The Chronicles of Kulgar Hakonson

AN UNEXPECTED DEPARTURE PURSUIT (PART 1) PURSUIT (PART 2) CHAPTER 16: IN PURSUIT OF THE GOLDEN SWORD REQUIEMS (PART 1) REQUIEMS (PART 2) POLK

Kulgar Tharrison Walc Circh Othello Strystynne Merrill

An Unexpected Departure [Wednesday 25 November 1998] [p478-480] [Tharrison's character record (missing since the game restarted on 28 Aug 1997) is found!]

11 Jan 08 (CY 584): Night cont: Thar continues to follow the hoofprints of Walc's warhorse, Immelschtipp, into the night. The guards back at the gate refused to give him a torch, however, so he uses his wand of illumination to light his way.

Meanwhile, Kul, still carrying his saddlebags over his shoulder, follows the hoofprints through the village on foot. He quickly determines the pace of Thar's horse and realizes that he will not be able to catch up. He returns to the village and goes to a nearby inn ["Gitest's Inn"]. The innkeeper, Gitest, is outside talking to local folk. More than a few people are headed into the city to investigate the strange happenings. Gitest follows Kul inside and serves him some hot venison stew and ale. Kul removes his armor and hangs it near the fire in an attempt to dry it out (it is still wet from his falling into the river during the battle with the golem). He then changes into a dry tunic (which was, fortunately, stored in his saddlebags) and eats his meal. A couple of men enter and make conversation with Gitest. They have just returned from the city and tell of a giant machine that apparently went rampaging out of control through the streets of the city. Kul remains silent throughout their story-telling and soon finishes his meal. After donning his wet armor again and gathering his equipment, he leaves the inn and returns to the gate. He finds that folk are passing through the open door in the gate and quickly slips though, before the guards can close it up again.

Once inside the town he is surprised to find that the four horses belonging to the group are gone! He questions the guard about the missing horses and the man explains that his friends took the horses to the nearby Rusty Cog Inn. Relieved, Kul enters the inn and does indeed find Merrill, Walc, Othello and Strys in the common room. He tells of his discovery of the tracks outside in the village. Kul and Walc discuss and speculate as to what is going on. It seems as though someone has taken Walc's heavy warhorse and rode off to the southeast and that Thar has gone in pursuit. Walc explains that just before joining Kul and Thar in battle against the golem, he entrusted the golden blade of St. Edric to Circh, making her swear to carry the sword back to Ashell for him if he were to fall in battle. Hmmmm... apparently Circh gave them all up for dead and rather hastily took matters into her own hands. Kul explains that at the pace that Thar is traveling it will be impossible for them to overtake him that evening. They ultimately decide that it would be best to rest here at the inn for the night and then continue to follow the hoofprints in the morning.

Kul secures two rooms for the group, but then decides to sleep in the common room himself, so as to spread out all his equipment next to the hearth and thereby dry it all out. Walc leaves to search for his two squires, Berlundtul and Dalfholt, who have been missing since the arguing incident earlier in the day. He returns later with the two downcast squires. The innkeeper has already turned in, so Kul lets them in and then bars the door again. As Walc and the squires head toward the private rooms at the back of the inn, Kul calls for them to wait. He fetches Dalfholt's dagger (which he has been carrying around with him) and approaches the trio. After asking Walc to translate for him, he addresses Dalfholt, saying "If you ever threaten Merrill again, then you will truly see me angry...", after which Walc seems to add something on during the translation ["and then you will have to contend with me!"]. That said, Kul hands the dagger to the squire and then returns to his corner near the warm hearth.

12 Jan 08: Morning: Still snowing lightly. Thar, having rode all night long, continues following the hoofprints of the warhorse.

Kul rises, and realizing that poor Gram has been missing since the golem's initial attack, runs over to the Wagon Wheel Inn looking and calling for the dog on the way. Once there, however, he encounters guards (apparently protecting the inn from looters) who usher him along. No dog in sight, though. He decides to run to the waterfront and have a last look at the golem before leaving the city. There is still a column of flame blasting forth from the golem's open neck, but the column seems to have shrunk down to ten feet. Kul runs back to the Rusty Cog (still calling for Gram) and, upon arriving, knocks on some doors to rouse the rest of the group. He then orders some breakfast for himself and Merrill, deciding that the others can take care of themselves.

Walc enters, followed by Berlundtul and Dalfholt, and calls Kul's attention. Walc motions for the squires to step forward and then translates for them as they address Kul. The squires are very remorseful as they approach. They apologize to Kul while kneeling, their heads bowed over and touching the floor. They denounce their actions of the previous day and beg his forgiveness. Kul, deciding not to let them off too easily, makes them swear an oath not to ever touch Merrill in a threatening manner again. They swear to it, kissing their hand, touching their heart, kissing their hand, touching their forehead, kissing their hand, clasping their hands, and then finally once again bowing their heads to the floor at Kul's feet.

When Kul finally accepts the squires' apology, Walc then kneels, begging his own forgiveness for his charge's actions and refusing to stand (despite Kul's somewhat embarrassed and irritated pleas for him to get back to his feet) until Kul accepts his apology. Kul finally assures Walc that he already earned his forgiveness out on the street, when he risked his life to save Kul from the falling golem. Walc also makes it clear that should the squires fail to keep their vow, they shall "pay for their dishonor with their lives."  Walc stands, remaining silent for a moment before telling the squires that they also may stand.

The group moves to the stables to get the horses. They discover a slight problem, however. There are only four horses for seven people. In addition, Walc needs a warhorse to carry him in his platemail armor. The stableboy informs them that there is an ostler outside of the town who may have some horses for sale. The group leaves the city and finds the ostler's stables. Walc buys two riding horses (for Berlundtul and Dalfholt) and the appropriate equipment. The ostler tries to overcharge them by selling them some used equipment at full price, but after Kul and Walc confront him about it he quickly blames his assistants and then produces some better goods. Kul makes one more final stop at "Gitest's Inn", where he asks Gitest if he happened to see Thar or Circh pass by the previous evening. Gitest admits that he did see Thar ride through, but not Circh. The group finally leaves the village, following the tracks along a southwest road. Kul lets Walc ride his brown and white medium warhorse, insisting that he can keep up with them on foot [barbarians have a 15" move base].

Outside of the village, Kul stops to examine the tracks more closely. There are definitely two separate sets of hoofprints leading away from the village... one seems to be a heavy warhorse (probably Walc's horse carrying Circh) and the other is most definitely Thar's light warhorse, Shadow. He discovers no deviation in pattern or direction, however, so they continue onward following the prints. Kul puts Uthael and his saddlebags on the back of Merrill's horse and runs along with the group.

Thar, meanwhile, follows the tracks in the snow endlessly. He can't tell if he's catching up or not. As dusk approaches he is becoming more and more angry and frustrated that he still has not caught up to the warhorse. He finally stops to rest Shadow, throwing the saddle into the snow in an uncharacteristic show of emotion. He then calms himself a bit and rubs down the horse. He feeds the horse some grain and then clears a small area for a campfire. Thinking of the cold and damp nights ahead, he collects extra kindling and dries it by fire. He plans to take this dried kindling along so that he will not have to start future fires with wet kindling found in the snow. He finally looks through the group's bags that he's been carrying along and finds a rather annoying collection of heavy equipment (a crowbar, a hammer, a chisel and a grappling hook) in Kul's backpack. He immediately tosses the pack aside into the snow in order to lighten his load. He feeds himself on scraps of food found in the various bags and then sleeps for a short while [about four hours]. He awakens to cloudy skies, but no more falling snow. He then continues on, still using the wand of illumination as a lightsource.

Kul and the group stop in the evening and set up camp. It will be a rough night, as they have no blankets (only their cloaks) and very little food [Thar has all of their bags of food and equipment]. Othello cradles a piece of bread in his hands, and, after saying a quiet prayer, tears off a chunk for each person. As Othello hands him a piece, Kul notices, amazingly, that the monk still holds the entire original piece in his hand! Othello repeats the ritual with the horses' grain and is able to feed all of their mounts. Kul is a bit wary, but also very impressed. In the last dying light of the day he again examines the two sets of hoofprints that they have been following. There seems to be no deviation here in the pace or direction of the tracks, so he leaves them and returns to the camp where he proceeds to tend to the horses. As he does so, Strys approaches and asks him about tracking. Kul answers her questions gruffly and explains some of the details. Strys has apparently forgotten her intimidation and relentlessly continues asking questions, only backing off after she finally senses that the barbarian is becoming irritated. The snow finally lets up and stops that evening as the group settles down to rest for the night.

13 Jan 08: Morning: Thar is becoming very aggravated. He continues following the prints, speeding up to a quick trot for a couple of hours. He rides all day long, but fails to catch up.

Meanwhile, Kul and company pack up and continue onward. By nightfall they have come upon the remnants of a recent campsite [Thar's camp from the previous night]. Kul finds his very own backpack, containing the heavy tools, nearby in the snow. He dumps out the contents and keeps the bag, drying it out by the campfire. Othello repeats his bread/grain ritual from the previous evening and they all eat bread for their supper. Kul feeds and cares for the horses. The entire group tries to rest.

14 Jan 08: Thar continues onward as does Kul and the others.
Afternoon: Thar sees a small village ahead. He tries to follow the tracks into the village, but loses them. He spots a ferry station on the nearby bank of the Duntide River and approaches, hailing the ferryman. The ferryman does remember Circh... he took her across only this morning. Thar is quite surprised to learn that Circh has gotten so far [about 10 hours] ahead of him, since when he started his pursuit, he was presumably only a short distance [about 30 mins] behind her. It is clear, though, that he has been losing ground quickly, so he resolves to travel longer into the evenings until he catches up to her. He pays 1 sp for his crossing and then forks over an additional 6 sp for the party that he hopes is following. He explains to the ferryman that if his friends are not following, then he may keep the 6 sp for himself. However he may be returning soon in the opposite direction (with Circh) and in that case will need to get back across the river. The ferryman understands and agrees and takes Thar (and his horse) across the river. Once on the opposite side, Thar is able to find the tracks again and continues on relentlessly.

Pursuit (Part 1) [Thursday 03 December 1998] [p480-482]

14 Jan 08: Afternoon cont: Thar rides through the village on the west side of the Duntide River and easily finds Circh's tracks. He continues on relentlessly, finally stopping to rest well past midnight.

Kul and company set up another camp that evening. Strys is beet red from the cold and her teeth are chattering. Berlundtul sits with her a bit until Walc calls him over to assist Dalfholt in the removal of Walc's platemail. The group rests.

15 Jan 08: Morning: Thar rises and leaves promptly at first light. He attempts to pick up his pace and logs many hours in his attempt to catch up with Circh.

Meanwhile, Kul and company continue onward.

16 Jan 08: Late Afternoon: A colorful sunset with minimal clouds and clear, crisp air, but bitterly cold. Kul arrives at the Duntide River village.  He heads immediately to a nearby tavern ["Cogwaif's Tavern"]. The tavernkeeper is Cogwaif. Kul asks him about Thar and Circh, but Cogwaif has not seen them, remarking that "not many people travel in this type of weather". Kul persists, asking how many roads lead into the village. Cogwaif explains that there are two: one road to the west (across the Duntide river) to Woodwych and one to the southeast to Oldred.

Kul then asks if there is an inn in the village and Cogwaif explains that there is an inn on the other side of the river, but that Kul and his companions are most welcome to stay here in his common room for night. Cogwaif is very coy and tries to sweet talk Kul, attempting to make the idea of sleeping in his common room more appealing than sleeping in a private room. "It's costly for a private room - and who has extra coins with a war blowing on the horizon?  Stay here - I'll add wood to the fire!  You'll be warm!  Well fed!  Dry and safe from the wind!  Besides, the inn is on the other side of the river... who wants to cross a river at sundown with a chill in the air?" Walc and the others enter and they all agree to stay the night in Cogwaif's common room. They order food and drink. Kul and Walc drink ale (Walc usually politely declines common rooms and watery ale, but tonight he accepts both without complaint).

Thar, meanwhile, is becoming more and more angry as he continues onward. He has been sacrificing his own sleep (as well as Shadow's welfare) in his relentless pursuit and is still suffering from wounds (which are not healing properly) received during the golem battle. He pushes on past midnight again, still relying on his trusty wand of illumination to light his way. He is able to determine from the tracks that he is gradually gaining on the warhorse. Suddenly, Shadow's front legs collapse and Thar realizes that the unfortunate animal is near exhaustion. He is finally forced to stop and rest for the night. Upon setting up his small campsite, Thar gives Shadow an extra long rub-down and talks gently to his horse (as he often does when no-one else is around).

Meanwhile, Kul exits the tavern, deciding to investigate the nearby ferry station. He talks to the ferryman and learns that Thar did indeed cross two days ago and paid in advance for six more people (he apparently miscounted, since there are seven in Kul's group). He also learns that it is five days to the next settlement, Woodwych. Kul informs the ferryman that he and his companions will return in the morning to cross the river and that he will make up the difference then. He then returns to the tavern and orders several days of supplies from Cogwaif. There follows some discussion among the group, during which Othello suggests thriftiness in the purchasing of the supplies. "Coins are just as an important resource as food", he states and then explains further that he is willing and able to "extend" any foodstuff the group buys (as he did before with their bread and grain). Kul approaches Cogwaif and modifies the order... two days of good food per person, one day of grain per horse, and seven blankets. Walc agrees to pay for the supplies.

Kul and Walc drink another ale each. As the group settles down to sleep in the warm common room, the crackling of the fire is not the only sound within the room. A soft whispering can also be heard. Strys and Berlundtul are sitting together... Berlundtul speaking phrases, with Strys repeating them and Berlundtul correcting her afterwards.

17 Jan 08: Thar continues onward. At around noon he sees buildings ahead and finds a village outside of a larger town. Thar enters the walled town of Woodwych and proceeds to visit all of the stables asking about Walc's warhorse. While at each stable, he also inquires about available light warhorses. He knows that his mount, Shadow, is physically exhausted and hopes to trade it for a fresh horse. He fails to find Walc's horse anywhere, but the stableboy near the west gate recognizes Thar's description of Circh. Circh apparently stayed at the adjoining inn overnight and left this morning. This stable also has a light warhorse available for sale and the stableboy quickly fetches the ostler, Kixo, to negotiate with Thar. Kixo is not too impressed with the condition of Thar's horse, however, so Thar changes tactics and makes the decision to buy the new warhorse outright and then also pay to stable Shadow for a week. He explains that his friends will be following and instructs Kixo to hand Shadow over to his friends when they arrive. He further instructs the ostler that if his friends don't show up, Thar will return for the horse. Kixo likes the new deal and decides to throw in the grain for the new horse for free! Thar leaves to buy food and supplies from the adjoining tavern while his saddle and equipment is transferred from one horse to the other. Then while these provisions are being prepared, Thar runs off to the chandlers, ale still in hand, to get a bullseye lantern and fourteen flasks of oil. When he finally returns to the stable he discovers that he is beginning to run low on silver and gold coinage, so he pays Kixo in platinum... 15 pp in all! The ostler is very happy (and impressed!). Thar asks him to hang onto Shadow for two weeks if his friends don't arrive to claim the horse.

He learns that the next town, Nellix, is six days away to the west and quickly mounts up on the new horse, which he has named, Dentarni (elven for "Chaser"). Dentarni is golden brown with a black mane and ankles. Once outside of the gate and beyond the outlying village, Thar finds one set of prints leading westward. As he follows the prints, he soon comes upon a man splitting wood. There is a large pile of chopped wood next to him, indicating that he's been at it for a while. Thar asks about a woman on huge brown charger and the man confirms her passing earlier in the day. The man also observes that "not many people travel in this type of weather." Thar tosses a copper piece (which falls into snow) towards the man for his troubles. The old man stoops to pick up the coin from the snow as the half-elf rides off down the road.

Kul and folk rise early. Walc calls Berlundtul (who was talking with Strys) to his side and pays Cogwaif for the supplies. Kul stores some of the food in his extra sack and backpack and then divides the rest of the food and grain into various saddlebags. The group leaves the tavern and heads over to the ferry station where Kul pays 1 sp for his crossing. He and Merrill then take some horses across on the first crossing. Walc, Strys and the squires follow on the second trip. As the ferry approaches the west bank, Kul can hear them laughing about something. Apparently, Strys has just repeated a Lulean phrase that she overheard Walc say this morning. As they step off of the ferry, Walc translates it for her: "Berlundtul, enough dawdling!  Bring the money-bag to me now!" Dalfholt finds this especially humorous. Strys and Berlundtul laugh, but are both clearly embarrassed (Strys, because she has embarrassed Berlundtul). Walc observes that "she is able to speak Lulean now!" and laughs heartily. Othello comes across last with the bulk of the horses. The group gathers, sorts out the horses and prepares to leave westward.

Pursuit (Part 2) [Wednesday 09 December 1998] [p483-484]

17 Jan 08 cont: Late Afternoon: Clear, sunny and cold.

Thar gallops onward, mounted on a fresh horse. He follows the road westward from Woodwych through a light scattering of trees just north of the Celadon Forest. He rides on relentlessly all night long using his new lantern to light his way.

Meanwhile, Kul runs onward as the others ride. That night, Merrill and Strys sleep in the tent [found in Kul's saddlebags].

18 Jan 08: Morning: Thar rides all day and again continues into the night.
Midnight: Thar finally decides to stop. He rubs down Dentarni, all the while talking to the poor horse. He then makes a small fire. It is cloudy and breezy during the night. Dentarni's snorting wakes up the half-elf several times during his brief [about 4 hour] rest.

Meanwhile, Kul continues to run onward as the others ride. Walc is up front speaking with Dalfholt. As he rides, Walc turns to his right, as if expecting to speak to someone there, only to find that there is no-one riding on that side of him.  This draws a stern look of displeasure from the knight. He calls sharply for Berlundtul, who has been lagging behind the group with Strys. The squire rides forward to join Walc with an apprehensive expression, as one who is about to get lectured. Walc speaks sternly to him and Berlundtul takes his place riding at Walc's right flank.

19 Jan 08: Dry air, party cloudy skies. Thar rides all day long until after midnight and then pauses to rest for a few hours.

Kul and company also continue onward. Berlundtul remains by Walc's side for the entire day.
Night: Kul wakes momentarily during Berlundtul's watch and sees the squire sitting by the tent. He also can see Strys' face peering out from under the tent flaps. They lean toward each other and speak in hushed tones.

20 Jan 08: Mid-morning: Overcast with light snowfall. Thar spots rising smoke ahead of him on the western horizon.

Meanwhile, Kul continues to follow the two sets of tracks left by Thar and Circh. He finds evidence of Thar's mount, Shadow, stumbling and falling in the road. As the group continues onward, Kul notices that Strys seems somewhat groggy. She apparently didn't get enough sleep during the previous night.

Late Morning: Thar can now see the source of the smoke. A massive army is camped ahead on the banks of a river. He draws closer and sees Nyrondian flags flying over the camp, indicating that the camp is, fortunately, made up of human soldiers and not humanoids such as orcs or bugbears.

Thar advances, passing a few patrols who regard him, but make no attempt to stop him. After losing Circh's trail in the confusing assortment of tracks, he hails a perimeter patrol and begins by asking if they've been here long. "Too long", a soldier replies and then explains that they are waiting for permission from the Duchy of Urnst to cross the Nesser River. The soldier then adds, "I'm in no hurry though. At the rate that Iuz' army is advancing they will come to meet us here on Nyrondian soil." Thar asks if he has seen a woman on a large, brown charger and the soldier acknowledges that he did see her. "Can't forget that one," he replies. "She had the mouth of a soldier." He further explains that she crossed just after sunrise [about four hours ago]. Thar leaves the soldiers, following the road right through the heart of the camp. He also passes through a small village as he nears the river. He easily fords the river and finds another small village on the opposite side. After making his way through the village, passing by a barracks of the Urnst soldiers, he proceeds to search for Circh's trail. The warhorse's tracks are obscured, however. He looks around for nearby guards or soldiers but sees none here and finally decides to forge ahead on the westward road. He rides on until midnight only then stopping to rest for a few hours.

Evening at the Slayer's camp: As the group sits around the campfire, Walc looks over to Strys. He asks her, in Lulean, how her language lessons are coming along. Strys is taken aback and struggles a bit at first in finding the right words to answer with. Speaking slowly, but clearly, she replies that she is "learning much". Walc is impressed with her accent and mentions aloud in Baklunish that she speaks like a native Lulean!

Night: Kul takes first watch. Berlundtul and Strys stay up late talking in Lulean. They speak softly and smile often. As Strys turns in, Kul indicates that it is Berlundtul's watch and also turns in.

21 Jan 08: Thar awakens and finds that the walls of Nellix are actually not far ahead. He approaches, but finds that the east gate is closed. Realizing that Circh cannot be too far ahead of him, he skirts around the whole town to the west gate but finds that gate closed as well. He hails the guard, stating, "I seek entry." "Now?" the guard whines, to which Thar replies simply, "Yes". The guard eventually opens up a small door in the gate and Thar dismounts and leads Dentarni into the town, which seems a little larger than Woodwych. Starting at the nearest stable, Thar begins asking about Circh at all of the stables from west to east. Soon, he is near the east gate, and after asking at all five stables has found that no-one has seen her. Finally, he approaches three guards who are chatting at the east gate and asks them about Circh. The guard currently on duty replies in a deep, rumbling voice that he has not seen her. In fact, no-one at all came in during the night. Thar also asks one of the other guards standing nearby, Nossur, who was on duty before the first guard. However, he also does not recall seeing Circh. Thar is beside himself.  He pauses to consider the possibilities and weigh his options:

Option #1: Go back to the Nesser River on the gamble that Circh never made it to Nellix and that he missed her at the Nyrond/Urnst border at the Nesser River.  If this is the right choice then the search may be almost over, since Circh will likely be "trapped" between himself and Kul (whom he hopes is following).  If this is wrong, then Thar may never catch up to her, since she will be so far ahead.

Option #2: Continue onward towards Leukish on the gamble that Circh circumnavigated Nellix and continued on.  If this is the right choice then he loses nothing and could close the gap.  If this is wrong then he will most likely still have Circh "trapped" between himself and Kul (whom he still hopes is following).

Late Afternoon: Kul and the group arrive at a village. The tracks are mostly obscured here, but after some study, Kul can see some of Shadow's prints leading to the gate of the nearby town. The group enters Woodwych and Kul immediately heads straight for the nearest inn, the Traveler's Sanctuary. Kul enters first, as the others dismount and tie up their horses. He buys an ale (which is actually quite large) and talks to the innkeeper, Dakirstad. The innkeep remembers talking to Thar outside, but didn't see Circh. As they talk, Walc and the others enter. Upon setting eyes upon Walc, a fully armored knight, the innkeep comes racing around from behind the bar asking Walc if he will be needing food, good ale and, of course, a place to stay. Dakirstad is, of course, speaking in Oeridian, so Walc only nods and smiles politely. Kul explains to the innkeep that Walc does not speak common and then informs the innkeeper that they won't be staying. Then, after leaving a silver coin on the bar, Kul turns to Walc and relates the new information.

Requiems (Part 1) [Wednesday 16 December 1998] [p485-492]

21 Jan 08 cont: Afternoon: Thar leaves Nellix through the west gate, but is still unable to find any tracks or sign of Circh passing through the area. He feels that he has invested too much time in this endeavor to turn back or give up, so he ultimately decides to follow the northwest road, gambling that Circh skipped around Nellix and continued on towards Leukish, capitol of the Duchy of Urnst.

Midafternoon: After passing through several villages, Thar comes upon a man chopping firewood. He asks about Circh and the man replies that he saw her pass by just after noon. "Don't see many folks travel this time of year," he adds. Thar is relieved, he apparently is not far behind her at all and this is the first good news he has received since leaving Rel Mord. He pushes on with renewed vigor.

Late Afternoon cont: Kul and Merrill search the inns of Woodwych for Thar and Circh while the others remain at the Traveler's Sanctuary. Kul is expecting that Thar will have caught up to Circh by now and that they are staying at another inn. Their search eventually takes them to an inn near the west gate where they find the innkeeper outside chatting with the ostler, Kixo. They are discussing someone who apparently left a horse with the ostler. "Turns out the horse is actually pretty good," Kixo remarks. "I hope he never comes back!", he adds and they share a laugh over this. Kul interrupts their banter and asks for Thar by name. The innkeeper laughs as the ostler's jaw falls open! Kixo then admits that he has the horse. Thar left it for Kul four days ago. Kul asks if Thar left any message for him, but there is none... only a horse. Kul is somewhat disappointed. He had hoped that Thar would leave some kind of message. Kul informs the ostler that he will return in the morning to get the horse. He and Merrill return to the Traveler's Sanctuary where Kul fills in Walc about the new development. They agree to rest here for the night.

22 Jan 08: Thar continues following signs of Circh's passage.

Morning: The company of the Slayers goes to the stable by the west gate and retrieves Thar's horse, Shadow. Kul, who is unwilling to ride a black horse because of an old family taboo, switches horses with Othello. The group leaves Woodwych on horseback through the west gate. Once they have passed beyond the outlying settlements, Kul pauses to search for tracks. He is unable to identify Thar's tracks (since Thar is now riding a different horse, one whose prints are unfamiliar to the barbarian), but after some careful searching he does manage to find the familiar prints of Walc's warhorse, indicating Circh's passage. The group follows the tracks westward toward Nellix.

23 Jan 08: Thar awakens to find the sun high in the sky. He has apparently overslept and this sets him back a bit.

Meanwhile, the company of the Slayers continues on towards Nellix.

24 Jan 08: Thar arrives at Leukish. He passes through a makeshift tent-village outside the walls of the city. Crowds of people are here all hoping to somehow gain entrance into the safety of the city. Thar asks a soldier about Circh, but the soldier seems overwhelmed and doesn't recall seeing her. Thar decides that he'll probably have better luck at the gates themselves and approaches the city. He finds that the gates are closed and that there is a line of folks all trying to enter the city. Soldiers are controlling the crowds, organizing folk into two lines: one for the common folk and another, shorter line for those who are carrying weapons and appear able to help defend the city should she come under seige. A soldier spots Thar and asks if he intends to enter the city. Thar answers that he's not sure... he only wants to enter if he knows that Circh has passed through. He describes Circh and the soldier remembers her... he put her into the shorter line sometime around mid-morning. The soldier leads Thar to the shorter line and soon the half-elf is at the gate. The guard at the gate remembers seeing Circh also, so Thar pays the 12 sp toll and enters the city. He begins checking the many stables, but soon finds that no-one recognizes Circh's description, or that of Walc's brown charger. Finally, he ends up at the west gate. It is equally crowded here and, once again, there are soldiers controlling the crowds. The guards here also remember seeing Circh as she left the city. Thar stops briefly at a nearby inn to resupply his food, grain and lantern oil. He learns that Greyhawk is the next major settlement. The city is ten to twelve days due west with nothing between except for a few villages outside Leukish. The sun is low in the sky as Thar leaves Leukish. He passes through more tent-villages and rides westward toward Greyhawk.

25 Jan 08: Thar rides onward towards Greyhawk.

Meanwhile, the company of the Slayers continues on. They notice smoke on the western horizon before them.

26 Jan 08: Thar continues to ride onward towards Greyhawk.

Late Morning: The company of the Slayers finds the Nyrondian army at the banks of the Nesser River. They ford the river and Kul asks about Thar at a guard tower. The guards have not seen him though. Once away from the river and its settlements, Kul is able to locate and follow Circh's tracks again. The group pushes on towards Nellix.

27 Jan 08: Thar continues onward and arrives at the Cairn hills. He comes upon an abandoned village on the outskirts of the hills and finds wolf tracks in the snow. Following Circh's tracks, he pauses as the hoofprints lead toward the door of an abandoned inn. Small footprints can be seen leading into and then out of the inn. Thar doesn't even bother dismounting. He turns westward and continues on diligently.

Meanwhile, the company of the Slayers arrives at Nellix. The baritone guard at the east gate remembers seeing Thar inside the town about six days ago. The group enters the town and stops to investigate the nearby Nesser Inn. The innkeep here never saw either Thar or Circh, however. Kul is still hoping that Thar will have caught up to Circh by now and that they are staying at another inn, so he and Merrill leave to check out other inns. No sign of Thar or Circh is found, though. They eventually come to the east gate where a whiny guard remembers seeing both Thar and Circh pass through separately. Kul and Merrill return to the Nesser Inn to inform the others. They find that Walc and the squires are not here, but Othello and Strys are. Strys is struggling to trim her own hair. Merrill asks if she can help and Strys reluctantly agrees. Merrill sits on a bench with Strys keeling at her feet. Strys asks Merrill about the brand upon her forehead and Merrill hesitates before answering, "I got it very long ago..." She then goes on to explain the whole story.

Merrill's "Auntie" was a "field witch", living on the outskirts of a large Baklunish village. There was a drought during Merrill's fourteenth summer; the harvest was terrible and most of the animals were sick with disease.  The distrustful villagers, angry and needing someone to blame, formed a mob and captured Merrill and her aunt at night while the two slept in their hut.  They were brought to the village where Merrill's aunt was branded and tied to a stake to be burned alive.  The villagers set Auntie ablaze as Merrill was branded. However, as Merrill was led to her stake, Auntie, seeing Merrill's impending fate, cast a final incantation. The fire exploded in a brilliant and dazzling display of pyrotechnics and Auntie was consumed in the explosion.  Merrill, fully aware of her poor aunt's death, used the opportunity to escape and flee.  She went years mourning her aunt's loss. Merrill's eyes seem very distant with the memory.  Strys is silent for a moment before asking, "Why don't you cover the brand?"  Merrill, cutting the ends of Strys' hair with a small blade, says, "I used to. For a long time I did. But it took a very special person to make me realize that it is a part of me and something that I should not be ashamed of.  It is who I am."  Merrill looks up at Kulgar as she finishes the sentence.

At that moment, Walc and the squires return. Strys, still sitting on the floor and having her hair combed out by Merrill, greets Walc in Lulean <"Good afternoon, Lord Sir Walc">.  Walc is tickled by this, and responds excitedly.  As he speaks, it is clear that he is speaking above Strys' level of comprehension, so, after taking a breath, he responds again - this time using a simpler sentence.  Strys smiles widely, understanding.  Walc chuckles (pleased that he is able to speak with Strys in his own language) and walks over to Kul with the squires following behind him.  As Dalfholt passes Strys, she greets him <"Good afternoon, Mister Dalfholt">.  Dalfholt smiles without warmth and responds politely <"Good afternoon, Miss Strystynne">.  Strys then smiles at Berlundtul, and greets him also, her voice lowering <"Hi, Berl">.  He grins as he passes her and replies <"Hi, Strystynne">.  Walc, overhearing this, hesitates in his discussion with Kulgar.  The knight takes note of this informal exchange but decides not to address it.  The squires head to their room, and Strys, smiling, watches Berlundtul as he crosses the room.  She lets out a sudden yelp of surprise as Merrill tugs sharply at her hair with the comb.  Strys winces and Merrill, whose expression is usually cool, shows a trace of a smug smile.  Walc buys an ale for Kul, who is brooding over how little spending money he has. Kul has decided to take full advantage of Othello's talents and eats only his rations instead of buying a meal.

Later, Strys and Berlundtul talk, leaning close over their small table. Strys' attention seems to be directed more on the squire's eyes, instead of watching his mouth as she normally does. Walc rises from his seat at Kul's table and approaches, looming over them. Strys and Berlundtul immediately lean back and stiffen up, but Walc tells them to continue on. Berlundtul does continue on, but stumbles through his explanation, while Strys now looks no higher than Berlundtul's chest.  Both (Strys more so than Berlundtul) are plainly uncomfortable with Walc standing over them. Strys seems to be having difficulty understanding the proper forms of addressing other people. Walc finally interrupts and explains that there are four forms of Lulean address. He goes on to describe (in Baklunish) the first three forms in great detail.

The "peer" form is the common use of addressing others.  It is a polite, formal way of addressing strangers, co-workers and acquaintances.  It is also the acceptable form of addressing a person if you don't know their station within relation to your own (should stations become known, it is up to the higher station to request proper addressing from the lower station.  If it is not requested, then the lower station need not use high addressing).

The "high" form is used to address someone above one's station, usually a subordinate addressing a leader.  A knight would address a king this way; a squire would use this form when addressing a knight.

The "low" form is the manner in which a king would address a knight and how a knight would address a squire.

[The four forms of address are how the different forms of the word "you" and verbs are used when addressing people.  Within the Lulean culture (and Addrata, for that matter), people of high station deserve more respect than others of lower station.  There is a pecking order of status, breeding, heritage and class. Lower class citizens would address those of the upper class with the high form of addressing.  Furthermore, the finer cultured families typically use the high/low form when addressing siblings: the elders referred to in the high form, and younger siblings in lower form.  Lower class families typically use intimate forms of address.]

When Strys, now speaking Baklunish, asks Walc about the fourth form, he adds "Ah, yes!  The fourth form of addressing.  This is used when addressing someone familiar or intimate.  For example, this is how Berlundtul addresses his wife." Strys' mouth hangs open.  "His wife?" she asks hollowly.  Her copper complexion is noticeably paler.  Berlundtul is frowning, obviously confused, and looking from Strys to Walc. He cannot speak Baklunish and, therefore, is not able to follow their conversation.

Walc, seeing Strys' reaction, hastily adds "Oh, no no no!  Berlundtul is not married now!  No, not yet."  He smiles at his squire.  "But that is the address that Berlundtul will use to address his wife, eh, Berlundtul?"  Walc chuckles, still speaking Baklunish.  "Yes, there will be many powerful families of high status that will want Berlundtul to court their daughters!  Imagine!  The young, handsome man from the House of Taswerschimel [tahs-VEER-shim-mel] returning from the eastlands with the Blade of Saint Edric!  Every family will want him to marry into their family!  The dowries that will be offered to Berlundtul will be phenomenal!"  Walc chuckles, and focuses on Strys.  "Yes, he will have his choice of many ladies to court, all from within his
station."  He smiles, and straightens up, still focused on Strys.  "Well!  Those are the forms of address!"  His voice lowers and becomes measured.  "I hope that I've made myself clear, and that there no longer is any confusion."  He smiles, and begins to return to his seat by Kulgar.

Strys, no longer looking at Walc, stares down at the table top with a rather defeated and even hurt expression.  As Walc turns away from the table, Strys closes her eyes and says very weakly, <"Yes, Lord Sir Walc">, addressing the knight in high form.  She then says to Berlundtul in Lulean, <"I apologize for my behavior,"> also addressing Berlundtul in high form.  Berlundtul is pained and confused to hear Strys address him in this manner.

Strys' reaction surprises Walc and he stops to look back at her, regarding her with an expression of re-evaluation.  He nods hesitantly, and then returns pensively to Kul's table.  Up to now, Walc, when speaking Lulean to Strys, had always used the peer form of address with her.  Walc knows, however, that he cannot correct her.  To request that she use the peer form of address now would undermine all that he had just discussed with her.  After sitting quietly for a few minutes, he orders another round of drinks for Kul and himself.

Later: Berlundtul knocks upon Walc's door and, after receiving permission, enters.  Walc is studying holy scriptures.  "Lord Sir Walc," Berlundtul begins, "I understand that I deserve no explanation, but I am confused about Miss Strystynne's reaction to your words this afternoon."  Walc sets the scriptures aside and turns in his seat to face his squire.  His face is very solemn as he speaks.  "I have noticed how informal you are when addressing Miss Strystynne, and it has troubled me greatly.  You allow her to use familiar addressing when speaking to you, and you have not corrected her.  You encourage it.  You do not address her as "Miss", and you use the familiar form of addressing.  It is entirely inappropriate.  Squires serving the High Order of Saint Edric do not speak to ladies in such a personal -- intimate -- manner."

Berlundtul remains silent.  His jaw is clamped shut and his eyes are hard.  Walc rises, speaking in a softer, more sympathetic tone.  "Mister Berlundtul, it is not that I disapprove of Miss Strystynne as a person.  She is very pretty and highly intelligent!  Why, there are scholars in Lulea that would send champions to contest in field to win her as a student!  She would make a prized pupil!  But, Mister Berlundtul, Miss Strystynne has had the misfortune of being - and I mean no disrespect to her by saying this - of being an island girl instead of a Lulean lady of court.  She has no House, no Lineage, no station.  You deserve a woman of station, Mister Berlundtul.  Remember who you are: Mister Berlundtul Gastuwar (gahs-TU-vahr), son of Lord Mister Schimmel of the House Taswerschimel.  You deserve a woman of station."

Berlundtul bows rigidly and waits to be dismissed.  Walc finally dismisses him, and watches him leave.  After the door closes, Walc turns back to his scriptures, frowning deeply.

28 Jan 08: Thar continues onward through the Cairn Hills, towards Greyhawk.

Meanwhile, the Company of the Slayers leaves Nellix and continues on the northwest road towards Leukish. Strys and Berlundtul are noticeably apart during travel, though Strys often steals glances at the squire.

29-30 Jan 08: Thar continues on towards Greyhawk as the Company travels towards Leukish.

01 Feb 08: Thar finally arrives at Greyhawk. Tent-villages are sprawled outside the gates and crowds of people are apparently trying to get inside the safety of the city walls.

The Company of the Slayers arrives at Leukish. Kul asks a soldier about Thar, but he doesn't remember the half-elf.  They soon learn that there is a 12 sp toll per person to enter city!  The group is obviously reluctant to enter the city for that price expecting to learn that Thar has already left, so they decide to circle around to the west gate where Kul questions the guards. The guards here do remember seeing both Circh and Thar passing out of city (separately) about a week ago. The group learns that the west road leads to Greyhawk and, having no need to resupply, they leave immediately.  After passing through a few villages, Kul is once again able to find Circh's tracks. That evening, Strys and Berlundtul actually talk again for the first time since Nellix.

02-05 Feb 08: The Company travels towards Greyhawk. Strys and Berlundtul loosen up a bit more.

06 Feb 08: Late Afternoon: The company of the Slayers arrives at an abandoned village and Kul follows Circh's tracks to an inn. She apparently stopped, dismounted, entered the inn on foot, and then exited, remounted and road away again.  Kul notices that a second set of hoofprints also paused outside of the inn and then continued on after Circh.  He studies the second set of prints, familiarizing himself with them.  They must be the prints from Thar's new horse.

Kul enters the inn and finds it to be just as deserted as the village outside.  It is late in the day and he's in no hurry to push on, so he decides that this is a fine place to rest (hell, it's free!) and begins building a fire with some leftover firewood.  The horses are stabled and the rest of the group files in.  Kul looks for ale behind the bar.  There are several kegs.  All are empty... except one untapped keg!  He taps it and discovers it to be full of wine!  He then tends to the fire while sipping on the free wine.

Walc and the squires soon exit to have a look around the village.  Othello and Strys also disappear for a bit, leaving Kul and Merrill sitting alone together.  Merrill is sewing, repairing some of the group's worn clothing.  Kul tells her that it really is good to have her around again and thanks her for helping him back in Rel Mord.  She smiles sweetly and reminds him that he never has to thank her for helping him. Kul continues with some small talk and then asks her about the leather thong that she always wears around her neck.  She explains that it contains a few locks of hair of her blood-brother and smiles at him.  Kul nods in understanding and smiles back.

Walc returns with his squires and states that there is nothing of interest in the village, confirming what Kul had already suspected.  Walc and Dalfholt retire to private rooms while the others remain in the common room.  Strys and Berlundtul sit alone together, talking.  They lean close over their table, alternately whispering into each other's ear.  Walc's door opens and he emerges to find his squire leaning very close to Strys's ear.  The knight sternly asks Berlundtul to come in for a word.  Berlundtul disappears into Walc's room and long minutes pass by before he finally comes out again.  His face is red and he is visibly upset as he walks out through the front door of inn.  Strys is concerned and begins to rise, intending perhaps to follow Berlundtul outside.  Walc, however, is watching from the doorway of his room and asks her to come in for a word.  Strys follows the knight into his room and more long minutes pass.  In the meantime, a whinnying is heard from the horses outside in the stable.  They seem to calm immediately however, and Kul decides that there is no need to investigate.

"Poor Strys," Merrill comments, "she is so young."  Kul rolls his eyes, "She should be at home with her mommy, baking cookies."  "Oh, Kulgar..." Merrill shakes her head in amusement at Kul's attitude and then gently defends Strys.  At that moment, Strys emerges from Walc's room.  She has that familiar and unmistakably malicious glare of a tunician in her eyes.  Kul and Merrill watch as she exits the inn without a word.  They get a brief glimpse of Berlundtul outside, his long hair down around his shoulders (instead of braided as before) just before the door closes.

Meanwhile, Strys finds Berlundtul outside.  His hair falls wildly along his shoulders and he smiles as he speaks softly to her, taking her hands in his own.  She smiles, listening to his words. "<What?  What are you saying, Berl?">, she asks in Lulean.  He begins walking, leading her, continuing to speak softly.  She follows, holding his hand, smiling puzzledly at him.  "<What are you saying?  I don't understand you.>"

Walc, looking exasperated, enters the common room and sits down with Kul and Merrill.  Kul is a bit concerned that Strys and Berlundtul may run away.  He asks Walc, "Are those two coming back, I hope?"  Walc looks up, not understanding Kul's meaning.  Kul explains that Berlundtul and Strys both went out through the front door.  After an initial look of even deeper exasperation Walc tries to control his emotions and regain his composure.

"<Where are we going?>", Strys asks Berlundtul.  She continues to smile and seems giddy.  The sun is low in the sky, behind the Cairn hills; the village is cast in the shadow of the impending evening.  Berlundtul leads her down the street into a small house on the outskirts of the village, all the while speaking rhythmically to her.  They enter the house and the door closes behind them.

Back at the inn, Walc rises, strides to Dalfholt's door and knocks, awakening the young squire who answers the door somewhat bleary eyed.  Walc gives him instructions and Dalfholt quickly dresses and runs outside.  He can be heard calling Berlundtul's name.

Meanwhile, inside the small house, Berlundtul gently sits Strys on a thick blanket.  His voice has dropped to a murmur.  He walks behind her, kneels, resting his hands lightly on her shoulders and then leans close whispering into her ear.  Strys smiles.  "<What are you saying...>"  His lips brush against her hair and then her ear.  Strys closes her eyes as her smile fades and her lips part.  Her breathing becomes deeper.

Dalfholt enters the inn again and speaks to Walc.  Walc asks Kul if they still have the lantern and Kul indicates that it is nearby, but that it is empty of oil.  Walc and Dalfholt manage to find some leftover oil in the inn and quickly fill the lantern.  Dalfholt carries the lantern and leads Walc outside.  They soon return again and Walc asks Kul to come with them... something has happened.  Cursing under his breath, Kul rises, grabbing Gashintain.  Merrill and Othello also follow as Walc leads the group to the stables.  Outside the stables is a pool of blood, but there seems to be no sign of Berlundtul or Strys anywhere.  The group follows footprints from the blood spot through several small streets to a nearby crypt entrance.

Meanwhile, Berlundtul's lips kiss Strys' ear and then continue slowly down her neck.  The tip of his tongue wets her neck.  His hands slide from her shoulders; one slides up, touching lightly on her throat under her chin, the other sliding down around her ribs, then up, cupping her breast.  Strys leans back into him, her eyes closed, her mouth opened, her chest heaving.

Back at the crypt, Kul peers within and sees a large iron door at the bottom of a set of stairs.  One set of footprints also exits the crypt.  Kul and Walc decide to follow the prints.

Meanwhile, Berlundtul holds Strys' head back, licking and kissing the side of her neck.  He presses his mouth over her neck, just above the shoulder.  Strys suddenly inhales sharply and remains frozen for a long moment, finally letting a low sexual moan escape from her throat.

Kul and Walc lead the group as they follow the tracks back towards the inn, where they are joined by another set of footprints.  They continue following the tracks straight to a small house on the outskirts of the village.

Meanwhile, within the house, Strys' breath is rapid and shallow.  Her lips are parted and trembling.  A single tear rolls from the corner of her eye, rolling down her cheek, past her mouth, along her jaw.  The tear continues down the side of her neck and touches Berlundtul's mouth.  His mouth is still pressed against her neck.  A single trail of blood snakes from his mouth down along Strys' neck.

Outside, Kul approaches the house and violently kicks in the front door!  He discovers Strys in Berlundtul's arms.  Berlundtul's head snaps around to look at Kul and long fangs tug the skin as they pop out of Strys' neck.  Kul steps into the room and glares at Berlundtul, telling the squire to step away from her.  Berlundtul snarls a deep, feral growl and bares two very long blood stained canine fangs.  Strys' head lolls to the side and she groans softly as she begins to slump over.  The light from Dalfholt's lantern reflects off of Berlundtul's eyes, revealing them to be red and wild.  Walc steps into the room as Kul moves forward.  Suddenly, Berlundtul leaps for a window on the opposite side of the room.  Kul is reluctant to harm the squire with Gashintain, so he leaps forward to cut off his escape.  He manages to grab Berlundtul with one hand and pull him to the floor.  Walc crosses the room and the others enter the house.  Merrill rushes to Strys' side and holds the girl in her arms.  Strys seems delirious, she holds a hand to her forehead.  "What happened?  Where am I?" she asks weakly.

Kul tells Walc to cover the window and Othello to cover the door.  He holds Berlundtul to the floor and asks Walc if he knows what's happened to him?  "I don't know what's happened, but that is not Berlundtul," the knight replies.  Kul first strikes the creature with the pommel of his sword and then releases his hold to strike with the diamond blade.  Walc produces his holy symbol of Eiadion as the creature lashes out and strikes Kul.  The knight holds the holy symbol (a small sword) and repeats a prayer.  The creature shrinks away from Walc towards the corner of the room trying to position Kul between itself and the knight.  Kul strikes at it with Gashintain.  The creature lashes out swiftly at Kul again several times and then shrinks further into the corner.  Kul slashes and strikes twice.

As the fight rages on, Merrill tends to Strys, who is lying on the floor still speaking faintly.  "What happened?  Mumma?  Mumma, is that you mumma?"  Merrill holds Strys by the shoulders and cradles her within her arms, turning her head to see her neck.  Two deep puncture marks are at the base of her throat.  Blood flows freely from the bite wounds.  Merrill suppresses a gag, covering her mouth and squinting hard.  She opens her eyes, and takes some items from her sack.  "Everything's fine, Strystynne, everything is going to be all right.  You're going to be fine, Strystynne, honey."  Tears blur Merrill's eyes.  Strys touches her neck.  "What happened?  Why am I bleeding?"  Her voice is faint, as that of one who has just awoke from a sound sleep.

Meanwhile, Kul finally runs the creature through and it begins to shake and shudder.  The barbarian twists the diamond-bladed sword around a bit and the creature finally falls to the floor.  Kul waits until it has stopped moving before finally pulling Gashintain from its torso.  "If this is not Berlundtul," Kul gestures to the body on the floor, "then where is he?  We should go back to the crypt."  Walc agrees and they head for the door.  Kul pauses before leaving and asks Merrill how Strys is.  "I can heal her wounds," Merrill replies, "but I'm not sure about the rest."  Kul grunts and he, Walc and Dalfholt leave with the lantern and return to the crypt.  Othello remains at the house with Merrill and Strys.

Once at the crypt, Kul, Walc and Dalfholt descend the stairs and find the iron door at the bottom ajar.  Kul opens it and enters the tomb.  There is a huge pile of bodies in the center of the chamber.  Rats scurry about the edges of the room.  The skeletal bodies nearer to the bottom of the pile seem much older while the bodies near the top are more recent.  Berlundtul is on the very top of the pile; a huge, fatal gash through his throat.  Walc cries out and pulls the squire's body off of the pile and into his arms.  Walc kneels on the floor, holding Berlundtul as a father would hold his fallen son.  He clutches the squire's body to his chest, wailing loudly.  Suddenly, a scream is heard from up in the village... Merrill's scream.  Kul runs up to investigate.  As he emerges onto the main street he sees a wolf fleeing from the house where the others were left.  Kul runs to the house where Merrill and Othello explain that the creature got up and turned into a wolf before fleeing.  Kul escorts them back to the inn.  Strys still cannot walk, so Othello carries her.  Once at the inn, Kul tells them to bar the doors and windows.  He then returns to the crypt.  Walc is still cradling Berlundtul in his arms, crying over his lost squire.  Dalfholt is also there at his side, still holding the lantern.

After a moment of silence, Kul speaks.  "The creature is not dead," he states.
Walc rises slowly, "We must do it right this time."
"I don't know how," Kul replies.  "I thought it was dead before, but it changed into a wolf and fled down the street."
"I know what to do," Walc states.
They climb stairs out of the crypt.

Requiems (Part 2) [Friday 26 February 1999] [p492-497]

06 Feb 08: Evening cont: Kulgar, Walc and Dalfholt return to the small house where the vampire seduced Strys.  Kul easily finds the wolf tracks and they follow the beast to another small house.  With Gashintain ready in hand, Kul kicks open the front door and the vampire is revealed within.

The barbarian steps in and slashes the creature [14].  The vampire, in turn, slashes Kul twice with its claws [6].  Kul moves aside, allowing Walc to enter, and slashes twice [14].  The vampire misses Kul and backs away.  Walc and Kul continue to harass the beast, until Walc finally successfully strikes the creature twice with his holy blade, Hollebrundt.  Kul notices that smoke seems to be escaping from the vampire's new wounds.  The barbarian then aims for its neck and cuts off its head in one swift stroke.  The head pinwheels though the air and Walc looks over at Kul, impressed.  "Good job," he states.  Kul grunts in reply and then asks what they should do next.  The paladin explains that the body must be burned, while the head must be buried and thus returned to the earth.

Kulgar picks up the vampire's head, intending to carry it outside.  The eyes, however, are still open, and seem to stare back at him.  He immediately drops it, repulsed.  Walc and Dalfholt drag the body out of the building as Kul kicks the head outside.  Walc burns the body with lantern oil.  Kul meanwhile finds a pick nearby and digs a hole off of the road.  Walc spreads holy water around the edge of the hole and says a prayer.  Kul kicks the head in and then fills in the hole.  Walc now has another duty to attend to.  Kul asks the knight if he wants help, but Walc declines, explaining that he will attend to it himself.  Kul heads back to the inn, leaving Walc and Dalfholt to take care of Berlundtul's body.

Soon, back at the inn,  Kul enters and finds Strys sitting and facing the fireplace with her back to everyone else.  She sits with her knees drawn up, her arms wrapped around her knees. Merrill kneels, sitting on her heals, behind the girl.  "How is she?" Kul asks.  "I have treated her wound." replies Merrill.  Othello approaches and asks Kul what happened.  Kul explains very briefly, "We killed the creature.  Berlundtul is dead."  Othello looks saddened and Merrill's jaw drops.  Kul settles in, treats his wounds, and rests.

07 Feb 08: Morning: Kulgar rises early, feeds the horses, and exercises with his swords.  Then, as the others rise, the barbarian leaves to find Walc and Dalfholt.  He returns to the crypt and finds Walc and Dalfholt within.  They have just completed constructing a large funeral pyre for Berlundtul.  Kul stands on lowest step, near Dalfholt, who is holding a lit torch.

Walc stands before the pyre.  He speaks of Berlundtul as a hero who served the Church, died for the Church and thus will receive the full honors of the Church.  He suddenly becomes angry and grief stricken.  "Why!?  Why was it you that had to die, Berlundtul!?  It should have been me that faced that monster of Hell!"

Walc turns away for a moment, composing himself.  When he faces Kulgar, his voice is weary.  "Do you know how I started my service for the Church of Eiadion?" he asks Kulgar.  "I was a temple guard - a protector for the Church.  That role as a protector lead me to protect the interests of Huffenboester, which is my homeland within Lulea.  There were countless battles where I proved myself as a swordsman and a leader."  Walc laughs bitterly.  "The more bloodletting attributed to your name, the more respect you earn."

He looks over to Berlundtul's shrowd-covered body.  The squire's sword rests upon the shrowd.  "People wanted to meet me," he continues.  "Powerful people.  Soon, I was invited to the King's court.  I charmed every man and woman that I was introduced to.  Once it was learned how intelligent and persuasive I was, I became an envoy of the Church of Eiadion to the King's court of Lulea."

Walc's eyes become distant with the memories of his past.  "I was fighting new battles now, where the weapons were not blades of steel, but were words.  A man's strength lay not within his arms, but within his tongue.  And battle was never about
the enemies that were defeated; it was about the alliances that were chosen."  Walc turns, looking at Kulgar, shaking his head.  "I was absolutely brilliant in all of this.  As my reputation grew, my alliances grew.  Men began to fear me more within this forum than any man had before facing me on the field of honor.  I expanded the role of the Church within all of Lulea and all of the greater lands north and west.  I insured that the needs of the Church became priority within state matters.  When I was inducted into the High Order of Saint Edric - the top political circle of the Church of Eiadion - I expanded their role and strength as well."

Walc is silent for a moment.  He draws a breath and sighs heavily.  "And then, rather suddenly, I was an old man."  The knight holds his hands before him and studies them as he speaks.  "Too late, I realized, that while I had spent a lifetime sharpening my mind, I had let my body become dull.  I was in the sunset of my days."  Walc continues to stare at his hands silently.  He looks up, dropping his hands by his side.  His voice is soft.  "When I learned of the theft of the Holy Blade of Saint Edric from Ashell, I maneuvered myself politically to be selected to retrieve it.  Oh, there were better choices than myself.  Younger, faster, stronger choices.  But I had positioned myself so well that these other, better choices were never considered."

Kul hears a sound on the steps behind him and looks over his shoulder.  Strys has quietly descended the stairs and stopped behind Kul.  Her eyes are locked onto the shrowded body of Berlundtul.  Her face is a contorted mask of grief.  She stares at the squire's body, but remains silent.

"Oh, what a failure I am!" Walc cries.  "To think that years of talking and talking and talking would qualify me to undertake such a physically demanding quest!  After months of traveling into new lands, I arrive here unable to communicate!  I am entrusted with a holy artifact [the silver pendant] from the church of Eiriste [EEREE-stee] -- vowing to the Host himself that I would safely return it -- only to lose it and have it destroyed!  When I finally reclaim the Holy Blade of Saint Edric for the Church of Eiadion, it becomes lost again -- along with my steed!  My charger!"  Walc is shouting loudly.  "And the greatest shame that I now face -- the greatest disgrace -- is that I let a squire entrusted into my care -- I let Berlundtul -- DIE!"

Walc covers his eyes with one hand and cries for several moments.  He composes himself again, wiping his eyes and cheeks.  His voice is weak.  "Do you know how many men wanted to come with me?  When it was decided that it was I - Darch Waechtan Walc - to recover the stolen blade?  Do you know how many men wanted the oppurtunity to witness - to live through - this historical quest?  To serve me?  Me?  One hundred and sixty score.  Over three thousand men wanted to serve me."  Walc looks over at the pyre.  "The best thirty were selected by the Church.  I made the final selections from those thirty.
Berlundtul and Dalfholt were the best to serve me.  Me, an old, selfish fool in my quest to recover lost youth."

Walc turns and approaches Dalfholt, taking the torch from him.  He returns slowly to the pyre, stopping along the side of it and looks down upon the covered body.  "Sleep well, Berlundtul.  It was not you who has died today, as your memory will live on.  This requiem is for me.  It is I who is dead.  My spirit no longer lives within my body."

Walc sets the pyre ablaze.  Strystynne's face twists into silent anguish: she remains silent as tears stream down upon her face.  Dalfholt weeps, then, seeing that Walc is too close to the fire, and that the room has filled with smoke, leads Walc out by the arm.  Kul also takes Strys by the arm and leads her up the stairs.

01 Feb 08 cont: Outside Greyhawk: Tharrison rides through the shanty towns outside of the city.  People beg him for everything: food, money, weapons, his horse, and help getting into the city.  He passes occasional patrols consisting of pairs of mounted soldiers.

Thar approaches the east gate finding it to be closed.  He watches as a mercenary enters the city, paying a toll of 25 sp.  Thar approaches and talks to a guard, but the guard doesn't remember seeing Circh.  The half-elf notices, however, that another nearby guard seems to perk up at the mention of Circh.  Thar talks to the second guard, explaining that he has followed his friend, Circh, all the way from Rel Mord and is eager to catch up to her here.  The guard says that he might remember seeing her.  Thar coaxes him a bit by offering 5 sp to jog his memory.  The guard agrees that he could remember some details for 5 sp.  Thar gives up the coins and the guard admits that he knows Circh by name and that she once owned a business in the city.  Thar adds that she owned a textile warehouse [which was destroyed on p372-373] and even mentions the name of the street it was located on.  The guard finally reveals that she entered the city in the late morning.

Thar pays the toll and enters Greyhawk.  Once within the city walls, Thar spots a nargison guard.  His whip is hidden, but Thar is still able to recognize him as a guard.  Thar greets him in code and, after explaining the situation, asks if the guard can help.  The guard, Cannise, immediately agrees to help.  Thar provides Cannise with a full description of Circh and asks him to go to north side to look for her and also to enlist all the help he can in the search.  Thar, himself, will head to the south gate to check if she's already left the city.  Cannise leaves northbound and Thar heads south.

Thar arrives at the south gate and talks to two guards, asking about a woman on a large brown charger.  The guards shake their heads and call to a couple of other guards, but no-one has seen her leave the city.  Thar leaves to search Circh's favorites haunts.  He searches most of the afternoon and finds a nargison guard ferryman on the wharves, but decides not to approach him yet.  On the wharves Thar meets a man who says that he had heard that Circh was back in town, but the man has no useful info.

Thar stops by his family's offices located on the wharves.  He learns that the local mansion, located outside of the city, has been evacuated.  The Perith employees explain that if Iuz' army approaches Greyhawk, they will jump on a family owned ship and sail southward to escape.

Evening: Thar goes to the Silver Unicorn Inn where he stables his horse and rents a room for a total of 9 sp.  He then buys a good meal for another 5 sp and relaxes in the common room, watching the door.  It is very quiet in the inn and the proprietor fusses over Thar a bit, complaining about the lack of business.  Only one other traveler comes in during the evening.

02 Feb 08: Tharrison rides to the south gate and consults with the guards there, but is told that no-one left during the night.  He then rides to the west gate and checks there also.  Lots of counter-siege equipment stands ready for the likely siege.  This includes a couple of towers and catapults.  There are also many guards and soldiers in the immediate area.  Thar asks a guard if anyone left during the night, but the guard explains that only military people have been passing through the gate lately.

Thar continues his search, heading back towards the wharves.  Soon, in a waterfront tavern, he questions a man about Circh.  Although the man denies knowing her name or description, he wears the familiar face of a liar.  Thar senses that the man may be hiding something, so he moves outside, but pauses part way up the street to see if the man leaves.  He notices that another man ["Runner"], who had been nearby the liar, leaves the tavern and moves off in the opposite direction.  Thar watches as this man runs a few blocks and turns right down a small street.  Hoping that this man will lead him to Circh, Thar circles around a few blocks and positions himself at end of the small street to keep watch.  He quietly waits, but the runner never emerges.  Instead, he hears a distant sound of a horse snorting.  Curious, Thar approaches, leading his own horse.  He finds three men standing on a small rocky area beneath a pier.  One holds Walc's horse, Immelschtipp, by the reigns.
 

Meanwhile, outside, one of the men standing by Immelschtipp, wearing a sword and splint armor, walks forward to intercept Tharrison.  Thar asks to see the woman who rode in on the horse, meaning Circh, of course.  "Splint" claims that the horse belongs to him.  Thar calmly repeats his request, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

"Splint" again claims that the horse is his own, adding, "Go away before you get hurt."
"I'm losing my humor," Thar states.
"I'm losing my patience," replies "Splint", as he reaches for the sword hanging at his hip.

Thar swiftly whips out Asterlain and attacks, but misses.  Surprised by the swiftness of the half-elf's attack, "Splint" fumbles with his blade as he unsheathes it. He finally gets it loose and manages to slash at Thar, but the guard easily deflects the attack with his spinning nargison whip.  The other two men, still standing by Immelschtipp, see what's happening and leap into action, wielding daggers.  The weasely looking guy points at Thar and cries out, "It's him!  It's him!  I know him!"

Thar attacks twice, missing on the first attack.  His second, however, strikes "Splint" hard in the chest [12].  "Splint" also attacks twice, missing widely on the first attack.  Thar deflects "Splint's" second attack and the man again almost drops his weapon.  "Dagger" and "Weasel" charge forward.  "Weasel" continues his ranting on the way, "It's him! He was with the butcher at the Wharf Street Massacre!"

It takes Thar a moment, but he suddenly realizes that "Weasel's" comment refers not to his old nemesis, Velmerra, "the Butcher", but to Kulgar.  He realizes that "Weasel" must have been present at the "Wharf Street Massacre" almost two years ago ["King for a Day" p373-376] when Kul and Thar killed over sixty of Kyle's henchmen just by themselves.

The fight continues, and "Dagger" leaps at Thar, who easily defends himself.  In the process, "Dagger" trips over Thar and drops his weapon.  Thar smacks "Splint" again [13] as "Weasel" frantically waves a dagger at the half-elf.  Meanwhile, "Dagger" throws a rock at Thar and quickly recovers his weapon.  He attacks and Thar again defends himself with Asterlain.  "Dagger" loses his weapon again and clutches his arm in pain as his attack is deflected by the whip.

Thar continues to concentrate his attacks on "Splint", but misses twice.  "Weasel" throws a handful of pebbles at Thar, while "Dagger" grabs his weapon with his other hand and attacks, missing.

Thar misses "Splint" again and "Splint" cries out the name, "Golrart", as he also attacks and misses.  "Weasel", meanwhile, suddenly turns about and runs beneath the pier, fleeing past the horse.  "Dagger" attacks the half-elf, but again misses, this time smacking himself in the head.

Thar finally strikes "Splint" again [13, critical (broken ribs and a punctured lung)] and he falls to the ground coughing up blood.  Thar then turns swiftly and attacks "Dagger", aiming for the elbow of his weapon arm.  He misses, though.  "Where is Circh?"  Demands the half-elf.  "Dagger" suddenly tries to flee, but Thar easily trips him with Asterlain and he falls onto his face.  Thar then kneels one knee onto "Dagger's" back, again demanding to know where Circh is.  The man only cries out in pain, though.

Suddenly, Thar hears a voice behind him, "What the?"  He turns to see three men emerging from a nearby tunnel beneath the pier.  The largest man [Golrart] carries something long, wrapped in a horse's blanket.  The second is "Runner", whom Thar saw exiting the tavern earlier, and the third carries a torch.  Thar stands to face the newcomers and "Dagger" takes the opportunity to flee.

Golrart approaches and asks, "Who are you?"

"I'm the man who's looking for the woman who was riding that horse," Thar replies.  "Who are you?"

"I'm the man who knows where the woman who was riding that horse is."

"Then you're the man who's going to take me to the woman who was riding that horse."

Golrart looks around, taking in the scene, and then looks over Thar, sizing him up.

"Send a man to bring Circh"  demands Thar.

Golrart casually nods his head towards the tunnel, "She's right in there."  The large man walks around a bit near the half-elf.  Thar demands that Golrart drop the blanket and send a man in to retrieve Circh.

Golrart ignores Thar's demands and continues to look over the half-elf.  "So, you're Tharrison." he states.  "I've heard about you. You're that northlander's lapdog.  You're not so tough without the northlander to hide behind, are you?"

Thar can clearly see a familiar pommel, decorated with angels, sticking out from the blanket, identifying the golden Sword of St. Edric.  With a quick flick of his wrist, he easily disarms Golrart with Asterlain [critical], sending the sword high up into the air.  Golrart is momentarily shocked as Thar easily catches the still blanketed sword in his hand.  The large man's expression then changes quickly from surprise to anger, and then to a moment of fear before he suddenly turns and flees up the small street.  Upon seeing their leader run, the other two also try to flee.  The torch bearer escapes, but Thar swiftly flicks Asterlain around "Runner's" neck, immobilizing him.

Suddenly, two more men appear from the tunnel, take in their surroundings, and immediately flee.  Thar chokes his captive a bit, demanding that he go and bring Circh out from the tunnel -- SAFELY -- and slams him into wall for emphasis.  "Runner" disappears into the tunnel, but soon, as Thar checks over Immelschtipp, he hears the man whimpering inside the tunnel.  Thar enters to investigate and finds Circh in the back of the tunnel, slumped down on the ground with her back against a thick iron grate.  The grate appears to block further access to the tunnel, which apparently leads into Greyhawk's sewers.

As Thar approaches, "Runner" backs away from Circh, "I didn't do this.  She... she was like this when I came in."  Thar turns and slugs the man in the jaw, knocking him unconscious.  The half-elf then crouches down in front of Circh.  Her nose is bleeding, her lip is split, and the left side of her face is badly bruised, with her left eye swollen completely shut.  She is barely conscious, but is able to look around a bit, her unswollen eye unfocused and rolling.  It takes her several moments to realize that someone stands before her.  "Hullo..." she says just before passing out.  Thar picks her up and carries her back out to the horses.

Polk [Friday 02 April 1999] [p497-498]

02 Feb 08 cont: Tharrison leaves an unconscious Circh near the horses, and checks "Splint" for valuables. "Splint" is still alive, gasping for air.  Thar finds two pouches on him.  The first pouch contains a fine, white powder and smells of sulfur.  The second holds a steely, blue granular powder.  The half-elf gathers up Circh and takes her back to the Silver Unicorn in the center of town.

Once at the inn, Thar carries Circh up to his room and rests her on his bed.  Downstairs once again, he asks the innkeeper to leave some food in the room for when she awakens.  He then asks the innkeep about Polk.  The innkeep knows the name and describes the location of the sage's home.

Tharrison finds Polk's small home behind nearby a library.  He knocks and a man with a short beard and a shaved head answers.  When Thar asks for Polk, the man replies that he is indeed Polk.  Thar introduces himself and mentions Trosco's name.  The sage's eyes light up at the mention of Trosco and he invites Thar in.  Once inside, Thar immediately asks Polk about the Prism Staff.  He expresses interest in the three legendary staves (Mirror, Lens, and Prism), without revealing that he is in fact in possession of one.

Polk explains that the wizard who created the staves was very clever.  He designed three spells, but hid them in three separate poems.  The staves themselves are more symbolic, while the spells are the real power.  Polk continues on, briefly describing the powers of the three spells/staves and explaining that each of the staves is symbolic of a human virtue.

Mirror (equanimity): reflects energies
Lens (dignity): focuses energies
Prism (humility): disperses energies

He further explains that a mage named Lara once deciphered the Mirror poem, but the knowledge drove him insane.  The staves, which were created about 800 years ago, have been long since lost, but Polk indicates that while these stories may actually be only myths, he does believe that the staves do exist.

Thar mentions that during his travels he learned that a King named Lharierap commissioned the staves to be made by a wizard named Folidar [Tboshe's info from p422]. Polk scoffs at this version of the legend.  He explains that Folidar created the staves on his own, not by commission.  King Lharierap then sought to use the staves to expand and protect his realm in Baklune.  Polk believes that historians loyal to the King changed the story to give King Lharierap the credit.

As their conversation comes to a close, Thar asks if the sage plans to remain during the impending siege.  Polk has no immediate plans to flee as he believes that the soldiers here can repel the threat and that there is an army from Nyrond on its way.  He also mentions that there are wizards in the city who will aid in repelling any attack.  Thar informs him that the Nyrondian army is held up at the Nesser River, waiting for permission to cross into Urnst.  He further explains that they seemed unconcerned for Greyhawk herself and seemed content to wait until the enemy had come to them.

Thar's visit with Polk then comes to a close and he leaves, returning to the Silver Unicorn.

07 Feb 08: Morning cont: Kulgar pulls Strys out of the crypt.  Outside, Walc and Dalfholt immediately head back towards the inn, but Strys stops to watch the flames and smoke escaping from the open tomb.  Kul lingers to keep and eye on her.  Strys falls to her knees and sobs.  The flames eventually die, though smoke continues to rise up from the crypt.

Kul approaches and touches her shoulder  "Come on."
"He's gone," she says
"Yes... and so must we also move on."
Strys stands, tears streaking through the layer of soot on her face.  The barbarian keeps a watchful eye on her as they walk back to the inn.  They arrive to find Merrill waiting anxiously outside.  Merrill escorts Strys inside and Kul enters to find Dalfholt helping Walc don his armor.  He is glad they are finally preparing to depart and leaves to saddle up the horses.  Soon they are riding out of the abandoned village.

AN UNEXPECTED DEPARTURE PURSUIT (PART 1) PURSUIT (PART 2)

REQUIEMS (PART 1) REQUIEMS (PART 2) POLK