Mists over the Musarde, Chapter Two

[JMaytr]

"I think we should go to the archives now, with haste."

Jonathan takes a look at his hand; the others concern giving him some of his own.

[steveflam]

Bennedict harrumphs, resigning himself to his employer's displeasure. "Very well, we'll meet at the Sancerres' for luncheon, then. It's possible he's heard something new."

"Mebbe yer right, Benn. Ne'er 'urt ta go see Sancerre. Plus tha elf said we's expected fer lunch?"

"I think we should go to the archives now, with haste."

Jonathan takes a look at his hand; the others concern giving him some of his own.

"Yeah, but we don' all have ter do thet, Jon. I don' want ter take Marie home by meself. Gimme a hand with her. Whatever tha others find, we'll find out as well. Sometimes patience is a reward upon itself, laddie."

The dwarf sees Jon looking at his hand and the wound. "Whass wrong with ye hand, laddie? Did Dorgio or Benn look at it?"

[JMaytr]

"Dorgio took a look at my hand." Jonathan said. He was quiet for a moment as if he was thinking hard about what to say.

"Okay Norzak, lets go get Marie. Benn...good luck at the archives. We'll grab your cut of the gold from Sir Cirdan and bring it back with us."

[ewancummins]

Jon and Norzak down through the streets, to the Sancerre home...


Norzak and Jonathon leave the tavern. The two of you enjoy a pleasant walk across town to the Sancerre residence, with no trouble on the way. It's a sunny day, yet it is chilly out, with a windbursts making it feel colder yet. Flurries of dead leaves- red, yellow, orange, and brown- blow about the cobbled courtyards and streets of the town.

Down the Street of Clothiers, you come to the impressive brick townhouse of Denys Sancerre. Denys is working in the front garden, digging up flowers and wrapping the rootballs in cheesecloth. He is assisted in this by a servant- the boy called Ambrose [Jonathon doesn't know this person's name, but Norzak does] . As the pair of you approach, Denys looks up and smiles.He stands, brushing dirt from his trousers. He calls out-

''Good to see you again Norzak. Oh , and you new assitant, too. Good , good! Come in, won't you? It's cold out here. Ambrose can finish up by himself. I'll have Hannah fix us something warm to drink. ''

Denys then turns and enters the building, holding the door from the inside so that Jon and Norzak may join him.

Once inside, Jon and Norzak are lead to a small parlor where they are made comfortable. The room has four well padded chairs, a couple of card tables, and a pot-bellied woodstove. It provides warmth enough to make the small parlor quite comfortable indeed, despite the chill weather. Hannah, the old servant woman, brings in a kettle of piping hot tea and a serviving tray with cups. Also on the tray are some warm scones with butter smeared on them.

Denys pulls up a chair and settles his heavy-set frame deep into the plush apholstery. He runs a hand through the russet hair of his head.

''So, what news, then? Any closer to our goal?''

[ewancummins]

Bennedict, going to the Archives at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Mists-

Benn knows the way, so he doesn't become lost walking to the Cathedral. No one accosts him on his journey, except for a handful of beggars looking for handouts.

The Plaza of Roses is less colorful than the last time Benn saw it. The flowers have vanished, with only a few faded petals strewn about as a reminder of the summer. The gnarled rosebushes remain, of course, blackened with age and most of them grown to very considerable size.

At the far side of the Plaza, Benn sees the impressive gothic cathedral of Ezra, towering above the low stone and wood buildings that cluster all about it. The double doors of the building are shut, but as it turns out, not locked or barred.

Inside, Benn sees the same well-decorated hall he found last time. The paintings, tapestries, and carvings seem to be all as they were.

An acolyte approaches Benn. When told of Benn's identity, or presented with a note from Lady Renier, the man will lead Benn down the stairs and straightaway to the underground archive chamber, within the cellar-library. He unlocks the heavy door and waves Benn inside a twenty by twenty foor square stone chamber- the walls of which are lined with alcoves, most filled with books.

The acolyte speaks-

''If you require aid, Master Van Willen will no doubt be of service. If you require his help, simply pull this bell-rope.'' Here the man indicates a frayed rope hanging from a small hole in the ceiling.

[steveflam]

Norzak waits for Denys to sit then sits. "Well we seem ta be slower 'n' our foes. They allas' seem to have a head start on us. Scuse me, but this is me good friend Jon. Jon this is Denys. To be honest all us are on tha same foot, sir, none of us in charge among us really. Jon's a really good lad and I've decided ta take 'im under me wing and give him a good start in life." At that he smiles at Jon.

"An right now tha others is at some Temple getting some information we need about our mission. Afore I's fergit, our office is compromised, so we'll be moving aroun' the city a bit so as not to be found by our enemies, sir. Benn got this permission to look through the archives from some lady Reneer? Yeah I think thass her name. Me thinks she's taken a likin' to tha man." Norzak shrugs.

"More importantly for me, sir, is we come ta take Marie home like I promised 'er yesserday. I's a man 'o me word an I plan ta keep it. Ah is tha elf here? An how is lil missy an her pal Charlotte doin these days?"

"Afore I's fergit, I'd like ta thank ye for 'elpin us since I bin in the city, it's mighty neighbourly o ya."

[ewancummins]

at the Sancerre home, in the drawing room-

Norzak waits for Denys to sit then sits. "Well we seem ta be slower 'n' our foes. They allas' seem to have a head start on us. Scuse me, but this is me good friend Jon. Jon this is Denys. To be honest all us are on tha same foot, sir, none of us in charge among us really. Jon's a really good lad and I've decided ta take 'im under me wing and give him a good start in life." At that he smiles at Jon.

"An right now tha others is at some Temple getting some information we need about our mission. Afore I's fergit, our office is compromised, so we'll be moving aroun' the city a bit so as not to be found by our enemies, sir. Benn got this permission to look through the archives from some lady Reneer? Yeah I think thass her name. Me thinks she's taken a likin' to tha man." Norzak shrugs.

"More importantly for me, sir, is we come ta take Marie home like I promised 'er yesserday. I's a man 'o me word an I plan ta keep it. Ah is tha elf here? An how is lil missy an her pal Charlotte doin these days?"

"Afore I's fergit, I'd like ta thank ye for 'elpin us since I bin in the city, it's mighty neighbourly o ya."

Denys pays close attention to everything Norzak says. After the dwarf has finished speaking, Denys says to Jon-

'' It is good to make your acquaintance, Jon. ''

He reaches over to a nearby cabinet and retrieves a flask of amber liquor.

''Brandy. Would either of you fellows care for a tipple? It goes well with the hot tea, and that's a sovereign remedy for the chill of the season, to be sure. ''

After adding some liquor to his own tea [and the same for his guests, should they care for such], Denys answers Norzak's questions:

''Evangeline is doing well. She and Charlotte are upstairs with Marie, I believe. They've been looking after the poor waif, you see. Evangleine, she never had brothers or sisters, for my dear wife...she left us too soon.''

Denys pauses for a moment, a wistful look on his features, then continues speaking.

''Sir Cirdan is not with us today. He has been troubled of late, but I'm not certain why. It may be this difficulty you've been having with our enemies, or something else entirely. I've not had a chance to speak with him at any length. ''

[steveflam]

Norzak looks at Jon. " 'E said we were ta be 'ere fer tha noon hour ta see ye. I thoughted 'ed be 'ere too. That 'es troubled ain't news ta us. Um, sir, did 'E menshun where 'E'd be?"

The dwarf looks at Jon, concerned. Cirdan had been acting odd, that was for sure. He'd not mention that Cirdan had said he was to be married ta Evie. He doubted tha elf had told Denys.

"Well thanks, sir. We'd like ta return Marie ta 'er Ma n Da."

[ewancummins]

"Well thanks, sir. We'd like ta return Marie ta 'er Ma n Da."

''Ah,well I hadn't expected you today, to be honest. I sent out an invitation last evening, for a luncheon that will take place tomorrow. My messenger didn't locate Sir Cirdan until this morning, it would seem/ I'm sorry if there has been some confusion. In any case, I'm very glad you've dropped by- I'm happy to know that you and the others are well. You're welcome to stay awhile, but i understand you need to take Marie home. I'll arrange it.''

Denys finishes his tea and brandy, then excuses himself from the room. When he returns in a little while, he informs Norzak and Jon,

''I've told Charlotte to pack some things for Marie. She'll be ready to travel in a little while. Evangeline will stay here; I think it will be safer, all things considered. She'll no doubt want to speak with you before you depart, Norzak. ''

Denys takes a long look at Jon.

''What have they been feeding you, young fellow? You look too thin. I'll have Hannah make something for you to carry out. I insist! You need to pad out for the coming winter.''

The clothier pats his own rather rotund belly to emphasize his point.

[steveflam]

Norzak's face is stone. The fact that Cirdan remained hidden from Sancerre's messengers bothered him. "The youngun'" gesturing to Jon, "aint eaten well lately. I see ya concern an unnerstan it, sir."

Norzak smiles at Jon, winking. "Sir, Evie kin speak ta me now, I's here an only mean well fer her welfare. I's hopin' Marie is in top shape ta git ta her ma 'n' da's."

[Lord Skybolt]

Alain stops off at his place for a more suitable attire for visiting the Sancerres in the middle of the day . Then visits them at their home to up date the rest of the party on what his found out about the "Doctor" .

[ewancummins]

the Sancerre residence....



By this time Evangeline, Charlotte and Marie come downstairs. Evangeline leans over to kiss her father on his cheeks. She turns to the guests and says-

''Oh, I'm glad to see you again Norzak! Where is Sir Cirdan? And the others- Benn, Dorgio, Alain?''

Before Norzak can answer, Evangeline turns to face Jon. She blushes , saying,

''I'm so sorry. How rude of me. I didn't mean to ignore you, monsieur. I don't believe Norzak has formally introduced us.''

Charlotte acknowledges Norzak with a friendly smile, but is too busy fussing over Marie to come over just now. She is making certain the young girl has everything needed for her trip.

''Don't forget I've packed you some of the biscuits Hannah made. They're right underneath your new coat.''

Marie, looking very different without her heavy makeup and dressed as a proper young lady, seems in good spirits. She smiles hugely when she spots Norzak and Jon.


.....

front room of the house-

Alain knocks on the door. Hannah, the older servant women, opens the door and admits him.

''Monsieur Sancerre and the others are in the sitting room. I'm sure they'll be happy to see you, Monsieur Smythe.''

[ewancummins]

The Archives-

While searching for references to the sewers and unusual goings-on therein, Benn comes across the item- a few pages from the journal of an Ezran priest, one Thaddeus Androvich.

Oct 7 Year 745 BC

The full moon is always a time of strangeness here, and tonight has been no exception.

Tonight the sewerjacks brought a boy to us. They told us he had been found wandering in the sewers, all alone. The poor unfortunate child is afflicted with some strange skin disease. At first the men had feared to touch him, but, thank the Lady, their pity overcame their fear and they contrived to swaddle him an a blanket and bring him here to our church.

I have examined the weeping sores found all over the boy's flesh, and I am of the opinion it is some disease akin to the red-pox. My prayers and medicines seem to be helping to improve his physical condition.

Oct 9 745 BC

The boy is better now, in body. His mind, however, is certainly broken. I know not what horrible things the boy must have seen or endured, or how he came to be lost in the sewers. Whatever it was, it has robbed him of his sanity. He gibbers in a foreign tongue unfamiliar to any of our priests, calling out in the night in such a way as to frighten the novices. The boy's behaviour is difficult to control or predict. He acts almost more like a wild animal than a human being.

Oct 19 745 BC

The boy is becoming unmanageable. Our prayers alone have not sufficed to treat his condition. After the biting incident, I believe it is best if the child is transferred to the care of the monks ate the Abbey of Blessed Succour in Saint Ronges. The monks there are famous for their care of such lost ones, whose afflictions are more of the spirit than the flesh.

[steveflam]

"Oh yeah, lil missy this 'ere is me frien' Jon. Jon thass Evie. T'ain knowin' where's tha elf, but tha others should be 'ere soon from their respective destinations. How's ye doin' lassie?"

[JMaytr]

Jonathan smiles at the young woman and takes her hand, kissing the top of it. She was beautiful to him. This was the first time he had been close to a woman of stature and means. A feeling passed over him just then. It was dread. A creeping sense of doom. Jonathan had never felt the chill on his spine that he did right then. He recoiled from the woman, trying to mask this emotion.

"Quite pleased to meet you miss. I am Jonathan Maytr."