Session Thirty-One - November 5, 2005

[Matt]

Savor 23, 730 TR

With the weather beginning to warm to a more seasonable moderation, an overcast rainy morning greets the travelers as they breakfast at the Five Pennies Inn in Aleath and repair to the ostler’s common, where they purchase four serviceable nags in the interest of effecting a rapid transit to Coranan. Departing forthwith, they hasten their way up the old Imperial Road and arrive in Dyrisa by nightfall. Retaining rooms at the Dragon’s Quay, proprietor Thyl of Kalwins, they overhear pleased merchants speak at supper time of a great train which passed through the town a couple of weeks previous en route to Coranan, spending liberally as they briefly tarried. The celebrities evidently included Emelrenian nobility escorted by a cohort of the IV Legion, which normally garrisons in Aleath.

Savor 24, 730 TR

Continuing on to Heroth, where lodgings are appropriated at the vacant house belonging to Bevan’s father, they find the Crossroads Inn similarly alive with talk of the same procession, which stayed at the castle perhaps a tenday ago. The IV Legion cohort, having apparently discharged their duty in escorting the Emelrenian potentates to the Thardic capitol at Coranan, passed through Heroth again on their way back south a few days later.

Savor 25, 730 TR

The party arrives in Coranan by mid-afternoon, finding the city to be bustling and thrumming in anticipation of an impending royal event. Checking into their familiar rooms at the Tabard and Hearth, Anders of Kroll confirms that indeed the wedding of King Arren II to a princess of Emelrene is in the offing at the close of the month. The party has missed several fairs and a fine tournament, the latter to Sir Baris’ keen disappointment, but the impending occasion promises much in the line of pageantry still to come.

Bevan sends off a message to the Palace of the Red Domes, and after a short delay is duly escorted by two soldiers of the I Legion to the chamber of Sir Auram Graver, who greets her warmly and remarks upon the rapidity of her turnaround since their last audience. He reads Bevan, receives her report, and is thoughtful for some time, stating that he would read Ewen of Ravinargh as well, asking that the harper call upon him tomorrow in the afternoon. His initial response to the change in the plan for the two Serolans is guarded optimism, observing that the installation of Serolan Milaka at Aleath enjoys a good chance of proving successful, while he candidly suggests that the Laranian will be an easier target there should she fail to keep faith with the agreement. He goes on to encourage Bevan to stay in town for the celebration of the nuptials of Arren II and the Princess Sarael of Emelrene. Sir Auram indicates that a number of high personages are in town for the event, including Prince Pethras of Emelrene, crown prince of said kingdom, and the Melderyni Duke of Solora, uncle of Arren II, although he wryly notes that no one from the Kingdom of Kaldor will be in attendance. Finally, Sir Auram agrees to assist the party in dispensing with the horses purchased in Aleath, thus recouping for them their expense in procuring the beasts.

Back at the Tabard and Hearth, the group hears news of troops being recalled and the III Legion rebuilding its strength for the spring campaign. Ewen visits his tenement across from Aranoal’s, and is unsurprised to find that the widow Valdris has sold off his belongings and rented the place to another party, Ewen having allowed his arrangement there to fall into arrears. He shrugs philosophically, regretting only the loss of a small statue of Dulcia, and returns to the Tabard and Hearth without remorse.

Savor 26, 730 TR

While Sir Baris visits a weaponcrafter and orders a custom-made axe, Bevan and Imarë call upon Sir Theron Palliser. They are directed to the university across the river in Kuseme, and find the mage in his chambers in the northern wing of the vast building. Sir Theron and Bevan share a brief, strained exchange, the burden of more frequent visits of late telling upon both of their nerves. Sir Theron, though, invites Bevan and her friends to accompany him on the 30th to the afternoon event following the morning wedding, wherein the King will be holding court and conferring honors. Begging their leave of the senior Palliser, the two visit Trilime in the south wing, where she is ensconced with her private tutor, and Bevan finds her interaction with the younger generation to be no less awkward than with the elder.

In the afternoon, Ewen attends upon Sir Auram in his chambers at the palace. The Inquisitor General indicates that the Archbishop of Kanday has been consulted and arrangements for the translation of Serolan Iblis Milaka to Aleath are already underway. Sir Auram also arranges for Ewen to meet Furlen of Stig, the royal harper to the King, and plans are made for Ewen to return to the palace each afternoon prior to the wedding to rehearse the King’s musicians in the performance of Ewen’s latest song. Sensible of the honor thus done him, Ewen throws himself into the work of preparing for his composition to be played before the new royal couple, while refraining from letting his companions in on the news.

Savor 27-29, 730 TR

Shops are visited the next day and bolts of cloth are skeptically considered and assiduously fondled by the group, while trained members of the guild of clothiers steer the aesthetically unsound away from some dubious selections in the interest of appropriately attiring the party for the royal ceremony three days hence. Sir Baris pays for a bespoke doublet with tasteful trim, and Ewen selects a black silk and leather doublet and hose, the former item replete with slits and ruffles. Bevan and Imarë acquire stunning dresses of, respectively, mulberry and blue.

The party rests up in anticipation of the big day. Sir Baris chats with a soldier at the wharf at one point, learning that the knights who captured King Alegar were paid a bounty by King Arren in lieu of the traditional ransom, and that the captive monarch is detained in Caer Coranan, from whence he is presumably unlikely to see the light of day again. Ewen is little in evidence during the afternoons, his time consumed with the challenge of rehearsing the performance of his epic work.

Savor 30, 730 TR

The great procession from the Palace of the Red Domes to the Temple of Larani is all the denizens of Coranan get to see of the Royal Wedding in the morning. Soldiers line the route to hold back the enthusiastic throng, eager for a glimpse of the King as he rides past. Early in the afternoon, Sir Theron meets the group in a private room at the Tabard and Hearth with a small case of “borrowed” jewels for Bevan to wear with her new dress, while Ewen mysteriously departs for the palace early. After several drinks to steady their nerves, the party heads over to the palace with Sir Theron, where they pass by the large equestrian statue of Arren I which faces the concourse, rearing symbolically on its two back hooves, and are admitted amongst the other guests through the huge double doors and up the twin, winding staircases to the great round chamber under the central dome of the palace. The audience chamber of the King of Tharda is dominated by a dais with two thrones at the far end and a ring of impressive pillars around the periphery of the chamber. The press of great nobility and foreign dignitaries team within the space inside the pillars, while Sir Theron and his companions remain in the crowded outer ring beyond the pillars up against the walls, and they spend some time maneuvering to obtain a good vantage for viewing the coming events. Upon situating themselves to their satisfaction, they gaze upward in admiration at the great gilt dome above and the array of upper windows through which shafts of light stream in to the crowded chamber, until the blare of a trumpet announces the arrival of the Royal couple.

The King and Queen enter and ascend to their thrones, and the group catches its first glimpse of the new Queen Sarael, small and blonde and as fitting a Royal consort as could be imagined for the handsome young King. The Royal Chamberlain steps forward, bows to the monarchs, and begins in a loud, ringing voice to call forth the names of the greater nobility in attendance. Heads crane for a glimpse of the earls of Tharda, each present save for the Earl of Westmarch who remains in the north. The Duke of Solora is recognized, the King’s uncle, and a surprisingly ugly man to be a brother of King Darebor and King Arren I. Emelrenian nobles are named individually as well, and the name of Sir Jahmis Keir rings familiarly in the ears of Bevan and her friends. Finally, the chamberlain strikes his staff upon the floor, and in the resounding silence calls forth Sir Yuri Xelados to approach the King. Arren II stands while his Queen remains seated, receives the low bow from the knight, embraces Sir Yuri and declares, in a loud clear voice, that for courage and valor upon the field of battle, the ancestral barony of Dunir is restored to Xelados, now Baron of Dunir. The new peer backs away while the chamberlain calls forth Sir Auram Graver, who approaches the Royal person and kneels. The King announces that, for services to the crown too numerous to mention, Sir Auram is created Baron of Quste, and Bevan has the satisfaction of seeing her wily boss reap the harvest sown in the deaths of Subla Uldseth and his nephew Sir Felkar. The new Lord Graver backs away, and other names are subsequently called and the honors of knighthood are duly bestowed upon those who earned the accolade in the campaign in Orbaal. Sir Theron Palliser’s knighthood is publicly confirmed as well, and then the name of Ewen of Ravinargh is called out by the chamberlain. The surprised harper wends his way through the crowd toward the Royal presence, bows and kneels, and King Arren announces that, for services to the crown not to be mentioned at this time, the young man is created Sir Ewen of Ravinargh. The new knight backs away from the Royal presence while the chamberlain steps aside and the King remounts his throne.

Next, the Royal Harper Furlen of Stig strides forward and, addressing the King and Queen, introduces the afternoon’s entertainment, a song penned by the new-made knight Sir Ewen of Ravinargh. The King’s players then perform the song Melderyn, which tells the tale of the career of the King’s Royal Sire, and the founding of the Kingdom of Tharda. The song is well-received by the King, who later commends Sir Ewen for the composition and pulls a gold ring from his finger, bestowing it upon the grateful harper. Also, during the course of the reception held that afternoon, the King makes an appearance amidst Bevan’s group and beckons to Imarë, graciously recognizing the presence of one of the Elder People at his court, which he calls a rare thing, speaking in perfect Sindarin to the elf. Arren II states that, if ever she would have a favor of the Kingdom of Tharda, it shall be hers to name, and then makes his way toward another cluster of his subjects.

Lord Graver, smugly pleased with himself, perhaps states the obvious in acknowledging that he played no small part in Ewen’s knighthood, and the group congratulates him all around on his elevation to the peerage. He tells Bevan and her companions to be certain to stop by the Exchequer while in town, where four pounds apiece wait their claim. The group eats and drinks and enjoys themselves enormously, and at one point Ewen passes a legionnaire who is humming the melody to The Midget and the Elf. Curious, the harper discovers that his tune was evidently picked up by the legion while passing through Golotha, and has become a camp favorite up in Orbaal. The perfect flourish to a monumental day for the harper, Sir Ewen mischievously hurries to inform Imarë of this priceless piece of intelligence.

Ilvin 1-3, 730 TR

Exhausted and thoroughly hung over, the group members sleep late and eventually stagger down to the common room of the Tabard and Hearth the next day. A messenger from the palace notifies Sir Ewen that his knighthood is to be accompanied by the traditional gift of a horse from the King, and the group attends to claiming their £4 reward at the Exchequer. Sir Ewen wastes no time in going to the royal stables, where the ostler finds his name upon the list and leads him to a stunning black pure-bred Khanset mare, a breed originating down south in exotic Hepekaria or Dalkesh. Delighted to find that a basic set of tack is included as well, the new knight arranges to pick up the mount when the group departs the city.

A captain willing to charter a voyage to Golotha for the group is found, and the boat leaves on the morning of the second, arriving late on the third of Ilvin after dark, finding a light fall of snow blanketing the city upon their arrival. The four travelers, leading Sir Ewen’s fine new horse, make their way to Palliser House and the comforts of home.

Ilvin 4, 730 TR

Sir Baris calls upon Sir Blors Manfrungtane and relates his eyewitness account of the Royal nuptials. Sir Blors, fulminating about the wintry weather and its adverse impact upon the prospects for a hunt, listens with resigned patience and invites Sir Baris to stay at the keep and sup upon the two-day-old venison. He also suggests that Sir Baris’s newly knighted friend should visit Caer Chakta as well at some point. Meanwhile, Bevan meets with her litigant, Parqu of Aerth, to review the status of her real estate holdings. Imarë, aghast at the price of tapestries in town, settles for a set of linen sheets for her room at Palliser House in an excess of hedonistic indulgence.

In the evening, Sir Ewen and Sir Baris proceed to the old Jeremiz tenement to apprise Arnys of their return. Not many citizens are abroad on this cold, dark, snowy night as the pair makes their way through the warrens of Sewertown to their destination. Arnys accepts the harper’s news of his elevation with composure, accepting the gift of a pear brandy and rummaging about for tankards while the new knight and Sir Baris settle themselves in the small but comfortably warm abode. The threesome toast the King, then toast Sir Ewen, and then set about polishing off the humble stew Arnys has been heating above the small hearth’s fire. Arnys recounts that he has seen the red-haired man again twice, most recently about four days ago. Each time the man visits the locksmith, and on the second occasion left with a countenance suggestive of displeasure. In both instances he was dressed similarly, with a threadbare cloak concealing finery underneath, and each time he headed south after leaving the locksmith. Arnys also states that he has heard news that the legions are recruiting for the spring campaign, and that many a good man has signed on for the VII Legion. Regarding the news from Coranan, Arnys proves familiar with the career of Sir Yuri Xelados, the new Baron of Dunir, whose feat of capturing the King of Orbaal in a flank charge by his knights from cover led to the restoration of his family’s barony. He is apparently a friend of the King and the only great nobleman of Kanday who sits again within his own ancestral hall. Called “friend and brother” by the King during the ceremony in Coranan, the Baron of Dunir is about ten years older than the King. Finally, Arnys relates how an agent of the Lia Kavair approached him recently and now exacts a 20% cut from Arnys’ proceeds, to which extortion the mendicant agent wisely acceded. The two knights return to Palliser House, passing a pair of unhappy, shivering legionnaires huddled against the snow in their post athwart the bridge over the Shemeda Canal.

Ilvin 5, 730 TR

Coming down for breakfast the next morning, Sir Baris finds Bevan and Imarë excitedly poring over an old letter the former uncovered the night before within one of the many books in the old Lenesque library. Intending to curl up before the fire with a treatise on religion, or perhaps curious to discover whether the chapter on Halea included illustrations, Bevan had found instead a brittle piece of yellowed parchment tucked into the section on Naveh. This proves to be a letter from a loyal retainer of House Lenesque to the late Erol Lenesque, evidently dating from the days following the execution of the Earl Revi Lenesque by Sir Osric Jothysan during Arren I’s takeover of Rethem. The letter references an heirloom sword which the author of the correspondence was endeavoring to bring away to Erol in the wake of the Earl’s execution, but a postscript evidently written by Erol himself suggests that the retainer and the sword both subsequently disappeared. Querying Ogel as Sir Ewen joins them from upstairs, the group learns that the letter’s author, Egon of Hassler, was a long-time retainer of House Lenesque and a scribe in the employ of the old Earl Revi. The sword itself, said to have been given to the Lenesques as a gift by one of the early kings of Rethem, was reputed to be of considerable value and endowed with special powers of some sort. When asked about vassals of the Lenesques to whom the scribe might have fled if in dire need, Ogel seems uncertain, but does state that the Barons of Omnis and Thiri had both been loyal to Lenesque in those days.

Putting the letter aside for the time being, the group splits up. Sir Ewen visits Nicola of Variens to bring her his latest news, while Sir Baris and Imarë visit the locksmith’s shop with a story of searching for a red-haired man, whom they name “Taldan of Carse” and describe as owing them a considerable sum of money. Horah of Urmel is as unctuous and disreputable as they recall from his attempt to open a locked chest at Palliser House a few months ago, and he recalls the two from that occasion as he proceeds with exceeding temerity to retail to Imarë a shoddy “pick-proof” jewelry casket while Sir Baris glowers and strops the blade of his dagger suggestively in the corner of the shop. Their inquiry about the man with the fictional name quickly results in an escalation of the price of the jewel-box, with the oily locksmith upping the ante as he perceives the level of interest, pointedly ignoring the implication of Sir Baris assiduously checking the keenness of his blade in the candlelight. Eventually Horah divulges that the red-haired man goes by the name of “Koltho of Valgari,” lives somewhere in Sewertown, and frequents the brothel run by a woman named Deryn, who evidently tolerates his presence there. Koltho has apparently been attempting to interest Horah in selling mechanisms he calls “time pieces,” which are water-driven clocks of some type, but Horah has angered him by his disinterest in the scheme. Drained of cash and possessing a casket of notably shabby workmanship, the two leave Horah with a flimsy understanding of mutual discretion regarding their inquiry as well as an ominous promise from Sir Baris of future visits. Passing through Arren Square after they leave the shop, Imarë drops a penny in Arnys’ bowl and whispers that he should watch the shop to see if anyone leaves in the wake of their departure.

After a discussion of these developments over dinner at Palliser House, Sir Baris ventures forth as “Karl” with a dubious but reluctantly willing Dascomb in tow, bound for Deryn’s brothel. Sauntering confidently into the big common room, they take in the noisy bustle of the place, observing a cock fight in one corner and a fist fight in another. Seeing no one meeting the description of the red-haired man, they are approached by the middle-aged madam who appears to run the establishment with the steely confidence of a professional. A slatternly wench brings the two men ale while Deryn flatters them and offers the services of the house in the form of drinking, gambling, fighting, or women. Karl expresses interest in all of the above, while Dascomb stiffly opts to begin with a bit of wagering. Attempting his skill at a new-fangled innovation dubbed ‘cards,’ Karl promptly loses a few pence while Dascomb manages to hold his own at the dice, breaking even on what would appear to be his first night out on the town in years. Prodded by Karl and lubricated by drink, Dascomb is ultimately prevailed upon to try his hand with a woman, and retiring to a private room he fumbles his way to an over-eager completion but manages to get his companion to speak a few words about the red-haired Valgari, whom nobody seems to like but who is tolerated at the establishment due to Deryn reputedly being his mother. Feeling more confident now that he has succeeded in his task of discovering something of their quarry, Dascomb attempts another go at the girl but finds himself again the object of her pity. Rejoining Karl in the common room, the two make their way back through the frigid dark streets of the city and return to Palliser House, with the stoic Dascomb smugly complacent but awkwardly unable to meet the eye of his mistress, flushing under her amused gaze, as Bevan, Imarë, and Sir Ewen meet the two at the door, eager to hear the sordid details of the evening’s exploits.