The Eye VII / Session 7

3rd Stonesday of Bales

In a swamp south of Kozamost

They wake up before dawn to the smell of roasted bread and a constant light rain. The knights peel themselves out of the damp bedrolls while Zoltan is serving breakfast. The Prey Seer is massaging her bandaged hand at the campfire. The sun is still a mere suggestion in the sky as they make their way south-east along the track of the parade wagon deeper into the swamp

All morning the rain continues. Only the croaking of toads in the sloughs break the silence as they follow the Prey Seer. The landscape turns even more desolate, until at noon the company arrives at the badlands. The parade wagon is lying on its side in the mud. Nearby the acolytes of the Eye kneel before the boulder standing under a dead tree. The earth begins to tremble ...

“This is the place.” Her voice trembles with fear or excitement, “Drive your steeds between it and the acolytes, they will be too scared to intervene. Let the Eye come for me. Attack it from all sides.” She turns towards you and whispers so that only you can hear her: ”Remember the relic. Break the symmetry and the Eye won't return.” She starts walking towards the epicentre of the quake, the branch of the elder tree raised over her head.

The Eye rises

A hulking stone eye on four squat legs erupts. The Knights charge. Perilake hits it from the side with his great mace, stopping its forward momentum towards the Seer. Anastas, Heldris and Zoltan struggle to find purchase in its stony hide. The creature attempts to crush Perilake but the Gilded Knight deflect its attack on him. Heldris armour absorbs the blow, as does Anastasz. But the Eye opens into an obscene maw. The Knights attack from all sides trying to chip away at the stone creature. Perilake smashing the eye square in the pupil as its maw closes. It reels, and then shrugs off the attacks and moves towards the Seer.

Anastasz and Heldris try to repel it away from the Seer whose face is in rapture at meeting her fate. The great Maw descends upon her. Before Heldris can leap between the Eye and Seer Anastasz stays his hand. The Seer is consumed and terribly mauled by the Eye’s crunching maw. She screeches in pain and ecstasy. The ground below the Eye opens and it tries to flee back in to the earth. Perilake smashes it in the side and prevents it from escaping. Zoltan leaps atop it, his dagger blows bolstering the slaying blow that is struck by Anastasz, who heaves his bastard sword into the obsidian pupil, exploding black ichor. It falls to the ground, it’s animated features turning into dead stone, Zoltan wheeling from its back and nearly being crushed before Perilake snatches his squire away. Perilake picks up the Seer’s fallen branch and buries it in the earth where she fell. Strangely the branch takes root and grows into an Elder Tree. The knights kneel and respect the fallen, Janka, the elderly tanner who was among the acolytes, joins them in reverence.

Karpat Fortress

3rd Woodsday of Bales

They travel North to the sanctum of the Prey Seer with her relic. Janka swears to watch over this place of power until a new Seer is called forth.

The Knights decide to follow up on the mysterious warband. Bartek had shown them the secret hideout of the mercenaries in a region just east of Karpat Fortress. How is this taking place under the nose of Karpat? They were well informed, well resourced, well paid. Could Lady Lamberta aid them? Could she be the mysterious Queen of the Beekeepers? And what about Lady Dagmar the Marshall of Karpat who was blackmailed by Bianka Altenburg, the Iron Knight. Is this even related to the mystery of the beekeepers? The Brootherhood of the black Fleece decide to travel to the Fortress in the hope of finding some answers. They make camp at the banks of the Hleb,

3rd Armsday of Bales

When they cross the river they come upon a maze of stony crags. A message carved in the rock reads All the knights will feel the Axe. They follow a winding path up a low sandstone mountain range until they reach an ornate bridge carved with traditional shapes and stylized animals. Before them lies Karpat Fortress a labyrinth of towers and dark spires connected with steep stairs. Lady Hedwig leads them to the throne room where the ruler Lady Lamberta prays before an altar. She invites the knights to refresh after the travel and join her in the evening for a meal with her Court.  

The Eye VI

 Afternoon of the 2nd Rainsday of Bales  

Kozamost

Referee

You exchange stories about Bartek, the soldier of fortune, the strange jars, the ambush and the grotesque procession before returning to the village. Mira is leaving her house with a candle and approaches you: "The Prey Seer would like to speak to you, my Lords" The short woman looks up at you with a worried expression, "something is not right with her." Inside the house, the tabels and chairs are moved to the side. It is dark apart from a lone candle. The Prey Seer sits on the ground, with her back to you scribbling with a piece of charcoal her stick figures onto the wall. You see her right hand is bandaged and there is a trickle of blood running down her arm

Perilake the Gilded Knight

"My lady Seer.... What happened?"

Referee

Her whispers are barely audible over the scratching of charcoal on the wall: "The dreams ... they show me the way ... but something needs to remain." She turns her head to the side, where a wooden box lies on the table." I know where the Eye hides, and I know what it wants ... and it is ...". She trails off.

Heldris the Dove Knight

The Dove Knight looks at the Prey Seer with honest concern. “What did you see in your dreams?” And as drawn by some invisible force, he turns to the wooden box and steps towards it. With the utmost reverence, Heldris slowly opens the box and peers inside.

Referee

"I see a great eye growing out of the earth. It sprouts legs and hunts me and I run and run ... but I will run no more!" On the lid of the simple box there is the symbol of a tree burned into the wood. Inside is a severed ring finger. She turns around, her expression is ecstatic: "Together we will peer into the eye: we will face the beast and It will be beautiful!"

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz, arms folded, leaning against a wall, speaks up. "What can we do to fight this threat?"

The Prey Seer

Referee

"It is cunning and strong and it knows we are coming. But it is not invincible." She looks from one Knight to the other."I will lead you and if it is time I will distract it so that you can strike it down".

Anastaz the Salt Knight

"Where does it reside? Does it even have a body that can be wounded?"

Referee

"It has a body and it can be hurt but ...", she shakes her head slowly, " ... it will be like carving stone. The acolytes of the Eye sing: 'My god is like a web of a thousand roots that drink in silence,' Her eyes shine brightly in the dark, "It lives underground until the time comes.” There is a strange excitement in her voice. “It will emerge from the ground or we will pull it out into the light.” She turns back to her scribbling and the figures start dancing in the flickering of the candlelight. “Go to sleep my holy warriors and rest: Tomorrow we will go into battle!"

Heldris the Dove Knight

“Whose finger is this?" Heldris asks the Seer, in a distressed tone.

Referee

"It is mine. It is that which will remain even if I am gone. When the Eye is banished ..."she corrects herself "IF it is banished, we will live happily ever after." She turns around to face you, "Or if it prevails others will pick up the mantle and fight it." Her eyes are reflective like cats eyes and there is this strange feeling of excitement again."But if we both vanish, something has to remain to break the symmetry. Promise me, young Knight, to take the relic back to my sanctuary if I'm gone."

Heldris the Dove Knight

The Dove Knight suppresses a sudden feeling of discouragement, and straightens his back. "On my honour, I'll do so, if the future demands it." He then closes the lid of the box, and inquires about the charcoal drawings the Seer has been making.

Referee

"I am the Prey Seer." She only says, turns around again and returns to her drawings. The stick figures depict tiny people bowing and hunching. In the shadows in between there are giant shapes, ugly worms and monsters devouring the figures.

Morning of the 2nd Stillday of Bales

Referee

Before dawn Mira has brought you a simple meal of bread and cheese and left remaining silent the whole time. When you finished the breakfast you see the Prey Seer walking slowly towards the southern entrance to the village. A group of peasants parts, letting her pass between them. The sun is low in the cloudless sky and everything is quiet.

Perilake the Gilded Knight

Zoltan mumbles something that sounds like a question and points towards the Seer, a look of confusion on his face. Perilake follows his gaze, and then exchanges glances with his companions before springing to his feet. "The ways of the Seers are strange my young Squire, and we knights are often left-" he grabs a slice of bread and some cheese as he stands "- hurrying to follow the footsteps of fate. Gather our gear and the horses, and meet us down the trail. I will make sure the Prey Seer does not meet any predators. And don't worry about polishing my plate, it still shines from your previous ministrations."

Perilake strides through the village until he walks closely by the Prey Seer, nodding at the villagers between bites of his rushed breakfast. A few warm smiles from those who worked in the fields alongside the two knights warm his heart as much as the rising sun

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz stands outside in the crisp air of the early morning, silently grooming Tibor, his gear cleaned and polished for the trials ahead.

Heldris the Dove Knight

Heldris proceeds to slowly saddle his horse and gather his provisions with one hand, painfully trying to rewrite in his head what used to be ordinary routine gestures and movements. From time to time, his fellow knights step in to help tighten a knot, to roll up a cloth, and as fast as they appear they soon go back to work on their stuff, silently and mindfully letting the Dove Knight do by himself what they know he can manage to do.

Referee

You travel along the banks of the river for some time, mist swirling over the water, until you reach the place where you met the acolytes. “You know, kind Janka was among the acolytes”, the Prey Seer says to no one in particular before following the track the wagon ploughed through the tall grass southwards. At noon the Prey Seer stops and turns around looking confused. There are three identical tracks leading away in all directions and FOUR SUNS IN THE SKY. "An old curse on the land." she whispers, "This is not the Eye's work!"

Heldris the Dove Knight

"What else could ail the land besides the Eye?" Heldris asks in a whisper, confused "What is this old curse you speak of?"

There are FOUR Suns

Referee

With a sigh the Prey Seer sits down on a dry patch of land at this strange cross road and rummages in her knapsack for the waterskin. ”The Realm is old and it remembers. There are places that hold the memory of Myths long forgotten and others that once were claimed by nameless gods. As much as the Realm shows beauty and wonder ... " She looks at the mirage of the four suns, " ... don't mistake it for a garden. We could travel in any direction and try our luck but we would be travelling blind.”

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz stares in wonder at the four suns till his eyes begin to water. "Shall we decide at random, or split up?"

Ludmer, the Trail Knight  

Without much hesitation, Ludmer begins to gather together wood and build a fire "All four directions look exactly alike to me. I am not in the habit of venturing out into the dark with so much as a torch to light my way." Having built the fire, he prepares his kettle "This is as good a time as any to rest and make plans and wait for this nonsense to be over. Tea anyone?"

The Eye V

Evening of the 2nd Skyday of Bales

In a forest South-East of Kozamost

Referee

Anastaz and Ludmer, you travel east through the underbrush until at nightfall you hear several voices singing and you make out the flickering light of fire under a rock overhang. You can make out five figures in robes sitting around the campfire.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz signals to Ludmer to proceed carefully, and looks for a vantage point from which to appraise the robed figures.

Acolytes of the Eye (artist's impression)

Referee

You can hear boisterous singing from the campfire as you sneak up a nearby hill. You hide behind trees to have a good look at the camp. The campfire reflects off mirrors on the robes of the figures, their faces are painted with one eye blacked out by charcoal. They are singing about walls falling before the might of The Eye.

After the last verse echoes through the woods the robed figures calm down. They are sitting around the fire talking loudly with each other although from your position you can't make out what they say only that they seem to be in a good mood. Their weapons - clubs with vicious spikes - lean against the wall of the rock.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz unsheaths Zuraw and glances at Ludmer as he prepares to pounce on the assembled revelers.

After a hectic exchange of hand signals, Anastaz creeps through the woods around to the overhang above the cultists' camp. He glances across at Ludmer, waiting for his body language to signal the time to strike.

Ludmer, the Trail Knight

Ludmer, meanwhile, slowly and methodically makes his way to the heart of the camp. A prayer to the seers on his lips he throws a drinking horn one of the cultists left on a tree stump into the smouldering campfire. An explosion of embers and stinking smoke surprises and rattles the cultists. Using this distraction, Ludmer does his best to smite as many of them as he can with all his might before they gain their senses.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

As Ludmer advances on the group, Anastaz leaps down from the overhang and brings his ornate bastard sword to bear.

Referee

Ludmer is standing over the campfire and deals a flurry of blows all around him, bones cracking where his beaked axe connects. The robed figures are flying like ragdolls away from the fire while Anastaz lands like a cat beside him. The cultists lie dying in their blood.

Ludmer, you move quickly from body to body to tend to the wounded, staunching the flow of blood, putting limbs in makeshift splints. Two of the cultists will be disfigured, deep wounds where flesh was rendered from the bone, an older man who will never use his arm again, a younger woman's face marked for life: But they all will live! When you search their belongings you are appalled by the lack of personal items as if they had given their life to the cause completely.

Anastaz, one of the wounded, a man of maybe 60, sits up against a tree, a deep cut in his shoulder bandaged by the Trail Knight. He looks at you with cold eyes: "Will you torture me Knight to do your overlord's bidding?" Every word spit out in disgust.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz' dispassionate gaze is cooler than a glare, but not by much. "We serve no overlord, only the Seers. And we do not wish you to suffer, hence you are still alive. Who are you and why do you follow the Eye?"

Referee

The man stares at you for a second, then throws his head back and laughs hysterically: "Only ... the ... Seers"! His laughter turns into a cough and when he recovers he says without emotion:' So you do serve darkness and pain, for the Seers are your overlords and they stand for everything I despise. I follow the Eye for IT is the light in the darkness and before ITS might all walls will fall. AWAY WITH THE DARKNESS!", he suddenly screams.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz subtly flinches when the man screams. He kneels down to look the man in the eyes. "How did you come to revere the Eye? Explain that I might understand."

Referee

"Before I saw the light I was a goat herder in the mountains, a few of my kin with me. One day I had a dream: I dreamed I was in the Lord's castle and I saw him walking down a corridor and when he entered a room it wasn't his own nor his wifes. The old goat slept with one of the Courtiers! "The old man looks at you probingly" The Seers know! Ah, they know but they never tell! All they mumble are riddles and dark whispers. If we can't trust the Seers and the Lords who can we trust? But THE EYE sees all and tells all, no secrets and no riddles."

Anastaz the Salt Knight

How did you meet these others?"

Referee

"We all have the same dreams and they tell us the time and the place." He leans forward conspiratorially: "And more will come.", he whispers.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

"Have you considered your visions may be deceiving you?

Referee

"All the visions of the EYE have been true so far whenever I followed ITS wisdom. I have no doubt IT always speaks the truth!"

Anastaz the Salt Knight

"And do you and your cohorts simply come out here and revel, or do you plan to do anything about the Seers?"

Referee

He looks at the broken bodies all around him: "You mean kill them?" He laughs bitterly: "No, we are acolytes, we won't use violence against the Seers. But their reign has to end and if the EYE commands it they will be dealt with."

Ludmer, it is some time before midnight. Anastaz is talking to the old men who might be the leader of the group. In the twilight of the last embers of the campfire the bedrolls and sacks of the cultists are scattered. You return from searching their belongings and find the two severely wounded lying on the ground sleeping. They will be out of it at least until morning. The other three that you have treated however are regaining consciousness. They are weak but will be able to act soon. You see a torchlight dancing between the trees. Somebody is approaching.

A flickering torchlight 

Ludmer, the Trail Knight

I tap Anastaz on the shoulder, alerting him to the torch light. I motion for him to take cover.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz looks back, sees the torchlight, and nods to Ludmer, before seeking shelter in the shadows.

Referee

Over the rasping breath of the wounded and the old man humming a tune you hear the muffled sound of hooves on the forest ground. Zoltan staggers into the dim light of the dying campfire, barely able to stay on his feet: “By the gods, what happened here?”

Ludmer, the Trail Knight

Ludmer steps out of the shadows outside Zoltan's immediate field of vision, causing the boy to startle "Zoltan! Never was I more happy to see you than tonight. Still though, you should thank the Seers that it was us you happened upon and not someone who bears you Ill will. A brigand could have stabbed you like a little piggy before you had seen them coming with that dumb torch of yours. What have you found?"

Zoltan

Zoltan looks at Ludmer wearily with bloodshot eyes: ”I found the spot in the … mumbles ... where the smaller … mumbles …. mumbles ...”, he says weakly slurring his words, “... and followed them north to a … mumbles … it was almost … mumbles … decided to turn back, when I found the yellow petals that Sirs left. It was really hard to … mumbles … in total darkness so I lit a torch.” He looks around, sways slightly and steadies himself against his pony: "Those aren't the mercenaries we have been following", he mumbles half to himself.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

The Salt Knight sighs. "Indeed they are not." Anastaz glances at Ludmer, then looks down at the mass of bellicose cultists and frowns for a moment, before retrieving some rope from his saddlebags. "Come, boy, help us bind them."

Referee

Zoltan helps the Salt Knight restraining the prisoners. He stumbles around like a child way past bedtime from one to the next but his knots are precise and tight. He flinches when he sees the face of the young women but says nothing. Pensively he tends to the campfire before crushing out on his bedroll.

The Eye IV

2nd Skyday of Bales

Kozamost

Referee

Perilake, when you leave the barn you see Timea and Heldris standing at the pier.

Perilake the Gilded Knight

Sir Perilake approaches Timea. "Good lady, I fear the Realm demands our presence here to root out whatever hand guides these bandits. We must abandon our original mission south, but I hope that your journey onwards will be safe. I have another favour to ask of you however; will you transport our captive, the mercenary Bartek, with you to Kranach Castle with my message to the Lord? We ask that he give this brigand a chance to repay the realm in service, and that the Lord marshalls a band of men to help us guard the riverbanks and route out their remaining strength."

Referee

Timea shakes her head sceptically but takes your letter: "I will take the brigand to the Castle along with your message and if you vow for him, Ser Perilake, he will be treated like a free man and won't be restrained. I trust your wisdom, hopefully I won't regret it." She smiles again and turns to Hedris, "Well then my dear friends, I will depart, may fate bring us together in good health." Soon after the barge disappers behind the bend of the river.

Perilake the Gilded Knight

Perilake watches the barge leaves, then looks to Heldris. "One more thing to do I think, whilst we await our brothers. And perhaps best done with some discretion.... and so before our trail knight returns. I fear he already has his suspicions." Once the funeral for the brigand knight has been finished, Perilake approaches Mira at a point when there are no villagers nearby. "My lady, I have a question I must ask you. Your villagers fought well at our side, and do you credit. But this letter from Gregor, the fallen knight, has given us some concern." He shows Mira the letter. "I am glad your village was spared their predations. Perhaps it is as simple as a rogue knight having some twisted form of honour. But why would these villains seek to form a warband to protect the peat farms of Kozamost?

The rural charm of Kozamost

Referee

Mira reads the letter and frowns: "The peat provides heat for all of Mas... "she corrects herself quickly" ... all of Barowia. It has been the source of what little prosperity our village enjoys. And as you probably know the region itself is contested and I wouldn't be suprised at all if a war breaks out between those who want to lay claim to it." She looks you over as if to decide whether or not to trust you. "Whoever has written the letter doesn't care about us or the peat farmers who break their backs working in the bog. They care about power."

"Now if you excuse me, I need to break MY back in the oat fields" She mock bows, smiling: "My mother always said Knights are only useful in war times. Unless you prove me wrong and help in the field I worry we have to part ways."

Perilake the Gilded Knight

Perilake smiles back at Mira "Thank you for your honesty. I find much wisdom in your words, and I apologise that I was compelled to seek them." He looks around the village, and at the sky. Your village offered us aid in our duty. What sort of knight would I be if I didn't offer aid in yours? Particularly when I am but waiting for my fellows to return. Lead on my lady, and please be patient with your squire - it has been quite some time since I helped in the fields."

Referee

Perilake, you work all day in the persistent rain. As you join the villagers they first are at awe of a Knight making his hands dirty but soon they start singing their harvest songs and during the breaks they share canaster with you and at noon a hearty meal under an apple tree as if you were one of them.

Heldris the Dove Knight

Right after the Knight's funeral, Heldris finds himself walking around the village market. Behind a stall he notices two children playing knights with two wooden sticks. He stops to watch them fencing. “Good lounge!” He exclaims. “But you'll have to watch your side as well…” he adds, “here, let me show you.” The Dove Knight picks up a stick from the ground, and starts showing the kids how to place their feet, how to turn their shoulders as they strike. “Here, try and hit me!” He feigns to have received a mighty blow. "Ah! 'Tis no fair fight! Two knights against a poor squire!” He lowers the stick but keeps up his new game persona, and adds “So, brave knights, what rumours travel the land? What strange mysteries lurk in the shadows?

Referee

One of the kids puts a finger on her lips: "They say the Eye sees all and always listens. They say the Eye spoke to aunt Janka in her dreams and when she told the others they made her go away". "But she now lives with a smith in a fancy castle town." the other kid adds brightly and claps his hands

Heldris the Dove Knight

A worried expression appears on Heldris the Squire. “And what two brave knights can do against this evil Eye?” he leans towards them and covers his right eye with his hand, his left eye watches the kids intensely “Who can help them fight back and save the day?” The Dove Squire gasps, “A mysterious object? Perhaps, something that was hidden in their fathers’ storeroom for but one night, and now travels on downriver…” the left eye closes shut “but perhaps, when no one watched, it was left behind…

Referee

"Only the Seers know" the girls says, "and they only speak to us Knights and NOT to squires." She touches both your shoulders and your head with her stick. "Rise, Sir Knight, and go and ask the Seers!" The boy is unimpressed: "Pffft, you can't make a Knight, only the Seers can." He walks around you: "My father's storeroom? Daddy is away in the bog, he comes back in ... " he counts with both hands and finally gives up saying, "...winter and we have nothing to store anyway. But uncle Pawel has a big barn and it is all empty ... except yesterday, it was full of sacks and crates. But soon it will be full of oats!"

Heldris, the boy leads you to an oat field just outside the village where the farmers take a short break under a tree sheltered from the rain. The boy runs up to a haggard looking man in a bright red tunic smoking a long stem pipe."Uncle Pawel, uncle Pawel!" he screams hugging the man. Pawel lifts the boy onto his lap and musters you frowning: "Well, what a strange day, one Knight working harder than a peasant and another taking care of the children. What will be next, Knights working as midwifes and cooks?" He talks hesitantly weighing every word before uttering it but when the others chuckle Pawel finally smiles.

Heldris the Dove Knight

Heldris smiles at uncle Pawel and nods to the kid. “Today I have much to learn from a far better knight than me,” he says jokingly, “and a more perceptive one for sure.” The Dove Knight turns serious for a while. Looking around the field, he adds, “I’ve heard that the goods I’ve lost an arm protecting had been stored in your barn. It was most kind of you. I wanted to make sure that you had been compensated for your trouble.” Heldris pauses and unties a small coin pouch from his belt, observing the old man's reaction. “Valuable wares they were, for sure, to warrant hiring mercenaries to go after it. I’m sure you’ve taken the time to inspect the contents, just to make sure that nothing was out of place of course…" He gives him a handful of silver coins. "For your trouble, protecting the... What were we protecting again? My mind is still foggy from the injury you know...” He nods with complicity.

Working the oat fields

Referee

Upon seeing the coins the peasants grow suddenly quiet until Mira claps her hands and calls for them to return to work. Pawel puts down the boy and tells him to look for his sister. Only the two Knights and Pawel remain under the tree. He laboriously rekindles his pipe: "To be honest I'm not sure, there were ingots and pelts for sure and sacks of spices but that wouldn't explain the precautions they took. For example we were forbidden to bring any lights inside the barn, they asked for buckets of water to be at hand and the guardsmen watched over the place in total darkness. I've seen them check the crates and take out the jars to inspect them one by one. Those jars were sealed but had some kind of short rope attached to the wax. I couldn't make head nor tail of it."

Heldris the Dove Knight

“Well, I’m sure it’s nothing. Old merchants’ superstitions about their wares.” Heldris smiles to the old man. "Thank you for indulging me." The Dove Knight takes Perilake aside and they walk away from the tree, out of earshot. "Sealed jars, no light, and I assume no fire. Regularly checked. This sounds like something made for war..."

Perilake the Gilded Knight

Perilake looks pensively at the river as it flows past the village, the barges long out of sight. "So soon... The fires of the last war have barely cooled, yet the Realm may so swiftly rush to another. It seems madness to me."

Heldris the Dove Knight

The Dove Knight sighs. "I hope our friends will soon be back, that we might press forward on the matter." He then finds his cheerfulness again. "In the meantime, let me follow your exemple and alleviate these good people's labour." The Dove Knight rolls up his sleeves and follows Perilake to the fields.

The Eye III

2nd Skyday of Bales

Ludmer and Anastaz it is still raining as you leave the village, Zoltan is trailing behind you. At the river the barge is about to embark. You hear a sad melody you immediately recognize: Bente, the acolyte of the Entombed Seer played it at his tomb. You pass a group of villagers in a small graveyard. Mira, dressed in a grey tunic and with a crown of wild flowers, plays the flute while a body is lowered into the grave. Before you is the swamp where the battle took place and you can see the forest that Anastaz scouted to the east.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz mutters, "Safe travels, Knight," as he goads his horse east. When he arrives at the edge of the forest he holds up and waits for Ludmer and Zoltan.

Ludmer, the Trail Knight

Without wasting a word or a glance on Zoltan, Ludmer rides after Anastaz, taking in the environment. At the edge of the forest, he dismounts, takes out his red tinted looking glass and says: "Wait, Sir Anastaz. From here on out, we should move slowly and with forethought. Keep an eye on our environment and try not to destroy the trail." As he stoops down, the light falls through his looking glass, illuminating streaks of bright red in the mud. "One of them was already loosing blood on the way here. That is peculiar. But it should allow us to find their encampment by following the trail"

Anastaz the Salt Knight

"Lead the way, Trail Knight."

The spoors lead north, east and south

Referee

You enter the dense forest, old trees covered in moss standing in stagnant water. In the distant you hear shrieking birds and the growling of a lynx. The blood drops lead to a clearing, where the warband had split into smaller groups. There is more blood on the ground and there are signs that the fighters had rested for a moment probably tending to the wounded for the blood trail ends. But there are other traces: Snapped twigs, boots sunken into the deep ground, moss missing on the bark where a shoulder rubbed against it. The spoors lead north, east and south east.

Ludmer, the Trail Knight

"Sir Anastaz, Zoltan!", Ludmer calls out as he points towards where the three trails diverge. "What do you think? Which one of those three trails is the most likely to be the one that leads to the encampment? Which ones can we rule out and why? Consider the normal movements of a warband. People will step out to relieve themselves. People will scout ahead and return to the main body later to report. I ask you: where do you see the movement of a warband and which trails will likely lead to a turd in the woods?"

Kozamost

Heldris the Dove Knight

Still puzzled by the soldier’s account, Sir Heldris leaves the barn to find Timea. As he approaches the healer, he bows slightly. “Dear Timea, I wish to thank you for your cares. Without your expert medicine, I wouldn’t make it out alive from our bloody endeavour. I’m in your debt and my services are yours if the need should arise.”

Referee

Timea seems even more fragile between the tall porters loading crates and sacks back onto the barge. She grabs your right hand and looks at you intensely with her big browless eyes: "No my dearest Lord, I wish to thank you, without your bravery we would have lost all. If you find a smith to make you the most delicate silver arm to replace the one you sacrificed it would be my honour to pay for it." While she speaks there are shouts of warning as one of the porters drops a crate which cracks and spills straw on the ground. A single earthen jar rolls over the pier and is quickly grabbed by a guard who returns it, scolding the man. Timea had not taken her eyes of you and she hands you a jewell studded coin with the symbol of a gold fish: "Promise me Dove Knight that you take care of your arm as soon as possible."

Heldris the Dove Knight

"I will take good care of my arm, I promise. And as long as my right hand can wield a sword, I'll live to my oaths and defend the realm.” The Dove Knight holds the golden fish coin in his hand. “Thank you dear Timea, for you generosity and kind spirit.” He eyes the embossed golden fish on the coin. “Does this symbol represent the Merchant Guild? I will treasure it as a token of dearest friendship.” He adds, “before wishing you all safe travel, may I bother with another symbol? It seems that pulling the strings behind these thefts there was a masked figure, a Beekeeper. Are you familiar with it?” Before she can answers, Heldris eyes the earthen jar being secured behind her back. “Forgive my asking, but are you carrying something more valuable than mare wares? As to attract such bizarre attention.”

Referee

Timea lets go of your hand and bows formally: “I represent the Merchant Guildry of Szolnok and Mohacs from the Barowian Crown Lands, and yes: The Goldfish as a symbol of fortune and prosperity is our emblem. Unfortunately I am obliged by our rules to maintain confidentiality about our trade goods.” Her intense stare doesn't falter but she smiles slightly: ”A masked figure you say? That sounds terribly mysterious and a secret worthy to be uncovered by such a dapper Knight as yourself. The village of Bohut is famous for its honey and I have seen beekeepers there, but ..." her smile broadens "... I would be surprised if they turn out to be bandits."

In a forest east of Kozamost

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz rubs his chin, amused by this game. "The warband would likely make camp deep in the woods, so east could lead toward their camp. Southeast is more bog, perhaps a diversion. And north would be near Kozamost. How am I doing, Trail Knight?"

Ludmer, the Trail Knight

"You are a credit to the realm, Sir Anastaz", Ludmer says, pointedly ignoring Zoltan, who preferred to not engage in this learning experience. "I concur with your deduction. The way north would lead us back to whence we came. The trail leading southeast is the trail I would lay for horsemen dimmer than you or I..." piercing glance at Zoltan "...to get caught in the muddy bog, an easy target for an ambush. The way due east seems the most promising."

Zoltan

The boy returns Ludmer's piercing glance with a slightly bemused but sullen look. "My apologies, from what Sir Perilake told me of your skills on the trail, I presumed you had already seen the obvious." No sooner have the words left his mouth, than he breaks eye contact and looks down. "I apologise my lord. I will be quicker in my responses to your question and presume less." he mumbles

Ludmer, the Trail Knight

"There is no such thing as 'the obvious', squire. The obvious is the blade you parry. What kills you is the leg that trips you and sends you on your ass, defenseless to the next strike, while you smugly assume you have seen and parried 'the obvious'." Ludmer kneels down and plucks a yellow cat's mouth flower from the mud "Where have you seen that flower before? Was it on the lapel of the slain brigant knight? Was it in the medicine pouch the company's barber-surgeon has dropped as she fled, or have we seen patches of them wherever we found wet soil and brackish water? What is the 'obvious' you're seeing here, boy?"

Zoltan

Zoltan blinks slowly, and looks to Anastasz, then back to Ludmer. "Other than the trail that must lead back to the camp, given it is neither bog or back towards the village, I would say... it is obvious I have much to learn, my lord knight." He spares another pleading look at Anastasz, then bows his head nervously.

Ludmer, the Trail Knight

"Let's go and take the obvious path then", Ludmer mutters and starts walking, feeding the flower to his horse that had been watching the scene serenely.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz follows behind Ludmer, placing a gauntleted hand on Zoltan's shoulder as he passes him.

Referee

You lead the horses east through the swampy forest to the other side where the trees make way to tall grass and sturdy sedges. The rain is a faint drizzle but persisting and once in a while one member of the party will sink deep into the mud so that at noon when you reach another forest everyone is wet to the bone. Ludmer is in the lead, methodically searching for clues, Anastaz and Zoltan behind him. Under the tall trees the ground is dry and the thick canopy protects you from the rain. Ludmer, the trail gets fainter, you suspect single members must have split up as they crossed the swamp. You assume not more than half a dozen are left in the group you are following.

On the branches of a tree nearby large grey birds are startled by the noise you make and when they take flight they flutter about in a strange spiralling circle before dispersing.

Ludmer, the Trail Knight

"There is fate at work here, my brothers knight. Let's proceed as quiet and carefully as we can. Notice how the trail has gotten thinner. Either they were lost by the main group, who pressed on, not thinking that they could feasibly turn around and abort their cause, or they broke off willingly, perhaps to scout ahead or perhaps to scout behind, constructing an ambush.

Zoltan, this is your chance to prove your mettle as a scout. Take one of the smaller trails and follow it, see where it leads. Once you've found something, report back to us as we follow the main trail. Be careful though. I'd much rather report to Sir Perilake that you've proven yourself capable by finding information and - above all else - surviving than having to report that you've been the failure you secretly fear your father takes you for after you've stupidly gotten yourself killed in the swamp by taking unnecessary risks and trying to be a hero. If you don't find anything in time to return to us by nightfall, please do abort and return in time to meet up with us further east along the bigger trail. I know that good Sir Perilake would never forgive himself if his squire got lost in the swamp.

Be swift, young squire. Be brave. And above all else, be careful."

Back into the swamp

Zoltan

The young Squire's face flushes, for a second, and then he composes himself. "Yes, Sir Ludmer." Zoltan checks the dagger at his belt, the cloth of his tunic still red with the blood of the men he fought yesterday."I will try not to let you, Sir Perilake or my father - rest his soul - down any further." He then carefully picks his way through the woods following the smaller trail with painstaking care. His hands grip the reins of his pony tightly however, the knuckles white with tension.

Referee

You ride back into the swamp eventually dismounting to lead your pony over the treacherous ground. After a while you find signs of a single traveller moving north, a faint trail between the tall grass. The stars come out as you arrive on a lush heath, a group of foxes hunting meerkats in the dimming light. You find traces of a campfire, the ashes scatterd but still visible to the trained eye. The trail leads further north but it is too dark to follow it.

Zoltan

Zoltan sighs, and wheels his pony to rejoin the others "A fool's errand. But for or from one..." He looks up at the sky. "I can only hope Sir Ludmer is in a better mood, for I fear night will have fallen before we rejoin them on the main path" 

The Eye II

2nd Kinsday of Bales

Referee

Heldris, you wake up from uneasy dreams of hundreds of roots pulling you into the ground. Deep underground there is a chestnut tree that bears no fruit except three nuts, one dead, one sealed shut and a third one, salted and cracked. Then you wake up, sweating. Below the elbow your left arm is missing and you feel a numb pain where your lower arm had been. Ludmer is at your side.

Heldris the Dove Knight

The Dove Knight turns his head towards his bedside. As his eyes adjust to the feverish light of the candles in the room, he recognises a friendly face. “Did we crush them?” he asks, almost in a whisper. Then he makes a gesture as to relieve an itch that he shouldn’t be able to feel, as he realises that in a moment he lets his right arm fall back and smiles at Ludmer, painfully.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz ducks through the doorway of the house in which Heldris is being held, seeing Ludmer at his side. "How's the pain, Dove Knight?

Ludmer, the Trail Knight

"You did, Heldris. You have saved all our lifes. Rest now. You need to heal.", Ludmer says as he turns to Anastaz. "Healing from a wound such as this is not an easy task. Not even for our mighty wolf. What did you find? Did you get soldiers?"

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz frowns. "No, merely cryptic clues. They said gold or threats of violence could persuade our captive to talk."

Perilake the Gilded Knight

"The Seer.... The Seer spoke in their way. She said that he could tell us of a 'Bishop who hides in a cave', but not of the others involved in this plot. Of a 'Queen who lives in a castle, but not as the ruler, or the player of games who moves the pieces around' ". Perilake laughs a small, rueful sound. "Of course, the Seer herself could only tell us what she could not tell us." "We returned rather than press on to Karpat or Szalai. The dark trails of conspiracy spread out before us, and I know not which path to take."

Referee

There is a knock at the door and Mira enters, followed by villagers carrying pots and pans. The villagers set the table in silence. You have the feeeling Mira might have been listening as she looks puzzled before composing herself. "Please make yourself comfortable, I apologize we can't meet the standards that high lords as yourself ... " sideeying Ludmer " ...are used to." The villagers bring bedrolls upstairs before leaving. Mira bows: "May the Seers bless your meal" She waits to be dismissed.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

“Thank you, my lady," Anastaz says. As she leaves, he raises an eyebrow at Ludmer, unaware of what has transpired between them.

Referee

Mira takes Anastaz words as a cue and leaves.

A forced confession in the barn

2nd Skyday of Bales

An old man brings a hearty breakfast at dawn excusing Mira who is attending the small service for the dead Knight. A slight drizzle is falling on Zoltan who is waiting outside with the horses.

Heldris the Dove Knight

At the smell of breakfast, Heldris finds himself famished. As he devours a large piece of buttered bread, he recounts the dream he had during his convalescence, about the three nuts and the bare tree. “Could all these riddles be referring to the Old King?” he asks, hinting at the Seer’s words. “The Eye, mercenaries through the land, rumours of injustice…” he sighs “the land seems riddled with dangers more and more. We should see what our captive has to say about the dead Knight and the Bishop.” He then turns to Ludmer, “thank you for being there in these darkest hours,” and to Anastaz and Perilake, “and thank you my friends for pressing ahead into danger allowing us to rest and recover."

Ludmer, the Trail Knight

"It lifts my heart to see you in such good spirit, Sir Heldris", Ludmer says, "Britta, the cook at my father's estate always used to say that there is no ailment a hearty broth cannot heal. She was wise like that. I'm afraid I'll never meet a person more knowledgeable of herbs and spices". His eyes stare in the middle distance for a moment before he comes back to the present.

"We should follow the trail of the war dogs before it is washed away entirely. Sir Anastaz, will you come with me? I would appreciate your presence and your sharp intellect"

Perilake the Gilded Knight

Perilake stares for slightly too long as Heldris fumbles with the buttered bread, his face clouding before he catches himself and forces his usual expression of good cheer back in to place. "Your insights may bear true Sir Heldris. We will see what knowledge can be found in the yapping of this dog of war.... Anastasz, Ludmer - be careful. Perhaps my squire may be of assistance? Young Zoltan needs to learn the ways of the woods." As he speaks, Heldris prepares a small plate for the boy, to enjoy after he has tended to the horse's morning feed.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz eats slowly and methodically, listening intently to Heldris's account. To Ludmer's request, he responds, "Of course, Trail Knight. And I suppose the boy can come with us, if he won't get in the way."

Ludmer, the Trail Knight

"Are you sure he isn't bound to learn more from you, Sir Perilake?", Ludmer meekly tries to politely voice his displeasure.

Perilake the Gilded Knight

Perilake laughs, his good humour restored "Ah you flatter me my friend. No better teacher for knightly valour and skill than the trail knight - and I know he is in awe of the champion of the tourneys! I only ask that you take care of the lad."

Ludmer, the Trail Knight

Ludmer tries a cheerful smile that bleeds into a sour expression in the traitorous corners of his mouth "If you say so, Sir Perilake. I will try my best to teach the boy some humility".

Heldris the Dove Knight

"Well," Heldris swallows the last piece of bread "let's see what this war dog has to say. Perhaps he can still restore at least part of his honour... I'll follow your lead in the matter Sir Perilake."

Referee

Zoltan comes in and wolves down the plate Perilake had set aside for him. When he hears about the plans to have him travel with Ludmer his expression darkens but he says nothing and follows Anastaz and the Trail Knight dutifully when they leave the village.

Heldris and Perilake, you find the prisoner in an empty barn for the harvest has just begun. He looks from one Knight to the other and laughs.”Have you finally coughed up some gold coins?”

Perilake the Gilded Knight

Perilake looks to Heldris, and let's out a heavy sigh. "Neither Honour or the Realm hold value for you, we understand that. So if coin is what it takes to open your lips, then coin is yours." He pulls a pouch of coin from his belt. Using his other hand, he unsheathes his sword. "When we are done here, I will place it in your mouth, so you may hold it once the King's justice has been visited on your sword arm" "Now; what do you know of your paymasters? Of your brethren and where they may flee?"

Referee

His smile falters as he sees the steel in Perilake's eyes and he looks down at his bound hands.”My name is Bartek and I haven't been born with a silver spoon in my mouth, … and I don't want to die with a golden coin in it. My paymasters … well one is dead and the other, Sandor ... maybe he is not a good man but he always treated me well and my brothers and sister in arms are the closest to a family I ever had.” Bartek looks up again. Now that his bravado is gone he looks older although he can't be much older than you.”Please don't tell them that I am a traitor. The dead Knight is Grigori of Masur and we called him Prince behind his back and maybe he felt he had to prove something or maybe he was bored, in any case, on a normal raid Sandor would lead us and Sir Grigori would stay behind in the hideout. The soldiers with Grigori treated him with respect of course but us mercenaries we didn't see much in him.

I have been riding with Sandor forever now, I was younger even than your Squire when he took me in. A strange man, with ugly burn marks and you don't want to cross him but he is fiercely loyal to his men. Some call him the Hawk, and the older fighters say he can turn into one and fly away, although I have never seen that for myself.

We fought in the Crown Lands for one side or the other when Sir Grigori approached Sandor with promises of riches and his own Holding. That was a year ago. SInce then we lived in this cave to the east, raiding merchants on the river but never harming a Vassal, Sir Grigori was adamant about this. We had good information as well. Once in a while a visitor in a strange mask would come and after that we knew where to strike. I've seen the mask on beekeepers in the South, quite unsettling if you ask me. I can show you the cave on a map if you have one.

Oh, we do have a map!

Heldris the Dove Knight

The Dove Knight kneels closer to the captive, placing his hand on his shoulder. He opens his mouth to speak but stops as he realises he’s been tightening his grasp more and more, like a piercing claw. He relaxes his grasp and regains his composure. “You’ve done right to your mistreated honour,” he tries to give a reassuring smile, “show us the place on the map, and tell us more about this strange visitor and their mask.”

Referee

Bartek winces slightly under Heldris' grip. He puts his bound hands on a region east of Karpat Fortress [Hex L5].The beekeeper would arrive late at night and leave long before dawn. I never got a good look at him - well I say him but I don't know if he is indeed a man or if it even was always the same person. I think they had coin on them when they visited because Sandor was always very cheerful afterwards."

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.