Through the Portal on Chalkman’s Hill

In the days that followed Vulk’s knighting by the Earl, Vulk, Devrik and Mariala threw themselves into their studies, while Drake, with Erol’s assistance, made all the preparations for the journey to Nolkior. While the arcanists spent almost every waking hour buried in the art and science of Vortex control and spell research, Drake and Erol purchased supplies, collected the (very substantial) profits from the Fortune’s Favor, exchanged money for gems and promissory notes, honed weapons and polished armour. On the 28th the two rode out to Elidar Manor, where Erol purchased a fine horse from Vulk’s uncle at quite a reasonable price.

The next day both Vulk and Devrik announced that they felt able to handle the rigors of a Nitarin Vortex, and that the attempt should be made that very night. Dusk found the group, along with Master Vetaris, gathered outside the ring of standing stones on the hill overlooking both the town and the sea.

“Good luck, my young friends,” the older mage said. “I’ve every faith that you’ll achieve the end you seek. But I have business of my own to attend to now, so I bid you farewell.”

With that he gestured towards the ring of towering stones, stepped between two of them, and vanished in a ripple of light whose color the eye failed to really comprehend, able at best to perceive it as a sort of violet just beyond the edge of sight.

Then Vulk and Devrik stepped forward, with Mariala, Drake and Erol just behind them. It had been decided that Vulk would make the first attempt at opening the portal, with Devrik there to back him up should he need it. But in the event, it seemed no help was needed – making the ritual gestures and speaking the prayer he had been taught, Vulk staggered back in surprise as a flare of non-color erupted in the heart of the circle, then faded, leaving the air rippling like the water of a still pond after a stone has been dropped in.

“That was… unexpected,” Vulk said, shaking his head. “The power was so much greater than I expected; I almost lost control.”

“Hmm, but you didn’t” Devrik grunted. “Impressive. The goddess must truly favor you; when I opened the portal, it was much smaller and didn’t last long… this seems very… solid.”

“Perhaps,” Mariala interjected, “ but there’s no telling how long it will stay open, so if we’re going, let’s go!”

With that Cris brought forward the horses, and Vulk, taking the reigns of his own steed, led the way into the rippling air of the Vortex. Mariala followed with her horse, then Erol, Drake, Raven, Blackhawk, and Cris leading Kemis the mule. Devrik and Brann brought up the rear, and as they stepped forward into the portal and vanished it flared once again and was gone.

♦

At that moment, almost 400 miles to the east, the group walked out of a cleft in a tall cliff face that was flanked by two ancient standing stones. The cliff topped a hill that overlooked a long, narrow valley, and a winding path led down into a dark wood. In the distance, to the southeast, could be seen the dark bulk of a large castle and the faint lights of a town.

“Well, I think we made it,” Drake exclaimed, slapping Vulk on the back. ‘I’d know this country in any light. We’re about five miles from Vinkara! So, do we try to make it there tonight, or camp in the wood below until dawn?”

Joining the Cavalcade

The next three days were a cyclone of activity for everyone in Vinkara, including the group. Entering the town at dawn on the 30th, they quickly sought out Drake’s brother amidst the excitement of the second day of the Earl’s tournament. They found him, encamped with the rest of the Hand of Vengeance, just outside Kar Vinkara.

After introductions to the new members of the mercenary company Colith/Alakor led the friends to their first meeting with the Earl of Kinen in his private solar in the castle. They were greeted first by Ser Kovar Delcanus, the Captain of the Wyvern Guard, an intense young man who obviously took his responsibility for the Earl’s safety very seriously.

“I should warn you about Wyvern,” Ser Kovar told them before they entered the solar. “His lordship’s great wolfhound is always nearby, and is very protective of the Earl – never make sudden moves towards his lordship unless you wish to lose some flesh! The earl considers Wyvern a good judge of character, so do your best not to show fear to the beast…”

The meeting with the Earl was equally intense, even after they had each apparently passed Wyvern’s sniff test… though the dog, laying at his master’s feet, never took his eyes off the visitors. A tall, imposing man, with dark hair just beginning to be shot with gray, and penetrating slate-gray eyes, the Earl spent an hour questioning the companions about their abilities and recent adventures. It was hard to read his rather stoic expression, except when it came to mention of his wife – there, his depth of feeling came sharply through his noble mask.

When the talk turned to the Constable of Dür, he listened to the tale that Drake told, companion to the one he’d already heard from Colith, but gave little indication what he thought of it.

“My agents in the capital tell me that there has been a notable increase in illicit drugs in the city of late,” he said when Drake had finished. “Deaths have resulted, and increased violence. With a possible Succession Crisis looming, this is another bit of instability the realm can ill afford. If it could be proved that the Constable is involved in this, then he would surely be hanged.

“But I’m afraid the unsupported word of two commoners, who could be perceived to have a grudge, is insufficient. Forgive my bluntness, but that’s simply the way of it. Personally, I don’t doubt your story… I’ve long wondered at the sources of Ser Danyes unexplained wealth, beyond the peculation I’ve already uncovered. This drug trade could explain much.

“A few months ago, my own agents finally obtained a copy of the accounts paid by the Constable to his liege, the Earl of Buran. I then sent them traveling from manor to manor, comparing what was paid out to what the Earl received. They confirmed, and documented, that Ser Danyes is skimming large amounts from the fiefdom of Dür. I intend to present the evidence of this to Lord Torad in Kolosür, during the tournament.

“Which will certainly mean the man’s dismissal from his post. But if he is indeed involved in this epidemic of drugs that threatens the realm, then I want to see him hanged, alongside those with whom he conspires. If you can find proof of his complicity, then I will present it myself to both the Earl of Buran and the King.”

In the end he agreed to make space in his entourage for the party, and grant them leave to seek out evidence against the Constable of Dür over the course of the Progress, if they would render certain services in return – Mariala he wished to provide arcane protection for his wife, fearing such an attack against his wife if his enemies couldn’t harm him directly; Vulk he assigned as junior herald to his Chamberlain and chief herald, Ser Gorlin Faragar.

“He has held the post of Herald for more than 25 years,” the Earl said, “and been my Chamberlain for 16 years. His knowledge of Kinenshire is unsurpassed; indeed, I often suspect that Ser Gorlin directed the Immortals as they put Kinenshire on Novendo’s green face.

“He speaks with my voice, and oversees every aspect of my household, with the exception of security, which is handled by Ser Kovar. You will be under his authority while a part of my household.”

Drake, as Cantor Vulk’s batman, would of course remain near Vulk, while Devrik and Erol were to be assigned as men-at-arms by Ser Kovar as he saw fit on a day-to-day basis. The “servants” would simply blend in with the rest of the noble household help.

After their meeting with the Earl, the rest of the day was spent meeting the various members of the household and integrating into the developing cavalcade, with enough free time to attend the final melee of the day at the tournament.

Gathered in Colith’s tent after supper, the group compared notes and impressions. It was agreed that Ser Gorlin seemed quite decent for such an elderly fellow, if a bit brusque and distracted with the work of getting the household ready to move. Alakor said that the Chamberlain and Ser Kovar worked closely, and had a very good relationship – it would be wise to stay on the good side of both men if they hoped to accomplish their goals!

Mariala had been introduced to the Lady Lania, the Earl’s crippled wife, and the Maid Carissa, his youngest child. The lady was abed in her chambers within the castle, attended by her daughter and Hila, the former nursemaid to all three of the lady’s children, and now in charge of her mistress’s care.

“It’s very sad,” Mariala said. “She seems to be aware, I think, but she can’t speak or move except to blink… at best she makes noises, and I can’t tell if she’s trying to speak, or… but mostly she is silent and just lies there.

“It’s obvious the Earl loves his wife very much, and is greatly distressed by her condition… I watched them together before he left us alone, and he was so tender…”

“Yes,” offered Erol, “I heard a minstrel singing a song today at the tourney, about the eternal love and devotion of the Earl for his lady wife. The crowed seemed moved by it, though it seemed rather mushy to me.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say that in front of the Earl, or any of his people – they all seem very devoted to him, and to his wife,” Mariala advised.

“Maid Carissa is a very sweet girl, about 16, and seems very bright. After her mother drifted off to sleep she questioned me relentlessly about my “adventures” in the world. She claims she wants to become a healer of Mara, but that it was a secret because her father disapproves, and she has no desire to marry some old knight, and do I know real magic… her questions left me quite breathless!” Mariala laughed.

“I was less amused by the Lady Milosia Valador, Lady Lania’s sister-in-law,” she went on. “She showed up while Carissa and I were talking, and made it quite clear that she was in charge of Lady Lania’s chambers, as the senior noblewoman (after Lady Lania, of course) of the Earl’s court. She seems a terrible bully to the maids, but once Carissa mentioned my family name, and the fact that I was “a powerful sorceress,” the lady became rather less huffy with me.

“I was inclined to chastise the child for blurting out my status as T’ara Kul, but on the whole I think it was for the best, if I’m going to have to spend much time with Lady Milosia.”

“Well, we had the pleasure of meeting her husband, Lord Andro, after the melee today,” Vulk offered. “Drake and I were introduced, and I thought for a moment he wouldn’t deign to speak to a mere cantor, never mind his “man,” but when he heard my “Ser” he unbent enough to offer a greeting.”

“A rather cool greeting,” Drake added. “And he hardly more than glanced at me before dismissing me.”

“He is Lady Lania’s younger brother, and a long-time confidant of the Earl,” Alakor said. “He’s a bit of an ass, as far as I can see, but seems harmless… unless you’re a groom who gets in his way; he’s known for having a quick hand with his riding crop or cane.”

“I heard several of the men-at-arms talking about him this afternoon,” Erol offered. “They say he was deeply offended when the Earl made a “jumped-up peasant” the Constable of Zebarin three years ago, rather than a nobleman ‘who can trace his ancestry back to the Restoration…’ himself, I’m guessing.”

“Yes,” Alakor agreed, “I’ve heard much the same, but I don’t know which actually chafed him more: the fact that he was passed over, or that it was Ser Coreth Lothlar who got the position. Ser Coreth was born to peasant stock and knighted for bravery in the battle where he lost an eye… something I can relate to,” he added, touching his own eye patch. “But Ser Andro is very proud of his long lineage…”

“Has anyone met the Lady’s physician yet,” Vulk asked. “I’m to meet with this Ser Petral in the morning, to go over his prognosis before I attempt my healing touch.”

“I’ve met him, of course,” Alakor said. “He seems a decent fellow, and very devoted to m’lady. A little brainy for my liking, but that’s to be expected. He’s said to be quite skilled by those he’s treated, though the Hand has yet to need his services.”

“Well, I suppose tomorrow will bring me the chance to observe the man myself,” Vulk sighed, rising to take his leave. “But I’m exhausted, and my bed is calling!”

With that the party dispersed to their various bivouacs and rest.

On the Road to Zebarin

The morning of 2 Emblio started in a light fog, shrouding the departing cavalcade in a muffled blanket of swirling white. But by the second watch the mist had lifted and the day proved to be a warm and clear one, with a gentle breeze.

It was a short trip, just a few leagues, to Zebarin Keep, the first stop on the Earl’s Progress, and they traveled slowly, giving Ser Gorlin the opportunity to work the kinks out of the order of marching and correct any last minute deficiencies. It also gave the group a quiet time to reflect on what they had learned in the last two days in Vinkara.

Vulk’s meeting with the physician, Ser Petral Aswain, had gone quite well. The man was clearly a skilled physician, part of a clan well known in northern Nolkior for its healers. He was more than willing to show the young cantor the nutritious potion of his own devising, which he calls “Torazium,” which keeps the Earl’s wife alive.

“But Lady Lania is slowly dying,” he told Vulk bluntly, before they went ion to see her. “And there is little I can do except make her more comfortable. My greatest fear is that the long, rough trip ahead of us will be the death of her… but the Earl fears that without help, she will die anyway.

“With some noblemen, I would be in great fear for my own well-being, but the Earl, for all his stoic demeanor, is a compassionate man; he has reassured me more than once that he knows the risks and will not hold me responsible if she dies. But I would give much to see that that does not come to pass… she was… is a kind and noble lady…”

The group had considered, based on a certain logic and several rumors picked up in the last several days, that perhaps Ser Petral was in fact slowly poisoning Lady Lania with his “Torazium,” but they could find no evidence of it, and both Vulk and Mariala grew certain, the more they interacted with the man, that he was not capable of such a crime.

Mariala did find a faint trace of the arcane in his potion, but it was benign, not malicious; now they wonder if Ser Petral knows that his potion has been given a “magic” boost, or was it someone else? In any case, it seems to be doing her no harm, and may in fact be keeping her alive…

Ser Petral was not surprised when Vulk’s healing touch seemed to have little effect on Lady Lania, beyond perhaps making her rest more comfortably. He was sympathetic, and seemed more than willing to talk shop with the cantor, imparting a great deal of information about the healing arts as they prepared the lady for the journey. Vulk wondered if he should introduce Drake to their talks on healing; perhaps he could glean something that would help with their own researches into the Baylora Fungus…

♦

Mariala rode in the special wagon the Earl had commissioned to make his wife’s journey as painless as possible, along with Maid Carissa and Nursemaid Hila. Inside, it has a custom-built bed with a thick feather mattress that is suspended from the ceiling by braided leather straps to minimize jarring. Both Ser Petral and Lady Milosia spent some of the journey in the wagon with them, tending to the lady’s needs or just sitting with her.

In the days leading up to the departure Mariala spent much of her time in the company of both mother and daughter, and came to be quite fond of the Earl’s youngest child. A romantic teen, with dreams of life beyond the lonely solitude of Vinkara, the girl took instantly to Mariala and her perceived aura of adventure and excitement. She found Raven, presented as Mariala’s bodyguard, to be very exotic, but also a little intimidating. She grew more quiet during those times when Raven rode in the wagon with them, at least at first/

Talking together when they were alone (save for Lady Lania), the girl’s loneliness became obvious even as it lifted, and a truly sunny disposition emerged. Her father’s Progress was obviously the most exciting thing ever to happen to the sixteen-year-old – she had never before been outside Kinenshire. The opportunity to visit her elder sister (Lady Thalisa, wife of the Earl of Yorma), see Rivona Abbey (Carissa fancies herself a Maran), greet her cousins at Wynalis, see the fabled city of Shalara and go to the Royal Bellanin Tournament in Kolosür have her positively jumping for joy. Even on this first day, she was making plans for all the things she and Mariala would see and do over the next two months…

♦

Vulk rode near the middle-front of the cavalcade with Captain Ser Kovar and Ser Petral, with Drake several files back amongst the noble retainers – close enough to be called for, but clearly not a part of the noble circle. Fortunately Drake found this more amusing than anything else, and got his own back by teasing his friend mercilessly about his new high station when they were alone.

Devrik, Erol and Blackhawk were scattered amongst the men-at-arms that guarded the noble procession, each of them making friends of both mercenaries and feudal retainers. It was from these new contacts that they first heard rumors of strange flying creatures have been spotted in increasing numbers along Rüniral Ridge; that Sheriff Tulath Kalafon is deeply in debt to an usurer in Shalara; and that Ser Denyes, the Constable of Dür, was caught recently on a compromising position with the wife of Ser Ertus Namas.

They also took every opportunity to get on the good side of Taral Plair, the Earl’s cook, cellarer and food taster. An obese man, no matter the temperature, he seems to sweat constantly, repeatedly mopping his brow with his dishcloth. Seemingly always on the verge of a heart attack, he struggles to keep up. Friendly, helpful and polite, he was appreciative of any kindness, and the companions were quick to befriend him. Now they often find themselves the sly recipients of sweetmeats and dainties slipped from the Earl’s table. With His Lordship’s permission, the Wyvern Guard get the leftovers from the Earl’s table, and Taral makes enough to ensure they eat very well.

In Vinkara, he is assistant cook under Sweldur Gron, but for this trip, he works personally for Lord Clarin. A favorite of the Earl, he is also well liked by Ser Gorlin and the other servants; his fine singing voice and endless supply of hilarious and bawdy trail songs make him the centre of attention around the campfire.

Cris and Kemis ride with the baggage portion of the train, and the young former street urchin has begun to turn into a fairly savvy intelligence gatherer amongst the servants – he has turned out to be surprisingly good at keeping his ears open and his mouth shut. It was he who heard a disturbing, whispered story that Lady Lania’s palsy was caused by the Earl himself, when he struck her in anger and she hit her head on a stone fireplace.

He has also become friends with Esar Keriel, apprentice to the Ostler Donar Harabor. Though old for an apprentice, at 23, Esar seems clever, strong and brave; he has to be to risk life and limb tending warhorses. On the night before the journey began Cris saw him break up two battling stallions, showing a self-confidence that the horses could sense. As could Cris, who seems a bit smitten with his new friend…

♦

In the early afternoon the Earl’s train arrived a the Keep of Zebarin, where they were greeted by the Constable and his chief retainers. The nobles rode on to the keep for a welcoming feast, while the common retainers remained to set up the camp on the local Common. They would be here for three days, during which there might be time to investigate Dür, only five leagues south…