Session thirty-six - The Midden Barony vs Sir Hasimir Fenrig Torrenson

Above: Court is in session.

We joined the scene in the court the day after the murder of Baron Christopher Windsor Hawkwood. The bench consists of Lady Stephanie Midden Justinian Hawkwood, widow of the deceased and lady of the manor, Sir Terrance Hawkwood the sheriff of the fief and Baron Leicester, a Synecullum priest who has been drafted in to represent the church and act as chairman as the notable local priesthood are otherwise engaged.  Father Konrad, the Baron's confessor acts as prosecutor and commences with a detailed "illustration of Hasimir's character".  He presents what is evidently the popularist view of the Torenson knight, having been featured frequently in the salacious columns of the Town Cryers' sheets for some months now. The Father narrates how he'd left the planet without the permission of his master (The Lord of the Midden barony) and whilst under a cloud:

...one of his associates, Lady Arcadia Justinian, is a known traitor to the crown,

...another, Brother Josay, was a priest executed for heresy

...he frequented with aliens, one of whom attempted to assassinate the baron previously, and heretics (Mal)

...he owns a military ship, for no explainable reason

...which he acquired in mysterious circumstances from a village which was subject of a Husk attack

...a ship he named the "Questionable Intent"

...he'd taken that ship into space to deliver cargo; A military ship on a cargo run?

...and it turns out that he was delivering that cargo to a nest of heretics led by an intelligent GOLEM!

...and now he states the ship has been stolen but it appears, flying under his colours and commanded by no less than Lady Arcadia, committing piracy against Hawkwood and Merchant League interests

...and he has worked with Sir Tarquin Justinian to undermine the rightful rule of Baron Christopher while purporting to be acting to ensnare the Justinian boy but was he really? The testimony of the by's co-conspirators paints Hasimir as a loyal member of their revolutionary cell

...and he has corrupted agents of the church (Father Helsing and Lady Althea)

...and he is still wanted by the Hawkwood Navy and the office of the Planetary Duke for his acts of piracy and aiding a traitor!

All of which the priest uses to try to paint Hasimir as the sort of deceitful reprobate who would kill his master.  After all, he freely admits that he served the tea and it was the tea that killed the Baron.

We then flashed back to the previous day where Hemlock is attempting to track down the source of the tea. He discovers by talking with the servants that the priest who delivered it was none other than Protos Cobblestone. Hemlock speaks with him about the matter and the Amalthean seems genuinely shocked and ashamed that he might have, unwittingly, had a part to play in the death of the Baron. He advises that Count Innocence gave him the tea when he gave him the donation for his hospice.  He doesn't drink the stuff but recognised it was valuable so thought it would make a suitable gift to a noble when seeking further alms and aid, hence he had left it for the Baron. At Hemlock's request he tests a sample of the tea and proves that it is toxic.

We also followed the Marquis De Havilland as he spoke with Baroness Abalone's Reeve about the legal issues surrounding the case.  The Reeve advised that he would not represent Hasimir for three reasons; a) he was not a criminal expert b) Hasimir was Reeve trained so he would not wish to impose professionally and c) as Abalone was now Stephanie's it would reflect a conflict of interests.  He also confirms that while brief in a traditional and very religious world such as Ravenna the wedding ceremony between the Baron and Stephanie was binding and legal (there were plenty of witnesses and it was conducted by an invested Orthodox priest). 

Moving back to the "present" in the court Sir Hasimir is permitted to defend himself (having been made aware of his colleagues findings before the court).  He delivers a stirring oratory (some really impressive roleplay and a long and continuous stream of dialogue, there was a round of applause about the table when he'd finished) wherein he professes his devotion to the Baron and the Pancreator and answers and explains each of the issues raised by Father Konrad. He too insults and scorns Arcadia, a fact that upsets and angers Hemlock. Hasimir appears to have the assembled crowd in the palm of his hand at which point Konrad reveals that he knows Hasimir to be a psychic witch! And declares that he is using occult tricks to cloud minds and coerce others! The peasantry assembled there recoil in horror and fear.

Hasimir humbly admits that this is the case, but says it is a burden he bears from the Pancreator and one he uses to serve...and that his abilities don't allow him to influence others.

Konrad objects but Hasimir's words have allowed him the benefit of the doubt.  The court asks if anyone else will speak in his defence and Hemlock puts aside his anger for the moment to stand and state his case.  He shows his Guild experience by trying to argue the logic of the crime but Konrad shouts him down - could not the Protos' story be more of Hasimir's lies and plans?

The court requests that Konrad calm down and adjourns to debate matters.

The cadre discuss the case so far and what they might do next.

After sometime the judges return from their deliberations to declre that they find Hasimir....not guilty! Konrad is outraged and has to be escorted from the court by guards. Lady Stephanie then announces that while Hasimir may go free, in light of the revelation of his occult powers she can no longer sanction his employment in the Midden Barony and he is to be dismissed.  Hasimir swears that he will leave and find who truly killed the Baron so that he might one day return, fully vindicated. Hasimir is unchained and free to go.

The cadre decided to collect their belongings from the mansion and then head to the "Endless Turn" to plan their next move.

As the serfs files out of the court an alarm bell can be heard in the distance. Elric and De Havilland climb the church bell tower (where the court session had been held) and see that the Barony appears to be under attack.  With Hemlock's aid they identify that there are two factions of assailants; Muster mercenaries in the employ of Baron Tumeric Justinian of The Folly and local peasants from the barony revolting against the Hawkwood militia.  Hawkwood troops are fighting running battles in the streets against both factions.

Above: Ambush in the alleyways...

Led by De Havilland and Elric they slip from the church via a side door and head through back alleys to the mansion.  En route they encounter a group of revolting peasants (quite literally...) and engage them.  De Havilland and Hemlock intimidate them into fleeing, but not until the Marquis has reluctantly cut one down. Once the mob flees De Havilland treats the unconscious man's wounds and they return to the mansion house.

There, as they collect their belongings, Hasimir bids a formal and finale farewell to Stephanie and Father Konrad, who is now serving her. Elric overhears confirmation that the attackers have come from the Folly but that Sir Tarquin Justinian has also returned and is rousing the rabble against the Hawkwood authorities. Upon hearing this news the cadre debate that there may be much bloodshed to come and the whole of House Justinian on Ravenna may feel the repercussions.

Session thirty-five - "More tea Baron..?"

This is, you might assume upon reading, a hugely abridged version of events.  The key events are all here but there was a lot of discussion and fantastic in character role-play which unfortunately I simply couldn't capture in it's entirety. For that I apologise but, as ever, you really ought to have been there....

 

Also this game sees another change of Player Character as Mal wanders off (as we previously established he was sometimes want to do) and we introduce the Muster ex-soldier and occasional bounty hunter, Elric.

 

It is the morning after Hemlock's assassination of Sir Al Salih Al Malik and at their camp Sir Mal breaks the news that he is leaving.  He figures that De Havilland asked him to look out for Hemlock but frankly, from what he saw last night, Hemlock doesn't need his looking after. He leaves on good terms, saying he has other business to attend to but leaves a copy of an invoice for his services to be passed on to De Havilland.

Speaking of whom, the Marquis De Havilland Hawkwood is having breakfast with baron Tochiro Justinian and Al Salih's Ur-Obun companion when Alfredo comes and delivers a message to the Baron.  They speak in hushed tones and the householder leaves.  He returns a short time later and asks the Ur-Obun to accompany him.  De Havilland excuses himself from the table and follows, unobserved. The pair head upstairs to the Al Malik's room, enter and close the door then the Marquis hears what appears to be a silenced slug gun fire. He waits outside to see who emerges.

Following on from the events of the end of the pervious session Baron Christopher is getting ready to host Baroness Abalone Justinian and her entourage.  He pulls Sir Hasimir to one side and tells him he needs his help to impress.  He has been given a rare and special Li Halan tea, he want's Sir Hasimir to really impress with an authentic tea ceremony. Before the assembled throng Hasimir really shows his skills and performs an amazing and accurate ceremony (spoilt only by the Baron showing he barely knows which end of the cup to drink from. As host and lord, the cup is presented to him, he drinks and almost immediately starts to froth at the mouth and convulse; he has been poisoned.

Master Alfredo emerges from the Al Malik's room alone to find De Havilland waiting for him. He avoids the Marquis' questions as much as possible but they are interrupted by Hemlock calling on the De Havilland's squwarker. The two nobles arrange to meet in person and the Marquis makes a hasty, and final, exit from the mansion.

En route to meeting Hemlock, De Havilland calls into an inn where he had previously arranged to meet an employee of his (and new PC for the cadre), a Muster soldier and bounty hunter named Elric.  Elric has been intelligence gathering for De Havilland and has news for him; he has intercepted a message apparently intended for Lady Chastity, concerning the fate of Lawrence.  It appears that he is dead.

Meanwhile there is chaos in The Midden Mansion, a physick is called for as Baroness Abalone passes out with shock and Lady Stephanie Justinian rushes to the Baron's side. Hasimir demands that the mansion be locked down and trades words with Father Konrad, stating that this should be independently investigated, a role the priest agrees to take on. Meanwhile Stephanie demands that she and her intended are wed, as she cannot bare to let him pass into death without being her husband. Father Konrad conducts a hasty and abridged ceremony, encouraged by Sir Hasimir, and they are married. Protos Cobblestone arrives, having been summoned by the household staff (as he was collecting alms in the area to help fund the church building work) and he attends to the Baron.  Hasimir attends to the Baroness and has her moved to somewhere more comfortable. Stephanie starts to accuse Hasimir of betraying and attempting to kill the Baron but their conversation is cut short by Hemlock calling on the sqwarker. Hasimir says that Hemlock and De Havilland ought to come to The Midden barony.

De Havilland arrives with Elric at Hemlock's camp and they trade news. It appears that Elric knows "Keats" from back on Guild star ships when they were kids. He is rather incredulous that his friend from those days should be "pretending" to be a noble. They share the news about Lawrence and when Elric realises Chastity is there he draws a rifle.  Hemlock and De Havilland calm matters but the Marquis does question Chastity and seems increasingly suspicious of her.

In the Midden Mansion Hasimir has been conducting investigations of his own; interviewing the staff who prepared the tea tray and trying to identify where the tea itself came from.  He learns that the tea was given as a gift to the Baron and that the cups, pot etc. were the ones that had been used for breakfast and had been washed prior to the ceremony.  It would appear likely that the tea itself was the poison.

The rest of the cadre arrive in the Midden Barony and after negotiating with border guards and door wardens they manage to be reunited with Hasimir and Virssu. They speak at length about recent events (although Hasimir insists that Elric wait outside) and discuss possible culprits and what to do next. It seems possible that the "hit list" is active once more and if Lawrence is dead and the Baron doesn't pull through then that means Hasimir is the only name left. De Havilland wants to know if the list was written by Count Innocence (which Chastity suggested and the evidence presented by Elric seems to support) what have they done to offend him so?

Their conversation is interrupted by the hasty return of Virssu (who had taken Elric to find some food). He has heard that the Baron has just passed away and they are about to ring the chapel bells to toll for his passing, and also that Father Konrad is on his way with a mob of zealous peasants to seize Hasimir. The cadre suggest he flees but he will have none of it, stating that it will make him look guilty. He passes the pass and launch codes for The Endless Turn to De Havilland and writes a letter of recommendation for Virssu so that it things go badly he is not held accountable.

Father Konrad arrives and has Hasimir shackled, there will be a (church led) trial the following day.

Interlude - The Sessions

Interrogation summary report begins:_\
Session reference:_002-1993-100402-a
Report transcribed by:_002
Session duration:_3:00:00
Subject designation:_1993
Subject name:_Lawrence-Scraver
Subject was acquired by House security after a four month observation period. Subject's activities had been considered dangerous but ruled insufficient of interruption until this point.  While subject has done little damage his physical proximity permitted an ease of capture that merited action.
As per standard protocols initial questioning has remained focused on the subject's local enquiries, trespassing and surveillance. This has served to probe his defences while not alerting him to the details we are already aware of.
Subject has proved to be strong willed and independent and while untrained and unfocused (as is typical of those in the employ of the League) he is not without willpower.  He should be a source of enjoyment for My Lord should he be inspired to engage with him.
Interrogation summary report ends:_/

Interrogation summary report begins:_\
Session reference:_002-1993-120402-a
Report transcribed by:_002
Session duration:_8:37:05
Subject designation:_1993
Subject name:_Lawrence-Scraver
Subject continues to show surprising mental fortitude, especially compared to his physical endurance.  Subject had to be resuscitated multiple times during the session but still seems loathe to release even the most meagre of details. He also seems to remain unaware of how much we already know. The naivety or over confidence is almost appealing.
Recommendation is that the subject supported by daily administrations of Elixir in order to ensure that he remains viable until the conclusion of standard protocol. 
Interrogation summary report ends:_/

Interrogation summary report begins:_\
Session reference:_003-1993-130402-b
Report transcribed by:_003
Session duration:_5:23:17
Subject designation:_1993
Subject name:_Lawrence-Scraver
Subject persists in the fabrication that he is a member of the prospectors' Guild surveying for possible dig sites for Justinian/Scraver/Muster joint mining operations.  He may be commended as a capable liar and works well to hide lies in connected truths (previous known associations for House Justinian and the Muster, being "mistaken" for a Scraver etc.). Once he is broken he may serve the House well. Suggestion is that vice may not be the best means to break the subject as profiling indicates reasonable loyalty to his co-conspirators. Extreme physical conditioning remains the focus of the sessions for now.
Interrogation summary report ends:_/

Interrogation summary report begins:_\
Session reference:_002-1993-130402-c
Report transcribed by:_002
Session duration:_6:40:25
Subject designation:_1993
Subject name:_Lawrence-Scraver
After almost seven hours in the third session of the day we appear to have made progress.  After his fourth resuscitation he advised that he would tell us what was required of him.
He appears to think that we have believed his obvious ruse (wounds were treated and sustenance provided) and upon regaining some composure he wove a new tale of how he was a landless Torenson noble seeking evidence of his hereditary territorial claim.
I concur with 003 that he may make a suitable operative once broken.
Interrogation summary report ends:_/

Interrogation summary report begins:_\
Session reference:_002-1993-140402-b
Report transcribed by:_002
Session duration:_2:05:37
Subject designation:_1993
Subject name:_Lawrence-Scraver
The current tale is that he is the Imperial Cohort of the Phoenix Knight, the Marquis Anton De Havilland Hawkwood. He was severely chastised but is choosing to hold to this stance for now. 
Interrogation summary report ends:_/

Interrogation summary report begins:_\
Session reference:_003-1993-140402-c
Report transcribed by:_003
Session duration:_4:17:02
Subject designation:_1993
Subject name:_Lawrence-Scraver
We have now reached the confession that he is a Scraver and have information regarding his business dealings, but not his association with Dame Arcadia Justinian. We have finally presented him with the evidence gathered in Suryada (files #1993-00470 to #1993-00599) and so he is aware that he has been under surveillance for some time. His mettle is to be respected but is ultimately fool hardy.
Interrogation summary report ends:_/

Interrogation summary report begins:_\
Session reference:_002-1993-150402-b
Report transcribed by:_003
Session duration:_13:06:52
Subject designation:_1993
Subject name:_Lawrence-Scraver
The subject has been broken.  Working in unison 002 and myself have allowed the subject to see the futility of his resistance. He has confirmed all we know to date and that he has passed details of his findings to Subject 1994/Target05. While we are confident that he is aware of the involvement of Lady Yelizaveta we do not believe he, or Subject 1994, know the full outcome of events at this time.
It is our considered joint recommendation that the subject be used to infiltrate the cadre and act on our behalf, unawares of those agents already in place. His independence may reassert itself so some form of compliance surgery should be undertaken.
Interrogation summary report ends:_/

Interrogation summary report begins:_\
Session reference:_003-1993-160402-a
Report transcribed by:_003
Session duration:_2:09:23
Subject designation:_1993
Subject name:_Lawrence-Scraver
Surgery appears successful and the cybernetic linkages are responsive and functioning as anticipated.  Feed from eyes and ears is recording well and the shaped explosive charges around the chest seem non-volatile.  We anticipate that while the intended design is obedience through possible punishment the blast radius could allow for use as a potential assassination device if desired (i.e. proximity to Target05).
Interrogation summary report ends:_/

Interrogation summary report begins:_\
Session reference:_001-1993-180402-a
Report transcribed by:_002
Session duration:_18:00:36
Subject designation:_1993
Subject name:_Lawrence-Scraver
My Lord returned and when made aware of the presence on site of the subject he chose to attend to him.
His interrogations were accurate, succinct and personal.
As the subject is also designate Target04, My Lord decreed that his value as a potential agent did not supersede the necessity of his punishment.
My Lord explained the full crimes he was responsible for to the subject before handing out sentence. 
Subject was terminated personally by My Lord.
Cybernetic implants have been harvested for reuse and other remains fed to the Master's daughters' hounds.
Interrogation summary report ends:_/

Session thirty-four - In which Hasimir reunites with some old faces, Hemlock has his revenge and De Havilland has lunch.

We start the session with Chastity and Hemlock at breakfast.  Mal has yet to appear after returning late to the Inn.  He eventually emerges, takes food and returns to their room. Hemlock follows but Mal ignores him, entering a meditative trance.  Hemlock tries to intervene with no success and so returns to Chastity.  After Mal has come out of his trance he and Hemlock discuss plans and Mal tells him of the refuge he has found. Hemlock explains that he intends to kill Al-Salih Al Malik that night and to Hemlock's surprise both Mal and Chastity do not hesitate to offer their help.

Meanwhile Hasimir and Virssu have travelled on foot through the quiet and sleepy little barony of Abalone in arrive in The Midden Barony. They are met at the border by Hawkwood guards who have been instructed to escort them to the Baron (for Hasimir's protection as he is still a wanted man). They arrive safely and are taken to see Baron Christopher and the Marquis De Havilland.  The Baron seems glad to see Hasimir and explains how they may need to still prove his innocence.  Hasimir hands over to him the documents that Lawrence sent him and alludes to the possibility that this could be related to some Decados plot.  The Baron and De Havilland tie this in with the Marquis' investigations in Suryada but the suggestion is that Hasimir may need to do more to prove his innocence as Lawrence might have fabricated all this data on Hasimir's instruction. The Baron asks that Hasimir deal with the wedding correspondence that has arrived during his absence from the fief.  He also instructs him to liaise with his major domo, Ralph, so that if Hasimir leaves to prove his innocence or is arrested again, then things can proceed in his absence.

 

Above: Hasimir and Virssu are brought before the Baron.

De Havilland makes his excuses and heads back to Sector 42. He is greeted warmly as an honoured guest by Baron Tochiro, who apologises for his son's (Hemlock's) wayward conduct. He fears that while he had gone off the  rails before, the Marquis' steadying positive influence had been to no lasting avail and he was once more being led astray. There follows a rather awkward lunch where De Havilland picks up on how the Baron tolerates the ill treatment of his Al Malik guest and his servants. Hearing that the Marquis plans to leave the following day Sir Al-Salih suggests that they may leave together as his business here has been concluded.

Above: An awkward lunch

After spending most of the day working through things with Ralph, Hasimir heads to dinner to find that since he has been away another member has joined the household; Father Konrad, the Orthodox priest who investigated Hasimir in Suryada. He is now serving as Christopher's confessor and professes great interest in hearing what has happened to Hasimir since they last met.

Meanwhile Hemlock and company have spent the day in Mal's refuge planning their attack.  When the residents of the Sector 42 mansion house are having dinner, Hemlock and Chstity scale the walls and gain access to the Al Malik's bedroom via the window.  All whilst Mal watches from a vantage point using night vision goggles and co-ordinating their movements by squwarker. Things go well and Hemlock and Chastity take up position, hiding under the bed in the room.

 

\Above: Hasimir encounters a familiar face

During dinner at The Midden Barony Hasimir is formally introduced to Father Konrad by the Baron and is then entreated to regale them with the tales of his adventures in space.  This he does, in particular keeping Lady Stephanie completely enraptured by his (somewhat edited) tales of daring. The evening is disrupted by a sound in the hall and a footman comes to seek the Baron and Father Konrad.  Hasimir tries to overhear what is said but fails. The baron eventually returns without his confessor but in a state of some elation, calling for one of the finest wines from the cellar.  It appears that Father Helsing has been arrested by the Synecullum for treason and inciting rebellion (a fact that Hasimir confirms to himself by surreptitiously reading the Baron's mind) and this seems to in part because of "Hasimir's tireless work".  The Baron does ask why some of the correspondence that was intercepted was going to him rather than Sir Tarquin but Hasimir excels himself (as ever) with the explanation of how it was all part of the plan to implicate the possible revolutionaries. The Baron seems to accept this easily, possibly due to the wine and his current sense of victory.

Upon the Al Malik's return to his quarters Chastity and Hemlock remain hidden, waiting until the noble and his bodyguard fall asleep.  This they eventually do and then the prospective assailants manage to sneak stealthily from their hiding place. Chastity indicates that she will take care of the guard while Hemlock enacts his revenge. Using one of Keat's knives he quietly slits the knight's throat as he sleeps while Chastity darts to the guard, executing him with a single stroke of her cybernetic blade. They leave the way they came, assisted by Mal, and return to their refuge, job done.  Chastity is concerned for Hemlock but he speaks of how this is just the beginning and how he plans to tear down the entire organisation that this Al Malik represented.

 

Above: The assassins strike

The following day in The Midden Barony Hasimir and Christopher's breakfast repose (and hangovers) are interrupted by the arrival in the fief of a large state procession. Runners notify the Baron so he and Hasimir are waiting on the mansion steps and Baroness Abalone Justinian arrives with a full entourage of servants (but no significant arms or troops).  The Baron seems completely taken aback by this turn of events and asks the frail old noblewoman what he may do to assist her.  She summons a Reeve from her throng of hangers on who presents documents to Christopher , who in turn reads them and passes them to Hasimir for his review.  The lady states that she is handing over full entitlement to her lands to the Baron. She is seceding from her fief and wishes him to rule in her stead. Hasimir takes the opportunity to read her mind and it seems genuine; her only remaining heir is old and infirm where as this young Hawkwood has shown great qualities of leadership while only a regent in the Midden Barony.  This grant gives him lands of his own and her people get a noble ruler to oversee them justly.  The Baron seems genuinely shocked and invites her in... 

Interlude - Keat's First Kill

Hemlock and Tigerlily run through smoky corridors.  Their uncle is dead, the manor-house is burning and men with long knives and covered faces stalk the corridors.  The assassin seems to step out of nowhere, an extrusion of shadow.  Tigerlily screams.

 

‘Keats, wake up.  Keats!’

Cortez punches Keats on the arm, not hard since he has to reach from his infirmary bed.
‘You were making weird noises.’

Keats looks around the room in a moment of panic.  He’s curled up in a metal chair in the ship’s infirmary.  He is thirteen, barefoot, and wearing a handed-down overall that hangs loose on him.  There was one that fitted better, but he insisted on black.

Cortez resettles himself, wincing, ‘What were you dreaming?’

Keats shrugs.

‘You are full of secrets.  One day, I will find out where you come from.  You are clever, I think: you know how to fascinate the ladies.  Maria and Lenore, they think you are mysterious, a hurt puzzle for them to unlock and heal.’

Keats scowls and looks up at his friend.  Cortez’s leg is in a brace, his ribs bound, his head bandaged and his skin mottled with bruises.  Keats feels he should say something, but seeing Cortez so hurt fills him with a fury he doesn’t understand, so fierce that he dare not speak for fear of tears.  Keats just shakes his head.

‘You know, you are very poor sick-bed company,’ but Cortez is grinning.

‘That’s real sweet,’ Louis looms in the doorway.  He’s two years older than Keats, broad-shouldered and already shaves, ‘Smiler and Skulk.  Skulk’s still hanging around you, eh, Smiler?  Is he your boyfriend?’ he pauses, cupping a hand to his ear, ‘What, no smart comeback?’

Cortez says nothing.  Keats, glancing back, sees he is afraid.  Cortez is never afraid!  Keats feels sick; his mouth tastes bitter.

‘Question my business practices again,’ Louis snarls, ‘and it’ll go a lot worse.’

Louis’ footsteps echo in the corridor, receding.  Cortez starts saying something, but Keats doesn’t hear it.  After count of twenty, Keats uncoils from the chair and pads out of the infirmary.

 

Keats dislikes changing ships: a loss of home, people he doesn’t know.  Cortez and Keats joined the Quinotaur six months ago: a bulk freighter, whose captain left his apprentices to manage cargo handling, loosely overseen and taught by the mates.  He let them self-organise, a microcosm of brutal market forces, a crucible to forge leaders and sort wheat from chaff.  Gang warfare.

Louis beat one gang into line; Cortez led the other.  Keats sometimes spied, hiding in the dark.  When seen he fled through cargo webbing and ducts, too fast to catch.  Keats spotted Louis stealing from the cargo.  Cortez bargained with Louis, using the crime as leverage.  Louis and his gang put Cortez in the infirmary; Keats wasn’t hurt so badly.

 

Keats creeps back into the infirmary.  Cortez is sleeping.  Keats washes his hands in the sink: they shake.  He has a black eye, and holds one arm awkwardly.  He dries his hands, unwraps the scarf from around his face, and curls up in the chair.  Eventually, he falls asleep at Cortez’s side.

 

‘Cortez.’

‘Yes, captain?’ propped up on pillows, Cortez tries to sit upright.  He sets down his book.  Keats doesn’t stir, still breathing gently, his black eye turned away from the door.

‘You seen Louis today?’ Captain Clovis leans in the doorway.
‘He stood where you stand now, sir, but he was much worse company.’
Clovis regards Cortez levelly, ‘We found him knifed-up and leaking.’
Cortez glances at the infirmary’s other bed, ‘You inspire me to heal faster, sir.  If we must be room-mates, it will be for as little time as possible.’
‘They cut his throat.’
‘Oh,’ shocked, Cortez is silent a moment, then, ‘Well, it was not me, sir.  I am not very mobile.’
‘What about your boy?’ Clovis nods to Keats.
‘He has been here, sir.  His conversation is poor, but he is good company.  A dispute with the crew, perhaps?’ Cortez shrugs, ‘There was a rumour that Louis stole from the cargo.  But it is just a rumour, and I should not speak ill of the dead.’

Captain Clovis stares at Cortez awhile, drumming fingers on one arm.  He grunts, nods, then walks away.  Once his footsteps have receded, Cortez stares down at Keats, but Keats is deep asleep.

 

Hemlock and Tigerlily run through smoky corridors.  Their uncle is dead, the manor-house is burning and men with long knives and covered faces stalk the corridors.  Keats watches his child-self approaching, loosely aware this must be a dream.  He steps out of the dark, an extrusion of shadow.  Tigerlily screams when he cuts Hemlock’s throat, but when Keats turns to her, she holds his gaze calmly.  Keats kills her.

 

When Keats wakes, the dream leaves him not so much disturbed as terribly sad.  But the feeling of loss fades, and Keats does not dream of the attack on the manor-house again, not for a very long time.

Session thirty-three, supplemental - Mal's Magnificent Misadventure

So another week has passed without a regular game session (more illness unfortunately) but to fill the void I ran a short session for my son (who regularly plays Sir Mal Hawkwood).  This directly follows the events of the last session, is based on an idea he came up with for Mal might plan to do and helped gain a little more insight into the motivations and methods of this most mysterious of Hawkwoods...

 

Mal, Hemlock and Chastity are in an inn in Sector 42 having left Hemlock's family home. Hemlock seems quite preoccupied but Mal approaches him with a plan.  He figures that as Hemlock has spoken about getting revenge they ought to be seen to leave the fief but then double back and re-enter quietly, without being observed, and set up in a safe house of some sort. Mal suggests that he will head out tonight to establish a suitable location in advance. Hemlock agrees and Chastity suggests quietly that it might be wise for Mal to go alone for now while she stays with the obviously upset and disquietened Hemlock.  before leaving mal picks Hemlocks brains for where they might obviously exit the Sector and then locations where they might surreptitiously return. Hemlock draws out a rough map, narrowing Mal's search for a suitable refuge and the Hawkwood steps out into the evening.

He finds that the streets are mostly deserted but makes no attempt at stealth (he is a noble, he can walk freely where he likes...).  His search draws him to an undeveloped area of the sector near the eastern border and in a narrow section where the building is partially set into the rock face but also borders the city's central chasm.

 

Above: Sir Mal enters the derelict structure... 

He entered though a broken door way and begins to explore the structure.  After a short while he hears music and upon slowly approaching he discovers a small campsite, enough for a single individual, with the music coming from some sort of mechanical lute. It appears that the assorted belongings include occult and religious paraphernalia.

Mal calls out a few times to no response and so hides in a corner of the chamber to await it's resident's return.

After a while an Eskatonic priests returns from the depths of the building and is surprised but welcoming when he sees Sir Mal.

The priest introduces himself as Provost Grant, Son of Morris, a Geomancer who has come to the city to investigate it's "unique energy" and it's closeness to Doramos' terraforming engines at the planet's core. He seems to be somewhat lonely and rambles at length, telling much about his work without Mal giving much away himself. Mal discovers that the priest was drawn to this place and later discovered that is seems to have some form of "Wyrd collation" effect, a fact that Provost Grant thinks is based on the planet's ley lines.  He intends to study it further and also to guard it from nefarious powers, such as antimonists, who might seek to harness teh energy for ill.  During this time Mal sneaks closer and closer to the priest, sharing food with him and questioning him about his work until finally he strikes, attacking the man with a hidden blade.

 

Above: Provost Grant tells all to Sir Mal.

They brawl, the priest flailing wildly while trying to protect himself, Mal getting occasional slashes in with his blade. Then the provost drops to his knees in prayer, entreating understanding from the Pancreator.  His eyes snap back open as he realises, in horror, who Mal is...he speaks his name with quivering lips, rises and bolts for the door.

Mal charges after him, leaps and skewers the priest with his blade.  Without a pause he drags the body to the edge of the city chasm and fligs him over.

 

Above: Mal says a final farewell to the priest...

The murder of a member of the clergy does seem to cause him some regret though (no gain of Urge...) so he busies himself with checking teh building for other occuipants (there are none) and clearing out anything he deems not worth keepin (by throwing it after the provost).
In his exploration of the structure Mal discovers a stair that leads all the way up to a comparative, and also deserted, structure on the surface.  He figures he has found their hideout...