Summer
Holidays
24/2/10,122 - Brev
As midday arrives Brasso collected his pack & bid good luck to the gathered friends, again reiterating his intention to keep an eye on Illyra's family. Dispersing, Molin, Illyra & Tharla went in search of various goods etc required before they could depart, Kilite however, concerned about his still missing friend & mentor spends some time in quiet contemplation seeking enlightenment as to his whereabouts.
Molin, his thoughts turning to the difficult terrain & freezing conditions they will face, & having spent several comfortable months in Brev, restocks their cold weather gear & provisions.
Tharla barters & acquires a slightly larger sled; after all they can't expect Kilite to walk all the way to Athalau. Before returning to the chapel she visits one of the many merchant banks represented in the city & for a small sum deposits the mirror of farseeing as well several of the weighty tombs they have acquired in a strong box. The single key to the box is to be retained by Tharla, worn at her neck, although the agreed password to gain entry to the banks vault is shared with her friends. Illyra, having decided her stock of medicinal goods is low makes various purchases from a local apothecary, whilst within the apothecaries she broaches the subject of certain herbs & plants that whilst not illegal are of questionable use. Hesitantly the genteel behind the counter skirts around her request however after further discussion, at which Illyra demonstrates her knowledge of the goods discussed & following her assurance that it will not be used in Brev nor will its source be admitted, he agrees that he may be able to locate the merchandise she requires. He advises that she should return tomorrow at noon. Leaving the shop she joins Kilite who has followed to watch her back, Kilite comments that as far as he could tell she was not watched.
Returning to the chapel Kilite confides his concern that he feels it likely that his mentor is in some way involved with the failed revolt, hence his absence. After discussion Illyra & Molin decide to take a stroll to the garrison to pick up any information they can, Kilite agrees to accompany them but advises he will keep his distance from the others in the role of a dutiful acolyte of Jirre.
As the two check out the bodies rotting in the public gallows Kilite approaches the main gate pleading his cause. Questioned at spear point he eventually convinces the sergeant of his good intentions & is given escort to the garrison jailhouse. After making a donation to the pocket of the jailor he is allowed to inspect the prisoners held within, however after describing the priest the jailor does not recall seeing any would be revolutionary fitting that description. There are some dozen or so captives behind the prison bars, all badly beaten & worse. To Kilite's relief Jirre's servant is not there however he recognises Illyra's brother in law as well as one other, an associate of Frederick, both have suffered heavily at the hand of their captors. Blinded in one eye & with many a broken bone Frederick crouches with the rest waiting to die. Talking with the warden Kilite establishes that they will all hang & like those already on the gibbet will do so until they rot.
Walking back to the gate Kilite notices several bodies piled against the inner garrison wall, begging time to inspect the putrefying corpses he is again relieved to see that here nor on the garrison gallows there is no sign of his spiritual guide. Leaving the garrison to join his waiting friends, they, & all others gathered around the gates, give Kilite a wide birth, his arms & clothes covered in the filth & stench of the dead. As they search for a trough so Kilite can wash the worse of the filth from arms Molin tells him that his guide did not swing from the public gallows.
After an uneventful night, preparations continue for their departure; Tharla decides that she is going to the North East city gate to see what, if any, restrictions are in force & if she can pass beyond the city walls to put her new sled through its paces.
As mid day approaches Illyra returns to the apothecaries, waiting until the shop is empty, she goes in, the old man immediately locks the door & draws the blind. He apologises that he could not get all of her requirements but he does produce a small pouch of sweet smelling fungus that Illyra instantly recognises as Harlots Cap. The apothecary warns of its dosage & advises of its preparation, taking the pouch of silver proffered by Illyra he all but pushes her out of the shop reminding her that she must never reveal its source.
Before returning to the others she heads into the market place in search of a new dog, after a cursory inspection she selects two possibilities, the criteria being which of the many on offer did not try to bite her but licked her instead. After trying both bitches, Illyra selects a red haired beast, slightly overweight, but more than agreeable to be ridden. After purchasing both the dog as well new tack she returns to the chapel.
On her return Illyra finds Kilite & Molin carefully searching both the chapel & the priest's house. After putting aside the silver candlesticks from the alter Molin discovers that the top of the alter slides aside to reveal a small recess below. From the recess Kilite lifts three blue glass vials, some five inches high, containing a glutinous liquid; two scrolls pertaining to the worship of Jirre & two talismans depicting Jirre, both are made of silver & encrusted with precious stones. Under Molin's calculating eye Kilite returns all but one of the vials to the recess & replaces the alter stone. Whilst searching elsewhere Kilite uncovers a pouch of various coins beneath the mattress of his guide's bed, quietly so as none of the others will notice he returns the pouch & leaves the room.
As Tharla waits in line at the city gates she can see that it is heavily guarded however most attention is being paid to those trying to enter the city. Only a cursory inspection is made of her sled however the gate wardens question her as to where she is heading. Telling the wardens that she is simply trying out her new sled she is warned that if she is to return this day she must be back within the curfew or she will not be admitted until tomorrow. Acknowledging their advice she guides her dogs through the throng of travellers at the gate & skirts the city/garrison outer wall. Skirting the base of the wall little can be seen above, other than the sight of the occasional patrol atop the wall. At the base of the wall however several bodies have been cast down along with the refuse from the garrison walls. Avoiding the rats a brief inspection confirms that no one she knows is amongst the discarded dead.
Returning before curfew Tharla has little problem passing through the gate being recognised by the warden who questioned her earlier. On arrival back at the chapel she puts her wood craft to good use fashioning a rudimentary seat for the sled which also doubles as a small chest in which to conceal any small but precious cargo.
After supper & with all ready for their morning departure Kilite proffers the blue vial recovered from beneath the altar. Gathering her wits Tharla casts a spell of identification on the item, which reveals it to be potion of sanctification, Kilite nods wisely recognising it as the equivalent of a spell he possesses.
As evening draws into night good byes are said & the friends rest pending their intended morning departure.