IC-Scene: Eastcrown

Leading the detachment through the steppes had been easier than expected, even with the shortcuts that took them off the main roads that Reiner knew of. The column approached the village with a sense of wary ease, the symbol of their Order displayed in a prominent position on their tabards as they neared the guardsmen. Renier lifted a hand, palm out, in a courteous greeting, raising his voice to be heard above the din.

Hail Guardsmen! What news from the town?

The Guards were startled at the sight of armed men appearing in front of the Town. They were too busy controlling all the Wagons entering the Settlement.
One of them, by the looks of him the Captain of the Guard, came closer to greet the small group.

"Good Day Rangers, it is good you came. As you see the Guards have too much to do controlling all the entries to the Village. Furthermore we noticed an increase in activities of the Red Brotherhood. They even showed acts of open Violence. You should better go to the Castle they will have need of you there."

Nodding his head Reiner spurred his horse back to a walk to head past the guardsmen.

My thanks. With a little luck maybe you'll have some good news to be telling travelers in a few days.

Reiner led his column through the gates into the town, picking their way through the mass of carts easily enough to head towards the castle deeper in town.

The column halts a respectful distance from the guards, Reiner dismounting and handing the reins to the man to his right before approaching them, hand resting at ease on the pommel of his longsword.

Greetings. I am Alaric Reiner of the Silvermist Order, here under orders of Lord Constable Iskar to render aid with a problem that has come to his attention. Do I have permission to enter the castle and meet with the person who rules here?

As you come closer you see the Guards loosening up. They look pretty happy knowing some knights of the order are around.
The Captain of the Guard approaches you, bowing deeply as he comes to a halt in front of you.

"Good to see you Knights. You certainly mean the Bailiff. He is down at the infirmary speaking with the wounded. I will lead you to them."

He turns around and quickly gives some orders.

"Get their horses to the stables and show them to their rooms. Please follow me Sir Alaric."

The Captain of the Guards leads you down a long corridor, the sound of voices becoming lower and lower until the only sound you hear are your steps.
Suddenly he turns to the right and opens a wooden door.

"Please enter, I will wait outside until you are finished."

As you enter you quickly notice the smell of blood and the moans of some of the wounded you see. There are ten beds altogether. To your right you see a black armor with rich golden ornamentations behind it is a thick woolen cape mostly drenchend in blood.
The beds to the left are nearly empty except for the last one where you a see man in rich clothing kneeling and talking to the wounded.
4 people are in the beds to your right. The first one lies totally still with a big bloody bandage around his head. The other three you see are sitting nearly upright, they seem to have only minor injuries.

If there was one thing Reiner had learned since coming from the steppes, it was that the most important members of Pendor society were the ones that had the most finery. Walking to the black armored man, Reiner took the opportunity to look over the casualties, noting that the man with a bandage looked to be in poor condition indeed if the amount of blood was to be any indicator.

You wouldn't happen to be the Bailiff? My name is Alaric Reiner, Ranger of the Silvermists, come to help with your...... problem.

As you approach the bed you see an old men lying in it. By the looks of him he must have been Soldier, his arms were as thick as small trees and his massive chest showed of his former strength. He was awake and his lower body was heavily bandaged. You can see a little bit of blood coming through in the right side just below his rips. The two men were talking silently.

..he said you will make it." The old man only nods and falls into a tremor of coughs. The other one stands slowly up and turns to you.

"Yes, my name is Tomasz Jono, Bailiff of Eastcrown. I am glad you arrived Sir Alaric. But I fear it is a little bit too late. We already had two deaths and multiple injuries among our men. The red brotherhood has put fear into the hearts of the Garrison."

Suddenly the old man interrupts.

"Don't believe him boy, there is nothing to be feared, this scum only works from the shadows. They are afraid of us I tell you." Again he starts coughing violently.

"I don't know, I am not used to violence, I was only made Bailiff 2 months ago. I don't know ho to handle this. You two better talk alone."

All the time while talking Tomasz only looked down, his hands were shaking and his face was as white as snow. He didn't wait for an answer from Alaric, he just storms out of the room nearly stumbling over a small stone on the ground.




[OOC: there is noone in Black Armor, it is just on the ground to right of the entrance to the room]

Reiner let his eyes follow the fleeing bailiff, his expression neutral, before turning his attention to the man on the bed, taking mental note of the seeming severity of the man's wounds.

It appears that your Bailiff feels a bit out of his league in this case. I'll do my best to help your Bailiff get some much needed experience if I can. Like I said before, I'm here for the Brotherhood's heads. But who might you be? You look like a soldier to me, being built like the castle walls and all that.

The old man cleared his throat and looked at the young man.

"My name is Valerian Cumberbatch, I was a Centurion in the Shadow Legion. Now that I am old I am traveling through Pendor, providing help to the ones in need.
I send the letter to your Constable informing him about the situation with the Red Brotherhood. It seems you are the help I asked for."

A smile appeared on the old mans face. Blood could be seen on his teeth.

"I think I have to tell you what is going on around here, help me sit upright and be so kind to get me some water from over there."

He gestured to the other side of the room.

Of course Sir Cumberbatch. Reiner managed to get the old man sitting up with a pillow wedged behind his back before retrieving an earthenware pitcher of cool water and a simple glass. Reiner poured the old Knight a drink, handing the glass to him before taking a seat in a chair near the bed, ready to hear the information the old man had stored away.

If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to hear everything. Even the smallest detail has importance.

Thank you son. Valerian took a sip of the water and then a quick look at his wound, there was still some blood but as he looked back he managed to smile again.

"I arrived here nearly a fortnight ago, as I took my first steps through the village I noticed something strange but I couldn't name it right then. After long days talking to the people and overseeing the reconstruction of the old houses, I was hinted that Red Brotherhood might have established a foothold in the Town.I immediately started investigating which of course made them aware of me. One night as I was walking back to the Castle two men in red robes approached me, telling me to stop ask questions and let it be."

"I approached the Bailiff about that matter and he gave me an escort from the Garrison so I could continue my work. Yesterday just after the sun went down, we were walking through a small alley towards the market. Three thugs blocked our way, and I looked back and saw three more, my escort already on the ground, knocked out by them."

"You will never trouble us no more. The leader of them said."

"Suddenly I felt a sting at my right side, looking down I saw a dagger. I quickly turned around and grabbed the skull of the man behind me and smashed it against the wall. The cracking of his bones echoed through the streets."

Valerian gestured to the first bed in the right. "Thats the unlucky fellow who tried to kill me."

"I unsheathed my sword and with two quick strokes I disposed of the other two behind me. It went through them like paper, and they fell without even trying to defend.
Surely they didn't expect any resistance from an old man. I was feeling the youth coming back to my bones. It was nearly 2 years that I last used my sword in anger."

Valerian took another sip of the water as his voice began to falter.

"I faced the rest of them, and they were afraid, I could see their hands shaking. Two of them charged me with their puny daggers." Valerian laughed out loud at that.
"I rammed my sword so deep into the first one I couldn't get it out again, so I just punched the other one in the face and he fell down into the mud."

"The last one, seeing his men butchered by an old man let his dagger fall down and ran away into the night. As the fire left my body I started feeling the pain, I let my self sink down at the side of a house and thats how they found me shortly after."

"I was brought here with my escort over there." He held his hand out pointing at the other three beds opposite of him.

"The bad news is that come the morning they found 4 dead men of the Garrison in the streets. Thats why everyone is afraid. The good news, the one I punched is still alive and waiting in the prison. He might know something."

I see. From your story it sounds like these Red Brotherhood types can't stomach a fair or difficult fight. You said that you were investigating when the Red Brotherhood took notice of you. Did you find any information you'd like to share before I hae a conversation with our friend down in the dungeon?

Reiner took a moment to top off the old knights glass while he waited.

"Don't underestimate them, boy. Even a peasant can kill a king."

Valerian took a sip of the water and then seemed to stare into the darkness for some time.

"I don't have much to tell you, they intercepted me before I could find out something important. Their hideout seems to be somewhere near the eastern edge of the settlement. 5 days ago they robbed a wagon full of gold from the mine. And they were able to carry it all back on foot without anyone seeing them. Since then, they stick to the protection money they get from the merchants. The evening I was attacked, a friend of mine told me that they are planning something huge."

He inspected his wound again, more blood was showing than before.

"I think I need some rest again. The Captain of the Guard is a good man, one of the Veccavian eunuchs. A seasoned veteran, but only for open battle not for the games the Brotherhood is playing. The sheriff is new in town, he might need some guidance to be of help."

After finishing he slowly slid back down and sighed as soon as he was back in horizontal position.

Thank you for the information, I will see that it is put to good use. You are a credit to your Order Sir Cumberbatch.

Reiner stood and made his way back to the Captain of the Guards outside the room, thinking for a moment before speaking.

I have several places that I wish to go Captain, but first I would like you to show me the way to the Dungeons, there is a prisoner there that I would very much like to speak with. You're probably know which one I am talking about, the only conscious red Brotherhood member. Reiner fingered the pommel of his sword after he spoke as he considered ways to get what he wanted out of the man. The Brotherhood were usually cowards to a man, so it should be easy if the right leverage was introduced.

As you leave the room the old man seems already asleep. His hands resting beside his body, he looks dead to the hasty observer until you notice the slight movement of his breast.

The Captain nods and starts walking further down the corridor.

"I hope you get something important out of him, I knew the four men they killed that night and I want revenge."

He leads you down two flights of winding stairs, the air is getting warmer and way more damp. As you reach another corridor you come across a fat and ugly turnkey, in the flicker of the torchlight you notice his pale skine, as white as snow and his few yellow teeth.

"We want to see the prisoner." Apparently there was only one Prisoner in the Dungeon as the turnkey startet moving immediatly, fumbling with the keys while walking. After a few seconds he turned to left and opened an iron door. As you look into it you are greeted by a mossy smell, the prisoner is lying on the ground at the edge of the cell and looks up to the now opened door.


[OOC: you may RP the prisoners movement to an interrogation cell or somewhere else but he is not saying anything right now

Reiner just looked at the prisoner for a moment, trying to see something that would mark him out as Red Brotherhood and failing, to him, he could have been any of the villagers that he had seen thus far. Turning to the turnkey he spoke.

Take him to a smaller cell and restrain him. Reduce his rations by half, if he has been getting any at all, maybe he will be inclined to speak if he is hungry and thirsty. If that doesn't work, then we will have to move onto more physical methods. Reiner gave the prisoner a blank look that would make the most seasoned veteran's skin crawl. And I guarantee it would be more beneficial to us both if it would not come to that.

Turning back to the Captain again, Reiner had another request. I need to see the Sheriff again, I want to make sure that the caravans and wagons are not the target of these scum.

The Captain looked at the prisoner with hatred and disgust. He would kill him if he was allowed.

"I will lead you to him myself, his office has been build not far from the Castle."

Before leaving the dungeon again he looked at the turnkey.

"I will send you 4 men of my garrison, they will bring the prisoner to our interrogation room. He will get nothing to eat, only give him enough water that he stays concious."

The fat man only grunted followed them down the corridor and remained at his post. As you leave the darkness of the dungeon the Captain quickly gives his orders to his men and 4 of them vanish into the Castle. He leads you through the busy streets to the west.




[OOC: I am painting a small map right now, you have some time a RP a bit if you like ]

As the Captain led him through the streets, Reiner had a better chance to look around and see the village. It didn't look much different than any other village, though he hadn't been in many. Most of the townsfolk gave him a wide berth, as though the fleur de lys was something to be avoided.

Captain, what is life like here? Before the Brotherhood arrived, I mean. Have the Jatu given you any trouble recently?

"You mean since life started here? I was a slave in the Veccavian army before the Silvermists gave me my freedom back."

He looked down at his armor and touched a small Fleur de Lys hidden under a wrinkle. It looked as if it was sewn on by himself.

"At first it was hard building everything up and getting accustomed to the lifestyle. But everything is better than my life was before. There is a Jatu army 1 day south of here. That was my latest report, they never bothered us as far as I know. And I hope it stays like this."

Reiner gave the captain a surprised look.

An army?! How has the king not dealt with them by now? I saw a small raiding band make life hell for several villages, i can't imagine how bad a horde of them would make things.

After composing himself, he asked a more relevant question, fingering the pommel of his sword, a habit he had picked up on the ride to Eastcrown.

Captain, I want your input on these Brotherhood scum. Hearing from a Knight is all well and good, but the rank and file might know things that the higher ups do not.

"The Jatu that resisted the Silvermists were eradicated, I know that. But why they left the rest in the area exceeds my mind. Maybe they had enough bloodshed, I like to believe that."

The Captain heard the question of the Knight. But he didn't answer right away, he looked around cautiously and then stepped into the shadow of a small alley.

"Better not talk openly about that, they have their eyes and ears everywhere. During the time of the colonization not only good people looking for a new start came to the steppes. Many also saw other possibilities. They came here to take advantage of the newdwellers. To lie, steal and even murder. Corruption has spread wide among the people, it is worse than it looks on the outside.
Everyone is afraid to do or say something against the Brotherhood because there may be someone close who sells the information."

He pauses and looks to the left and right.

"If you ask me, we will have to strike fast and hard. But we have to know who we trust in this. I think there are even some men in the Garrison who are corrupted."

Reiner let out an semi exasperated sigh.

It seems like everyone is saying the same thing. That chasing the Brotherhood is like chasing your own shadow. Reiner almost stepped on a flock of chickens that boiled out of the alley, stepping over the clucking horde nimbly before continuing.

I don't doubt some of the garrison are rotten, people like the Brotherhood are like wood rot once it enters a bow, it worms its way into the core and sets in. At the moment I only trust my Order brethren and possibly Sir Cumberbatch, if I can find someone who can back up his story. Realizing that he may have offended the Captain, Reiner shot him a quick glance. No offence captain., you seem like the honorable sort. Rest assured, the Silvermists aren't going to leave your people in the grip of a bunch of thugs.

"No offense taken. There are not many whom you can trust in this troubled times. I think I have some loyal men in the Garrison. They were slaves as well and were freed by the Silvermists."

A grim look manifests on his face. He gives the Knight one last look and then starts walking. After just a few meters you reach the Sheriffs house.
Without further actions he opens the door and enters the small hut. Inside are four Small cells which are all empty, the interior is scarcely decorated but everything looks very new. To the left you see a middle aged man sitting at a desk looking over some papers, to his right is a big table with 4 sitting at it and playing cards.

"Good day Sheriff, may I introduce Sir Alaric. He is a Knight of the Clarion Call. He was send by the Silvermists to help with our problem."

After saying this he moves to the side making way for Alaric to talk.