Deep within Castle Eryth, you confer with the Oathkeepers on what you've found out. You tell the tale of the last few days: how Thumgath is abroad, terrorizing the plains with some new fearsome allies, how an attack seems imminent on the very Castle where you stand. Of the terrible wizard who rides with Thumgath. Of the vanishing of the Night Masks and the Bright Moon clans. Of the meetings with Raelere and Dhar-bo. And your arrival here.
Rhyan, the one-eyed Oathkeeper Castellan, listens soberly to the words of Kane and Khom-Bei as the tale unfolds. Also present are some of his lieutenants, his sister and fellow knight Raelere, and Garvin, Khom-Bei's old friend. Thragga and Dhar-bo sit quietly. Neither Urag nor Northerling is much welcomed by the Ressi.
On one wall of the hall hangs the banner of Ress, a white horse on a green field. A map of the local area, painted on sheepskin, is unrolled on the table before you, showing Eryth at the northern flank of the great Westwall, a line of fortifications stretching along the western border of Tol Nedra. Several hours ride to the south over rough terrain is Castle Morin, and more forts, strongpoints, outposts and Castles south of there, all connected by the Westway, as fine a road as any Vulkah engineers could build.
Rhyan leans forward. "Tell me more about how the Northerling clans vanished."
Khom-Bei stands upright and gestures to Dhar-bo, "My sister was the only survivor of the attack on the Night Masks. The Bright Moons have dissappeared. Dhar-bo, sister, will you tell the Castellan of what you saw?"
The young blue-eyed Northerling girl clears her throat. "They came upon us and laughed. They brought a terrible storm, as if the lightning and thunder had landed all about us. I...hid. A wind and a screaming...and my people were gone." She swallows. "Gone."
Rhyan asks, "But no great colossus?"
Khom-Bei says, "We have heard only rumors, Castellan, it seems that none survive the sight of the thing."
One of the Oathkeepers, Larkin, mutters, "Surely they fled into the woods, Castellan. This slip of a girl surely was sleeping and dreamed such a thing. They are a cowardly race."
Kane says, "There were no sign of any flight. There was surely magic afoot in their disappearance. Ask your own scout."
Khom-Bei whirls to face the muttering Oathkeeper, "Would you care to ask your friend Garvin of my courage or that of my people? Or perhaps you would prefer more....personal knowledge?"
Garvin warns Larkin, "Ye'd best shut yer trap, lad, or face me for it."
Kane places his hand on Khom-Bei's shoulder, "Easy friend, there is much distrust between your two peoples. This is not going to change in a day."
Raelere says, "Dark dweomers are at work, mark me words. A wizard of great power, allied wi' the Beast. Y'd best listen t'what they say."
Khom-Bei relaxes under Kane's hand, "Mistrust I can tolerate, ignorance is another matter."
Kane says, "Where there is ignorance, there is still a chance for learning."
Khom-Bei flashes a quick smile, "And I would be glad to teach him, my friend."
Garvin scowls. "This man Khom-Bei and I have fought side b'side agin th' Cold Ones. Any man speaks again him or his people, then they'll hear from Garvin!"
Rhyan speaks. "I remind you, ye are under my protection. We are here t'listen and learn from ye. I'm inclined t'believe your report, sirs, and thank ye for it."
Kane says, "We appreciate your hospitality Rhyan."
Khom-Bei bows to the Castellan, "I do not forget that we are here as your guests, sir. I apologize if I offend."
Rhyan nods. "Garvin has told us a wee bit of such as you...those who fight against the Vorghol."
Garvin grins. "And all of it were true, Castellan. Khom-Bei's folk are fine fighters, as ye know, but not all o'them serve the Coldies."
Kane says, "Many of my own people fight the Vorghol overlords. They are their worst victims as well."
Rhyan says, "I'd talk more with you on this, but other matters press." He gives orders to his men. "We need men from Morin, here, before nightfall. Light the beacon. And wake the King. He must be told."
A commanding voice calls from the entrance to the hall. "The King is already awake." The man standing there is in his middle age, blond, bearded, in unbuckled armor, eyes bleary and bloodshot. A much younger warrior, kinsman by his appearance, stands close at hand.
Immediately the Ressi bow, averting their eyes, as their sovereign, Garrovic, enters into the room, in a rolling horseman's swagger, the younger warrior at his side.
Khom-Bei leans close to Kane and whispers, "Perhaps now might be a good time to send word to your friend, King Henrick?"
Thragga, unsure what to do, stands and bows as well.
Khom-Bei bows before the King, following the others.
Kane bows in the ancient Tol Nedran style, of placing one fist upon your heart and dropping to one knee.
King Garrovic studies the conference, his eyes reddened slits. "I'm awake, but am I dreaming? Have we been taken by the Nedri and the Urag while I slept?" He is irritable as he snaps at Rhyan. "An Urag, in my Castle Eryth?"
Rhyan explains. "These warriors report from the frontier, Your Grace. Kane, Khom-Bei, and Thragga."
Kane stands and bows his head, "Your Grace."
The King's adjutant smoothly passes the King a brimming goblet of wine. The King takes a big gulp as he studies Kane. "Yes, yes, my nephew Joric here told me most of it. Three vagabonds wander inside the Castle walls and speak wild tales of monsters loose on the plains." The adjutant nods.
The gaze of Joric, the King's adjutant, lingers on Dhar-bo's slim form a long moment before meeting Khom-Bei's. Khom-Bei gives the man the thousand-yard stare.
Kane says, "If I might speak your Grace?"
King Garrovic gestures impatiently. "Speak! Kane, is it?"
Kane says, "Yes, your Grace. These are not fantasies but the evil work of the Vorghol. My companions and I have travelled far and seen much and their is little I would put past their dark sorceries."
Garrovic gulps his wine and scratches at his beard. "Who'd know that better than a Nedri like you? Come to spy on us, then? Brought your thralls with you?"
Joric chuckles. "No doubt, your Grace, no doubt."
Kane says, "I assure you your Grace, I am not a spy. The Vorghol are my sworn enemies. We come here simply to warn your people of the danger on the move."
Garrovic drains his goblet. "I didn't see any danger. Hunted up and down the Westway, for the last month, and heard not a word of any of this. Caught a boar twice the size of that greenskin, there, and we'll eat that boar this night, but no monsters."
Kane says, "If you will not take my word, would you not at least take the word of one of your own Knights?"
Raelere speaks. "These be honorable warriors, Your Grace. Saved me life and allowed me t'return here. I beg ye, b'lieve them."
Rhyan reminds the King, "The beacon, Your Grace. It must be lit, and the Wall alerted."
Garrovic snaps, "Bosh! And interfere with our feast?" He sips at a fresh goblet of wine. "This is Castle Eryth we stand in, Castellan, with walls ten feet thick. No Nedri will enter this place, no matter how loud they knock!"
Khom-Bei says, "Surely, Your Grace, no enemy worthy of the name would show himself to a foe as strong as you before he was ready to attack in force?""
The King grins at Khom-Bei. "See? Even the Northerling agrees with me!" He claps Khom-Bei on the shoulder.
Khom-Bei frowns and turns to Dhar-bo, "Come, sister, let us go from this place and leave them to their fate. Warnings are wasted here."
Thragga rises, looking like he wants to speak but biting back his words.
Kane says, "Wait friends, we owe it to our hosts to try."
Khom-Bei says, "Perhaps, Kane, but surely there are more open minds in Anghara? We should ride quickly.""
Rhyan is furious."Your Grace! I must protest! You gave me authority over this--"
Garrovic snaps, "And can just as easily take it away, boy. Mind your step. I am King here, even if that bitch Camiel in Fort Winter thinks she sits on my throne."
Khom-Bei mutters to himself, "Or maybe there are more open minds in Fort Winter?"
Kane says, "Your Grace, what will it take to prove our sincerity?"
The King tells Kane, "Stay, join us! Drink with us. I don't trust a man who won't drink with me. We roast our kill this night in a grand feast. If these Nedri of yours show up, we will bid the pipers play louder until the sun comes up and turns them all to dust." He laughs, draining his goblet.
Kane says, "I will gladly drink with you, your Grace, but let us drink in moderation less the Cold Ones creep up on us unawares."
Garrovic snorts. "Moderation? Moderation? He certainly talks like a Nedri, doesn't he, Joric?"
Joric grins and passes the King another cup of wine.
The King shouts, "Very well, then! Come nightfall, we feast! And Castellan, no beacons being lit. I won't have it said I can't handle some silly Nedri without help! If word got back to Camiel, she'd make a meal of it for months."
Khom-Bei wanders over to where Garvin stands and leans close, whispering, "And exactly where might this beacon be that we won't be lighting tonight?"
The King and his nephew talking and joking with each other, turn and stride from the hall.
Rhyan hangs his head. Raelere sets a sisterly hand on his shoulder.
Garvin's eyes go wide. "Let's talk more, lad. Outside. Meet me near the cistern, I've a mind for some exercise."
Rhyan says, "His Grace has commanded. We stand adjourned."
Thragga's thrown axe whirls through the air towards the target at the far end of the courtyard, landing with a THUNK!
Garvin applauds and grins as he hefts his own axe. "Not a bad toss, Thragga. Would ye care t'make it more interesting?
Thragga nods, looking to Kane uncertainly.
Garvin tosses a small purse of gold dragons to Khom-Bei. "Ye can hold it for me."
Khom-Bei catches the purse and makes it vanish with an uncanny ease.
Garvin takes aim on the wooden target ten long strides off. As he concentrates, he asks,"So, Kane, what d'you think o' our beloved sovereign?"
Kane laughs, "Your people are very hospitable. Especially compared to my own."
Garvin says, "Hospitable, aye." He lets fly, and the axe spins off into the hay bales near the target, missing it. "By Korda's balls." he says, softly.
Dhar-bo pours tall goblets of apple wine for you all to quench your thirst.
Kane says, "How are things here in the citadel? Will you be prepared when the Vorghol come?"
Khom-Bei snorts and glances around before speaking softly, "If that little vermin Joric looks at Dhar-bo again, I'll feed him his balls."
Khom-Bei produces the pouch of coins and tosses it to Thragga.
Kane says, "Easy friend, this may just be the bit of learning the boy needs."
Garvin nods graciously to the girl as he takes his goblet and mops his brow. "Thank ye, my beauty. Aye, the King and his nephew are our burden t'bear. The King has more of a mind t'hunt than he does t'rule, and he's encouraged in it by his nephew and his entourage. He shows up here in the hinterlands a few times a year, hunting game. And we all must be on our best when he does." The fat knight rolls his eyes and sits.
Thragga snatches the money pouch and grins fangedly.
Kane says, "He appears to have grown complacent. A fault my own people paid dearly for."
Khom-Bei says, "When can we expect him to leave again?"
Garvin says, "Until he bags what he came for. He's got himself a right huge boar, so he will probably move on soon."
Khom-Bei says, "And who's up in Fort Winter that he's so fond of?"
Garvin mops sweat. even on this chill day. "Why, the Queen Camiel, his own lady wife. A fine, strong woman, and our Castellan's own cousin. Now she's a grand lady in the old Ress style. Wi' the King out and about, and rarely in the capital, some say 'tis the Queen who's the real ruler o'our land."
Kane says, "In these times people should trust strength where they can find it. Be it man or woman."
Thragga says to Kane, "Fifty dragons...not bad for a few minutes' work..."
Kane looks in the bag, "You'll eat or drink it away in a day."
Khom-Bei says, "If only we could get word to the Queen, I would wager she could rally the troops, whatever her husband says."
Kane says, "This is up to the Ress if they want to follow their King to the grave."
Khom-Bei says, "If it were only Ress, I would agree. But they are liable to take the rest of us along."
Kane says, "If the King or the knights here will not listen to reason, then we must, as you've said, move on. As much as I hate to do it, but they are men and capable of making their own decisions."
Khom-Bei says, "Then we should ride now and ride quickly."
Kane says, "I have not given up all hope my friend. The people here are brave and true."
Khom-Bei smiles, "My life is nothing if not filled with faith, Kane, but even the Great Father expects us to take a hand in our own fate."
Garvin says, ""Ride lightly, lads. 'Tis he who the Powers ha'chosen.The King."
Kane says, "We will respect whatever your people decide. But we will not stay here to die."
Garvin says, "Were I you, lads, I wouldn't stay either. But this old knight knows his duty." He mops with a cloth. "Stay th'night. 'Twould be good to share tales with you. Besides, the night plains are no place t'rove, with menaces about. Ride out at first light."
Khom-Bei says, "Garvin, are there any who can spread the word quietly that the Dark Ones are coming?"
At Khom-Bei's question,. Garvin hefts a spear and toys with it, considering the distance to the target. "Thragga? Double or nothing?"
Thragga nods, eagerly.
Garvin tells Khom-Bei, "Aye, lad. There are always such. Y'well know, I am the most quiet of fellows."
Khom-Bei says, "Then I guess we can can stay until first light. Kane?"
Kane says, "I see why not. It would be rude to just ride off."
Garvin hurls the spear, and it strikes the target dead on, quivering.
Thragga passes the coin pouch back to the knight, with a sigh of resignation.
Khom-Bei says to Thragga, "Didn't even take a day, did it?"
Khom-Bei says, "What about getting word to Queen Camiel, Garvin?"
Garvin says, "We shall see, lad, we shall see. Tis a week and more to Fort Winter, and another week to return, even for a swift rider. Done it me own self, in me younger days."
Kane says, "It might be faster to seek help from the clans."
Khom-Bei nods, "True, but Jenn-dai has already sent word across the plains."
Garvin says, "Jenn-Dai? I ken that name. A shaman, by repute."
Khom-Bei says, "A powerful friend who is worried by recent happenings, Garvin. Worried enough to ally with Yarga temporarily.""
Garvin gapes. "Yarga? Th'Scourge? Is she mad, this woman?"
Khom-Bei says, "Not mad, worried enough to see him as the lesser of two evils."Kane says, "Not mad, this is a truce for survival."
The knight whistles. "She'll be lucky if she escapes alive. Yarga's a right savage, even for an Urag. Beggin' yer pardon, Thragga."
Thragga shrugs, indifferently.
Khom-Bei says, "At least she has a chance with this alliance. Without it she has none."
Kane says, "As it is said, War makes strange bed fellows."
Dhar-bo speaks up, "And what chance have we, Khom-Bei?"
Khom-Bei frowns, "I do not know, sister. I can only hope that the Great Father is watching over us."
Kane says, "We have fought the Vorghol many times. Be assured they die.There is still a remnant of resistance in Tol Nedra, if this can survive so can we here in the free lands."
The boar truly is massive. Its flayed carcass roasts slowly over a huge spit, grease sizzling in the fire, the scent of roasting pork making mouths water. The great feast hall rings with laughter: of the King's most loudly, and his retinue of twenty warriors, all hunters like himself, and many of the Castle garrison. Torches flare brightly, and there is copious food and drink among the knights and soldiers.
At a long, low table Kane, Khom-Bei and Dhar-bo sit together near the King's right hand, with large wooden bowls of food and freshly poured apple wine.
Rhyan, Raelere and Garvin also sit nearby, Rhyan sipping gloomily, Raelere listening quietly, and Garvin regaling you with tales of an exploit of his and Khom-Bei's. "I cut the bastard's head off and the body kept comin' on! Smashed the legs, it dragged itself for'ard with its claws!" He's laughing as he tells it. "Khom-Bei here, he's making the sign of the Great Father...well, best let him tell the rest."
Dhar-bo looks towards Khom-Bei, eyes wide with fascination.
Khom-Bei nearly choking on his wine, waves a hand at Garvin, "No, no, no, my friend. You tell it much better."
Kane takes a sip of his wine and then says to Khom-Bei "Well someone tell it, you have us all curious to hear the tale now."
Garvin says, "The thing's almost on him, if it had lips he could hae kissed it! He's about to invoke the wrath o'the Powers, when he realizes there isn't time. Suddenly he pulls this big club out of his skins. T'this day, I don't know where he kept it, but I ha'my suspicions." He winks lewdly ."Smash! Smash! Down goes the creature. And smash for good luck, and one more for th'Great Father, and another for the Great Mother, for all I know!" He roars with laughter. "So much for subtletly."
Kane laughs and say, "He's upgraded the club by the way."
Garvin bangs on the table with hilarity, "And he looks at me, and says...oh, the Protector preserve us....What are you going to do, Garvin? Stand there? Stand there?"
Khom-Bei blushes a deep red and takes another sip of his wine, "I was much younger and less restrained then."
Garvin says, "Oh, I tell you, he's a right warrior, this one." He raises his goblet in a toast. "To the young and unrestrained!"
Khom-Bei raises his glass, "Here, here!"
Raelere and Dhar-bo raise their goblets. Rhyan tries to look merry but fails.
Across the noisy room, the King shares a private joke with his men.
Kane turns back in time to raise his glass and say, "To Khom-Bei, warrior-priest!"
Rhyan sets down his goblet. He excuses himself, dourly. "Your pardon, friends. Duty calls." His sister watches him make his way across the crowded room.
Kane stands and follows Rhyan out of the hall.
Khom-Bei turns to Raelere, "Your brother seems in poor humor tonight. I hope we have not caused him distress.
Raelere says, "Nae, he has other matters 'pon his mind, Khom-Bei." She glances towards the royal dais, coldly, where the King and his hunters have launched into a song.
Khom-Bei follows her gaze and nods, "A good man in a bad spot."
Raelere watches Kane leave the room with her brother.
Raelere drains her goblet. Without a word, she rises and slips out across the hall.
Once out of the great hall Kane calls to Rhyan. "Castellan, if I might have a word?"
Rhyan pauses in his stride. "Aye, Kane?"
Kane says, quietly, "Castellan, I would never advise any man to go against the wishes of his King, but I must implore you that this danger is real. People will die if nothing is done to mount a defense."
Rhyan frowns. "I believe you, Kane. But these walls are thick, and Castle Eryth has never fallen to the Cold Ones. And we have strong knights besides, sworn to defend this land." He speaks like a man putting the best on a bad situation.
Kane says, "Can you not reason with your King?"
Rhyan answers, "I am kin to his wife the Queen. What he feels for her, he feels for her line."
Kane says, "This is all true. But a force is loose out there like none the Reith have faced before. It is the darkest magic that swallows up those who oppose it and turns them to their bidding."
Kane says, "I doubt not that these walls and your knights could deflect any direct attack, but in this there is magic a foot. What defense do you have against this?"
Rhyan tells Kane, "Defenses enough. And I would not speak of them to a Nedri, even if we are two warriors in the same battle."
Kane says, "We must hunt out these fiends in the light of day and destroy them when they are weakest."
Kane says, "I feel we have done all we can hear, though I am disappointed our message was not received better. We will leave in the morning and with thanks for your hospitality. I just want you to know should you or your King change your minds we would gladly ride out with you to face this foe. It is up to all people of these regions to set aside their differences and put an end to the beast once and for all."
Rhyan offers his hand in friendship to Kane, in the forearm clasp. "You have my thanks. We can ask no more of you, Kane, who has offered us so much."
Kane takes Rhyan's hand and says, "I truly hope the beast does not come your way friend. As for us I think it is time we start taking the fight to this enemy for a change."Rhyan nods. "Enjoy the feast." He turns on a heel to go.
Kane is in no mood to return to the feast so instead strolls out to the courtyard to get some fresh air. Outside, he leans against a wall and looks up into the sky wondering if there were more he could of done to convince his hosts of the danger.
The King has called for a spear-dance, an old Ress tradition. His warriors leap up, grabbing the hands of their camp followers, loose women who travel with them on these hunting trips. Music plays and the retinue launches into the elaborate spear-dance, a martial dance involving stylized moves and steps.
Garvin looks to Khom-Bei. "It's a cool night and I could use a pipe, lad."
Khom-Bei nods and rises to accompany his friend, "Dhar-bo, sister, walk with us, please."
Dhar-bo begs forgiveness. "I would see this dance, brother. I will join you anon."
Garvin pushes away from the table in disgust, leading his friend Khom-Bei outside the hall, into the Castle courtyard.
The noise and light from the feast hall spills out into the courtyard as Garvin lights his pipe. He offers a spare to Khom-Bei. Snowflakes tumble from the sky in one of the crisp nights of late fall.
Khom-Bei gratefully accepts the pipe and huffs it to life, blowing a great plume of smoke into the chill night air.
Thragga emerges from the darkness nearby Khom-Bei. "How was the food in the hall?" he asks.
Khom-Bei says, "A little short in supply. You wouldn't have had anything to do with that, would you?"
Thragga says, "Me? All I got was some loaves of bread and sausages. And beer. And there was some chicken. And fruit. And cheese. You know, that Ress cheese that they make..?"
Garvin seats himself on a crate, swinging his short stumpy legs and smoking his pipe. He chuckles. "Oh, doubtless not. The Urag appetite..." He pauses, eyeing the high wall of the rampart across the courtyard. He raises a brow. "Is everyone at the bloody feast, that even the regular patrol is off duty?"
Khom-Bei turns to look where Garvin is looking, "Patrol?"
Garvin nods. He points. "Bloody patrol should have walked past there already. Discipline's going to hell! I swear, by the Warrior, I'll have th'hide off those boys!"
Khom-Bei says, "Why don't we go take a look?"
Garvin leaps up, headed for the stairs at the shadowed base of the wall. "Aye, lads. Let's have a look."
Khom-Bei says, "Thragga, come with us. Dhar-bo, would you see if you can find Kane, please?"
Thragga is right behind Khom-Bei. He cracks his knuckles.
Kane, upon hearing his name realizes he is not alone in the gloomy, snowy courtyard. "Over here Khom-Bei, what is it?"
Khom-Bei says, "The patrol on the wall isn't where he should be. We're going to take a look."
Khom-Bei says, "Care to come along?"
Kane says, "I'm right behind you."
You reach a low doorway at the shadowed base of the great wall, and beyond is a set of stairs, which will ascend to the rampart above. Garvin leads the way within, and curses. The torches have been put out and the staircase is pitch dark.
Kane draws Light Bringer. Dragonfire radiance floods the stone staircase.
Garvin says, "Handsome weapon you've there, lad."
Kane says, "Handy and deadly as well."
Garvin says, "Perhaps ye'd best lead on."
Thragga unslings his axe. He finally looks relaxed, eager even.
Khom-Bei slips his warhammer from his belt, not nearly as eager as Thragga.
Kane leads the way up the stairs.
The five of you, Kane ahead, Dhar-bo trailing, make your way up the steep stairs. The door at the top is closed. Kane tries it and it appears to be jammed.
Kane turns to Garvin and says, "Are these usually locked?"
Kane forces the door with his shoulder.
Garvin joins Kane and puts his shoulder to it. The door slides open, slowly, as if a great weight was behind it. There is the grinding of metal against stone. An armored dead man slumps from behind the door and sprawls on the cobbled rampart before you. It was his body that jammed the door shut.
Kane says, "Sound the alarm, Castle Eyrth is under attack!"
The only sound heard in the courtyard is from the feast hall, as the noise of the revelers within spills out into the snowy night.
Kane senses an undead presence outside the Castle but cannot say where. He says, "This is the work of the Vorghol."
An armored figure appears from the shadows on the rampart. Sword drawn, her flaming red hair flaked with snow. It's Raelere. "Garvin! I'm so glad you've come. There's trouble..." She points across the rampart, towards the small gatehouse, above the main gate. It's silent and dark there.
Garvin says, clutching his mace with both hands."What's this, lassie? We'll soon sort this out!"
Khom-Bei says, "Wait, Garvin..."
Garvin starts forward. As he does, Raelere plunges her longsword through his neck, the point emerging from the far side. He drops, and she turns towards you, coolly, Garvin's blood dripping from her sword, staining the snowy cobbles of the rampart. "Trouble..." she repeats.
Kane faces Raelere. "Trouble indeed. Why have you turned traitor against your own people?"
As Garvin's body falls to the ground, Khom-bei howls his rage into the night and charges Raelere with his hammer swinging, "Garvin!"
Raelere's eyes glint, as if under the Vorghol domination. She smiles, viciously, sword held before her. "Do you want a turn, too?" she taunts.