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Post by Maerin on Jul 30, 2008 2:49:43 GMT
As Jynx, Karsten and Lord Nathor settled the wounded they helped, a dozen servants appeared with buckets of water, towels, and soon after, bandages and salves. The guards inside, those that had not been in the courtyard, proceeded to light more torches to provide better light. Finally feeling better, with cups of cooling water allowing them to wash the rock dust caking their throats, Jynx asked what was going on.
“I am not certain. But I expect word will be brought here soon enough. The Royal Household will act to protect Her Majesty…assuming she has survived…and the rest of her family. As their acting captain, they will send word to me when they see fit and not before. In the meantime, rest a few moments. Whatever did happen or might have happened has already happened.”
At that moment, the door to the courtyard opened and one of the guards outside gestured the wrapped but coughing figure of Zohar in to join the others. As Nathor handed the Vassagonian a cup of water, the guard spoke.
“My lord, we heard this one yelling in the courtyard, but have seen no one else appear. We do not know where the Palmyrions have gone or if they survived.”
“Very well,” Lord Nathor sighed. “Keep watch for a bit longer, if you can.”
***
Ector and Alba carefully walked along the parapet north, staying away from the inside edge. After an indeterminable amount of time in the dusty darkness, they emerged from the billowing clouds. The air was still dusty, but now far more was visible. A plume of dust and smoke enshrouded much of the Citadel. The cloud, though largely obscured by the gloom of twilight, seemed to cover and obscure much of southern Garthen, including the harbour.
Outside of the dust cloud, the parapet is crowded with guards, organized and observant. Though a dozen runners can be seen weaving among them, the guards are holding their positions watching the surrounding city still visible for any threats that might emerge.
***
The sounds in the street finally begin to seriously fade, as the authoritative voices ordering the immediate curfew overwhelm the sounds of the panicking mob. Though not likely to permit the Vakeros to walk free, the streets were likely to be far more clear.
The owner of the house did not return.
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Zohar
Hardened Gamer
Is Mr. Handy
Posts: 453
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Post by Zohar on Jul 30, 2008 3:40:14 GMT
Zohar gratefully drinks the water, soothing his aching throat. He joins Jynx and Karstan. "A thousand thanks, milord," he says to Nathor when he can speak without as much pain. "I had anticipated that something would occur to coincide with the execution, but I had never expected something of this magnitude. I had warned Lord Kevoan of my concerns, and I have noted his absence here. Does anyone know his whereabouts? Perhaps he was investigating some lead he had discovered. I think this may be connected to the quake we had felt at midday. I asked around town this afternoon, and not even the oldest people I met recalled anything like it. It was not a natural occurrence, I feel."
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Post by Jynx on Jul 30, 2008 4:45:31 GMT
Listening to Zohar voice the one of the suspicions she had made her think back on Lord Kevoan this midday. She wondered if she missed something when conversing with him; any thing that could have been a hint pointing to his whereabouts. Even the direction in which he left court and if he was with anyone would help her think out possible locations or his intentions.
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Ageal
Gamer
Vakeros Trainee
Posts: 268
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Post by Ageal on Jul 30, 2008 5:36:36 GMT
Ageal looked around the attic and knew he wasnt going anywhere for the night. Looking through the attic Ageal prepared himself for a nights rest with what little he had on him. using the bare essentials Ageal tried to disturb the house as little as he could. Ageal took time to observe the house for any intruders and lock the front door. He wasnt going to have this place get robbed while the house was in his stead. Ageal prepared for his short nights rest in the attic.
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Post by Ector Symir on Jul 30, 2008 8:47:42 GMT
Ector claps Alba on the back as the pair escape from the blinding dust. "That's better!", he says, thankful to his countryman for his assistance. Ector begins searching for a safe descent to the courtyard, while also hoping to locate his fellow adventurers.
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Post by Altor "Al" Cloudscraper on Jul 30, 2008 12:31:45 GMT
"Let us head to the guards, perhaps they can shed some light either on the situation or where the others are" I say to Ector as I begin to walk towards the guards.
"Hail freinds!" I yell, as I walk towards them, "do you have any idea where our companions may be? Can we be of assistance to you here?"
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Post by Karstan on Jul 30, 2008 17:26:23 GMT
Karstan took one of the loose rags that were brought in and sponged down his arms, he watched as the water turned a swirling white colour as the chalky dust mixed with the water. He could now clearly see the light cuts and bruises that he himself had picked up from what had happen earlier. As Zohan spoke Karstan wondered had he missed something earlier in being to eager to stay in the shadows at the sentencing had he allowed his worries about the unwanted fame to give someone a opening to cause what had happened, their would be time for these doubts later he though to himself, for now they where disadvantaged in not knowing the cause and the reasoning behind the attack. They now must first solving this puzzle and then work out how it could have been stopped.
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Post by Maerin on Jul 31, 2008 5:11:19 GMT
As Jynx, Karsten and Zohar each fell to either thinking or talking about the whereabouts of Lord Kevoan, a steward in the livery of the Royal Household appeared and walked swiftly over to Lord Nathor. Leaning over, the older man spoke a few short words in the Talestrian noble’s ear before departing. The words may have been a whisper, and then again, they might have been spoken louder only not to be overheard by everyone’s still somewhat-impaired hearing. But their effect on Nathor was pronounced. Smiling, he turned to face all in the room.
“Her Majesty and her family are safe. They were neither killed nor hurt in the explosion.”
A happy reaction spread through the room, as the guards grinned at one other in spite of their wounds.
***
Ector studied the citadel as the two walked towards the guards, slowing somewhat to think while Alba approached the guards. The courtyard below was not at all connected to the one they had left behind to the south, though Ector had become familiar enough with the Citadel that he thought he could find his way back. As for the Citadel itself, he just could not make out much. There did not seem to be fire, persay, and the knight thought that, perhaps, the dust might be at least mostly clear of the high castle (if not the streets the castle overlooked) by morning.
Ector stared at what could be made out in the twilight. Though most of the damage was obscured around the south side of the Citadel, it was obvious that one of the high towers had been lost to collapse. He considered what may have been in the vicinity of that tower, and could not think of too much. It was a portion of the Citadel given over to storerooms for the Citadel itself, since the south gate was the closest to the harbour. He remembered a large library, a few reading and drawing rooms that had not seemed to see much use, and a room with clear crystal windows that had a magnificent view overlooking the Tentarias that the knight had only been to once during his stay, but that was it. All in all, Ector thought with a frown of consideration, it was probably the only section of the Citadel itself that one might destroy in a massive explosion if one’s goal was to avoid as much harm as possible to the Royal and noble families, the armoury, the treasuries, the offices of State…
As Ector considered that somewhat disturbing thought, Alba searched for any sign of his companions aside from Ector. None were visible. The Palmyrion then approached the guards and spoke. The two nearest guards turned to glare at him and immediately drew swords. The points leveled at his chest, Alba stopped and carefully held palms out to in a placating gesture.
In a heavily-accented northern Talestrian accent, one of the guards snarled at Alba. “Who the blazes are the two of you? You sound foreign. And what are you up to?” The man’s accent brought a sinking feeling to Alba. Northern Talestrian’s were notoriously xenophobic.
As Alba started to response calmly, the two mens’ faces immediately turned ugly and the speaker interrupted the woodsman with his yell. “ This evil deed no doubt! Murderers of our queen and attackers from other lands! Stand still and silence, you scum! Chains!”
Two other guards strode rapidly towards the confrontation and also drew swords. Seeing the situation deteriorating rapidly for Alba, Sir Ector hurried forward. Wracking his brain for something that might diffuse the situation before it turned to violence, realizing that his own accent would also give himself away as being foreign, the knight’s gaze was caught briefly by the tallest point over the Hall of State above the Citadel. He smiled grimly and strode over to stand next to Alba, his sword carefully out of the way, but still able to intercept a swing if possible.
“Wait! Look there,” the knight pointed at the tower. “Ishir be praised, Her Majesty survived this cowardly and base attack by our enemies!”
The guards, both the pair that had antagonized Alba, and the two that joined them, all turned to follow Ector’s pointed finger. Visible even in the twilight by the huge size and the hundreds of golden strands woven through it, the Royal Standard of Battle now flew.
That same flag had flown over the Hall of State since word had first been received in Garthen of the Ogian invasion. It had been taken down when word had reached the capital that Ogia had fallen to the allied armies. It was a sign no one could mistake. A monarch of Talestria had formally declared war anew…and no such war could be declared if the monarch was dead.
“You moronic bumpkins!” One of the guards that had could in response to the alarm was an officer, and punctuated his shout with a heavy punch to the jaw of the guard who had yelled at Alba. “These are Palmyrions and our friends you…” The stream of invectives that followed was impressive in its sheer breadth and eloquence of meaning. “Get off my wall, you two! You are on half-pay this month, and by Ishir you will be rowing an oar before this week is out if I find out either of you have caused any more trouble.” That finished, the officer turned to Alba and Ector and bowed.
“I apologize to you both. It seems that two of my countryman have forgotten who are friends and who are enemies.”
***
After searching the house, Ageal found only just the front door into the house. However, lacking a key, the Vakeros realized he was not going to be able to lock it. Listening, however, he could hear groupings of measured, heavy footsteps by men in armour. It seemed that the guards of Garthen were the only ones now present in the dust-shrouded streets.
Retiring back to the attic, Ageal settled in for the night. OOC: So, Ageal is down for the night, so I do not expect much of a post from him before my next update tomorrow. There is an opportunity for all the others to have one more NPC conversation, if they so wish, or make any other skill rolls they desire. Tomorrow’s post will move things forward into the morning.
Remember that you can always use the OOC thread to talk over thoughts, make plans, compare notes, or what have you. I know our various time zones occasionally make such conversations difficult when things are moving quickly, but the option does exist if you want to use it.
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Post by Ector Symir on Jul 31, 2008 9:54:11 GMT
Ector waves a hand dismissively to show no offence has been caused. "Thank you for calming your men," Ector says to the officer. "It is understandable that the present situation would anger them, but I am glad you stopped things from getting out of hand. "I am Ector, and this is my friend and compatriot Alba. Would you be kind enough to escort us to the Hall of State? War has been declared and we wish to learn how we might aid our allies."
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Post by Altor "Al" Cloudscraper on Jul 31, 2008 15:51:36 GMT
Heavy in heart, Alba listens to Ector "...war has been declared..." "...help our allies..." He thought war was supposed to be over. We had won, had we not?
"Sir Ector" he says as he is leaving. "Who could this be? From everything that we have heard, Ogia is no more, and her allies are on the retreat. The latest reports indicate that Torgar will fall soon as well."
As Alba listens to Ector describe his thoughts on the attack, Alba becomes even more and more confused, and silently prays to the Forest Mother to guide him and his friends to safety.
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Post by Karstan on Jul 31, 2008 22:26:24 GMT
The air suddenly felt tangibly lighter, not only had the dust started to fall over the floor but the news that the queen was okay had brought much relief. still there was the matter of the cause and if this had been done on purpose as the timing was most suspicious for something out of the ordinary. Would there be another attempt on the queen in the near future. Thoughts swirled in Karstan's mind yet nothing that he could draw conclusions from merely theories and conjecture.
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Zohar
Hardened Gamer
Is Mr. Handy
Posts: 453
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Post by Zohar on Aug 1, 2008 0:15:59 GMT
"That is a great relief," says Zohar when he hears that the Queen and her family are safe. "Much planning and preparation has clearly gone into this attack. Whoever carried it out likely had access to the Citadel and perhaps powerful magic as well - but to what end? Was it another attempt on the Queen, or was it a smokescreen to divert our attention from something else? It is not clear whether Zegron knew in advance that this would happen, but if he did he has taken his knowledge to his grave." Zohar considers the possibilities.
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Post by Jynx on Aug 1, 2008 0:31:32 GMT
"Oh my, what a relief." Jynx spoke out loud, emphasizing her relief with a sigh and a hand over her chest. Maybe with this news her mind will concentrate on her previous line of thought concerning Lord Kevoan.
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Ageal
Gamer
Vakeros Trainee
Posts: 268
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Post by Ageal on Aug 1, 2008 4:32:17 GMT
Ageal goes to sleep and wakes just as light hits the sky.
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Post by Maerin on Aug 1, 2008 5:25:41 GMT
The guard sergeant nodded to Sir Ector, and gestured over one of the young messengers. “Please take these two men to Lord Nathor. Based on the message you just gave me, I expect you will find him where you left him.”
With that, the guard sergeant returned to his place on the wall, and the young man nodded to Sir Ector and Alba. “Follow me, sirs. As quick as possible, if you please, as messages are passing thick this evening.”
The messenger set out down the parapet steps to the courtyard, and into the courtyard below. Crossing the courtyard and entering back into the Citadel at a pace Ector was just able to keep up with, the three were silent in thought as the two companions followed the messenger.
In a short few minutes, Alba and Ector found themselves reunited with Karsten, Jynx and Zohar. Ageal and Kevoan were both missing still, but neither had been in the courtyard and the companions remembered that the Vakeros had indicated he would be out in the town. Considering the plume of dust that had enshrouded the courtyard had been seen by Ector and Alba to have spread into a large portion of the south and southwest quarters of the city, it was possible that the Vakeros would not or could not return to the Citadel until morning.
***
After Nathor provided the good news to the room, he called for a set of messengers. Four arrived, and the Talestrian Lord sent each on their way with a few terse words. As he did so, the stewards began helping each wounded guard carefully out of the room. When Karsten again offered to help, they politely refused and suggested he should probably consider retiring soon to recover himself.
In the meantime, Jynx and Zohar considered the explosion and the last encounter with Lord Kevoan, respectively.
If one assumes this was done by an enemy of Talestria, Zohar considered, then it could be just about anyone. He did not know yet what had really occurred, but the explosion was obviously quite large and probably had done serious damage to some portion of the Citadel. But, equally obviously, it did not stop the execution. Just after having entered the Citadel, he had overheard one of the guards saying to another that Zegron was, in fact, dead. The timing might suggest that the explosion was intended to stop the execution but, if such were the case, the attempt had been in vain. Beyond that, the Vassagonian just could not imagine what gain an enemy would have managed. Irrespective of how much damage might have been caused to the Citadel itself, it had seemingly not occurred in a place that particularly threatened Garthen’s fortifications and defenses, nor her harbour or major merchantile areas. If it had failed to kill the Queen too, Zohar thought, then as an attack it pretty well seemed to be a solid failure.
Jynx thought back to noon in the State Hall, the last time she had seen Kevoan. He had seemed fine, cheerfully confident in his prediction (proven true) that Zegron would die at sunset. She had not seen him afterwards, during the time she had spent socializing in the Citadel, and that did strike her now as a bit atypical. The Elder Magus, quite contrary to what some might have though of a “high magus”, had proven quite social with those in the Citadel both while the companions had been foiling the assassination attempt and afterwards. Using certain memory tricks she was much practiced with, Jynx summoned to mind a mental picture of her final words with the Elder Magus…. No, he looked fine. Cheerful. No, wait. Now that is odd, she thought. He does seem tired. Not in the voice nor face expression. Perhaps it is the eyes. Nothing dramatic, nothing even unusual…except the sentencing of Zegron had taken place at noon. Did the Elder Magus not sleep well the night before, or had the magic he had used during Zegron’s sentencing over-tired him? She did not know, but that hint was all she could glean.
At that point, one of the messengers returned with Sir Ector and Alba. Both were caked in the same white dust that had covered all the companions. As they greeted one another and Lord Nathor, the messenger departed again at a word from the Talestrian lord. In the meantime, Ector shared his observations on what he had seen from the parapet, particularly after he and Alba had managed to escape the debris cloud. Zohar nodded as the knight’s information confirmed at least a couple of his own guesses.
“I agree, Sir Ector,” Lord Nathor commented after the knight had finished. “Other than perhaps destroying a fair amount of food and wine for the Citadel, and an unimaginable amount of books and furniture… I can only believe right now that we may have been incredibly lucky considering what a disaster of this magnitude could have done if it had been anywhere else in the Citadel.
“But, for now, I believe we should all retire to clean up and recover. Morning will see this situation in a more revealing light. Let Ishir and my brave countrymen watch over Garthen tonight. Hopefully the nightly winds we typically get in the summer along the Tentarias will clear the dust cloud and allow us to see better what we have lost this day. Good evening.”
With that, Lord Nathor bowed slightly to everyone and retired. Each of the companions realized that there would be little more that could be either done or guessed until morning.
OOC: Everyone earns 2000 experience points for the adventure up to today.
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