Sceptremass II - The Threat

 Morning of the 2nd Kinsday of Petals

Anastaz The Salt Knight

Zuraw flashes as the Salt Knight draws it from its scabbard to block Zoltan's attack. His eyes light up as he regards the squire, though his expression remains dispassionate.

The blade catches Zoltan's dagger and the squire's momentary surprise at Anastaz's intervention quickly dissipates. He feints, seeking not to defend himself from the Salt Knight but only to harm Lady Dagmar, and his quick maneuver nearly catches Anastaz off guard. The knife clangs off Zuraw mere inches from Lady Dagmar's heart, and as the bastard sword wrenches the dirk high into the air, Zoltan's eyes leave his target and regard the ornate crane comprising the sword's hilt. He steps back, off balance, and Anastaz yanks him by the collar and throws him toward the back of the tent.

Referee

The two Knights of Karpat scramble to their feet, Lamberta takes a step towards a rack of weapons where her rune staff and Dagmars roped axe lie, blocking the way for the Snare Knight.”Don't!” she shouts but her Marshall turns away from her and draws her dagger instead. Her face is pale and her bloodshot eyes dart over to Zoltan. "you little rat ...” she mumbles stepping forward, towering over the squire.

Heldris The Dove Knight

Following the Bat’s words, Heldris crouches in silence listening to the coarse breathing of the beast, as it mixes with the faint chattering from above. After a while, he addresses it again: “This isn’t right. Have they told you when you are supposed to be judged? Will the trial be open, so that we that have met you before, can vouch for your innocence before the King?”

Referee

"Yessss" the creature hisses "zej will shpeak at noon and burn mee tomorrow. Will huuu shpeak for mee?” Its voice seemed dispassionate before as if talking about a sad fate for someone else but now you sense an eagerness and maybe even hope.

Ser Perilake The Gilded Knight

Perilake steps between Dagmar and Zoltan forcefully. "You would have more Kranach blood on your hands then?" The Gilded Knight's normally buoyant visage is twisted in rage and disappointment. "Does the Snare Knight's blade hunger only for foolish youths and the backs of her friends?" 

Referee

Dagmar flinches at your words as if slapped. “I …I ...“ she stutters and the dagger drops from her hands.”I have forgotten my oath ...” she whispers as she stares down at the boy she was about to kill. Lamberta grabs Dagmar by the shoulders, yanks her away from the Kranach heir and pushes her down onto the rug. ”Sit and be quiet, you fool … You brought shame onto our name … again!" The guards who were about to rush in are immediately sent away with harsh words from their ruler. Zoltan scrambles to his feet, shocked as much by his own actions as by Dagmar's threats. He wipes away his tears and blindly stumbles towards the entrance.

Heldris The Dove Knight

The light of the candle flickers gently against the walls of the old tunnel. The Dove Knight falls silent again, as this injustice weighs on his chest while he considers if the judgement of King Andrasz could ever be clouded by the beastly appearance of this poor creature. He feels something old but not forgotten rise inside him, a wolfish sigh clutching his throat once again… finally, Heldris clear his throat, recalling those who always stood beside him. “My oath is to protect the Realm, and that means all who dwell within. I’ll vouch for you, poor creature, let’s hope the King’s ear will favour the truth.” 

Referee

After Zoltan flails wildly to brush the tent flap away you see him fleeing deeper into the bog and when you finally catch up with him he is sitting on one of the fallen dolmen where the Feast of the Stars took place. He has his head in his hands and you hear him sobbing..

The Standing Stones 

Anastaz The Salt Knight

Anastaz sits next to Zoltan, their legs not quite touching. For a long time he does nothing. "You are a fierce warrior; Sir Perilake has taught you well."

Referee

Zoltan looks up and sniffs: “He has … but I mumbles down.” He moves slightly away from you looking at the castle in the distance. “My lord will send me away and regardless if my father hears of the … incident ... he will order me to return to Swanstone … and … I … I want to learn from … I want to follow The Gilded Knight … all the way … to mumbles!” He buries his head again.

Anastaz The Salt Knight

Anastaz follows Zoltan's gaze to the distant castle and remains silent for a moment. "Whom does a knight serve? The king, their house, the realm? I have heard it said that a man cannot serve two masters: every day we knights must choose one to favor over the other. You show great loyalty to your house, but sometimes the needs of the realm come first. In aiding House Barow, the Snare Knight tried to prevent bloodshed. Perhaps she erred. But better a flawed knight than a false one." He slides Zuraw from its sheath, the shhhink resounding in the quiet night. "I believe this is yours? I will keep it safe for now, but when you are dubbed knight, The Crane will return to its rightful owner, I swear it."  

Referee

Zoltan gasps and turns around to face you. “Are you …?” He wipes away his tears. He is shaking his head searching for words and when they come he makes sure to pronounce every syllable carefully . “I … don't know how … I will … try to live up to expectations of a true Knight … even if it means ...” He exhales with a sigh. “ … even if it means showing forgiveness when the heart yearns for revenge!”

Anastaz The Salt Knight

Anastaz puts a light hand on Zoltan's shoulder. "I know you will do your master and your house proud."

Referee

Heldris, when you leave the derelict building that dominates the court yard you see Tîmea and a plump man emerging from the Great Hall. The man wears a woven bonnet on his bald head and fly plaid wrapped around his shoulders with a decorative dagger in his belt. He is gesticulating emphatically. They pass a hunter who is following the smell of freshly baked bread into the castle. You recognize him from somewhere and suddenly it dawns on you that this is Radlev, the bat hunter you met outside the cave far in the North.

Ser Perilake The Gilded Knight

Back in the tent, Perilake composes himself, clenching his fists as Anastasz pursues his squire. "I apologise for my squire Lady Lamberta. I apologise for the disrespect brought here." He sighs heavily. "I ask that you forgive him this. And that you forgive Lady Dagmar for her wrath. I had hoped that together, we might recognise the past and break the cycle of retribution. That the power that day holds over my squire...and over Lady Dagmar -" He gestures at the scattered goblet with a weary hand. "- might be broken." He turns to speak to Dagmar. "I know that the Iron Knight wields this secret over you still, and it sickens me. Yet it is a secret shared by too many to stay hidden. Whatever may come of that, my squ-" He bites his lip. "Zoltan has thrown away his right to an accounting with this insult. And my trust in him."

Referee

The sun has risen above the hazy clouds that blanket the Realm when you return to the castle. You see Inga standing on a balcony with her back to the court yard. Lady Zdenka has placed a hand on her shoulder talking to her insistently. At the gate to the main keep Sir Ulrich exchanges pleasantries with a noble woman from Szalai's entourage. Above him Inga - now alone on the balcony - has turned around looking down at the coming and going of guests and servants but so deep in thought that she doesn't seem to observe anything and she hasn't spotted you.

Heldris The Dove Knight

Heldris walks towards Timea and the bald man. “Dear Timea, it is good to see you here. I wanted to thank you for making this possible.” He shows the iron arm and its elegant carvings. “But I hope I'm not interrupting anything.” He bows slightly to the bald man.

Referee

Timea's big brow-less eyes light up and she grabs your right hand. “My sweet Dove Knight it is a delight to see you in good health.” She gestures at the plump man that trailed behind her. “You haven't met Sir Dragan, I assume?” Dragan musters you curiously. ”The tales of your company are told everywhere … they are sung even at Castle Altan far to the South.” , he finally says. “The Hound that his in the… and The Eye sprouting uh… Is it true you defeated a warband all on your own and that you can turn into a wolf at night?”

Heldris The Dove Knight

“It's a pleasure to meet you sir Dragan.” Heldris smiles uneasily at the man's odd praise of his deeds. “You shouldn't always trust a tale when it has travelled that far. But I haven't had the pleasure to visit castle Altan. What is it like? And what brings you up here to Barowia?” The Dove Knight then turns to Timea and adds, almost in a whisper: “I would be most happy to talk to you in private, dear Timea, there are things afoot on which I’d love to have your opinion about.”

Referee

“Marvellous!” Dragan exclaims with a wide gesture. ”Altan Halls is … it's uh ...” “.... you really should visit Altenburg,” Timea interrupts him, ”It is quite lovely during Harvest.” She bows before the bald man. “I don't want to waste any more of your time, my dear Sir Dragan. I am sure Lady Bianca can benefit more than us from your council and we don't want to keep you away from her any longer.” And before the perplexed man can protest she leaves him behind and leads you to the castle. On the stairs to the library she stops and leans against the banister. ”Dragan is a fascinating man but easily excitable … ” She laughs ” … and frankly a bit exhausting. Now, on what matters do you need my advice?”  

Heldris The Dove Knight

In the old library, the imposing shelves tower upon the two courtiers, undisturbed. “It has come to my attention that at midday a creature of this land will be judged by the King, I'm afraid for crimes it didn't commit.” Heldris watches Timea's expression attentively. “The creature was caught by Waldochians hunters. You've travelled much, what do you know about this land? I've heard our King has a claim on their throne.”  

Referee

”Waldochia is a vast steppe, a land without borders. Naturally many have laid claim to it and so did the King - but no one ever conquered it and neither has Sir Andrasz. The riders of Waldochia are fierce fighters, cunning hunters … and talented merchants once you've won their trust.” Her pensive smile seems to imply a clever trade deal the nomads struck with the Merchants Guild. "What is your business with the hunters? They brought in that terrifying beast and the trial is all but decided. You must be mistaken: All its crimes are proven by witness accounts … clearly you aren't thinking about defending it?"

Heldris The Dove Knight

“The beast is terrifying indeed, as is the thunder for the mice. And we too thought it was responsible, but our investigation revealed that it was the doing of a curse on people’s minds. We were set to resolve the matter, but our attention was diverted by greater things occurring to the south of the realm.” The Dove Knight pauses for a moment, while the tapping of a light rain against the large windows echoes slowly throughout the library. “I intend to defend the creature, as is my oath to protect the realm and all who dwell within. And I would hope the hunters’ presence here has not some ulterior motive, and an innocent creature, albeit terrifying, won't have to die simply to favour some political deal.” The Dove Knight's last words end on a stern, almost wolfish, look.  

Referee

Anastaz, you leave Zoltan in the ring of standing stones with the holy oaks keeping watch on the troubled young man. Rain drops from the helmets of the guards at the gate and pools in puddles on the court yard. From a servant you learn that Bianca is enjoying a late breakfast in the Great Hall where the tables have been arranged in a square for the upcoming trial. When you enter the Hall you hear the bellowing laughter of Sir Adalbert. The Iron Knight sits with the ruler of Szalai Keep and an elderly lean woman in a traditional red and green blouse. Bianca is leaning back in her chair lazily taking a bite from a dried apple pierced on her dagger. There is a group of hunters across the room sitting together and drinking in silence.

The Great Hall

Anastaz The Salt Knight

Anastaz takes a seat near Bianca. "Sir Adalbert, it is an honor to see you again." He turns toward the elderly woman. "I have not had the pleasure of meeting you, good lady. I am Anastaz."

Referee

"Has our sweet Lady Inga caught your eye?" Bianca asks mockingly, "If so, I have to disappoint you. She is promised to your friend Perilake. Or is it about his squire, young Zoltan?" Bianca shrugs and gets up. "Whoever it might be: Follow me, Salt Knight, I know just the place for a private conversation." Adalbert waves vaguely in your direction and shouts for more wine. Lady Bianca leads you across the court yard to the abandoned building in its centre. The smell of old wood and dust takes you back to that strange winter night when you climbed the shaft and found the spy hole to the Throne Room shortly before your candle burned down. The Iron Knight takes a seat on one of the benches. It is very quiet except for the rain against the curtained off windows. Into the darkness she asks: "Or do you want to talk about the traitor?"

Anastaz The Salt Knight

"Her 'betrayal' served His Grace your King, while you upset his peace for your own gain. I am here to warn you, if you make your accusations against Lady Dagmar public, or spread rumors about her, I will pursue you mercilessly. I will seek a trial for your crimes. A trial by combat, a duel to the death if need be. And while the Snare Knight is formidable, I am eager to face you myself. Withdraw your accusation, make amends, and we can be at peace."

Referee

You hear her clothes rustle in the darkness as she shifts her weight. Is she coming closer? "Are you threatening me?" she whispers. "Trying to silence me?” A cold laugh echoes through the hall. “I served under Sir Zigmunt and saw his head being paraded on a pike.” You can feel her breath on your face and the warmth of her body next to you. “I lay between the dead bodies while the landsknechts moved slowly from one to the next to kill the wounded and the dying.” She is now so close that your lips almost touch. “I am the Marshall of Kranach now and I will relish fighting you. There will be no peace.“