<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p> After travel on the road it was good to be inside again. The barracks were clean and warm and the beds reasonably soft.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> The wagons were being unloaded and the horses had been groomed, fed and bedded down in the stables.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> As a guest the legate was given his own room on the third floor of the dormitory. It was a small room with a bed, a small cabinet for clothes and a table and chair, The walls were left the bare white of the plaster that covered them. A (very) small stove rested in one corner along with a small wooden bucket containing some coal. He couldn’t help but smile when he realized by standards of the order this was lavish accommodations.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> The legate caught sight of movement in the window. He noticed a thrush sitting on the windowsill and seemed to be look at him. And as if satisfied with what he saw the bird then flew away.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p>****************<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Early the next morning they ran into an unexpected problem soon after starting out. The caravan came to a sudden halt. Edmund made his way to the front and found Stealth and Terry staring at something ahead.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> There in the middle of the path was a large raccoon who was busily eating some sort of crustacean. The animal was alternating between banging the hard shell against a piling and eating the soft bits inside. The animal paused a moment and looked at them. Then he returned to his meal.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> "It looks like Rickkter" Terry joked.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “He certainly has Rickkter’s courage,” Edmund joked.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “What do we do?" Stealth asked.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> "We wait," was the paladin’s response.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “Wait?"<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> "Never interrupt a person when they’re eating,” Edmund explained.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Terry smiled and laughed.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> After some minutes the raccoon finished his meal. He then walked to the edge of the causeway and climbed down. In moments he had vanished into the marsh.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Stealth peered over the edge and down, looking for their visitor but all he saw was marsh grass and mud. He did spot a score of places where the animal could be hidden.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> He lifted his gaze and scanned the marsh looking for larger creatures. Out there Stealth was certain at least one person was watching them. He picked out several places where a person could hide. Finally the scout spotted a dark shadow at the base of a tree and an odd shape amidst a large plant with broad leaves some seventy yards out.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Edmund walked up to his friend. “Have you located them?”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “Two of them,” Stealth answered while still looking. “Probably at least one more out there.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “Will they attack?” Emile asked.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “No they won’t,” Terrant answered. “But when a large, armed group moves through your home you are cautious.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “And if they truly wanted to stop us they would smash the causeway,” Stealth added.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “Agreed,” Edmund added. “We confuse them. We’re too small for an invasion but the right size for a raiding party. But we are moving too slowly and are too friendly to be a raiding party. But we’re too heavily armed to be a trade caravan.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “So what do we do?” Stealth asked.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “We continue along as we agreed,” The paladin responded. “How much longer till we are out of this?”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “We should clear the marsh in another day,” Emile commented. “Perhaps a day and a half before we reach solid ground.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p>********************<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> It was late. The midnight office was done some time ago but it was still several hours before Prime at dawn. Harrick and Kenward should have been asleep but instead they were both standing on a small balcony off the Knightmasters quarters. The castle and indeed the whole valley was laid out below them as twinkling lights in the darkness. A soft wind was blowing bringing with it the smells and sounds of distant places.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “I’ve always enjoyed this spot,” Kenward said softly. “Being here alone always allowed me to think.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “It is very peaceful. It’s good place for contemplation,” Harrick responded.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Harrick looked off to the north. “I wonder how brother Delacot is doing?”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “Edmund is a skilled leader,” Kenward answered. “I trust his skills.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “I know but I wonder how far Donel will resist and how hard Brother Delacot will have to push?” Harrick asked.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Kenward nodded his head. “He was right about him being needed in the north at Metamor.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “Of Edmund and his people,” Harrick said slowly. “Bother Gattaway. Now Sister Gattaway. The order doesn’t allow women but Terrant wasn’t a woman when he joined.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “I have taken a wait and see attitude and given her special dispensation,” Kenward answered.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Harrick nodded in agreement. “But it does bring up questions about women in the order.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “True but that is something we can deal with later,” Kenward commented. “We have many other issues to deal with.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “A more immediate problem. What of the bishop?” Harrick asked. “And his father the Duke?”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Kenward winced. “That cannot be delayed any longer. It seems that my last official act as Knightmaster will be to meet with him.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “What do you think he will talk about?” Harrick asked. “What is he like?”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> The old Knightmaster shrugged. “I am not sure. I have never met this bishop before.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> There was silence for a long moment and both enjoyed the calm night.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “What went wrong Jacob?” Kenward asked in a whisper. “What did we do wrong?”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Harrick shook his head. “I don’t know. But none of the order took active part in the attacks.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “They should have done more to stop it,” Kenward countered.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “Done what?” Harrick asked. “We expected threats from the Lightbringers, from Sathmore, from Marigund and even from the Giantdowns. But how could we expect such evil from the Ecclesia itself.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “Perhaps breaking from the Ecclesia would be a good thing,” Kenward commented. “There has been talk among the brothers about just that.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “I’ve heard the talk. Many of the order feel abandoned by Yesulam. Or have we already become too detached from it?” Harrick countered. “Perhaps we should have tried to get closer instead of letting the distance keep us apart. Had we closer ties to the local clergy perhaps we could have detected the old bishop’s slide into corruption.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “Excellent point,” Kenward said. “We can take the opportunity of your Investiture to hold a grand concourse of all the Knight Commanders and all the senior leaders.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “Good idea,” Harrick responded. “There is a lot to discuss.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “Indeed.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p>********************<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> It was late afternoon when they came to a small island where the road split. One trail continued south, one branched off to the east and another to the west.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “We’ll stop here for the night,” Edmund ordered. “And continue onward tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> This piece of land was a little larger than the last one so there was room enough to spread out a bit. The wagons were spotted and the horses unhitched. A fire started and a small latrine pit dug.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> It was still light out when Stealth returned. This time instead of one person he had a half dozen. Deryk was there along with men and women carrying baskets, bags and packs. Edmund relaxed. This group wasn’t here to confront. They were here to bargain and trade.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p>**************<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> The small campsite was active with people talking, looking and haggling over various items. Baskets made of marsh grass were present in large numbers, the skins of various animals and other things. One old woman was selling potions that she promised would make men stronger, longer, and women bigger in all the right places. But amidst those expensive potions were others of more real use. A bottle of oils that was guaranteed to sooth aching muscles, an oil to preserve leather and keep it supple no matter how wet or cold it got.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Despite their seeming innocence, for every visitor Edmund had assigned a watcher. That person stood nearby and made sure the marsh dweller was only there for trade.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “Roderick,” Terrant called. “I think you’ll want to come over here.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “Ma’am?” The person was small, barely five feet tall and just a little over ninety pounds. It had the tan and black spotted coat of one of the smaller jungle felines. Roderick had adapted easily to being half animal was wearing only a small pair of shorts with a hole at the back for his long feline tail. There wasn’t even any shoes on his paws. He was carefully examining a tree that stood by a wagon. And carefully placing seeds into a pouch.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> He slowly walked over to Terry. Standing next to the woman was an older man dressed in a blue shirt and green pants. The man was carrying a large tree limb at least four feet long.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> The tree ocelot morph gently took the pre-offered length of wood. He ran his hands over every inch of it. He even touched his tongue to it to taste it. “This is a Marsh Elm,” he said excitedly. “I’ve never actually held it before.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Roderick stared at the man intently. “Did you cut this from a living tree?” He accused.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> The man shook his head in response. “No. It was storm toppled.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> The feline nodded his head. Roderick reached into his backpack and pulled out a six-inch-long saw with a serrated blade. “I’ll swap you this for the whole length.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Terry stood to one side and watched the two bargain. Someone touched her on the arm. The knight turned and a woman of middling age was standing there,<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> The woman leaned close to Terry. “I have a special item to offer you,” She said in a whisper as she reached down the neck of her tunic. The woman produced a small pouch from which she removed an object. It proved to be a crescent shaped item made of silver about the size of her palm. One side was blank but the other had several symbols inscribed with a dark green material.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Terrant’s knowledge of jewelry was limited but she understood that this was old. The symbols were obviously writing but a form she had never seen before. “What is it? Who made this?”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> The woman shrugged in response. “Many things have been lost in the marsh over the years. Occasionally the marsh gives them back.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “Where exactly did you get this?” She asked.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> The woman shrugged. “People say that some of the islands were used to bury the dead.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “You dug this up?” Terry asked.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “NO!” the woman denied excitedly. “We leave the dead alone. I found this in the water. I was hunting for shellfish on the bottom and found that instead.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “The Centli used the throw items and people into rivers, lakes and swamps as sacrifices to their gods,” Terrant commented.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “That doesn’t look Centli or Suielman,” the marsh woman answered. “It looks older. A lot older.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “There are people at Metamor who will know what it is and how old,” The knight responded. “What do you want for it?”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p>***************************<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> The Patriarchal Legate Tuscus was ushered into the office with little fanfare. He found the office of the Knightmaster of the Order of Protectors more Spartan than expected but probably more elaborate than some in the order would prefer.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> The walls were plastered a pastel blue instead of the white he had seen elsewhere. Portraits of various men who he assumed were past Knightmasters lined one wall. A large fireplace filled another wall. Every room in the fortress seemed to have some sort of heating. With a fortress located in the mountains it was far from a luxury. It was a necessity. There was a large desk and chairs of dark wood in a simple style. The one accommodation to luxury was a small couch near the fireplace made of a green padded cloth.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “I hope your visit with us has been helpful,” the knightmaster asked as they took a seat by the fire.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “It has been very illuminating,” the legate answered. “I have learned a lot.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “There is a lot more to discuss and consider,” Harrick said.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “Agreed but I must take my leave of you. I have been ordered to meet with the cardinal,” the legate responded.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “I am sorry to be losing you so soon,” Kenward commented.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “Agreed,” Tuscus answered. “But the cardinal wants to discuss recent events in Marigund and the Midlands with the Patriarch. And as the Patriarch’s representative I must attend.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “I understand,” Kenward said with a nod of the head. “Would you be willing to take a missive to the cardinal for me?”<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> “Of course,” the legate answered.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p></div></body></html>