Birthright: The Worm's Supper, Chapter Three

[RocEter]

Searchers

The Bard gathers her things and follows the party, staying close to Sir Boarhart and does her to keep her distance and features concealed from the Elf Hunters.

[ewancummins]

SEARCHERS


Leather-Face and the other strangers lead the party through the woods to a camp only a couple of miles distant.
Tents dyed green and brown rise here and there amidst a flattish stretch of ground dotted with pine and oak.
Someone has hung green pine branches over the ridge poles of all the tents.
Not all the oaks here have shed leaves, so amid the green needles and bare brown bark, patches of red and orange color the little valley of the campsite.
Counting the tents requires spotting them all. Cormac and his friends notice at least a dozen of the enclosures, and might have missed numerous others if those stand further away from the path the hunters take them down.
As they pass through this thinly forested area, they may notice eyes peering at them from bushes and behind tent flaps. Human faces appear now and then, some smeared with earth or ash.
Even the trees here seem to watch.

Leather-Face guides into an area where trees grow bigger and stand closer together.

Men in leather and padded armor, carrying bows and long knives, appear to the party's left. Maybe twenty; it's hard to say, as they keep partly hidden.
Arrows knocked.

Leather-Face and his band move away from the party.

None of these woodsmen speaks at all.
Everyone watches the party.

And then a big man in acid browned plate and mail steps from behind an oak that still carries leaves. He grins though his bushy red beard.
"Welcome."
The man leans on an axe so long handled and large-bladed that it must take both hands to wield, unless he is even stronger than he looks.

[Varrus the Ethical]

Searchers


"Good morning, good sir. I am Sir Roald." He bows slightly and smiles at the man, aggravating his wounded cheek, causing him to wince a little.

"You have the look of a leader about you. Would I be correct in assuming you're in charge of this fine outfit?"

[VAN]

Filbert and Devlin

"As you prefer Your Grace. I don't know if you are aware but Lady Domenica Barilla and I was asked by Archprelate to investigate if there will be anyone that might cause troubles or even try anything against you during your wedding. So I have thought to infliltrate a thieves guild and gather information. This guild is in the basement of the inn the Three Penny, a Crone seems to be the inn's owner. The gang's leader is called Terem and isn't a really bright one, mostly a pawn. He told me that many guards of the Watch are bribed which confirms what Termelan said. Terem hasn't told me who he is getting orders from, but said that is a man. He and the gang took part in last night attacks, they were those in hoods, and Terem was sure that the Watch will not be a problem as infact it wasn't. Their plan was to attack the Alamiens of Riverside he claimed that he wanted to give them a lesson so they leave Tuornen but I don't know if this is true or there are others motives. As part of the gang I have a hood as well, obviously I did nothing. As we were outside at the Rivergate we saw people claim that they were poisoned and claimed Alamiens did it. Then a fuss started and I left them heading to the Watch. I believed that the poisoning was truth and wanted to call help but maybe it was just an excuse to start a riot. I don't know what to believe anymore. Anyway once at the Watch a gang member named Milo saw me so I couldn't tell much to the Watch only that was poisoned people near White Heart. Next day I send a message to Sergeant Gilly, the one that Captain Rennault has told me once that is honorable and he is trusted him. Since Captain Rennault trusts him I do to, in that letter I told him that the Watch is bribed and about the Three Penny and Terem. Today after Termelan was taken I was going to find Sir Gunnar and near the Watch I was attacked by thugs with hoods that have also put the Watch building on fire. I was lucky Lady Safana was there to make us both invisible with a spell so we manage to survive till reinforcement came to help us and drive the hooded thugs away. Then your messanger arrived."

[ewancummins]

SEARCHERS

Searchers


"Good morning, good sir. I am Sir Roald." He bows slightly and smiles at the man, aggravating his wounded cheek, causing him to wince a little.

"You have the look of a leader about you. Would I be correct in assuming you're in charge of this fine outfit?"

The armored man makes a shallow bow in return, leaning over his axe.
"I'm Sir Eglemore. Some call me the Brown Knight."
He laughs. "Better than Redbeard Robber, eh?"
The man raises one hand and motions to encompass the whole party. "If I thought that you were spies of the Elf, you'd all be dead by now. You can relax. I don't mean you any harm." He lets his gaze linger on Nyisiendre ( hood or no hood). "Still, it would be best if one of you stays with the woman at all times while with us. My men have rough manners and there are but few females here. And none like this maid , I'll wager."

[ewancummins]

Filbert and Devlin

"As you prefer Your Grace. I don't know if you are aware but Lady Domenica Barilla and I was asked by Archprelate to investigate if there will be anyone that might cause troubles or even try anything against you during your wedding. So I have thought to infliltrate a thieves guild and gather information. This guild is in the basement of the inn the Three Penny, a Crone seems to be the inn's owner. The gang's leader is called Terem and isn't a really bright one, mostly a pawn. He told me that many guards of the Watch are bribed which confirms what Termelan said. Terem hasn't told me who he is getting orders from, but said that is a man. He and the gang took part in last night attacks, they were those in hoods, and Terem was sure that the Watch will not be a problem as infact it wasn't. Their plan was to attack the Alamiens of Riverside he claimed that he wanted to give them a lesson so they leave Tuornen but I don't know if this is true or there are others motives. As part of the gang I have a hood as well, obviously I did nothing. As we were outside at the Rivergate we saw people claim that they were poisoned and claimed Alamiens did it. Then a fuss started and I left them heading to the Watch. I believed that the poisoning was truth and wanted to call help but maybe it was just an excuse to start a riot. I don't know what to believe anymore. Anyway once at the Watch a gang member named Milo saw me so I couldn't tell much to the Watch only that was poisoned people near White Heart. Next day I send a message to Sergeant Gilly, the one that Captain Rennault has told me once that is honorable and he is trusted him. Since Captain Rennault trusts him I do to, in that letter I told him that the Watch is bribed and about the Three Penny and Terem. Today after Termelan was taken I was going to find Sir Gunnar and near the Watch I was attacked by thugs with hoods that have also put the Watch building on fire. I was lucky Lady Safana was there to make us both invisible with a spell so we manage to survive till reinforcement came to help us and drive the hooded thugs away. Then your messanger arrived."

Filbert lower his head a bit ashamed of himself as added:

"Ah and Your Grace, the robbery at White Heart that occured 2 nights ago was me and someone from Lady's Domenica's people. Terem has asked me to steal a bottle of wine from there to prove my abilities and loyalty at the gang. I asked someone to accompany me and this man helped me indeed. I haven't hurt anyone and I'm planning to return the wine or pay for it. I'm not a thief Your Grace and I think my loyalty to you is proved but I had to do this. That's how I learned about their plan, that the Watch was bribed and they were sure nobody would interrupt the riot till to late. I could learn if I return there but I'm afraid they know by now that I was a spy since they attacked me in front of the Watch building. Nobody else knows about this Your Grace, but I couldn't have secrets with you."

"Hmmm, it seems clear that you have found part of the puzzle. But by all accounts, including yours, there were many hooded thugs in Riverside. There is no way they could all be crammed into a little tavern for meetings. What you found must be only part of the larger gang. It may be a crucial part or maybe not. Do you advise immediate action against Terem's gang, such as a raid on the Three Penny? Or should we watch and wait, infiltrate and gather more intelligence? This really is your area of expertise, Filbert. I prefer enemies who face me in the open, sword in hand and no masks."

[RocEter]

SEARCHERS

Searchers


"Good morning, good sir. I am Sir Roald." He bows slightly and smiles at the man, aggravating his wounded cheek, causing him to wince a little.

"You have the look of a leader about you. Would I be correct in assuming you're in charge of this fine outfit?"

The armored man makes a shallow bow in return, leaning over his axe.
"I'm Sir Eglemore. Some call me the Brown Knight."
He laughs. "Better than Redbeard Robber, eh?"
The man raises one hand and motions to encompass the whole party. "If I thought that you were spies of the Elf, you'd all be dead by now. You can relax. I don't mean you any harm." He lets his gaze linger on Nyisiendre ( hood or no hood). "Still, it would be best if one of you stays with the woman at all times while with us. My men have rough manners and there are but few females here. And none like this maid , I'll wager."

"I'd take that wager." The Bard says.

Turning her head she looks at Sir Boarhart. "Will you accompany me, Sir Knight?"

[Adam]

Cormac lets out a breath that he didn't realize he'd been holding, fingers cramping as he relaxes the grip on the haft of his axe.

"Ye' have the air of a man who hasn't been wearin' tha' 'Knight' title fer long," he asks, "Mind if I ask to who ye swore yerself? An' why?"

[ewancummins]

Cormac lets out a breath that he didn't realize he'd been holding, fingers cramping as he relaxes the grip on the haft of his axe.

"Ye' have the air of a man who hasn't been wearin' tha' 'Knight' title fer long," he asks, "Mind if I ask to who ye swore yerself? An' why?"

Sir Eglemore's expression turns grim.
"I swore my sword to the Lady of Silverhill, and I serve her still, though she sleeps under the earth."

[VAN]

Filbert and Devlin

Filbert thinks for a moment before saying:

"I would have said wait and infiltrate but I'm afraid that my cover is already compromised. The hooded men that attacked the Watch earlier have said clearly kill the witch, Safana and take the halfman. Not kill, take, meaning they want me alive maybe to interrogate or to blackmail you Your Grace. So even if strategically is wrong I'm leaning to say attack now before they get more organized, they are already a few steps ahead knowing us and where to hit. If we get a couple of them alive maybe we can make them talk and learn more about this organization. We should be very careful who to trust as well, we don't know how well connected they are and how many men have bribed. I would trust only Sir Gunnar, Lady Safana and this new unexpected ally Termelan. From the Watch I think Sergeant Gilly is trustworthy."

[ewancummins]

SEARCHERS

Searchers


"Good morning, good sir. I am Sir Roald." He bows slightly and smiles at the man, aggravating his wounded cheek, causing him to wince a little.

"You have the look of a leader about you. Would I be correct in assuming you're in charge of this fine outfit?"

The armored man makes a shallow bow in return, leaning over his axe.
"I'm Sir Eglemore. Some call me the Brown Knight."
He laughs. "Better than Redbeard Robber, eh?"
The man raises one hand and motions to encompass the whole party. "If I thought that you were spies of the Elf, you'd all be dead by now. You can relax. I don't mean you any harm." He lets his gaze linger on Nyisiendre ( hood or no hood). "Still, it would be best if one of you stays with the woman at all times while with us. My men have rough manners and there are but few females here. And none like this maid , I'll wager."

"I'd take that wager." The Bard says.

Turning her head she looks at Sir Boarhart. "Will you accompany me, Sir Knight?"

Boarhort bows to the Bard.

"With the greatest of pleasure, my lady! No rascals will dare bother you with Sir Boahort at you side."
The fat knight lifts his boar device shield, just a little, as if to call the woodsmen's attention to it.

[ewancummins]

Filbert and Devlin

Filbert thinks for a moment before saying:

"I would have said wait and infiltrate but I'm afraid that my cover is already compromised. The hooded men that attacked the Watch earlier have said clearly kill the witch, Safana and take the halfman. Not kill, take, meaning they want me alive maybe to interrogate or to blackmail you Your Grace. So even if strategically is wrong I'm leaning to say attack now before they get more organized, they are already a few steps ahead knowing us and where to hit. If we get a couple of them alive maybe we can make them talk and learn more about this organization. We should be very careful who to trust as well, we don't know how well connected they are and how many men have bribed. I would trust only Sir Gunnar, Lady Safana and this new unexpected ally Termelan. From the Watch I think Sergeant Gilly is trustworthy."

"I think you are right. I will give the task of the raid to Sir Gunnar and his warband. We must use my household men to lead a sweep of Caer Haes, just in case. My lady's party arrives in the morning. And we'd better assign you an escort."

[kintire]

Safana makes polite conversation with the priestess, remembering the name for future reference, then relaxes in the warmth of the Apothecary's shop.

"Greetings once again, Master Apothecary. I am afraid I have picked up a bit of poison from some thug or other. I wonder if I could entreat your aid?"

[Adam]

APOTHECARY

Cranstel looks up from the dusty tome he was studying, a slight flash of irritation on his face until he sees the young woman in his shop.

"Ah, well," he says, "Can't be having that. Nasty business, poison. Not something I trade in, I assure you. But I am certainly knowledgeable enough."

He comes around the counter. "May I examine the wound?"

[ewancummins]

APOTHECARY

Cranstel looks up from the dusty tome he was studying, a slight flash of irritation on his face until he sees the young woman in his shop.

"Ah, well," he says, "Can't be having that. Nasty business, poison. Not something I trade in, I assure you. But I am certainly knowledgeable enough."

He comes around the counter. "May I examine the wound?"

Cranstel examines the injury, cutting away the dressing with care.
A discolored laceration, grayish at the wound edges. Probably made by a knife or other small and sharp edged object.

Safana reports nausea, but since Idele prayed for her the worst of that has passed.


Cranstel goes over his books.
Twice.
It seems to be poison...but he does not know which type.
A sample would help. If he could get some of the stuff into his lab...


In the meantime, Safana feels a little weak, but better than she had been. The grayness around the shallow cut in her arm only spreads ever so slightly while Cranstel researches. No bleeding now.
Priestess Idele does her best to make Safana comfortable, giving her tea, blankets, soup, and a little pep talk.