Episode 16

Spans dates January 1, 2439 until January 3, 2439

January 1:

• Waking up with Queen Anne in the Half-Light, Faolan agrees to a scheme to lure King Grey I through a portal, which Anne has constructed in the King's private chambers, to meet with his mother.
• Tanner attends services at the Temple of Petain, and while there is approached by the Avatar of Petain to keep tabs on the Queen's Cult.
• While Joseph Blackeyes is about other business, Tanner, Sara, and Faolan go to court, and then attend a luncheon with the King and his council. While there, Faolan leads the Boy King out onto the balcony through the rightmost door, then back into the Royal Chambers through the leftmost door, where lies the portal. To all present, no time appears to have passed. When Grey re-entered, it was clear to Faolan that the boy had spent a fair amount of time with his mother.
• Ferrum Iustitii and The Black Sword make an appearance, and we have a Throne Room Standoff with Malcolm Jackson, which ends with Faolan taking custody of the Black Sword, and delivering it to Orin Ironheart for safekeeping, where they run into Arabella. As a result of these events, Knor Cross returns Ferrum Iustitii to Tanner, and Tanner gives him "a blade I took off a Redleg I killed".
• In recognition of their trustworthiness, Faolan and Tanner are granted armigerous status.

January 2:

• Our Heroes attend the meeting of the King's Council, at which

1. King Grey banishes Lord Matthew Davies, his grandfather. Samuel Evans is made Regent
2. King Grey asks that Our Heroes carry news to the Frontier that he is willing to recognize the independence of the Frontier Council, and form a mutual defence alliance.
3. The self-proclaimed son of Tobin Thalion, a man named Brit Green and his rebellion are discussed.

• Evening of 1/2/2439, Tanner spends the night at Three Kings with a Checotah whore, Faolan joins Queen Anne in the Half-Light, and Joseph Blackeyes and Sara also stay at the Three Kings.

January 3:

• Attack on Orin Ironheart's:

Faolan is swaggering back into Three Kings, a young boy runs down the street screaming that there are monsters attacking. Our Heroes take off running towards the telling smoke and commotion. An underworld contingent, led by someone who looks an awful lot like Drake, has attacked Orin's forge, wounded Orin, and had him cornered.

It appears that the Underworld Force was there for the Black Sword.

An unarmored Faolan rushed into the burning building, followed by Tanner. While Joseph Blackeyes worked magicks, Tanner and Faolan dispatched 5 Ape-Men, the Underworld Swordsman, and a Slave-Witch. Orin was saved, though the forge was a total loss.

Orin and Tanner were badly wounded, and Joseph healed them, looking over his shoulder all the while.

Water mages arrived to douse the flames, and Our Heroes helped Orin load up what could be salvaged. They, along with Joseph Blackeyes, Arabella, and Sara decided to head south to Brown's Ferry with three wagons full of goods.

Tags: Adventures