Logs > Gamma Logs > Mark His Words Very Careful

Mark His Words Very Careful

[Crossroads Inn, Common Room]
Thinly varnished oak walls enclose this common room. Stretching along the back wall is a grimy datiawood bar, its wood counter warped from age and spilled drinks. An old, rather ornate chandelier is suspended from the ceiling and illuminates a menu that hangs over a small sign, which is tacked to a beam behind the bar. Wooden tables, chairs, benches and stools are scattered throughout the room, and a small lyre leans against a trash can, waiting to be played. Leading up to the second floor is a set of misshapen rickety stairs. You see Breen the barkeep. Also here is Corporal Aljeron, Corporal Khregen, and Sergeant Shadeark.

The aroma of freshly cooked food fills the air.

Muffled voices can be heard from nearby tables.
The only obvious exit is out.

Khregen puts a score of sovereigns in his forest green purse.
Khregen closes a forest green purse.
Aljeron shakes his head.
Khregen grins at you.
Aljeron mutters.
You say, "What is this, a guard meeting? Out, it's my bar."
Aljeron sighs.
You smile at Khregen.
You wave to Khregen.
Aljeron chuckles.
You get a single royal from an embroidered black leather pouch.
Khregen chuckles at you.
You hand Breen the barkeep some money.
Breen pours some coffee into a mug and hands it to you, saying "Nice and hot! Just brewed it myself."
Breen the barkeep gives you your change.
You put a few sovereigns in your embroidered black leather pouch.
You close an embroidered black leather pouch.
Aljeron opens a jeweled bright blue leather pouch.
Aljeron gets a great number of sovereigns from a jeweled bright blue leather pouch.
Khregen says, "Yer welcome te hit my friend."
Aljeron hands Breen the barkeep some money.
Breen pours some ale into a jar and hands it to Aljeron and says, "Bottoms up!"
Breen the barkeep gives Aljeron his change.
You say, "You should get them to put a bar in the guard-house."
Khregen says, "Crappy ale in er."
You walk over to a wooden bench.
You seat yourself at a table.
Aljeron puts a great number of sovereigns in his jeweled bright blue leather pouch.
Aljeron closes a jeweled bright blue leather pouch.
You say, "You'll note I come in only for the coffee, which puts hair on my chest."
Khregen sips some refreshing ale from his pint jar.
You swallow some hot robust coffee.
The coffee tastes robust and hearty, awakening your taste buds.
Aljeron removes his shiny low-steel gauntlets.
Aljeron puts some shiny low-steel gauntlets in his simple backpack.
Aljeron sips some refreshing ale from his pint jar.
Khregen walks over to a wooden chair.
Khregen seats himself down at a table.

> l khre
Khregen is a dwarf man of stoneheart ancestry in his twenties. His narrow eyes are deep brown with golden flecks. He has a broad nose, a strong jaw, and a long black beard which he wears in twin braids that are tied in front with a strip of rabu skin. He keeps his moderately short black hair in no particular style. He has dusky skin, a strapping build, and powerful limbs.
He is holding a pint jar in his left hand.
He is wearing some highly-polished black leather boots, some deep black breeches, a glittering snowflake pin with a cloak of the Imperial Guard over it, some polished low-steel gauntlets, an engraved brass scabbard, an engraved low-steel shield, a suit of heavy iron chainmail, a gleaming low-steel armet,
and an embroidered bright blue leather sack.

> l aljeron
Aljeron is a sylvan man of tain ancestry in his twenties. His deep-set eyes is amber with deep shadows lurking in their depths. He has a short nose, a pursed mouth, and a handsome jaw. He wears his shoulder-length silver-streaked black hair in braided queue at the nape of the neck. He has broadly pointed ears,
bronzed skin, and an athletic build.
He is holding a pint jar in his left hand.
He is wearing some shiny low-steel sabatons, a finely carved bone circlet, a midnight blue linen pouch, a gleaming low-steel mail bantel with a cloak of the Imperial Guard over it, an inlaid bone scabbard, an embroidered blue knapsack with a cloak of the Imperial Guard over it, and some studded high-steel
greaves.

> l shade
Shadeark is a darkelf man of broc Caillaen ancestry in his fifties. His brooding eyes are deep blue with gray shadowing. He has a regal nose, a wide mouth, and a handsome jaw. He wears his shoulder-length powder blue hair in no particular style. He has long slender ears, ebony skin, and an impressive build.
His hands are empty.
He is wearing an exquisite etched bronze scroll case, a stitched blue suede pouch, a simple leather kasset with a cloak of the Imperial Guard over it, a gleaming high-steel shield, and some highly-polished black leather boots.

Aljeron plops himself down at the bar.
Khregen asks, "How ye been my friend?"
You say, "Oh, well enough. Keeping busy."
Khregen nods.
You ask, "Yourself? Anything of note going on around hereabouts?"
Shadeark seats himself at a table.
Khregen asks, "Not much as I has heared?"
Aljeron sips some refreshing ale from his pint jar.
You sip some hot robust coffee from your stoneware mug.
The hot coffee burns the roof of your mouth as you drink it.
Aljeron sips some refreshing ale from his pint jar.
Khregen asks, "Dat Baron ye was dealin wit on de Temple, ye heared anyting from em?"
You shake your head.
You say, "Not as of yet, and I'm a little worried."
Khregen asks, "Ye still have dat writ from de Prince?"
You nod to Khregen.
You say, "I had hoped to see some construction going on by now, but..."
You shrug.
Khregen asks, "Might I hve a look at hit?"
Aljeron asks, "What was his name again then if ye nae mind me askin?"
Aljeron peers at you.
You say, "Baron Rillon."
Khregen glances at his hands.
Aljeron snaps his fingers.
You ask, "Of course. Don't tear it, eh?"
Khregen sips some refreshing ale from his pint jar.
You open a sleek black leather scroll pouch.
You get an ivory linen parchment from a sleek black leather scroll pouch.
Aljeron says, "Aye Baron Rillon that be right."
Aljeron nods.
Aljeron sips some refreshing ale from his pint jar.
Khregen says, "I will be real careful."
Aljeron looks a bit queasy.
Aljeron momentarily loses his balance.
You say, "I plan to ask the Lady Ambassador about it if I get a chance to see her again."
You stand up.
You walk over to a wooden chair.
You offer your ivory linen parchment to Khregen.
Khregen accepts your offer.
Khregen says, "Tankee."
Khregen glances at his hands.
You walk over to a wooden bench.
You seat yourself at a table.
You sip some hot robust coffee from your stoneware mug.
The hot coffee burns the roof of your mouth as you drink it.
Khregen unrolls his ivory linen parchment.
Khregen asks, "Dat been varified in any way Jurion?"
Aljeron sips some refreshing ale from his pint jar.
Khregen rolls up his ivory linen parchment.
Khregen offers his ivory linen parchment to you.
You accept Khregen's offer.
You put an ivory linen parchment in your sleek black leather scroll pouch.
You close a sleek black leather scroll pouch.
You raise an eyebrow in Khregen's direction.
You ask, "The writ? In what way?"
Khregen asks, "We sure dat Vek McVhal sealed hit?"
You swallow some hot robust coffee.
You slowly sip your coffee, enjoying its rich flavor.
You say, "Well, it's got the royal seal on it."
You say, "I can't see how he couldn't have."
Aljeron agrees.
You open your mouth as if to say something.
You ask, "Is this on account of that writ... that Merow used?"
Khregen says, "Wel I been doin some tinkin bout dat question ye asked me here back."
Garotte nods to Khregen.
Khregen says, "Hello Shade."
Aljeron sips some refreshing ale from his pint jar.
Khregen stands up.
Garotte says, "Ello Khregen."
Khregen moves further from a wooden chair.
Aljeron grins.
Garotte whispers something to Khregen.
Khregen says, "WEll I got te woumderin why orc's would steal yer letter Jurion."
You stand up.
Garotte nods to Khregen.
Garotte whispers something to Khregen.
You whisper, 'Xelian and I are wondering if they were looking for the writ for some reason.' to Khregen.
Aljeron sips some refreshing ale from his pint jar.
Khregen nods.
Garotte gestures and whispers a short phrase.
Garotte makes several small hand gestures.
Garotte is enveloped by the surrounding shadows.
You swallow some hot robust coffee.
The coffee tastes robust and hearty, awakening your taste buds.
Khregen whispers 'I think it is becuse the prince dinna sign dat' to you.
You blink at Khregen.
You say, "Maybe we should talk about this in private."
Khregen whispers 'Let me try and confirm hit' to you.
You nod to Khregen.
Khregen says, "Back shortly."
Khregen stumbles up the stairs, nearly falling.

[ A little while passes; folks go in and out and eventually I'm left alone with Shadeark. ]

Shadeark stands up.
Garotte stumbles down the last step on the stairs.
Shadeark meanders out to the street.
Garotte meanders out to the street.
You laugh.
Khregen stumbles down the last step on the stairs.
You grin at Khregen.
Khregen grins at you.
You say, "Shadeark left, I guess that means I won."
Khregen asks, "Got a minute my friend?"
You nod to Khregen.
You stand up.
Khregen walks over to you.
Khregen grabs you by the arm, motioning for you to follow.
Khregen stumbles up the stairs, nearly falling.
You follow Khregen stairs.

Khregen wanders through the green door.
You follow Khregen green door.

[Crossroads Inn, Fall Room]
Though modest in appearance, this room is clean and comfortable. Covered by a gaily colored cotton throw, a fluffy feather bed sits against one wall. Beside it, an oil lamp rests on a small pine nightstand and a braided rug covers the floor. Opposite the bed, an inviting rocking chair and a muslin-covered table have been placed beneath a window with pine shutters. Wooden pegs, from which guests may hang their belongings, protrude from the back of the door. Also here is Corporal Khregen.

Muffled noises can be heard coming from the hallway.

Khregen closes a green door.
Khregen latches a green door.
Khregen searches around for something.
Khregen says, "I tink yer Baron may have been an agent in de employ o de same folk dat hired Arknor."
You wince.
You say, "I... had been afraid of something like this."
Khregen says, "And I tink de used yer money te buy weapons."
You say, "Blast and bloody wubshite."
You sit down on a feather bed.
Khregen says, "Can't prove hit but hit fits nice."
You say, "We haven't heard anything since we gave him the last of the donations."
You say, "And there's been no construction, no messages from the Palace..."
Khregen asks, "Ye have heared me speak a dis cabble a mages in de City?"
You say, "And then our letter is intercepted."
You nod to Khregen.
Khregen nods.
Khregen says, "Dats what got me tinkin bout hit se hard."
Khregen says, "Yer letter."
Khregen says, "Dey left jewels behind."
Khregen says, "No orc would do dat witout strick orders."
You say, "But they took our letter."
Khregen nods to you.
Khregen says, "Means de Prince prolly knows nuttin about yer Temple."
You untie your scarlet ribbon and pull it out of your hair.
You act: Jurion rakes his fingers through his braids.
Khregen says, "It was a scam te git coin."
You say, "And we took... almost a thousand imperials from the town."
You exclaim, "How could this writ not be genuine? It's got a royal seal on it!"
Khregen nods.
Khregen asks, "Cin ye tink o any udder reason fer em te steal yer letter?"
You say, "And we... I mean, we trusted the man."
Khregen says, "Dat was his job."
Khregen says, "Te gain yer trust."
You say, "Xelian pressed him about his dream, and we all questioned him... and he took the money and was gone for two days before we got the writ."
You say, "We thought surely if he was a fake he'd have vanished with the coin and never provided it."
You bury your face in your hands.
You say, "Ah, damn."
Khregen says, "I may be wrong."
You say, "I hope you are."
You raise your head and look at Khregen.
Khregen asks, "Jest wanted ye te know what I was tinkin?"
You ask, "Can we contact the court, through the guard?"
Khregen says, "Not de imperials."
You say, "We've been trying to speak to the Lady Ambassador for a few days now."
Khregen says, "Ye cin de royal guard."
You nod to Khregen slowly.
Khregen asks, "Have you seen Sarafina in some time?"
You shake your head at Khregen.
Khregen asks, "Know anyone dat has?"
You say, "I haven't seen Sarafina since before I was arrested."
You ask, "Wasn't she with the Lady Ambassador when the letter was stolen?"
Khregen says, "No."
You ask, "Wasn't it stolen from Green Apple Gables?"
You raise an eyebrow.
Khregen says, "She disappeared a day or so before dat."
Khregen says, "Aye it was."
You say, "It was just the Lady Ambassador and... Sydreal, in her home, then."
Khregen says, "Sarafina invited de Ambassador te stay der and den she diappeared."
Khregen says, "Bargo."
You nod to Khregen.
You say, "That's right, I'd forgotten him."
Khregen says, "De engraver."
You ask, "What about her Housecarl?"
You act: Jurion pulls his ribbon through his fingers.
Khregen says, "He has not been seen edder as I cin tell."
Khregen says, "De duchuss was suposed to judge a contest at de festival."
You nod to Khregen.
You say, "I'd heard, but she never came. I thought she was indisposed."
Khregen says, "She never showed and dinna send word. Dat hain't like de duchuss."
You stare at your scarlet ribbon.
You say, "Someone needs to speak to the court."
Khregen says, "I tink she is bein held by de mage cabble."
Khregen says, "I tink de court knows dat now."
Khregen says, "But dey donna know bout yer letter."
You say, "I should like to find out... whether I've been a great fool or not."
You say, "Because if the Baron isn't what he led us to believe he was, Xelian and I have a great deal of work to do."
Khregen nods.
Khregen asks, "What good is Xeliane dedicated to, you know?"
You raise an eyebrow.
You ask, "Who does she worship, you mean?"
Khregen says, "Aye."
Khregen nods to you.
Khregen says, "I has never heared er say."
You say, "I've no idea. I always assumed it was a private matter."
Khregen nods.
Khregen says, "Dese mages."
Khregen says, "Dey aire bad."
Khregen says, "Vera bad."
You ask, "What do you know of them?"
Khregen says, "Not much."
Khregen says, "I have suspicions but dat is all."
Khregen says, "Every lead dead ends."
You ask, "Do you think it's anything to do with the warchest we found?"
Khregen says, "Yep."
Khregen says, "I tink hit was dere's."
You say, "I hate to say it, but perhaps that orb Maeve's got could be of use."
Khregen says, "I was assured by someone dat says dey was in dat room two days afore dat hit was not dere."
You say, "I've been down there myself on several occasions with Shala, and it was never locked, much less guarded."
Khregen says, "I chesked hit some days afore we was dere hit was locked."
Khregen says, "But not guarded."
You act: Jurion rubs his knuckles distractedly.
You nod to Khregen.
You say, "Well."
You say, "That's out of my area of expertise, I fear."
Khregen says, "Guardians showed up about de same time as de dragons."
Khregen says, "Two know reasons fer dragons te be about."
Khregen says, "Someone is playing wit de veil and Vek is in trouble."
You grin ruefully.
You say, "At the moment the idea that I may have unwittingly given a thousand imperials to an agent of the orcs is more of a worry."
Khregen says, "May not be orcs."
You say, "We need to hear from the Prince."
You ask, "Who else would it be? A third party?"
Khregen says, "If'n ye do would ye let me know what he says."
Khregen says, "Aye."
You say, "He hasn't been seen much lately."
You stand up.
You sigh.
You say, "I'm going to try and make an appointment with the Lady Ambassador to speak of your suspicions."
You say, "At the least we can find out whether the writ was genuine or not."
Khregen says, "Dese mages aire out fer der own goals and dey is using Talones hate fer de McVhal te git what dey desire is my bet."
You nod to Khregen uneasily.
You say, "It makes me glad I'm not carrying round that orb."
Khregen says, "If'n ye gits te meet wit de Prince take note a who else is der and mark his words very careful."
You nod to Khregen.
You say, "I will."
You say, "For now, i'd best get downstairs and see if I can't find Sinjinn or Severin. We've got to talk."
You say, "This worries me quite a bit."
Khregen says, "He is smart from what I hear and he may try and pass ye a message."
You tie back your hair with your scarlet ribbon.
You say, "You know..."
You say, "Xelian came to me the night before last and was worried about the Prince as well."
Khregen says, "Jest donna figure."
You say, "She said she couldn't imagine why someone would want our letter, unless they didn't want anyone to know that the Prince wasn't there to read it."
Khregen says, "He should be actin yet he is sittin still."
You say, "It has crossed my mind that it is unlike him, from what I know of him."
You unlatch a green door.
Khregen says, "Possible dey have Vek as well I spect."
You grimace.
You say, "Thank you for speaking of this to me."
Khregen nods.
You say, "I'll see what I can find out."
You open a green door.
Khregen says, "Ye welcome my friend."
You act: Jurion rubs the back of his neck with his hand.
Khregen wanders through the green door.
You follow Khregen green door.