Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.
Enchanted Trinkets Complete--a hardcover book containing over 500 magic items for your D&D games!

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Sir Kendrik" data-source="post: 142707" data-attributes="member: 123">The Saga continuesSolday 18 Storing 1353 Back in the present… The entourage was but an hour or so out of the village of Axbridge when Br Arton called Callin over to the carriage. “Callin ride ahead to Axbridge and inform Sir Kendrik of our impending arrival” Callin nodded and took off on his trusty light war horse ‘Shadow’ After a short ride Callin crossed the old stone bridge with stone great axes at each corner that gave the village its name. Callin rode up to the Manor past the slowly assembling honour guard. He glanced around at his old hometown as he rode, recognising the people he grew up with. Pulling his horse up at the manor gates, he slowly rode into the courtyard. Callin spied the young stable boy Derek, a rough and tumble cheeky little boy, not unlike Callin as a child. Callin ordered Derek to stable his horse, flicking him a copper piece, which Derek grabbed with a big smile on his face. Callin strode towards the entrance of the manor, but was stopped by a soldier who promptly asked who he was and what was his business. The soldier was young Laren who was now, along with Gerath and Themas employed by Sir Kendrik. “Could you tell Sir Kendrik that Narsis is here to see him” said Callin with a smug look on his face, pleased that Laren did not recognise him. The soldier went to alert Sir Kendrik and reappeared a moment later and asked Callin to follow him. “I knew it was you!” exclaimed Sir Kendrik pointing a finger at his best friend before he let out a hearty laugh once the young rogue arrived in the great hall. . “My Lord, I thought you had worked that out when I last saw you.” Replied Callin with a smile on his face. “So Callin, how are you exactly?” continued Sir Kendrik “I am fine my lord. I have come here to let you know that Lady Elanor and the rest of the entourage will be here within the hour,” Callin stated. “But first I must tell you that there was an incident on the way” “Please tell me that Lady Elanor is safe!” The young knight pleaded. “And what of the others? What exactly happened, Callin?” “Sir Kendrik, Lady Elanor is safe. No harm came to her, but Sir Brand was cursed by a goblin. Fortunately, Br Arton was able to remove it.” Callin continued retelling the ambush but Sir Kendrik was just pleased to hear that all were safe and sound and on their way. “My Lord, may I suggest you get yourself ready Lady Elanor is but 30 minutes away. The way you smell and look would not be suitable for her welcoming! You really smell foul today Sir Kendrik, and your beard is so messy, as are your clothes!” teased the rogue, knowing that his gullible friend would believe every word. Sir Kendrik just looked puzzled as he had only bathed that morn and couldn’t work out how his new clothes could have become unclean. “If you say so Callin. I will have Lucinda draw me a bath. I wish to look my best for My Lady” said Sir Kendrik heading towards the stairs “Laren, show Callin the way out. See you in 30 minutes Callin” as Sir Kendrik scooted up the stairs to get ready. Laren directed Callin to the exit but Callin told him that he already knew the way out. Laren ignored Callin making sure that he followed his lord instructions fully. When the Entourage finally crossed over the bridge the honour guard that Sir Kendrik had organised had been joined by many of the villagers who waved at their new Lady and her entourage as it made its way up toward her new home. Young Relen rushed to Sir Kendrik and told him that the entourage had arrived. In an instant, Sir Kendrik who was pacing in front of the Great Hall fireplace, rushed to the manor gate to welcome his bride. The carriage pulled up to the gate just as Gerath opened it to allow his lord clear passage. Sir Kendrik quickly dropped to one knee and bowed his head. With Sir Kendrik and his household staff bowing and curtsying in respect for the honoured guests, Baron Althor dismounted from his grey destrier and walked to the carriage door, opened it and helped his daughter out of the carriage. She took his hand and stood next to her father. Next to be escorted out was Baron Aldred’s daughter, Lady Sharra, followed by Lady Elanor’s young handmaiden Lady Tianna. Last to alight from the carriage was a man dressed from head to foot in black with the holy symbol of Pelor on the hood that covered his face, the man only being able to see out of eye-slits. Kendrik with his head still bowed strained to see who had come out and was concerned at seeing a person wearing the attire of a member of the Holy Inquisition standing next to Lady Tianna. “It is a great honour to have you all here at my humble home” Sir Kendrik declared, head still bowed, giving those assembled due respect. “I have longed for this day to see you again, My Lady. I trust that the journey was not too taxing for you?” “My Lord, thank you for your kind welcome, it was most pleasant” replied Lady Elanor “Yes, it was a very gruelling trip, it has taken much out of me” “My Lady, I will arrange for Tonya to draw a bath for you so you can refresh yourself?” Sir Kendrik said beckoning the bailiff’s wife to escort Lady Elanor inside “Lady Sharra, Lady Tianna, I will arrange for Relen and Lucinda to escort you so you can freshen up also” The two young ladies nodded and thanked Sir Kendrik for his kind offer and the young daughters of the bailiff showed the ladies inside. “My Lord,” Kendrik turned his attentions to the Baron “I can have a bath drawn for you also if you desire it?” “A warm fire and something to drink will suffice, Sir Kendrik” replied Baron Althor. “Let us retire to the Great hall then, My Lord.” Sir Kendrik ushered the men assembled inside where Sir Kendrik made his guests welcome and comfortable, catching up on the goings on in Clyster and of course chatting about the impending nuptials. Sir Kendrik ordered the bailiff, Notker Donnellson, to arrange for a welcome feast for that evening. Once everyone was refreshed and relaxed the feast began. Sir Kendrik, eager to show his new found skills as a host and Lord of the Manor, had made sure that those present were seated in order of the respect their position held. At the high table, which seated 12, Sir Kendrik had arranged the seating as follows. In the middle of the high table was Sir Kendrik, to his left, his betrothed Lady Elanor, to his right, Baron Althor, to Lady Elanor’s left was her best friend and confidant, Lady Sharra, looking radiant as ever. To the left of Baron Althor was Sir Kendrik’s father, the local blacksmith, Lars Korricsen. Lars is a broad shouldered, muscularly built man like his son Sir Kendrik, but not as tall, he is balding with a bushy salt and pepper moustache, which joins with his sideburns. To the left of Lady Sharra was her suitor, Sir Brand, a tall man with an impressive athletic build, the pride of all Borderlund. To the right of Kendrik’s father was Callin, dressed in his best for the occasion. To Sir Brand’s left was Br Arton, looking a little less threatening with his hood down. Placed next to Callin was Kendrik’s maternal grandfather, Masterharper Keenan Callaghan. Keenan is in his mid sixties but is very spritely for his age. He keeps his hair long, maybe a bit too long for someone of his age and speaks in a strong Airelysh brogue. Friar Leo was sitting next to Br Arton. Leo is a halfling who seems preoccupied with his own thoughts, most of the time. If the subject matter has anything to do with magic he is almost worked into a frenzy. Next to Leopold at the end was Marban, the tall Airelysh tracker who had befriended Sir Kendrik and done some work for the young knight. All of the town elders were invited and sat at the lower tables along with the household knights that had travelled with the entourage. Much to Kendrik’s brother Froderik’s disgust he was banished to the low tables along with his wife Lucinda, and through the course of the evening shot menacing glances at Sir Kendrik for his obvious snub. The feast was a substantial one with roast lamb and duck served with a myriad of roasted vegetables. There was plenty of merry making as the food was served and capped off with a delicious dessert of sweet cakes made from the finest apples in all of Penlyhn. Once Sir Kendrik had his fill, the food was removed and the harpers struck up their instruments. Sir Kendrik took his Lady’s hand and led her to the dance floor where they danced to a spritely jig, one no doubt created by Keenan himself. Keenan is one of the most renowned composers in the Misty Isles, something he is very modest about. Soon, the rest of the feasters joined the betrothed on the dancefloor. While the dancing continued Br Arton took Sir Kendrik aside for a moment and asked if he could get the others together for a discussion after the feast ended, Sir Kendrik nodded and returned to the festivities. Br Arton then went over to his mentor, Fr Bretwald, the parish priest in Axbridge. Br Arton had noticed how old and frail Fr Bretwald had become since Br Arton left Axbridge. “Father, you do not look well.” Stated Br Arton with a concerned tone. “Yes Br Arton I am finding it harder to keep up with what is needed these days” replied the frail father “And the church is unlikely to send me any relief any time soon” “Surely Br Otto can help. He will take over soon?” asked Br Arton “He is not ready, Brother. Nor is he likely to be ready any time soon.” said a resigned Fr Bretwald. “Axbridge is showing signs of prospering with the ground work young Sir Kendrik has started. However the harvest wasn’t as large as hoped and we will have to see how the village copes with the regular raids in the winter.” Fr Bretwald sighed, “I fear that our young lord is still too much like the son of the blacksmith I saw grow up” “Father, I pray that he will never loses those qualities.” Replied Br Arton. “Sir Kendrik will do much good for Axbridge. Father I will not take up anymore of your time, I shall see you tomorrow.” Br Arton quietly left the feast and headed for the church. The church was dark but for the odd lit candle. Br Arton was looking for his fellow brother, Otto. The two clerics chatted for a while with a bitter Br Otto accusing Br Arton of taking his chance at a life. Br Otto blamed Arton for his miserable life in a forgotten village. When Br Arton asked if he wanted to replace Fr Bretwald, Br Otto replied that he will not shirk his responsibilities. Br Arton began to realise that he was getting nowhere left Br Otto and returned to the manor for the meeting. When the last of the revellers retired for the evening the remaining heroes gathered around the fireplace that warmed the great hall and began to talk about several issues. Sir Kendrik was sitting in his favourite chair with his friends, Br Arton, Callin, Marban and the newcomer Friar Leopold gathered around. As they sipped on mulled wine Br Arton instructed Callin to hand Sir Kendrik the scroll that the dark knight had delivered for Sir Kendrik at the ambush. Sir Kendrik unrolled the scroll and began to read it “But what does it mean Brother?” quizzed the young knight “What does Magda mean by handfasting? Is it some kind of curse?” “No, My Lord. It is an Old Ways tradition where a couple agree to live as man and wife for a year and a day before deciding whether to marry or not” replied Br Arton. “Oh, I see.” Said Sir Kendrik “My Lord, I fear that both yourself and Lady Elanor have become targets for Magda’s wrath. She is clearly not pleased that we have delayed her plans” “Tell me more about these plans and who this Magda is?” ordered the young knight. Br Arton went on to out line what he had discovered during his journey to Covanant and what he had read in the great library there. He told of the Legion gods, especially Virakas, and informed his friends of some dire news. Brother Arton cleared his throat and then recited; Beyond the Walls of Mist, At the End of the World, The blood-soaked god awaits dreaming, In his prison of frozen reflections. His freedom locked hidden, By the children of the martyred god, In the fist of true death. With darkness crawling, The key is revealed, And the blood-soaked god dreams no more. This prophecy unsettled the heroes. Sir Kendrik said that he didn’t understand it but they must stop this from happening. Br Arton then went on to say that he believes that through the clues that the key mentioned referred to Perdita Mortua. Br Arton believed that Varakis is kept in his prison in the frozen north of the Misty Isles and more than likely Perdita Mortua has been taken there to help unlock him. Callin chimed in and said that the group had more important and immediate things to worry about than that. “What about Sir Bron and Magda’s plans to have him marry Lady Sharra and become King.” Said the rogue, “Surely that is a more immediate threat” “I am not sure of that Callin” retorted Br Arton “I am not sure I would like the idea of Varakis, the god of murder and bloodshed walking this land, killing and butchering as he goes” Sir Kendrik was torn between the two arguments, seeing the import in both. “What else does anyone know about the plans of Sir Bron and Magda?” asked Sir Kendrik. Callin and Br Arton filled the young knight in as best they could on what they had found out. Magda wishes to have the church of Pelor banished from the Misty Isles and return the Old Ways to prominence. The way Magda has planned this is to have Sir Bron claim the throne and marry Lady Sharra. It was found that Sir Bron could trace his ancestry back on his mother’s side to High King Vallandar’s half brother Morgrid, while Lady Sharra could trace hers back also on her mother’s side to Queen Arianrod, High King Vallandar’s widow. Magda believes that if she could organise this union an issue would have the right to be crowned the one True King. The child would be too young to rule itself, so Sir Bron would be able to act as regent and do Magda’s bidding. “Looks like you chose the wrong bride, Sir Kendrik” chortled Marban as his slapped the young knight on the back. “Marban, I have married for love not position!” Snapped Sir Kendrik, casting a steely stare and showing his disapproval of the comment. “But you could be King if you married Lady Sharra” added Marban “Sir Kendrik could never be King, Marban” spoke Br Arton “Lady Sharra does not have the only claim to the throne” “Why doesn’t Baron Aldred claim the throne?” Marban added “Baron Aldred has no line to the throne himself, so will not claim it”. Sir Kendrik mentioned “His brother-in-law Duke Carnasse does however, and if need be the Baron would support that claim.” The conversation dragged on for sometime with a kind of agreement made that the Br Arton, Callin and Friar Leo escort the Lady Sharra back to Heron Castle. Then they would return to the mound they had found in the Fairwood and investigate it further. Once they did that they would return to Axbridge to plan the retrieval of Perdita Mortua. The time spent returning Lady Sharra and the investigation of the mound would give the newly weds a chance to have some time together before Sir Kendrik would leave for the quest. It was very late now and Callin, tired of all the talk and planning, wished his good nights to all and was escorted away by one of the soldiers. The others followed soon after as the next day would be long.</blockquote>

Verification