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<blockquote data-quote="el-remmen" data-source="post: 3384495" data-attributes="member: 11"><p><strong>Session #2 – “The Road South” (part 1 of 3)</strong> (1)</p><p></p><p>“Would it be possible that we might be supplied with a packhorse out of House Barhyte’s generous gift as well?” Timotheus asked Euleria Finch at dinner that evening. She stood a distance from the table, dressed in comfortable clothes as if about to go for an afternoon’s ride, but standing up very straight and attentive to each word.</p><p></p><p>“I shall send word ahead to the livery and see and this is possible,” Euleria replied. Markos had just been bemoaning the amount of gear he would have to carry when they traveled, being more used to ships, and Bleys the Aubergine mentioned that his own horse was heavily laden as well.</p><p></p><p>“Have we considered which route would be best to take to New Harbinger?” Timotheus said. “Earlier Euleria mentioned the choice of the High Road and the Beach Road…”</p><p></p><p>The Beach Road, if it could be called a road wound down right against the eastern coast, and was the quickest path to New Harbinger in theory, but was rarely used, as many of its secret coves were home to brigands and amphibious monsters. The High Road was more direct, but wound over some steep hills that would slow progress south by nearly a full day.</p><p></p><p>“I am in no particular rush,” said Telémahkos, grinning nervously and taking a sip of his wine. “I say we take the High Road and be safe about it.”</p><p></p><p>“I would rather arrive sooner, and if we meet some brigands on the road then we will be doing Thricia a service by dealing with them,” Timotheus replied.</p><p></p><p>“Agreed,” Victoria nodded her head. “And I am sure Laarus would agree as well.” The priest of Ra had retired to his bed early, not feeling well after eating something of dubious origin in the market earlier in the day. (2)</p><p></p><p>“It might be good to get some practice on some bandits before we move on to more dangerous foes,” Timotheus said.</p><p></p><p>“We should not underestimate bandits,” Markos said “Let’s say for example, we face five bandits…”</p><p></p><p>“You and you’re five bandits!” Telémahkos stood suddenly and pressed down his golden curls with the back of his hand. “I think I shall see what Death & Taxes has to offer tonight…” And with that he left the suite and headed down to the common room.</p><p></p><p>The young son of House Briareus was greeted by the sound and smells of a packed common room. A bard was plucking on a lyre atop a table in one corner, but his strains were hardly heard over the whole place singing along with “<em>I Smack the Tax Man in the Mouth With a Fist Full of Coppers</em>”. Telémahkos went over to the bar and after a quick shot of spirits, joined his excellent voice to the throng, swinging his ale back and forth to the music. Soon, a local wench had grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him into the circle of dancers, and of course he knew all the steps.</p><p></p><p>“Let me ask you,” Timotheus began, twisting his body towards Victoria. He was sitting on a divan beside the militant of Anhur, as Bleys and Markos listened from chairs across from them. A few times Markos looked as if he might speak, but never could seem to get his words into the flow of the conversation at the right time, and swallowed them instead. Bleys was ever-silent. Out of her armor, and in a plain gray dress, the female warrior had a rough-edged beauty. “In regards to the disposition of our respective Houses to each other… I just wanted to make sure that such enmities might not carry over to our charter…”</p><p></p><p>“You are of House Briareus? I mean, I know you are, but I mean…” Victoria searched for words that might not give insult. “You have been recognized…?”</p><p></p><p>“If you speak of my bastardry, no need to dance around it,” Timotheus said.</p><p></p><p>“I did not know how to ask without offending,” Victoria replied.</p><p></p><p>“Why should I be offended? I’m a bastard, so what? I have nothing to be ashamed about. I am not responsible for it,” Timotheus smiled widely as he talked, and leaned over to the low table to pour himself some more wine. “But yes, I am officially of Briareus, and for my own part I hold no ill-will to House Ostrander…”</p><p></p><p>“Nor I to your House,” Victoria said. “Though… I wonder if the same can be said of all such members…”</p><p></p><p>“Such as?”</p><p></p><p>“Sir Agamemnon…”</p><p></p><p>“Oh yes! I saw him and your father glaring at each other across the room at the luncheon,” Timotheus smiled again, at the memory. (3) “Agamemnon is not known for his manners or his ability to hide his feelings…”</p><p></p><p>“Again, I did not mean to offend…” Victoria said.</p><p></p><p>“None taken! Agamemnon’s an ass! What do I care?” Timotheus laughed.</p><p></p><p>Victoria was taken aback and looked to the other two members of the charter who were present. Neither had a thing to say. “And your cousin, Telémahkos, he does not mind you talking of his father this way? His own personal feelings about House Ostrander will not color his interactions with me?”</p><p></p><p>“T.K.? Ha! Ask him about his father when you get a chance,” Timotheus was still laughing. “In fact, I want to be there when you ask him, it should be good for a laugh, and then you’ll know where he stands in regards to his father’s feelings!”</p><p></p><p>“Perhaps when he returns from carousing and is foolish with liquor,” Victoria allowed herself a mischievous smile, and Timotheus laughed again.</p><p></p><p>“Well, I expect each of our families have hopes for our group,” Markos finally spoke up. “But for my own part, it is the Margrave’s wishes that I am most concerned with fulfilling…”</p><p></p><p>“Hey, I just want to do some good and kick some ass,” Timotheus replied, filling his cup again. “Whatever gets me that in the short term, I am happy to do. His vision met that of the watch-mage, and the tall warrior gestured to Bleys with his cup and smiled. “With integrity of course.”</p><p></p><p>They heard the swell of the crowd’s cheer down in the common room.</p><p></p><p>Telémahkos had just finished singing the seventeen verses of ‘<em>the Ballad of the Edge of the World</em>’ with a group of sailors when the patrons grew hushed as a figure made his way through the crowd hanging at the door.</p><p></p><p>“Floris Tenbrook has arrived, and now the party really begins,” the bard on the table announced, his voice carrying over the crowd by means of a cantrip. The bard struck up a faster tune, and the dancing began anew. Two saucy wenches came over to serve the handsome young noble. One took his cloak, and the other brought him a drink, as he sat down at a table to join a card game, flicking silver coins off his fingers. </p><p></p><p>He downed his ale and before the cup struck the table a shot of spirits was waiting for him. He snatched it and stood up like a shot, leaping onto the chair with deftness. “Let’s have a drink to ole Barakis!”</p><p></p><p>“A drink to Barakis!” the whole crowd cheered, and Telémahkos joined in. Earlier in the night he had learned that house rules were that everyone drank when the former watch-mage’s name was mentioned, as he had asked around what people knew of the Beach Road.</p><p></p><p>“The Beach Road is where Barakis the Bold was killed,” someone told him. And then added “Barakis the Bold!” as loud as he could and everyone downed their drinks at hand. The patron turned back to Telie “People say that Weirspierogeners hide on that road to waylay locals. It was them that got him. Damn, Weirspierogen! Damn <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/House+Devenpeck" target="_blank">Devenpeck</a>!”</p><p></p><p>“Hey! Hey Briareus!” Floris had his knees up on his chair and was waving Telémahkos over to the card table. “They play cards up in Schiereiland?”</p><p></p><p>Telémahkos nodded.</p><p></p><p>“Well, show me how then!” Floris Tenbrook shooed away the player sitting across from him and gestured for Telie to sit. “We’re playing Margrave’s rules…” He began to explain to Telie the local variations of “Bluff and Draw” as he dealt. Telémahkos listened attentively, as he casually loosened his toga to better hide the cards he planned to palm. One of the wenches brought a round of drinks for the table.</p><p></p><p>“Keep ‘em coming, honey,” Floris winked at her.</p><p></p><p>---------------------------</p><p></p><p>Upstairs, after a long general discussion of tactics, Victoria was checking on Laarus, while Bleys used the piss-pot in the other room, leaving Markos and Timotheus alone for a few moments.</p><p></p><p>“I wonder if Telie is ready to move on to another bar,” Timotheus wondered aloud. “You will come with us, right?” He turned to Markos.</p><p></p><p>“Well, actually… to be honest… I was not sure I felt comfortable going there with your cousin,” Markos replied.</p><p></p><p>“Why?”</p><p></p><p>“I just wasn’t sure if he’d be the type to blend in there. It might cause trouble,” Markos said.</p><p></p><p>“Then let’s go without him,” Tim smiled, and stood, finishing his mug of ale. “We’ll slip out the back.”</p><p></p><p>Markos shrugged. They bid goodnight to Victoria and Bleys and went on their way.</p><p></p><p>---------------------------</p><p></p><p>“Who’s cheating?” Floris roared, knocking the cards out of the hands of the player on his left. Telémahkos gulped and looked around, but Floris ignored him, dragging the other patron from his chair by his collar. “Are you cheating? Because I know I’m not cheating, and we know he isn’t cheating…” He pointed at Telie. “There is no way someone of noble blood would cheat at cards for a few measly silver, right, Briareus?” The Tenbrook youth looked Telémahkos right in the eye, and Telie nodded vigorously, and then shook his head just as vigorously, not sure which way would mean he agreed.</p><p></p><p>“Get out of here!” Two large patrons walked over at Floris’ signal and carried the card player from the inn and Floris called over another to sit in.</p><p></p><p>Telémahkos kept the wench he had been dancing with close by for “luck”, reaching over her to grab at his drink, but grabbing at her instead. She giggled and handed him the drink, her hand brushing his. He looked at her face and shuddered, so looked down at her ample cleavage instead. It was his turn to deal, and slamming the deck down he called out to <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Bes" target="_blank">Bes</a> before he began.</p><p></p><p>As the night ended, Floris slapped Telémahkos on the shoulder and gave him a brotherly embrace.</p><p></p><p>“You’re okay, Briareus,” Floris Tenbrook said. “Look, do me a favor. When you get to New Harbinger, give them to the captain of the guard for me…” He tucked a folded up letter into the folds of Telie’s toga, not far from where cards had been hidden most of the night. “When you come back to Sluetelot, come find me… We’ll <em>talk</em>…”</p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px">Tholem, the 11th of Sek – 566 H.E. (637 M.Y.)</span></p><p></p><p>Morning came sooner than some members of the charter would have liked; morning, but not light. Soon they were gathered around a table in one of the suites, eating breakfast, as Telémahkos told them a little about what he had learned the previous evening.</p><p></p><p>“All I am saying is that if the former watch-mage of this town, Barakis the Bold, who by all accounts was a watch-mage here for fifteen years, was killed on the Beach Road, we should rethink taking that path.”</p><p></p><p>Markos muttered something.</p><p></p><p>“What was that?” Telémahkos asked.</p><p></p><p>“Nothing.”</p><p></p><p>“Am I wrong to think Barakis would have had a greater power than the six of us can represent?” Telémahkos turned to Bleys and the watch-mage shook his head.</p><p></p><p>“Yes, but the fact that he was so powerful suggests that someone laid in wait for him.” Laarus commented. He was feeling much better, and was dressed in his scale mail armor, and a line of silken bronze ran down each pant leg into his fine riding boots. He wore no helmet. “I doubt some random brigands would have defeated him… So, I do not think we can use that report as a reason to fear the Beach Road.”</p><p></p><p>“I agree,” said Victoria.</p><p></p><p>“As do I,” said Timotheus.</p><p></p><p>“That settles it,” Markos added.</p><p></p><p>“Was he alone?” asked Bleys.</p><p></p><p>“I do not know,” Telémahkos replied.</p><p></p><p>“Perhaps we should see if we can find out on the way to the livery,” Bleys said. “At the very least it may shed some light on the possible dangers of the Beach Road.”</p><p></p><p>“Is there anything else you be needing of me before you go?” Euleria asked the group.</p><p></p><p>“So, everything we need for our trek will be provided for us?” Victoria asked. “Trail rations and the like?”</p><p></p><p>“Um…” Euleria began.</p><p></p><p>“No,” Markos said shortly. “We were to take care of that on our own yesterday afternoon.”</p><p></p><p>“Well, I did not…” Victoria stared hard at Markos, and the Raymer eventually looked away. In the household of Chalkteeth where Victoria grew up, the steward would have handled all such considerations.</p><p></p><p>“I am sorry, Mistress Ostrander,” Euleria looked flustered. “I was given no order to purchase such supplies, or I surely would have…”</p><p></p><p>“What about the money we gave her?” Victoria asked Markos, still not looking away, or acknowledging the steward. “Was that not what it was for? A general fund for our expenses?”</p><p></p><p>“No,” Markos slowly looked up at the militant of Anhur. He simmered with anger. “That coin was to secure us some hirelings and pay for the expenses of bringing them to New Harbinger, and also to send messages ahead of our coming.”</p><p></p><p>“Very well then,” Victoria turned to Euleria again. “I will need some rations. Please secure me some immediately.”</p><p></p><p>“I shall endeavor to try,” Euleria replied, revealing no annoyance with Victoria’s sudden commands. “However, it being so early the market is not yet open… Let me inquire…” The steward stood and turned to leave, but turned back. “If it is pleases you, I can meet you back here as you return with your horses on your way out of town for any last commands, and of course, to give Mistress Ostrander her rations…” And with that she left.</p><p></p><p>The livery was in the area of town called New Sluetelot, beyond the dirty white stone wall of Old Town, and after a twenty minute walk, they found stablehands readying their horses. Telémahkos sought out one of the hands that might know some local gossip wanting to find out more about the Barakis the Bold and his death on the Beach Road.</p><p></p><p>“Was he alone?” Telémahkos asked.</p><p></p><p>“Depends on who you ask,” the kid replied.</p><p></p><p>“What do you mean? Who says what?”</p><p></p><p>“I mean, some people say he was alone and others will tell you they were there and fought with him against three dozen Devenpecks with flaming swords and nearly died in the process,” the kid spat out his skepticism.</p><p></p><p>“And you? What do you believe?” Bleys asked, overhearing and walking over.</p><p></p><p>“Eh,” The kid shrugged.</p><p></p><p>“Is there someone who is likely to have actually been with him?” Timotheus asked, as he came over as well.</p><p></p><p>“I guess, Sir Floris Tenbrook,” the kid replied. “But he’s never said, that’s just what I’ve heard…”</p><p></p><p>Telémahkos gave the boy a couple of copper coins for his trouble.</p><p></p><p>“I still think we should take the High Road,” Telémahkos said to the others, as they walked their horses back across town. Bleys was leading the packhorse as well. It was older than the rest, but still fairly healthy, and would serve its purpose as long as it was not pushed. “Let’s put it to a vote.”</p><p></p><p>Telémahkos was alone in his vote, and so the Beach Road it was.</p><p></p><p>They waited for a time in front of the Death & Taxes Inn, but Euleria Finch was not about. Bleys went in to find her, but she was not in the inn.</p><p></p><p>“She is probably still trying to find Victoria’s rations,” Markos murmured. </p><p></p><p>Barton Digits came out bearing a basket and smiling widely. He had packed them lunch for the road, and suggested they eat it for lunch before some of its more delicate contents wilted and soured. The charter members thanked him, and Timotheus made a great show of upturning his coin pouch to give Barton his last three silver pieces as a tip.</p><p></p><p>Ra’s Glory, was peeking out from behind the harbor fortress, its light obscured by strands of gray cloud rolling in from the southeast. The morning was humid, and Telémahkos fidgeted in his chain shirt, pulling it away from his neck and scratching at where it touched his bare skin. </p><p></p><p>Finally, sighing and puffing, Telémahkos began to squirm out of his armor.</p><p></p><p>“Leave that on.” Timotheus admonished.</p><p></p><p>“I’ll put it back on when we get going,” Telémahkos complained. “It is heavy and it’s hot!”</p><p></p><p>“You have to get used to it,” Tim replied.</p><p></p><p>The sounds of the central Well Plaza market stalls being set up floated over to them as they saw Euleria emerge from amid the carts and tarps carrying a sack and jogging in their direction.</p><p></p><p>“I apologize for my tardiness,” the steward said, handing the sack to Victoria of Anhur. There were five days of rations within. She turned to the group as a whole. “And now if there is nothing else, I have an appointment to see to regarding interviewing some potential hirelings for you. I shall present you with an itemized list of expenditures when we meet in New Harbinger. If all goes well, I should arriving there before you with the hirelings, and will have made preparations for your stay.”</p><p></p><p>They bid the steward good-bye and good luck, and mounting their horses headed for Old Town Bridge and the way out of town.</p><p><em></em></p><p><em>to be continued. . .</em></p><p>---------------------------------------------</p><p><strong>Notes:</strong></p><p></p><p>(1) This session was played Sunday, February 4th, 2007.</p><p></p><p>(2) Laarus’ player was late to the session, so we began without him.</p><p></p><p>(3) He is referring to the luncheon of Session #1</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="el-remmen, post: 3384495, member: 11"] [b]Session #2 – “The Road South” (part 1 of 3)[/b] (1) “Would it be possible that we might be supplied with a packhorse out of House Barhyte’s generous gift as well?” Timotheus asked Euleria Finch at dinner that evening. She stood a distance from the table, dressed in comfortable clothes as if about to go for an afternoon’s ride, but standing up very straight and attentive to each word. “I shall send word ahead to the livery and see and this is possible,” Euleria replied. Markos had just been bemoaning the amount of gear he would have to carry when they traveled, being more used to ships, and Bleys the Aubergine mentioned that his own horse was heavily laden as well. “Have we considered which route would be best to take to New Harbinger?” Timotheus said. “Earlier Euleria mentioned the choice of the High Road and the Beach Road…” The Beach Road, if it could be called a road wound down right against the eastern coast, and was the quickest path to New Harbinger in theory, but was rarely used, as many of its secret coves were home to brigands and amphibious monsters. The High Road was more direct, but wound over some steep hills that would slow progress south by nearly a full day. “I am in no particular rush,” said Telémahkos, grinning nervously and taking a sip of his wine. “I say we take the High Road and be safe about it.” “I would rather arrive sooner, and if we meet some brigands on the road then we will be doing Thricia a service by dealing with them,” Timotheus replied. “Agreed,” Victoria nodded her head. “And I am sure Laarus would agree as well.” The priest of Ra had retired to his bed early, not feeling well after eating something of dubious origin in the market earlier in the day. (2) “It might be good to get some practice on some bandits before we move on to more dangerous foes,” Timotheus said. “We should not underestimate bandits,” Markos said “Let’s say for example, we face five bandits…” “You and you’re five bandits!” Telémahkos stood suddenly and pressed down his golden curls with the back of his hand. “I think I shall see what Death & Taxes has to offer tonight…” And with that he left the suite and headed down to the common room. The young son of House Briareus was greeted by the sound and smells of a packed common room. A bard was plucking on a lyre atop a table in one corner, but his strains were hardly heard over the whole place singing along with “[I]I Smack the Tax Man in the Mouth With a Fist Full of Coppers[/I]”. Telémahkos went over to the bar and after a quick shot of spirits, joined his excellent voice to the throng, swinging his ale back and forth to the music. Soon, a local wench had grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him into the circle of dancers, and of course he knew all the steps. “Let me ask you,” Timotheus began, twisting his body towards Victoria. He was sitting on a divan beside the militant of Anhur, as Bleys and Markos listened from chairs across from them. A few times Markos looked as if he might speak, but never could seem to get his words into the flow of the conversation at the right time, and swallowed them instead. Bleys was ever-silent. Out of her armor, and in a plain gray dress, the female warrior had a rough-edged beauty. “In regards to the disposition of our respective Houses to each other… I just wanted to make sure that such enmities might not carry over to our charter…” “You are of House Briareus? I mean, I know you are, but I mean…” Victoria searched for words that might not give insult. “You have been recognized…?” “If you speak of my bastardry, no need to dance around it,” Timotheus said. “I did not know how to ask without offending,” Victoria replied. “Why should I be offended? I’m a bastard, so what? I have nothing to be ashamed about. I am not responsible for it,” Timotheus smiled widely as he talked, and leaned over to the low table to pour himself some more wine. “But yes, I am officially of Briareus, and for my own part I hold no ill-will to House Ostrander…” “Nor I to your House,” Victoria said. “Though… I wonder if the same can be said of all such members…” “Such as?” “Sir Agamemnon…” “Oh yes! I saw him and your father glaring at each other across the room at the luncheon,” Timotheus smiled again, at the memory. (3) “Agamemnon is not known for his manners or his ability to hide his feelings…” “Again, I did not mean to offend…” Victoria said. “None taken! Agamemnon’s an ass! What do I care?” Timotheus laughed. Victoria was taken aback and looked to the other two members of the charter who were present. Neither had a thing to say. “And your cousin, Telémahkos, he does not mind you talking of his father this way? His own personal feelings about House Ostrander will not color his interactions with me?” “T.K.? Ha! Ask him about his father when you get a chance,” Timotheus was still laughing. “In fact, I want to be there when you ask him, it should be good for a laugh, and then you’ll know where he stands in regards to his father’s feelings!” “Perhaps when he returns from carousing and is foolish with liquor,” Victoria allowed herself a mischievous smile, and Timotheus laughed again. “Well, I expect each of our families have hopes for our group,” Markos finally spoke up. “But for my own part, it is the Margrave’s wishes that I am most concerned with fulfilling…” “Hey, I just want to do some good and kick some ass,” Timotheus replied, filling his cup again. “Whatever gets me that in the short term, I am happy to do. His vision met that of the watch-mage, and the tall warrior gestured to Bleys with his cup and smiled. “With integrity of course.” They heard the swell of the crowd’s cheer down in the common room. Telémahkos had just finished singing the seventeen verses of ‘[I]the Ballad of the Edge of the World[/I]’ with a group of sailors when the patrons grew hushed as a figure made his way through the crowd hanging at the door. “Floris Tenbrook has arrived, and now the party really begins,” the bard on the table announced, his voice carrying over the crowd by means of a cantrip. The bard struck up a faster tune, and the dancing began anew. Two saucy wenches came over to serve the handsome young noble. One took his cloak, and the other brought him a drink, as he sat down at a table to join a card game, flicking silver coins off his fingers. He downed his ale and before the cup struck the table a shot of spirits was waiting for him. He snatched it and stood up like a shot, leaping onto the chair with deftness. “Let’s have a drink to ole Barakis!” “A drink to Barakis!” the whole crowd cheered, and Telémahkos joined in. Earlier in the night he had learned that house rules were that everyone drank when the former watch-mage’s name was mentioned, as he had asked around what people knew of the Beach Road. “The Beach Road is where Barakis the Bold was killed,” someone told him. And then added “Barakis the Bold!” as loud as he could and everyone downed their drinks at hand. The patron turned back to Telie “People say that Weirspierogeners hide on that road to waylay locals. It was them that got him. Damn, Weirspierogen! Damn [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/House+Devenpeck]Devenpeck[/url]!” “Hey! Hey Briareus!” Floris had his knees up on his chair and was waving Telémahkos over to the card table. “They play cards up in Schiereiland?” Telémahkos nodded. “Well, show me how then!” Floris Tenbrook shooed away the player sitting across from him and gestured for Telie to sit. “We’re playing Margrave’s rules…” He began to explain to Telie the local variations of “Bluff and Draw” as he dealt. Telémahkos listened attentively, as he casually loosened his toga to better hide the cards he planned to palm. One of the wenches brought a round of drinks for the table. “Keep ‘em coming, honey,” Floris winked at her. --------------------------- Upstairs, after a long general discussion of tactics, Victoria was checking on Laarus, while Bleys used the piss-pot in the other room, leaving Markos and Timotheus alone for a few moments. “I wonder if Telie is ready to move on to another bar,” Timotheus wondered aloud. “You will come with us, right?” He turned to Markos. “Well, actually… to be honest… I was not sure I felt comfortable going there with your cousin,” Markos replied. “Why?” “I just wasn’t sure if he’d be the type to blend in there. It might cause trouble,” Markos said. “Then let’s go without him,” Tim smiled, and stood, finishing his mug of ale. “We’ll slip out the back.” Markos shrugged. They bid goodnight to Victoria and Bleys and went on their way. --------------------------- “Who’s cheating?” Floris roared, knocking the cards out of the hands of the player on his left. Telémahkos gulped and looked around, but Floris ignored him, dragging the other patron from his chair by his collar. “Are you cheating? Because I know I’m not cheating, and we know he isn’t cheating…” He pointed at Telie. “There is no way someone of noble blood would cheat at cards for a few measly silver, right, Briareus?” The Tenbrook youth looked Telémahkos right in the eye, and Telie nodded vigorously, and then shook his head just as vigorously, not sure which way would mean he agreed. “Get out of here!” Two large patrons walked over at Floris’ signal and carried the card player from the inn and Floris called over another to sit in. Telémahkos kept the wench he had been dancing with close by for “luck”, reaching over her to grab at his drink, but grabbing at her instead. She giggled and handed him the drink, her hand brushing his. He looked at her face and shuddered, so looked down at her ample cleavage instead. It was his turn to deal, and slamming the deck down he called out to [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Bes]Bes[/url] before he began. As the night ended, Floris slapped Telémahkos on the shoulder and gave him a brotherly embrace. “You’re okay, Briareus,” Floris Tenbrook said. “Look, do me a favor. When you get to New Harbinger, give them to the captain of the guard for me…” He tucked a folded up letter into the folds of Telie’s toga, not far from where cards had been hidden most of the night. “When you come back to Sluetelot, come find me… We’ll [I]talk[/I]…” [size=5]Tholem, the 11th of Sek – 566 H.E. (637 M.Y.)[/size] Morning came sooner than some members of the charter would have liked; morning, but not light. Soon they were gathered around a table in one of the suites, eating breakfast, as Telémahkos told them a little about what he had learned the previous evening. “All I am saying is that if the former watch-mage of this town, Barakis the Bold, who by all accounts was a watch-mage here for fifteen years, was killed on the Beach Road, we should rethink taking that path.” Markos muttered something. “What was that?” Telémahkos asked. “Nothing.” “Am I wrong to think Barakis would have had a greater power than the six of us can represent?” Telémahkos turned to Bleys and the watch-mage shook his head. “Yes, but the fact that he was so powerful suggests that someone laid in wait for him.” Laarus commented. He was feeling much better, and was dressed in his scale mail armor, and a line of silken bronze ran down each pant leg into his fine riding boots. He wore no helmet. “I doubt some random brigands would have defeated him… So, I do not think we can use that report as a reason to fear the Beach Road.” “I agree,” said Victoria. “As do I,” said Timotheus. “That settles it,” Markos added. “Was he alone?” asked Bleys. “I do not know,” Telémahkos replied. “Perhaps we should see if we can find out on the way to the livery,” Bleys said. “At the very least it may shed some light on the possible dangers of the Beach Road.” “Is there anything else you be needing of me before you go?” Euleria asked the group. “So, everything we need for our trek will be provided for us?” Victoria asked. “Trail rations and the like?” “Um…” Euleria began. “No,” Markos said shortly. “We were to take care of that on our own yesterday afternoon.” “Well, I did not…” Victoria stared hard at Markos, and the Raymer eventually looked away. In the household of Chalkteeth where Victoria grew up, the steward would have handled all such considerations. “I am sorry, Mistress Ostrander,” Euleria looked flustered. “I was given no order to purchase such supplies, or I surely would have…” “What about the money we gave her?” Victoria asked Markos, still not looking away, or acknowledging the steward. “Was that not what it was for? A general fund for our expenses?” “No,” Markos slowly looked up at the militant of Anhur. He simmered with anger. “That coin was to secure us some hirelings and pay for the expenses of bringing them to New Harbinger, and also to send messages ahead of our coming.” “Very well then,” Victoria turned to Euleria again. “I will need some rations. Please secure me some immediately.” “I shall endeavor to try,” Euleria replied, revealing no annoyance with Victoria’s sudden commands. “However, it being so early the market is not yet open… Let me inquire…” The steward stood and turned to leave, but turned back. “If it is pleases you, I can meet you back here as you return with your horses on your way out of town for any last commands, and of course, to give Mistress Ostrander her rations…” And with that she left. The livery was in the area of town called New Sluetelot, beyond the dirty white stone wall of Old Town, and after a twenty minute walk, they found stablehands readying their horses. Telémahkos sought out one of the hands that might know some local gossip wanting to find out more about the Barakis the Bold and his death on the Beach Road. “Was he alone?” Telémahkos asked. “Depends on who you ask,” the kid replied. “What do you mean? Who says what?” “I mean, some people say he was alone and others will tell you they were there and fought with him against three dozen Devenpecks with flaming swords and nearly died in the process,” the kid spat out his skepticism. “And you? What do you believe?” Bleys asked, overhearing and walking over. “Eh,” The kid shrugged. “Is there someone who is likely to have actually been with him?” Timotheus asked, as he came over as well. “I guess, Sir Floris Tenbrook,” the kid replied. “But he’s never said, that’s just what I’ve heard…” Telémahkos gave the boy a couple of copper coins for his trouble. “I still think we should take the High Road,” Telémahkos said to the others, as they walked their horses back across town. Bleys was leading the packhorse as well. It was older than the rest, but still fairly healthy, and would serve its purpose as long as it was not pushed. “Let’s put it to a vote.” Telémahkos was alone in his vote, and so the Beach Road it was. They waited for a time in front of the Death & Taxes Inn, but Euleria Finch was not about. Bleys went in to find her, but she was not in the inn. “She is probably still trying to find Victoria’s rations,” Markos murmured. Barton Digits came out bearing a basket and smiling widely. He had packed them lunch for the road, and suggested they eat it for lunch before some of its more delicate contents wilted and soured. The charter members thanked him, and Timotheus made a great show of upturning his coin pouch to give Barton his last three silver pieces as a tip. Ra’s Glory, was peeking out from behind the harbor fortress, its light obscured by strands of gray cloud rolling in from the southeast. The morning was humid, and Telémahkos fidgeted in his chain shirt, pulling it away from his neck and scratching at where it touched his bare skin. Finally, sighing and puffing, Telémahkos began to squirm out of his armor. “Leave that on.” Timotheus admonished. “I’ll put it back on when we get going,” Telémahkos complained. “It is heavy and it’s hot!” “You have to get used to it,” Tim replied. The sounds of the central Well Plaza market stalls being set up floated over to them as they saw Euleria emerge from amid the carts and tarps carrying a sack and jogging in their direction. “I apologize for my tardiness,” the steward said, handing the sack to Victoria of Anhur. There were five days of rations within. She turned to the group as a whole. “And now if there is nothing else, I have an appointment to see to regarding interviewing some potential hirelings for you. I shall present you with an itemized list of expenditures when we meet in New Harbinger. If all goes well, I should arriving there before you with the hirelings, and will have made preparations for your stay.” They bid the steward good-bye and good luck, and mounting their horses headed for Old Town Bridge and the way out of town. [I] to be continued. . .[/I] --------------------------------------------- [b]Notes:[/b] (1) This session was played Sunday, February 4th, 2007. (2) Laarus’ player was late to the session, so we began without him. (3) He is referring to the luncheon of Session #1 [/QUOTE]
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