Out Of Session: Queen's Gambit Declined, Part I - Markus Duchèsne

Nessa of Serenella sat at the foot of the bed, her back to Markus. She ran an ivory comb through her long black locks, but after several spiritless attempts, settled on tying it back. With a leaden sigh she began to dress.

Almost two months on that miserable island and thousands of leagues away from her... Gods I missed her companionship, but where could this affair possibly lead? I'm clearly a pawn in one of her juvenile intrigues. Should I sever ties before it's too late, settle for someone less perilous...

"Will you not stay a while longer, it is still dark outside?" Markus whispered.

"Alas no. I must return home before morning bell. My Uncle has requested my presence for breakfast and he is a man you do not refuse lightly. I fear he will exploit me for one of his illicit affairs".

"Yes, I can empathise". He regretted his outburst almost immediately, they were uttered too quickly, sounded too cruel.

Nessa's head whipped around to face Markus, fury slowly replaced by awkwardness. "Yes, perhaps at first,’ She paused, ‘But my feelings..."

A moment later she was gone leaving Markus to ponder her unfinished sentence. He lay on his back staring at the ceiling, trying without success to banish all thoughts of Nessa of Serenella. A task which proved impossible.

Am I in love? Gods I hope not.

Session X: Recognitions, Part II - Markus Duchèsne

Markus stared at the hysterical creature before them.

"I win, I win, I have your heart and soul. You will stay with me forever. Oh how wonderful, wonderful, two for one, two for one". Screeched Vetis of Silk.

Vilsaran had lost the wager. He had bargained where Markus had not. For the heart and soul of Kerna, a girl they did not know and the price he now paid, was his own. Markus looked at his companion, the colour had drained from his face, but he remained composed.

The damned fool! we should have left when we had the chance. The girl was lost, but we still had a chance... I still have a chance... Gods be damned!

"Double or quits" Markus roared. "let us have this final game and be done with it"!

A knock at the door roused Markus from his slumber. He had clearly dropped off while composing a letter at his desk.

"Not now Sidric, I'll call for you in another hour or so".

"Yes Sir, I'll go finish the writing assignment you gave me".

"Double or quits" Markus whispered.

But I didn't speak. I remained silent, waited too long. I was spared my guilt by the grace of the gods. The fey woman - Lady Summer spoke in my stead. She had realised the creature was a cheat, all bets were off, the prize claimed. Double or quits, how I yearned to say those words, but I did not...

Markus dipped his pen once more into the ink pot and continued his letter.

Session IX: New Beginnings, Part I - Markus Duchèsne

Markus sat at the desk in his modest office, tucked away towards the rear of the Inn. The place would be open to the public in no more than two weeks, but was still without a name.

So what will it be. The Blind Fisher, The Viper, The Drawn Daggers, The Serpent's-

"Sir, Sir; Sidrik burst through the door into the office.

"Sid, I've told you a hundred times, knock before entering. Now what's all this fuss about?".

He's a hard worker and keen to learn, a little rough round the edges, not so dissimilar from myself. That's probably why I hired him.

"Another letter for you Sir. It's from the old Wizard that lives in that posh place in Tower Square. Didn't see him, but his butler made me wait around until he gave me this." Sidrik handed the sealed letter bearing the mark of Elvonis to Markus.

Markus broke the seal and scanned the letter. "Thank you Sid. Take a break, I'll call for you later."

So, He's sending him here. Vilsaran is it... This could be interesting.

***

The two spent most of the morning walking around the city, eating in one of the livelier establishments along the Riverway. Markus having spent much of his early childhood around Riverway found it a comforting retreat, Vilsaran on the other hand seemed to experience an altogether different sensation.

A small errand boy approached their table. "Sir are you Markus Duchèsne?"

"Yes I am, what is it?"

The boy handed Markus a note. "I have this for you Sir, tis from Advocate Tellainus."

Markus thanked the boy and tossed him a Ningy. The boy bowed once and scurried off , disappearing down one of the side streets.

"Well, it appears that I have to see the Advocate on some business, would you care to join me?"

Vilsaran nodded, "Salmarnus has not asked for my return, it would be a pleasure to accompany you. I am new to the city and it's workings and would be intrigued to learn more."

Out Of Session: Ambush - Markus Duchèsne

The two of them made a break for it, moving directly towards the four aggressors. Glancing to his left, Markus saw Yeaf perform a move he had seen him use a few days before. Planting the end of his shortened staff firmly on the ground, he managed to vault one of the attackers off the roof. Markus' strike on the foe closest to him was less graceful, a brutal upward thrust of his shortsword tearing through the solar plexus, piercing the enemies heart. It was an unexpected attack and all more effective as a result. this uncharacteristic moment of decisiveness gave the two companions the minute window of opportunity needed to race past the two remaining assailants.

A few moments later they were upon the hooded figure, undoubtedly the author of this attack. The four men they had engaged moments ago hired thugs. the figure held the sack snatched from the two companions minutes earlier. As Markus sprinted past the figure he was able to snag the sack with the end of his sword. In one swift movement, the sack was torn away from the assailants hands and flipped effortlessly to the waiting yeaf.

An eight foot leap across to the next rooftop and the two friends would be free from their attackers. They leapt almost simultaneously, but Markus was the only one to land. He snapped his head backwards to see what had happened. Yaef was clinging to the edge of the building, but within moments he had shifted from this prone position managing to swing his leg up and heaved his tried body onto the edge of the roof.

Markus shook his head, "That was far too close for comfort. I thought you we supposed to be the better jumper".
Yeaf smiled, "evidently not, but then again, you didn't get hit by a bolt".

Markus scanned Yeaf's body and sure enough, there was a wound on his left thigh. Nothing serious, but enough to put someone off their stride.

Markus let out a tired sigh, "Let's get out of here, this job's been one disaster after another".
Yeaf started to stand, "I agree, I need a hot meal and several hours sle-".

A twang of a bow string, followed by the head of a bolt protruding out of Yeaf's chest. In almost slow motion Yeaf fell backwards off the roof.

Markus stood dumbstruck, frozen where he stood. In the distance the hooded figure recede into the darkness crossbow in hand. Slowly he made his way to the edge of the roof. There in the ally below lay the broken body of Yeaf. Tears began to flow openly down Markus' cheeks.

No hot meal for you my friend, but sleep and rest assured, you will be avenged.

Markus carried the body of his fallen comrade to the nearest temple. He left him and some coin, at foot of the steps for the cleric's to find.

They will take care of you and give you a proper burial. I will visit from time to time if the gods will it. Farewell my friend.

Session VIII: The Thought Eater, Part II - Markus Duchèsne

Things are becoming dangerous, we shouldn't have taken the book. I should never have read out that name. What was I thinking... I wasn't! That's exactly why I always get into 'situations'. That name... what was that name.

Yeaf and Markus made their way by torchlight through the dark cramped tunnel which lead to the heart of the hideout. They walked in silence, both pondering the same questions. Was this place still safe? had the stranger managed to delve deep enough inside Lugus' mind to discover this location? Time would of course tell.

Eriamas sat waiting for them in the main room of the hideout. Sitting by him at the large oak table was Jeroth, eagerly eating a huge plate sausages and eggs. Markus walked to where Jeroth sat, helped himself to a sausage and took a seat.

"It's been a while Jeroth, where have you been hiding yourself my friend?" asked Markus.

Jeroth smiled, "Nowhere particularly exciting to be honest, but it was well paid and I got to see some of the countryside". It would seem like you've been busy while I've been away."

"That's one way of putting it." Markus sighed. "By the way, the handsome fellow over there's Yeaf."

From the corner of his eye, Markus noticed Yeaf's hand relax from where he believed he kept one of his daggers.

We've become steady friends over the last few months, but he's still very nervous around strangers and that could lead to trouble, or worse.

Yeaf nodded a greeting toward Jeroth, turned once more and resumed his conversation with Eriamas.

Markus helped himself to a second sausage. "I realise you've only just returned to the city, but we could always use another pair of hands".

"As Always Markus, you can count me in." Jeroth's smile broadened.

Session VII: Meeting At The Mudcart

The Mudcart was an extraordinary place even for Mud Row. Nowhere else in Elenkess could you see the diversity that congregated there.

The three companions were immediately struck by the imposing figure of the barman. A po-faced ogre standing almost nine feet tall. Within the dark smokey interior of the inn other exotic and alien beings sat in small groups, drinking and speaking in unfamiliar tongues.

Markus spied Kaladane from the Morencade and headed in his direction. Sitting next to the human was a sight one would see perhaps once or twice in an entire lifetime. A member of the Lizardfolk. It was almost unheard of for these strange and secretive creatures to venture too far from their homelands in the south.

This is odd. what in the name of the gods is this all about. All I'm interested in is getting permission to build the Inn.

***
"So... You're happy for the build to go ahead, as long as the Shalmas have no reservations?" Lugus enquired.

"That is correct, you will need them to agree before you have the full backing of the Count". Kaladane repiled.

"Can the Shalmas be trusted?" Markus ventured.

"You can trust the Shalmas to be demanding, sly and troublesome. Take that how you wish. Kaladane finished.

Session VI: Standing On The Stones, Part II - Markus Duchèsne

The four companions sat huddled in the cramped room above the saloon of the Narwhal.

He doesn't seem like a bad sort, a little ill tempered, but I like his professionalism. He could be a good asset to the group, besides Eriamas hasn't been himself recently and that's worrying-

"I couldn't get the right-hand door open, but I heard something panting on the other side." Eriamas whispered. "the left-hand room was all but empty aside from some bloodied clothes and the stink of piss and shit".

The Bastard sword wielding drunken oaf no doubt. Regardless of whether we're discovered tonight, he'll be in no fit state to pursue. Still, there's the twitchy one and the magic user-

"I'm quite certain that there's a wolf in there" Yaef began. "Although it was difficult to see into the room from the roof across the alley. Be warned, there's someone outside on street level staking out this place. He could be a problem if we need to escape unnoticed".

"I'll go out and take care of him" Eriamas said too eagerly.

"We don't even know who he is Eriamas, let's not start killing people just yet. Besides, We have absolutely no idea who he's connected With!" Markus could barely keep his voice below a whisper.

He's not himself and that's worrying.

Session V: Markus Of The Melorus

Have these people cracked. who in the nine hells ever resolved a dispute over honor by drawing daggers. Is the notion of having honor really that important? I'm grateful I'm only half Riverfolk, half as bonkers as the rest of these -

"Who will challenge me"? Weslin of the Gresling clan scans the crowd, his gaze finally falling on Markus.

Not a chance! Suddenly the insults he made against Mother don't seem quite as offensive as they did.

"I'm your man!" Markus could hardly believe the words spewing out of his mouth. He looks down at the silvery Riverfolk blade clasped in his right hand, the dagger given to him by cousin Raul. Markus barely hears the cheers of approval from the other Meluros. He can feel his muscles twitching with nervous anticipation, but even more apparent is the eagerness to draw blood, first blood! For clan, for prestige, but above all, for retribution.

You can do this... Just don't let him take my ear, or scar my face for that matter. You can do this... Oh gods, who am I kidding...

The Meluros' roared with triumph. "you did it little brother", "You are Meluros afterall".

perhaps I am as crazed as the rest of them...

Session III: The Killing Moon, Part I - Markus Duchèsne

Groem sat across the large mahogany table, his huge belly bulging over the top of his breeches and large damp stains under his arms. Markus noticed a particularly sadistic twinkle in the Goblins eyes today...

***
He couldn't quite believe that he had accepted the job. It was arguably a matter of appearing weak and indecisive in front of his friends, after all Groem was his contact within the Uncles. Besides neither Lugus nor Eriamas had openly objected to the job. Perhaps they were made of sterner stuff, or perhaps they were silenced by the dawning realisation of the horrors which lay ahead. He was certain of only one thing, nothing good was going to come of this.

***
It was agreed, There was to be no unnessary bloodshed. The plan was simple, smuggle them up the Serpent to the village of Merryment. From there they were on their own, homeless, but alive. With any luck it would all be over by morning and as far as the Uncles were to know, the job had been taken care of...

Session I: Stealing Beauty, Part I - Markus Duchèsne

As the three companions sat having breakfast at the Cinnamon loaf, a half crazed artisan approached them, he appeared to be old acquaintance of Lugus' - Lucien 'The Gold' and begged them for assitance. Nothing dangerous he insisted, in fact it seemed so innocuous, they would have been utter fools to decline. Not to mention, there were fifty Lunts in it for the three of them. Fifty Lunts to find a redheaded Beauty and convince her to model for the artist. Easy money, or so it seemed...
***
The redhead was named Zorewyn and apparently she worked in a little alchamists boutique in Bell Forge. It had only taken a Ningy and a little pursuasion to get the information from the patrons of the Rum Dog.