Session XI: Into the Wild, Part I : Eriamas Delvito

Eriamas lay prone in the alcove pulling his blanket over his frostbitten body. The smell of burnt hair and rotting fish hung in the air around him but he was too tired to move let alone change. Starring at the ancient stone work he wondered how he'd thought this trip was ever a good idea. He puzzled why it was that, things just went awry when he worked with Markus and his associates. Maybe he was right the last time he left, perhaps he should go it alone.
Vilsaran returned from collecting more of the freakish brown mould which had caused Eriamas to be in this state.
Eriamas shuddered....
There was nothing Eriamas could put his finger on as being wrong with Vilsaran but the mission had certainly become more complicated by his presence. He'd heard his protestations about plotting ambushes with the Island's fauna but Eriamas had brushed over it hoping his influence would be missed by Markus. Eriamas simply wanted to go home to Elenkess. They were clearly out of their enviroment and no matter what lay back in his home city it wasn't nearly as bad as camping and eating dried meat rations here.
"Is there anything I can do?" Vilsaran enquired.

Eriamas grunted.

Vilsaran lay down behind Eriamas wrapping his arms around his shoulders in the hope of keeping him warm. Eriamas shut his eyes, it was weird but he was too tired to protest. Besides Eriamas appreciated the gesture more that he'd like to admit.

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."

A Mother's Doubts

Farrah pulled her shawl tighter around her as the evening wind shook the trees. The light was failing earlier now and soon the forest would have its brief blaze of colour before the winter. But it wasn't the cold that made her draw her shawl a little tighter. This part of the forest always made her uncomfortable. The shadows seemed to move in strange ways and there was always a heavyness in the air as if the forest held its breath. Not just that though she feared the old woman too. Her Great Aunt Darna was a formidable woman and strange. 'Filled with secrets' was the way Farrah thought of the elders of the family. They all had a look about them that made you uncomfortable, as if they had seen things or done things that didn't quite fit with their lives as provincial farmers and merchants.

Old Marn, Darna's manservant was lighting the lamp on the decrepit porch as Farrah arrived. He was the same as ever. 'He hasn't changed since I was a child' thought Farrah as he held open the door for her, moving in his slow, graceful way. She glanced sideways at the old Elf as she passed. His face set in a faint smile, his eyes glassy as if he was in a trance only half seeing the world he was in.

Farrah sat opposite her Aunt beside the fireplace. The old woman starred thoughtfully into the fire before she spoke.
"I did not simply ask you to diner to talk about the state of the family, nor just to gossip about Laen's baby. I wanted to talk to you about Vilsaran." Farrah practically cringed at this and her hands began to play nervously with her skirt. But Darna ignored this and continued.
"He has a talent that boy, far beyond his years. Not only that though he has the look too, like in the pictures of my cousin." At this Farrah squeeked and in a low terrified voice said.
"No, please Aunt Darna. Please no don't say it. He's my baby boy."
"Farrah, you know our family has a duty beyond those the Empress has put upon us. We are older than the Empire. You only fear these thing because you do not understand them." Darna's voice had hardened and here eyes gleamed with command. "The boy must be sent away. He has a talent that he must develop. He must learn the hard lessons life has to teach the truly talented. And perhaps if the signs are right he will fulfill our families duty for another generation. The other elders and I grow old and there must be others to carry on our work and maintain the old ways. Not all sacrifices are terrible, some bring wisdom and serinity to those who dare. But he must be tested in the fire and so I will send him to the old Lich, Salmarnus. He has long been interested in our families other branch and it would be good to have one of ours near enough to discover what he knows. He will jump at the chance to use one of the blood to unlock some more of the secrets he craves." Farrah turned her tear streaked face away and said in a flat voice.
"If he must go..." but the thought trailed off.