Falson reported that they were being offered 10,000 gold pieces, the item that Krieter wanted and an item that she wanted for this job -- an incredibly high price for what would seem to be simple work. More information would come with a man that would be his new recruit. Kazoar had insisted that the man travel alone by way of Elrich's Pass. At least that would be a good first *test*. In the mean time they were to keep track of one Miss Kaitlyn Riandryl.
That afternoon the investigation turned up a few interesting facts. The madness in the town had involved not the Riandryl woman, but the people that had assembled around her. Unfortunately, the monk he had encountered had been one of them. Later, Wainan had called him to a specific room. Apparently there had been a wizard among them and he had even been in the room while Kazoar had been in town. He sent his people scouting to nearby towns and villages in order to try to discover where this Riandryl woman and her *escort* had gotten to.
A few days later Ranson reported in that he had found the Bard, one Mac Congline, who was heading North East. He had stopped at the residence of a well known elven sage. Neither Wainan or Falson had welcomed the news.
Their man had not appeared with the information they needed. Ransom placed him at Elrichs' Pass, but he should have been here by now. The sage would be *questioned*.
That night Ranson and Wainan snuck back to the sages house. Not suspecting an organized assault by two experienced assassins, let alone two of their caliber, the sage did not even have time to struggle.
Leaving the house untouched save for the items Wainan carefully removed, they transported the man back to the inn, whereupon they questioned him. Kazoar admired the elfs' courage for he did not talk, even with Falson doing the *interrogating*. She got the information they wanted by questioning the spirit of the deceased sage. He later fed the corpse to his *horse* so there would be no way to trace the sages disappearance.
He gave Falson the bloody scrap of the monks tunic. A little while later she reported him in the foot hills to the north, traveling North East. Kazoar pulled out a map of the area and drew two lines, one for the direction of Mac Conglinne, the other for the monk, starting from their last known locations going through their approximate current location. This was a stab in the dark but luck was with him.
The lines intersected in the mountains where there was little or nothing of any interest. Ranson said that the nearest location he could think of was a place called Elsies' Spire, at least fresh water could be found there. That would be their next destination. They would travel by way of Elrichs' Pass and see what was detaining their man...
Mac cleared his mind and looked up at the tiny speak in the sky that was his familiar hawk flying miles away. He stretched his thoughts to share those of the hawk. After the brief melding there was the roar of the wind against his face and the feeling of moving faster and more graceful than any creature trapped on the ground. The hawk communicated that there was no one around for at least a days journey. Mac almost regretfully left the hawks mind and returned to his own body that now felt leaden and cumbersome. "There is none about us for many a mile. If any of the others are still coming we can not afford the time to sit and wait for them. We must be off and soon" he said in a low voice the assembled group.
"Time enough for questions later" he said to the everyone seeing the questions hanging on there lips. "Now I must tell ye certain truths, about where we must go and what we must do" Going over to the fire he filled a mug with the coffee that still warmed over the sooty embers. Holding the mug in both hands as if to ward off the mountain chill he began...
"'Twas many years ago that the races of man first came to these mountains, and hard pressed they were to survive against the creatures both natural and unnatural that dwelt in these lands. Finally after many a year the men were united by Corineus the first king of this land. Well Corineus stood a head taller than all the other men of the day, was a finer warrior, more eloquent poet, and greater drinker. He was beloved by all the people and they followed him willfully into battle. Now Corineus wasn't just the best at the bloodier aspect of battle, he was also the most skilled tactician. Thus it was that he approached the clan-chiefs of the dwarfs and created the first compacts between man and dwarf, the self same that still bind the two races today. You see, Corineus saw that the dwarves could lead his men into the tunnels bellow the mountains, there they could avoid the dangers of passing overland and arrive at the place of the trolls all unseen. Thus it was that Corineus was able to win the first trollish war."
"Now at this same time there lived the wizard Taliesin, who was the greatest wizard of legend. It was said that he could change into creatures that had never even existed and once he traveled all the way from Inslo to Ballymin in a night with out even breaking a sweat. Now Taliesin in his tower had heard of the exploits of Corineus, and after casting the auguries to his future set out with his magic book and a leather case slung across his back."
"When he reached Corineus's Castle he was admitted straight away and a great feast was prepared in his honor, his reputation having preceded him. The feast was the most glorious that ever was set. Twenty oxen were roasted and ever manner of comestibles, potations, sauces and succulent morsels were prepared. Then after the feast had been ate and the stout warriors sat back in their chairs as is the manner of men who have ate twice their fill Corineus stood up and addressed the mage "What is it that brings you to honor our humble hall with your mighty presence Ancient One?""
"Taliesin drew himself up and crossed the hall to the king. Laying the leather case down on the table he opened it and drew forth a sword the likes of which had never been seen before or since in all the world."
"Holding the sword with one hand as easily as a babe holds a rattle he extended hilt first across his other arm to the king saying these words "This is the blade Nodons. It was forged of a magic metal in times long forgotten and this I have brought to you now."
"With this said Corineus took up the blade and it began to glow with the bright pure light of righteousness. When at last the golden light dimmed so that those there could see Taliesin was gone from the hall never to appear there again, though his deeds beyond are another tale."
"The sword that he had given the king was a bastard sword, but was as light as a simple short sword. When held in the hand of those who are pure of heart it would glow as bright as the sun. No evil could abide its sting, and no magic tolerate its presence, but greatest of all, any affliction weather mortal, immortal, natural, magical, or otherwise, could be healed by the blade. For though it was a weapon being of goodness it was gentle and would forgive as quickly as it would smite. The pommel of the blade was set with a jewel of brightest blue. The sword was the bane of all things evil and anything of evil would certainly be destroyed by its merest touch."
"Well time passed and Corineus gave birth to a son. In the course of things his son became came and on the day of his coronation the blade Nodons was presented to him as a sign of his lordship and right as king. Thus it proceeded as each succeeding king took crown and scepter in hand so also they took the sword. As the years past the significance of the sword was lost and its function became ceremonial. So it was when Bladud the last descendent of Corineus took the throne."
"Now Bladud was a young and foolish man when he became king. The trolls were on the move again in the mountains, and as young and foolish men are wont to do he set forth to meet them. However, being untried and tested in the ways of combat he set out with only a small retinue of men to face the trolls. So it was that he was killed in battle. His body was recovered by one of his vassals and brought to a monastery. there the abbot had his body committed to the earth as is proper sword and all. The monastery was destroyed in a siege during the civil uprising that followed Bladud's death as various Barons vied for his crown and sword, but none succeed and the spirits of the dead monks are said to watch over the sword to this day."
Stopping to again sup his coffee Mac finished "That is where we must go. To the monastery to get the sword"
Mac began his story. Hu-Su had to admit to himself that the bard had more than a talent for telling a tale. He noticed that everyone, including himself had been drawn into it. He finished the repairs at the same time Mac finished his story.
Hu-Su did not understand what the story had to do with Katilyns' Curse nor the madness in the town. But the bard had said there would be time enough for questions later and that they must get moving. That Kaitlyn was already gathering her things was a sign of trust.
With the exception of the new arrival Quindar, they had all proven themselves in a tough situation. No one seemed to mind or question his sudden appearance. Hu-Su was not so trusting, specially after the madness had struck the town. He still wondered what could he do to help when magic was the issue.
He put away his needle and thread, picked up his pack and waited for the others.
Reaching behind him, Damion pulled his map case from his satchel and twisted the top off it. Turning the case upside down spilled two dozen rolls of heavy silk into his lap, each bearing a map of one part of the world. Rummaging through the pile, Damion finally found the map with Elsie's Spire on it. He looked up across the fire at Conglinne and said quietly: "Master Conglinne, could you pray tell show me where this ruined monastery is on here? This is rather out of my usual haunts, and I haven't any idea of the geography hereabouts."
As he and Conglinne bent over the map, Damion murmured softly, "And also pray tell, master Conglinne, what of the spirits of these dead monks? Do you know what forms they take, or what they do? Or is this whole thing taken from legends and fireside tales? I'd like to know what we're getting into, and whose authority we have it on."
The party seemed to look to Quindar for guidance; after all, he was the one who knew the most in these matters. But Quindar's profession was not that of telling tales and knowing not; it was the profession of knowing all too well and not telling the tales. He only nodded grimly as Mac finished his story.
"The story is true enough, don't be letting my rambling disquiet you about that, your Sorcership. I am a storyteller by trade and practice, and I can never just let a story lay without making it a performance. As for what we face, well that is as ever only partially known. From what I have heard and seen the upper floors are safe enough sept for the occasional critter that has set up home, and they be as scared of you if not more. It is in the crypts bellow that the problems are. The spirits died a horrible death and wish to be left alone in the rest that is theirs by right. Seems all sort of banshees, poltergeists, and spooks scare and spook any grave robbers who go down. Even the church itself has left them alone and never sought to regain their monastery."
Then seeming to find what he was looking for on the map he says "there it lies nearly two hundred miles to the north and east in the base of these mountains. It was erected on the site that legend has it St. Suibhne first reached bringing the faith to the people, and even bears his name."
^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^
^^ ^^^ ^^ ## Mysthaven ^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^*1^^^^^ ^^^
^^^ ^^ ^ ^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^ ^ * St. Suibhne's ^
^^^^^^^ ^^ ^ * Elsies' Spire Monestary |
^^ N
# Chadwick Scale = 12.5 mi/space
# St. Varalan's
#
Turnmoor
-------- Montfort
|geo.w | Area # Rosehaven
--------
#
Jord
##
# Bleckner
# = town ^ = Mountain
@ = forest
~ = stream
-\/| = road
* = point of interest 1 = Winter's Retreat
As he rolled the maps up and tucked them into their case, he eyed Quindar suspiciously. Finally, he stood up and walked over to Kaitlyn. Bowing slightly, he crooked his arm and asked "Miss Riandryl, will you do me the honor of an evening stroll?"
When Damion asked her to accompany him she was jolted back to the here and now. After a few seconds she managed an acceptable curtsy, and with a small, silvery giggle replied "It would be my honour to accompany you on your evening constitutional my Lord." Then linking her arm with his she began to walk with him.
A young man approached Kazoar and bowing said: "My name is Richard, I am squire to Sir David of Hsier, the gentleman you see seated by the window. My lord asks you to join him. I apologize for addressing you directly but I saw no one who would likely be your squire..." Though he did not know it at the time, it went well for the young man that his expression held no mirth nor his tone any sarcasm when he made the last statement - it would later save his life.
Kazoar was surprised that such a young cavalier could command such a well mannered and trained squire. He regarded the squire again. This one carried himself easily in this situation, a situation which could lead to the loss of his lord... He addressed the squire:
"Well Richard, no need to apologize, my last squire fell *short* of my expectations and I am currently looking for a suitable replacement. Please tell your lord that I, Kazoar of the Autumn Leaf, accept his invitation and will join him shortly." Nodding to Krieter, Kazoar continued: "This is Krieter who, should the need arise, will serve as my squire". Krieter and Richard regarded each other and then Richard returned to his lord with the message. Krieter was smiling, a message that both indicated he did not like being squire but that the young man he had encountered might be suitable for the job.
Kazoar gave Wainan a list of items he wanted in preparation for their journey and headed for Sir David of Hsiers' table. The man stood up. He was almost as tall as Kazoar, but shy about 50 pounds. He wore detailed field plate of good quality. The men took off their gauntlets and shook hands.
"Greetings Sir Kazoar of the Autumn Leaf, I am David of the Kingdom of Hsier. I bid greetings and bade you join my table to dine and for conversation" To which Kazoar replied: "I give my gratitude for such a courteous invitation, such pleasantry is no longer common far from civilized lands." So started the conversation. Sir David spared no expense on food or wine.
As the Cavaliers talked, the patrons of the inn leaned closer to hear what the two armored, large men were talking about. Both men watched Richard out of the corner of their eyes. The young man went to the inn-keeper and paid him a gold coin or two. The inn-keeper then went to the tables adjoining theirs and asked each party to move across the bar. Only the patrons of one table objected to which Richard quickly moved.
Though not seasoned warriors, the older men were not going to take any guff from a young lad. That changed when Krieter joined Richard and *insisted* the men move to the table the inn-keeper offered, which they did.
The conversation continued over diner. The Autumn Leafs prepared for their journey and returned to the inn, save Falson, who watched the horses and supplies. Kazoar continued: "You are very fortunate to find a squire that learns not just the lessons, but the spirit of his teachings."
Sir David agreed and, after the table was cleared and they had finished their port and the sun had set, got down to business: "Sir Kazoar, you have defiled the lady Casalia, niece of my lord of Hsier. You failed to defend her against the dragon Srolkrearn and yet you still live. Your actions are a disgrace to the title Cavalier, I challenge you on the on the field of honor, tomorrow at first light."
Kazoar almost boiled over with rage. The slut Casalia had caused the destruction of his stronghold. She had made an alliance with his old nemesis, the dragon Srolkrearn, while a guest at his stronghold. She had shown the dragon a secret way into his dungeon and treasure vaults. Though Kazoar and his men had barely managed to slay the dragon, whose incredibly tough hide was now his armor, the dragon had destroyed the foundation of the mountain fortress and he watched it slide off the cliff. Kazoar survived only because of his horse.
He replied in a loud voice: "Very well, Sir David, I accept the challenge." And calling Sir Davids' honor into question he continued: "There is however no reason to wait until tomorrow as we have a mage of some note at hand who may light the sky for such a glorious combat such as ours and we can proceed straight away."
Sir David thought about it and said: "Such a situation, if possible, would be a fitting tribute to righteous victory".
Kazoar said: "and, as is my right, I claim a fight TO-THE-DEATH." To his credit, Sir David did not react.
The news spread through the town like a wild fire. Ranson was of course taking bets. Wainan prepared for the event. Two hours later the street was lined with spectators. The garrison lined the street at intervals to watch and keep order. Even the Mayor, who was just as much a victim of the madness earlier that week, thought that an organized event like this would boost the morale of the town. He had agreed to master the proceedings when he had been approached by Richard and Krieter.
The two squires (Richard and Krieter) ran to the center point in front of the inn. There they exchanged some words. Then they ran back to their lords and exchanged words. The two Knights, one at each end of the street were mounted on their horses. Sir Davids' was a large war chestnut warhorse, while Kazoar rode his even larger jet black mount.
The mayor stood up and spoke to the crowd: "Recently, we have been the unfortunate victims of a madness which caused us great harm. Tonight we are here to witness a combat of honor, a civilized way to deal with conflicts of interest. I hope we all remember this should we find ourselves in like circumstances."
The mayor paused, then continued: "Sir David of Hsier has challenged Sir Kazoar of the Autumn Leaf in redress of alleged offenses. The trial is by mortal combat. Are both men ready?" Both men saluted the Mayor then each other with their lances.
Holding up a glove the mayor said: "Let the contest begin!" The mayor paused to let anticipation build then, he dropped it.
Sir David spurred his horse into action. Kazoars' horse leapt forward on its' own. They met in the middle. Those that had ever tried fighting from horseback with a lance knew it to be its' own form of swordplay with the skill at deflecting, engaging and moving the tip of the lance around the opponents lance in those crucial last tenths of a second granting sudden death, victory or just a reprieve.
The first attack resulted in a no-hit. The second pass resulted in both men breaking their lances, the squires handed them new ones.
On the third pass Kazoar knocked Sir Davids' lance to the side with his, knocking the deadly point away from him while hitting David squarely in the shoulder of his shield arm and knocking him off of his horse. The crowd was awed.
Not taking his eyes off of Sir David and dropping his lance, Kazoar leapt-off of his horse and landed on his feet. Again the crowd was awed that a man in full armor with shield in hand could leap off of a horse at a full gallop and land on his feet.
Sir David got approvals of his own, not only from the crowd, but from Kazoar as well who was surprised at how quickly he got to his feet and drew his sword. Even though the lance had only punctured the shield and not the armor, Sir Davids' shoulder was badly injured or broken from the force of the impact.
The sword fight was a flurry of activity. But did not last long. Even had he not been badly wounded, Sir David was no match for Kazoar who dealt him three sequential blows that brought him to his knees and would soon enough take his life.
Kazoar knelt by the fallen form of Sir David. With a blade at the young mans' throat he looked him square in the eye and said in a loud voice for all to hear: "Your life is forfeit, it, and all that is yours are now mine. The honor is mine!" With that he delivered the death blow. Taking Sir Davids' Sword, he stood up and held it over his head. Redundantly the Mayor declared Kazoar the victor.
The crowd watched for a while and then moved on. He instructed Krieter to collect the mans' money and possessions, including the now dead mans' armor. And to arrange a proper burial for the fallen Knight.
A half hour later, Krieter reported all the arrangements had been made. The new war horse was in good condition as was the riding horse of the squire, Richard. As they were preparing to leave amidst the crowd, Richard approached Kazoar and said: "My lord, I was indentured to Sir David, may he rest in peace, and am also property of his which you may claim". Another hush went over the towns' people who were eager for more stories to tell.
"Smart whelp" Kazoar thought to himself, but he didn't need excess bagage and a little public relations might foster good will and potential profit in this town. He said: "I hereby declare you, Richard, a free man, may you follow your destiny by your own wits and virtue."
Richard had not been expecting that, but he recovered quickly enough and said: "Sir Kazoar, you are in need of a squire and I am in need of a lord, would you take me as your squire-in-training?"
Neither had Kazoar been expecting that last request. He looked to Falson who nodded her head. She had determined that this fellow's life path would be amenable to join the Autumn Leafs and Krieter had no initial objections. Kazoar replied: "very well Richard, you may travel with me for a while that I may get to know you. Then I will decide."
Richard was given his old horse to ride. As they moved out into the chill of the night, Richard pulled his cloak about him and made sure that the metal chain with the square clasp was tucked inside his shirt.
Miles away, Magister Damion Grey would have been more than alarmed had he been aware of the approach of another *man* wearing a trinket similar to the one he had recently discovered...