Alden rose before dawn in a make-shift bed of old fishing nets. He worked out with the sword until the sun shown through the slats in the walls of his garage and got a luke-warm shower in the offices above. The scarring from his recent headwound had all but vanished but he could still feel the wound when he wrinkled his nose and wondered if it would ever truly be forgotten.
Alden walked into the Hub to Hildi's townhouse to find poor maid Ava crying into her needlework. Without her mistress to serve Ava was struggling with an abundance of free time to worry about Hildi's fate and her own eventual problems if her employer didn't return. Alden reassured Ava that Hildi would be returned and created a long list of tasks that Ava to focus on. The first task on the list was for Hildi to mail a letter Alden wrote to Emily to inquire hoe she was faring in Elibyrge.
Brother Godfrey was woken by a knock at his door to alert him that morning vespers were beginning. He put himself together quickly and joined his brethren for sunrise prayers. Later he grabbed a humble breakfast and retreated to his cell to contemplate the very sleek high-tech think machine he had recovered from the same ruins where he was injected with the nano machines. He reasons that it was clear that any answer about what has afflicted him would have to come from a better understanding of the technology.
Godfrey dropped into Deacon Bryant's office to double-check that he wasn't responsible for any Lux Splendor activities that nobody had told him of. Bryant shook her head with a dispassionate smirk "No, we do Lux every year, we don't really need a catechist to hang decorations and pick songs for the mass. I'm sure they'll think of something they need last second but chances are initiates can sweep that up easily enough.. How goes the tournament?" Godfrey updated his Deacon on the status of plans and his favorable meeting with the Tournament Council. Godfrey had hoped to meet with the Priest Externus to have a similar discussion but Bryant informed him that Father Beneton was away from the cathedral doing outreach work.
Brother Godfrey returned to the cathedral to do some quick research in it's humble library, looking for any information on high tech or think machine use but the books were spartan at best on the topic. As he was reading an initiate walked into the library searching around then he pointed out Godfrey to a kindly white-haired man dressed in furs and strange livery "The Cannon is over there sir..". Brother Godfrey wasn't expecting a visitor and had had poor luck with surprises in the last few weeks so he was guarded as the old man approached him with a smile. The modest old nobleman bowed respectfully and introduced himself "My name is Benito Levasque Torenson.." extending a calling card to the priest "I'm to understand you're looking for my services." Brother Godfrey looked at the card, feeling less threatened but no less confused "I was?" The kindly old noble smiled "Forgive me, I had assumed that Engineers contacted you to let you know I was on my way hoping to arrange an informal meeting. I am the tutor you inquired about." Godfrey's eyes open wide in recognition "Oh, I was told you were down the coast this time of year.." Benito shook his hand and gestured in humorous disdane "Oh no, the weather is horrible in the South in winter.. I had actually planned to take some time off but I'd be happy to make myself available to you if you still need instruction. Godfrey did have the Scraver's lined up for classes but he found the old Noble's demeanor more reassuring "I'd love to, how do we begin?" Benito tactfully brought up his modest charge for tutoring and scheduled a short class with Godfrey in two days time.
Later Godfrey was wandering the Cathedral yard when his brother squawked him and advised him that it was high time that they deal with the mess in Sekbridge. Godfrey agreed but after a short conversation the reality of the length of the road trip made them postpone until the following day. They agreed that they would take off early the following morning. While returning to his cell to pack Godfrey noted that there was no sign of the inquisition guards or retinue that had been ever-present at the Cathedral the last few weeks. He stopped at the Bishop's residence only to be told by initiates cleaning her hall that the Inquisitor had departed the previous night without word of his destination.
Alden had had Ava pack a basket of sandwiches and drinks and both brothers packed and met at the side-gates of the Cathedral before dawn to take a long drive into the country. Their first stop was at Uzilo's to see if they could convince their Hironem companion to join them. Uzilo wanted to go and was concerned about their safety going into a Decados fief but he was working on a batch of enamel and couldn't set it asside for several hours. Alden was impressed with the breadth of Uzilo's work and offered on the spot to invest in his laboratory if it would make a difference for his business, however Alden was shocked to find out how expensive alchemy tools were and had to rescind his offer until he had more Firebirds to throw around. Next they stopped at the patrol gates at the edge of the city where Decados Militia were napping in the morning sun. When Alden advised them that he was going to Sekbridge on knight's business they toll gate guard advised him that Sekbridge had been sealed by the Inquisition and nobody was permitted in or out, but the guard wasn't terribly interested in trying to stop them, they lifted the toll gate and let the brothers go on with their business. They continued barreling down the valley highway passing merchant trucks and farmer's carts.
The brothers arrived in Stone Harbor in Sekbridge in the late afternoon. The tiny roadside town where their cousin's autowagon had been left seemed busy enough despite Inquisitional interdiction and more concerning the road into the fief was guarded by Sekbridge's soldiers rather than the inquisition. The pair walked around the small town looking for Hildi's autowagon but found the only vehicle without VanGelder livery was a truck delivering mead from Sarsbourg.
They stopped off at the militia barracks to find Decados soldiers playing dice and talking about the outrageous proportions of an unnamed woman. The town guards were not helpful. They told Alden that they hadn't heard anything about an abandoned autowagon, that travel further into the fief was restricted without permit from the lady of Sekbridge, and that they had heard nothing about the inquisition sealing Sekbridge. When pressed to speak to someone in charge the militia men told the brothers that the Sergeant was in a meeting in-fief and he wouldn't be available until later but they didn't know when later would be. When asked about the village head-man they told Alden that Stone Harbor doesn't currently have a head-man and they should talk to the bartender if they have questions not related to enforcement of the law.
Alden didn't think it would be smart politics to set foot in a Decados fief so he waited in the autowagon while Brother Godfrey walked to the little nameless pub that served Stone Harbor. It was a dark and cramped drinking room that advertised rooms on their door. The patrons drank in grim quiet, focused on the cheap beers cradled in their hands. The bartender greeted him in a tone that seemed intent on making him feel unwelcome. The bartender had heard about an abandoned autowagon out by the roadside shrine but he didn't know what happened to it. He suggested Brother Godfrey talk to the town militia. While he was questioning the bartender a powerfully built woman in plate mail armor pushed into the bar and announced that she was looking for a Van Gelder man and woman who's autowagon had been found nearby. She circulated the bar showing sketches of Hildi and Lord Ozmund Van Gelder to patrons who wanted nothing to do with her VanGelder dramas. Brother Godfrey recognized the face in the sketch instantly and alerted the woman that she was showing pictures of his cousin and her boyfriend. The two talked briefly near the bar and she introduced herself as Lady Willimena Sanderson VanGelder, Hildi's sister-in-law. Willimena explained that she was in the valley for the winter season and she had heard some foul play had befallen her sister and she intended to get answers. Godfrey suggested that they might ask around the way temple where the autowagon was supposedly found.
Godfrey returned to Alden's autowagon with the lady knight in tow and she instantly gaped to find that Alden was a member of the Order of the Blue glove. Alden had never actually met someone who held his order in esteem and he gladhanded and chatted up the starstruck young knight, modestly alluding to his role in the order and catching up on the news from the pub. Alden decided that he didn't like what happened to unattended autowagons in this town so he'd remain and watch the town while Godfrey and Willimena investigate the temple. Willimena insisted that Alden could call her "Willie".
Brother Godfrey and Willie walked the half-mile up the road to an old Orthodox way shrine set into a hillside. It was once very nice but poorly maintained. Recently someone had ransacked the place, the collection box missing and someone had painted "Lies in the light" across the mural on the ceiling of the shrine. Godfrey deduced that a shrine with a lock would have a clergyman stationed to lock it. Willie suggested that this far from town the friar who oversees the shrine would likely have a home close-by and may be returning to clean the mess. They sat in the temple patiently until a few hours into the night before giving up on the friar's return and walked dejectedly back to Alden in his autowagon.
Alden was non-plussed that the local friar seemed to be missing as well so he decided to create a problem that would require a response. He put his autowagon in gear and carefully maneuver it so that it was blocking the entrance to the village but still on the highway. The guards took notice right away and fretted in their guard shack before using a squawker to call someone. After about an hour of trading tense stares with the guardhouse in Stone Harbor, a rider came in out of the woods and went to talk to the guards before riding out to Alden's Autowagon;
"I'm Militia Sergeant Camden, you're vehicle is blocking the entrance to the town, you'll have to move it.."
Alden got out of the autowagon cradling his shotgun "I'm Sir Alden of The Order of the Blue Glove.. I've come to speak with Lady Aria of Sekbridge"
"She's unavailable.. come back another time.." he tiredly drolled.
Alden's jaw tightened and Willimena climbed out of the autowagon as well, brandishing her rifle "I understand, the Decados have busy schedules, where is the head-man of this village?"
The Militia sergeant stretched in the saddle "Also unvailable.. Not your night.. Move the vehicle."
Alden felt his anger for the obstructionist Militia Sergeant swell "I'm afraid not.. we're on the highway, you have no authority here.. but I'd be happy to talk this over with Lady Sekbridge or your headman when they become available.."
Sgt Camden winced exhaustedly "I'm going to go back to the guard house and call more soldiers.. if your vehicle is here when they arrive, then lady Sekbridge can be unavailable while you wait in her dungeons.." and he began to turn his horse around to trot back to the guardhouse.
Alden shouted at him "You have no authority to do anything, we're not on Sekbridge land.."
The Sgt shouted over his shoulder "Do you think anyone here gives a fuck about a line on map?" he returned to the guard shack and made a point of the trio seeing him use the squawker then he walked to the pub leaving two militia men taking cover in the guard shack with rifles aimed at the autowagon.
Brother Godfrey, sensing that this gambit was lost gently put a hand on Alden's arm "The only way forward from here leads to failure or death.. perhaps we should return to the city and regroup.." Godfrey offered Willimena a ride to where she was going but she had arrived on horse. Alden didn't care for the idea of leaving her to the dangers of the highway at night so they slowly drove ahead of Willimena's horse all the way to the order's manor house and bid her goodnight. The pair arrived back in the city in the middle of the night and snuck back into their respective beds.
Alden woke feeling apprehension at his meeting but wasn't sure what to do with the long morning so he woke early and walked through the bazaar before dawn, planning his escape routes and his talking points. As the market grew more busy he returned to show and ready himself for the meeting.
Brother Godfrey dragged himself out of bed after morning vespers and miss breakfast. The nightmares had seemingly died out but he still wanted to find a way to understand what the high tech in his head meant. He had already spoken with the Engineers, next he want to speak with the Scraver. He crossed town to the old Redemption shop and was greeted by a balding heavy-gutted guilder who introduced himself as Boss Wade. Wade invited Godfrey into his office and they cagily walked around what Godfrey would like to learn. After some brief Godfrey agreed to some rather steeply priced tutoring lessons about general technology.
Brother Godfrey returned to the cathedral to do some quick research in it's humble library, looking for any information on high tech or think machine use but the books were spartan at best on the topic. As he was reading an initiate walked into the library searching around then he pointed out Godfrey to a kindly white-haired man dressed in furs and strange livery "The Cannon is over there sir..". Brother Godfrey wasn't expecting a visitor and had had poor luck with surprises in the last few weeks so he was guarded as the old man approached him with a smile. The modest old nobleman bowed respectfully and introduced himself "My name is Benito Levasque Torenson.." extending a calling card to the priest "I'm to understand you're looking for my services." Brother Godfrey looked at the card, feeling less threatened but no less confused "I was?" The kindly old noble smiled "Forgive me, I had assumed that Engineers contacted you to let you know I was on my way hoping to arrange an informal meeting. I am the tutor you inquired about." Godfrey's eyes open wide in recognition "Oh, I was told you were down the coast this time of year.." Benito shook his hand and gestured in humorous disdane "Oh no, the weather is horrible in the South in winter.. I had actually planned to take some time off but I'd be happy to make myself available to you if you still need instruction. Godfrey did have the Scraver's lined up for classes but he found the old Noble's demeanor more reassuring "I'd love to, how do we begin?" Benito tactfully brought up his modest charge for tutoring and scheduled a short class with Godfrey in two days time.
Alden arrived in the Sunday Market in the Bazaar just a bit before noon. His brother wanted to accompany him but he tool the demand to come alone seriously. He also left all of his weapons including his sword at Hildi's apartment, a decision that had left him feeling particularly naked. As he walked through the bazaar he kept an eye on the bustling crowds and watchful militia but saw no sign of The Dragon anywhere. Just before he was ready to give up he spotted a procession of five Hironem wearing NLO arm bands brazenly in the city. The walked by him without notice and quickly were interrogated by a group of militia who couldn't arrest them for wearing blue and orange armbands but weren't about to make them feel welcome.
As more and more attention was drawn to the standoff Alden scanned the market and found a young teenage girl wearing Decados livery smiling at him from a few feet off "Sorry to have kept you waiting, we wanted to be sure of your intentions.." Alden was confused by the Decados girl and could only muster a "What??" she smiled patiently "I'm not the one you're looking for poisoner but I speak on his behalf.." the girl inclined her head slightly to the side so that Alden could see the whisper pin she wore. Alden's scowled at the dishonest nature of the meeting"I thought I was meeting The Dragon..". The girl paused with a thoughtful expression "You called on us to give you a chance to explain yourself poisoner, the burden of trust is yours to bear." The argument struck Alden as fair once he thought on it "I've come to tell you that you're being misled. My family is not your enemy. Your people died of white fever, not any ploy of ours." The girl smirked at whatever she was being told through her whisper pin "Your own father dug a ditch and threw hironem bodies into it. You expect us to believe your family are victims in this?" Alden sighed "My father did what he thought was best for the people he ruled. He lied to me as well. I didn't even know about the deaths until I uncovered the proof in his records.." She girl's eyes lit up "You have proof? What proof can you show us?" Alden gritted his teeth "It's not an easy trail to follow, there was a doctor hired by my father to treat the Hironem of Village Four.." The girl looked doubtful "If that's true tell us the name of the doctor, it will exonerate you.." Alden bristled "Why should I help you harass an innocent man if you won't even trust me to speak in person.. How do I know you won't send men to beat him like you did to me." Now it was the girl's turn to look annoyed, she listened quietly and nodded to a voice Alden couldn't hear "Because those NLO soldiers were sent to kill you, and there will be more sent.. for you and for your family.. It is not a threat, it is only what we do to those that strike against the Hironem people." Alden could feel his blood boil, feeling the threat in the smarmy girl's tone despite her claims. He wanted to strangle her but restrained himself "His name was Doktor Crowe of Pike's Harbor.. You know it doesn't take much courage to threaten a man's family, if you're so concerned with justice you'd give me the names of your family to show your investment in peace between us.." The girl began speaking a series of Hironem names almost immediately as Alden struggled to pull out his notebook and write them down. It didn't occur to him at the time but the number of names perfectly matched the number of bodies that were written of the ledger in Village Four. Alden wrote the names messily and showed the girl the notebook as if the Dragon would see it by proxy "Knowing that we both have something to lose rewards our effort to work together to.." and the girl smiled patiently to Alden before interrupting him "He's not listening anymore.. bye.." and she turned to walk away. Slowly the altercation between the Hironem and the militia died down and they retreated from the market with angry hand gestures.
Following Sunday mass Brother Godfrey met with Benito Torenson in the Cathedral library to go over some introductory concepts in high tech. The Torenson was very well prepared and communicated ideas well, skills Godfrey appreciated given his blindspot for understanding technology. The session went well and Lord Benito talked with Godfrey a bit about the direction of his schooling.
Alden swung by the Cathedral to distract his brother from his very limited responsibilities and drove him down the beach a ways for some target practice with their respective arms. While shooting they discussed Alden's encounter with the Dragon and the next steps for dealing with the matter in Sekbridge. After about a half-hour of practice an Autowagon full of Decados militia drove out to harass them and tell them they'd need to practice somewhere else.
Brother Godfrey needed to get to his appointment with the Skravers anyhow. He felt a bit guilty about having more than one teacher but he figured it would speed things up to have more chefs in the kitchen? Godfrey had little skill at cooking as well. Godfrey met with Boss Wade and they discussed some practicals of technology and how it works in the Scraver's dingy office. His teaching style was more simplistic but he had provided examples of the technology for Godfrey to study while he was lecturing. He left the tutoring session feeling like he had a more rounded understanding of High Tech.
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