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"Second Son of a Second Son" - Bleys' Journal
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<blockquote data-quote="Rastfar" data-source="post: 3363888" data-attributes="member: 9596"><p>14, Sek 637 M.Y.</p><p></p><p>I never wanted to go into Wringneck’s tavern, so of course they did. If we had only ridden another 3 or 4 hours we’d be in <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/New+Harbinger" target="_blank">New Harbinger</a> right now, not camped out on some muddy knoll across from what I suspect to be an old <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Sunra+Kingdom" target="_blank">Sun-Ra Kingdom</a> fort. Already we have pushed our horses to the limit to get here, so if a score or more lizardfolk come pouring out of its crumbling gates intent upon making jerky of us, we will be forced to fight. I hope the others are light sleepers.</p><p></p><p>‘I told you so.’</p><p></p><p>So, how did we get here? It has been a full day. It started off promising enough.</p><p></p><p>I was mildly pleased that Markos had the gumption to inform the others that he had no longer be tending to their steeds at night. It was two days too long in my opinion. By mid-morning we had passed the signs of riders, dust plumes moving opposite of us, on the hill above to our right. We also knew that to our west somewhere was the High Road, but were unable to determine whether this route was where the billowing curls were originating from. They passed without incident though we braced for contact. Shortly thereafter, we were approached by more riders on the Beach Road. The approaching wave of steed driven smoke belied their number. They flew the colours of <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/House+Swann" target="_blank">House Swann</a>, so I quickly loaded my crossbow. Telemakhos had the same thought as I, knowing standards can easily be stolen, misrepresented, or part of an ambush, and made to ready his crossbow as well. Victoria spurred her horse forward and Timotheus rode out with her.</p><p></p><p>They spoke at some length before riding off. It appears that they were in pursuit of some bandits that were operating in the local area. As aid, Victoria offered them word of our earlier sighting. I now wonder if it was sign of the very same bandits that we’d spotted then. And if so, are these possibly the bandits that may have had something to do with the death of my fellow alumnus. If I do not get the chance to investigate I must at least recall these events to Sir Abberd.</p><p></p><p>By the end of the evening we approached a fork where apparently both the Beach and High Roads merge again into one before continuing on south to New Harbinger, the seat of House Swann. It was at this crossroads that our destiny was to change for the unforeseen. What I assumed would be called Sludge Town was indeed not far from the truth; the collective of mud covered huts and structures held together by sheer force of will and moss could hardly be called civilization, or its people civil for that matter. I got sheckies just looking at the tavern here in Bog End. Before we could get close enough to the fetid nadir of propriety, I figured it would be in our best interest to ask one of the local denizens how far we were from our destination. I didn’t move fast enough.</p><p></p><p>No sooner had I turned to walk back to my horse, then the raucous laughter from the floating publick house had turned into the tell tale cacophony of a common room brawl. Here came Timotheus dragging out some whelp by the scruff of his collar. The audacity of those people, even a war-horse did not daunt them. Despite Laarus’ best efforts to exert the authority due his class over the rabble-rousers, and my best efforts to abet them; yet they insisted on civil unrest. Making peace with the fact that a firm hand was probably better served than diplomacy in the situation, I made the acquaintance of Wallaby while waiting for the others to conclude their fisticuffs.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Valerius+Esmus+Tarchon" target="_blank">Valerius</a> is an eager young squire to <a href="http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Quintus+Gosprey" target="_blank">Sir Quintus Gosprey</a>. He had been on the receiving end of a sound thrashing when the others stepped in to save him. Apparently, he was in search of a party from the wrong caste of the community. His master has been abducted by lizardfolk, or so he believes, in the swamp not far from here. I feel that some other series of events may be stirring. Victoria, Laarus and Timotheus were ensorcelled by the young lad’s story and opted to leave immediately, despite nightfall, into unknown bog waters, to search out the waylaid knight. Markos and I gave voice to reason, imploring them not to bend to passion. I still maintain that if these captors were indeed meaning to do Quintus harm they’d have done so already. But for some reason, Telemakhos agreed with the majority, forcing our march. This course of action boggles me; I can’t fathom why the coward would vote so.</p><p></p><p>There are too many questions with too few answers to satisfy them. Why was Sir Quintus meeting lizardmen in the swamp? Near dusk? Alone? Why did they not just attack from cover if they meant him harm? Why would they allow Valerius to escape? Surely if they’d desired to do him harm, they could have easily surrounded the two or prevented the squire’s withdrawal at least. Is Quintus indeed a reputable man, or a base cur who stoops to beating his wenches? If the latter, is it possible that he is in league with the bandits House Swann searches for? Or even leading them?</p><p></p><p>Telemakhos hired us one of the locals whom he was beating up on only a few minutes before to guide us out here - Tavius. We spent the better part of the night following a track used by the people of Bog End for fishing and such. It appears that no one else came prepared as only Laarus had a lantern and I torches. As we proceeded we came upon the area where Valerius detailed the account, and indeed the mount was still there. Unfortunately, it was beyond salvation: stuck chest deep in muck and already wounded. Some small species of reptile that apparently dwelled in the area had found it before us and found the horse too tasty an opportunity to pass by. The myriad vermin quickly dragged it down, fighting us the while, as if our mere presence exacerbated their blood-lust. What a pity, I am sure it was a fine animal and I hate to witness it come to such an ignoble end.</p><p></p><p>We continued on. Some hours later, after Telemakhos proved his inexperience as a rider, we made our way out here. If we live through this, someone must surely teach him basic horsemanship. There is running water which makes me assume this is the edge of the mainland, perhaps we are in an immense submerged delta that contributes to the Drei-Hoek Bay. Upon reaching the scrubby plain in front of the dilapidated fort I announced our presence. Bolstered by the glorious light of Ra I called upon the Thrician Racial Covenant, to parley with lizardfolk inside. I do not know if we are fortunate, but it does not hold for this group of lizardfolk who refuse to recognize it. After a brief and crude exchange we were able to determine this: they do have Quintus, and they will not let us see him.</p><p></p><p>As to what the rest of the day’s events shall bear, I am fretful. Isis protect us.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Rastfar, post: 3363888, member: 9596"] 14, Sek 637 M.Y. I never wanted to go into Wringneck’s tavern, so of course they did. If we had only ridden another 3 or 4 hours we’d be in [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/New+Harbinger]New Harbinger[/url] right now, not camped out on some muddy knoll across from what I suspect to be an old [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Sunra+Kingdom]Sun-Ra Kingdom[/url] fort. Already we have pushed our horses to the limit to get here, so if a score or more lizardfolk come pouring out of its crumbling gates intent upon making jerky of us, we will be forced to fight. I hope the others are light sleepers. ‘I told you so.’ So, how did we get here? It has been a full day. It started off promising enough. I was mildly pleased that Markos had the gumption to inform the others that he had no longer be tending to their steeds at night. It was two days too long in my opinion. By mid-morning we had passed the signs of riders, dust plumes moving opposite of us, on the hill above to our right. We also knew that to our west somewhere was the High Road, but were unable to determine whether this route was where the billowing curls were originating from. They passed without incident though we braced for contact. Shortly thereafter, we were approached by more riders on the Beach Road. The approaching wave of steed driven smoke belied their number. They flew the colours of [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/House+Swann]House Swann[/url], so I quickly loaded my crossbow. Telemakhos had the same thought as I, knowing standards can easily be stolen, misrepresented, or part of an ambush, and made to ready his crossbow as well. Victoria spurred her horse forward and Timotheus rode out with her. They spoke at some length before riding off. It appears that they were in pursuit of some bandits that were operating in the local area. As aid, Victoria offered them word of our earlier sighting. I now wonder if it was sign of the very same bandits that we’d spotted then. And if so, are these possibly the bandits that may have had something to do with the death of my fellow alumnus. If I do not get the chance to investigate I must at least recall these events to Sir Abberd. By the end of the evening we approached a fork where apparently both the Beach and High Roads merge again into one before continuing on south to New Harbinger, the seat of House Swann. It was at this crossroads that our destiny was to change for the unforeseen. What I assumed would be called Sludge Town was indeed not far from the truth; the collective of mud covered huts and structures held together by sheer force of will and moss could hardly be called civilization, or its people civil for that matter. I got sheckies just looking at the tavern here in Bog End. Before we could get close enough to the fetid nadir of propriety, I figured it would be in our best interest to ask one of the local denizens how far we were from our destination. I didn’t move fast enough. No sooner had I turned to walk back to my horse, then the raucous laughter from the floating publick house had turned into the tell tale cacophony of a common room brawl. Here came Timotheus dragging out some whelp by the scruff of his collar. The audacity of those people, even a war-horse did not daunt them. Despite Laarus’ best efforts to exert the authority due his class over the rabble-rousers, and my best efforts to abet them; yet they insisted on civil unrest. Making peace with the fact that a firm hand was probably better served than diplomacy in the situation, I made the acquaintance of Wallaby while waiting for the others to conclude their fisticuffs. [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Valerius+Esmus+Tarchon]Valerius[/url] is an eager young squire to [url=http://aquerra.wikispaces.com/Quintus+Gosprey]Sir Quintus Gosprey[/url]. He had been on the receiving end of a sound thrashing when the others stepped in to save him. Apparently, he was in search of a party from the wrong caste of the community. His master has been abducted by lizardfolk, or so he believes, in the swamp not far from here. I feel that some other series of events may be stirring. Victoria, Laarus and Timotheus were ensorcelled by the young lad’s story and opted to leave immediately, despite nightfall, into unknown bog waters, to search out the waylaid knight. Markos and I gave voice to reason, imploring them not to bend to passion. I still maintain that if these captors were indeed meaning to do Quintus harm they’d have done so already. But for some reason, Telemakhos agreed with the majority, forcing our march. This course of action boggles me; I can’t fathom why the coward would vote so. There are too many questions with too few answers to satisfy them. Why was Sir Quintus meeting lizardmen in the swamp? Near dusk? Alone? Why did they not just attack from cover if they meant him harm? Why would they allow Valerius to escape? Surely if they’d desired to do him harm, they could have easily surrounded the two or prevented the squire’s withdrawal at least. Is Quintus indeed a reputable man, or a base cur who stoops to beating his wenches? If the latter, is it possible that he is in league with the bandits House Swann searches for? Or even leading them? Telemakhos hired us one of the locals whom he was beating up on only a few minutes before to guide us out here - Tavius. We spent the better part of the night following a track used by the people of Bog End for fishing and such. It appears that no one else came prepared as only Laarus had a lantern and I torches. As we proceeded we came upon the area where Valerius detailed the account, and indeed the mount was still there. Unfortunately, it was beyond salvation: stuck chest deep in muck and already wounded. Some small species of reptile that apparently dwelled in the area had found it before us and found the horse too tasty an opportunity to pass by. The myriad vermin quickly dragged it down, fighting us the while, as if our mere presence exacerbated their blood-lust. What a pity, I am sure it was a fine animal and I hate to witness it come to such an ignoble end. We continued on. Some hours later, after Telemakhos proved his inexperience as a rider, we made our way out here. If we live through this, someone must surely teach him basic horsemanship. There is running water which makes me assume this is the edge of the mainland, perhaps we are in an immense submerged delta that contributes to the Drei-Hoek Bay. Upon reaching the scrubby plain in front of the dilapidated fort I announced our presence. Bolstered by the glorious light of Ra I called upon the Thrician Racial Covenant, to parley with lizardfolk inside. I do not know if we are fortunate, but it does not hold for this group of lizardfolk who refuse to recognize it. After a brief and crude exchange we were able to determine this: they do have Quintus, and they will not let us see him. As to what the rest of the day’s events shall bear, I am fretful. Isis protect us. [/QUOTE]
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