Morning of the 2nd Riverday of Sprouts
Perilake, the first light of the morning falls through the window where Avert is standing already dressed, tense and full of anticipation. After breakfast you take him to the stable and Blacwyn greets you with a loud snort and rubs his head against yours. He has white hair around his muzzle but there still is fire burning in his now sunken eyes. Avert takes the reins of the horned stallion.
Anastaz and Heldris, when you enter the Great Hall after dawn for breakfast the Gilded Knight is gone and Jitka waits at the door for your orders. She avoids Heldris' gaze.
Ser Perilake, The Gilded Knight
As Avert leads the
horned stallion out of the gates, followed by his father, the pair
are stopped briefly by the tall, lean figure of Zoltan. His men stand
guard on the walls, and the Pigeon Knight feels their eyes upon him -
and hears their whispers of the returned scion from every corner. He
bows before father and son, and his voice is low; not the mumble of
his youth, but the guarded, cautious tones of care. "Please
pay my respects to Lady Inga, my lord." His eyes play over
Avert, and back to his mentor. "She was always kind to me.
Tell her I wish that I... that the myths were kinder to her."
Perilake clasps the younger man in a hug, and they depart. Zoltans
eyes follow them along the road, a wistful expression across his face
as the riders break the horizon.
Referee
Your shadows ride before you as the sun rises and you pass through green hills covered
in ferns and spring flowers. Blacwyn proudly takes the lead, the
foreign steed following, or father and son are riding side by side if the
terrain allows it. At noon you rest and Avert watches in astonishment
bees tirelessly flying from crocus to daffodil. “I remember them”
he says chewing, “they all serve their queen. There were bee hives
in Bohat when we visited Aunt Wendela ... We don't have them in the
Kingdom,” he adds thoughtfully.
Later you reach the treacherous ravines that criss-cross the western hills between Farkash and Bohat.
Sir Anastaz, The Salt Knight
Anastaz sits down to
eat, exactly as he normally would. Between measured bites, he says to
Heldris, "The Queen demands the Needle Relic. The Cured Seer
may give us a better notion where it is."
Sir Heldris, The Dove Knight
Heldris nods, dark
thoughts brooding in his head. "I remember Lady Hedwig
mentioned the relic once," the sudden thought of his late
wife's seems to drive the storm away from his head. "There
may be some map that shows a more precise location in Karpat's
library. I shall go and research their scrolls."
Sir Anastaz, The Salt Knight
The Salt Knight nods
solemnly. "I shall wait for you at the Chapel of the Child.
Perhaps we can confer with Perilake there."
Later that morning,
Anastaz goes to the stables, where it seems a stone statue of a
horse, cracked and chipped, is taking up one of the stalls. With a
pitcher of brine from the kitchens, the Salt Knight douses the
creature, and it starts to snort as he rubs the fluid into its skin,
hardened scales flaking off. Fifteen minutes later, Anastaz leads the
beast outside, and tells a horrified stableboy, "You may
need help cleaning up the mess. It's been a while since Tibor last
molted."
 |
| The Southern Woods |
Referee
The other horses eye
the ancient steed with some relieve when you leave. There is a deep
depression in the scales between Tibor's eyes and a drooping of the
lower lip which gives him a morose expression. The sun breaks through
a thin layer of cirrus clouds as you ride South through a valley
overgrown by thorny shrubs and brambles. At noon you reach a forest
of oak and beech and rest at a pond covered in water lilies. Rays of
sunlight filter through the canopy as a choir of frogs chirp and
croak. Across the pond stands a half-derelict hut, the door hanging
from its hinges. Inside, you think you catch a glimpse of a cradle.
Heldris, you sit alone in the Great Hall for a while after the Salt Knight has left. Eventually Jitka approaches you with some trepidation. She still avoids your gaze. “Is it true what they say?”
Sir Heldris, The Dove Knight
Heldris watches the
Steward with a tired look: “To which of the many rumours and
truths that people spread are you referring to?”
Referee
“Sir Svatoslav is
family and … he is missing and the guards stationed at his door
informed Lady Landrada you sent them away and that you escorted him
out of the castle. As the Sheriff of course she pursued the matter
and the townsfolk told her they heard him screaming and … “ she
hesitates “ … they said they heard your voice and … they heard
you howling like ... - well we would like to bury his body but the
rumours are … that … that the body cannot be found because ...”
Sir Anastaz, The Salt Knight
Anastaz gently calls
out, "I mean you no harm. I am a knight of the realm seeking
food and shelter in these woods," as he goes to the door.
Referee
Tibor snorts a short
warning as you enter. It smells of moss and mould inside but the
furniture is intact: a vase on the table has fresh flowers, the
cupboard a few pots and pans but no food. The cradle is empty except
for a rattle made from animal teeth. In the distance you hear a
strange hissing cry, neither human nor animal - more like fire doused
with water.
Sir Heldris, The Dove Knight
“Lady Ladrada is not
the Sheriff anymore, Vojtech is. Who appointed her doesn't rule this
castle anymore, and she has no right to pursue anything.” Heldris
falls silent for a moment. He breaths slowly, letting the steam
dissipate. He resumes in a calmer tone: “I'm sorry for Sir
Svatoslav, I truly am. But he has been claimed by the River. Twenty
years we've been away, it's true, although against our will. Some of
us have lost family and friends in this time, and we've come back to
a world at war. You claim to have done what you could for Farkash in
the absence of its rulers, and I believe you. Sir Svatoslav did not,
he ruled becase he wished for power and he choosed blood when he
could have stepped back. You have heard his harsh words yesterday,
his treath of treason towards those who would stay.” The Dove
Knight looks at Jitka almost tenderly, “I understand family
bonds, and nor I nor my brothers will be resentful if you'd decide to
leave.” He extends his hand to her. “Think about what you
want your role in this realm to be, and give us an honest answer
before noon.”
Referee
“The River claimed
his body ...” she says and nods slowly as if accepting the
explanation. “And Lady Landrada? My aunt … “ Jitka hesitates
again. “ … is she in any danger by you - or the river? I must
know before I can tell you my decision.” She raises her hand to
indicate that she is not finished. “Before you answer I need to set
aside my personal circumstances and act as the Steward of Farkash.”
She straightens herself. “What do we do with the Crownland
mercenaries? We can't feed them forever but if we release them they
might see an opportunity: The castle is poorly protected, some of the
bowmen were killed or injured, many fled. Sir Zoltan will return to
Kranach. Captain Hiroshka told me the Hussars will ride back
tomorrow. We can starve the mercenaries to death … or we can
release them and risk retaliation.”
Sir Anastaz, The Salt Knight
Anastaz squints at
the source of the noise, and draws his goldfalx tentatively. He
leaves the cottage, and puts a hand up to his ear as he slowly
follows the sound.
Referee
Between the trees and
among the rays of light you see a fire burning and as you get closer
it is a woman, her body aflame, her eyes glowing coal and she screams
in anger. She hasn't seen you yet.
Sir Anastaz, The Salt Knight
He enters the
clearing and shouts over the noise. "Do you need help, my
lady?" He keeps his hand on his sword.
Referee
You see her through a
haze of heat, flames dancing on her white tunic embroidered with
golden threads that form arcane sigils. The fabric stretches over her
swollen belly as if she were heavy with child. Her burning eyes fall
on you, her scream the incomprehensible fury of wild fire. She moves
towards you, swift like flames burning through a field of dried
grass. Her fingers are curled into claws.
Sir Anastaz, The Salt Knight
The Salt Knight's
hand goes from his sword to the everflask, and he quickly uncaps it,
attempting to douse the approaching woman.
Referee
She is upon you and about to engulf you in a deadly embrace. You feel the heat of
her body as she grabs you but the water from the flask gushes over
her head and then there is a cloud of steam and the fire sputters and
her body goes limp and slides to the ground. She seems to be
unconscious and unharmed but when you feel for a heartbeat her skin
is hot as if burning with a fever.
 |
| The burning Mother |
Anastaz lifts her up
gingerly and seats her on the back of Tibor. "Gentle,"
he says, and Tibor huffs. He mounts the steed and continues toward
the sanctum.
Referee
She groans when you
place her in the saddle. After a while Tibor suddenly halts and
prances nervously and the white tunic darkens and wet stains spread
rapidly from her waist down. Tiny flames start licking on her arms.
Sir Anastaz, The Salt Knight
Anastaz sighs, looks
west, looks northeast, and goads Tibor back to the hut, putting the
smoldering arms around his neck. As they arrive at the pond, he lifts
the woman off the horse and places her down at the edge of the pond,
her hips above the water but the bottom of her legs inside. He
stamps any flames out of his tunic and lays it beside her. "My
lady, I know little of these things, but I believe you must push
now."
Sir Heldris, The Dove Knight
Sir Heldris muses
for a long minute, then lifts his eyes to meet Jitka’s. ”We
will release the Crownland sellswords, and they will march back to
whence they came... call their leader so that I may speak to them.”
He then adds, in a less commanding tone: “Lady Landrada has
been removed from her posting as to not put her in a difficult
position, but she is in no danger by me or the River. The River has
been appeased through the soul of a sinful man, and we may hope we
won’t hear of it again soon.”
Referee
“I hope we won't regret the decision. I will summon their leader at
once.” She bows and turns to leave but hesitates and adds.
“Svatoslav was an opportunist. When the King gave him the chance to
rule he grabbed it with both hands, for his own glory and that of
house Urban … but he was not a bad man. I will inform Lady Landrada
and Sir Vojtech and I will personally give you my decision by noon.”
She leaves. The Grand Hall is silent again and you sit alone on the
throne. After a while Captain Hiroshka arrives with the mercenary, a
squat woman in the elegant uniform of a Barowian officer. She salutes
sloppily and waits for you to address her. Her eyes wonder around the
hall as if looking for an escape route.
Sir Heldris, The Dove Knight
The Dove Knight sits in
his chair, holding on his lap a leather gauntlet, adorned with arcane
symbols and old hawks feathers. “Captain Gergana,” he says, “I
have nothing against you and your men. I’m going to release you
all, on the condition that you won’t pillage our fields and harass
our people.” He looks at her for a moment, as if struggling to make
a difficult decision. “But I don’t presume to give you any
orders. I will offer you the gift of flight, the swiftness of the
hawk, and eyes over every move of your enemies, that’ll set your
company above any other in this Realm and beyond… if you accept and
respect my terms…” He hands her the falconer’s glove “I know
your men must be fed and paid, but that is on your employer, you’re
free to go ask Andrasz what you’re owed. If you accept my gift,
consider ourselves bound to friendship, and hopefully a productive
one, when our coffers will be full again." He smiles
Referee
She takes the glove and
turns it in her hands. “They say you killed Prince Grigori … and
Sandor the Hawk - the greatest mercenary of his age - and took the
ring he used to turn into a bird of prey and spy on his enemies …
So it wasn't a ring.” she says thoughtfully and then she shakes her
head. “This is a powerful artifact … it would give me a great
advantage on the battlefield … and yet, I wonder ...” She
caresses the old leather. “My men are tired of war and they have
seen the fertile lands of your domain, and its peasants … they are
weak. Give me their lands and you have an army of experienced
soldiers… and in time of war they would protect what they own.”
“Or refuse and I'll take the glove and I will command them to leave
… but I can't guarantee they all will. Some might be tempted ...”
Sir Heldris, The Dove Knight
The Dove Knight
nods, thoughtfully: “After all these years of war, it is your
right to wish for a more stable life. We’ll be happy to give you
land to work on and to call your home. But I have to warn you,” he
sighs, “you risk going from the frying pan into the fire.”
His face darkens, “It has come to our attention that some of
our subjects have joined the militia of the Axe, and they may cause
you some problems.” He seems to reflect about something, then he
finally adds. “Well, Vojtech, our Sheriff, will start an
investigation immediately. Help him uproot at least some of these
rebellious farmers, and I'm sure that in half a fortnight you'll have
a quiet farm and good land secure from any harm."
Referee
She flashes a dangerous
grin. “My men fear no peasants, rebellious or obedient… and we
can wait. We have waited long enough.” She hands you the glove back
with a wistful smile. “Hopefully, my years of fighting are over…
but if you need a Retainer for your Marshal or a Courtier… I'd
rather use my knowledge than work in the fields.” She shakes your
hand and returns to her men.
Sir Heldris, The Dove Knight
Heldris breathes a
sigh of relief and smiles back to Captain Gergana. “I’m sure
our Marshall Zofia of Barow could use a skillful hand such as
yours... and also someone to keep an eye on her...” he adds with
a smile.
Referee
At noon, Jitka returns.
The small woman walks slowly over to the throne and bows deeply. “My
lord, I have decided to resign and take my aunt to Castle Barow. I
thank you for your trust in me, but loyalty to my family has to take
precedence. If you have any last orders for me...” She looks down,
and if she feels any regret, she doesn't show it.
Sir Heldris, The Dove Knight
Heldris takes a
minute to think about Jitka’s decision. “Thank you for your
honesty, Jitka. I don’t have any last order, and I wish you the
best. I have only one question: all these years, who amongst our
courtiers would you have trusted with your duties, in case of
sickness or indisposition?”
Referee
She scoffs. “I
wouldn't have trusted anyone to replace me… but I if I had to hand
over my duties for a time … either Lady Ileana of Karpat or Sir
Dumitry of Barow. Both know when to spend and when to save. The Lady
of Karpat might be rash in her decisions but her instinct is mostly
right. Dumitry can be callous but he has good contacts to the
merchants guild back from his time in the Crownlands” and Heldris
decides to appoint Ileana the new Sheriff.
Jitka attends the Council meeting in the afternoon and hands over her duties to Ileana. Voijtech looks nervous around her and only shows his charming smile after she has left ... which disappears when a servant brings him a list of all peasants, their contributions and whatever else is known about them. Landrada has made no effort to sort them and the Waldochian looks lost between all the scrolls. The tall Ileana of Karpat has a sour smile and harrumphs repeatedly while studying the documents Jitka has left her and you recognize with sadness a striking esemblance with a younger Hedwig. Zofia leans over and whispers something in her ear but the new Steward only shakes her head. “Not enough funds unless we increase taxes or withhold our contribution to the Queen.” And so the Courtiers start arguing for and against this or that proposal and the meeting goes on and on while Heldris watches them with tired eyes.
Sir Heldris, The Dove Knight
After working with
the council on these urgent matters, Heldris walks to the dovecot up
on the great tower. A young boy is feeding the birds and murmuring
comforting words to them as the shadows of dusk approach. "Good
evening Remus,” says the Dove Knight, “who is your
swiftest bird? I have an urgent message for Karpat.” He hands
him a small rolled up paper with the sigil of Farkash; inside, a
request for information about the Relic of the Needle Seer, that may
be hiding in Karpat’s extensive library.
 |
| Night falls in the Mountains |
Ser Perilake, The Gilded Knight
Perilake and Avert
lead their mounts through the twisting ravines of the lands west of
Farkash. Many would find these routes near impassable, but in the
Stolen Age, when one was a boy and the other merely a few seasons
younger than now, they rode these paths. And despite living every one
of those years, old Blacwyn remains surefooted, remembering the steep
trails and winding scree he trod as a young stallion. Perilake is
pleased to see Avert guide the horned stag with skill. The beast is
strange, and its temperament fierce, but they are both touched by the
thrice-ninth kingdom. For once, this brings more wonder than woe to
Perilake's heart. All is quiet on these lonely paths through the
hills. The chattering joy of the boy he was is gone, but Avert's
curiosity remains. He listens intently as Perilake talks of the
realm; the inscrutable insights of the seers, the myths that shape
the land and the people; the politics and intrigue of the houses; the
old king and the new, and the seemingly inevitable gravity of a
conflict that can no longer be deterred or avoided. With each insight
offered by his father, Avert has a question or two or three or five,
each carefully considered. And for each of those questions, his eyes
reveal yet more insights unspoken. For Perilake, it is a welcome
thing. A return of sorts, and a long awaited reprieve. As he did in
the thrice-ninth kingdom, he feels hope in his heart that the
impossible may be achieved once more.
Referee
In the afternoon you
reach the foothills of the mountains, the sun blocked out by majestic
rocks and in their shadow you lead your horses up a winding path.
After some time mist begins to rise all around you and your body
grows heavy and your legs weaken and when you feel Blacwyn's wet
muzzle in your face you lie on the ground and look up at a starry
sky. Over the rush of a nearby waterfall you hear joyful cheering and
later the continuous tolling of a bell from the mountain top.
Ser Perilake, The Gilded Knight
Perilake strokes
Blacwyn's muzzle. When Avert asks about the tolling bell, Perilake
gestures around to the darkening skies. "It is too late,
Avert. It sounds peaceful enough; no one in need of our aid, and
nothing of import to our affairs." He smiles as he helps his
son set up camp. "And I know you do not wish to keep her
waiting any longer.
Referee
Anastaz, the woman moans in response and you see beads of sweat on her forehead. The sun moves slowly west sending rays onto the hut and the pond and the rock from which a strange silvery waterfall flows. Now and then the mother is shaken by contractions and flames dance on her upper body and burn you and she cries in pain. Then the last ray of sun touches her face and a thick mist rises around her as if a red-hot iron is quenched and her body feels heavy in your embrace and then you feel someone being much too close and Adler smiles at you and when you wake up, you hear distant cheering and shouts echoing from the mountains in the West. A light shines in the dark and when you enter the hut a child lies in the cradle. There is a candle on the table but no sign of the mother.
Sir Anastaz, The Salt Knight
Anastaz grips the edge of the cradle, his brow furrowed and his face pale and clammy as he peers in.
Referee
The Child is wrapped in torn white cloth and it looks at you silently with bright blue eyes. It shows a sweet toothless smile and it is as pure and innocent as the first day.
Sir Anastaz, The Salt Knight
The Salt Knight's breath catches. He puts a finger in the crib, and the babe tugs on it. "There are many who have anticipated your arrival, little one," he says, as he turns away toward the hearth. "But they will have to wait." And he begins to make a fire.
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