Session Forty-Six - April 14, 2007

[Matt]

Note: There is no GM commentary on these notes.

Agrazhar 8, 731

The day dawns with Sir Baris leaving his room for the first time in nearly a week. In fact, Sir Baris has beaten the rest of the party to the breakfast table and has fallen ravenously upon the kippers and kidneys. Once the rest of the group has settled in and surveyed the devastation with appropriate awe, they turn their attention to the mundane details of their regular morning conclave. As the Lady Afaewynn is not present at the table, the group decides to take advantage of the privacy to compile several lists of “issues” the various members of the party presently have, as well as goals they might need to accomplish. It is a surprise to no one that the longest list attaches itself to Sir Ewen, replete with many possible enemies, allies and sundry potentially lethal complications.

Getting beyond the list-making after the table is cleared and turning to the task of problem-solving, the small privy council decides to deal first with the issue of Sir Ewen’s paternity. They all agree that some fabrication would appear to be in order in the wake of the fiasco at the Heraldic College. As well, the party formally recognizes that none of Sir Ewen’s remarkable collection of identities will quite serve the daunting task of his wooing the dowager Countess of Osel. Sir Ewen announces that he believes the best course of action to be a claim upon the lineage of the late Earl of Tormau, who was killed in a dual arcane with King Arren II of Tharda after rebelling in the year 728. The group listens intently to Sir Ewen’s reasoning, and pronounces his ploy of purporting to be the natural child of Denyl Lynnaeus a sound strategy.

The next issue the party addresses is what to make of the new manor that Sir Ewen has just been granted. The party decides that it would be best to heed the Archbishop’s advice and visit Varayne as soon as possible ... right after Sir Ewen informs Lord Graver of his putative paternity. The third issue the group discusses has to do with Viktam Arwat. It’s noted that he is from a village which owes fealty to the Baron of Ternua. The group quickly determines that the best course of action is to leave the surveillance of Osel House in Cekiya’s capable hands. The issue of Thilisa is tabled until they gain more information on Viktam, given the charge placed upon Sir Ewen by the Dowager Countess. That Viktam wants Ewen dead and Thilisa apparently wants Viktam dead is not overlooked. The group touches on various other points: the undermining of Kaldor for Thardic conquest; the continuing relationship between Sir Ewen and his half sister (on which nobody presses for details); the seeming instability of Cekiya and the reactions she gets from various elements in Tashal; the Earl of Vemion and his feelings toward Sir Ewen both as a potential suitor for his daughter and heir and as a force in Kaldoric politics (along with the fact that Sir Ewen killed his son and heir in the tournament).

Discussion continues on the new Earl of Osel and his dislike of Ewen, the actions and feeling of the Earl of Balim (also known as the Spider Earl). Sir Ewen has captured the notice of three of the four Earls in Kaldor – no mean feat. There is also of a discussion of Sir Rollard, the seeming protector of the Dowager Countess of Osel. The group wonders about the plans of the Morgathians now that their plot has been foiled, and about Harth of Hurlis, the man of Lady Rahel and who does not seem to like the suitor of his mistress very much. The group then moves on to ancillary players in the drama: Mirald Harabor and his relation to the new Earl of Osel; Orson Firith, the Baron of Kobe and his son Prehil,. There is the Lady Cheselyne, who seems to be related to just about everybody somehow and likes to dabble in Kaldoran politics. There is also the inebriated rambling of the Lady Peresta who mumbled about her son being killed in the same tournament where his father died (her husband did not suffer this fate, causing much speculation as to who she meant, consensus being on Koris Harabor). The intentions and feeling of the King of Kaldor are also touched upon and how he feels about his new First Knight.

The final issue focuses upon security concerns. All agree that Sir Ewen and company have a habit of making both powerful “friends” and notable enemies. That brings the group around to the awkward topic of Lady Afaewynn, absent from the breakfast meeting, and whether the party should trust her completely. Imarë asks Sir Ewen if he could “read” her to perhaps learn more of her intentions. Sir Ewen agrees that it is possible for him to do so, and commits to making the attempt at the first opportunity. As for the security of Gray House itself, it is suggested that Imarë and Sir Baris go to visit the renowned Rathbar of Marby after breakfast in hopes of hiring some guards for their urban base of operations. Content at the state of their planning, the group departs the breakfast table at long last to go about their various agreed-upon tasks.

Imarë and Sir Baris proceed without delay to the house of Rathbar and knock on the door. A voice from within demands they state their business. Sir Baris says in a loud and clear voice “It is I, Sir Baris.” This does provide the desired effect, though it is doubtful the occupants have the slightest idea who Sir Baris might be. The large room has shields along with various other trophies of the military on the walls. There is a table and two chairs where business is conducted. The famed Rathbar enters, and gets quickly down to business, with the elf and the knight are required to answer further detailed questions about Gray House and its layout. Soon Imarë and Sir Baris hire, for 270d a month, six men-at-arms to guard the house around the clock. These men-at-arms are to be stationed at the house in pairs, with three rotations of men per day. Having successfully accomplished this, Imarë and Sir Baris return home.

Meanwhile, Cekiya sets off for The Spurs an hour or so after breakfast to talk with Halime. As Cekiya walks through the door of the squalid establishment, Halime, his demeanor transformed from the hangdog defeat of previous visits, exuberantly exclaims, “Good news! We found him!”

Cekiya smiles faintly and blandly states, “Osel House”.

The Lia Kavair strongman’s face creases in faint concern. “Osel House? No … he is in a tenement house on the east side of town. Off Korinna Road actually… Where did you hear Osel House?”

Cekiya shakes her head, eyes narrowed as she considers Halime. “Never mind… Your people have seen him?”

Halime nods vigorously. “Yes, yes. I have some street urchins watching him and the house now. Do you want to see for yourself?”

Cekiya tilts her head in assent, and she and Halime set off for Korinna Road. Once there, Halime indicates the roof where the boys are watching from, and Cekiya soon joins the lookout for the rest of the day. She studies the tenement in detail, but observes nothing of her quarry as the hours pass by tediously.

Meanwhile, during lunch at Gray House, Sir Ewen finds an opportunity to “read” Lady Afaewynn. He merely asks her to pass the table salt. As he takes it from her hand, he finds that the brief contact was not sufficient to get a clear read, and the luncheon proceeds in silence.

After the meal, Sir Ewen heads off to Hag Hall to use the portal that Rahel had shown him. On the way there he notices that his approach is being monitored and that a signal is being passed on. As Rahel’s man-at-arms invites Sir Ewen in, he drolly mentions the fact that their watcher is obvious. The man-at-arms smiles grimly, and tells Sir Ewen that the matter will be taken care of. As Sir Ewen has been granted the freedom of the Hall, he may proceed upstairs where the Lady Rahel is awaits.

Sir Ewen climbs the stairs, greets Rahel warmly, and informs her of his intentions. She agrees that the Earl is the best possible choice for a cover story. Rahel proposes a little pleasure before business and they occupy themselves in this for a time. They then step to the portal, and Sir Ewen attempts to attune to the portal without success. Rahel declines to comment on his failure, takes control of the portal herself, and soon the two are in the city of Coranan. Rahel says she will remain and wait for Ewen to return. Ewen emerges from the strange house, quickly gets his bearings after a brief look around, and sets off to the Palace of the Red Domes to visit Lord Graver.

To the Inquisitor General’s credit, he doesn’t appear at all surprised by Sir Ewen’s advent in his chambers. Sir Ewen quickly outlines the reasons for his visit and, to the surprise of Sir Ewen at least, he learns that Lord Graver had conceived the very same idea regarding Sir Ewen’s paternity story. Lord Graver remarks that he had even begun to lay the ground work for the dissimulation some time ago. Before Sir Ewen departs the Inquisitor General’s chambers, he inquires about any news of the kingdom. Lord Graver informs Sir Ewen that the King is in Orbaal and that the Queen grows rounder by the day. Alegar, quondam king of Orbaal, remains the guest of Tharda and his country is in the throes of both invasion and duplicity, two of the Jarl’s having joined the Thardans (Kerien and Pled). Prince Raabaas has been killed and his brothers have fled to parts unknown. Sir Ewen, after expressing the requisite satisfaction at these good tidings, in turn briefs Lord Graver generally about his own progress in Kaldoric society, mentioning the tournament and Varayne manor, as well as outlining his intelligence regarding Morgathian operations in Kaldor. Absent in Sir Ewen’s report is any account of the seizure of Sedris Meleken. Lord Graver listens with interest to Sir Ewen’s account, especially about morvrin at Abriel, and says that he will be grateful for such updates from time to time. In return, he offers any support that he can give. Sir Ewen opines that a company of knights would certainly be welcome. Lord Graver agrees and commits to sending the men as soon as possible via the Salt Route.

Sir Ewen retraces his steps and informs Rahel of the details of his meeting, and Rahel decides to match Lord Graver’s offer of a company of men for Sir Ewen’s disposal. Their mission accomplished, the two return to Tashal via the portal. Upon returning Ewen decides it is too late to go to home and spends the night with Rahel.

Agrazhar 9, 731

Ewen returns in the early hours and is challenged by the Raiders, much to his annoyance. During breakfast, Ewen again asks Lady Afaewynn to pass the table salt. This time Sir Ewen is able to obtain a clear reading. He finds that the story Afaewynn told them at Olokand was the truth, and concludes that she can essentially be trusted as much as the group might trust any Kaldoric knight.

After breakfast, the group departs for Varayne and Sir Ewen’s new manor. Mounting their steeds and setting off at a comfortable pace in the pleasant weather, they arrive at Varayne around noontime. As they are walking their horses toward the manor, they see that one turnoff in the road leads to an abbey and the other winds through the village. The party decides to take the road through the settlement, as it appears to be the shortest. Sir Ewen sends Arnys ahead to announce the arrival of the new lord of the manor.

As a result, the small party is properly greeted in the courtyard by the reeve of the manor, an appropriately deferential Bran of Jems. The horses are stabled and Bran shows the group briefly around the manor house before sitting down with Sir Ewen to present him with the manorial records for his review. Sir Ewen spends a good deal of time bent over the books with the reeve, who apprises the knight of the present condition of his demesne. To his satisfaction, Sir Ewen learns that the manor appears to be productive and well-run, although the former bailiff has departed since the news of a new lord arrived, leaving those posts vacant. The chamberlain, Fran of Meck remains and seems to know his business. The local Peonian priest is Gerla of Keren. Bran is insistent that the new lord stay the evening for a proper feast in his honor, and Sir Ewen passes word that the company will be remaining at Varayne for the night. Conversation focuses on wool, the basic product of the manor, its price, and the relations with nearby manors. The price of wool is not as high as they think it should be.

The manorial household puts on a fine banquet for the group, and the initial impression of orderliness and competence persists. Later in the evening, Sir Ewen calls upon the Lady Afaewynn to attend him in his chambers, and informs the young knight that he intends to appoint her bailiff of his new manor. The lady’s face lights up at this news, as she has clearly yearned to attain just such a position for herself, and she earnestly assures Sir Ewen that she will carry out this duty truly and honorably. Sir Ewen retires, content that matters at Varayne are off to a promising start.

Agrazhar 10, 731

When dawn arrives, the party gathers in the courtyard for their return to Tashal, and Sir Ewen notifies the household of the Lady Afaewynn’s new position. After meeting with a few of the locals of note, Sir Ewen and the group depart for the city, assuring the new bailiff and the reeve that they will not be long absent from Varayne manor.

The party returns to Tashal in the morning, arriving around noon. Cekiya finds a message from Halime. He is continuing to watch Viktam Arwat but he has only gone to dinner at Galopea’s Feast and then back to the tenement where he is staying. He does not go anywhere near Osel House so the message via the urchin is now puzzled over. He cannot have come from Halime, who said he did not know where Viktam was staying and for the other source of Cekiya to be wrong is not very likely.

A message also awaits Sir Ewen upon his return. This one is from the Baron of Stimos asking if Sir Ewen would be so kind as to call upon him at his convenience. Sir Ewen goes to Tharda House shortly and meets with the Baron. The problem that the Baron outlines has to do with the Herald who Ewen met with came to him and asked the Baron about Sir Ewen’s lineage. The baron observes that Ewen seems to be a good spy. Sir Ewen says that for public consumption that his father is to be said to be Denyl Lynnaeus, the late Earl of Tormau. The Baron asks if the Palace of Gules will confirm this, and being told yes, adds two and two, says that he does not wish to know anything else and that he is at Sir Ewen’s service. He then treats Sir Ewen as if he is his superior.