Arthur and Agnes - City of Pashin

08 Newkolt 349 AC

Arthur looks around. "Yes, one night, preferably one with a private bathing chamber if that's possible. And something warm to eat, please." Arthur holds Agnes’s hand. "By any chance is there a potion shop in town?"

The inn matron's eyes drift over to Captain Windsteed. The soldier steps forward, "I'm afraid that the potions we have are restricted to the city's defenders."

"I completely understand, Captain, may I ask when was the last time you and your men had a proper feast?"

The elf's brow furrows. "I suppose it would have been a week ago, at our celebration of the new year, just before the dragons attacked. Many of my men just returned from escorting our noncombatants to the capital, a six-day round trip through our forest."

Arthur draws a bejeweled rod from his pack and concentrates. In less than a moment, a sumptuous feast appears on one of the inn's largwr tables. The wood groans under the weight of the bounty. "Have you and your men eat their fill, you all need it not just for energy but also for morale. When will you have a messenger headed for the capital next?"

The Captain's eyes in surprise. "Thank you. But, if you are providing this feast, you should join us. One of our mages can send a message in the morning but it is limited to twenty-five words. If you have something more substantial, I can send a rider in griffonback."

A serving boy appears, "I will show you to your room, my lord, my lady, follow me."

Arthur holds Agnes’s hand "Let's eat than go to our room." He looks to the Captain "I wish to send word to my friend, Raven. I will draw up a letter to be sent in the morning." Arthur pulls out a chair for Agnes, "Please, eat and enjoy."

Over the course of the evening, many elves drift in and out of the hall. Some pick at the food provided by the magic rod but most are simply happy to see the food laid out before them. Songs play, accompanied by the music of flute and lyre, well into the night and when morning dawns, those who attended the meal share a tale with their comrades about a human knight and a silver-haired elven woman who sought to bring them comfort in a time of need.

In the morning Arthur looks to Agnes, "We should find provisions and be on our way."

Arthur quickly pens a letter that explains what he and Agnes are attempting before the pair sets out once again.

The two leave before sunrise, with Ag'nesallynn re-assuming her draconic form. By mid-morning, they have cleared the edge of the Silvanesti woods and are flying above the rolling hills of the Khur grasslands. They follow the Thon-Thalus River north. Several times, they spot large contingents of Hobgoblin and Draconian forces and are forced to land in the river valley to avoid being spotted. After passing the last mass of troops, the pair make their way on foot the last few miles into the town of Pashin.

The first thing Arthur notices is the wall surrounding the city. Made of earthen bricks stacked one atop another, the barricade stands twenty feet above the surrounding territory. The second thing is the Dragonarmy soldiers manning the gates. The slovenly, and perhaps drunken, men laugh and joke amongst themselves and barely glance in their direction. Agnes gently takes Arthur’s hand and leans in close, "We seem to have gotten lucky. Khur was conquered a little over a year ago. It seems the garrison has allowed their discipline to grow lax."

The older buildings within the city have a style the First Paladin of Malazzar recognizes as being distinctly elven. Newer structures feature mud bricks and thatched roofs while newer buildings have gracefully curved eaves. Market stalls line the streets although there are few goods on display. A quiet tension hangs in the air as merchants keep their heads down whenever a patrol of soldiers pass by. While the two travelers look for lodging, a commotion at the end of an alley draws their attention.

Three humans have backed a male Kender up against a wall at the end of alley. The kender holds a dagger at the ready as he interposes himself between the men and a smaller, female kender.

Arthur concentrates and suddenly he is standing between the three men and the two kender, carried by the power of his magic helmet. The paladin raises his shield to complete the barricade made by his own body and lets his free hand drift to his sword. "Three on two is not so fair." He lets a little bit of menace creep into his words. The lead man's friends reach out, grabbing their leader's shoulder and arm, "Hogart, let 'em go man! I ain't looking to fight one of them priests! Let's get outta here!"

The three men begin backing away and once they are sure that they are out of arm's reach, they turn and flee down the alley, running past Agnes as they reach the street.

The male kender sheathes his dagger and turns, wrapping his arms around the young girl, "It's alright. I've got you. Dada is here." The girl kender sniffs and snuffles against her father's chest. He scoops her up and turns back to Arthur, "Thank you, sir. Mayleaf and I would have probably been killed if you hadn't come along when you did. If there is anything I can do to repay your kindness, all you need to do is ask. Kelwick, is my name! We have a small place over in the eastern district, just two blocks south of the gate, against the city wall. Oh! Wait! I know! I wash dishes at the Wounded Crow Inn. There is a famous minstrel, a fella named 'the Herald', who is going to be playing there the next few nights. I can talk to my boss, Stewart Donson, and probably get you in for free!"

"My name is Arthur, I'm glad you and your child are safe." He looks them over looking for any wounds "Who is this man, 'the Herald' you speak of?" Arthur looks to Agnes making sure she's safe. She joins him at the end of the alley with Kelwick and Mayleaf a moment later.

"Oh! The Herald? He's a big time minstrel! They say he has performed everywhere from Sancrist Isle to Goodlund. He's so famous that Master Donson isn't even making him pay for his room or food! He figures that once word spreads that the Herald is staying there, we'll make back the difference in what the people who come to hear him buy!"

"Have you heard of him, Agnes?"

Agnes shakes her head, "I did not go chasing minstrels when I left home. He may be famous but he is outside of my purview."

Arthur looks at the child. "How old are you, little one?"

Mayleaf is quiet but extends one hand, holding up four fingers. As Arthur leans in, Mayleaf leans back, her eyes conveying a sense of worry. Agnes places a hand on Arthur’s shoulder, "Allow me, my knight." She looks at the little girl, "We just want to see if you are hurt." Mayleaf nods and steps forward. Agnes gives her a quick once over, "She is fine."

"Kelwick, what were those men after?

"That fool got drunk last night and thought my daughter picked his pocket. She has done nothing of the sort. We've seen enough war, death, and trouble to keep us from wanting any more!" Kelwick sighs. "I understand we kender have a reputation but she's innocent of this crime."

Arthur nods, "And what the part about priests?"

The kender's face becomes nervous and he cranes his neck, looking around Arthur and down the alley to make sure no one is close enough to overhear. "The priests of the Dark Queen," he whispers, "the ones who travel with the army and heal the dragons. Highlord Salah controls the army but it's the priests who do his bidding."

Arthur drops his voice "Is there a place we can speak further without being seen?"

"Um... behind the Wounded Crow is fairly private. I would say my house, but you two are too big to fit inside."

"Let us head there, I will compensate you for any and all knowledge that you can give me."

Kelwick laughs, "What could I possibly know that you would want to pay me for?"

It's a walk of but a few blocks to the Wounded Crow. Kelwick leads Arthur, Agnes, and his daughter around to the back. He motions for them to wait and goes in the back door. His voice can be heard briefly before an older human pokes his head out of the back door.

"Kelwick says you saved him and his kid from getting roughed up?" Agnes nods and the man sighs. "Alright, one night, I won't ask any questions but if any of these Greens come looking, I can't cover for you. A fella I know, he tried to lie to them, right? Well, this priestess comes up and casts a spell ripped the truth from his lips. When it was all done, she had one of those dragonmen cut his head off. I like my head right where it is, you see?

"I completely understand, one night, that's all we need." Arthur looks around taking in his surroundings. He is standing in a narrow alleyway behind a line of businesses. He can hear the bustling sounds of the city just out of sight. The stink of rotting garbage waiting to be taken to the city middens is not quite overpowering given the cold winter weather. Crows perch atop the roofs of nearby shops, watching the crowds, swooping in to snatch dropped bits of food whenever they get the chance.

Stewart Donson pokes his head out the back door and gives Arthur and Agnes a "Psstt...." He beckons them in and leads them up the stairs to the second floor and pushes open a hatch in the hallway ceiling. "I sent my servers out to pick up some salted pork and sage so they wouldn't see you come in. If them green army soldiers come, you can hide up there. I have some water and dried foods. The chimney passes through, so you should stay warm. Just don't thump around too much and draw attention to yourselves."

"Thank you for helping us." Arthur climbs through the opening and holds out a hand to Agnes up. "Do these green soldiers come through often?"

Donson shrugs, "They came through with their dragons, killed pretty much all of our fighters, set themselves up as being in charge. All things considered, it was tolerable at first. Mostly, they left us alone as long as tribute payments were on time and nobody went causing trouble. Then Highlord Salah came to town. He is much more involved - one of the Khurs looking to gain favor with Lord Ariakas. He's always watching for trouble. Trouble like a mysterious Solamnic Knight rousting a trio of drunks. That's the sort of thing that would get his attention. Hopefully, those men will be too scared to say anything and this will blow over without anyone losing their heads."

"Look, thanks for protecting Kelwick and his kid. I gotta get back to work. The Herald is playing here tonight and I gotta get ready," Donson reaches up and pulls the hatch closed.

Arthur looks to Agnes. "Are you doing okay?" He rolls out a bed roll for her to lay on, he begins thinking of what he has learned today. She proceeds to make her comfortable. "I am fine, Arthur. You needn't worry over me. Come. Lay down. We have the next few hours to ourselves. Let's not waste them."

Arthur lays down beside Agnes covering them with a blanket and wraps his arms around her waist. "This is nice, it may not be the best place to stay but this is nice."

Agnes leans over and turns down the flame on the small lantern hanging from a rafter. As the lights dim, she kisses him and whispers, "Arthur, you talk too much."

The sounds of clapping and cheering rouse the travelers several hours later. A few notes, plucked on a lute, cause even more excitement to erupt from the common room below. It is the work of but a moment to find a loose board and shift it slightly to one side to see what is going on.

Twenty feet below, a human male in his mid-sixties, with white hair and a trim beard. His voice is clear and unwavering. He gestures delicately and quiets the gathered crowd.

“I am known as the Herald. The memories of Krynn are mine to know and share. In my dreams, I have lived many other lives. In my stories, I have led men into battle on the side of both good and evil. I have lived, loved, and died a thousand times. This eve, I will share some of my tales with you.”

"Galen Pathwarden, known unaffectionately as 'the Weasel', would give anything to stay clear of adventure, danger, or heroism."

"But that is before young Galen is pitch-forked into the center of a centuries-old curse, one family blood-feud too many, and a knightly tournament unto death.
Together, Galen, the great Solamnic Knight, Sir Bayard Brightblade, and a none-to bright centaur named Agion must overcome the schemes and traps of a sinister illusionist known only as the Scorpion."

What follows is a lengthy, dramatic, and often comical tale of a self-serving squire who, while trying to do everything he can to avoid his duty, ends becoming a (relatively) competent knight-in-training.

During one scene highlighting the bravery of Sir Bayard, some soldiers with the Green Dragonarmy begin heckling. A few throw dinner rolls or empty mugs at the bard who manages to avoid every one of the improvised missiles.

Finally, as midnight draws near, the Herald finishes his tale. The few remaining patrons who aren't guests, depart, slipping away singly and in pairs, bound for their homes or other inns. Once the taproom has emptied, a group of five unshaven, shabbily dressed ruffians enter. The only thing about the men that doesn't seem secondhand are their cloaks - fine, knee-length, and green. One of the men, shambles to the front of the group and spits on the floor.

"Looks like you had a pretty good night, Donson. We're here to make sure your taxes get paid to Highlord Salah in a timely manner."

Arthur watches through the small opening as the men spread out in a semi-circle around Donson. Arthur’s hand rests on Lawbringer’s hilt. The standoff in the common room stretches out for several seconds. The Donson's shoulders slump and he hands a pouch to the apparent leader. The clink of coins inside the bag is audible even from Arthur and Agnes’s perch high above.

"Thank you, Donson. Your contribution to the war effort is highly appreciated!" The man tucks the pouch inside of his tunic and turns to head for the door with his troops filing out behind him.

Arthur waits and makes sure the men are out of earshot completely and whispers, "Psst... Donson, can we speak for a minute?"

The innkeeper turns his head toward the sound and walks away, "When you helped Kelwick, I thought that you might...." Donson stops, "Never mind. It doesn't matter anyway."

Arthur makes his was down to him with a small pouch in his hand and gives it to him. "That's 25 platinum for helping us. But, Donson what was that about?"

The innkeeper throws the pouch aside. "It was extortion! Those mercenaries demand a 'tax' or something bad will happen to your business. It's been going on ever since they took over the country!"

"Donson, I want to help but I am but one man. Me and my companions are trying to find away to defeat this dragon army, I want to free this city from the hold they have but... I cannot do it alone. I would need to know how many are here who's here if they have mages. But I just arrived mere hours ago, trust me back from where I'm from I have lead countless battles against evil." Arthur's voice breaks, "I hsve watched countless friends and innocents die." His voice drops and emotion threatens to overwhelm him. "I want to help, but I cannot do it alone, please, sit with me explain help me form a plan, and allow me to bring reinforcements to this city to help push them back." Arthur’s shoulders slump in defeat.

Agnes makes her way down the stairs. She comes up behind him and runs her fingers through his hair. "Arthur. That's enough. We must pick our battles wisely." She walks over to the innkeeper. "Donson, where do those men make their barracks?"

"They have a camp a short ways from the east gate but..."

Agnes raises one hand to stop him. "Very good. Arthur. Come with me. It is time to join in the fight."

Arthur stands up. "Sorry for losing myself like that Donson." He makes his way out with Agnes.

Agnes takes his hand, "My Knight, my love, we are not going to waste any more time. One of your wizard friends can send our message to my people. Right now, you and I are going to get justice for Donson and everyone else being bullied by this scum!"

In the blink of an eye, Agnes the elf-girl.is gone, replaced by Ag'nesallynn the Silver Dragon.

Arthur grips the hilt of Lawbringer, the tone of his changing, becoming more resonate, "Let's go." Arthur walks out with Agnes ready to fight