Episode 26 – Crossroads
| The Assassins |
Azareth - Wizard 2nd Level LE (PC) Creighton - Fighter 2nd Level LE (PC) Craven - Fighter / Rogue 1st / 2nd LE (PC) Keldirk - Rogue 3rd level NE (PC) |
| Locale | The Angel's Junction, a brothel in the River Quarter. |
| Date | 11th Coldeven 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Late Evening. |
Craven was thoroughly exhausted. Madame Fifi, the proprietress of The Angel's Junction, had taught Craven all that she knew in the art of lovemaking and together they had shared pleasures that few people experience in a lifetime. Making love was a far cry from risking one's life adventuring or assassinating, but the activity was just as much a part of Craven's psyche as swordplay. The young assassin lay beside Fifi and tried to gather his breath.
| Madam Fifi | Dear Craven, you were wonderful. |
| Craven | You don't need to tell me; I was there. |
| Madam Fifi | (laughs) But we have come to the point where I must say goodbye. This will be out last night together. |
| Craven | Fifi? No! We are just beginning. I have so much more to learn... |
| Madam Fifi | Hush. Our time has passed and your lessons are complete; there is nothing further I can teach. You have paid your money and I have given you all that I can give. There is no greater teacher in Del Mord than I, Craven, and when I say that you are ready for the next phase of your education you can be assured it is true. |
| Craven | The next phase? |
| Madam Fifi | Yes, if you want to learn more then you must go elsewhere. I can provide the introduction if you have the time and inclination to proceed. |
| Craven | How much will it cost me? And how far do I have to go? You said there is no greater teacher in Del Mord? |
| Madam Fifi | Not far and it will not cost you one copper piece. Just relax, I will take care of everything. |
An hour later Craven was seated in the plush lounge of Madam Fifi's office. The door opened and Kazza - the diminutive blonde prostitute Craven met on his first visit to the brothel - entered the room.
| Madame Fifi | Shut the door, Kazza, and take a seat. You remember Mr Craven? |
| Kazza | Of course, how could I possibly forget? (grins) |
| Craven | We shared a very pleasant evening several weeks ago; she was a precursor to your fine self, Madam Fifi. |
| Madame Fifi | (nods) I know Kazza is a busy woman, so I'll get straight to the point. Every so often one of my clients shows enough potential for me to recommend them to an associate. This associate has very strict requirements and you, Craven, meet the criteria. If you are interested in furthering your studies then I will have Kazza escort you to a place in Del Mord where you will meet my associate. Should you agree to meet her, I assure you that you will learn a great many things; things I cannot teach. She is the very embodiment of pleasure and has full stable of willing males. Those few that I send have pride of place, and I feel that before long you will become her favourite. This is a one-time opportunity, decline the invitation now and you will not hear of it again. Are you interested? |
| Craven | (sips his wine) Naturally I'm interested. When would I be able to meet this associate of yours. |
| Madame Fifi | Tonight. Kazza will guide you. |
| Craven | Hmm. (looks to Kazza then back to Fifi) What exactly are the criteria one must have to meet your friend? |
| Madame Fifi | The gentlemen must be physically powerful, skilled in weaponry, intelligent, attractive and well versed in the art of love. |
| Craven | Fair enough. Well, Fifi, you have me intrigued. (takes a final mouthful from his wine and stands) It has been nice doing business with you. (bows flamboyantly, takes Fifi's hand and kisses it tenderly) I will return. |
| Madame Fifi | (smiles) Of course. Farewell Craven. |
Kazza opened the door and led Craven into the hallway beyond. She withdrew a sheathed sword from a cupboard, strapped it about her slender waist and donned a dull-coloured cloak. Without a word she escorted Craven outside The Angel's Junction to The Strip and set a brisk pace through the streets.
| Craven | (hurrying to keep up with the fleet-footed prostitute) What is it that you do for Madame Fifi? |
| Kazza | (arches an eyebrow) I would think you'd know the answer to that. |
| Craven | (smiles) Yes, but that activity does not generally require a sword. |
| Kazza | (pats the pommel of her blade through her cloak) A lady requires some protection in these streets - especially at night. Now stop gas bagging and let's get moving. |
Before long, Craven realised that Kazza was leading him into the Poor Quarter. He had been in Del Mord long enough now to have become familiar with many of the city districts but the Poor Quarter remained somewhat of a mystery. The maze like streets and blind alleys of the Old City were a haven for thugs and Craven hoped that their destination was not too far from familiar ground. After several turns they arrived at an innocuous-looking, ramshackle house. The building was unremarkable save that the windows were intact and the door appeared solid. Kazza stepped forward and knocked on the door. After several minutes an elderly woman opened the door, her face peering through the crack.
| Old Lady | Can I help you? |
| Kazza | Edna, it's me Kazza. |
| Edna | (squints) Oh yes, Kazza. (opens the door fully and looks to Craven) And this must be Master Craven. (turns to Kazza and whistles) He is attractive isn't he? Madame Fifi has chosen well. |
| Kazza | (smiles and turns to face Craven) Edna will take you from here. Don't worry, she won't bite. (winks) |
| Edna | Come in Craven and be quick about it; this cold is bad for my bones. |
| Craven | (enters the house) I must say Edna, I am a little confused. |
| Edna | Come by the fire young Craven. Can I offer you some tea? |
| Craven | When Fifi said I would be meeting another woman, I expected someone a little... younger. No disrespect intended. |
| Edna | (looks directly at Craven and chuckles) I am not the woman you seek, merely the intermediary. You can only use the gate at certain times and that time is still an hour away. So, sit down and relax. You will meet Natasha in good time. |
| Craven | Natasha? Is that her name? |
| Edna | Yes. She is a goddess, you will not be disappointed. Do you take sugar in your tea? |
| Craven | Tea? (looks at the steaming amber liquid Edna was pouring into his cup) I'm very thirsty, thankyou. |
Edna chatted inanely for an hour, not giving Craven an opportunity to ask many questions and declining to answer when he managed to do so. She was a cheerful, old lady happy to engage Craven in meaningless conversation but never did she broach an important subject.
Before long she lead Craven to her cellar where she uncovered a large, full length mirror. Edna ordered Craven to stand behind her as she approached the mirror, holding something small in her hand. Suddenly the mirror flared to life. The previously non-descript frame burst into flame and, as Edna moved aside, Craven saw not the cellar reflected in the surface but another room.
| Craven | (stands back, his hand on his sword) What the hell is going on? |
| Edna | Go through the portal, young Craven. The boy on the other side will lead you to Natasha - just tell him your name. Do not be afraid, you can return from Crossroads whenever you want. |
| Craven | But, what- |
| Edna | Hush! Time is short, if you are going to go you must go now. But take this - you will need it to return. (thrusts a small, metallic disk into Craven's hand) |
| Craven | (looks at Edna, the disk in his hand, then to the mirror) What the hell. |
Craven closed his eyes and stepped through the surface of the mirror. He felt a slight disorientation, not dissimilar to the stomach churning effect of seasickness. But as quickly as it came, the sensation departed. The young assassin opened his eyes and took in his new surroundings.
The stifling heat and humidity surprised Craven, and immediately he began to sweat. The room was darker than it had appeared in the mirror and he had to wait several seconds for his eyes to adjust. He looked about and discovered that he was wedged at the rear of what seemed to be a large building, though he could only see a small portion of the structure. The walls were constructed of stone, and a faint, oval outline etched into the wall behind him betrayed the existence of the portal. He reached out with the metallic disk and touched it to the wall, relieved to find his hand passed through the stone. With a smile on his face, secure in the knowledge that he could return to Del Mord at will, he took stock of his immediate environment. He figured that he was at the rear of a forge, in a narrow space behind a set of massive shelves - stocked with rods of iron, unprocessed ore and a plethora of tools. He heard the roar of flames and the rhythmic clang of a blacksmith's hammer.
He wriggled forward and emerged from the narrow space into the forge proper. The smith was hammering out a sheet of red-hot steel on a massive anvil, his back to Craven. Just beyond the hulking figure stood a lithe lad, no older than sixteen. He was working the bellows, his bare chest heaving with each contraction and his olive skin covered in a film of sweat. The smith's apprentice looked up from the bellows as Craven came into view. He cast a furtive glance at his master, then motioned for Craven to hide.
A little over a half an hour later, the young lad poked his head around the corner and indicated that Craven could again emerge.
| Lad | (in a thick, western accent) Who are you? |
| Craven | My name is Craven, I was sent here by the old woman, Edna. She said you were expecting me. |
| Lad | My name is El Aquid, apprentice to Master Hammerstone. |
| Craven | Why did you have me hide? |
| El Aquid | Master Hammerstone doesn't know there is a gate back there, and I am forbidden to tell him. (looks around covertly) Hurry, let's get you out of here. |
El Aquid lead Craven across the vast expanse of the forge-room, through a curtain and into the front shop. With practised ease El Aquid hurdled the counter and hurried outside - pulling Craven along behind.
Once outside Craven stopped in his tracks. He had assumed that he was underground, in a secret society beneath Edna's house - but the evidence before him contradicted that theory. Where he expected to see a cavern roof, he saw a foreign, blood red sky streaked with long black clouds.
| Craven | (grabs El Aquid by the shoulder) Where am I? |
| El Aquid | (somewhat surprised) Crossroads. |
| Craven | Yes, but where is Crossroads? (scratches his head) We aren't anywhere near Del Mord, are we? |
| El Aquid | No. You have arrived in Crossroads, the nexus of the Flanaess, the meeting place of the bizarre and the commonplace. It is everywhere and nowhere. |
| Craven | What the hell is that supposed to mean: everywhere and nowhere? |
| El Aquid | You will learn in time. Where am I to take you? |
| Craven | I believe you can take me to the abode of Lady Natasha. |
| El Aquid | (smiles) Ahh, Lady Natasha. You are a lucky man. Only special people are allowed in there. If you provide me with a little coin I can take you there. (holds out his hand) |
| Craven | (hands over a silver piece) Lead on. |
Once they stepped into the street, away from the smithy, Craven was amazed by the sheer size of Crossroads. People dressed in all manner of garb walked the streets and the buildings were awash with colour. Craven had never seen such diversity of races; dark skinned humans traded with pale skinned elves while goblins could be heard in rapid discussion with dwarves and halflings. All about him were sights, sounds and smells the likes of which he had never before experienced.
El Aquid explained that the city was constructed in a the shape of a giant cross; all streets leading out from a central citadel in which lived an entity known as "The Master Of The Cross". Each arm of the cross was further divided into two districts, giving a total of nine distinct regions including that of the great market that surrounded the Citadel. The pair crested a hill and Craven looked out to the horizon and noticed that a grey mist bound the entire perimeter of the city. He turned to El Aquid and commented on the strange sight.
| El Aquid | (shrugs) The mist is always there. It marks the limits of the city and denotes the borders of the Master's domain. None who have walked into the mists have been seen again. |
| Craven | Where are we? I mean, where is this place? It isn't anywhere in Almor, is it? |
| El Aquid | No, it's not. But where this place lies (waving his arms around to take in the city) is hardly important. What is important is where it touches. |
| Craven | What in the Nine Hells is that supposed to mean? |
| El Aquid | Crossroads has portals, some call them 'gates', that lead from here to all over the Flanaess. You came through one yourself. |
| Craven | How many portals are there? |
| El Aquid | Only the Master of the Cross knows the answer to that question. Most of us only know the location of one, perhaps two portals. That is how the Master wants it. It is Crossroad Law that one must never discuss or reveal the location of the portals with others. |
| Craven | Why is that? |
| El Aquid | Think of it. If the powers that rule the Flanaess were to hear about this place, and somehow learn the location of all the portals and where they touched the lands, Crossroads would become awash in blood. The military importance of such a place would be too great to ignore. So, the Master jealously guards the secrets of the portals and any that break this law are summarily killed. I have seen the Guardians of the Cross, and they enforce the Master's Law with cold, ruthless efficiency. |
| Craven | (his head beginning to swim in the mass of information) The Guardians of the Cross? |
| El Aquid | Yes, the servants of the Master. It is best not to speak of them! |
| Craven | Um, why? |
| El Aquid | Because it is unwise to do so. The Master has ears everywhere. Look, we are almost there. (points to a large, triple storey mansion with perfectly manicured lawns) The Lady Natasha's estate. I must return to the forge. Do you think you will be able to find your own way back? |
| Craven | I think so. |
| El Aquid | I wish you luck. Natasha has quite an effect on the men who visit her. |
| Craven | What do you mean? |
| El Aquid | You will see. (smiles) Enjoy your evening. |
| Craven | Wait! Don't go. I have a thousand questions. |
| El Aquid | We will speak again. I have to go. (bows with aplomb and departs) |
| Craven | (watches as the olive skinned man weaves through the crowd) Well, here goes. |
Craven crossed the street and walked along a cobbled path to the mansion. He knocked on the ornate wooden door and waited. He clasped his hands before him and waited; comfortable in the knowledge that he could unsheathe his blades in an instant should the need arise. Moments later the double doors opened and a small, well-dressed man stood before Craven.
| Butler | Yes? |
| Craven | (coughs) I am here to see the Lady Natasha. |
| Butler | Do you have an appointment? |
| Craven | I think she is expecting me. My name is Craven, Craven from Del Mord. |
| Butler | Please, come in and take a seat in the anteroom. I will ascertain whether Lady Natasha will see you. You are welcome to partake in the refreshments arrayed before you? |
| Craven | (looks at the sumptuous spread) Thank you. |
Several minutes later the butler returned.
| Butler | Lady Natasha will see you momentarily. In the meantime, she would like you to bathe and prepare yourself for dinner. If you would follow me I will show you to a room where you may... freshen up. |
| Craven | Okay. |
An hour later Craven was bathed and dressed in fine robes, his hair groomed and his skin smelling of scented oils. He was shown to a large lounge and found himself in the company of the most beautiful people he had ever seen. Tastefully attired women laughed and exchanged jokes with handsome men, servants moved about the guests with platters of hors d'oeuvres and carafes of fine wine. Craven stood at the entrance alongside the butler, unsure where to go or what to say.
| Butler | (rings a small bell) Master Craven, honoured guest of Lady Natasha. (bows low and, walking backwards, departs) |
| Craven | (conscious he had become the centre of attention coughs nervously and calls for a waiter) |
Craven spent the following hour enjoying the company of the other guests. Everyone Craven spoke to was polite to a fault and it became apparent that Lady Natasha was revered, and that reverence carried over to her honoured guests. The food and wine was excellent, but Craven was careful not to overindulge; he expected he'd need his energy tonight. Just as Craven was getting bored, a hush fell over the guests. Craven followed their lead and turned to the great stair that spilled into the room.
Standing atop the staircase, dressed in a low cut evening gown of vibrant red, stood the most beautiful woman Craven had ever laid eyes on. He lost all track of time and stared, transfixed, as she glided down the marble stairs her elegant gown trailing behind. Upon reaching the bottom, she crossed the room, ignoring her other guests and walked directly to Craven.
| Natasha | Craven, so nice to meet you. |
| Craven | (takes Natasha's hand, bends at the waist and kisses her fingers lightly) Thank you for the invitation, my lady. It is an honour to meet you. |
| Natasha | Come with me, Craven. The night is young and I have a hunger. It is time for your lessons to begin. |
The River Rats ruled the streets in the River Quarter of Del Mord. Except for those that the Alley Cats prowled, of course. Mak the Knife was the King of Rats; he ruled the gang and had done so for almost half a year. At fourteen he was the oldest of the group, though he could pass for sixteen at a pinch.
The gang war with the Alley Cats had been hard on the River Rats; they had lost three members since Mak took over the reigns, all casualties of the ongoing hostilities. The Alley Cats were older than the River Rats, on average, and were better equipped. The leader of the Cats, for instance, even had a crossbow - rumour has it the weapon was a gift from the River Quarter Thieves Guild.
Mak the Knife couldn't afford worry about that now, he had to put on a brave face and work his gang into a frenzy.
| Mak | (looks at the fourteen boys gathered before him) They've done it again. Those bloody Alley Cats have encroached on our territory again. Otis tells me that there are six of them near the fish yards, throwing stones at the boats, this very moment. We can't let them get away with it! Let's go get teach 'em a lesson! |
| Gang | (roars of approval) |
The fifteen members of the gang, about a third of the total of River Rats, rushed through the dark back streets and alleys of the River Quarter. As they reached the docks, the boys stopped to catch their breath.
| Mak | (puffing hard) Okay boys. (puff, puff) We are close. Once we- |
| River Rat #1 | (screams) |
| River Rat #2 | (screams) |
From out of the shadows a massive figure emerged, it let out an unearthly howl and closed on the stunned youths. The battle, if it could be called that, was short and bloody - within seconds eight of the River Rats lay dead, three killed by the crossbow of an unseen assailant and five mutilated by the huge figure, an oversized lizard man. The remaining River Rats, including Mak managed to escape the assault but the image of the giant, scaled monster that tore into their friends would remain with them for many years.
| Lizard Man | (reaches down and tears the head from one of the corpses, stuffs it into the sack hanging from his waist and turns to face his goblin companion) Ixtha like city, many trophies to be gained! Runcas will show me more? |
| Runcas | (emerges from the shadows, hangs his hand crossbow on his belt and glances about furtively) We cannot stay long in the open, guards will come with swords. (retrieves his three crossbow bolts from the corpses) |
| Ixtha | (puffs out his chest and flexes his biceps) Then Ixtha will kill guards and take heads for trophies! |
| Runcas | (shakes his head) Many guards, many swords, much danger. Best we stay hidden until your strength grows - then we worry about guards no more. (watches as Ixtha resumes tearing heads from the bodies and shoving them into his sack) For now you settle with little-human trophies. Bigger trophies later. Come, we must hurry back to your cave. |
| Ixtha | (finishes his bloody work and ties the sack closed) Ixtha think Runcas is wise. We wait as Runcas says and after time guards will fear Ixtha. |
| Runcas | Soon, everyone will fear you. Fear us. Once I free the Elf-Ghost, we three will rule the city. |
| Ixtha | (pats his bulging pouch) Rule city. Ixtha like. Many trophies. |
| Runcas | (chuckles evilly) Many trophies indeed. |
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| Italic Text | Character's thoughts or actions if surrounded by parenthesis |
| Bold Text | Character is shouting. |