Episode 11 – Funeral for a Friend
| The Assassins |
Craven - Fighter / Rogue 1st/1st LE (PC) Keldirk - Rogue 1st level NE (PC) |
| Locale | In the Silver Gauntlet. About one week since the death of Argos and the discovery of the mysterious grey substance. |
| Date | 6th Readying 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Early Morning. |
In the week that passed since the death of Argos, the two young assassins had not been idle. While waiting for the body to be buried, Keldirk made contact with a prominent herbalist in the Academic Quarter and gave him the sample he procured from Argos' corpse to analyse. Craven organised for Slick to find the identity of the woman who had been raped. Then they waited. There was little more that needed doing until the body was buried or their sources of information contacted them.
Craven joined Keldirk and became a resident in the Silver Gauntlet. Craven knew The Warhorse would forever remind him of Argos and that was something he wanted to avoid. Craven managed to convince Keldirk that it would be safer if they were to share one room. A few ground rules were established and before long they were living in relative harmony. Conversation was never high on Keldirk's list of priorities; which suited Craven just fine.
One wet afternoon they left Del Mord and hid their diamond garrottes several miles into Del Forest. The assassins figured that they weren't going to get much use and decided there was too much of a risk to keep them in the relatively insecure tavern. The blades were carefully wrapped in salmon-oil coated leather satchels and buried under the roots of a great Ipp. Finding the great tree would be virtually impossible without a set of complex instructions that both assassins committed to memory. As Craven dug the hole, Keldirk scouted the area and ensured that they weren't being observed. Pleased with their efforts they returned to town.
On the morning of the sixth day of Readying there was a knock on their door.
| Craven | Who is it? |
| Voice | There's a messenger down stairs asking for Valrorn. |
| Craven | (looks over to Keldirk) |
| Keldirk | (shrugs) I'll be right down. |
| Craven | (quietly) Are you expecting trouble? |
| Keldirk | Nope, but I'd rather you came with me anyway. |
Keldirk buckled on his weapons belt and he and Craven made their way downstairs to the waiting messenger. The barman pointed to a young, sandy-haired boy who was tapping a roll of parchment idly on his chin. Even though the lad looked harmless enough they approached cautiously; they knew first hand how looks could be deceiving.
| Keldirk | (standing in front of the lad) I'm Valrorn. |
| Messenger | I have a message from Sam the Herbalist. (holding out his hand expectantly) |
| Keldirk | (looks annoyed then turns to Craven) Pay him - I left my pouch upstairs. |
| Craven | (reaches into his pouch and removes a copper coin - handing it to the messenger. Gives Keldirk a dark stare) |
| Messenger | (takes the coin and pockets it) The herbalist said he wishes to meet you this morning. (Starts to leave) |
| Keldirk | (grabs the boy by the arm and points to the rolled up parchment in the lad's hand) Is that for me? |
| Messenger | Nup. (Wiggles out of Keldirk's grip and scampers out of the Silver Gauntlet) |
| Keldirk | (looking to Craven) I may as well leave straight away. I'll meet you back here this afternoon. |
| Craven | Okay. (as Keldirk neared the front doors Craven called out) Hey Valrorn, what about your pouch? Your going to need to pay the man. |
| Keldirk | (pats his hip) What do you know - seems I had it all along. |
| Craven | Tight arse |
Later that morning another messenger arrived in the Silver Gauntlet, this time looking for Craven. The boy had been sent by Sergeant Coleman of the Foreign Quarter Militia who Craven had asked to inform him of Argos' burial. The request had been expensive but the need to know the location of the grave was worth the price. After the message was delivered Craven collected his things and proceeded out of town heading for the pauper's cemetery. Once he got there the coffin had already been lowered into the ground and work had begun to cover it up. As he approached the grave he was greeted by two City Watchmen.
| Craven | Well Sergeant, fancy seeing you here. (smiles wryly) |
| Sergeant | You got the message then? |
| Craven | Yes, but it seems I'm a little late. The coffin has already been buried. |
| Watch Man | You're lucky to have been notified at all. We don't normally offer a messenger service you know!? |
| Sergeant | Mind your manners Travis, Craven is here to pay his final respects to a dear and close friend. I don't think it is appropriate for you to be rude to him. |
| Craven | (looking strangely at the sergeant) Why thank you for your consideration, Sergeant Coleman. I am most grateful. |
Craven thankfully focused his attention on the coffin being buried in the grave ahead - noting how deep the grave had been dug and at which end the head and (more importantly) the face would be found. He noticed that the grave diggers were not taking a lot of care in packing the dirt in which would make the job of digging up the body later much easier. After a few silent moments Craven addressed the sergeant.
| Craven | What are you guys doing here? |
| Sergeant | This was a peculiar case. (shrugs) I wanted to see it put to rest. |
| Craven | Of course. Are you any closer to solving the mystery? I would like to know what killed my friend. |
| Sergeant | (thinks prior to answering) Unfortunately we've drawn a blank. We don't have the funds to look into many murders these days. Adventuring types always seem to be getting into trouble. The River Quarter is worse than the Foreign Quarter - which is itself pretty rough. The River Quarter can get really ugly sometimes, take my word for it. I cut my teeth patrolling the back alleys, wharves and warehouses in the River Quarter. The place is too small to hold the mix of foreigners, thieves, Rhennee and Pholtus knows who else, but too large to keep under control with our limited resources. |
| Craven | Rhennee? Who or what are Rhennee? |
| Sergeant | River folk. They sail the Harp and keep mostly to themselves. They are a widely dispersed people, nowadays. (looks to his comrade) Travis told me he'd heard they sail the waters of the great Nyr Dyv - can you believe that! (looks back to Craven who was throwing a Yellowbell wildflower in Argos' grave) Most of the Rhennee live in Shack Town but you'll always find some in the River Quarter. Some of them can be quite friendly but more often than not you are being shafted in some way or another. My advice when asked how to deal with the Rhennee - don't. |
| Craven | (nods) I'll take that under careful consideration, Sergeant Coleman. (Watches as the last shovel full of soil is placed on Argos' grave) So, you learned nothing about the death. That is a shame. |
| Sergeant | Unless you or your friend can add anything, the investigation is all but over. |
| Craven | We've already told you everything we know. If we find out anything new, I'll be sure and let you know. |
| Sergeant | (smiles) I'm sure you will. |
With that, the sergeant and his companion left Craven by the grave site while the workers loaded their tools onto the cart. Craven waited alone for some time after they had left to make sure that they were gone before he too headed back to the city, his mind trying to decide what he was going to eat for lunch. He was amazed that he felt no sorrow for Argos; the strangeness of his friend's death and the fact that he was not what he seemed overshadowed any loss. It was refreshing to Craven to realise his mourning was at an end. Now he could fully concentrate on matters at hand without emotions getting in the way.
While Craven was out at the grave site, Keldirk was in contact with Sam - a half-elf who owned and ran an apothecary in the Scholar's Quarter of Del Mord. Keldirk had met Sam about a week earlier and had given him the sample they had removed from Argos' body.
| Keldirk | So you are unable to shed any light on what this stuff is? |
| Sam | (nods apologetically) As I said when you first gave me the sample - if the substance is extremely rare then I might not be able to identify it. That seems to be the case. I have never seen anything like it. It is viscous like molasses, tacky like gum arabic but has an almost quicksilver quality. When placed under heat the substance seems to curl like wheatflakes, not bubble as one would expect. I'm not even sure if it is a liquid or solid! (sees Keldirk looking at him blankly, coughs and ends his description) Ahem. In essence, I am afraid cannot help you. |
| Keldirk | (scowls) Just great. |
| Sam | Do not despair. You have piqued my curiosity, too. I have not explored all avenues as yet; there are a few colleagues who may be able to identify the substance. I have, however, exhausted the possibilities with the money you have left me. If you wish me to proceed it may become expensive and could take some time. Some of my colleagues are busy, highly skilled men and demand a high price for their services. |
| Keldirk | (thinks for a moment) Whatever it takes. I need that stuff identified and I can pay. How much will it cost me? |
| Sam | I should think that an initial deposit of twenty gold orbs should secure my friend's interest but after that I am not sure. He is an amazing scholar and it could be that if this substance turns out to be special he may even continue research at no cost to you, (rubbing his chin, thoughtfully) but I should think that a twenty gold incentive would be wise. |
| Keldirk | (sighs) That is an awful lot of money - for no guarantee of success. |
| Sam | Rest assured that he is the best man for the job. If he cannot identify it - it does not exist. (Smiles) I will have some answers in a week, return then. |
| Keldirk | (nods and reaches into his pouch to retrieve the money) I would also like to pick up a number of other items. |
Keldirk ordered a number of herbs and salves that would be required to properly cure and treat Argos' face so it would be fit for transport back to the Olman Islands. He also ordered a small quantity of magnesium (flash powder). The last ingredient somewhat startled Sam.
| Sam | (frowns) Magnesium. Hmmm. Magnesium is a substance that is not for sale in the general community; but since you asked for it you must have a reason. May I ask what you intend to use it for? |
| Keldirk | (shocked somewhat by the reaction - he lies) Yes, I am aware of it's dangers. But it is not for me. I do some work for a spell caster and she requires it for her magic. I don't know what for but it was on her list of things I had to get. |
| Sam | (nods) I don't actually have any in stock but I am able to get some in for you. The cost and low demand tends to prevent me from keeping it on the shelf but if you want I can have to for you in a couple of days. |
| Keldirk | What about the rest of the stuff? |
| Sam | That I can help you with straight away. |
| Keldirk | How much? |
| Sam | The herbs and ointments will cost five silver luckies and the magnesium will cost five orbs. If you could leave a two gold deposit I will order the stuff in for you. |
| Keldirk | (reaches into his pouch again and withdraws the money - handing it to Sam) |
| Sam | (takes the money) Excellent. If you could wait a few moments I will prepare your order. |
After a brief wait Sam emerged from his back room with a small cloth pouch and a tiny vial. He opened the pouch on the bench and allowed Keldirk to verify that he had everything, before passing the package to him.
| Sam | If you come back in about a week I should have the Magnesium and some more information on that mysterious substance. It has been good doing business with you. (Almost as an afterthought he continues) Oh, if your mage friend isn't so busy I'd like to have a chat with her. The uses for those herbs and salves she ordered are unknown even to me and I'd like the opportunity to discuss herb lore with her in some depth. I would be willing to pay for her time, of course. |
| Keldirk | (hesitantly) Um, yes. I will ask. But she is very busy and doesn't like strangers. |
Keldirk, finally left the herbalist's shop much poorer than he had entered. He did not expect to have paid quite so much for virtually nothing but the hope that someone might be able to provide him with information was too great to ignore. Keldirk had one quality which seemed at odds to the abrupt, inflammatory person he appeared to be; he loved knowledge. He would pay almost any price to get it and he would behave in any way if he thought he might learn something new. He spent some time walking about the Academic Quarter before heading back to the Silver Gauntlet.
Craven arrived at the tavern soon after midday to find Keldirk sitting alone at one of the tables eating some lunch.
| Keldirk | (looks up from his plate) Where have you been? |
| Craven | (Pulls up a chair and waves to the barman for some food) They buried Argos today. I went out and paid my last respects. |
| Keldirk | You will be able to find the grave again? |
| Craven | I think so. you know it might have been better if I had you with me. I can't be trusted to remember anything. |
| Keldirk | (chuckles) You're finally coming around. |
| Craven | (smiles and bows his head) Why thankyou. (Lowering his voice and shielding his mouth with his hand) Did you get the stuff for the face? |
| Keldirk | (nods) But we came up empty on the grey stuff. The herbalist is going to contact some guy who he believes might know more. We'll find out the results of that in about a week. |
| Craven | Well this afternoon we're going to need to buy shovels. We're going digging tonight. |
It was just before midnight when they finally exhumed the coffin. The lid was removed and Craven began the job of removing the face while Keldirk kept watch. The job was over in a few minutes and while Keldirk was curing the fragile flap of skin and muscle, Craven was replacing the coffin and refilling the grave. Soon after the grave was filled and the two assassins made their way back into Del Mord. Even before his head hit the down pillow, Craven was aching from the exertion of muscles he did not normally use. He was dreading the morning, which was a great source of amusement for Keldirk.
They were awoken shortly after sunrise by a loud banging on their door.
| Craven | Who is it? |
| Voice | Sergeant Coleman from the City Watch. |
| Keldirk | (whispers) What does he want? |
| Craven | (to Keldirk - shakes his head) No idea. (turns and faces the door) We're getting dressed can we meet you downstairs. |
| Sergeant | I have men watching the building. Don't try anything stupid. |
| Craven | Ahh - sure. We'll be down soon. |
The pair dressed quickly and checked their room for any evidence of last night's activities. The shovels had been left hidden in the forest outside of town and the cured face was concealed in a scroll case amongst Keldirk's sleeping pallet. The came downstairs carefully and approached the Sergeant.
| Craven | What is all this about? |
| Sergeant | Your friend's grave has been violated. |
| Keldirk | (barely stifled his reaction) What do you mean violated? |
| Sergeant | (examining each of them closely) I mean the body has been stolen. |
| Craven | (showing genuine surprise) |
| Keldirk | (relaxing only slightly) |
| Sergeant | We got a report this morning that one of the graves had been dug up and it turns out that it was your friend's. Would either of you know anything about that? |
| Craven | Sergeant, I assure you I am as surprised about this as you? What reason could anyone have for filching the body of our dead companion? (puts on a stern, serious face) I trust you will be looking into this? |
| Sergeant | You bet your arses I'm going to be looking into it. This death had 'suspicious' written all over it and now this! If you wanted the investigation re-opened, Mr Craven, all you had to do was ask. |
| Keldirk | I can guarantee that we wouldn't resort to defiling the grave of our friend just to get you off your lazy arses. Why don't you go and see the undertaker. He may have some answers for you? |
| Sergeant | (scowls) Thanks for the advice. Well now that we are back on this case you two are required to stay in town until I tell you otherwise. Good day! |
After the sergeant had left, the two of them ordered breakfast and went back up to their room to eat it.
| Craven | What was that stuff about the undertaker? |
| Keldirk | I don't know exactly. But there is something about that guy that makes me think he might know what's going on. (thinks for a brief moment) You take the face to Vesper and I'll go and pay the undertaker a little visit. |
| Craven | (shrugs) Okay, but I doubt it will do any good. |
Keldirk entered the chapel through the large steel bound front doors. He had arrived just as a memorial service had concluded and several mourners were still sitting in some of the pews which lined the windowless hall. He noticed the celebrant putting away some of the symbols and accoutrements which must have been used during service and approached him.
| Keldirk | (coughs) Where can I find the Undertaker? |
| Celebrant | (continues tidying his gear for a moment before looking up and speaking in a guttural drawl) You have found him. What do you want? |
| Keldirk | (turns and surveys the now thinning crowd before looking back to the half-orc) I was wondering if you could help me with a problem? |
| Selczek | And what problem might that be? Has somebody you know died or have you managed to contract a fatal disease? |
| Keldirk | (a little shocked he makes a conscious decision to refrain from insulting the robed man before learning something) No nothing like that. I was hoping you could tell me something about bodies being dug up from their graves? |
| Selczek | (stops and stares at Keldirk, his eyes narrowing) We've met, haven't we? |
| Keldirk | (watches the last of the mourners leave) Yes. You did the post mortem on a friend of mine. You should be able to recall the details; his body cavity was full of grey sludge. |
| Selczek | (nods thoughtfully) Yes, that was a strange corpse indeed. The body was buried yesterday, if I recall. |
| Keldirk | And dug up again last night! |
| Selczek | (eyes narrow even further before a cold smile appears exposing the half-orc's extended canines) |
| Mute Assistant | (closes one of the two front doors) |
| Selczek | What do exhumed bodies have to do with me? (places a small symbol of Pelor in a cabinet then closes the latch. Turns to face Keldirk directly) |
| Keldirk | (looks behind as the mute assistant closes the other door - eliminating all light from the outside world. Keldirk realises that the only source of illumination in the chapel is a three pronged candelabra on the altar - behind Selczek. His heart beating fast and more than a little nervous, Keldirk continues) You and your boys were the only ones that knew where the body was buried. |
| Selczek | Is that so? (calmly removes his ceremonial robe and begins to fold it) |
| Keldirk | (notices a wicked looking mace hanging at the Undertaker's side) Yes, I believe it is. Am I wrong? |
| Mute Assistant | (disappears, unseen, through a secret door) |
| Selczek | Hmm - anybody could have witnessed that burial. Who's to know? The boys that burried him, for example, could've told anyone... but I don't see why they would want to. (places the folded robe on the altar) |
| Keldirk | (becoming tired at the Undertaker's elusive games he decides to push home his point) Cut the crap! Someone dug up the body and I have a feeling you are involved. |
| Selczek | (raises an eyebrow in surprise, then starts to remove his black leather gloves - exposing cruel- looking humanoid claws. His voice now a low, evil whisper he continues) Do you know who I am? |
| Keldirk | I know you are the Master of the Embalmer's and Gravedigger's Guild, if that's what you mean. But, and let's stop playing games, my instincts tell me you are more than that. Are you in the employ the thieves' guild, if not them - who? What do you want with dead bodies? |
| Selczek | (appearing amused he deliberately licks his fingers and extinguishes one of the three candles on the altar. Immediately the room darkens) I suggest you take your accusations elsewhere, little man, (extinguishes the second candle causing the room to darken even further) before I turn you into one of my guests. A word of warning: do not put your nose where it does not belong. (licks his fingers and hovers over the third and final candle - smiling. His left hand sits comfortably on his mace) So, what is you want from me? |
| Keldirk | (finding it very difficult to see in the near-darkness and not wanting to be stuck in a pitch black room with a humanoid presumably with infravision, decides to cut his losses) Nothing at all. You have been most helpful. (backing back towards the front doors) I think we will meet again, however, and next time - |
| Selczek | (extinguishes the last candle plunging the chapel in darkness) |
| Keldirk | (runs down the isle to the front doors, nearly tripping. Fumbles with the handle, swings open the doors and runs into the sunlit street - the Undertaker's laughter trailing behind. Keldirk withdraws two knives and turns to face the Chapel only to see the doors slam shut. Ignoring the stares of the populace, he sheathes his knives and trudges off - swearing vengeance.) |
In the meantime, Craven picked up the scroll case containing the face of Argos and went (unarmed) to the home of Saradock. The trip to the Spice Merchant's home was likely to be safe so the prospect of coming unarmed did not concern the assassin. He knocked on the door which was answered by Caruthers. Craven was ushered into the waiting room where he helped himself to a glass of wine. Before he had taken his first sip, Saradock entered.
| Saradock | Good afternoon Craven. What can I do for you? |
| Craven | (passes the scroll case to Saradock) Greetings Vesper, we have a gift for you. |
| Saradock | (smiles as he accepts the scroll case) Did you have any trouble? |
| Craven | No, but we were woken up this morning by the Militia. Apparently the body had been dug up after we re-buried it. |
| Saradock | (shakes his head) So that has started again. |
| Craven | What are you talking about? |
| Saradock | (pours himself a glass of wine) Several years ago, many graves were exhumed and the bodies stolen. It became almost a regular occurrence and the authorities had no idea what was happening. It was eventually discovered that the bodies were being re-animated and sold. The practice ended abruptly when the authorities clamped down on it but now it seems as though it is starting again. This is just the latest in a recent series of such thefts. |
| Craven | So you don't think that there is any need for concern. |
| Saradock | Whoever took the corpse might be a little alarmed by the fact the body has no face, but I wouldn't worry yourselves over it. Where is Keldirk? |
| Craven | He thought that the theft had something to do with the undertaker so he went over there to ask him a few questions. |
| Saradock | (eyes open in shock, before narrowing back to normal) Be very careful with any dealings you have with the undertaker. He is a dangerous and powerful man - both politically and physically. (sips his wine) You would do well to leave him alone. I hope Keldirk is alright - he doesn't seem like the rash type. |
| Craven | Rash - no. Abrupt and annoying - yes. Chances are Keldirk is already dead. (smiles) |
| Saradock | Do I detect dissension in the ranks? |
| Craven | No, not really. Keldirk and I don't see eye to eye on a few things, that's all. He is prone to annoy people and I have never seen him hold his acidic tongue. |
| Saradock | Would you like me to have a word with him? |
| Craven | No, not yet. But I might take you up on the offer later on. (smiles) Thank you |
| Saradock | It's nothing. One of my duties is to ensure my charges are happy and operating well. |
| Craven | (nodding) We are going fine. Progress is being made I believe. We are both eager to begin our next job. |
| Saradock | That's what I like to hear. I would like the two of you to report back here tomorrow night. I have another job for you. |
| Craven | (smiles and drains his glass) Excellent. |
| Normal Text | Character's words or descriptive text if part of a paragraph |
| Italic Text | Character's thoughts or actions if surrounded by parenthesis |
| Bold Text | Character is shouting. |