| From the TC Newspaper, September 2, 1998
Seek to Capture Members of the Followers of Armageddon
Jasper McCarrin
UP: Britannia
Shortly after Branson One-Thumb was murdered, I was granted an audience with an aide from Lord British's castle. I was dining at the Blue Boar Tavern, when two order guards walked up to me. They wore full plate mail with a hugs sword and the well known shield emblazoned with the silver serpent. They stood behind me as I sipped my wine.
I offered them a glass, but they simply shook their heads. I nodded, finished what was in my glass, and turned to face them.
"So, my friends, what might I do for ye?" I asked.
"We are to escort you to the castle," said one of the guards, named Madelyn.
"Sir Duquelle wishes to speak with thee," added the other guard, Tracy.
"Sir Duquelle?" I inquired. "Who might he be, and why would I wish to speak with him? Moreso, why would he wish to speak with me?"
"Sir Duquelle is a member of the castle staff. He has information for you regarding the Followers of Armageddon," Tracy told me.
Needless to say, I immediately rose and followed them out of the tavern. As we walked across Britain toward the castle, I remembered Branson's murderer had posed as a guard. But after a short moment of panic, I realized that not one of those guards had been an order guard, one of Lord British's personal guards. Even though there was no reason to think that same murderer couldn't pose as an order guard just as easily, I felt reassured nonetheless. I also realized the potential importance of what Sir Duquelle might have to say.
When we entered the castle grounds, we headed straight up the stairs to the entrance hall. I had half expected to be returned to the room where I spoke with Branson, so was quite relieved to find that not so. We entered the castle and proceeded up the stairs to our right. At the top of the stairs, we turned left and walked down the hall. I leaned across the stone railing and enjoyed the view down into the throne room. Tracy gently, but firmly led me over to a wooden door. I entered and sat down, as they closed the door behind me.
After waiting for but a few moments, Sir Duquelle entered. I rose to greet him as he introduced himself. Then we both sat in one of the cushioned red chairs.
"I have news about the Followers of Armageddon for thee," Sir Duquelle told me. "I have read thy depictions of recent events and felt I could trust thee to relate some critical new information."
"I see. And what exactly would that be?" I queried eagerly.
"With the recent murder of our only source who had intimate knowledge of the Followers of Armageddon..." he began.
"You mean Branson One-Thumb, here on these very castle grounds, correct?" I asked.
Sir Duquelle hesitated and raised an eyebrow, then answered, "Aye. Indeed the same. With... hmm... Branson, yes... with his death, we lost any chance of gaining increased knowledge of the personnel and movements of the Followers of Armageddon. As such, we have great need for any news that can be had about these scoundrels."
I listened intently as he continued.
"To that end, we are offering a reward for any members of the Followers of Armageddon who are captured and imprisoned at the Court of Truth in Yew. The reward will include a substantial amount of gold, honor and glory, as well as the personal thanks of Lord British, himself. But only if they are alive. For dead members - nothing! We need to be able to question them. Therefore they are worthless unless living."
I nod in understanding. "I will make it known, M'Lord."
"I thank thee, then, good sir," Sir Duquelle told me. "And bid thee good day. Thou may leave now."
I rose with questions dying on my tongue, and nodded toward Sir Duquelle. Then made my way out of the castle. Winding my way back to the Blue Boar Tavern, I wonder if perhaps I could actually catch one of the... "Nay," I chuckled to myself, "I would morelike turn tail and run." 'Tis not a lack of valor in me, friends, 'tis an abundance of humility.
And again, from the TC Newspaper, on the same day...
The Hunt Begins
Jasper McCarrin
UP: Britannia
News came quickly that Sir Duquelle was missing. There was no real evidence of foul play, but tensions were running high regardless. Sir Duquelle was nothing if not punctual, and he never shirked his duties at the castle. His sudden, unexplained absence brought thoughts of dark alleys and sharp knives.
Feeding the feeling that something might have happened to him was the sighting of three strange figures at the castle milling around his chambers. This was right around the last time Sir Duquelle was seen on the castle grounds.While no one was able to say who this trio might be, one chambermaid happened to notice that all three wore the same necklace. A necklace with some sort of black insignia on it. Quite odd.
Deciding I'd seen enough of castle intrigue, I decided to wander down to CrawWorth's home in Trinsic. Renee, Xarot's wife, had suggested I do so. She had said that he had a journal of information about the Followers of Armageddon. This I wanted to see.
I quickly located CrawWorth's living quarters. Sparce but comfortable, it appeared as if his home doubled as a meeting area for the local guard. Regardless, I found his journal as well as a few other tidbits. It seemed CrawWorth and Sage Winslow strongly disagreed upon the existence of the Followers of Armageddon. Winslow doubted there was such a thing, while CrawWorth struggled to prove that they not only were real, but that they planned grievous harm to the realm. This argument didn't sem to have been resolved, but the events of the past week or so seemed to bare out CrawWorth's assertions.
CrawWorth spoke of a man in Skara Brae who knew of a meeting place the FOA used. I made my way to Skara Brae and spoke with him. Not exactly a cooperative man, he did have an easy price. I bought him an ale, and he told me what he knew.
Vesper. My home town. This is where the Followers of Armageddon had been meeting. When I arrived, I found the place in quite a state of disarray. A hastily executed retreat from this site appeared to have been the chosen exit of the FOA. A few minor items remained. (What's a pundit?)
Watching over the area was a guard named Morgan. I spoke to him briefly. He told me that he was mostly there to see if any of the Followers of Armageddon returned. And to then try to apprehend them. He also told me that it was widely believed by the local guards that three moderately high ranking members of the FOA were at large in Britannia. He reiterated Lord British's desire that these outlaws be captured and brought to the Court of Truth in Yew. Any who deliver one of these three FOA members would receive a significant reward from our Sovereign. The next question is, of course, where to look...
|