You all stand on the darkened, torchlit walls of Castle Northshore, on the north side of the river, looking down at the spectral party of Tol Nedrans that stand far below you. The spectre leader seizes a figure by the shoulder, holding him up. "This gift...is offered...with...wishes for...accord between...our Kingdoms... Do...with him...as you will."
Torchlight glimmers off the prisoner's scalp. Thragga sniffs. "Kerrick..." he grunts. Below you, in the circle of light, you can see the warrior's face loooking up at you.Lilanne says, "Is he supposed to mean something?"
The revenant warrior led the Tol Nedri in the Sunken Tower. The riders back away. "Well...?" the spectre asks. "What say... you, King's eyes and ears?"
Lilanne looks towards Rooker "Who the hell is that?"
Rooker says, "This one you gift to us took something of great value to us. The body of a fallen comrade. If that body were returned to us unspoiled, our King might look upon your gift with more favor."
Thragga frowns. "I say we kill 'im."
Kane says, "What type of accord are you talking about? Is this gift given freely or with implied terms?"
The reply from spectral figures below comes back like a wail, perhaps it is the summer breeze on this comet-lit night. "King Malivare...offers no ...terms. This..is..given...freely. Do...with him...as you will."
Ser Owain, the Castellan, seems quite out of his element. "What should we do?"
Lilanne says, "Don't bet on it"
Kane says, "We shall accept it then freely."
Thragga pulls out a pair of gauntlets and slips them on.
Kane says, "We wish to know however of another whose body was stolen by Kerrick. Do you have any knowledge of this or of the body?"
Kane's reply, if any, is lost in the wail. With a roar, the entire party of spectres below rear back on their white horses, turn, and race back the way they came, into the night, leaving a shackled, manacled Kerrick standing before the gates of the Castle.
Lilanne looks to Ser Owain.."Perhaps someone should retrieve the ..gift?"
Kane says, "You guards come with me so we may collect this gift."
The gates of the fortress are flung wide, and soldiers led by Kane and Thragga step out to take hold of Kerrick, Lilanne and Rooker right behind. The revenant stands defiantly before you as Thragga seizes him.
Lilanne says, "Will someone please fill me in on who this person is?""
Kerrick, smirking, essays a rough bow in his iron manacles and chains. He is bound securely, but he can still stand. "Ser Kerrick, Knight of Tol Nedra, my Selandri Lady. You have me at a disadvantage. But I believe your companions and I have met."
Thragga balls up his fist and looks to Kane for a signal.
Rooker turns and walks away from the group, staring off into the night.
Lilanne says, "I see Ser Kerrick, the high regard you are held in by your ..countrymen.""
In the distance, the lights of As Sedrai gleam brightly, as the city continues to celebrate the coronation of the new King.
Rooker says, "Remember, it was a gift for the King. Don't damage it before he gets to see what the Tol Nedra pass off as presents."
Kerrick shrugs, rattling chains.
Rooker stalks back to the castle, his body rigid.
Ser Owain seems to have taken heart now that you are all here to fill in the leadership gap. "Yes! We must send word to His Grace at once!"
Kane walks towards Kerrick and inspects him.
Lilanne glances back over the horizon to look for signs of the spectral horsemen
Kane says, "We have certain questions for you demon. You will answer them."
Kerrick narrows his eyes at Kane.
Thragga hisses, "Want I should knock his teeth out, Kane?"
Kane says, "Not just yet my friend. I hope not to have to resort to torture."
Lilanne sees the spectral horsemen retreat over the northern hills, and vanish.
Kerrick says, "You're a Tol Nedri too. How'd you fall in with this rabble?"
Kane says, "You will answer questions, not ask them.There is a certain matter of a body belonging to a friend of my companions. Where is it?"
Kerrick grins. "It's safe. Can I go now?"
Thragga rewards Kerrick's impertinence with a shout and a painful clout to his ear.
The big Urag adds, "Let's take this bastard inside and work him over, Kane."
Kane says, "Be assured of one thing Kerrick, if it is in my power you will die when we are done. I do this not out of malice but out of pity. Your last few days can be ones of relative comfort or...not. You decide. You will answer eventually so you might as well make this easy on yourself."
Ser Owain gives orders, finally. "Take the prisoner within and secure him." Castle Northshore, as well as being a fortress, is also a prison.
A dark corridor, lit by torches. Figures make their way along it, and we can only make out their faces. Ser Owain, Kane, Thragga, Rooker, Lilanne, several guards.
Lilanne says, "Why would the Tol Nedri give him up to us?"
Lilanne says, "Is he out of favor?..or is it a trap of some kind?"
Kane says, "It is most definitely a trap in my opinion. But what would we gain if we didn't take him?"
There's a metallic grinding sound, as a cell door is flung open. "On yer feet, scum!" roars a gaoler, kicking the shackled prisoner Kerrick to his feet. The former Knight squats in a damp, hay-strewn cell far under Castle Northshore.
Lilanne says, "Perhaps we should have a mage scry him for traps?"
Kane pages: Does Kerrick have the same weaknesses as Vorghols?
Rooker says, "Or perhaps we should be more careful about stating our plans in front of him?"
The gaoler says to the King's COnstables, "What shall I do with him, sers? Me best rack's not bein' used at the moment an' all, an' it please you."
Kane says, "Leave him be for now." He instructs three guards to watch the cell and then leads the way upstairs.
You all repair to an anteroom just off the tunnels that lead to the dungeons. Thragga pours himself and then Lilanne a goblet of wine and offers it to her, listening to Kane and Rooker.
Rooker looks at Kane. "How do you propose killing Kerrick if the King decides that he likes his 'gift'?
Lilanne accepts the wine. "Thank you Thragga."
Kane says, "I said if it was in my power. The only thing stopping me is the King's consent."
A voice speaks from the corner of the anteroom. "Consent for what?" Henrick asks, making an entrance. Some knights and Lady Helaine enter with him.
Lilanne says, "Perhaps you should talk to him now -before the King accepts his gift. I'm sure the King would appreciate you making sure it was safe"
Rooker turns to face the King and drops to one knee."Your Grace."
Thragga follows Kane's lead. "Your Mightiness."
Lilanne nods in a sign of respect to the human King.
King Henrick gestures to you all to rise. "I came as fast as I could when word was brought. A Tol Nedran prisoner, here?"
Kane bows, "Your Grace, we have accepted a gift from the Tol Nedran. It is Kerrick, he has been delivered in chains."
Rooker says, "Yes, your Grace, and one I know from past struggles."
The King nods at Rooker's words, gently refusing an offer of wine from one of his courtiers. "Indeed. Tell me of him."
Rooker fingers his Constables badge nervously and speaks in soft tones; "It was he who fought with the Necromancer where Sharif first found the staff that clouded his mind with its' evil power. And he who killed my friend Thorn and then stole his body before it could be returned to Selandri keeping. The revenant Kerrick.
Henrick toys with the hilt of his sword. "You have mentioned him before. He has clearly done great malice already. And did you put him to the question before I arrived?"
Rooker says, "No, your Grace. Though it was tempting."
The King says, "Then for what was my consent needed, Kane?"
Kane says, "Your Grace, I ask your permission to question him and then dispose of him."
The King considers Kane's request. "That seems hasty. I was told he was a gift for me. What do you make of a Tol Nedran gift?"
Kane says, "I believe it is some type of trap. I suggest we destroy it before it springs."
"A single man?" asks the King.
Kane says, "Ye,s a single most dangerous man. He has information of the where abouts of Rooker's friend Thorn's body."
Lilanne says, "Why would the Tol Nedri turn this man over to us?"
The King says, "Perhaps he is of no more use to them.
Lilanne says, "What use is he to you, your Grace?"
Lilanne says, "Clearly they know he is important to Rooker..."
Lilanne says, "But how would they discover that fact?"
Lady Helaine pipes up, "If this man has been leading rogue elements into Anghara, then perhaps this is the signal that the operation is over."
Lilanne says, "But why turn him over to us? Why would they bother?"
Kane says, "Whatever you decide to do my Grace, this demon must eventually be put to the torch. It is the only humane thing to do."
Henrick says, "Humane! He is not human."
Lilanne looks to Kane "Why the rush to kill the prisoner Kane? Maybe we should find out what he knows...and who."
Kane says, "But we are and he was once. I propose to get as much information as possible from him first Lilanne."
The King has had enough. "Have this man brought to me." he orders the fortress guards.
Lilanne smiles "That is all I ask."
Kerrick is brought in, still in chains. "Your Grace," he greets the King.
The King snaps, "Speak to him, Kane. Tell him to tell us what he knows about why he was brought here."
Lilanne watches closely. Her hand on her sword hilt.
Kane says, "I may have to employ some unpleasant tactics to get him to talk."
Rooker moves to stand at the Kings' shoulder, hand on his dagger.
Kane says, "You heard his Grace. Answer, Kerrick."
Kerrick says, "You see before you a man who loved his nation too much, your Grace. For this, King Malivare cast me out of his good will. Kill me if you must, but I ask only one thing."
Lilanne listens intently and watches the prisoner.
"As a warrior, to be remembered." Kerrick says.
Henrick frowns. "This is nonsense." he says, impatiently. "You will not play this game with me, Kerrick." He nods to Kane.
Kane draws his sword and approaches Kerrick. "Which bit should I cut off first? Perhaps your tongue, since it works so poorly."
Kerrick says, mockingly, "The most 'humane' part."
Kane draws back his sword and says, "The head it is then."
Kerrick says, "You know what that will do to me, Kane. It won't kill me."
Kane says, "I know but then at least you'd be quiet for a while. Humane to us."
Henrick says, "Hold. If we keep this 'gift' under wraps, then it can do us no harm."
Thragga says, "You shoulda cut his head off, Kane."
Kane says, "We will get nothing from him in front of an audience. Wait until later."
The King says, "I will consult with the Magicorum about this. They will know best how to deal with this...creature."
Rooker says, "Your Grace, if I may be so bold as to make a suggestion, we should have the guards shielded against magics."
The King nods. "Very prudent, Rooker. Lady Helaine will see to this." He orders Kerrick dragged off to his cell, and the servants hasten to obey. Soon the room is cleared, and then he rises, finally pouring himself a goblet of wine. You four are now alone with the King.
Kane says, "There is only one way to kill him your Grace, fire."
Lilanne says, "My Lord. Perhaps we should send scouts to follow the Tol Nedran delegation to make sure they cause no trouble leaving the Kingdom. ...and maybe someone should actually interrogate the prisoner"
The King sighs, fatigue of the last few days beginning to wear on him. He pauses a long time, eyes closed, before answering. "Yes, I know that Kane. But it is early to consider killing him. He could be a valuable source of information." He tells Lilanne, "Captain Dake has already taken personal charge of escorting the Tol Nedrans north, my Lady."
The crown sits heavily on the new King. "A new comet in the skies, Tol Nedrans at the doorstep, and my reign not even a day old. He takes a breath. "There is a task I would ask of you all, my friends.." he says.
Rooker says, "Your Grace, I cannot pull a shooting star from the skies, but I will do whatever I can to lighten your cares."
The King says, "I thank you, Rooker. This is more of a mission of state. The Baroness, Mirana, Brock's daughter...will be escorted south to her city of Highfall. I want you to see her safely home. It sounds like babysitting for such as you...but there is an important reason to it."
Henrick explains, "Highfall could be the center of any resurgence by Brock's family to challenge the crown. Your skills will help in ferreting out any such movement and help prevent another civil war."
Rooker says, "As you wish, Your Grace."
Kane says, "What about the prisoner?"
"Castle Northshore is secure enough, Kane." The King assures him.
Henrick adds, "Lady Lilanne, I cannot fairly ask you to go...but you were sent into my service, and I feel sure your skills would be useful to these three."
Lilanne says, "I am at your service King Henrick..whatever you decide."