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Post by Zak on Aug 25, 2022 14:57:10 GMT -5
Z’Kthra Putok and a large gray wolf stood outside The Grey Citadel surveying the area before approaching the gate. Zak had heard that the young lord was looking for adventurers to help bring down a miscreant that had been causing havoc in the area, and had decided to join the hunt.
“Gray, stay out here. Keep watch,” Zak told the wolf as he walked up to the gate. “Good day to you,” Zak said to the guard at the gate as the wolf scampered away. “I’m here to see the Young Lord Sarne. He put out a word for help, and here I am.”
Zak was surprised when the guard greeted him without suspicion, and lowered the drawbridge, and raised the portcullis without question or delay. I guess I look trustworthy, Zak thought to himself with a wry chuckle.
As soon as he approached the large building inside the compound, servants escorted Zak to the main hall. He was given a tumbler of wine and some bread and cheese to snack on while waiting for the young lord to appear. Zak relaxed and enjoyed the wine, not sure when he had ever had better. His curiosity peaked, he wondered what was in store.
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Post by Sarris on Aug 26, 2022 22:47:51 GMT -5
Sitting in the eastern tower, Sarris kept watch over the gate and the people that followed the road. The job was absolutely boooooooooaaaaaaaarrrrrrrriiiinnnnggg. Most of the people that used the road were people she knew. She had made a point of learning the local peasants, where they lived, what they grew, and any skills they had. If a Nobel visitor wanted goat milk and pheasant eggs for breakfast, Sarris knew where to go. A large bolt of rough cloth, apples, plums, wine or moonshine, she knew where to go.
As she looked out the telescope she saw a familiar face, Zak with a wolf. She sent a signal to let him in. She then sent a signal that she wanted to be relieved of overwatch. It was part of why the Grey Citadel ran smoothly, clearly defined roles.
She headed down to tell her cousin who was here.
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Post by Ser Sarne Sequoia on Aug 27, 2022 19:35:55 GMT -5
Sarne walked threw a door into the main hall of his house Sarne saw only one man sitting at the table being served as Sarne had instructed. With Sarris informing him it helps to know the Man a little. Sarne walked as some of the servants greet the Yong Lord. Giving the servants a nod and acknowledging them. The man you see has soft features like an elf with a husky build. He is strong and has swift movements. You can tell he is a nobleman in the way he presents himself, his armor, and his clothing. His perspiring green eyes shine in the light. He stands almost 6 feet. His dirty blond hair is neat and well-kept. His skin is slightly tan shows the time he spent in the wilderness. His armor has a crest that could be seen front and his cloak, A large tree with two wolf heads on each side pointing at the tree with three stars above it.
Walking to the table Sarne gave a welcoming smile to Zak. "Master Zak, I was hoping for more on this day but the day is still young." Sarne bowed slightly "Lord Sarne Sequoia, Vanguard of Solaria of The Grey Citadel." said Sarne introducing himself before sitting."I think you know my cousin, Sarris Orlaric?" asked Sarne.
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Post by Zak on Aug 29, 2022 15:16:59 GMT -5
As he waited in the main hall sipping the fine wine, Zak tried to remember what he had heard from Sarris and Mistress Serrafleur about the young prince. Most of their conversation had flitted away in the wind however due to Zak’s preoccupation with the magic playing out in front of him at the tournament, so no details presented themselves.
Zak had the goblet of wine at his lips when the young lord entered the hall. He quickly put down the cup and moved to stand. But before he could straighten to his full height, Lord Sarne introduced himself and sat down across from Zak, so Zak slowly lowered himself back into his chair.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my Lord. Ah, yes. Sarris. Yes. I know her. And since you greeted me by name, I can only assume that your cousin is on the premises and alerted you to my presence.” Zak chuckled. “It all makes sense now. It did seem strange when I was let into the compound so easily.”
Zak raised his goblet of wine, and remarked before taking a sip, “This wine is superb by the way. Thank you so much for your hospitality.” Zak took a sip, and then asked, “So how can I help? Who is this miscreant that needs to be stopped?”
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Post by Sarris on Aug 29, 2022 19:27:41 GMT -5
Sarris stood at the servants’ door to the main hall eating a fresh raspberry tart that Leah made for after dinner. She was doing an important job, well two of them. She was keeping others from listening in on the conversation. While she herself listened in. She needed to know how to keep the family safe and to make sure that she knew what was going on. The place did not run well without her helping make sure things were in order. “I should try a second tart to make sure they were not poisoned since we have company for the evening meal,” she announced as she walked back towards the tray.
Twack, twack, twack was the sound of a broom hitting flesh and a moment later Sarris came rolling through the door into the main hall. She did it in the most lady like way, she kept her legs together. She rose holding her prize in her left hand still uncrushed. One warm, crisp raspberry tart. With her other hand she straightened her skirts.
“Pardon, Lord Sarne and Magus Zak. I was helping Cook chase a cat out of the kitchen,” she said blushing a bit. “More like a redheaded rat who ate three tarts,” came a voice from the kitchen. She actually nabbed a fourth.
“I will just show myself out,” she said walking to the main door. Through the door she heard her name mentioned with abandoning her post.
She turned and said, “I will just let myself out the window.” She headed in that direction.
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Post by Ser Sarne Sequoia on Aug 30, 2022 14:07:37 GMT -5
Sane let out a sigh " and that was my Cousin Sarris" he said with a smile. "Sometimes I think she watches me too close and the family too but she helps run Gary Stone Keep. she is very good with the servants," Sarne said as a plate of cheese and bread and some wine poured. Sarne looked at the servant "You're dismissed for now. I will call you if we need something." said Sarne in a polite tone. The servant bow to him and walked out closing the door behind him.
taking a sip of wine Sarne looked at Zak. "it's not the man we are after if that was the only problem. they would send the city guard or some knights to deal with him. I could use Vanguard to help but they can stick out in the city of Sol." Started Sarne. "This is not to be talked about with anyone. if you do you will answer to the crown, not just me," said Sarne in a very serious tone.
Sarne paused to make sure that that message was clear. "The Black hood as he is called. He gives rogues a bad name. but we know he is up to something that could destroy part of the city. Whatever this plan might be or not be. We need to find out what that plane is and what is it about." said Sarne picking up some bread and tearing a piece of bread.
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Post by Zak on Sept 2, 2022 16:31:31 GMT -5
“Hello, Sarris,” Zak said, his voice trailing off as she came and went so quickly that he hadn’t had a chance to fully greet her. Zak chuckled quietly at her delightful self-consciousness.
Zak nodded solemnly when Lord Sarne made a point of emphasizing the need for discretion. “The Black Hood,” Zak repeated when Lord Sarne finished his explanation of the situation. “I’m not so sure of my ability to play the spy. How do you plan on proceeding? Do you want to try to infiltrate? Do you have connections that might help with that?” Zak chuckled. “Sorry for the rush of questions. Just trying to get a fix on how my particular brand of skills might be useful in your endeavor here.”
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Post by Sarris on Sept 2, 2022 21:28:28 GMT -5
“Hello, Master Zak,” Sarris said smiling with a little wave. She opened the window and stood on the outside sill sliding the window closed. She then turned and sat on the ledge. She might hear some of the conversation and it allowed her to avoid those looking for her. She really did not want to be yelled at for abandoning her post, she was not in the guard and she was much more of a free spirit. It would take time for the chain of command to get to Sarne and she was doing her job of protecting the family.
In a while she shifted so she was sitting sideways on the sill with her other leg pressing against the wall to keep her in position.
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Post by Ser Sarne Sequoia on Sept 5, 2022 0:51:43 GMT -5
Sarne shook his head and chuckled some. "Cousin, this time no hanging off the ledge I don't need the panic you made last time," Sarne said with a grin. "Now Master Zak, your skills are needed I know of arcane magic but I am not that good of an understanding of it. You, I hear have good skill with it," said Sarne as he took a slice of cheese.
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Post by Zak on Sept 7, 2022 9:40:06 GMT -5
Zak finished chewing a piece of bread before replying. “I might not be able to play the spy, but I do have the ability to scorch an enemy with lightning or fire if needed. When and how do we begin to find this Black Hood?” Zak took a sip of wine and looked out the window, catching a glimpse of a small hand resting on the window sill. He smiled, aware that Sarris was eavesdropping on the conversation.
“Will your cousin be joining us in this endeavor?” Zak asked, raising his goblet to his lips for another sip of the fine wine.
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Post by Ser Sarne Sequoia on Sept 7, 2022 10:53:08 GMT -5
"I am not exactly Sarris keeper or master to me she is family. That's not to say people see it otherwise," said Sarne taking a sip of his wine.
"Sarris will come along if she wants. I will not stop her and she knows that. Not that we would have a choice anyways." said Sarne chuckling.
Sarne's smiled and faded "This black hood problem. There is a lot more to it or my Grandfather would not have asked me to do it. Several other Knights and magic investigators have looked into it but they all disappeared with no trace of them." says Sarne seriously. Taking another drink of his wine
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Post by Sarris on Sept 7, 2022 15:45:14 GMT -5
Sarris waved to a guard who had come looking for her. “Someone is coming to the gate that I do not know,” she called down. She could see out far enough to pass the word. Technically she was doing her job and protecting Lord Sarne at the same time. The last of the tart was just icing to the efficiency cake.
Sarne had not mentioned the thieves from the guild that had been sent to deal with the “Black Hood” that has not returned either. It would help her standing with Dalan Hammerfist her guild leader. Corra, Nethander, and her other four children had been in a bit of trouble lately: the heist in the market, the missing ale wagon, one flock of sheep missing from the butcher’s pens - still missing (Corra had to save them from being on the dinner table and Sarris had claims no knowledge of this event or the location of the sheep). So she was planning on going with them.
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Post by Zak on Sept 14, 2022 8:16:52 GMT -5
Zak contemplated the situation while sipping his wine. Questions abounded with no obvious answers. The fact that Lord Sarne’s grandfather would send his own grandson on this mission made it clear how important it was to stop this miscreant.
“Disappeared? Never to be seen again? That’s quite odd,” Zak said with a frown. “Is there anyone that we can speak to that has had run-ins with this Black Hood character and lived to tell the tale? Do we have any clues as to his whereabouts? Where do we start?”
Zak sat back and took a bite of bread, wondering what he had gotten himself into. Would this be a suicide mission? Would they be disappeared like all the others? A wicked smile appeared on Zak’s face. Ginma watches over me and mine, he thought. We will persevere.
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Post by Ser Sarne Sequoia on Sept 14, 2022 10:30:45 GMT -5
Sarne also sat back relaxing his posture some. "Yes, there are clues where the others last reported. Two places came up one is the Broken Shield tavern and the Black Dirk tavern. That's when the reports stop we never found out past that point," informed Sarne sipping on the wine goblet.
"The Black Hood does a good job of cleaning up behind himself no witnesses we know of alive. They had one man who died in prison. The man was killed by a guard who was paid well but by informed by magic messaging no way to trace that." Sarne Zak told also seemed frustrated by it all. "So it falls on us, I hope, to find this guy and figure out what's going on." finished Sarne.
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Post by Sarris on Sept 14, 2022 15:07:21 GMT -5
Sarris caught two apples that were thrown up to her by some children. She caught them and opened the window and stepped back in. “It appears that the first wagon load of apples are coming into the keep,” she said placing one in front of each of the men with a wink.
“I have heard that the Black Hood works alone,” she added. “Still…” she said pausing. “He likes a fast acting poison…. Or so the rumor goes,” she added. “Supposedly there is a apothecary that goes by the Silver Fang. Imports snake poisons from the desert region,” she said. “Smuggles it in through the ports. Some experts were hired to figure out how this was being done and had very little luck..Just a rumors though,” she said sitting down in a chair.
Smuggling was not in her skill set. Looting, stealing, and spying were.
She gave them her I am just a dumb girl look.
She had a little information network running down on the docks. Street children and beggars see and hear more than people think and her poor little orphanage were one of the keys to keeping that network working. Some of the acting up and wandering was actually sending messages to people. They could visit a begger and drop a copper in a hat and get messages that an adult could not.
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