>>5683621

You blinked once and straightened your back. One more deep breath and you stepped forward. The thoughts about sore muscles and general tiredness were pushed away as you put on a slight smile. It was time for you to spend the next few hours talking with the guests.

And at the same time you could watch for the assassin. He was most likely wearing a disguise or pretending to be someone else. When you had seen him, he had worn dark clothes and covered his face. No details that you could notice and use to identify him, you hadn’t even heard anyone talking with a similar Alteraci accent. Really the only thing you could use to identify him was his height or size and it wouldn’t help you that much either as the assassin had been quite average in size.

Still you thought about this, what would you do if you were the assassin after delivering the warning? Where would you hide if you wanted to know what was going on?

And then the thought came to your mind, you would stay close to the target, maybe even engage with said person in talks or just greet him. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

And due to this you kept your hand on the hilt of your sword as you started talking with the guests.

…

“Prince Alric, we didn’t expect to see you here.” Lady Edith Imswit said to you as she held young Hilde close to her.

“We were debating if you would join us after all the events of today.” Sir Foecourt said as he sipped some wine.

“Lady Edith, Sir Foecourt.” You greeted the two petty nobles. “I couldn’t stay away.”

Thankfully you had been approached by them, two people you were familiar with on some level. It was awfully tiring to talk with burghers and petty nobles whom you had no idea who they were or what they did for a living. You hadn’t spotted anyone acting suspiciously either and to your annoyance a lot of the guests were of average size and none of them had an Alteraci accent.

“Then let me thank you for everything you have done for us.” Lady Edith said and gave you a deep curtsy which Hilde copied.

“There is no need to thank me.” You said back to her. “Everyone here did their part to fight the fire.”

“There is no need to be that humble Prince Alric.” Foecourt said to you. “It was only you and Lady Jandice who went into the attic.”

Lady Edith nodded and agreed. Quite many had asked you where Lady Jandice was and you had answered that she would most likely join the feast a bit later. Your attempts at being humble had mostly failed, people really wanted to give you and Lady Jandice all the credit.

1/2

>>5683622

“So, how are you doing?” You asked them and deflected away from you.

“Fine, I am hoping if we have a chance to continue our talks.” Lady Edith said and you knew she meant the betrothal issues. Langston should arrive here shortly and Sir Gravis stood by the wall, so both candidates were here. “Other than that, we are fine.”

“I still can’t believe that Sir Albrin is dead or that he was the assassin.” Foecourt said to you. “Well I am happy to leave Durnholde and go back home. A bit too eventful stay here for my liking.”

Yeah, it has been quite an eventful past few days.

“How about you Prince Alric, outside of the assassin and the fire, has your visit been successful?” Foecourt asked you. “I at least got Mr. Langston to agree to look into building a road to my tower.”


>Yes, it has been successful. Having all the leaders of Hillsbrad and Durnholde in one place has been helpful and useful.
>Somewhat yes. There was progress, but all these events have made the talks difficult.
>Not really, no. Whatever small good things have happened, the assassin and the fire out-weights them.
>This has been mostly a social visit, plenty of casual talk and less substance. Deflect away.
>Other, write in.

QM: As always with a new thread, if you have any questions regarding the quest or the characters, I am happy to try to answer them.

>>5683623
>It’s hard to pass such a judgment, although I’ve had chance to resolve some matters with my neighbors, magistrate Maleb’s death is a grim mark on this event.

>>5683623
>>Yes, it has been successful. Having all the leaders of Hillsbrad and Durnholde in one place has been helpful and useful.

Also just to clarify, which year are we currently in exactly?

>>5683623
>>Somewhat yes. There was progress, but all these events have made the talks difficult.

>>5683654
The story is in the winter of year 15 After the Dark Portal. So nine years after the start of Second War.

>>5683623
>>Somewhat yes. There was progress, but all these events have made the talks difficult.

>>5683623
>Somewhat yes. There was progress, but all these events have made the talks difficult.

You thought about what you would be saying for a moment before you opted to speak

“It’s hard to pass such a judgement, although I’ve had a chance to resolve some matters with my neighbours, Magistrate Maleb’s death is a grim mark on this event”. You told them and sighed deeply. “So no, I can’t call these past few days a success, but it hasn’t been a complete failure either.”

Foecourt seemed to nod in agreement after you said that.

“Bless the Light, my concerns are built around having a road and frost not taking my crops.” Foecourt said back to you. “I can’t imagine the troubles you have to go through.”

You smiled back and nodded.

“It isn’t easy.” You said to him.

The door to the grand hall had opened and everyone who wasn’t engaged in any talks turned their heads to see who had arrived.

Seeing who had arrived caused you to smirk a bit as Lady Jandice Barov stepped into the grand hall. She had clearly gone to her room to change into more suitable clothing as she had exchanged her previous robe with clothing more suitable for a feast. A long purple dress decorated with the designs and insignia of Dalaran combined with her mage armour made Jandice an impressive figure amongst the guests here in Durnholde.

You gave her a nod and she returned it with a slight smile as she walked to you.

“Prince Alric.” Jandice said to you and gave you a gentle nod.

“Lady Jandice.” You said back to her. “I see you opted to dress up for the occasion.”

“I did, I couldn’t avoid the temptation, I didn’t want to look second class.” Jandice said to you and continued. “Especially if you are wearing parts of your armour.”

It was true, even without the cuirass or other bits of plate mail of Aurvan'kal, wearing the scaled robe made you stand out amongst the crowd.

“It is our pleasure that you joined us Lady Jandice.” Lady Edith said and gave her the same curtsy she had given to you. “Thank you for saving us from the fire.”

Jandice blushed a bit from the compliment and brushed it away.

“Lady Jandice, did you speak with Commodore Troubridge?” You asked her.

“Yes, I did Prince Alric.” She said back. “He agrees with you.”

That was good, if Troubridge had disagreed with your approach to the current situation, it could have caused some issues for you to solve.

“That is good to hear.” You said back to her.

Both Lady Edith and Foecourt looked at you and Jandice in a bit of confusion as they didn’t know what you were exactly talking about.

“What are you two talking about?” Foecourt asked you as he was a bit confused about this exchange of words between the two of you.


>Nothing important, just regarding our previous talks, nothing more. Deflect away.
>It was regarding the assassin, we are keeping up the heightened security just in case.
>Whisper to them that there is still a belief that the assassin is alive.
>Other, write in.

>>5683962
>It was regarding the assassin, we are keeping up the heightened security just in case.
>At this point, we decided to adopt a better safe then sorry approach.

>>5683962
>>It was regarding the assassin, we are keeping up the heightened security just in case.
never know when sleeper agents will be activated or some left over poison will contaminate the food and drink.

>>5683962
>>Nothing important, just regarding our previous talks, nothing more. Deflect away.

>>5683962
>>It was regarding the assassin, we are keeping up the heightened security just in case.
the suspect may have died, but with how many there were around it's better to be safe than sorry.

"It was just regarding the assassin." You told them somewhat nonchalantly. "We are keeping up the heightened security just in case."

"Prince Alric, do you believe that there are more assassins out there?" Foecourt asked and seemed concerned.

"Our suspect is dead, but who knows if he had any aides with him." You said.

"That sounds dangerous." Lady Edith said back.

"Could be, but I am not concerned. Our guards and knights have their ears and eyes open." You said to her and tried to assure her.

"Seems excessive." Foecourt said and continued. "I mean several of them did die today and then there was the fire. I can imagine how tired they are right now."

"At this point, we decided to adopt a better safe than sorry approach." You answered him. "We are all tired, but we have our duties."

"I understand, hoping that nothing happens then." Foecourt said back to you. "Now if you excuse me, there are other people I need to talk with."

Sir Foecourt gave you and Jandice a bow before he left you.

"Me and Hilde, we are going to go and get something to eat." Lady Edith said to you. "It was a pleasure to talk with you Prince Alric and with you too Lady Jandice."

Lady Edith and young Hilde both did a curtsy before they walked away.

"You look like you want to say something." You said to Jandice as you turned to speak with her.

"Do you think that you have already met him?" Jandice asked you and continued. "Resourceful, has the tools, a disguise or a false identity wouldn't be out of place."

A burgher from Southshore interrupted the two of you as he wanted to shake your and Jandice’s hands. This man was short and fat, definitely not the assassin you are looking for. The man thankfully excused himself quickly.

"So what do you think?" Jandice asked.


>Yes, most likely you have met with the assassin. Probably spoken with him as well.
>Probably, but you have met quite many average sized men here in Durnholde.
>You don't think so, the assassin wouldn't be that foolish to approach you so brazenly.
>Other, write in.

>>5684410
>>Yes, most likely you have met with the assassin. Probably spoken with him as well.


This Foecourt guy is mighty suspicious desu. Maybe a red herring, but he seemed awfully eager to throw Albrin under the bus earlier, and this hurried departure also doesn't look good...

Anyone of higher iq Anons have an inkling if we missed a clue?

>>5684410
>Probably, but you have met quite many average sized men here in Durnholde.
My brain is too small to pick up clues

>>5684410
>>Probably, but you have met quite many average sized men here in Durnholde.
>>5684461
too retarded to pick anything up.

>>5684410
>>Probably, but you have met quite many average sized men here in Durnholde.

>>5684410
>You don't think so, the assassin wouldn't be that foolish to approach you so brazenly.
>Other, write in.
Try to find the guy via eye color. We did see his eyes did we not?

Try and downsize from rough hight and size, combine with eye or hair color, and then gender. As a rough guideline to downsize the probability of who is likely to be him.

I'd rather we just get a rough idea of who he could be for future reference than actually capture him at this point.

"Probably, but I have met quite many average sized men here in Durnholde." You said to her. "Very little actual details for us to use, really just size and height. He was smart enough to wear a bandana, hood and goggles."

Jandice was a bit let down, but didn't seem overly disappointed with your answer.

"Can't really say much else." You said and sighed. "We just have to keep our eyes open."

If you had to make a list of potential suspects the list would be quite long. If you put them all on a line and tried to spot the assassin, you couldn’t be sure that you could recognise the assassin.

"Shame." Jandice said. "What will we do next?"

"Enjoy the feast." You said to her. "So let's go get some food, I bet you are hungry."

…

Having retrieved food and making sure someone else took it before you just in case and after seeing that said person didn't drop dead from poison, you and Jandice sat down at the table normally reserved for Blackmoore and other very important guests before you started to eat.

As you ate, you and Jandice didn't really speak about anything and instead you just mostly kept your eyes on the crowd.

Langston arrived and gave you a nod before he went to talk with Lady Edith and Hilde. Sir Foecourt spoke with some burghers from Southshore. Sir Gorman was with some other Durnholders and then there were mostly servants and other locals who had joined the feast. Those were really the only people you knew by name. Not all petty nobles had decided to come here, especially those from Hillsbrad. Clearly they had opted to stay in their rooms.

You didn’t mind that as much as the atmosphere was way more relaxed as the servants and other workers got a few drinks in. With all the petty nobles, burghers and other hangers-on very easily the atmosphere usually was a bit stuffy and rigid. Now it felt more rustic, without any real concerns of decorum and how you are seen. It felt more familiar with the feasts and celebrations you had been in through your life be it during the exile or in Dawnholme.

Let them celebrate and have fun, in a couple of months they will most likely learn that the assassin got away, but now let them be happy.

The troubadours joined the feast and the servants quickly moved several tables and benches away to give them more space for dancing. It didn’t take long for the dancing to start and the merry sounds of laughter and music filled the grand hall.

As you sipped your wine, the want to dance grew inside you. It had always been fun, but you didn’t know if joining the dancing now was appropriate in the current situation. You gave a glance to Jandice who was watching as the servants danced. Would she like to dance?

1/1

>>5685358

>Let the servants and others dance while you don't join them. You have very little reason to dance and have fun.
>Join them in dancing, this trip to Durnholde hasn’t been all doom and gloom after all.
>Join them, but very briefly. Give them a chance to dance with an actual Prince.
>Ask Lady Jandice if she wants to dance.
>Other, write in.

>>5685360
>Join them, but very briefly. Give them a chance to dance with an actual Prince.
>Ask Lady Jandice if she wants to dance.

>>5685360
>>Ask Lady Jandice if she wants to dance.

>>5685360
>>Ask Lady Jandice if she wants to dance.

>>5685360
>>Ask Lady Jandice if she wants to dance.

>>5685360
>>Join them, but very briefly. Give them a chance to dance with an actual Prince.
I have mixed feelings about baiting Jandice onto the Alric train, although it may already be too late

You could dance, if not just briefly to be properly part of this feast and let the servants know that you want them to feel appreciated. It would also be a once in a lifetime situation for a couple of maids to get to dance with a real Prince.

Though first you had something else in mind.

"Lady Jandice, I see that you are watching the dancing." You said to her. "Would you like to join me?"

"Me? Really dancing? It has been a while…" Jandice said back to you.

"It will be fine, I will guide you." You said and continued. "Let's give the servants what they want to see. They would love to see their 'saviours' take the floor."

Jandice nodded to you after a pause causing you to present your hand for her to take.

"I will apologise, the armour is not the best thing to wear for dancing, so I will try to be gentle." You said as Jandice took your hand and you guided her past some bystanders and now very curiously looking guests.

The troubadours started to play something a bit slow as you guided Jandice through the first song. She wasn't bad at dancing, but nowhere near as good as you were. Thankfully the guests and servants gave you and her enough space to avoid bumping into anyone and with your hand on her waist, guiding her was easy.

The second song was a bit faster and she started to have some trouble with her steps so you purposely slowed down to avoid her tripping. During all this Jandice didn’t say a word to you.

When the second song ended, Jandice let go of your hand and gave you a curtsy to which you replied with a bow.

The guests and servants gave the two of you a slight applause as you walked aside and let the others continue dancing.

"Thank you Prince Alric, that in the end was quite fun." Jandice said past you as she watched others dancing.

"And I think you could become a good dancer with some training." You told her and continued. "But what most importantly I am saying… the pleasure was mine. Thank you for the dance."

"And thank you for the evening. I will now go and rest." Jandice said to you.

"Yeah, it has been a long day." You said back. "Sleep well."

Jandice nodded and left you there standing as she walked away and out of the grand hall.

Now though, time to dance a bit more.

…

Three ladies had the opportunity to dance with you.

First was a really shy blonde girl who you had seen in the kitchens. She barely managed to say thank you at the end of the song. Second one, whom you think you had seen cleaning the floors, was a buxom brunette who quite eagerly came to dance with you next and who definitely had heard about the rumours as she pressed herself right on you and made sure that her shirt was open and revealing. You opted to just dance with her and didn’t give her the joy of having a peek down. And the third was actually someone you knew a bit better.

1/2

>>5685655

"Lady Edith." You greeted her as a slow song started and you started to guide her around the floor. "How has the evening been?"

"Fine, thank you for asking." Lady Edith said back to you and still she was avoiding looking you in the eyes. She really was that embarrassed about her earlier request. "I spoke with Mr. Langston."

"Did it go well?" You asked.

"It did, he seems to be… a man that I could accept." Lady Edith said back. "But if I may, I would speak with your knight next. That is if you allow me to bother him?"

"You may speak with Sir Gravis, you have my blessing." You said to her. "Do you think you can make the decision about Hilde's betrothal while still here?"

"Thank you Prince Alric and probably not." Lady Edith said to you. "Everything that has happened, it threw our plans off."

"Understandable." You said back to her. "I can only wish good luck to both of you then."

"Thank you Prince Alric." Lady Edith said. The petty noble finally allowed her to look into your eyes for a brief moment as the song slowly ended. "Thank you for the dance."

As Lady Edith left you, so did you step aside and leave the floor for the dancers. Taking a fresh cup of wine, you fought back an yawn as you watched what was going on around you.

There were some new faces who had arrived while you had been dancing and you didn’t see everyone who had been here before. Though there clearly were more people here than before. You did get back into the task as you started going through the guests one by one. That was way too tall, he was too fat, that one had only one arm. There was an average looking man talking with another quite similar person. One who could fit the size requirements was in very close talks with a servant girl, she clearly was having a lot of fun. Then another one and another one and another one.

This felt hopeless and not everyone even was in here.

You sighed and took a sip of the wine. It was getting late, but the feast was still going strong. Maybe even a bit stronger than before, it felt like the guests and servants were just starting to loosen up properly.

Though that didn't concern you so much. What concerned you was your lack of options that could deliver results, especially as you thought that you weren't exactly in danger. The assassin hadn't done anything and neither had you really. Just bloody annoying, it felt like leaving a job halfway done. And then you yawned, you were tired and your body started to signal that maybe you should rest. The Vial of Blessed Water had helped somewhat, but it can't do miracles. Maybe retiring for the day was the right choice. Today the assassin had won, it at least felt like it.

2/2

>>5685658

>Stay in the grand hall and watch over the feast just in case. Maybe you will spot something or someone interesting.
>Continue mingling with the guests for some time. Talking with them could help you.
>Retire from the feast and go to the study. You aren't getting the results you wanted. You could talk with Taretha or just go to sleep.
>Other, write in.

>>5685659
>Retire from the feast and go to the study. You aren't getting the results you wanted. You could talk with Taretha or just go to sleep.
I can’t honestly decide between watching and this. But Taretha is a potential target, and besides she may have an insight to offer.

>>5685659
>>Retire from the feast and go to the study. You aren't getting the results you wanted. You could talk with Taretha or just go to sleep.

>>5685659
>Continue mingling with the guests for some time. Talking with them could help you.

>>5685659
>Stay in the grand hall and watch over the feast just in case. Maybe you will spot something or someone interesting.
>Continue mingling with the guests for some time. Talking with them could help you.

Isn't Taretha with us?

>>5685741

Taretha hasn't joined the feast. She stayed at the study when you left to keep company to Malevus and to help her in whatever she needs.

>>5685659
>>Stay in the grand hall and watch over the feast just in case. Maybe you will spot something or someone interesting.

>>5685659
>>Retire from the feast and go to the study. You aren't getting the results you wanted. You could talk with Taretha or just go to sleep.

We have a tie. Three votes for retiring and three votes for staying in some way. Could I have a tiebreaker?

>>5685976
>>5685659
>Stay in the grand hall and watch over the feast just in case. Maybe you will spot something or someone interesting.
ill break your tie

Staying wins. I am not sure if I can get the update out today, but we can still roll for it. Give me a couple of rolls.


>1d10
>Best of three, taking the second roll

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>5686245

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>5686245
suprise flash bomb incoming

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>5686245
for the sake of the rule of threes

Uh oh


>3d10, best of three
>DC ???, Crit ???

Rolled 10, 6, 7 = 23 (3d10)

>>5686332
Should we be worried?

Rolled 5, 3, 10 = 18 (3d10)

>>5686332
aw yeah more murder and being stuck in durnholde!

Rolled 10, 2, 2 = 14 (3d10)

>>5686332
hands off our friends!

>8


You blinked several times and downed your wine. Taking a deep breath, you decided that you would be staying in here and watching over the feast, maybe do some mingling amongst the guests to hopefully learn something. You were tired, but what wouldn’t a bit of alcohol and pure frustration help you to stay awake?

So you watched the feast by sitting down for a moment after having picked up a bit more food to eat and frankly there wasn’t much to see. The guests and servants continued to dance and have a merry time.

One thing you did notice was Lady Edith and young Hilde having moved to talk with Sir Gravis. It did seem like they were having fun, by how your knight and Edith were laughing.

Outside of that, you didn’t really notice and see much. People were having fun and one by one as you watched them, they started to leave. Those who remained would probably party till it was early in the morning and if you were the assassin, you probably wouldn’t wait for that if you wanted to leave Durnholde as early as possible.

…

>3
>23, Crit Success!

You nearly started to doze off as you caught yourself from falling asleep. You had to take a couple deep breaths to refresh yourself a bit as you stood up and realised that you were way too tired to stay up now, you needed some sleep.

You walked past the remaining guests and thanked the Light that nothing had happened, but you also cursed the Light for not having spotted anything. If the assassin had been part of the feast, he hadn’t done anything. And maybe it was better like that.

Briefly speaking with Joe, the knight closest to you, you told him that you would be going to sleep and the knights could return to the study shortly.

He nodded to you and told you that he would be following you shortly.

The guests didn’t even really realise that you had left them as you walked out of the grand hall into the hallways of the Keep. Thankfully it wouldn’t be that long of a walk into the study and then into your bed.

Though it wouldn’t be that easy as you turned a corner and bumped into someone you had learned to know…

“Oh I am shorry…” Annabel the mistress said to you as you caught her from falling on the floor. Oh she was drunk as hell.

“Why are you out here?” You asked the drunk mistress.

1/2

>>5686384

“Blackmoore fell ashleep…” She managed to say to you as the dark haired mistress clinged on you. She was wearing a black nightdress that left little to imagination. “I wanted to shee where the fun was…”

Oh by the Light she was drunk as hell.

You at first struggled to keep her up, but after positioning your arms around her, keeping her up was really easy.

“Alright Annabel, you are really drunk.” You said to her.

“Ohh I know Prinse Alhric…” She slurred back to you as her hands tried to grasp your arms and keep herself steady. She brushed your hands with hers, taking hold of them and suddenly moved to hug you.

“Annabel, what are you doing?” You asked the drunk mistress.

“Chome with me, I want to be with you… come talk with me…” Annabel managed to say to you as she hugged you while keeping hold of your hands and pressed her form on you. If you weren’t wearing the scaled robe of your armour, you would be feeling everything.

“Come with you?” You asked her.

“Yesh… I need to tell you something…” Annabel said to you and pressed her cheek against yours.


>Alright, what do you have to lose if you were to talk with her in private? Let her lead the way.
>You aren’t going to let her seduce you or try to get into bed with you, but you will help her into her room. At least you try to be a gentleman.
>Decline, she is drunk as hell and if she wanted to speak with you, she would do it when she is sober. You have some standards.
>Other, write in.

QM: Rolls were about the feast, who you are going to bump into and how you handle said bumping?

>>5686385
>You aren’t going to let her seduce you or try to get into bed with you, but you know very well how appearences can be deceiving. Perhaps she does have something actually important to say so you will cautiously humor her and let her lead the way.
Maintain a healthy sense of paranoia. Perhaps it's just a mundane seduction attempt, in which case we can just turn her down, or it might be a way to discreetely pass on information.

>>5686385
Take her to her room and part ways there, if she has something to say she can say it in the door.
She’s probably not in good spot to be talking if something relevant though…

>>5686400
> She’s probably not in good spot to be talking if something relevant though…
If she has something important to say then I think the drunkenness is just an act.

>>5686403
I suppose that is a possibility. She could even be our suster’s agent or something.

>>5686385
>Other, write in.
Help her to our room in the study with our knights, if she's really drunk she won't realize it , if she isn't and its a trap, she's being taken into a room full of our knights.

>>5686385
>>Alright, what do you have to lose if you were to talk with her in private? Let her lead the way.

>>5686385
>Alright, what do you have to lose if you were to talk with her in private? Let her lead the way.

>>5686406
plot twist: she is our sister

>>5686385
>You aren’t going to let her seduce you or try to get into bed with you, but you know very well how appearences can be deceiving. Perhaps she does have something actually important to say so you will cautiously humor her and let her lead the way.

Such power....
The Perenolde rizz genes are truly unstoppable....

>>5686406
perhaps

>>5686385
>You aren’t going to let her seduce you or try to get into bed with you, but you will help her into her room. At least you try to be a gentleman.

“Alright, I am going to help you to your room.” You said to Annabel and carefully pushed her off you, while still holding her up. “You are completely wasted, you know that.”

“Ohh, I know…” Annabel said and giggled as she attempted to get back closer to you while you kept her from touching you.

“Now though, where is your room?” You had to ask her.

Oh dear this could go so badly wrong.

…

Annabel guided you through the hallways and a couple of times she had to stop to get her bearing back. She tried to cling on you as she giggled while you kept her up and a few times you had to say to servants you passed that you were just helping her back to her room. You didn’t exactly want more misunderstandings and for the rumours to get even more wind behind their sails.

Her room was in the wing with the rest of the servants and after you reached the door, you had to take the key from her as she couldn’t get the lock open. And finally with the door open, you helped her into her room.

“Th-hank you…” Annabel said as she closed the door behind you and suddenly hugged you again.

“Alright, I helped you into your room. Did you have something to tell me?” You said to her.

“Yesh… you are very cute.” Annabel said and with a giggle tried to kiss you.

You stopped her before she could succeed in her goal by grasping her shoulders and this time pushing her away with a bit more force behind it.

“I am sorry, but if your goal was just to get me into bed with you by telling me that you had something to say, then your plan has failed.” You said and frankly you were maybe a bit too blunt with the tone of your voice.

Though being called very cute was quite fun.

Annabel stopped giggling and dropped her joyful drunk appearance as you let go of her. She then took hold of your left arm and grasped your hand with both of hers. Her soft hands searched your fingers until they found what they were looking for.

“Lady Nalice did shay… that the rumours are exaggerated and embellished…” Annabel told you as her fingers studied the Dragonclaw Ring.

It took you a couple seconds to put everything together. Annabel knew Lady Nalice? She knew about the ring Lady Katrana gave you? Who is she?

Then Annabel lowered herself to her knees and bowed to you. At that point you realised who she really was.

“You serve Lady Katrana, don’t you?” You asked her.

“Yesh… I serve Lady Nalice and through her my Mistress.” Annabel said and while she had dropped her act, she was still really drunk.

You connected more dots together. Lady Nalice was Katrana Prestors way of extending her reach, eyes and ears to Hillsbrad and of course Lady Nalice as a spymaster would have her own underlings. And Annabel was one of them.

1/1

>>5686910


>Ask why she told you this? Why do you have to know this?
>What is her mission? What are her goals?
>What is the importance of the ring? She clearly recognized it.
>Will her work put her against you or to be with you?
>Would she have revealed this if her attempt to seduce you had worked?
>Other, write in.

>>5686912
Interesting. Well, for now it's enough for us to know her allegiances (or at least, alleged allegiances). We should not be caught spending too much time with her.

Ask her maybe if she was paying attention to the assassinations, perhaps she noticed something of interest. Then wish her good night and leave. We can perhaps discuss her with Nalice later.

>>5686912
>Ask why she told you this? Why do you have to know this?
>Will her work put her against you or to be with you?
>What is her mission? What are her goals?
>Lady Katrana has been a good ally, I'd loathe with we came to conflict of interests.

>>5686912
>What is her mission? What are her goals?
>What is the importance of the ring? She clearly recognized it.

>>5686912
>>What is her mission? What are her goals?
>>What is the importance of the ring? She clearly recognized it.
>>Will her work put her against you or to be with you

>>5686912
>>What is the importance of the ring? She clearly recognized it.
>What is her mission? What are her goals?

I fooking knew she was sus!
I'm not CAZY!

>Other, write in.
Make sure the room is clear, and windows and doors are closed before talking further.
>Ask why she told you this? Why do you have to know this?
>Will her work put her against you or to be with you?
>Would she have revealed this if her attempt to seduce you had worked?
>Other, write in.
What does she know of the assasin or the events so far?
Ask about the note we left in the servants area, any suspicious looking fellows who looked at or read the note? Anyone like a servant reading the note and bringing news back to a "master"?

Perhaps we will share what we know with her?

>>5687419
>>5686912
blerp the links

>>5686912
In order:
>Would she have revealed this if her attempt to seduce you had worked?
>Ask why she told you this? Why do you have to know this?
>What is her mission? What are her goals?
Though if she refuses to elaborate on these then just ask
>Will her work put her against you or to be with you?
And lastly:
>Why did she check for the ring? She should've already known you had it.

No update today, I am way too knackered to concentrate on writing.

>>5687419
Was it too obvious that Annabel was suspicious?

>>5687850
Maybe. I'm generally paranoid though.

I just thought it was sus af that a pretty girl so easily happens to fall into blackmore or langstons lap at such a time, and you know what some people say about coincidences...

Like why wasn't she been "looked" into prior or someone that langston notice beforehand. Its like she just showed up a one day out of the blue to be "noticed" as Langston was making his rounds through town, but he never noticed or took note of a pretty girl growing up around his domain?
Who are her even her parents and family?

I was surprised to find out she was Lady Nalice's spy. I also thought maybe this was a intentional red herring to throw us off or something. But I still wanted to thoroughly verify either way..

Unless the people or parents that live under Blackmoore are the "Hide your women, hide your children! Blackmore/Langston is coming to town!"

>>5687850
I didn't consider it personally, but it does make sense. I was thinking more about the campaign and the assassin.
Alric is watched by multiple parties, and his close alliance/cooperation with Blackmoore is well known at this point. Someone being sent to check on Durnholde and listening to the rumors (alric being supposedly a womanizer), but actually having given confirmation he is not a womanizer at the feast would put the dots together and catch the mistress position once free. A very good move.

Honestly i was thinking Blackmoore just choose a very good looking mistress, or found her offering him her services. Mundane but plausible, and probably what everyone else and Alric were thinking.

>>5687850
She didn't stand out to me as such, no.
At most as a girl that committed herself to improve her lot with using her body.

“Stand up.” You said to Annabel. “No need to keep bowing to me.”

Annabel did as told and stood up while she let go of your hand. This did give you a couple of seconds to think what to say next. And one thing did come to your mind.

“Would you have revealed your association if you had succeeded in… seducing me?” You asked her carefully.

Annabel giggled at your question.

“No, I wouldn’t have. I would have been disappointed with you.” Annabel said back slurring a bit and covered her mouth as she giggled.

“Weak mind? Letting lust take control?” You continued.

“Something like that, though I bet it would have been fun…” Annabel said to you and gave you a wink. It was painfully clear how Langston and then Blackmoore had fallen for her.

“Either way, why did you tell me this? Why do you think I need to know about whom you really serve?” You asked her.

“Because my Mistress sees you as her close ally and so that you can rely on her aid should you require it. My Mistress wants you to succeed and so does Lady Nalice.” Annabel said to you. There was a glint of mystery in her rust red eyes. “You should know that we are operating here, so that we don’t accidentally work against each other.”

That was fine reasoning, though Lady Nalice probably would guide Eligius to avoid such issues either directly or by poking him in the right direction. This could also mean that whatever ring of spies and informants Lady Katrana has in Hillsbrad and Durnholde could also work for you. Maybe this could be a reason for a closer cooperation with Lady Katrana?

“Then what is your mission here?” You continued with your questions.

“To be the eyes and ears of Lady Katrana.” Annabel said back. “To report our findings to Lady Nalice, who then reports to Lady Katrana.”

“Yes, but more specifically? How did you end up in the service of Lord Blackmoore?” You continued and pushed for a more specific question.

Annabel looked at you for a moment before she answered.

“I was sent to Southshore to find someone to be attached with, but then an opportunity came and I was told to move here.” Annabel said and she continued. “I think I need to thank you for taking Lord Blackmoore’s previous mistress for yourself.”

“And you took that spot for yourself.” You said back to her.

“Precisely…” Annabel said and gave you a sly smile.

So she thought that the rumours at least for some part are true. Interesting that you had managed to fool a spy like her.

“Though, should you go to your lover? I bet she is waiting for you?” Annabel asked you and continued. “Or do you want more rumours to spread? Prince Alric seen spending time with Lord Blackmoore’s new mistress?”

She had a point, you had already lingered here for far too long a time. But you still had one more question you wanted to ask from her.

1/3

>>5688656

“The ring, what is the importance of it? You clearly recognized it.” You asked her one more question.

“Funny that you were to ask that…” Annabel said to you. “It tells us that you have our Mistress' favour, that we won’t consider you our opponent… and instead see you as one of us… but now I have said too much already.”

Annabel took a pair of steps towards you and before you knew it, she had planted a soft kiss on your cheek.

“It would have been fun to spend a night with you… but you chose smartly.” Annabel said with a sultry voice and giggled. Annabel the mistress had replaced Annabel the spy in front of you. “Now go and be with your lover and enjoy her touch.”

You were quite surprised about this and didn’t really know what to say. It might have been partially you being tired and having a slight buzz from the bit of wine you had drank, but Annabel definitely was a beautiful woman and being approached like this did cause some buzz inside of you.

But you weren’t here to engage in a fun night with her, so you gave her an assuring smile and a slight polite bow as you prepared to leave her room.

“Good night, and may we see each other in better circumstances Miss Annabel.” You said to her.

“Good night Prince Alric.” Annabel said back and gave you a really deep curtsy.

…

As you walked back to the study you had plenty to think about. Annabel was a spy for Katrana and Nalice and how she had spoken about the Dragonclaw Ring made you wonder how far did the reach of Katrana really… well reach? And how powerful she really was? What were her plans and were you just a piece in a larger puzzle she was building and controlling? Just a pawn in the midst of kings and queens?

You sighed deeply, this would be something you would have to worry about later. There was just too much going on right now to worry about Stormwind, Katrana and all this stuff around her.

Opening the door to the study you found it empty. Your knights hadn’t returned here yet nor was Blackmoore or Tari nowhere to be seen. Then you heard snoring from the direction of Blackmoore’s bedroom and realised that the man was fully asleep and you carefully closed his door to allow him to sleep soundly through the night.

Then you opened the door to your bedroom and a familiar face greeted you.

“It is quite late Alric, I was wondering when you would come.” Tari said as she raised her head from a book she was reading.

“There were things to do.” You told her and being in her presence caused some butterflies to appear in your stomach. Immediately you felt a bit better than before. “Just so much had happened today.”

“I… I understand.” Tari said and nodded as she closed the book. “Tales of Hearthglen, old book about a bunch of nobles stuck in a tower during a plague so they tell stories to pass time.”

“I know the book, haven’t read it.” You said to her as you unbuckled your sword belt and put it aside.

“What have you read?” Tari asked back as she put the book away and stood up.

2/3

File: Taretha_Foxton_HS.jpg (38 KB, 512x504)

38 KB JPG

>>5688659

“Well you know, about taxation, history, warfare, all the fun subjects.” You said and laughed. You didn’t want to talk about learning about magic yet.

“Ughh, so dull.” Tari said back with a laugh. “But I understand, you have to learn all that stuff.”

Yeah…” You said and sighed. “But if you are going to come to Dawnholme with me, you should learn how to take care of this armour. So help me to take it off.”

“Alright, just show me.” Tari said back and smiled.

You explained the purpose and reason for every piece of Aurvan'kal you took off with Tari helping you. It was quite nice to explain all this to her and she seemed to understand the order all of this was put on and taken off and what they did to protect you.

Along with this you did talk about today. Tari had shown the contracts and told the news to her parents. They at first didn’t really understand the situation, but she had told them about you and how their lives wouldn’t change that much in Dawnholme. They would continue to be servants and really just their liege would change and be different than before. You agreed with it, Tannis Foxton had served Blackmoore for years, while you probably wouldn’t employ him directly he wouldn’t have difficulties in finding a place to work in.

Though they couldn’t join you immediately as they would need to pack their belongings first. You told Tari that your soldiers would leave Durnholde in a couple of weeks and her parents could join them and travel with them to Dawnholme. That sounded like a good compromise.

Tari helped you to pull off the arming jacket and you took off the arming trousers. It felt refreshing to be completely out of your armour as you straightened your shirt and braies.

You sighed deeply and looked at Tari. It had been a long day, a bit too long, and you were tired. Then everything that had happened was put on top of it. And then you were with Tari which made your heart race and butterflies appeared in your stomach.

You were tired and spent, both mentally and physically.

“Did something happen today?” Tari asked you and seemed a bit concerned as it was painfully easy to see how spent you were. “Alric, you can talk to me.”


>Tari should know about your feelings towards her, you have a crush on her which makes you feel funny and good inside you.
>Tell Tari that the assassin is alive and that you met him. Tell her about the circumstances in which it happened.
>There are spies and agents serving people far away from here. Imply that Annabel is one of them and how she has benefitted from the rumours and Tari becoming your ‘mistress’
>You have learned that your sister is alive and is the spymaster of the criminal organisation your brother is leading.
>You are just very very very tired and require a good night of sleep. Deflect away.
>Other, write in.

QM: Choose as many as you like.

>>5688660
>All Tari needs to know is that there is a lot of cloak and dagger nonsense going on which has left you very very very tired and therefore you require a good night of sleep.
I find it strange that Alric seems to have no sense of guilt in his inner monologue. If I were in his situation I'd be wracked with it, to be thinking about backstabbing your loved one like that.

>>5688660
I don't see much point in burdening her with excess of these informations.
At most warn her that the assassin is still at large and that there's apparently more intrigue around that we anticipated.

Although if she figures something of interest out by herself, maybe we could have her work with Eligius in the future. Although her personality is probably not suited for that, even with our agenda priorities being what they are.

There's definitely no point in telling her we are attracted to her unless we want to dump the princess (we shouldn't), otherwise any relationship talk should consist on shooting her down for good.

>>5688677
>unless we want to dump the princess (we shouldn't)
oh, and especially if we had actually succeeded in pumping the princess beforehand, in that case we are super ultra obligated to take responsibility not just because it's a proper thing to do but because not doing so would likely lead to deaths, including people under our care.

>>5688670
Support

>>5688660
>>You have learned that your sister is alive and is the spymaster of the criminal organisation your brother is leading.

>>5688660
>Tell Tari that the assassin is alive and that you met him. Tell her about the circumstances in which it happened.
>Other, write in.
ask her to Read a book to us till we fall asleep.

>>5688660
>Tell Tari that the assassin is alive and that you met him. Tell her about the circumstances in which it happened.
>You have learned that your sister is alive and is the spymaster of the criminal organisation your brother is leading.

>I was sent to Southshore to find someone to be attached with, but then an opportunity came and I was told to move here.”

How was she told to "move here"?
Was that Langston hiring her or orders from her mistress?
The underlaying implication is likely there are other spies already embedded here and they passed this information to Nalice who then ordered her to move into position to be hired as a help.

My last question is whether the possible opening of Blackmores mistress was already know to Nalice or Annabel, or was that a opportunity that Annabel seized when it became apparent. This could indicate how deeply Blackmoores inner circle has been penetrated..... And there is like maybe 3 people in that circle including Blackmoore himself!

>>5688670
Seconding this

>>5688660
supporting this
>>5688670
It might because of the alcohol or the mood. I think he had sometime ago some rethinking, he had it even with other women.
Distance could play a part in this, and he is a young man. The mix of chaotic events and relevations that happened recently might too.

All this said .... he really needs to spend more time with Calia, we need to set up the first secret encounter for them. Especially after all that happened here in Durnholde. Their relationship can't develop much through letters, and love must be cultivated and attend to for establish a strong relationship.

“I am just tired, so much has happened in such a short period of time.” You said to Tari as you went to pour a cup of water for you.

You drank the cup in a one go and had to continue speaking as Tari didn’t seem to buy just that as an explanation.

“When I got into all of this, it was just me and my parents.” You said to Tari as you sat down on the bed. She noticed how you mentioned your parents and was understandably a bit confused forcing you to make a small correction. “My foster parents with a pair of loyal officers and twenty men operating out of a bunch of tents and a farmstead.”

You paused your speech for a moment as Tari walked to you and sat next to you on the bed.

“Now there is a town with over one thousand souls. Workers, women, children and the elderly, living in it and in the land I have claimed back for Alterac. Under my command I have over two hundred soldiers and my retinue has grown from two to nearly fifteen loyal officers and advisors.” You told her and continued after taking a breath. “And while defeating bandits or gnolls is a very straightforward business, I feel so out of place wherever I go. And wherever I go, there tends to be a lot of cloak and dagger nonsense revolving around me.”

Tari let you speak as she wrapped her arm around your back and pulled you a bit closer to her. It felt nice to be hugged like this, it assured you that you weren’t exactly alone in this, you had your friends supporting you.

“And I haven’t really been able to prepare for it, no amount of sparring or learning court etiquette can prepare you for assassins, spies and whatever else political intrigue is going around you.” You said to her and looked at her. The butterflies kept flying in your stomach as you looked at her. “It is just so frustrating to not be able to do anything about it.”

You looked down again on the floor and sighed deeply.

“I am sorry for this rant Tari, but it has just been a really long day with plenty of stupid cloak and dagger business, some new, some old, which has left me cranky and frustrated.” You raised your head back up and looked at her again.

“Don’t be sorry, because I know that you will pull through this.” Tari said and smiled. “Of the two of us, you are the stronger one.”

“Thanks Tari, I can’t really call it quits at this point.” You said and chuckled.

You weren’t expecting to do a small speech, but as you started talking you couldn’t stop. Though it did help you to open your mouth and speak about your frustrations about all of this.

“But shouldn’t we go to sleep, it is going to be a long day tomorrow with plenty to do. The guests are leaving, I need to decide when I… I mean when we will leave.” You said to Tari.

Tari nodded to you and smiled. Butterflies again.

“Yeah… it is late.” Tari said as she let go of you. You felt like she wanted to say something more, but instead she climbed over the bed to her side. “Tomorrow is a new day.”

1/2

>>5689114

“Hopefully better than today was.” You said as you waited for Tari to get in the bed before you could pull the blanket on. “Good night Tari.”

“Good night Alric.” Tari said back as she closed her eyes and found a comfortable position to sleep in.

You meanwhile kept your eyes open as you stared at the ceiling and the shadows from the candles that danced across it. You tried to go over all the details that had happened today in your mind, but you really couldn’t do it. Mostly because you were too tired to think about all that stuff and because Tari was next to you. And you hadn’t wanted to think about her or how she has made you feel inside of you.

You closed your eyes momentarily before opening them again. For the brief time you were with Calia, you learned that you loved her. It was innocent love that made you feel fuzzy and warm inside, it made you want to spend the rest of your life with her. But now in a similar brief moment of time you had learned to know Tari and a similar fuzzy feeling had started to appear inside of you. And then Tari had confessed that she loves you, that she has feelings towards you.

You didn’t want to deal with this, frankly you were a bit scared, but you knew that at some point you had to. Because if this goes on unresolved for too long, it might end up hurting you, Tari and even Calia.

“Tari…” You whispered to her.

“Mmmh… what is it Alric?” Tari mumbled back while half asleep.


>Good night.
>Confess your feelings to her. She should know how you feel about her.
>Tell Tari that it is Calia with whom you are in a relationship.
>Ask Tari about her feelings, you want to know more how she feels about you.

QM: Start of Tari Romance vote. Good night vote pushes the topic to a later date, while others lead into the next update and vote presented there.

>>5688721
It is actually far simpler than what you are thinking. They didn't have anyone in Durnholde, so they sent Annabel to move there. Knowing Blackmoore's reputation and seeing her looks, it would have been just a matter of time before she was hired to work in Durnholde Keep. Now here is where Alric steps in and inadvertently helped Annabel to replace Taretha as Blackmoore's mistress. Sometimes the chain of events is quite simple and requires a lot less shadowrunning than you might think.

>>5689116
>>Tell Tari that it is Calia with whom you are in a relationship.
although I'm a bit apprehensive for saying anything out loud with the amount of ninjas around... well, ninjas can't catch you when you're on fire, right?

>>5689116
>Tell Tari that it is Calia with whom you are in a relationship

For better or worse we already have a beloved. Unless Calia ends up being a harem instigator. I hope she survived arthas murdering the city.

>>5689116
>>Good night.

>>5689116
>Tell Tari that it is Calia with whom you are in a relationship.
well

>>5689116
>Tell Tari that it is Calia with whom you are in a relationship.

>>5689116
>>Tell Tari that it is Calia with whom you are in a relationship.

File: Taretha_Foxton (1).jpg (62 KB, 434x826)

62 KB JPG

At first you didn’t say anything.

"Alric?" Tari whispered back to you.

"Calia Menethil." You said to her without elaborating any further.

Tari didn’t say anything back to you immediately as she seemed to process what you had just said. To really see her reaction, you turned in the bed to see her face.

"No way!" Tari suddenly said full of surprise and accidentally raised her voice slightly before lowering her voice back to a whisper. "Princess Calia!"

You nodded back to her.

"The lucky girl is Princess Calia Menethil? Oh wow, oh jeez." Tari whispered back to you and still couldn't believe what you had just said.

"Yeah…" You whispered back.

Tari turned on her back and covered her face in embarrassment with her hands. Even in the dim candlelight you could see how red she had become.

"And I thought I had a miniscule chance…" Tari whispered to no one in particular.

She then turned back to face you and reached to find your hands and held them under the blanket.

"Alric… what I said to you about how I feel, that wasn’t a lie." Tari whispered to you. "I guess I love you."

Those words caused you to smile and the butterflies increased in number.

"But I wouldn’t have said that if I had known who the girl you are with is… I don’t want to cause any problems for you and her." Tari whispered again.

"Thank you Tari… and yeah it is unbelievable, isn't it." You whispered back to her.

"Well, having met you and learned to know you, it doesn't really surprise me now that I think about it." Tari whispered and smiled. "I am happy for you Alric…"

There was a tint of sadness in her voice and you held her hands a bit tighter in response.

"Thanks Alric, you don't have to say anything to me…" Tari whispered to you and smiled. "I thought I could have had a chance, even if miniscule… for one night with someone who now I think… I know saved me."

Was she saying…

"But now I know it is impossible… thank you for telling me sooner than later Alric." Tari whispered to you. "Thank you for everything, thank you for being you…"

Tari shifted slightly closer and raised your hands higher closer to your chest. She looked in your eyes and smiled. The fuzzy warm feeling inside of you grew stronger as you stared into her eyes. You felt her warm breath on your face.

1/2

>>5689349

"I want to help you from now on. You saved me, you saved Thrall, so now I want to pay you back in any way possible and for as long as you need my help. I will do anything you want or require." Tari whispered to you and continued. "If I can’t show you my true feelings, my love towards you… then let me help you and use that energy for good."

She seemed so sincere and it did make you feel somewhat bad. She understood from the little you said about Calia how important she was to you and she said that she doesn't want to come between the two of you. She knew it and so did you, but seeing her like this did hurt you. How long would it take for her to get over this? How well would you get over this?

You closed your eyes. Would Calia be fine with an arrangement, or would she even need to know? There were plenty of secrets already between the two of you, so would one more a bit more personal hurt you? You felt like you didn’t want to see Tari like this, but maybe it was just necessary for the both of you to get through this?


>Nothing says that she can’t be your lover and mistress until you have a chance to live together with Calia.
>One night in Durnholde. What happens here, will stay here.
>A single kiss. That will be as much as you can show your true feelings to her.
>Even with your crush on her, Tari is and will be a really close friend to you. Keep her like that and nothing more.

QM: Tari Romance vote. Lover route if chosen would get another vote on the details on a later date.

>>5689353
>>Even with your crush on her, Tari is and will be a really close friend to you. Keep her like that and nothing more.

nunquam suade mihi vana

Although I appreciate the effort you're putting forth OP

>>5689353
>Even with your crush on her, Tari is and will be a really close friend to you. Keep her like that and nothing more

nunquam suade mihi vana

>>5689353
>Even with your crush on her, Tari is and will be a really close friend to you. Keep her like that and nothing more.
Alric the friendzoner

>>5689353
>>Nothing says that she can’t be your lover and mistress until you have a chance to live together with Calia.

Medivh you bastard, always trying to tempt us and Alric and this time you have succeeded. I am probably alone with this opinion, but I find the lover route very intriguing departure for Alric. If this was someone like Monica I would vote no, but Taretha is bit more special as there are feelings with both of them.

File: tzeentch40k.jpg (198 KB, 1024x1117)

198 KB JPG

>>5689116
>It is actually far simpler than what you are thinking.
Hmmm, not as planned.

>>5689353
>A single kiss. That will be as much as you can show your true feelings to her.

File: Warcraft 2 Peon.jpg (7 KB, 247x204)

7 KB JPG

Alric continues to stay true and loyal, very consistent from you my dear anons. One quite juicy and spicy route closes and another quite different one opens with this choice. Oh I will wait for the future to happen...

Give me a standard 1d10 roll unrelated to this decision.


>1d10
>Best of three, taking the second roll.

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>5689912

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>5689912
>Peon
Is that foreshadowing?
Surely our friends have endured enough on this party already...

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>5689912

You opened your eyes and looked at Tari. Even if it would hurt her and probably hurt you, it was better for the long run if you were to snub this out and suppress your feelings. You couldn’t betray the trust of Calia and become something more than just friends with Tari.

And that did sound fine. Being just friends, albeit very close friends with Tari, was something that you would be very happy with.

“I understand, but I cannot return your feelings.” You whispered to her and smiled. “I don’t want to lose you as a friend and neither do I want to betray the trust Calia has shown to me.”

“I know, you aren’t the man the rumours say you are.” Tari whispered and chuckled.

“Thank you Tari, thank you for telling me your feelings, it was better that we got this out before things could have turned to worse. Because when I say I don’t want to lose you as a friend, I truly mean it.” You said to her and stopped whispering. “Whatever you want to do, however you want to live, I will support you. And if it is just wanting to help me, to serve me, then so be it.”

“Thank you.” Tari said back to you and smiled.

“Though I have one demand.” You said to her this time more seriously.

“What is it?” Tari was now confused about what you were talking about.

“I want you to stop me if I ever do something that isn't me. I want you to be my friend and keep my path straight.” You said and smiled.

“I can do that.” Tari said and continued to smile.

“Thank you.” You replied and yawned. “Sorry, I am just tired as hell.”

“I can see that.” Tari said and let go of your hands as she rolled back to her side of the bed. “Good night Alric.”

“Good night Tari, hopefully the last night in Durnholde for us.” You said and closed your eyes.

Thinking about Calia, you knew you had made the right decision. Now you just had to hope that Tari would get over her feelings and wouldn’t linger on them. But you felt sure that she could get over it, she was a strong woman. One of the strongest you had met.

1/2

>>5690042

>8
>4

You woke up next morning with Tari having conquered three-fourths of the bed for herself. She looked so peaceful snoozing there that at first you didn’t want to wake her up, but you ended up doing so in the end mostly because putting on your armour would be easier with someone helping you.

You had a mostly casual chat with Tari as you went through all the parts of Aurvan’kal one more time as you put it on. The progress was a bit slower than when doing this either alone or with help of Malevus, but it was good for her to learn it.

And when you were ready, you stepped out of the bedroom and the study, and found Durnholde Keep full of action.

Servants were carrying belongings, guests were moving their bags. Even after a night of heavy drinking and feasting, the hungover guests had plenty of energy left based on the effort they put in attempting to leave Durnholde as fast and early as possible.

“Prince Alric, thank goodness I found you.” Langston said to you after he noticed you. “Miss Taretha.”

Langston greeted Taretha as she was following right behind you.

“Good morning Langston, how are things going in here?” You asked him.

“Well as you can see, they are going splendidly.” He said to you and immediately continued. “Who am I kidding, everyone wants to leave today and preferably immediately.”

“Are the guards deployed at the gate, roaming patrols set up, did anything happen during the night?” You barraged him with questions. “Any sight of our special guest?”

“Yes, yes, no and no.” Langston replied. “Thankfully nothing had happened. And I have guards with clerks keeping a list of who is leaving and when.”

That was probably the most you could do. The assassin was smart, he wouldn’t get caught, not now, not today.

“Prince Alric, when are you leaving?” Langston asked you.

That was actually a really good question. You didn’t have that much belongings with you and only Taretha would join you on the return journey now, but the snow would still slow you down and while it normally takes two days to make this trip, this time it could take longer than expected to get back to home. You did have tents stashed into the horse cart you had taken with you to Durnholde and there were several farmsteads where you could ask for a place to sleep in so that wouldn’t be an issue.


>You are going to leave as soon as you are ready. You want to cross Darrowmere River and reach Hillsbrad before it is dark.
>You are going to leave around midday, this gives you some time to finish things here and attempt to reach Darrowmere River before nightfall.
>Late afternoon as you still have things to do here and your return trip can take longer than two days.
>You will leave tomorrow, you want to see that everything goes well here and the guests leave without any issues.
>Other, write in.

QM: Rolls were to see what is the overall feeling amongst the guest after a night of drinking and whom you would be bumping into.

>>5690044
>>You are going to leave as soon as you are ready. You want to cross Darrowmere River and reach Hillsbrad before it is dark.

>>5689353
>A single kiss. That will be as much as you can show your true feelings to her.

>>5690044
>You are going to leave as soon as you are ready.
>Other, write in.
Weren't we going to check out that dead guys property or is it redundant at this point?

If not then I'll switch to
>You will leave tomorrow, you want to see that everything goes well here and the guests leave without any issues.

If the cordon is tight then either there will be a incident for the assassin to slip past or he will leave after everyone else has left and the extra security is lifted.

>>5690044
>>You are going to leave as soon as you are ready. You want to cross Darrowmere River and reach Hillsbrad before it is dark.
>>5690097
its redundant. we already know it wasnt him.

>>5690110
>we already know it wasnt him.
I know that, I wanted to be through and maybe catch that tiniest bit of extra info, or if possible a low level Syndicate agent helping the assassin plant fake evidence or soemthing.

>>5690148
good point, but I dont think it would warrant out own time when we have many things to do. Besides Blackmoores' sending men there to check it out.

>>5690042
I noticed that Alric keeps telling people to stop him if he ever strays from the straight path
Is this supposed to foreshadow something?

>>5690044
>>You will leave tomorrow, you want to see that everything goes well here and the guests leave without any issues.
as much as I want to leave this place behind, I'd feel bad if we later learned the assassin went on a killing spree after we left.

>>5690471
I think it's just self awareness, probably most of it coming from how Alterac's destructions came about.

>>5690044
>>You will leave tomorrow, you want to see that everything goes well here and the guests leave without any issues.
I doubt the assassin will attempt something, but you never know.

>>5690471
He doesn't want to become like his brother, he wants to remain in the better path

Leaving tomorrow is the winner as I count >>5690097 as a leaving tomorrow vote. The knights from Durnholde will go and check Sir Albrins farmstead, so you aren't doing it personally.

Now give me a roll please.

>1d10
>Best of three

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>5690731

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>5690731

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>5690731
Light help us make it to the end of this mess in good order

“Tomorrow, as much as I would love to leave as soon as possible, I want to be sure that everything goes well here.” You told Langston. “And besides, then I don’t need to be in such a hurry.”

Langston seemed relieved when he heard that. He probably thought that your presence would have a calming effect and maybe make the assassin think twice if he had thought about doing anything. And that was a solid line of thinking if you were to be honest.

“I don’t want to leave things half-finished.” You continued. “Where is Lord Blackmoore, shouldn’t he be around watching over the guests?”

“He is still sleeping… and I don’t think he will be joining us.” Langston said somewhat sheepishly.

Yes of course, he had drunk himself into a stupor and now couldn’t do absolutely nothing.

You sighed deeply. The guests already saw you as a hero and if Blackmoore wasn’t capable of doing anything. It probably would fall to your shoulders to be the one in charge, or at least to show your face.

“Alright, Langston you continue doing whatever you were doing. We have everything else more or less set up.” You said to him.

“I will send a clerk or two to keep watch of the gate, we will know who is going to leave and when.” Langston said firmly.

“Good, now go and don’t let me keep you here.” You said back.

Langston nodded and walked past you leaving you with your knights and Taretha.

“Where is Sir Gravis?” You asked them. “He didn’t join us in the study?”

“Prince Alric, we don’t exactly know.” Empleton said back. “But if we were to guess…”

“The betrothal…” Joe continued.

“Alright.” You said and had a faint idea what could have happened last night. You might have to tease the man later. “Joe, go find Sir Gravis and have him join us.”

“Will do Prince Alric.” Joe the knight said and left you.

“Empleton, go prepare our horse cart for tomorrow, make sure that everything is where it belongs.” You continued giving the orders. “And Taretha.”

“Yes Alric?” Taretha asked back.

“Can you go and check on Malevus? She should know about our plans and when she is ready, go and pack your belongings for tomorrow.” You said to her. “Take your time and get everything you want to take with you ready.”

“I will, see you later Alric.” Taretha said and smiled at you.

You didn’t allow the butterflies to manifest as you turned towards Thomas, the lone knight who remained and looked at him quite sternly. He realised that he had some really annoying task at hand.

“Thomas, go to the front gate and keep watch over the yard and the guests. I want to know if anyone acts suspiciously.” You told him.

“Understood Prince Alric.” Thomas said back to you and saluted.

With most of your own stuff handled, it was time to just keep watch and wait.

1/2

File: 04_peasant.jpg (66 KB, 544x624)

66 KB JPG

>>5690947

>6

You had talked with the guests and the servants asking questions from them. Mostly thought it had been small talk and making sure that everything was alright.

It felt important for you to show your face to them, even if it was somewhat obscured by your helmet, and it did seem that they appreciated seeing you and for you to seemingly take care of them. Most importantly you got the picture of them wanting to leave Durnholde quickly and that they didn’t feel like they were in danger. Most guests felt like they were safe, but they couldn’t shake away the bad feelings and wanted to go home due to that.

You had walked through the mess hall to grab a quick breakfast and moved through the hallways into the guest wing where most of the guests were still lingering.

“Prince Alric.” Sir Gravis said to you and saluted.

“Good for you to have joined us Sir Gravis.” You said to him as matter of fact as you could. “Now that we are here, it does look like most guests are ready to leave, so keep your eyes open.”

Both Sir Gravis and Joe nodded to you.

Now though, who or what would you seek out?

>Keep overall watch over the guests. Your job is to show your face and talk with them. If you can give them a positive picture of you, the long term positives of that could be tremendously useful.
>Go find the people that you know and talk with them. You presume many of them are people you would like to say goodbye to.
>The guards and clerks know what they are doing and this gives you quite free hands at doing whatever you want. Roam the halls without a goal and see what happens.
>You should make sure that your belongings are all in order and ready for tomorrow. Maybe Blackmoore has managed to get up at that point and you could talk with him.
>Other, write in.

QM: The roll was for the overall situation in Durnholde. Things are holding on.

>>5690948
>>Keep overall watch over the guests. Your job is to show your face and talk with them. If you can give them a positive picture of you, the long term positives of that could be tremendously useful.

>>5690948
Hmm, if we’re serious about the assassin, now would be a good chance to look for alternative escape routes. Although unless we’re also searching the guests as they leave the bastard could simply slip out among those. Oh well.

I guess I’ll go with
>find the people you know.

>>5690471

Anon's answers are really close to the reality. Alric has two very close examples of straying out of the good path with his father and brother. When Alterac decided to ally with the Doomhammer's Horde, the officers didn't dare to speak against the decision.

Alric is very self-conscious regarding that and he doesn't want to repeat the same mistake. And maybe most importantly he doesn't want to disappoint or drive away his friends. Growing up in exile he didn't really have friends, so he wants to keep those he has really close to him.

Also Prince Alric Stats and Social Points has been updated. Includes a Stat update.

>>5690948
>Keep overall watch over the guests. Your job is to show your face and talk with them. If you can give them a positive picture of you, the long term positives of that could be tremendously useful.

>>5690948
>>5691004

Will Lady Jandice be at the gate to detect for any magic or illusions?

>Keep overall watch over the guests. Your job is to show your face and talk with them. If you can give them a positive picture of you, the long term positives of that could be tremendously useful.

I don't want to roam the halls "mystery box" option unless its has backup for options for us.

>>5690976
It would be much wiser if the assassin slipped out after everyone has left and the security levels dropped down to were servants can slip out without care, so after all the big shot guests have left.

Who knows, the guy might escape in a large chest, under a pile of clothes and hay, or under the belly of a cart. Perhaps we need a guard dogs.

>>5691075

She won't be, or at least she isn't at this moment. You haven't seen her and if you were to guess, she was packing her belongings and preparing to leave Durnholde.

No update today. I am way too tired to write anything today. The voting will continue.

Sloppy as hell QM for missing two days in a row. Update is half-way done and after I get another set of rolls, I can finish it tomorrow.


>1d10
>Best of three

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>5693045
Can happen
Time to return to our campaign, after a stop at Dawnholme

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>5693045

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>5693045

>>5693045
Tease Gravis at lunch, some food, a few cups of wine and the rest of our boys.
Blackmoore will probably rise from his bed at dinner time, ready to drink like there is no tommorow. So we should be fine.
His resistance to alcohol will become subject of study one day.

Alright, time to pretend to be the lord of the keep and keep up smiling because you have a lot of hands to shake and small talk to do. While not the most enjoyable of the jobs, the potential long term benefits of giving a good impression to the guests could easily be worth it.

So you went to work and started walking through the Keep one more time greeting the guests and just talking with them. Amongst were guests with whom you had exchanged a word or two during your stay here and you could place them in correct places. Burghers from Southshore, a petty noble from Durnholde, a rich farmer from Hillsbrad Fields and so on.

You also met a couple of somewhat more familiar guests. Commodore Troubridge and Captain Alphonse were preparing to leave as early as possible as they wanted to reach the Alliance Naval Base before it was night. It did sound plausible and you wished them safe travels. Troubridge thanked you for the cooperation during the visit and invited you to visit the Alliance Naval Base at some point. You accepted this courtesy invite and wished that you had the time to come visit at some point.

Commodore Troubridge had become someone you could trust to stay steady and see things as they are and not let pre-existing ideas about you or Alterac to guide him. Maybe this could be a source of further cooperation, but at the same time he was an officer in the Alliance. Captain Reginald’s garrison in Dawnholme had caused plenty of ire within the Alteracis living there and you weren’t sure how well even closer cooperation would be accepted by them. Alliance was still a big boogeyman for many.

…

The hours passed and so did the guests. One by one they had left, leaving Durnholde Keep more and more empty.

You had spoken with Mayor Fowley and Magistrate Burnside who were travelling together and wished both of them well. You knew that next time you would be meeting them at the funeral of Henry Maleb so you could talk more then maybe in a more suitable location.

You had also missed the leaving of Elizabeth Maleb, which did annoy you a bit. You felt like you should have spoken more with her while she was still here.

“Prince Alric.” Lady Jandice greeted you.

“Lady Jandice, you are ready to leave?”

“Yes, my horse cart is waiting for me.”

“Then I can only wish you safe travels.”

“Thank you Prince Alric, and I wish you good luck with your… our issues.”

You nodded to her and knew what she was talking about, the Syndicate wasn’t just an issue to you and the Alliance. No, it was also an issue to the Barovs and to other nobles and power players in the region.

“Yeah…” You sighed. “I think we need more than just luck, but that would be a good start.”

Jandice smiled a bit at your jest.

“Till the next time Prince Alric.”

“Till next time Lady Jandice.”

1/2

>>5693666

>10

It was past midday when you sat down in the mess hall to eat something. The cooks clearly hadn’t bothered to do anything fancy this time and you took cooked chicken, wine and white bread to go with it.

Empleton had joined you and told you that your horse cart was ready for tomorrow and with all of your knights with you, it was a good time to go through the events of last night and today.

And it was probably for the best that nothing had happened. The knights told you that after you had left, the guests had continued feasting and partying with the ones who had stayed, having been quite rowdy without a care for tomorrow. That did explain why some of the servants and guests had looked quite ghastly today.

Speaking of today, everything had gone swimmingly. You hadn’t noticed anything out of place nor had the knights. Langston had briefly updated you with how the process of keeping track of the guests had been going and there had been nothing unusual there. Just a stream of guests leaving that have matched the records of people who had arrived. If the Syndicate assassin had already left, his disguise or alter ego was good enough to get into Durnholde Keep and leave without any issues.

It was a relief and disappointment at the same time.

“Prince Alric.” Malevus greeted you. Your elf squire seemed fresh after a good night of sleep and by looking at her red hair, she had also taken a good bath.

“Malevus, are you feeling better?” You asked her as she sat down with her food.

“I am, thank you for asking. Miss Taretha prepared a bath for me and told me about your plans.” Malevus said to you. “She helped me to pack and then left to pack her own belongings.”

“Good, that sounds good.” You said. “Tomorrow then we can go back home.”

Now though there was still day left


>Tease Sir Gravis and try to learn what happened last night.
>Continue making rounds and go check the front gate. You want to see the ledgers yourself.
>Visit your prisoners and decide how to arrange their transportation.
>Gamble a bit and go see if Blackmoore has managed to wake up from his drunken stupor.
>Other, write in.

QM: All fine in Durnholde

>>5693667
>>Visit your prisoners and decide how to arrange their transportation.
let's make sure there are no further accidents.

>>5693667
>Visit your prisoners and decide how to arrange their transportation.

>>5693667
>>Tease Sir Gravis and try to learn what happened last night.
Its our duty

>>5693667
>>Continue making rounds and go check the front gate. You want to see the ledgers yourself.

>>5693667
>Visit your prisoners and decide how to arrange their transportation.

>>5693667
>>Tease Sir Gravis and try to learn what happened last night.

Checking the prisoners and teasing. Update later, but before it a quick minivote! How much teasing will be involved?


>Slight teasing, no need to dig too deep
>Tease hard, uncover the truth

>>5694517
>Slight teasing, no need to dig too deep
>Ask if he want to talk about it after the joking.

>>5694517
this >>5694525

let's not torment our loyal retainer

>>5694525
>>5694517
support

>>5694517
>>5694525
Support
Jusf footing around

"Well, how did the last night go?" You suddenly asked Sir Gravis.

"It went fine, like we told you nothing happened here." Gravis said back to you.

The knight with his long black hair in his black plate mail seemed to avoid the subject a bit.

"That wasn’t what I meant and you know it." You continued and a slightly sly smile appeared on your face.

Now everyone except Malevus, who had no idea what you were talking about, were looking at Gravis who suddenly became somewhat nervous.

"You know what I am talking about." You said.

Gravis seemed defeated.

"Last night went well and I am not saying anything more. You lot are worse rumourmongers than the servant ladies in here!" Gravis told you and turned towards his knight. "Come on lads, I didn’t think you would backstab me like this."

Empleton, Joe and Thomas turned to look somewhere else as they all snickered due to their bosses reaction.

"If you want, we can talk more later." You said and laughed.

"What are you talking about?" Malevus asked as she really had no idea what was going on.

"Nothing!" You and Gravis answered to her nearly at the same time, causing both of you to laugh. You continued in the midst of the laughter. "My young squire, you will learn about these things when you are older."

You and the knights laughed as Malevus started to pout.

"Unfair… I will let you all know that I am older than any one of you!" Malevus said back adamantly and pointed her finger at you and everyone else.

"It was a joke, no need to get mad." You laughed and collected yourself before standing up. "Alright, we have work to do."

…

You had sent Thomas to fetch the doctor who had saved Pai's life, if he was still in Durnholde Keep, to join you in the dungeon. You wanted to know how easy it would be to move Pai and what was her overall condition.

The dungeon was still in disarray. While the bodies had been moved away, there were still splinters of wood and badly washed away pools of blood. They had then just opted to throw some sand on top of the blood and call it a day.

But most importantly both of your prisoners were fine and alive, though Pai was still unconscious. When the doctor arrived, he told you the news.

Pai was recovering and she was stable. If you had to move her, it could be possible if you had a cart or something else similar. Though there were risks. The doctor couldn't be sure how much moving her could tire her or if her condition would degrade. In a worst case scenario she could catch a cold which could be really bad for her, maybe even lead to death.

You asked him how long it would take for Pai to make a full recovery or when she would be ready to be moved without risks. A couple of weeks for her to first wake up and regain some strength was needed to be sure that she would be fine. After that maybe a couple of months to recuperate fully from her injuries.

1/2

>>5694710

You thanked the doctor and allowed him to leave. So those were your options. Sahvan could walk or be given a ride on the horse cart, but Pai was the issue.

Sooner you would get her to Dawnholme, sooner you would be sure that she would be safer than here in Durnholde. You didn’t feel comfortable leaving her here when you were gone. Compromise could be to have your returning soldiers move her with them in a two weeks or so. Maybe then the worst risks to her health have already passed, but you still felt uneasy leaving her here.

What if the assassin returns while you are gone and kills her? Could you take that risk? Though idea did come to your mind, maybe Malevus could attempt to help her to heal? She after all had successfully managed to close the hole in your chest, maybe she could help Pai in a similar way?


>Pai is coming with you tomorrow. She will travel in the horse cart buried underneath furs to keep her warm.
>Your soldiers that are to return from the Internment Camps will bring her with them in two weeks or so.
>She is staying here in Durnholde for a couple of weeks for her to recover properly. You will then send a squad to go fetch her.
>Other, write in.

>Ask Malevus to attempt to heal Pai as much as she can. This though would tire Malevus out.
>Have Malevus to bless Pai, that might strengthen her while not taxing Malevus too much.
>Let Pai heal naturally. You don't know if asking Light for help could help her to recover any faster.
>Other, write in.

QM: Please vote on both

>>5694715
Hmm... could we arrange with the doctor to fake her death?
Although we'd need someone to shelter her in secret until she's safe to move. Taretha's family maybe, as they will probably take a while to move? Although I don't really want to get them involved with the assassin... the dragon girl? But she's not really our person. Hmm.

>>5694730

Faking her death raises the question, what would you do with the "body"? Try to hide her with no one realising that she is gone? And then what? Pai does need daily care to change bandages and to keep her fed after all.

>>5694715
>Pai is coming with you tomorrow. She will travel in the horse cart buried underneath furs to keep her warm.
>Have Malevus to bless Pai, that might strengthen her while not taxing Malevus too much.

>>5694757
Well she's just an assassin and we're the only one who cares about her right now, with possible exception of the other assassin; I suppose the public wouldn't mind to have heard her condition suddenly deteriorated and she was dumped into an unmarked grave with no ceremony. In fact, perhaps such event could be used to lure out the other assassin if they didn't leave already.
The part of actually caring for her would be the difficult part indeed.

Oh well, I suppose there's not much point in trying to overthink this.

>Your soldiers that are to return from the Internment Camps will bring her with them in two weeks or so.
>Have Malevus to bless Pai, that might strengthen her while not taxing Malevus too much.
Have Malevus use her judgment actually on how she wishes to proceed, she should have best feel on what she feels she has enough conviction to attempt.

>>5694715
>Pai is coming with you tomorrow. She will travel in the horse cart buried underneath furs to keep her warm.
I don't see the risk in bringing her with us if she's stable. It's not like she'll be exerting herself or be exposed to the elements.
>Have Malevus to bless Pai, that might strengthen her while not taxing Malevus too much.
Though leave it to her discretion on the intensity or the method and what not. Like anon said, she's the one in the position to make the best judgement.

>>5694715
>Your soldiers that are to return from the Internment Camps will bring her with them in two weeks or so.
>Let Pai heal naturally. You don't know if asking Light for help could help her to recover any faster.

>>5694715
>>Your soldiers that are to return from the Internment Camps will bring her with them in two weeks or so.
>>Have Malevus to bless Pai, that might strengthen her while not taxing Malevus too much.

You couldn’t risk the health and recovery of Pai if you were to take her with you tomorrow. It felt just too risky even if she had to stay here for two more weeks.

"Malevus, can you please attempt to bless Pai?" You asked your paladin-in-training squire.

"Bless? To strengthen her?" Malevus asked back.

"Yes, can you do that? I thought about asking you to heal her, but I don’t want you to tire immediately." You said to her.

"I can… though I am not as good as Raleigh or Father Hampton…" Malevus said and was somewhat uncertain of herself.

"Don't worry, it will go well." You assured her.

Malevus nodded and you ordered one of the guards to open Pai's cell door and to let Malevus in. As she entered the cell to say her prayers and to bless the assassin, you asked Sahvan’s door to be opened.

"Tomorrow you will come with us, we are leaving back to Dawnholme." You said to the turncoat.

"Tomorrow? So the day is tomorrow." Sahvan said and looked like he was immensely relieved.

"You will exchange this cell into another and I will have you interrogated thoroughly, I want everything you know written down, but you will live." You said and continued. "How you act, how helpful you are, how you decide to live will determine how useful you end up being to me."

As Sahvan was sitting on the ground you walked to him and squatted down to be closer on his level.

"And then maybe we can talk about giving you a slice of freedom. Maybe one day you will become a free man in the service of Alterac." You said and stood up. "But that depends on you."

"I-I understand Prince Perenolde." Sahvan said and bowed as well as he could.

"Good, tomorrow begins a new chapter in your life."

…

You had searched for Langston and found him near the main door to the grand hall. He was in the midst of juggling several scrolls and ledgers.

"Langston, things are busy?" You asked him.

"Very much so, can you hold these for me Prince Alric?" Langston said and handed you the scrolls. He then took one of the ledgers and crossed a couple of marks with a quill he had been holding behind his ear. "There, done."

"Done what?" You asked back as you handed him the scrolls.

"One more ledger of guests and their servants, maids, bodyguards and so on crossed out. Everyone on these ledgers do exist, they are vouched for by multiple people or have enough witnesses that saw them elsewhere when the events happened. And now most of them have already left." Langston told you.

"Already?"

"Yep, most of them were in an awful hurry to do so."

1/3

>>5695532

It did make sense, who would want to stay here after assassination of a Magistrate and the framing of a nobleman through a fire that could have killed us all. Though they did accept a nice party and feast after all this. The way people act does surprise you from time to time.

For a moment you let your poise down. Your time in Durnholde was growing short and you were extremely glad that was the case.

"Then my time here is running short too." You said to Langston.

"We can’t keep you here forever." He said back. "Durnholde will remember your help forever."

Or at least as long as Blackmoore and Langston were in here.

…

You spoke with Langston as he went through the details of the ledgers with you. Nothing seemed amiss or awry. The clerks had done a great job keeping things tidy and in check with everyone listed down.

Looking at the list of guests you noticed that basically everyone you had become acquaintances with had already left. Though one name hadn’t left yet.

"Any luck with Lady Edith?" You asked Langston.

"We did speak in length yesterday, but all the events…" He said to you and was a bit disappointed. He did give a quick glance towards Sir Gravis though that you caught.

"You couldn’t speak in enough length and in detail, I understand." You said back to him.

Langston was going to say you something, but Malevus arriving to you stopped him.

"Prince Alric, Mr. Langston. I have made Pai to be in more ease." Malevus told you while Langston was confused.

"That means she blessed her." You clarified to Langston who now understood what she had said. "I will take Sahvan with me tomorrow, but Pai can’t be transported yet to Dawnholme. She will stay here and leave with my men. Her security and well being in your hands Langston."

You put more emphasis on those last few words and Langston understood what you were saying.

"She will be taken care off and she will leave without your men alive and in one piece. You have my word Prince Alric." Langston said and nodded. "But now I will leave you two, I still have plenty of work to do."

Langston gave you a slight bow and left you standing there with Malevus and the knights.

2/3

>>5695533

It was late afternoon, the day had passed faster than you had expected and the busy Keep had turned silent. You thought about everything you had done or needed to accomplish, which made you truly realise how much had happened in these few days.

Taretha would be coming with you to Dawnholme, you had gain the claim of these lands from Blackmoore, you had learned to know Lady Jandice better and she would be visiting you on a later date, you had dealt with the Syndicate and taken a pair of prisoners, learned that your sister was alive and actually in contact with you, Commodore Troubridge was now your link to the Alliance Navy and maybe a key in acquiring you a navy of your own and all the small personal connections made.

Though few things did remain that you wanted to deal with and you still had time to go through them. You didn’t want to leave things half-finished.


>Go see how Taretha is doing with her packing. Maybe you could lend a hand.
>Blackmoore has most likely woken up and cleared his head partially from his drunken stupor. Go talk with him.
>Speak with Lady Edith Imswit, you want to know if your help had actually helped her to find a husband to Hilde Imswit.
>After all this you have an itch to spar. Supposedly Durnholde has a Sergeant known for his skill with blades.
>None of this is important, retire to your bedroom.
>Other, write in.

>>5695534
>Blackmoore has most likely woken up and cleared his head partially from his drunken stupor. Go talk with him.

>>5695534
>>Blackmoore has most likely woken up and cleared his head partially from his drunken stupor. Go talk with him.
probably better not to neglect him

>>5695534
>>Speak with Lady Edith Imswit, you want to know if your help had actually helped her to find a husband to Hilde Imswit.

>>5695534
>Speak with Lady Edith Imswit, you want to know if your help had actually helped her to find a husband to Hilde Imswit.
Blackmoore can handle himself, I want to find out more about this marriage gossip.

>>5695534
>Blackmoore has most likely woken up and cleared his head partially from his drunken stupor. Go talk with him.
now now we can bully our retainers later.

>>5695534
>Speak with Lady Edith Imswit, you want to know if your help had actually helped her to find a husband to Hilde Imswit.

A 3-3 tie between Alric the Drunkard Wrangler and Alric the Marriage Arranger. I will update later today so could I have a tiebreaker before it?

>>5695534
>>Blackmoore has most likely woken up and cleared his head partially from his drunken stupor. Go talk with him.
Change my previous post to this

>>5695882

You knew you would have to do this sooner than later so you just hoped that Blackmoore was in a condition in which he could receive you.

Going back to the study, you left your knights outside to wait in the hall so when you entered, you only had Malevus with you.

You found the study empty, but soon the door to Blackmoore’s bedroom was opened and Annabel the mistress, or should you say spy, stepped out and closed it behind her.

"Prince Alric." Annabel greeted you with a deep curtsy. "Lord Blackmoore is awake, but tired."

"Thank you, you have been tending him?" You asked her.

"Yes my lord." Annabel said. She kept her appearance as a servant well.

"Alright, you may then leave." You said to her. "And Malevus, you stay here and make sure that we have some privacy."

Annabel gave you another deep curtsy and walked away while Malevus just nodded and acknowledged the order.

The heavy wooden door into Blackmoore’s bedroom opened easily and as you stepped in, you took off your helmet and closed the door behind you.

"Lord Blackmoore. " You greeted the man. He was propped up with plenty of pillows behind his back. The man looked dreadful.

"Prince Alric." He said back. "How is everything?"

"Most of the guests have already left and there is no sign of the assassin." You told him.

Blackmoore brushed his black hair off his face with his hand and pushed himself to sit a bit upright.

"I guess that is it." Blackmoore sighed. "What a bloody awful week."

That was quite an understatement.

"I will be leaving tomorrow morning. The second prisoner, the woman, is still too injured to be moved so she will stay here until my soldiers return from the camps." You told Blackmoore. "I have told Langston and he has things handled."

"Hmmph, I would still execute the two of them, but you do you." Blackmoore said back.

You opted to just give him a slight smile.

"So Prince Alric, was the first night with the now released Taretha sweet like a victory?" Blackmoore asked you and chuckled.

"Oh it was, we spoke freely about our feelings properly for the first time." You told him a partial truth and smiled. Thank the Light you were leaving tomorrow.

"Good, good. Take care of her, she is a good girl." He said and there was maybe a hint of sadness and not wanting to let her go in his voice.

"I will, don't you worry about that." You said back to him.

"Now though I do need to ask, did you find your visit here successful? I did give you the claim and you got your girl, but what else?" Blackmoore asked you and continued. "Even after all this what had happened, I would like to know if you found the trip useful?"

What and how much would you or should you tell him anything?

1/2

File: Blackmoore.png (411 KB, 476x505)

411 KB PNG

>>5696226

"Oh and if there is still anything you need or want, maybe Durnholde can still help you?" Blackmoore continued.

Now this has started to be a bit strange, why would Blackmoore be this helpful towards you? Was he so scared of his position that he wants to make sure that you are content and happy? That you would help him when the time is right?


>Tell him that meeting with all the different people was the most useful thing during this visit. You learned to know them better.
>You learned more about the Syndicate and with the prisoners' help, you might be able to counter them better in the future.
>What Blackmoore gave you were the most useful things you got. Thank him once again.
>Be vague and don't tell him anything noteworthy.
>Other, write in

>Thank Blackmoore for the offer, but you aren't in need of anything and you don't want to rely too much on Durnholde.
>Ask Durnholde for Supplies, you are still in the deficit with them.
>If the offer is still there, you could take the orc prisoner he offered. He could be a very useful training opponent for your soldiers.
>Other, write in.

QM: Please vote on both

>>5696227
>What Blackmoore gave you were the most useful things you got. Thank him once again.
>Ask Durnholde for Supplies, you are still in the deficit with them.

>>5696227

>Well it was a good opportunity to resolve some of our issues and he has been a gracious host.
it may not be too good idea to bring up that we're bringing the two prisoners with us, but if it comes up we could also express our hope that their knowledge will bring us closer to dismantling the syndicate and masterminds behind it.

As for what to ask of Blackmoore... I don't particularly want to milk him to get ourselves indebted to him.
Even though the plot hook orc is extremely tempting, it's also a disaster waiting to happen.
So I'd ask for nothing, maybe except if there's a trade opportunity, perhaps also holding one of those trade faires in nearby village?

>>5696227
>>What Blackmoore gave you were the most useful things you got. Thank him once again.
>>If the offer is still there, you could take the orc prisoner he offered. He could be a very useful training opponent for your soldiers.

I actually would like for Alric to learn a bit of shamanism, it would be pretty cool to gain the favour of the land of Alterac itself
Weather control aside, it could also help distinguish Alterac more and could open up to more diplomatic opportunities towards other more shamanistic oriented cultures(not just orcs/trolls but some dwarves etc.)

>>5696227
>>What Blackmoore gave you were the most useful things you got. Thank him once again.
>>Ask Durnholde for Supplies, you are still in the deficit with them.

>>5696227
>Tell him that meeting with all the different people was the most useful thing during this visit. You learned to know them better.
>Thank Blackmoore for the offer, but you aren't in need of anything and you don't want to rely too much on Durnholde.

"You have been a gracious host to us and good towards me. That goes a long way with what you have given to me." You told him. "Even if the unfortunate events do drag all of this down, and it does it a lot, not everything was awful."

Blackmoore nodded and continued to listen.

"And what Durnholde can do for Alterac is to continue being a solid partner with whom we can cooperate. There are things we are lacking, like some food stuffs and especially arms and armour for the men, so that is something we could discuss about."

Blackmoore listened carefully as you explained the situation with your supplies. Things like salted fish and smoked meat were something you were constantly lacking as were other perishables your soldiers were using. And then as the footmen marched around and archers practised with their bows, boots and shoes required constant attention, not forgetting the dozens if not hundreds of splintered or lost arrows.

Even things like fresh tunics or buttons for them were something you required more and more. Thankfully you had enough in storage to last a while, but those stocks wouldn't last forever.

Blackmoore as a distinguished soldier and commander understood these issues as he nodded along, these were issues he had been dealing with for years.

"I can send my trader, Beric of Strahnbrad, to visit Durnholde. He has been handling a lot of the acquisition of our supplies and he could see what Durnholde could provide us." You told Blackmoore and continued. "And besides he could take a stock of other trade goods produced here, maybe we could arrange a market fair here as well."

"Market fair? You are speaking draconic to me now." Blackmoore said to you.

"Ahh yes I should explain that to you then, Tarren Mill and us have a deal. Their traders visit Dawnholme and ours visit Tarren Mill. Because not every peasant can travel to Tarren Mill to see what is available for barter, this way the products and traders come to the peasants." You explained to him.

"Hmmph, I will leave that to the… Beric and for Langston to handle." Blackmoore said and started to look visibly tired.

"Thank you Lord Blackmoore, I will make sure that Beric knows about what we had just spoken." You said to him. "And I will make my leave, if we don't have a chance to talk tomorrow, I want to thank you for your hospitality once again."

Blackmoore nodded as a response.

"While things didn't go as planned, it was good that at least something was achieved." He said to you. "But now go, I need to rest."

You gave him a very slight bow before leaving his bedroom.

1/2

>>5696658

You had retired into your bedroom even though it wasn't that late yet. Several days of being up early and chasing assassins had taken a toil on you and now you only wanted to go back home where you could rest.

Though the idea was quite funny to you. You had come here to rest, but alas that wasn't to happen.

Having stripped off your armour, but still wearing the black arming jacket and trousers, you stepped into the study. Malevus and your knights were lounging around in silence as Blackmoore had fallen asleep by the sound of him snoring loudly. The noise penetrated through the heavy wooden door.

Malevus gave you a curious look as you observed the scene. It wasn't that late yet, maybe you could do something? Maybe something not so official? Idea did come to your mind, you did have the robe, maybe you could do some snooping around? Or was this just your mind being tired and getting strange ideas?


>Take the robe and search Blackmoore’s stash. He should have his stash in the unused tower.
>Take the robe and enter Blackmoore’s spacious bedroom. Maybe you could find his diary or some important paperwork.
>Langston's office has plenty of paperwork and scrolls, go see what he has been working on.
>Skulk and snoop around the Durnholde Keep unseen and unheard. Keep your ears and eyes open. Listen for rumours and see what the servants are up to.
>Go talk to Lady Edith, you still haven't done that.
>Other, write in.

>>5696659
>Go talk to Lady Edith, you still haven't done that.

>>5696659
Well, outright digging through Blackmoore and Langston's stuff is probably not a good idea.
But if we're feeling the urge, taking the robe and having a stroll around the castle, not necessarily for express purpose of intruding on someone in particular but if we chance upon something, why not? A mystery box, if you will.

However, the downside is that we'd be without bodyguard.

>>5696659
>Go talk to Lady Edith, you still haven't done that.

>>5696659
>>Skulk and snoop around the Durnholde Keep unseen and unheard. Keep your ears and eyes open. Listen for rumours and see what the servants are up to.
I'd assume we wear the robe while doing so

>>5696771

Of course! Forgot to mention that.

>>5696659
Could we skulk an snoop on our way to Lady Edith? If not, then just:
>Go talk to Lady Edith, you still haven't done that.

>>5696659
>>Go talk to Lady Edith, you still haven't done that.

Little bit of snooping and skulking before finding Lady Edith. Can I have a roll for snooping around.


>1d10
>Best of three

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>5697404

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>5697404
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3roQbeRyme4

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>5697404

"Sir Gravis, you and the knights can leave. Go pack your stuff and be ready to leave early next morning." You told them.

"You don't need a bodyguard?" He asked back.

"I think the danger has passed."

"Then let's go men, it is good to get out of this place." Sir Gravis answered as he and the knights all stood up and prepared to leave.

"And Malevus?"

"Yes Prince Alric?"

"Go check Taretha and then do the same, I want to be able to leave as soon as possible."

"Understood Prince Alric."

You watched as your knights and the squire left the study one by one and when only Blackmoore’s snoring accompanied you, you went into your bedroom and pulled the Robe of Obfuscation on you. You had a hunch that your belongings would all be safe, so you opted to just lock the door. They didn't need a guard standing around in the study.

With the robe on, you too left the study and headed out.

…

>9


It felt strange to walk past servants and guards without them noticing you at all. Whenever their eyes tried to look at your direction, they without realising it turned their gaze away.

You wanted to go and talk with Lady Edith, but first you wanted to snoop around a bit. What were the servants doing now? So you headed towards the wing where their rooms were.

You found that they were eating supper when you entered their wing of the Keep as a dozen or so servants and clerks sat around a large table. Not a single one of them noticed you walk through an open door as you took a position against a wall and listened to what they were saying.

And boy did they have a lot to talk and complain about.

They complained about the amount of work they had done. What guest had most belongings and stuff to carry. Who had been completely wasted last night and so on. To your ears nothing was really noticeable or useful to you. Just some servants and clerks bantering about.

And then someone you were really familiar with stepped into the room.

"Hello everyone." Taretha said to the servants.

"Hello Taretha, we heard that you are leaving tomorrow?" One of them asked back.

"Yeah… I am." Taretha said somewhat nervously and brushed her hair with her hand. "Ma and Pa are going to follow in a couple of weeks."

"Didn’t expect to see this day." Another servant said. "Aedelas was very fond of you, very unlike him to just hand you over."

"He has a new woman." Someone else replied with a scoff. "A proper gold digger she is."

This surprised you a bit. The servants were surprisingly direct in what they were saying.

"Going with Prince Perenolde, I guess you could have found a worse man." Man who looked like your typical clerk said.

"He did save us from the fire." A maid said back. "And I think he is quite handsome."

That stopped the servants from bantering for a second as everyone, you and Taretha included, watched the maid.

"What? I like young handsome men with black hair." The maid said and shrugged.

1/2

>>5697590

"You like him because he is a prince and because of the rumours." The clerk said back.

"Yeah so what, that doesn't discount that he is a handsome guy." The maid said back.

You started to have difficulties at not laughing at this scene. Taretha had become a complete non-entity for them, instead they talked about how handsome you were.

"I just came here to say goodbye and thank you for all these years." Taretha said and interrupted the bickering about your looks. "I don't know if we will ever see each other again so I am making rounds and trying to catch up with everyone..."

You smiled beneath your hood as you walked out of the room. You didn’t need to witness the goodbyes, it could have been maybe a bit too difficult for you to just keep watching as Taretha was clearly very emotional. She was leaving her former life behind her and stepping into a new one starting tomorrow.

She would be fine, you were sure about that.

…

Making your way through the Keep, you pushed the hood off your head and opened the robe. Whoever you now passed saw and recognised you as the robe wouldn't obfuscate you anymore.

They also probably let you pass uninterrupted as you were wearing all black.

And when you reached the right door, you knocked on it and waited for a couple of seconds.

"Prince Alric." Lady Edith greeted you as she opened the door to her room. "Come in, come in."

"Sorry for such a late visit, but I wanted to see you before I leave tomorrow morning." You said to the noblewoman and stepped into her room. "Good evening Hilde."

"Good evening Prince Alric." Hilde Imswit greeted you and did a deep curtsy.

"Wine?" Edith asked you.

"I could have a cup."

"Prince Alric, you came to talk about the betrothal?"

"Yeah, I guess everything that happened threw any plans you had off."

You took the cup that was offered to you by Edith and took a seat on a chair that was free. Edith did the same and sat down by a table while Hilde sat on the bed.

"It did, but I think we managed to meet two good husband candidates for Hilde, didn't we?" Edith said and watched as Hilde nodded. "Now Hilde, go to the kitchen and fetch us something light to eat as a snack. And please don't be in a hurry."

"Goodbye Prince Alric." Hilde said and did a quick curtsy before leaving the room.

"She is obedient." You mentioned.

"She is and it is better this way to not have Hilde around, but now that we are alone, was there something you wanted to ask?" Edith asked and sipped her wine.


>Is Lady Edith sure that she has found a good husband to Hilde at all?
>Has she made the decision? Sir Gravis or Karramyn Langston?
>What happened between her and Sir Gravis? You would like to know about that adventure of theirs.
>After a day, what does she think about everything that has happened?
>Other, write in.

>>5697591
>What happened between her and Sir Gravis? You would like to know about that adventure of theirs.
Spill the tea woman.
>Has she made the decision? Sir Gravis or Karramyn Langston?
She can refuse to answer if she wants to, getting ammo to tease our subordinates with is more important.

>>5697591
>Ask if things are proceeding to her satisfaction
If she wants to tell us more, she will. I don't really want to pressure her, or if so, only to the effect of making a choice that she or Hilde won't end up regretting

>>5697591
>>What happened between her and Sir Gravis? You would like to know about that adventure of theirs.

>>5697591
>After a day, what does she think about everything that has happened?
>Is Lady Edith sure that she has found a good husband to Hilde at all?

>>5697591
>>What happened between her and Sir Gravis? You would like to know about that adventure of theirs.

"So, what happened between you and Sir Gravis?" You asked her nonchalantly.

She clearly had expected something else to be asked as colour appeared on Edith's cheeks. She immediately looked down and covered her face with her hands.

"Where did you hear about that?" She asked carefully.

"The knights, they put things together and Sir Gravis didn't exactly deny it either." You told her.

Edith had to take a couple deep breaths as she collected herself.

"You must not tell anyone. If I get pregnant, the child is supposed to be my future husband's." Edith said to you.

Ahh yes the loyal man-at-arms who had problems with women.

"People will be suspicious… you know a sodomite and all." You said to her.

"That is the risk I am willing to take for my house." Edith said and downed her wine before pouring the cup full again.

"So Sir Gravis agreed." You said to her.

"Yes, he couldn't resist my beauty." Edith said and laughed. "This old woman still has some tricks and he wasn’t half bad either, a young strong man with a firm hold."

Having said that, she couldn’t believe that she had actually said that and the embarrassment returned. You had learned what you wanted to learn and chose to change the subject a bit.

"But for Hilde, did everything go as planned?" You asked her.

"No, just too little time to make the decision. We will have to visit Durnholde on a later date." Edith said and sighed.

"Come visit Dawnholme… maybe take some of the other nobles with you and call it a diplomatic visit?" You said and thought about it a bit more. "I don't think a closer cooperation between Alterac and Durnholde would hurt you."

"That sounds like a splendid idea, two birds with one stone." She replied. "But only after this blasted winter has ended."

You agreed with that sentiment, you had already gotten enough of this winter.

"Then it is agreed, you will come visit Dawnholme when the spring arrives." You said back to her.

"That's a deal." Edith said and smiled.

…

You continued talking with her for a moment before you decided to excuse yourself. While Lady Edith Imswit hadn't managed to find a husband to the young Hilde, she had managed to find two potential candidates and she had managed to partially solve the issues her house was facing.

Though that had required her to first ask you to put a child in her and when that hadn't worked, she had seduced Sir Gravis who hadn't been that much against the idea.

You would have to tease and poke him a bit more on a later date.

A firm hold?

You laughed your way back to the study and the bedroom where you found Tari already waiting.

"Did you finish packing?" You asked her as you took off the robe and neatly folded it.

"I did, Malevus did help me a lot. Everything that I need is now packed, rest my Pa and Ma will bring with them." Tari said as she lazily sat on the bed.

1/2

>>5698354

"I still need to finish packing." You said and wondered where to put the robe?

"Need help?"

"Yeah sure, hold this for a moment."

Having passed the robe to Taretha, you started to make room for it in the travel chest of yours.

"So last night in Durnholde for you." You suddenly said to her.

"Yeah…" Tari replied and by the tone of her voice, she was slightly sad. "Strange, I thought that I would live and die in this place, but fate clearly had other plans for me."

Tari passed you the robe and you carefully placed it into the chest.

"There, just a few more things to pack and then we are finished." You said and turned your attention to the wardrobe which had some of your clothes. "Can you fold these?"

"Sure!" Tari said and smiled.

As you passed your clothes to her, she started to fold them one by one. Braies, shirts and socks were soon all in neat piles on the bed.

"I think I can get used to this." Tari said and laughed. "You have just one type of shirt and braies, this is easy!"

"Yeah and a few identical sets of trousers and leather jackets too." You said back to her and chuckled.

Tari seemed relieved, but at the same time the certain sadness and emotions she had shown when she went to say goodbye to her now former co-workers were still there.

"Alric, are you thinking about something? You just keep staring at me." Tari said and continued with a jest. "Are my looks that mesmerising?"


>Tell her that you went snooping around wearing the robe and you saw her saying goodbye to her co-workers.
>Ask her why she is so sad?
>Ask her if she has any good memories about life in Durnholde. It can’t all be bad.
>Yes, her looks are just that mesmerising. Joke around with her and get her to laugh.
>Other, write in.

>>5698355
>Ask her if she has any good memories about life in Durnholde. It can’t all be bad.

>>5698355
>>Ask her if she has any good memories about life in Durnholde. It can’t all be bad.

>>5698355
>Ask her why she is so sad?
>Ask her if she has any good memories about life in Durnholde. It can’t all be bad.
"No, that's not it, I just noticed a sad look on your face is all. Reminiscing on some good memories?"

>>5698355
>Ask her if she has any good memories about life in Durnholde. It can’t all be bad.

"No, that's not it, I just noticed a sad look on your face." You said to her. "You are thinking of leaving Durnholde, aren't you?"

"Yeah…" Tari said and sat down on the bed.

"If you are sad, then not everything has been bad in here." You said and sat down next to her.

"No, it hasn't been. I liked my co-workers, even if they were sometimes insufferable. They saw me as privileged, because I were Blackmoore’s woman." Tari said and turned her head towards you. "Yet they still helped me whenever I needed help."

"They sound like good people."

"They are… I just thought that I would never leave Durnholde. I grew up here, I thought I would marry another servant or a peasant, have like five kids and never move out of Durnholde."

"But things didn't exactly go as you had thought."

"No, and now I am glad that things didn't go as I had thought they would… even if that meant years of being with Blackmoore. That is in the past now, tomorrow starts the future."

Tari smiled at you and you were forced to fight against the butterflies inside you.

"Smart words, tomorrow starts the future… You know what tomorrow also is?" You asked her.

"Is that a trick question?" Tari asked back.

"Tomorrow is going to be a long day so we better finish packing and go to sleep early." You said and chuckled.

"Oh right." Tari chuckled as well. "Then let's stop sitting here and get your stuff sorted out."

This energetic Tari was so much more fun to see than the sad and very troubled one. It warmed your heart that you had been capable of helping her.

…

It was very early in the morning as you stood in the snowy courtyard and watched as Thomas and Empleton were guiding Sahvan to the sleigh. Leg irons and shackles kept the assassin tied up and the knights were forced to lift the man up to the back of the sleigh.

"Alright Joe, I told you that you could travel back home in the sleigh so the prisoner is your responsibility." You said to your knight.

"Yes, Prince Alric." Joe the knight said and saluted you.

Everything was ready for the most part. Your belongings were in the sleigh as was Taretha's bag. Sahvan sat in the midst of them as Joe threw extra blankets on him to keep him warm.

"Is everyone ready?" You said with a raised voice as you took Epona's reins and gave a final look around.

Your knights were all mounted, except Joe who was with Sahvan in the sleigh. Malevus and Taretha sat in the front covered in furs, though Taretha was already wearing a quite expensive looking jacket made out of furs, maybe it was a gift from Blackmoore?

"Prince Alric, good that you hadn't left yet." Langston came running to the yard.

"Has something happened?" You asked and were immediately concerned.

"No, no. I just nearly missed you leaving." Langston said and extended his hand for you to shake. "Goodbye Prince Alric, I wish that next time your visit goes better and we don't have to deal with any of this."

1/2

>>5699130

"I hope so too, but knowing my luck something awful will end up happening. A dragon attacks or gnolls invade or something." You said as you shook his hand and laughed.

"Don't go hexing the future!" Langston laughed back and let go of you. "Now go, it is a long ride to Alterac."

"See you next time." You said back and mounted your horse. Thankfully you had taken Epona with you just in case. "Alright men, let's go back home."

…

The snowstorm of the past few days had transformed Durnholde into something you couldn't recognise. The now familiar route was nearly unrecognisable and if the trail through the snow wasn't where the road should be, you would have difficulties in just riding to the right direction.

But the existing trail didn't help that much and it was painfully slow to move forward. The horses struggled somewhat in the snow and even the sleigh had difficulties moving through it.

Though near unrecognisable, the snow had turned everything into pure white beauty. Trees and farmsteads were covered in snow, all the fields looked like they were untouched. Only faint trails of smoke rose from the many farms as the peasants tried to stay warm inside their small homes.

After a short pause to eat a light cold meal of smoked fish during the midday, you continued your journey until the sun started to dip behind the hills and forests.

"There's the bridge. We aren't that far away from Hillsbrad." Sir Gravis said and pointed at the bridge over Darrowmere River. You saw his breath in the cold air and understood that it was getting colder.

The knights were doing fine as were the womenfolk, but you weren't as sure about your horses.

"It is going to get dark soon." You said back to him. "And while we are on schedule, we do need to find a place to sleep and have shelter for our horses."

"There is an old inn on this side of the river, but we could either push over the bridge and camp there or go further and ask for a room in one of the farms nearby." Sir Gravis told you.

All three were solid options. The inn did sound like the most cosiest option, but apparently it wasn't exactly by the road and not often used by travellers. Crossing the bridge and camping on the other side could work as well, there should be a clearing used by traders and you did have your tents with you. Or you could try to cover as much distance today and find shelter in one of the farms nearby.


>The inn, it is somewhat off the road, but it should be warm there.
>Camp in the clearing, you do have your tents.
>Push forward and find a farm when it starts to be too dark.
>Other, write in.

>>5699131
>The inn, it is somewhat off the road, but it should be warm there.

>>5699131
>>The inn, it is somewhat off the road, but it should be warm there.
random encounter?

>>5699131
>The inn, it is somewhat off the road, but it should be warm there.

>>5699131
>>The inn, it is somewhat off the road, but it should be warm there.

>>5699131
>>The inn, it is somewhat off the road, but it should be warm there.

>>5699131
>>The inn, it is somewhat off the road, but it should be warm there.

Random encounter


>1d10
>Best of three, taking the second roll

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>5699559

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>5699559
well if it's the assassin we better not meet him his blade first

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>5699559

File: Peasant.jpg (23 KB, 300x300)

23 KB JPG

>>5699577

Uh oh!

The update comes later today.

>>5699577
anveena teague, I say
let our luck with blonde women continue

"We should head for the inn. We are fine, but I am thinking about our horses." You said back to Sir Gravis. "What do you know about the inn?"

"There's a nearby Internment Camp, guards often visit the place and sometimes patrols do as well." Sir Gravis said back to you and continued. "It's not that far from the road."

"Good, then lead the way." You said back and let Gravis take the lead.

…

>10
>10

A small inn stood in a forest clearing with a set of barns and other storage houses around it. When you rode into the yard, only a faint light shone through a boarded window.

"It looks worse from the outside than it actually is." Gravis said to you as he dismounted.

And he was right, when you stepped in you found yourself to have entered a quite cosy little in. There was an older man behind the counter and a couple of soldiers sat around one table. They gave you curious looks until you noticed something familiar about them.

The Alteraci Falcon pin distributed to your soldiers.

They were the soldiers sent to help Durnholde guard the Camps.

You let Sir Gravis to organise and get the knights, horses and Sahvan inside and into cover from the cold, while Taretha booked the rooms for all of you. You meanwhile went to talk with their soldiers.

They hadn’t yet learned the news that they have been recalled so they learned it directly from you. And they were really glad for it. While the living here in Durnholde had been easy for the past year or so, they hadn't seen any action and had grown mostly bored.

Sure they had continued training and keeping their skills sharp, but they felt like they had missed plenty of honour and spoils by staying here and not being part of your campaigning. You said to them with a jest that come spring they would get their chance for honour and spoils.

You continued talking with them and learned that they had extensively been training with tools used to capture and handle orcs. Nets that wrap around their targets or suddenly weigh like a ton, long spiked prods and ways to take down a rampaging orc. And while they hadn’t gotten a chance to test any of these new skills out, they apparently had performed well during the training.

And when they returned back to Alterac and Dawnholme, they could slowly start spreading what they had learned to the rest of the soldiers.


Gained:
>Orc Hunters, men deployed to Durnholde have learned how to capture escaped orcs.

…

"Prince Alric, we have a small problem." Taretha came and interrupted your talking session with the soldiers. She opted to be way more formal than normally, after all she was supposed to be your servant now.

"Excuse me, I am needed elsewhere." You told them and stood up before you and Taretha walked away from them. And when you were earshot away from them, you continued. "What is it Tari?"

1/2

>>5699827

"We got the sleigh and the horses in the barn, but this place doesn't have enough rooms for all of us." Tari told you and continued. "The knights will sleep in here with the prisoner, but there is only one room for the rest of us."

"Does the innkeeper recognise me?" You asked her.

"Yes, the only private room he has to offer is his own. And he would want you to have it. He insisted."

"To be able to say that a Prince slept in his bed, of course."

"It is fine, you can take it Alric, we can easily sleep here on the benches with Lady Malevus."

"What about the rumours?" You asked her with a half-whisper.

"What do you… oh yes… we have to keep the act up, don't we?" Tari said and rubbed her chin. "Do we? Or should you just take the room and make the innkeeper happy?"


>Take the room as Tari and the innkeeper wants. Make everyone happy.
>Let Tari and Malevus sleep in the room, it gives them some privacy and would be what a Prince with honour would do.
>Sleep in the room with Tari, you have to keep the rumours alive to keep what Blackmoore believes has happened alive.
>Let one of the knights sleep in the room. Don't give the innkeeper the honour of you using the room.
>Other, write in.

QM: The rolls were to see how good shape the inn was in and who you could meet. Sadly some quite spicy options were now missed.

>>5699736
Sadly she doesn't exist at the moment.

>>5699832
>Let Tari and Malevus sleep in the room, it gives them some privacy and would be what a Prince with honour would do.

>>5699832
>Let Tari and Malevus sleep in the room, it gives them some privacy and would be what a Prince with honour would do.

>>5699832
Can't we all sleep in the same room? They get the bed and we sleep on our bedroll.

>>5699832
>Let Tari and Malevus sleep in the room, it gives them some privacy and would be what a Prince with honour would do.

>Sadly she doesn't exist at the moment.
shame

>>5699832
>>Let Tari and Malevus sleep in the room, it gives them some privacy and would be what a Prince with honour would do.
I suppose

Although this idea could work too >>5699851
even though then it wouldn't surprise me if at some future point the inn was renamed to "the wild prince" or "sire's respite" and future historians would sell this place as point of origin of two dynasties, one for alterac, other for silvermoon.

"You and Malevus can sleep in the room, I can easily sleep on a bench." You said back and shrugged. "And besides, isn’t that what a chivalrous Prince would do?"

"It would, but you should still have the room." Tari insisted.

"No, it is better this way. I can't have the womenfolk sleep in the common room on the benches, can I?" You said back to her.

"You could take a bedroll and sleep on the floor in the room?" Tari suggested back to you.

"And have the inn renamed 'The Wild Prince' or 'The Sire's Respite' in a couple of years." You said and tried to stifle your laughter. "The rumours are already running rampant, I don’t want to have them be even wilder."

"That is a good point." Tari said and laughed. "Alright, we will sleep in the room and you get to play the chivalrous Prince."

"Sounds like a plan." You said and laughed.

…

The innkeeper was disappointed, but your act of explaining to him about the importance of being chivalrous and putting the needs of the ladies ahead of your own was maybe a bit too convincing as the innkeeper started to treat Malevus and Tari like proper ladies.

This did amuse Tari a lot, but it only made Malevus to grumble a bit as this was exactly what she wanted to avoid when she left Quel’Thalas. Though with a bit of encouragement from Tari, even she relented a bit and let the innkeeper humble himself to keep him happy.

No one else had arrived at the inn, it was just your men, the soldiers and the innkeeper. The wind had picked up outside and the innkeeper served everyone a cup of hot mulled wine.

"More wine milord?" The innkeeper asked you.

"I wouldn’t mind a cup or two, it feels great to be able to leave Durnholde." Gravis said to you. "My Lord, that is if you allow it of course."

"We could celebrate Taretha joining us, couldn’t we?" To everyone's surprise it was Malevus who suggested that while sipping her mulled wine. "First day for her outside Durnholde."

"That is a splendid idea." Gravis said and seemed enthusiastic about the idea as were the knights.

"Oh no no no, I don't need a celebration or anything." Taretha said and was slightly embarrassed about the attention she was getting.

"Prince Alric, what do you think?" Malevus asked you.

It wasn't a bad idea at all. Tari for all purposes was still an outsider with only you and Malevus really knowing her. And while it were just the knights who were with you, you imagined Tari would like to feel appreciated and included amongst the larger group that were your friends and closest allies.

And it wouldn’t hurt to loosen up a little after a couple of quite stressful days.

1/1

>>5699937


>Sure, you can celebrate Taretha's first day away from Durnholde. That does sound like a fun idea.
>You can raise a toast and maybe drink one more cup of wine, but no more. You have plenty of riding remaining tomorrow.
>Be a buzzkill, there is time for celebration, but that should wait till you get back home to Dawnholme.
>Other, write in

If you choose to celebrate:
>Have fun, riding while hungover is very doable.
>Drink in moderation.
>Just drink a little.

>>5699939
>You can raise a toast and maybe drink one more cup of wine, but no more. You have plenty of riding remaining tomorrow.
We can have a proper party back home

>>5699939
Like >>5699947 said, if we're gonna party then it's gotta be at home.
>You can raise a toast and maybe drink one more cup of wine, but no more. You have plenty of riding remaining tomorrow.