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+ | < | ||
+ | turn:35 | ||
+ | title:A Partial Resolution | ||
+ | start: | ||
+ | end: | ||
+ | posted_date: | ||
+ | weather: | ||
+ | location:on the road from Maelbourg to Huerten, the Barony of Huerten, the Kingdom of Rang | ||
+ | xp_korisca: | ||
+ | xp_ziedon: | ||
+ | xp_kay: | ||
+ | xp_sahlman: | ||
+ | xp_kreemon: | ||
+ | xp_ardith: | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | ' | ||
+ | for an armed conflict, or any other type for that matter. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ardith' | ||
+ | information she desperately wished to have -- about Balban and his | ||
+ | motives, how Ulan became Balban' | ||
+ | Ulan, had promised Balban. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Above all, what were Balban' | ||
+ | himself a barony -- or perhaps even a county? Maybe even depose the | ||
+ | King? Or was he, as he purported, really trying to organize the chaotic | ||
+ | state of the towns in this region? | ||
+ | |||
+ | Although she enjoyed her role as adventuress, | ||
+ | priestess, and was concerned primarily that she work for the right | ||
+ | side. She vowed that she would pray for guidance. Yes, the power of | ||
+ | prayer was mostly in self hypnosis and self examination, | ||
+ | amazing things had come of prayer in her own life as well as the lives | ||
+ | of the Saints of Andritha. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Meanwhile, to the task of befriending Ulan, and gleaning what data | ||
+ | she could. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | 'A townsman,' | ||
+ | committed more than one crime in Maelbourg. Had he found out? What had | ||
+ | she done that would warrant the town sending a townsman? He was | ||
+ | probably there for other reasons, but one didn't live to twenty-three | ||
+ | years without being careful. Without anyone noticing, Korisca crept | ||
+ | backwards until she was no more than a foot from a thick bush. If she | ||
+ | had to, she could jump the bush and run before anyone knew what was | ||
+ | happening. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | The soldiers tied up one of the horses and let the others graze | ||
+ | around it. Then, they watched Ulan. The townsman twitched slightly when | ||
+ | Ardith took his arm, but otherwise did nothing. The soldiers | ||
+ | interpreted his actions as best they knew to, and placed their swords | ||
+ | under a bush, covering them with leaves to keep the shiny metal hidden. | ||
+ | Defenseless to all outward appearences, | ||
+ | behind Ulan, watching both him and the group of adventurers. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon smiled in self-congratulations when he finished working on | ||
+ | the spell. He then leaned over his book a second time and studied the | ||
+ | spell again. 'The final test will be the casting,' | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | "Away from Balban, Galgewe has immense power. With Balban, the man | ||
+ | is little more than a well-liked servant. The servant carries with him | ||
+ | the strength of his master. That is why I need you to go back to | ||
+ | Grenzig. For Balban to have sent you here with an important message, he | ||
+ | must trust you and value you as allies." | ||
+ | |||
+ | "It may be so, Townsman," | ||
+ | Grenzig. One of our company, not me, probably saved his life!" | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sahlman remained back a little way while Ardith and Ulan walked. | ||
+ | When they reached the encampment, Sahlman positioned himself | ||
+ | inconspicuously by a thicket and squatted down, remaining watchful of | ||
+ | Ulan, his ' | ||
+ | looking, the gnarled man removed a strip of cured meat from his | ||
+ | supplies. His eyes never even blinked as he slowly, deliberately used | ||
+ | his teeth to tear off a salty morsel. | ||
+ | |||
+ | As he surveyed the scene, his gut feeling about it became worse and | ||
+ | worse. Where was Ziedon, anyway? | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | a rock. "Will you join us in our breakfast?" | ||
+ | piece of bread, with promise of better food if he accepted. In Ardith' | ||
+ | background, breaking bread was a sign of trust and truce. | ||
+ | |||
+ | For a few moments, Ulan seemed not to know what to do, but he then | ||
+ | accepted the bread, nodded his head, and took a bite. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "As for your request that we bring your message back to Balban in | ||
+ | Grenzig, I fear that is a problem, for we have another mission to | ||
+ | accomplish, and we must rejoin ourselves with a friend. Neither of | ||
+ | these tasks allow us to return to Grenzig for some time; perhaps as | ||
+ | long as several weeks. Surely you could dispatch a courier to Grenzig | ||
+ | with a letter, under seal, of course, and write Balban of your request. | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | if I remember his exact words... yes, he said, 'He has been a close | ||
+ | ally of mine for several years.' | ||
+ | just a little more time?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sahl performed an automatic check on the readiness of his weapons | ||
+ | while he chewed. This he did with the same amount of conscious thought | ||
+ | that other men might exhibit when adjusting their hats. His vigil was | ||
+ | unwarranted thus far, and it was his sincere hope that it would | ||
+ | remain so. Still, as he listened to Ardith in action, he could not help | ||
+ | smiling around his mouthful of dried beef. The people of the desert | ||
+ | were surely cheating themselves of an invaluable resource by repressing | ||
+ | their women to such an extent. He was becoming more convinced of that | ||
+ | simple fact by the day. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Kay worried about the soldiers hiding their swords for some time | ||
+ | before she thought to bring it to Ardith' | ||
+ | behind Ulan, gestured to Ardith and mouthed the words " | ||
+ | their swords." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ardith, without taking her eyes from Ulan's face, nodded her head | ||
+ | almost imperceptibly. She touched her eye as though to remove a mote of | ||
+ | dust. Kay nodded back in response and wandered off where she could | ||
+ | watch the soldiers. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Who can say what Balban thinks? We have been allies, but would he | ||
+ | take me over his personal representative? | ||
+ | request my position? I have always been Balban' | ||
+ | Maelbourg, but who is to say he would keep me if he found another, more | ||
+ | controllable connection? I think he would be making a grave mistake if | ||
+ | he allowed his servant to rule this town, and only word from Balban | ||
+ | himself can force Galgewe to stand down. | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | I cannot expect a common messenger to change Balban' | ||
+ | refuses my request. That is why I need you." The townsman took another | ||
+ | bite of his bread. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ardith motioned to Kay. "Kay, have we brought any eggs? If so, | ||
+ | please fry up an egg for each of our company and one also for Ulan, | ||
+ | our guest this morning. My stomach cries for some food more hearty than | ||
+ | bread, and so, I expect those of our comrades." | ||
+ | |||
+ | "I do not know, but will check our supplies." | ||
+ | her eye as Ardith did, as though to remove a cinder or mote, and | ||
+ | tossed her head back as though a question. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ardith nodded and rubbed her own eyes. "A pestilence on these | ||
+ | no-see-ems!" | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | commitment to make another rendesvous. We have a commitment senior to | ||
+ | your request. We have taken a charge and been paid for it. And our way | ||
+ | lies far from Grenzig. If we break our oath to carry out this mission, | ||
+ | then we are no more than thieves. How can we honor your request, yet | ||
+ | still carry out our mission?' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ulan closed both eyes and put a hand on his forehead. After a few | ||
+ | moments, he looked up at Ardith. "I am lost without you." He paused and | ||
+ | thought. "Once I regain power in Maelbourg, I could pay you for the | ||
+ | service..." | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | number. We do not need all to make our rendezvous. If one or more of us | ||
+ | volunteered to return to Grenzig, with some of your soldiers, perhaps | ||
+ | -- I would not wish anyone to make the trip alone -- and take your | ||
+ | message, we might serve both our commitment and your request. I cannot | ||
+ | promise anything, but I will ask the members of our company." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Kreemon answered immediately. " | ||
+ | can, but the person you're talking about has never seen me." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Kay returned from her rummaging in the company' | ||
+ | sorry. All the eggs are gone. We do have strips of meat -- bacon, I | ||
+ | believe it's called -- and much bread. Shall I fry up some for you?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | She sidled close to Ardith and whispered, "I will go with you -- or | ||
+ | anywhere you send me. If you need me to go back to Grenzig, I will go, | ||
+ | but I prefer to stay with you. This..." | ||
+ | this excrement is not worth your concern -- unless you know otherwise." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ardith first grinned, then sobered at Kay's words. Carefully, she | ||
+ | answered aloud, "Yes, fry up some of the meat, and warm some bread. And | ||
+ | ask the soldiers what they need. If indeed they _are_ soldiers they | ||
+ | will have have brought rations, but they may require water and fire to | ||
+ | make their ' | ||
+ | a military unit is indeed a mess. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "But, for more serious matters. Kay, I would not have you return to | ||
+ | Grenzig. I want you with me as we go to --" Ardith saw how close she | ||
+ | was to Ulan and the others, and decided to be evasive. "-- our next | ||
+ | objective. Perhaps one of the others will volunteer. If not, too bad | ||
+ | for Ulan." | ||
+ | |||
+ | After seriously considering Ulan's request, Sahl still had | ||
+ | misgivings about his conclusion. Unfortunately, | ||
+ | could come up with on short notice, so it would have to do. " | ||
+ | Keh," Sahl beckoned to the women, motioning for them to approach when | ||
+ | they looked over at him. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Once the three friends were gathered, Sahlman paused. He looked from | ||
+ | one woman to the other, stroking his massive moustaches. Then he spoke, | ||
+ | "If Ulan lies, I am not telling so." The wiry man gave a wry grin, as | ||
+ | if what he was about to say was perhaps a little bit humorous. " | ||
+ | must know of Gahlguu, so two of Ulan's men will go with me to tell | ||
+ | him." | ||
+ | |||
+ | As he rushed the uncomfortable words from his mouth, Sahl braced | ||
+ | himself for the objections he felt would be forthcoming. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Oh, Sahl," Ardith sighed. "I had not had _you_ in mind to be the | ||
+ | one to leave the company. I will miss you sorely, yet, I must admit, | ||
+ | you are the natural one to go. You were the one that saved _his_ life; | ||
+ | you know him, as Kreemon does not, and he will likely trust you better | ||
+ | than any of our company -- save possibly me -- and even more likely you | ||
+ | than me." | ||
+ | |||
+ | "It is making the most good to me," explained Sahlman. "I having | ||
+ | spent time with Bahlben. My thinking he would trust me. My thinking, | ||
+ | also, that you all together can defend if Ulan makes trick, and my | ||
+ | being able to defend for two of these." | ||
+ | the small clump of men-at-arms. "Not to like leaving. Keh, my trusting | ||
+ | to you the care of Arditta," | ||
+ | magnificence of his handlebars would mask the spreading blush on his | ||
+ | face. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Yet, your going alone, even with Ulan's guards, or perhaps because | ||
+ | of them, has me uneasy. Uneasy for you as well as for those of us who | ||
+ | will remain. My thoughts are: | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Ulan -- I do not trust him, nor his soldiers. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Kay -- I trust her completely. | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | her city alleys? I know not. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "And Ziedon," | ||
+ | distracted lately. I would not wish him to be the only one at my back | ||
+ | if a fight were to break out." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ardith sighed, ate another strip of meat, then leaned back. "Much as | ||
+ | I will miss you, I think yours is the best plan we have. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Go, then. choose among the soldiers two who seem honest. Then hie | ||
+ | to Grenzig with all speed. Deliver Ulan's message. If there is a return | ||
+ | message, have it written on a scroll, sealed, and returned by the | ||
+ | soldiers. Return not to Maelbourg. Join us again at the Baron' | ||
+ | as soon as you can." | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Ulan thanked Sahlman profusely for agreeing to help him, and was | ||
+ | more than happy to offer two of his soldiers. His mind still mostly | ||
+ | occupied with all of the ramifications of what he was about to do, | ||
+ | Sahlman gave a preoccupied nod to Ulan, then headed for a certain bush. | ||
+ | From beneath it he retrieved the swords belonging to the men from | ||
+ | Maelbourg. The beduoin moved rapidly to the small cluster of soldiers | ||
+ | and let the weapons fall to the earth with much clanging and rattling. | ||
+ | The blades were quickly collected by their respective owners, who then | ||
+ | peered expectantly up at the odd-looking man. One of the men appeared | ||
+ | to be angered by Sahl's actions. | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | face, "and you." The second man selected was quite the largest and | ||
+ | fiercest-looking of the four. If they did have treachery in mind for | ||
+ | the group, Sahl planned to do his best to ensure that the difficult | ||
+ | ones were away from Ardith. And Kay, Ziedon, Korisca, and Kreemon, of | ||
+ | course. Since he felt that his friends could handle themselves in the | ||
+ | event of mishap, Sahl considered the soldiers and Ulan to be most | ||
+ | likely source of problems. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Confident that Ulan's men would do as told, at least for the moment, | ||
+ | Sahl proceeded to his mount. Just as he was about to vault into the | ||
+ | saddle, Ardith ran up to him and kissed him goodbye. | ||
+ | |||
+ | "I know not of your gods, Sahl," she said, "but may they protect | ||
+ | you. I will pray for the protection of Mother Andritha for you, and | ||
+ | pray her to ask her consort, Hartung, to grant you speed, so that you | ||
+ | may return to us soon. As they say in the village where I grew up, 'Go, | ||
+ | and come back again.'" | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sahl's face reddened, and he allowed himself a light smile at | ||
+ | Ardith' | ||
+ | hand, Sahl whispered, "Aye. Come back again." | ||
+ | the company, and headed down the road back to Grenzig. The pair of | ||
+ | soldiers raced along behind. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon finished at last. The mild pain in his leg, and frequent | ||
+ | thoughts about its origin, had slowed down the memorization many times | ||
+ | over his usual pace, but now he was done. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon carefully and quietly closed his book, and replaced it in his | ||
+ | backpack. He then stepped out of the bushes, with the intention of | ||
+ | returning to the group. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The noise of hoofbeats startled him, but he realized they were | ||
+ | coming from the camp. It sounded like two or three horses, which meant | ||
+ | that either Ulan or Ardith was leaving in a hurry. Much quieter, | ||
+ | another set of hoofbeats could be heard in the distance. Whoever they | ||
+ | carried, Ziedon would be the first to see them. Returning to the camp | ||
+ | now would be dangerous and useless. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon went back into the trees. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | "Damn him!" shouted Ulan, jumping up from his rock. The whole of | ||
+ | both parties could hear the oncoming horses now. The remaining soldiers | ||
+ | lifted and sheathed their swords from where Sahlman had left them, and | ||
+ | ran to the their mounts. One was ready to help the townsman onto his | ||
+ | own. "Do not tell him I was here!" Ulan yelled, as he rode off in the | ||
+ | wrong direction, away from Maelbourg. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Sahlman' | ||
+ | there, all in the uniform of soldiers of Maelbourg. The two soldiers | ||
+ | with Sahl raised their hands in greetings, and were the first to be | ||
+ | addressed when the new group was close enough. "Where is Townsman | ||
+ | Ulan?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | All: Before I make any turn-related comments, I'd like to thank Darrell | ||
+ | Bowman for taking over Kreemon. Darrell, you are officially in the game | ||
+ | as of now, so feel free to respond to this turn. If you haven' | ||
+ | the World and Rules supplements and the Kreemon-related turns yet, | ||
+ | please do so soon. I hope to see you around for many turns to come. :) | ||
+ | |||
+ | I should also note to any non-Zioth players (the players already | ||
+ | know) that Julian (playing Korisca) dropped out of the game without | ||
+ | responding to this turn. Julian, may you have many more games in your | ||
+ | life, and may the hair on your toes never fall out. :) Pending the | ||
+ | requests of a player or two who already expressed possible interest, | ||
+ | Korisca is available for the taking. My waitlist is currently empty, so | ||
+ | it's going to be best-come, best-served. :) | ||
+ | |||
+ | As far as responses go, I think the options are pretty clear. | ||
+ | Sahlman is with the new arrivals, and everyone else (including Ziedon) | ||
+ | sees them. By the time anyone can figure out what's going on, Ulan is | ||
+ | out of shouting range, especially with all the hoof-beats to confuse | ||
+ | any noise any of you might make. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon: Sahlman left the camp on a path that did not come near you. You | ||
+ | can decide whether Ziedon sees Sahl now that the newcomers are here, | ||
+ | and you can decide whether he sees the newcomers at all, or he'd rather | ||
+ | just sit and hide for a while longer. | ||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||