This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
— | zioth:turn:109 [2015-06-16 16:01] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
+ | < | ||
+ | turn:109 | ||
+ | title:The Other Galpen | ||
+ | start: | ||
+ | end: | ||
+ | posted_date: | ||
+ | weather: | ||
+ | location:in town of Dunweig, the Barony of Huerten, the Kingdom of Rang | ||
+ | xp_ziedon: | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | < | ||
+ | In the morning, Ziedon prepared his spells, then took out Moren' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon looked at the book and said " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon stretched and performed his morning ablutions. He removed his bandage to change it, and smiled. It looked fractionally better than it had the day before, which meant it was infected. Again he thanked his shielding spell; the wound would never have been so minor or healed so quickly without it. | ||
+ | |||
+ | With one of Galpen' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Finished with his breakfast, Ziedon left the Inn and returned to Galpen' | ||
+ | |||
+ | In moments, a servant opened the door. He was well built and nearly as tall as Ziedon, with a plain face, one that might be difficult to remember even after long association. He looked like he would make a good courier, bodyguard or really any sort of hireling a man might need. He looked Ziedon up and down and said " | ||
+ | |||
+ | "I am here to see Regaile Alpen. I was sent by Galpen. Mr. Alpen and I have some business to conclude." | ||
+ | |||
+ | The man paused for a moment. "Mr. Alpen has been ill of late, and will not see visitors." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon smiled back and said, "Now, we both know that isn't true. So why don't you step aside and announce me to Mr. Alpen." | ||
+ | |||
+ | The man squinted. "Who are you?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | Before Ziedon could answer, another man came up behind him holding a small wooden box. " | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Put it in the hall," the tall man said, and made way for the courier to pass him and enter the house. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon followed directly behind the courier, to put himself past the door frame and said loud enough so the courier could still hear him, "Yes, I am glad that you are feeling better Mr. Alpen. Shall we discuss our business in the study?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | The tall man looked back and forth along the street, and then pulled Ziedon inside and closed the door most of the way. "What exactly is it that you want? If this is an attempt at blackmail, you won't be any better at it than the dozens of others who've tried." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon replied, " | ||
+ | |||
+ | The man laughed. "And here I thought you were clever. Galpen? Children had a similar nickname for me when I was young, but I haven' | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Then there is a man posing as you. Do you have a brother or a son? I was told that Galpen' | ||
+ | |||
+ | "If this ' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon half-turned so he was not looking at Regaile and quickly chanted the words to his spell, turning back at the last moment to release the magic at Regaile. He paused for a second to see the man lower his arm. Ziedon then asked, as he pulled out the gold coin, "Have you seen any of these coins before?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | Alpen took it from Ziedon' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon took back the coin and asked, "Why would an usurer go by the name Galpen and be thought to have a cover identity of Regaile Alpen?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | |||
+ | "But you are not the fellow I dealt with yesterday. Who is he? One of your retainers?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | |||
+ | "The Barkeep thought he was you, plus he gave me some of these coins. Who else would have access to your coins?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | "My coins? I already told you I've never seen one in such good shape. How could they be mine? I do own a few ten-attle coins, but none from Diure the fifty-eighth. I can't imagine why the barkeep would have thought he was me. We've been friends for years." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon described the man who had said he was Galpen, mentioning his receded hairline, his ambiguous age and sturdy build, and going down into the greatest detail he could from memory. Regaile Alpen paid close attention, giving the utmost importance to Ziedon' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Galpen thought for a few moments. "No, I'm sorry. I don't think I've seen anyone quite like that, but it's hard to remember everyone I meet." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon frowned. "If it wouldn' | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Yes, I do think that would be in order. Belebus and I have known each other a long time; I can't see why he'd help someone pose as me. Just wait here a minute." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Galpen was definitely a man who'd done well for himself. The glass windows were impressive enough for a showpiece, but the inside of his house did not lack in a splendor of its own. The entrance room was well-furnished, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Galpen was down shortly, dressed in simpler, dirtier clothing. He grabbed a small pouch off of a table at the side of the room, opened the door for Ziedon, and followed him outside. | ||
+ | |||
+ | As the two left Galpen' | ||
+ | |||
+ | "As I said, I've been sick for two days, so I haven' | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | |||
+ | "I told you I haven' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon though for a second and then said, "maybe that is the connection. They were not affiliated with a guild or the like. How strong is the Guild here?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon changed the subject. "This might seen silly but I have a lock that a locksmith can't seem to pick. It is almost as if the lock is supernatural or something. You wouldn' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Galpen laughed. "An enchanted lock? Fits in with the feelings of the day, I guess. I'll take a look at it if you want, but unfortunately this is one of those towns where the guild-bound locksmiths are actually the best locksmiths you'll find. If you've already tried them, I'm not sure what I can do. If you're willing to travel, try the locksmith guild in the city." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon shook his head in exasperation. "I have tried a locksmith here to no avail. Each time he thought he had the lock licked, more and smaller tumblers were seen. He went through three cycles before saying that he didn't have any smaller picks. What city are you referring to?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | Galpen smiled. " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon smiled back. "I have been on my way to Huerten for a while now. I just keep getting delayed along the way. I just thought of something else that you might be able to help me with. I am looking for a man named Bure. He is an advisor to Reutenleih Leinom, a townsman. Would you happen to know him or of him?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon arched an eyebrow. " | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Any guild master worth his mettle does, and Leinom heads the shipbuilder' | ||
+ | |||
+ | "I see. Have you heard anything about his advisor?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | "I know I've heard his name before, but I can't remember in what context." | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Belebus was visibly nervous when he saw Galpen and Ziedon walk in the door together. Galpen walked right up to the bar and leaned forward, balancing on his fists. "My friend here tells me you were helping someone pose as me." | ||
+ | |||
+ | "A friend? I didn't think you had any." Belebus avoided looking at Ziedon, and tried to strike a more confident pose. " | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Belebus smiled at that. "The day I think I'm a friend of yours is the day I dig my grave. I'll tell you one thing," | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon interjected. "Just last night I asked for Galpen and you pointed me to a fellow sitting there in the corner," | ||
+ | |||
+ | Belebus looked at Ziedon. "Now why would I want to mislead a fine person like yourself in such an obvious way? Too many people know who Galpen is for me to do something so stupid." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon scratched his head. "This is all very confusing. What do you remember from last night, concerning me?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | "You were asking where --" Belebus caught Galpen' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon frowned. "You don't remember me coming in before that? You directing me to the corner booth? You don't remember who was sitting in the corner booth?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | |||
+ | "It happened just last night and business wasn't that brisk. You telling me you don't remember who sat in that corner? What about the barmaids?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | The door to the bar slammed open, and an enormously obese man stood in the doorway. " | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | |||
+ | "This is really odd," Ziedon said. " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Galpen looked towards the door. "Well everything seems in order to me. Maybe he forgot, maybe you forgot. I'll keep an eye out for this poser of yours, but I really should be going now. It's not good for me to be seen too much during the day." | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Yes, it would be best to leave. You don't mind if I return to your manor with you? I thought maybe we could discuss the business that I had been discussing with your imposter." | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Oh, by all means," | ||
+ | |||
+ | When the door was closed behind them, Ziedon asked "how well established are you in this town? Could you put out feelers to find the man who posed as you?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | "When a man has enough money, he can find anything. You can be certain I'll look." | ||
+ | |||
+ | "I hate to intrude on your solitude, but would it be too much of an imposition for me to stay here with you while this matter is cleared up? I would appreciate your assistance and the favor very much." | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Oh, by all means. I wouldn' | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ziedon plucked at his average cut and cost clothing. "I really hate to be such a bother, but I lost everything except for the clothes on my back and a few things that I had stowed away. Do you think you could see yourself clear to perhaps fronting me some aggies to get myself set up properly? I hesitate to even ask you for such a boon but who would take me seriously in such garb?" | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Of course," | ||
+ | |||
+ | A look of discomfort, as if this was a very awkward thing to talk about, came across Ziedon' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Galpen whistled at the number, but Ziedon raised a hand. "I know it is a hefty sum. I was hoping that you would be able to suggest specific merchants who would have items of the quality that I require but with whom you might have a relationship so they would not gouge me. That might reduce my necessary expenses; I am sure you understand why such expenses are necessary." | ||
+ | |||
+ | Galpen smiled. "Sure, I can help you keep your costs down, but two fifty is a lot of money. I don't keep that much on hand when I can avoid it, so I'd have to borrow to make up the difference. And that is something I could never do, not even for you." | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Well, let's start with what you do have with the merchants that you recommend. Hopefully that way I won't need to borrow a lot more." | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||