Chapter 59 - The Theft of the Egg

General Summary

The following day is Nedelia - market day. Surely, Reznikov will make a showing, given all the rumors of his presence. Chonkorchuk, who had the vision that the egg will be stolen, leads the group to Vasilisa's outcropping, which provides a vantage point of the harbor and the monastery, from wherein the egg shines forth. Vasilisa herself decides to stealthily hike down toward the monastery entrance through the woods, to see if anyone approaches under the cover of the fir eaves. Inside the monastery, Kazimir toils away, copying texts, and keeping his ear to the ground. The monks, fearing a theft after hearing Chonkorchuk's tale, have closed off the monastery, in order to keep the egg safe.
From atop the outcropping, the remaining companions see a ship approach the harbor from a distance. It flies a sail with a bright golden sun, obviously meaning to attract attention. Plamen transforms into an eagle, and soars high above the town. His sharp eyes make out Reznikov on the bow, surrounded by a score or so doughty merchant-adventurers. He flies back to inform Chonkorchuk and Aren, and then summons giant owls to take them quickly to the harbor to intercept the rogue.
As they approach the harbor, the sun-ship is suddently nowhere to be found, though the crowds at the harbor are astounded to see three people carried in by giant owls. Above the monastery, however, a huge swarm of ravens have gathered, so thick that they blot out the egg's light. The boat was likely a distraction or an illusion - they have been duped! Quickly, the owls carry them back toward the monastery. Meanwhile, inside, Hegumen Aleksei and the monks are all atwitter. Following two of the monks, Kazimir climbs to the perch, despite their protestations. He feels around, and finds a large egg-shaped object, which he takes, and climbs back down the pole. Hegumen Aleksei is waiting there for him, so Kazimir turns the egg over to him, saying he is well-equipped to protect it from all possible thieves. The hegumen takes it, wraps it, and then secretes it somewhere in the church reliquary, as far as Kazimir can tell. 
The rest of the group arrives at the monastery gates, where they meet up with Vasilisa. As she has not seen anyone, she accompanies the rest of the group to the gates, which are closed. No one answers their entreaties, so after Aren makes himself invisible, the owls carry them over the gates, while unencumbered owls begin to shred the raven swarm. Small holes open up, but the light of the egg is still not visible, and the holes are quickly plugged up with more ravens.
As the group alights, Hegumen Aleksei calls down divine light onto the group he suspects of being thieves and evil-doers. Chonkorchuk quickly appeals to him, saying that they have come only to warn and help prevent the theft. Aleksei relents, but not before his efforts have dispelled the owls - the companions have only alighted in the nick of time, else they would have tumbled down to their deaths. The hegumen insists that the egg is under his protection, and entreats the unwanted guests to leave. Which they do - except Aren. Kazimir, who came back out of the scriptorium in response to teh commotion, indicates that the egg is inside the reliquary. The scion of the Toros Mountains sneaks into the reliquary invisibly. He searches for the egg, in vain. Fearing that his magical cover will slip, and despairing of finding anything, he grabs a communion cup - a small consolation prize for his efforts. The way out of the monastery is blocked, though - the gates are held closed with a large pine log. Aren tries to lift it, but in vain. He strikes a blow with his axe, but it is too thick. The monks come running toward the gate, led by the hegumen. Aren attempts to drop the cup, but it is somehow stuck to his hand. Summoning up every ounce of strength, he manages to dislodge the log. Barely dodging Aleksei's divine fire, he runs out of the compound, and soon is able to pick up the tracks of his companions. The latter have retired to their usual rendezvous point atop the outcropping. Aren arrives out of breath, saying that he was nearly killed for stealing a cup from the reliquary, but it seems to have been a cursed cup, and now he gets rid of it. When his new companions demand to see it, he draws out his hand from his cloak. Adhering to his hand is the Alknost's egg.

Rewards Granted

• A cup (that has mystically transformed into the Alknost's egg)

Missions/Quests Completed

• Chonkorchuk's prophecy is fulfilled (?)

Character(s) interacted with

• Hegumen Aleksei
• Monks at the Monastery of Ib the Victorious

Report Date

04 Sep 2021