[WFRP] The Bloody Crown XIII

[TheSummoner]

Sieghard

Sieghard watched Elsa's expression shift. Now you've gone and done it, you fool. He could tell that he was making her uncomfortable. He took a deep breath and tried to steady his nerves.

"We've kept it quiet for over a year," he replied. He reached under the bed for one of her shoes that had rolled under it and handed it to her. "It was exciting at first, sneaking about like that, but it can get a bit tiresome. No one needs to know our business, but sometimes I wish we could just be together when we want and not have to worry about whose around." He sighed in frustration and sat down next to her. "You're right, though. If Irene knows, then it's too late and there's no reason she wouldn't have told the prince. He never would've allowed it before. I don't see how things would be any different now."

"And maybe we shouldn't be discussing these things in this establishment."

"Maybe not. We can worry about it later." Filomena may have promised discretion, but he doubt that extended to conversations that bordered on treasonous. He turned to her, some of his normal demeanor returning. "Last night was fantastic," he said before planting a quick kiss on her cheek. "Thanks for setting everything up." He got up and headed towards the trapdoor and out into the city.

---

11th Ulriczeit

Sieghard waited until Festag to ask for an audience with Sforza. He bowed when he was received and began. "Prince Sforza, I wish to bring attention to the plight of many of the people of your city. Many are still without homes after the fire that ravaged the district where the vampire Nahorek had made his lair before being driven into the Mere. I've spoken with them and worked with Abdul to find them new homes and work so that they can afford them, but many still go without. Winter is upon us and while it's been mild so far, I fear that if something isn't done, many will freeze to death in the streets when the first snow begins to fall."

[LCP]

Jarla, 10th Ulriczeit

"Perhaps," said Irene. She didn't seem very invested in the subject of Jarla's servants. "I'll tell Muzio, then, that we should talk about your position. I'm sure he won't mind."

She seemed on the point of dismissing Jarla, but hesitated. "I'm not saying you mustn't marry again. I'm just saying... you should think it through. You've made an impression." Her troubled expression snapped back to a smile. "Don't sell yourself short."

---

Sieghard, 11th Ulriczeit

"There will always be beggars on the streets, Sieghard," said Sforza. "What is it you want me to do about it?"

[RossN]

Jarla, 10th Ulriczeit

"I won't your highness, you are wise," Jarla said, and when dismissed she curtsied as went to leave. Before she exited she smiled back affectionately at her mistress. "Thank you again. You've given me a lot to think about."

[TheSummoner]

Sieghard

"There always will be," Sieghard agreed. "But usually not so many as there are now. Most of them are farmers and I understand we've already had a lean year because of the war and the drought. If nothing is done, it threatens next year's harvest as well. Can we afford another year like this one?"

"The biggest problem is lack of proper shelter. The tents they're using now won't be enough, but perhaps the rest of the city can be encouraged to open their homes," he said. "If you offer to forgive some of their taxes until spring, I imagine many would be willing to open their doors in return. What it would cost now would be less than the cost in a lesser harvest later. And if tax forgiveness doesn't work, then perhaps the threat of levying a tax on buildings with more rooms than people sleeping in them will."

Spoiler

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Rolling Sieghard's worst skill seems appropriate here.

(1d100)[74] vs 27 untrained charm.
(1d100)[95] Reroll

Yep, that's about what I expected.

[LCP]

Sieghard, 11th Ulriczeit

Sforza gave Sieghard a cold look.

"You want the crown to pay these peoples' rent," he said. "I think you've forgotten where you are, Sieghard. The Shallyans are outside the west gate."

With a sigh, the Prince stood up. "Come with me," he said. "I want to show you something."

Escorted by two Iron Company guards, the two of them made their way up the time-worn spiral stairs to the very top of the keep. The sentry on the parapet was not expecting them: he stood suddenly straight as he saw the Prince, scanning the horizon intently for non-existent threats.

The wind up here was keen, carrying with it a taste of ice from the World's Edge mountains to the east. Leading Sieghard up to the edge, Sforza looked out north over the town, to where the refugees' shanty town huddled along the banks of the shining river. Beyond the fringes of the city, the open landscape of the Downlands rolled away, a patchwork of brown and yellow in the austere winter sun.

"You see that, Sieghard?" he said. "That's what they call the bread basket of the Reaches. This year, you and I set it on fire." He looked across to Sieghard, studying his face. "It's a choice I'd make again. It was Alvarr's bread basket, and if he'd kept it, soon he would have been too strong to fight. But what it means this year is that there is not enough food for everyone."

"By Abdul's count, there are almost as many people on these plains as the rest of the Reaches put together. Bring grain in from the south, there is still not enough food for everyone. Bring grain in from the north, there is still not enough food for everyone. You understand me? Somebody has to go without." His eyes flicked down to the tent city that huddled beside the water. "Why should it not be them? People who have nothing of value left to give. People who will not thank us for our help, when we are the ones who burned them out of their homes to begin with."

"I've given you lands to attend to. If you can offer them work or shelter there, without taking food out of your people's mouths, then by all means do." His tone and expression hardened. "In the meantime, leave the Downlands to me."

---

Wellentag, 12th Ulriczeit

Jarla

Two days after her conversation with Irene, Jarla found herself called to the audience chamber. There she found both of the Sforzas in conference with Father Hieronymus, who had come with a young initiate - really just a boy - to help carry some books and papers.

"Signora Schreiber," said Sforza. "We have been discussing the subject of your request with the revered father. He agrees it is perfectly within the powers of a prince to dissolve a marriage."

Hieronymus nodded. "It's certainly in accordance with many traditions," he said, turning and taking a roll of close-written parchment from his over-burdened assistant. "I have assisted their highnesses in drawing up a decree."

The decree stated that Heinrich Schaeffer of Nuln had offered unacceptable insult to the dignity of his wife, and, being derelict in his duties as a husband, the marriage was hencewith dissolved by the authority of the Prince. Hieronymus had made two copies, identical in all details. Hieronymus had witnessed them both, and in front of Jarla, Sforza applied his signature and seal.

"This copy is for you," said Hieronymus, handing one to Jarla. "I will take the other for safe-keeping at the Temple, should you need it. A very good day to you, my lady," he said, with a stiff bow of his head. "And to you, your highnesses." Handing the document back to the boy, he made his humble exit from the hall.

"Now," said Sforza, turning to Jarla again. "My wife tells me you have changed your mind about marrying one of my lieutenants?" He held up a hand to forestall objections, smiling. "I don't blame you, they are a sorry bunch. So, we return to the matter of a title. Irene thinks you should be made prima cameriera, lady of the royal household. I think, given your recent service, that you might like something more active. How would you like to be our royal herald?"

[RossN]

Wellentag, 12th Ulriczeit - Jarla

"Thank you Father Hieronymus," Jarla said, clutching the parchment like it was a magical talisman. In a way it was. It freed her from a soul sucking daemon. As the priest left she waved at him, and smiled sweetly at the boy acolyte. In one of his last letters Adelbert had said something about taking on students. She wondered...

Turning back she curtsied before the royals, but scarcely begin her thank yous when Sforza spoke up. Jarla quickly straightened up, looking from Irene to Muizio and focusing first on the prince. "Thank you my lord, that is a great honour. I admit you have read me correctly my prince, there is a streak of adventure to me and I find myself drawn to the exciting, dangerous life, but at the same time your good wife is my friend and patron and I must repay that kindness she has shown me."

She turned to look at Irene. "My mistress, I am your servant... and you gave me great advice about not selling myself short. I think I should like to be the royal herald but if you would prefer me at your side I would be honoured and will accept your wishes."

[TheSummoner]

Sieghard

"Somebody has to go without. Why should it not be them? People who have nothing of value left to give. People who will not thank us for our help, when we are the ones who burned them out of their homes to begin with."

You're no better than a bandit. They have nothing left to give because you already took it all.

Sieghard was far from blameless in that. He had burned as many farms as much as the other officers under Sforza, but he was able to rationalize it as being an unfortunate reality of war. Alvarr was dead now and the war had been over for half a year. Nothing was gained by letting so many suffer, the prince just wasn't willing to lift a finger to do anything about it. He doubted the cost would be more than one of Irene's overpriced dresses. All Sieghard could do was clench his teeth and fight the urge to lash out.

"As you wish, my prince," Sieghard said, keeping his tone even with some effort. "I had already planned on heading back south in the morning."

~

He found Ludo and told him how the meeting had gone.

"The bastard doesn't care. He wouldn't piss on them if they were burning," he grumbled. "We have some empty space in the barracks back in Painford, how many do you think we could squeeze in?"

"I want you to go to the riverfront and let the folk still in tents know that if they want coin and a roof over their heads, then I'll have work for them at least through the winter. As many as we can take, I'll put them to work cutting wood or moving supplies for the manor. It'll be hard work and there's not space enough for all of them, but it's the best I can do."

Spoiler

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Sieghard isn't planning on rooming them in the same building as the soldiers, but multiple were built (four I think) and they were made for more men than we have now. We should be able to split them between soldiers and civilians. He'll also try to convince people in Painford to open their homes (and if he has to offer a small reduction in tax as incentive like he proposed to Sforza to get them to do it, he will), though we'd need to figure out how many more we could take before extending the offer for that.

This isn't meant to be a permanent solution and he wants that to be clear from the start. It's just a means to get them through the winter and earn enough money to feed themselves and save up a bit. If any of them do really want to stay, we can worry about that come spring, but they'd have to build/rent their own homes.

Sieghard also will expect anyone who takes him up on the offer bathe and have their clothes cleaned (which he'll front the cost for, but will be covered as part of their pay) - they've been in filthy conditions and he's not bringing that with them into Painford.

Also, just gotta say,

"My mistress, I am your servant... and you gave me great advice about not selling myself short. I think I should like to be the royal herald but if you would prefer me at your side I would be honoured and will accept your wishes."

Seems like about the best answer you could've given to someone like Irene. Jarla's good at this.

[LCP]

Jarla, 12th Ulriczeit

Irene opened her mouth, then stopped herself, glancing at her husband. "Serving me means serving my prince also," she said. "I'm sure that if Muzio thinks it wise, then it's the best course." Sforza himself looked a little surprised. "And I'm sure you will still have plenty of time to spend here with us."

[RossN]

Jarla

Jarla immediately felt a pang of regret at her choice as she looked at Irene. Swallowing, she turned back to Sforza.

"Forgive me your highness but I think I made the wrong choice just now. I think I am best placed with continuing to serve your wife directly... I owe her a great deal," she said, flicking her grey-blue eyes back to her mistress. "If the offer still stands I would be happy to accept the position of lady of the royal household."

[LCP]

Jarla, 12th Ulriczeit

Sforza looked more surprised. Irene gave a small smile.

"Alright, well, uh..." began the Prince. He looked to his wife.

"You should speak to Al-Makir about the accounts," said Irene, gliding forward to put a hand on Jarla's shoulder. Jarla found herself moving away from Sforza, once again caught in Irene's gravitational pull. "And Mouna will give you the keys to the keep. Oh, and we'll have to find you some more suitable rooms. A lady of the court shouldn't be living like a glorified maid..."

OOC:

Spoiler

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Jarla immediately felt a pang of regret at her choice as she looked at Irene.

she got you! she got you with her puppy dog eyes!

No need to continue this scene unless you want to - Irene is taking Jarla off to get set up in her new position. I'll have a think about what Jarla actually needs to do as part of this job and get back to you in the IC - remind me if I don't.

[RossN]

Jarla

Still trying to gather her thoughts and feelings, and with precious divorce certificate clasped to her bosom, Jarla allowed herself to be led away.

OOC:

Spoiler

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Happy to end the scene - this is mostly to confirm that.

And yes the puppy dog eyes got to me.

[LCP]

11th Ulriczeit - Sieghard

At Al-Makir’s recommendation, Sieghard sought out the stonemasons’ house of Holban and Hargrim. A joint enterprise between a human family from the low town and a dwarf one from the Rock, they were located in a large, solidly-built house in Rockshadow. At first the men at the gate looked set to turn Sieghard away, but when it became clear he was a lord of the Reaches they quickly changed their tune.

The elder Holban received him in a comfortably-furnished room, where they talked at length about what it was he wanted to build. By the time they had finished, Sieghard could barely remember where they had begun - but the sum of money they agreed on was not one he was likely to forget. Holban brought out some papers for him to sign, and in exchange for a down-payment of a hundred and ten crowns, promised that one of their master craftsmen would travel down with him to Painford to start the work.

“Hegalun Hargrimsdotr,” said the white-haired old mason. “She’s very good. Almost as good as I was in my day.” He gave a dry chuckle. “Don’t tell Hargrim I said that.”

---

12th Ulriczeit

Sieghard, Ludo & Urgrim

Rousing out the Thorns from their billets in the city, Sieghard took them through the river gate early on Wellentag morning to join the men and women Ludo had convinced to join them on the journey south. There were at least eighty of them, bathing in the low waters of the river. Some of the Thorns looked away in embarrassment, but for the most part the refugees were too cold and hungry to be bashful.

As they emerged onto the bank, teeth chattering, some seemed to recognise Sieghard. Hushed whispers circulated among their huddled ranks. A few towards the back gathered their paltry possessions and headed back into the docks. The majority, however, stayed exactly where they were.

They were waiting for only one more person before they set off. She wasn’t long in appearing - leading a donkey whose bulging saddle-bags were loaded with trade tools and thick rolls of parchment, Hegalun Hargrimsdotr made her way over to where Sieghard was standing. She looked young for a dwarf, with a great quantity of unruly straw-coloured hair pulled tight behind her head, and thick spectacles that made her eyes appear twice the size they really were.

“Lord Steward,” she said, offering a hand for Sieghard to shake. Her fingers were tough and calloused. “Hegalun Hargrimsdotr, at your service.” She looked around at the large company surrounding them. “We’re bound for Painford, aye? I’m ready when you are.”

Jarla & Elsa

The Thorns weren’t the only company leaving Savonne that Wellentag. Crossing the courtyard with Irene, Jarla saw Caracciolo saddled up at the head of a small detachment of Iron Company. When he saw the two ladies approaching, he dismounted.

“Principessa,” he said, bowing so low that his face almost touched the ground. “Signora Schreiber - ”

“Nobildonna Schreiber,” Irene corrected him. “Muzio has made Jarla here a lady of the royal household.”

Caracciolo looked surprised, his mouth hanging open for a moment while he searched for the right thing to say. “That is… very richly deserved, I am sure.” He bowed to Jarla again. “It was a pleasure meeting you, nobildonna. I curse the gods that our noble sovereign has ordered me back to Castel d’Irena.” He gave her a toothy smile. “Perhaps you would like to visit Duke Alvarr’s castle some time? It has many fine rooms I would like to show you.”

“Tu cane,” Irene shot back sharply. “Go on, Giovanni, be off with you, before I tell Muzio you are bothering his courtiers.” They watched as Carraciolo saddled his horse and led his company out of the gate. “He has his eye on you now, I think,” said Irene, somewhat approvingly. “You made a great impression at the ball. Where did you learn to dance?”

Valdes left later that day, with a brief, genteel goodbye. Steffan Sussman called by as well to say that he was leaving, and remind Jarla that she’d be welcome in Manann’s Keep any time. When he heard about her appointment, he offered her such fulsome congratulations that it took her some time to extract herself from the conversation - though Jarla suspected that his compliments were more sincere than Carraciolo’s.

Up in Elsa’s chambers, Elsa found that Tatiana wasn’t paying attention to her lesson - instead she was gazing out the window at where the tiny figures of Jarla and the principessa were moving about down below. She tried to look away when she saw that Elsa had seen the object of her attention, but realised quickly that she’d been rumbled.

“Fraulein Schreiber…” she began, hesitating to ask. “...is she one of the Princess’ friends?”

---

Aubentag, 13th Ulriczeit

Savonne

Already by Aubentag, Mouna had found Jarla a lady’s maid. Jarla wasn’t quite sure what to make of the hard-faced, teak-skinned steward of the castle - the old woman’s manner was so impassive that she gave no clue whether she respected her new mistress or despised her. Still, she was efficient.

The girl’s name was Ida. She was young, well-mannered, and not at all shy, with dark skin and dark hair. Best of all, she met with Irene’s approval.

“A pretty little thing,” was the principessa’s remark. “And lively. She reminds me of poor Allegra.”

---

Marktag, 14th Ulriczeit

Painford

On their arrival in Painford, Hegalun immediately set about assessing the ground for the house. She didn’t seem very impressed with the village, but busied herself regardless with her plans. She had a long metal pole that she drove into the ground in various places, which mystified the villagers. They gathered round at a safe distance to watch, as if she were some kind of exotic animal.

Setting one of the barrack halls aside for the Thorns, they gave the other three over to the refugees. The Painforders seemed as circumspect about these new arrivals as they were about Hegalun - perhaps more so, given their numbers.

“Seems things are changing fast for us, these days,” Gavril hazarded as a remark in his common room that evening. “Back in my dad’s day, it was big news in our village if someone moved up to Ravenskird.” He paused awkwardly, clearing his throat. “These new folk, your lordship, are they… well, you think they’re sound people, I suppose?”

---

Wellentag, 20th Ulriczeit

Painford

Having set out into the Thornwood to seek out exactly who was out there to pay their tax, the twentieth was the date that the first parties returned to Painford. Winter was arriving with a vengeance, and after almost a week of bunking under canvas or in the barns of the grudging people they had come to assess, it was a pleasure to be back in a place of thick walls and warm fires.

Sieghard, Ludo and Ingwald compared the stories they had heard, and found them similar in most details. No-one wanted to pay more than they had to, but most also had stories of genuine hardship. On the north edge of the woods, desperate people from the Downs had been seen stealing livestock, and fuel from charcoal-burners’ kilns. In the south-east, the fruit-growers were still dealing with the after-effects of the ashy blight that had tainted the Vale. In the wild woods to the south-west, trappers claimed to have seen wolves on the prowl - perhaps beasts left over from the greenskin rout at Manann’s keep.

Still, Hegalun’s work was coming along. She had set the workers Sieghard had brought her to felling trees for timber beams, and claimed a team of masons from Holban and Hargrim would be along soon with the first shipment of stone from Selsan. The construction of the manor made enough work to keep a little under half the people Sieghard had brought down from Savonne busy - from the mutterings in the village, it seemed wise to find some useful work for them soon.

Savonne

Things had been continuing in their day-to-day rhythm much as they had before Jarla had ridden south to the hills - but with Elsa back in the keep, there was a friction in the air between her and Irene that seemed increasingly difficult to ignore. Tatiana seemed to flee from the principessa’s presence whenever she drew near, and Jarla thought she sensed something else weighing on her patron’s mind as well - though what it was, Irene hadn’t yet said.

That Wellentag, the Prince accosted Jarla outside his wife’s chambers. He too no longer seemed quite as calm or happy as he had in the aftermath of the ball.

“Schreiber,” he said, pointing to Jarla and clicking his fingers in a rather imperious manner. “I want to hold a dinner here for Mondstill. Nothing grand - just the inner circle. Can you see it done?”

---

Backertag, 23rd Ulriczeit

Painford

On the frosty morning of Backertag, a rider passed through Painford carrying a letter from Savonne. It bore the Prince’s seal - opening it, Sieghard was now just able to read its contents. Its message was short, summoning Sieghard to attend a Mondstill feast at the keep - and to “discuss affairs of state”.

The rider didn’t stay for long, riding to carry the same message to others further south.

---

Konigstag, 25th Ulriczeit

Painford

On Konigstag, Urgrim and Hanna returned from combing the woods for signs of Mala. The returning Thorns had someone else with them - Ludo recognised Jocasta, the wandering priestess of Rhya.

“No sign of the Jackal’s bitch,” said Hanna, tersely. “Or at least, not that we could find. The green sister has something.”

Waiting until they had had a chance to get warm inside the hostel, Jocasta related her story in a grave tone. “I was called to help a family in the west woods,” she said. “They said the wolves were growing bolder - taking their livestock, then killing the dog they set to guard them. I did what I could - asked Taal’s blessing to move the pack on to new hunting grounds, talked with them about how they could keep themselves safe.” She frowned. “But the little boy, their youngest… he thought he had seen me before, when I had never met these people. He said he had seen a woman in the trees at night… walking with the wolves. He was very young, but he seemed sure, even when his parents scolded him. Your friends thought I should come here to tell you.”

She paused. “Herr Jotunnsson tells me… Herr Jotunnsson told me Father Schreiber is dead,” she said, at last. It looked like it was difficult for her to say. “I’m... sorry to hear of his passing.”

[-Sentinel-]

12th Ulriczeit


"Fraulein Schreiber…" Tatiana began, hesitating to ask. "...is she one of the Princess' friends?"

"Never," Elsa reassured her quickly, keeping her voice low. "Remember Adelbert, the priest? He was Jarla's brother, and the thugs who killed him were under Lady Sforza's employ. Jarla wants justice. But since Lady Sforza is almost untouchable, Jarla has to play it smart. She used to be an actress, so she's quite good at pretending."

She winked at her apprentice. "I suppose I don't need to tell you to keep it quiet. And not to get involved. Whatever happens, I intend for both of us to outlive the Princess."

---

Elsa's days were mostly spent training her apprentice, but her nights were for writing. Having had her fair share of brushes with death, she did not want her knowledge to die with her. She began writing down everything she and her companions had learned over the past couple of years about the evil that had plagued these lands for centuries, so that future generations would not have to start over from scratch and make the same mistakes. From a jumbled pile of notes, a short book began to take shape, which Elsa titled A Brief History of Dark Magic in the Broken Reaches. From Nahorek to Nath to the Illuminated Order, she left almost nothing out, apart from the current location of the Book of Nagash and the plan to have it sent outside the Reaches. When she was satisfied with her first draft, she copied her work on quality parchment.

Spoiler: Title page of the book

Show

A Brief History of Dark Magic in the Broken Reaches

By Elsabeth Holt,
court wizard to Prince Muzio Sforza


To Astoria d'Evangelisti,
knight of Myrmidia,
slain in the streets of Savonne
by the vampire Nakht-Horeb.

To Adelbert Schreiber,
priest of Verena,
slain in the Thornwood
by mortal men.


Evil dwells not only in swamps,
dark caves, ancient ruins,
or graveyards.

Evil dwells wherever
men allow it to grow.

On the 24th, she took her pages to the temple of Verena to have them bound in black leather. She then handed the thin book to Father Hieronymus, who she trusted to keep it in a safe, dry place and make sure its existence and subject matter were noted in the temple's records. After all, this book was no use if the Verenans had forgotten about it when its time of need came.

"Oh, and while I'm here... Meskhenet once mentioned the ancient city of Psaphon, which is now Savonne. Are you aware of any Nehekharan ruins under our feet?" she asked Hieronymus.

[TheSummoner]

Sieghard - 14th Ulriczeit

"They're poor folk who lost most of what they had in the war," Sieghard replied. "No less sound than the folk of the Thornwood, just less lucky. If the war had gone differently, it might've be Painford folk in their position." He lightened his tone. "Of course, I made sure it didn't happen like that."

"A few might set up here, but most will head back north once spring comes and the building is done," he continued. "For now, I'm giving them means to put a roof over their heads, food in their bellies, and coin in their pockets."

---

23rd Ulriczeit

Sieghard had to read the letter three times before he was able to make sense of it. Whoever Sforza had dictated his message to had written it far too small and spelled several words incorrectly (including misspelling feest, afares, and most perplexingly, prinss, which had been spelled with a c for some reason). He pointed out the mistakes to Ludo, then handed the letter back to the rider and thanked him.

"You're welcome to come with if you like," he said. "After all you did against Nahorek, I can't imagine he'd mind. I'm sure Ingwald and Hanna can manage without us for a couple days."

---

25rd Ulriczeit

"He fought so hard to bring an end to the Jackal and yet it was a woman who was supposed to be our ally who was responsible for his death." Sieghard wasn't referring to Gunda. He placed a sympathetic hand on Jocasta's shoulder. "He thought very highly of you and I know you thought the same of him."

"A woman walking with wolves," he repeated. Mala didn't resemble Jocasta, but in the dark a child might mistake one woman for another. "We'll have to look into it either way, but I've never heard anything about the Rivermouth hag commanding wolves..."

[RossN]

Jarla - 12th Ulriczeit

Jarla smiled and waved graciously to Caracciolo as he departed and then turned to Irene, dropping her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "I have been to a few balls in my married days my lady but just between us I learned my best dances on the travelling stage after fleeing Nuln. I was an assistant to a Kislevite knife thrower and dancing was part of the act." She smiled ruefully momentarily drew back her red hair to reveal the tip of one ear was missing. "Of the two keepsakes from that time I think I prefer the training in dance."

An elegant peck on the cheek each for the melancholy Valdes and the less restrained Sussman. "Farewell my gallant soldier," she said to the Tilean. Stefan got a freer smile, suiting his temperament and a little advice. "You should think about a rakish beard," Jarla said, stroking his chin. "I feel they are quite the fashion."

---

Aubentag, 13th Ulriczeit

At her first interview with Mouna, Jarla wore one of her new dresses and jewels borrowed from Irene (she really must get her own made...) This was not only her first official act as Lady of the Bedchamber, it was really her first time as Lady Schreiber and she wanted to make an impression.

"I intend to let you carry on much as you have Mouna," Lady Schreiber told the older woman. "I was much impressed by the victory ball. While I may have some ideas I may suggest, I can see you have a far greater knowledge of the servants and I trust your judgement in these matters."

Jarla was most impressed at how quickly a maid had been conjured up and when introduced smiled at the young woman. "Greetings Ida. I am sure Frau Mouna has explained this to you but you are my personal lady's maid rather than a member of the keep's staff. Therefore you may be called upon to travel with me should I leave Savonne. Having said that, I am not so much an ogre I am going to forbid you speaking to the other servants. So long as you as you act in a manner that brings credit to me I urge you make friends and enjoy yourself. I also want you to know you can speak your mind to me in private - I wanted a maid with a brain for a reason."

Later in private to Irene she said: "It is a new experience having a maid. My family in Grenzstadt had servants and so did Heinrich but I only ever witnessed maidservants in the train of noblewomen. I am glad you like her!"

---

Wellentag, 20th Ulriczeit

It was difficult with the renewed tension in the air but fortunately Jarla had the excuse of her duties to escape when she could - conversations with Al-Makir to help her come to grips with the accounts, visits to the jewellers to see to acquiring her own modest collection of jewels and the daily business of managing the royal household.

She had been lost in her own world when the Prince broke in but quickly snapped back and gracefully curtsied.

"Certainly my lord. So, yourself and your lady wife, the lord treasurer, Signora Holt and Signores Caracciolo, Valdes and Sieghard? Is Signore Sussman also to attend?"

[LCP]

Jarla, 20th Ulriczeit

Sforza hesitated for a moment to mentally check the list as Jarla reeled it off. "Yes," he said, with an emphatic nod. "That's all."

---

Elsa, 24th Ulriczeit

Hieronymus looked around, as if concerned who might casually overhear their conversation. "Ah, yes... Herr Stubbs has entrusted that particular person to my care. She has many interesting things to say." He cleared his throat. "As for ruins... you're familiar with the Ship of Caccino, yes? If every year I replace one-tenth of my boat's hull, then in ten years, is it still the same boat?" He placed a hand against the smooth stone of the wall. "You know that no-one knows when this temple was built. The building pre-dates our records... I think we might have under-estimated by just how much."

[RossN]

Jarla, 20th Ulriczeit

"Eight places then," Jarla said, making a mental note. "I shall get to it at once my lord." She paused and added. "Do you wish entertainment your highness? I can see to musicians if so, or do you wish the dinner to be a still more private? If so I shall restrict matters to the household staff."

It was hard to tell from Sforza's demeanour whether he indeed simply wanted an intimate dinner with his favourites, or whether this was in fact a crisis meeting of the inner court.

As she was thinking this Jarla realised she had forgotten someone. Luckily Sforza seemed to have forgotten him too, so she moved to bring up the errant name as delicately as possible. "Is Father Barbaro to be busy conducting the religious celebrations with the Temple or shall I set a place for him too my lord?"

[-Sentinel-]

"You know that no-one knows when this temple was built. The building pre-dates our records... I think we might have under-estimated by just how much."

Elsa raised an eyebrow. "Hmm. Interesting." She too laid a hand on the ancient stone. "I imagine the same is true of many buildings in Savonne, and one may even be able to guess which ones from the cut of the stone."

"Why am I asking, you may wonder? Well, I've been thinking you'd find it useful to have more Nehekharan writings to study... They won't be translations, but with what you've gleaned so far from the scroll, you might be able to make some headway. If I come upon any tablets, I'll be sure to bring them to you. I'll also travel with paper and charcoal to make rubbings."

This sounded like an interesting project, now that the more immediate threats to the Reaches were dealt with.

[LeSwordfish]

Ludo had not particularly enjoyed his time as Sieghard's enforcer: he had been rather looking forward to a quiet life this winter, and hadn't expected to spend so much of it riding his new pony around the forests, water dripping down his neck, asking starving farmers to give him their money. Still, the job was done for now, and before leaving he had left instructions with a forester named Uter: when he returned, the man's attic had been cleared out, and for the first time since leaving his father's house nearly two years ago, Ludo had his own place to live.

The attic was cleaner than Kruckes had been for Adelbert, at least, and Ludo had made it his own as best he could. He had gone through his backpack, clearing out the detritus of two years' wanderings, and found the brass rubbings he had had done of the crusader's sword in Alvarran: he had found the odd talisman that had once been hanging on the wicker man in Gilbertus's manse, and he had hung both on the wall as trinkets of his long journey, along with the spear he had taken from Arne. He had swept out the attic, had bought a nice green bedspread and a small wooden carving of a stag, and had piled up enough straw in the corner for Stoutheart to sleep on. (The small dog had been a collective possession of the people of Painford for a while as Ludo was on campaign, and had grown tubby on a town's worth of table scraps.) Ludo looked at the room with some pride, and nodded with satisfaction.

"Well, I'm back." he said.

23rd Ulriczeit

Ludo shook his head. "If I'm not invited, the prince won't want me sticking my nose in," he said. "And I'm sure Mondstill here will be fun enough."

25th Ulriczeit
Ludo had been settling quite comfortably into his routine of training, and was not entirely pleased when Jocasta had come through - a part of him had been fervently hoping that Mala had vanished off the face of the earth entirely.

"It might be worth sending some people down there," he suggested. "If nothing else, it'd show people we were taking the wolves seriously."

[TheSummoner]

Sieghard - 23rd Ulriczeit

"If you're sure," Sieghard replied. "I was thinking of arranging something nice for the village, but if the prince summoning me to Savonne complicates that. If you're planning to stay, would you mind overseeing it? Nothing too fancy. Some ale, a big bonfire, roasted meat... That sort of thing."

---

25rd Ulriczeit

"It sounds like it's more than just wolves if the boy has the right of it. I don't like it." Sieghard said. He turned back to Jocasta. "How far is it to where this boy's family lives?"

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So, assuming whoever goes south sets out first thing the next day, that gives 8 days to be back in Painford or reach Savonne before Mondstill. 9 If they get where they need to be on the day of and of course, no actual limit if missing the holiday is an option. For Sieghard himself, I don't think it is Sieghard can reach most places in the Thornwood and still reach Savonne in 7 days. It'll take 8 or 9 if it's at the southernmost fringe. Anyone else can reach most and be back in 4 and should be able to handle the furthest parts in 5 or 6.

I'm thinking we take a small group and hear the full story and then see if there's leads to investigate from there. I'm not convinced one way or another whether it's Mala or someone else, but it's probably safe to assume something magical is going on and thus the woman should be considered a serious threat. Unless we can resolve it right away, Sieghard isn't going to be able to stick around long (he might not even be able to go in person at all if it's far enough south), but we can focus on investigation rather than confrontation for the time being.

I realize this could conflict with what Sieghard said on the 23rd, but he didn't have reason to suspect the wolves were any less than natural when he said it.

[LeSwordfish]

23rd Ulriczeit
"I'll do what I can," Ludo said. "But there's only so much meat you can scare up round here, especially since you've nearly doubled the local population."

OOC

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Any tests required for Ludo to scrounge together a nice meal or event? Is anything currently planned?

[LCP]

Jarla, 20th Ulriczeit

"Ah, yes," said Sforza. "Daniele wouldn't want to miss out on a good meal. Nine places." He seemed to remember at last that he wasn't talking to a servant. "And one for yourself, if you wish. But no musicians - we have important matters to discuss."

---

Sieghard, Ludo & Urgrim, 25th Ulriczeit

"They're two or three days south of here," said Jocasta. "Well west of the road." She paused. "I heard what happened in the hills, or... parts of it. I wish I'd been there. If you think one of the Jackal's followers might be involved with this, I want to come with you."

[RossN]

Jarla, 20th Ulriczeit

"Yes your highness," Jarla replied, curtsying again before heading off to attend to matters. Obviously this was to be more of a serious occasion than a party but a certain amount of grandeur must be kept.

First to an interview with Mouna. "Greetings Mouna. His Highness desires an intimate Mondstill dinner for himself, the princess, the lord treasure, the court wizard, the three wardens and Herr Sussman and Father Barbaro. I shall also be in attendance. Normally I would already be arranging entertainment but it seems this is to be a serious affair, so no musicians or the like," Jarla was unable to keep a hint of frustration out of her voice there. An actress herself she'd been very much looking forward to engaging performers for the revels. Without that she was little more than a glorified accountant in a a satin dress and high heels.

"Nevertheless we must do our best. Fine food for ten, good wine and ales and some decoration about the place. I know back in the Empire the Taal-log is very much the tradition, though I confess I am still a stranger to these parts, so I shall have to rely on your good judgement for whatever traditions are best celebrated here."

Jarla was willing to go with Mouna's advice, unless for some reason it struck her as truly inappropriate or ruinously expensive. The older woman was not easy to read but she obviously new her business.

Later Jarla and Ida departed the Keep for visits to the jeweller's and the tailors. It would still be some time before Jarla would be able to afford a full wardrobe and jewellery box befitting the status of Lady Schreiber but she could still browse and work her charms in the intention of future purchase. She was a member of the court now and it was good for people to see her out and about.

In a moment of impulsive generosity she ordered a new dress, hood, cloak and shoes for Ida. "Remember Ida when you are out and about in the world you represent Lady Schreiber, you always must look and act your best," she told her maid, though after a moment her stern expression relaxed into a smile. "Besides it is Mondstill and it's been an awful year. I think we are all entitled to treat ourselves a little - once I'm marooned at what I'm sure shall be a perfectly ghastly party go off and have fun for the evening."

[TheSummoner]

Sieghard

"I wouldn't rule it out," Sieghard said. "I'm not sure how much we can do until we know more about what's happening, but we'd welcome your help, Sister. If you could lead us to the boy and his family, that'll be the place to start."

[LCP]

Jarla, 20th Ulriczeit

“As you say, my lady,” said Mouna. “I’ll make arrangements.”

She seemed to need no further instruction. Wearing her usual expression of inscrutable politeness, it was difficult to tell whether she really had no questions, or whether she simply thought Jarla wasn’t the person to ask.

Ida, by contrast, was visibly overjoyed with Jarla’s gift. “Oh, thank you!” she said, eyes shining as she held the dress up against herself. “Thank you, mistress. You’re very kind.”

---

Festag, 27th Ulriczeit

Sieghard, Ludo & Urgrim

The travelling party left on Angestag morning: Sieghard, Ludo, Urgrim, Jocasta, and a guard of five Thorns. Leaving the road on the old Rivermouth path, they stayed well clear of the ruined village itself, heading south into the tangled woods that climbed up into the Iron Claw Hills.

The skies were clear, and the weather was some of the coldest of the year so far. In the mornings, frozen earth crunched underfoot, and in the evenings, the dead wood they gathered to make their campfires was reluctant to light. At night, the moons shone down through the leafless branches of the trees, Morrslieb’s half-shadowed face looming large.

“You think this boy’s story got anything in it?” said one of the Thorns to Ludo, late on the night of Festag. “That the Jackal’s woman can talk to wolves?”

“There’s always been wolves in the Reaches,” said one of the others, dismissively. “Always caused trouble when they got too close to people. The mad duke used to pay a bounty for ‘em.” He poked the fire with a stick. “You’ve just got to remind ‘em who’s the master from time to time.”

As if to answer him, a lupine howl rose up over the trees, somewhere away to the west. Slowly, it was joined by others - first one, then two, then a dozen.

“Right,” said the first Thorn. “You’ll be the one doing the reminding, then, Tomas.”

---

Wellentag, 28th Ulriczeit

Sieghard, Ludo & Urgrim

The howls had faded away to the north during the night, but it was a sound meant to carry a long way - none of them had slept very well. Breaking camp and continuing south with the rising of the sun, it was not yet midday when they came to the house of the family Jocasta had told them about.

The head of the family was a short, thick-set man, the stubble on his jaw flecked with grey. They found him cursing and sweating as he tried to hammer fresh-cut stakes into the frozen ground to make the fence of a new pig-pen.

“What do you want?” he said, going immediately on the defensive as he saw the soldiers approaching. “I tol’ your friends already, I can’t spare more’n the one pig. Oh, it’s you, sister.” His expression softened as he caught sight of Jocasta. “I didn’t recognise you there.”

Once they had been invited inside and allowed to warm themselves around the swineherd’s hearth, he told Sieghard and the others what he had told Jocasta already. “Always been wolves in the wood,” he said, “but they’ve never been this bold. It’s the Badlands blood in ‘em. Those beasts the green ones came ridin’, they’re bigger and meaner than our Reaches creatures.” He pointed to a stocky teenager who Ludo took to be his oldest son. “My Alin there, he saw one that was five foot tall if it was an inch.”

The youth gulped and nodded, a little nervous about saying more. Behind him, Sieghard could see a younger boy, perhaps six years old. He was hiding behind his older brother, peering out from time to time to stare wide-eyed at the heavily-armed strangers who had crowded into his home.


Elsa

On Wellentag, Elsa found herself summoned to the Prince’s solar, where she found him in conversation with an unassuming, grey-haired little man.

“There you are, Holt,” said Sforza. “You remember you said we should commemorate our victory in the hills? Come and tell me what you think of this.”

Spread out on the table in front of them was a sculptor’s sketch of a statue. It depicted Sforza in full armour (save for his helmet), one foot pinning a writhing jackal to the pedestal on which he stood. With both hands, he gripped a spear which he was driving into the creature’s heart. The jackal’s jaws were open in a howl of fear or pain, lips curled back to reveal long, sharp fangs.

“Signor Barna here believes he can have this cast in bronze for us,” said the Prince, proudly. “Sixteen feet tall, yes?”

“Eighteen feet, your highness,” said the little man. “We can make a mould of eighteen feet.”

OOC:

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If Jarla wants to introduce herself to this scene too, feel free.

[-Sentinel-]

Elsa


Elsa looked at the sketch mutely for a moment. That was certainly a lot of resources being spent on vanity during a time of hunger. Not to mention that the man who had fallen off his horse wanted to claim credit for wielding the spear himself...

Why does he want his court wizard's opinion on this, anyway? I'm no art connoisseur.

"That will assuredly look impressive," she said finally. "But if you want my honest opinion, I fear that the good taxpayers of the Reaches have little context to go with it, and may be more confused than impressed. Apart from the attack on the Temple, the threat of Nakht-Horeb always seemed remote to them. Here's what they saw... They saw us ride south, then they saw us ride back north claiming victory."

While she spoke, she watched Sforza's expression, ever ready to stop talking if it seemed her frankness had crossed a line.

She lightly tapped on the writhing jackal, careful not to smudge the charcoal. "And let's not forget many in the Reaches worship a jackal god, or at least pay respects to Him. Perhaps they are unaware of their religion's dark origins, but all the same, it may be best not to offend local religious sensibilities if we can avoid it. I would perhaps use a cloaked figure with a mask to represent the enemy, rather than a jackal."


OOC

Spoiler

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For what it's worth, Charm 64 (incl. Etiquette): (d100)[29]
Fortune: (d100)[84]

Not so much to change Sforza's mind (which seems damn near impossible) as to speak my mind without offending.

[TheSummoner]

Sieghard

"When was it that the wolves started giving you trouble? And when was the last time you saw sign of them?" Sieghard asked. He turned to the older son. "You saw the beasts? No need to be nervous, lad, we're just here to kill the wolves. Was there anything strange about 'em or did they seem like normal wolves? Other than the size I mean."

"Come a bit closer, boy," he said when he noticed the younger son, who seemed no less nervous than his brother. "It's ok, I'm trying to help your papa. The priestess tells me you saw a woman with the wolves. Could you tell me more about that?" He put up a hand to forestall any complaints from the boy's father. "What did she look like? And where did you see her?"

[RossN]

Jarla, 20th Ulriczeit

Jarla smiled at her maid, clearly pleased at her reaction even if her purse felt worryingly light. "Glad you like it Ida. You are a Savonne native right? I might need to rely on your knowledge to understand this town better."

---

The following few days Jarla kept herself busy, exploring the town with Jarla in tow and meeting with wine and ale merchants among. The conversations were frequently very boring and reminded her of Heinrich but it was worth it to charm the guilders and see if anyone would make and offer her certain... incentives to pick them to fill out the castle stores. Lady Schreiber was a somebody now and Jarla had begun to realise that to many in Savonne she would be the only noble of the court they might actually meet. Time to dazzle a little.

She was also - despite her decision not to rush into marriage - hoping that some of those she had danced with at the ball would take a hint and start sending gifts. Being a beautiful and charming noblewoman was hard, expensive work!

There were still a few moments were she could slip away from her dual duties of Irene and supervising the Royal household and ride Countess. It was a rare occasion when she could let everything else drop away and just enjoy the open air and the horse beneath her.

---

Wellentag, 28th Ulriczeit

Elsa & Jarla

Lady Schreiber (and Ida) had in fact been present when Elsa arrived. Jarla had been writing notes in a book she had taken to carrying around - as her position called for some role in the budget she had to know how the crowns were being spent. More importantly carefully scritching out various notes on the parchment had allowed her to hide her smile as Sforza discussed his immense ego project.

She did look up as the wizardess arrived however, and shut the book when Elsa suggested the problems with the statue...

"Signora Holt raises an interesting point your highness. I was not here for the attack on the temple, though my late brother was. Father Hieronymous told me of that terrible night however and I imagine to most of the people of Savonne that night and the horrible murders before it would have left the most mark. Perhaps a public statement of gratitude from the priests for the destruction of the vampire would help jog the memory of the common folk? Less Prince Muzio the conqueror and more Prince Muzio the avenger, seeking to destroy the blasphemous undead creature who terrorised so many of the blessed."

[LCP]

Sieghard, Ludo & Urgrim

"There's been more of 'em ever since the greenskins came through," said the swineherd. "But they only started takin' our pigs the last month or so. Though we've had no more lost since the good sister came by," he added, nodding to Jocasta. "Taal protect us, when they took the dog I thought it'd be us next."

Alin looked uncomfortable at being questioned, but did his best to answer. "We've all seen 'em," he said. "If you spend enough time in this part of the woods, I mean. I think they have a lair somewhere close to us." He swallowed. "I don't know what you'd mean by strange... they looked like normal wolves to me. But I ain't ever seen no others."

"It was night-time," said the youngest boy when Sieghard asked him. "We could hear them, and when I looked out the window, I saw their eyes. She was with them, in the trees. She looked at me."

The swineherd frowned. "What did I tell you about telling stories?" he asked. "I'm sorry your lordship, he comes up with these things out of his 'magination. He's only five."

"I'm six!" said the boy, indignantly.

"He's about five," said the father. "You didn't come down here on account of his 'maginary friends, did you?"

---

Elsa & Jarla

Sforza looked back at the sketch with a contemplative air. "Hm," he said. "If it were too lifelike it might look a little grotesque. But perhaps you're right, Holt - it wouldn't hurt to be more literal." He looked to the little man. "Can you make another sketch?"

"Of course, your highness," said Barna. "I will make several."

"Good man," said Sforza. As the sculptor scurried out, he turned to Jarla and Elsa. "The priests should be involved, of course. As you said, Holt, too many people still believe the Jackal is a god. This must help us set the record straight."

[LeSwordfish]

"We've had a lot of trouble with things people thought were imaginary recently," Ludo said. "And we were looking for a woman in this area."

"What did the woman look like?" Ludo asked the child. "Was she young or old? Tall or short? Was she carrying anything?"