Mists over the Musarde: The Second Interlude

[JMaytr]

Jonathan stands behind Norzak,watching Cirdan closely looking for any signs of aggression. His hand never moves far from his knife hilt.

[Lord Skybolt]

Alain goes to the parlor for a shot of brandy and to sit down awaiting Cirdan's answer .

[Le Noir Faineant]

''Well then, I'd like to set off soon- this very day. We cannot afford to let these villains gain access to the portal! Just as soon as your companions have returned with the boy, and this business between he and Sir Cirdan is settled, we ought to get underway. I don't like waiting for them to make the next move, as I'm sure you don't, either. What do you say, Benn? And you, Sir Cirdan?''

Cirdan returns the frown.

"To be frank, my friend, I don't trust the the Falkovnians. Not at all. I just return from fighting a group of their agents in the Mistlands. Ruthless people they are, without honor. I'd rather protect Lady Evangeline by myself than to bring her into the custody of one of those bloodthirsting crows."

"-And as to the boy, if he accept to enter the knighthood as a knave, the better for him. If he doesn't he'll be as dispensable as any criminal. Because that's what he seems to be, at the end of the day."

-----------------------------------------

Once the other companions have returned, the dark knight waits for Jon, the sword leaning on the wall, and his arms crossed.
He watches the boy with his Elven eyes, but his face doesn't show any emotion.

[ewancummins]

Denys speaks up-


''If Sir Cirdan has placed this chest in an inconvenient location, I'm certain that I can cover the costs of equiping our little expedition. You may divide your spoils later- time is not on our side, my friends! I must insist that we get moving soon. As Benn says, we are all in danger until these fiends are stopped, and the gods alone know what it is they might be doing down there in the sewers- unopposed because we are squabbling over details.''

Suddenly, the big man looks rather deflated and fatigued.

''My daughter will be safe with the Falkovnians. I ask you gentlemen to lay aside whatever prejudices you have about men of that nation- the people to whom I am entrusting her safety are no less honorable than our own good Sir Cirdan.
It is for Evie's safety as much as anything else that I am resolved to enter the sewers beneath the Grim Bastion- alone if I must. ''

Now Denys looks angry. His face blushes red and he paces the floor, gesturing emphaticaly as he speaks:

'' These bastards kidnapped my little girl, nearly killed her, nearly killed my servants, assaulted me, invaded my home, and have threatened you my friends. I want to settle things with them, and find the portal if it truly exists. We can go buy whatever tools we'll need now, and get underway tonight. Now I ask you all- who's with me?''

[steveflam]

"I's with ye, Denys. And though ye'll cover our costs, Cirdan still has ta answer for our chest."

[Le Noir Faineant]

The knight answers to Norzak: "I've hidden the chest in a dafe place. I can retrieve it, but it would take some time."

And to Denys: "You have my sword... And," - eyes to Evangeline - "my heart. You know it."

[steveflam]

"Well it's alla ours. So what does we vote? I votes we gets our gold."

[ewancummins]

Denys sighs.

''I see that we won't have peace among you all until this matter of money is settled. Sir Cirdan, I ask you- by the love you bear my daughter- please go and retrieve the chest so that the treasure may be divided among your fellows. ''

The cloth-seller continues-

''While Sir Cirdan recovers the chest, I can send servants to acquire whatever supplies we will need for an expedition tonight. That way, those of you who need to rest may do so in peace. The house will be quiet with Evangeline away...''


As Denys finishes speaking, someone knocks at the door. Ambrose answers the knocking, opening the door to admit Klaus.
Klaus is followed by a half-dozen men in mail shirts. All of the men have small brands on their foreheads, identical to the one that marks Klaus. The group is well armed with swords, daggers, and crossbows.

One of the men, a tough-looking middle aged man with a spiderweb of scarring around his left eye, steps forward to announce-

''Herr Sancerre, we are ready to transport your daughter to the stronghold. The specialist you requested will be arriving in short order. He is a reliable man, but does not posess our keen Falkovnian sense of punctuality. ''

[Le Noir Faineant]

Cirdan will promptly turn around, and with a nod to Denys and Evangeline leave for the chest...

Outside, he will rush into the Falkovnians, and simply push them out of the way. Oh, they'd better not mess with a fully armed knight of the Eternal order...

[ewancummins]

The Falkovnians step aside to allow the angry knight to pass. A few of the men shoot angry or surprised looks at the bullying cavalier, but no one draws a blade.


After Cirdan has left, the Falkovnian leader asks Denys-

''What in blazes is wrong with that fellow? One would think he wanted to provoke a violent response from my men. I've given them strict instructions to avoid any trouble with your men, Herr Sancerre, but I cannot ask them not to defend themselves if they are assaulted. ''

Denys apologizes-

''I'm sorry. Sir Cirdan is...euh..not himself lately. And, ah, perhaps he has some misconceptions about you and your men.''

Turning to the party, Denys says-

''Allow me to introduce my friend Jurgen. Jurgen works for a consortium of Falkovnian merchants, securing their goods coming into and out of the city. ''

Jurgen relaxes just a bit and speaks-

''I am pleased to meet you...all of you. ''

[steveflam]

Norzak eyes Jurgen up and down discreetly. He doesn't understand what is wrong with Cirdan, and has never heard of Falkovnia. Approaching the newcomer, he reaches his grubby hand out. "Norzak 'ere, nice ta meetcha, bub. A pal 'o' Denys is a pal o mine." he refrains from mentioning Cirdan's behaviour. "If yer takin' care o lil miss Evie then yer ok in me book."

[Le Noir Faineant]

That one I'll get later. A good friend of mine is also called Jurgen. This will maybe prevent me of letting my character beat the other into a pulp, but... Not much.

[ewancummins]

Norzak eyes Jurgen up and down discreetly. He doesn't understand what is wrong with Cirdan, and has never heard of Falkovnia. Approaching the newcomer, he reaches his grubby hand out. "Norzak 'ere, nice ta meetcha, bub. A pal 'o' Denys is a pal o mine." he refrains from mentioning Cirdan's behaviour. "If yer takin' care o lil miss Evie then yer ok in me book."

Jurgen seems a bit taken aback by Norzak's friendliness. He stares at the dwarf's outstretched hand for a moment, then clasps it in a firm but quick handshake.


''You must forgive me, Herr Dwarf. I do not mean to be rude. I have never actually encountered one of your kind in the flesh, before this moment. ''


The other Falkovnians eye Norzak with a mix of curiosity and thinly disguised revulsion.

[steveflam]

"Thass ok. I ne'er met no Falkovneean afore either, so we's even. I's from Darkon in the mountains meself. Whass it like in Falkovneea? I kinna get tha impression that mebbe yer not that well liked. Folkovneeans I mean."

[ewancummins]

Jurgen actually cracks a smile at that comment.

''In Falkovnia, it is Darkonians and not-men that are disliked, Herr Norzak. Do not worry, though- my comrades and I are not so foolish as to attempt to clap you in irons and carry you off to the mines. No, you have a reputation. They call you - The Biter. It is said you eat your enemies' fingers while they are still alive.''