Birthright Chapter Eight

[ewancummins]

TORTHUR,cont.


Turning round in the alley that runs from street to street behind the bakery, Torthur sees three men in armor jacks with truncheons coming up on him.

The dwarf recognizes one of them; a short, flabby-faced man with greasy hair and rotten teeth.He had seen this man earlier this morning while looking through the wagon bars as he was taken into the the bear baiting arena.

The man speaks-
"Look here, dung-eater, did you steal our bears?"

Torthur looks them up and down, arms folded across his barrelled chest. "Scuse me? I ain stealed nuthin. An seconly, ye gots it all wrong. I be a rock eater. I'm jes' ere with me friend Clyde, mindin me own business. I seed some bears eatin some bread back that way if ye lost em. Now, if I was you, I'd go bother some other citizen, else Clyde eats yer all, one by one. I give ye fair chance now."

The ugly man snorts.

"Whatever you say, rock-sucker. Just get out of our way while we fetch those three bears back to the arena where they belong."

The other men unpack chains from a burlap sack.

[steveflam]

"Clyde, now!" Torthur rushes the men even as he unsheathes his axes.

[steveflam]

CLYDE & TORTHUR IN THE ALLEY

The three men, thinking Torthur was going to back down, are surprised by both he and the black bear attacking! The dwarf moves in quickly, but is too overconfident and his right arm and wrist slice awkwardly, scoring a gash across the man's chest. The bear is luckier.
Not liking the look of these men he snarls and in three fast moves, paw slice, biting his neck and a bear hug, crushes him, breaking his back.

One man, nervous and afraid, wets himself and turns to run. The other makes to run as well. Torthur catches the second man, the talking one across the back with two mighty axe slashes. The man drops dead. Clyde swats the other man and hugs him, knocking him out.

Torhtur makes sure they are undiscovered and grabs each man, placing them in very rude positions amongst themselves. HE ties them up afterwards, the dead man to the two unconscious. Looking out one side of the alley he nods at Clyde and heads out, trying to keep to the
alleys and dark areas.

[ewancummins]

TORTHUR AND CLYDE, MOVING THROUGH THE BACK ALLEYS AND SHADY SIDE STREETS OF LOFTON




Leaving the hungry bears at the bakery (they will probably leave after finishing off the food there) Torthur makes his way towards the brothel, staying away from the streets and courtyards where people have begun to gather or pass by on morning business.

…


Checking his hand-drawn map, given him by Atli, Torthur’s confirms that this large two story house, stonework on the lower floor and half-timber on the upper floor, stands where the map has an X mark and the block letters-
HOUSE OF SILK
The dwarf notes a sign hanging out front depicting multicolored rolls of cloth.
He also notes what appears to be a storm cellar or maybe an unusually large coalbin door set in the lower stone section, facing into a dark alleyway to the west of the building front and main door.

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

WATCH HQ

Roald smiles. "I've been up to some shenanigans while you were out of the city." He points at the scar on Renn's face. "I see your trip up North was eventful."

"Ha." He involuntarily touches the sword-scar. "Eventful enough. So word has not spread of how I slew Baron Lynwerd in single combat? Well, we'll have to make that change." Renn briefly related the trial by combat and the subsequent battle. "We brought some of the best of those fighters back with us. They'll make good additions to the watch."

"How has your training gone? Left my boys more or less in one piece, I see. And what of your expeditionary force?"

[ewancummins]

FOERDE AT HOME IN ELEVESNEMIERE

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Foerde sits on his porch this clear and breezy morning, rocking in in his rocking chair and whittling a stick. His tame bobcat, Riordan, suns itself nearby, stretched out on the planks.

Gael plays in the yard in front of the little cottage, where wildflowers push up through the green grass. The black haired eight year old rushes about swinging a slender willow branch like a sword, pretending to fight goblins.

[Varrus the Ethical]

WATCH HQ

"Ha." He involuntarily touches the sword-scar. "Eventful enough. So word has not spread of how I slew Baron Lynwerd in single combat? Well, we'll have to make that change." Renn briefly related the trial by combat and the subsequent battle. "We brought some of the best of those fighters back with us. They'll make good additions to the watch."

"How has your training gone? Left my boys more or less in one piece, I see. And what of your expeditionary force?"

Roald smiles. "The first raid was quite successful. Which I think you're aware of. I assume you received that little package of mine?"

[RocEter]

FOERDE AT HOME IN ELEVESNEMIERE

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Foerde sits on his porch this clear and breezy morning, rocking in in his rocking chair and whittling a stick. His tame bobcat, Riordan, suns itself nearby, stretched out on the planks.

Gael plays in the yard in front of the little cottage, where wildflowers push up through the green grass. The black haired eight year old rushes about swinging a slender willow branch like a sword, pretending to fight goblins.

As Foerde sits on the porch whittling a stick and watching Gael pretend to fight goblins, an idea forms in his head. Setting the stick and the knife down he stands and moves from the porch. "I'll be in the back, you holler if any one comes this way." He says to Gael.

Walking around the side of the cottage, along a little stone path, he goes to the shed where he keeps his carpentry supplies and tools. Unlocking it he opens the door and begins to search through it to see has the materials for a little project.

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

OUTSIDE WATCH HQ

"That I did. News of your success was a bright spot in troubled times. And I think there may be more opportunities on the horizon. Now that the goblins have been cleared from the North, I see no obligation to continue with the Imperial Temple's truce." Not that he'd payed much attention to it before, but then Lynwerd and his dogs had been the invaders. "And I think the Archprelate might forgive my next target."

"Word is that the Jewel of Saramie has been funding Alam's war movement. Their priests are a pack of faithless merchant-bedding curs. They have more gold than sense. I propose we find a way to balance that equation. After all, depriving those trader-priests of their coffers would only help His Grace's cause, no?"

[Varrus the Ethical]

Roald pursed his lips and rubbs his beard. "The Archprelate said something similar to me a few weeks ago. And I'll say to you the same thing I said to him. I think it's a bad idea to attack a temple, even one as venal as the Jewel. Holy wars have a way of resulting from such things. And that's the last thing Tournen needs."

He begins rubbing his hands, "Which is not to say that I haven't been thinking of ways to hurt Carlion's war effort. He's greatly indebted his house trying to finance his war. I think it would be more effcient, and safer, to destroy Carlion's ablity to pay his debts rather than to attack his creditors. If we make it obvious to the that House Alam will not be able to pay them back, then they may decide to stop supporting him. Without their gold, Alamie's warmachine collapses."

[VAN]

FILBERT, HAES

At Caer Haes, Filbert is greeted by castle servants who inform him that Duke Devlin has come home last night.

As Filbert heard that the Duke is back he immediately asks to meet him as soon as possible to tell him about his mission. He would have plenty of time to rest later, for now informing Devlin is first priority for the new lord.

[ewancummins]

DEVLIN & FILBERT

FILBERT, HAES

At Caer Haes, Filbert is greeted by castle servants who inform him that Duke Devlin has come home last night.

As Filbert heard that the Duke is back he immediately asks to meet him as soon as possible to tell him about his mission. He would have plenty of time to rest later, for now informing Devlin is first priority for the new lord.

A page escorts Filbert to the ducal suite to give a private report to Devlin.

[ewancummins]

TORTHUR

THE HOUSE OF SILK



The dwarf forces open the barred cellar door without making too much noise, just a dry groan of splintering wood. If he closes the door carefully and does it no further damage, it might not appear busted to a casual observer.

Looking down the opening, he sees a short, broad stairway descending into a darkened storage room.

With a little coaxing, he gets Clyde to amble down into the cellar.


Once down in the dark himself, Torthur is able to see by dwarf-sight. This place holds casks of drink, crates of dry goods, and well-stocked larder.

Clyde unhooks a fat ham hanging from the ceiling, carries the meat to a corner where some blankets are heaped, and lays down for a leisurely meal.

Torthur spots a wooden staircase in the far end of the cellar, leading up to a trap door.
He could perhaps sneak into the brothel that way, or just go back up and use the front door like an ordinary customer.

[VAN]

Devlin & Filbert

Filbert waits for the young Duke to arrive at the ducal suite, he is glad he will not have to do his briefing in front of all the court. The halfling still has to know how to be a lord and how to speak properly in public and to those that actually take decisions. Even if was a fool for long time he knows that now he has to earn the respect of those that he use to amuse with his pranks and jokes only few months ago. But since is tired and has a lot to say is always better for him speak in private with Devlin and actually be himself and not "Lord Filbert, the ambassador".

When Devlin enters at the ducal suite Filbert bows and smiles when sees the young Duke still in one piece after the encounter with the Black Tower men and the goblins.

"I'm glad you're attack against the goblins and the others was a success Your Grace. I would like to hear about your adventures when we have some time even if I'm sure ballads will be only written about it and bards already sing about how the brave men of Tuors and Ghonallison pushed the enemies away of the land."

Filbert gets a moment of silence imagining the battle, even if he wasn't there he feels the same proud to be part of Devlin's men. Shaking his head to get back in reality he continues:

"I tried to accomplish my mission as better and faster as I could Your Grace. I decided to go to Seaharrow first and meet the Archduke Aareic Boeruine. To do that I spend a fair amount of time in Shadow Realm."

Filbert makes a another pause but this time was because of the chill he feels and the cold sweat as thinking the horrible moments he passed at the Shadow world.

"Anyway, the trip was fortunately uneventful and I arrived in Boeruine in no time. There I rest a day in village and departed soon after for Seaharrow. Was lucky enough and encountered a caravan that was going the same way so I had some company at the road and more important I felt safer. Once at the city, I asked a meeting with the Archduke. I didn't have to wait much for an audience with him and his court. I explained them the situation about the war and showed them the letters. His reply was exactly this one:
“If Duke Devlin recognizes my rightful claim to the Iron Throne and accepts me as his liege-lord, I will aid him against his foes, goblins and men alike. If not, I will continue to help the Tuors against the Manslayer, as in the past, but I can’t do more for him. I have to think of the good of my bannermen and my lands, first. If he joins me, then he becomes part of ‘first.’"

Filbert makes another pause so his words sank in.

"He seems a really powerful man Your Grace, a really good ally I think and I bet his has a strong army as well. But I'm not a counselor, I'm sure you have better men to advice you. Anyway, after couple days spend in Boeruine I took a ship for Avanil. After several days I finally arrived at the princely palace in Daulton where after a brief delay, I was granted a private audience with Prince Darien of House Avan. I told the price same things I said to Archduke, and I may say his response was slightly different, he seems more willing to help, maybe too willing if I may say... Here are his exact words:
“I would be much pleased to aid His Grace. Friendship and good feeling between our two realms is of great importance to me. An alliance could be concluded on terms satisfactory to both parties, I should think. Please inform your master that it is my strong desire to bring peace and order to the lands of Anuire, and that I hope that he will help me do just that.”

"After the audience I spend a couple days in Daunton try to get some intelligence about how people about the war, if are trustworthy or will back off at the first difficulty. I did same thing in Boeruine as well, but just found out from two clerics of the Northern Imperial Temple of Haelyn that the Archduke is supposedly allergic to wasp stings. They were discussing this in an alcove. However, in Daulton, I learnt fair more important things. Prince Darien has been meeting secretly with men from Alamie, according to a talkative page. Rumors flying around court have it that the Prince means to obtain the fealty of both Tuornen and Alamie, by some devious scheme. Some say that Carilon has already secretly pledged his support, and that Avanil may soon invade southern Tuornen after a 'border incident'."

Filbert makes a last pause in order to give Devlin some time to get the conspiracy.

"You need to be very careful Your Grace, I know that is only a rumor but from my experience they use to come through very often. Maybe need to send there someone more experienced than me to gather more information. Anyway after getting all the info I wanted I decided that was time to come back to Haes, was curious to know how the war was going, even if the news of your victory has arrived to Avanil as well."

[Adam]

"Hmm," he says, scratching his beard thoughtfully. "Well, keep an ear to the ground. If ye hear o' any o' them movin' in, let me know. They don' sound like they have the word o' Aeric in their intentions."

With that, he speaks with Dietric briefly regarding the construction projects before leaving to see to counting and stashing the money.