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An Adventure in Five Acts (AD&D 2E) (Final Update 25 Feb 2023)
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<blockquote data-quote="ilgatto" data-source="post: 8847805" data-attributes="member: 86051"><p><strong><span style="font-size: 18px">An Adventure in Five Acts, Act I – The Fortnight (continued)</span></strong></p><p></p><p>When he finally feels a bit like himself again, Navarre finds himself alone in the cargo hold. Overhead, his noble fellows are stumbling about audibly on the deck, apparently reeling in the launch to the encouraging cries of the <em>chevalier.</em></p><p>He still has a hard time explaining the events of last night. Who organized the massacre on the island? Why? Although the odd skirmish is not unheard of, Navarre cannot recall anything on as large a scale as this. And what of that giant? What was that? An ice giant? Does all of this point to the involvement of some strange unnatural force as Sir Suvali seems to suggest? And how do the malicious captain and his wife fit into all this? Were they awaiting the arrival of our heroes? Surely the sight of the enemy cannot be as far-reaching as that?</p><p>He starts scanning the hold for clues – anything that could explain anything of this. When his gaze falls upon the unconscious bulk of Theresa, he shivers. Putting aside his reservations, he frisks her but finds nothing of interest, He moves toward the back of the barge, where het finds the door to the captain’s quarters slightly ajar. Still on his guard, he opens the door and has a good look inside. To his left is a galley of sorts; at the back of the room are a number of elegant dressing-tables with all kinds of colorful flasks and gaudy boxes on them; to his right, the second half of the room is hidden from view by a wooden partition and a luxurious curtain.</p><p>He enters the room and closes the door to find that it can be locked with two latches and a wooden bar. Ready for anything, he closes both latches and then stands motionless for a few seconds. When he hears nothing other than his noble fellows on deck, he decides he is alone in the room. He subjects the galley to a quick inspection and finds Theresa’s (low-quality) crossbow and a case of bolts, both of which he puts on his back. When he finds neither the galley nor the dressing-tables to contain much else of interest, he has a quick peek through the curtain.</p><p></p><p>Much to his surprise, he sees a young woman lying face down on a large bed, naked and with her hands and feet tied with black leather straps. Taking a sharp breath, he has another look around the room before turning his attention to the young woman. Still not knowing what to expect, he approaches carefully. When she doesn’t react and turns out to be alive and in a deep sleep, he turns her on her back and is surprised to see that she is remarkably attractive. Taking care not to stare at her naked splendor too much, he draws his dagger, cuts the straps tying her hands and feet and then covers her with a blanket he finds on the floor.</p><p>When his attempts to wake her up prove unsuccessful, he reluctantly reverts to slapping the young woman in the face, softly at first but eventually quite forcefully. This finally seems to work and, with a loud gasp, she opens her eyes. When she sees Navarre, she utters a startled shriek and pulls the blanket up to her chin.</p><p>“My Lady,” Navarre says, taking a step back and bowing elegantly. “No harm will come to you. You are under my protection.”</p><p>The young woman regains her composure remarkably fast. Not your average damsel, Navarre thinks. He estimates her to be about his age, perhaps one or two years his senior.</p><p>“Who are you?,” the young woman asks, with a hint of authority in her voice.</p><p>“My Lady,” Navarre says, bowing once again. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Navarre Dauberval de Vergennes, acting Duke Dauberval, and I am at your service.”</p><p>The young woman seems to consider this for a while, her eyes darting around the room.</p><p>“I see,” she says eventually. “And what are you doing here?”</p><p>Navarre decides against telling her about the events of last night for now. Even though she seems to be unlike the noble damsels he is acquainted with, he cannot be sure that the poor girl’s nerves would be able to take the shock. What’s more, she might be able to provide him with some much needed information and he needs her with her full wits about.</p><p>“That will have to wait,” he says rather more bluntly than he intended. “How did you end up here?”</p><p>The young woman hesitantly tells him hat she is a novice of Ilm and that she was on her way to King’s Island with an important message for the King. She had just arrived at a nearby Women’s House two days ago when a group of soldiers turned up and started turning people away from the building. She managed to escape the building disguised as a pilgrim and ended up boarding captain Clifford’s barge yesterday and in the company of some pilgrims.</p><p></p><p>At this point, Navarre rises and asks the novice to excuse him for a moment. He walks to a porthole facing the shore and opens it. Already some distance out, the <em>chevalier</em> and Sir Suvali are rowing the launch to the shore, blissfully unaware of the fact that the enemy is, indeed, everywhere.</p><p>“Sarazin, you oaf!,” he yells. “Get back here! There has been a development!”</p><p>When Sir Suvali starts urging the <em>chevalier</em> to turn the launch around, Navarre closes the porthole and returns to the novice. Although she hasn’t moved much, her eyes are still darting around the cabin.</p><p>“Pardon the interruption, my Lady,” he resumes, bowing elegantly once more. “Pray continue.”</p><p>The novice resumes her story and she tells Navarre of a raid on the Coven of Ilm about a week ago. Bandits entered the camp, operating in an uncharacteristically coordinated fashion and seemingly intent only on getting the <em>Kettle of the Coven</em> as quickly as possible and then leave. The <em>Kettle of the Coven,</em> she explains, is a golden kettle that can reveal the future. It is a holy artifact of Ilm entrusted to the Coven, a secret order of priestesses of Ilm with no fixed abode. The order counts some 50 women, who travel The Forest with some 50 servants and under the protection of 50 guards.</p><p>“Did the bandits identify themselves?,” Navarre asks, forgetting his manners.</p><p>“There were bandits and soldiers,” the novice says. “The soldiers wore metal armor featuring a black circle.”</p><p>“The sign of Ulm!,” Navarre says, forgetting himself again. “My Lady. Please forgive the interruption. Might I inquire as to your name?”</p><p>The novice looks at him uneasily.</p><p>“Er…,” she begins. “Perhaps you’d best address me as <em>novice.”</em></p><p>“As you wish, my Lady,” Navarre says. “Please, continue.”</p><p>The novice continues her story. After the bandits left, the mistress of the Coven sent her away to tell the King about the attack. She eventually ended up at the Women’s House, where events unfolded as related above.</p><p>“Animals!,” she fumes. “They refused to budge even when wounded people started showing up! They should all be hanged!”</p><p>“An outrage,” Navarre agrees, somewhat taken aback by the sudden outburst. “I assure you that the scoundrels will be punished to the full extent of the law!”</p><p>“All I remember after that is boarding this barge and retiring for the night,” the novice concludes. “Until I woke up here, naked.”</p><p>The image of the naked girl on the large bed of the weird maritime couple and with her hands and feet tied by what seemed to be purpose-made black leather straps reappears in Navarre’s mind, immediately followed by a rather disturbing thought.</p><p>“Erm…,” he says uneasily. “Are you… are you alright?”</p><p>“You mean apart from all this?,” the novice asks sharply.</p><p>“Erm…, no…, I mean… yes,” Navarre stammers. “No…, I mean, are you… unharmed?”</p><p>But the novice doesn’t seem to understand what he’s on about.</p><p></p><p>Then, someone starts banging on the door in an agitated manner, immediately followed by the excited cries of the <em>chevalier.</em></p><p>“I say! This won’t do! Let me in!”</p><p>The novice startles. Navarre excuses himself for a moment and moves to the door.</p><p>“’<em>Allo?”</em> the voice continues. “Can you hear me? Open this door!”</p><p>Navarre releases the latches and opens the door to look straight into the flushed face of the <em>chevalier.</em></p><p>“My Lord,” Navarre says. “Pray restrain yourself. You are in the presence of a lady.”</p><p>“A Lady?,” the <em>chevalier</em> cries. “Out of the way, <em>mon cher!</em> She may be in distress!”</p><p>“Out of the question,” Navarre says frostily. “I’ll have you know that she is under my protection.”</p><p>The rest of the noble heroes are behind the <em>chevalier</em> and, now, all are pushing to have a look into the room. The <em>chevalier</em> will have nothing of it and turns around to stand his ground. Quietly, Navarre closes the door again, sliding both hatches back in place. When he turns around, the novice is opening drawers in the tables against the back wall, the blanket wrapped carelessly around her body.</p><p>“Pray forgive my noble friends, my Lady,” Navarre says. “It has been a difficult night.”</p><p>“Indeed,” the novice says, returning to the bed. “Perhaps you can tell me what exactly happened here last night?”</p><p>Navarre informs her of the events of last night, taking care to omit any details he believes could distress her.</p><p>“It would seem that the fate of the realm rests upon our shoulders,” he concludes. “I assure you, my Lady, that there is no safer place for it.”</p><p>The novice looks at him for a moment, apparently considering the statement.</p><p>“My Lady,” Navarre says, after a while. “As I recall, you mentioned the raiders displaying the sign of Ulm? A black circle?”</p><p>“Certainly,” the novice says. “And that’s what is so strange about it. Ulm doesn’t have a clergy – in fact, he only counts gravediggers and a handful of funeral bards among his followers.”</p><p>“It is a mystery,” Navarre muses. “Who can be behind this?”</p><p>Presently the banging on the door resumes, once again followed by the strained cries of the <em>chevalier.</em></p><p>“<em>Madame!</em> Are you alright? Navarre, open this door this instant!”</p><p>Navarre stifles a sigh and gets to his feet.</p><p>“My Lady,” he says, bowing again. “I shall retreat for a moment to allow you to make your toilet.”</p><p>He steps back into the galley and closes the curtain.</p><p></p><p>After some time – and after Navarre has heard several drawers and doors being opened and closed again – the novice appears wearing a pilgrim’s robe. The <em>chevalier’s</em> cries and banging have shown no sign of abating.</p><p>“My Lady,” Navarre says, bowing slightly. “My compliments.”</p><p>The novice takes a step forward and Navarre turns around to release the latches. Suddenly he thinks of something and turns to the novice again.</p><p>“Might I inquire as to whether you have found what you were looking for?,” he asks.</p><p>“I was looking for my things,” the novice says, after a second. “I have found them.”</p><p>“Excellent,” Navarre says, to the sound of the <em>chevalier</em> banging on the door. “Now. Are you ready?”</p><p>With a flourish, he releases the latches, opens the door and steps aside to allow the novice to pass.</p><p>“<em>Madame!,”</em> the <em>chevalier</em> cries before Navarre can say anything. “Scaralat de Sarazin, <em>à votre service!”</em></p><p>He executes a grandiose gesture with which he also somehow manages to shove his fellows behind him out of the way.</p><p>“Stand aside, <em>Messieurs,”</em> he cries, head down and waiting for the novice’s hand. “Make way for the Lady!”</p><p></p><p>Introductions are made and everybody is brought up to speed. The company retire to the cargo hold, where an animated discussion ensues. Our noble heroes all seem to have their own idea of what is to be done next: some propose sailing up the Blue River to see what’s going on at the mine; others suggest the next move should be to get to Big Beach to stay ahead of the advancing enemy and see what can be done there; others want to get to Mim, arguing that it may be the safest place right now; still others propose to get some horses as soon as possible; and yet others suggest returning to their respective duchies to gather the men left there and form an army. The novice says that she prefers to go to Big Beach and gets quite indignant once more when she speaks of the events at the Women’s House again.</p><p>Sir Oengus says he wants to load the barge with tar and flammable materials and send it back onto the lake when they disembark, set to catch fire when it reaches a point far away from the point of disembarkation.</p><p>“My dear fellow,” Navarre says. “To what avail?”</p><p>“A distraction,” Sir Oengus replies. “Create havoc in a location far, far away from where we actually are.”</p><p>“But would that not create havoc when none need actually be created?,” Navarre asks.</p><p>“Not if the scurvy swags are looking for us,” Sir Oengus says.</p><p>“This is getting us nowhere,” Sir Suvali says. “We still have no idea about what is going on. Is there someone left we can go to for information?”</p><p>“Loremaster Fist,” the novice says. “In Big Beach.”</p><p>“Why him?,” Sir Suvali asks.</p><p>“Because he is a Loremaster,” the novice says matter-of-factly. “Second only to Augustus Magister Rex.”</p><p>“Can we get a message to him?,” Sir Suvali asks.</p><p>“I’m not sure what you mean.”</p><p>“A letter? A message?”</p><p>“Why should we?,” the novice says. “It’s four days to Big Beach. We’ll get there before any letter can.”</p><p>“Aye,” says Sir Oengus. “And a letter can be intercepted and we wouldn’t even know about it. Perhaps we should talk to the bargemen. They have a foolproof system to relay messages.”</p><p></p><p>Eventually, it is unanimously decided that, as long as our noble heroes have no clue as to what is actually going on, the best course of action will be to try and gather an army. But where? Nisibis, Weald, and Wyrsn, which all border the Blue River, seem compromised and by now Dara and perhaps even Thuxra may be in trouble, too. Mim seems a long shot anyway, not only because of its impoverished state but also because it would take a considerable time to reach because it has no river fronts.</p><p>“What’s more,” Navarre argues. “We may not be able to ensure the cooperation of men in duchies where we have no authority. My Lords, I put it to you that Dauberval is the best option. No disturbing news has come from there and it has no borders on the Blue River. It is remote and we can rally my men at the castle.”</p><p>“<em>Fi!,”</em> the <em>chevalier</em> exclaims. “That… <em>bâtisse?</em> How? On foot? Ridiculous! We shall sail to Sarazin, organize some horses and ride out to battle! To glory! <em>A la mort!”</em></p><p>“My dear Lord Duke,” Navarre says. “Although I applaud your courage, I would argue that the five of us would stand but a small chance against the forces the enemy will bring to the field.”</p><p></p><p>In the end a compromise is reached and it is decided that our noble heroes will sail to Sarazin first. Its capital is the first civilized location on the River Dusk anyway and it would be the most likely place to get some horses before traveling on to Dauberval.</p><p>“Excellent,” Navarre says, quite pleased with himself now that most of his own suggestions have transformed into a course of action. “Now. My Lady, is there anywhere we can take you before all this?”</p><p>“I would like to go to Big Beach,” the novice says.</p><p>“Then it is settled!,” Navarre proclaims. “My Lords. We shall take the Lady novice to Big Beach and then set forth to reclaim The Forest!”</p><p>“What?,” Sir Oengus says. “Big Beach?”</p><p>“Your manners, Sir!,” Navarre exclaims. “May I remind you that the Lady is in distress?”</p><p>“I won’t sail hubward when rimward is where I want to go,” Sir Oengus declares. “It is absurd and the risk is too high. Wasn’t it you, <em>‘Sir’,</em> who argued against going to Big Beach because it would give the enemy too much time to do things?”</p><p>“Surely, Sir, you cannot suggest the Lady travel to Big Beach unattended?,” Navarre asks frostily.</p><p>“You can go with her if you like,” Sir Oengus says.</p><p>In the end, Sir Oengus gives in and it is agreed that our noble heroes will escort the novice to Big Beach before they head for Sarazin.</p><p>“Parley’s over,” Sir Oengus declares. “I’ll get to changing the appearance of the barge.”</p><p>When he has gone, the novice speaks.</p><p>“I will pay you for this,” she says. “When I left the Coven, the mistress gave me some rare and expensive salves and herbs. I will give half of it to you.”</p><p>Both the <em>chevalier</em> and Navarre jump to their feet, flushing. Navarre is the first to speak.</p><p>“My dear Lady!,” he exclaims. “Not a word, I implore you! It is our duty!”</p><p>“These remedies are extremely rare and precious,” the novice says. “They are a fitting payment for what you have done for Ilm and for what is to come.”</p><p>“<em>Madame!,”</em> the <em>chevalier</em> cries. “We shall speak of this no more!”</p><p>But the novice will not be swayed and she produces some of her salves and herbs. As a result, Sir Oerknal – who suffered badly in the nightly attempt on his life – regains most of his hit points <em>(Ilm’s ointment;</em> 4 doses left).</p><p></p><p>When this is done, the company search the barge. From the various dressing-tables in the captain’s cabin, they retrieve an assortment of costly perfumes, powders, and similar items of <em>maquillage,</em> as well as considerable collection of quite expensive jewelry and other precious knickknacks. Underneath the bed, they find 54 pilgrim’s robes; a selection of strangling scarves with thin steel wires woven into the fabric; a variety of ropes, manacles, hoods, and leather straps; a bag with 900 copper coins; a bag with 90 silver coins; a pouch with 9 gold coins; and some 170 sachets and seals, 20 of which contain a coarse, white granular powder. The remainder contain what seems to be a mixture of dried, sweet-smelling herbs.</p><p>“That’s gold,” Sir Oerknal announces, grinning sheepishly and pointing to the nine gold coins when everything has been laid out on the cargo hold floor. “Can I keep it? It’s not greed or anything… more like a tradition.”</p><p></p><p>Some time later, our noble heroes also find ten bottles of very expensive wine in a locked box in the galley, of which the <em>chevalier</em> instantly takes control. After inspecting the bottles and making all the proper noises, he uncorks one of them with a flourish and fills some glasses.</p><p>“<em>Messieurs,”</em> he exclaims. <em>“Champagne!”</em></p><p>It has to be said that this greatly lifts the spirits of our noble heroes and perhaps mostly so in the case of Navarre and the <em>chevalier – </em>ever since the Academy, it has been this noble duo who have proven to be the most appreciative of the finer things in life. Our noble duo spend some time savoring the wine with much rolling of eyes, pouting of lips, splendid gesturing and appropriate guffawing, before magnanimously dismissing their little <em>tête-à-tête</em> at the door to the captain’s cabin.</p><p>“Well played, <em>Monsieur,”</em> the <em>chevalier</em> says, emptying his glass. “Well played.”</p><p>Navarre uncorks another bottle and generously provides his noble friend with a new glass of wine before grabbing another glass from the counter and returning to the cargo hold. He spots the novice seated with the others and playing with the various perfumes, creams, and powders from the dressing-tables. He swiftly fills the extra glass and gracefully moves to her side, smiling in a most charming manner.</p><p>“My Lady,” he purrs, presenting the glass of wine to the beautiful novice. <em>“Lillac?”</em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="ilgatto, post: 8847805, member: 86051"] [B][SIZE=5]An Adventure in Five Acts, Act I – The Fortnight (continued)[/SIZE][/B] When he finally feels a bit like himself again, Navarre finds himself alone in the cargo hold. Overhead, his noble fellows are stumbling about audibly on the deck, apparently reeling in the launch to the encouraging cries of the [I]chevalier.[/I] He still has a hard time explaining the events of last night. Who organized the massacre on the island? Why? Although the odd skirmish is not unheard of, Navarre cannot recall anything on as large a scale as this. And what of that giant? What was that? An ice giant? Does all of this point to the involvement of some strange unnatural force as Sir Suvali seems to suggest? And how do the malicious captain and his wife fit into all this? Were they awaiting the arrival of our heroes? Surely the sight of the enemy cannot be as far-reaching as that? He starts scanning the hold for clues – anything that could explain anything of this. When his gaze falls upon the unconscious bulk of Theresa, he shivers. Putting aside his reservations, he frisks her but finds nothing of interest, He moves toward the back of the barge, where het finds the door to the captain’s quarters slightly ajar. Still on his guard, he opens the door and has a good look inside. To his left is a galley of sorts; at the back of the room are a number of elegant dressing-tables with all kinds of colorful flasks and gaudy boxes on them; to his right, the second half of the room is hidden from view by a wooden partition and a luxurious curtain. He enters the room and closes the door to find that it can be locked with two latches and a wooden bar. Ready for anything, he closes both latches and then stands motionless for a few seconds. When he hears nothing other than his noble fellows on deck, he decides he is alone in the room. He subjects the galley to a quick inspection and finds Theresa’s (low-quality) crossbow and a case of bolts, both of which he puts on his back. When he finds neither the galley nor the dressing-tables to contain much else of interest, he has a quick peek through the curtain. Much to his surprise, he sees a young woman lying face down on a large bed, naked and with her hands and feet tied with black leather straps. Taking a sharp breath, he has another look around the room before turning his attention to the young woman. Still not knowing what to expect, he approaches carefully. When she doesn’t react and turns out to be alive and in a deep sleep, he turns her on her back and is surprised to see that she is remarkably attractive. Taking care not to stare at her naked splendor too much, he draws his dagger, cuts the straps tying her hands and feet and then covers her with a blanket he finds on the floor. When his attempts to wake her up prove unsuccessful, he reluctantly reverts to slapping the young woman in the face, softly at first but eventually quite forcefully. This finally seems to work and, with a loud gasp, she opens her eyes. When she sees Navarre, she utters a startled shriek and pulls the blanket up to her chin. “My Lady,” Navarre says, taking a step back and bowing elegantly. “No harm will come to you. You are under my protection.” The young woman regains her composure remarkably fast. Not your average damsel, Navarre thinks. He estimates her to be about his age, perhaps one or two years his senior. “Who are you?,” the young woman asks, with a hint of authority in her voice. “My Lady,” Navarre says, bowing once again. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Navarre Dauberval de Vergennes, acting Duke Dauberval, and I am at your service.” The young woman seems to consider this for a while, her eyes darting around the room. “I see,” she says eventually. “And what are you doing here?” Navarre decides against telling her about the events of last night for now. Even though she seems to be unlike the noble damsels he is acquainted with, he cannot be sure that the poor girl’s nerves would be able to take the shock. What’s more, she might be able to provide him with some much needed information and he needs her with her full wits about. “That will have to wait,” he says rather more bluntly than he intended. “How did you end up here?” The young woman hesitantly tells him hat she is a novice of Ilm and that she was on her way to King’s Island with an important message for the King. She had just arrived at a nearby Women’s House two days ago when a group of soldiers turned up and started turning people away from the building. She managed to escape the building disguised as a pilgrim and ended up boarding captain Clifford’s barge yesterday and in the company of some pilgrims. At this point, Navarre rises and asks the novice to excuse him for a moment. He walks to a porthole facing the shore and opens it. Already some distance out, the [I]chevalier[/I] and Sir Suvali are rowing the launch to the shore, blissfully unaware of the fact that the enemy is, indeed, everywhere. “Sarazin, you oaf!,” he yells. “Get back here! There has been a development!” When Sir Suvali starts urging the [I]chevalier[/I] to turn the launch around, Navarre closes the porthole and returns to the novice. Although she hasn’t moved much, her eyes are still darting around the cabin. “Pardon the interruption, my Lady,” he resumes, bowing elegantly once more. “Pray continue.” The novice resumes her story and she tells Navarre of a raid on the Coven of Ilm about a week ago. Bandits entered the camp, operating in an uncharacteristically coordinated fashion and seemingly intent only on getting the [I]Kettle of the Coven[/I] as quickly as possible and then leave. The [I]Kettle of the Coven,[/I] she explains, is a golden kettle that can reveal the future. It is a holy artifact of Ilm entrusted to the Coven, a secret order of priestesses of Ilm with no fixed abode. The order counts some 50 women, who travel The Forest with some 50 servants and under the protection of 50 guards. “Did the bandits identify themselves?,” Navarre asks, forgetting his manners. “There were bandits and soldiers,” the novice says. “The soldiers wore metal armor featuring a black circle.” “The sign of Ulm!,” Navarre says, forgetting himself again. “My Lady. Please forgive the interruption. Might I inquire as to your name?” The novice looks at him uneasily. “Er…,” she begins. “Perhaps you’d best address me as [I]novice.”[/I] “As you wish, my Lady,” Navarre says. “Please, continue.” The novice continues her story. After the bandits left, the mistress of the Coven sent her away to tell the King about the attack. She eventually ended up at the Women’s House, where events unfolded as related above. “Animals!,” she fumes. “They refused to budge even when wounded people started showing up! They should all be hanged!” “An outrage,” Navarre agrees, somewhat taken aback by the sudden outburst. “I assure you that the scoundrels will be punished to the full extent of the law!” “All I remember after that is boarding this barge and retiring for the night,” the novice concludes. “Until I woke up here, naked.” The image of the naked girl on the large bed of the weird maritime couple and with her hands and feet tied by what seemed to be purpose-made black leather straps reappears in Navarre’s mind, immediately followed by a rather disturbing thought. “Erm…,” he says uneasily. “Are you… are you alright?” “You mean apart from all this?,” the novice asks sharply. “Erm…, no…, I mean… yes,” Navarre stammers. “No…, I mean, are you… unharmed?” But the novice doesn’t seem to understand what he’s on about. Then, someone starts banging on the door in an agitated manner, immediately followed by the excited cries of the [I]chevalier.[/I] “I say! This won’t do! Let me in!” The novice startles. Navarre excuses himself for a moment and moves to the door. “’[I]Allo?”[/I] the voice continues. “Can you hear me? Open this door!” Navarre releases the latches and opens the door to look straight into the flushed face of the [I]chevalier.[/I] “My Lord,” Navarre says. “Pray restrain yourself. You are in the presence of a lady.” “A Lady?,” the [I]chevalier[/I] cries. “Out of the way, [I]mon cher![/I] She may be in distress!” “Out of the question,” Navarre says frostily. “I’ll have you know that she is under my protection.” The rest of the noble heroes are behind the [I]chevalier[/I] and, now, all are pushing to have a look into the room. The [I]chevalier[/I] will have nothing of it and turns around to stand his ground. Quietly, Navarre closes the door again, sliding both hatches back in place. When he turns around, the novice is opening drawers in the tables against the back wall, the blanket wrapped carelessly around her body. “Pray forgive my noble friends, my Lady,” Navarre says. “It has been a difficult night.” “Indeed,” the novice says, returning to the bed. “Perhaps you can tell me what exactly happened here last night?” Navarre informs her of the events of last night, taking care to omit any details he believes could distress her. “It would seem that the fate of the realm rests upon our shoulders,” he concludes. “I assure you, my Lady, that there is no safer place for it.” The novice looks at him for a moment, apparently considering the statement. “My Lady,” Navarre says, after a while. “As I recall, you mentioned the raiders displaying the sign of Ulm? A black circle?” “Certainly,” the novice says. “And that’s what is so strange about it. Ulm doesn’t have a clergy – in fact, he only counts gravediggers and a handful of funeral bards among his followers.” “It is a mystery,” Navarre muses. “Who can be behind this?” Presently the banging on the door resumes, once again followed by the strained cries of the [I]chevalier.[/I] “[I]Madame![/I] Are you alright? Navarre, open this door this instant!” Navarre stifles a sigh and gets to his feet. “My Lady,” he says, bowing again. “I shall retreat for a moment to allow you to make your toilet.” He steps back into the galley and closes the curtain. After some time – and after Navarre has heard several drawers and doors being opened and closed again – the novice appears wearing a pilgrim’s robe. The [I]chevalier’s[/I] cries and banging have shown no sign of abating. “My Lady,” Navarre says, bowing slightly. “My compliments.” The novice takes a step forward and Navarre turns around to release the latches. Suddenly he thinks of something and turns to the novice again. “Might I inquire as to whether you have found what you were looking for?,” he asks. “I was looking for my things,” the novice says, after a second. “I have found them.” “Excellent,” Navarre says, to the sound of the [I]chevalier[/I] banging on the door. “Now. Are you ready?” With a flourish, he releases the latches, opens the door and steps aside to allow the novice to pass. “[I]Madame!,”[/I] the [I]chevalier[/I] cries before Navarre can say anything. “Scaralat de Sarazin, [I]à votre service!”[/I] He executes a grandiose gesture with which he also somehow manages to shove his fellows behind him out of the way. “Stand aside, [I]Messieurs,”[/I] he cries, head down and waiting for the novice’s hand. “Make way for the Lady!” Introductions are made and everybody is brought up to speed. The company retire to the cargo hold, where an animated discussion ensues. Our noble heroes all seem to have their own idea of what is to be done next: some propose sailing up the Blue River to see what’s going on at the mine; others suggest the next move should be to get to Big Beach to stay ahead of the advancing enemy and see what can be done there; others want to get to Mim, arguing that it may be the safest place right now; still others propose to get some horses as soon as possible; and yet others suggest returning to their respective duchies to gather the men left there and form an army. The novice says that she prefers to go to Big Beach and gets quite indignant once more when she speaks of the events at the Women’s House again. Sir Oengus says he wants to load the barge with tar and flammable materials and send it back onto the lake when they disembark, set to catch fire when it reaches a point far away from the point of disembarkation. “My dear fellow,” Navarre says. “To what avail?” “A distraction,” Sir Oengus replies. “Create havoc in a location far, far away from where we actually are.” “But would that not create havoc when none need actually be created?,” Navarre asks. “Not if the scurvy swags are looking for us,” Sir Oengus says. “This is getting us nowhere,” Sir Suvali says. “We still have no idea about what is going on. Is there someone left we can go to for information?” “Loremaster Fist,” the novice says. “In Big Beach.” “Why him?,” Sir Suvali asks. “Because he is a Loremaster,” the novice says matter-of-factly. “Second only to Augustus Magister Rex.” “Can we get a message to him?,” Sir Suvali asks. “I’m not sure what you mean.” “A letter? A message?” “Why should we?,” the novice says. “It’s four days to Big Beach. We’ll get there before any letter can.” “Aye,” says Sir Oengus. “And a letter can be intercepted and we wouldn’t even know about it. Perhaps we should talk to the bargemen. They have a foolproof system to relay messages.” Eventually, it is unanimously decided that, as long as our noble heroes have no clue as to what is actually going on, the best course of action will be to try and gather an army. But where? Nisibis, Weald, and Wyrsn, which all border the Blue River, seem compromised and by now Dara and perhaps even Thuxra may be in trouble, too. Mim seems a long shot anyway, not only because of its impoverished state but also because it would take a considerable time to reach because it has no river fronts. “What’s more,” Navarre argues. “We may not be able to ensure the cooperation of men in duchies where we have no authority. My Lords, I put it to you that Dauberval is the best option. No disturbing news has come from there and it has no borders on the Blue River. It is remote and we can rally my men at the castle.” “[I]Fi!,”[/I] the [I]chevalier[/I] exclaims. “That… [I]bâtisse?[/I] How? On foot? Ridiculous! We shall sail to Sarazin, organize some horses and ride out to battle! To glory! [I]A la mort!”[/I] “My dear Lord Duke,” Navarre says. “Although I applaud your courage, I would argue that the five of us would stand but a small chance against the forces the enemy will bring to the field.” In the end a compromise is reached and it is decided that our noble heroes will sail to Sarazin first. Its capital is the first civilized location on the River Dusk anyway and it would be the most likely place to get some horses before traveling on to Dauberval. “Excellent,” Navarre says, quite pleased with himself now that most of his own suggestions have transformed into a course of action. “Now. My Lady, is there anywhere we can take you before all this?” “I would like to go to Big Beach,” the novice says. “Then it is settled!,” Navarre proclaims. “My Lords. We shall take the Lady novice to Big Beach and then set forth to reclaim The Forest!” “What?,” Sir Oengus says. “Big Beach?” “Your manners, Sir!,” Navarre exclaims. “May I remind you that the Lady is in distress?” “I won’t sail hubward when rimward is where I want to go,” Sir Oengus declares. “It is absurd and the risk is too high. Wasn’t it you, [I]‘Sir’,[/I] who argued against going to Big Beach because it would give the enemy too much time to do things?” “Surely, Sir, you cannot suggest the Lady travel to Big Beach unattended?,” Navarre asks frostily. “You can go with her if you like,” Sir Oengus says. In the end, Sir Oengus gives in and it is agreed that our noble heroes will escort the novice to Big Beach before they head for Sarazin. “Parley’s over,” Sir Oengus declares. “I’ll get to changing the appearance of the barge.” When he has gone, the novice speaks. “I will pay you for this,” she says. “When I left the Coven, the mistress gave me some rare and expensive salves and herbs. I will give half of it to you.” Both the [I]chevalier[/I] and Navarre jump to their feet, flushing. Navarre is the first to speak. “My dear Lady!,” he exclaims. “Not a word, I implore you! It is our duty!” “These remedies are extremely rare and precious,” the novice says. “They are a fitting payment for what you have done for Ilm and for what is to come.” “[I]Madame!,”[/I] the [I]chevalier[/I] cries. “We shall speak of this no more!” But the novice will not be swayed and she produces some of her salves and herbs. As a result, Sir Oerknal – who suffered badly in the nightly attempt on his life – regains most of his hit points [I](Ilm’s ointment;[/I] 4 doses left). When this is done, the company search the barge. From the various dressing-tables in the captain’s cabin, they retrieve an assortment of costly perfumes, powders, and similar items of [I]maquillage,[/I] as well as considerable collection of quite expensive jewelry and other precious knickknacks. Underneath the bed, they find 54 pilgrim’s robes; a selection of strangling scarves with thin steel wires woven into the fabric; a variety of ropes, manacles, hoods, and leather straps; a bag with 900 copper coins; a bag with 90 silver coins; a pouch with 9 gold coins; and some 170 sachets and seals, 20 of which contain a coarse, white granular powder. The remainder contain what seems to be a mixture of dried, sweet-smelling herbs. “That’s gold,” Sir Oerknal announces, grinning sheepishly and pointing to the nine gold coins when everything has been laid out on the cargo hold floor. “Can I keep it? It’s not greed or anything… more like a tradition.” Some time later, our noble heroes also find ten bottles of very expensive wine in a locked box in the galley, of which the [I]chevalier[/I] instantly takes control. After inspecting the bottles and making all the proper noises, he uncorks one of them with a flourish and fills some glasses. “[I]Messieurs,”[/I] he exclaims. [I]“Champagne!”[/I] It has to be said that this greatly lifts the spirits of our noble heroes and perhaps mostly so in the case of Navarre and the [I]chevalier – [/I]ever since the Academy, it has been this noble duo who have proven to be the most appreciative of the finer things in life. Our noble duo spend some time savoring the wine with much rolling of eyes, pouting of lips, splendid gesturing and appropriate guffawing, before magnanimously dismissing their little [I]tête-à-tête[/I] at the door to the captain’s cabin. “Well played, [I]Monsieur,”[/I] the [I]chevalier[/I] says, emptying his glass. “Well played.” Navarre uncorks another bottle and generously provides his noble friend with a new glass of wine before grabbing another glass from the counter and returning to the cargo hold. He spots the novice seated with the others and playing with the various perfumes, creams, and powders from the dressing-tables. He swiftly fills the extra glass and gracefully moves to her side, smiling in a most charming manner. “My Lady,” he purrs, presenting the glass of wine to the beautiful novice. [I]“Lillac?”[/I] [/QUOTE]
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An Adventure in Five Acts (AD&D 2E) (Final Update 25 Feb 2023)
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