Merchant Cant - 3

The war in the north has spread again. Amber merchants arriving in the realm have reported that Wendland have attacked the Kylfings on the pretext of an alleged slight to the royal house of the Wends. The campaign has by all accounts not gone well for Wendland. The massive Wendish army has been struggling in the harsh conditions. The Wendish Viowode Wroclaw is reported to have told the King that the Kylfings can appear and disappear 'like ghosts'. Of course the merchants all believe that this is just pagan superstition.

A Frustration of Wizards

Szutsavanica, 3rd Vog, YT330

Brimstone and Olorin had been particularly suspicious of the stranger. Most of the rest had been cautious of the young mage after talking with him but these two suspected duplicity from the start. He said that he had been travelling on his own back to Szutsavanica and had rushed to catch up. A lone traveller might seek the company and extra security of a large group. But others had tried to spy on them before in much the same way.

The huge stone tower of the Council of Szutsavanica, topped with a perpetual flame, was an impressive sight. The new town which was being built around it was still mostly timber frames and canvas shelters but the bustle of commerce was there already. The busy town seemed at odds with the magisterial edifice at it's center. Like a tall heron mobbed by noisy sparrows.

When they were shown up to the council chamber, Gorran stayed behind in the 'tavern' with their new companion. He did seem reluctant to enter the tower but excused himself saying that he was too lowly to merit the attention of the Council members. Their suspicions were confirmed a few minutes later when he vanished from a spot a few feet in front of Gorran.

The Council of Szutsavanica were all in the council chamber when Voltarr and his companions entered. Fifteen of the most auspicious and respected men and women in the realm paused in their discussion as the group were presented. Waiting for the first chance to speak Voltarr mentioned their new companion and asked the Council to confirm his identity. Since the Council did not then have any roll of acolytes this might have taken some time and some of the council were keen that Voltarr concentrated on investigating the glyphs first. It was all rendered moot by the disappearance of the spy before the Council could reach agreement. When Gorran arrived with the news the council rushed out and up to the top of the tower. From there they were able to use their talents to see what was hidden from others. The villain was descried fleeing northwards.

The discussion on Voltarr's task resumed. And continued for some time. Finally, the council agreed that the following actions were resolved:

• Delegates from the guilds currently present in the town must be selected to present petitions for improving the good order of the town until other laws and corporations are enacted.
• In specific of which the merchants are permitted to form from their own hired men an interim town watch and use such for patrolling the streets.
• Voltarr must investigate the glyphs and signs appearing in the town and the possible connection to the stone circle which in olden times was called Alszaperkunoz with utmost urgency. If any assistance is necessary then this should be submitted to Council expeditiously by Voltarr. 

What Stirs the Creatures in the Wildwood?

Vakynur, Torun - St Kuthoy road, 28th Dyarr YT330

The wolf pack had been shadowing their move for some hours. Although the forest either side of the road was dense enough that they were rarely seen, everyone was tense. The pack was large enough to be dangerous if they attacked. Even if nothing worse was present. And the memory of what had happened to the merchants was still fresh.  Voltarr was also thinking about his summons to the council. The wolves were distracting him. He needed peace to plan how he would investigate matters at Szutsavanica. When the boldest she-wolf got a few ells closer than before he sent out a bolt of flame that drove her back and set fire to a holly bush. The wolves seemed stung by the treatment of their pack member. Deep gutteral threatening sounds came from all sides. The group continued on. In spite of the season, the fire began to spread a little.

Then they spotted a figure hunched up in the road a bowshot ahead. As they got closer it appeared to be an old man. But when they pulled up in front of him, the old man began to rise. And as his limbs unfolded they realised that he was more than six ells tall. But even more striking than that, his limbs were thin and his fingers were like twisted spindles. His face was almost completely covered in a moss of beard. But two piercing eyes peered out and a voice that was equally penetrating spoke directly at Voltarr, berating him for his rash actions.

To placate the old man of the forest the comrades backtracked to the holly bush and extinguished the fire in and around it. This done he seemed more communicative. He spoke of others who threatened his forest. Others not of the Realm. Others to the west - the direction Voltarr and the others were headed. Olorin remembered the words of Thomäs Surka. The Leshonoi and Pokhoi  although separated by many leagues were apparently both being troubled by similar causes.

Aspects of Dying

Eastern crown lands, 25th Dyarr YT330
Six days after leaving Gylwics, Tolarr was travelling along the road perched on his cart. The rest were riding alongside. They had agreed to accompany Voltarr eastward, so after heading south to Korzow via Komiro they had taken the road towards St Kuthoy. Olorin was considering a swift visit to the torpek lands and Aegnor Gora. While Tolarr might otherwise look forward to this he could still not get to grips with his recent troubling visions. Others spotted the buzzards before he did. They hurried to the spot and found four merchants, their horses and packs lying close together near to the road. The horses were all dead. Savaged by some fell beast. Two of the male merchants were already dead. Weapons had been drawn but clearly to no avail. The other merchants, a husband and wife, were still alive. As Tolarr approached, he felt their agony as if it were his own. They were dying! Father Nicolai, Voltarr and the others rushed forward to provide what healing they could. It was barely enough to prevent them dying on the scene. Once they were no longer in immediate peril, Tolarr began to feel better. Putting the injured couple on Tolarr's cart they made haste to the next village and left them with the landlord of the Packmans House. Tolarr wondered if he would be affected like this the next time they were around death. He had always been calm around death before. It had always seemed natural, even familiar.

Merchant Cant - 2

Eastern Karbath, 20th Dyarr YT330

A dying merchant was discovered in the foothills north of Astergow. He had a fortune in unpolished gemstones on him but no food. His clothing was ripped in several places and he had many wounds. The wounds looked like bites and clawmarks, perhaps a week old. Local healers were unable to help him and he expired before they could get him to the nearest monastic infirmary. But the villagers did hear his last few words and passed them on to the monks. The placename 'Vlesdawa' was clear. Although not marked on any Tylar maps it was still a terrifying name to the ordinary folk. The second word 'dacian' was not familiar to them. The last few gasped breaths may have also been a name - 'Dameni Hnufa'.

Preparing for a New Sojourn

Gylwics 19th Dyarr YT330
Voltarr received the summons when he arrived back at the Old Wall Inn. The Council had decided that Voltarr was the person to get to the root of the curious nocturnal marks. He was ordered to report to the Council at the tower of Szutsavanica immediately. Since this involved several days travel east, Voltarr persuaded his companions to leave Gylwics with him the next day.

The marks were three horizontal lines with other lines branching up and down. Voltarr consulted the house of his order in Gylwics. Someone suggested that the writing was some old Kolloth script. Since Szutsavanica bordered on the Czar's new lands of Stajerska and Korska, this seemed likely. These lands were the larger part of the old Alban province which had once been the homeland of Tylaria's Kolloth inhabitants.

Their contact from the Loyal Aurdun of Fyhar Gora arrived secretly that night and after examining Olorin, Tolarr and Voltarr, agreed that they should all leave with Voltarr. The church militant and the Borsonin's men prepared to search beneath the old keep in response to the reports of Olorin, Nicolai and the others.

A Changed Torpek?

Tolarr found himself back in the common of the Old Wall inn. He was still trying to make sense of what he had just experienced. He did not hear the crash of plates and tankards hitting the floor in the adjacent passage-way. Nor did he see the astonished look on the serving maid who had just dropped her tray.
It quickly occured to her that she might have difficulty explaining this to old Balasc. Torpek 'blinking' into existence was not normal, even one belonging to that strange group of 'prospectors'. If he took this out of her pay it would be a really bad week. She considered asking the Torpek to pay once she had mustered enough courage.
Tolarr was not sure what had happened to him. Something was different. He planned to tell the rest about the warning to them all but he needed time to consider that which concened him alone.

Merchant Cant - 1

Karbath Mountains, YT330

Recent merchant caravans from the lands of the Kogotoi have been reporting numerous sightings of lycanthropes in the distance. Authorities have been trying to reassure the traders: "None of these sightings has been connected with attacks."; "The creatures range widely in the Karbath mountains and the same creature is often sighted several times by different travellers."; "Daous are sometimes responsible for false sightings in that region of the mountains." If all the sightings were true it would amount to dozens or even hundreds more of these beasts than anyone is prepared to admit to. That or the equally terrifying thought that the lycanthorpes were gathering together in one place.

Ministered and Revived

Gylwics 18th Dyarr YT330

Voltarr lay dead on the guardroom floor. Vojeslaw lay slain a few feet away. The torpek Olorin had finally succumbed to the savage onslaught of a dozen cultists. Gorran Anastasz Petrowec had died for the second time. The black clad myrmidons had formed up and were pressing the remaining four adventurers back. Then Father Nicolai raised his hands in supplication. The answer was swift and amazing. Four winged figures, fully nine feet tall and radiating intense light appeared around him. Most of Nicolai's companions were afraid and shrank back in awe, but the effect on the cultists was much worse.
Some were struck down with terror - dead or catatonic or white with fear. Even the hardiest ran screaming from the room at the sight of the four seraphs. The angels moved swiftly to the fallen and touched each in turn. Breath returned where for a few seconds there had been none. Within minutes they were sitting up dazed but much recovered, looking in wonder at a table covered in white and laden with meats, fruits and wine. Someone noticed that the slain and immobilised cultists had gone. And so had their death-aspected torpek comrade. As they sat quietly eating the fine food they felt as refreshed as if they had slept. The heavenly visitors patiently spoke to those not too awestruck to speak and then swiftly and silently disappeared. Before they did their leader reached out and touched Olorin's head with a glowing coal which did not burn him and then silently blessed Father Nicolai's mace.

In the Balance?

Gylwics 18th Dyarr YT330
The first warriors to engage the intruders had rushed in immediately, but the remainder stayed long enough to collect their carved shields. They began to replace their battered bretheren and the battle began to tip in their favour. Voltarr and Vojeslaw on the right of the line staggered under the blows of their opponents. Hamec on the left also suffered a huge blow which caused him to reel backwards like a drunken stevedore. For a while both Voltarr and Hamec were slumped on the ground unable to defend themselves. Meanwhile one of the unholy warriors had slipped out one door and back in through another and was now about to fall on the adventurers from behind when he tripped over the prone form of Hamec.
To make matters worse, Tolarr's left boot began to came apart sending him crashing to the floor. Voltarr who had managed to rise, suffered a similar fate as the stitching in his boots dissolved. Gorran could see holes developing in the clothing of Hamec as he lay on the floor. As if some huge invisible moth were eating his garb. Although no-one was looking at the time, the costly clohing of Vojeslaw was suffering the same depredations as Hamec's ordinary shirt and trousers.
The cumulative effect of the blows taken so far had worn them down. Vojelaw, Voltarr, Olorin and Gorran were totally fatigued, bruised and bleeding. Nicolai was less hurt and Hamec was almost untouched in spite of being stunned and prone. On the other hand, half of their opponents were down. The mage was being helped by a guard but the huge warrior and the utterer-of-curses were down and showed no sign of rising this side of judgement day.
Still unseen, the diminutive Brimstone had crept back to the locked door and was busily trying to unpick it from the outside. It might at least provide a route to flee if things got worse.

Gatecrashing with the Torpek

Gylwics 18th Dyarr YT330

Olorin was certainly visible from the moment he burst into the guardroom. The slate-robed guide had said they would become fully visible the moment they did anything to attract attention to themselves. The guards who had just finished checking for intruders were still reporting to a huge warrior near the centre of the room. Around the walls more than a score of others were sprawled on benches, sharpening short leaf-shaped swords or polishing black leather and bronze mail. Several black shields bearing the carved image of a man with a lions head were hanging on the walls.
The torpek nobleman rushed towards the standing figures. His first axe stroke had one opponent reeling before anyone could react. The helmed warrior did not draw a sword, but reached over and grasped at Olorin. A strange feeling ran through the torpek and he felt the malevolence directed at him but he took no harm from the touch.
Although Olorin was clearly visible from the outset, Tolarr and the rest following him in may have been unseen for a few seconds as they rushed into the battle. But Tolarr's axe was soon dealing out damage alongside Olorin's and those opponents who were first to leap up crowded towards the pair.
Nicolai and Vojeslaw noticed a grey robed man to the right of the torpek. He was starting to mumble words and his hands were moving in strange gestures. They both rushed towards him but several guards formed up in front of the man. Nicolai's mace and Vojeslaw's sabre were soon busy. Voltarr tried to work his way round to reach the grey mage.His opponent cursed as his magic failed him, leaving him all but drained of mana. Voltarr is well known to wield his staff as a weapon as readily as an aid to casting and blows rained down on the hapless grey mage. He turned and ran but immediately fell as Voltarr's prop hit the back of his skull.
As Hamec and Gorran came through the door they moved to the left of the torpek to counter a new foe. An armoured figure with grey robes was rushing forward shouting foul and foetid curses at the intruders. Several of the group began to feel less confident but Olorin and Nicolai did not. Olorin cried out to Eru and continued to swing mighty blows into the unholy cult guard.

Discoveries

Gylwics 18th Dyarr YT330

The room was long and narrow. Down the centre were cages. Iron bars fixed into floor and ceiling surrounded small square areas of flagstone with pitiful collections of rags and the bones of the previous occupants. Some were animal skeletons but some were human or human-like. Father Nicolai went into each cell and reverently gathered and wrapped for burial the humanoid remains.

As he entered the last cage a creature leapt from concealment beneath a pile of rags. The speed with which it moved was alarming. It could have easily sprung on Nicolai but instead chose to rush past him out of the cage. Before Olorin could ready his axe the beast was swiftly past him and had disappeared through the arch into the cavern beyond. The animal reminded Olorin of the small tree creatures in the forests of Surt Tzingi. But this was much, much bigger. Perhaps more than an ell in length!

When they chose to explore the caverns themselves they discovered some large caves sloping slightly downwards. In the second cave they made several interesting finds.

The first was a floor with shallow pools and rivulets of slime. They gathered round and peered at it. They prodded and poked it. They dropped pebbles and dried meat in it. Finally they agreed that it was thick and sticky and that it stuck to a stick. But their considerations did not prevent Hamec and Vojeslaw from slipping on the stuff or keep their boots clean of the slime as they picked their way through.

A large growth of fungi was the next to be examined. Ochre, russet and verdigris coloured growth covered a large area. Brimstone picked some smaller examples of each type and pocketed them.

Large areas of the floor seemed to be covered in some form of growth which swayed slightly but they did not examine this as closely and chose to keep as far as they could from this. Perhaps not far enough.

Although they did not explore the whole cavern they did find a speleothem column, a pile of large boulders and two exits. Both were narrow. One appeared to be a natural formation, twisted like a shepherds prop. The other was straight as a die and led downwards beyond their sight with steep flights of steps and level passages alternating.

Disappearing into the Depths

Gylwics 18th Dyarr YT330

The busy citizens of Gylwics were out on he streets carrying out business, performing their duties and breathing in the air of a town on the knees of the Karbath mountains. Many of them looked straight through the slate-robed guide, two torpek, cleric, novice, mage, craftsman and diminutive thief as they passed through there midst. Even when they were within touching distance, none noticed them. It was as if they were so unremarkable that they could not possibly be there.

On reaching the castle at the highest point in the zig-zag street the guards also failed to register the little group passing through the gates or walking by the manor-keep into the ruins of the old keep.

Their new guide informed them that unless they drew attention to themselves they could all pass unmarked for several hours. He followed them into the collapsed cellars of the old keep but would not go any further.

When they reached the tunnel stair where Brimstone had stopped on his reconnaissance it looked as if he and some others would baulk again. The leadership of Olorin quickly persuaded Brimstone and Vojeslaw (once the later was persuaded that cats do not frequent dungeons). But Tolarr was still unwilling to go deeper. Olorin began to get angry and started speaking loudly to the other torpek in their own language. Tolarr shook himself and turning the spigot in his cask swallowed a great quantity of liquor before he forced himself onward. Perhaps the drink explained the red-faced look and the way he mumbled to himself. But it did not explain the scowl.

Settings Drawn from the Deep Recesses

A neat stone wall, almost man height surrounding untended gravestones. In the centre a larger monument stands proudly but many other markers tllt this way or that. The graveyard lies at a crossroads near to a rocky escarpment. The hills are brown and windswept with small twisted trees and areas of exposed rocks. Like bones showing through decaying flesh in the full moon's light. Nothing is moving. Nothing that can be seen.

A flat raised circle of lush grass rises through the dense broadleaf forest. The rising sun will soon rise between two carved stones, Two circles of stones sit within the space. Thirteen stones in the inner ring, more in the outer ring. Grass, stones and forest are still shades of grey in the half-light.

A settlement of black-timbered houses are splashed with sunset red reflected from the snowy peaks around it. No church or castle is evident but a single temple rises up in the middle of the town. And at it's summit is an altar and towering over that is the image of a wolf-god it's head still crowned in gold. A chill wind blows through the empty streets, stirring up the ochre leaves.

After using his talents to seek out a few images from the mind of the cultist, the magister of the Loyal Aurdun of Fyhar Gora slumped forwards exhausted. The resistance of the dark disciple had been formidable.

Tribes and Nations -2

In the days of the Old Empire, civilization surrounded the Mare Nostrum. Peace reigned in a hundred provinces. In some the Empire was welcomed and in some sullenly resented. When three great rulers contended for the throne six centuries ago, a civil war started which resulted in countless deaths. Empty victories followed bitter defeats until the legions were almost filled with barbarian voices. Then within five years all three parts of the empire were assailed by external foes and the west of the Empire almost fell. Provinces were lost in the deserts of the south , in the mountains and plains in the north and along the great rivers of the east Finally at the eleventh hour all three would-be emperors realised the truth. Only together could they survive. Each ruler swore a terrible oath binding himself and his successors. Assistance was sent where needed and the invasions were stopped. And so the jointly ruled Empire was born of necessity and flourished to the point where some of the lost provinces were recovered. Of course later the Stygian Revolt gave rise to the Tetrarchy and the fourth Imperial City and the deeds of Heraclios, Destroyer of Achmenya added the fifth part of the Pentarchy. The five rulers are of course not equal in all things. Two Augustii and three Caesars rule from their great cities. As time passed the five imperial pentarchies grew further apart in culture, trade and military doctrine. So much so that it is often more like five empires. Many Augustii and Caesars have threatened to break the sworn pact or delayed assistance but somehow the Pentarchy has just held.

Caught in a World of Shadows

Gylwics 17th Dyarr YT330
Earth-kin are small. Brimstone often found this useful. When he decided to try to sneak into the Horned Bear at night he made the most of his size, but it still wasn't enough.
He left the Old Wall Inn quietly enough. He was careful moving through the streets around Second Turn. When he saw the Skallagrim heading home through the dark streets he quickly got into a hiding place that a child would scarcely have fit into. And the squeeze through the window bars of the Horned Bear was tight even for him. However, the act of breaking and entering was not altogether silent. When Brimstone searched the cellar that Voltarr had previously looked in he found the concealed sliding panel that Voltarr had missed. It was hidden but not by magic. His lantern revealed another room filled with all kinds of valuables and a reinforced double door. Brimstone was tempted to fill his pockets with gold. Instead he picked up a handsome dagger and a small chest with arcane paraphernalia.

Turning to go he heard a voice in the darkness. Dousing the lantern and flattening himself against a wall was not enough. A figure in the cellar had seen him. Seconds later Brimstone panicked as a strange shadowy web wrapped itself tightly round him. As he struggled the grey filaments tightened until Brimstone could not draw breath. Within a few more seconds he felt conciousness slipping away.

Rhyming Games - 1

мечта-крадец

отнема скрити знания
оставя тайна името
лъжене във вътрешната пещера
тайни са скривалище

dream-thief takes a hidden knowledge
dream-thief leaves a secret name
hiding in the inner cavern
secrets are a hiding game

Tribes and Nations -1

Some details of the peoples living near to the realm and their characteristics according to the common view. The name of that people in their own language is also shown:
Most men of the muggyr would assume that any of these people other than Szekely living within the realm are either thieving Bayars or plain murderous savages. Almost all would be deemed uncouth, uncivilised, and untrustworthy. They would be genuinely surprised to know that their neighbours have almost the same opinion of them.
Kőgótok (also Greuthungi) are blonde, blue eyed barbarian tribes. These nomadic horsemen have horses larger than the ponies of the Beseyok and Ruaroch. They occupy lands north of the Karbath Mountains but pay little heed to borders. Some trading takes place with the Kőgótok. They are skilled with lance and bow.
Thracius (also Thracous) are a wild dark-haired rabble led by a weak feuding aristocracy. They have long coveted the realm but rarely threaten the borders to the south. They favour ambush tactics and use short swords of a type not commonly used in the realm.
Beseyok (also Pazinags) are a grouping of semi-nomadic tribes who live across the wide grasslandss to the north and east of the realm beyond the Kunok. A few large settlements exist, usually with the hall of one of their leaders. Other horse-lord peoples share the steppe such as the Ruaroch (also Ruaran). Thankfully, no great leader has managed to unify these warrior tribesmen. These horse-lords have acquired a fearsome reputation and are believed by many common folk to have horns and tails. Few have any first-hand knowledge.
The Wallach (also Vlak) occupy the lands lie to the east of the boundaries of the realm. They frequently form Bayar bands for brigandage and raiding of neighbouring states. Wallacia is a unified state but it is very poor. It is in turn raided by the Gaetok and Beseyok. It may once have been larger and more prosperous.
Gaetok or Daciok (also Daous) is sometimes translated as 'People of the Wolf'. They are not numerous but have some individual settlements north east of the realm. It is not a unified kingdom. They are bandits and outcasts with strange magical rites and stranger religious practices.
Kolloth (also Norici) are now mostly assimilated into the realm but some independent settlements still exist round the western fringes of the realm, They have always been known for their fierce warriors and skilled craftsmen.
Skalgrimoth are blonde warriors settled in the border regions of the realm. They are mostly civilised. It is not known whether this tribe were once connected to the Kőgótok or are from the northlands. They show no special affinity for horses.

Darkling Shadows

Gylwics 16th Dyarr YT330

After the bustle of the part three days the comrades decided to spend a quieter day in Gylwics. They had informed the authorities about the events in and around Szurkal. Indeed the whole area north of Korzow was bustling with men in armour and sturdy spear-armed bors. The expedition to seek the hidden manor would have scores of fighting men.
But our adventurers would be looking for the assistance of a man in slate-grey. And they had been led to believe that they should start looking at the Horned Bear.
The place was tucked away down an alley off the road just past First Turning. It was a small square single storied building connected to a larger two-storied stone villa. The Black bear on the green inn-sign told them that they were at the right place. Father Nicolai looked at the men lounging in the courtyard and decided it was the wrong sort of place. He stayed outside while the others went into the taproom. The place was fairly quiet. A curtained alcove in one corner was in shadow but the rest was fairly well lit. Apart from a few tough looking regulars, Brimstone spotted a seasoned warrior who looked less like the type. The man seemed to take a liking to Brimstone and chatted pleasantly for an hour or two before leaving. He seemed to be well travelled.
Olorin slapped gold onto the bar and ordered drinks for all. After an hour or so with various eyes watching them Olorin was invited behind the curtain where he met a man dressed entirely in grey. He claimed to be one of the fabled Masters of Shadow. He knew a great deal about Olorin, his friends and all their recent activities. For a while they discussed whether he could help. He convinced Olorin that he could get in and out of any manor, palace or dungeon for a price. That price would be steep. But then so were the risks. Olorin silently prayed for guidance and was instantly sure that this man was not to be trusted. But his help seemed to be foretold so Olorin continued. A meeting was arranged for the following night in a locked chamber in the Old Wall Tavern.
After returning to the taproom to discuss with the others what had just happened, a shadow swept across the room and with that the grey man was gone. They took their meal in the now empty alcove. Nicolai joined them but kept his vow of abstinence from strong drink.
While the meal was being served Voltarr slipped into the kitchen. The floor was piled with provisions normally found in a cool cellar. Searching he found a trapdoor with a ladder beneath. He explored the cellar, which was vaulted with several pillars supporting the kitchen floor. He was rummaging about in the sacks and such when the cook almost came upon him. With his light put out he could not be detected as he had already cast spells of concealment on himself. He was very nearly trapped by a sack which fell over the trapdoor when the cook climbed out. But he exerted his powers to move it slightly and so escaped. But he did not find anything hidden in the cellar.

A Nest of Troubles

Szutsavanica, 15th Dyarr YT330.

The tower of Szutsavanica was surrounded by an ant's nest. A few weeks ago it had occupied the grassy bank with only a few herders huts for company. Now the huts had been flattened and piles of materials and buildings were scattered around it. Its conical roof still stood a hundred feet above the tops of the first new buildings. All kinds were under construction – mean and noble; bold and magisterial; functional and ostentatious. Streets and yards laid out with whitewash lines marked where even more would be built.

Mages in blue robes were striding about looking purposeful. The gold-coloured trims and ornamentation sometimes shone with a new found lustre. The settlers included craftsmen of course, building the town and making whatever was needful. But shopkeepers and merchants were also quick to stake a claim to the best plots. The mock streets were the scene for several real arguments daily. No beggars yet. And fewer women than men.

But everyone was talking about the strange marks daubed on the walls before midnight. Tower and town were without answers. The scrying had added no information about the deed or its agents. Watchmen had failed to catch anyone. It was frightening many. Some had gone back to their former places. Most could not. Some of the settlers whispered that a lord would have been more apt to action than these magisters. But after two weeks the council had finally acted. They had sent for one of there own. Voltarr was summoned to the Council.