Mists over the Musarde, Chapter Eleven

[ewancummins]

a fortnight prior, an inn in the western part of the city-

“You two ladies came all the way from Mordentshire on horseback? That’s a long ride, so you must be tired. I’ll have my boy fix your rooms now. Your servants can handle the pay…”

The young woman produces a purse, removes several silver coins, and hands these to the innkeeper.

‘’I have no servants with me on this journey, and neither does my sister. This ought to cover our stay at your fine establishment, kind sir. “

The man gratefully takes the coins without even bothering to count.

‘’No servants? Ah, well …euh… if I can assist either you or your lovely sister in any way, mademoiselle, please let me know. “

The pretty young woman smiles warmly at the old innkeeper’s words. She leans in just a wee bit closer and drops her voice to a conspiratorial tone-

“There is something with which you might be able to help us, perhaps. My sister and I are writing a book about a local affair that involved our uncle- who is no longer with us, I’m sad to say. We have his notes, but we’d like to do some research on the ground. Tell me, have you heard of…”

[ewancummins]

Sancerre Home

Denys stares at the bloodstains on the floors and walls of his front parlor and the foyer. He takes a half step forward and almost stumbles. He leans on a wall for support.


The elf-woman, Galandel's mate, enters the room. She goes to her husband's side.

She says something to him in the sibilant speech of her race.

( My husband, you are hurt! What has occured? )

[ewancummins]

at the Appelmans' warehouse

Karim finds his evening's shift on guard duty now at a close. The boss, Hugo Appelmans, pays him a shiny silver coin.
Before the desert-man takes his leave of the warehouse, Hugo asks-
''Karim, would you care for a cup of mulled wine before you go? It's getting rather chilly outside these nights. A body might catch his death o' cold if he isn't mindful o' his humours."

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Dorgio stands, staring at the aftermath of the carnage. He takes a drag from his cigarillo and seems to somehow blow smoke from his nostrils at the same time.

"The only reason I was moving to Pont was because the city was being ruled with a light hand. And now this! Are even the guards against us now?" He shakes his head. He saw what he saw, guards stabbing his ally and continuing to attack after the elf had fallen. Everything that he'd seen said Galandel had been in the right. But the look on the last guard's face, the young one who'd threatened vengeance. It had been the look of a man who'd felt truly betrayed.

The priest rubs his tired eyes, then walks to Galandel, managing a brief smile to his mate. "What in piking hell happened back there?"

[Adam]

"Yes, indeed, please explain Galandel. This is our home, and I've never seen this sort of thing before." He moves to place a comforting hand on Denys's arm. "We are not in the wild eastern frontier of your homeland. One does not attack law enforcement agents here."

He turns towards Denys. "I hesitate to use the resource, but I have an...ahem...contact in Le Grande Dame's offices. If this leads to any legal trouble for you, I won't hesitate to use it."

[VAN]

Karim gets his silver coin and is ready to leave when Hugo makes him the wine offer. So smiles and says:

"I never say no to a glass of wine boss."

[steveflam]

"I didn't see what happened to start this. I did, however,see a bunch of gendarmes kicking and beating this elf fellow." She points at Galandel. <Sithican> "Will you be all right, sir?"

"That's when I decided to jump in and at least remove a gendarme or two without weapons, only using me force. I hurt noone. I don't like bullies or racists. I judged it fair to help the elf man."

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

He nods, reluctantly. "That is what I was seeing, too."

Dorgio then looks at Thora, and suddenly stops in recollection. "Be forgiving me, you said you are knowing Norzak?"

[steveflam]

"Yes I did say that. He is me youngest brother. Is he here?"

[JMaytr]

Jonathan stands and moves away from the body of the captain.

"Torture and murder and at the hands of our party. It seems I am back in Richemulot."

Jonathan looks to Benn and then to Charlotte.

"Is she okay?"

[steveflam]

Thora looks at Jon. "Torture? Torture? Listen up, and listen up good everyone here. Yeah, you too dwarf. If I actually tortured someone, they'd be dead. Understood? Them both prisoners are alive and not injured. That gendarme is unharmed by me. I have not harmed a person yet. That prisoner soiled himself and ate some of his pride. I apologized for my actions. I got results. Ye may not agree with my tactics but I don't give a shit bout that. We know where to go to get those responsible for attacking Mr Sancerre and that young lady.

As for what happened with the elf, I wasn't responsible and didn't hurt noone afterwards. Sue me for coming to the aid of someone being ganged up on unfairly. If that is all, then whomever wants to go to this place is welcome to join me. Otherwise I got a score to settle with the one who gone and burnt me. I'll be in Norzaks old place, some office somewhere in the city. And don't forget, noone has been harmed by me cept for their pride. If ya wanna see torture, I can show you real torture. Otherwise shut up on the subject."


Turning to Denys she says "Sorry bout that, I had to say my piece. You've a lovely home and I do plan to find those responsible for attacking you and your daughter, sir. Good evening to you." Thora turns and exits the room.

[ewancummins]

Sancerre home-



Denys falls heavily into the nearest chair.

''Three gendarmes slain in my house! I.....I...."

The merchant struggles with his words for a moment.

''Yes, Benn, you would do well to use your contacts, and soon. Had it only been a brawl, I am certain that I could have arranged for this to go away without much trouble. But the elf, he killed men. Shot them with arrows. That's no brawl or accident. The courts will call that murder, or manslaughter if we are lucky. "

Sancerre suddenly looks old, very old, and shrunken into himself.
In a quiet voice, he asks-

"Was violence necessary? If Galandel had a dispute with the gendarmes- why didn't any ask for my help? I'm sure I could have smoothed out whatever difficulty was at hand. "


Denys goes to the corner table and pours himself a glass of wine.


******************************************

Appelmans warehouse, Karim

Hugo prepares two cups of hot wine flavored with cinnamon and honey.

"This will warm you up inside, son."

The older man claps Karim on the back.

"Your homeland, it's a blazing desert, isn't it? I'm sure you are the first man of Pharasie whom I've met- but I have read travellers' tales."

[RocEter]

Galandel offers a brief smile to Dorgio and then looks at his wife. In his native tongue he speaks to her. "I am hurt but nothing that won't heal over time. Baelmus needs attention, see to his wounds?" He tells her.

Standing he looks at the others.

"Violence on my part was not intended. Those men were threatened me with use of violence against my person and Baelmus. Cause I was an outsider... a freak they said.. and he a wolf," he says indicating Baelmus. "I tried to soothe things as best I could, but those men made it difficult. When I told their leader I would pay the fee for a license, he started adding false charges and increased the fee owed. I said I would only pay for license and that I didn't not threaten them in away, I tried to explain no guard stopped me in town on way here to speak to me of this license and didn't know I need such a thing." He explains further, it obvious Galandel is trying to keep harsh words out his story.

"I do apologize Denys, I told them I didn't want to fight them in your home or anywhere. Yet they seem intent on doing so, I acted in self defense for fear of my life and my closest friend. Again I apologize, my intent was never to cause problems for any of you."

He falls silent and stares at his injured wolf.

[ewancummins]

Sancerre home-

Denys says-


''All well and good- but three men are dead. You should have paid the fine and then called me. If indeed you had been the target of an extortion attempt, my influence would have been enough to get back your money and to have the gendarme captain reprimanded. The spilling of blood, though, will weigh heavily against you in court. Benn's contacts may protect you- but there will surely be a price to pay for such a favor."

Galandel's wife tends to the wolf's wounds.

[Le Noir Faineant]

Dofur, silent, leaning on a wall, smoking pipe in the dinner room.

The ever-so friendly Dwarf seems to be in a bad temper for the first time during his journey,
and his look darts through the room like that of Baelmus when he is angry.