Turn 98 After the fire
After watching and listening to the conversation, Jahl finally
steps
forward and speaks, "Perhaps confronting Reynold is not a good
idea. I
remember our last conversation with him didn't go too well, and I
don't look
forward to a another. I suggest that we just be on our way, I no
longer
feel welcome here."
"I think I'll help out in the... uhh... stable... with
those...
BEASTS!"
Wulfgar turns and looks at Arilyn stepping close he whispers
something
in her ear. Before turning his attention back to the group "Yes I
agree
with Jahl I also no longer feel comfortable here, we should
perhaps just
have a quick meeting with the Lord then leave.!"
The bulk of the group heads towards Reynolds office and find it quite busy.
Stepping forward Wulfgar looks around "What's with all the guards
outside?
Where is Lord Reynold? I think I speak for us all when I say we
are in need
of some answers before we go.!"
He looks at his old friend and waits patiently for an answer.
Looking surprised he says "I thought you knew?!" pausing in
confusion he says
"But M'Lord said had sent Baldwin to tell you he was heading
out. Then the fire
and.." the man looks seriously stressed out.
"Now this is strange, if he's not in here, why did they let us
in?", Kay
quickly looks around the place and when Wulfgar questions his
friend, the
warrior pauses to listen to his explanation.
Caoimhin looks quickly around the office. "Good sir, given the
string of
recent events, we must assume that this fire was no accident.
Someone
meant to do us harm, or at least to send a message that we are not
welcome.
We are strangers here --- I know not what conflicts are brewing in
this
land, but we have only one connection: we rescued Lord Reynold's
son and
heir, and in so doing we have somewhere made an enemy."
He rubs his hand along his head, removing his kerchief to scratch
his
stubbly scalp as he talks. "Unless this was not aimed at
us...have you
yet checked the cells? I fear the fire might have been a
distraction
to allow Antar's confederates an opportunity to free him. If this
has
happened, Lord Reynold --- and perhaps moreso, young Baldwin ---
are in
grave danger." He turns to look at the party. "We must act
quickly. It
concerns me that Baldwin never reached us; I say we find him first
and
secure his safety." He turns back to Reynold's aide. "Have you a
man
or two you can trust? I would strongly suggest that Antar's cell
be
checked, as soon as possible."
Gareth begins quickly searching the desk, skim the papers, etc…
(roughly
2 minutes) while conversation unfolds about what has occurred. The
knight bellows for attention from beyond the door, and relays his
directions when they arrive.
"Guards - I want you to find out when Lord Reynold left, direction
of
travel, and what and whom he took with him. I also want you to
alert
the other guards that Baldwin is missing and quite possibly in
danger;
send out a party to alert the lord and escort him back to the
keep. We
may also have an imposter within the keep’s walls. Share the
alerts
among the guards, but confine it there for now; we do not want the
entire keep in a chaotic uproar.
The knight again focuses on Wulfgar’s friend. "Please lead us to
the
cells. It is quite possible that Antar is either being broken out
or is
in danger of keeping his life - as the only suspect, we need to
talk
with him to find out what in Pikahl’s name is going on here.
Everyone,
let us quickly proceed to the cells. If we cannot find Baldwin
there,
we will split up into the three watches and scour the keep
from
cell to rooftop."
Arilyn steps up to Wulfgar's friend and leads him to a chair. She
smiles warmly and touches his shoulder, "Just take a few deep
breaths
and relax. We are here to help you." Looking into his eyes, she
continues, "Think back. Have you noticed Lord Reynolds behaving
strangely? I don't believe that he would send his son to give us
a
message when he has guards and court staff to do that. Do you
think
Lord Reynolds is an imposter, or under a magical spell?"
Squeezing his
hand in friendship, "We need your help."
The man resists being lead anywhere, and Arilyn is not strong
enough to force him. As
she speaks up to him towering over her, he answers "The Lord has
always been a bit
different then most, but never have I seen him behave 'strangely'
as you put it. I
suppose it's possible he be under a spell but I've seen no sign of
such."
After sending several guards to search for Baldwin and sound the
alarm, the guard
speaks "The Lord left this morn after speaking with yourselves.
The only order left
was that you were to be our guests and sent on your way in the
morn. I am not
allowed to tell you where he was headed other than it is keep
business. If Baldwin
cannot be discovered, then word will be sent to M'Lord."
Wulfgar turns his head "Well I guess a visit to the cells is not
needed
anymore. Okay people, I think the search is still a good idea.
Is there
another way into the wing where we were put for the night?"
"Antar was executed shortly before the fire upon orders of M'Lord
Reynolds. I can
lead you to his body if that is your wish."
Arilyn flares in anger.."That is not only what I wish..that is
what I
demand."
Stepping close to Arilyn Wulfgar places his hand upon her shoulder
and looks
deep into her eyes. "You come with me Arilyn the boy is more
important, if
Callus demands justice then the villian has been has gone to face
her and
explain himself. She will tell either you or me or both of us
what she
wants. Calm yourself let the anger turn into determination to
find the boy.
I ask you again to come with me and help me find the boy, I could
not think
of anyone better to have at my side!" He lets a small frown cross
his face
and turns to Orman. "Yes show me the way to the joining
passageway. It
would be best to split the party here to search for the boy
Gareth, I will
not accept any other ideas as the passageways are to narrow to let
everyone
fight. As long as we all tell each other where we are going then
we should
be fine."
The man turns to Wulfgar, ignoring Arilyn completely "We have been
friends since we were children my friend, and I've done my best to
help
you and your friends since the moment you arrived, including
deliberately
misinterpreting my Lord and liege's orders to give you what you
need. I
don't have time for this abuse from your friends, especially with
Baldwin
missing. Now if there is nothing more you need? I must find
Baldwin, and
then if a few of your" emphasis here "Men" pauses "wish to examine
the
body, I will take you there."
Caoimhin watches Orman carefully, and when he has finished, turns
to look
at Gareth. "It's clear we're not wanted here, friends -- by the
lord, nor
his subjects, nor by whatever villians they are facing. I say
it's time
we were on our way. We've got just about everything we're
bringing, yes?
Seems to me we can be out of this...lovely...keep in no time at
all. And
perhaps once we're a few miles away -- but NOT before -- we can
discuss
where we're going next."
The flame of anger grows in Arilyn's eyes.."Justice was not
served.
Antar was murdered and we are as much to blame as the man that
ordered
his death. Reynolds is not a Lord, he is an abuser of power. I
will
see what Callus does and if I am not satisfied I will seek my own
retribution."
Arilyn turns away, looking at Wulfgar's old friend. She take two
quick
steps and tries to punch him right on his nose.
The guards that gareth summoned to the room, enter quickly and
place Arilyn under
arrest for ATTEMPTED assault on the Lord's right hand man.
No words are
spoken but she is
quickly and painlessly restrained between 2 very well muscled
armed men.
Arilyn tries to shake off the guards..her anger slowly
dissipating.
"Will you tell these 'men' to get their hands off me. You are
either
being played for a fool or you are a part of this? Are you a part
of
this or are you a fool? or has your duty to Reynolds blinded you?"
She
stomps her foot, "Now let me go and let us find the boy..and watch
out,
next time i will not miss!!"
"ENOUGH of this foolishness!" Bellows Wulfgar as he steps forward
between
his old friend and Arilyn who is now under arrest. "My friend you
and I
have been friends for a long time, Do you trust me?" Without
waiting for an
answer "My friend here has a lot to learn and has only just begun
her
spiritual teachings. I agree with you that the most important
thing at the
moment is finding the boy. Yet you have guards standing around
outside an
office when they should be searching for the child. Release my
friend and I
shall vouch for her should she run off. Which I assure you she
will not
before we either find the boy or answer for her dues. How about
letting us
help with the search, I need her assistance to search the damaged
wing of
the keep." Turning sharply to Caoimhim "If you wish to leave then
do so now
but do not expect me to be following you! The same goes for all
of you! I
know we have not been treated well since we arrived the fire I
think started
by someone who wanted rid of us and therefore it would be safe to
say we
worry this person. If as someone said the Lord is under the
influence of
either magic or an impostor then the death of Antar will be
avenged."
Turning quickly to Orman "Now do we stand here all day or do we go
find a
boy who is lost and probably very scared?" Turning he motions for
the
guards to release Arilyn.
Caoimhin turns from the door to look at Wulfgar. His jaw firmly
set, he
says, "So be it, old friend. If you have not the sense to get out
of the
rain, I cannot help you. I am on my way to the stables to get my
horse;
I urge all of you to follow, but I will not stop you from tilting
at
windmills if that is truly your heart's calling. I shall return
to the
road and resume traveling in the direction we were heading before
we got
caught in this quagmire. I expect to ride half a day or so, and
perhaps
then stop to consider where I go next."
He pauses briefly, as the corner of his mouth turns up in a wry
smile.
"Perhaps we will meet again, Wulfgar, should you somehow survive
the day."
With that, he opens the door the rest of the way and steps into
the hall,
leaving the door open behind him.
Keldar breaks into tears, wailing and crying like a child upon
Arylin's
arrest. After the negotiated release of Arilyn, Keldar's sobbing
stops.
"I don't like it here," He says to Vincas, "people are mean. Why
are we
afraid for the little boy? What might have happened?"
The red-eyed gnome stares up at Vincas.
Orman listens to Wulfgar before speaking. "I trust you with my
life my friend as
you well know. As I am in charge until M'Lords return I will
grant your request.
Let us find Baldwin immediately" he motions for the guards to
release Arilyn.
Speaking directly to the 2 men he says "Stay here and inform me
at once when
someone reports in. I'll be in the tower tunnel" He heads down
the hall towards
a door and waits to see who will follow.
Vincas puts a reassuring hand on Keldar's sholder. "It'll be
alright Keldar.
You know how humans can be sometimes. When we get out of here I'll
explain
the whole thing to you, because you seem to be forgetting just a
bit of
what's happened, although I'm willing to wager that'll wear off
just like
Reggie's transformation."
Turning his attention to the rest of the group he says "Well, so
far I agree
with Caoimhin's idea. If Lord Reynold wanted us gone in the
morning, as his
guard here attested, then I say we go. We're at greater danger
here than on
the road, and we're not wanted here any longer by the Keep's
master."
"I may be new to the group, and a little unfamiliar with the goals
you're
trying to accomplish. But we returned the boy and that should be
the end of
it for us. Lord Reynold is capable of governing his own keep, and
our
continued presence here against his will is a sure way to draw his
ire.
Should he need us again in the future he can certainly contact us.
If
anything, I say we try to catch up to him, if we can figure out
where he was
headed."
"Anyway, I'm going to go with Caoimhin and take Keldar from this
place. In
his current state he's probably not able to defend himself, and I
don't feel
safe here. What say you Reggie? Will you come with us or stay?"
Turning Wulfgar walks to the door after Orman "Coaimhim if you feel you
must
leave I cannot stop you the same goes for Keldar and Reggie,
however if you
would walk away and leave a small boy lost then what would you do
if any of
the others were in trouble? Walk away then as well? Anyone who
wants to
help find the boy come let us get started. Those who leave" he
pauses "So
be it!" He flashes a look at Gareth and turns leaving the room
following
Orman.
"I have no business here.", Kay mumbles to herself before turning
to
Caoimhin, "I shouldn't of left poor Angel by herself for such a
long period
of time with all those strange horses.".
Arilyn looks over to Kay...."Please don't leave. Stay with us and
help
find the boy." The pleading look in her eyes is genuine..her
heart not
wanting a new friend to leave.
Wulfgar smiles at the comments flying back and fore as he steps
past Gareth
and walks to the door. "Yap, yap, yap, this is not finding the
boy is it.
Let us move more quickly people. Please!" He turns his attention
back to
Gareth, "If you would take the others and perhaps check the horses
the dead
body, and some of the other areas of the keep for the boy. I will
go with
Arilyn and Catherine and go to search the wing where we were
housed." He
looks at Gareth and nods as if to say let's get this done and get
the hell
out of Dodge. He pulls out a length of rope from his backpack and
follows
Orman out of the door.
Reggie watching all the chaos around him, sits down against a
wall,
tips his hat overs his eyes, and says
"Wake me up when everyone has decided what the party is doing" and
tries to catch up his sleep. He then quickly looks up and says
"Or wake me when it meal time" and with that gets back to the hard
job
of sleeping
You enter the tower, and begin an extensive search. You discover
the
body of a child, burned beyond recognition. As you mutter to
yourself in
disgust at the time you spent argueing and fighting the child
raises an
arm in your direction.
Wulfgar kneels down beside the boy "My god, who would do such a
terrible
deed! Callus I pray to you to give me your strength to save this
boy, and
to guide me to who did this horrible deed!" He reaches out and
lays his
hands on the boy.
Arilyn looks at the body, not quite certain at first that it is a
body.
She steps closer and her head begins to feel light and woozy as
she
realizes it is a body of a child. When the arm moves, she falls
back in
fright and lands on her back. She tries to control the heaving
motion
that is going on in her tummy..but cannot. As she sees Wulfgar
kneel
next to the child, she throws up onto the floor.
Kneeling beside the boy Wulfgar looks at Arilyn, a look of concern
crosses
his face but it quickly fades. He frowns into deep concentration
as he
tries to help the lad. "Arilyn I need you to get a hold of
yourself. You
may need to get the others if this does not work." He seems to be
in a semi
trance like state now as he attempts to help the lad.
Arilyn wipes her hand delicately across her lips..her tummy still
heaving and rumbling. She stands and walks closer to Wulfgar and
the
boy..keeping silent as she looks at the boy, her heart ready to
break.
A tear drops down her cheek and she wipes it away, embarassed at
showing
such weakness.
As Wulfgar kneels and is about to start praying, the boy says
"It....was....my...fault....I'm....sorry...." he then dies before
you can even
begin your prayers.
Arilyn cries out as she sees the life spirits of the boy leave his
body. She grabs the medallion of Callus, pulls it off her neck
and
throws it at Wulfgar, "How could your god let a young boy die."
She
runs out of the room, everything fuzzy as tears flow from her
eyes.
Wulfgar watches Arilyn ripping the medallion from around her neck
with
complete indifference. He turns his eyes back to the boy as the
medallion
hits him he looks at it then picks it up and places it calmly in
his pack.
He reaches down and lifts the body of the boy into his arms.
Standing he
walks slowly outside and into the middle of the courtyard, where
he lies the
body down on the ground. He strips off his sword and drops it on
the ground
beside him and his backpack gets dropped beside the sword. He
kneels down
and looks at the boy. "I know not what you meant when you said it
was all
your fault, and I guess there is no way for you to explain it to
me now.
There are so many questions and so few answers." He lifts his
gaze to the
skies overhead. "Callus I know you watch over me and your
followers and
that this boy was not one of them, forgive Arilyn for what she has
done .
This is hard for someone who has not seen that much death and even
for one
of your servants who has! I wish we had made it a bit earlier and
I could
have attempted to help the lad. For I know he did not mean any
harm to
anyone." With that Wulfgar stays kneeling beside the boy in
silent vigil
until the others arrive.
Meanwhile, some of the others go to examine Antars body.
You are lead to the beheaded body of Antar. The body was obviously
being
prepared for burial before the undertakers left (probably because
of the
fire) and is now simply layed upon a stone table head a few inches
above
the neck and naked.
Catherine will, if no one else will, handle the body and
examine it
(providing the guards allow her to do so). She's no shrinking
violet and
has been around corpses before.
The paladin reflexively reaches to the centre of his chest,
cupping empty space. With head bowed, a prayer asking for
understanding and protection of all innocents and those who wish
to return to the side of good, for misunderstandings to be
cleared and truth and sfety to emerge from deception and
confusion. Gareth mentions that he wishes to examine the stables,
cells (who else is down there?) and Antar's belongings, searching
the first two for word of the other two brothers, and the latter
for
clues on the deception. If the guards resist, the knight bluntly
points out that Antar had been convicted of a crime which would
bring
about the death of the King's personal guards, the same as an
attack
against his person... and Gareth has right to investigate by his
position.
Finding no evidence of foul play, the small group heads for Antars room to examine his effects.
The cells appear empty. Antar owns a few changes of clothes a
hairbrush, 2 sheets of blank parchament, quill and ink, a candle,
and
no other apparent personal effects.
You find no trace of the boys in Antars room, or the cells.
The knight holds the blank papers up to the light, playing with
the
angle at which it strikes the sheets, in attempt to read any
impressions left upon them, then returns them (assuming nothing
interesting, keeping them if something there). "Terribly sparse
for
an advisor to a lord," Gareth remarks to himself.
Assuming nothing interesting is learned further from guard,
sheets, or
head (which the knight carefully examines carefully):
The paladin shakes his head in disgruntlement. "Let us stop by
Wulfgar, Kay, and Arilyn to see how goes their search, then head
to
the stable to check on the boys' mounts and length since the lads
were
last seen."
Meanwhile, the rest of the broken group head for the stables to leave and await the others outside the keep.
Vincas, Reggie, Keldar, Caoihmin, and Kay enter the stable as
Jahl is
leaving. Barbaxle is nowhere to be seen although Jahl swears he
was here
a moment ago. The horses all look just fine. Three guards are
about
looking in, over, under, and around things big enough to house a
child.
Keldar looks at the guards, starts clapping his hands, and yells
"HIDE AND
SEEK!!! Then starts giggling like a child. He runs and buries
himself in
the cloasest stack of hay that would fit him.
Where is the rest of the group? Barbaxle asks "I thought that you were going to
find
Reynold and have a talk with him. I heard that Baldwin is missing
again.
Something is very wrong with that situation. I've looked at all
the horses
and they seem to be in very good shape, at least whoever tried to
kill us
didn't try to harm our steeds."
Vincas will assist Caoihmin and the others prepare to leave.
"So, where to
everybody? I read a tale once about a great abandoned keep in a
forest,
somewhere near here. It was rumored to hold vast fortunes, but
the
residents
were turned into the undead and doomed to guard a powerful
artifact in the
cellars. I wonder which way to that place?"
Kay wanders over to her horse and gives the beast a good look
over, "That's
what we get when we travel with heroes. As for the abandoned
forest keep,
I'm sure there's some sort of library in this dump where we can
find some
maps. We might get lucky and pick up some actual information on
the place
itself beyond what you have heard..As for the undead, I really
hope that's
just a rumor..I mean, how long has the place been under?"
Caoimhin gets his horse packed quickly, with an angry look on his
face.
"It's not my fault they won't listen to reason. I've been here
before.
I've *seen* how one gets run out of town." He looks up at Kay.
"One
benefit, I suppose, of being a Knight of Pikahl. You never find
yourself at the end of the town guard's pikes, or worse yet, with
a
mob of townfolk chasing you with stones and clubs." He lashes
some
of his equipment to the saddle, trying several times to fasten the
knot and eventually giving up in disgust, pulling out the strap
and
tying the bundle in a different place.
"Barbaxle, I'm heading in the same direction that we were going
before
we stopped here. The others have decided that they want to
straighten
this barony out before they leave. Much as I'd like to stay with
the
party, I'm just not willing to lose my head over which petty
tyrant is
ruling this stinking vale. You're free to join me if you like;
I'm
going to ride out just until I can't smell this place anymore,
then
wait a while for the rest of the party to catch up -- assuming any
of
them survive, which seems bloody unlikely to me." He pulls on a
strap,
but the edge of the strap slides roughly through his hand. "OUCH!
By the Queen's hairy back, why don't they smooth the edges of
these
things!?" Wincing, he pulls his hand away and inspects his palm.
"And I don't see myself going into any haunted keeps anytime soon,
not
with *this* lot. No offense Vincas, but until your friend here
gets
over his second childhood, I'm not taking him anywhere with
flesh-eating ghouls. The whole idea of leaving this keep is to be
in
*less* danger. I think worst of all would be staying here long
enough
to find the library, hanging out in the library long enough to
find
some maps that they might or might not have, and *then* going out
looking for FLESH-EATING GHOULS who aren't bothering anyone
sensible
enough to stay out of a bloody haunted castle."
He pulls the final knot on his pack, then steps back to inspect
his
work. A moment passes, then he runs at the nearest pile of hay
and
kicks the pile with all his might. "Bastard son of a mongrel
bitch!"
he shouts, then huffs back to his horse and begins untying the
bundle
that he's just tied in the place where he means to sit.
"Caoimhin!" Barbaxle cries "Please don't leave just yet, wait here with us
for a while.
I don't like the idea of us losing you. Who knows if we will be
able to find
you when we leave. We have been through alot together, PLEASE do
me this
favor and stay. I know that you don't like this place! I think
that I might
hate it more that you, with all the deceiving people and burning
buildings.
There is nothing that I would like more than to just be in the
wide open
forest with the birds chirping and the breeze blowing. Just
staring up at
the blue sky (It is blue right?)......(As he tales off for a
moment) How
about it Caoimhin?
Without waiting for a response, he then turns to Keldar
"As for you little one, you need to settle down and behave
yourself. I don't
want to have to give you a spankin'."
A pouty face appears, "No fair... I just wanna play too, its...
[looks up
at Barbaxle's unimpressed face] ... sorry .... I'll be good."
He looks over to VIncas, "What a flesheating gool?".
Arilyn runs in a daze...and finds herself in the stable. She
leans to
her horse and lowers her forehead to his neck. She gently rubs
his coat
as she feels herself calm back to normal.
After Barbaxle get done talking with Caoimhin, he will turn to Kay
and say
"I don't think that we should leave just yet. I have a bad feeling
that the
rest of the group might need out help. I want to leave this place
just as
much as you, but WE can't leave part of our group behind. I know
we all have
different views about a lot of things, but this one I think we all
believe
in. Never leave a comrade behind! All I ask is that we wait here
for awhile
longer"
Once he is done talking with Kay and the rest of the group.
Barbaxle will go
over by his horse and sets his head on the horses side. He looks
to be in
prayer...
Caoimhin stops retying the pack to his horse as Barbaxle speaks.
When
Barbaxle finishes, Caoimhin closes his eyes and breathes deeply
for a
few seconds. At last, he sighs, opens his eyes, and turns to
Barbaxle.
"All right, I'll stay here until the brat is found, or until they
decide
they're not going to find him. But I'm *not* staying here past
midday,
and the first time one of the locals tries to hit me with a rock,
I'm
leaving." He finishes tying the bundle, tries moving the pack
around
to check for stability, and steps away from his horse. A few
moments
later, he turns to Arilyn -- apparently noticing her for the first
time -- and says, "Are you all right? How goes the search?"
"The citizens of this keep weren't pleased with Sir Gareth after
he sat out
the fire. They were muttering something fierce when the smoke was
clear and
he was still standing there with Cathy and Wulf-guy. Still I guess
not a
single soul there, with the exception of Arilyn ofcourse, had the
nerve to
voice their disapproval to his face" While going through her
assorted packs,
she watches Caoimhin, "Take it easy there, I can't wait to leave
this
rat-trap, but you take your time with the ropes, Isn't that right
Angel?"
While everyone else is finishing up, Kay spends a few moments
chatting, ala
"Baby talk" with her horse. It's slightly painful to the ears.
Quickly
returning to her "normal voice", Kay adds, "Keldar, a Fleshing
Eating Ghoul
is basically a dead guy who still moves around and would really
like to have
you for dinner."
Once the saddles are strapped and the ropes are um, roped, Kay
looks to
Caoimhin, "So, where are we going?"
Arilyn breathes in deeply, trying to regain her composure, "The
boy is
dead..he was burned so badly."
Kay's jaw nearly hits the floor, "What? Where did you find him?
How about
his father?", She frowns, "This is so phoney, I wouldn't be
surprised if
Vincas's little theory wasn't right on the money. I guess we
better meet up
with the rest of the heroes.."
Looking over to Kay with sadness in her eyes, Arilyn says, "I was
with
Wulfgar..we found a boys body..and..and it was so badly burned. I
thought he was dead and then he moved his arm. I thought an evil
spirit
had taken him but he was still alive." Pausing to catch her
breath, "I
heard him say, 'It was my fault I'm sorry'. Wulfgar was going to
try to
heal the boy but it was to late." Her eyes becoming moist again,
"Kay,
I cannot get the sight of the boys burned body out of my head."
With the "flesh-eating ghoul" discription and the description of
the
burned boy, Keldar's childishness fleas, replaced with a near
catatonic
state. He just stares ahead, completely unresposive to voices or
movement.
Jahl comes into the stable again from his position in the
doorway. He
makes his way across the room to Arilyn where he offers a
comforting
shoulder.
"It was an accident Arilyn, there's nothing you could have
done. It is a
tragedy when a child dies."
Turning to the others, Jahl says, "the Gods frown upon this
place. The
sooner we leave, the happier I will be."
Kay bites her lip and pauses for a moment before talking, "Thing
like that
happened back home. Some kid was playing in a barn with her puppy
and
accidentally knocked over a lantern. It burn down the barn, and
every other
building near it..I assume it's an accident like that, considering
what he
said, has anyone else found any other info, and just where is his
father
at?"
Vincas rushed to Keldar's side. "Oh great, now look at him. He's
scared out
of his wits."
He waves his hand in front of Keldar's eyes, looking for a
response.
"By all the Gods I'll be happy to leave this flea-bitten, burned
out hovel
town far behind me. I felt safer in the woods with the goblins. At
least
with them you know what you're in for. Since I've been here I've
seen spells
backfire, someone possibly tried to kill us, the Lord's son, whom
we just
rescued, torched the whole place. Hmm, I wonder who's going to get
blamed
for the fire and his death? Let's see, how about the strangers who
summoned
storms and drew weapons in the courtyard after the fire, impying a
threat to
the Lord of the Keep."
He laughs and shakes his head, tempting fate perhaps "What the
hell else can
go wrong today?"
Reggie steps forward and says
"Rather than worrying about everyone else, Why don't we worry
about our
own? Keldar is obviously very sick, and I very much doubt if there
is
anyone here that can help him. Let's leave these people to their
grief, regroup and move on"
and with that, Reggie challenges Keldar to see who can get into
the
saddle of their mount first.
Looking back at Vincas for a minute is the old Keldar. "Bock's
not a
flesh eating ghoul is he... why'd he have to die". The face
staring at you
goes blank again.
As Caoimhin listens to Arilyn's tale of finding the boy, he hangs
his head
and covers his mouth with his hand. At last he lifts his eyes,
drops his
hand, and speaks. "I am sorry you had to see such a thing, fair
Arilyn.
The monsters and demons that held court for so many years outside
the city
walls hold no horrors worse than that which men inflict on their
own."
He looks around at the group assembled in the stables. "I'm in as
much
a hurry to leave here as any, but I think that Gareth and the
others have
little reason to stay now. I'd like to find them so that we can
all
leave together. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes. Jahl,
would
you care to come with me?"
Everyone heads out of the stables, and in doing so see Gareth and
Catherine standing beside the kneeling form of Wulgar and the
prone
form of a child. Upon closer inspection, you discover the child to
be
very badly burned and unmoving.
As you prepare to cross the courtyard, you see a figure dressed
in black
kneeling on the ground next to a small prone humanoid figure.
Upon
getting closer, you discover Wulfgar clearly grieving, kneeling
next to
the badly charred unrecognizable body of a child.
Walking over to her horse Catherine mounts up then steers it
toward
the gate. "Get Arilyn and the others, I'll wait for you outside
the
gate...the air in here is starting to get to me."
"Then it pains me to hear that you must wait alone, lady
Catherine.
We have a responsability to help locate the boys of this keep,
whether
that seems to be word, body, or life. I am sure the gods will
grant us
a sign if they wish us to do more or less than such simple aid to
those who have offered us shelter. Besides, none of the party has
had
a rest since last night... might be better for all if we departed
at
the dawn, not slink away in the night." The knight releases
Catherine's hand and kneels besides Wulfgar. "Friend... is this
indeed poor Baldwin?"
Catherine kicks the horses flanks, and cries "farewell then Gareth. You are all Fools" before disappearing through the gate and exiting the keep.
The paladin removes his gloves, tucking them within his belt
in a deliberate motion. One hand reaches out to rest upon the
child's
body, the other upon the charred brow. A war of sadness and
resoluteness play upon Gareth's features as he begins a prayer,
"O,
great Lord Pikahl. Receive to your sheltering breast this small
traveller, who needs thy blessing and guidance even more than most
who grace the heavenly paths. Benevolent Pikahl, your humble
servant
does ask of thee for the boy to be watched over in the next life,
to
be guarded in afterlife, and for peace to favour his soul. For
the
sake of the mistakes of the past, the temptations of the present,
but
the future of hope, so do we ask this of thee. In thy name, may
hope and strength of spirit prevail - Lord Pikahl." Rising
slowly,
the paladin addresses the child quietly. "Go in peace little
one."
Arilyn stays back from the rest of the group, her shoulders
sagging as
she leans against the door of the stable. She looks over at the
others,
keeping her eyes away from the boy. She thinks of a young life
that
will never grow, a death that came far to early. She thinks of
evil men
that live to be old and innocent ones that die well before their
time.
She walks with her head held high a look of determination over her
face. Stepping next to Gareth she says, "This place has raised
more
questions than answers. We must find Reynolds and find out the
truth.
This poor boy has died a horrible death and I cannot walk out of
these
gates and put this behind me. I do not seek revenge..I seek
answers to
resolve this. Am I alone?"
The party reunites on a sad note as they discover the burned body
of an
unrecognizable child. Wulfgar holds vigil over the body until
ready for
burial. Gareth prays and feels a bit better afterwards. Everyone
else is
torn between leaving, and seeing the child buried and the other 2
children found. As the group debates, Orman returns tears obvious
in his
eyes. "We've found the boys. They're in their nursery with the
nanny.
They don't know about Baldwin, and I dont plan to tell them yet"
Cole Clutches his holy symbol as he turns away from
the charred remains and sits with his back to it. Even as
news of the other boys safety is relayed the look of grief
and anger are still present. A black stone is nervously
shifting in his hand as he sits and stares at the ground
around him.
Jahl sighs sadly as he looks at the burnt child in front of
him. He
closes his eyes as Gareth says his prayer.
"Gareth, as much as we all would like to mourne this poor
child's death,
I think that we should move on. Short of divine intervention,"
Jahl pauses
a moment as he recollects the last few days and the appearance and
involvment of several Gods. "Short of divine intervention," he
begins
again. "This child is gone from us. There is nothing we can
currentl;y do
for him. We can, however, bring some justice to his death by
finding out
what has really happened here or we can leave and put the awful
events of
this keep behind us all."
"As our leader Gareth, please lay a course for us and lets
please be
quick on it for I do not wish to spend any more time here than I
must."
With that said, Jahl silently looks about to see what any
reactions there
are.
Reggie steps forwards and says
"Aren't we all forgetting something? We are all so busy worrying
about
everyone else, that we have forgotten to look after our own. Poor
Keldar is sick, and no one has suggested getting him some help.
What
with all this magic backfiring, his brain could have turned in
gruel or
something!"
I think our little friend will wake up from his childhood
dream soon enough. The backfiring of these spells has been
happening
for
awhile, the side-effects will wear off. We can't leave this town
when
they
need guidance the most. Please everyone stay and help found the
evil
in the
place."
The knight kneels beside Keldar and pats his small head. "I am
sorry
little one... no one mentioned to me that you were not well. I
will
include you in my prayers tonight. Barbaxle, I agree that this
town
needs us, but the lord has ordered that we depart in the morning.
While I suspect something is amiss, we have no proof, and no right
to
defy the lord’s law. If the guards permit us to remain tomorrow,
we
shall do so; if we are asked to leave, we must do so. At worst,
we
can send word to King Arion to send a detachment to formally
investigate the matter, but we must bide by the laws of the land."
"I can't believe that this was an accident." barbaxle says " How can anyone
do this to
a child that has so much to give the world. I don't see how anyone
could
leave this situation without doing something. I would like to get
some
answers also! I think our little friend will wake up from his
childhood
dream soon enough. The backfiring of these spells has been
happening for
awhile, the side-effects will wear off. We can't leave this town
when they
need guidance the most. Please everyone stay and help found the
evil in the
place."
Caoimhin turns his face down and sighs. "All right. I have no
wish to
stay here: surely the boy's death is a tragedy, but this is the
way
of the so-called `nobles' -- mark my words, this Lord Reynold has
his
place only because one of his fathers committed just such crimes
when
titles were being handed out. Nevertheless, Baldwin was just a
boy,
and nearly innocent for that, and I understand that many of you
wish to
see justice."
He looks around at the members of the party. "But if the lord
still
wishes us to leave, we go, without further hesitation."
Wulfgar raises his head and tells you he refuses to leave until
the
child has been laid to rest. Orman concurs and says the child will
be
prepared for entombment in the family crypt where he will be
interred
tomorrow. He proceeds to send out a party of 4 guards to attempt
to
locate Reynolds to tell him of the child believed to be Baldwin.
The body is being moved by the undertaker, and Wulfgar goes along
to
keep vigil over him. What do the rest of you do? It's approaching
midnight and kost of you can barely keep your eyes open you're so
tired.
Gareth seeks out a guardsman
to
secure quarters for the party to sleep; Gareth prays, then goes
nite-nite after his watch is over.
Everyone decides to retire to the stables, except Wulfgar who stays up with the body of the child all night.
Turn 99