Session Seventy-Two - February 6, 2010

[Matt]

Ilvin 22, 731

The party awakens in their rooms at the Red Buck Inn. Imarë takes a few moments to heal herself before joining the rest in the common room for breakfast. The obvious wounds of Baris draw a few odd looks, but the peasants hold their tongues. After filling their stomachs, the party returns to Inbernel. Sir Grogan greets them on their arrival. Aghast at Sir Baris’s appearance, he asks the battered worthy what happened to him. The wounded knight mutters something about hitting sharp rocks while diving. Sir Grogan looks skeptical but says nothing more. Baris retreats to his room to rest with Imarë tending his wounds. The rest of the party spends the day doing little more than counting the treasure they brought back with them.

Ilvin 23, 731

Imarë informs the party first thing in the morning that Baris’ neck wound has become infected and she advises not making plans for the whole group to travel anywhere for a while. Sir Grogan offers any aid that he or his household can provide. Imarë thanks the bailiff, but feels confident that she should be able to care for Baris without disrupting the rest of the house. Her own wound is in no danger of infection due to her elven heritage.

Ilvin 24, 731

The day dawns with loud moans and groans coming from the room that Baris is using. Imarë comes out with a perplexed look. She says that she is doing everything possible but the neck is getting worse. Ewen mentions that at least the infection hasn’t spread to the rest of the injuries. Imarë gives Ewen a dark look, muttering under her breath that ‘he jinxed it.’ The rest of the group hearing Imarë mutter glance at each other, wondering if perhaps the elf, no matter what her protests are, may be slightly feverish.

Ilvin 25, 731

The day progresses uneventfully until Imarë comes in and tells Ewen ‘It is all your fault!’ When asked for an explanation, Imarë tells the group that Baris’s neck is getting a little better, but his back wound is now infected. To appease the annoyed elf, Ewen suggests that he take Kaelyn and Cekiya back to the cave to recover the rest of the treasure and to stay out of the way for a few days. Cekiya likes this plan, as she is getting bored, and is pretty sure that Ewen wouldn’t like it if he hears reports of people disappearing. Kaelyn is also in favor, as sitting at the common room of the Ale House is bringing her nothing but a higher tolerance for the ale and dirt. She is also disappointed that no reply to her letter has been forthcoming from the scholars.

Ilvin 26- Navek 5, 731

Ewen, Kaelyn and Cekiya go and return with the rest of the treasure they had left in the caves. While back in Selepan, they take the opportunity to scout around the small mountain in which the Khuzan mine lies hidden. They realize that a stream which exits to the northwest appears to be the source of the small river that runs through Claydon.

Meanwhile, Imarë continues to treat the increasingly bad tempered Baris. A few times the infection from the spikes and bites of the vlasta nearly defeated the skill of the elf. Baris, feverish and at times delirious, endured great torment as the infections waxed and waned in turn, bringing the brave knight to the brink of death more than once. Each time, as if a miracle, Sir Baris pulled back from Sarajin’s icy hall. Whether though his own stalwart constitution, or Imarë’s skill, he prevailed in the end, sobered by the experience.

With Baris over the worst and out of danger of his wounds becoming infected again, Sir Ewen decides that the party should return to Tashal to spend the winter there. They acquire an additional horse to take the party’s new luggage home. The ostler is a bit intimidated to sell the new lord a horse, but not intimidated enough to cut a deal. Ewen thanks Sir Grogan for his hospitality and gives him, as a thank you, a rather nice pearl. Baris thinks that the pearl looks really familiar, briefly muses that it might be his, but decides the notion that Sir Ewen would actually steal a pearl from him while he lay under the shadow of death is foolish. He attributes such fuzzy thinking to his recent illness. The gift itself is extremely well received. Sir Grogan also gives Ewen a parting gift, a hogshead of the manor’s special brandy.

Navek 6, 731

The weather is cold and overcast as the party sets out to Tashal. The trip is uneventful and they arrive by night fall. Raven Hall is still standing and the staff is all alive, so the party is relieved. Ewen checks in on Rahel and finds that she is hale as well.

Navek 7, 731

The next morning after breakfast, the party retires to Ewen’s study and distributes the treasure. After some deliberation and Ewen muttering about numbers and figures and all this book work, the party finally comes to an agreement about the final allotment. Kaelyn receives the portable writing desk and crystal inkwell with silver top. Sir Ewen takes the armor and weapons of the dead knight, while at the same time giving his own fine suit of mail to Sir Baris. The latter receives the sturdy Khuzan handaxe, and soon has the haft replaced to match the head. Imarë receives the silver icon of Sereniel as well as the silver necklace. The gold seal and stylus are both sold. The gold winged pendant of Mendiz is reserved as a gift for Lady Thilisa.

The group then turns to dividing the coinage: 6812d is put into the common house fund, for parties, food, replacement of anything Baris breaks. The remainder of gold and silver coins are divided with one part to each Sirs Ewen and Baris, and two parts each to Imarë and Cekiya. Kaelyn is happy to have her share go to Ewen as he is supposed to take care of his scholar, although Imarë slips her a pouch for emergencies.

Cekiya slips out later that night and donates nearly all of her share of silver pennies to the temple of Naveh.

Navek 8 – Morgat 30, 731

The winter passes slowly with the party each pursuing their own interests.

Kaelyn buckles down and learns four new spells, to her shock and delight. Upon hearing that Kaelyn had learned another spell, Baris asked Cekiya what she had been up to. She gave him a sweet look and using her knife to deftly steal a piece of roast from Baris, said ‘Practice. It makes perfect.’ There were no more questions as to what Cekiya was doing.

Baris spends at least one day a week at the house of courtesans. He is greatly entertained. He hears from one of the women that Sir Prehil also spends some time also being greatly entertained. Baris learns that Prehil was talking about the next tournament in Olokand and that he is really looking forward to it. In fact, Prehil said ‘that this time Ewen will come in second.’ Baris also speculates during the winter months about investing in the new tavern ‘The Elf and the Dwarf.’

Ewen spends his days meditating and an occasional visit to Rahel. During his first visit he notices that she is just starting to have a slight bulge. He brings her a gift, a pendent. Rahel shows off a new purchase, a new gold stylus with a gold nib. Ewen recognizes it as the stylus from the dwarven caves that the party sold to make distributing the treasure equally easier. The thrilled Rahel exclaims ‘it’s just like our father’s.’

Engaging in Rapport, Ewen shares with Rahel all that transpired at his new holdings. She is intrigued about Hodril. She says it is highly likely that he was the knight they found laid out. She seems distracted, as if there was something familiar about the name Hodril, that she just can’t place. Ewen wonders out loud if there is any way to research names, bloodlines, etc. Rahel launches herself out of the bed, her diaphanous gown scarcely concealing her form. Gliding into the study, she pulls a number of scrolls and few books down from their shelves. When Ewen languidly enters the room, Rahel is unrolling a scroll of the Parkhurst family tree. She turns to face Ewen, her face a study of satisfaction.

‘He is an uncle. Hodril Toron Parkhurst. Earl of Iko, son of King Etobron. That would be our great-grand father. Hodril was born 668 and it says his present whereabouts are unknown.’

Ewen makes a comment that ‘the entry will have to be updated.’ Rahel merely gives him a smile.

‘What about Bran?’ Ewen asks.

‘Well, it would explain his shields. We all have them naturally, as you know.’

‘Yes. Should we allow him to continue his life as an innkeeper? Granted he is a good one, but …’ Ewen trails off.

‘I simply don’t know. I will have to think on it and perhaps make inquiries,’ Rahel answers noncommittally.

Ewen also begins to plan the trip to Minarsas. He decides that the whole party with the addition of Filen and Arnys are going to make the trip. With Filen, he plans the route the group will travel. First they will journey south on the Ternua road, turning off towards Sirendel then they will go to Nubeth, Athelren, and Kyg, in turn. Finally, they will arrive at Minarsas. After looking at the map and a bit of discussion with Filen, Ewen also decides to take Rolloch, his first sergeant and two other men-at-arms. These men-at-arms will travel with the party on foot. Factoring in the speed of footmen, Ewen and Filen think that the trip will take four to six days. They decide to leave Nuzyael 15th.

Ewen also realizes that he has to get a gift for Lady Camissa, the soon-to-be-bride. He and Imarë go jewelry shopping. The jeweler listens to Ewen’s requirements and brings out a large, eight inch silver statue of Mendiz. The jeweler explains it was commissioned by a priest whose piety exceeded his purse. Ewen buys the piece, setting him back 1,400 pence. Later Imarë and Kaelyn go dress shopping to find appropriate outfits for the wedding.

Ewen also hires a cart and teamster to transport his tent, as he is unaware of what the accommodations will be. The teamster charges Ewen thruppence a day for ox fodder, tuppence a day for the teamster’s food and board, with 2s 6d in advance.

Nuzyael 1-14, 732

One evening Filen excitedly bursts into the hall as the party was sitting down to dinner. He had just heard the most interesting news. It seems that Lady Cheselyne was not invited to the wedding; in fact none of the other earls were invited. Filen doesn’t know at this point just who has been invited.

The party takes this news in stride and Baris casually mentions that he had seen Lady Peresta the other day and that she liked the scar on his cheek. ‘A small memento of saving Sir Ewen,’ Baris says he told her. At Ewen’s scowl, he adds that Lady Peresta said she was not going to the wedding either, although her husband and son are attending.

Later that week Ewen tells Rahel of the curious news of none of the Earls being invited. She seems to shrug it off. She mentions that the Laranian Bishop Cerdan Bantire will officiate. Technically the Archbishop should officiate over the wedding, but the Earl of Vemion and the Archbishop are not fond of each other. She also mentions that she is unable to determine if any of the royal family is attending. She does know that Sir Prehil is attending, but without his wife.

Nuzyael 15, 732

The teamster meets Ewen and the rest of the party at the Ternua gate in the morning. Seeing the ox the teamster was driving, Kaelyn immediately names it ‘Baris the Younger.’

The party travels down Ternua Road until they reach Claydon, where they spend the night.

Nuzyael 16-18, 732

The party continues on the route previously planned out, until they arrive in Athelren on the 18th. The party decides to spend an extra day, while Filen and the teamster goes on ahead to find out the accommodations and set up the tent.

At Athelren the party finds that the town is the source of the finest parchment and vellum in the kingdom. The party also learns of the hiring fair that follows the Minarsas wool fair in Kelen. Kaelyn goes shopping.

Nuzyael 20, 732

The party leaves Athelren in the morning and travels through the keep at Kyg, arriving in Minarsas late in the morning. Upon arriving they see a number of tents set up on the wool common in the shadow of the imposing Caer Minarsas. Near the lone tree in the common they spy Ewen’s tent already set up. There is a very large tent set up nearby.

Filen meets the group at Ewen’s tent. He tells Ewen that rooms have been reserved for Ewen and his people at the Green Dragon inn. Filen goes on to mention that quite a few other guests have arrived, several of them at the other inn, The White Horse. Filen stands a bit straighter as he leans into tell Ewen, in a conspiratorial tone, that the Green Dragon is more prestigious.

When the party arrives at the Green Dragon, Cekiya wrinkles her nose at the sign and says ‘That’s a picture of a wyvern.’ The party takes a closer look at the sign and agrees. They see two out-buildings, that appear to be the stables and a brewhouse.

Upon entering the party sees a three-face fireplace set up in the center of the room. There are round tables throughout with comfortable high-backed chairs. A tapestry hangs behind the largest table and depicts a murder scene where unarmed men are being put to the sword by their armed counterparts. To the right side there stands a bar with six casks behind it. There is no one the party recognizes, but the place is not yet filled. Imarë notes that there are no peasants present.

A man approaches the party, ‘Welcome! I am afraid we are closed to casual visitors at this time.’

‘I am Sir Ewen of Ravinargh.’

‘I beg your pardon sir knight, but you count as a casual visitor,’ the man says.

Filen, appearing to be on the verge of a stroke, speaks in a higher than normal voice, ‘I spoke to you yesterday!’

The man takes a look at Filen, ‘Oops, I must of misheard you. I that you said Ewer of Ravenhall. Instructions have been left for you. Your rooms have been prepared.’

‘Thank you for your hospitality,’ Ewen says, slightly amused by Filen’s reaction.

‘The hospitality belongs to the Dowager Countess of Osel. My name is Broe of Tamorith,’ the man says as he leads the party to the staircase immediately to the left of the bar.

Up the stairs, Broe turns around to the left corridor, the stairs continue on to a half third floor.

The room Broe leads the party to is a very comfortable room with a table and six chairs, a fireplace and three doors. The first door leads to a large room with a large four poster bed and fireplace. Broe indicates that this is Ewen’s room. The second room holds a double bed. The third has a pair of bunk beds. Baris says he is going to take the double bed and Cekiya, Kaelyn, Arnys and Filen take the bunk beds. As Broe finishes showing Ewen the room, he mentions that this suite had been reserved for him on the Countess’s instruction and there will be no charge. Ewen nods and tells Broe that he understands.

‘I should also mention that the Baron of Kolorn is in residence as well. It is a bit of a delicate matter. I think he was expecting to be lodged in the castle, and in lieu of the castle, these are the best rooms. He’s a bit sensitive about it.’

‘Oh, one more thing; I employ six ladies who provide discreet customized entertainment. The Baron has two reserved in rotation.’

Ewen nods again, ‘I understand. I doubt it will be inconvenient for me. Would you mind though having some hot water sent up?’

‘Hot water?’

‘Yes, it was a long cold ride, and I would like to refresh.’

‘Of course, I’ll have the basin and um,’ Broe gives a half snort, ‘Ewer sent up.’