Vengeance in Mornonas

[DarkMaster]

Oa is breathing difficultly. Each inspiration seems extremely difficult.

(Diplomacy roll 7+14)

The soldier recognises Xavier's Heraldry on his stained cloths, that combines with Xavier's hability to lead and convince has a great impact on the guards.

"You both seems very injured, we will escort you immediatly to the castle.

He immediatly turns towards the other two guards. "These men needs our help, quick give me a hand.

As the other approaches and whispers to them making sure that no one around in the small crowd that is starting to gather around Xavier and Karn. "The younger men is part of the Roces family, we got to act quickly and try not to attract too much attention on them.

The young guards give his cloack to Xavier. "I recommand you cover your self with this Sir, it will keep unwanted look away.

He turns towards Karn and adds "You should be fine with your uniform"

Karn accepts without saying a word and takes position with the other guard like if he was part of their patrol group.

The younger soldier stays near Xavier holding him up to help him walk faster, Karn and the other two make sure that no one in the crowd gets too close.

The guards reach a few hundred feets further the local guard barrack. As they gets there Karn collapses. He is completly exhausted. Two guards help him sits down and he slowly recover his strenght

Xavier and Karn are then quickly introduced to the captain. A middle aged half-elf by the name of Treval. After a quick briefing on Xavier situation he orders the guards to take a caravan and bring them back to the castle. They are both given a cure potion.

The captain tells them "Might not cure everythign but that should help you recover faster"

Xavier and Karn sits in the caravan and starts heading towards the castle. The medium sized caravan is not very confortable but is covered making it difficult for people outside to identify the passenger. One guard is driving the cart and the other two are sitting on top protecting it.

Karn takes a deep breath as he open up his potion and drink it. After cleaning his mouth with his sleeve he addresses Xavier. "My name is Karn, I am a Mergovian soldier. I have been fighting for our country for almost 50 years. I was part of the Prumen militia. But our village was savagely attacked by soldier of our own militia. They kill almost everybody. I saved a few of the children but the rest have been murdered.

I am here with another ex-militian, and a few other people who got involved for various reason in this story. We are here to track down those murderer and make sure that justice is done.

Xavier can feel an extreme determination and also a lot of pain in the old men eyes as he tells Xavier about himself.

 

[doghead]

Xavier Roces, male human Servant of Heironeous

Once Xavier knows that these men will assist them, he pours that which remains of Heironeous' gift of healing into Oa.*

He accepts the cloak from the guard gratefully.

When Karn collapses, Xavier immediately feels guilty for not offering to heal the old man somewhat. The old man, Karn, would not ask for help until those around him have been helped first, Xavier realises belatedly. He is angry at himself for not having seen it. When the guard offers Xavier the potion, Xavier insists that Karn take it along with his own. Karn, Xavier remainds him, has already given Xavier one of his potions.

In the wagon Xavier listens to Karn's story with a growing sense of disquiet. When Karn finishes, Xavier nods.

"We have much to talk about. But we must be careful where we talk and about who might overhear us."

ooc: * I think that would be about 3-4 points.
ooc: can we be overheard by the driver/guards?

 

[DarkMaster]

Karn gratefully accepts Xavier's potion. "Thank you Sir but if you don't mind I will keep it for a later use. Who knows might need it next."

Mentioning to be careful Karn adds. "You can trust me. I have been fooled so many times in the past week that I don't know who I can trust anymore. I am even questioning if I can trust my own country"

OOC The cart is covered and with all the outside noise Xavier can assume that they can't hear anything if he doesn't talk too loud.

 

[doghead]

Xavier Roces, male human Servant of Heironeous

Xavier nods in agreement with Karn sentiment.

"There is indeed alot happening in Mornonas, and much is not as it seems.

"I am Xavier Roces, Servant and Holy Warrior of Heironeous. And I am most gratful to have met you Karn of Pruman.

"There is one I believe you can trust, another Servant of Hieronous like myself. He alone has kept alive the true flame of Heironeous in Mornonas all these years. I thought about going to him after we left the church, but I could not risk drawing Gror and his companions down on him."

Xavier tells Karn about the old paladin, and describes where he lives. Xavier then goes on to outline the days events, from the morning audience with the Baron to the fight with Gror. He keeps to the facts, leaving his suspicions and suppositions out of it for the moment.

Finally he concludes, "When we get to the castle I think it would be best if you wear the cloak. Pruman, and those connected to it, are getting alot of attention at the moment. I think it would be better if we do not draw attention to the fact," Xavier indicates Karn's militain armour with its Pruman crest, "just yet. Not until we know more, I think."

 

[DarkMaster]

Karn agrees with Xavier about Prumen and not letting them know about his true identity. Karn takes a dagger and carefully removes the Prumen Insigna from his military uniform. "That should take care of it" He finishes. He then put the crest in his backpack.

He listen carefully Xavier talking about the Paladin, (sense motive) Xavier feels that the old men eyes lit up as he describes him, but he doesn't add anything more.

He tells what he knows to Xavier about what happened in the village. How people were massacred by Gror and the other militian, his suspicions about Uder leading the whole operation. How he saved some children of Prumen and how to group lead them to safety. How the brother mayor, who was performing research in the nearby wood was assassinated. How Gnarll and Telic were killed. How he saved the life of Joe Conrad on the recommandation of Solomon.

" I got there a few minutes before their attack. I told the old wizard to get away somewhere safe as the group was expecting an action on him. He teleported to safety with his wife, I quickly left the building when it was savagely assaulted by a group of cloak humanoid and Gror and a very large cloacked humanoid. Outnumbered and knowing that no life were at risk I run back to the temple hopping to find my friend.

He pauses slightly ashamed of not having try to stop them he then continues "After all these years in the military I learned one thing, One has to choose his battle."

He then stops and looks at Xavier for a good 30 seconds. "Perhaps, it isn't wise to tell you all that. For all I know you could be with them. But somehow I feel that I can trust you young men."

OOC Feel free to add

The cart finally reaches the castle, as the guard are about to open the door. Karn grabs strongly Xavier's shirt and whispers "Inside the castle you lead, do not worry I will follow what you say"

Xavier can feel in the men eyes that he is letting his life in his hand.

 

[doghead]

Xavier Roces, male human Servant of Heironeous.

Xavier nods as Karn removes the insignia.

"That will help, but your uniform still marks you as a member of the militain. I'm concerned that questions about where you are from could lead to unwanted attention. Perhpas it would be a good idea to wear the cloak still.

Xavier is excited to hear that Karn knows the Conrads. The paladin grinds his teeth in anger as he listens to Karn's description of what happened at the Mister Conrad's house.

"I had hoped to hear that Master Conrad and his companions had left the under-temple safely. But you did not see them, so they may be still down there. And if they are not, we would have little chance of finding them now that they cannot return to Master Conrad's house.

Xavier acknowledges Karn's wisdom with a smile.

"I have still to learn about picking my battles. If it were not for you, today might have been my last one. At least for a while."

And he accepts Karn's statement quietly. After a moment, Xavier responds.

"It had occured to me that our meeting could have been staged managed to insert you into my confidence. I don't believe that it is so, and likewise I have told you more than I would a man I thought I could not trust. But it is true for both of us that our trust is based in an element of faith, and instinct. To pretend otherwise would be foolishness, and you don't strike me as a foolish man, Karn of Pruman."

Once at the castle, Xavier sees to Oa first, getting the animals safely to the kennels where it can be tended. He politely deflects any questions and waves off any attempt to see to his wounds, saying that they can wait until later, when he has returned to his chambers.

Once at his chamber, Xavier will see to getting Karn out of his uniform and into something less conspicious. Anything Karn needs in the way of clothes, Xavier will pay for.* If Karn agrees, Xavier will have a second bed brought to the room (from what I can remember, there is room enough for a whole squad in there).

ooc: * Or not. I can't see any wealth listed on Xavier's sheet. Do you have anything noted. I also saw that he's a bit of a dab hand at the lute. I'd forgotten about that.

 

[DarkMaster]

Karn agrees with everything Xavier proposes. When Xavier asks for a second bed Karn is very touched by the noble concerns for his safety.

"Thanks my lord"

Xavier provides Karn with some of his courtier's cloth. Being of similar stature the cloth are fitting him well. But the old soldier seems to feel akward with those type of cloths on.

A bit later Jt'trialiala appears visibely shy and diverting the young nobles eyes as much as she can. She quickly orders a few servants to bring another bed in Xavier's room. She announces them that the baron won't be avalaible tonight. But he should be there before Xavier leaves to battle tomorrow morning.

Xavier and Karn are brought their supper, a few minutes later three servant enter a small bed inside the huge bedroom.

They both eat the delicious meal on the large dinning table in the bedroom. The meal with its five plates his excellent and the wine of a local producer is also of high quality.

Jt'trialiala who noticed Xavier injury comes back to their rooms towards the end of the night with two potions. "Courtesy of the Baron, he wants you to be in the best shape possible for tomorrow's battle." she then make a quick bow and leave the room.

Karn who notices the obvious interest of the lady for Xavier. Looks at him and smile not saying a word not wanting to embarrass the noble.

OOC Doghead I want to move this thing a bit, but feel free to add more discussion with Karn if you want.

OOC Assuming you go to bed after that, everyone levels up when they wake up in the morning. Hopefully everyone is still following.

 

[doghead]

ooc: Thats fine DarkMaster. And apologies for the absense of late, been a little under the weather. Hopefully I will be back on my feet by the end of the week-ish. I'll try to keep up, but ghost Xavier if you need to. thotd.

 

[DarkMaster]

The story continues

The Return