B.T.V. --Session 02 Epilogue: A Gauntlet Raised

Report of Simon Balazs to the Circle of Beldam, First


I have made my way safely from Kékes to Adrilankha, first by foot to Arylle and then by boat of the capital city. I was unprepared for the cacophony of sights, sounds and especially odours that would greet me on my arrival to that city. I have never seen such a number of ships, and especially airships, in one place before, and the sprawl of humanity and Draegeran society beggar the imagination. Soon after being given the courtesy of a brusque farewell from the boat I had travelled on, I came upon a small market stall where a friendly enough young Draegeran girl persuaded me to purchase a copper ring with filigree of gold, for about half an imperial. I know this was an indulgence, but I hope that the ring will bring me good luck within my adventures to come.

I made my way through the city, based on the advice from the salesgirl, to Colleridge, which she assured me was a place much populated by humans. I thought I would have an opportunity to acclimate myself to the city, but it seems that fate or destiny had a different idea.

I came across two notable humans as I crossed the bridge, one of many in the city of rivers, into Colleridge, and contrived to make the acquaintance of one, who was making a much exaggerated bow toward a passing coach, on which the house sigil had been scratched out, which I recognized as a sign of a potentially nefarious scheme in play, based on stories relayed by past travelers of our Circle.

I was sure on seeing them that these two were both at least as new to the city as I was, possessing a sense of what I have to describe as “otherwhere” about them, and this was in fact they case, they assured me. They had arrived via a teleport, though the intonation they used for that word made me believe it was some other means than the sorcery used by citizens of the Empire. They seemed to know nothing of the city or even our world, so I offered myself as a “local guide,” and they jumped at that offer.

The travellers were as follows, one a scruffy adventurer, I believe, who said his name was Finndo, and the other, a much more upright and even I might suggest self-contained personality, offered his name as Selador “of Law,” whatever that might mean. Both were swordsmen, and had the air of veterans about them, though Finndo, with his insouciant attitude, gave the impression of being much more so than Selador.

However, it was Selador who, while Finndo and I were distracted by making each other’s acquaintance, had seemingly received a “gift” of sorts from the coach, which had briefly stopped. It turned out to be a long black feather which, I informed them, suggested that one Dragon lord, Calcitrant E’ Drien, was inviting them to a meeting. I was surprised they had, so quickly after their arrival in the city, contrived to find themselves in the politics and plots of which Adrilankha is famous.

We adjourned to a nearby tavern, “An Axe to Grind,” to allow me to enlighten them to some degree in a convivial atmosphere lubricated by good Fenarian brandy. I had mentioned Fenario to the two men earlier, suggested their garb and weaponry seemed like the fashions of that kingdom, and Finndo quietly suggested to his companion they claim to be from there if questioned. I countered that, with many of the human beings from the city being of that origin, they had best acquaint themselves with the geography and society of that nation, if they wished to pass as citizens. I allowed my knowledge did not extend so far, and so I could not educate them in the subject.

A Lyxa travelling merchant settled at the table next to us, and offered us some of his wares, including a claw of a digosa, which he assured me could be used by a weaponsmith to fabricate superior throwing weapons. I, through a certain amount of haggling, argued him down to a price of a dozen points. While I’ve not doubt I will come to learn I was swindled to an extent by an overly high price, the idea of having a weapon of some range intrigued me, especially considering the number of formidable warriors I had seen through a relatively short introductory amble through the city.

Selador revealed the feather to the Lyxa, who was even more knowledgeable than I was on the subject, in that he could specify where the Dragon lord might be found, including it seemed a residence within the Night Market near the dog track at the south end of the city.

Finndo suggested we travel there by gondola, which we did after several hours of rest at the tavern. We quickly found Calcitrant E’ Drien in the gatehouse to the city, attended by a raven. I did not sense witchcraft in the bond between bird and Dragon, though there appeared to be one.

He claimed he had summoned us so that Selador and I could undertake a challenge, to deliver a folio of papers to an acquaintance in the north end of the city and return within 15 hours, with no sign of combat or injury upon us, though he pretended he would face opposition along the way, which Finndo told us would likely be in the Dragon Lord’s employ.

We set out on this adventure, uncertain what we would face. And what we faced was astonishing indeed. Within minutes of setting out, we encountered one Paulonia, an Inspector for the Imperial government. Our meeting with him was relatively uneventful I thought, and he entered the nearby Night Market on an errand. Within moments, a mighty blast rocked the building, expelling flames and debris from the windows and doors. Given that any Easterners found on the scene might well be taken into custody for questioning, possibly spoiling the trial we were undergoing, I led Selador away, running counter to the current of Draegerans and humans rushing to the scene to assist victims.

But as we did so, I noticed first a cloud of plasm, and watching its progress led me to two prone forms in an alley between two buildings adjacent to the river in that part of the city. While I knew the explosion would draw many rescuers, these two might go unnoticed, and my conscience did not allow me to ignore their plight. The signs of life within them were fading, and I knew if I did not summon help, they would surely expire.

Before I could do so, I heard strange voices from around the corner of one of the buildings, and the words they spoke, while not directly threatening, came in a sinister tone. I cast a quick look around the building corner and saw what could only be a Jenoine standing there.

I was shocked, that these otherworldly figures should make an abrupt appearance in Adrilankha on the very first night I was there. More likely to meet a god, and I know none from our community who has done so.

I confess my startlement caused me to fall into a condition of shock, and so I had not withdrawn by the time first one, then another Jenoine rounded the corner and approached us. They seemed intent on recovering the two bodies we had found, one of an Iorich and the other a Yendi, if you can believe such a pair being extant, but it was a night for unlikely coincidences, I think. Suddenly, a puppy crawled out from under one of the fallen, to my astonishment, and even as the Jenoine was reaching for it, I unclipped its collar to free it and saved it from the embrace of the Builder. I am not sure what impetus caused me to do so, but given the Jenoine wanted the creature, I was intent on foiling its desire. Handing Selador my sword, I held the puppy in one hand while with the other I drew forth a scroll to form a bamboo wall as a defensive wall. I had planned to keep my more mystical abilities a secret as long as I could, but obviously need overcame want.

With the fence in place, I fled the scene, expecting Selador to follow, which apparently, he did not. Given the grave urgency of alerting the authorities to the Jenoine incursion, I sought help at the nearby explosion scene. I found Paulonia, who had escaped the blast, but when I told him my news, he pretended to be unsurprised, and explained that the Jenoine had landed in the Night Market itself, hence creating the very catastrophe that we had walked away from.

Returning to the spot where I had left Selador, expecting only to say a few words over his fallen body before the Death Wardens took him, I was startled to find him in conversation with one who pretended to lead the Jenoine as if they were a military force of sorts. He called himself “Colonel Jade,” and said some incomprehensible words about being of Law and having attacked and destroyed a Foundation of Chaos or something like that, before turning his gaze upon Axildusk.

After more baffling conversation, a Jenoine came through the bamboo wall, apparently intent on attacking Selador and possibly I as well. I was ready to take to my heels, but Selador instead hastily sketched out a plan of attack. Having acted the craven earlier, I felt obliged to at least witness his passing before fleeing. I was astonished when Selador first laid one blow, and then a second might sword stroke, upon the Jenoine, visibly weakening it. I could not believe my eyes. Common belief, such as exists, is that only a god or a Great Weapon can harm a Jenoine, yet here I was witness to one being laid low. Invigorated by this, I struck a mighty blow myself…though in honestly from behind, where I could hardly miss the half-collapsed creature, and I seemingly finished it off.

At the same time as the battle was unfolding, a large sword that Colonel Jade had stuck into the cobblestones behind the bamboo wall opened what I conclude to be a psionic conversation with me. I can only conclude that this was, in fact, a Great Weapon, since these are the only ones known to have such capability. Its words seemed innocuous, yet I feared the power of its mind.

Then, the traveler Finndo, from whom we have been parted, spoke to me by psychic means, advising me to flee the sword, known as Nul or Null, at once. I advised Selador of this, and we decided the time had come to walk away. Selador, a cool customer indeed, spoke of resuming our earlier test, something I was ready to give up in light of what had occurred. However, buoyed by his confidence, we resumed our trek.

We encountered first one individual who refused to let us cross a bridge to reach Chimewater, one with what appeared to be a demon’s claw in place of his left hand, the other a woman warrior of great self-confidence. Fortunately, we were able to buy our way past both. Selador, in the first instance, gave unto the demon-handed Draegeran a bone-like weapon he had taken from the Jenoine he had defeated, which I considered compensation too high for what we were purchasing, but he was ready enough to give it up.

Then we met the female warrior, who claimed as we stood at one end of a bridge and she at another, that she had us surrounded. Selador again chose compromise over honour and purchased our passage on the bridge by giving her 51 Imperial marks. Finally, we came to great bronze grates, we came upon a woman carrying the vials of an alchemist, perhaps, who offered to allow us to pass through, if we would match the sum given to the other female. Selador fell short in his purse on this occasion, but I was able to make up the difference.

Then she demanded an admission price for the dock where a gondola would take us to the island of Chimewater, but fortunately that turned out to be just half a silver.

We crossed over, but on arrival were confronted by a closed portcullis. A helpful Draegeran sorcerer and his servant advised us the cost of admission was based upon station. The sorcerer required three heavy bags of gold, tossed through the portcullis, to achieve this, but we as mere humans got by with a single mark.

Two Orcas then met us, well-mannered for thugs, and this time I bribed them to take us to the pleasure pavilion to meet the one who was to receive the folio we had earlier been given. I suppose it came as no great surprise that the man turned out to be Calcitrant himself, who seemed pleased by what we have achieved, and offered us either a great reward for passing through his gauntlet, or an opportunity to join his organization. Oddly, it seems this Dragon lord employs Easterners where most Dragons would not. I expect this is because we are more easily disposed of, should trouble arise.

I, aware of my mission to journal the doings of Draegeran society, though wary of the dangers involved, consented, as did Selador for reasons of his own, I am unsure what. Calcitrant wishes it seems to ensure if not a peaceful, then at least an orderly transition from the reign of the current Phoenix Empress to the next Dragon Emperor or Empress, when the Cycle changes. He is troubled by the effect the House of Jhereg is having upon the city and empire at this time, and pretends we will be useful in countering this, thought the stories related by previous Travelers from our community would suggest attempting to do so will draw only an increasing severity of reprisals, to the point where we will be endangered by assassins.

However, with brave heart, I have decided I must follow this path, at least for now.

In retrospect, I have two speculations about the Jenoine. One is that they were not Jenoine at all, but similar creatures glamoured to look like those the gods oppose, the other that, in taking charge of them, Colonel Jade has also weakened them. I shall endeavour to learn more on this front since it now seems inescapable.

My love to my father, my friends, the Circle and the community, I remain, as always, your loyal servant.



Simon

Balasz's words compiled by R. Perry