Thursday, April 16, 2009
Hollen’s Tower, Tidehall – Malcolm, Seff
The sun was low on the sea, and wisps of fog roiled just offshore. Malcolm reclined sleepily in a hard wooden chair next to what remained of an aged scorpion high above the waves. The siege weapon, like most of the weapons on Tidehall’s seaward side, had been built when Malcolm was a child during the War of the Ninepenny Kings, but was now largely rotted away by disuse, time and salt. The chair, originally meant for the crewman aiming the weapon, was still serviceable, however.
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Most of Hollen’s Tower dated from a few decades after the Old Tower, but the top was built later and uniquely suited to siege weapons. The portion of the squat tower facing the yard below was level, but the arc facing the sea sloped down toward the water at a slight, but thoroughly disconcerting angle and ended in just the slightest lip instead of a high parapet like the other towers. This allowed heavy weapons mounted on Hollen's Tower a clear shot on ships right to the edge of the seawall. The slope made this the least favorite garrison post in all of Tidehall, particularly on windy afternoons such as this, but Malcolm enjoyed being surrounded by the air and rotting timber. More importantly, Maester Aldrik, who disrupted Malcolm’s easy afternoon flirting with Marta and the rest kitchen staff and replaced it with various figures and funds, was deathly afraid of heights. Here, he would not be bothered as he napped or stared out through his far-eyes, looking for signs of sails.
ReplyDeleteAt least, not usually. He heard the padding of footsteps on the stones below, and the flat trapdoor swung open by his feet. A helmeted young guardsman with a short, uneven mustache, Pearce, popped his head up through the gap.
“Ser Malcolm,” he tried to salute with the hand that was still holding the door, “Your squire has returned, I understand you wanted to know when…”
Malcolm stood. “Yes, yes. Thank you, Pearce. Any word from Riker?” Pearce shook his head and moved out of Malcolm’s way.
Seff was seated in the small hall off the kitchen, eating his dinner with the servants from a trencher of bread. Malcolm joined him, pinched one of the scullery maids who was oogling Seff as she passed, and asked her for a pitcher of fresh water. “So, how was the sermon?” Seff filled Malcolm in between bites.
“The mummer girl? The one watching us spar this morning in the yard? Interesting. We’ll have to keep an eye on her. In fact, when you see her next, perhaps you should have a word with her. Nothing threatening, of course, it sounds like she helped us on the beach today. In fact, give her this for her performance. Hiding a stag will impress the smallfolk more than a copper.” Malcolm fished out 10 stags and let the clank across the table. “She might be welcome places even you aren’t,” He smirked, but then turned dour, and walked to the window. “The tide is in, and still no word from Riker. And Gilder is still at sea.” He turned back, “When you finish your meal, ready Steuben and bring my armor and a parcel of food to the yard. And have Pearce take word to Ser Sigurd. I mean to make my way north tonight.”
Malcolm made his way upstairs to make his intentions known to Maester Aldrik.
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ooc: Not trying to rock the boat, Redline. I'll prep for the trip to find out what is keeping Riker, and wait for you to tell me if I'm on the way or not. If you want to keep me here for something else you had planned, I'm sure you can manage it. Seff, you're welcome to join Malcolm on his way north if you wish, of course, or you could hang around here or head over to Dunks - there seems to be a quite a party there.
"I too am concerned about the lack of news from Riker and that Lord Gilder has not returned," said Maester Aldrik. "I have sent Daeron on an errand to the town, perhaps someone should fetch him if we think danger may be afoot. Maybe we should have Sigurd send out a ship to search for Lord Castriati as well? As long as Bohemund or Sigurd remain at the castle I think we are safe here and you can ride north."
ReplyDelete"Very Well, Maester. I'll let Pearce take word to Ser Sigurd. Sigurd knows the sea, but I'll ask him to sortie 2 ships for the Ice Maiden. Two can cover more water and if Gilder's foundered, will be better to tow them. Let's hope he's just enjoying the air and boring sailors with war stories. I'll look for the boy down by the docks on my way out of town."
ReplyDeleteAfter sending Pearce to Sigurd and giving Bohemund command of Tidehall, Malcolm spied Lady Castriati as he walked through the arched hallway from the private chambers toward the yard. "Milady, a moment." Ser Malcolm stood close so he could speak in a low voice, "My apologies for bothering you at this hour. I'm afraid I must depart, and leave Tidehall in Ser Bohemund's capable hands. I hope it is nothing, Lady, but I will ask that you stay within the walls until I return." Ser Malcolm bowed low before adding, "This is a request, milady. I don't make it my place to give you orders on rumors. But it would ease my heart to know you were safe. With your leave."
Seff looked determined and was standing in his stirrups, holding the reins for both horses. "Fine, lad, you can come. But we have business in town first. And I'm not putting on this breastplate myself." After he was armored, he donned his cloak and they mounted, making way to the docks. Malcolm informed Seff of their current task to find Daeron.
As they trotted towards the ships gangway, a bald man with sun darkened skin stood up from his perch among the crates and held out a hand. "What business have you here?"
"I'm looking for a friend of mine, a young man with light hair and eyes, who came here this afternoon to see Captain Eyrolio. Have you seen him? Be quick about it, and I'll have one of the girls from the Tricky Sable come keep you warm while you're on watch."
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ooc: Thing one: Malcolm isn't going to try to argue with her, but does it seem like Lady Castriati is going to listen and stay at Tidehall? I guess that would be... awareness?
Here's the roll. (6,4,4,[4,2] = 14)
Thing two: I'm not sure a sailor is going to give up the whereabouts of a stranger to some other strangers who are armed to the teeth. Of course, he may not care, or realize we are in a town, and the chances that we'd start trouble or kill his captain are probably low, but whatever, I'll leave it to you. If I need an intrigue, here's the initiative roll, (2,2,4 = 8) and my persuasion (seduce) roll: (2,1 = 3). I'm indifferent, and based on that roll, if it comes to intrigue I'm sure glad Seff is here.
"Bohemund and Rymon are both nearby, do not worry about me," said Lady Castriati.
ReplyDeleteAt the ship, the sailor squints at Malcolm. "Keep the girl for yourself, not really my preference. Lets see I do recall somebody coming by looking for Eyrilio, maybe a few coins would help me remember where they went."
Malcolm rode closer and looked the man over carefully. "Fair is fair." He jingled 3 stags in his gloved palm, and then let them drop into the eager hands of the sailor. "With that you should be able to have the best boy in the Riverlands, or a prize goat for the voyage, for that matter. Now, tell me where I can find your captain and my friend. And pray I find them for that price, for I'm certain I can find you."
ReplyDeleteThe captain is at the Iron Maid, the sign of the mermaid, Dunk's place, and that's where I sent the boy.
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ooc: I may just start calling it the Inn of many names.
Malcolm nodded thanks, then turned to Seff. "Lead the way, lad"
ReplyDelete-----
ooc: If you're not careful, we'll just start calling it 'Cheers'.
Seff didn't enjoy trading money for information. It was too easy and offered no challenge. Still, in this situation, it was the fastest way to get the information they wanted. It was Malcolm's coin anyhow, so Seff really couldn't be bothered to care all that much.
ReplyDeleteSeff turned his horse around and started heading towards Dunk's. Malcolm's horse followed alongside. Seff turned to Malcolm. "An inn is the perfect place to search for a captain! Maybe we can find him at the bottom of a mug of ale. Since you are being so generous today with your coin, maybe you could buy me a few rounds to remind me why I'm your obedient squire." Seff grinned and quickly ducked his head as he expected Malcom to cuff him on the head.
"I suppose the inn might also be a good place to gather some information on the girl. I still need to have a word with her. After her performance on the beach, I bet there's some talk going around."
Not for the first time, Malcolm wondered what Ser Roger would do if he had a squire half this insolent. 'An irregular squire for an irregular knight,' he mused in his thoughts, smiling. When he turned to look sharply at Seff, he tried unsuccessfully (deception 4 + 1 = 5) to change that smile to a glower.
ReplyDelete"I imagine you will find fishermen to tell you all about today, but we must find Daeron first, and see him safely returned. As for your drink, when I gave you 10 stags for the girl I never expected you'd be fool enough to give it all to her. Just enough to keep her interested and make me seem important. If you have a thirst, and it won't hinder your aim, I imagine you'll find a way to pay for it."
As they rode past the market square, men in roughspun were taking down flowing tents and rolling away dollies loaded with goods under the direction of brightly dressed merchants.
Dusk was one of the busiest times on the market, as the sun was just beginning to touch the waves, but the market would soon be dark and silent as a crypt.
They rounded the corner, and Seff jutted his chin toward the sign to indicate their arrival. Malcolm heard the sound of laughter inside the Iron Maid, and lights washed out the bubbled glass windows to paint the cobblestones red and orange. "I'll stay with the horses for now, Seff. You run inside and see if you can't find the young Master. and we''ll get him to Tidehall."
As Seff dropped from his saddle, Malcolm scanned the other horses tied outside the establishment, looking for the gentle gelding that Daeron had been practicing his riding on, or any other sign of the young master.
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ooc: Awareness: 6,6,6,(2,1) = 18. just looking around outside the bar to notice anything that'd he'd recognize as Daeron's. I don't think anyone's mount is here, but it seems like he'd check for . Plus, I get to roll dice!
Malcolm doesn't recognize any of the mounts, but he does see a golden dragon half-lodged in the mud.
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ooc: I don't think anyone's mount is here, but I feel like a critical success like that should be rewarded--RPG style!
Malcolm dropped to his feet near the coin and dislodged it. After a quick shine on the edge of his cloak, he listened to the satisfying clink as the coin fell into his purse. As he stood, Malcolm locked eyes with a farmgirl leaving the market with a laden mule, blew her a kiss and remounted Steuben.
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ooc: I'm not sure he'll find something to spend it on - what with the dearth of orphans, greedy sailors and PCs. But it's good to know the old ways are still followed.
Seff handed his horse's reigns to Malcolm and went inside the Inn. Once he was inside, he moved away from the door and scanned the room for Daeron. (Awareness 14)
ReplyDeleteSeff sees Daeron sitting at a table with a Tyroshi sailor talking. He also sees Roger sitting at the bar and Lara performing in the common room. Seff also notices some of the audience seems to have black paint residue on their faces.
ReplyDeleteooc: Great googly moogly, you've crossed the streams! May I suggest we move all in bar interaction to the Tannyr's Quay thread?
ReplyDeleteooc: I posted in the other thread
ReplyDelete