From Humble Acorns
Session Thirteen of the Notoriety of Kings Campaign [continued]

Vítday, 1 Suntask 204 [continued]

The shouting, the questions and the wonder of the vast crowd gathered in front of the Chosen does not die down for half an hour. Elias, Arvan, Brack, Raza, Nicos and Ravenna fence dozens of questions as to what happened, what their prize was, whether it was really Narramac, how the old wizard is still alive…… they are the centre of everyone's attention. All eyes (friendly or otherwise) are on them. They can see figures in the crowd that give them some concern. There are Watchers on the Cusp of Oblivion present, but they cannot get to the party because of the hundreds of people that stand inbetween them.

One group, however, is making their way through to throng toward them: a force of twenty warriors flying the colours of King Yaddagon XIV. At their head is Iltilmus and his huge half-orc body-guard, Chargek. A hateful expression contorts the noble's otherwise handsome face; he takes out some of his frustration by kicking as many people out of his way as possible. When he reaches the foot of the mountain and looks up at the party he can barely conceal the hatred that in his voice.

"I come from Lord Chamberlain Alberdark. He commands your presence in the King's name!" Iltilmus spits. Seeing as this could be their one and only opportunity to escape this situation without being mugged, the party goes along with Iltilmus and are led through the crowd. The questors press in around the group, but the twenty soldiers manage to hold them back long enough to reach the collection of plush tents that are currently serving as the home of Alberdark. The party are ushered into a large maroon tent flying the standard of King Yaddagon. There is a deep, round carpet lying on the floor and a rounded table in the middle of the tent behind which sits Alberdark.

Alberdark has seen more than forty seasons, and wears the luxurious robes and ornamental jewellery that befits his office. The group have already heard of him; in fact none in Norandor can fail to have heard of Alberdark. He is second only to the king in political power and authority. In the dark days of the king's illnesses it has been Alberdark who has really been ruling the country in Yaddagon's stead. He is a consummate politician, always seven steps ahead of all his rivals. Some call him untrustworthy, others call him a snake, but it is received wisdom that he knows only loyalty to his king. Alberdark would lay down his life for Yaddagon and the principles of monarchy. Considering all this, quite what he is doing sitting in a tent in the middle of nowhere, meeting such a bunch of nobodies as the party is anyone's guess. It occurs again to the group that from today they are nobodies no longer.

Alberdark stands as they enter and takes each of them firmly by the hand. He names them and shakes his head slowly. "You are all in a great deal of trouble," he says. Alberdark dismisses Iltilmus and bids the party to sit down. "I have heard of your adventures and your misadventures. Of your actions in Oakholme, of your escape from Castle Northmeet. The king charged me with the task of coming here and returning to the capital with those Narramac charged as his Chosen. The king misses his old wizard despite being abandoned by him and wants all the news you have to tell him. As the Chosen of Narramac you are also a powerful symbol. He would require your services. You will undoubtedly receive countless offers from many different people over the course of the next few weeks. But I can assure you that the king offers you the one thing that no-one else can: a pardon."

"I'm in," says Ravenna quickly, not needing to hear anything else. Remembering Narramac's words about the king being trustworthy, the rest of the party also agree. Alberdark is glad, and a little surprised at the speed with which they came to their decision. Only the druid, Arvan, looks a little nonplussed by this turn of events. The thought of travelling to a city does not appeal to him. Alberdark says that he will break camp this afternoon and begin the journey back to Uris. In the meantime the party may make use of the facilities of his camp. They may rest and eat. They look as though they could do with it.

The group is stunned as they wander from Alberdark's tent to sit in the summer sunshine. There are at least fifty troops in Alberdark's retinue and all of them now surround the camp keeping away the inquisitive. Pardoned? The chance of starting with a clean slate appeals to all of them. They no longer have to flee the country as they planned. It seems that they may begin to enjoy their new found status. Elias has someone send for Alessandre, she must be out there somewhere and he would love to share his new success with her.

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