Well, that's a new pickle to get out of... Alfred thinks at Magnius' words.
With Yaos' introduction of her and himself to the Spartaco's he gives a bow, and lets her do the talking.
When Yaos sends Red and Pale wing back, Alfred will lean close to here and mutter "I shall go back as well to organize them as needed, and to monitor if any of them look like they are going to give us away. If asked, I suggest we play my presence off as being in your service."
Alfred will then walk back to the servants and watch them. When he arrives with them he will request the presence of Ennahvail and Toraen. When they come to him he have them wait with him until they are all about 30 feet behind the end of the other servants.
"I am impressed with your service thus far, and have need of good loyal retainers. Please keep a watch on the others for me, and tell me if any are acting strange. Do not confront anyone. I am trusting you two to serve me well in this and will need people to take care of my affairs once I setup up somewhere and begin travelling. I would like to think you two would do well at that." Alfred will say to the two once they are alone.
When Alfred speaks to her Yaos nods and replies "Good idea. And keep them together."
Yaos then calls Red Wing back as Alfred is doing what Red Wing was to do. Pale Wing remains ascending to provide an aerial lookout.
The day is lightly deepened as scattered showers of rain shiver the various farmsteads as you move on with your escort. The Hobgoblin foot-guard seem tireless until evening when their fatigue is noticeable, having marched alongside the riding Viscount Mogranzini and his wife Carnacella. Your caravan follows about thirty feet behind at a quick pace -- apparently the Spartaco lord has little patience for the mule-drawn wagons of your peasant charges. At least Francesco Phandros' wagon, your wagon, has two horses.
An hour after the sun's zenith the Viscount is briefly stopped, shortly passing another vintner's vines, into the ranch-land of a goat-herder. The milkman asked somesuch favor from or gave somesuch tribute to the Spartaco. Stopping to eat, rest and relieve ones' bladders was a blessing for everyone.
A few hours later dusk in Cheliax began and all movement stopped for the evening -- to the grateful appreciation of the tired Hobgoblins. A pair of which were commanded to jog a few hundred feet to the nearest plantation home to borrow a decent tent for in the Viscount and his wife to sleep. Simple and poor accommodations, but obviously perfectly acceptable to Mogranzini and Carnacella.
The fatigued Hobgoblins began watch shortly thereafter. Some sleep near their lord's tent; some guard the tent. And some guard a perimeter, staying mobile during their watch.
Your set of wagons rests about fifty feet from the Viscount's tent. The peasants quickly prepare the camp for rest and see to the basic needs you may have. And immediately fall to sleep.
The town of Spartaco, its eponymous castle -- and Lord -- will come into view after only a few hours tomorrow.
Yaos suggests setting up our tents near Phandros's caravan and setting 3 watches. Say Alfred first, Yaos then Magnius.
The evening passes uneventfully and everyone is fully rested and prepared to make the short trek the rest of the way to Castle Spartaco.
By midday the castle comes into view, politely surrounded by a small village. The light shower of a morning rain has dried by the time you reach the outer bailey gate and you are hurriedly admitted entrance into the courtyard in front of the keep. Villagers all were curious as to see the new lords coming in. Word had spread about Francesco Phandros' arrival and everyone wanted a brief glimpse.
Inside the wall your peasants are asked to stay with the wagons as the horses and mules are tended; the Hobgoblins stay nearby. Alfred Ensbridge, Magnius Arvanxi, Yaos 'Hellbringer' and of course Francesco Phandros are invited into the keep along with Viscount Mogranzini Spartaco and his wife Carnacella.
Countess-Consort Olivia Spartaco greets everyone at the great door to the keep and looks positively intrigued at meeting Francesco. The niece of Archduke Cattermaul Charthagnion also seems pleased that an Arvanxi and a Battori have arrived for the wedding of her own niece, Baroness Stella Spartaco. "My husband the Count is awaiting us in Barbazu Hall; we've prepared a course of wine. Pray-tell, is young Phandros still so ill as to not get out of the wagon?" Countess Olivia looks over everyone's shoulders to the wagons, peasants and Hobgoblins twenty-five feet yonder in the courtyard.
"He will not be coming out as of yet. May we please have a private audience with yourself,the Viscount and his wife. Also, if the bride to be is available could she attend as well." Alfred takes a breath before continuing. "It concerns the health of Phandros."
Magnius removes his helmet, and his piercing eyes sweep over all those in the room. "That is because young Francesco was assassinated the other day. I apologize for not telling you right away Viscount, but I felt it best to deliver this awful news only once, to both yourself and the count"
Her voice becomes sharp. Curt. "Then let us go in." And without another word or look turns and enters her husband's keep, Viscount Mogranzini and his wife Carnacella quickly following. "Barbazu Hall is just down this corridor and upstairs," she says without looking back, leading the way briskly.
Yaos responds quietly and deferentially "Countess Olivia."
When lead into Barbazu Hall she curtsies to Count Vocaturo and waits quietly while Magnius speaks. Pale Wing is on her shoulder while Red Wing waits unobtrusively a little behind. Despite her demure manner, Yaos is alert, well aware this situation could rapidly turn into a bloodbath.
Confusion more than shock is the immediate reaction to Magnius' pronouncement.
Viscount Mogranzini seems angry, ready to wage war against those responsible.
The women, Vidame Carnacella and Countess Olivia are clearly thinking, considering all the rumor, innuendo and history of House Phandros. 'Are Phandros and Arvanxi enemies?,' is clearly going through their minds, as is 'Are Phandros and Battori enemies?'; ....'Are Battori and Arvanxi allies?' They remain silent as they go through mental checklists of the lords and ladies of the three Houses: who was betrayed by whom; who owes whom; who is ambitious? What motive is there this time?
But the Countess-Consort quickly lets her mind move to more immediate a concern, and excuses herself from her husband's presence -- attending to urgent matters because of this news. She nods to her brother and sister-in-law. And to Yaos Hellbringer, courtesy for the young lady's curtsy at the great door upon entering castle.
It is the Count who speaks on this, taking the wine bottle from the servant and pouring each of the three of you a glass of wine, as the servant, taking his cue, pours wine from the other bottle for Viscount Mogranzini and the Vidame.
He drinks a sip of his own, not taking his eyes off the three of you, and then begins....
As the Countess-Consort leaves, Yaos responds to her nod with a similar nod, her manner suggesting sympathy. Meanwhile, Yaos tries to judge her intentions.
Magnius glances to Olivia has she leaves, trying to ascertain her reasons for suddenly departing.
Magnius nods "Yes, we were there, and I believe it was on your lands. Happened several days ago." The young man replies, opting to be no more forthcoming at the moment than necessary.
"My pardon for speaking out of turn. I had discovered a plot by the Bell Flower network to kill Phandros and free his slaves. To best protect Phandros and increase our chances of killing the Bell Flowers we approached Phandros and informed him of the coming ambush. It was decided that our accompanying him would be for the best." Alfred pauses to take a breath before continuing, "Phandros' retinue attacked us without Phandros' knowledge after travelling with the caravan for a while. In self defense we ended up killing them. Phandros took the news and had us continue accompanying him as his escort. Even knowing it was planned however the Bell Flower ambush was to much for the four of us without the others, and Phandros was assassinated and his body taken" Alfred will finish soberly.
Magnius nods in agreement with Alfred "It is as my small friend has said, we did our best to fight off the assassins, but because of the betrayal of Phandros' retainers, we were overcome. Thankfully, their only target was Phandros and their only objective was to free the slaves. With those accomplished, we were allowed to live."
Patriarch of House Spartaco & Lord of Gheradescci County
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Again there is a silence in Barbazu Hall. The Count raises his eyebrow. "Ah,.... I believe I understand. There is a decisive nod and a slight exhalation of breath.
"Well, you may have the room for yourselves as you consider what to do. A pair of servants will stand beyond the arch should you need anything.
"Now if you will excuse me, there is much to be done."
After placing his unfinished glass of wine next to the Viscount and Vidame's glass on the table, the Count goes to the small door in the back of the room, the one from where a servant emerged with wine earlier, and knocks thrice. "We are finished; you may clean the room in one-quarter hour." And then he walks to the archway leading back to the arteries and chambers of Castle Spartaco. He addresses servants outside, "The two of you will wait here for our esteemed guests. Notify me if my presence is requested."
The Count then casts one more glance at the three of you before exiting.
The room is yours.
Newly established Barony in the rugged Badlands beneath the Eismonts
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A day of travelling from Castle Spartaco reaches the edges of the badlands, the rugged foothills and untamed stretch of land between the northern edge of Anferita Wood and the southern foothills of the Eismonts.
A new caravan path has been clawed in the ground leading the thirty miles to the equally new fort town of Varni -- adjacent to the recently discovered gold veins. It's another day of travelling through the parched and jagged earth, constantly looking over your shoulder for evidence of Strix, Manticore, Ankheg, Harpy and other monsters that may be hungry. This day of travel, though, is uneventful. Nothing more than a mountain lion tracking your movement for an hour or so before heading off and a scorpion that someone almost sat on during lunch -- followed by a line of ants that must've smelled your lunch and joined you uninvited. But no Strix, Manticore, Ankheg or Harpy. Perhaps the recent, regular traffic, while cutting this path, has made the various monsters nervous enough to leave you unmolested.
It is early evening when you reach Varni.
A small village of wood and rock, perhaps thirty structures finished and room for more, is surrounded by a makeshift wooden palisade, well-made but easily breached. Piles of stone haphazardly lay in various spots around the wall, presumably so builders can turn the wooden fence into a proper wall. Eventually.
Under more immediate construction is the keep. Built on the rim of a small mesa, half in and half out of the stone, a modest fortress is coming up. A dozen men and women are still working, tired from a long day of toil and hopeful the sun will fall below the horizon early this night, so as to end their labor for the day.
You recognize half a dozen Hobgoblins and Viscount Mogranzini Spartaco from your distance, 300 feet away; the lord is talking with a few unknown people.
Yaos for the most part appears hardly to notice the discomforts of the journey to Varni, the only exception being the odd scowl. The prospect of attack by some form of monster seems to energize rather than scare her. She has Pale Wing act as aerial spotter once more, though in the event nothing comes of the precaution.
Upon sighting Varni, Yaos says:-
"Magnius, Alfred, it seems we are at Varni at last. Pale Wing has spotted Viscount Mogranzini, we had best seek entry before he spots us. If he thinks we are going to bring him more news he may have us locked out of the town, if not set his Hobgoblins on us."
"Let us find the Baroness and pay our condolences for her loss, that should be the quickest way out of anyone's suspicions." Alfred says.
Alfred will look around for anyone that could give them directions to the baroness.
Maginus will bow respectfully to Stella, assessing her mood as he does so
Yaos gets down from her huge, pale horse and goes over to Baroness Stella saying:-
"Baroness Stella, a pleasure to meet you. And my condolences on the death of your betrothed."
"Under normal circumstances, you would be right, we would have stayed at the castle. However, my companions and I have decided that since we failed to protect young Franceso, we would not fail you. We have reason to believe you might also be a target from those foul malcontents of the Bellflower Network. Thus, we transfer and pledge our loyalty to you, until such a time as we are sure you are safe." Magnius intones, his voice confident and sure in purpose.
"If you would allow me to speak, you misinterpret our position Baroness" Alfred says. "We were specifically after the members of the Bellflower network that attacked Phandros. Our accompanying him was deemed the best way to put them to bed, so to speak. Having failed to stop them on the road due to other circumstances, we are here to offer our services to protect you as we believe they are coming here next."
"We are at your service my lady" says Yaos with a bow "and we mean to redeem our failure to protect Phandros."
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Varni has at present thirty-four soldiers, thirty of these as basic fighters for the village's defense, rotating two shifts -- and four that stay near the Baroness as personal guards, also in two shifts.
This day, ten Hobgoblins from Mog are here as well, with Viscount Mogranzini and his wife.
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Presently, Magnius approaches Mogranzini Spartaco in the Yard, after seeing the Viscount review fifteen of Varni's soldiers. The off-duty ones. Four Hobgoblins are additionally present, as well as both of the off-duty personal-guards for the Baroness.
As Magnius joins the conversation, a tale told by one of the Hobgoblins to the group, Viscount Mogranzini nods for Magnius to stand adjacent. There is respect in the nod, officer to officer or noble soldier to noble soldier. He sees you as another man of action, not finery and court intrigue.
Telling the tale of hunting an escaped slave for the Chain-Order Hellknights down in Citadel Gheradesca, the Hobgoblin Garrorka doesn't have the natural charisma of a captivating storyteller, but since the Hobgoblins captured the Andoran infiltrator after he'd escaped from Corentyn -- Chain-Order Hellknights a day behind with little hope -- each listener enjoys the tale of nationalism for Gheradescci County, it Hobgoblin champions finishing what the Hellknights of Gheradesca hadn't done yet.
The tale ends and Garrorka asks the Lord of Arvanxi, Magnius, to tell a tale of heroism or glory for Cheliax, his House, or Asmodeus.
It is clear that the four present Hobgoblins view you as more a higher-ranking peer, lower Sergeant to higher Sergeant, perhaps, while the fifteen present Varni soldiers -- theoretically off duty but obviously commanded by the Viscount to form ranks for his review -- are fascinated and even a little awed by meeting another noble.
One of the more precocious soldiers, Rexzimis asks if you've ever hunted Yeth Hounds in Anferita Wood -- obviously proud of a great feat (in his mind's eye) that perhaps he achieved.
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Mostly the questions are such of can we make a pig coral here, and can we try to plant these plants there -- though looking at the rocky terrain little in the way of vegetable is likely to flourish without Druidic intervention.
Ennahvail, the girl in her late-twenties who has been tending the few dozen chickens making the trip, who ended up being a 'face' for the Phandros-servants, quickly takes a place as 'Second' to Alfred Ensbridge. She's starting to show confidence, now -- what remains to be seen is her level of wit and guile and cleverness.
Toraen, the man in his mid-forties who spent the trip fixing wagon-wheels, begins asking about the conditions in the gold mines; he's looking for work.
It's a carpenter from Varni who is the first to speak to Alfred Ensbridge, Tad Voram, a sturdy and competent carpenter, who just wants to get on the good side, it seems, of a free Halfling who is so close to nobility.
Yaos politely acknowledges the halfling servant Marta and rises to greet the two Spartaco ladies as they enter. Yaos eats delicately and sips the wine thoughtfully, complementing her hosts subtly on the quality of the refreshments.
"Mother wanted me to be more sly and calculating but I can't help it, I just have to know why a Battori has come all the way out to Gheradescci County in Longmarch!" The nineteen-year-old is excited, gossipy, hungry with ambition perhaps, and in a friendly mood. The way she is speaking -- refering to the Vidame as 'Mother,' and the manner in which she lounges in her chair and nibbles at her prosciutto & sips her wine -- she is relaxed, looking for a friend and co-conspirator.
"My friend Magnius Arvanxi and I have been delegated by our houses to deal with the Bellflower Agents activities as it affects our houses. Alfred Ensbridge, a fine and dependable fellow, has been very useful in these endeavors. We uncovered a plot to assassinate Francesco Phandros.
We decided to try to foil the plot and hopefully capture the Bellflower Agents trying to carry it out, both to degrade the Bellflower Network and foster gratitude from House Phandros. That is what brought me here.
Regrettably, the Bellflower Agents were formidable and attacked under cover of invisibility. Francesco was slain almost as soon as we knew there was an attack in progress. Apolgies once again for our failure. Having killed their target and freed some halfling slaves the Bellflower Agents retreated. Perhaps they had achieved their aims, perhaps they did not wish to risk casualties fighting me and my friends, perhaps both."
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The Baroness seems eager to respond, to say something. But it is the Tiefling, Vidame Carnacella, who speaks. "It sounds as though you would have fared better if you had more resources. Perhaps you could have succeeded instead of failed." She looks at the Baroness for a silent moment before speaking again. "Maybe what you and Magnius need is more support." She is leading somewhere with this, soliciting maybe.
The Baroness speaks less carefully; she's almost eager. "Maybe if you and House Spartaco...." She lets it trail off, unsuggested.
Magnius listens aptly to Garrorka, complimenting him on capturing the infiltrator. "My brethren in the Chain would do well to look to your people Garrorka. Well known are the Hobgoblins for their tenacity, and military discipline. In fact, the Hellknights as whole could benefit greatly from at the least allying with your race." He says, attempting to both boost the hunter's pride, as well as begin laying the ground work of a potential alliance.
He then turns to Rexzimis and says "I have not, but I hear that they are truly fearsome foes! If you have slain even one, that makes you quite the warrior indeed!"
Yaos listens attentively, nodding as the Baroness's sentence trails off, adding:-
"Were to work together you mean. Work towards which end and against who or what my friend?"
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"Now you men," speaking to the fifteen off-duty soldiers and the two off-duty personal guards, "get your lazy asses back to your card playing and leisure -- I want you rested before you shift begins!" His words are harshly spoken -- but it is obvious he is not sincere in his abrasiveness. He is pleased with the soldiers and wants them to rest. It is a facade of anger and bluster.
"Lord Magnius, join me for a bottle of wine in the shade?" It is a simple request, the tone of which suggests he would not be insulted should you refuse.
The soldiers disperse, some talking of playing cards or throwing dice, some that want to get some shut-eye before their twelve hour shift begins. The two personal guards, silent during Garrorka's storytelling, silently move off together -- likely to spend their off time away from the more common soldiers. The four Hobgoblins stay with the Viscount.
"Toraen, I want you to know that your help has been appreciated, and if you find new work I will make sure your pay is given to you before you leave with a small bonus. Also, if others wish to find work else where I will have the same setup for them."
"How is the general construction and setup of the Barony going Tad" Alfred will ask.
Where in the name of Azmodeus did she get that idea from? Norin perhaps, which is part of the reason he is dead. The rest of us are ... labyrinthine. Is Yaos's carefully concealed thought at Vidame Carnacella's remark about the directness of House Battori. Aloud Yaos says:-
"We prefer to be direct as you say Vidame. And you are very close to being entirely right Baroness Stella. We believe the Bellflower Network has senior operatives in the area, whose capture could compromise the Network on a wider scale. Recent events tend to confirm this.
Do tell me what other threats there are in the area? What keeps that formidable looking force of Hobgoblins occupied?"
Yaos smiles as she notes the young Baronesses perceptive comment.
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Tad Voram is a bit of a sycophant -- or an opportunist ready to pounce. But his vision is short-sighted and his wit is not considerable. Within a few minutes Alfred Ensbridge puts together a more accurate picture of Varni. "Well, Mr. Alfred, there have been some rough attacks from Manticores coming up from Anferita Wood -- but no Yeth Hounds, no sir. They are too afeared of civilization."
How, you wonder, could one call Varni, half built in the middle of the badlands, 'civilization'?
"And the gold veins may be slow going, now, but them caves and such haven't been the nests of any ole Strix or Goblins or such. Though we did have a problem with a bunch o' Ankhegs a while back.
"And even though we have a hard time getting enough water each day, well Mr. Alfred, that's to be expected at first I guess."
As if lack of water weren't a problem -- and as if the depleted source they have now will somehow get better with time -- and growth in population.
Lack of a good water supply and inability to grow vegetables, occasional attacks from Manticores and Ankhegs, and an incomplete outer wall and keep. Welcome to Varni.
The soldiers here seem well trained and motivated, and there are plenty. The two-and-a-half mile path to the newly dug mines where gold was discovered is well cleared and patrolled. But this is still the middle of the Badlands between the Eismonts to the north and the Anferita to the south.