Episode 13 – Unlucky for Some
| The Assassins |
Craven - Fighter / Rogue 1st/1st LE (PC) Keldirk - Rogue 1st level NE (PC) |
| Locale | In their room in the Silver gauntlet, after having slept all day. Craven is in great pain after the grievous wound he received early that morning from an unknown assailant. Keldirk has been up for a few hours and has just returned with a meal for Craven. |
| Date | 8th Readying 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Early evening |
| Craven | (still groggy) What's that? |
| Keldirk | Breakfast, lunch or dinner. Take your pick; you missed them all. (hands Craven a plate of food) |
| Craven | What time is it? |
| Keldirk | It's night. How are you feeling? |
| Craven | Like shit. |
| Keldirk | The wound is bad, but the physician said with rest you'll be right in a few days. |
| Craven | Rest. (sighs) Sounds like a good idea. |
| Keldirk | Unfortunately, my infirm friend, we don't have time for such luxury. You have two hours to get yourself up and moving or I'll throw you out the fucking window. |
| Craven | (laughs, coughs then winces in pain) I wouldn't try it if I were you - even half dead I could whip your arse. |
| Keldirk | I'd like to see you try. (smiles) |
| Craven | (starts to eat his meal) Did they catch the guy who shot me? Last night is all a bit hazy. |
| Keldirk | (picking a carrot off Craven's plate and stuffing it in his mouth) No, whoever it was got away. The stupid guards were more concerned with me than the chap on the roof. I only managed to catch a glimpse of the fellow. |
| Craven | So, what can you tell me? |
| Keldirk | Not much; he was about your height. As for his weight I have no idea 'cos he was wearing a cloak. Based on the fact he was on the roof I would hazard a guess he wasn't obese. I didn't get a look at his face or clothes. Like I said, I only caught a glimpse. (shrugs) There isn't much more we can do about it now. Whoever it was wanted you dead, that much we do know. The way I see it, when you're up and walking we'll parade you around the streets and I will follow a discreet distance behind checking out the rooftops. Sooner or later he's bound to try again. How does that sound? |
| Craven | Fuck off! How does that sound? |
| Keldirk | (laughs) |
| Craven | I wonder if there's a connection between the guy who tried to kill me and the guy who killed Rose Petal? |
| Keldirk | Why the hell would you think that? |
| Craven | I dunno. Just thinking out loud. (swallowing a piece of potato, then screwing up his face in disgust) This food is cold. |
| Keldirk | I know. I bought two meals and ate mine downstairs. |
| Craven | Why did you eat in the common room? |
| Keldirk | I got to chatting with some adventurers who just arrived in town. We met at the bar and they decided to buy me a drink and who was I to argue? It seems they have been wandering The Great Kingdom but it got too hot for them. I'll tell you what Craven, that is one place I don't want to be sent. It sounds like Hell. |
| Craven | What do you mean? |
| Keldirk | Well, the king - or emperor, or whatever he calls himself is one crazy son-of-a-bitch. |
| Craven | Ivid the fifth? |
| Keldirk | (Looks mildly impressed) Yeah, that guy. Apparently he's been causing his nobles all sorts of problems and the place is becoming a battleground. The landholders are heavily taxed and this is having a flow on effect down through the populace. These adventurers reckon that in a short time the place will crumble and the social order will collapse. |
| Craven | About the best thing Ivid could do is go to war. That would provide his soldiers something to worry about other than their purses. (quietly) Anyway, the Marque de'Ahb told us that war was brewing in that region, it should come as no surprise. |
| Keldirk | I guess so. Things may get pretty busy in this neck of the woods in the not too distant future. |
| Craven | (coughs) |
| Keldirk | Well, I'm going out. You're in no shape to do anything - you can hardly swallow. I'm going to hang around the River Quarter and get to know our target. |
| Craven | Don't speak to him or do anything stupid. |
| Keldirk | Stupid? (incredulous look) Me? You must have me confused with someone else. (buckles on his knife belt) Guard the room, killer. |
| Craven | Did you hear me? Don't do anything stupid! |
| Keldirk | (shuts and then locks the door) |
| Craven | (finishes his meal and tries unsuccessfully to stand up) Erghhh - on second thoughts I think I'll get some rest. (slides back into bed and falls quickly asleep) |
Keldirk's plan was relatively simple; wait outside the River Quarter watch-house until a guard wearing plate mail leaves the building and follow him. Simple, but boring. He did not expect to be kept waiting until midnight for his quarry to emerge from the well lit building. During his wait, Keldirk watched an almost continuous stream of people walk in and out of the huge doors. The traffic offered no respite and he became quite fatigued even though he had done nothing physical. It was a relief when the plate mailed man and his three companions left the watch-house to begin their patrol. Keldirk followed the squad at a discreet distance - his trailing ability serving him well.
During Sergeant Dunne's patrol, Keldirk witnessed several disturbing things which highlighted the image of brutal authority that Saradock had painted about the man. Sergeant Dunne was The Law. Keldirk watched as Dunne broke up fights, chased down pickpockets and ejected beggars from the main thoroughfares with no thought to their personal safety. Keldirk (curiously) found himself feeling some remorse for one sorry beggar when Dunne and his guards beat him to within an inch of his life.
When the patrol entered a darkened alleyway, Keldirk decided to push his luck and get a bit closer. He swiftly climbed onto a adjoining roof and moved silently across the shingles to an appropriate vantage point. Peering into the alley Keldirk was presented with an interesting scene. One of the guards had uncovered a lantern and placed it on the ground, while the others held a cloaked figure as he squirmed and whimpered at the Sergeant standing before him.
| Dunne | It's just not good enough, maggot. You give me bits an pieces but I need something substantial. Tonight's effort had better be a significant improvement or you'll find yourself trying to scratch your arse with no hands. Don't forget maggot, I know you're a thief and right now I'm the only thing keeping you out of the workhouse. Now, what information have you got for me tonight? |
| Maggot | Its getting harder to learn stuff. The seniors aren't tellin' us shit no more. |
| Dunne | I asked for information not excuses. |
| Maggot | (looks around nervously) There's this one thing that's goin' down pretty soon. The Old City thieves guild is thinkin' of combining with the guild in this quarter. If that happens a war between River and Foreign is sure to follow. |
| Dunne | Give me names and places. |
| Maggot | I dunno details but I'm workin' on it. Those of us who aren't in the guild don't get told squat. |
| Dunne | This is just the kind of bullshit I was talking about. (punches the helpless man in the stomach then grabs him by the hair and forces his head roughly against the wall) You're going to have to do better than that! Names and places - that's the key. |
| Maggot | (gulping for air) There is a guy on Carp Way who hasn't paid his protection and the guild are planning on hitting the joint tomorrow night. |
| Dunne | Names and places, maggot, names and places. |
| Maggot | Krask, the Cooper on Carp Way. (desperation entering his voice) Tomorrow night - I'm not sure what time. |
| Dunne | How many thieves? |
| Maggot | I don't know - at least three. |
| Dunne | (punches his informant again, and signals for his men to step aside) |
| Maggot | (crumples to the ground, doubled over in pain) |
| Dunne | (kicks him in the ribs) You'd better have more for me next time maggot. If you disappoint me again I won't be so understanding. |
Sergeant Dunne and his comrades gathered the lantern and left the prone informant alone in the alley. The injured man didn't notice as Keldirk quietly lowered himself from the roof. He was only dimly aware of the twin blades which ended his life.
| Keldirk | (wiping his knives on the man's shirt) Nobody likes a snitch! |
The next morning, Craven was feeling a little better. He woke early and quizzed Keldirk on last night's events. After a quick breakfast the two assassins returned to their room and planned the assassination.
| Craven | I'll organise the letter to get delivered to the watch house, you get the disguises and the flash powder. |
| Keldirk | I'm still concerned about the letter, do you honestly believe he'll turn up? |
| Craven | If he cares for his wife he will. |
| Keldirk | I'm not so sure. Read it to me again. |
| Craven | ("Edward, The auguries have warned of great sorrow. Some tragedy will befall your family within days. Ordinarily I would not play with the Fates but my visions have convinced me of your pure heart. Some mock and deride my kind but my true-sight has always been clear. That is all I can tell you without looking through the windows of your soul. If you wish to learn more come to my parlour before the week is out. My door will always be open. Madam D'Souza seer of the circle") That's all we wrote. Any changes? |
| Keldirk | I don't think he'll show. |
| Craven | But if he does show we've got him. |
| Keldirk | We're going to need an address. |
| Craven | I know. Before I get the letter delivered I'll locate a suitable abandoned hovel and we'll use that. Once you get the disguises we're in business. |
| Keldirk | What if he brings some friends? |
| Craven | We tell them to wait outside. Simple. If he wants to speak to Madam D'Souza he comes in alone. |
| Keldirk | Then you show him through and when he gets to the curtain I come out of the shadows and kill him. What if he doesn't turn around. We're screwed. |
| Craven | I'll lock the door - that should get his attention. |
| Keldirk | If I miss... ? |
| Craven | Focus on success rather than failure. You won't miss this is what you have been trained for. But on the slim chance you do I'll throw the flash powder in the brazier that should buy us some time. |
| Keldirk | Hmm, remember to look away if you do. |
| Craven | (rolls his eyes) Of course. Um, if the plan falls apart we get out the back as soon as possible. |
| Keldirk | I don't like it. A man in plate mail - that close! |
| Craven | Use a stiletto, that's what they're for. |
| Keldirk | 'Spose. Let's do it. |
That day was spent organising the setup. Craven found an empty building that had been damaged by fire. He ejected the current occupants - a small band of young squatters - and told them not to return for a few days. They were bright enough not to argue with a man bearing three feet of razor sharp steel. He set about clearing the place up and making it look somewhat like a fortune teller's abode. Curtains were hung, a brazier placed in the centre of the room and Craven painted some old boards for use as a sign which was hung over the front door. The back door of the shack opened into a rubbish filled laneway which Craven scouted for escape routes. Before he left, the young assassin burnt several sticks of strong incense in an attempt to dispel the overpowering smell of mould and mildew. He then returned to the Silver Gauntlet and added the address to the bottom of the letter.
Keldirk visited Sam the Herbalist and collected the flash powder he had ordered. Unfortunately Sam had no further information regarding the grey substance but he was expecting feedback within a few days. He then scoured the Artisans Quarter for a costume shop and purchased some face paint, two wigs and some clothes. While not ideal, the accoutrements would serve to disguise both he and Craven for cursory inspection - especially in poor light. He made a mental note to locate a proper supplier of such things but knew that 'professional' disguises would only be made available upon membership to a thieves guild.
They met back at the tavern and refined the plan, Craven took Keldirk down to the hovel and showed him around. The squatters hadn't returned and the place was exactly as Craven had left it - save for a more pleasant odour. A heavy curtain was placed across the width of the room which served two purposes: it gave Keldirk a place to hide and maintained the illusion that a fortune teller could conceivably be present.
| Keldirk | I like the sign, nice touch. |
| Craven | I thought it needed something. (smiles) I'll disguise myself here tomorrow morning and get the message delivered. |
| Keldirk | If he doesn't show up this will all be a waste of time. |
| Craven | Now is your chance to bring up any other ideas. |
| Keldirk | Nope. This is fine. Let's go with it. |
The next morning Craven disguised himself and paid an errand boy to deliver the scroll to the River Quarter Watch House. When he returned to the hovel Keldirk was no where to be seen. When Craven parted the curtains he felt the point of a knife on the nape of his neck. He spun about only to see Keldirk standing before him, a smile on his face.
| Craven | Where were you? |
| Keldirk | Over there (pointing to a darkened part of the room) behind that curtain. |
| Craven | (nods approvingly) Now we wait. I've been able to work out the lock so there's no chance we'll be suprised. Take a seat and when he knocks on the door I'll give you a few moments to hide before I let him in. I'll have one hand hooked in my belt once I open the door. The number of fingers that are pointing down is the number of friends Dunne has with him. |
| Keldirk | What if there's more than four? |
| Craven | Then I'll say that she isn't here and that he should come back later. Then we get the hell out of here. |
| Keldirk | Okay. |
They didn't have to wait long. Soon after sunset there was a knock on the door. Craven placed his weapons out of sight, but within easy reach and made sure Keldirk was in position. He opened the door slightly and held his foot at the base to prevent any forced entry. Craven peered through the crack and saw Sergeant Dunne and two mounted men outside with a third horse between them. Dunne wore plate mail and seemed a little impatient. Craven had just communicated the numbers to Keldirk as they had planned when Dunne spoke.
| Dunne | Is this where I'll find Madam D'Souza? |
| Craven | Yes, sir. Have you come for a reading? |
| Dunne | I have an invitation (thrusts a piece of parchment through the door into Craven's face) |
| Craven | (takes the scroll and looks blankly at it) I cannot read, sir. If you give me your name I will see if Madam D'Souza will see you. |
| Dunne | My name is Dunne, Sergeant Dunne. |
| Craven | Please wait here, I will see if she is ready. |
| Dunne | Make it fast; I don't have a lot of time. |
| Craven | (nods and closes the door then waits a moment before opening it again, this time a little wider.) Please sir - step inside. |
| Dunne | (enters the room, his hand on the hilt of his sword) |
| Craven | Proceed through the curtain and take a seat at the table. |
| Dunne | (heads toward the curtain) |
| Craven | (shuts and locks the door, his heart racing - he still didn't feel fully fit and dreaded the thought of having to fight this man if things didn't go to plan) |
| Dunne | (one hand on the curtain, he turns around as he hears the bolt slip into place) Leave that door unlocked, cretin. |
| Keldirk | (slips out of the shadows and quickly closes on his prey. He slides one stiletto under Dunne's left armpit towards his heart and the other blade enters the base of Dunne's skull and up into his brain.) |
| Dunne | (dies instantly, but crashes loudly to the floor before either assassin could catch him) |
| Craven | (looks fearfully at Keldirk, before grabbing his weapons) |
| Keldirk | (returns Craven's anxious glance before pushing through the curtain to the back door) |
| Watchman #1 | (Hears a loud crash inside, jumps off his horse and attempts to open the door) Hey, open this door! (Signals to his mounted colleague to circle around the back, before starting to break down the door) |
| Craven | (follows Keldirk through the rear exit) |
| Watchman #2 | (turns his mount and rides into the alley. Upon reaching a junction he spies two fleeing figures and spurs his horse in pursuit, blowing his whistle.) |
| Watchman #1 | (bursts through the weakened door and, finding the room empty, rushes to Dunne's side. A quick examination confirms his fears; Sergeant Dunne was dead!) |
| Craven | (hurdles some rubbish and glances behind) We're being chased! One horseman! |
| Keldirk | (turns a corner and motions for Craven to keep running. He steps into a doorway and draws two throwing knives) |
| Craven | (sprints past Keldirk and stops where the alley opens into the street) |
| Watchman #2 | (skilfully guides his horse around the tight corner then - seeing his quarry at the mouth of the alley - spurs his mount forward) |
| Keldirk | (waits until the rider goes past before stepping out and throwing his knives. One blade embeds itself in the horse's flank, the other buries itself in the rider's thigh) |
| Watchman #2 | (his wounded horse rears up and throws him to the ground) |
| Craven | (closes quickly on the fallen soldier and thrust his rapier through the man's throat) |
| Watchman #2 | (dies) |
| Keldirk | (runs past Craven) Let's get outta here! |
| Craven | (quickly wipes his blade on the dead man's cloak before following Keldirk down the street) |
The two assassins run to a predetermined place and, after establishing that they were alone, shed their disguises. Keldirk dropped the wigs and Craven's clothing down a nearby manhole while Craven donned his spare set of clothes. Making sure that they weren't being followed Craven and Keldirk went back to the Silver Gauntlet where they made a point of joining a large table full of regular patrons.
| The Assassins |
Azareth - Wizard 1st Level LE (PC) Creighton - Fighter 1st Level LE (PC) |
| Locale | Ring Roads - a semi permanent merchant town at the intersection of two major trade routes in the centre of Almor. |
| Date | 14th Readying 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Mid Afternoon |
| Man | (opening the tent flap) Sir, there are two men here to see you. |
| Saradock | Ahh, finally. Show them in, Karab. |
| Karab | (turns to the visitors and holds the flap aside, motioning for them to enter) |
| Saradock | (waits for the two men to enter then dismisses his guard) Karab, you may take the rest of the day off. |
| Karab | Thankyou sir. (closes the flap and leaves) |
| Saradock | Pull those two crates over and take a seat. I'm afraid this isn't the most comfortable of surroundings but it beats sitting on the ground. Can I offer either of you a drink? |
| Creighton | (looks to Azareth) |
| Azareth | (declines the offer with a shake of his head before sitting down) |
| Creighton | No thanks. (takes a seat) |
| Saradock | My name is Saradock and I will be your Vesper while you are stationed here in Almor. Tomorrow we will break camp and depart for Del Mord. Once there I will introduce you to your two companions. (pauses to stuff a piece of bread in his mouth) How much have you been told about your posting here? |
| Azareth | Only that we are to join with two other graduates and work as a team on whatever tasks we are given. I had hoped you would be able to enlighten us further. |
| Saradock | The other two seem quite professional and have quickly assimilated into Del Mord's society. One is a dedicated assassin and the other has blended the skills of both duellist and thief. It is my hope that you will work and live together; should you be able to harness your combined skills your group will undoubtedly become a great asset to The Family. |
| Azareth | What have they chosen for a cover? |
| Saradock | I believe they have made inroads into joining a thieves guild. What you two decide to do for your cover is your own business. Keep in mind that you will be spending a lot of time together and it would be easier if your cover was able to tie in with theirs. (shrugs) That's up to you to decide. |
They talked for several hours in Saradock's tent. Azareth asked Saradock many questions about Del Mord and its surrounding territories then ventured into a lengthy discussion about spices and herbs - a subject close to both men's hearts. Creighton, for his part, kept quiet. He realised that Saradock was going to be the only link between himself and the masters back on the Olman Islands and he didn't want to start the association on the wrong foot. Creighton knew he wasn't the most charismatic of people and that sometimes his boisterous and overly blunt nature occasionally put new acquaintances off side. He wanted to stay on Saradock's good side for as long as possible, if he learned anything at the study halls it was that you don't piss off your Vesper.
In the morning they left ring roads and began the estimated week long trip to Del Mord. Saradock's spice cart was not luxurious by any stretch of the imagination but it gave Azareth a place to read his spell book and concentrate on matters arcane. At one point in the journey the cart rumbled to a stop and Azareth, sitting in the back of the cart, heard Creighton call out.
| Creighton | Az! Get your boney arse out here - we've got company! |
Azareth stuffed his spell book under a crate and fumbled around for his staff. Giving it up as a lost cause he leaped out the back of the cart, eager for some action. Upon exiting the wagon he noticed that Creighton, Saradock and Karab were engaged in battle with five men - a sixth creeping around the cart to Saradock's unprotected back. The opportunity was too good to ignore and Azareth recalled the words for Magic Missile to mind. Just as he was about to begin casting the man spun around and faced him; an evil glint in his eye and a wicked curved blade in his hand.
Azareth froze.
The man closed the distance easily and lashed out with his sword. Azareth barely ducked the blow and the blade cut harmlessly into the canvas of Saradock's cart. The mage back-peddled, panic beginning to well up inside - the words to the spell vanished from his mind and he fumbled around his waist for his dagger. The sword-wielding man again closed on the hapless wizard and lunged forward, the point of blade piercing Azareth's heavy cloak and entering his body below his ribs. Azareth could only stare in hopeless detachment as though he were onlooker to his own demise as the blade was withdrawn and readied for what would surely be the killing blow. Suddenly a wooden shaft sprouted from the assailant's chest, the arrow point bringing with it considerable gore. The man fell forward and died at Azareth's feet.
The mage did not move. He stood in dumbfounded horror unable to tear his gaze from the still twitching corpse.
Creighton opened his shoulders and brought his blade down upon his foe's shoulder, felling him like a tree. His other blade shot out and deflected a blow from his other opponent just as more men errupted from the trees and entered the fracas. Just as the situation looked hopeless his foe dropped his sword and held his hands to the sky. Creighton, ever the opportunist, skewered the man through the heart and preapred to face his next combatant. Instantly Creighton realised the fight was over and that these new arrivals were in fact allies and even now were disarming the remainder of the attackers.
| Saradock | (addressing one of the newcomers) Who the hell are you? And who the hell were they? (pointing to the dead men at Creighton's feet) |
| Man | (looks to Saradock) Are you the head of this party? |
| Saradock | I am the merchant Saradock. Who the hell are they? |
| Man | They are bandits we have been chasing through this forest for damned near four hours. It seems you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Is anyone hurt? |
| Saradock | (looking at Creighton and Karab - both breathing hard but otherwise unharmed) No, I don't think so. Who are you? |
| Man | My name is Matthugh. I lead the Forest Wardens on behalf of Prelate Millius Wyndonsmirth the second, of Del Mord. We were charged to bring these bandits into custody. We surprised them at camp several miles away, but these few managed to get away. My seven companions gave chase and here we are! I guess they figured you were militia here to cut off their escape. |
| Saradock | Well, no harm done I guess. It's a good thing for us you fellows came along. |
| Matthugh | (looking at the two dead men at Creighton's feet - laughs) It seems you were doing quite okay without us! |
| Forest Warden | Matt, there is a badly injured man back here in a state of shock. He's not one of the bandits (looks to Saradock) perhaps he's one of yours? |
| Creighton | (pushes Saradock and Matthugh out of his way) Az!? (walks down the side of the cart and sees Azareth standing tree-like, staring at a dead man at his feet - oblivious to the blood flowing from his wound. Grabs Azareth by the shoulders and shakes him gently) Are you alright? Az? (shakes him more violently) Azareth?! |
| Azareth | (raising his eyes he looks blankly at Creighton) Huh? |
| Creighton | You're bleeding! |
| Azareth | (looks down and dips his fingers into his own blood) I'm... bleeding. (sways in the non-existent breeze before falling into Creighton's arms) |
| Creighton | Whoa! (lies his wounded friend on his back and tends to the wound) It isn't that bad! Stop your blubbering! |
| Azareth | (closes his eyes - and finding the darkness soothing - decides that it is a better place to be) |
| Creighton | (slaps Azareth across the face) Azareth!? (looks over his shoulder as Saradock approaches) He's okay; he just fainted. |
| Saradock | Hmm, put him in the cart and make sure he's comfortable. We'll be leaving straight away. |
The remainder of the trip was without incident. Azareth recovered from the wound and convinced himself that what had happened was an aberration. He simply wasn't fully prepared - both physically and mentally - for combat but knew that next time would be different. His training, while thorough, was just that: training. The masters couldn't possibly have prepared him for heat of combat and he realised that if not for the archery skills of the Forest Wardens he would be a dead man. He made a pact with himself that he would never freeze again. He had learnt a valuable lesson and now, he assured himself, he was ready!
The wagon rolled through the Del Mord gates just before nightfall on the 21st of Readying, 582 Common Year.
| 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. |