Session Thirty-Three - January 14, 2006

[Matt]

Sir Peten Ends His Race

Ilvin 13, 730 TR

Having now recovered from the inadvertent death of Koltho Valgari, we gather in the morning at Palliser House to reconsider our options. After discussion about what to do we decide that ‘Karl’ will go and visit Derine. His actions depend on what Derine already knows. If she knows that Koltho has been killed, Karl will inform her that he must have just been leaving the place and saw the harper who had performed there earlier running away. If she knows nothing of the death of Koltho he decides he will say that there is a venture that he wants to go into as partners and where he can be found (hoping to be sent to where Koltho and Sir Peten live). While this high intrigue is being decided on, a foul-smelling messenger arrives from Boraga letting the party know that something special had arrived (Sir Ewen had left word that he would be interested in red heads who arrive).

As usual, Sir Ewen and Imarë trudge the fair streets of Golotha to the workshop of Boraga. After we enter the work area, Boraga says Sir Ewen is the of “Bringer of Doom” for just the day before he asks about red-haired men and here one is. The body was found stripped – presumably by urchins or thieves – in the canal this morning. Unlike the urban poor, this one is well fed. After our interview with Boraga we leave for Palliser House for more strategy discussion, confident that Boraga will keep the body to see if he can glean his name for a more profitable burial. On the way home, we task Arnys with listening for any activity on the street.

At our session it is decided that Sir Ewen will fake a break with the party and move into the Bridgetower Inn as a ‘staked out goat.’ That evening ‘Karl’ will go to the brothel and talk to Derine. If she has heard of her son Koltho’s death, he will inform her that he thought he saw the harper who performed the night before running from the murder scene. Sir Baris decides that if she has not heard about the death he will ask about going into business with Koltho and if he can talk to him (trying to get the address where he lives). Meanwhile, Sir Ewen packs his meager things and moves into the Bridgetower while Imarë goes after to watch him. Ewen takes a room, to Orsa’s surprise, and it’s even one of the larger ones. Sir Ewen remains closeted until nightfall. Imarë enters the inn and takes supper, ignoring Sir Ewen. To those at the inn who know both this is just confusing and she feels that this ploy has fooled no one.

Bevan reads a book while Sir Baris takes a bath to prepare for his meeting with Derine. He arms himself and wears his plate cuirass under his cloak. At dusk, he makes his way to the brothel and takes note of the cockfight in one corner – the same prize-winner is fighting again and its spurs jingle. ‘Karl’ notes that Derine does not appear upset, and the girls are the same as usual. He goes over to Derine, and tells her about a new invention of his to make the capture of rats more efficient, and how she thinks Koltho’s clock might be of use with it. Derine makes a worried comment about his mental state, and gets him an ale on the house. Clearly, Derine has not heard of the death and tells Karl to come back later, that Koltho will surely be in soon.

In the evening Sir Ewen goes to Arnys’s apartment to have him look for Sir Peten and Koltho on the street that he lives on in Sewertown (trailed by Imarë). Arnys tells him that traffic has lessened in the square these last days, as the weather turns colder. Ewen suggests that the time has come for him to relocate, and he asks him to keep an eye on the houses in this neighborhood in hopes of spotting Sir Peten and the red-headed man (not wishing to let Arnys know at this point that Koltho is dead). As always, discretion is key, and should he see them all he is to do is send word to Palliser House. Sir Ewen also asks what Arnys might have heard about the Agrikans, and learns that Sir Klyrdes Bisidril retains his seat on the council, but there are much fewer Agrikans in the city than there were. He also mentions that the Morgathians were quietly conducting a search for a person, but he knows no more about that.

On his way back to the Bridgetower, a cutpurse tries to rob Sir Ewen by pressing a knife to his back and asking for his purse. Knowing Imarë is following, fumbles at it, stalling for time. As the thief grows impatient, Ewen dodges away, but the man’s blade strikes Ewen’s hip. However, the blow is insufficient to penetrate the leather, and Ewen draws his sword. The thief decides to flee and turns to run straight into Imarë who sprints after him, thinking he may know where Sir Peten lives, but the man gets away. Sir Ewen catches up, and the two head on to Palliser House and the other to the Bridgetower.

Ilvin 14, 730 TR

In the morning Imarë decides to go to Boraga to disclose the identity of the body he has. There, she and Dascomb let the undertaker know that she had seen the man in the brothel of Derine and had been told that he was her son. Boraga finds this interesting as he has known Derine for many years, but never knew she had a son. Imarë then leaves to check up with the doctor friend of Boraga who had treated Slakka to see if he had heard about his death. The doctor has heard nothing about Slakka dying but one day when he went to treat the man the whole house was locked up and the occupants gone. Imarë tries to draw him out about another who might have treated him because one of Sir Peten’s covers had been as a healer. The doctor knew of only a fakir name Horeb and another physician named Vagnar of Granier, though he hadn’t seen the latter in some time. Dascomb asked about a Peten Meldeth (the name Koltho originally went under) but he had never heard this name.

While this is going on, Boraga sends a message to Derine about Koltho. She evidently goes to his shop to make arrangements. When she returns, she goes right to work. ‘Karl’ arrives and immediately senses that the girls are happier. The Madame approaches the philosopher ratcatcher informs him that he’ll need another partner for his rat scam as Koltho has been killed. Her attitude is one of resignation and his death does not seem to cause anybody much concern. Karl then tries to interest her in the story about the harper running away but she seems to think that Karl is a little touched in the head. She does, however, offer him 6d to inform Koltho’s father about his death (much to Karl’s joy) and that he is at Boraga’s. She does not know the exact location of their residence but gives the locale within a half dozen houses.

Karl goes and gets the rest of the party and at Palliser House there is talk of poisoned daggers. All head out to finally confront the elusive Sir Peten. Arriving in Sewertown, Sir Ewen approaches Arnys, but he has not learned anything yet. The party decides to start knocking on doors, and choose the one directly across from where Arnys has been sitting. There is a brief pause, and then the tromping of feet and a growling voice asks who’s there? To the reply that they’re looking for Peten, the voice responds “he doesn’t live here anymore.” Sir Ewen tells the man that he just needs to deliver a message so he can “collect his coin.” At this the man peeks out, and apparently decides Ewen looks safe enough. The man says that his wife saw Peten leaving the lodging the prior morning (just after the death of Koltho) with his things and owing back rent but leaving the possessions of the son. At this point, he notices the rest of the party and slams the door shut. Sir Ewen knocks again, this time offering money for a description – he’ll pay the back rent plus another 6d. The description of Sir Peten is that of an older man with thinning grey hair with a neatly trimmed beard. He is about 6’ tall and in good shape for his age. He had a crooked nose (had apparently been broken in the past) with gray eyes. Sir Peten had no visitors in the three months he had lived there and almost never went out, his meals provided by the landlord. The landlord was under the impression that Peten was an itinerant merchant holed up for the winter. The son did not like staying in and was going stir crazy. He started arguing with his father a lot and finally started going out on a regular basis. The landlord had always had a weird feeling around the father and stayed out of his way and he disliked Koltho. The only part of an argument he had overheard had been “we should just go, he’s going to need more men in the north.” It was after this argument that the son started to go out more and the two fought less.

We then go through the things left, all apparently Koltho’s. The first is an unregistered patent of knighthood from Sir Peten to Sir Koltho. The second item is a copy of a letter from Koltho to his sister Trelsa stating, with several mistakes, that he was in Golotha and wished to see her even though he knew she did not wish to see him. The third item was a receipt (bill of lading) for a water clock in one of the warehouses along the Kaldis Canal. The rest of the possessions are used clothing and nothing else of value. ‘Karl’ heads over to the brothel to tell Derine that Peten has fled, and she doesn’t seem surprised saying, “that bastard knew.” She pays him anyway and offers him his choice of the women. He chooses, Elsa, of course, but has to wait a bit due to her popularity. He asks her if there are any of Derine’s children working in the brothel but she knows only of a cousin named Merla who is the Assistant Madame.

Sir Ewen spends the evening with Rahel.

Ilvin 15, 730 TR

In the morning, the two knights saunter into Palliser House after a long night’s work. Bevan sends one of the servants to tell Dolan that the third floor tenement which Sir Baris had used for observing the brothel may now be let. Sir Ewen goes and questions the guards at the gates if they have seen anybody matching Sir Peten’s description leave the city recently but nobody remembers him in the last couple of days. One of the guards at the Dedergon Gate remembers somebody of that description leaving and coming back in later about a month ago. Sir Ewen tips the guard a schilling to let him know if he sees this man again.

The party then sees about the bill of lading. We go to the warehouse and recover the crate, which is 4’ x 4’ x 4’. Some money is owed (2 months rent) and the stated value is 720d (working out to 14.5d). We hire a couple of men for 4d to transport the crate to Palliser house and arrange to have someone at the Temple of Save K’nor to come and set it up in the great hall. Imarë inspects closely and finds the maker’s mark on the clock is Tyl of Indar of Aleath. Bevan then sends a “flowery” note inviting the priests of Save K’nor to come and see the clock, not forgetting to invoke Sir Theron’s name in the message.

Ilvin 16, 730 TR

Sir Ewen decides to name his Khanset mare – the gift from the King – Iblis, which all think is a rather fine joke.

Sir Baris and Sir Ewen go to visit Sir Blors across the river to enquire about Sir Peten. Since it’s raining, Sir Blors is not out hunting – which has put him in a bad mood. However, he’s pleased to have the company. Sir Baris begins by telling Sir Blors the tale of Ewen’s knighthood, and their attendance at the recent nuptials in Coranan. Sir Blors says, “I hear the Queen is a juicy piece of fruit.” Ewen asks Blors if he ever considered marriage himself upon which he tells a story:

“A few years back I was at a feast when a newly dubbed knight was sitting next to a much older knight. Trying to make conversation, he asked if the old knight danced. “Tried it once, didn’t like it,” came the reply. The young knight thought for a moment and then asked if the old knight hunted. “Tried it once, didn’t like it,” came the gruff reply. Then, thinking that he was being harsh, the old knight said that the young knight reminded him of his son. “Your only son, sir?” the young knight replied.”

Sir Baris then asks if Sir Blors knows a man by the name of Peten Meldeth. He does not, though he says that he did once know a “total loser” by the name of Peten Valgari. He knew him “back in the day,” but he had chosen to back the wrong horse. He had been named an Earl by Prince Arabar, Arren I’s elder son, before Arren II defeated him to become king. They had been friends in the old days; he fought well but was not as bright as the rest of them (coming from Sir Blors this is a statement indeed). When he learns that Sir Peten might have been in his shire, he summons his under sheriff Piers, who informs him that yes indeed Sir Peten had visited about a month before. According to Piers Sir Peten wanted to make a petition to the Sheriff. Sir Blors then yells at Piers for not telling him about this visit and reminisces about him breaking Sir Peten’s nose sparring about 12 or 13 years ago. Blors asks where Peten was living, and also how they got involved. Ewen replies cavalierly that one never knows what Bevan will get into. Sir Baris suggests that Sir Blors might be able to flush him out, while Sir Ewen asks if Blors knows what religion Peten was. Sir Blors responds that he had heard he’d become an Agrikan and that perhaps they should approach Klyrdes Bisidril as Peten may have gone to him for protection. Sir Blors also mentions that if the group is to petition Klyrdes they must be very polite and also send a very nice gift. At this point, Sir Baris mentions the death of Koltho – learned from Boraga he says – and Sir Blors remembers him vaguely and that he must have been about 23 by now. After additional conversation, the two knights return to the house.

While this visit was occurring, a Save K’norian with two acolytes in tow comes to set up the clock. He is the one in the temple who takes care of their clock, which is bigger but made by the same man. We find out he is the only man in the kingdom who can build such a device and there are only two on all of Harn who have the needed skill.

Ilvin 17, 730 TR

Sir Ewen pens the letter begging an audience with Sir Klyrdes Bisidril, the uncle of Sir Zaurial, and who is on the Heptarchial Council in addition to being the top Agrikan in the city (and perhaps more). Included with the letter is a 10c pearl (1000d) as a little gift. He sends a message that he will see Bevan in three days at 10:00 am.

Sir Ewen has the damage the cutpurse did to his leather armor repaired in between.

Ilvin 20, 730 TR

Bevan and Sir Ewen go visit Sir Klyrdes at his official residence as a Heptarch, which is one of seven on a small island in the center of the city. Presenting themselves at the gate, they pull a rope, ringing a bell. Two Warriors of Mameka appear and let them in, and take their weapons for safekeeping. They are escorted to an upstairs hall with tapestries of Agrikan theology (that of Ak Syt, a tower aflame) which is Agrik’s stronghold. Sir Ewen remembers this from something Sir Zaurial had said, and tells its name to Bevan, audibly enough for the guards to hear it and be noticeably impressed.

Sir Klyrdes turns out to be an older heavyset man who still seems fit. He has heavy eyebrows and a moustache, wearing Byzantine-style armor and has a mace hanging from his belt. There is also a metallic symbol of Agrik around his neck. After some pleasantries where he lets it be known that he knows all about Bevan, her mission, and seemingly many of her activities he gets down to business. Bevan lets him know that she is looking for Sir Peten and would be most grateful for any help that he could give in finding him. Sir Klyrdes wants to know what she is willing to offer him in return for doing something like this (he thanks her for the little bauble). After some back and forth Sir Klyrdes says he would like the Laranians kept out of Golotha and a Temple of Agrik to be allowed in Aleath. He lets this simmer in the pot for awhile before letting Bevan and Sir Ewen off the hook about promising something like this (he knows they cannot), it seems he is having some fun with the pair. He then makes his real proposal. He wants an offer made through Lord Graver to the Lord Chancellor for an Agrikan fighting order to be established dedicated to the Kingdom of Tharda. He realizes that no promises can be made about what will be done with this but only wants the idea to be brought up. Once the promise is made, Sir Klyrdes gestures to the Mamakas, one of whom leaves the room. Returning quickly, he tosses the head of Sir Peten Valgari onto the table and the audience is over.

Plans are now afoot to deliver the head of Sir Peten and the message of Sir Klyrdes to Lord Graver and then to be onto our next assignment, perhaps back in the east.

So ends the search for the Red-Headed Man, not with a bang but a toss. Given the arc of misdirection from the death of Hollo the Ratcatcher to demise of Sir Peten Valgari, one wonders if the loose ends will ever be neatly tied up …