a rather long, yet narrow, package. I opened it when they left and found a serviceable long sword, a gift from one Colvin Habets. His note explained that he thought my rapier was a fine weapon; however, he thought I might need something a bit heavier at times. I guess it was in appreciation for my work in subduing the bandits on our trip. (I must say Lieutenant Habets knows how to turn this girl's head…)
Since it was early, I set off for the docks to see what news of other places might be coming in. While I was down there, I observed a huge flurry of activity with this tiny woman at the center of it. It was amazing as well as a bit amusing to see such a small person raise such a huge fuss. It turns out she's an entertainer (mostly) and she settled on the Abyzinian Night as the place to put on her show.
Of course, Fiona had never seen the likes of these sorts of shows, so I told her we had to see it that night. At one point in her act, she recruited Darkarus to be vanished from her stage. Fiona and I yelled that we'd pay money to make him disappear. However, he was a good sport about it all… and we had a fine time that night.
The next day, we connected with the diminutive show woman, Aliella. She wanted to see the sights and find some things. So we all went out that morning. One of our stops was the Blindman's Bookshop. Yully was in fine form and the shop was more of a wreck than ever. We went all over. Aliella did another show that night, too.
We went our separate ways in the morning. That evening, Darkarus didn't return. I didn't think that much of it. After all, none of us really knows what he does and it's not like he tells us where he's going or what he's up to. But he didn't turn up the next day, either … and Fiona had an unsettling dream about him … that something was wrong. Sure enough, there was an announcement being made all over town of a fight that night between one pair of guys and another. The second team was described as "The Abyzinian Giant and the Midget." None of us had any idea who the "midget" might be, but Fiona and I had a suspicion who the "Abyzinian Giant" was … and we were pretty sure we'd have to get him out of whatever it was he'd gotten himself into this time. Aliella wanted to tag along as she thought she could be helpful.
We went to the fight venue early, hoping there might be some way to get Darkarus out of the mess before the actual fight. No luck there. He and the so-called midget (who sure looks like a dwarf to me, although they haven't been widely seen in centuries now) took the ring against a couple of guys who (so far as I could tell) were something of local favorites. It was pretty much the ugly spectacle one would expect, but Darkarus and the dwarf won. We followed as they were being escorted from the venue back to wherever it was that they were being kept.
Once we were far enough, and the escorts were few enough, Aliella staged a distraction and Fiona whacked one of the escorting guards and I grabbed the other from behind. We freed Darkarus and the dwarf … who then forced the guards to take us all back to the place where they had been held. (Wait! We want to go back there? Why?!) The idea was to reclaim the stuff that had been taken from them when they were being held there … which they did without too much difficulty. Then we went back to the Abyzinian Night.
It turns out Darkarus had been grabbed by the Jibber-Jabber Gang as payback for some member he'd caught and turned in for a bounty (or something like that). To collect money for him, the gang had turned him over to the fight club crew … and that's how he was paired with the dwarf.
The dwarf's story is more mysterious. His name is Raganash and he doesn't remember anything beyond the last few months. He's also just learning the common language … or remembering it … or something. He doesn't have many resources beyond his weapons, but Darkarus was willing to help support him. So he's with us for now.
As for Aliella, she seems to want to hang around with us. I'm not sure why. But she does make a good distraction.
It all started with Ditmore Shury and Exter Shury, the glass merchants who were with us that wretched night at the Wickshine Inn (aka Hellmouth). They were passing through Elweir on their usual trade route … and when they are in Elweir, they stay at the Abyzinian Night. The next stop on their route was Farport … and they were looking for some extra protection for that leg of the trip … because the road goes through the area where the Bandit Lords are known to operate. There was a guide lined up and some other merchants were going. They remembered that we had handled ourselves well in the fracas that night at the Wickshine Inn, so they thought they would hire us to help protect them on this leg of their travels.
Well, why not? It wasn't like I had anything else to do at the moment. So I agreed as did Darkarus and Fiona. The brothers introduced us to Malmon, the trail guide who would lead the party. Malmon thought Fiona and I looked okay and could be useful on the trip. As for Darkarus, Malmon wasn't so sure about him … mostly because he couldn't figure out just what Darkarusdoes that would be so useful on this trip. (Good luck with that one! We're all trying to figure out just what it is he does … besides round people up and exchange them for money … but whatever it is, it probably has something to do with magic.)
The next morning we were heading out. A couple of people from Bridget's Armor shop (where Fiona got her new armor) were there as well as a couple other merchants. Then, at almost the last moment, two members of the Prince's Guard show up, with a rather small, very heavy chest that could only be full of coins. Lovely! We were going to be dragging bandit bait through bandit-infested territory. (And if the Prince's Guards were going this way anyway, what did they need us for?) Malmon did confide to me at some point that he wasn't too happy about the presence of the guards. However, it was the Ditmore Shury and Exter Shury who were most disquieted by the appearance of the guards – and that seemed really odd because I would have thought they'd be more comforted than unsettled.
Nothing happened the first night out … except that the guards kind of kept themselves apart from the rest of us. While we were on the trail, Malmon would occasionally ride ahead with Fiona to do some tracking and observing. By the time we made camp the second night, he was pretty sure we'd be entertaining a party from the Bandit Lords that night. Sure enough, we did. Malmon got us up in time to grab weapons and get ready. Callista and her colleague, from the armor shop were well-armed and ready along with Malmon and Fiona and Darkarus and me.
Not too surprisingly (even with the distance they were keeping from the rest of us), the Prince's Guards joined in the fray as well. One of them, Colvin, jumped in big time! He's got two long swords he's named "Slayer" and "Widowmaker" and he swings both of them around in this whirling blades of death way. It's pretty impressive to see … and it took out a fair number of the bandits, too. I took care of the one he missed. But I didn't kill him. The ones who weren't dead or nearly so gave it up and ran off pretty quick. The one I hit would survive, so Colvin took him captive and we headed on to Farport.
Nothing like fighting off some bandits to break the ice, I guess. The Prince's Guards were a lot less stand-offish by the time we headed to Farport. Okay, yeah, Colvin didn't want to talk to Darkarus – but that's more on Darkarus' end. " Can I interrogate the prisoners? " is not exactly an ideal entrée into a conversation. Colvin talked to me well enough. Mostly we talked about swords and fighting. He wanted to know where I was from and all of that – but I was not going there conversationally or geographically. The other guard mingled with some of the rest of the party. Ditmore Shury and Exter Shury were still keeping their distance, though. Fiona and Malmon were getting on well enough, both of them being outdoorsy types. He invited her to visit his family at their farm just outside of Farport. She has this thing for farms, even though her people are more nomadic than settled. She has fond memories of staying at one shortly before we met at that Wickshine Inn/ Hellmouth place. Thus we reached Farport without any further incidents.
Frankly, there isn't much to Farport. It does have a port … and just about everything there is about the port. If it isn't directly connected to the port (more or less), then it doesn't' exist there. Fiona spent the full day we were there out at Malmon's farm. Off and on at different times around town, Darkarus or I would see Ditmore Shury and Exter Shury making some of their deliveries. Some of the crates seemed way out of proportion to the amount of glass that would be delivered to the business in question … and sometimes it was a real question what use that business would have for any glass items they might be selling.
While I was out and about, I did see Colvin come storming out of the town mayor's office, but I didn't know why. Oddly enough, Darkarus knew. When we met up at midday, he'd heard the shouting coming out of the office when Colvin as in there with the mayor. It seems Colvin was insisting on a proper hanging for the bandit we captured (the one I injured). But it turns out that particular bandit happened to be the nephew of one of the Bandit Lords … and to further complicate the matter, the Bandit Lords and the town of Farport have an arrangement of sorts that neither will interfere with the other too much … so, hanging the nephew of a Bandit Lord was definitely going to upset the delicate balance that exists in that area. Of course, Colvin, being the straight-arrow, law-and-order guy he is, would not hear of any sort of "catch and release" program for bandits. The guy was going to hang even if Colvin had to drag him all the way back to Elweir to do it … which was exactly what would have to happen. As Darkarus (none too cheerfully) pointed out, we were going back to Elweir through bandit-infested territory with giant targets on our backs … not to mention the bandit-bait chest of money the guards would be bringing back.
One mystery solved … on to the next. Darkarus went out for some reason and Fiona returned to the inn where we were staying. I told her that when Ditmore Shury and Exter Shury returned, I would be crying my eyes out and she should appear to be trying to comfort me. She seemed puzzled by my direction, but she didn't ask questions. ( Fiona isn't one to ask a lot of questions; she pretty much rolls with things.) So we waited. Eventually, [:ditmore-shury | Ditmore Shury]] and Exter Shury walked in and I began sobbing inconsolably. They immediately came over to us and wanted to know what was wrong. I blurted out that Colvin had toyed with my affections and now my heart was broken. (It's a safe enough ploy; there's no chance they'd repeat it to Colvin as they keep as much away from him and the other guard as possible.) So I blathered on for a bit and expressed appreciation for their listening and understanding because I knew they didn't like the Prince's Guards either. They agreed with that. At first they were rather vague on their reasons for that. (Darkarus came back and passed through the room around that point in the conversation. However, for once, he sensibly did not try to inflict himself in the conversation.) Soon after that, one of them finally blurted out that they'd had some financial problems and to get out of those problems they'd become entangled with a shady character who now had them smuggling contraband substances under the cover of their glass business. They wanted to be away from him, but they were so deep in debt it didn't look like they'd ever make it. That solved that mystery.
That night we tried to sleep as best we could, knowing that in the morning we'd be heading out with, as Darkarus so adroitly put it, giant targets on our backs. Malmon picked out the best place he could for the night, knowing we'd likely be attacked. Those who were not on watch tried to sleep, but really we were all rather wary because we were quite certain the bandits would come. Come they did, but the ones who were on watch spotted them quite a way off. Everyone with some kind of bow was asked to start shooting … which we did. Fiona was the best shot. She went up a tree and did very well picking them off in the dark. (We've taken to calling her "Death on the Wind.") I don't think I hit anyone, but then I never claimed to be an expert markswoman. Suppression fire is about all I know how to do. (They only asked me if I had some kind of bow – which I did. No one asked if I could actually do anything with it.)
There was still a good-sized crew of bandits that made it to our campsite. Down with bows, up with the swords. Colvin jumped into the fray with his "Whirling Blades of Death" business. Darkarus, taking a cue from Colvin naming his swords, yelled something about "the Abyzinian Blade of Death" as he took on a bandit. I asked if they wanted to join "neffy-poo." They didn't surrender, but it was clear they didn't expect to meet so much resistance. We overpowered them fairly quickly and collected several more to join the Bandit Lord nephew (now known as "neffy-poo") in his unpleasant fate.
On the way back to Elweir, Darkarus did manage to talk to Colvin and persuaded him that executing the whole collection of bandits might not be the best idea. Darkarus suggested a number of them could be sold as galley slaves … which he took care of once we reached Elweir. I think Darkarushad ideas about collecting bounties on a couple of the others. However, he left it for Fiona and me to take them to the jailer … and since neither of us is comfortable with the idea of getting money as payment for a human being, we declined the reward. Darkarus was rather put out when he discovered that: "How much bounty did you get?" he asked; it was clear we had no idea what he was talking about.
It wasn't' like we didn't get anything for our efforts. [:ditmore-shury | Ditmore Shury]] and Exter Shury paid us as they promised. But most of all, we were back in our rooms at the Abyzinian Night. All's well that ends well.
We settled into rooms at the Abyzinian Night, which has a good reputation around town. After a few nights in regular rooms, Darkarus, Fiona and I were able to move into the suite. This city is huge! It's the biggest place I've ever been. I went down to the wharf and watched ships coming in … and got a feel for the inspection and taxing process as well as the ways of the porters' guild. The first afternoon, I had an interesting chat with a captain who sails back and forth between here and Abyzinia. Contrary to anything Darkarus has hinted at, he sees no looming tensions between Abyzinia and Valdoria. He told me their Witch Queen is something like 900 years old. (Darkarus later confirmed that. I think she'd be bored by now …)
While I was out and about, Fiona did some horse-training work and earned enough silver to pay for some new armor. The next day she wanted to go out and arrange for that. Darkarus also had some sort of shopping errand to run, so we set out for the part of town where the shops are. Along the way, we noted some toughs beating up an old guy with a cart full of books. No one else seemed to be doing anything, so we went over to intervene.
One of the weird things about this was. as soon as we headed towards the gang, they left the man they were beating and came to attack us. I'd expected them not notice us while they were doing their dirty work or – if they did notice us – to run off. It seemed a bit weird. But after a few good blows from all of us, they finally did run off and we went to assist their victim.
It turns out the man they were beating was an old man named Yully. He's blind – his eyeballs are completely white with no hint of any sort of iris or pupil formation at all. And even though he's blind, he sells (of all things!) books. He prices the books by their thickness. Since he can't see, the books are all jumbled together. There's no order or rhyme or reason to it. I thought maybe the street-toughs were after him because he had something they wanted. But Yully says they do it all the time. But if they do it all the time as part of some sort of shakedown scheme, I can't figure out why they left him to take on the three of us.
It did set me to wonder if he had something more than he realized in his wagon of books he was taking to his shop, " The Blindman's Bookshop." After all, since he can't see the books he deals with, he doesn't really know what he has. I looked around his load and found a really ornate volume titled Captain Meno's Log of Wonders. One ship's captain tried to grab it out of my hand, saying I couldn't appreciate what it was … that it was all about his travels … and there was stuff in there about the Watchers. That did it! I reminded Yully that I helped him – and promised to come back and help organize his inventory. So I got the book.
I did keep my promise and go back the next day. After a good day's work, I'd organized one section of shelving. Yully can't understand the point of doing this. I tried to explain that if people could find things more easily, they would be more likely to visit his shop. But when I went back the next day, all the work I did was undone. At that point, I knew it was hopeless. So I went off to read my book.
It was interesting. It gave me a really good sense of the coastlines in that area. There's something else about it, too. I'm not sure what just yet. But if I just let things settle a bit, I think it's come to me … sooner or later.
Well once again we are off to help the world for our own personal gain. We have accepted a mission to discover why a son of the 50 was killed without trial for allegedly killing and robbing a merchant who was dumb enough to carry gold in Lowtown. Aliella has some information but refuses to share it or tell us the contact. Raganash has some mysterious visitor who has told him something but one divulge his contact or the information. And there is me I have to wonder how much of my various talents must use in order for us to solve this… Well That was nerve racking first I discovered that the magistrate of Gold's Reside Lushshine, Lord Saltbrane and Lord Reed are the head of the protectors of Elwei. They killed the old Prince and preset the agreement with the Duke. All this earned us 5 princes favors, we lost one to the Port Authority. And a favor with the Uril Family and I got an amulet that would let me use magic within the city.
In preparation for the Revels, it appears that I am the only one willing to work! I've gone out and gotten provisions, while Dakarus disappears for some sort of training every morning, Fiona keeps declaring that an entire city getting drunk is NOT to her liking, and then she goes to the docks with Leirin. Absolutely NO SENSE. She even mentioned that she was only keeping Dakarus until she got Jakob. Greedy!
In addition to wandering around all over to get in ale and other stuff for the large party (boy this is going to be fun!), I've made it a point to get more information on Itu. I still don't trust him, and Leirin feels the same way. At least she has sense. It's so good to be back to town, I got the Gibberish news, and there has been a strange murder. Dakarus found something in the paper and he seems to be chasing that in the afternoons, although 1/2 the time he comes home with a nasty lump on his head… We made the headlines in at least 3 places!!!!! I'm so proud. It would be four if you included the fact that we caused the import place to have an audit… they seem to be missing money. Again, all my fault. Our little runt has been heading off to work the forges. Stinky fellow.
Whatever I've said about Itu previously, I was so wrong. See, I'm crossing out all the bad things I've said about him. That man is so NICE to me. He asks my advice and he even let me help in his free clinic, I was SOOOO honored. He showed me a few tricks, and I truly mean to try them out. Leirin, however, doesn't seem to understand my change of heart, she thinks it's odd. She just hasn't spent enough time around him. She'd learn, he is so marvelous.
I was telling her this, as well as the others, when some brutes came in and ate but decided to neglect their bill. Dirty thieves. I, of course, told them off. One offered to duel with me, but I reminded him that he was unarmed in a battle of wits. He told his guards to arrest me! I only spoke the truth, for what should I be arrested? I told the guards to stop, and of course they did, but the petty man backhanded me. From there the tale goes very strange. You see, I am sure I was hallucinating. I had been hit on the head after all.
Raganash, doing his duty as a diligent bouncer, did indeed challenge the lout to a duel. At this point I was trying to make an exit out the back of the tavern. I do NOT belong in jail. I'm too delicate! Besides, how would I make money in there? Singing? Evidently the fight didn't go well for Raganash, as he lost his hand. No, I don't mean he misplaced it, I mean that the lout struck his hand from his arm and left him bleeding out. All I heard was a scream of agony. Fiona had me by the seat of my pants and wouldn't let me climb out the window! Damn those bars! She pulled me back in, and dragged me upstairs to join Leirin who had custody of a hand and Dakarus got Raganash up. By the holiest of holies…. I was going to have to cauterize his arm. He would be a useless man after this, although maybe with a hook he could be somewhat useful still as a bouncer…. I directed them to hold him still, and went looking for a metal poker when everything went funny. See, this is where I think that the head injury got me. I started to feel GOOD. A warmth filled me, a hole inside me was filled. Leirin said I started chanting something, and I took the hand and stuck it onto Raganash's arm. I stood there, and kept chanting for a few minutes, and then I collapsed.
I woke up with 2 different kind of headaches. One felt a bit like a hangover, the other…. well, like someone hit me in the head. Fiona was sitting in my room looking at me funny. Fact is, everyone started looking at me funny. I told Fiona that I'd had a weird dream (don't you hate it when your subconscious decides to tell you that you need to grow up and make better choices?) and she told me it wasn't a dream. I didn't think she understood me. She started talking about Raganash's hand, and that I was god touched. I kinda remembered the putting the hand together bit, but… I REALLY don't want to believe it. I'd rather be delusional.
Fiona won't stop giving me grief, and I can't see Raganash to prove that his hand is still missing, etc. Idiot dwarf must be molting. I'm not sure what I'm going to do about the revels. I'm not in a good place. I keep having nightmares. What are my nightmares like? Think of an admonishing parent telling you to improve, and you'll be close. I'm getting afraid to sleep, it's so bothersome! Fiona tried to explain that it was an experience of the gods acting through me. Well, Gods, go find another pawn! I'm going to see Itu, he'll understand that I am delusional, probably from the head injury. Fiona and the boy came with me, but the Doctor says I'm fine. I stayed with him for the remainder of the day, because he wanted to come to my place to see Raganash. See, even he couldn't believe it. But when he examined Raganash he turned to me and told me that I had performed a miracle. DAMNIT. Everyone is going against me on this, refusing to allow me to ignore the impossible. Fiona thinks getting out into the woods will help me think this through. I don't WANT to think. I just want to lose myself in a drunken revelry. Unfortunately, when Itu asked Raganash just what kind of man he was, I let slip that he really is a dwarf. Raganash was very upset with me, but… Itu would NEVER hurt him. Not like Rotwell, he started it all, Damn him. Well, to be honest, my teacher kinda started it too….
Who should come a visiting today? My old mentor. Been wondering if he'd ever show up. He's a knight, so he's a bit busy. Why would a knight train me? Um. Well, he kept telling me that the gods had picked me. I told him that the gods are gone from the world, but the show is still entertaining, and he just smiled and told me I'd see. So, I guess he's some kind of priest/knight. Anyway, I was so thankful to see him, finally, someone to explain away the miracles!
That didn't work out as I expected. He pretty much said, "I told you so." Not what I was hoping for. Then he wanted to check my fighting progress. I told him that I'd handled myself quite well in several battles, by simply getting out of the way! But he was determined to play out the game. He did like my new armor though, and he reacted appropriately to the smoke and the flash tricks. I need to work out a hot pepper one. It would go so well in someone's eyes… Anyway, he pronounced me satisfactory, whatever that means. Evidently he and Leirin know each other as well. He wanted to talk to the rest of the group and was VERY interested in Barius.
Oh, I got to examine one of the newly deceased. Raganash woke us all up one night to a scream from the cellar, but nothing was there. Next day there was word that another woman had been killed. I went to see, and gave them some clues, like she's noble and such, and there was a similar case in Gibberish. They didn't comment, but I know that it was appreciated.
Now, onto the Revels, my planning was well done, and it went splendidly! I made so much silver, I had to visit the bank! My shows were well received and viewed by people I actually know. I didn't do a healing show for the revels. I think I'm still afraid of getting hit by lightning. I do know some herbs! Argh, this is going to take getting used to. Anyway, the minstrel I hired to spell for me likes to throw knives, so I played his target. He's REALLY good, and he didn't hit me once, though I pretended to increase the betting! I think Raganash won some coppers gambling. He seemed happy, or something close to it. Fiona came back from her jaunt in the woods, and asked if I regretted not accompanying her. Nope. The Revels were FAR too much fun. I can't wait for next year, but it might be interesting to try Revana's Festival….
Finally, we get to go out into nature. Clean water, fresh air, and no one else (except for my friends) perfect! Darkarus wanted us to get some treasure for some old guy he had just met. We set out with six mules to bring back the treasure. It felt so good to be out of the city. (Why do people insist on torturing themselves by living with smell, dirty water, and too many people to count? They should live like Cynthians.) We get to the wailing hills after two days of riding. That evening, around dinner time, a walking mound came toward our camp to defend his home. I eventually recognize what he was saying as my native tongue. That when I realized that he was only protecting his home. Once I got everyone calm and not attacking one another I talked with him for whole night. I found that were not wolves, instead there were Worgs. In the morning, surprisingly, I was not tired. That morning we went looking for the door to the safe room. Darkarus, Raganash, and I went down. We ran into series of traps, one of which knocked Darkarus and me unconscious. After that everyone went down. We found the treasure, and brought it all back up to our camp. I took the club that we had found to the walking mound when I went to hunt. When I gave the walking mound the club I suggested that it could teach the Worgs a lesson with it by hitting a couple of them with it. He then told me that my friends and I could come up to his home. I took this suggestion back to my friends and after much persuading they agreed. In turns out that we were smart because that night Worgs went to were we used to be. When we got back to town the old man took his stuff and then we divided up the rest equally. I took four horse statuettes and I split the herbs with Aliella. I wanted the blanket that we found, but I stroke a deal a with Raganash. He gets it until I find Jackob and then I get. He sleeps in the cellar so it seems fair and I only want it when I go back to my people with our tribes men who got captured.
I stop a moment to write up my most recent exploits in the markets. It's been a whirlwind of a month, and the rest will have only me to thank. I got so many deals, we were able to open the Carry 'n Crawler in record time. This place is sure to make me a profit. I've even written a song about it, it's called Boozing, which I thought was appropriate. Fiona and I had a bit of a tiff over who got the largest room (she complained that she wanted it for the windows! It makes no sense, we put bars on all of them!) but in the end, my charm won her over. Lieran, the noblewoman, has got a few secrets, I mean to delve deeper. She went out dressed to the nines this month, and came home breathless and flushed. She says it's not romantic, but that lass can certainly put on the class. I'm going to have to figure that out. Getting into Gold's Reside is definitely where the money is… The Abyzinian had a mysterious visitor, which is mostly my reason for pausing to write down the past month. Evidently, now that my… ahem our tavern is going, with the name suggested by me, I might add, he has a hare-brained idea to go dig up a lost treasure. Evidently others have tried and never returned. And there are tales of deranged wolves. Have you ever met a sane wolf? I certainly haven't. They go haring off after all manner of beasts. But, it's bound to make a story, and if I sit at the edge, or in a tree, away from the wolves, I may make it back to tell it. If they want to go and and be heroic, they can. But a new ballad, well THAT I can make my mark with.
Speaking of marks, dear diary… Itu bothers me. I can't put my finger on it. Somethings definitely off on him. Maybe it's because he spent so much time practicing his skills on dead bodies. I've heard that's how they practice. Ick. The smell alone. Give me a couple of properly gracious farm folk to practice on. Eventually I get it right.
It feels weird to have stayed in one place this long. Of course, I did get kicked out of Gibberish, so maybe that doesn't count. At least the trip will keep me well honed on my travel skills. Maybe I'll pick up some new ideas, or new stories to add to my songs. Oh, and I need to find a silly stringed instrument. I have a few ideas I want to try, and I can't sing and play well with the pipes. Sorry diary, rambling again. I'll call it a night. Behave.
After the group decided to go after the supplies I instantly knew that they would be within a weeks ride of the ambush site and why well I knew there was a spy here that told when the next supplies would come and so about a week in-between traveling time so that they could basically be anywhere but we narrowed it down where the circus person had a mysterious contact which told us we were on the right trail so we hunted them down to the ends of the plains (but we stayed at farms with really really comfortable ground) and we led a ambush on them where i was the major tactician (YAY!) and though not everything went to plan it turned out well enough but fiona didn't kill the mage so I took some pretty bad attacks from both magic and blade but they didn't hurt that much and we eventually one where we stayed at another place got good food (coming back) and we saved the weird magic item place from going bankrupt and I got a job, so all in a good days work.
Details of important note
I was just passing through on my way from somewhere to another – honest, I was! (Even if Darkarus doesn't quite believe me!!) I'd travelled pretty far fairly quickly and I needed a break. I'd been there a day or so when Darkarus – tall, bald, and totally Abyzinian – showed up near sunset. There were some others passing through that night … mercenaries, a couple glass traders, some scholar I knew from home (though I completely pretended not to know him at all … and brushed him off with "all redheads look alike.") An old traveler, clearly known to the inn-keeping family, came in too, begging "alms for the god of the travelers." Soon after dark, right on the leading edge of a bad storm, a Cynthian rider named Fiona came in. (She's been my roommate for awhile now. She's pretty cool. It's almost like having the sister I've long wanted instead of the brothers I got stuck with … but anyway, that's not the point.)
There was a bad storm that night – really bad. The family told us later there hadn't been a storm like that in years … and after that last bad storm, the peach trees in their orchard stopped blooming and making fruit. (A really bad thing, too, because the place is known for some fine peach brandy. I did get to taste some and it is really fine stuff … but I'm getting ahead of myself.) Despite the storm, Fiona slept like a rock or a log or whatever. It was weird because I've since learned she's usually up earlier than I am. But something woke me up. I went downstairs to check on the noise – and saw the innkeeper's children monstrously transformed into some sort of creatures and they were making a meal of the old traveling beggar! It freaked me out!! Then, suddenly, that Darkarus is right behind me in the dark. He tries to explain something about this being necromancy. I don't completely understand what all he's talking about – ever! But it's quite clear he knows a lot about freaky magical stuff and he's from Abyzinia – so you do the math. We went back upstairs and I woke up Fiona. Looking out windows to try and figure a way out that would not involve going past the now un-cute murderous kids, we discover that the inn is surrounded by walking skeletons! (I am not making this up!! This is why I call the place "hellmouth"!!!)
We can't get out the windows due to the freaky stuff outside and we can't go out the front door because of the freaky things going on with the children. There's scented smoke and noise coming from one of the rooms – and unlike all the other travelers that night, no one has come out of THIS room to see what fresh hell is breaking loose. So Fiona and I barged in and broke up the party. Darkarus disappeared at some point and I don't know what he was doing but somehow he was there when we stopped it and said something about the censor they were burning incense in. Apparently (he says!) that's where the power came from that was making all the freaky things happen … and it wasn't that the two doofusses working with the thing really knew what they were doing either … it was all set up by some nasty Abyzinian wizard who's now at loose in my fair Valdoria plotting some kind of evil takeover of someplace … maybe here, maybe there.
In any case, after we busted up the smoke party, all the freaky things stopped. The skeletons disappeared. The children went back to normal. But the old beggar was dead. He'd been attacked while he was sleeping by the fireplace. When I felt up inside the chimney, I found a loose brick … and behind it was an amulet. It had no markings on it, but Darkarus seemed to think it was important. He took it, which was fine by me because I didn't want it … especially when the peach trees blossomed right after I pulled it out of the chimney. Fiona claimed it was Cynthia's power and blessing. Maybe she's right. I don't know. The whole thing is just way too weird for this girl! I would have put miles between me and all this weirdness except for one thing: If Darkarus is mostly right about this nasty Abyzinian wizard named Barius (and if this Barius isn't some sort of Abyzinian boogey-man figure), then there may be something I can find out about all this that might be worth knowing in certain circles. Sometimes knowledge can be a currency of its own…
In any case, Darkarus determined that we could set one guy from the smoke-filled room free and he wouldn't cause trouble later. The other one was another story. As near as he could sort it out, the only way this one wouldn't cause trouble would be to sell him as a galley slave. This idea was totally disgusting – but all the other options were worse. So we took him to Elweir and followed through on the plan, distasteful as it was. We didn't get much for him, but we did have to figure out what to do with the money. Keeping it just didn't feel right at all. So I insisted we give it as alms at the temple of the god of the travelers … in honor of that old beggar, the one person in this horrific situation we couldn't make things right for.
And that's how I ended up in Elweir with Fiona and Darkarus.