From: Naron (naron_at_bigpond.net.au)
Date: Wed Sep 17 2003 - 13:10:40 BST
<Firstly, Legend Points have been awarded and are on your sheets on the site! Knock yourselves out!>
<Second - it is a very long post - sorry>
The questioning over you sit and await the fate that may befall you all. Maerath has not been seen since they separated you all, and you can see from the barred windows that night is falling.
The guards are unresponsive to any questioning and serve you only a meal of a porridge like gruel. You attempt to get as comfortable as possible for the night. The air has a wwarm sweet quality to it but your sleep is troubled as your thoughts all turn to the ramifications of the days questioning.
Some of you are awoken, and others already awake, when the Ork guard from the day before enters the prison room. "You are all to be set free, even though it is against my better judgement. I believe some of you of working with Fellblade," He stops and eyes Garrott and Farli for a long period of silence "but the magistrate is happy that we have Fellblade and sees no malice in your presence."
As for Fellblade, he will be tried tonight at the arena. I believe the tickets are selling quickly. The Corinthian left you some though, so you may see the event, though I know not why he bothers with the murderer. You may collect them as you leave." The guard turns from the cells and walks out as a couple of the other guards open your cells. You see they are not pleased with the decision either.
Once you enter the main room of the guardhouse, you see the contents of your packs are laid out on the floor. Each item outside its normal container. The only thing still carefully wrapped is Rose's crystal battle axe. You turn to complain but find most of the guard has left and those that remain have their backs to you dealing with other issues that have arisen over night.
You quickly pack, and find your animals are still in the stables next to the guardhouse. Nobody moves to help you locate them though the guards in the area eye you suspiciously as you collect the beasts. You wish that you did not have to leave Maerath behind though from the gesture of this Corinthian, you feel that maybe one person in the city is on your side.
You allow yourself a moment to calm down and begin asking directions to the inn that Elklisee had mentioned - the Oaken Staff. You are thankful for the normal citygoers who dont know you, glad to be of assistance when you ask for directions. The city is clean and opulent, the architecture formed into smooth curves that blend together creating pleasing patterns to the eye.
The city bustles with an energy that few of you have experienced before. Nearly everything appears to be sold here and an air dock shows that there are many air galleons that bring their produce to this wealthy city. There are none of the homeless that litter places such as Bartertown for those of you who are well travelled, and the buildings are all made from refined materials which creates a strong contrast to the life of Bush Namur.
During your travel you cross a large marketplace and find that the streets are buzzing with the news of Rhys Fellblades trial. The Magistrates had moved swiftly to call a trial for the fallen champion and have called several of the current champions to be ready to conduct the execution. From the snippets of talk you hear, there are few that believe Fellblade will be found innocent and even fewer that believe he will be spared a public execution.
You arrive at the Oaken Staff and present yourselves to the Innkeep, a Troll named Tarpam. He nods when asked about Elklisee and tells you that she checked in earlier that morning and has paid for a room for each of you. She has left the inn though as she is talking to several merchants about supplies for you to continue your journey west. Tarpam mentions that seeing you are staying the night he could sell you tickets to the trial of the murderous fellblade at a mere 25 sp each. He withdraws quickly when he hears your replies, leaving you to your own devices.
Most of you take the time to bathe and lay down to sleep. The night in the cells leaving you weary, whilst others of you head out onto the streets to explore the city. Travar seems to be an oasis of culture that is opulently decorated with items from all over Barsaive and beyond. The merchants are well travelled and the populace of the city seem comfortable in their lives. Many adepts walk the streets amongst the normal guard keeping peace, contracted to the city through being champions at the Founding.
Before too long night falls and you make your way along the streets to the arena. The structure is massive, taking up the space of a city block. An arena covered in sparse grass sits in the middle of a huge ring of seating, including private boxes for the more wealthy. The Founding is generally the major entertainment here though sporting events and other entertainment is held here while the Founding is over for the year. You move toward your alloted area and are surprised to find yourself moving to the boxed seats. You check your ticket again and find that you have seats in what looks like the boxed seat area in the centre front! Moving to the area, you find many servants bustling about with trays of drinks and silver platters laden with fruits, salted meats and pastries!
You are sure that you have been given the wrong allocation but the servants urge you forward. Standing at the rail of the boxed area is a figure that turns to regard you all. The figure is dressed all in black leathers with a large black jacket over the lot. He stands at least 7 foot and wears darkened eye glasses that block your view of his eyes. He appears human though is a slim as an elf and has shock white hair that is well tended and tied back into a foot long pony tail. He smiles at you all and in a deep voice says "Welcome. I am the Corinthian. Seat yourself. Rhys will soon be free."
His voice is deep and calming. His words seem to carry some form of truth and for the first time today you feel a kind of hope. The sky darkens, yet the Corinthian does not take off his glasses and the lamps lit with oil and fire are reflected of the glasses lenses making him seem to have fire for eyes. As you go to ask questions you here the trial begin below. For the first time you are aware that the entire arena is full and as the trumpets begin to announce the start their are wild cries for the death of Fellblade from the crowd. Much rubbish is thrown, along with weapons that fall well short, or strike some form of invisible barrier.
You move to the rail and look down. You see Rhys chained and hooded, standing in the centre of an ornate dais where three figures sit. "Magistrates of Travar." Says the Corinthian as he follows your eye. "They will soon call for the Questor of Mynbruje to come forth. They will be surprised! To the right," the Corinthian gives you time to follow his gesture "are the three champions who won the Founding from earlier this year. They are to be Fellblade's executioners when he is found guilty." You see the three of them stand still, watching Fellblade carefully. Each have a weapon drawn and ready though each appear to be standing relaxed. You look at the Champions and cannot help but smile at such an odd bunch. A windling, an Ork and a T'skrang. For some reason the mixture look odd to you especially seeing the three magistrates are represented by two stern looking Dwarves and a portly human.
Surrounding the edge of the arena you see troops of the guard facing inward, each of them staring at Fellblade. You can almost hear them thinking on how they wished he would make a run for it so they could dispense with the formality and strike him down. The charges are read by one of the Dwarven Magistrates. The crowd in the arena fall silent as the readings are made. "Rhy Fellblade. You are hereby charged with murder of Elwyn Firegat, Merchant of Travar and Magistrate applicant. You are also charged with the murder of Sara Vash, wife of Zubert Vash the Third. Also the murder of Colan Vesper, Firth Thornkin and Trillian Sliver, all champions of the Founding. Your weapon was found in the chest of Sara Vash and your visage seen by all of the deceased on the night of the murders, as discovered by a Nethermancer of Travar who at the time of the murders was a member of the Body of Five. How plead you to these charges Rhys Fellblade?"
A hush so silent that you hear the dropping of an onion from one of the spectators over twenty yards from you falls over the crowd. As the magistrate asks the question he steps forward and removes the hod from Maerath's head and he blinks at the enormity of the situation. He looks at the Dwarf and you sense a change in him. As if he has gained some conviction since he was taken to the cells. "I have no memory of these actions for one reason. I am not the man who committed these crimes! I am innocent of all charges!" Maerath calls out at the top of his lungs and the Dwarven Magistrate nods smiling as if this had been expected. The crowd erupt into a mass of seething hate at hearing the words and many of them call down to the champions to cut him down now. You hear the Corinthian laugh and stand, stretching his arms outward taking in a deep breath. "It is almost time. They are so certain but soon he will be vindicated!"
The second of the Dwarven magistrates steps up to Maerath and the crowd quietens somewhat but you still need to strain to hear the magically augmented words that boom across the arena. "Rhys Fellblade. You indicate you are innocent as you stand in judgement by the Magistrates of Travar. Do you submit yourself to the test of the Blood Guilt Weapon administered by Verity Stormfront of the questors of Mynbruje?"
"I do!" Maerath turns to look at each of his accusers in the stands. He smiles as he sees you all and nods at you in recognition. The crowd are finally cheering for they are certain that the trial of the blood guilt weapon will find Rhys guilty and cut him deeply.
You see a figure enter the arena. A dimunitive elven maiden dressed in robes of green and white. Behind her on a cushion of velvet you see a two handed blade exactly like Maerath's but not his weapon, crusted with blood at its tip. The weapon is carried by the Ork guard who captured you on the docks. He walks proudly behind her, his reward for bringing in the most wanted criminal in Travar allowing him to be the hero of the city.
As she arrives on the dais the elven maiden reaches into the folds of her robes and draws out five vials. Each contain what look to be blood though much darkened by age. "I give you the blood of Colan Vesper, Sara Vash, Elwyn Firegat, Trillian Silver and Firth Thornkin!" As she says each name she opens a vial and pours its contents on to the blade. You hear the blood hiss and watch as the ritual causes it to burn with white heat as it strikes the blade. You see the reflection of this in the Corinthian's glasses as his smile broadens at the excitement.
"Rhys Fellblade. I will strike at you five times. Once for each murder you have been accused of. Should the blade strike you at any stage, Mynbruje has stated your guilt and you will be punished. Do you understand this?" You see Verity pause and Maerath nods. With it agreed Verity takes the blade and several guards rush to the dais with spears. On the ground you see cloth in the area and with the tips of the spears the cloth is raised upward, enclosing Verity and Rhys in its circle. The crowd goes crazy. Many calling out aloud for Verity to make sure she aims for his neck.
For two minutes there appears to be nothing happening as the crowd scream even louder for veangance. The Corinthian's excitement is also increased. He laughs allowed and calls out to the crowd "Know you not his innocence! You are blind to the truth and with the truth Rhys shall be set free!"
Verity suddenly appears from a small gap in the cloth and moves to the portly human magistrate. She says something in his ear and he looks to her and asks something to which she speaks again. Quickly Verity then leaves the arena followed by the Ork guard close behind her. The portly human magistrate seems to move slowly toward the cloth and gives darting looks to all areas of the arena.
His voice is quavering and breaks several times as he calls out "Mynbruje has spoken and the verdict is....." The cloth drops and as it does you see Maerath with his blade in hand standing open legged in a very confident stance with no mark on him. "Not guilty! May Garlen protect us all!" The human magistrate calls this out as he begins to run for the protecton of the exits. His companions are up with him as figures start to leap into the arena. They attempt to run straight at Maerath with weapons brandished. There was only one conclusion and even that had been taken away. Most of the spectators are still stunned though several start to attack the guards and other champions as they attempt to reach Maerath.
"JUSTICE!" calls out the Corinthian laughing aloud......
<Your moves one and all. Lets just say things are VOLATILE at the moment. Apologies for the long post.....>
<Cheers>
<Mark>
If you are into role-playing, check out http://users.bigpond.net.au/naron/
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