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<blockquote data-quote="TheBard" data-source="post: 60840" data-attributes="member: 2821"><p><strong>Episode 14: The Plot Thicks</strong></p><p></p><p>Time Elapsed: 6/24 - 7/04/495 A.I. </p><p></p><p>Summary</p><p></p><p>Part I</p><p></p><p>The days and weeks following the Baroness’ party were distressing ones for Nicasia. Without a doubt, the turn of events that concluded Vivian’s gathering were the principle topic of the gossips among the nobility, which of course means all of them. Theodorus was stressed at being linked in the Earl’s opinion with House Dukas. The most telling revelation along those lines, however, came to Aoelif. </p><p></p><p>The young Fianna burst into the common room of the Bad Pony, where Ingolf and Theodorus sat conversing over cold pressed duck and barley broth, with a sheaf of writing papers in one hand and an ink-smeared quill in the other. She asked Theodorus, rather excitedly, which of his numerous names represented his family. He patiently explained that his family name was Alexius, and that the Alexius family was part of the larger clan known as House Commenos. She then wanted to know what family Baroness Gala was from; Theodorus replied that as her full name was Gala Angelina Admenes, she was a member of the Angelos clan, although she had taken the family name of her husband, Baron Flavius. </p><p></p><p>At this news, Aoelif became increasingly upset and not particularly coherent. After the application of a little wine, she calmed herself down enough to explain that she had a grudge against the Angelos clan. Years ago, she had been courted by a young Alfar ranger named Rowan Hralfson, who was in service to a Alfar lord named Drummundson, an elf king who her father had attempted to marry her to at one point. Rowan had been sent to human lands with a message from King Drummondson to a human noble with whom the elf had numerous business dealings. The message, apparently, did not go over well with the Iconian nobleman, because all he sent back by way of reply was Rowan’s head. That human was Maxentius Angelos Sphrantzes. It was only just now, in the course of writing a letter to the leader of her Fianna band, that she had made the connection between the Baroness’ name and that of the man who murdered her first love. </p><p></p><p>Theodorus went into full-out damage control mode at once, apparently fearing that the Alfar warrior was about to storm the gate of the Baron’s keep. Alas, his approach was hopelessly colored by his human experience, and he attempted to convince the Fianna that she had no real reason to be upset with this human Maxentius, as it was all apparently just a business deal gone wrong, and at any rate, her wrath couldn’t logically extend to other members of his family.. This did little to assuage Aoelif’s anger. She and Ingolf made an attempt to explain the Alfar notions of justice and blood feuds, but Theodorus seemed unwilling or unable to understand why they applied tot his situation. </p><p></p><p>Finally, Aoelif managed to convince him that she didn’t intend to cut off anyone’s head on the spot. When they learned the particulars of the situation, Nicasia and Martaine agreed to use the resources at their disposal to help Aoelif ascertain the exact relationship between Gala and Maxentius, though this would take some time. </p><p></p><p>A few days later, Ingolf received a mysterious letter from a Cimbri messenger who had met a strange old man on the road to Tavia. Ingolf asked Aoelif to walk with him that night in the garden adjacent to the Partridge. While there, Ingolf revealed certain things about his past that the Fianna was previously unaware of. He told her how he had been raised by Druids after his parents were accused of conspiring with the giants and also why he fled. He also told her that he had met a druid named Skallagrim who had nursed him back to health after he was attacked on the road to Tavia. It was this druid who he expected to meet in the garden that evening. </p><p></p><p>True to form, at midnight Skallagrim appeared, bursting forth from the bole of a great oak in the garden. Ingolf introduced Aoelif and indicated that she was trustworthy. Skallagrim then launched into this tale: </p><p></p><p>“You know of course that your parents were banished by a council of Druids. Banished for their crimes against Faerie in conspiring with the fire giant Ingemur to murder the nobleman Riodhr and claim his lands. The council decreed that they should be bound and left at the borders of Ingemur’s lands for him to do with as he pleased. What you do not know is that I was on that council of Druids.” </p><p></p><p>Ingolf bristled, but before he could speak the Druid continued.</p><p></p><p>“I have come to believe that we were wrong. The evidence presented by your parent’s accuser, the dark elf [a dwarf, or dekkalfar - GM] bard Thrym, was quite strong. He claimed to have overheard your parents discussing Riodhr’s magic folding boat – an item he was never without. Thrym lead a member of the druidic order to the secret cache of loot in your father’s keep, and the boat – which surely was in Riodhr’s possession when he was slain – was found therein. Thrym was the court bard of a mighty dwarven king, and his evidence was very damning. However, I have since learned – certain things – that lead me to believe we should not have trusted him.” </p><p></p><p>Ingolf asked if Skallagrim knew Thrym’s whereabouts, and was told that he did not. He also declined to name the dark elf lord the bard served, who at any rate was beyond the reach of Ingolf’s vengeance – at least for the moment. The Druid went on with his story: </p><p></p><p>“I know the desire for revenge burns fiercely, but hear me out. There is more to the tale. When you were still very young, your older brothers both swore an oath to infiltrate Ingemur’s castle and rescue your parents. Your eldest brother Olyn was slain; Halvor survived but with horrible burns. He renounced his claims and took up the life of a Viking – a raider. He is the person you need to find first, if you want to see justice done. And therein lies the problem.” </p><p></p><p>Halvor, Skallagrim explained, had apparently run afoul of a powerful druid and been cursed for his trouble – transformed into a great white bear. He had since roamed the ice floes of the far north in bear form, for so long now that the truth of his Alfar heritage was half forgotten. Ingolf, Skallagrim claimed, would first need to find his brother and restore his mind if he wanted to learn the truth. As to Thrym, the bard was aged and frail, but if he could be found before he died, it was possible that he might have additional information. Finally, Skallagrim produced the last missing piece of the puzzle – the magic boat that had belonged to Riodhr. With this, he said, the journey to the frozen north and back would be far easier. How he had come to possess it he would not say just yet. </p><p></p><p>Skallagrim indicated that the task of finding, capturing and healing Ingolf’s brother Halvor would be difficult and long. He advised an overland route through Rolgulka to the Dan river, which flowed north into the great polar sea. He would be able to provide some magical assistance in locating the transformed Alfar, and extensive aid in restoring his mind in the event he could be recovered. But in the journey and hunt itself, he advised Ingolf to seek trustworthy companions. </p><p></p><p>Skallagrim departed after agreeing to meet with Ingolf at his home in two weeks time. Ingolf relayed his tale to Zaccara, Martaine and the others, and although it was painful for him to divulge his family’s shame, none but Aoelif really seemed to understand how grave a crime his parents had been accused of. Zaccara was thrilled by the idea of a sea-voyage, Nicasia welcomed a chance to be out of sight for a while given recent events, and Martaine was eager for a chance to see more of Rolgulka. Only Theordorus was reluctant, but in the end his desire to fully see the threads of such a long-reaching and complex intrigue unraveled got the best of him. Ingolf half suspected that the young mage held secret admiration for the machinations that had brought his family down. </p><p></p><p>The group debated the best course of action for some time and many plans were laid. Finally, someone pointed out that the entire group were owed a dinner at the Partridge, Tavia’s best inn, and it was decided that this would be an ideal send off. What awaited them there would prove to relieve any misgivings that Theodorus or Nicasia might have had about the need for a protracted country vacation . . . </p><p></p><p>Part II</p><p></p><p>A few days before their scheduled departure from Tavia for the frozen north, the group assembled at the Partridge, where they enjoyed a sumptuous meal at the expense of the Baron, a reward for their long-ago victory in the tournament at the Feast of Saint Petronella. The inn was quiet, with most of the common room turned over to the party, who sat in a corner next to two large open French windows. The best seats in the house, they'd been assured, and the spot did offer an excellent view of the civic park next to the inn as well as the wide, paved streets of Tavia's noble quarter.</p><p></p><p>The mood was light, the conversation turning mostly on the expected adventures that lie ahead. Though most of the group had come to regard Tavia as "home" it was clear that the fianna Aoelif longed for the wilderness again already, whereas Zaccara was eager to feel the rolling deck of a ship beneath his feet once more. Dinner was comprised of roasted venison, stewed onions and gravy, white bread with butter and cream and fresh goat cheese encrusted with pistachios, a specialty of the house. There was no shortage of beer and wine either, and the barmaid hovered nearby most of the meal keeping everyone's goblet full.</p><p></p><p>So it was that Aoelif, uninterested in the mercantile plans for the trip through Rolgulka being laid by Nicasia and Martaine, noticed the barmaid slip something into Nicasia' wine, some liquid that, while it came from a wine bottle, was clearly not wine. Unnoticed by the rest of the group, as soon as she'd poured the draught of whatever it was, the barmaid, rather than return to the kitchen, slipped quietly out the open doorway into the park. Aoelif was perplexed by these actions and in the heat of the moment seemed to have missed the implications, for rather than shout a warning, she leapt to her feet and gave chase to the barmaid - without saying a word.</p><p></p><p>For their part, most of the group were used to Aoelif's inexplicable behavior by this point and thought little of it. Only Martaine seemed alarmed by her sudden departure and stepped outside to determine what the matter was. At that moment, from one of the only other occupied tables in the room, a young rakish looking fellow rose and offered a toast to the emperor. The remaining members of the group dutifully raised there glasses, only to have Aoelif suddenly reappear, crying "Nicasia - don't!" - too late. </p><p></p><p>Nicasia drank her altered wine in toast to the emperor even as Aoelif cried that someone had poisoned her drink. Martaine was outside giving chase to the "barmaid" who had swallowed a potion of her own and vanished. Nicasia, however, seemed to suffer no ill effects at all - in deed, she appeared in the very bloom of health - and quite eager, suddenly, to find herself in the arms of the rake who'd offered the toast. So eager that it was nearly all Aoelif could do to restrain her. </p><p></p><p>For his part, the patriotic young man was more than happy to receive Nicasia's attentions. Ingolf and Zaccara both protested that Nicasia was not in her right mind, having been enchanted somehow, at which point the young man made a comment about understanding that "Such behavior is quite normal for her, or at least it was not a few nights ago at Vivian's party." </p><p></p><p>Aoelif and Theordorus attempted to restrain Nicasia, Martaine had not yet reappeared, and Zaccara seemed honestly perplexed by these events. Ingolf, however, was suddenly enraged, and his anger was stoked further by the impertinence of the would-be character-assassin's comments. In short order, he accused Nicasia of being a wanton, a prostitute, and a witch. The fact that she, all this time, was protesting loudly for Aoelif and Theordorus to unhand her so that she might join her "love" did little to reinforce Ingolf's assertion that she was none of these things. Theodorus finally brought about an end to that behavior by calling up a newly-learned incantation designed to destroy enchantments, whereupon Nicasia collapsed in horror at what had just transpired. </p><p></p><p>Although not known for his mastery of the blade, Ingolf demanded that Nicasia's accuser either recant at once or meet him outside the building, and in a split second the rake's sword was in his hand. Ingolf spoke in a low voice, and told him that he had no intention of granting a fair fight to a common thug. "Apologize or the only way you'll be leaving this inn is feet first. You'll notice that you are rather heavily outnumbered." With that Ingolf nodded towards Zaccara and Aoelif, both of whom by this point had fire in there eyes. </p><p></p><p>The young man made a low bow with a flourish of his cloak, looked Ingolf in the eye briefly and said only "We will meet again" and with that he sprang out the door. Rather than give chase, Ingolf turned his attention to Nicasia, who was beginning to understand what must have happened. Martaine returned a few moments later, to report that the man's accomplice had fled invisibly at first, but that he had been able to dispel that effect. The accomplice had still managed to escape, however his disguise (which he was in the process of removing when his invisibility was dispelled) remain on the roof of the inn. </p><p></p><p>The innkeeper was distraught, and offer many an apology. He also summoned the Magistrate at once, which for that part of town was Cyrus, well known to the group. Cyrus took a detailed report of the events from the group, and was able to determine a few salient facts. Theodorus confirmed that he potion had not come from the College of Wizards or any of their associated alchemists. Ingolf pointed out that the man's scabbard had no peace strap, as is required by law of anyone entering the city armed or bearing weapons inside the walls. Zaccara, finally, produced a small item that had fallen from the man's cloak as he made his exit - a small silver arrow, which everyone present, including Cyrus, recognized as part of Sir Eudamon's elaborate Apollo costume from Vivian's masked ball. </p><p></p><p>The implications were obvious, and Zaccara pointed out that the man seemed to have knowledge that only someone present at the ball would have had. No-one could remember his face, however, and all were relatively certain he was not actually present. Cyrus assured that he would make a complete investigation, though it was clear that no easy answers would arise in a matter this delicate. Theordorus pointed out to Nicasia that she might have picked someone less well-placed that the Baron's brother-in-law to make an enemy of. </p><p></p><p>The Baron, though, was apparently aware that something needed to be done about Eudamon. The day before they were to depart the city, Theodorus learned that Eudamon was being given a special appointment as a sort of Imperial Inspector - the duties of which would take him out of Tavia for months at a time. Baroness Gala would assume his responsibilities as part of the Bishop's Curia in his absence. </p><p></p><p>After these events, even Theodorus seemed eager to be out of town for a while, and in a few days' time the group began the first leg of their journey in search of Ingolf's brother - the trip across Rolgulka to the Dan river - a trip which would take them through the Vale of Thunder and the city of Bratsol, the seat of Lord Vihar's power.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="TheBard, post: 60840, member: 2821"] [b]Episode 14: The Plot Thicks[/b] Time Elapsed: 6/24 - 7/04/495 A.I. Summary Part I The days and weeks following the Baroness’ party were distressing ones for Nicasia. Without a doubt, the turn of events that concluded Vivian’s gathering were the principle topic of the gossips among the nobility, which of course means all of them. Theodorus was stressed at being linked in the Earl’s opinion with House Dukas. The most telling revelation along those lines, however, came to Aoelif. The young Fianna burst into the common room of the Bad Pony, where Ingolf and Theodorus sat conversing over cold pressed duck and barley broth, with a sheaf of writing papers in one hand and an ink-smeared quill in the other. She asked Theodorus, rather excitedly, which of his numerous names represented his family. He patiently explained that his family name was Alexius, and that the Alexius family was part of the larger clan known as House Commenos. She then wanted to know what family Baroness Gala was from; Theodorus replied that as her full name was Gala Angelina Admenes, she was a member of the Angelos clan, although she had taken the family name of her husband, Baron Flavius. At this news, Aoelif became increasingly upset and not particularly coherent. After the application of a little wine, she calmed herself down enough to explain that she had a grudge against the Angelos clan. Years ago, she had been courted by a young Alfar ranger named Rowan Hralfson, who was in service to a Alfar lord named Drummundson, an elf king who her father had attempted to marry her to at one point. Rowan had been sent to human lands with a message from King Drummondson to a human noble with whom the elf had numerous business dealings. The message, apparently, did not go over well with the Iconian nobleman, because all he sent back by way of reply was Rowan’s head. That human was Maxentius Angelos Sphrantzes. It was only just now, in the course of writing a letter to the leader of her Fianna band, that she had made the connection between the Baroness’ name and that of the man who murdered her first love. Theodorus went into full-out damage control mode at once, apparently fearing that the Alfar warrior was about to storm the gate of the Baron’s keep. Alas, his approach was hopelessly colored by his human experience, and he attempted to convince the Fianna that she had no real reason to be upset with this human Maxentius, as it was all apparently just a business deal gone wrong, and at any rate, her wrath couldn’t logically extend to other members of his family.. This did little to assuage Aoelif’s anger. She and Ingolf made an attempt to explain the Alfar notions of justice and blood feuds, but Theodorus seemed unwilling or unable to understand why they applied tot his situation. Finally, Aoelif managed to convince him that she didn’t intend to cut off anyone’s head on the spot. When they learned the particulars of the situation, Nicasia and Martaine agreed to use the resources at their disposal to help Aoelif ascertain the exact relationship between Gala and Maxentius, though this would take some time. A few days later, Ingolf received a mysterious letter from a Cimbri messenger who had met a strange old man on the road to Tavia. Ingolf asked Aoelif to walk with him that night in the garden adjacent to the Partridge. While there, Ingolf revealed certain things about his past that the Fianna was previously unaware of. He told her how he had been raised by Druids after his parents were accused of conspiring with the giants and also why he fled. He also told her that he had met a druid named Skallagrim who had nursed him back to health after he was attacked on the road to Tavia. It was this druid who he expected to meet in the garden that evening. True to form, at midnight Skallagrim appeared, bursting forth from the bole of a great oak in the garden. Ingolf introduced Aoelif and indicated that she was trustworthy. Skallagrim then launched into this tale: “You know of course that your parents were banished by a council of Druids. Banished for their crimes against Faerie in conspiring with the fire giant Ingemur to murder the nobleman Riodhr and claim his lands. The council decreed that they should be bound and left at the borders of Ingemur’s lands for him to do with as he pleased. What you do not know is that I was on that council of Druids.” Ingolf bristled, but before he could speak the Druid continued. “I have come to believe that we were wrong. The evidence presented by your parent’s accuser, the dark elf [a dwarf, or dekkalfar - GM] bard Thrym, was quite strong. He claimed to have overheard your parents discussing Riodhr’s magic folding boat – an item he was never without. Thrym lead a member of the druidic order to the secret cache of loot in your father’s keep, and the boat – which surely was in Riodhr’s possession when he was slain – was found therein. Thrym was the court bard of a mighty dwarven king, and his evidence was very damning. However, I have since learned – certain things – that lead me to believe we should not have trusted him.” Ingolf asked if Skallagrim knew Thrym’s whereabouts, and was told that he did not. He also declined to name the dark elf lord the bard served, who at any rate was beyond the reach of Ingolf’s vengeance – at least for the moment. The Druid went on with his story: “I know the desire for revenge burns fiercely, but hear me out. There is more to the tale. When you were still very young, your older brothers both swore an oath to infiltrate Ingemur’s castle and rescue your parents. Your eldest brother Olyn was slain; Halvor survived but with horrible burns. He renounced his claims and took up the life of a Viking – a raider. He is the person you need to find first, if you want to see justice done. And therein lies the problem.” Halvor, Skallagrim explained, had apparently run afoul of a powerful druid and been cursed for his trouble – transformed into a great white bear. He had since roamed the ice floes of the far north in bear form, for so long now that the truth of his Alfar heritage was half forgotten. Ingolf, Skallagrim claimed, would first need to find his brother and restore his mind if he wanted to learn the truth. As to Thrym, the bard was aged and frail, but if he could be found before he died, it was possible that he might have additional information. Finally, Skallagrim produced the last missing piece of the puzzle – the magic boat that had belonged to Riodhr. With this, he said, the journey to the frozen north and back would be far easier. How he had come to possess it he would not say just yet. Skallagrim indicated that the task of finding, capturing and healing Ingolf’s brother Halvor would be difficult and long. He advised an overland route through Rolgulka to the Dan river, which flowed north into the great polar sea. He would be able to provide some magical assistance in locating the transformed Alfar, and extensive aid in restoring his mind in the event he could be recovered. But in the journey and hunt itself, he advised Ingolf to seek trustworthy companions. Skallagrim departed after agreeing to meet with Ingolf at his home in two weeks time. Ingolf relayed his tale to Zaccara, Martaine and the others, and although it was painful for him to divulge his family’s shame, none but Aoelif really seemed to understand how grave a crime his parents had been accused of. Zaccara was thrilled by the idea of a sea-voyage, Nicasia welcomed a chance to be out of sight for a while given recent events, and Martaine was eager for a chance to see more of Rolgulka. Only Theordorus was reluctant, but in the end his desire to fully see the threads of such a long-reaching and complex intrigue unraveled got the best of him. Ingolf half suspected that the young mage held secret admiration for the machinations that had brought his family down. The group debated the best course of action for some time and many plans were laid. Finally, someone pointed out that the entire group were owed a dinner at the Partridge, Tavia’s best inn, and it was decided that this would be an ideal send off. What awaited them there would prove to relieve any misgivings that Theodorus or Nicasia might have had about the need for a protracted country vacation . . . Part II A few days before their scheduled departure from Tavia for the frozen north, the group assembled at the Partridge, where they enjoyed a sumptuous meal at the expense of the Baron, a reward for their long-ago victory in the tournament at the Feast of Saint Petronella. The inn was quiet, with most of the common room turned over to the party, who sat in a corner next to two large open French windows. The best seats in the house, they'd been assured, and the spot did offer an excellent view of the civic park next to the inn as well as the wide, paved streets of Tavia's noble quarter. The mood was light, the conversation turning mostly on the expected adventures that lie ahead. Though most of the group had come to regard Tavia as "home" it was clear that the fianna Aoelif longed for the wilderness again already, whereas Zaccara was eager to feel the rolling deck of a ship beneath his feet once more. Dinner was comprised of roasted venison, stewed onions and gravy, white bread with butter and cream and fresh goat cheese encrusted with pistachios, a specialty of the house. There was no shortage of beer and wine either, and the barmaid hovered nearby most of the meal keeping everyone's goblet full. So it was that Aoelif, uninterested in the mercantile plans for the trip through Rolgulka being laid by Nicasia and Martaine, noticed the barmaid slip something into Nicasia' wine, some liquid that, while it came from a wine bottle, was clearly not wine. Unnoticed by the rest of the group, as soon as she'd poured the draught of whatever it was, the barmaid, rather than return to the kitchen, slipped quietly out the open doorway into the park. Aoelif was perplexed by these actions and in the heat of the moment seemed to have missed the implications, for rather than shout a warning, she leapt to her feet and gave chase to the barmaid - without saying a word. For their part, most of the group were used to Aoelif's inexplicable behavior by this point and thought little of it. Only Martaine seemed alarmed by her sudden departure and stepped outside to determine what the matter was. At that moment, from one of the only other occupied tables in the room, a young rakish looking fellow rose and offered a toast to the emperor. The remaining members of the group dutifully raised there glasses, only to have Aoelif suddenly reappear, crying "Nicasia - don't!" - too late. Nicasia drank her altered wine in toast to the emperor even as Aoelif cried that someone had poisoned her drink. Martaine was outside giving chase to the "barmaid" who had swallowed a potion of her own and vanished. Nicasia, however, seemed to suffer no ill effects at all - in deed, she appeared in the very bloom of health - and quite eager, suddenly, to find herself in the arms of the rake who'd offered the toast. So eager that it was nearly all Aoelif could do to restrain her. For his part, the patriotic young man was more than happy to receive Nicasia's attentions. Ingolf and Zaccara both protested that Nicasia was not in her right mind, having been enchanted somehow, at which point the young man made a comment about understanding that "Such behavior is quite normal for her, or at least it was not a few nights ago at Vivian's party." Aoelif and Theordorus attempted to restrain Nicasia, Martaine had not yet reappeared, and Zaccara seemed honestly perplexed by these events. Ingolf, however, was suddenly enraged, and his anger was stoked further by the impertinence of the would-be character-assassin's comments. In short order, he accused Nicasia of being a wanton, a prostitute, and a witch. The fact that she, all this time, was protesting loudly for Aoelif and Theordorus to unhand her so that she might join her "love" did little to reinforce Ingolf's assertion that she was none of these things. Theodorus finally brought about an end to that behavior by calling up a newly-learned incantation designed to destroy enchantments, whereupon Nicasia collapsed in horror at what had just transpired. Although not known for his mastery of the blade, Ingolf demanded that Nicasia's accuser either recant at once or meet him outside the building, and in a split second the rake's sword was in his hand. Ingolf spoke in a low voice, and told him that he had no intention of granting a fair fight to a common thug. "Apologize or the only way you'll be leaving this inn is feet first. You'll notice that you are rather heavily outnumbered." With that Ingolf nodded towards Zaccara and Aoelif, both of whom by this point had fire in there eyes. The young man made a low bow with a flourish of his cloak, looked Ingolf in the eye briefly and said only "We will meet again" and with that he sprang out the door. Rather than give chase, Ingolf turned his attention to Nicasia, who was beginning to understand what must have happened. Martaine returned a few moments later, to report that the man's accomplice had fled invisibly at first, but that he had been able to dispel that effect. The accomplice had still managed to escape, however his disguise (which he was in the process of removing when his invisibility was dispelled) remain on the roof of the inn. The innkeeper was distraught, and offer many an apology. He also summoned the Magistrate at once, which for that part of town was Cyrus, well known to the group. Cyrus took a detailed report of the events from the group, and was able to determine a few salient facts. Theodorus confirmed that he potion had not come from the College of Wizards or any of their associated alchemists. Ingolf pointed out that the man's scabbard had no peace strap, as is required by law of anyone entering the city armed or bearing weapons inside the walls. Zaccara, finally, produced a small item that had fallen from the man's cloak as he made his exit - a small silver arrow, which everyone present, including Cyrus, recognized as part of Sir Eudamon's elaborate Apollo costume from Vivian's masked ball. The implications were obvious, and Zaccara pointed out that the man seemed to have knowledge that only someone present at the ball would have had. No-one could remember his face, however, and all were relatively certain he was not actually present. Cyrus assured that he would make a complete investigation, though it was clear that no easy answers would arise in a matter this delicate. Theordorus pointed out to Nicasia that she might have picked someone less well-placed that the Baron's brother-in-law to make an enemy of. The Baron, though, was apparently aware that something needed to be done about Eudamon. The day before they were to depart the city, Theodorus learned that Eudamon was being given a special appointment as a sort of Imperial Inspector - the duties of which would take him out of Tavia for months at a time. Baroness Gala would assume his responsibilities as part of the Bishop's Curia in his absence. After these events, even Theodorus seemed eager to be out of town for a while, and in a few days' time the group began the first leg of their journey in search of Ingolf's brother - the trip across Rolgulka to the Dan river - a trip which would take them through the Vale of Thunder and the city of Bratsol, the seat of Lord Vihar's power. [/QUOTE]
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