I have returned, bearing new Story Hour! Whew, I'm not caught up by a long shot, but I've gotten the rest of the "Town Stuff" done and I'll post that in this thread right now. Then, I think I'll do a campaign synopsis and start a new thread for the further adventures.
Thanks once again to all who read for your patience with me. Without further adieu, I present:
Distrust, Betrayal and Oathbreaking Part 7: Return and Departure
Speaks and Scrubs finally arrived home at the wolf cave and found a note left by Rhys:
Speaks with Stone:
I hope this letter finds you well, my friend. Strange things are afoot in Glynden town these days. Several days after you left, Tarsheeva came out to the cave, rather upset and enquiring as to your whereabouts. I was unable to help her, since I didn't know where you had gone. She told me that a force of soldiers and priests of St. Cuthbert, styling themselves 'inquisitors', had arrived in Glynden that morning. The inquisitors took Tadius into the temple for questioning, not entirely with Tadius' cooperation, about the amulets and the headband of intellect that we sold him last winter. It seems the Church feels that the symbol that adorns the amulets and headband is indicative of some evil influence. Tarsheeva told me that she and Tadius are leaving Glynden immediately and heading over the Fodor to the barbarian lands. She sends her love and hope that the two of you will meet up again someday soon. She really is a lovely girl.
I was really taken aback with the news that the inquisition had come to Glynden. Though not a follower of St. Cuthbert myself, for reasons that would be apparent with a few moments thought, I have heard stories of the inquisition. It's my understanding that they are not sent out lightly, or with no purpose. Something dire is going on, I fear. Perhaps there is something to what the kobold said about the power in the north. That would be something the Church would be interested in as well.
A day later, after Tarsheeva came and went, I got a 'sending' from Scar from the amulet I still wear. He told me that the inquisition wanted to talk to both you and me about something and to please present ourselves for questioning. I know that he is a follower of the Saint, but even so, something in his tone of voice told me that he was not the one from whom this summons originated. I doubt that Scar is in any danger from the inquisitors, but I also do not doubt that he may be being used by them. I hope that friend Raven is not entangled in this matter as a consequence of his generous help in clearing out the mines.
While I was pondering the news from town, your messenger bird arrived, late that night. It was too late to pass your messages to Tadius and Tarsheeva, since they had left the area almost two days ago. I decided to try to get the word to Raven and Scar in the morning. As dawn broke yesterday, I donned a most wonderful item I purchased from Tadius (before all this turmoil): a magical hat that changes one's appearance to just about any form one desires. Thinking fondly of our barbarian companion of last year, I chose to appear to the world as Ilrath - a far cry from my current appearance. I approached the town gates, only to be challenged by the guard as to my business. I concocted a tale of having chance-met a band of dwarves on the road who wished a message delivered to a kinsman of theirs last known to be in or around Glynden - Raven, a Cleric of Moradin. The guardsman told me that Raven had left town the day before, and had not returned. Not wishing to arouse suspicion by altering my tale to include a message to Scar, and not wishing to enter town myself, I thanked him and turned about, heading back to the cave.
Late last night, in the wee hours, I set out again, this time in stealth. I approached town by the little watched ways, and using my magic to aid my climbing, slipped into town undetected. I left word with my parents that I was going to leave town, not to return form some time - so as to give all of us a chance to come to terms with my altered condition. I also left your note to Scar with my father, and asked him to see that Scar got it. He will be a better messenger than I, as no one is paying particular attention to my father, as far as I know.
I almost left town then, but curiosity and the nearness of the temple overcame my better judgement - not, I must confess, a terribly difficult thing to overcome, as past events have shown. It seemed to me that Tadius may well appreciate the return of the headband of intellect that the inquisitors took from him. And if he didn't, then I certainly could find use for it. And it was just across the way, in the temple. With everyone asleep. I couldn't resist. Olidammara would be very ashamed of me if I didn't at least try....
Ah, Speaks, it was so easy as to be child's play. I slipped inside the temple, explored the main level, poked about in the sanctuary. I could have been quite naughty, but I didn't do anything downstairs. My goal was the headband, and that was with the inquisitors in the rooms upstairs. After creeping up to the second level, I spotted a guard sleeping his watch outside one of the rooms. Rather than go past him, I decided to go around entirely. Going back outside, I deduced which window let into the room the guard was 'guarding', and began to climb. I opened the window, and looked inside. There, asleep, was one of the inquisitors, and a chest at the foot of his bed. I began to slip inside, when the hilt of my rapier banged into the windowframe, waking the sleeping man. He shot bolt upright, and looked straight into my eyes from just a few feet away. I could have perhaps sprung upon him and slain him, but that wasn't what I had gone there to do, so I fled.
I had made it clear away, or so I thought, when the blasted inquisitor froze me in place like a statue. There I was, halfway over the cemetery fence, with nothing to do but wait for the guards to come find me. I was praying mightily for Olidammara to do something for his semi-faithful servant (as this was all his fault), while the soldiers escorting the inquisitors stumbled in the dark closer to my perch. Just as one of them was about to lay hands upon me, I felt the magic hold fall away. I immediately tried to spring away from the fence, but the soldier was fast enough to clout me with his mace. Staggered but not fallen, I watched in some amusement as he tried to clamber over the fence after me, with no success. I began to put one foot in front of the other at best speed, and made it clear to the woods, and back to the cave without further incident.
While my new form has several advantages over my old, the ability to survive the rough and tumble of combat (never a strong point) has weakened. I very nearly returned to that place you had so recently called me back from! I fear that even well disquised by the hat as an acolyte of the Church, they may well suspect my hand in the attempt on the temple. I must be away immediately. I go in search of Tadius and Tarsheeva; perhaps our paths will cross again someday soon, Speaks, and we may have merry tales to tell over a campfire. I wish you luck in your adventures, and will think often of you all in the days to come.
I still have one of the amulets we won in the battles of the Winter War, although I will not wear it at all times like I have up to this point. There may be something to what the inquisition fears, so I will use the amulet sparingly, just in case. I will put it on every morning at dawn for one hour, but take it off the rest of the day. Perhaps we may contact one another that way in the future. Until that day, I remain,
Y'r obt. svt,
Rhys de Cameron
Speaks told Scrubs to stay near the cave but to give the wolves a wide berth until they adapted to his presence. He spoke to the wolves and gave them similar instructions about their new neighbor. He then transformed into eagle form and took to the air.
He winged his way west for a day until he spotted Tadius' caravan below. They were just west of Aquae Sulis and moving fairly slowly. Speaks landed and spoke with Rhys, Tadius and Tarsheeva.
He discussed the recent events in Glynden with Rhys and didn't like what he heard regarding the Inquisition. He then told Rhys about his journey into the Darkwood and asked him if he might borrow his Amulet in case it was needed for this quest. Speaks and Rhys both reasoned that one of the amulets wasn't much good without the other so Rhys loaned his to Speaks.
Speaks spoke to Tadius and they commiserated about being persecuted in Glynden. Speaks gave him the remaining gold he owed and Tadius gave him the mask he had crafted for the Druid. It was carved from wood and was fearsome to behold. It was somewhat similar in form to the "Green Man" aspect of Obad-Hai, but with a sinister cast. (Mask of Intimidation: +10 to all Intimidation checks while worn)
Speaks then spent a short time with Tarsheeva. He told her a little of the undead abominations despoiling the Darkwood but he downplayed the danger. He didn't want her to worry. He wished her luck and hoped to see her again before she departed the Northlands.
Speaks stayed the night with the caravan and took flight again at dawn. He spent most of the day flying his way back to Glynden. As he approached the outskirts of the town, he spotted a campsite below and, with his eagle-enhanced vision, he could make out the squat form of Raven. He also saw a pair of men camped adjacent who wore the livery of St. Cuthbert. Speaks landed and approached Raven.
The friends greeted each other but had time for no other pleasantries before the pair of soldiers approached cautiously. One spoke, "With an entrance like that, I'll assume you're Speaks With Stone."
"I am." Spoke Speaks.
"His Eminence, Lucius Aelius Capito, Inquisitor of St. Cuthbert would like the honor of an interview with you at your earliest convenience."
Speaks replied, "I will meet with him. But not on ground holy to him, nor within the walls of Glynden. I will meet him outside the town gate in the morning or not at all. And tell him to bring with him what he has stolen."
"I shall deliver your message." With that, both men hastily broke camp and departed toward town.
Speaks then related to Raven the events that had transpired within the Darkwood and told him that he intended to return there to see what secrets the temple held. Raven replied that his hammer was at the service of Speaks for so long as it was needed. Never ones for lengthy speeches, the pair retired to Speaks' cave for the evening.
Once there, Speaks penned a quick note and sent it on its way by animal messenger. It read:
Kyndalyn,
I have agreed to meet with Capito outside the gates in the morning. I would like you to be present because I may seek to bring charges against him and his men.
Speaks
At dawn, Speaks and Raven both prepared themselves for whatever the day may bring. They wordlessly ate a small breakfast and departed for the gates of Glynden.
To be continued…
