Chapter 13: A Ghostly Glow

[Darren]

Kal slips the ring onto his finger and nods at Larest, silently sending, 'Thank you,' to the other man via the ring. "Alright, Shorak, when you are ready, lead the way. The rest of you, get some rest, have some food, and consider what our next move will be. We'll be back soon."

[Dave B.]

"Could someone have some cheese and fruit brought up while we're out, please. Oh, I could use a water skin if someone has a spare. No rush, though." Shorak adjusts his cloak and heads for the stairs. "I'm ready Kal, let's go get wet again. Hopefully, this won't take long." With that, Shorak leads Kal back outside to the Courier's Guild. He pulls up his hood against the rain, keeping his eyes and ears open for danger as they go. "Keep close. If you notice anything, let me know."

[Jeff]

Kal and Shorak

Out they go.

Shorak knows the way, and the border of Cross and Marketplace isn't terribly far. But it's the weather, and the alarming cries up in the sky, that make it a harrowing trip. Dark shapes wheel around under slightly less dark clouds, making the middle of the day feel like twilight.

When you round a one corner on their way out of Cross, they see a cluster of people closing in on...a body?

The small crowd is a mixture of humans, orcs, and half-orcs. They look like locals, laborers-for-hire, and they're gathering around to look at the figure on the ground. To help, or to loot, you're not quite sure.

[Darren]

Kal shakes his head. "Not our concern right now." He puts up the hood of his cloak and moves closer to the walls of the adjacent buildings. "Shorak, let's keep to the shadows, if we can."

______________________
Kal would like to try to move Stealthily along with Shorak.

[Dave B.]

"Agreed." He keeps to the shadows as much as possible. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

[Jeff]

Kal and Shorak

Only when you move slower along the edge of the buildings can you try to stay out of sight. It's not quite dark enough to truly merge with the shadows, but the shifting hues of the Cloak of Elvenkind at least affords Kal some measure of camouflage. Shorak is accustomed to moving without being obvious about it.

They move around the scene before them, catching only a glimpse of blood, and lots of it, pooling around the body.

But seconds later as they round the bend fully, they hear a strange distant scream. Distant, but growing close. So very fast, so very close!

And then an overhang not twenty feet in front of them, an awning erected upon an outcrop of stone, suddenly cracks and breaks apart under the impact of something hitting hard. Then the body that struck it rolls free and tumbles the remaining fifteen feet to the street along with chunks of rubble. It is a leather-armored man with no obvious uniform or insignia, his head caved in, his limbs askew like a doll violently thrown at a wall. The damage is severe, you cannot help but wince and look away. There is no doubt in your mind that he fell from the sky itself.

The nearby crowd of onlookers scatter and retreat as if expecting more bodies to rain down.

A split second later, a sword and shield ring loudly upon the street also nearby, breaking off a small piece of the cobbles.

Shorak guesses they can reach the Orien post in another five minutes if they hurry.

Was Kal bringing Tangat along on this errand?

[Darren]

(No, Tangat can stay with Streko.

FYI, I'm going to be away from computers for most of today, so I may not get back to post again until later tonight. Kal will avoid the raining men, though he may hum a little song as a result....)

[Dave B.]

Shorak resists the urge to pick up the sword and shield. He picks up the pace just a bit, knowing they are almost at the courier post.

[Jeff]

With Kal and Shorak away, things settle down quietly. But at one point, Larest gives a sigh, then rises and walks over to Streko. "Rest assured, I'll arrange for some proper fair for tonight's dinner." He starts to turn away, then stops again. "We have been through it all before, of course, so I will not belabor it now. I will only say again that we are all of us better for the company of an Olladran healer on our mission. Indeed, it seems possible that we would not have come even this far without Lord Streko d'Jorasco."

Kal and Shorak

Although you see no additional bodies hit the ground, when you round the corner, you do hear something crash into something else. Hard to say what that was.

And a few minutes later, they approach the House Orien office. It's a single door positioned on a street corner up a handful of steps. Above the door, the stone bust of a unicorn's head, shoulders, and horn hangs out over the word ORIEN. A wooden plaque declaring the establishment as an official Courier Guild office is nestled into the stone beside the door. The windows are aglow.

Inside is a single room, some padded seats, a wide counter, and about three office attendants in House Orien uniforms. Two of them are human women, while the third is a burly half-orc male. Behind them are two doors leading to further rooms, perhaps. This office is an operation solely of the Courier Guild: transporting letters and packages is all they do, so they would not likely have a large storage facility; they are not Kundarak.

Two guards, House Deneith warriors of the Defends Guild, serve as security. You know that Deneith guards are used often as security for other dragonmark houses, as the houses offer their services to one another amidst hundreds of contracts. Kal also knows that these two guards, while strictly members of Deneith, are here to protect House Orien interests; attempts to subvert their purpose is an extreme taboo.

At the moment, there are no other customers. Business looks slow in this weather.

[Joe]

Jul 29, 2017 10:28:04 GMT -4 Jeff said:

With Kal and Shorak away, things settle down quietly. But at one point, Larest gives a sigh, then rises and walks over to Streko. "Rest assured, I'll arrange for some proper fair for tonight's dinner." He starts to turn away, then stops again. "We have been through it all before, of course, so I will not belabor it now. I will only say again that we are all of us better for the company of an Olladran healer on our mission. Indeed, it seems possible that we would not have come even this far without Lord Streko d'Jorasco."

"We would not have come this far without you, Larest." He lets his comment rest for a moment, before continuing. "I may complain, bitterly at times, but I am here for my friends and will not leave until the work is done. And, as complaining is really my only outlet, I ask that you take it with a grain of salt. I will...work at curbing my complaints, or at least keeping them to myself. Rest assured, I am going nowhere without my companions, my family, and will do whatever necessary to see the Eye is safely away from those who would use it for selfish purposes. Now, you mentioned proper fair. Let's discuss how I may assist you in this endeavor, for I am famished!!"

[Darren]

Kalarian lowers his hood as he enters the office. He offers a nod of respect to the two Deneith soldiers but pays them no further attention. Instead, he moves directly to the humans behind the counter. "I need a message delivered quickly and safely. Do you have a private space where I can prepare it for you?"

[Dave B.]

Shorak makes himself comfortable on one of the padded seats, leaving Kal to be about his business. He sits calmly and relaxed, waiting for Kal to let him know when he's done. His stomach rumbles softly, his hunger now having his attention as much as the puzzle box.

[Jeff]

Kal and Shorak

"Of course." One of the attendants leads Kal to a small room just beyond the right-hand door, where a writing desk and plenty of paper and ink are stored seemingly for just this purpose. She informs him that the cost of delivery is, at this time, 1 gold piece (for the "inclement" weather) for delivery sometime today, or 5 gp for delivery "within the hour."

The Deneith guards keep an eye on Shorak. He's used to being eyed by guards, but he's also the only thing for them to look at, it seems.

[Darren]

Led to the side room, Kal watches the door close fully, then waits a moment before he picks up a pen and begins to write:

My Lord Greigur,

Our task is complete, and the sphinx if freed, but I fear not everything went exactly as planned. While stealth was our aim, I fear we encountered Lord Wylkes himself while in the presence of the sphinx. It could not be avoided, and he knows who I am. While this does not implicated you or Deneith directly, I fear Lord Wylkes will probably take it so, and it's possible he has even confronted you before this letter has arrived. My lord,
I apologize for my failure, but know that our efforts were not in vain. The sphinx is freed, and soon her mate will be as well, and the Coin Lords will have lost a significant source of power. We have also gained a significant advantage in our search for the Eye and that cannot be discounted. I do not mean to underestimate Lord Wylkes, but I don't think it will be simple for him to act openly against our great House given what we know about my reasons for being at that lighthouse. Wylkes may be powerful, but he is not a dictator and he must still govern within the rules of the land. I am sorry to put you in this position. This is only one battle in the campaign in front of us, and I promise that I will bring success to our great House.

We venture to the Tents of Rusheme tomorrow morning to follow our new lead. The loan of a Blademark or two would be appreciated. Nothing too conspicuous, of course. If help can be sent, we leave from the Cornerstone Inn in Dannil's Pride before 9 bells tomorrow. Tell your men to meet me out front and identify themselves only to me. If no help is there when I leave, I will understand, but will undertake my task all the same.

Your servant,
Kalarian Jaeren d'Deneith

Kal grimaces as he looks at that last part and nearly scratches out the word "servant", but decides to leave it in. Men like Greigur must have their egos fed, after all. Satisfied with his message, Kal quickly seals the letter and returns to the door. Finding the waiting attendant, he drops 9 gold coins into her hand along with the letter. "This must be delivered to Lord Greigur at the Deneith enclave with all speed. It must be given to Lord Greigur directly. I will not hear of it passing through a clerk's hands." Kal drops a 10th gold coin into the woman's hand. "Are we clear?"

[Jeff]

Kal and Shorak

The Orien clerk takes the letter, and regards the coins in her hand. She nods, seeming to understand and be familiar with wealthier clients like this, but she then hands him back that tenth gold coin. "I can promise you only swift delivery, my lord, and every effort on the part of House Orien. Though we will make the attempt, I cannot and will not guarantee that our courier can place the letter into the Lord Marshal's hand directly, as he or she may not be granted permission at the enclave. It is not our house. Yet your request may be made, all the same. Does the courier have have your permission to cite your name at the gate, towards this end?"

9 gp deducted from Kal's inventory.

[Darren]

Kal frowns slightly at the returned coin, but returns it with the rest that he carries. "By all means, yes. Whatever expedites delivery of this message."

[Jeff]

The Orien woman slips the letter into a scroll case without looking at it, then seals it. Kal sees her process it, documenting the transaction in a ledger. "Thank you, my lord. It will depart swiftly." Kal notices that she never asked for identification papers or any kind of proof of who he is. Then he remembers this isn't the Five Nations, and that Stormreach is part of no sovereignty. It is a lawless city, subject only to the rules of those who can enforce them. At least the dragonmarked houses still seem to operate within their own policies.

[Jeff]

In your rooms at the Cornerstone Inn, all is quiet. It's a welcome respite, perhaps, but the minutes to seem to stretch in.

It's not quite silent. There is the omnipresent drumming of rain outside. The rustle of paper and soft conversation between the gnome and the professor. To amuse himself, sometimes Sem Darlesh conjures small and silent illusions, though they do not venture too far away. At one point, he sends some sort of rolling scrub weed across the floor.

[Darren]

Kal frowns slightly, then shrugs and returns to the lobby where Shorak waits. "I suppose I have done all I can without battering down the man's door myself," he says. "Let's return to the inn." Following Shorak's lead, Kal raises the hood of his cloak and does his best to remain unnoticed.

[Dave B.]

Shorak rises and pulls the hood of his cloak a bit tighter in anticipation of the rain outside. "Yes, let us return and get some much needed rest." Shorak heads outside and leads Kal back to the inn. He stays close to the buildings when he can. Both to avoid as much of the rain as possible and to avoid any objects falling from the sky. Shorak makes sure to look up as often as he does left and right, while they make their way back.

[Jeff]

Kal and Shorak

Flashes of light draw your eyes up as you work your way back through the rain. There is spell-play in the clouds. At one point, the unmistakable blossom of a distant fireball can be seen burning through a shred of cloud. Those dark storm clouds seem to be hanging quite low (for clouds), as though weighed down by something greater.

When you pass back into Dannel's Pride, you see a trail of flame as something—or something—falls from the clouds somewhere above Silverwall.

But otherwise you return to the inn without incident.

[Jeff]

At some point, Adamant can see that Aven has bonded with Dire's Folly. The other warforged walks over to him, now holding a greatsword in two hands, point down. "This weapon is quite remarkable, Adamant. Strange images came to mind when I focuses on it. You told me that the sword was used in the service of the Lord of Blades when you first presented it to me. Do you know you who forged it?"

Sem Darlesh's keen ears have him swirling around on his seat. "Don't you two get any ideas. We've got enough problems without you going rogue on us and turning on all 'breathers.'"

[Dave W.]

"You have nothing to worry about Sem Darlesh," Adamant's eyes shine brightly, "We will still need servants when we become your Overlords." Adamant's left eye gem winks out and then back on.

"I do not know the weapon's forging, Aven." Adamant tells his friend. "I came by it two, perhaps three, years ago. I was defending villagers along the border of what was once Cyre and an emissary of the Lord of Blades invited me to join that cause. I declined. The callous disregard for the lives and dreams of fleshy creatures is not a program I can ascribe to. I was forged to protect them not subjugate them. And I had already been drawn to the service of Dol Arrah."

"In any event we fought, the warforged emissary and I. I won. He called himself Dire and so I christened the blade Dire's Folly."

[Darren]

Kal stamps his feet as he enters back into the room, removing his cloak and shaking off the rain. "It is fit for neither man nor beast out there," he says. "Apologies, Tangat," he says with a wink at the lounging dog. "I need food. And sleep."

[Jeff]

This is the time for any final conversation before the day, and Chapter 13, is finished!

[Joe]

Aug 2, 2017 17:14:07 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal stamps his feet as he enters back into the room, removing his cloak and shaking off the rain. "It is fit for neither man nor beast out there," he says. "Apologies, Tangat," he says with a wink at the lounging dog. "I need food. And sleep."

"Has everything been accomplished that we need to take care of before taking a long, food-induced, warm and dry sleep? If so, then I suggest we eat and call it a night. Healer's orders." Streko smiles. "It's good to have you here, my friends."
____________________________________

Streko is ready for sleep, after Larest's dinner has been served, of course.

[Darren]

"I think I've done all that can be done," Kal says. "Hopefully it is enough. If all goes well, we will have some extra help tomorrow. For now, let us take what enjoyment out of the evening that we can. Come, Streko, tell me stories of you and Varna as children while we eat...."

[Jeff]

Sem opens his mouth to comment on Kal's explanation, and Larest exchanges concerned looks with the gnome, but neither of them say anything. They let it be.

The daylight hours, such as they are, wane, and the rain outside continues in varying degrees of severity. The muffled sounds of thunder continue to come and go, as does the occasional odd noise you can't quite place. A faraway crash? The cry of some aerial beast? It's hard to say. Larest keeps the windows shuttered, to prevent the rain from getting in.

When evening comes, a sizeable meal of local fish and various imports is delivered to the room. There is a strong Brelish representation here and one that both Belarin and Streko recognize as a popular dish among the Brelish populace, known as King Boranel's favorite. It even takes his name: beef boranel, which includes a bread and mushroom stuffing roasted inside a full side of beef. Stewed vegetables, thrice-poached eggs, and pheasant round things out. Dessert includes some Aundairian-style fruit pastries.

You hear Larest and Sem Darlesh speak in hushed tones and look over maps, but they break off from time to time and do their own thing. A few times, you catch the word "hydra" spoken, though you're not sure what that is. Though Shorak does—the Hydra is the great river system* in northern Xen'drik but is still many miles south of Stormreach, which gets its name from its many "heads" or tributaries...but, if truth be told, also features stories among the Vulkoori that actual hydras dwell in the marshes around it.

Meanwhile, a map of Xen'drik—whose details become sketcher and with fewer labels the further from Stormreach it goes—is laid out on the desk at all times. Every now and then the two scholar-mages place some sort of gamepiece (resembling a tower) on the map as though speculating where it should go.

Throughout the rest of the day, both Starg and Histra keep themselves largely sequestered from the center of the suite. When the necromancer first emerges, she looks a bit frazzled and sleepy-eyed, but makes no conversation and only speaks to Larest briefly. The minotaur comes out only once after the meal is delivered, carefully making a plate for himself of only vegetables and bread.

"Starg," Sem pipes up when he sees the minotaur's choice, "The beef boranel is excellent. Don't be shy, it's on the professor's coin."

As always, Starg just ignores the gnome and heads back into his room.

"What, have you never seen normal minotaurs eat?" Sems says with an air of indignation. "Carnivores, all of them. I think most of them prefer people. It figures we would get a defective, boring minotaur."

The night passes seemingly without incident, and each of you takes rest in your own turn, whether in a soft, clean bed or standing idle in a corner.

---

*Think Xen'drik's answer to the Amazon river with its many tributaries.

That's all, folks! Chapter 14 coming up.

[Jeff]

Aug 4, 2017 3:03:44 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

Shorak returns to the inn with Kal and quickly sits down quietly and removes the puzzle box from one of his many inner pockets. Holding it close to his mouth he whispers, "Brusst." His curiosity can no longer be held in check.

Sorry, I didn't get a chance to post this before ending the last chapter.

The little wooden puzzle box pops openly instantly with a click, as though spring-loaded, and unfolds into a flat, hinged T-shape. In doing so, it releases what it contained: a small metal sphere, about two inches across, with a strange design to it. Where there are "windows" in the metal surface, Shorak sees there is a layer of green gemstone revealed. There are no runes or symbols on the sphere. The object is dense and weighty for its size. He's never seen anything like it. He only remembers what the letter it came with said about it.

[Dave B.]

Staring at the sphere, Shorak's eyes begin to droop. The day's activities finally catching up to him. Putting away the sphere and the box, Shorak yawns widely, grabs a quick meal and heads off to bed. Better to deal with it in the morning.