From Humble Acorns
Session Sixteen of the Notoriety of Kings Campaign

Sunday, 14 Suntask 204 [continued]

However, their departure is somewhat delayed by Arvan's point-blank refusal to be seen wearing the immaculate, sequinned suit that he has been forced into by Edward. He is technically a priest, he says, and demands something that more befits his station. Eventually, the servants find a brown, hooded robe that might serve for the purpose. Unfortunately the sleeves are at least eight feet too long, even for Arvan. "Who wore this last? An orang-utan?" the exasperated druid asks. The sleeves are quickly gathered in and tied off in the form of enormous, voluminous cuffs. Arvan grimaces and says it will have to do.

In short order, Lucien leads the party quickly from the room down numerous stairs and soon they are standing in front of the vast marble doors that lead into the king's throne room. This room is large enough to double for this evening's ball, Lucien explains. The hall-way outside is currently empty, with the exception of a two palace guards and a herald to whom Lucien offers the party. He bows to the group, wishing them good fortune for the evening.

The herald nods to them, evidently in awe of their position. He opens the door and steps into the room beyond. The throne room is a vast circular room with a large dais on the far side on which sits a single throne. Worryingly, it is empty. The floors and the walls are marble, the ceiling a tremendous glass dome. The unkind would spot parts that are suffering from their age, but it does little to mitigate the effect of the place. Around the perimeter of the room a series of ionic columns, beyond the columns are a series of seats and tables laid with all manner of food, sweet-meats and even fruit. Dozens of servant scurry amongst the several hundred noble men and women who stand in the centre of the room chatting and gesturing to each other. As one they all turn to look at the party. The herald clears his throat dramatically.

"My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen. The Chosen of Narramac: Lord Elias Raithborne, Pyrus Nicos Allumière, Brother Raza de Luna, Initiate Arvan Walker-in-Shadows, Brack Ogrebane, Ravenna Tannesh." After presenting the group, the herald steps back outside the room. The door closes behind him with an ominous finality. There is no sign of Alberdark, the king or the princess. Slowly the group scan the crowd looking for a friendly or familiar face. There are many clerics present this evening, Watchers and Firestarters amongst them (although they are keeping their distance from one another). One figure to catch their eye is a hobbit dressed in an amazingly tasteless vermilion suit encrusted with a hundred gems. He wears a wide-brimmed hat, set at a jaunty angle, and with a feather in slightly taller than he is. On seeing the party he dismisses his group of admirers with a gesture and walks over to the party.

"Friends!" says the hobbit. "Permit me to introduce myself, I am Liddon J. Beredaire, high-sheriff of the Wold and your humble servant! You must feel incredibly uncomfortable! Follow me, follow me!" As the evening continues, the group will find that Liddon is unique amongst the assembled in as far as he is more interested in talking about himself than he is about listening to the exploits of the party. At first, this seems a little conceited but as the evening wears on and the group is forced to rehash the same version of their adventures again and again they will cast their minds back and wish for the half hour they spent with Liddon J. Beredaire. "Well!" Liddon announces loudly, "As I said to Duke Devries when we were lost for a week in the Shifting Sands of Junos, I feel a bit dry!" Everyone laughs politely. Without any true dukes present, Liddon is probably the highest ranking noble in the room.

The hobbit discreetly manoeuvres the group to the nearest servant and liberates some drinks for the group. He takes two for himself. Arvan and Brack involuntarily stand back-to-back casting evil glances at everyone they meet, as if daring anyone to try and talk to them. Raza seems overwhelmed by the whole thing, but the others seem to be in their element. Nicos takes to society like a fish to water, happily swapping jokes, epithets and sly looks with dozens; Elias seems to have returned to a life he is used to and is practising the fine art of diplomacy, but trying to say as little as possible. Ravenna reveals a here-to-fore unto talent of social mountaineering. She hangs on Liddon's every word, and is sensible of the fact that her youth, her looks and her height are not lost on many of the eligible young nobles in the room.

"There I was!" Liddon expounds, "Deep in the Junos desert. Alone, apart from my army. I was surrounded by a hordes of gnomish warriors from the Pits, sitting there astride their giant war badgers. The sultan was behind me, so I couldn't retreat…. I had no chance! To save my men I bravely gave myself over to the gnomes and allowed myself to be taken into the Pit of Walhoon! I remained there a month, and would have stayed longer had my obvious charms not bewitched the charming princess of the gnomes. I romanced her, won her trust and her compliance in aiding my escape. I was smuggled out of the Pits in a large laundry hamper and smuggled to Calclafique where I was elected leader of their senate and passed a law for the protection of dogs……"

Ravenna sighs at Liddon, Elias decides (correctly) that he will have ample opportunity to hear this story many times in the future. As he turns he is faced by a crisply dressed man sporting a neatly trimmed moustache and beard. He introduces himself as Count Kristus, and that it is a privilege to meet his acquaintance. Kristus bends Elias' ear about the succession, and asks him where he stands on the matter. Elias says that as a foreigner to Norandor, it is not his place to have an opinion. Kristus applauds his diplomacy, but warns Elias that he will soon have to make a choice. Galahyde, Jeolin, Queston, Ralyon and Solomon are all in contention. Any one of them could marry Celestine and make it official. But Elias is a hero, Kristus says. "Perhaps you will allow me to introduce you to another hero?" Soon Elias is whisked away from the rest of the group and introduced to Sir Silas Reshsen. Silas is a baronet from Northmeet who recently inherited the title from his father. Silas is a hero too, Kristus says. He led an expedition into the Wraith Haunt to save the villagers of some logging town. Silas is suave, handsome and polished. He and Elias seem to get on well.

At this point the entire chamber begins to shake. Cutlery rattles and several tureens of soup clatter noisily to the floor. Some of the attendant and the guests fall over, including Ravenna. The nobles are unperturbed. Earthquakes are not uncommon on the fractured continent, and soon the laughing and joking has resumed. "Just Terranor cleaning out the slums!" one noble laughs to his companions.

As Nicos tries to fight has way through the crowd to First Flame Sesnic Lodrath, Ravenna takes the opportunity to interrupt Liddon and ask him who else is present this evening. Liddon says that the Chamberlain has been delayed by some pressing matter and points out the main contenders for the succession. They are all here, he says. Except Galahyde the Black of course. He wouldn't dare show his face at court, although he has a surprising number of supporters at the court. The hobbit supposes that it is because Galahyde possesses the one thing that all the other potential heirs do not: an army.

Liddon takes Ravenna by the arm and says he will introduce her to by far the mostly likely candidate for king, in his eyes. Ravenna is presented to the a man called Ralyon Artusi. Ralyon is tall, dark and so bed-wettingly handsome that Ravenna has to turn her head away to stop her staring at him intently. "A pleasure to meet your acquaintance," Artusi says kissing Ravenna by the hand. His voice makes Ravenna's stomach feel as if an entire colony of butterflies breeding in stomach. Suddenly Ravenna is no more the hardened squire-castrating machine and instigator of wars, she is an impressionable girl of seventeen seasons and she allows herself to unashamedly wooed. Ralyon asks that Ravenna do him the honour of dancing with him this evening, much to the chagrin of many of the attractive noblewomen who seem to fawn over Artusi. Ravenna agrees quickly.

Sesnic Lodrath, first flame of the Grand Conflagration, is speaking with Iltilmus when Nicos bounds over. The high-priest greets the cleric warmly, and all but ignores Iltilmus as the two of them discuss the condition of Julian Maynard. Nicos tells Lodrath that Boudewijn is untrustworthy, but the first flame says that Berdgardt has not demonstrated any untrustworthiness. Eventually Iltilmus storms off. Nicos tells Lodrath that he doesn't like Iltilmus; Lodrath laughs and says that he is sure the feeling is mutual. Iltilmus is a powerful man through, he carries the title Lord Sorgar and is the son of Duke Devries. He is also vindictive and wholly petty-minded. Lodrath does not advise making an enemy of him.

The two then discuss the state of the war. Lodrath says that things are not going terribly well for either side. Many young clerics are dying in the struggle. Not in Uris itself – not since the king decreed peace in the city – but outside in the outlying areas. As far as he is aware, the struggle has spilled over beyond Norandor as yet, but it is only a matter of time. Nicos thinks that the Watchers acted against the Church of Fire precipitously. What proof was there that it was them and not the Bombastics who killed Ulish Van Caspan? Lodrath says that he doesn't know, but something funny is definitely going on. He explains that just before Van Caspan was killed, he was struck by a powerful Disjuncture spell. No worshipper of Calafax can cast such a spell, and he doesn't know of any wizard with that sort of might, except perhaps Narramac himself. Nicos suggests that it could be the dragon, Furnice, out to even some score. Lodrath says that this knowledge is not widely known, and that Nicos should keep it to himself. He hopes that Nicos' position might aid them in ending the war quickly before any more die. That said, the Watchers started this and if they want to rumble with the Church of Fire then they "we're going to give them a bloody nose." Nicos can only agree, but Lodrath is not as great a supporter of the war as he sounds. He feels that they and the Watchers are being manipulated by forces unknown. Lodrath points out that Tarex, the High Holy Witness of Doom, is present this evening. The Firewalker, Tarrashar, is also set to make an appearance a little later on. The two of them used to be close friends, but the events of the last month have changed all that.

As Lodrath excuses himself, Nicos scans the room. There is still no sign of Alberdark, but he smiles at Arvan trying to fight off the attention of a twelve season old girl who finds his tusks fascinating. Then Nicos' draw drops and he seems worried. Baron Dolanz is clearly visible at one of the tables, gathering food with gay abandon. Both Elias and Raza are approaching him. Remembering what happened last time he met Dolanz, and how he hopes that details of his adventure never becomes public knowledge, Nicos hurries over.

Dolanz is pleased to see the three of them as they descend on him. "Arnold! Julian! Thomas!" he announces joyously. "How good it is to see you!" Nicos quickly takes the baron aside and explains to him that whatever happened in his carriage on the way to Uris last month NEVER actually happened. Dolanz says that he understands, as he helps himself to a third plateful of food. "I didn't know that you knew the Chosen," the wizard Beleus says to Dolanz as he passes. "Oh you know," says the baron. "Nicos and I have been through a lot to together. Seen so many things."

Dolanz explains to the party that he has an unfair reputation as a bit of a moocher about the court. He sighs when they mention Princess Celestine and says that, although she is a lovely woman it will never be. Whomever marries her will be king, and no-one wants him to be king. He can't say that he blames them. Dolanz points out the contenders for king to the party. He points to Ralyon Artusi, the man walking with Ravenna. He is very popular and highly charismatic. A great favourite of many of he nobles. He has the force of personality to make a good king. But he is only Yaddagon's fourth cousin, so his claim is weaker than Jeolin of Neverton. Dolanz points to a rather weak and drippy looking individual. Jeolin, the baron explain, is Yaddagon's third cousin and therefore has the best hereditary claim to the throne. However, he is as wet as a fish and couldn't rule his way out of a damp paper bag. He's quite religious though so the churches like him – and the traditionalist of course. Solomon Ilik, is distantly related to the king and an ex-monk from someone or other. He's a bit of an outside chance. And then, of course, there is Queston the baron chuckles.

Queston would be a comical figure were it not for the fact that there is something about the man that makes one's flesh crawl, Dolanz explains. He claims that he is twenty-five years old and that he is the second son of Yaddagon XIII. He claims to have been imprisoned by a mysterious dark skinned sorceress when he was seven and that he has only just awakened. Just in time to claim the throne. Very convenient. And yet there must be something in it, Dolanz surmises. You would think the Watchers and Scriveners would be scrambling over each other to prove Queston wrong, but they have said nothing on the subject. He looks like the portraits of Queston found in the palace and the real Queston did disappear around the time that this pretender says. If he's lying, he's doing it very convincingly.

Raza asks Dolanz if Zerical, the Astronomer Divine is at the party. Dolanz says that he hasn't seen him. Zerical is very old and frail and hates these sort of gatherings, if he did come it would only be to look for an excuse to leave. Dolanz is about to start pointing out fine chairs to Nicos, when there is movement from the curtain behind the throne. Princess Celestine, accompanied by Chamberlain Alberdark and another woman emerge onto the dais. The talk of the assembled gradually dies down, as they turn and bow in reverence to the princess.

"Hello," says Dolanz, "This is should be interesting. The other woman is the Lady Aylisha Allenkai. She is apparently one of the many daughters of Count Ulwyn of Arawn, who lost her position when her father died without heir. Dolanz (and many others) think it strange the speed in which the woman has insinuated herself with the king. She was not even a figure at court when Alberdark left for Mount Korvast, but by the time he returned she was firmly entrenched as the king's advisor. Alberdark didn't even know about any of this until he arrived back in the city this morning."

Alberdark steps forward and addresses the assembled. My lords and ladies," he says, "It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that the King will not be attending the ball this evening. His health prevents him from leaving his quarters. He conveys his regrets that he could not be here, and his hope that you can enjoy his hospitality without him." At this point Aylisha steps down the two steps to the floor of the chamber and lifts a glass from a passing servant. "If I may make so bold," she says. "The King!" she raises her class to the shout the chorus is echoed by the rest of the people in the chamber. If Alberdark is put out by her actions, he does not show it, instead he gestures to the Chosen.

"Although I realise they have already been introduced, I wish to re-present the Chosen of Narramac. They have had many gruelling adventures over the last month, many of which some of you are aware. As the Chosen of Narramac, they have received full pardons for any misdemeanours they may have committed in the course of their quest. They are here before us this evening with tales of their adventures and news of Narramac, lost from us for so many years. The group will undoubtedly add a little colour and some notoriety to the proceedings, and I ask you all to have a kind heart and remember the first social gathering that they attended." With that the chamberlain descends the stage and hurriedly beckons the six over to him. Celestine tells everyone to carry on and the party resumes. Aylisha hurries over to talk to Queston.

He apologises for his delay and for leaving them in the soup, but events in the court are moving very quickly at present. The party get the sense that he is somewhat rattled by the appearance of Aylisha but he says nothing on the subject. He does say that they should get out and mingle as much as possible, they will need as many friends as they can get. Ravenna says that she has been mingling. Ralyon Artusi has introduced her to high-priest Lerrin, Lord High General Babann of the Church of Contention and any number of other notables. Alberdark congratulates her, but offers a warning that tying her colours to one of the prospective heirs will make as many enemies as allies. He also speaks of a matter than it for the male members of the party alone. Very soon, he says, the dancing will begin. He realises that the group cannot dance, so he has taken the liberty to appropriate five partners who dance well enough that the party's lack of skill should not show through too badly. Taking them to one side, he introduces the ladies Ardra, Elayne, Hester, Minya and Genevieve. They will dance with Nicos, Brack, Raza, Arvan and Elias respectively. "Must we dance?" asks an increasingly weary Arvan. Alberdark nods. It is expected. "I only dance with death!" Brack announces with a curl of his lip, but he is soon persuaded. They have about half an hour before the music begins, now they must get out there and talk some more!

They follow the chamberlain's instructions as best they can. Raza catches the eye of Archwizard Gaston, who has been sitting in the corner of the room all evening. He wanders over in the hope that Beleus may have said something to him about Raza's rose. However, Gaston is neither helpful or polite. He demands that Raza tell all his friends that he wants to see them at this table directly after the dance. There is much they have to discuss.

And so the time passes, as the group continues to tell their story, stress that Narramac is indeed alive and doing well to tiring person after tiring person. Ravenna tries to talk to Queston, but the man has a certain aura about it that turns her stomach and she runs from him. Nicos proves a little more resilient, holding a conversation with the man for a few minutes before he feels a little nauseous. Queston comes across as a likeable chap if a little barmy. He believes that he was awakened from his slumber because Norandor needs him, and also believes that the Chosen of Narramac are destined to stand by his side to unite the country. He says that he remembers Narramac from when he was a child. "Gods, how old is the man?"

"You see that man over there?" says Baron Dolanz to Raza. "The old man with sever curvature of the spine and no neck?" Raza nods. The man Dolanz is pointing is none other than Zerical the Astronomer Divine. Almost before the baron has finished speaking, Raza has backflipped across the room and intercepted the old man. Zerical looks older than Narramac, although he is probably much younger. Raza quickly explains who he is and that he has an astronomical problem that only Zerical can answer. Although the astronomer is initially resistant, his curiosity is soon piqued. "Urgent is it? Matter of life and death? Sort of thing I'd have to leave the party for? Well, it's got to be done I suppose!" Zerical leaves the ball with glee and ushers Raza out of the room. Arvan watches him go, wandering why Raza should get out of the dancing and not him.

Raza and Zerical enter a small chamber just off the throne room. Raza explains that he has a birth-mark in the shape of two crescent moons facing one another, that it occasionally glows and he wants to know of any astronomical event that it could represent. Zerical summons a servant to remove Raza's shirt. He tells the monk never to anything for yourself that you can have a servant do. A servant arrives and looks unsurprised, as though he is used to having undress young men for the Astronomer Divine. Zerical examines Raza's chest and also take a look at the piece of paper that Raza scribbled down what he could remember from his recent vision. The astronomer hobbles around, says "hmmm" a lot and then turns to the monk. "It's all drivel," he says at last. "The celestial event of which you speak has never taken place. The two moons never face one another in the manner Raza describes. However, Zerical likes a challenge, so he will look into it for the monk. In the meantime, he can hear music and says that Raza should head back for the dancing. Sadly, he cannot join him.

While Raza has been absent, the rest of the party have worked their way around the room talking about everything and nothing. Ravenna spent a few minutes talking with Jeolin of Neverton only to discover that the stories of him being exceptionally boring are particularly well-founded. They also speak with Solomon Ilik, the monk with pretensions to be king. However, soon the orchestra starts up and the she has the opportunity to escape to the arms of Ralyon is especially pleased to see her. Raza returns, is reunited with Hester, and joins Nicos and Ardra, Brack and Elayne, Elias and Genevieve and an unwilling Arvan and Minya on the dancefloor.

To everyone's amazement, Brack and Arvan dance divinely, significantly better than any might have suspected and much better than Elias or Nicos can manage. Arvan is particularly light on his feet, as he wheels his partner around (desperately hoping that cuffs do not become detached) but he wears the solid expression of a man determined not to enjoy himself. Raza doesn't like touching a woman this intimately, and certainly isn't keen on having her touching him, but he has little choice as Hester takes charge and he is spinning off around the room. Ravenna does not do a great job of dancing with Ralyon, but he takes his bruised feet and broken toes with good grace. However, to her credit, Ravenna rallies admirably, remembering some of the things she was taught as a girl.

After a few minutes the dance is over. Arvan is just making a break for it when the music starts up again and he is drawn once more into the horror. Brack, his head buried deeply in Elayne's cleavage seems to be having a good time at least. Eventually, the dancing moves on to a slightly more elaborate number as the men and women line up opposite each other down either side of the floor. Ravenna asks Hester what she is supposed to be doing, and the noblewoman says that she should just follow the rest of them. As the music starts the two lines skip toward each other, partners link arms and spin before passing their partner onto the person to their right. In this way both partners are passed up and down the line.

The fact that the group doesn't completely bollox up the dance for everyone is a testament to how well everyone else can dance. Arvan swiftly passes any number of females up and down the line with business-man like efficiency, while Brack swings happily round ladies' legs, often chancing a discreet look up the skirt. Princess Celestine is amongst the dancers, and Nicos is pleased to get a chance to meet the woman who (months ago) he said he was going to marry so he could become king. However, it is Elias who gets the greatest shock when he turns to take the next woman by the arm only to discover it is Drasha. "I need to talk to you!" she says as she spirals away from him. On the return trip she adds, "After the dance!" Eventually the dance is over, and the party (quite exhausted by this time) settle down at a table with Drasha.

Drasha does not beat around the bush; she is swift in announcing that she has news and most of it is bad. This time the stolen item is the Heart of Llysallian – an enormous magical gem that was at the centre of the jigsaw-like structure of Dralcarnus' mother. Brack says that he didn't think there was a way into the statue, but Drasha assures him that the thieves found a way. It was taken while Dralcarnus remained in torpor following the death of Jot. Dralcarnus has kept to his sarcophagus since the death of his familiar. She continues that neither she nor Misgon saw anything. She left with Dralcarnus' blessing to find the thief. He is in a bad way and has tried to kill himself, but cannot. Drasha took Misgon with her, she wouldn't leave him in Ashardon alone – not because she fears what Dralcarnus might do – but because she fears that the thieves may have harmed him.

Drasha says that she headed to Vrex Cross looking for the thieves. She didn't go to the paladins, because she thought they'd be as likely to pop into Ashardon and slay Dralcarnus, or at least try. She spent money freely and discovered the name of someone called O'Keef. O'Keef was a bandit-lord in the area but has recently been getting quite rich. She learned this from one of his men who was in a tavern bragging that he had just scored a haul so big he would never have to work again, and that he was going to Uris to collect their reward. Drasha's conclusion: O'Keef is the thief and he's working for someone in Uris. The question is: who?

The party is genuinely moved by Dralcarnus' distress and says that they will do anything to help. Drasha arranges to come to their quarters the following day to plan what they should do. When they tell her that they are living in the White Suite, Drasha is impressed. She says that the White Suite used to be Narramac's private quarters. They haven't been lived in since the wizard disappeared: Yaddagon always kept it empty in case his friend returned. This puzzles the party, Lucien told them that the Suite was last occupied two years ago (although he could not remember the tenant). Drasha doesn't think that Lucien would willingly lie. He is a much prized retainer and the party are blessed to have him in their service.

When asked how she managed to get to the party, Drasha smiles and says that she was invited (or at least her husband was). Her full name and title is the Lady Drasha Awlton, she is the youngest daughter of Count Awlton and is married to Baron Leston. Leston doesn't concern himself with Drasha very much and they have no children. This suits her fine, because she has always had the soul of an adventuress. Their conversation with Drasha is cut short, as Raza reminds them that they have to all see Archwizard Gaston. The party excuse themselves and promise to see Drasha tomorrow.

Gaston waits for the party impatiently, and is particularly rude to them. He asks curtly after Narramac and it becomes apparent to the group that he actively dislikes the old wizard. Perhaps Narramac's was a figure that Gaston could never hope to become. In any event he challenges the party. He says he knows of the gifts that Narramac has given them, he knows that they haven't a clue how they work. He offers to use the magical powers at his disposal to try and fathom the nature of the devices. "Why would you help us?" the group asks. Gaston admits to his own agenda of course. Frankly, he wants to find out what these things are. He particularly wants to know why Narramac, having laid his hands on these powerful magical artefacts would give them to a bunch of losers like the party. He believes it is because Narramac believes that they are so inept they would never fathom how to use them properly. Because each sword bonds to the user then no-one would ever be able to use them. Gaston thinks that Narramac gave the swords to them because they would never be successfully used. In any event, Gaston argues, the party has little choice. Unless they go to the Arcanum Incognita (which he assumes they won't) there is no one in Uris with the power to help them. Generally the group agree with the wizard, but Elias and Nicos seem unwilling. Gaston expects them all in his quarters early the following morning.

At this point their discussion is broken by the late arrival of Firewalker Tarrashar. He and his entourage have marched over to Tarex and have started a particularly heated argument in the middle of the floor. Tarrashar accuses Tarex of being the one who really started this war, but it is Tarex who plays the wronged party. "If the Church of Fire is so very innocent then you should produce Belerus Rothsman!" Nicos hurries over to add his weight to the argument, and sides with Lodrath and Tarrashar in saying that the Watchers started this dispute precipitously. Where is the proof that the Church of Fire was involved. Tarex will not say, but he seems entirely certain that it is the firestarters rather than the bombastics who were behind Van Caspan's murder. As the Watchers and the Firestarters square off against one another things begin to turn nasty. A space clears around the opposing groups, and within a minute Captain Orthus and his palace guard have arrived to stop any trouble. Alberdark begins to hurry over, but he is overtaken by Aylisha who is in the thick things without seeming to move. She speaks calmingly to both Tarrashar and Tarex. "Although any dialogue between the two of you must be desirable, you must both be aware that this is neither the time nor the place." Her voice is unwavering in its strength. Both high-priests instantly back down at her words and the situation is defused. Nicos eyes Aylisha suspiciously. "I don't trust her," he says quietly to Brack.

The party does not last long after this. The Chosen are among the first to leave, happy to retreat back to their quarters and collapse into bed. They cannot remember ever being as weary as this. Discussions can wait for the morrow.

Vítday, 15 Suntask 204

Over breakfast Elias and Nicos announce that they have decided not to trust Archwizard Gaston. The rest of the group can do what they like, but they are not showing him the blades that Narramac gave them. Instead Elias is going to Eurikas to research Cyryth Allavorean as Narramac suggested. He wants to find out what those columns were! Nicos is also heading out. He wants to visit Maynard at the Grand Conflagration.

The rest of the party also make their plans: Raza and Brack will take the remaining four blades to Gaston while Ravenna waits in the library for Drasha. She wants to have a good look through the books that are here. Arvan says that he'll sit in his garden until the Summer Solstice then he'll get to do something worthwhile, or the world will end, but either way it will be over. Ravenna asks Lucien if he can try to use his contacts to find a man called O'Keef who may be operating in the city. Lucien says that he will.

Lucien also has news regarding Dellan Gant. The merchant is not currently in Uris, having left on a trade run to Coutan. Lucien says he will certainly keep a look out for Gant (and therefore, for Honour) but he has some disturbing information regarding the man. He says that Gant has the reputation of a criminal, and he has been arrested by the Watch many times, although no charges that have been made against him have ever stuck. Gant is alledged to be a smuggler, and was implicated in the smuggling of a large quantity of the illegal Crocata Snail to a temple of Sensation in the city. At those words, Elias' eyes bulge in surprise. Any reminder of Alessandre is a painful one. He quickly sidles to the door. Ravenna says that she does not care how dodgy Dellan Gant is, all that matters is that she finds Honour. "Very well, Madam," says Lucien politely. Gant keeps a small hut on the waterfront where he conducts business. One of Lucien's men spoke with a man called Hurg who works there. Gant is due back into Uris on the thirtieth of the month. Lucien will await that time.

At the Grand Conflagration Nicos is glad not to run into Boudewijn Berdgardt. Instead, the cleric spends several hours talking with Julian Maynard. The first flame of Scaldarnus seems much stronger this morning, thanks to a good night's sleep in proper bed. While in the enormous temple, Nicos catches up with Sesnic Lodrath and continues his conversation from the previous evening. Lodrath is still of the opinion that the Watchers and the Church of Fire are being pushed into this war by another source, but by whom? He expects a massive offensive against the Watchers will begin when Calafax becomes full on the 25th of the month.

In the meantime, Elias pays his 50 crowns and is admitted to Eurikas. Clad once more in the draughty white robe and delicate cotton gloves he enters the enormous library. It is as it he remembers it from his last visit, but it still takes his breath away. Elias asks for help regarding Cyryth Allavorean and is shown to a Scrivener who seems quite interested in his research. The Scrivener (who doesn't give his name) leads Elias through a secret door and down a rickety spiral staircase. He says that Eurikas keeps a few books in a language that they believe to be Larethian (the language that is widely considered to be the language of the elves). These books and some translations are held under lock and key in the stack. The curious thing is that Elias is the second person who has asked for such books in the last couple of months. Back at the beginning of First Steps this year a hobbit turned up at the temple. He was shown a number of books from the vault.

The steps continue until Elias is certain he is deep underground. Abruptly the cease at the end of a long corridor. The Scrivener takes Elias to a door that seems like all the others and produces a large bunch of keys. Swiftly opening the door the cleric gapes in shock. With the exception of a few hard leather covers all the books in the room have been turned to ash. Burned. Destroyed. He runs out to summon help. Elias looks briefly through the ashes before following him. On the cover of one of the books he discovers a symbol. It seems to resemble a vertical sword-blade with a five-pointed-star at the apex. He has never seen anything like it. Soon the scrivener returns with more of his kind. It is concluded that the books were fine one week ago when the Vault was checked, ruling out the hobbit as a perpetrator. However, the hobbit was the last individual to see these books, and may be the only person who has the information that Elias is seeking. Elias asks who the hobbit was. The Scriveners explain that, ordinarily, they don't give that sort of information out but seeing as Elias is one of the Chosen of Narramac they will tell him. The hobbit was an individual named Jedidiah de Chesiré.

At the palace, Gaston is not very happy that only four members of the party have agreed to work with him. However, he takes the swords he has and dismisses Brack and Raza. He says the spell will take eight hours, and that they may wait in his ante-room. Brack waits, but Raza says that he will go and see the Astronomer Divine instead.

Zerical is surprised to see Raza, but says that he has an answer for him and was just about to send for him. Zerical bids Raza sit in a chair in front of a large three-dimensional representation of the moons. He is very excited. "This is how the moons were in the sky on the date you gave me. Notice there are no crescents facing one another. That never happens. However, in the part of Salmaynak you were in, on the day you say, the celestial event you describe did take place. Watch." Zerical moves a dirty dinner plate in front of his contraption. "Something very large passed between Urova and the moons, blotting them all out for a time. All of them apart from Mortis and Zephyre who form the crescents around the edge of whatever it was. Problem solved!"

"But what does it mean?" asks Raza. "What? Oh I don't know that," says Zerical. "The tattoo is pretty much a mystery. There have been others like you over the years, no more than one or two in a century though. I wouldn't worry about it, though. It's not as though you've received any black roses or anything!" Raza smiles sheepishly and produces two roses from behind his back. Zerical is aghast. "Out!" he yells. "Out, out, out!!" Be beats Raza with his stick until the monk finally leaves. All Raza can get the monk to say is that the black rose is the symbol of a group of assassins who have been hunting and killing individuals who display the same signs on their body as Raza. Raza has been marked for death, and Zerical doesn't want to be dragged down with him. He pushes the monk into the hall and locks the door behind him.

Meanwhile, Drasha and Misgon have arrived at the White Suite. Misgon is amazed by everything he sees and quickly agrees to catalogue all the books in the library for Ravenna when she asks him. Ravenna and Drasha talk for much of the afternoon about the best way to help Dralcarnus. While this is happening, Arvan has a visitor in his garden. Following Tok through a particularly nasty briar bush he sees the Lady Aylisha Allenkai sitting on a tree stump, stroking the badger about the ears. She looks up at him as he appears and smiles at him.

"You don't belong here Arvan," she says. "Here in the city. Where I come from all you can see are forests and hills stretching as far as you can see. Here, if you close your eyes you can almost imagine that you are in the wilderness. Almost, but not quite. You and I can tell the soil is only two spans in depth, can feel the vibrations of all those servants bustling below. So you see, both of us don't belong here, but this is where we have to be. We cannot always choose our lot regardless of how much we may wish to."

Arvan nods in agreement, and spends a pleasant afternoon in Aylisha's company. She is an intelligent woman and well-versed in nature lore. She is interested to learn about Narramac and what drove the party to accept his boon. Arvan tells Aylisha as much as he believes he can without compromising any of the party's secrets. After a few hours Aylisha leaves, making it clear that this will be the first of many meetings.

After eight hours of struggling Gaston has learned nothing from the swords and returns them to Brack in disgust. He is weary, he says and will attempt something more another day. Brack returns to the White Suite. Meanwhile, in the town Elias arrives at the Grand Conflagration to tell Nicos what has happened to the books in vault. He fears that because the books were burned, the Church of Fire might be blamed, drawing the Scriveners into the war on the side of the Watchers. He secretly tells Nicos that he suspects the Church of Contention are behind the war. Who else but the church of war would organise one? Nicos is unconvinced, but they take the matter to Lodrath, who considers it very serious.

When they arrive back at the White Suite, Elias puts Lucien on the trail of Jedidiah de Chesiré – they have to find the hobbit! Nicos also wants the cleric to find out where Boudewijn Berdgardt is staying. Nicos has his own theories – namely that Berdgardt is a Bombast (which is why he can draw power from Calafax), and that he is somehow tied up in this war. Lucien of course complies with the wishes of his masters, although one could expect that he has better things to do with his time.

Soon the entire group is reunited. Elias and Nicos are amused to discover that Gaston couldn't find out anything about the swords, and they bring the party up to speed on their adventures. Gaston's words are haunting them, though: why did Narramac give them the blades? Was it just because they won the quest? What is Narramac up to? Gaston said). Elias says that it must have all been something to do with the prismatic dragon Quenqurial. All the other tasks of the quest were simple or prosaic. The tooth from the maw of the oldest of dragons was the only part of the quest that was tricky, there has to be a connection, but what is it?

Terday, 16 Suntask 204

Although the Chosen do not yet realise it, this day marks the beginning of a prolonged period of inactivity for them. They have completed the quest and arrived at the royal court, but now they are here they seem to be treated more like toys than people. As events of national import continue around them they feel cut off from the centre of the action. Decisions are taken without their knowing, armies march to their deaths without their knowledge and through it all they are hob-nobbing with the Norandon elite, attending party after party, ball after ball. In truth, some of them are glad of the rest. They have time to research, to learn and to grow. Ravenna, not wishing to make the long journey to Ashardon, asks if a sorcerer can be provided to tutor her. It is a time of consolidation, but it is also frustrating. As the weeks pass, the Chosen of Narramac begin to think that their benefactor has abandoned them as they thrash around blindly for things to do. The feelers they have had Lucien put out on their behalf regarding Honour, Jedidiah de Chesiré, O'Keef or Boudewijn bear little fruit. All that keeps the group in the city is the fact that they are yet to see King Yaddagon, and yet to receive his pardon. The health of the king is a matter of some discussion, but no-one (except Alberdark and Aylisha) know the truth of the matter. However, the world continues to turn without our heroes, and there are some events that must be chronicled.

Nicos learns that Boudewijn Berdgardt is living in the Grand Conflagration, and is being treated as a hero because of the part he played in saving the life of Julian Maynard. Nicos is not happy about this. Convinced that Berdgardt is up to something, he asks Lucien to continue to watch him. On this day, and for the next several days, Raza attempts to use his sword as a link to psychically connect with Narramac. Although he tries tirelessly, he eventually gives up.

This day also marks the beginning of the dark of Mortis. The Watchers go on the defensive, but oddly the Church of Fire do not press their attacks, using the Watcher's impotence as a respite to plan their own attack for when Calafax is full.

Zephday, 17 Suntask 204

Early in the morning of this day, the Lady Aylisha Allenkai returns to Arvan's garden at dawn. Until the party's eventual meeting with the king, she returns to the same place every day at this time, and Arvan gets used to seeing her and speaking with her each morning. She comes across as a particularly well-educated individual, but there is evidently something more to her that Arvan isn't quite seeing. It is almost as if there is something unnatural about the woman. Each time she tells Arvan that the king will be well enough to see the Chosen "soon", but she soon is not soon enough for the druid. Aylisha tells Arvan that the Norandon court is exceptionally factionalised, and that as impotent as the Chosen feel, their weight and influence could be very important in deciding the next king. Nicos continues to hold a certain distrust of the woman, and Arvan doesn't feel entirely at ease with her. However, Tok seems to like Aylisha, which must count for something.

The group's stipend from the Crown is announced to them on this day. They will each be paid a retainer of 200 crowns per month in addition to free room and board. This is a particularly generous amount, however Elias bemoans the fact that it is only four trips into Eurikas. They begin to wish they had held onto those suits of plate armour.

Arvan begins his wanderings around Uris, searching for the native wild-life of the city. He meets many rats and foxes in his travels and begins to understand that a city is as much as a wilderness as the most desolate moorland. However, he sees the hand of Man in everything, and it leaves a foul taste in his mouth.

The Astronomer Divine, Zerical, sends Raza all the notes, conclusions and scribblings he had made on the monk's 'problem'. None of it tells Raza any new information, but Zerical writes in a letter that he doesn't want any hint of his involvement hanging around his apartments. He warns Raza to stay away from him, and not to tell anyone else about the rose if he values their life. The only people who know about the black rose are the Chosen, Beleus and Alberdark. Raza thinks that it is best to do nothing. He has had no more dreams or visions, and he hopes that the palace provides him with sufficient protection (although he knows that it does not).

Caladay, 18 Suntask 204

A tall, austere woman appears in the chambers of the chosen on this day. Her body is young and attractive, but her eyes show the wisdom of a woman who has lived long and seen much. She introduces herself as Alys – she is a sorceress and is to be the group's magical tutor for the next few weeks. She takes both Ravenna and Elias to one side, and asks them to show her their most powerful magic. She tells Elias that she will teach him what she can, but he is squandering his talent, and she does not believe he has the aptitude for the work. To Ravenna she says, "You have potential, I see within you the ability to be a truly proficient sorceress one day. It will be a difficult road, but if you allow me we will embark upon the journey together. I am a harsh taskmistress, and you will undoubtedly hate me before we are through."

Ravenna agrees and spends the rest of the day with Alys attempting to expand her mind in the pursuit of arcane power. Many of the other members of the group use the time to study more prosaic subjects in the hope of learning more about their new roles. In the meantime, the four of the blades given by Narramac are once again in the care of Archwizard Gaston, who attempts to discover their secrets, but although he makes a little progress he is still far from knowing all there is to know about the blades.

Sharday, 19 Suntask 204

Early in the morning, Gaston summons Ravenna, Brack, Raza and Arvan. He says that he has learned a little about the swords, but they are not easily parted from their secrets. He explains to them that each blade is only mildly enchanted, no more so than the weakest of magical weapons it seems. However, bring the swords closer together and that enchantment is enhanced. He has been able to determine the range as about two hundred feet. The more of the swords that are within two hundred feet of each other, the more powerful each blade is. He can tell them how powerful four blades are when they are together, but he isn't sure how the situation would change with five or six. He can shed no light on the powers the party described using in their fight five days ago. He will continue with his experiments, but is becoming increasingly frustrated.

Upon return to the White Suite, Lucien gives Ravenna a note from Ralyon Artusi. He is attending a dinner this evening with Marquess Pegwillen and asks her to attend. Ravenna is thrilled, Elias comments that she is a complete social mountaineer. She ignores him and tells Luicen to inform Ralyon that she will happily attend. One individual who is not happy by such an outing is the sorceress, Alys. "Your powers can only be mastered through the deepest commitment," she explains harshly. "Gallivanting around the city does little to improve your shaky control. You are also in a precarious position. Artusi is popular, but he will never be king. Tying your colours too firmly to his mast may have unfortunate consequences for the future." Ravenna, of course, doesn't listen to a word the woman says and heads off.

The meal is a surprisingly intimate affair with only seventeen guests including Ravenna. Many of those present were at the ball of the 14th including Liddon J. Beredaire who is delighted to see Ravenna with Artusi. Marquess Pegwillen is the master of small but important marquessate just outside the royal lands, although he spends much of his time in the capital. He declares that he supports Jeolin of Neverton as the only real choice for the throne, but says that Ralyon is much better company which is why he invited him and not Jeolin to the dinner. He knows that Jeolin is a wet fish, but with Alberdark working him behind the scenes the country shouldn't have very much trouble.

Morday, 20 Suntask 204

Drasha visits the party early in the morning to discover that no progress has thus far been made tracing O'Keef. She invites the Chosen to a ball being thrown by her husband Baron Leston at their town-house this evening. The house is not incredibly large, and guests are being kept down to fifty. The event is not quite as daunting as the affair in the throne room, but Arvan is no less bored. It seems that Drasha's husband expressed a desire to meet the Chosen and is happy to make their acquaintance. Oddly, he does not reveal who he supports for the next king saying that he has yet to make up his mind. Leston is a distant figure and quite the dog-lover. Over twenty pure-bred wolfhounds are kept in the house, and he proudly says that he has more than a hundred back in his barony. The party are also glad to meet with Baron Dolanz again, who has turned up to mooch. He says that the Princess herself is throwing a party this month and he is angling for an invitation. Ravenna spends the evening with Ralyon Artusi, who has also been invited. Tongues start to wag about the court, and it the fact that the pair are "stepping out" together is soon wild rumour.

Sunday, 21 Suntask 204

Just when Arvan wanted a rest, a further ball is thrown by Count Kristus. Elias and Nicos are keen to go. According to Dolanz, this is the man who supports Galahyde the Black for king, and it could be interesting to see who turns up. They spend their day in studies and research before getting ready for the evening festivities. Alberdark arrives to see them mid-morning, telling them that he is having to leave the city for a few days on the king's business. He says that the king is still unwell, and may not be able to see them for some time.

At the ball, the group are a little disappointed that it seems very much like every other party they have seen. Some of the nobles present are among those who fled Dismallion when Galahyde declared independence from the throne, and Kristus seems to be using the party as an attempt to woo them back to Galahyde. The place is filled with a surprising number of respectable nobles, and it is apparent that support for Galahyde is by no means a minority pastime. One figure not there, however, is Ralyon Artusi who refuses to do anything with Galahyde the Black.

On returning to their apartments, the Chosen discover Lucien waiting for them. He says that he has bad news. Sachen, the man he sent to find out information about O'Keef has been found floating face down in the Uri (the river that runs through the city). A preliminary report from the Watch indicates that he became drunk in a one of the riverside taverns and fell into the water where he drowned. Although Lucien is nothing other than matter-of-fact in his description of events, the party is sure that he believes that foul-play was involved. Lucien says that he will send another man, and hopes that no further accident befall them. Elias says he could check into it himself, but Lucien advises against it.

Vítday, 22 Suntask 204

Good news finally reaches the party. According to reports coming from Northmeet, the dragon Furnice has finally been dealt with by a force of warriors, wizards and paladins. After several small skirmishes over the past month, a large force of paladins and men in the pay of Duke Vrexax faced-off against the red dragon in a particularly isolated section of the Barrowmoors. The battle was long and hard, lasting more than an hour. Many men died to the dragons terrible breath, and it looked for a long time that Furnice was going to prevail. Sir Garnir of the Order of the Hawk, led a charge that severely wounded the creature, but Furnice lashed out with her tail crippling the paladin. The tide was turned, however, by two young paladins working in consort. Were it not for Lady Patricia of the Righteous Order of the Eternal Light and Minsc of the Order of the Shining Fist, the day would have been lost. Both slipped under the dragon's defences and climbed on to the creature's back. Minsc and Patricia shinnied up the creatures neck, while Furnice thrashed about wildly at the men before it. It was only when the pair had reached the head of the creature that Furnice even noticed they were there. She shook her head thoroughly dislodging Patricia who tumbled to the ground and was almost killed. Minsc hung on determinedly as the dragon took the sky to dislodge him. Reports are a little shaky at this point, but something happened that caused Furnice to plunge from the sky about a quarter of a mile away from the site of the battle. She and Minsc dropped into the icy waters of a large lake. After much searching by Captain Humil neither the dragon nor Minsc could be found. The lake is too deep to be searched effectively. Minsc is heralded as a hero who died honourably in the defence of others, although the Lady Patricia publicly stated that she would not believe Minsc was dead until she saw the body.

The news of Furnice's defeat is very welcome, yet the death of Minsc sobers the Chosen. Nicos says that he always got on well with the paladin, it was just a shame that he had everyone arrested and sentenced to hard labour. Ravenna manages to rally her spirits tolerably, however, when word arrives from Ralyon Artusi that he is throwing a ball the following day and everyone is invited. Arvan and Brack despair.

Terday, 23 Suntask 204

Ralyon's ball is the most lavish the party have yet attended. He evidently has a great deal of money stashed away. The group rubs shoulders with the great and the good including Earl Sabannion, a nobleman from the court of Prince Eugene of Mínosh (one of the six principalities of Salmaynak). Sabannion has recently arrived in Uris to take the place as ambassador to the Norandon court. The party realise that they have not met any other ambassadors and Sabannion says that it is not surprising. Foreigners do not play a part in courtly life, and are not invited to social affairs. They are called upon by the king when they are needed. So has it ever been, although (he says) it would seem that things would be very different under Ralyon Artusi. Another individual wondering how things might be under Ralyon Artusi is Ravenna who has allowed herself to be thoroughly swept off her feet. At a romantic dance late in the evening, Ralyon reveals that he believes he is falling in love with her. He says that he does not believe in station or the divinity of the throne. "All men and women are equals," he says discreetly. "The hobbits believe it and so do the Calclafans." However, Artusi goes on to say that if such an opinion was to become widely known, he would never be king. He asks her to keep his secret, and to be patient. He must play the part as it is written. Once he is king anything is possible. "Even marriage," he says smiling. "I can see you as a queen, Ravenna."

Ravenna is taken aback by the events of the evening, to the extent that Nicos and Elias' disparaging remarks have no effect on her. She returns to the White Suite in a state that the rest of the group find profoundly annoying. They return to more news from Northmeet. Things seem to have gone from bad to worse. Furnice may be dead, but the great wyrm, Gerrius the Red, has been seen over-flying the Barrowmoors.

Zephday, 24 Suntask 204

Gaston calls the party together and announces his terrible frustration. He says that as far as the blades are concerned, he is blundering in the dark. He cannot discover their functions unless he has all six blades together at once. Gaston is bitter and antagonistic that the party do not trust him. Ravenna literally begs Nicos and Elias to hand their swords over to Gaston for checking, but they refuse. Ravenna herself is chastised thoroughly by Alys and she demands some solid studying.

News of the relationship between Ravenna and Ralyon Artusi is now on everyone's lips. Alys despairs when Uncle Jhasik comes to see Ravenna in the afternoon and congratulates her on her catch. Ravenna says that nothing really is going on – not yet, she adds. Also on this day, the first instance of hair in the Tannesh-style is seen about the court. Young ladies who have taken Ravenna's success with Artusi to heart and shaved their heads except for a long ponytail to imitate the sorceress. The fact that Artusi is seeing Ravenna (a commoner) does much to improve his standing with the masses. Artusi is quickly becoming the popular choice for king more so than Princess Celestine, who seems quite happy with this state of affairs.

Sesnic Lodrath sends for Nicos in the afternoon. Nicos speaks with Lodrath and Julian Maynard. Maynard is helping Lodrath in his capacity as the only other first flame in the Grand Conflagration. He tells Nicos that a great offensive is coming. Tomorrow is for the first day of the Full Moon of Calafax. All over Norandor firestarters will make their move against local temples of the Watchers. They have the support of the Church of Contention in this matter. The idea is a number of surgical strikes to disable the Watcher's ability to wage the war. They can then call an Enclave and sue for peace. Nicos is aghast. Surely Lodrath cannot mean further conflict inside Uris? The king has already forbidden it. Lodrath says that Tarrashar was most explicit. They will fight their battles and they will fight them where-ever they need be fought. To go against the wishes of King Yaddagon puts the Church of Fire on extremely shaky ground. Lodrath agrees. But he will obey the Firewalker. The Church of Fire has to be seen to be able to fight back. "But what about the Daggers?" Nicos asks. Lodrath says that Nicos wasn't listening. The Church of Contention is on their side. Lord High General Babann is on their side. He is the commander-in-chief of the Daggers. On his say-so they will not act to stop the Church of Fire in the conflict to come. Lodrath himself is leading a force against the Temple of Eurikas at dawn tomorrow.

Lodrath leaves and Nicos finds himself alone with Julian Maynard. Maynard says that all this conflict is madness. Something is rotten in the church of fire, he says. He has met Tarrashar and Tarex. This war is not in character for either of them. Vistral Molontov has been chosen to replace Belerus Rothsman as the First Flame of Infernus in the Village. He is an even more radical figure than Rothsman was – Maynard doesn't understand the choice. This war must stop, he argues, and it must stop soon. He doesn't believe that a satisfactory investigation has taken place into the murder of Ulish Van Caspan, and he is not certain that it ever will. Things look bleak.

Caladay, 25 Suntask 204

The full moon sees an eruption of hatred on the streets of Uris. The Watchers knew that something was coming, but they were ill-prepared for the severity of the Church of Fire's counter-attack. Lodrath leads a lightning assault on Oblivios, melting through the exterior defences and fighting while the powers of the Watchers are diminished. It is the same story all over the country from Northmeet to Coutan, from Timberlake to Neverton. Things are particularly fraught in the area around Northmeet and the Village of the Eighteen Churches. Acting archnecrotain Selvin of Northmeet sends the Shadow of Mortis (a group of warriors normally dedicated to fighting the undead) against the forces of the Church of Fire with deadly results. A half-orc barbarian warrior named Bronx succeeds in blunting the firestarter's attack and saves the temple from ruin.

The Church of Fire are widely condemned for their actions, and whatever sympathy the church was beginning to garner from the destruction of churches such as Scaldarnus is swiftly eroded. In the White Suite the Chosen are placed under constant guard by men of Captain Orthus. For their own safety, they are required to remain in the palace grounds until the crisis blows over. Alys uses the opportunity to tutor Ravenna in spellcraft while many of the other party members hit the library and (with Misgon's help) try to research their swords on their own. Nicos and Elias still will not hand their swords over to Gaston.

Sharday, 26 Suntask 204

With nowhere else to go, the Chosen attend a very dull party thrown by Jeolin of Neverton. Nicos detects a certain hostility to him that wasn't there before, but tries to conquer it. News of the war is not good, and much of the offensive capabilities of the Watchers are being eroded. Rumour has it that Tarex might call for reinforcements from beyond Norandor, which would mean the war spilling out beyond the boundaries of this country. The church of fire is not organised on an international level as the Watchers are, and would be at a severe disadvantage if the war moved into such an arena. It is received wisdom that if the Church of Fire does cut down the Watchers during their full moon, then they could be destroyed utterly during the full moon of Mortis.

The actions of the Church of Fire are condemned by all the faiths of Vítaeous, Terranor and Zephyre. The Sharrashan faiths still support the church of fire because of the relationship between Sharrash and Calafax, but they will not stand by the Church of Fire militarily. Only the Church of Contention has a will to aid their sister-faith, but even General Babann is a little taken back by the furious nature of the firestarter's counter-attack. After being the Watcher's whipping-boy for the last three weeks, the Church of Fire's frustration has truly boiled over.

However, the Church of Fire does not have everything their own way. In the evening, the Watchers strike back at the Firestarters, and launch an attack on the relatively unguarded Grand Conflagration. They are repulsed but only after they have breached the walls and take many high ranking members of the faith prisoner. Among the abducted clerics is the first flame Sesnic Lodrath and Boudewijn Berdgardt. Investigation by Julian Maynard and Nicos Allumière reveals that the someone on the inside let the Watchers in……. but who?

Morday, 27 Suntask 204

Shortly after dawn an army of Watchers and mercenaries hired by the church are heading south down the Uri, close to the small hobbit farming community of Ornlov Field. They are intercepted by a large force of Firestarters and an enormous battle ensues. The fight soon gets terribly out of hand and before either side knows what is going on, seven of the twelve villages that make up Ornlov Field have been destroyed resulting in the death of over eight hundred innocent villagers. The local hobbit sheriff calls the Wold to arms against the intruders.

In Uris there is no sign of Lodrath or the other clerics of fire that were taken. A force of Fire Clerics lays siege to Oblivios. At this stage the Justicians act and send several orders of knights on to the streets. Firestarters and Justicians come to blows at one point, but Oblivios is saved thanks to the forces of Terranor. The Justicians demand that the Watchers release Lodrath, but Tarex himself announces that the Watchers do not have the first flame. In the meantime, Julian Maynard is elevated to First Flame of the Grand Conflagration in the absence of anyone else suitable for he job.

Sunday, 28 Suntask 204

The much-anticipated party of Princess Celestine is thrown during this evening, which gives Ravenna a chance to see Artusi again. Celestine is beset by many suitors but rejects all of them. She declares that she will never marry, or if she does it will only be for love. "She is a wonderful woman!" Dolanz says to the party. Nicos hasn't the heart to make a move on the woman. The offensive of the Church of Fire weighs too heavily on his mind.

It is on this day that Arvan, now deeply into his wanderings of the city, encounters two exceptional rats. He names them Skreet and Ik'int (meaning "dirty" and "sneakin'" in Rat. He befriends the pair and begins to teach them tricks.

Vítday, 29 Suntask 204

A force of more than fifteen hundred hobbit warriors and outriders head into Ornlov field. The remaining forces of the Watchers and the Firestarters are soundly thrashed by the diminutive little bleeders and chased fifty miles out of the Wold. Liddon J. Beredaire summons first Tarex and then Tarrashar and declares that as far as he is concerned the Wold is closed to their churches. Until this matter is resolved no Watcher or cleric of fire is welcome in the Wold. Any found within its borders will be imprisoned and deported to the nearest human land. "And don't think I don't mean it!" Although the chances of Beredaire's forces being able to carry through his threat in an area as large as the Wold is unlikely, Liddon carries considerable power at court. By the evening Watchers and Firestarters alike are beginning to leave the Wold in a great exodus.

Such political shenanigans result in Liddon J. Beredaire being late for his own party that kicks off on this evening. All of the Chosen are present, and the hobbits in Liddon's entourage certainly know how to throw a good piss-up. This is by far the best time the group has had since coming to Uris, but the continual socialising is starting to weary even Nicos. The fire cleric apologises to Beredaire for the actions of his church at Ornlov Field. The hobbit says that he believes Nicos is sincere, but he has nothing to forgive Nicos for. The battle in Ornlov Field was not his fault. As to whether Beredaire can forgive the churches in general.... he admits that he is not sure.

Terday, 30 Suntask 204

Liddon's party was scheduled to last two days and certainly lives up to its hype. While the Chosen are away from the White Suite the wizard Beleus comes to call. He leaves a message with Lucien that he has come across information pertaining to the black rose that Raza showed him at the Old Utavran Inn. Raza should contact him as quickly as possible.

The party return to the palace in the late afternoon and collapse into bed. Lucien tells Raza of Beleus' message and the monk hunts for the apprentice wizard to no avail. Today should have been the day that merchant Dellan Gant arrived back in Uris with Honour. However, the merchant does not appear.

Events take a sinister twist late in the evening when Beleus is discovered dead in the palace grounds; his head has been nearly severed and a black rose skewered through his heart. Captain Orthus begins an investigation, but the identity of the murderer remains a mystery. The murder creates a great uproar in the palace, after all, Beleus was considered to be second only to Gaston in terms of personal power, if someone can move about the palace with impunity and kill him then no-one is safe. Alberdark is recalled from where-ever he was to deal with the crisis.

Zephday, 31 Suntask 204

Today is the last day of the full moon for the clerics of Calafax. Have they destroyed the ability of the Watchers to wage war against them? Probably not, and there is a growing realisation among the faithful that the Watchers still have the means to hurt them very badly when Mortis is full, in ten days time. Lodrath and Boudewijn are still missing, and the Watchers are still denying all knowledge of the disappearance.

Caladay, 32 Suntask 204

An enclave is called in the Village of the Eighteen Churches. The motion tabled by the Watchers is for the Church of Fire to be expelled from the Covenant. They would join the Bombastics and the Church of the Unbeating Heart as an outlawed faith in Urova. Vistral Molontov begins to prepare a case to answer to the tribunal. The representative of the Watchers in the council is Archnecrotain Varamil, who seems a little uncomfortable with the entire proceedings. The Church of Fire cease their current run of hostilities in preparation for the coming political battle.

Sharday, 33 Suntask 204

Varamil pulls out of the enclave effectively ending the motion to expel the Church of Fire. He says that the Watchers need longer to prepare their case. This comes as a surprise to everyone (not least of all the Church of Fire), and it seems that Tarex himself is not happy with Varamil. Tarex is said to be considering a journey to the village in order to see what is going on for himself.

Morday, 34 Suntask 204

Duke Devries arrives in the capital from Sorgar. The father of Iltilmus throws a party to which is invites the Chosen. Unlike his son, Devries seems to be a very genuine and genial man and he seems quite impressed with tales of the party's adventures. He says that they must come to Sorgar and see the wonders of his city in the future.

Sunday, 35 Suntask 204

The group are no closer finding out anything about their swords nor about the mysterious hobbit, Jedidiah de Chesiré. They receive an invitation for a ball to be thrown by Marquess Pegwillen, and keenly feel the fatigue of their new lives. They still have not seen the king, they still have not been pardoned, and their lives seem directionless to say the least. Apart from Ravenna. She says that she has a direction, thank you very much.

It is on this day that Gaston comes to the White Suite. Such an appearance is unexpected and worrying. In front of the entire group he rounds on Raza as the one responsible for getting Beleus killed with all this investigation into a black rose. Gaston does not know himself what Beleus found, but he will get to the bottom of it. He holds the entire party in general responsible for Beleus' death (but Raza especially). He does not seem a happy man.

As soon as Gaston leaves, the party round on Raza and brow-beat the monk into telling them what he hell is going on. After much persuasion, Raza says that he only with-held the truth from them to save them. If they knew they they will be marked for death. Such an argument does not cut any mustard with Elias or Ravenna. Eventually, Raza sees that he has no choice but to tell the truth! He tells the group about the vision he had just before they arrived in Uris as the Chosen. He tells them of his history, of the murder of his parents and shows them the birht-mark on his chest of two crescent moons facing one another. He shows them everything that Zerical found out, and tells them he is being hunted by a mysterious group who leave a black rose everywhere they go. As for Yisweran Larrien..... "Yisweran Larrien and Raza de Luna are one in the same," Raza says. The rest are the group are not happy that Raza didn't tell them all this sooner, but they are - as ever - in all this together.

Vítday, 36 Suntask 204

The ball of Marquess Pegwillen is as all the other balls they have recently attended. When they return, Lucien advises them that Malep – the second man he sent to see out O'Keef – has failed to check back with him at the agreed time. Lucien suspects foul play and says that he believes that this O'Keef is mixed up in something very dangerous. He advises that the matter be turned over to the Watch. Elias says that he will take on the investigation himself. He will start with the pub that Lucien's first man, Sachen, was last seen alive in. Lucien advises against it, but Elias seems bored and wants to do something with his time.

Terday, 37 Suntask 204

The Chosen attend a party held by Count Caled. Caled rules the county of Hessex, quite near to Uris. Halfway through the evening, the count announces the betrothal of his youngest daughter, Rowena, to Baron Dolanz. The girl is only fifteen years old and looks rather overwhelmed by the whole thing. The baron himself seems pleased enough. The party quiz the baron, asking him why he has given up on Princess Celestine. "It is an unrealistic dream" he says sorrowfully. Count Caled is a bellicose man, and the party are not sure of the family that Dolanz is attaching himself to. However, the count has money which might solve the mystery of the baron's motivation.

Zephday, 38 Suntask 204

The Chosen are visited by Julian Maynard. Maynard apologises that he hasn't seen them in a while but his new duties as first flame of The Grand Conflagration are taking much of his time. Nicos is concerned that Maynard's health may not be up to such a stressful job, but his mentor carries the grim determination of a man with a purpose. There is still no word on Lodrath or Boudewijn and Maynard believes that they are dead. He then takes the party into his confidence:

He believes that this war is stupid and must stop now. He has broken ranks within the church and has been in discussion with Archnecrotain Varamil of the Village. Varamil also believes that the churches are being manipulated, and has agreed to delay the Enclave for a proper unbiased investigation in Van Caspan's death to take place. He says that the Church of Fire will organise a competent group to investigate exactly what happened during The Blessing. It cannot be the Chosen themselves as they are too high profile now, however, he will do his darndest to make sure that one of the investigators is a Watcher. Maynard hopes that this could mark the beginning of the end of the war. If Tarex doesn't force the Enclave to take place, and if the investigators actually find anything that will help. Maynard risks his position and perhaps his life by taking this steps, he has put himself entirely in the party's hands by mentioning it to them.

Caladay, 39 Suntask 204

Elias hangs out in a seedy water-front tavern called The Hanged Man. He doesn't seem to pick up any leads on O'Keef, but he is certainly eyed suspiciously by some of the regulars in the bar. On the way back to the palace he is attacked by two would-be thieves. He easily despatches one and another runs away.

The investigation into the murder of Beleus has reached a dead end. Captain Orthus has tendered his resignation to Alberdark, who will not accept it believing that only Orthus can root out the killer. Gaston has told no-one else about the significance of the black rose, and Alberdark has broached the matter with Raza. Raza himself has told no-one as yet of the significance of the flower outside those who already know.

Sharday, 40 Suntask 204

"Let's get out of this palace," says Nicos as the party receive an invitation to yet another ball. Even the fire cleric is getting sick of it. They seem to be getting nowhere fast at present. However, on this day things change. In the afternoon they receive a summons by King Yaddagon! At last they will have their audience and their pardon. There is some excitement when Lucien arrives to conduct the party to the king.

They are not taken to the throne room, but a smaller audience chamber in another part of the palace. There they see the incredibly frail King Yaddagon. It is as though his party is withering before their eyes. The king seems to have no flesh on his bones at all, and when he looks at them it is with the rheumy eyes of someone not long for this world. Also present are Alberdark and the Lady Aylisha, flanking the king's throne. They do not seem to be speaking to each other.

"So this is them?" the king says slowly. Alberdark says that yes, these are the Chosen of Narramac. The party bows to the king. Yaddagon nods almost imperceptibly, and then his head sags at the effort. "Pardon them and send them away," the king says feebly. The party are whisked away from the room as quickly as they arrived. Alberdark does not speak to them and soon they are back in the White Suite.

The general consensus is that the meeting was not worth the wait. The group talks long into the night before retiring to sleep on what they will do next. Now they have been pardoned there is nothing tying them to Uris, and yet they are sensible of something going on around. Something beyond the war. Something intangible. Tomorrow is the first day of the full moon of Mortis. Anything could happen.

Elias himself is not sleeping very well. He happens to be standing on the balcony looking out at the king's tower when he sees a dark shadowy figure scurrying down the outside of the tower. The thought of Beleus' murder fresh in his mind he calls to his friends. In seconds the rest of the Chosen have arrived to see the figure land in the courtyard five floors below and dash through a set of doors. Without thinking Brack rushes in and leaps over the railing. "Brack! No! Why, Brack why?" Elias calls as the dwarf plummets sixty feet to land with a sickening crunch. Miraculously the dwarf gets up and gives chase to the intruder. The rest of the chosen look at one another bemusedly. "The stairs," says Elias, and the rest can only agree.

The group are easily able to follow the trail of blood from Brack's shattered knee through the twists and turns of the palace corridors. They are soon beyond the east wing and deep within the unoccupied section of the palace. Rounding a corner they see Brack standing off against the black-clad figure, at distance of about thirty feet. The figure has stopped and is standing directly in front of the dwarf, and now the rest of the party. They draw their magic swords and get ready to attack

The stranger holds up his hand. "Narramac was right about you," he says slowly. The group recognise the voice as Andel. He looks at Elias, Arvan, Raza and Nicos. "I am impressed," he says. The party ask what is happening, what's going on and what he is doing here. The air behind Andel begins to shimmer and change. The colour seems to be drained out of the corridor behind him, and an opaque shimmering doorway appears. Beyond the threshold is wilderness that looks similar to the place the souls of those party members drained by the barrow-wights migrated to. "Take a step into a wider world," Andel says and slowly removes his hood.

Andel is an elf.

The party are obviously stupefied by this turn of events. "There is still little I can say," Andel sighs. "Know that there is a darkness coming, and that you are in the best place to meet that darkness. Narramac has placed a great deal of faith in you and your abilities and he believes that you will not let him down. For all our sakes I hope he is right." Andel steps backwards through the portal. The party try to follow him but are stopped at the boundary. "The Greymere is not for you," Andel says. "Not yet."

The doorway and Andel disappear. The party begin to return slowly to the White Suite, wandering if their lives could possibly get any more complicated. Before they even reach their door a messenger (Selgin) arrives and tells them that the king has once again summoned them. When they arrive they see the king in no better health, but this meeting is without Alberdark or Aylisha. The party are alone with Yaddagon.

"You saw then," the old king rattles. "The elf came to me some months ago. Told me that champions of light would arrive. My friends, there is much we to must do, and there is so little time."

The End of From Humble Acorns
The adventures of the Chosen of Narramac continue in
Crime and Punishment

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