Realms of Dread [IC] Chapter Three

[steveflam]

Balzar nods and takes a place at the table. He removes his shield and leans it up against the table and waits for Jamethon to sit before ordering the man an ale. He is curious about the item at Jamethon's hip and figures why not ask to break the ice before getting down to business. He signals for the girl even as Jamethon sits.

He orders and ale and some food for both of them. Looks like ye could use a good meal, lad. Say, that is one curious looking contraption you got at yer hip."

[ewancummins]

''I've already eaten today, thank you. As for my pistol, I made it myself. You'll not find many like it in this country. What passes for gunsmithing here is unimpressive.''

Jamethon thanks the server for his ale when it comes, drinks a little, and says-

''Thank you for the ale. Now, you said that she had written you and asked you to come here to Marsember. Please elaborate on that.''

[steveflam]

Balzar takes out the letter again, scanning it and does elaborate.

"She told me about the task force she had joined with Archedius and the names of the others. You were investigating a series of grisly beheadings. She thought I might be of use as a part of the force. I worked with her an Archedius previously in the Damaran army a few years back.

Now the real reason she came here is vampires. Child vampires from what she says here. I dunno if ye know, but a Vampire Necromancer is responsible fer the demise of most of her clan. A sad tale if truth be told. If tweren't fer Archedius and a priest of Lathander, she'd be dead. So I understand why she came here and as she's saved me life many times over, I am glad to come and help her and her friends out. That's what I know."

[ewancummins]

Balzar-

Jamethon asks,


'' May I see that letter?''

[steveflam]

"Uh, sure," and he hands it over to Moorkroft. He takes a big haul of his ale before putting down the tankard and looking around, eyes scanning to see if anyone was paying particular attention to them.

ewan, I am presuming that Moorkroft might have seen Rardi's handwriting? He will confirm it is indeed her handwriting

[ewancummins]

Moorkroft carefully examines the letter. He holds it up to the light, perhaps checking to see if it is a forgery...



Hmmm, this looks as if a small child or an ill-educated pirate had written it. The grammar is atrocious. It must from be Rardi.

''I see that your letter appears to be genuine.
Here is the situation: Rardi is in jail, held on suspicion of murder. She's accused of killing a necromancer who she thought was connected with the beheadings case. That case has been closed for a few days, and another man confessed- he's dead now, I think. Rardi is in a LOT of trouble, Balzar. My friends Blaise and Inovidil are with her- just about the whole group was rounded up. I still don't have all the facts. I've alerted Watch-Captain Rask, and he's gone to check on them. I'm now looking for my friend Alain Guischard, who took the star along with the rest of us. No one seems to know exactly where he is...''

[steveflam]

Balzar is enjoying another huge sip when Jamethon tells him of the current situation. His gut reaction is to spit out his ale, but he'd never wasted a good pint and wasn't about to now. He quickly finishes his ale, slamming the tankard down. His eyes are wide in what you might call surpirse. He looks at Moorkroft funny, then gathers his composure to talk.

"Holy Moradin! A Necromancer? Well I can't just sit here. As much as I'd like ter see her, I think it best if I help her from the outside. I doubt I could get to see her in any case. What a mess. Do yer think I could help Captain Rask investigate? I can't just sit here knowin Mistress Silverhelm is in trouble. What of Archedius? I'd like to help yer look for Alain as well. He got a room? Maybe we could start by looking there?"

[ewancummins]

''I don't think anyone knows where Archedius is now, Balzar. Well, it hasn't been made plain to me, at any rate.

I think it best that you should help me to look for Alain Guischard. He doesn't know- or didn't know- about the arrests. Nelly says that he looking for the others on his own, this morning while I was sleeping. Why he didn't wake me, I have no idea, unless perhaps the drink got to him and befuddled his wits. He could be anywhere, besides his room- I looked there first, of course. No note- these friends of mine seem averse to leaving any written hints. Alain might have gone to headquarters, asking questions. If we are very lucky, Watch-Captain Rask may be back from the prison where my companions are being held, with news.''

[steveflam]

"Well I guess yer knowing best. Let's start by looking for Alain. Go to see if Rask is back then?" Balzar stands and gathers his things. "Lemme get me a room first." Balzar makes arrangements for a room, pays, drops off his belongings there and then follows Jamethon out of the Inn.

[ewancummins]

Balzar-


Jamethon leads the dwarf, Balzar, out into the streets of Marsember. It's maybe four hours past noon. The summer heat of the day begins to lessen as evening approaches, and the cool sea breezes blow a veil of mist over the narrow streets and murky canals of the city. A light rain begins to fall from the hazy sky. Balzar feels the rain and mist seeping into his armor and clothing.


''It's a long walk to headquarters. It's faster if we go by boat. ''

Jamethon walks top the nearest canal and waves at a long, narrow boat being poled up the waterway by a burly human male.

''Ho, boatman, the dwarf and I need your services.''

Jamethon flashes a few silver coins and the boatman slowly brings his craft to a near-halt alongside the boardwalk where Jamethon is standing.

[steveflam]

The dwarf has never really been on a boat before and is a little skeptical at first. Thinking of Mistress Silverhelm and Alain, he quickly changes demeanor and passes Jamethon to hop onto the boat. He quickly finds a comfortable spot as he can and sits, waiting for Moorkroft.

[ewancummins]

Moorkroft clambers aboard and the boatman pushes off the embankment. The slim vessel is soon gliding through the water, moved along by pole work.

[Ken of Ghastria]

Before they leave the jail, Blaise says to Rask, "Wait a moment, can I talk to Rardi? Surely they can't be serious about blaming HER for this? At the very least, I'd like to tell one of our allies what we've seen here before we check out the warehouse again."

[ewancummins]

Blaise

Blaise says to Rask, "Wait a moment, can I talk to Rardi? Surely they can't be serious about blaming HER for this? At the very least, I'd like to tell one of our allies what we've seen here before we check out the warehouse again."

''No, they are keeping her incommunicado, Blaise. These men work for the Baron- he owns the island, as you must know. I'm afraid I cannot do much more for her than what we are doing now...''


A lovely blonde sweeps into the room, accompanied by three armed men and a scribe. She's obviously not one of the bailiff's crew- not dressed as she is in a green silk gown and wearing a necklace of miniature coins. She smiles faintly when she spots Rask.

''Watch-Captain Rask, they told me you would be down here. One of your men, I presume? .''


Rask answers her question-

''Yes, he's with me. He is not a suspect.''

Rask's tone is quite firm.

The woman gives that faint smile again, looking up from a minute examination of Delthrin's [?] headless body.

''Well, the bailiff is still taking statements, but he has sent his clerk along. We can begin now. I trust that you two would like to be here as witnesses.''

Rask nods emphatically.

''Just so, Mistress Gyrglass.''

[kintire]

Shana stares up at Delthrin, shuddering with disgust.

"I would say that I can think of nothing worse than joining a necromancer's seraglio... but I can. Joining a raiser of Devils' would be worse. I'm sorry, Deadmaster, but I don't think we're soulmates. I don't approve of your work."