Mists over the Musarde [IC]

[ewancummins]

[at the Marble Faun, cont.]


You hear footsteps coming up the stairway.

The door creaks open. Mattheo stands there, holding in his hands a bakset. He walks over to the desk at which you're seated and sets the basket down. Inside, you see a bottle of wine, some cheese, a couple of apples, and two sandwiches.

'''I thought you might be hungry, Benn. It's past noon, you know. Put out the 'closed' sign and came up to see if you wanted a little company and some food. How's the research coming along?''

[steveflam]

While Cirdan wounds the man and he jumps in, Norzak sees Charlotte and heads for her. Out of breath "Are.. pant...pant.... ye.... okay....missy?Pant..... gasp..... The gendarmes are coming..." He helps her up and then looks her over to see if she has any injuries. Curse that bugger, 'e got away! Hope them gendrmes get 'im good

[Adam]

Bennedict writes the name "Wolutha" in his notebook, with a few notes beneath about her tale, prominently underlining "Blue Eyes". He then pauses for another thoughtful moment, before drawing a connecting line between Incabulos' name and the name of the witch-tyrant from the legend. Above the line he scribes the words "Friend or foe?"

At the sound of Mattheo's footsteps on the stairs, Bennedict nearly leaps out of his skin. Seeing that it is only his old friend, however, he collects himself and smiles appreciatively at the food. "Thank you, I had lost track of time." He pulls out one of the sandwiches, taking a ravenous bite and nodding again in appreciation. "Things are going well, in a manner of speaking. I confess, however, that the more I learn of the subject of my research, the more concerned I am for Herr Sancerre and his daughter." He carefully turns the book towards Mattheo, indicating the passage he had been reading to the bookseller. "Have you ever heard this woman mentioned outside of this tome?"

[ewancummins]

Bennedict writes the name "Wolutha" in his notebook, with a few notes beneath about her tale, prominently underlining "Blue Eyes". He then pauses for another thoughtful moment, before drawing a connecting line between Incabulos' name and the name of the witch-tyrant from the legend. Above the line he scribes the words "Friend or foe?"

At the sound of Mattheo's footsteps on the stairs, Bennedict nearly leaps out of his skin. Seeing that it is only his old friend, however, he collects himself and smiles appreciatively at the food. "Thank you, I had lost track of time." He pulls out one of the sandwiches, taking a ravenous bite and nodding again in appreciation. "Things are going well, in a manner of speaking. I confess, however, that the more I learn of the subject of my research, the more concerned I am for Herr Sancerre and his daughter." He carefully turns the book towards Mattheo, indicating the passage he had been reading to the bookseller. "Have you ever heard this woman mentioned outside of this tome?"

''Wolutha? No, I am afraid I have not.''

Mattheo takes a long draught from the wine bottle and settles into a chair. His speech and manner becomes more animated, which is typical of him when discussing such matters-

'' Based off my research, I've estimated that Johannes was writing about six centuries ago. Your own country of Lamordia was but a young and half-barbaric nation, then, and the wizard kings of Il Aluk had not yet launched the Wars of Unification. What records of the northern countries which survive from that time are often confusing and incomplete- making it hard to judge the reliablity of Johannes' account. Imagine it, Benn, this book may be a window into the legendary past! Or it could be nothing but lies and fairy tales. I'd love to know the truth of it, wouldn't you?''

[ewancummins]

While Cirdan wounds the man and he jumps in, Norzak sees Charlotte and heads for her. Out of breath "Are.. pant...pant.... ye.... okay....missy?Pant..... gasp..... The gendarmes are coming..." He helps her up and then looks her over to see if she has any injuries. Curse that bugger, 'e got away! Hope them gendrmes get 'im good

Charlotte, with Norzak's help, gets to her feet. She isn't really hurt , just frightened and bruised.

''Thank you, Norzak!''

By this time the man in the boat has made it to the swifter flowing waters of the center of the stream, and is being carried away down river.

The crowd parts to admit three gendrames, armed with swords and bucklers. The three quickly look over the scene , and one of their number begins bawling out orders-

''Pierre, get a boat and a gaff- catch that swimmer. '' He indicates the bloody waters trailing the injured man, who is struggling to reach the opposite bank of the river- a long swim, indeed. His subordinate runs off find a boat, as ordered, leaving only two gendrames on the scene.


The gendrame sergeant turns his attention towards Norzak and Cirdan-
''You two gentlemen lay down your arms.''

Charlotte steps forward and cries out-

''These men aren't criminals, they saved me!''

[Adam]

Bennedict writes the name "Wolutha" in his notebook, with a few notes beneath about her tale, prominently underlining "Blue Eyes". He then pauses for another thoughtful moment, before drawing a connecting line between Incabulos' name and the name of the witch-tyrant from the legend. Above the line he scribes the words "Friend or foe?"

At the sound of Mattheo's footsteps on the stairs, Bennedict nearly leaps out of his skin. Seeing that it is only his old friend, however, he collects himself and smiles appreciatively at the food. "Thank you, I had lost track of time." He pulls out one of the sandwiches, taking a ravenous bite and nodding again in appreciation. "Things are going well, in a manner of speaking. I confess, however, that the more I learn of the subject of my research, the more concerned I am for Herr Sancerre and his daughter." He carefully turns the book towards Mattheo, indicating the passage he had been reading to the bookseller. "Have you ever heard this woman mentioned outside of this tome?"

''Wolutha? No, I am afraid I have not.''

Mattheo takes a long draught from the wine bottle and settles into a chair. His speech and manner becomes more animated, which is typical of him when discussing such matters-

'' Based off my research, I've estimated that Johannes was writing about six centuries ago. Your own country of Lamordia was but a young and half-barbaric nation, then, and the wizard kings of Il Aluk had not yet launched the Wars of Unification. What records of the northern countries which survive from that time are often confusing and incomplete- making it hard to judge the reliablity of Johannes' account. Imagine it, Benn, this book may be a window into the legendary past! Or it could be nothing but lies and fairy tales. I'd love to know the truth of it, wouldn't you?''

"It may be a window to the legendary past, but I am also afraid it may contain dire portents of the future. This Woluthra woman..." his voice trails off, again travelling in his mind's eye through the mirror to the woman with the saphire eyes, "...I may have had recent contact with her, by way of a magical device. My client discovered it along with an incantation to Incabulos and a key of some kind. But he did not discover them in the north country, Mattheo. He discovered them here, in this city, in the walls of one of the buildings."

His voice trails off again. "I wonder how it could have made its way this far south," He taps a finger thoughtfully on the desktop, before looking up at his friend. "Have you ever heard rumors of a gateway of some kind beneath the city? One guarded by rat men which is capable of transporting someone to a far-away land?"

[steveflam]

"Hey mack" Norzak addresses the gendarmes "We're with Miss Sancerre over there" he points to Evangeline. "I doubt very much her Da would appreciate her saviors being badly treated, now would ye? NOt counting her servant's savior as well? 'N' I ain't dropping me weapon fer ya cuz I did nothing wrong in tha first place!" Norzak holds his sword with one hand, the tip on the ground, leaning on it casually.

[ewancummins]

"It may be a window to the legendary past, but I am also afraid it may contain dire portents of the future. This Woluthra woman..." his voice trails off, again travelling in his mind's eye through the mirror to the woman with the saphire eyes, "...I may have had recent contact with her, by way of a magical device. My client discovered it along with an incantation to Incabulos and a key of some kind. But he did not discover them in the north country, Mattheo. He discovered them here, in this city, in the walls of one of the buildings."

His voice trails off again. "I wonder how it could have made its way this far south," He taps a finger thoughtfully on the desktop, before looking up at his friend. "Have you ever heard rumors of a gateway of some kind beneath the city? One guarded by rat men which is capable of transporting someone to a far-away land?"

Surprise at Benn's words is plainly written on Mattheo's face.

''Well, I must say- this is astounding!''

When Benn asks about the portal, Mattheo answers:

'' Well, I've certainly heard stories about enmormous rats in the sewers, and man-rats, too. Of course, I couldn't tell you if they are true stories.
As for a magical portal....hmmmm, it seems I have actually heard something like that someplace...''
Barozi leans back in his chair and rubs his forehead, deep in thought for a moment.

''Ah,yes! It's an old legend of the town. The hero finds an enchanted doorway, deep in the sewers, and guarded by demons. He defeats or tricks the demonic guardians, and passes through the portal. Whether it leads to the land of heart's desire, or to a country out of nightmares, depends on who is telling the story.''

Mattheo pauses to take a nibble of his sandwich, then adds-

''If you want to know more about this, you could always check with the Confraternity of Sewermen and Streetcleaners, or the Worshipful Guild of Rat-catchers. Those people always know these sorts of stories, naturally.

[ewancummins]

"Hey mack" Norzak addresses the gendarmes "We're with Miss Sancerre over there" he points to Evangeline. "I doubt very much her Da would appreciate her saviors being badly treated, now would ye? NOt counting her servant's savior as well? 'N' I ain't dropping me weapon fer ya cuz I did nothing wrong in tha first place!" Norzak holds his sword with one hand, the tip on the ground, leaning on it casually.

The two gendrames begin to look distinctly unfriendly. The one who's been doing all the talking draws his broadsword a handspan out from its sheath. His companion in arms is nervously fingering the hilt of his own weapon.

Evangline runs forward through the crowd to embrace Cirdan.

''Don't harm them, Sir Cirdan, they are only trying to do their duty.''

She looks at the two gendarmes, and tells them quite matter-of-factly:

''These are not the men you're looking for''

With Evangeline's declaration, the whole situation changes. The aura of hostile intent vanishes quickly.

''Mademoiselle Sancerre.''

He doffs his cap and bows to Evangeline.

''Since you vouch for them, I will not press the matter. I would ask that you all give a statement, of course. We'll need information to catch the criminals responsible for this outrageous assault. ''

He looks at Norzak and Cirdan again, intently, as if he's trying to place their features....

''Hmmm, you gentlemen seem awfully familiar. Have we met before?''

[steveflam]

"I tole ye I was trying ta protect tha missy , ya jackaninny! 'N' why ya need me ta state tha obvious? We was protectin' tha missies, bub. 'N' I ain't seen ya bafore taday. Him either" Norzak points over his shoulder at Cirdan. "If'n thar's nuthin' else ye be needin' from us, I think tha l;adies might wanna return home after all that excitement. You wanna be tha one ta tell her Da she was detained by you?" Norzak eyes the gendarme with a raised eyebrow.

[ewancummins]

The policeman blows air through his lips in a low whistle. He sighs, shrugs, and shoots Norzak an exasperated look.


''Now see here, Monsieur Nain, there's no need for you to carry on like this. Just give us your names, and a brief statement about what happened. If we have other questions later, we will come and find you. I'm sure Monsieur Sancerre will understand if his daughter is help up just a few minutes- for such an important matter. You DO want to help us catch the villians who attacked the girl, yes? ''

The second gendrame is walking about the boardwalk nearby, questioning people from the small crowd of onlookers.

[steveflam]

Norzak's eyes narrow at the gendarme. "I don' know what no nain is or some mon seeuur is either. I'm Norzak bub. An if I din't want her persuers ta be found, I'd never a helped her in tha first place." Norzak still leans on his sword not sheathing it.

[Adam]

Surprise at Benn's words is plainly written on Mattheo's face.

''Well, I must say- this is astounding!''

When Benn asks about the portal, Mattheo answers:

'' Well, I've certainly heard stories about enmormous rats in the sewers, and man-rats, too. Of course, I couldn't tell you if they are true stories.
As for a magical portal....hmmmm, it seems I have actually heard something like that someplace...''
Barozi leans back in his chair and rubs his forehead, deep in thought for a moment.

''Ah,yes! It's an old legend of the town. The hero finds an enchanted doorway, deep in the sewers, and guarded by demons. He defeats or tricks the demonic guardians, and passes through the portal. Whether it leads to the land of heart's desire, or to a country out of nightmares, depends on who is telling the story.''

Mattheo pauses to take a nibble of his sandwich, then adds-

''If you want to know more about this, you could always check with the Confraternity of Sewermen and Streetcleaners, or the Worshipful Guild of Rat-catchers. Those people always know these sorts of stories, naturally.

"I'm inclined to believe the story ends badly, but maybe that's my glowing and optimistic nature talking." Bennedict pours himself a glass of wine, sipping at it absent-mindedly. "Confraternity of rat catchers? What a charming and charismatic group of people they must be. I'm almost afraid to ask, but how would one go about making contact with one of them?"

[ewancummins]

Norzak's eyes narrow at the gendarme. "I don' know what no nain is or some mon seeuur is either. I'm Norzak bub. An if I din't want her persuers ta be found, I'd never a helped her in tha first place." Norzak still leans on his sword not sheathing it.

The gendarme visibly relaxes and begins to question Norzak and Cirdan:

''A nain is a, euh, dwarf. Now, please tell me what happened here,exactly.''

[ewancummins]

"I'm inclined to believe the story ends badly, but maybe that's my glowing and optimistic nature talking." Bennedict pours himself a glass of wine, sipping at it absent-mindedly. "Confraternity of rat catchers? What a charming and charismatic group of people they must be. I'm almost afraid to ask, but how would one go about making contact with one of them?"

Mattheo nods and answers,
'' Just go to their guildhall. It's on the Plaza of Statues, on the south side if I recall correctly. Near the gate there is a bronze statue of a rat. ''