Mists over the Musarde: The Second Interlude

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Outside Jon's squat, there is a horrendous, gurgling series of coughs. Dorgio stands outside, hands on his knees, paying the penalty for his smoking habbit. Finally, he musters up the energy to go inside, and sees Alain already speaking to him.

"Oh, thank dawn," he says between gasps. "Cirdan, he meant nothing. He is just, how is it said, an idiot."

"That was a hell of a run, lad," he says, before coughing one last time. "Where did you learn such speed?"

[JMaytr]

"I've always been fast. I've found that sometimes in this world, running away can be a better weapon than my magic knife."

[steveflam]

Norzak catches up to the three on their way back. He looks the young man over once, making sure he isn't harmed. "Ye gave me a scare, laddie" he says with genuine concern. "I think tha elf meant well, but 'es got a weird way 'o' showin' it sometimes, especially lately. He feels bad bout what he did an I telled 'im me piece.

I wants ye ta knows one thing, lad. I won't let anyone hurt ye if I kin help it. I'm glad Al n Dorgio caughted ye afore ye was lost. Is even 'appy ta see yer comin' back with them, lad. I dun think I ever see'd a man run that fast afore. Yer fast. Well fer me stubby legs anyhow!"

He claps Jon on the shoulder playfully, in much better spirits now that the lad was amongst them again. "'Ey Dorgio an Al, whatcher think of Cirdan lately. E'er since 'e commed back from Darkon 'es been different. He hides behind his visor and speaks in a gloomy voice. Sorry Jon, ye don' know 'im afore this, thass why I's askin them, ok?"

[Lord Skybolt]

Turning to Norzak:" I was saying to Jon we still haven't gotten our cut of the treasure we took from Louie at the boat since Cirdan took it in to his custody ."

[ewancummins]

At the Sancerre house...

Norzak has left.

Evangeline is upstairs with Charoltte, packing her things.


Denys remains downstairs in the parlor with Benn and Cirdan.

Denys speaks-

''Well now, there's no sense in missing a meal over a dead mouse, hahahaha. Yes, we must keep our strength up for what is to come next. The Bastion is .....not a place many enter of their own free will. Benn, Sir Cirdan- do either of you have any idea as to how we should go about this? Our enemies, is it possible they are already beneath the Bastion? Could they know the location of the portal? I..oh, excuse me a moment, please.''

Denys calls for Klaus. The Falkovnian servant answers the call with alacrity, entering the parlor with a long, measured stride. He stops in front of Denys and remains perfectly still as Denys speaks-

''Klaus, go and alert Konrad that I require my daughter and a servant to remain with him for a time. He is to send an escort for her, with all haste. ''

Klaus nods sharply to Denys, then leaves quickly to carry out his instructions.


''Falkovnians make excellent servants. Oh, I admit they lack something in the social graces, but they are most efficient. ''

[Lord Skybolt]

Alain then turning to Dorgio also :" Have you heard any thing about the chest we took from Louie at the boat ?"

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

"Cirdan, he does seem to be acting strange, but then, he is of the Eternal Order. Who can worship Death itself and not be strange? But I am thinking it is the Sancerre girl. Who of us has not let a pretty face make him act the weirder for it?

"But then, something may have changed in his Father's station. Look at the armor he is now wearing, certainly not the odd bits of iron he wore before. He may just be, ah, puffed up from a boost in title.

"I've heard nothing of the gold, but there was some, disagreement, yes? He may just be pouting. He is probably realizing his mistake now, though, so, perhaps we wait -a little bit- to let his mood improve before reminding him.

"Be listening to me, though. This Incabulos, the demon is Darkonian, yes?" He looks to Norzak for confirmation. "Out of Nevuchar. So if you are hearing him mention that city, perhaps it is more than girls and land."

[Adam]

Bennedict does not entirely disguise a sneer at this last from Denys. "Yes, I suppose living beneath the rod of a dictator would prepare one for a life of servitude." He realizes what he is saying, however, and breaks off this line of thought before he offends his host.

"I think it is entirely possible that they are there already, with the location of the portal. The swiftness with which they have taken the artifacts combined with reports we've recieved from interrogation of the good Doctor sending his men into the sewers days ago lead me to believe it's possible they have already found it and are preparing to use it for some malign purpose. What that may be, of course, is still left to the dreadful realm of imagination."

[steveflam]

"I dunno bout tha chest, guys. Yes that Incabulos is from Darkon so we be careful bout him mentioning Nevuchar Springs fer sure. I's sure is hopin' he gives us our share."

[ewancummins]

in the Sancerre home-

Bennedict does not entirely disguise a sneer at this last from Denys. "Yes, I suppose living beneath the rod of a dictator would prepare one for a life of servitude." He realizes what he is saying, however, and breaks off this line of thought before he offends his host.

"I think it is entirely possible that they are there already, with the location of the portal. The swiftness with which they have taken the artifacts combined with reports we've recieved from interrogation of the good Doctor sending his men into the sewers days ago lead me to believe it's possible they have already found it and are preparing to use it for some malign purpose. What that may be, of course, is still left to the dreadful realm of imagination."

Denys frowns. The big man sets down his half-empty goblet and speaks,


''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?''

[steveflam]

Just before they enter the Sancerre residence, Norzak looks at Jon. "Dun be too harsh on Cirdan, ok? He meant well though he's a bizarre way ta show it. I'll stick by ye fer support, okay laddie?"

[steveflam]

"An guys, we need to ask him wha 'e did whith tha chest. Iss alla our gold, so we should split it e'en. If'n 'e don' 'ave it or 'as some excuse, I think we need ta rethink our frienship with tha elf. A Knight would'n squander our gold 'e'd give us our shares." Norzak rubs his beard, thinking.

"Whu you guys think?"

[Lord Skybolt]

"I agree that we should do that, but we also need to be well equipped for down in the sewers before we go down there . So we shouldn't rush on ill equipped for possible werecreatures we my encounter there and that gold may come in handy for getting such useful gear we may need down in the sewers ."

[JMaytr]

"I think a creature that serves death should always be treated like a potential villain. What is to stop him from lopping my head off? You are right, I did not know the elf before as you did. But his behavior is unnerving to me."

Jonathan makes sure his knife is in easy reach before he enters the manor of Denys.

[steveflam]

Once the four of the party return, Norzak doesn't tarry to ask Cirdan about the chest. "Cirdan we are gonna be goin' ta go into tha sewers so we was thinkin', the guys an I, that the gold from the chest would sure come in handy to procure us some inventory to battle anything that's down there. So if'n ye kin go get it, we'll split our shares an get busy equippin' ourselves."