In the Midst…, part I

Leonardo de Cefiro’s personal diary

In which Thunder and Souls feature prominently…

So’s the first few seasons of bein’ a watchman go OK I suppose. Managed to learn some Storm Law (not Lore – ha, makes me cringe just thinkin’ back to me interview) – it’s quite ‘ard cos you gotta remember what’s ‘appened in the past like, otherwise you might lop off some criminal git’s fingers when actually ‘e’s supposed to get off with a warnin’. Other than that, it woz mostly chasin’ the odd thief and lookin’ after the ‘orses – seems me knowledge of animals is comin’ in useful an all. But I can’t say it’s why I joined the watch – maybe big city life aint for me after all?

Water, Harmony, Storm, 613

But maybe that’s about to change when Iago comes lookin’ for me. An Iago is sportin’ some brand new quicksilver trews and an iron helm made to fit his fox-head – ‘es just made it to Cap’n! Congrats sir! Apparently we’re off on a mission for the Princessa (or is that Empressa now she’s the ‘ead of everything in sight? Don’t rightly care to be ‘onest.)

There be some weird shit magic goin’ on in a village up in the northeast, in between 2 elf woods. Some poor sod (that’ll be an earth cultist of course – gettit?) got raised by lightenin’ (I mean, wot?) a season ago (that’ll be dark season then), and there’s whispers of necromancy and unclean magic – yeah, yeah, it’s just weird shit and we’s gotta go and investigate. The village is called Puentotrueno (literally Thunder Bridge – bet there’s a winds temple then – great!) and it’s at the ‘ead of a valley called, not surprisin’ly, Thunder Valley. We’re goin’ to travel via some big city called Zaragoza.

So we get’s to ‘ave a pick of the Princessa’s ‘orses from the stables! Me and Joaquina go along and choose some nags that’ll ‘old us up right and proper for the journey like, and we meets the rest of the crew. Iago and Esteban are comin’ along of course (and Esteban’s sportin’ some sort of writ from the Princessa wot’ll get us in places for free – that’s grand that is!) but neither Ramos nor Manuel fancy a long ‘orse ride – well that’s their excuse anyway – Manuel’s probably still got some of ‘is sentence to work off after almost stealin’ that jewel and Ramos was probably on ‘is way ‘ere and got lost on the way knowin’ ‘is sense of direction…), so instead we’s got a light cavalryman who Esteban knows called Calvera – pretty boy whose got a tonne of armour but can only wear it when ‘es mounted like. And then there’s a sailor called Xavier – keeps ‘imself to ‘imself me thinks, but ‘e’s probably OK with ‘is trident. Oh, and an echo cultist called Sancho, who bought the news with ‘im, comes along for the ride an all.

So we’s off! The journey actually aint as bad as I thought it might be bein’ storm season – we’s get a bit of fog now and then but otherwise it’s OK, and for the time of year it’s mild and quite ‘ot as we draws into Zaragosa after about a week or so. Just as I’m thinkin’ about dinner and maybe we’s can get somewhere a bit posher than the sort of peasantie inns on the way ‘ere, Iago and Esteban march right up to the palace! Amazin’ what a writ’ll get you!

Actually Zaragoza’s a little disappointin’ as a big city – bit of a back water I suppose, but then Esteban was talkin’ on the road about it bein’ a Typhonian / Phoenician place! Blimin’ eck, I’m surprised the ‘ole city ‘asn’t descended into civil war already! Then again Iago woz sayin’ about the police force ‘ere bein’ a different local copper force rather than Fuchs, so maybe’s they keep the peace somehow? Not sure what storm law ‘as to say about that.

So anyways we get shown into the court of Calipha Maria (suppose you gotta be female to get to the top of the nob brigade) and she tells us a bit more about Puentotrueno. And the valley of Thunder. Apparently there used to be an Olympian monastery cos of the weird weather up there. A weather spirit ‘ad a tryst with the terrain spirit and it comes back a lot so the valley gets lots of thunder and lightnin’ strikes without so much of the rain. They built a village in the valley, but after people kept getting fried they moved it about 200 years ago up the valley ‘ead so as not to be in the firin’ line as much – sounds like a good decision if you asks me. Anways, the local nob is called Don Jorj, but it woz the ‘ealers there (a pair of ‘em) who reported the ‘unclean’ magic – some bloke ‘ad an accident, and a gent called Franco de Rocca only went and used lightnin’ to raise ‘im back up. Well I’m all for a bit of light of life, but that just seems strange to me – never ‘eard of lightnin’ doin’ anythin’ other than fryin’ but I aint no ‘ealer I suppose. Well, then Iago gets to talkin’ politics with Maria and I kinda getsa bit bored, but the nosh aint ‘alf bad. We gets to kip in the dorm (Iago and Esteban ‘ave their own rooms, naturally) but I sleeps like a baby.

Freezeday, Fertility, Storm, 613

After a full breakfast we’s off again. Takes 3 days of ‘ard riding to get to Puentotrueno, and the roads suddenly more of a dirt track, and it’s up’ill most of the way. I can tell the ‘orses aren’t ‘appy, but we gets there on Freezeday without mis’ap. The weather starts overcast, but I can tell as we start climbin’ that the wind’ll get up, and sure as sheep shit even Joaquina can’t keep ‘er locks in line as we crest a rise and see the village before us. Seems it’s got a main street with just the one pub, and we’re surrounded by fields of course. There’s a standin’ stone grove (which reminds me – we must all go an’ pray there in the morn, else we risk upsettin’ the local Matari priests, and I don’t want no standin’ stones standin’ on my foot if you catch me drift) and an ‘ill which is probably the winds temple – sure we’ll pay that a visit too before too long.

It’s about an ‘our before dusk so the nobs want to go speak to the ‘ealers wot reported the weird magic. I goes and parks the ‘orses in the stable by the inn and we trundles out to the ‘ouse after askin’ directions from Sancho. Iago changes to part ‘uman part fox (I’m almost gettin’ used to it by now) and at ‘is urgin’ I goes and knocks on the door.

It’s opened by 2 ladies that are a bit chalk an’ cheese – one slim, the other a bit porky. They says their names are Esperanza and Macarena, and I can see they’s got a young teenage daughter (adopted maybe?) doin’ the cleanin’ at the back. Calvera starts eyein’ ‘er up and I rolls me eyes – ‘e’s a looker is Calvera an’ ‘e must ‘ave chatted up every bar wench we came across on the ways ‘ere – lucky bugger. Anyways, the ‘ouse is clean an’ proper and although the ladies are a little put out at 6 of us crampin’ their style, they soon wax lyrical about wot ‘appened to poor old ‘Ugo.

Apparently there woz an accident with a cart – the Miller’s ‘orse took a fright (that can ‘appen if you’re not careful) and the ‘eavily laden cart careered into ‘Ugo, breaking both ‘is legs. By the time the ‘ealers arrived there woz nothin’ they could do, though thankfully ‘is screams didn’t last long poor bugger.

The funeral was set for 3 days later, but De Rocca’s servant came along an’ offered to take the corpse up to ‘is master, who apparently is a ‘Demosthenese ‘Ealer’. The next day there was a big storm in the valley on Wild’s day, Stasis week (one of ‘em dry storms that we woz told about) and the next day back came ‘Ugo all right as rain! But, well, maybe not quite all there like. Apparently all ‘e does is work, ‘e don’t respond too much, there’s less upstairs like, but e’s a lot stronger. Just as I’m thinkin’ Undead, Macarena says ‘e still detects as alive, but ‘e, er, doesn’t do it in the marriage bed no more, accordin’ to is wife Bianca (we’re sworn to secrecy on this bit).

Well that confirms it’s weird shit. We leave the ‘ealers to it (though Calvera’s still eyein’ up the daughter…) and ‘eads back to the Taverna now Helios ‘as buggered off to ‘ell again. We talks on the way about tomorrow, and it looks like the nobs want to go and see the other nob Don Jorj (there’s a surprise), but we’s to go visit Bianca, ‘Ugos wife. Xavier stays behind for a bit with the ladies, but I don’t think he’s got the same one track mind as Calvera – seems the long ‘orse ride as affected ‘im a little more than the rest of us.

The taverna’s called the ‘Bolt from the Blue’, and sure enough there’s a sign outside with a lightnin’ bolt strikin’ the ground from a clear blue sky. The innkeeps are Omar and Candida, and when Esteban flashes ‘is writ, the 6 rooms are all ours – cor, a room to meself! Seems travellers are thin on the ground around ‘ere, which aint surprisn’ considerin’ it’s storm season. Despite the writ, Esteban still gives Omar 5 zephyrs for his time – well what can I say, nobs always ‘ave more money than sense. Oh, and apparently Calvera can’t eat any fruit save windfalls, so Omar’s not sure about the apple pud or spotted dick – ‘ang on a sec mate, I’ll ‘ave ‘is portion! So it’s carrot cake for this evenin’.

So we spends some time carousing in the pub – I talk to the locals a bit and there’s a farmer there called José who says ‘e knows a bit about Rocca – bit of a posh gent who’s currently rentin’ the castle at the other end of Thunder valley, close to where the old village used to be. Now it’s little more than a dilapidated ‘untin’ lodge apparently, but Rocca’s set up shop there, “messin’ with powers that should not be messed with”. ‘E does visit the winds temple most winds days though, so maybe we can catch ‘im then rather than riskin’ gettin’ fried?

Calvera’s been chattin’ as well (probably to some pretty lasses knowin’ ‘im) and says there’s a Gowrie lady in town wot knows a lyric poem which relates to this ‘lightnin’ magic’ – so that’s where ‘es ‘eading off to tomorrow then. Iago also comes back after chattin’ with the locals, and apart from learnin’ about a good an fairly cheap prostitute, ‘e says that there’s a tall, dark, but not so ‘andsome stranger in town lookin’ for work. ‘E be a foreigner like us, so they don’t trust any of us much like.

Meanwhile Esteban, Xavier and Joaquina ‘ave been doin’ some entertainin’. Esteban’s pretty good on ‘is guitar, and Xavier as a decent enough voice I suppose (that’ll be from all those sea shanties), but Joaquina outclasses them all – wow what a voice that girl’s got! If there’s any wanderin’ spirits about they’s goin’ to be sent packin’ to the afterlife in no time!

Water, Fertility, Storm, 613

So after a decent night’s kip and some porridge it’s off to the mornin’s work. Esteban and Calvera ‘ead off to speak to the nob Don Jorj, whilst me, Xavier and Joaquina go speak to Bianca, ‘Ugo’s wife. Iago goes all foxy again and does some sniffin’ about the back of the ‘ouse – think ‘e was attracted by all the chickens to be ‘onest.

So I knocks on the door, and it’s opened by this old bint who looks at us all distrustin’ly. ‘Er name’s Lola and she looks mad that we’re even in the same country let alone in ‘er ‘ovel like. She’s Ugo’s Mum and doesn’t want to tell us nuffin, but thankfully Bianca comes to the door as well eventually, with a baby attached to a teat. She’s a bit more forthcomin’ and a bit more upset rather than angry.

She confirms the ‘ealers story about the accident, and also a bit more about the changes in ‘Ugo. Apart from a lack of, erm, ability in the bedroom, e’s all sullen now, doesn’t speak much, but just works all the time, in all weathers. E’s much stronger than before an’ ‘as these weird lookin’ metal bolts in ’is neck. Also, ‘e’s stopped worshippin’ at the Matari grove, which worries me the most like. ‘E’s out ploughin’ in the fields now, and she points out the way to go speak to ‘im.

On the way out, Lola intercepts us and announces that she don’t care what anyone says, she’s got ‘er son back and that’s all that matters. They’ll be no arguing with ‘er, but I think she’s usin’ the anger to ‘ide ‘er mother’s worry. Poor sap.

Outside we meets up with Iago as we goes to look for ‘Ugo, and ‘e asks me to ‘eal ‘is foot, which ‘as taken a knock. It’s no bother like, but I makes the mistake of askin’ ‘ow it ‘appened and ‘e gives me a ‘**** off and stop askin’ questions’ look – oops, maybe one of ‘em chickens fought back?

So we meets up with ‘Ugo a few hours later out in the fields after followin’ Bianca’s directions. E’s with a few other people, includin’ is father, Gaspar. E’s just as wary as all the other peasants around ‘ere, but I think ‘e can tell somethin’s wrong with ‘is son.

We manages to speak to ‘Ugo eventually after getting ‘im to stop the plough ‘e was directin’, and basically ‘e gives us one word answers. All ‘e wants to do is work an’ e don’t care about nuffin else. ‘E can’t remember much after the accident or what ‘appened to ‘im in the ’unting lodge after the accident. We do gets to see ‘is neck bolts though which don’t appear to be botherin’ im, but they do look odd – like 2 big screws attached to ‘is neck. ‘Ugo says they don’t ‘urt, and I can see there’s no scar tissue, but it certainly don’t look right to me.

By the time we get back it’s mid afternoon and we ‘ead back to the pub for a tete-a-tete (that’s ‘Eliopolitan apparently for a blarney). Iago as ‘ad a word with the wind priest and apparently Rocca worships a wind spirit called ‘lightnin’ life’ – and apparently there’s an old Olympian monk called Salamon that lives like an ‘ermit down the ridge line to the East – guess we’ll go an ‘ave a word with ‘im tomorrow like.

Esteban & Calvera report that the nob’s a bit of a git (wow, a nob callin’ a nob a git – ‘e must be a right c*** and no mistake) and doesn’t care about Rocca cos ‘e pays ‘is rent on time, and thinks poor ‘Ugo is all ‘unky dory cos ‘e’s workin’ twice as ‘ard as before. What a bastard! Anyways, Iago and Joaquina start talking about whether ‘Ugo is missin’ ‘is soul and comparin’ this to vampires and Christos Farlae. What!!! I didn’t sign up for no vampire quest ‘ere!

Well, they keeps goin’ on about spirit lore stuff and I starts thinkin’ is it tea time yet, when in comes Calvera with yet another beauty in tow. Wow what a stunner! ‘Er names Beatrice and she’s the lass that knows the lyric poem from ages past. Well I’m all up for a bit of lyric poetry an’ I settles down as she starts recitin’ the 5 ‘our verse. It takes so long we ‘as to stop in the middle for tea, and I don’t catch all of it, but at least it stops all that talk of vampires and shit.

So, the poem is titled ‘Viktor Frankenstein’. Apparently Viktor was a Demosthenes ‘ealer in the early Moon age. ‘E was workin’ around the battlefields in what is now the Salzburg region, and ‘e witnessed a lightnin’ bolt strike a dead man and bring ‘im back to life! Realisin’ the potential of such a miracle, ‘e spent decades researchin’ it before diggin’ up people’s bodies that ‘ad been properly buried and stitchin’ them all together to make some sort of automaton. ‘E then transmigrated (great word, the poem rhymed it with dilated and transmogrificated) ‘is spirit into ‘is creation. ‘Owever ‘e then couldn’t die and spent all of eternity regrettin’ ‘is decision. I can see that the poem is a bit of a warnin’ of ‘ow nothin’ good comes of readin’ books, and you’ll get no argument from me on that front.

Well, Iago turns foxy once more and ‘eads on out for a bit of a sniff. (I resist the urge to tell ‘im to mind out in case any chickens attack.) Joaquina picks off where she left off in the vocal department, and the rest of us ‘as another gossip with the locals. Turns out this big (and I mean really big) ‘ulkin’ fancy foreign fellow (think I’m still in lyric poetry mode) lives in a barn somewhere, but no-one’s sure where exactly. Oh, and apparently the Olympian priest and the Matari priestess used to be an item once. And that reminds me – we forgot to go and pray at the standin’ stones this mornin’. Damn – we must do that first thin’ tomorrow!

Just as I’m thinkin’ it must be bed time soon, Iago comes back – e’s found the ‘ulkin’ guy! E’s standin’ outside in the dark, watchin’ ‘Ugo’s ‘ouse. So we’s all tool up and follow ‘im out to see if we can catch ‘im. By the time we gets there ‘e’s nowhere in sight, but the tracks are right there, sure as sheep are thick, and we follows ‘im up the path. E’s movin’ really quickly, and I lose the trail a few times, but between me eyesight and Iago’s nose we manage to follow ‘im. Calvera canters up the trail ahead of us on ‘is ‘orse before returnin’ a while later to say ‘e’s turned into a farmstead up the road.

So eventually Calvera and Iago track ‘im down to this barn full of ‘ay in one of the outlying farms while we go back to the pub but they get in an hour later tell us wot ‘appened.

At first ‘e was just as reticent as the rest of the population ‘ere, but when they mentioned the poem ‘e said ‘e is Viktor Frankenstein from the story! Cor blimey, that makes ‘im thousands of years old! ‘E’s just as bitter as the poem made out – when they asked what we can do for ‘im ‘e just wants to die and pass on, but ‘e can’t – e’s invulnerable! ‘E’s even tried throwing ‘imself into a volcano, but crawled out alive – it took a century for the pain to dwindle! Bloody ‘Ell!

They asked about ‘Ugo and Viktor said ‘e runs on charge, same as ‘im. It could stop tomorrow or last for eons (like in ‘is case – poor bloke). ‘E reckons Rocca is evil and should be stopped, but ‘e’s not as evil as ‘im like. I think they’re both completely bonkers, but we’re ‘ere to try and ‘elp poor old ‘Ugo, so it looks like we’ll need to speak to Rocca sooner rather than later. ‘Owever there was nothin’ else Calvera and Iago could do there so they promised to check back in with Viktor tomorrow.

Clay, Fertility, Storm, 613

In the mornin’ I make sure we all goes to the Matari grove so the terrain spirit knows we’re friends of the place (good day to do it too). We meet the priestess (Eva) who also doesn’t think much of ‘Ugo being ress’d in the way ‘e was – ‘is infertility might cost ‘im ‘is Matari membership like. We ask about ‘er ex Salamon, and she’s a bit coy about ‘im – seems ‘e was ‘er fella until ‘e decided to go and see the world a bit and she’s never forgiven ‘im for it, even when ‘e returned later.

So we gets our stuff together and sets off to speak to Salamon. It’s a bit dicey on the ridge line in places, and more than a few of us ‘ave a few ‘airy moments, but we gets to meet Salamon after a few ‘ours of travellin’. E’s an irascible old fellow in quilted rags, but gets a little more perky when we offers ‘im the ‘am and cheese we bought along. E’ confirms a lot of what we already know, except that a new spirit of lightnin’ life ‘as been summoned to the locale recently – probably Rocca’s work. You’d ‘ave thought the way back would ‘ave been easier bein’ more down’ill, but both me and Xavier almost come to grief – don’t think I’m lookin’ to volunteer to come back this way again.

We all troops off to tell Viktor what Salomon said so I sees ‘im for the first time. Cor what a sight ‘e is! Must be almost the size of a great troll, and hugely disfigured. I mean I’m no looker (not like our stud Calvera) but this guy would make me look like that character Fitzwilliam Darcy from the Pride and Perjury play I saw at the Gowrie theatre back in Ursura. There were woman faintin’ in the aisles when ‘e got ‘is shirt all wet!

Winds, Fertility, Storm, 613

The next day is goin’ to be a real big storm (and it’s winds day in storm season), so we all troops up the ‘ill in the morning (as most of us are stormy one way or the other) to offer our respects. We’s also ‘oping Rocca might show up, but there’s no sign of ‘im as big spots of rain start to fall (thunder’s been goin’ ever since first daylight). Don Jorj does show is face though (with ‘is nob entourage of course) and I make sure I attend the service as far away from ‘im as possible. Part from that nothin’ really happens – the storm means we stays inside most of the time.

Calvera pays another visit to that Gowrie trollop of ‘is, but says ‘e’s playin’ the long game with ‘er. Yeah right, so you wouldn’t jump inside ‘er knickers at the first invitation? Who’re you kidding mate? Oh, and Iago & Joaquina spy ‘Ugo comin’ in from the fields at the end of the day – e’s soaked to the skin and nobody else as been outside but ‘e’s obviously done a full day’s work and doesn’t look any worse the wear for it.

Fire, Fertility, Storm, 613

So we finally ‘eads out into thunder valley. There’s lots of evidence of recent lightnin’ strikes, some of which must ‘ave been yesterday, so I’m glad we stayed at ‘ome like. Although the sky’s clear I still glance nervously into the sky more than once – not plannin’ on getting fried just yet thank you Typhon.

As we reach the end of the valley we can see the ground gets all ‘ummocky like, and Joaquina ‘as the bright idea that this is the old village that used to be ‘ere before they moved up and out of the valley. Standing at the edge of the cliff is the old ‘unting lodge / castle. It’s triangle shaped, 30 yards across, with 3 towers, one at each point. One side faces over a cliff. It’s obviously seen better days, but as an out of the way residence I’ve seen worse. Iago & Joaquina point out a strange fertility rune-shaped piece of bronze metal juttin’ out from one of the towers.

‘Owever there’s some ‘auntingly good zither music comin’ from over the barricades – I stop and ‘ave a listen and I see some of the others ‘ave been transfixed as well. If that guy and Joaquina ever get together they’re goin’ to make a fortune!

I shakes myself from a bit of a stupor just as Xavier announces we’s ‘ere in a loud voice which kinda breaks the spell and the music stops (‘e was singin’ in a weird language as well – someone says it was trollish!). Out comes a man lookin’ for all the world like a servant and introduces ‘imself as Igor. E’s really gracious and welcomes us all, ‘elpin’ us to lead the ‘orses round the back to the stables, before leadin’ us inside up some stairs and through a bronze metal gate which ‘e locks behind us. We’re led into a banqueting ‘all, all the while Iago tellin’ us about ‘imself. Apparently e’s from a small state from the East near somewhere called Eaglesport that ‘as a trollish settlement nearby! Wow, that’s even less likely than Zaragoza’s juxtapositionin’!

Just as I’m gettin’ bored as politics rears it’s ‘ead again, in strides Franco de Rocca. E’s a man in is early 30’s maybe, curly dark ‘air, well-groomed and obviously well educated. ‘E says e’s a physician from Karn in the south, though ‘e learnt ‘is trade to the East in Florence (probably where ‘e met Igor).

After ‘e asks what brings us out ‘ere, Esteban rather carefully states that we’re ‘ere on a ‘delicate matter’ concerning ‘Ugo and ‘is re-incarnation. At this, De Rocca gets all excited and I can tell it’s ‘is life’s work like. Apparently ‘e came across the text of ‘ow to raise someone usin’ lightnin’ whilst in Florence. After wantin “ ‘ands on” experience ‘e moved ‘ere to continue ‘is research. When ‘e ‘eard about poor ‘Ugo, ‘e offered to ‘elp and raised ‘im usin’ ‘is labs and offers to show us them.

Well, the first lab looks like a medical surgical room – metal table, strange potions and unguents etc, but the 2^nd lab, up in one of the towers, would probably put the Princessa’s torture chamber to shame (not that I have any first-hand experience mind – maybe I’ll ask Manuel when I gets back to Ursura?) There’s a big metal case to ‘old a body, complete with metal restraints, and a big crane thin’ on an ‘oist to raise it up, as well as a big switch to throw when the lightning’s been captured.

Well by this stage, we’s all lookin’ at each other cos it’s clear that De Rocca is completely off ‘is trolley but dangerous with it. Iago says ‘e knows of another gent in town who shares De Rocca’s passion as a mortician and Esteban asks would they like to meet? De Rocca is astounded but says that would be grand, and we agrees to come back with Viktor on the morrow. There are some rooms we ‘aven’t seen as they’re too dangerous for the ‘uneducated’ but perhaps ‘e’ll show them to Viktor.

When we get back to town (Igor comes with us to get supplies, sayin’ he prefers his music to all the cutting and splicing body parts – too much information mate!), Xavier goes to the prostitute Magdalena – apparently she’s good and only costs 2 zephyrs! I’m tempted, but want to keep me money safe and me mind focused on tomorrow. When Franco and Viktor meet there’s going to be fireworks that’s for sure.

Or should that be sparks?