S3E2 - Phoenix Rising
(SFX - street sounds and merchants in a busy marketplace.)
Nar - Keldor
The late morning sun baked the into the back of my plated shoulders as we walked through the busy marketplace. A familiar smell hit my nose bringing back memories from a little over a month ago.
(beat) Was it really only a month? hmm..Time had seemed to truly move lately as if suspended in a sweet baker's syrup.
Keldor Ironfist
Ho, Skotmir! Do you smell that my friend?
Skotmir
*sniff* hahahaha! those pies!
Keldor
Yes! Come friends lets treat ourselves. Skotmir and I had these during the games and they are delicious.
skotmir
Not as delicious as my victory that day.
Keldor
haha! that's...
(beat) not how I remember it.
Vix
(grumbling) Humph. ...Its not how any of us remember it for that matter.
skotmir
You weren't even there! Where's your Owl by the way.
Vix
(grumbling) Happily soaring the skies... far from you.
benedict
Wow...
(beat) Well lunch sounds great to me as well.
Sophie
Ha! yes. ...and a tall glass of milk I'm sure!
benedict
very tall. hahaha!
Nar - Keldor
Everyone was in great spirits that day. The journey into town was only a couple hours from our camp by the side of the northern merchant road we followed from Bemil to Ellington. The jewel of the new world known as Ellington is a bustling metropolis of trade and the arts.
cordelia
(looking up in wonder)Who is that?
Nar - Keldor
Cordelia pointed to a statue of a man dressed regally with a quill in one hand and a scroll in the other. The hand holding the quill was resting on his chin in thought. The faint outline of a close cropped beard outlined his jaw. His eyes looking back towards the market as if willing it to spring up before him. Suprisingly no name was found. Just a quote.
Vix
(reading) "Trade is meant to serve the people, not the other way around." Ah yes. Angelos Vasilakos . The first Duke of Ellington... or of the New World for all we know... It is a VERY rare title.
Benedict
He led the rebellion.
vix
Rebellion is a pretty strong word I think. More like they just... left really. ...Different ideologies
Nar - Keldor
Vix stared up at the statue towering 20 feet high from its 10 foot pedestal. A slight smile cracked the corner of his mouth.
Vix
Hmm. The ...predecessor to Vlassis Andreas. The current Duke of Ellington.
Nar - Keldor
The Duke of Ellington being known as a fair and just man had built a community in the last 20 years that had healed the wounds from the civil war 50 years ago that separated the land of Belz from the Trade Baronies of Darkovnia and made a city that was a
legend in its own time.
Angelos led the people of Bellz and was elected to a rank of Duke. Dukes were unheard of in the land of the Trade Barons. The people offered this title collectively with Angelos to help impose responsibility rather than establish power. A responsibility to care for the people in their care. A responsibility both Angelos and Vlassis took very serious.
Sounds of the carts and hawkers yelling "meeat pies! get yer meat pies!"
Miloslava Mugwort
Meat pies! get yer meat pies! Steeeeak! Onion! even chicken!
Nar - Keldor
We made our way to the familiar red and cream striped cart, the same sign of Miloslava's Meat Pies weathered from the elements stood as tall as the halfling behind it, slightly leaning to the right corner facing the crowd bustling by.
Miloslava Mugwort
Greetings! My don't you look happy today! Please step right up
Nar - Keldor
The vendor smiled genuinely as she slowly turned some of the flaky wares over on the hot iron table used for browning them. The smell of sweet onions saute'd in sherry blending with beef was prominent. This danced as it mixed with the scent of that buttery pastry gently frying on its side. I could sense Skotmir vibrating with happy excitement next to me.
cordelia
Thank you! May I have a...
skotmir
Beef and Onion!
cordelia
Wha but...
skotmir
Nothing but the best for my good friend here! The Beef and Onion you won't regret.
cordelia
oh... ok I guess I'll have the...
Zorin
(interrupting) waaaaaait a minute. Look Cordelia there's a chicken and parsnip one.
cordelia
ooh I do love parsnips. Hmm.
nar - keldor
Cordelia put her hand on her chin in thought for a moment. Both honestly sounding equally delicious.
cordelia
hmm, ok I'll take that, urp...
Vix
(interrupting) There's dessert pastries too? At this time of day?
benedict
I'm more leaning toward the venison there. Cordelia, you would probably like that too...
Miloslava Mugwort
uhh.. Oh boy...
Nar - Keldor
The vendor seemed utterly confused trying to keep up with the deluge of inquiries pouring at them all at once. I'll be honest, part of me pitied her. Cordelia was trying to wrest control of the conversation and I could see her emerald eyes darken slightly as they narrowed.
cordelia
so I'll...
sophie
(interrupting)Hold up all of you! She can make her own decision and doesn't need you..
cordelia
(yelling) would you all SHUT UP!
Nar - Keldor
Everyone was frozen, wide-eyed and awestruck looking at what was a young woman now clenching her hands in balled fists. Her chest slightly heaving in frustration.
skotmir
Hey.
(beat)I get pretty hangry too.
Nar - Keldor
She shot him a look that would have burned a hole through any other warrior. Skotmir simply shrugged and turned back to Miloslava.
skotmir
I'll grab a beef and onion and whatever my friend wants here. My treat.
SFX - DOOR TRANSITION
Nar - Keldor
We all made our purchases for a light lunch and continued across the street market towards the grassy park that held the Games we had participated in. The grandstands were actually permanent structures as were many of the platforms and stages.
Sophie
Look at that!
(beat) What an arena! The games are quite the production.
Zorin
Heh, yup!
Nar - Keldor
Zorin took a moment to look around beaming with a bit of pride. He was here before. And marked a rogue champion by Elias Silvertongue the king of bards himself.
We could see the Duke's Keep on the other side of the stadium area about 100 yards from the last stages. Formerly a fortress with a high wall to protect the citizens in the case of invasion... now the keep was simply the central tower overlooking the city from over 300 feet up. After being in the Keep I knew the baron rarely ascended past halfway.
The grey and rose colored stones from the former wall were repurposed to build the stages and stadium seating. Heh, it was a bold move but part of his plan to fight back on discourse and the actual need for defenses with simply entertainment. Keep them busy
and keep it accessible to all and there would be no need for further defenses he had thought.
shopkeep
(Yelling) Stop! Someone stop that thief!
Nar - Keldor
A young boy was running from a baker with a loaf of bread in his hand. Right into...
Boy
(running sounds 5 sec before running into someone)...oof!
lamprey
Ho there Lad! You shouldn't be just stealing. Now lets just...
shopkeep
I demand he be punished!
(beat) ...this is an outrage! Why what am I supposed to do with riff raff like him running around?!
crowd1
yeah! he's just scum. look at him!
boy
But I... Please?
crowd2
He's probably got a diseases and...
crowd3
Diseases?! oh no send him away! Away I tell you!
lamprey
Now everyone calm down no need to...
crowd2
Lice. At least he would have lice. Look at the dirt and ABSOLUTE uncleanliness!
crowd1
(sinisterly) I say we just take him to the pond and give him a bath.
crowd2
yes! Bathe him! Yes!
crowd3
Such scum should be drowned!
lamprey
(shouting) Ho there!
(pause before softer cooler) Noone is gonna touch this boy.
(shouting) Hear me?!
crowd1
Move or you'll get the same!
crowd2
Yeah drown him!
crowd3
Drown them both! He's probably infected too!
SFX SWORD DRAW
Keldor
Hold up!
Nar - Keldor
Everyone paused for a moment as I walked into the growing mob.
Keldor
I'll pay for the bread.
Crowd1
who's the fancy one with the gold armor?
crowd2
PSSH! Looks horribly gaudy. And heavy too.
shopkeep
Humph! We don't need charity for the likes of him! In fact... NOW it's not for sale.
(beat) Begone!
crowd1
(cruel) Yeah! Begone with you!
crowd2
(cruel) Yeah! HAHAHA
crowd3
(cruel laugh)
Nar - Keldor
I stood my ground. Not only because I had no intention of letting this shopkeep or the mob of wild dogs potentially take this child's life. I had seen vigilante justice in other situations and honestly the outcome rarely was righteous.
I also saw the face on the other man. His head was bald save a ring with two thick salt and pepper muttonchops to either side. His blue eyes were wide in recognition.
keldor
no.
crowd1
(yell) get him!
crowd3
(yell) Yeah! gyeeeeeah!
crowd2
(yell) Yeah! gyeeeeeah!
shopkeep
I said BE. GONE! AHHH!
(swings a cane at him. This is caught by Keldor. Sounds of grunting as he's caught and trying to free himself.)
nar - keldor
I easily caught the mans hand. My eyebrows raised as I shook my head looking at the cane clutched in his trembling hand. An arrow split the canes shaft inches above my wrist. His eyes that were once wild were now wide. Elloveve stepped into the now frozen crowd notching another arrow in her bow. Behind her i saw the rest of my friends fanning out to support if needed. The crowd murmured.
SFX - Murmurs "is it them? who is that? can it be ? have they returned? is that a knight? look at that! woah! wooow!"
crowd1
(murmuring) Wait is that really them? The 6 winds? Wow! look at that!
crowd3
(murmuring) Can it be? Not in all these years...
crowd2
(murmuring) have they returned? is that really a knight?
shopkeep
Wait you are...
lamprey
Keldor Ironfist.
Nar - Keldor
I looked at the other man with the sideburns who stood up for the child. He sheathed his sword and stood with one balled fist across his chest. I suddenly remembered him in, an archers dark leather armor... Similar to Elloveve. With the Sword and Crown we both wore.
Keldor
You. I know you...
(walking) don't I?
lamprey
Lamprey... sir. 6th Archers. I served with you in the battle of the Cheerless Swamp.
keldor
Yes...
(smiles) Yes! Well met old friend.
shopkeep
Uh...
(nursing a hurt wrist and a bit shamed) You are Keldor Ironfist? Th..Then you must be Elloveve Ha...Hawklight?
crowd2
From the 6 winds?
(taken aback in realization) From Legend?! Oh... Oh my...
crowd3
please... forgive us we only...
elloveve
You ONLY meant to take an opportunity to direct your own anger on this... hungry child? ...Who else would steal a loaf of bread if they were not simply hungry?
Nar - Keldor
Elloveve nodded in the direction of the lad. She was shaking slightly. Her eyes blazed with anger and determination. A familiar sight for me but from a long time ago.
elloveve
It shouldn't take me... a stranger to your city... and your culture... to protect... your own people.
Nar - Keldor
the shopkeep nodded and brought his hands up... his face laden with guilt and surrendering to his obvious wrongdoing.
shopkeep
I... I concur. This is an embarrassment. I... Sincerely apologize. Please. Please forgive me.
nar - Keldor
Elloveve and the baker looked at each other directly. With a tense exhale she lowered her bow, and seeing the look of guilt spread across the crowd, nodded before walking to Lamprey. Clasping his forearm in a soldier's handshake. The crows feet in the corners of his eyes cracked with a wide smile. They glistened slightly.
lamprey
(on the verge of tears) Good to see you again Captain.
Keldor
A blessing to see you!
(beat) hmmm.. Here is 2 silver for the bread.
shopkeep
Thank you.
Keldor
and 2 silver for you lad. Get yourself another later.
Boy
Oh thank you. Thank you so much.
lamprey
Elloveve are you heading to the Duke?
elloveve
yes old friend, we are.
lamprey
I have news for him as well... mind if I join you?
elloveve
Not at all. Come tell me what's become of the company since I last saw you.
(Door Transition)
Duke of Ellington
That truly is unfortunate. Most unfortunate.
Nar - Keldor
The duke was from what I could tell taking the news about the destruction of the artifact as well as could be expected. The familiar dark wood walls of his meeting room were pleasant and rather cozy. The Maiden and knight carvings in the fireplace caught the light from the fire within. As night was falling a chill was becoming more prevalent in these stone halls. I could smell the sweet birch log burning slowly in the hearth. His hands cupped the bowl of the copper goblet in his hand gently as he searched his mind for options.
Duke of Ellington
hmm. Well no use grieving over that which we don't understand. What was it called again?
Sophie
The green heartstone.
Duke of Ellington
Yes... a green heartstone.
(beat) ...and does this mean anything to you, Elias?
Elias Silvertongue
None. I can only hope our friends in the Ivory Library could tell us more but...
Duke of Ellington
Eh, its no matter.
(beat) The more I think on it... it seems just better
off being destroyed than in the hands of Lord Pallus. I know I wouldn't know how to use such a thing.
Elias Silvertongue
You... You make an excellent point your grace. Not to mention the return of both Keldor Ironfist and Elloveve Hawklight of legend is an edge not foreseen as well.
Duke of Ellington
Undoubtedly so. Keldor and Elloveve, what do you know of the current state of your order?
Nar - Keldor
We looked at each other briefly. Truth be told we had disappeared after Garnet Keep fell to the marauders and hadn't looked back.
Keldor
We... believe...
elloveve
We have word from the Celestine Tower your grace.
Keldor
(whispering) we do?
elloveve
(whispering) yes. Trust me
(Normal Volume) May we permit Lamprey Kandler to enter this meeting.
Duke of Ellington
Oh? The gentleman with the rest of your group in the parlor.
Elias Silvertongue
Lamprey? The owner of the Toasted Frog?
Duke of Ellington
Oh! I thought he looked familiar. Wonderful establishment.
Elias Silvertongue
Absolutely, THE best mead your grace.
elloveve
Yes. The same.
Duke of Ellington
Yes. If you so desire. Viktor, can you fetch Mr. Kandler?
Viktor
Right away your grace.
(footsteps)
Nar - Keldor
The tall and strongly built guard walked heavily to the door to exit the room. I'll be honest. I hadn't paid much attention to the conversation between Lamprey and Elloveve on the way to the keep, but apparently they were catching up on more current events than I had thought. Ha, she was always a step ahead of me.
(footsteps)
Soon he returned with Lamprey marching alongside him with a stride indicating purpose.
Viktor
Your grace, may I introduce Lamprey Kandler sole-proprietor of the Toasted Frog.
lamprey
(quietly at Viktor) Thank you sir.
(normal volume) I am at your service truly noble one.
Duke of Ellington
(chuckle) Well met Mr Kandler. Elloveve told us you may have word of the order currently within the Celestine Tower? Is this an accurate assumption?
lamprey
Yes sir. I received word from an old compatriot and friend of mine that in recent weeks there was rumors of alot of Activity North-West of the Tower. Well when scouts were sent out they found the activity coming from the Obsidian Fortress.
Keldor
What?! That's.. That's not possible, Its been abandoned for centuries... Guarded by...
elloveve
By the curse...
Nar - Keldor
My heart sank as she looked at me. The Obsidian Fortress was a bastion supposedly cursed by the Knights of the Glen centuries ago to never allow anyone in until the order was restored or required. Powerful magic would be required to negate that curse. Not to mention my understanding was the people of Wolfling were not hospitable nor receptive to anyone living in that tower. Ever. If Pallus was setting up his base there and not in Enruk as we originally thought it would be very concerning.
Duke of Ellington
Yes... the curse...
(beat) Forgive me my memory not recalling specifics.
Elias Silvertongue
Allow me your grace. The legend has it that when the order was losing members following the mutual separation of the forces from Bloodwood and Veridian; the order decided to put in place magical wards to protect the 5 bastions. Well the Obsidian Fortress being so close to the Wolfling barbarians and the Shattered Lands it was decided to use an old dark magic to seal it. And seal it as close to permanently as possible.
(pause realizing) Wait... Oh no...
Duke of Ellington
What?
(beat - fearing the answer) Elias... What did they use to seal it?
Elias Silvertongue
Blood. The blood of the original 6 Armies from the war of the stone. Those that formed the alliance that made their order in the first place.
elloveve
He could have collected blood from Viridian and Bloodwood. He had conquered them at least partially by the time he attacked Port L'for.
Duke of Ellington
And If he's been setup in Trull for as long as I've heard tell, then he's had access to the blood of the Dwarves, elves and man of that region... as well... I would assume that could help complete this grim
portfolio.
Nar - Keldor
My hands were cold despite the fire now. my head throbbed with a deep worry as my brow furrowed. The people within the original armies were lost to time. But the legend stated it consisted of the Hammer and Axe armies of the dwarves, the Tree and Stream armies of the Elves and the Stag and Wolf armies of man.
Keldor
The only organized army in these times that could oppose him is The Knights of the Glen... But the Celestine Tower is the last remaining outpost of my order last I heard.
lamprey
Thats true Sir. The knights slowly faded into antiquity, they did. Heh, Only us old salts that remain.
elloveve
Lamprey if the word you received is true, then the Celestine Tower would be his strategic next step.
Elias Silvertongue
If it should fall then the free people of the world can expect no assistance from a inevitable doom.
keldor
hmmm..
(beat) Your grace I will set out with my party in the morning. We will march to the Celestine Tower.
Duke of Ellington
Sir Keldor, Yes. Please do go with haste. I can only hope this is a false alarm but we should plan for a storm... Godspeed my friend.
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