Session Forty-Four - January 27, 2007

[Matt]

Larane 25, 731

As clean up began in the Chapel it became clear to the party that stacking the pews in front of the door clearly was a stroke of brilliance and luck. If the pews had not blocked the ingress, the gulmorvrin would have come at the party faster and in greater numbers than they could have handled. There would likely be more casualties than the just the Master of the Fighting Order. While the dust piles that were once the gulmorvrin are swept up, the party notices that the ashes are being treated with some honor – respect for those lost. A chance remark from one of the party about the fact that the Suloran seemed to just disappear was overheard by the Serolan and it sparked his memory of an escape tunnel leading from the Abbey to the cemetery.

Baris was left in the chapel to help supervise the clean-up as the rest of the party along with the Bishop, and a couple priests carrying lanterns follow the Serolan down the stairs to the storeroom. In the storeroom on the southern wall the Serolan reveals a secret door and the group enters the tunnel proceeding cautiously. At one point the tunnel forks with a path leading to the south and another leading to the east. The Serolan leads the group along the eastern path, and the tunnel comes out in the southernmost crypts. In fact it is the lower level of the crypt that Cekiya explored earlier that morning. In the middle of the chamber there is a bier with the Inquisitor, Brinsa of Tushro, strapped to it. None of the group can get close to him due to the fact that the shadow extends from him for several feet all around. The Bishop instantly takes charge and begins to question Brinsa. It becomes clear that the Inquisitor is quite angry at the fact that he has been left behind, helpless. He is quite talkative and answers the Bishop’s questions with little resistance. All marvel that the scribe, Torwas, was the original Morgathian, though whether he is a priest or just an amorvrus is unclear. As this means that the scribe is the one who subverted the Inquisitor, the party is curious when exactly the Inquisitor was turned, but the Bishop, ignoring the comments from the party, does not ask the Inquisitor this. Brinsa does confirm that he was sent to discredit the Bishop on orders from the Archbishop. The Inquisitor asks that the Bishop kill him or let him go as if he does not sacrifice more souls to Morgath then he will become one of the mindless undead. The Bishop obviously cannot let him go and since none can get near the Inquisitor he calls for torches, wood and other flammable items and proceeds to immolate the Inquisitor in the crypt. As Brinsa burns, the Bishop and the other priests pray for him around the pyre.

On the walk back to the abbey, the Bishop announces there will be a service of thanksgiving once the chapel has been put back in order, and that perhaps the party should get some rest before then as it is now three in the morning. The party does attempt to rest, but not quite two hours pass before the bells begin to peal signaling the dawn and the service of thanksgiving.

The party wearily enters the chapel, noticing the majority of the pews made it through the battle so there is enough seating for all in attendance. Not all of the abbey inhabitants are there, as most were prisoners, and having received treatment for their torture, are now resting. The service primarily consists of the Bishop talking and the praise he gives Sir Ewen is slightly over the top. An hour passes and it is now six am and all break for breakfast.

Afterwards, the party finds that a census was taken of the Abbey and the results are not surprising, and not pleasant. It seems that of the five Lady of Paladin knights, two are dead, including one that was sent out by the Bishop as a messenger, but Sir Goliem and two others are missing. As one of the missing knights was the other messenger sent out by the Bishop, the party can only assume that both were caught before leaving the Abbey and both were turned. The only Master unaccounted for is the Master of the Archives, the Suloran, and the Master of the Fighting order was killed in the battle. Six priests were killed in the battle, leaving one unaccounted for. The scribe and two of the Inquisitor’s guards are also not accounted for, bringing the total of missing Morgathians and the supposed undead to eight. But much to Baris’s relief, all the acolytes are accounted for. Along with this census, the party also hears a lot of talk of the beacon of light that appeared at the end of the battle. Prevailing opinion holds the Bishop has the favor of Larani.

The party does not find out much more in the hours before the feast of thanksgiving. At the feast the Bishop is in attendance instead of taking his meals separately as he normally does. The Bishop it seems was busy in the hours following the morning service as he stands up and addresses those in attendance.

“I am sending out messengers to all the other bishops and to the Archbishop to convoke a synod in Tashal some ten days hence. I, myself, will be leaving for Tashal in two days time.”

“We at the Abriel owe a great deal of gratitude to the noble knights who stood up and defended us against a horde of undead when they could of left and saved themselves. Their selfless acts should not go unrewarded. Sir Baris and Lady Afaewynn please come forward.” Standing at the Bishop’s side is the steward, holding several scrolls. The Bishop selects two and hands one each to Baris and Afaewynn. “I am granting each of you an annuity from Abriel in the amount of £6 to be collected in person or by proxy during the month of Nuzyael.” The Bishop also hands each a pouch, containing the first payment of the annuity. Baris and Afaewynn thank the Bishop and return to their seats.

The Bishop then smiles in a not so nice way. “Sir Ewen,” he begins and then waits for Ewen to rise and come to him. “I must beg your indulgence as the reward I have in mind for you cannot be given at this time. I must wait until the time is right.” Ewen bows regally to the Bishop.

“I must, however, ask another favor from you.”

“I am at your service my lord Bishop.”

“As I understand it, you will be leaving for Tashal yourself soon. I would ask that you and yours put off leaving a day or so that you may escort my party to Tashal.”

“It would be an honor, sir.”

“Thank you Sir Ewen, the doors and comforts of Abriel Abbey are always open to you.” The Bishop having said what he came to say then leaves and the rest of the feast proceeds uneventfully.

After the feast, Imarë returns to the cemetery and searches the crypt and area around it for any indication of the direction the missing scribe and others took, but fails to find any hint. The rest of the party spends the rest of the day resting, cleaning their armor and weapons, and various other activities.

Larane 26, 731

The day passes in relative quiet as all are preparing for the departure to Tashal the next day.

Larane 27, 731

In the morning it is raining lightly as the party, Bishop, and his entourage ready to head out. The Bishop’s entourage consists of his steward, his assistant, the two priests who were in the crypt, and several servants including an ostler’s apprentice. The Serolan must remain behind, a fact that the party noticed did not make him happy, but the Bishop insisted saying that someone had to remain behind in these troubling times to keep order. With everyone ready, they set off. The Bishop rides in a wagon, with his servants doubling as teamsters, and the rest of his party either riding or walking, depending on their station. The pace of the entire group was slower than the party normally traveled.

Following the road heading back to Olokand they reach the village of Iversen by mid-morning. When the party came this way just a few days ago they did not stop, but now the Bishop called a halt, went in and spoke briefly to the knight of the Lady of the Paladins in charge of the chapter house and a lovely Priestess. Soon the Bishop returned to the group joined by two spearmen from the garrison who were to help guard the Bishop.

The party once again set out at a slow pace and by late morning reached Olokand. As they pass over the bridge to the eastern bank of the Kald, the party notices that the group is only causing minor disturbances with some gawking. The group continues on the east bank of the Kald and by the end of the day they reach Ovendel where they stop for the night. There is only a small inn and the steward appropriates all the rooms, which are allotted by rank with the Bishop taking the largest and best room.

Larane 28, 731

When the party sets off the next morning they find that it is now raining harder than yesterday, nevertheless, the Bishop is pushing the pace of the group as he wants to make Tashal by nightfall. The group passes through various villages and towns on the road. At one point during the journey through a wooded region some feel they’re being followed and spied upon, but when people were sent out to investigate the sightings they found no one and nothing. As night draws closer there is talk of stopping over in the next town they come to and arriving in Tashal in the morning, but the Bishop insists that they push on and reach Tashal tonight.

The group reaches Tashal just after dark and therefore after the gates have been closed. The Bishop calls to the guards and they open the gates for him. Now within Tashal, the party notices that the King’s standard is flying over the castle indicating he is in residence. Before the party departs from the Bishop, he thanks Ewen once again for all his help, mentions that he expects to see Ewen at the service on the fifth and that he will be in contact during or at least after the synod. Ewen, informs the Bishop that the honor was his and informs him that he can be found at Gray House whenever the Bishop wishes.

The party then returns home to Gray House, surprising the servants as no word had been sent on ahead. Despite their surprise and extremely short notice, they manage to provide the party with a good dinner and had the rooms in order by the time the party retired.

Larane 29, 731

At breakfast the party makes their plans for the day. It is decided that it would be a good thing to get caught up on the gossip and perhaps find out what the current opinion is of having a Thardan knight as the First Knight of Kaldor. Kaelyn mentions that she would like to pay a visit to Astarok and Ewen sends off a message to Sir Ilken at Tharda house asking if he may visit.

“Sir Ewen, is there anything you want me to do?” Cekiya asks innocently.

“Let me look through my list to see if there is anyone I want dead,” Ewen replies, almost teasingly. “Or I guess, you could go and pay a visit to Elsa. Tell me, Cekiya,” Ewen says growing serious, “Can you get in touch with your Lady Rahel?”

“Maybe,” Cekiya replies enigmatically.

Ewen changes the subject, and asks Cekiya if she would go to the Busted Nut and see if she can find the whereabouts of Elsa, as she would be a good source of information.

A message returns from Tharda House to Ewen indicating that he may visit any afternoon he wishes. Ewen decides, along with Imarë and Baris, just to remain home and wait and see what news Kaelyn and Cekiya bring back.

Afaewynn informs the group that it is nearing the end of the Summer Fair in Tashal. They had missed several plays and most of the merchants have sold their best wares, but the Peonians are putting on their ‘Morality Play’ this evening and the executions are scheduled for tomorrow and there is to be one beheading.

“Well if there is no drawing and quartering it’s hardly worth going to,” says Ewen.

Before anyone could respond to that, there is a knock on the door and soon a priestess from Peoni is led in. She has heard that the party had returned to Tashal and has come begging Sir Baris’s aid. Their lead performer for the play tonight has developed laryngitis and they’re in dire need of a replacement and would Sir Baris help them out by taking the lead part? The priestess looks pleadingly at Baris and he doesn’t have the heart to say no; in fact he is so honored that they thought of him he’s slightly flustered. He does make the request that the billing isn’t ‘Sir Baris,’ but lists him as ‘Karl’ instead. The Peonian is so grateful she doesn’t question this and instantly agrees. As Baris departs with the priestess to learn his lines and be fitted for costume, the party all say they’ll come to watch his performance.

Kaelyn and Cekiya leave a few minutes later. Kaelyn heads for the marketplace for muffins, and Cekiya for the Busted Nut. After buying muffins at one of the vendors, Kaelyn heads for the home of Astarok. At the door, Kaelyn knocks and patiently waits for the seneschal to open the door. A few moments later, he does.

“Yes?”

“I’m here to see the Viran.”

“I’m afraid you can’t.”

“Why?”

“He’s dead.”

This shocks Kaelyn, even though she knew Astarok was quite old. She manages to compose herself enough to ask when he died. The seneschal informs her that the Viran died about twelve days ago. The seneschal then thanks her for the muffins and shuts the door.

Cekiya, about the same time Kaelyn was knocking on the late Astarok’s door, was entering the Busted Nut, a smoky, dingy, seedy tavern with a clientele that can be described the same way. The Nut is also known for its watered ales and being the home of ‘Perla’s Angels.’

When Cekiya entered the room the riffraff began the customary catcalls they associate with females, but it all but died on their lips as Cekiya shot the entire room a look that said ‘Don’t even ...’

Cekiya sees Perla tending the bar. She walks over and asks for ale.

“Can you reach the bar?”

“Just fine, thanks. I’m looking for someone for a friend. She once worked here.” Cekiya continues.

“What’s her name,” Perla says, and would have continued with a snarky comment, but wisely chooses to remain silent.

“Elsa.”

“Oh Elsa, yeah, she’s not here anymore.”

“Where is she?”

“Heard she’s landed herself a gig at Gallopea’s Feast. She’s a “special girl” there.” Perla pauses, “Are you looking for a job honey?”

Cekiya merely downs her ale and leaves.

Back at Gray House, Cekiya informs Ewen of Elsa’s supposed location, and Kaelyn informs the party of the death of Astarok. Upon hearing the news from the two girls, Ewen decides that he will visit Sir Ilken tomorrow. Tonight the party will go and see Baris in the Peonian play and then have a nice dinner at Gallopea’s Feast, and if the chance presented itself, talk to one of the Morganettes as it would be a good idea to tell them that there are Morgathians running around Kaldor, and perhaps they could get some background information on the Morgathian scribe, Torwas.

After a restful afternoon, the party departs for the amphitheatre just outside of town. Once there they notice that the majority of the audience is of what can be loosely described as the common folk. As Peoni is the goddess of the field and harvest, this is really not surprising. What does catch the party’s eyes is the fact that all of the peasants seem to be carrying baskets of rotted fruits and vegetables, a few even have buckets of what can only be described as slop. The party wisely chooses to sit near the back of the amphitheatre away from the anticipated projectile paths. Soon a priest comes out and gives a remarkably short sermon before the play and thanks Karl, a true friend of Peoni, for stepping in at the last minute to play the lead role. The priest then announces this evening’s morality play’s title, ‘Melba the Singing Nun,’ and the curtain pulls back as the priest leaves the stage. Not a word is said by the party as they see their companion, Baris, on-stage in his costume. Baris, or Karl as he is known to the peasants gathered, is in a poorly made homespun habit. It seems that to make the six-foot plus knight appear more feminine, gourds were strategically added; along with an improperly glued on straw wig. As Karl begins his first song one gourd slips much lower than its mate. By the end of the song the gourd has fallen out completely and the peasants are taking fruit out of their baskets. Karl is not singing well at all. The actor playing the head priestess comes on stage and slips on Karl’s lost gourd. This is the cue the audience seemed to be waiting for: the fruit begins to fly. Karl manages to dodge out of the way of most of the barrage as he delivers his lines, but can not avoid the decomposing corpse of a chicken that had been launched at the stage. The bird, bloated from decomposition, explodes in a disgusting paste of feathers, guts, and bones. The beak, hits Karl sending him off balance as he now slips on his other gourd, which had fallen during the mid-point of his hastily given oration moments before. As the audience, and admittedly the party, roars with laughter, Karl slinks off the stage in a rather foul mood. The play ends rather abruptly and was deemed a rousing success by the peasants in attendance.

The party in a jovial mood now heads for Gallopea’s Feast. It’s about 8, and the common room of the Feast is quite well attended what with the Salt Caravan still being in town. As the party enters they notice that this evening’s entertainment is Ornald, the harper Ewen had hired for the Harabor dinner party. Ornald has just begun his break and upon seeing the party, makes his way over. He tells Sir Ewen that all is forgiven for the song that flopped, and actually the song is quite popular now that there is a new Earl of Osel. In fact, he has plans to sing the song later in the evening and will acknowledge Ewen as the composer. After Ornald takes his leave, the party scans the room for others they recognize as Tirsa, the server from the private room from Ewen’s meeting upstairs, leads them to their table. They see two merchants they know, Pesera of Hendel and his neighbor Querene of Valain. As they pass their table, Ewen nods to them and surprisingly Pesera acknowledges Lady Afaewynn by name.

The party takes their seats and has the table to themselves. As soon as they are seated, Mak of Ashel comes over, “Welcome back Sir Ewen.”

“Thank you. It’s been a busy month.”

“I heard about your victory in Olokand, and in congratulations, I have a special roast I’ve been saving. If you will permit me to indulge, it shall be out shortly.”

“Thank you, and if you would; extend my thanks to your brother, Sepian, for the excellent care that he has shown my steed while I was away.”

Mak is suitably pleased and he scurries away to prepare the meal. Dinner is a delicious leg of lamb served with roasted vegetables. As Mak leaves the decanter of wine on the table, he tells Ewen that he will charge it all to ‘the account.’

After dinner, as the party enjoys that nice decanter of wine, a well dressed man in his late 20s, early 30s, wearing a sword at his side comes over to the table. “Do Ah have the honuh of addressing Suh Ewen?” He asks. The party notices immediately that his accent is unlike any that they have heard before.

“Yes, you do, and whom do I have the honor of addressing?”

“Suh Rollard D’Audrieu. Ah have heard that you are the champion of this year’s joust.” Ewen nods his head in assent and Sir Rollard continues, “Ah wasn’t there unfortunately, but Ah would like to extend mah congratulations for your victory.”

“You are kind, sir. May I introduce my table companions?” Ewen asks and introduces the others of the party, beginning with Lady Afaewynn and continuing on by rank. “Would you care to join us for dessert?”

“It would be an honuh, but Ah am otherwise engaged. Mah lady awaits me, but Ah could not leave without tendering mah respects to you,” Sir Rollard says.

After Sir Rollard departs, Ewen asks Afaewynn if she has heard that accent before. Afaewynn indicates that she has not.

As dessert is being served, Mak mentions that there are several dog fights scheduled later. Imarë expresses interest in them and when the party departs for home, Imarë stays to watch. As Imarë is placing her bets, using her talent to sense which of the dogs is most likely to win, she notices someone vaguely familiar. A moment later, it comes to her. The man is Dickon of Parketh, a man of arms who accompanied Rhonna during the meeting at the Iron Bell. Imarë does not greet him, but turns her attention back to the dog fights and at the end of the evening, one shilling richer, returns home.

Later at home, the party finds the servants cowering from Sir Baris’ rage over the performance. While nothing other but a chair or two was broken, the volume of his ranting did send the servants into hiding.

Larane 30, 731

In the morning the party awakens to find the servants scurrying back and forth outside of Baris’s room. It seems that the paste used on the wig Baris had worn during the play has caused a rather large and ugly rash. Baris’s door opens and he proclaims to all that he is not coming out of his room ever. He slams his door with such a force that some of the glassware rattles. The party wisely lets him be.

During breakfast a servant admits a young girl about 14 to the room. “She says her name is Matilda, Sir Ewen, and has a message for you,” she says..

Ewen looking at the tiny girl, being around the same size of Cekiya, says, “Well, bring it here girl.”

“I’m supposed to tell it to you,” is the nervous reply.

“Well, tell it true girl.” Ewen is evidently in a really good mood.

“My lady has heard of your arrival in Tashal, and says that you may come to call upon her if it pleases you.”

“Where should I call upon her ?” Ewen asks, possibly having more than one place he could go in mind.

“At Caldeth House, my lord. Is there a message I should take to her?” The young girl asks.

Ewen, being the composer he is, creates a little verse on the spot and making sure she has it memorized, sends the messenger back to the Lady Thilisa.

The party finishes their breakfast and proceeds to the executions being held in the castle square. As every good doctor will tell you, watching hangings is good for the digestive process.

Within the castle courtyard the party sees the block on which the beheading will take place, and next to it a gallows has been erected for the day. A herald appears and stands on the gallows, reading out the law on the crimes broken by the malefactors to be executed today. The first execution will be the beheading. In death, as in life, nobles do not wait in line. The man has been found guilty of rebellion; he had defied his father, and taken to the life of a highwayman. Having neglected to tip his executioner, the man does not die well. He pleads and cries with the guards carrying him to the block and it takes three strikes from the executioner’s axe to remove his head. The hangings are next. There are six malefactors that have been found guilty of various crimes (murder, theft, striking their betters, and larceny) that will be hanged today. The hangman’s knot is tied at the back of the noose, so the cause of death will be strangulation when the door is dropped rather than the breaking of the neck that occurs when the knot is at the side. Each of the six men chose to have a bag placed over their head. Some of the men went to their deaths stoically and some cried like the nobleman. All and all it was a fairly typical event. At the end of the executions as the bodies of the common criminals were being loaded up into a wagon to take them to the giblets in the woods to the north, the King says a few words about how all criminals will be so treated.

As the party gets set to leave they see the Baron of Stimos at the edge of the crowd and they make their way over to greet him.

“Sir Ewen, it is a great pleasure to see you again. Welcome back to Tashal,” he says.

“My lord, it is a pleasure to see you as well and to be back in the city.”

“I heard you went to visit Abriel Abbey after the tournament ended.” The Baron pauses, “There are rumors of mishaps at Abriel Abbey. I hope you were not involved.”

“Well, my lord, I had to make things right,” is Ewen’s cryptic response.

The Baron only nods and invites Ewen and his friends back to Tharda House for an afternoon repast as he says; “hangings always make me hungry.” As it is nearing lunch, the party accepts the invitation.

As they walk the Baron continues to hold a conversation with Ewen. “I know your note was addressed to Sir Ilken, but he is not in residence at Tharda House at the moment. I finally gave him permission to visit the Kath, as I know he enjoys it so much.”

“I will have to delay my pleasure of getting to see him then.”

“I’m sure the pleasure is his,” the Baron replies with a laugh, “He’s made a close study of the Kath maidens, though perhaps there are not so many of them maidens anymore.”

Ewen laughs with the Baron, “Yes, that is quite an arrangement.”

“At least he confines himself to Kath and he is quite popular among the barbarians of that region,” the Baron continues.

“I, personally, have different taste in women.”

“Yes quite different taste and in different directions, as well.” The Baron glances over at Ewen with a gleam in his eye. “It must be difficult to choose between two great women.”

“It is a quandary.”

“Yes,” the Baron pauses, “perhaps I may be able to help.”

Ewen takes a moment before replying, “In a dreadful heat, one seeks the shelter of noble trees.”

The Baron smiles, “I am glad to hear you say that. For though one is a great beauty; the other is highborn.”

Ewen is saved from answering that as the group has just reached Tharda House.

In the hall of Tharda House Mrs. Baum fusses over the party and brings in spiced wine with the promise of food to come. When Mrs. Baum has left the hall the Baron turns to Ewen and continues the conversation.

“As I said, the rumors from Abriel Abbey were disturbing, but not specific other than the fact that several priests were killed.”

“Yes, there were priests killed.”

“Do you know what happened? Were you there when the priests were killed?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Of course you were,” the Baron takes his drink and downs the wine in one swallow. As the Baron fills his goblet, Ewen fills him in on what happened at the Abbey starting with the arrival of the Inquisitor and fairly quickly comes to the events involving the Morgathians.

The Baron listens and walks to the fireplace, gazing at the fire that is burning despite the fact that it is summer. “Splendid,” he says before turning back to Ewen and the others. “Are there Morgathians in Kaldor?” He asks rhetorically. “Whether or not that is true it behooves us to ask ‘Did the Archbishop actually send a Morgathian priest to Abriel?’”

“It does create a shocking scandal my lord.” Ewen replies.

“Yes, enough to remove if not execute the Archbishop and yet is hard to believe. Although a synod has been called, a fact of which I’m sure you’re aware. I have heard that Bishop Dariune is here already. All the others are coming as well. The Archbishop originally declined the invitation, but later decided to come since all of the others would be attending. I had heard that this synod was because of the deaths of priests at the hands of an Inquisitor sent by the Archbishop.” The Baron pauses a moment to take a drink, “So, if the scribe, Torwas, was a Morgathian priest or just an amorvrus or both.” He looks at the party, “They can be both you know. When was this Inquisitor turned, before or after he was sent? I realize that you don’t know because the question was not asked. But if the Bishop did not ask the question when he could that means he didn’t want to know or he just didn’t want to hear the answer ‘after’.”

“The Bishop is more political than he likes to let on, it seems,” is Ewen’s reply.

“Yes, he is.”

“Bishop Hadan,” the Baron pauses and almost to himself says, “of all the bishops,” and in a louder voice continues, “I think that he means to depose the Archbishop Edine Kynn.”

Imarë speaks up, “Well, an Inquisitor was sent.”

“The Archbishop is perfectly within his rights to send an Inquisitor, but if he sent a Morgathian …” The Baron trails off, looking at the party with speculation written on his face.

“My lord Baron, I should say that the Bishop Hadan specifically asked me to escort him back to Tashal and I agreed.”

“And it’s well you did, but if I am correct, you have a choice about to face you.”

“You have been correct so far, my lord,”

The Baron mutters something about flattery, before continuing. “This is a good thing. I think that Bishop Hadan views you as a support he does not have. I think that the Bishop has alienated the hierarchy and most of the knights of the Lady of Paladins.

“Now some of the members of the Lady of Paladins wish to go on the crusade to fight the Solori barbarians in the south and some think that it isn’t Kaldor’s business. There’s talk of splitting the order. Now while none of them support the Bishop’s reluctant way, they might support Hadan as a way out of the crusade. Thus the Lady of Paladins may very well split. To put it simply, some would support the Bishop Hadan and some won’t, and that would put you, Ewen, in a very difficult position.”

“The Bishop Hadan has an opportunity, admittedly, to recast himself as some sort of defender against Morgathian corruption,” Ewen says trying to gain more information about each side.

“The thought of Morgathians in Kaldor will no doubt cause revulsion around the kingdom and perhaps give the Bishop some support, as he does stand alone now. But there are some quarters which no amount of persuasion will bring around. That’s the question, isn’t it? Bishop Hadan and the Archbishop then are enemies, and the Inquisitor was sent to discredit the Bishop,” the Baron pauses to regain his train of thought. “Let’s assume that that Archbishop is not a Morgathian or even that he knowingly sent a Morgathian and that the Bishop is taking advantage of the situation. It still looks very bad and it may in fact turn against the Archbishop, but the Archbishop is powerful and well-connected. He also commands some of the best soldiers in the kingdom.”

“And what of the Earl of Balim?” Ewen asks.

“He may support the Archbishop or not, so his cousin may become the Archbishop. The Earl and the Archbishop have been friends for years, but I have seen friends thrown over for less,” the Baron answers Ewen and then continues with his assessment. “Accusation is not enough, it has to be proved to displace him; and it isn’t clear that they will turn to Hadan, but may in fact turn to Dariune.”

“Does Bishop Hadan know this?” Ewen muses.

“I don’t know. I don’t know the man that well,” the Baron says refilling his glass. That is a key question though. If you publicly back the Bishop as the First Knight of Kaldor and if he loses, as I believe he must, then you have made an enemy. If the Bishop wins, you are then a savior.”

“What of the nobles?” Ewen asks.

“The earls and barons will stay out of this. The Earl of Balim will, of course, support his cousin. I believe the King will try to find a compromise, a balance if you will, as that is his nature. It is in Tharda’s interests for Bishop Hadan to become Archbishop of Kaldor. But the odds of that occurring are quite long.”

“I agree that those are long odds, but I have been known to change the odds before.” Ewen replies with a sly grin. “Perhaps I’ll foist the Morgathian taint onto the Dariunes.”

“That would be a tall order; and it may dilute the wine too much. Hadan can charge the Archbishop without others becoming involved, but any more may force the king to intervene, especially to protect his power base; and with that one question having not been asked, the charges may not stick too well,” the Baron of Stimos replies.

“Too what degree will you be able to remain apprised of the synod?”

“The synod will take place behind closed doors; what the court knows, I’ll know. I do have one or two contacts, but I believe that they will not be much help. You have provided more information than either of them,” the Baron gives a sort of half-laugh, “I don’t believe that Morgathian involvement is yet known.”

“My lord, how do you think that I should handle this information,” Ewen gives the Baron a smile.

“As I have said before, Sir Ewen, if Hadan wins then he owes you his life, but it’s doubtful he will. If he loses, you’ve made an enemy, albeit a weak one.”

“Yes, the Archbishop I imagine would not take it favorably to have Morgath connected with his name.”

“No. It isn’t likely he is a Morgathian, and even with overwhelming proof, he would probably be able to get out of the charges.”

“He would not be the Archbishop if he could not,” Ewen replies.

“If Hadan is to become the archbishop, then he must have support of two others in the bishopric and currently he has none, and I don’t see him getting the support of Bishop Dariune.” The Baron pauses a moment to fill the party in on how an archbishop is elected. After an archbishop dies or is disposed the remaining four bishops then take a vote on who of them will become the new archbishop. As there are an even number of bishops, it is possible for a tie to occur, and it is unknown what would happen at that point. After a new archbishop is elected, he must get approval from both the king and from the primate in Thay. Since the person so selected doesn’t become archbishop until the primate approves, it has the effect of an appointment by the primate. The primate has never vetoed the person elected to the position, but the king has. The Baron then tells the party that the synod is to take place just after the next Laranian service. As the party takes this all in, Ewen decides to switch topics and find out of more of the gossip.

“Have you had any news of the new Earl of Osel,” Ewen asks.

“Very little is told about the new Earl. Harabor agreed completely to relinquish all his northern lands.” The Baron smiles, “He ran south as fast as he could go. Thilisa,” the Baron continues giving Ewen a nod, “declined to return to Qualdris, and returned to Tashal. She is here now.”

“Yes, she contacted me this morning.”

“Of course, she’s been planning this for days, if not years,” he says smiling.

“Has she any other suitors?”

“Several, some she’s even entertaining, but no one of any significant rank.”

“What would she see in a foreign knight?” Ewen asks.

The Baron laughs, “Clay.” The party laughs with the Baron, trying to picture Ewen as a moldable knight.

“The lady doesn’t wish to be entangled in someone else’s affairs,” the Baron continues, pleased that all got his little joke.

“She may have been planning to become the Dowager Countess of Osel, but she could not have planned on becoming her father’s heir.” Ewen says.

“Exactly right. She can no longer remarry as freely as she might have liked. Her father now has some say in the matter, and as she is the heir, he might try to arrange a marriage for her.”

“He should know she is strong willed,” is Ewen’s response. “What form of alliance might the Earl of Vemion covet?”

“That’s hard to say. He usually keeps to himself and to his lands.”

“Yet without a son, he must now rely on a grandson. If Thilisa were to marry within one of the great families, then the line would be faced with a branch,” Ewen muses.

“Not necessarily. It would more likely be an augmentation than a dilution. I think the Earl of Vemion would like to see that happen, but it’s the furthest thing on Thilisa’s mind. She’s had ten years of independence. She does not want to surrender all to a husband and become entangled in his affairs.

“How fast will he move to get Thilisa remarried?”

“As I said, he did not expect to need to betroth his eldest daughter. He arranged a marriage for his youngest daughter, Camissa, at Olokand – one reason he came out of Minarsas – to the heir of the Baron of Uldien, Karsen Ubael. The wedding is scheduled for next spring at Minarsas,” the Baron informs the party. At the mention of next spring the entire party snaps to attention. A quick mental check of where Minarsas is located in Kaldor, has the party making silent plans. Fortunately, no one bursts out laughing. A few moments later the party departs Tharda House. Ewen wishes to pay a visit on the Lady at Caldeth House, and the rest of the party decides to head home.