Iozef ponders a moment on what words might help. "I believe the proper phrase is, 'Break, a leg'. Although, I've never understood such. If such an event were to occur, how would one go on? No matter. And I gather we are to follow Mr. Thetra's cover story idea if indeed it is needed."
A bang on the door and a spyhole is slid open to reveal a bleary eye: "This is Ascanor Lodge. Welcome, but we don't let anyone come in. Unless you've got an invitation. Who are you!?" says a gruff voice.
Valiard turns and looks at Iozef. "Well priest? Are you going to introduce me or are we going to stand here until we grow roots?" Rolling his eyes in exasperation, Valiard simply talks aloud, as if he is the only important person present, and therefore nobody else is worthy of his attention. "Some days I wonder if being trapped in that bloody web wasn't a vacation from the cretins of the world. Of course, I don't know if I should expect much from backwoods hicks that I find on the side of the road."
Staring at Valiard stoically, yet, you get the feeling if he were able, thousands of daggers would instantly be flying straight for the heart of the herbalist, Iozef plays the part as he clears his throat and stands proper. "I give you, 'Lord Echtmoor Dravin of Sturnidae'."
The pair of bleary eyes seem to think for a moment, as they scan the herbalist: "Well, does Lord Echtmoor carry with him an invitation? And if so, could his Lord produce it for me?"
Valiard simply sniffs and simply gazes off into the distance, waiting for Iozef to produce the letter.
Iozef pulls out the invitation and holds it up for him to see. "There was a... complication, but we managed to retain it mostly in tact."
The eyes of bleary widen as they take in the poor shape the letter's in. "Hold on."
Despite the state of things, the letter still got the door opened, revealing a whole body holding the bleary eyes in place. The person is visibly a guard, wearing a dark blue and green checkered tunic over mail. A sword sits on his hip, alongside a horn and a dagger of some size. Keeping the eyes from staring at the light of the sun is a black round iron helmet, and keeping the eyes from staring at the ground is a dark thick moustache, as wide as the door.
"My Lord Echtmoor, I bid you stay here while we fetch Porter Belik. He'll check your letter."
He signals a black haired teenager wearing a simple checkered tunic.
The inquisitor returns to his usual friendly demeanor and keeps a close eye on the guard's apparent attitude.
Mireza stays as bid.
A somewhat chubby man appears with the guard. His black receding hair and long thick sideburns frame a square jaw and deep set eyes. He looks at the lot of you before walking decisively towards you: "What is the meaning of this? Where is Lord Echtmoor? What did you do to him?!? Speak! Or I'll have your heads on the door and your guts for the dogs!"
Valiard draws himself up, and moving with the swiftness of a dagger, slides directly into the chubby man's personal space.
"I find your tone offensive and disrespectful...porter. I have spent far too many days trapped in a web to be halted by an officious toady when I have an invitation." Valiard says in a voice like a dagger in the eye at midnight.
The Porter blushes and poofs up in response to Valiard's speech: "Of course, I mean no disrespect Sir, but this invitation is for Lord Echtmoor, and Lord Echtmoor, well, you are not! So, with all due respect, explain yourself!" and plants his feet across the doorway while the guards behind him get more nervous.
Windle locks gazes with the porter. "Excuse me? Are you certain of that? I believe that we should discuss this. In private. Now."
"Indeed! Are you calling His Lordship a liar?" Mireza jumps in. "Is this the kind of treatment people of quality can expect from the staff here? To be publicly questioned and insulted?" She glares at the paunchy porter.
Grigor claps a hand to a weapon in response...
These insults cannot be bourne M'lord.
Aid Another Intimidate
Iozef sighs, figuring they have cut their own throat already. "Sir, we would be more than happy to explain, but we would rather speak to you in private. This is not something to be spoken aloud, I promise you. And your guards are more than welcome to accompany you."
The Porter blushes violently as he suffers the companions speech: "I surely meant no offenses! And I am entirely sorry of my Lord feels that way and apologize sincerely!" says he as he looks at Valiard, not making eye contact. He steps outside and closes the gate behind him, leaving him with you "alone" as the guards can only watch from the tower.
He turns and take in the lot of you: "Now, may be you can explain?"
Seeing no one speak up, Iozef turns to the man. "Very well. We are on a mission. I am afraid we cannot speak of the nature of our mission but I promise you, it is of grave importance. Now, having said that, our mission has led us here. We came upon Lord Echtmoor, or what was left of him, during our travels. I'm afraid he was a victim of the 'Creature of the Tower'," he states as a matter of fact.
"Anyway, we concluded that a disguise might better our chances to gain entrance to the lodge. Well, we had hoped I should say. Unfortunately, you recognized him where we hoped very few would. All we are asking is entrance to the lodge so we can continue in our attempt at finding what it is we are searching. I implore you to grant us that, sir."
Grigor shows his Carrion Hill Guard badge.
It is as the revered priest states... and our mission carried us far beyond the stretch of my City.
Valiard crosses his fingers.
"I apologize for my manner, sir. I had to play the part as convinicingly as possible. People tend to believe the worst in others easier than believing in goodness, so you can understand why I pushed as hard as I did."
"To be honest, if we continue to maintain the charade as we press forward, it may be the easiest."
"Who else here might recognize the late Lord?"
"You cad," Mireza turns and slaps Valiard across the face while giving him a sly smile. "You told me you were of noble blood."
Valiard shoots a piercing glare at Miri, threatening vile retribution at an unspecified and completely surprising time.
The Porter looks confused, but tries to smile as he mostly says no: "I understand that you might have other businesses, but Ascanor Lodge is a very private and select club," he turns to Grigor "and Carrion Hill's Law does not hold in these parts.Most guests, to be admitted, need to be formally invited. I can't give you entrance."
"Lord Echtmoor was often coming to the Lodge, as a guest of Margrave Graydon. He will want to know what has happened to him. I will not mention to him that you tried to pass for him. That will ease things."
He pauses and seems to think for a moment: "Look, may be I can help you. One of our guests often goes on wild hunts and looks for partners. I can introduce you to him if he goes hunting today..."
"Hunting is barbaric," Mireza informs him. "I'll play no part in hunting down and killing anything that is happy enough to leave me alone. Unlike some, I don't go looking for trouble."
"Then I wish you luck, lots of it." says the Porter as he shrugs and makes for the door.
Wait!
He reaches out to the porter.
We'll take your help - which of your two suggestions seems best to you?
(Edited to expand on commentary.)
"Perhaps we could be formally invited by someone who is not normally here?" Valiard says quickly.
"Does someone actually have to be here at the Lodge to invite someone? Or merely a member? If just a member, then you, as Porter, know all the members and can suggest someone who can "sponsor" us...me, into the Lodge. We deal with the issue unobtrusively, remove the probable threat and move on. This plan protects you while allowing you to use us to ensure the safety of the Lodge."
