The Kinstrife

Part 61

In which our heroes arrest Seregûl and his cronies and deliver them all to Tresti for justice before departing for Tûl Póac, braving attack by Dust Devils along the way.

September 20^th – night continued

We discuss what to do. Regarding the treasure, we agree to use the silver and counterfeit coin as a decoy and keep the gold hidden. Any talk from captives about ‘treasure’ and ‘gold’ should hopefully be diverted and not seek the truly awesome quantity of gold. I frankly can hardly believe that we’re now rich so hopefully none of the Diet of Dunast will believe it either.

It occurs to me that Malazar ‘died’ a little too easily. On a hunch we scoop up the dust of his remains for safekeeping in one of Aerin’s jars – perhaps the authorities in Tresti can work out what to do with him?

We must arrest Seregûl but what to do about his guards? We believe there are a dozen guards and a similar number of servants but that’s a lot if they should all prove hostile.

Aerin reckons most of the guards and all the servants are local natives and something (perhaps my merchant prince heritage) tells me Seregûl will be paying them in counterfeit coin – well why not? If Pimm can verify this then I suspect any loyalty they have will evaporate. Of course, that still leaves Seregûl’s butler and probably the senior officers but hopefully Seregûl’s detention should cow them.

And so to Seregûl – incredibly Ilviren wants another bout in his bed; she honestly believes we will all stand around while she has her wicked way. She refuses to listen to reason so while she’s changing in to her negligee Aerin, Brand and I enter Seregûl’s room and wake him with my sword to his throat.

Seregûl asks “What is the meaning of this?” though I’d have thought it plain enough. Aerin shows him her jar full of Malazar and I notice he flinches but recovers well. Aerin leaves while Seregûl get dressed and returns with Ilviren, who is a little indignant but ties him up with sailors’ knots and gags him for good measure – we don’t want any nasty words of power, do we?

September 21^st

With Seregûl secured we move before dawn. There are two guards on the battlements who will be relieved soon. The new shift will want their breakfasts so the first port of call is the kitchens where Aerin tells the staff about Seregûl’s perfidy. They show little interest until Aerin says the word ‘counterfeit’. Pimm then demonstrates with his touchstone and, as expected, their coins prove false and their anger flares against their employer.

Aerin explains that they will be given a small amount of cash and the servants give us the names of the 3 senior guards and the butler.

We beard the guards and the butler in the hall. I announce that Seregûl is arrested for consorting with undead and passing counterfeit coin. Pimm quickly confirms that the rank have coins as false as the servants. Like the servants, I promise them 1 crown each to escort Seregûl and his cronies to Tresti and they accept. Completely outnumbered, the butler and Seregûl’s officers are bound.

Our return to Tresti is uneventful. We hand over our prisoners to the Diet of Dunast and I pay off our guards. The Diet are happy with the counterfeit coin and ingot silver but don’t quite know what to do with Malazar’s remains. They take our depositions but would prefer we were absent for a while, though they may want our testimony if it comes to a formal trial.

September 22^nd

Troops sent to reclaim Marath Seregûl find a letter that suggests Seregûl was in league with the Storm King. I wonder if it was just Seregûl or does that imply the Seven Kingdoms have been subverted?

September 23^rd

Curon is ready to move on so we leave Tresti for Tûl Póac. We skirt a forest for a few days before we head in to the desert proper. There are intermittent wells driven down to the water table but otherwise we must carry our water with us. Aerin hands out berries that help control thirst.

October 3^rd

We spy strange whirling columns of sand. Curon says they are Dust Devils and reaches for his water bottle. Following his lead I do the same. The guards throw their water but the Dust Devils pass them and surround us, Aerin, Brand and Ilviren are completely enveloped.

Curon throws his water and draws his sword. Brand is chanting. Like Curon, I throw the contents of my water bottle and draw Celegmaeg. Miracoulously, Aerin’s Dust Devil vanishes under the assault of the water alone. I attack with my blade and I think I get one firm hit, though the things are so insubstantial it’s hard to say.

Suddenly Ilviren is visible again and now only Brand is concealed. I switch to him and his Dust Devil is quickly overcome. Brand looks scoured and seems to be coughing sand. Aerin tends to him. His injuries are superficial but so widespread she has to place him in a healing sleep.

Luckily we suffer no further encounters for the next ten days.

October 13^th

We reach the edge of the Mirror of Fire and find the sand gives way to stone. It is noticeably hotter. Curon has us pitch our special tents by day and we travel by night.

October 14^th

We reach Tûl Póac just before dawn. It is a fortified town surrounded by strong walls. Its position is very striking, sitting on an outcrop of granite, it dominates the entirely flat land about.

To do list:

Explore Tûl Póac, plan our excursion in to the Mirror of Fire

Keep accounts for money accruing while in Raj

Visit Minas Ithil – probably not going to happen now

Talk to the survivor of the 1st Mordor expedition before entering Mordor

Survey my estates and produce a plan to improve them – consider Pimm’s offer but be cautious