Birthright: Tuornen, Chapter Ten

[VAN]

Filbert nods:

"Of course a change of clothes and a bath and some food will be provided. Even if is a prisoner Duke Carillon is always cousin of His Grace and should be treated as such."

[ewancummins]

"My armor may be kept in a foot locker or chest in my quarters, I should think. That's more convenient. I understand that His Grace, my cousin, can be most particular about ancestral arms and armor being misplaced or taken away from the rightful owners."

He coughs a little.

"A bath sounds pleasant. I prefer hot water. ''

[VAN]

Filbert pays a sidelook at Foerde and the others as if questioning them if keeping the armor with the Duke is wise. Trying to get some time he says:

"We will see what we can do."

[ewancummins]

''Yes. Now then, when can I see my brother Riegon?''

[VAN]

Filbert doesn't want to reveal any information about Riegon so he just says:

"I'm afraid none of us is in charge to tell that, things need to be done in certain order. We get you to the palace, get you new clothes and a hot bath and then we will wait orders."

[ewancummins]

Filbert doesn't want to reveal any information about Riegon so he just says:

"I'm afraid none of us is in charge to tell that, things need to be done in certain order. We get you to the palace, get you new clothes and a hot bath and then we will wait orders."

Carilon remarks in a deadpan voice, ''Of course, orders.''

[Varrus the Ethical]

ROALD, HAES.

Roald looks at the crowed worriedly and then grabs Carlion by the shoulder. "We're going through the front gate, there's no point in secrecy now." He begins to pull the enemy Duke towards Caer Haes.

To Carlion he says, "If it's all the same to you, Your Grace, I would save the chatting for later. We wouldn't want you to get torn apart by the Young Duke's loving subjects in the streets, now would we?"

[ewancummins]

Carilon pulls off his blindfold and steps on it, pressing it into the dirt with a bootheel as he walks on.

"No, although the spectacle of you being forced to use your sword to protect me would please me greatly, Sir Roald."

[Varrus the Ethical]

ROALD, HAES.

"Yes, yes, Your Grace. We both know how vulnerable you feel after the Fire Slayer killed your pet," said Roald, thinking up a good nickname on the fly.

Roald continues to pull Carlion to Caer Haes. When he's close enough, he'll shout to the guards to summon Sir Rory and an escort.

[ewancummins]

Duke Carilon's sarcastic tone melts away, replaced by a strange eagerness.
"The fire elemental does not experience death in the manner of mortal men or beasts. It came not from the fields we know. Perhaps you know that some sages have written that there exists a whole world of endless, everburning flames, deep beyond the Shadowlands? Indeed, creatures of the fire world have told me of their home. It sounds as if it is very beautiful."

[ewancummins]

THE BUTCHER SHOP
The butcher's pallid face turns the nasty gray of old liver. He reaches down and fumbles under the counter, muttering ''already made my payments this week."

Morgan puts on a friendly expression, flipping a gold piece onto the counter.
"How about I pay *you* to tell me what you know about our friend the gnoll?"

Under his cloak, Morgan's hand rests on the hilt of his sword, waiting to see if the shopkeeper will produce a weapon from behind the bar.

The butcher comes up empty handed.

He squints at the gold piece.

"uh. muh...more. I need more."

[Varrus the Ethical]

ROALD, HAES.

Roald raises and eyebrow at Carlion as he keeps moving towards the castle.

"Right, well, good to know you're completely bonkers, Your Grace."

[ewancummins]

ROALD, HAES.

Roald raises and eyebrow at Carlion as he keeps moving towards the castle.

"Right, well, good to know you're completely bonkers, Your Grace."

''You think me mad? Like your late father? Ah, but I forget, I knew him better than you ever did. He was a clever man, much like you but with the greater courtesy and refinement that comes of a courtly upbringing, before his mind went soft." The old man's sneer turns into a knowing smile.

"Some say it was the loss of his lady love that fed his slowly growing insanity. But which woman? The elf princess who bore your more fortunate sibling, do you think, or your own mother? Putting her away..."


As castle guards escort the party through the gate and into the Ducal Palace, Carilon whistles a jaunty tune.

[Varrus the Ethical]

Roald, Caer Haes.

Roald smiles at Carlion as they enter the palace. "Well, I guess we'll never know. Not after you had my father assassinated, Your Grace."

[ewancummins]

Roald, Caer Haes.

Roald smiles at Carlion as they enter the palace. "Well, I guess we'll never know. Not after you had my father assassinated, Your Grace."

"That deed was all Riegon's doing, I assure you. Had things gone differently, I would have slain Duke Gilgaed in battle, although given his deteriorated state, it would have been close enough to murder. Perhaps I'd have simply deposed him and stuck him a well-appointed prison tower to play with his toys for what remained of his life. Poor old fellow. Ill-fortune and the passage of time were so much harsher with him than with me. I seem to outlast all my enemies."