The Worlds of Katherine Kurtz

Is it too late to scurry for cover?

Oh ... these guys are up to no good.  Exciting!

Quote from: Nezz on May 30, 2024, 04:15:19 PMYes! We finally have a Bynw post! rubs hands together in anticipation!

I rub mine together too. That was a fast notice there.

Yes! We finally have a Bynw post! rubs hands together in anticipation!

On the cold rain soaked autumn night, men in black leather and chain, bust through the oaken doors of the old monastery. They search through the building and cells but find no one. Exhausted by their empty search and the worsening weather they leave. Riding into the dark of night.

"They were there. Some of the coals were still warm in one of the braziers."

"The Master will not be pleased. But this weather makes it impossible to track them. We will have to rely on other methods."

We are all indeed "interesting".  I know we have two men who are chomping at the bit to get noticed by this crowd.  I can not wait until all five are on the playing board. I am so looking forward to meeting each and every one.

"We're all 'interesting'. 'else God wouldn't have picked us for this, yeah?" - something he might say evasively. 

I agree with Laurna; something in Bede's past must have been very "interesting."

"John" seems to be rather nervous about being around anyone who looks like a Reeve. It can not be for killing a fellow, now could it? He clearly stated he had not done so other than as duty required. (Though that little slip-up about not waiting around to find out, is rather dubious)    Oh, Geophery and Carew? Who have you hired to protect us? LOL

 I am looking forward to learning more about Bede.

He heard her shout, and while he was initially perturbed by her gaze, the feeling subsided when he thought about what she had said. She's denying my involvement with something. Good. ((Bede attempts to Sneak to the tavern bar subtly. 3d6 5 + 3 + 6 = 14)) Now, stand proud, but move calmly. They're looking for a faire freak. That's obviously someone else. You are a patrician, and as long as you remain enshrouded by your new sagum, there's nothing more to see. He left his bow by the door, alongside the cumbersome weapons of the other patrons, but kept his hunting knife wrapped under the rags that were once a tabard. As he weaved between the boisterous patrons like a free sail on the wind, he was careful not to move like an archer, lest he invite a challenge by the exposed fibers of his disproportionate arms. Too few know that it is a world of difference between throwing a punch within a meter and loosing an arrow a quarter of a mile. The plan worked. So well, that nobody but the bartender asked his business, after offering him a wipe and a chide about risking a head cold.

"With arrows like those, you could spear a fish, man." He remarked as he wiped down a glass and proffered it to "John".

Oh, I sometimes forget I am wearing those, he thought but did not say, until he could not think of a reason why he should not.

"Ah, a professional, then?" The bartender laughed with appraisal in his eyes, but "John" gestured to keep the conversation a quiet one, then accepted the glass.

"An honest fisher of men, man." ((Bede attempts to make a Perceptive check at the bar. 2d6 6 + 4 = 10)) The bartender chuckled before turning his back to the ragged man in pristine white. A rookie mistake from a professional, "John" could tell. His suspicions were confirmed by two things: the way the man behind the counter shifted and turned things that helped nothing by being turned, and a burly man stalking through the gloom of the candlelight reflected in the glass in "John"'s hand. They bore no resemblance in body, but in the way they dressed, there was something. An agent of a reeve? A constable in the flesh? "John" wondered about either of them, then shook his head. He had seconds to think what to do, and they were draining out the hourglass quicker than the reading of this sentence.

Like a millstone covered in melting snow, he turned to face the room and the man of particular interest. ((Bede audaciously offers to buy Carew a drink. (Charismatic Roll)2d6 4 + 1 = 5)) "May I offer you a drink, friend?" He kept the glass in the air to see the bartender reflected in its surface. He does the cleaning very well, on top of everything else. He thought it would be a shame to have to fight his way out of there, but he patted the solid lump of his knife wrapped under his rags in preparation.

Now that they were face to face, both men were better able to judge one another. A ragged wanderer and an aproned, amiable but protective type with dark wavy hair. One belonged, and the other did not. With a declining hand that in the wavering light seemed the size of "John"'s chest, the strong young man said, "I cannot accept on the job . . . err . . ."

"Bede. But a common archer, man." And he adjusted the heavy towel. He noticed a resemblance between the man before him and the maiden from before; it was in the face, this time, but his eyes were comparatively plain, being merely a warm brown.

The mysterious man crossed his oaken arms. "Not a silvatico, I hope."
Bede snorted at that and played up a Nefynian accent. "You think I would get far in the woods draped in this? I am more of a specialist, dealing in secure goods, wares, people." And at one time, it was true. "Most recently: the Selkie, just today put out to sea, headed for Transha."

"Without you?" asked the man behind the counter.

Bede looked up and around to meet his gaze with a grin. "My contract was up."

The bartender nodded his understanding, then nodded to the man on his feet. That man took the cue to dispel some mystery and shook Bede's hand. The left one, empty as could be. "I'm Carew, stepson of the proprietor. Let me buy you a drink. Bede. We don't often have people like you darkening our doorway." The brawny heir to the tavern knew how to flatter. After the three men had reached a modicum of familiarity over the first couple of drinks, Bede had nearly let his guard down. Between the tall tales the pair pulled out of him, he noticed certain questions they asked of his character.

Carew excitedly asked: "Ever kill anyone?"

"Only as needed to fulfill my duties." At no other times had he stayed put long enough to check the status of his targets.

The bartender, who had revealed himself to be Geoffrey: the true proprietor of The Broken Mast, asked, "What do you think of maidens?"
This caused Bede pause. "How else might you ask me that?"
"What's your history with the fairer sex?"

"Ah." While he fidgeted with his earring, he replied, "Uneventful, good man. But if I heard one scream I would do my damndest to put an arrow through the cause of her grief."

Geoffrey became serious, suddenly. "Heaven forbid it, but you may yet have a chance."

"Pardon, sir?"

"It's my sister, and the girl following her like a sister, you see," Carew spoke up to explain. "They have business in Grecotha, but our father forbids them to go without an escort."

Coming that much closer to the full picture, Bede nodded. "'Tis the only sensible thing to do."

Geoffrey nodded in turn. "So, I would like to hire you, Archer. Four royals for four days, if you bring my Elspeth and Amy back to me unharmed."

((The time for negotiating wages has come. Haggle! 2d6 1 + 5 = 6)) Bede had been drinking, and nearly choked on the honeyed substance in his gullet. Carew helped him to catch his breath, and then it was his turn. "Nice, round numbers, sir, but a little low. This is a prosperous tavern, in a prosperous town. I know you can afford to pay me a fair soldier's wage, if only for a brief time. It would be six royals for four solid days, but that's not counting however long it will take for her to accomplish her goals in Grecotha, now, is it? Here's my proposal: you pay me the six upfront, then extra for however many more days she needs."

Gregory smiled. "You are bold and reasoned. Also, queer and foolish, young man. Four upfront, two on the return and then one and a half royals for extra days. And if all goes well, Carew won't dash your brains out when you return."

With Bede's lead, all rose. "I believe, gentlemen, that we are in agreement."