The Eye I

After dawn in a swamp just south of Kozamost

2nd Kinsday of Bales

The sky is overcast but the air is warm. Carts are stuck in the mud, a riderless horse grazes nearby. In his death the Knight with the crest of house Masur is still clutching Sir Heldris whose shield arm is in a terrible angle under his body. To the east you see peasants pinning a bandit down with their pitchforks while the last mercenaries disappear into the woods. To the west raftsmen moor the barge on the bank of the river.

Ludmer, the Trail Knight Ludmer searches the dead and their carts for clues and evidence as to who is behind these bandits. If those clues lead to Mira, he is all the more happy for it, but he will follow the trail wherever it leads. He will also relieve the dead of their valuables, not for his own enrichment, but to pass them on to the suffering people of the realm. On his belt he has a special purse where he collects the loot that is to be given out to those in need.

Just south of Kozamost

Referee

On the dead Knight's body you find his signet ring with the honeycomb and halfmoon of house Masur and a letter. The seal - a behive and sickle - is broken: "The merchants will pass Kozamost around the 2nd Kinsday. Use the money to form a second war band. Protect the peat farmers when Andrasz strikes." 

The letter is signed L

Heldris the Dove Knight is dreaming:

As our gaze pans on Heldris resting with his back against a mangrove tree, unconsciously clutching his left arm, the image fades to a watery element. We see Heldris lying on a boat on the middle of a mist-covered lake. An elderly woman sits on the bow, her silvery hair falls down on her white silk dress like a gentle mountain stream. She hums a pleasant melody while she rests her fair eye upon the horizon. As the Knight stirs for his slumber, she greets him with a comforting smile. As she lowers her gaze, we see her holding a white dove on her lap, one wing broken. She gently caresses the bird's soft down, as she hums her pleasant tune. The bird's eyes slowly calm from their restless motion, and the beast settles comfortably on her lap, falling asleep. As the woman's hands embrace the dove gently, our gaze fade back on Heldris lying against the mangrove tree, embraced by its twisting roots, a hint of serenity in the stillness of his figure.

Referee

The roots of the trees around you form strange spires and it is for a moment as if you were a giant resting within a city. When you look up the woman is gone and the dove has turned into a red raven that takes flight, cawing ominously. You wake up sweating, your left arm is numb and you cannot move it.

Perilake the Gilded Knight
Perilake wheels his horse, and gallops towards his young squire and the villagers as they put the last of the straggling bandits down. "Brave work my friends, and you acquitted yourself well my squire." He looks over Zoltan to see how the youth fares in the wake of his first true battle. Not all who wish to be knights can bear the burden of bringing death. The songs of valour are in truth ill preparation for the bloody task of protecting the realm. "Leave the bandits. Their strength is gone. Yours would be better spent looking after the wounded, such as Sir Heldris. "

Ludmer, the Trail Knight

Ludmer takes a look at the arm. Finding that there is nothing he can do here in the field, he resorts to cleaning it out and suturing it up while Heldris is unconscious. There will be enough pain to bear for his friend in the coming days. Best to do the grimmest work while he is still dreaming. He then constructs a string and splint. Just as Heldris' eyes flutter open, Ludmer hears the cawing of one of these cursed red ravens behind him. "You fought well, my friend. You might have saved all our lives today. However, I am afraid you've paid a terrible price" He takes a cup with tea to Sir Heldris' lips. "Drink this, brave Sir Heldris. It will ease the pain."

Referee

The peasants seem relieved that no more heroics are expected from them and they leave to help Sir Ludmer. They glance back at Zoltan occasionally and there is a mixture of amusement and respect in their eyes for the young squire. Zoltan who is kneeling on the bandit with a dagger at his throat looks up when he hears Ser Perilake's words. His blond hair clings sweatily to his forehead but he is unharmed and seems unperturbed: “Sir, the peasants fought well and held the line, we caught this vagabond but he refuses to speak.”

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz looks at Heldris, his brow furrowed with concern for his comrade, but, seeing his companion is well-cared for, he rides his scaled steed to the edge of the woods. Not to pursue the mercenaries now, but to find any traces they may have left.

Referee

The trail the mercenaries left is fresh and easy enough to follow. At a clearing they seem to have broken up in smaller groups. You are convinced you would be able to follow the tracks even if a day would pass. You also think you could catch up with one of the groups and potentially apprehend them.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz rides back to the rest of the party. "I say we follow the deserters within the day with whatever strength we can muster. The dead tell no tales, and those wise enough to flee may tell us more than we can learn from searching the dead. Of course, Heldris has shown enough bravery for a lifetime, but I can lead any who remain unwounded."

Ludmer, the Trail Knight

"Yes..." Ludmer says, slowly but determined, between rattling breaths. "We can't let the trail go cold. Sir Heldris, can you ride?"

Heldris the Dove Knight

Heldris gaze moves ferish from Ludmer to Timea and then at his arm. He lets out a low groan, "I don't think I'll be able to ride, my friend" he wishpers to the Trail Knight, "but go forth, Timea will know what to do with me, I trust her wisdom and knowledge."

Perilake the Gilded Knight

"Bind the cur, and bring him with us. He will stand trial for his crime." Perilake leans over the reins towards the bandit. "The sentence will be harsh, as is the King's law. But those who speak for the good of the Realm may be shown mercy, despite their past villainy."

Referee

The man looks up at you, Ser Perilake and grins, revealing golden teeth. He wears patchwork armour and crude earrings. "I don't care for the good of your realm, Sir Knight. If you want this bird to sing for you you need to pay it and pay it well." Disgusted Zoltan binds the man and leads him back towards the battlefield where peasants lift the dead knight onto a cart. They look unsure what to do with him.

Timea who arrived with a group of raftsmen kneels down to inspect Heldris' maimed arm. “Young Knight” she purrs in her soothing voice. “You paid a heavy price for your bravery, for your limb will be lost. Better get this over with before the fire in your arms spreads. You might be able to ride for now but … “ She shakes her head. “A leech is travelling with us who will have you sleep and when you wake up ...well, you will have to look for a new arm.”

Referee

The sun breaks through the clouds, flies buzz around the blood of the battlefield. The villagers help Heldris climb on the cart. Timea sits down beside him whispering comforting words. Ludmer, are you leaving with them or do you stay with your brother Knights? Anastaz and Perilake, the prisoner looks woefull as the barge is steered back to the village.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz strokes his chin pensively, eyeing the captive. "I believe we need a Seer's counsel: Gilded Knight, do you still seek to visit the Prey Seer? I shall accompany you."

Perilake the Gilded Knight

"Aye Salt Knight. I fear our quest for the chalice must wait another season, for we have encountered a more pressing matter for the realm. We must ask the seer to take word to Eldermass of the Eye on our behalf." Perilake shakes his head slightly. "One would hope the Seers would do so without our request, but their wisdom is not always one the same as that of us mere mortals." A grunt from the prisoner as Zoltan pulls on the rope draws his attention. Perilake stares for a second at the man, then lowers his voice to Anastasz "And perhaps... perhaps a man who values money more than his honour may still value his soul yet more. Perhaps the Seer may be of use even in this matter."

Anastaz the Salt Knight

"Perhaps so. At least then he can be of some use."

Referee

Zoltan's pony has trouble keeping up as you gallop past the village with the prisoner tied to one of the horses. You see Heldris and Timea disappearing into one of the houses while raftsmen are loading the goods back onto the barge. You ride north-east past giant tree trunks - remnants of an ancient forest -and over a beautiful heath in full bloom, peaceful meerkats peaking out of their burrows. The smell of wild flowers is in the air. By noon you reach the gorge and find the footholds that allow climbing down.

The Sanctum of the Prey Seer

Your eyes adjust to the twillight of the gorge. It is much colder down here. You walk past offerings of flowers, nuts and dates. When you arrive at the overhang you realise you haven't seen smoke from a campfire. There is a small hut or tent made from bark. The rock behind the hut is covered with strange stick figures and colourful moss. All is silent.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz carefully climbs down into the gorge and walks to a few meters from the hut. "We seek the Prey Seer," he says loudly.

Referee

There is a muffled sound from within the hut. After a while the curtain parts and the dishevelled looking Prey Seer peaks out nervously but her face brightens when she recognizes you: "Sir Knight, finally! Have you come to protect me? The cursed acolytes of the Eye will bring my death. I have seen it in my visions!"

Perilake the Gilded Knight

"We seek to protect all the seers. After our last meeting, we sought out the lords of the realm and warned them of the threat and asked for their aid. Yet we lack the vision to find the acolytes of the eye, or this fell power itself... And I fear beyond our brotherhood, few look for the dangers of the Eye" Perilake kneels before the prey seer. "We sought out the entombed seer for guidance, but he spoke only in riddles. I fear that your brethren may not have shared your vision - and that in such shadows, we will be unable to find the threat." "Good seer, I ask that at the Eldermass you take forth two things. One, the promise that the brotherhood of the black fleece is ready to place our blades between you and any threat. But secondly - a plea to your gathered council on our behalf. We need the wisdom of the seers to guide us, for we cannot see the Eye with our own vision. Perhaps together the Realms seers can see beyond this black, twisting shadow that falls upon the minds of men". 

He twists his head and looks toward the bound prisoner, held firmly by the Salt Knight. "We sought to make this request to the Eldermass directly, yet the demands of the Realm have halted our questing. Foul bandits stalk the Realm - more chaos unleashed by the Eye or it's acolytes I fear. A hand guides these mercenaries against the Kings law. This man will not tell us what he knows of this plot, yet I know a Seer may hear things yet unsaid, see truths within - or pry sealed lips more forcefully than mere coin or threat of blade mat ever do." "I know we ask for more than we have been able to provide through our meagre abilities. All I can promise is that we remain bound to our service against the coming dark... And my own oath that in the turning of the seasons, I will stand guard. I will ensure that over the dark months, you are safe. I and my squire will remain here so you may know peace in the long nights."

Referee

As the Prey Seer cautiously steps out of her hut you see behind her through the curtain a hiking pole and pack leaning against the wall. She sits down at the campfire and rekindles it. The stick figures start to dance in the flickering light. “We Seers are placed above and beyond the squabbles of men. It is the Eye that could give you all the answers.” She shudders ”IT wants to see all, reveal everything. But this is not the way of the Seers.” She throws herbs into a blackened pot and puts it on the fire then turns to the prisoner.”You can make him talk with promises of gold and threats of pain and he might reveal the name of the Knight who is dead and the Bishop who hides in a cave. But the name of the Queen who lives in a castle (but not as the ruler) he does not know and neither does he know the player of games who moves the pieces around. I will bring your message to the secret council, Ser Perilake, and I will await your return on the night of the Feast of the Moon.

Perilake the Gilded Knight

"Thank you good Seer." Perilake bows his head, and stands. "Come Anastasz, let us return to the others. I pray that brave Heldris has survived his injuries" He grabs the wrists of the bound mercenary "And so should you, brigand..." Perilake drags the mercenary back up the Gorge's winding path, towards Zoltan and the steeds.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz sighs in anticipation of the long passage back up the ravine, and follows suit.