Night of the 12th day, inside Ashling's chamber
Referee
“The King will demand
your sacrifice to strengthen his rule ... “ He shakes his head in
disbelieve. “... and you fool bound yourself to him with blood and
breath and seeds." He scoffs. "And now you are
trapped like the fox in the fairytale:
Alas for the fox, he finds the
entrance to his earth has been closed.
The earth was stopped and
barred with stakes."
Ashling swirls his wine thoughtfully.
“Anything else you want to propose?”
Sir Milos, the Fox Knight
"I am touched by
your concern, but my troubles with the Lord of the Hidden Grove
notwithstanding, you still have something to gain from helping my
comrades. You cannot directly undermine Coredis' enchantment over the
boy but if you told us how to do so, it would ensure his removal from
the realm. Your hands would remain clean." He pauses and
makes an open handed gesture. "And the equally attractive
possibility of humiliating Stribog also remains... And if the Winter
King sows the earth with the dust of my bones, that is one less loose
end to concern you."
Referee
Ashling sits in the
dark for a while “It is true that I hate Stribog and I want to see
him fail. If he hunts you and I can put my thumb on the scale without
my liege noticing I will.” He mutters a word and passes his hand
over the bowl and the surface of the water starts to ripple as if
reacting to the sound of a bell. “But you need to understand that
my main concern is Osier leaving, not whether he is whole or broken
when he does.” You see the water rise to form mountains and mirror
hills and forests. “The realms of fae and humans touch in places
and there the barrier between our world is thin. Here … and here …
“He touches a spot on the map in the mountains to the south where
you first entered the realm and another within hills south of the
palace. “Sometimes humans just wander into the realm or they are
lured by promises … but they won't be able to leave unless the
rulers of the Thrice-Ninth Kingdom allow it. If you do what either
the Elf or the King demands they will open a portal for you.” He
touches the water again in the north. “And then there is a hole far
from here in the North dug by the small folk and they come and go as
they please. You won't be able to pass through it by force and they
don't obey anyone ... and they might demand their own toll.”
Sir Milos, the Fox Knight
The Fox Knight
settles back in his chair and contemplates what he has heard. A cool
evening breeze blows through the window and softly brushes his face.
"Where our interests converge, we will endeavor to benefit you."
And then almost as an afterthought: "so why is your Lord
so taken by the boy?"
 |
| Inside Ashling's chamber |
Ashling tuts
disapprovingly. “I have to assume that the knowledge of your
imminent mortality renders you reckless ... but I have to insist: I
believe it is my turn to ask. “ His eyes glint in the darkness.
“'Why are you loyal to the Fae who tricked you and who will
sacrifice you to further his goals?”
Referee
Sir Milos, the Fox Knight
"I am not loyal to
the Lord of the Hidden Grove, I am beholden to him. There's a
difference. You are at war with one of his avatars and thus imagine
his goals self-evident. I have seen him in other seasons and do not
presume to understand all his aspects." He pauses to rub the
ivory ring with his thumb. How did it end up on the ring finger of
his left hand? He can't remember. The wizard continues to observe him
carefully. Milos looks out the window again with a wistful
expression. "We shall see how my fate unfolds with him, but
it is not yours to foretell."
Referee
“A guerdon for a
gift: To the Rusalki magic comes natural, they command the clouds and
the hills will obey.” Ashling smiles and his filed teeth reflect
the candle light. “But they are fickle creatures and lack the
ability to devote their time and study, they hate structure and form.
Humans on the other side … for us sorcery is painful and alien and
yet we can master it if we are willing to give ourselves to the
glamour. “ He leans forward and fills your cup and his and his lips
a red from the sweet wine “And this will be Osier's triumph. The
more he weaves spells the more he will lose himself … until nothing
of Avert is left.”
Sir Milos, the Fox Knight
Milos smiles without
any humor. "I see. So in the making of his powerful new
sorcerer, he unmakes the human boy. An elegant efficiency. Fiendish,
but elegant... And no doubt you speak from personal experience."
Referee
“No doubt. Was it
worth it to subjugate the weak, dominate the foolish, to force my
will onto tress and rocks and rivers? Well … that would be
answering another question wouldn't it?” He studies your
discoloured eyes with a slightly feverish look. He is not drunk but
clearly affected by the wine. “Your friends. Where do they plan to
escape the Kingdom, where do they intend to leave you behind?”
Sir Milos, the Fox Knight
Milos feigns a sip
from his own cup and looks at the sorcerer steadily. He wonders what
accounts for the eagerness of these latest queries. "I
honestly do not know the answer to either of those questions and any
speculation on my part would be just that."
Referee
His red lips thin into
a sharp line and then he sneers and leans back into the shadows.
There is a muffled sound from the silver bowl as if a vase was
crushed under a blanket and the surface of the water ripples. “Your
answer is very fitting as I do not know either: One can only value
what is lost if one remembered how it felt to have it.” He downs
his cup “You better leave my little fox, the hounds are waking up.”
Sir Milos, the Fox Knight
Milos sets down his
cup and rises as if to depart, but then hesitates a moment. "I
may be mistaken but you seem somehow vexed by our conversation. Is
there something you wanted left unsaid?"
Referee
“You know, I envy
Osier … not that he is Coredis' favourite. “He voice is hoarse
and he gives a small humourless laugh.” … but that his father
came for him. I wish ...” He looks away. “I can't remember the
face of my mother nor the name of my father and I have forgotten my
own name.” He slowly gets up and when you do the same he steps
forward and whispers in your ear. His breath is sweet and musky and
he smells like the Rusalki. He talks quickly and with great urgency
“But if you would tell me where you leave the Kingdom I'll wait for
you there. If you would take me with you through to the other side
I'd tell you the King's name and you could break the geas he has put
on you.“
Sir Milos, the Fox Knight
Milos grabs him by
the hand and squeezes firmly, sealing the pact with human touch, with
warmth and flesh. "I will send word. One for the little
folk, two for the mountains, three for the hills nearby."
Referee
Heldris, when you open
the door to search the palace a servant approaches you. She wears
precious stones and seashells in her hair for clothes and she is very
beautiful. “My lord doesn't want you to get lost. Where can I take
you?”
Sir Heldris the Dove Knight
Heldris greets the
servant politely. "Thank your Lord for his consideration.
But the distance from home gets me melancholic, and I wish to stroll
alone through the palace's hallways." The Dove Knight bows
slightly. "It's the only way I know to shake it off. I'm sure
you'll understand." And he walks off through the corridor on his
left.
Sir Anastaz, The Salt Knight
As Heldris walks
down the hallway, he hears the voice of the Salt Knight echoing down
the corridors. "Could you bring more wine to my chambers?"
he asks the servant.
Referee
While the servant turns
and bows to the Salt Knight, Heldris manages to slip away and when
she looks up he has already disappeared around the next corner.
Heldris, you walk the endless, incense-laden corridors, the moans of pleasure behind every door and you cross vestibules with fountains of great beauty. At a window you see the ruins of a tower that draws your attention: There the north western walls of the palace are broken and there is a spiderweb of icy tendrils surrounding a hole in the tower itself. You find your way down again descending winding staircases towards the tower and finally you are in another hall with a majestic chandelier and all the candles burning. From a large window you see the tower and a corridor filled with rubble leading to it. You hear something behind you. A large cat with jewelled eyes has sneaked up to you and growls:” Drop your puny weapon, spy, and follow me to the dungeon or I will have you for a late supper.”
Sir Heldris the Dove Knight
The Dove Knight
turns with a start. He looks at the jaguar and puts a hand on the
hilt of his sword. “The only way you’ll have this weapon is
inside your guts, wretched creature.”
Heldris unsheathes
his sword and lunges forward, covering his face with his left arm.
The jaguar’s bite meets the cold iron of the knight’s arm, while
his blade cuts into the beast's side. Heldris falters for a moment,
under the weight of the jade beast. But before it can react, he
twists his blade again into its body, and the jaguar shatters into
pieces on the glittering floor. The marks of its teeth still visible
on the iron arm.
The Dove Knight looks around, worried that the noise might have roused more strange guards. He then hurries back to his chamber to alert his brothers and relate what he has seen.
 |
| Incense-laden Corridors |
On your way back you
hear wings flutter and the nervous calls of peacocks and herons and
where you heard the sighs of pleasure before now there is the muffled
sound of boots on carpets. You all arrive at the same time in Anastaz
chambers.
Sir Anastaz, The Salt Knight
Nearly every surface
in the chambers is taken up by pitchers of wine in dozens of flavors
and containers of different shapes and sizes. Finding a seat is
genuinely difficult amid the clutter
Ser Perilake, The
Gilded Knight
"He remembers... but still thinks of himself as Osier, not Avert." Perilake sits heavily against the wall, staring at the small cuts on his hand. "Even as I reach him, there is some glamour." He sinks his head into his hands, looking lost. "He wishes to leave, at least. Perhaps that will break the spell? Or will the King keep his word?" His voice drops to a whisper. "Would Coredis?"
Referee
As you leave the
chambers you are approached by servants. “For your own safety you
should stay inside” one of them pleads and "There is a spy on
the loose" another adds while a third one holding a platter with
a carafe of wine eyes the Salt Knight with some doubt.
Sir Heldris the Dove Knight
"We thank you for
your thoughtfulness, but your spy is no danger to us." Says
the Dove Knight with a reassuring tone. "Let us through, we
have urgent business with your lord." He then eyes them
disapprovingly, as to anticipate their reply... "private
business..."
Ser Perilake, The
Gilded Knight
Perilake looks at
the servants and shakes his head. "You want us to stay in
that mess? You bring wine, but you do not bring the empty cup away!"
He scowls and snatches the full cup from the servant. "All
of you, do your duty by your lord and tend to his guests quarters or
he will hear of your failures! Then it might be fit for us."
Referee
The servants plead and
beg, “We will clean your quarters, Sir Knight, but please return to
your room” and one gently grabs your hand and another puts her hand
on Anastaz shoulder and one holds Heldris metal arm and they will not
listen.
Sir Anastaz, The Salt Knight
Anastaz draws
himself up from his typical slouch to his full height and clasps the
servants arresting Heldris and Perilake gently by the throat. He
tosses them into his chambers, one crashing into a flagon of wine.
The remaining servant begins to sprint down the hallway, but Anastaz
rushes after her, yanks her back by the wrist, and sweeps her up. He
throws her into the room and she bounces off the
bed as the others secure the doors.
Referee
The servants whimper
and sob as you lock the door and you follow Heldris down the corridor
and soon you enter the labyrinth of stairs and halls and alcoves. You
hear footsteps and whispers and doors are opened and closed or a
Rusalki peaks out of their room, stares and immediately retreats. The
palace is waking up.
You wander the maze for
a long while, confused by an endless succession of hallways,
galleries and claustrophobic lobbies hung with tapestries of opulent
pleasures. Once or twice you need to evade roaming guards and it must
be some time after midnight when you eventually reach the top of a
flight of stairs that lead down to the hall where you slew the jade
jaguar. Under the light of the chandelier you make out a single
warrior in smoothbark armour standing guard at the far end of the
room at the collapsed corridor. There are marble columns lining the
wall to the east and a row of tall windows to the west where you had
seen the tower before but now the moon is hidden and outside is only
darkness.
Ser Perilake, The Gilded Knight
The knights huddle
at the top of the stairs and look at one another. Zoltan places his
hand on his sword, but Perilake stops him with a silent gesture and
pulls his smoothbark helm low over his features, passing his shield
over to the pigeon knight. He holds a hand to the others, then
strides down the stairs. The guard glances up and as Perilake passes
through the shadows of the hallway, before stepping in to the light
just before her. The guard tenses, then visibly relaxes as shes sees
the smoothbark armour and helm. She opens her mouth in greeting but
the words become a gasp as suddenly Perilake surges forward, pinning
her against the frame of the collapsed corridor, hand on her mouth
and blade at her belly, ready to plunge to her heart. "Your
kind told me that to fail Coredis is to be worthy of naught but
death. Did they speak truly?" He hisses "Or will you
take the mercy they despised?"
Referee
You feel her heart
beating and her hot, wet breath on your hand. She looks down at you
with her slanted eyes, the eyes of Adler and Osier and you don't know
if she's scared or plotting her move. She tries to say something but
her words are muffled under your palm. .
Ser Perilake, The Gilded Knight
Perilake nods his
head sharply, and the others approach from the stairs. Zoltan goes to
remove the woman's weapon from her belt. Perilake tenses, ready to
plunge the weapon in if she resists.
Referee
You can see past the
warrior into the debris filled corridor. The ceiling has partially
collapsed but you reckon you can squeeze through if you remove some
of the boulders.
Ser Perilake, The
Gilded Knight
Perilake nods to the
others and whispers "Clear a path." Zoltan takes the
guards blade, and searches for any hidden daggers before moving to
help Milos and Heldris with the rubble. Anastasz waits with sword
drawn, eyes fixed on the stairway behind them.
Referee
The three Knights work
methodically through the rubble, moving boulders and clearing a
passage while Anastaz stands guard. It is the dead of night when
Zoltan finally emerges from the corridor, tired and covered in dust
and he whispers that the path to the ruined tower is open. All the
while the fae warrior hadn't moved in Perilake's grip and now she is
staring at the Gilded Knight.
Anastaz, you hear faint shouts and the
sound of boots approaching.
Heldris, you drag yourself past the last boulder. Before you is a stairwell leading up into the tower and another corridor leading north presumingly beyond the outer wall of the palace. The air is considerably colder in the tower basement and there are icicles hanging from the ceiling.
Perilake, you hear Anastaz boots on the marble floor echoing in the hall behind you. The Fae gets slowly on her knees and crawls under the partially collapsed ceiling. You have your dagger ready as you follow her. It is almost completely dark, only Zoltan's torch on the other end allows you to make out vague shapes before you. Suddenly her boot crashes into your face and she calls “Spies!” but her voice is muffled by the dust and debris around her.
 |
| Ruined Tower |
The helmet catches
the blow, and Perilake grabs at her feet just as there is a strangled
noise ahead, and she is yanked forward out of his grasp. He scrambles
through the gap and sees the guard dazed, Zoltans hands clamped
around her throat, bleeding from where the young knight pulled her
through by her head and shoulders against the rough edges of the
rock. As Perilake stands, Zoltan smashes the guard's head once more
against the stone floor and her eyes roll in her skull. "Wait."
Perilake holds the dagger, and puts a hand on Zoltan's shoulder,
who looks up with grim determination and reads his mentor's eyes
before dropping the guard's senseless body to the floor. "She
may live, if Coredis is more merciful than we have been told."
Perilake murmurs, as he studies her shallow breathing. Zoltan
shakes his head. "We should have killed her," he
mumbles. "You value their lives more than they do.
Sir Heldris the Dove Knight
Sounds of a brief
struggle reach the Dove Knight ears, as he steps outside of the
ruined tower. He sighs at the fae’s foolishness and struggles to
find pity in his heart for her fate. He only hopes it’ll fall on
Coredis' shoulders rather than his fellow Knights. He considers the
stairwell for a better view ahead, but too many steps and too little
time. He resolves to seek the aid of the hawk again, as a sense of
vertigo already seeps into his head. He dons the feathered glove on
his left hand, and the Fox Knight can see a large peregrine falcon
taking flight and drawing large circles overhead, scouting for Sivka
and the other horses.
Referee
The moon is hiding
behind clouds and in the darkness you see torches on the battlements
and more guards illuminating hedges and statues of fawns in the park
below. Beyond lies a forest shrouded in shadows. You circle over the
lawns and the forest and you fold your wings and swoop down and the
sheer pleasure of flying is a triumph that should never stop - and
then you hear the screeching of the hawk and you follow his call. The
guardian of the chapel is sitting on a branch and he is bloodied from
his own injuries and those of his prey. Osier is standing between the
trees, his arms raised in invocation and around him the horned
stallions rear and they are foaming from their mouths.
Anastaz, when you crawl into the corridor you see a dozen guards descent the stairs. They start searching the hall.
Sir Anastaz, The Salt Knight
As he wriggles
through the hole in the keep's fortifications, the Salt Knight gives
a swift kick behind to help cover the brotherhood's tracks.
Sir Heldris the Dove Knight
The peregrine falcon
calls to the knights below to show them the direction Sivka's coming
from, then flies north and disappears into the clouds. He reaches
Batu’s shed, and taps on a frail window. When the hermit opens, he
recognises the silverish wing on the hawk and understands the
knights’ are coming. Tears blur his eyes, he nods and assures the
hawk that he’ll be ready for them. The falcon takes flight again
towards the halls of the Winter King, to tell them of Coredis' broken
defences, and of the knights’ ride north.
Sir Anastaz, The Salt Knight
After crawling for
what seems like ages through the tunnel to the keep's exterior, the
knights emerge into the night. The moon and stars glow statically, as
if closer inspection would reveal brushstrokes where they were
painted onto the firmament. For a moment, the world seems to be
silent, before the knights register the cacophonous sounds of night
once again. Anastaz brushes fragments of slate off his tunic and
looks between his comrades. "Where to?"
Ser Perilake, The Gilded Knight
Perilake is about to
answer when the cry of a falcon draws their attention, and he points
at Heldris in the sky. "This way!" He snaps as he
bounds towards the forest, towards his son, following the path of the
hawk, which are soon replaced by the calls of the Guardian in the
tree. As the group emerges he looks at the gathered beast, and Avert,
who stands with a devilish, proud smile between the trees. "A
small magic, to summon these beasts. Simpler even than the childish
songs I learned in years past." Avert - Osier - sneers,
sending a chill and an unhappy wave through Perilake at the alien
arrogance. But then he sees the young man's eyes, and beneath the
fierce glint there is something else - a familiar search for
approval, for his fathers pride. "Well done," Perilake
clasps a hand on the boys shoulder, and smiles. He looks at the
group, grasping hold of a stallion. "Heldris travels to the
King, to send word and open the way home for us. Ashling... if he can
be trusted... said there is a way home to the southwest that the King
may open for us. The Hunt will be loosed soon; we should ride fast,
and hard, for home."
Sir Milos, the Fox Knight
Milos casts his gaze
toward the soft light of the coming dawn and his brow furrows in
worry. He speaks quietly to the Salt Knight at his side. "
Our enemies gather. I pray that our comrade's optimism is
well-founded and the White King deigns to open the gate for us when
we arrive." As he prepares to mount his steed, the Fox Knight
looks back toward the Halls of Desire and spies a pinprick of light
in a high wooden spire. He raises three fingers as if in a salute.
Then he mounts with a sigh.
Referee
Heldris, you fly high in the sky
using the alien stars and the moon to find your way north. At dawn
you fold your wings and pierce through the clouds and there is
movement in the ice covered bog below and you hunt small mice that
change their colour to hide and turn red when you eat them. You look
over to the palace on white hills and remember your task and take
flight again over a bridge covered in frozen ivy towards the spires
where one of your kind circles. You see a wide arched window,
glassless and covered with a split hide to keep out the frost and
land on a wooden ledge that juts out from the wall and you pass
through the curtain and a bell rings. It smells of cedar and leather
grease. Inside there are alcoves with half a dozen of your siblings
and they wonder about their strange cousin. Opposite the window you
see a Rusalki in cobalt silk looking up from her workbench. There is
a skinned rabbit on the table and she points with her knife at you.
“You are not yet a falcon and never been a Fae. Are you a spy?”
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