Strong heart with triple armour bound,
Beat strongly, for thy life-blood runs,
Age after Age, the Empire round --
In us thy Sons
Who, distant from the Seven Hills,
Loving and serving much, require
Thee -- thee to guard 'gainst home-born ills
The Imperial Fire!
-Last two verses of "A British-Roman Song" by Rudyard Kipling
.
Dot dotty dot dot.
I have finally made my first post as Vigar.
dot
Talking to the only hound at the table eyeing up the food
"I'd be very careful where you stick your nose next" Krag grins at the hound.
The hound looks at the dwarf, sees no food, smells no food... wonders briefly if the dwarf might be hiding some food, when the star-eyed woman calls out, "Russ!". The hound semi-dutifully returns mostly to her side, though his nose drifts in the direction of the kitchens. She takes Russ' collar and guides him to the largest of the hounds. "Bear", the woman says calmly, "Herd Russ." "Russ.", she says, then again, "Russ", before the hound looks away from the kitchens toward her. "Down. Stay." Russ sits, then lies down, but his eyes still stray toward the kitchens.
Arean approaches the dwarf. "My apologies if the hound offered trespass. He's still young, and I was... distracted. I am Arean." Oddly, the woman does not offer her hand, affecting a sort of faint bow and curtsey at once, instead.
*Posing dramatically, cloak and long blonde hair rippling in the breeze, sword hilt uncovered at hip but bow held loose in left arm and light blue eyes gazing intently past the viewer as if searching for something*
Dotty Dott
*Wink*
*Sits patiently by the bar sipping ale and waiting for the will reading*
*Chews on some chicken*
Rowan sits in the corner at his usual table, quietly thinking.
What could be in the will? And why we 11, most of whom arrived here by happenstance, are all in it? Did the old man see that we would be here on this day? Or did he orchestrate this? Did he see something further?
The Arean that emerged from the baths had changed. Not physically, no. But in clothing and posture and manner. The drab traveling robe and concealing broad hat were packed away, and dress more fitting a fae formality or furious fete now covered what needed covering (broad sleeves including the hands) and left uncovered what bore baring.
Arean wore her dancer's disks of silver, seeming cascades of mirrors, or shields, or both, from her ears, and... the necklace. Curiously given, years before. Was it four? She chose not to make recourse to the intersecting reflecting resource of the mirrored library, behind her mind. Not yet. The will's reading would answer many questions. And provide more, standing behind the first, like trees in a forest, or troops in an enemy formation.
She turned to the more mundane mirror. Like all mirrors, it could only reflect, neither lie, nor truth. "You look a fool", she told her reflection. "You look a...", she paused. It was her ritual, it had served her well, but now, ought it change? She would perhaps know, soon, but did she, could she, already, know?
"You look a queen."
Furnok had since finished his meal and was nursing an ale as he waited for whatever event was going to happen. A will eh? No such thing as a free meal though, wonder what is going to be attached?
Vigar enters after his shower remarkably fresh and with a nod towards Rowan, Arean, Tassira, Marcos and the others he had seen but not really held conversation with. He takes his seat and since he was informed that everything was paid for, he helped himself to the kitchen and came out with another pot of steaming soft buns filled with sweet meat and vegetables.
Rowan, who was lost in thought, perks up at the scent of the buns. His stomach grumbles. I believe I have forgotten to eat dinner...
He moves toward Vigar and asks.
"Are all of those for you, Vigar? or are you going to share?"
Vigar grins at Rowan, His eyes twinkling with mischief.
"They're Hot Buns, a recipe from the far East. Some of them are well spicy. They're for everyone though while we wait."
"Well it's a good thing I like spicy food then. Thanks.
Grinning, Rowan takes a few of the spicier ones, putting one in his mouth, and goes back to his table, motioning Vigar to join him. He'd say something, but his mouth is filled with hot, spicy, and delicious buns.
The fauchard, halberd, and bow Vigar saw before are leaned up against the wall, placed as to be inconspicuous. Clearly, he is preparing for anything.
Vigar looked at his own equipment. Clearly he is of like mind as he places his spears beside him laying them down flat on his foot.
As time passed in the inn and drew closer to the will reading, Krag watched the activity. People rushing around, those once in drab travellers clothes now appearing from here and there as if from a dream, hardly recognising some.
Russ the hound looked miserable are fixed on the kitchen. Making sure that no one paying him any mind, Krag rips off a chicken thigh and throws it in front of Russ and whispers "Don't tell ya mistress".
"The time is close, soon we will find out why our paths have brought us here"
At nine o’clock precisely a short elderly man dressed in slightly outdated but still expensive business attire walks into the Inn. His golden eyes are partially hidden behind a pair of bifocals but they swept over the room quickly taking the measure of each of you. Apparently liking, or at least accepting, what he sees, he nods once ands says “Good you all here. I had my doubts about not sending out notices or indeed even making an attempt to contact you, but as the Professor told me would be the case, you are all indeed here.”
“My name is Jules Massys, I have had the honor and privilege to not only take care of Professor’s Crispin’s legal concerns for more than 40 years, but to be his friend as well. When he left the capital to come here to the Isle of The Great Library he persuaded me to come along as well. If you will all come with me to the club room, which has been specifically configured for our conference we will get started on enacting the last provisions of Professor’s Crispin’s will.”
Massys walks over to a pair of well made doors, their dark wood contrasting with well polished brass. On the other side of the doors a large circular oak table sits with a gold and bronze device sitting in the middle of table.
Massys sits his briefcase on the table and starts pulling out various file folders and small boxes and places them on the table. “Now there is the matter of a small number of objects the Professor wanted handed out immediately at the conclusion of this meeting there is a ring box here for each of you and a necklace box for each of the ladies as well. “ He turns to the person on his right “Please start passing these around. When your hand touches the proper box it will feel slightly warm.”
He then makes a check mark on a note pad in front of him and then speaks again. “As for the various real estate titles and deeds, as well as ownership to various bank accounts and other such funds the paperwork will have to be completed in the presence of a notary and can be done at my office in the morning.”
He looks around accessing you all again “I can see that several of you recognize the device on the table. For those of you that don’t it is ancient magical device intended to allow someone to record a memory for later review or presentation.” He reaches into his briefcase and pulls out a slender rose colored crystal column about a foot in length shaped like a hexagon. “In general such a device will not function without a crystal like this inserted into the middle of it. This one has the added precaution of requiring a single drop of each of yours blood to be placed on it.” He reaches into his bag again and places an extremely well made but plain looking knife and a bottle of antiseptic on the table. “This knife is enchanted to remove one drop of blood and one drop of blood only for legal purposes, one may still wish to sterilize the area of course, it is unnecessary but you may feel more comfortable if you do so.”
He closes his briefcase. “This is however where I leave you, I am not authorized to hear what is on that crystal, I will be waiting for you on the other side of those doors until midnight if you have any legal questions. I will be at my office, the address of which is in the folders in this stack which you should distribute once I leave, from eight in the morning to five in the afternoon to complete the needed paperwork.” Saying this he then quickly steps out the room.
Eldrian follows everyone into the room and takes a place directly opposite the lawyer around the table. He wonders about the device but says nothing assuming everything will be explained in time. Hopefully.
He passes boxes and is almost surprised when the box warms to his touch. A rather surreal feeling even though he is not a stranger to magic. To have something so attuned to his own person must have taken considerable effort. He suddenly wishes even more that they had not come here. He looks at Ikvvy then asks the lawyer, "What is the meaning of this jewellery?"
He takes the ring out of it's box and looks it over. House Alenkine? What on earth is going on here.
"Interesting. A signet ring of some kind, and a mysterious pronouncement after death. This bodes well for my premonitions of strange happenings and gatherings of power."
Marcos glances at the ring in its box, before snapping it closed and leaving it on the table.
"I'm a soldier, not a scholar. Anyone care to fill me in on some of the missing details here?"
on the coat of arms.
Krag looks at the ring in his hand. Slowly removing a chain from his neck he slides the ring on, the slides down then chain and clinks in to another ring that bears the coat of arms for house Trin.
"I am not sure what this means, but I have to say I am ready to hear what Master Crispin has to say."
Krag rises to his feet and moves over to where the blade is. Picking up the blade he slides over his palm. And as the lawyer had said the blade only drew a drop of blood, Krag watched the blood slide down to hilt where it stopped. Placing the dagger Krag retuned to his seat to wait for the others.
Russ the hound looked miserable are fixed on the kitchen. Making sure that no one paying him any mind, Krag rips off a chicken thigh and throws it in front of Russ and whispers "Don't tell ya mistress".
..."What is the meaning of this jewellery?"
...Arean, in particular, looked like she was seriously examining each of the items, and Kariel calmly held it out for display when the other girl turned her way. Now probably wasn't the best time to show her ignorance... so a dignified silence would be a much better option.
"Welcome to House Alenkine.", Arean says, her eyes, now dark, glinting with stars, her smile warm, to match her words.
Realizing the angel (or others) might need explanation, Arean went on. "The signet rings establish you as having kinship or authority of the House."
He holds the ring in the fingers of his right hand looking closely at it.
"I did not come here to become attached to a great house. There better be a good explanation for all this. Why does this object need a drop of our blood?" He seems very cautious.
The book must have some significance but I don't recognize it.
Vigar startles upon seeing what's in Kariel's box.
What in the name of fate is that doing here. That medal has being issued only five times in history and two belongs to the legion!
Glancing in slight amusement as the dwarf feeds the dog, it plain to see that the dwarf has being 'adopted' by the hound.
Looking at the signet ring, he feels his blood chill. Please don't tell me it's some kind of royal troubles.
Take the dagger and give it blood, Vigar. Blood calls and now Blood will reveal.
Awww...Shapdup...I don't need voices in my head. Must be the knock from Rowan.
Vigar moves quickly his speed faster than most, spear and backpack on his back, Longspear in hand. Leaning the Longspear against him, with his free hand, he pricks it and drops the required blood in and moves back.
It's plain to see that Vigar does not open the box nor touch it besides slipping it into his pouch.
Curiously he did not run his hands along the boxes to find out which is his but simply unerringly took one which glows as if on fire upon his touch without him looking.
.
Brad looks around at the club room. The place definitely seemed magical, but it was far beyond whatever was left of his magical training from his youth. He also was pretty sure he wanted to be far away from such magics. He had followed along for the entertainment, but it had gone too far. It was sure to cause him trouble. Once the lawyer leaves the room, he gets up and steps outside, following.
"Hey, Mr. Massys. I really appreciate the invitation, but I was just hanging out at the bar for some entertainment. I'm pretty sure I don't belong here. I've never heard of this Professor Crispin, and I don't want to intrude on whatever secrets are in those crystals. So if you'll excuse me, I'll be on my way."
Marcos slides the ritual blade over his thumb, allowing a drop of blood to flow once others have done so.
"Hm. Another noble house, eh? Anyone got the scuttlebutt on this one? I've never heard of them, but that's hardly difficult."
He holds the ring in the fingers of his right hand looking closely at it.
"I did not come here to become attached to a great house. There better be a good explanation for all this. Why does this object need a drop of our blood?" He seems very cautious.
"You were attached before you came here", the star-eyed oracle said conversationally, but with certainty. "Your sister and I... we could share a mirror. You're attached." Her smile was soft.
Vigar overhearing Marcos interjects.
"Another Noble House? Surely if you're of a Noble house then you should know what the ring entails and its meaning?"
He looks at Arean disliking the smile she gives him.
He looks at Arean disliking the smile she gives him.
"I'm sorry if I offend. There are some things, that can't be argued. Let us all provide that drop of blood, proof we are gathered, as we were expected to gather, as we did in fact gather, despite our other plans, lack of plans, or lack of planning as a habit. Let us let the crystal, give its testimony. Please."
Vigar looks catches Rowan's eye.
"It's starting to get serious here. One silver says someone here will speak angry words."
Grinning at Rowan.
"The tension is too thick." As way of explanation.
"Sure, it means that anyone who works with this Family will treat you as if you belong, and may give you some authority on their lands and amongst their people. That doesn't mean I know anything about the House itself, who they are, or what they do. You know, scuttlebutt."
Marcos lifts his ale tankard up as he answers the half-orc.
"I can't take that bet. I'd know I'd lose."
Of all the times to forget a wand of Detect Magic.
"Well we won't know anymore until we see the contents of the crystal."
Rowan moves forward and lifts the device and crystal, in turn, inspecting them closely.
I have seen these devices a few times. Strange to have it keyed to blood. And why have so many variables? If any one of these people were missing, or even late by a day, we would have never had known its contents. Most of these people arrived here by accident or happenstance...
Rowan puts it down, takes the knife, and delivers the drop required.
"The divinations of the late professor do seem rather powerful. Do you not think caution is called for here? It is the empire we are all clearly trying to stay away from and here you are, accepting such 'ties' to them without question. The Emperors house no less."
Vigar speaks up, his voice clear.
"Do not mistake that all of us here are accepting 'ties' without question. We are here. There is no changing it. I could not care less about the Emperor honestly but the answers I..no we seek are in that dammable crystal. Can you truly explain why you are here? Seek deep inside you and look at the answers. You might not like it. I know I don't. The fact is like Arean said. We are here." The last bit grinded out.
Nodding to Marcos.
"This man says that the ring apparently shows that we are family or some rubbish like that. Look at me!! I'm an Half orc!" Turning to Rowan, "He's a human!" then to Krag, "That's one a dwarf." and pointing out the heritage of the rest before finally looking at Eldrian, "And finally you're an Elf." Crossing his arms.
"I don't see a family resemblance, do you?"
Turning to the rest.
"Cut your palms and let's get this over with. Let's see what is this all about. I do not mean to offend you but this is truly starting to smack of manipulation and I hate such."
Tassira takes the ring and necklace from their boxes. She opens the necklace, and is rather surprised by the picture of the lady inside.
Wow, she looks almost like me...
The ring gives Tassira pause. House Alenkine... what do they want with me? Well, aside from the obvious, I mean... the Emperor's house would want anything related to mages or magic.
While she can sense power coming from the ring, she has no idea what it really does.
The necklace, on the other hand...
Proof vs. Detection & Location. Only used by people with something to hide. Perfect for me.
The chattering of the others flies over her head. She rises from her seat, walks over to the crystal & knife, pricks her finger, plugs in her drop of blood, and walks back to her seat, sucking on her finger the whole time.
Furnok recognizes the seal on the ring. So we get some authority in this house? Course dripping our blood on the jewel means we'll have to do some obligation no doubt.
Furnok shrugs and lightly pricks his hand and then touches it to the crystal.
Arean takes the sampling lancet in one charred hand, grimaces, and flexes the other hand, open, and closed, and open, and closed, until blood seeps from the cracking crease. She catches a single drop on the end of the knife, and sets the knife down. Faint flames flicker along the broken crease of her hand, and though her jaw is set against what must be pain, her eyes brim with tears, over the stars.
Stepping away from the knot of people around the crystal device, she puts on the cameo necklace, and chuckles in reproof of her surprise, when it settles tidily on the jewelry she had already put on.
The elder hound, 'Sir' seems to take every step with her, but it is the largest hound, 'Bear', that closes to stand in contact with her, whining up at her, aware of her distress. She kneels to hug and whisper praises to the two hounds, and the third, who rushes to the embrace.