Session Thirty-Four - February 26, 2006

[Matt]

Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain

Ilvin 21-30, 730 TR

We prepare to depart Golotha and report to Lord Graver. We contract a barge to transport us to the capital for 60d each way and 12d/day to wait for us, an expense generously taken on by Bevan. We arrive on the 23rd and Bevan and Sir Ewen make their report on Ilvin 25. The report is received and earns hearty congratulations from the Inquisitor General. The team is then tasked, by their request to head east to Kaldor to do some intelligence gathering for what we see as the coming war. Lord Graver said that he felt they had perhaps been too busy in the west lately, and that Sir Ilken Zuvonx would make a good message conduit.

During our down time waiting for Lord Graver, both Sir Baris and Sir Ewen give Gragor of Rodel their trade, Sir Ewen getting himself some mail (1560d) to supplement the leather he generally wears (along with a ¾ helm (300d) and a knight shield (60d)), and Sir Baris picks up the battle axe (390d) he ordered the last time he was here. All items seem to be of exceptional quality and both knights are pleased with their purchases. Bevan goes to visit Sir Theron and Trilime, and discusses finances. On the 26th of Ilvin we leave Coranan and arrive back in Golotha on the 28th. As we will be traveling east with the Salt Route Caravan, we have a little over three months to arrive at Moleryn for the beginning of Peonu. We do not know when we might return to the fell city of Golotha, and so we make the most of our remaining time here.

We spend the rest of the winter following various pursuits. Sir Baris and Sir Ewen spend much of their time teaching Arnys and Dascomb to ride better and the rest of the time they spend on different martial skills they wish to hone. Bevan also spends her time improving herself for the tasks ahead. Imarë, always the practical one, spends her time with her elven jeweler friend learning about his trade, abandoning her attempt to harness some of her latent talents. She is happy with the trade.

Nuzyael 9, 731 TR

On Nuzyael 9 the Selata II comes into port and pays her remaining shareholders (Imarë has sold hers to Bevan for 6438d) slightly less than the last time because Dwilith wants to either add a ship or get a bigger one. Bevan agrees that this is the course of action to be taken (she owns 62.5% of the venture) so the shares are reduced to make the expansion. Bevan receives 12,298d.

Nuzyael 11, 731 TR

The group throws a New Year’s Party for the people we have met in Golotha (Dwilith attends). Sir Ewen’s amour comes and makes Sir Tovar (very strongly attracted to Rahel) jealous. Sir Ewen performs his new tune “Now Welcome Summer” which is received with great joy, considering his last tune was on the tragi-glorious side (and his performance went well also). Imarë comments that his popular anthem may not have reached Tashal yet and could be a new market for him.

Nuzyael 30-Peonu 9, 731 TR

Late in the month we leave for Moleryn to join with the Salt Route Caravan (more specifically the wagons of Arvind of Aerth which we will give cover for just in case). We stop in Themeson to visit Sir Baris’s uncle (also Sir Baris) and to pick up the younger Sir Baris’s squire, one Quin of Regandy, the son of one of the vassals of the Earl of Techen (the Lord of Gesino manor). We go through Geshtai and Coranan.

Peonu 10-14, 731 TR

We arrive in Moleryn, a few days before the caravan is due to leave. We manage to get two rooms at the inn at inflated prices at the Whistler’s Inn (shilling a night per room with no food and that is 6d/day with no alcohol). The atmosphere is like a fair, with entertainers, mimes, and the like. Sir Ewen decides that Elsa should go out and practice her profession to help to defray the costs of the stay, dividing 50/50. Elsa is wildly successful, taking in 590d in five nights even taking one of them off (all prices seem inflated in Moleryn while the caravan is in town). Sir Ewen donates his 295d cut towards the inn bill of 480d, and Sir Baris, Bevan, and Imarë kick in 62d each to cover the rest. Bevan regales the party with tales from her last journey east, when somebody was attacking people on the road. There were mysterious elves and I am not sure that a conclusion was ever reached in the matter but there is no talk of attacks currently.

Peonu 15-Kelen 4, 731 TR

We leave Moleryn on the 15th of Peonu and take three days to reach Taztos, the last frontier post of Tharda which, like Moleryn, is garrisoned by the VI Legion. Elsa again plies her trade, earning 320d. A line forms outside her tent. The caravan carries mainly salt, furs, and brassware along with pottery. There is little food (for trade) or wool carried but many hides. We travel through tribal range of the Tulwyn and on the 20th of Peonu the caravan arrives at a ‘meeting’ place. The Tulwyn are waiting and the caravan gives them tribute for safe passage. We arrive at the Trobridge Inn on the 27th of Peonu without major event. Here we spend a whole day and two nights in order to finish trading with the inhabitants of the inn village. Elsa earns another 420d. The caravan continues and around the 28th enters the Chelni tribal range. While this group demonstrates it does not attack the caravan. The Chelni have developed their own type of horse, the Chelni Pony. One of its major differences is that it has a four beat gait rather than a three beat gait. After seven days of travel we once again arrive at villages in civilization.

Kelen 5, 731 TR

We arrive on the western bank of the Kald River across from the city of Tashal. Over the next month, trading will take place with merchants of Tashal and beyond and the merchants will obtain wares for their return trip to Tharda late in the summer. This is one of four caravans which close in on the city which is centrally located on the island’s trade routes. One goes north (on the Fur route) from Orbaal. Two others also approach the city from points southeast each spring. The Salt Route Caravan reaches Tashal in the spring ahead of the others.

While the Salt Route Caravan stays on the west side of the river, the party enters the city over the Balasa Bridge (it has two large copper lamps on either side on the cityside) and through the gate of the same name. There is a 1d toll to cross the Kald with horses, foot traffic would be free. Flanking the entrance to the gate are six alcoves, three per side. These contain lifelike statues of rulers of Kaldor. On the northern side (in order reached) are Haldan III, Miginath, and Torastra. On the southern side are Chelebin III, Haldan II, and Haldan I. There are four guards in livery around the gate in various colors. They wear ring and bear the heraldic device of a small black shield with an acorn slipped and leaved on it (as does a flag flying from the gatehouse). There are two portcullis’s in the gatehouse. We enter into Kald Square, which has five very impressive oak trees, and a raised platform where a very public form of punishment or execution would take place. The party heads directly for the Tower Inn (Sepian of Ashel proprietor). We first ostle our horses with Kirl in the yard. He is very impressed with Sir Ewen’s horse and keeps him in the yard of the inn rather than outside the walls like the rest of the party’s mounts. We arrange for three rooms with Sepian (one for Sir Ewen and retinue, one for Bevan and Imarë, and one for Sir Baris and, supposedly, Dascomb. As usual he spends most of his time at Bevan’s door). We get the rooms for 6d/night and they come with basic breakfast and dinner. The horses are taken care of for 1d/day (2d for Sir Ewen’s).

Kelen 6, 731 TR

Sir Ewen and Sir Baris inquire about local tournaments and learn there is one in Olokand in Larane named after Queen Chelebin. This occurs at the same time as the Summer Fair in Tashal. The tournament is open to any knight able to pay the fees. We make inquires about a place for Elsa to set up shop and get the name of Kesyne’s Brothel. After making elaborate procedures to get her there and having two of us inside to make sure all is alright, Elsa manages to get herself situated quite easily with no problems. Imarë also provides a good night for the deprived Arnys with one of the ladies working in the establishment.

Kelen 7, 731 TR

Sir Ewen and Sir Baris decide that they will enter one of the tournaments taking place later in the spring. To do this they need to get proper mounts. They decide the best place to start is with Kirl. While he has none in the city, his brother Url does have some in a manor just outside the city to the south. If they wish he can take them there to view. They decide to go and see what they can get. The war horses are of the Reksyni breed, a good horse. There are six, from yearling to 3. Three stallion, two geldings, and one mare. Sir Baris is enthralled with a stallion and mounts him. While not fully broken, Sir Baris manages to keep his seat through the horse’s paces. He decides to buy him for 1200d. Sir Ewen asks Url for his advice on the best one remaining. Url points out one of the other stallions who is fully trained. Sir Ewen mounts the horse and has no trouble in getting the horse to do his bidding. He decides the 1000d price tag is not too high and buys the horse. As a bonus for the two knights Kirl, who is in business with his brother on the warhorses, offers to ostle the horses for half price until the tournament. They decide to wait until their return to Tashal to purchase tack.

While the knights are off horse shopping, Bevan and Imarë go window shopping in Tashal. They decide that they will go to the Iron Bell that evening for dinner even if the knights do not return in time. This is the last place that Escalus was seen and he is the presumed representative for Lord Morgan in these parts. There is great desire not to step on his toes and coordinate if that is what he wishes. The knights do arrive back in time to go to the Iron Bell and so the foursome go to dinner at the establishment of Rosak of Kass. He remembers Bevan well, asks after Theron, and immediately ushers the party to one of five semi-private tables which make up his common room. He delivers a round of Shenap wine gratis and says he has a wonderful pheasant for our dinner.

After the dinner he brings an apricot brandy which is not nearly as good as some of the various wines and brandies we have tasted in Golotha. While we are sampling the pedestrian brandy, a lovely young woman suddenly appears at the table, almost by magic. Bevan knows her from her visit north to Kiraz, Imarë knows her from the Trobridge Inn and this inn the last time she was here. It is Rhonna of Fahl (one of Lord Morgan’s people). She greets everyone and tells us it took us long enough to arrive in Tashal. She also brings greetings to Sir Ewen from “his lady” and we must presume Rahel (unless there is another story we know nothing about …). She offers a toast to “the Colossus.” She tells the knights that she is able and willing to introduce them to influential people and all the right connections. After much more pleasant banter than the last time Imarë had eaten here, the evening ends with Imarë going off with Rhonna (the human condition knows infinite variations …) and the others are left to ponder what will come in the days ahead.

[Imarë]

Got just the reaction I was hoping for on the matter of practicality. I do suppose it is somewhat uncharitable to make veins pop out on Matts forehead but what the heck.

On Bevans story in Moleryn, I had left the room during part of it and did not get the whole thing. This is the only reason I left it vague, I had no idea how it turned out .