Session 9

Afternoon of the 3^rd Riverday of Bales

East of Karpat Fortress

The three Knights are lying flat on their stomachs watching guards gamble at the entrance to the cave. They are high up a steep forest path looking down on the clearing and the wide mouth of the cave doesn't reveal what hides inside. The Knights are quietly approached by Cadwyn the Mule Knight. She had been sent by the Green Seer to aid the Company of the Black Fleece. She suggests to distract the guards with her glamour that makes her appear as a humble peasant. While she prepares her entrance Heldris sneaks behind a tree near the guards and Anastaz and the Gilded Knight take positions above the cave mouth. While Cadwyn presents her self prepared rations to a many ringed mercenary Heldris rushes in from the right and Perilake and Salt Knight jump down on the unsuspecting guards who are quickly taken out. Lobosch, a soldier, begs the Knights to care for the wounded and is heard. Perilake returns to Mateusz, Zoltan and the spearmen and sends them down the hollow way, while the Gilded Knight return to the clearing the way he came.

The Cave entrance

Heldris carefully checks the cave entrance: Reflected light from deeper within the cave illuminate a forge and a carpentry workshop, a freshly built catapult and the construction of another siege weapon in progress. The sun is about to set as Perilake returns. Lobosch volunteers to act as a messenger but the Knights need guaranties and they bind his hands and follow him into the cave with Zoltan pointing a spear at his back.

They hear singing and talking and laughing as they follow a tunnel that broadens into a large cave where Sandor in his grey cloak sits on a diwan of wood and furs. Braziers illuminate dozens of soldiers and mercenaries sitting on rugs, furs and arrases cover the walls. Lobosch enters the cave with his bound hands raised. “Parley!”he shouts.

Sandor waves the Knights closer and they parley. The Knights tell him about Mateusz and that the Sheriff knows about their hideout. They urge him to flee but he just laughs it off. “I have a reputation to maintain. If you pay me well, I remain loyal until the end.” He won't disband his warband and he won't leave. They suggest a trial by combat, Cadwyn the Mule Knigh against Sandor the Hawk. They will fight until one of them yields. If Cadwyn wins the mercenaries will leave the Realm. If Sandor wins that Knights will leave him in peace.

The Bandit's Hideout (minus the bandits)

The fighters circle each other: Cadwin in flowing motions, Sandor in a deadly dance around her. Finally Sandor strikes, a vicious blow that Cadwyn barley parries. But Sandor is relentless and strikes Cadwyn down. “Do you yield?” he bellows. She surreptitiously takes something from her pouch and extends her hands and he grabs them ready to help her up. She pulls herself up and closer to him whispering:” I never yield!”exposing her hellfire chestnuts to his skin. The explosion tears them both apart. Ears ringing and nobody hears the screaming from the mercenaries who flee in great numbers. Finally Lobosch approaches. Although technically a tie he agrees to honour the agreement.”You bought yourself a winter of peace. We will leave the Realm … for now!”