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Story Hour
Memoirs of a Lawyer turned Dungeoncrawler (Updated May 13, 2008)
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<blockquote data-quote="Altalazar" data-source="post: 3590972" data-attributes="member: 939"><p>Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Ninety-Seven – Flies on the Wall</p><p></p><p> Ok, so maybe plan ‘L’ wasn’t that great of a plan, but I was pressed for time and I was looking for something creative. Surely, summoning Moira, changing her into a Leprechaun, and then setting her loose in the military planning room to be discovered by the guards, wagging her finger at the guards while screaming that “they’ll never find me pot’o’gold!” would be worth a diversion. It would even explain the earlier alarms! Then the “leprechaun” could dance a nice jig to some leprechaun-like folk music, then vanish, leaving the guards scratching their heads. Isn’t that worth throwing off suspicion from our entourage? But alas, it was not to be. </p><p> Plan ‘B’ was simply to have Higgins transform Morwen and Larch into common flies, then send them in through a window, invisible, to search the planning rooms and the Baron’s room before the crack of dawn (and actually before I heard back from the King’s niece). Higgins did his magic and off they went. </p><p> Upon returning, Morwen and Larch reported finding nothing much of interest in the administrative rooms, but that they discovered a hidden hinge in a desktop in the Baron’s sleeping chamber. Unfortunately, as flies, they could not lift it, and they did not want to risk changing to something else and waking up the Baron and his wife. On top of that, the Baron had a large iron golem standing watch at the foot of his bed, presumably ready to alert him to any intruders. This would present a problem. I never remembered seeing any golems walking about the Baron’s keep, so that must mean the golem usually stayed inside his room all day. </p><p> Then we saw the itinerary for the day’s festivities. In the middle of the day there was the combat competition. Anyone could challenge. The opponents? A flesh, clay, and iron golem. If the Baron had only one, that meant the golem would be out of his room during the competition. Perfect chance to strike, assuming that nothing else takes his place. </p><p></p><p> Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Ninety-Eight – Morning Festivities</p><p></p><p> Morning started with a huge breakfast. We also saw the entire community slowly filing through the gates to join in the festivities. The guards were doubled and there were guards preventing access to the keep for the non-nobles. Ah-ha! I knew this whole “dwarf-of-the-people” persona was nonsense! If he truly was such a person, he would have given his “people” free access to the keep, the same as the nobles. Such a transparent persona! When I take over the Barony, my persona will be far more opaque!</p><p> After breakfast was the ceremonial changing of the guard. It took way way longer than it seemed like it should. I’ve never seen so much ceremony crammed into so many minor moves and functions. Those military types must really be addicted to formal ritual. They’re worse than lawyers! Even the Baron got in on the action. The only interesting part of it was the very beautiful, shined up armor, of a type that you’d never see worn in actual battle. I’d seen armor in King’s display cases that weren’t as shiny as the armor on display this day. This Baron is quite the militaristic little dwarf. </p><p> Then game the jugglers and minstrels, including a minstrel who put on something called “the Ded Bob show” that was a crowd favorite among the rabble. They all seemed to know the entire routine by heart and shouted along. </p><p> That fun was then followed by more militarism as a mock military attack on the keep was done. Apparently the Baron relies on heavy archers on the walls. Of course, the keep wins in the mock attack. I studied the Baron’s tactics for later use when I’d be assaulting his keep. </p><p> The farm competition was next. I did not pay much attention to this, but I did determine that there was a great bounty for each winner. For instance, if your cow won best cow, then all of your cattle were exempt from taxation for the entire year. Competition was intense. It would have been interesting to know all of the treachery and scheming going on between cutthroat farmers. If only I had time to probe all of their minds. But I had other, more pressing concerns. </p><p> </p><p> Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Ninety-Nine – More Flies with Lunch</p><p></p><p> As lunch began, we all headed back to our rooms to change to our second set of attire for the day. That was when we saw the golems being escorted to the arena. This was the time to strike. We met in my room, ostensibly to change, and then I had Higgins again make Morwen and Larch into invisible flies. They wasted no time and headed straight for the Baron’s chamber. </p><p> Only a few minutes passed before I heard Morwen’s voice in my head over the mindlink. “Cordozo, can you do something about the guard they left in here?” </p><p> Damn. At least it was an ordinary guard, not a mindless golem, mostly immune to my special talents. “Yes, I will have to come personally. Just wait a moment.” I quickly raised my defenses, split my mind, and had Higgins make me invisible in the improved sense before, with a thought, making myself appear in mid-air forty feet away from the Baron’s bedroom window. I quickly flew over and peered inside. </p><p> Through the glass, I could see a single guard standing by the door, watching the room. I quickly reached out my mind to his, and then carefully erased my existence from his awareness. </p><p> Thus erased, I slipped inside (after Morwen helpfully unlatched the window) undetected. The desk would be another matter. There were books and a pen and inkwell on top of the desk, so if I lifted the hinged top, those would fall, and if I lifted it too far, in any case, the guard might notice despite my mental intervention. </p><p> Finally, with Larch’s help, I lifted the top of the desk ever so slightly while holding the books in place and then Morwen flew inside the gap. Hidden in there, wedged between the false top of the desk and the desk surface was a folded up piece of cloth. Morwen the fly could not budge it, and so she flew out and changed her form. Morwen the human handed me a pair of tweezers to use. I carefully pulled the cloth out from the desk, then lowered to false top. We then all exited to the balcony. </p><p> I recognized the cloth. It was similar to what we used to move the Temple of the Moon Library. It was a portable hole. Unfortunately, we could not open it on the balcony. We needed solid ground. Having already made the mental connection, I gathered up Morwen and Larch and then we all found ourselves standing outside the Temple of the Moon, in the shadow of a large, familiar looking sign proclaiming we were on the site of the secret moon temple. </p><p> I carefully laid the portable hole upon the ground (after Morwen studied it to make sure we could return it to its previously folded state without tipping off the Baron). Inside was nothing except for a single piece of parchment. Written on it was a short piece of text that appeared to be some sort of code. I handed it to Morwen and she attempted to decipher it, but was unable to. My thoughts turned to Tuvstarr and I was about to attempt to contact her when I remembered: Higgins. </p><p> “Higgins, I need you. Come here,” I said to him through the mindlink. </p><p> “Very good, sir,” he said.</p><p> “No, wait!” I said. “I’ll come to you.” And then with a thought, I was standing in my room at the Baron’s keep with Higgins at my side. “Can you decipher this?” </p><p> “Very good, sir” he said, and he sat down and quickly read through it. “Yes, I can,” he said. </p><p> “Quickly, write it all down in common so we can return this paper back to where we found it,” I said and handed him some paper and a pen from my own ample supply. </p><p> Within two minutes he had completed his copy, and I quickly scanned it before teleporting back to the Temple of the Moon so Morwen could return the paper to the portable hole, fold it how it was, and then we returned to the Baron’s bedroom, through the window, and placed the portable hole back in the desk where we found it. The guard did not appear to notice us. </p><p> We then returned to our rooms and dressed for the afternoon’s festivities. Soon, this Barony will be mine! As I dressed, I took the time to carefully read what Higgins had deciphered from the writing:</p><p></p><p>“Dear Baron Domino, </p><p>All is going as planned – the King will be surprised. I am a little concerned about the R. If he can do what he said it will help out more than he knows. If he can not then we may have to wait until next year. Currently, to stay on schedule more funds are needed, please send gold. </p><p>I am at the Haunted Village location. </p><p>- Vasscas”</p><p></p><p> Interesting. I wonder who Vasscas is. And I recall the Haunted Village from its mention at the Demonskar Ball. It is a place of undead outside of Cauldron. We’ll probably be heading there next, but first we must meet with the King. But only after the festivities are over. I resolved that we would leave when most of the other nobles leave, the next day. </p><p> At this point, I was feeling strangely relaxed. We had what we needed here. Soon this Barony would be mine! It must be mine! I felt strangely relaxed and at peace as I thought of this. Which is probably why I did what I did next. </p><p></p><p> Sir Cordozo – Chapter Two-Hundred – I get dirtier than I have ever been</p><p></p><p> After lunch, the first event was the log toss. Kyrnyn jumped right into it, lifting up a log with an impressive show of strength, but timing it wrong, and sending it flying end over end far up into the air, but not very far down the field, going no more than three feet. It apparently is a sport more of timing than brute strength. I began to watch the really good throwers carefully. Then I did the unexpected. I decided to play. </p><p> My muscles are about as strong as your average bookkeeper. I could barely lift the log. But I hefted it carefully, and timed it as exactly as I could, and then let it loose. I was probably the weakest man on the field. But I must have timed it right. The log went exactly twelve feet, the minimum required to advance to the next round. I could see Kyrnyn fuming about this. Though he need not have fumed long. I barely lifted the log off the ground for round two, and was eliminated. </p><p> The next event was the log rolling contest. It required rolling on a log on the water with another competitor, and whomever fell off first was the loser. Morwen and I both carefully studied the field before jumping onto our respective logs. I expected to get very wet. Instead, Morwen, nimble of foot, caught a toe on a knot in the wood and fell into the water ahead of her competitor. And somehow, despite my natural clumsiness (barely offset by my weakly magic gloves), I managed to stay on my log and I won against my competitor. Morwen was also disappointed to see me win over her, but she did not fume like Krynyn. </p><p> Kyrnyn would take out his frustrations in the next event. The golem fight. </p><p> Kyrnyn again went first. The event was watched carefully by the judges to avoid a challenger’s death and also to avoid destruction of a golem. If it seemed either was apparent within a set period of time, they would call the match and declare a winner. They did not need to watch long with Kyrnyn. Kyrnyn weaved his magic and made himself large and strong, in the image of his god. The iron golem lumbered forward and Kyrnyn, lighting fast, struck four blows, grievously damaging it. The golem struck back two blows of its own, but it was already over. Kyrnyn had done so much so fast to the golem that they called the match almost immediately. Kyrnyn had prevailed!</p><p> Next to go was Ee. He hefted his axe. He also was quite large in stature, courtesy of Higgins some hours prior to the match. It took Ee only two series of swings with his axe to fell his golem (really the same golem – they repaired them in between competitors). Again, an impressive showing. </p><p> After watching them, I could not resist. Though I had never faced anything in battle with my own two hands, or even with a weapon, that wasn’t already helpless, it was a challenging prospect. I decided not to use anything but my hands, making it a true contest of brawn. </p><p> Before I stepped into the ring, I maximized all of my protections and had Higgins provide for me his shield as well, hovering hands-free near me. Then I charged the golem. I was as slow as it was, since I had also made my form look remarkably similar to its own. I changed myself to solid adamantine iron, and advanced upon the golem. </p><p> Incredibly, I managed to dodge most of its blows as its fists slammed against my many protections. Unfortunately, I was never able to connect with my own fists on the golem. So eventually, it wore me down, though I stood toe to toe with it for probably longer than any other opponent of the day, nearly a full minute, before they called it. It was disappointing not to win, but it was strangely satisfying to stand toe-to-toe with the monstrosity and hold my own for so long. I never would have guessed that the prospect of attaining a Barony would find me so invigorated and relaxed. </p><p> The last event was a tug of war between two halves of the village. None of us chose to participate. I returned to my room to clean up and change for dinner. I looked forward to a good meal and to the fireworks afterwards. </p><p></p><p> Sir Cordozo – Chapter Two-Hundred One – Dinner is Served </p><p></p><p> There was a play before dinner that was very familiar. It was a shortened form of the play I recently saw in Cauldron, courtesy of Poseidon. As I saw the blue-haired hero of the play save the day from demons yet again, I wondered if the Baron would catch on regarding the lack of blue in my own hair. Or perhaps he would just decide that someone confused the play costume for reality. </p><p> After the play, dinner was served. This was for nobles only. The commoners were slowly filing out as the play ended, their day over. For the nobles, the maneuvering had just begun. I spent quite a lot of time talking to and impressing nobles from across the Kingdom. Judging from their thoughts, I succeeded. I hope the King will be pleased that the nobility thought me an appropriate representative in his absence. </p><p> As I ate, I noticed Morwen with an accessory I don’t remember seeing her have before: a date. His name was Fredolo and he seemed rather smitten with Morwen. Morwen herself was dressed up rather fine, something else I was also not used to seeing. Only later did I realize that Ee was not in immediate attendance. </p><p> Crystal was kind enough to accompany me to dinner. Higgins brought his companion as well. I think he likes her, though it is hard to tell because the corners of his mouth never waver from servant-neutral. I wonder if there is special training for that sort of thing. I have thus far resisted the temptation to ask him (or probe his mind for that matter). </p><p> After the dinner was the dance. I managed to repeat my Demonskar performance – I was terrible. I will have to take more formal dancing lessons. As the music wound down, and the fireworks reached their crescendo, I heard Ee’s voice in my head. </p><p> “Cordozo, this me, Ee.” </p><p> “Yes?” I replied, wondering just what he was up to.</p><p> “Can you turn invisible?” he asked me, explaining that “Me fly has disappeared during fireworks.” </p><p> I thought for a moment, then understood what he was talking about. He worse his Celestial Armor to dinner. I know he can fly with it, but only for a short time. Now he must have flown Maxine, his own date, with it to impress her. He was sitting with her on the roof of the keep, watching the fireworks. But now he had no way to get her down. He wanted my help, but he did not want Maxine to know that I had offered it. </p><p> Ee’s voice came again, insistent. “Me no fly anymore!” </p><p> “Ok, Ee,” I said, “I will be there shortly.” As I approached, I asked Ee what direction she was facing so I could approach from behind. As I got closer, I quickly slipped my mind into hers and erased my existence from her perception. Then I placed my hand on her shoulder and his and asked Ee to ask her to prepare to allow herself to be transported. </p><p> “Ee say thank you!” and he did. And then I transported all of us down to the ground before returning to the festivities to say my goodbyes. As I departed, I could hear him explaining to Maxine that “Ee can do lots things!”</p><p> Crystal joined me and then I retired. I slept well that night. Eventually. </p><p></p><p> Sir Cordozo – Chapter Two-Hundred Two – We Depart, Then I Arrive</p><p></p><p> The next day is when most of the nobles departed. We left with the pack. I took my leave of the Baron. Very Sincerely, I told him that I “Look forward to visiting again soon,” leaving unsaid exactly what made me so eager to return. </p><p> “Such wonderful representatives,” said the Baron of us, his words dripping with sweetness as always. I looked forward to those sweet words turning bitter in his mouth. I silently hoped that he would take good care of my Barony while I will be absent. </p><p> I prepared to take several trips back to Cauldron to bring everyone home. It seemed that almost everyone had a new companion. Except for Marcus. And surprisingly, Ee. </p><p> “Ee love ‘em and leave ‘em,” said Ee when I asked him if he wanted to bring Maxine. I could tell she was already hugely disappointed. She was dripping with grief at the thought of being left behind. She was heartbroken. </p><p> After my first trip back with Ee and others, I returned to talk to Maxine. </p><p> “Don’t worry,” I told her, “Ee is just playing hard to get. Would you like to come to Cauldron? I can transport you there, but you need to stay away from Ee for a few days or weeks and you can’t tell him I brought you.” </p><p> Her eyes lit up at this prospect and she quickly agreed. I gave her 100 gold coins to sustain her in the meanwhile. </p><p> Also left unfinished was my business with the two servants whose minds were now totally under my dominion. I determined that they were paid close to one gold coin per day, making them very well paid servants. It would be a problem if their domination wore off and then they reported to the Baron what happened. I decided I needed to prepare a special spell, a spell known only to lawyers, known as “the better offer.” But I have a month to make the final arrangements on that. </p><p> Crystal also accompanied me home. Though I had head of such things, I had never thought to have one. Now I have a psion-Crystal. </p><p> With everyone home in Cauldron, I then transported myself and Higgins to the Capitol to inform the King of our discovery. </p><p></p><p> Sir Cordozo – Chapter Two-Hundred Three – Royal Welcome</p><p></p><p> I told the King about the note, giving him a copy. I also told him about the troop build ups. King that he was, he took it all ambiguously. </p><p> “The note is alarming, but could be benign. For all I know it is a surprise birthday gift they are arranging, not a coup. And the troops. Five thousand is a serious problem. But if it is only two thousand, that might not indicate any problem at all.” </p><p> I heard it in his mind before he even said it. </p><p> “Go and investigate the note. Go to the Haunted Village. Find this Vasscas. Use appropriate discretion.” </p><p> My heart was beating fast in my chest. So close. So close to my own real noble title and real grant of land. I quickly took my leave and transported myself and Higgins back to Cauldron. </p><p> I turned to Higgins. “Now what can you tell me about this Haunted Village?”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Altalazar, post: 3590972, member: 939"] Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Ninety-Seven – Flies on the Wall Ok, so maybe plan ‘L’ wasn’t that great of a plan, but I was pressed for time and I was looking for something creative. Surely, summoning Moira, changing her into a Leprechaun, and then setting her loose in the military planning room to be discovered by the guards, wagging her finger at the guards while screaming that “they’ll never find me pot’o’gold!” would be worth a diversion. It would even explain the earlier alarms! Then the “leprechaun” could dance a nice jig to some leprechaun-like folk music, then vanish, leaving the guards scratching their heads. Isn’t that worth throwing off suspicion from our entourage? But alas, it was not to be. Plan ‘B’ was simply to have Higgins transform Morwen and Larch into common flies, then send them in through a window, invisible, to search the planning rooms and the Baron’s room before the crack of dawn (and actually before I heard back from the King’s niece). Higgins did his magic and off they went. Upon returning, Morwen and Larch reported finding nothing much of interest in the administrative rooms, but that they discovered a hidden hinge in a desktop in the Baron’s sleeping chamber. Unfortunately, as flies, they could not lift it, and they did not want to risk changing to something else and waking up the Baron and his wife. On top of that, the Baron had a large iron golem standing watch at the foot of his bed, presumably ready to alert him to any intruders. This would present a problem. I never remembered seeing any golems walking about the Baron’s keep, so that must mean the golem usually stayed inside his room all day. Then we saw the itinerary for the day’s festivities. In the middle of the day there was the combat competition. Anyone could challenge. The opponents? A flesh, clay, and iron golem. If the Baron had only one, that meant the golem would be out of his room during the competition. Perfect chance to strike, assuming that nothing else takes his place. Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Ninety-Eight – Morning Festivities Morning started with a huge breakfast. We also saw the entire community slowly filing through the gates to join in the festivities. The guards were doubled and there were guards preventing access to the keep for the non-nobles. Ah-ha! I knew this whole “dwarf-of-the-people” persona was nonsense! If he truly was such a person, he would have given his “people” free access to the keep, the same as the nobles. Such a transparent persona! When I take over the Barony, my persona will be far more opaque! After breakfast was the ceremonial changing of the guard. It took way way longer than it seemed like it should. I’ve never seen so much ceremony crammed into so many minor moves and functions. Those military types must really be addicted to formal ritual. They’re worse than lawyers! Even the Baron got in on the action. The only interesting part of it was the very beautiful, shined up armor, of a type that you’d never see worn in actual battle. I’d seen armor in King’s display cases that weren’t as shiny as the armor on display this day. This Baron is quite the militaristic little dwarf. Then game the jugglers and minstrels, including a minstrel who put on something called “the Ded Bob show” that was a crowd favorite among the rabble. They all seemed to know the entire routine by heart and shouted along. That fun was then followed by more militarism as a mock military attack on the keep was done. Apparently the Baron relies on heavy archers on the walls. Of course, the keep wins in the mock attack. I studied the Baron’s tactics for later use when I’d be assaulting his keep. The farm competition was next. I did not pay much attention to this, but I did determine that there was a great bounty for each winner. For instance, if your cow won best cow, then all of your cattle were exempt from taxation for the entire year. Competition was intense. It would have been interesting to know all of the treachery and scheming going on between cutthroat farmers. If only I had time to probe all of their minds. But I had other, more pressing concerns. Sir Cordozo – Chapter One-Hundred Ninety-Nine – More Flies with Lunch As lunch began, we all headed back to our rooms to change to our second set of attire for the day. That was when we saw the golems being escorted to the arena. This was the time to strike. We met in my room, ostensibly to change, and then I had Higgins again make Morwen and Larch into invisible flies. They wasted no time and headed straight for the Baron’s chamber. Only a few minutes passed before I heard Morwen’s voice in my head over the mindlink. “Cordozo, can you do something about the guard they left in here?” Damn. At least it was an ordinary guard, not a mindless golem, mostly immune to my special talents. “Yes, I will have to come personally. Just wait a moment.” I quickly raised my defenses, split my mind, and had Higgins make me invisible in the improved sense before, with a thought, making myself appear in mid-air forty feet away from the Baron’s bedroom window. I quickly flew over and peered inside. Through the glass, I could see a single guard standing by the door, watching the room. I quickly reached out my mind to his, and then carefully erased my existence from his awareness. Thus erased, I slipped inside (after Morwen helpfully unlatched the window) undetected. The desk would be another matter. There were books and a pen and inkwell on top of the desk, so if I lifted the hinged top, those would fall, and if I lifted it too far, in any case, the guard might notice despite my mental intervention. Finally, with Larch’s help, I lifted the top of the desk ever so slightly while holding the books in place and then Morwen flew inside the gap. Hidden in there, wedged between the false top of the desk and the desk surface was a folded up piece of cloth. Morwen the fly could not budge it, and so she flew out and changed her form. Morwen the human handed me a pair of tweezers to use. I carefully pulled the cloth out from the desk, then lowered to false top. We then all exited to the balcony. I recognized the cloth. It was similar to what we used to move the Temple of the Moon Library. It was a portable hole. Unfortunately, we could not open it on the balcony. We needed solid ground. Having already made the mental connection, I gathered up Morwen and Larch and then we all found ourselves standing outside the Temple of the Moon, in the shadow of a large, familiar looking sign proclaiming we were on the site of the secret moon temple. I carefully laid the portable hole upon the ground (after Morwen studied it to make sure we could return it to its previously folded state without tipping off the Baron). Inside was nothing except for a single piece of parchment. Written on it was a short piece of text that appeared to be some sort of code. I handed it to Morwen and she attempted to decipher it, but was unable to. My thoughts turned to Tuvstarr and I was about to attempt to contact her when I remembered: Higgins. “Higgins, I need you. Come here,” I said to him through the mindlink. “Very good, sir,” he said. “No, wait!” I said. “I’ll come to you.” And then with a thought, I was standing in my room at the Baron’s keep with Higgins at my side. “Can you decipher this?” “Very good, sir” he said, and he sat down and quickly read through it. “Yes, I can,” he said. “Quickly, write it all down in common so we can return this paper back to where we found it,” I said and handed him some paper and a pen from my own ample supply. Within two minutes he had completed his copy, and I quickly scanned it before teleporting back to the Temple of the Moon so Morwen could return the paper to the portable hole, fold it how it was, and then we returned to the Baron’s bedroom, through the window, and placed the portable hole back in the desk where we found it. The guard did not appear to notice us. We then returned to our rooms and dressed for the afternoon’s festivities. Soon, this Barony will be mine! As I dressed, I took the time to carefully read what Higgins had deciphered from the writing: “Dear Baron Domino, All is going as planned – the King will be surprised. I am a little concerned about the R. If he can do what he said it will help out more than he knows. If he can not then we may have to wait until next year. Currently, to stay on schedule more funds are needed, please send gold. I am at the Haunted Village location. - Vasscas” Interesting. I wonder who Vasscas is. And I recall the Haunted Village from its mention at the Demonskar Ball. It is a place of undead outside of Cauldron. We’ll probably be heading there next, but first we must meet with the King. But only after the festivities are over. I resolved that we would leave when most of the other nobles leave, the next day. At this point, I was feeling strangely relaxed. We had what we needed here. Soon this Barony would be mine! It must be mine! I felt strangely relaxed and at peace as I thought of this. Which is probably why I did what I did next. Sir Cordozo – Chapter Two-Hundred – I get dirtier than I have ever been After lunch, the first event was the log toss. Kyrnyn jumped right into it, lifting up a log with an impressive show of strength, but timing it wrong, and sending it flying end over end far up into the air, but not very far down the field, going no more than three feet. It apparently is a sport more of timing than brute strength. I began to watch the really good throwers carefully. Then I did the unexpected. I decided to play. My muscles are about as strong as your average bookkeeper. I could barely lift the log. But I hefted it carefully, and timed it as exactly as I could, and then let it loose. I was probably the weakest man on the field. But I must have timed it right. The log went exactly twelve feet, the minimum required to advance to the next round. I could see Kyrnyn fuming about this. Though he need not have fumed long. I barely lifted the log off the ground for round two, and was eliminated. The next event was the log rolling contest. It required rolling on a log on the water with another competitor, and whomever fell off first was the loser. Morwen and I both carefully studied the field before jumping onto our respective logs. I expected to get very wet. Instead, Morwen, nimble of foot, caught a toe on a knot in the wood and fell into the water ahead of her competitor. And somehow, despite my natural clumsiness (barely offset by my weakly magic gloves), I managed to stay on my log and I won against my competitor. Morwen was also disappointed to see me win over her, but she did not fume like Krynyn. Kyrnyn would take out his frustrations in the next event. The golem fight. Kyrnyn again went first. The event was watched carefully by the judges to avoid a challenger’s death and also to avoid destruction of a golem. If it seemed either was apparent within a set period of time, they would call the match and declare a winner. They did not need to watch long with Kyrnyn. Kyrnyn weaved his magic and made himself large and strong, in the image of his god. The iron golem lumbered forward and Kyrnyn, lighting fast, struck four blows, grievously damaging it. The golem struck back two blows of its own, but it was already over. Kyrnyn had done so much so fast to the golem that they called the match almost immediately. Kyrnyn had prevailed! Next to go was Ee. He hefted his axe. He also was quite large in stature, courtesy of Higgins some hours prior to the match. It took Ee only two series of swings with his axe to fell his golem (really the same golem – they repaired them in between competitors). Again, an impressive showing. After watching them, I could not resist. Though I had never faced anything in battle with my own two hands, or even with a weapon, that wasn’t already helpless, it was a challenging prospect. I decided not to use anything but my hands, making it a true contest of brawn. Before I stepped into the ring, I maximized all of my protections and had Higgins provide for me his shield as well, hovering hands-free near me. Then I charged the golem. I was as slow as it was, since I had also made my form look remarkably similar to its own. I changed myself to solid adamantine iron, and advanced upon the golem. Incredibly, I managed to dodge most of its blows as its fists slammed against my many protections. Unfortunately, I was never able to connect with my own fists on the golem. So eventually, it wore me down, though I stood toe to toe with it for probably longer than any other opponent of the day, nearly a full minute, before they called it. It was disappointing not to win, but it was strangely satisfying to stand toe-to-toe with the monstrosity and hold my own for so long. I never would have guessed that the prospect of attaining a Barony would find me so invigorated and relaxed. The last event was a tug of war between two halves of the village. None of us chose to participate. I returned to my room to clean up and change for dinner. I looked forward to a good meal and to the fireworks afterwards. Sir Cordozo – Chapter Two-Hundred One – Dinner is Served There was a play before dinner that was very familiar. It was a shortened form of the play I recently saw in Cauldron, courtesy of Poseidon. As I saw the blue-haired hero of the play save the day from demons yet again, I wondered if the Baron would catch on regarding the lack of blue in my own hair. Or perhaps he would just decide that someone confused the play costume for reality. After the play, dinner was served. This was for nobles only. The commoners were slowly filing out as the play ended, their day over. For the nobles, the maneuvering had just begun. I spent quite a lot of time talking to and impressing nobles from across the Kingdom. Judging from their thoughts, I succeeded. I hope the King will be pleased that the nobility thought me an appropriate representative in his absence. As I ate, I noticed Morwen with an accessory I don’t remember seeing her have before: a date. His name was Fredolo and he seemed rather smitten with Morwen. Morwen herself was dressed up rather fine, something else I was also not used to seeing. Only later did I realize that Ee was not in immediate attendance. Crystal was kind enough to accompany me to dinner. Higgins brought his companion as well. I think he likes her, though it is hard to tell because the corners of his mouth never waver from servant-neutral. I wonder if there is special training for that sort of thing. I have thus far resisted the temptation to ask him (or probe his mind for that matter). After the dinner was the dance. I managed to repeat my Demonskar performance – I was terrible. I will have to take more formal dancing lessons. As the music wound down, and the fireworks reached their crescendo, I heard Ee’s voice in my head. “Cordozo, this me, Ee.” “Yes?” I replied, wondering just what he was up to. “Can you turn invisible?” he asked me, explaining that “Me fly has disappeared during fireworks.” I thought for a moment, then understood what he was talking about. He worse his Celestial Armor to dinner. I know he can fly with it, but only for a short time. Now he must have flown Maxine, his own date, with it to impress her. He was sitting with her on the roof of the keep, watching the fireworks. But now he had no way to get her down. He wanted my help, but he did not want Maxine to know that I had offered it. Ee’s voice came again, insistent. “Me no fly anymore!” “Ok, Ee,” I said, “I will be there shortly.” As I approached, I asked Ee what direction she was facing so I could approach from behind. As I got closer, I quickly slipped my mind into hers and erased my existence from her perception. Then I placed my hand on her shoulder and his and asked Ee to ask her to prepare to allow herself to be transported. “Ee say thank you!” and he did. And then I transported all of us down to the ground before returning to the festivities to say my goodbyes. As I departed, I could hear him explaining to Maxine that “Ee can do lots things!” Crystal joined me and then I retired. I slept well that night. Eventually. Sir Cordozo – Chapter Two-Hundred Two – We Depart, Then I Arrive The next day is when most of the nobles departed. We left with the pack. I took my leave of the Baron. Very Sincerely, I told him that I “Look forward to visiting again soon,” leaving unsaid exactly what made me so eager to return. “Such wonderful representatives,” said the Baron of us, his words dripping with sweetness as always. I looked forward to those sweet words turning bitter in his mouth. I silently hoped that he would take good care of my Barony while I will be absent. I prepared to take several trips back to Cauldron to bring everyone home. It seemed that almost everyone had a new companion. Except for Marcus. And surprisingly, Ee. “Ee love ‘em and leave ‘em,” said Ee when I asked him if he wanted to bring Maxine. I could tell she was already hugely disappointed. She was dripping with grief at the thought of being left behind. She was heartbroken. After my first trip back with Ee and others, I returned to talk to Maxine. “Don’t worry,” I told her, “Ee is just playing hard to get. Would you like to come to Cauldron? I can transport you there, but you need to stay away from Ee for a few days or weeks and you can’t tell him I brought you.” Her eyes lit up at this prospect and she quickly agreed. I gave her 100 gold coins to sustain her in the meanwhile. Also left unfinished was my business with the two servants whose minds were now totally under my dominion. I determined that they were paid close to one gold coin per day, making them very well paid servants. It would be a problem if their domination wore off and then they reported to the Baron what happened. I decided I needed to prepare a special spell, a spell known only to lawyers, known as “the better offer.” But I have a month to make the final arrangements on that. Crystal also accompanied me home. Though I had head of such things, I had never thought to have one. Now I have a psion-Crystal. With everyone home in Cauldron, I then transported myself and Higgins to the Capitol to inform the King of our discovery. Sir Cordozo – Chapter Two-Hundred Three – Royal Welcome I told the King about the note, giving him a copy. I also told him about the troop build ups. King that he was, he took it all ambiguously. “The note is alarming, but could be benign. For all I know it is a surprise birthday gift they are arranging, not a coup. And the troops. Five thousand is a serious problem. But if it is only two thousand, that might not indicate any problem at all.” I heard it in his mind before he even said it. “Go and investigate the note. Go to the Haunted Village. Find this Vasscas. Use appropriate discretion.” My heart was beating fast in my chest. So close. So close to my own real noble title and real grant of land. I quickly took my leave and transported myself and Higgins back to Cauldron. I turned to Higgins. “Now what can you tell me about this Haunted Village?” [/QUOTE]
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Memoirs of a Lawyer turned Dungeoncrawler (Updated May 13, 2008)
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