Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="el-remmen" data-source="post: 151834" data-attributes="member: 11">InterludeMartin sighed and went up to his room in the Golden Plough, and lay in bed considering his options.Snapping awake, he gathered his clothing and brought them downstairs to be laundered.  He then ate a light meal and went to sleep.Osilem, 10th of Dek – 564 H.E.Martin awoke very early the next day, before the sun had come up – and not feeling particularly hungry.He simply sat around for a while and thought, while scratching Thomas, his familiar, under the chin.  After an hour or three spent poring over maps and journals, interspersed with bouts of staring off into the distance, he went downstairs to pick up his laundry and arrange for a bath.  After cleaning and grooming himself, he headed over to the alderman's manor to speak with Silvestri.  It was mid-morning.Martin found the place to be very quiet.  He rang the bell at the gat, and  it took a good ten minutes before Bryce (the younger of the two guards/brothers) to come out."Morning, What can I do for you?"Martin took a deep breath.  Standing tall, he raised his chin slightly and looked the guard straight in the eye.  "Good morning, Bryce," he said, his voice firm.  "I wish to speak to Alderman Silvestri immediately."  As he spoke he brushed at a fold in his robe with one hand, subtly calling attention to the King's medallion."Heh," the replied looking Martin up and down.  "I doubt he'll have time, what with his preparation for the hearing. But I will ask Dormast to inquire." He allowed Martin to enter the gate and led him to the front hall.  The doors beyond into the house proper were open, and the warmth of the large hearth in the chamber beyond feels good. Martin the Green waited about fifteen minutes when Dormast came to retrieve him. "The master will see you in the parlor," the butler said leading the way. ------ The desk against the far wall in the parlor was covered with some books and many scrolls.  The alderman stood and smiled. He turned to Dormast.  "Bring us some tea and something to nibble on, Dormast, and be quick about it." "Martin, good day," Silvestri said. "I pray you are finding your stay at the Golden Plough to be satisfactory." Martin nodded.  "Thank you, Alderman Silvestri," he replied, "my stay has been satisfactory.  It must, however, be brief.  I shall be leaving town at noon, and I shall require an escort.  You will make two of your guardsmen available to me for the journey to Twelve Trolls and back."The alderman looked at Martin with a raised eyebrow of incredulousness. "You presume to tell me what to do? Your own position in all of this is not exactly clear, so perhaps you should  step lightly." Martin blinked. "I am entirely aware of my position in this  matter," Martin said. "I am the eyes and ears of His Majesty Brevelan III in  the Alder-villages of Gothanius. And I have a great deal to report. You should appreciate this; your fellow Aldermen have spoken well of your intelligence and flexibility." The alderman smiled again. Martin's palms were already growing sweaty on his staff, but he carefully controlled his breathing. "Please sit," the alderman suggested. "I will be unable to spare even one guard right now, let  alone two, but perhaps in a few days, after the  hearing and we know better the future of your  companions, I may be able to spare two or even  more." Dormast brought in a tray of tea and biscuits. "Ah," said Martin. He cast a brief glance at the butler, then continued. "I fear, Alderman, that you misunderstand the situation.  They will not be tried here. It stands for His Majesty to determine their fate." "That is for me to determine once I have heard the evidence. I still have jurisdiction over my lands and the people found within their bounds, at least last I checked. Perhaps, I will send them to 12 Trolls, perhaps it is too small a matter to bother the  king with. We shall see." The butler poured two cups of tea, bowed and left. "Mister Silvestri. I have received clear and unambiguous instructions from the capital that His Majesty requires a service of these specific individuals. While he may not yet be aware of the situation here, he shall surely be made aware of it in my report. At that point, I am sure that he will take an interest in resolving the situation. And His Majesty's authority exceeds yours within this jurisdiction... at least, last I checked."  Martin had to concentrate to keep his lip from quivering. "Well, then if that is the case I suggest you delay your leaving and present your evidence at  the hearing in two days time. Of course, no matter what happens - one of your companions, the half-breed, is still at large and wanted for assaulting the town guard -  a very serious offense." Martin shook his head. "The half-breed is hardly relevant here, as he is not in custody. As to the rest, I shall return from Twelve Trolls immediately after my audience with His Majesty. I would recommend that you suspend your hearing until the King has had the opportunity to determine what is to be done with them. I shall not force you to act one way or the other..." He shrugged. "His Majesty's authority only extends so far as the loyalty of his subjects. Isn't that so, Alderman?" "Aye, But one must wonder at the loyalty of those who are not his subjects, and their agendas." The alderman cleared his throat "Go if you like, but you gain no escort from me at this time. The safety of Ogre's Bluff  comes first, and with all the strange occurrences  lately, I prefer to get all my ducks in a row and take my decisions one at a time. While your letter and seal oblige me to aid you, they do not oblige me at the expense of my original charge. I would suggest that instead you exercise some patience and common sense." Martin shrugged again. "I understand your desire to assure your town's safety. I respect that. So I shall travel to Twelve Trolls alone. As to those you hold prisoner, I can only suggest that you show restraint until you have learned the will of your sovereign in this matter." "One would almost assume that you do not trust me to be an impartial judge in this matter. Perhaps I should order you to remain in Ogre's Bluff so that I may hear your testimony, and so that I will also likely save your life from a reckless journey alone across the kingdom, when you can make it more safely in a few days time, and with my blessing." After a long pause the alderman added, "But i will not do so."  Martin looked down at the tea and biscuits, and felt no desire to have any.  He realized that he had skipped breakfast as well.  "Thank you, Alderman. I shall return in a few days' time. I trust that, in the interim, you will act appropriately. Good day," Martin’s face returns to his normal  pinched and annoyed look. "Fare well, I trust your sorcerous abilities will keep you safe on the road and help you find the way," The alderman said, and Martin nodded. "I shall endeavor to protect myself, though I should be glad of the loan of a steady horse." "When are you leaving?" the alderman asked. "By noon if possible, though I am willing to wait a few hours, if necessary, to acquire a mount." "Well, the only horse I can spare you just returned from a hurried trip to Summit at my behest. Perhaps if you can delay your departure until tomorrow mid-morning or noon at the latest. It is almost noon right now." Martin smiled. "Thank you, Alderman. I shall depart as soon as the horse is fit to travel." "I will have it brought to the inn tomorrow, by noon,” the alderman said. Martin sighed. "Alderman Silvestri, I cannot brook any unnecessary delay. If you would be so kind, please have the horse brought to the inn this evening, so that it may be ready to bear me off tomorrow morning." He smiled again, thinly. "I shan't run the poor beast into the ground, I promise." "I prefer to keep my horses in my own stables, thank you. One wonders whether they took any time to teach you to be thankful in that Academy of yours," He he seems really angry now. "The horse will be brought over at my convenience and that of my servants, not a moment sooner. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to finish preparing for the hearing." "Very well," said Martin with a shrug. "As you will. Thank you for your hospitality, Alderman Silvestri. As to your... business... I hope it was worth it. Good day." Martin turned and walked to the door. He was seen out by the butler who was waiting outside the door.Martin headed back to the Golden Plough, and managed to make it a good thirty yards down the road before he started hyperventilating.  “Wow,” he thought.  “The hyperventilating didn’t last so long this time.” Back at the inn, Martin asked the innkeeper whether anyone in town might have a horse for sale, rent or trade. "Could be," Wilson replied, laconically. "I'll send a boy around to inquire." After a long pause, "How much you willing to pay?" "That depends on the quality of the horse. I only want to travel to Twelve Trolls and back, so renting a horse would be best, if possible. I'll be in my room if you hear anything." Martin smiled, friendlily. "Thank you, Wilson." "Tis nothing," the innkeeper replied. "Will you be having lunch in the common room or should I send something up?" "No need," says Martin. "The Alderman already offered me food and drink. Most hospitable of him, really." Wilson nodded and went back to his business------------------Martin went up to his room, and spent the afternoon looking over his maps and his journal and his spell book.  He finally took the time to cast the Comprehend Languages he had prepared from his recently regained spellbook, and translate the names of places and features on his map that he had traced over in elven.  Labels like “City of Ash”, “Dragon Spires of Death” and “Little Folk” piqued his interest. The day waned.  The shadows grew long, and still he felt no fatigue and not a bit of food or drink had passed his lips.  He had been laying awake in bed for over an hour when he realized, Lacan’s Demise had kicked in!  (113)Martin leapt out of bed, relit a candle and sat to pour over his spells, maps and journals some more.--------------------------------------------------------Notes(113) DM’s Note: Lacan’s Demise is the name of the ring that eliminates all need for food and drink after it is worn for one full week, and as long as it remains on.  It also grants a +4 enhancement bonus to Constitution from the moment it is put on.</blockquote>

Verification