They reached the bottom of the ravine and found a narrow river that looked a bit dicey. With a little scouting around they found a fallen tree that had been used as a bridge and one at a time they crossed the river then discovered a path leading up the other side of the ravine. Climbing out of the ravine after hours of rain proved to be much harder. Both Uzilo and Alden took a spill while climbing and nearly tumbled down into the wooden ravine, Anden hammered himself on some of the rocks on the trail falling down but his armor protected him. By sunset they reached the other side of the Ravine feeling exhausted and they found the trail split going up one side of the ridge and down the other. Alden reasoned that fresh water and roads would be down and they followed the path down the ridge for about two hours until Hildi and Sir Ben were falling down exhausted. They huddled together at the based of a tree and tried to stay warm in the storm and sleep until morning.
Late in the night they heard a woman's voice over the squarker talking about kittens. With some work Alden tuned it in and heard his own sister broadcasting that she had lost her kittens and had anyone seen them. He responded that all of her kittens were found and he just needed to know where to bring them. Chelsea told him to move to where he could see the sky and as he positioned himself under a rainy opening in the canopy he could barely spot the glimmer of fire arcing above the trees and the voice on the squawker asked "Do you have the mark?". Alden smiled exhausted and rallied everyone to their feet, concerned about who else might see the signal shots. He got everyone backtracking up the trail, stopping every 30 minutes or so to call for another signal arrow. With the dawn barely tinting the sky the group could see half a dozen figures moving through the brush, hironem bundled against the weather. Uzilo held the others back and approached them. Speaking in Hironem he found that they served the Seashell (Alden's family-line heraldic device) and they were looking for the brother and his men. There was a collective cheer as the soaked and exhausted escapees were led off the trail into the interior woods and finally to Abraham's Western village 3. Chelsea embraced her bothers and got everyone into the headman's house to warm up in front of the fire.
In about an hour the sun was up and Chelsea loaded the knights, Brother Godfrey and her poor cousin Hildi into her autowagon and drove through the wind and the rain back to Hendleridge. Sir Ian insisted he remain behind at the village attempting to contact stragglers on his squawker, assuring them he would catch up. Once there she had the servants get everyone in a room. While everyone was filing exhaustively into guest rooms Thaddius Hendle VanGelder caught Alden in the halls and told him he needed to have a word with him, not urgently but before he departed. Alden showed Uzilo to his room and let the sore alien have a hot shower in his own private bath. Uzilo was astounded that not only was he just allowed to have as long and hot of a shower as he liked but that after 30 minutes of soaking in steamy hot water the shower hadn't run cold. By the time he got out of the shower Alden and the others had fallen asleep throughout the house so he found a quiet chair to curl up on under his warming doublet and he nodded off warm and happy.
Alden woke first as usual. His gene-tinkering made most nights short but beyond that he never slept well in his father's house, sleeping the day away only made that harder. He roamed the halls of Hendleridge noting how different it looked since his mother's passing. Alden found his father Thaddius at work in his study, immersed in stacks of parchment, tracing columns in his big old logbooks with his finger. As Alden cleared his throat Thaddius lifted his face from his work, looking so much older than just weeks ago. He smiled tiredly and invited his son into the office for the purpose of formality and began digging through papers for a long wooded box which he opened to display a vibro saber of remarkable quality, etched in antique fashion and bearing the family crest. "It was your Great Grandfather's, the sword that won us this land. I don't know if I ever told you but he rode to the rescue of Graff Octavious in the war." Thaddius said in a voice that sounded like a presentation "I've been unpacking a lot of the family heirlooms in your mother's passing. My father, your grandfather wore it rarely. He didn't care for the weight of it. I wore it when I entered military service but I had no talent for the sword and I ended up shipping it home for fear I'd lose it in the war. I can't give it to your sister as she's tapped for a life without swords. I want you to have it son." Alden wasn't stunned by the logic but the gesture made him teary-eyed. He took the sleek curved weapon in hand and admired it before returning it to it's fitted box, thanking his father.
Brother Godfrey was dreaming of a ride in a flitter, gliding smoothly into a thunderstorm, rain pelting the windshield and streaming across the glass as he flew. The flitter sat down on a cloudy embankment and instantly the drops of water covering it began to shrink and evaporate as it's miraculous technology dried itself. Suddenly there was an alarm on the display as a fuel indicator started to blink and buzz at Godfrey. He wasn't familiar with technology of this sort and couldn't figure out how to solve the issue as the alarm grew louder, suddenly filtering into the bleating of his alarm clock as he woke.
As Uzilo and the rest of the party awoke late in the afternoon and were pulled together around the table for a light dinner. Sir Ian had arrived but he hadn't manage to round up Lord Gunther, Sir Altier or Lady Willemeena. A discussion was had about how to handle the inquisition and it was generally agreed that the knights would play dumb to the announcement of any interdiction, claim that they were pursuing their duties rescuing VanGelder hostages and didn't see any sigh of the occult. Chelsea announced that she was driving back into the city with Hendleridge's only available autowagon and anyone who wanted a ride would want to be ready after the dinner.
Brother Godfrey was especially upset that the church would be lied to and he tried to reason with Alden after the meeting but Alden wouldn't be dissuaded and he made it clear that Godfrey would have to lie to the Church for the sake of his family. Chelsea approached the pair as they bickered under their breath frowning darkly "While we're on the topic I'm afraid we're going to have to talk about Hildi. We're going to have to hand her over to The Inquisition." Both brothers were stunned that Chelsea would turn her own blood over to uncertain extreme punishment but she clarified "She's a person of interest in an Antimonist investigation, if we try to shield her from The Inquisition, it will only draw their suspicion on the family, on Molovko, and on your order. We must, much as it sits poorly in our hearts, give them our cousin. This isn't a debate. You know in your heart we have no choice." Chelsea left her brothers scowling in the hallway as she moved to check on the autowagon.
The ride back to the city was dire. It rained most of the way with four knights, Uzilo and Brother Godfrey huddled in the back of an open cargo bed, none of them terribly happy with how the rescue panned out. Sir Ben to his credit tried to get them to sing a song or two but eventually they all dozed off as the old autowagon sailed through the night. In the dark of the morning Chelsea pulled over at Henningholm Manor and lets Sir Ben and Sir Ian out. Alden found out no news had been heard from Lord Marshal Gunther and the others left in Sekbridge. Exhausted, Alden he climbed back into the Autowagon and Uzilo took the wheel for the last 100 miles to Sokol, driving uncomfortably in a cab that reeked of sleeping human females.
The group rolled into Sokol with the rising sun and Uzilo was dropped off at his shop. Back at Hildi's townhouse Maid Ava was extatic to have her Mistress returned and fussed over her endlessly. Later she embraced Alden and called him a 'hero' for returning Hildi. Alden walked his brother back to the cathedral where Brother Godfrey and exhausted as they were they sat in the Bishop's offices until she would see them. After nearly falling asleep on the uncomfortable bench in the Sacrosanct the Bishop's assistant invited them into the Bishop's office.
The Bishop arrived some few minutes later talking on a squawker about the issue in Sekbridge and having some not-so-pleasant things to say about Lady Aria's questionable outlook on Antimony. She apologized for her poor manners and sat across from the brothers. Godfrey began first, cagily asking if there were a situation where the Church could offer protection for Hildi if she were a hostage of a cult. The Bishop listened attentively and explained that she has no authority over the Inquisition and she has limited legal experience but she agrees that allowing the Inquisitor to interview Hildi is the only sane option. She didn't feel that Hildi was in a precarious position with the church but she'd be happy to arrange a meeting with an Eclesiastic Legal Specialist that the Cathedral retains if Brother Godfrey was nervous. Both brothers agreed to the idea and the Bishop said she'd arrange a meeting for the following day for Alden, Brother Godfrey and Hildi.
Uzilo woke feeling pretty good about himself despite some cuts and bruises from destroying the gates at Sekbridge Keep. He got a warm shower and started the fires in his workshop, preparing to build up some stock products. As he was working a younger Hironem wearing the NLO band on his bicep leaned into his doorway and looked around the shop "Are you Uzilo?". Uzilo had dealt with NLO soldiers many times before but it always made him a bit defensive "I am, what's your name?" The soldier introduced himself as Tawn. He said he was trying to remove a stump and was told that Uzilo knows how to get stumps out easy. Uzilo asked him how big the stump was and Tawn told him it was 100 sticks. Uzilo was less that pleased with what the NLO were going to do with 100 blasting sticks and he wanted to ask if anyone lived on the stump but he didn't think he could afford to spook the NLO he told Tawn he charges a Crest per stick and he needs half in advance for materials. Tawn counted out a big stack of firebirds, they shook hands, and Uzilo took a walk around the neighborhood to get some of the local Hironem collecting materials for him.
Alden woke after a short rest on Hildi's Couch, he left a note for his cousin that they would be meeting with a church advocate the following morning and he'd come round to escort her. He also wrote a letter to little Emily, concerned that he may be unable to write her for some time. He packed up the things he had left at Hildi's home and moved them to his waterfront garage then he made a comfortable space and
Brother Godfrey woke a bit later in the day, feeling like he was coming down with something. He found some coffee and prowled the work halls until he tracked down Initiate Gans. After their previous talk Gans had come to understand that any pitiful chance for advancement or opportunity depended on his willingness to forget Gans had stolen their Per Diem on the trip to Elibyrge. When they met this time Gans was quick to offer Brother Godfrey updates on the various tournament projects that he had left sitting idly and advised him of upcoming appointments with the tapestry maker and the Sokol Tourney Council. Godfrey was pleased with his investment of intimidation and began to see actual potential in young Initiate Ganz despite his lack of backbone and simple wit. He went to dinner with the tapestry maker to review the final construction on the proof banner and again he was pleased with the work. If only keeping his brother from doing something stupid were so easy as running the Cathedral he mused.
The following morning Alden woke, practiced with the sword before dawn, armored up and collected his cousin Hildi, driving them both to the Cathedral. They were intercepted at the gates by a nervous Initiate who hurried them into the sacrosanct under the Cathedral and into a small room off of the black hallway. Shortly after they settled down Brother Godfrey arrived looking considerably less nervous than the two Van Gelder, he wasn't afraid of Church or it's watchdog. Surprisingly the next person to arrive was Godfrey's tutor Lord Benito Levasque Torenson.
The elderly lesser noble smiled graciously as he took a seat at the table and made pleasantries with those there, explaining that one of his subjects of expertise is ecclesiastic law and he often takes on these little jobs when the Church would rather not rely on the Reeves. He went over the process the of the investigation, that the inquisitor would talk with each of them without inquisitional bond and he would be beside them to advise them of their legal writ. When Lord Benito asked if he could have an overview of the case everyone seemed a bit stumped what to share so the lord flashed a grandfatherly smile "Hey, I'm your ally in this fight and you've a strong ally. Just share with me what I need to fight your battles.. Were you involved in the activity of this Cult Hildi?" Hildi recoiled but Alden explained she was a prisoner, forced to do labor for the cult. Benito smiled "That's nothing you need to feel ashamed of.. were any of you exposed to any proscribed devices or theurgies?" They looked at each other uncomfortably and slowly they began to describe the details of Hildi's capture, imprisonment and rescue. Benito assured them throughout that nothing they admitted to was against Church law or at best could be said to be actions they were coerced into. Benito concluded to explain that they would receive a summons and when that happens just notify him of the time and he'd be at their side.
Alden Hildi and Brother Godfrey left the meeting feeling good about their prospects. Alden drove Hildi back to her home only to find one of the white Inquisitional autowagons parked in front of her home. A pair of armored church knights approached them, confirmed their names and explained they were to be taken under Inquisitional Bond, they would surrender any arms and come with them. They were driven back to the Cathedral and escorted discretely into the Bishop's manor, down the stairs into a sort of dungeon where they were separated and locked into comfortable cells. Looking around at the clothes and books in his room Alden was bemused to discover he was in the cell that recently held Andre Decados.
As Brother Godfrey heard word of his Brother's arrest he quickly set out to Lord Benito's home only to be stopped at the gates by a famegun wielding knight he was apparently waiting him "You, what's your name.." he was rarely so tempted to lie but Brother Godfrey admitted "I am Brother Godfrey." The Inquisition knight nodded "You're with me.." escorting him back to his cell where he was locked inside without explanation.
Morning came to find Uzilo checking on a large batch of sodium carbonate. He got his shop running and prepared to separate some solutions when he was called on by a man introducing himself as Ser Iker Martzel Basque. Ser Iker was in need of help. His physik had evacuated because of the impeding storm and he needed to know if Uzilo had any sort of painkillers, his bandaged chest apparent through his open doublet. Uzilo didn't keep medicines around and had little experience crafting drugs. He suggested the noble see someone from the Alchemist's Cartel but Iker was insistent he needed medicine quickly, he asked if Uzilo could process Goquaine. Uzilo flushed and smiled, knowing well he could figure it out but conveniently he explained "Yes, but who can find Goqua, Right? Iker fished a pouch out from around his neck and handed it to Uzilo. Uzilo smelled the pungent pouch before pulling it open to reveal a half pound of shredded Goqua plant, still damp from the vine. The lesser Lord then planted a little tower of 10 FB on the counter. Uzilo didn't like working for Nobles in the first place and he didn't want to be caught up in the madness that surrounds Goquaine, but in his experience when an alien pisses off a noble, even a lesser one, it doesn't work out for the alien. He swept it under the counter, hiding his surprise "I should have your medicine ready tomorrow Ser Iker Martzel Basque.."
Alden slept restlessly without clock or window, pacing his cell and staring at the ceiling. At some point he heard Hildi shrieking in protest as she was taken away. He shouted fecklessly through the closed iron cell door but her captors showed no interest in his angry protests. Hours later the same armored and armored knights came for him, starved and sleep deprived, dragging him to the small dark interview room under the Cathedral. He was shown in to find Inquisitor Barnes with a pair of his assistance operating high tech equipment. The inquisitor drank his tea and explained that they would begin shortly while he very obviously perused a folder of Alden's details. Suddenly the door behind him opened and in walked Lord Benito Levasque Torenson with a bulging valise of papers. He sat beside Alden and chided the inquisitor "Your men failed to alert me again that you're questioning my clients.. One could think you're trampling their rights.." Barnes smiled and shook his head "We were simply waiting on your arrival Lord-Advocate, let's begin.."
Inquisitor Barnes began with some establishing questions about weather Alden was in Stone Harbor on the 13th of November and again on the 16th, if he was there on the business of the Knights of the Blue Glove. Barnes asked if Alden knowingly violated the Inquisitional Edict of Interdiction in Sekbridge and immediately Alden felt Lord Benito's hand on his shoulder as the elderly noble leaned in "Inquisitor that question is prejudicial, it presupposes that if my client is now aware of The Inquisition's Edict that he was at the time of his entry into Sekbridge Fief.." The Inquisitor raised a brow at Alden's advocate and rephrased the question "At the time of your entry, were you aware of the Interdiction" and again Benito's hand pressed gently at Alden's shoulder "I'm afraid I must interject once more, Eclesiastic law makes no distinction of whether or not my client violated Interdiction through intent or error, asking him if he was aware at the time only serves to implicate him if this matter is heard in the Noble Courts. With regret and by Chapter and Verse my client must refuse to answer based on clause of Self-Incrimination Externus." Inquisitor Barnes leaned back in his chair, his assistants trading nervous looks. And on it went, questions seeming innocuous were routinely challenged by Alden's advocate until the only answers he provided were yes or no responses to the most inconsequential details. After about 25 minutes of testing the Inquisitors patience with legal precedent Barnes asked his assistants to leave the room, he looked at Alden and said "This is an formal interview, there are risks to you if you make a statement that incriminates you. I am questioning you in the hopes of learning information that will stop dangerous church criminals that pose a threat to the safety of everyone in this valley. I am going to ask you, against your best interest, to dismiss your counsel for the remainder of the interview.." Alden felt a lump in his throat and turned to Lord Benito, thanking him for his help and asking him to wait outside. Lord Benito left with quiet protest, eyeing the Inquisitor distrustfully.
Inquisitor Barnes thanked Alden and poured him a glass of water from the pitcher on the table and they continued alone in the small interview room. Barnes resumed his questions. This time, to his word, he kept his focus specifically on the cult, their numbers and assets and any signs of supernatural corruption Alden witnessed. Alden was cautious but candid, volunteering information beyond what was asked. The interview went on for over an hour of stressful exchanges with Inquisitor Barnes furiously writing in his notebook as they talked. When he concluded Barnes wrapped up his notebook and politely asked that Alden steer clear of the investigation and allow the Inquisition to do their work. He told him in a lecturing tone that Interdiction serves to protect the innocent and sinner alike and his interference in Inquisitional action may have doomed as many lives as it saved. Alden was already on edge from being interrogated by an Inquisitor and Barnes's tone just made him snap "Well if you did YOUR JOB we wouldn't have had to go into Sekbridge.." Barnes scowled but seemed to nod in acknowledgement. He stood and knocked at the door of the room, calling on the Knights of Lexitus who brought Alden to the interrogation "Please return to prisoner to his cell, we've finished." Alden chaffed at the dismissal "For how long??" Barnes turned to face him with a dispassionate expression "You violated Interdiction in an Antimony investigation. You seem to be innocent of any wrongdoing but I'm going to hold you until my investigation is complete in case new evidence comes to light.. I know it seems excessive, but it -is- my job..". Barnes didn't smile or mock Alden, didn't even look at him as the Knights of Lexitus dragged him back to his cell.
Brother Godfrey had been woken and brought to the sancrosanct to wait his turn to be interviewed and was waiting in the hall for his brother's interview to finish. As the knights dragged Alden out he went to Inquisitor Barnes Immediately "Inqusitior? I'm Cannon Godfrey. May I ask why Alden Hendle VanGelder is being held?". The Inquisitor was packing his things briskly "It's a lesson in humility before The Chuch Cannon, a lesson I'd suggest you take to heart.." as he glanced at Godfrey the Inquisitor's brows creased "You're the young man who saved me after the Demon Attacked aren't you?". Godfrey smiled, feeling blessed "I am Inquisitor, I was only doing my part.." The inquisitor pulled an old leather backpack over his shoulder and walked out "I won't need to interview you Cannon, if you wish you may submit an affidavit in writing.. you and your sister are released from bond.." and he walked away from Brother Godfrey.
Uzilo had had remarkable success improvising a recipe for the notoriously difficult to process Goquaine and produced several ounces of the glittering white powder. While he worked to catch up making blasting rods he spotted a shady looking human outside his shop, a strange sight in the rural Hironem neighborhood. Uzilo wasn't paranoid by nature but sitting on a tidy sum of Goquaine and a cook of nitro make him positively anxious. As Uzilo continued to work and keep an eye on the human on the street he was joined by Ser Iker, come to pick up his medicine. Iker walked in with a smile and asked to see the results and Uzilo presented the small cardboard box of white powder. To his surprise Ser Iker pulled a drinking glass from his pocket and a little squeeze bottle that he presumed was an activator. He sponned a tiny portion of the Goquaine into the glass and irrigated it then pulled out a multi-scanner and he checked the chemical composition of the Goquaine before smiling at the shady looking freeman who was now smoking a cigarette and leaning against the door of Uzilo's shop. Ser Iker smiled at Uzilo "This is fine work Uzilo, you're an artist.. I'd like you to make more.." Uzilo felt a little sick, he had gotten lucky producing a small batch but he was no apothecary. He wanted to refuse but looking between Iker and his friend he wasn't sure that was an option, so he did what any guilder does when they don't want work "Artists starve, I'm an alchemist.. lets talk price.." Iker nodded "Two birds for three ounces, you carry the loss on any damaged product, our product goes to the head of your line whenever we bring it in.." Uzilo smiled confidently, any man who negotiates can be tipped over into a no "Your product takes twice my attention to make, Bird per ounce and you carry the loss, you've tested me as a professional and you know my losses will be necessary. I can put you ahead of everything else as long as you're paying my bills. If you do less than 50 Firebird a month I set my priorities.." Iker didn't hesitate "Done.." he snapped his fingers before Uzilo could think and the seedy looking freeman by the door march over and dropped a sling bag on his counter with an audible thump. Uzilo opened up the bag and found what must have been almost thirty pounds of fresh cut Goqua. As he stared at Ser Iker in unabashed astonishment the lesser noble gave him a little salute and walked out of his shop "See you in three days Uzilo." All at once he realized he wasn't dealing with some drug peddling upstarts, he was now a part of the Goquaine Cartel.
:This is our last session for a while as we switch between games. We'll likely be posting new sessions sometime after Spring 2017. Stay clear of the Shadows:
Inquisitor Barnes began with some establishing questions about weather Alden was in Stone Harbor on the 13th of November and again on the 16th, if he was there on the business of the Knights of the Blue Glove. Barnes asked if Alden knowingly violated the Inquisitional Edict of Interdiction in Sekbridge and immediately Alden felt Lord Benito's hand on his shoulder as the elderly noble leaned in "Inquisitor that question is prejudicial, it presupposes that if my client is now aware of The Inquisition's Edict that he was at the time of his entry into Sekbridge Fief.." The Inquisitor raised a brow at Alden's advocate and rephrased the question "At the time of your entry, were you aware of the Interdiction" and again Benito's hand pressed gently at Alden's shoulder "I'm afraid I must interject once more, Eclesiastic law makes no distinction of whether or not my client violated Interdiction through intent or error, asking him if he was aware at the time only serves to implicate him if this matter is heard in the Noble Courts. With regret and by Chapter and Verse my client must refuse to answer based on clause of Self-Incrimination Externus." Inquisitor Barnes leaned back in his chair, his assistants trading nervous looks. And on it went, questions seeming innocuous were routinely challenged by Alden's advocate until the only answers he provided were yes or no responses to the most inconsequential details. After about 25 minutes of testing the Inquisitors patience with legal precedent Barnes asked his assistants to leave the room, he looked at Alden and said "This is an formal interview, there are risks to you if you make a statement that incriminates you. I am questioning you in the hopes of learning information that will stop dangerous church criminals that pose a threat to the safety of everyone in this valley. I am going to ask you, against your best interest, to dismiss your counsel for the remainder of the interview.." Alden felt a lump in his throat and turned to Lord Benito, thanking him for his help and asking him to wait outside. Lord Benito left with quiet protest, eyeing the Inquisitor distrustfully.
Inquisitor Barnes thanked Alden and poured him a glass of water from the pitcher on the table and they continued alone in the small interview room. Barnes resumed his questions. This time, to his word, he kept his focus specifically on the cult, their numbers and assets and any signs of supernatural corruption Alden witnessed. Alden was cautious but candid, volunteering information beyond what was asked. The interview went on for over an hour of stressful exchanges with Inquisitor Barnes furiously writing in his notebook as they talked. When he concluded Barnes wrapped up his notebook and politely asked that Alden steer clear of the investigation and allow the Inquisition to do their work. He told him in a lecturing tone that Interdiction serves to protect the innocent and sinner alike and his interference in Inquisitional action may have doomed as many lives as it saved. Alden was already on edge from being interrogated by an Inquisitor and Barnes's tone just made him snap "Well if you did YOUR JOB we wouldn't have had to go into Sekbridge.." Barnes scowled but seemed to nod in acknowledgement. He stood and knocked at the door of the room, calling on the Knights of Lexitus who brought Alden to the interrogation "Please return to prisoner to his cell, we've finished." Alden chaffed at the dismissal "For how long??" Barnes turned to face him with a dispassionate expression "You violated Interdiction in an Antimony investigation. You seem to be innocent of any wrongdoing but I'm going to hold you until my investigation is complete in case new evidence comes to light.. I know it seems excessive, but it -is- my job..". Barnes didn't smile or mock Alden, didn't even look at him as the Knights of Lexitus dragged him back to his cell.
Brother Godfrey had been woken and brought to the sancrosanct to wait his turn to be interviewed and was waiting in the hall for his brother's interview to finish. As the knights dragged Alden out he went to Inquisitor Barnes Immediately "Inqusitior? I'm Cannon Godfrey. May I ask why Alden Hendle VanGelder is being held?". The Inquisitor was packing his things briskly "It's a lesson in humility before The Chuch Cannon, a lesson I'd suggest you take to heart.." as he glanced at Godfrey the Inquisitor's brows creased "You're the young man who saved me after the Demon Attacked aren't you?". Godfrey smiled, feeling blessed "I am Inquisitor, I was only doing my part.." The inquisitor pulled an old leather backpack over his shoulder and walked out "I won't need to interview you Cannon, if you wish you may submit an affidavit in writing.. you and your sister are released from bond.." and he walked away from Brother Godfrey.
Uzilo had had remarkable success improvising a recipe for the notoriously difficult to process Goquaine and produced several ounces of the glittering white powder. While he worked to catch up making blasting rods he spotted a shady looking human outside his shop, a strange sight in the rural Hironem neighborhood. Uzilo wasn't paranoid by nature but sitting on a tidy sum of Goquaine and a cook of nitro make him positively anxious. As Uzilo continued to work and keep an eye on the human on the street he was joined by Ser Iker, come to pick up his medicine. Iker walked in with a smile and asked to see the results and Uzilo presented the small cardboard box of white powder. To his surprise Ser Iker pulled a drinking glass from his pocket and a little squeeze bottle that he presumed was an activator. He sponned a tiny portion of the Goquaine into the glass and irrigated it then pulled out a multi-scanner and he checked the chemical composition of the Goquaine before smiling at the shady looking freeman who was now smoking a cigarette and leaning against the door of Uzilo's shop. Ser Iker smiled at Uzilo "This is fine work Uzilo, you're an artist.. I'd like you to make more.." Uzilo felt a little sick, he had gotten lucky producing a small batch but he was no apothecary. He wanted to refuse but looking between Iker and his friend he wasn't sure that was an option, so he did what any guilder does when they don't want work "Artists starve, I'm an alchemist.. lets talk price.." Iker nodded "Two birds for three ounces, you carry the loss on any damaged product, our product goes to the head of your line whenever we bring it in.." Uzilo smiled confidently, any man who negotiates can be tipped over into a no "Your product takes twice my attention to make, Bird per ounce and you carry the loss, you've tested me as a professional and you know my losses will be necessary. I can put you ahead of everything else as long as you're paying my bills. If you do less than 50 Firebird a month I set my priorities.." Iker didn't hesitate "Done.." he snapped his fingers before Uzilo could think and the seedy looking freeman by the door march over and dropped a sling bag on his counter with an audible thump. Uzilo opened up the bag and found what must have been almost thirty pounds of fresh cut Goqua. As he stared at Ser Iker in unabashed astonishment the lesser noble gave him a little salute and walked out of his shop "See you in three days Uzilo." All at once he realized he wasn't dealing with some drug peddling upstarts, he was now a part of the Goquaine Cartel.
:This is our last session for a while as we switch between games. We'll likely be posting new sessions sometime after Spring 2017. Stay clear of the Shadows:
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