In the Midst…, part II

Leonardo de Cefiro’s personal diary

…in which De Roca and Viktor’s showdown is a bit of a damp squib, but the local nobs show their true colours…

Fire, Fertility, Storm, 613

We all get’s back to the pub, well, minus Xavier who’s visitin’ his whore and Calvera who’s off to see his poetic bird Beatriz. Me and Esteban ‘ead off to bed (not together mind, though I do ask ‘im if ‘e thinks we’re related like – ‘e was a bit put out by the question I think) as it might be a long day tomorrow.

‘Owever I’m just feelin’ me eyelids startin’ to droop when I ‘ear voices from the main room followed by music – it looks like they’s all goin’ for a sing song again – I mean wot? It was only a few nights ago we did that before and Joaquina don’t need the practice that’s for sure. So I gets out of bed, puts me breeches back on and ‘ead on downstairs to ask ‘em to keep the noise down. As I shut me door behind me I sees Esteban come out of ‘is room with an angry look on ‘is face – looks like ‘e’s got the same idea as me.

Back in the common room, it looks like the music ‘as stopped already. Xavier and Calvera ‘ave come back and Calvera is talkin’ about some strange old bint with a single golden tooth who tried to sell ‘im an ‘is bird an apple. Seems a bit odd to be doin’ that after twilight, and Beatriz said she ain’t from around town. Iago says the tooth is likely magical, or a dwarven smith creation, or it’s chaotic. At this, the chaos reivers in the party start lookin’ a bit wild and I can see we’re not in for an early night after all, so I gets me gear and we all ‘ead out.

I quickly find the old bint’s tracks – she was bare foot up a ways on the main road. Seems that once she realised Calvera had turned round to watch ‘er she ‘eaded off the street and up towards the nobs ‘ouse. Iago doesn’t detect or sniff any chaos, but even so, we follow the tracks for 30 yards or so. Suddenly they just disappear – it’s like she vanished into thin air! Joaquina does a good job with the tracks an’ all, and says it looks like the crone just jumped into the air before disappearin’ (somethin’ to do with ‘er long toenails in the mud) – maybe she’s some sort of were-bird? Seems like almost everyone ‘xcept me is a were-critter of some sort, so it wouldn’t surprise me. I cast Det Enemies to be sure, and Iago circles right round for a sniff, but we don’t find so much as an angry bat. With nothin’ else to do we ‘ead back to the inn for a kip. Thankfully no-one suggests any more singin’…

Moon Fertility Storm 613

Next day is a bit overcast, though it’s goin’ to clear up over the next few days. Wonder if that means we’ll get less thunder & lightnin’? Anyways, I’m expectin’ sparks to fly with Viktor and de Rocha, so that should more than make up for it. We meets Viktor by the barn ‘e’s lyin’ low in (well, as low as a SIZ 21 man with a face that looks like it’s been run over a few times by a cart and then shaped into a mashed potato pile can..). He’s lookin’ all imposin’ in ‘is donkey jacket, and Esteban’s ‘orse takes a bit of a fright – quite glad I’m walkin’ to be ‘onest.

We get to the ‘untin’ lodge – Torre Trueno – just before lunch. There’s no trollish singin’ this time, but Igor unlocks the gigantic door after we ring the door pull. He leads us to the main ‘all where we first met de Rocha, and this time ‘e’s gone to town with a nice spread for lunch – I feel me mouth startin’ to saliva just lookin’ at all the platters of meats and cheeses. De Rocha is there, lookin’ all smart, and greets us warmly. Esteban introduces Viktor as ‘our local expert’ and de Rocha does a good job of ‘idin’ ‘is surprise when Viktor mentions ‘is surname “Frankenstein” – seems ‘e’s ‘eard of ‘im, unsurprinsin’ly.

Anyways, de Rocha is very deferential, allowin’ Viktor to sit at the ‘ead of the table and virtually servin’ ‘im ‘imself. ‘owever I’m a little disappointed by what ‘appens next, as de Rocha is unrepentant and even Viktor looks a little conflicted at the end of the mortician’s impassioned pleas that what ‘e is doin’ is “for the greater good, revolutionizin’ the ‘ealin’ arts”. Viktor of course thinks ‘es undead and that “some thin’s should just stay dead”. Xavier points out a difference between Viktor and ‘Ugo, the farmer who’s been ress’d – Viktor made ‘is own body from other people’s parts, whilst ‘Ugo is mostly in ‘is own skin, as it were. Esteban mentions that ‘Ugo isn’t all ‘there’ and maybe we should get a shaman to check on ‘is spiritual ‘ealth, but de Rocha thinks it’ll just take time and ‘is passion & emotion will return – just look at Viktor! Xavier asks if a spirit is invoked, and at last Viktor and de Rocha agree on somethin’ and say yes – it’s a spirit called Blitzleben.

Joaquina ‘as the bright idea (was just about to say it meself…) that we should get the Matari priestess to do a divination to ascertain if ‘Ugo’s spirit is ‘imself or not, and after a long-winded discussion on the finer points of Storm Law, we decide enough is enough and take our leave.

Viktor drops off at ‘is barn lookin’ thoroughly disconsolate, and we troops off to the Matari priestess. After speakin’ briefly with ‘er grandson, she agrees to ask “What is the location of ‘Ugo’s spirit?” and tells us to come back on the morrow. Iago goes to Beatriz and asks if she can use Runemagic to take Viktor’s statement so we can return to the Princessa with as much info as possible.

The rest of us troop back to the inn, but it ain’t long before Iago returns lookin’ thoughtful. As ‘e was on ‘is way back ‘e met the crone. She sold ‘im an apple, and was a bit more forthcomin’. Said she was not of this place and was an “agent or omen, bein’ where she is needed”. Said “traditional” a lot. So we piles on out to see if we can all find ‘er, but all we find is more tracks and the farthin’ that Iago gave ‘er for the apple. ‘E lets us all ‘ave a taste, and by Matar’s bounty it ain’t ‘alf good. Not a real apple though, cos anyone with any sense knows that apples are green not red. Ded give away that – she’s a weird one and that’s no lie.

Gods Fertility Storm 613

It’s late, so we all turn in, and surprisingly, nothin’ ‘appens overnight. After brekkie we ‘ead to the Matari priestess again, to find that Matar is certain that ‘Ugo really is ‘Ugo. She’s a patient Goddess is Matar, and it looks like She’s content with events so far. The priestesses grandson looks at the apple core from the crone and doesn’t see anythin’ unusual, though ‘e can’t identify the variety (farmers around ‘ere can’t ‘ave many orchards then, cos it ain’t an apple!!) A few of us recall some Lyric Poetry stories regardin’ apples – one involved a snake temptin’ a woman and the other a crone temptin’ some bint called Snow White (weird name if you ask me…) but it doesn’t really seem relevant to our crone as it were.

As we leave the Priestesses ‘ouse, Calvera’s ‘air stands on end and ‘e starts gettin’ buffeted by wind –‘e tried the apple last night and it mustn’t ‘ave been a windfall and so ‘es broken a geas! What a plonker! I know the apple (ok, ok, I’ll call it an apple even though everyone’s wrong and it’s some other weird fruit...) tasted nice, but that’s a poor bit of willpower if you ask me. Still, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem for the local priest to absolve ‘im of, so ‘e toddles off to the Winds temple on the ‘ill.

Esteban and me (we’re getting’ to be buddies! That’s me, ‘ob nobbin’ with the nobs that is!) go and pay ‘Ugo another visit in the fields, after ascertainin’ directions from ‘is missus. E’s just the same as ever, sullen and not very responsive, but we do get ‘im to promise to go pray at the temple next clay day, and also to, erm, plough in the bed chamber as well if you catch me drift. Could ‘ave been a little embarassin’ that conversation, but ‘Ugo takes it all in ‘is stride. And it’s a pretty big stride ‘es got too.

Well, we can’t think of anythin’ else to do at the moment, so we ‘eads back to the inn. Just as I’m thinkin’ that today’s been a bit of an anti-climax and maybe we should all just go report back to the Princessa, someone bursts into the pub. ‘E looks around wildly for a second before spyin’ the local bobby (Cortez I think ‘er name is) and rushes over to ‘er. “There’s been a murder!! Come quick!” ‘e says, before dashin’ out the door again.

Well, we all obviously tool up and pile on out to see what all the fuss is about. Xavier’s gone fishin’ (no, really, ‘e ‘as. Makes a change from all that singin’ lark I suppose…) and ‘e was first on the scene, so I gets this info off ‘im later. ‘E ‘eard a scream from down by the river bank (bad thin’s ‘appen when you ‘ear a scream, in my experience) and came across Magdalena (the whore) consoling another lass, who we later find out is called Zaira. Magdalena was drippin’ wet. Just behind them was the nob’s ice ‘ouse, and a crowd of half-a-dozen or more villagers around a body of a young woman – late teenager maybe. Apparently ‘er name is Lucia. As we arrive, it’s obvious to anyone that she’s been strangled – bruisin’ around the neck and a look of terror on ‘er face, poor sap.

Iago asks me to control the crime scene, so I makes meself busy keepin’ the crowds back (though I’ve got work to do on me voice projection) whilst Iago goes and takes witness statements, startin’ with Zaira. Eventually one of Lucia’s brothers comes to collect the body, (a younger brother ‘ad ran off earlier to tell the family apparently) and I can’t see any reason to keep ‘er ‘ere on the ground, so I lets ‘im ‘ave ‘er. With little else to do and the crowd dispersin’, we ‘ead off to the police station to catch up with Iago.

When we’re all in the Bridewell, we compare notes. Xavier went to collect Magdelena (any excuse to see ‘er…) who was apparently talkin’ to the crone right by ‘er brothel, and she was doin’ ‘er laundry in the river when she ‘eard the scream, wadin’ across to find Zaira in bits ‘avin’ witnessed the crime. ‘er friend Lucia was meetin’ up for a secret tryst with Don Jorj – the local nob. After a few cuddles though it turned nasty, with Don Jorj screamin’ “she’s a chaot” before stranglin’ ‘er with ‘is bare ‘ands! So our local nasty nob’s a murderin’ b******!!

We goes back to the crime scene and Joaquina decides to cast Spirit Sight so she can ‘ave a chat with Lucia’s ghost, who’s probably still ‘anging about. I’ve ‘eard in can be dangerous castin’ that spell cos any spirits that are around can suddenly see you clearly an all, which can be dangerous if there’s a nasty big one in the area, but she’s no shrinkin’ violet is our Joaquina. ‘Owever, it’s only Lucia’s ghost that’s about, and unsurprisin’ly she’s lookin’ confused and terrified in equal measure, sayin’ “not a chaot, not a chaot!” over and over again.

So there’s only one place left to go, and that’s to confront Don Jorj. We all ‘ead up to the manor ‘ouse – I can see tracks runnin’ from the ice ‘ouse all the way back to the front door. Calvera goes round the back with ‘is ‘orse in case the nob does a runner, and the rest of us gather at the front door as Esteban rings the doorbell. We’re shown by a servant into a reception room (not a bad des res I suppose for a nob) whilst we wait for the showdown.

The door to the room opens and in comes another flunky, but this one looks ded important, wearing fine clothes and lookin’ like ‘e owns the place. ‘E introduces ‘imself as Don Vasco, Don Jorj’s estate manager and ex-ward (so yeah, ‘ead ‘oncho). ‘E knows about the charges against ‘is boss, and says Don Jorj will see us “presently” when ‘es recovered ‘is poise like.

So we waits for a bit, with tension mountin’ – Calvera joins us from outside as there’s no sign anyone’s tryin’ to flee. Finally we’re shown into a great ‘all, where Don Jorj is sittin’ on a wooden chair at the end of the table like it’s ‘is own bloody throne room. E’s in full metal armour, flanked by 4 other flunkies – a Valkyrie, two soldiers and another nob, who someone whispers is Adolpho, Don Jorj’s brother. So with Don Vasco standing behind the ‘throne’ that’s 6 fully armoured potential combatants. They’re all tooled up and lookin’ dangerous, so I brings a spell to mind, just in case…

Esteban starts the conversation off by describin’ the allegation, and that for all matters pertainin’ to Storm Law, ‘es deferring to our Captain Iago. Iago then outlines wot we believe ‘appened. (I think that’s called the “case for the prosecution”, but my Storm Law ain’t good enough to be certain.)

I’m expectin’ Don Jorj to try and worm ‘is way out of responsibility some’ow, but ‘e only goes and brags about toppin’ Lucia – what a bastard! Typhon ‘ad told ‘im to take an Earth cultist for a wife and they’d ‘ad a few trysts already, but this time ‘e perceived chaos in ‘er and felt ‘er try and cast a spell over ‘im. So ‘e killed ‘er in a rage.

Well I can feel me own rage buildin’ I can tell you, but Iago shows why ‘es captain material and calmly starts interviewin’ all the flunkies ‘e can. They all support Don Jorj’s story, unsurprisin’ly, but Don Vasco tries to counsel Don Jorj by whisperin’ in ‘is ear a few times, which defo gets on all our nerves – I’m takin’ a real dislike to the fellow. ‘Ope ‘e gets ‘is own personal rain cloud sooner rather than later…

Iago ‘as the foresight to cast Det Lie an ‘all – seems Don Jorj thinks ‘e’s tellin’ the truth like – except ‘e said Lucia attacked ‘im first which is a blatant fib (there’s a surprise…). The flunkies aren’t lyin’ neither, though I’m sure they’re embellishin’ thin’s to make their nob look great. I’d strin’ up the lot of ‘em if it were up to me.

So Iago & Esteban end matters by sayin’ they’ll make a report to the Calipha – Jorj replies e’ll plead ‘is case to ‘er. I just ‘ope ‘e gets struck by lightnin’ before then. Raise ‘im up and put ‘im to work in the fields like ‘Ugo maybe? What a c***. Iago then takes Viktor’s statement with the ‘elp of Beatrice as agreed, and Don Vasco (c***!) goes with the Typhonians to view Lucia’s body – they all agree that no chaos is detected.

Well, it’s now late and I feel like a bath to wash all this nob shit off me. Tomorrow, Iago and Esteban ride for Zaragoza with Beatriz, whilst we stay in Puentetrueno to keep an eye on thin’s. We do NOT want Lucia raised up like ‘Ugo, though if Don Jorj has an ‘accident’ De Roca is welcome to ‘im.