Session 14 - November 20 - November 23 4005AD

The Knights and Brother Godfrey pushed on from Rande Shire village heading in a direction they presumed was the Northeast, following a trail higher up into the hills of Sekbridge. As they fled they could hear autowagons arriving in the village below. Brother Godfrey was barely able to keep his footing, being supported by Sir Ben. After about an hour on the trail he fell unconscious again and they carried him until they reached a clearing where they could rest. Sir Alden was fearful that the Inquisition would be right behind them. They rested and Brother Godfrey performed the Rite of Regain Strength while basking int he sunlight and within an hour he was ready to push on. The trail took them up higher to a lake nestled in the high hills with a run-down hunter's cabin but Alden, feeling dogged, insisted they pushed on. The trail turned downhill into the thicker parts of the jungle and almost immediately it began to pour rain down on the team. They quickly started losing the light and folks were talking about making camp but Sir Ian insisted that stopping without shelter would only worsen their situation. Alden monitored his squawker to see if he could pick up any signal and he was able to pick up bits and pieces of someone talking about following a trail and concern it would be lost in the rain. Uzilo was especially concerned about the cold weather. His warming doublet was still running but his fusion cell was low and without a replacement the cold weather would make it hard for him to go on. He agreed that they needed to move on deeper into the ravine. Brother Godfrey believed they were close to the border with Molovko but he couldn't be certain with so much of the canopy of the trees obstructing his view. Alden decided that they would push on as long as they were able.

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:

Session 13 - November 16 - November 20 5002AD

:This session we had a sit-in player from a previous Fading Suns game. Since I had Uzilo completely statted out I let him pick up the character and play him through this game session. The results were amusing so I wanted to credit Uzilo as a player character in this post:

Brother Godfrey pulled on the wheel of the autowagon as it bucked over the driveway into Stone Harbor, careening towards the little militia shack that stood next to the toll gate for the road leading into Sekbridge. He threw the wheel and skidded nearly perfectly into place as the autowagon behind him swerved and skidded into position behind him, forming a fortification around the shack. As the dust cleared two knights rushed into the guard house and dragged out a single militiaman, pinning him to the ground while others took up positions with guns ready. However, Stone Harbor remained unimpressed and silent. Candle light flickered in windows but there was no clear sign of any human presence midday in a highway town.

Brother Godfrey exited the Autowagon and moved towards the prisoner, crouching over him because everyone was crouched down "I'm going to ask you some questions and your answers are going to have a big impact on your life.. What's your name?" The guard introduced himself as Boarz. Boarz was initially hesitant until Uzilo wordlessly unloaded a crate full of bottles with warning labels on them and rested it on the ground next to Boarz's head, then he was a font of helpful information. Boarz maintained that he was just an innocent militiaman. He didn't know where the other militia or the Sgt were but he believed they'd be found in the pub. He politely cautioned against moving into Sekbridge where there would surely be more militia and inquisition. Boarz insisted he knew nothing about a cult, that it was some trumped-up nonsense the Inquisition was talking about and the men in red the brothers saw were likely the Orthodox clergymen who lived in Sekbridge Village. The militiaman seemed convinced of his story but Godfrey didn't buy into his tone so he head Sir Ian bind him with a pair of shackles from the guard shed and secure him to the bed of the autowagon.

Alden took the lead with Lady Willemeena and Sir Ben, searching the other buildings in the village. After clearing the empty periphery buildings they approached the tavern. Willemeena called the trio to a stop and suggested that there was nothing to gain from searching the Tavern, either they'd find no threat and it would be time wasted or they'd find a confrontation that wouldn't yield any VanGelder hostages. Alden thought the matter over and pulled them back to the autowagons.

Sir Altier threw the simple gate bar from it's moorings to clear the road and everyone boarded their autowagons with Alden taking a seat in the cargo bed of the lead autowagon to have a word with militiaman Boarz and Sir Ian and Lady Willemeena joining Brother Godfrey and Uzilo in the trailing autowagon. Uzilo wasn't very comfortable with the female knight hovering over him. It's not that he disliked females but something about human woman stink just put him on edge. In seconds they lurched into motion and we're tearing down the muddy roads of Sekbridge fief, driving deeper into the dark swampy jungles. Brother Godfrey was tailing the other autowagon well until he turned into a muddy shoulder and his autowagon slid of the road into the brush. Nobody was injured but it took some time to get back on the road. Uzilo took the wheel while Godfrey tried to raise the lead autowagon. Alden wanted to turn back, but with the sun fleeting from the sky deep in Antimonist country, Sir Altier convinced Alden that they must push on and hope his brother and the others will catch up quickly.

Just before sunset Alden's autowagon rolled into the township of Eden Prairie in the rocky highlands of the fief. The town had been destroyed, it's buildings gutted by fire. Alden could see signs of gunfire in the remains of the buildings. As Brother Godfrey and Uzilo drove up into town behind the lead autowagon he spotted the burnt wreckage of a large autowagon plowed into one of the buildings, he couldn't be sure if it was one of the Inquisition's vehicles. Uzilo noticed a chilling disturbance in the Szu of the area, as if multiple people had been altering flow of wyrd here recently. While the autowagons parked next to one another so the Knights of the Blue Glove could debate what should be done, a pair of figures appeared from behind one of the burnt buildings wearing the black and white robes of the inquisition.

The men approached the autowagons, cradling Martech Defender Blaster Rifles "Hold!" called out one of the men "Lower your weapons and produce papers.." he added with a smug confidence.  The inquisitor introduced himself as Sir Kemp, Knight Penitent of The Inquisition, and said his associate was Knight Penitent Fox. Fox was much less chatty and more dubious of the autowagons full of knights, taking up position behind them and watching. Kemp explained that the Inquisitor left them to guard Eden Prairie while he took the rest of his retinue to deal with the trouble in Snopa Pass and nobody would be permitted through. Alden explained their mission and pleaded ignorance of any Inquisitorial interdiction in Sekbridge but Sir Kemp wasn't having it, insisting that Alden and his men produce their papers impatiently. Fox made his way between the autowagons giving each person's valise of papers a casual inspection before handing them back. Sir Ian looked confused and climbed out of the autowagon to speak with Kemp "Look we're not hoping to be trouble Knight Penitent, we're honestly just not sure where we're going.. do you have a map?". Sir Altier shifted uncomfortably and began watching the Inquisition Knights movements suspiciously. Alden had dealt with Church knights much of his life but never had one called him "Sir Alden" They always referred to him is "Knight" as if to infer that he wasn't their peer. He too climbed out of the autowagon and approached Kemp. Brother Godfrey noticed tensions rising all around him and stood up to try to calm things but before he could speak Sir Ian drew his shotgun from behind the cover of his map and drove the barrel into Knight Kemp's face while Altier slammed the door of The Order's Autowagon into Knight Fox's back launching him face-first into Lady Willemeena's armored soleret, and within seconds the ambushed knights were pinned in the mud.

Godfrey shouted at the knights "Stop this! Violence against the Inquisition will spell your doom!" Alden leveled his broadsword at Kemp's throat "No church knight calls a noble 'sir'". Sir Ian added "If we broke an interdiction these men would have shot first and checked our papers after we stopped moving.." Altier added "Inquisitors don't have work callouses on their hands.." Uzilo, not wanting to seem like he caught by surprise, added "These men are wearing farmer's boots.." Godfrey was pissed at being made a fool of. He jumped out of the autowagon he was riding and walked over to Kemp, resting his foot on the man's groin "I'm going to ask you some questions and your answers will have a big impact on your life... peasant Kemp.."

Kemp stubbornly insisted on his story that he was an inquisition knight despite his panicky flopsweat. Finally Brother Godfrey decided that he didn't have time for this and he cast the Rite of Strike with Awe, touching Kemp's brow with a glowing hand and flooding his senses with the majesty of the Pancreator. The may not have been intended for interrogation but it worked perfectly. Kemp was so dazed by the Majesty of creation that he blithely answered questions without thought of deception. Kemp admitted he wasn't with the inquisition and that he and Fox had stolen their robes and weapons from fallen Inquisitorial retinue. He told them plainly that lady Hildi and her fiance were kept in Randeshire where she was producing munition and that the cult knew Alden and his knights were coming and a deadly trap waits him there. Also he disclosed that the Lady of Sekbridge and her knights are locked in the Dungeons of Sekbridge Keep. Once Godfrey had finished with his productive interrogation Sir Altier asked if they were taking the other cultists with them. Godfrey responded with an indifferent shrug but realized only a second too late what was being asked as Altier ripped the throat of Fox out with his kossak chain-sword and as he turned to complain to Alden his brother had stabbed Kemp through with his Broadsword. Stunned, Godfrey climbed back into his autowagon.

There was a brief discussion of what the next move would be as the two cultists were stripped and shoved into a ditch. While the knights agreed that the VanGelder hostages were the priority they decided there would be no gain to driving into a trap, so they mounted up and drove deeper into the swampy lowlands as the sun set, following the road to Sekbridge Keep.

Late into the dark hours of the morning the curve of the road brought them to a small town that Brother Godfrey recognized as Sekbridge Port where they had first fought these cultists. They turned off the running lights on the autowagons and secured Boarz after interrogating him briefly about the Keep. The troupe, laden with armor and weapons, did their best to quietly ascend the treacherous cliffside road that wound up to the gates of the keep in nearly complete darkness. Once they had reached the rocky outcropping a few dozen yards from the gates that they had used to spy on the keep before they hatched a battle plan; Uzilo and Brother Godfrey, being the least noisy would sneak up to the gates and blow them open while the knights kept watch over them with longarms. The walk to the gates seemed to take forever and once they were just a few yards from the gates they heard a voice up on the wall say "Hey, shut up.. did you hear something?" Uzilo and Godfrey crept tightly against the wall as the guard above shone his lantern over the top of the wall, searching for voices he heard in the dark "Hey seriously, I think someone's out here.." Uzilo set the charge quickly believing he or Brother Godfrey could be spotted at any moment. Back at the rock Alden and Willemeena tracked the guard with the lantern in their sights, ready to drop him. Uzilo planted his charge and shoved Godfrey back into the cliff wall as Godfrey quickly cast the right of Shielding. With a tug of the primer string the gates erupted in fire and splinters injuring both Godfrey and Uzilo. The guard on the wall was thrown to the grown by the blast and the knights charged towards wall to the Keep's Courtyard.

The knights of the Blue Glove charged in at the wall, taking cover at the still smoking doorway to the keep's courtyard. They traded fire with one of the guards who was trapped outside of the keep, their gunshots punching holes in the old masonry of the fortress. Alden took a reckless chance, charging the low wall the cultist was hiding behind with his sword. Unfortunately as he came up over the wall to slash the cultist he found the man ready with rifle aimed. His slash was deflected by the cultists chainmail and the rifle shot punched a hole through Alden's duraplast breastplate and dropped him nearly dead in the courtyard. The other knights and Brother Godfrey rushed in as the cultist reloaded, Willemeena's armored form crushed atop bleeding Alden to shield him from another shot. The cultist put an armor-piercing bullet into Altier's chest as well but grazing shot didn't stop the knight from cutting him down with his buzzing Kossak chainsword. The knights secured the compound and tried to find a way into the keep other than it's heavy armored doors. Sir Ian performed first aid on Alden and he was able to get up and around but he was still badly wounded. Uzilo carefully placed a breaking charge on the doors to the keep while he was covered by knights keeping careful watch on the keep's firing ports right above the door.

With another successful Uzilo detonation the keep's heavy oak doors fell in and Sir Ian and Lady Willemena lead the charge to clean out the last of the hiding cultists with a hail of gunfire. Alden and Sir Ben joined the search for remaining cultists and after a stressful search of the dank cramped keep they discovered Lady Aria Turrian Decados locked in her own Dungeon along with her knights, guards, and most of her household staff. Lady Sekbridge immediately took charge, taking custody of the arms of the cultists the knights felled and graciously offering her forgiveness for The Order of the Blue Glove invading her lands. She worked quickly to establish a command post and fortify the hammered keep while she made sure the Alden and Altier's wounds were cared for.

Brother Godfrey looked after the needs of those who had been imprisoned by the cultists, many of them tortured or abused, he tended to their dehydration and simple discomforts. He offered confession to a number of the staff who confessed to the more atrocious sins. They had betrayed their house and Lady and put others in harm's way when the Cultists were taking over the fief in order to save their own lives. Brother Godfrey wasn't shocked, frightened people can do horrible things, but it was a stark contrast of the difference between these spineless Decados householders and the knights who had just risked their lives to free their enemies. Uzilo and Ben crept back down into the village below and brought up the autowagons to keep them out of enemy hands and lastly as the sun rose on the keep Uzilo stretched out in the back of the Autowagon and had a lazy nap while basking in the sun's warm light.

As the morning wore on the Keep was fortified and the survivors were fed a meager meal from the keep's depleted stores. Knights of the Blue Glove kept watch beside Decados militia men and Alden and Altier rested. A few attempts were made to use the Keep's antenna to squawk other members of The Order or raise the Graff's forces but to no avail. As the sun began to set without a response from the Cultists the mood grew grim. Alden was woken and brought up to a conclave around a map of the fief laid out on the bed of the Order's autowagon as they drew up plans for the next push. Lady Sekbridge had been less than  generous in her offer of aid, her men were wounded and rattled and she had hopes that the Graff's men were coming to save her. The consensus among the knights was that it was still foolish to push onto Rande Shire's sure trap without more numbers, especially in light of the fact that the cultists were armed with armor piercing ammunition. They calculated that Rande Shire was a day and a half away by foot and if word of the siege reached them the response force would be coming in two more days or less if the news traveled by horse. It was decided they wouldn't abandon Lady Sekbridge, enemy or not she was a noble Lady and their code as knights would not permit them to abandon her to cultists, so reinforcements must be had. They decided two volunteers would drive to Henningholm in Irkuz in hopes of drawing reinforcements back to Sekbridge. As Alden was wounded and Brother Godfrey could pray for them anywhere it was decided they would ride for help and with any luck the cultists might be confused into thinking The Order had withdrawn.

With only a handful of hours of sleep over the last day between them the brothers set out on the muddy roads of Sekbridge, driving into the night. Nearly at dawn the arrived at the Order's Manse at Henningholm and were greeted by sleepy servants who showed them in to wait. Brother Godfrey fell asleep on the couch almost immediately after they arrived. The High Marshall Lord Banner Hening VanGelder came down in his dressing gown, curious as to what his most provocative knight could have brought him in the middle of the night. Alden retold the tale of their battle in Sekbridge and surprisingly the Lord Marshall was well informed of what he had been doing. Banner walked to a nearby table laid out with a map of the valley and colorful little wooden blocks that likely represented  forces at play. The Lord Marshal's brother Gunther arrived looking equally disheveled as Banner was taking measurements with a pen and wrapping his head around a plan. When Banner spoke it was with almost tactical detachment "When it was just a small cadre of knights invading a fief under interdiction there was plausible deniability, if we go all-in it will mean we will face consequences as they land. The Inquisition is either 9 hours into the valley from Stone Harbor or they arrived moments after you drove out but I doubt they traveled into a den of antimonists by night." he looked up at Alden and Gunther "We can act if we act very quickly. Sir Alden you'll drive supplies and news back to the keep, no squawker transmission, Gunther I'll need you to make a few stops to gather forces. If you encounter the Inquisition then you will co-operate with them but delay them as best you can to give your brethren.. and sistren. time to wrap up their battles and escape Sekbridge. If you get in before the inquisition assume they will be arriving at any moment, move quickly, secure prisoners as you can and get out without being caught.". The Order manse erupted into quick action as Banner got on the squawker and tried to reach knights in the field and servants began loading the autowagons with supplies and rifles while Gunther changed hastily into Noble attire and loaded his armor into the back of the Autowagon. Gunther advised Alden that with his run he would be about 6 hours behind them and they must get supplies to their comrades in the keep before attempting any other actions. With that they pulled out of the drive of the manor house and drove off in different roads in the morning twilight.

Within hours, with the dawn's light still bleeding through the forests, the brothers had reached Stone Harbor. At the turn they saw a pair of big white autowagons coming towards them less than a half-mile up the highway. They were too far to see the livery on the vehicles but Brother Godfrey was certain they were inquisition. In a split second Alden decided to take the turn quickly into Sekbridge and they began driving recklessly across the muddy roads and bridges to get as much of a lead on the Inquisition as they could.

Back at the keep Uzilo was antsy with an attack impending. Feeling uncomfortable in the cool winter night he took stock of the road up to the keep and by moonlight he went out and laid half a dozen improvised mines and incendiary devices using the last of his crate of explosives. Whatever was coming up the road wouldn't be approaching quietly and wouldn't be ready for what they'd step on. When the sky started to lighten he walked around the yard of the keep, and huddled near a fire barrel to stay warm, being sure not to unsettle the humans any more than he needed to.

Around lunchtime the brothers returned in their autowagon with food for the knights and Uzilo. There was a moment of panic as they started to drive up the road towards the first of the mines but they were waved back until Uzilo could disarm them. In another tailgate planning session it was decided that with the Inquisition closing in some attempt must be made to rescue VanGelder hostages in Rande Shire or all of their efforts would be wasted. Sir Ben had learned from one of the Keen guards that there was a waterfront trail that was accessible from an escape exit below the dungeons that turns inland at Tomokin Village and travels up into the highlands to Rande Shire. It was decided two knights would remain behind to defend the Keep while the rest of the knights with Uzilo and Brother Godfrey scouted Rande Shire's forces and disposition. If the Inquisition came to the keep the knights standing guard would follow the forward group to Rande Shire and if Rand Shire had been secured by the inquisition the forward group would retreat to the Keep. Altier's wound would slow down the forward group so he volunteered to stay back. Willemeena had the only longarm with a scope so she volunteered to guard the high tower on the keep.

The Forward party led by Alden geared up and took a split of the supplies before sneaking out of the Keep's hidden escape and hiking out on the trail to Rande Shire. Just before sunset they encountered Tomokin Village, it was lit but deathly quiet. Brother Godfrey wanted to check on the inhabitants but Alden argued that if they encountered cultists it could bring failure to the mission. So they skirted around the edge of the quiet little village and continued on the trail heading up into the highlands. Just past Tomokin Village exhaustion set in. Knights who had been expecting an attack all night were flagging and Alden and Brother Godfrey could barely stay on their feet. They settled down in the brush in the dark, divied up their supplies and hoped that Sir Ben's fancy watch alarm would rouse them in a few hours.

Uzilo woke in the night to the sound of distant shouts and firelight playing across the canopy. In and instant he was aware that dozens of people were running towards him. Instinctively he laid still in the bushes and waited to see if this was a threat that could be avoided. Beside him Brother Godfrey stirred from his sleep with a start and Uzilo hastily covered the priest's mouth, giving him a warning look. A few feet away from them both a stream of cultists in red, carrying torches and rifles ran down the trail towards the keep. Uzilo hold deadly still in the flickering shadow of their torchlight praying to the Pancreator that non of the knights tried something stupid. As the army of cultists passed and their torches moved away down the trail Uzilo raised his head slowly and looked at them fading into the forest and he spotted Sir Ian cautiously peering through the brush at the departing forces. As the forest once more went dark Uzilo discovered that despite his fears all of the knights had the good sense to lay still, except Alden who was too exhausted to wake up but kind enough not to attract attention by snoring.

Without discussion the party grabbed their gear and began moving up the trail to Rande Shire. They all understood this was their window of opportunity. As before sunrise they arrived on the road to Rande Shire. They cautiously approached the town from the brush and found no sign of the inquisition and what looked like only a few of the cultists largely fooling around. Rande Shire was five large barn-like metal buildings with a well and a smallish empty animal pen and what looked like tanning frames and some partially built barrels. They decided to risk that the inquisition wouldn't make a move before dawn and waited and watched for the first two hours of the morning. They noticed that there were about five cultists, as best as they could estimate with their hooded uniforms, and they seemed to be concentrated between two buildings. Alden decided that one must be their barracks, the other where the prisoners are held. He sent Sir Ian and Sir Ben to the hill on the South side of the village with his Huntsman rifle where they could take advantage of better lines of sight. While they waited for the other team to get to sneak to the hill they spotted the cultist in the black robes walking into the "hostage" hut with another cultists carrying a bucket.  Uzilo and Godfrey advanced cautiously on the village, Godfrey canting the Rite of Shielding as he hustled across the open field.

They made it about six yards away from the hostage hut before a cultist who was fooling around with the bonfire in the center of the village spotted movement and shouted the alarm and they ran for cover behind the metal quantity hut where the black robed cultist and his toady had disappeared. There was a rifle report from the South hill and the cultist who raised the alert fell down next to the bonfire. Alden spotted Sir Ben sprinting around the back of the village. Uzilo peered around the corner of the hut and kept his Dreskel Boomer on the door. As he aimed a cultist ducked out from around the corner of a building and took a pop-up shot at him, the bullet winging off the frame of the building over his head. Within the hut Brother Godfrey could hear chanting in Latin but it didn't sound like a prayer to the glory of the Pancreator. The cultist in red came screaming out of the hostage hut with nasty looking shortsword and Uzilo blasted him with two rounds of buckshot dead in the chest, dropping him into the mud dead before he finished screaming and he ducked back around the side of the hut to reload. There was another shot from the South hill that missed  the cultist who had fired on Uzilo who decided to start shooting at the sniper on the hill. Alden began taking fire from another cultist who was circling around the hut from the other side with one of those armor piercing rifles and he fired recklessly with his shotgun as he tried to take cover, not even managing to ruffle his feathers.

Shadows grew longer and darker around the base of the hostage hut stretching out to swallow the ground in their blackness and beginning to cover Uzilo, Godfrey and Alden. Alden began to cant the Rite of Empyrean Light in a panic, using his own holy symbol as the focus. Alden dodged an incoming shot from the cocky cultist coming around their right by pressing hard against the side of the hut for cover and he clipped the cultist with another blast of his shotgun. Uzilo loaded his shotgun and not seeing anyone lining up to go first, plunged himself into the blackness that filled the doorway of the hostage hut. Sir Ian and the cultist in cover traded shots fruitlessly and Sir Ben had all but vanished behind the village, leaving only the sound of his breathless voice over squawker "... I'm coming... fuck this is a big village..".

Within the inky darkness of the hostage hut Uzilo could hear the excited chanting of the Antimonist and a woman's hysterical sobbing but he wasn't willing to fire a shotgun blindly around hostages so he carefully waded in. Outside Brother Godfrey imbued his holy symbol with the light of a campfire pushing the shadows back like creepy recoiling tentacles of blackness, but the effort took so much out of him he was barely able to stand on his feet. The cultist who was dogging Alden fired a shot that creased the armor over his ribs but didn't injure him. Alden returned fire with the last shotgun shell loaded and obliterated his right arm. The cultists flailed in a bloody panic before going down clutching his arm. As Godfrey moved to follow Uzilo into the dark he spotted the shadow of someone in the doorway of the barracks, a 6th cultist.

Uzilo could sense the flow of power the Antimonist was using and he moved cautiously towards it when he felt a pair of icy hands wrap around his throat that disturbingly seemed to be an extension of the Szu the Antimonist was drawing upon. Brother Godfrey felt dizzy with exhaustion as he rounded the corner of the hostage hut, he stumbled and fell to the ground unconscious, his holy symbol gleaning just out of sight of the unnatural darkness within. Alden turned and hustled towards the other end of the hut, hoping to put a quick end to whatever was going on inside. The cultist trading shots with Sir Ian decided the power of dark princes wasn't worth having to be a human target and he turn and ran for it only to be shot in the back as the cultist in the dark extended a heavy revolver from the doorway of the barracks and dropped him with a single shot, then fired a shot at Alden, dinging his armor.

Inside the hostage hut Uzilo was struggling to breathe, he struggled around and shoved his shotgun into what would be the body of a person choking him and fired both barrels, there was no light from the barrel flash but he certainly heard the boom and the icy tendrils choking him evaporated leaving him coughing for breath. Outside Alden drew his Maserri Mercenary pistol to return fire on the cultist in the barracks when a wild-eyed bearded antimonist in black robes stepped out of the darkness, shadow clinging to him like a child. Alden shot him three times in the chest from inches away and killed him in an instant. As the antimonist fell to the ground Alden could see that the cultist with the heavy revolver had steeped out into the light and taken aim at his head but before he could fire a rifle shot from the South rang out and the last cultist fell to the ground in a spray of blood.

Sir Ben appeared around the side of the Baracks, panting for breath "This village is huge.."

Over the Squawker Sir Ian the Handsome chided "That's four for me chaps, were you planning on entering the fray today?"

As the dark rite reached it's conclusion the darkness inside the hostage hut faded and a cluttered workshop was revealed with workers chained by the neck to the rafters above. All of them had had their chains pulled until they were hung by them except the lone survivor, Hildi Sanderson VanGelder. When her chain was removed she stumbled to one of the corpses holding him and sobbing. As Brother Godfrey regained his consciousness he went to his cousin and tried to comfort her in her loss. Alden and Sir Ben swept the rest of the village for cultists or survivors but found only bones in the bonfire in the village, likely those who didn't want to cooperate with the cult. The pulled Hildi together quickly and swept up the cultist's weapons and some supplies for the trip home. Alden tried to squawk someone at Hendleridge to let them know knights were crossing the border, he reached a servant briefly but couldn't hold the connection long enough to get his sister on the squawker. They did their collective best best to take a bearing without any real navigation training and they set out on a path through the forest that they hoped would take them across the border into Molovko.

Session 12 - November 16 - November 5002AD

Alden was waiting outside of Redemption when Brother Godfrey finished his lesson with the Scravers, leaning on his autowagon patiently. They had made plans to have dinner and talk over plans for Sekbridge. Alden drove back to Hildi's townhome to find maid Ava unprepared for Alden or his brother. She hurried to prepare a suitable meal while they pulled on of Hildi's maps down off the wall and measured out the best plan. They contemplated marching in from their step-brothers village in Molovko but the nearest village in Sekbridge was dozens of miles away. They decided that charging in through Stone Harbor would likely just be a firefight but they thought boating into the coastal village below the Sekbridge castle could possibly get them into the heart of the fief unmolested. After some calculating they decided that they'd catch a bridge out of Gold Hills Harbour in Sarsbourg, some 90 miles down the coast. They needed a change of clothes and another fuel cell for the Autowagon.

Alden set out in the night and found that the Scravers were asking more than he had left in his pockets for a fuel cell and the Muster were doing business with nobody until the port lockdown was resolved so he surrendered to waiting until the Reeve's bank opened for the day to begin their glorious quest to free Sekbridge. Brother Godfrey returned to the Cathedral to pack and get some sleep.

Alden woke in the morning and got in some practice with the sword while visualizing taking down some filthy stinking Decados. Then he showered, packed and overnight bag and checked his weapons before going to wait for the Reeve's bank to open. Alden quickly collected his monthly stipend and made arrangements for his rent and rent for his cousin Hildi. He walked to the bazaar to pick up a fuel cell and then drove to the cathedral to pick up his brother. As he pulled up to the side entrance, Brother Godfrey was waiting there packed for the long drive.

The Brothers made excellent time to the Sarsbourg border, crossing through Woodbridge before the sun was full in the sky, but the fief's old gravel roads slowed them down considerably and the winding drive gave them time to talk. Godfrey wanted to know Alden's thoughts on who ultimately is responsible for all of the troubles in the value. Alden apologetically explained that he didn't care. He has a family member in trouble and Decados mischief on the border of his family lands. He doesn't have the liberty of looking any deeper into the cause until he's solved the problem. Just after noontime the pulled over the rise and into view of Sarsbourg Manor. It was decided on the spot that the brothers didn't want to deal with the interference of Lord Braam and they detoured around his home to drive down to Gold Hills Harbour.

The Harbor was bustling with afternoon activity, mostly traders bidding on honey and loading it aboard their boats while fishermen returned from the day's fishing. Brother Godfrey noted the very large number of Muster in the small seaside town, drinking and laughing and talking on squawkers and generally just being brutes among the underfed peasants and freemen. Alden drove up to the headman's home and spoke with his son who was duly impressed by his Order of the Blue Glove arm band. The son agreed with the good sense of having Alden keep his autowagon safe in the headman's garage. Brother Godfrey picked up some food and mead from town peddlers and then they moved to the docks.

Down on the water the scene wasn't more chaotic. A number of steamer ships were loaded down with crates of cargo with more being loaded on and merchants were gossiping about Lord Braam having a distress sale to pay for all of his new mercenaries. As the brothers talked to boat pilots about a trip up the coast there was a commotion of a trio of knights of Lexitus barging down the narrow docks and threatening to shove anyone in their way into the harbor. Brother Godfrey recognized Lady Mirren in the back of the procession cradling her rifle, ready for resistance. He wanted to talk with her about the burning of the temple in Sarsbourg but he was reluctant to interfere in their serious business. The Church knights made their way to one of the larger steamers and exchanged their nondescript wooden chest for another nondescript wooden chest, then the departed, Lady Miren giving Godfrey a friendly smile as she recognized him in the crowd.

As the brothers watched the scene unfold they heard a young man clear his throat and speak from one of the boats behind them "Are you gentlemen looking for passage up to Sekbridge?" The enterprising skinny fisherman standing on a short sailboat introduced himself as Boris and introduced the brothers to his partner Dennis. He made the case that they were capable sailors who could get them where they were going and back for 5 Bird. The brothers talked him down to 3 1/2 FB and he wasn't too keen on the deal but he shook hands on it and within just a few minutes they were motoring out of the port. The trip was long and the little boat was crowded but it gave the brothers a chance to catch some sleep on the gently rocking waves.

Late in the night Alden was gently shook awake by Boris the fisherman, in the moonlight he could see the black and foreboding coastline but had no idea where they were. Boris leaned down and whispered "Just past this point is Sekbridge castle and the port town you wanted. If it looks safe we'll sail in close to the beach and you can disembark. Be quiet the noise carries over the water.." Alden woke his brother and they both watched and listened as they quietly sailed past the lights of the little coastal village. Up above they could see fires on the battlement of a cliffside castle. Alden motioned for the beach and the little boat silently changed heading, shoaling into the shore. Boris helped the brothers into the waves and handed them their belongings "We'll be back here at first light, be careful, we're not going to risk our lives for a handful of birds.." and with that the little boat pushed off and sailed into the dark waves.

Alden and Brother Godfrey armed up on the beach until they heard shouts from the village. Not wanting to be discovered they hurried into the swampy brambles inland and hid in the dark. They saw a trio of men in Decados militia uniforms with torches and clubs talking about how they're sure they saw the boat come into the shore. The militia searched up the beach for a while before returning to the village, leaving the brothers on high alert. Not being skilled scouts the brothers moved slowly and cautiously towards the road up to the cliffside fortress. Aria Turian Decados's manse was a massive stone keep built out of the side of a jagged cliff with a forbidding road cut into the cliff face and huge doors guarding the keep's small bailey. There was no safe approach to the keep much less a way to lay siege to it but Alden was confident his cousin Hildi and any other captives were locked in it's bowels.

The brothers returned downhill to check out the village and found it empty with few lights showing. As they approached they could hear the tolling of the church bell in the Orthodoxy temple at the other end of the village. Brother Godfrey felt his heart sink in the fear that parishioners might be in trouble or worse. In a split second the brothers pushed forward on the road with weapons ready and walked cautiously towards the dark town. Brother Godfrey chanted the Rite of Shielding. Halfway towards the ringing village the bell stopped, it's resonance hanging in the night air. Alden noted a pub and the stone edifice of what must be the head-man's house. He reasoned that if he were going to take control of a village he'd do it from the most fortified building. Remaining focused on the buildings the brothers failed to see enemies creeping up on them in the shadows between.

The first attackers came from behind them, the three armed militia men now dressed in red jackets charging them with clubs and then driving out from between two buildings much closer two others in red, one with a club and one with a flail. Alden caught sight of movement inside the darkened headman's house as a man with a large-bore rifle took aim on them. Brother Godfrey was unsure what to do, he drew his revolver and aimed it at one of the attackers. Alden was the target of the first attacks, shrugging off club blows and the smack of that flail. He felt the sting of a rifle-shot to his back but it did little more than bruise him through his armorplast plate. More cultists emerged from the Orthdox temple ahead as the street became crowded with these thugs. As Godfrey saw their heraldry in the lamplight he recognized the symbol as the Fang of Chord, a mystic symbol associated with Antimony. He started shooting, firing a shot into the chest of a red-jacketted cultist charging him with a sword and staggering the man. Alden put a mean slice into the chest of one of the cultists with clubs but he was quickly overrun and grappled by the mob as he tried to keep them away from his brother. One of the cultists fired wildly at Godfrey but his theurgy caused the bullets to sway away from his legs. From the doors of the temple Godfrey saw a man in red robes with a long black beard. He raised his hands and began to chant and Godfrey felt the arcane energies of the other theurgist. Alden struggled loose and caught the incoming attack of one of the cultists, using his Montok training to throw him into another cultists but he was quickly entangled by the flail of the armored cultists he was fighting and grabbed by another. Godfrey shot at another cultists but missed in the panic of battle, unable to get line-of-sight on the Antimonist theurgist. The cultists closed in Godfrey was beaten by clubs, Alden struggled against numbers of cultists trying to drag him down. Godfrey managed to force the door of the headman's house open and push his way in to escape his attackers only to find himself face-to-face with the rifleman who was expecting him.

The bearded cultist finished his dark rite and a lance of green fire shot across the ground at the brothers exploding under Alden and washing the ground in front of the headman's house in icy green fire. The men struggling to hold Alden panicked but Alden kept his cool. Standing int he flames he drew his pistol and fired from the hip, shooting the cult leader in the heart and dropping him in the street. He began shooting the remaining cultists to keep them from regrouping, leaving half dead or dying on the street and the rest running into the dark. Inside the headman's house the Godfrey pleaded for the rifleman aiming at his heart to be reasonable but the cultist fired with a grin. Godfrey found out that his Rite of Shielding was indeed still active as the bullet swayed away from his chest and blew through the rock wall of the house. Godfrey lifted his revolver and shot the rifleman in the chest three times, killing him, then saying a breif blessing for his soul. Alden pushed into the headman's house and barricaded the door while they both reloaded and peered out the windows at the street.

At Godfrey's urging the two crept out into the street and dragged the bearded cult leader back to the safety of the headman's house. They saw no sign of the fleeing cultists or any innocent villagers but they did pick up some fine Van Gelder arms off of the cultists that were armed with slug guns. Godfrey performed clumsy first aid on the cult leader and even gave him some Elyxir but he didn't wake. As they gathered themselves they could hear a commotion outside of town and glancing out the door they saw mounted men riding from the direction of the keep. Both brothers were wounded and exhausted. They had seen some boats in the swamp below the village so the crept out the back of  the headman's house and found a rickety old dock with a rowboat. The carried the cult leader and their looted arms to the boat and got it in the water while riders with torches searched the village. Neither brother had any working knowledge of a rowboat but both were certain it couldn't be hard. With a lot of splashing and shoving the boat up on the muddy shoals they finally escaped the little town and rowed out of the swamps into the coastal waters.

The brothers took turns drawing the oars through the night, putting as much space between them and the corrupted village as they followed the shore back to Sarsbourg, but poorly skilled at boating the quickly exhausted themselves fighting the waves and bobbing off course in the dark. Eventually their boat hit shore and they simply got out. They discovered that the cult leader had died in the boat. They gathered their things and began walking Southward down the beach, reasoning that it couldn't move much slower than in the boat.

In the dark of the night they heard a large vessel passing them and tried to raise it on their squawker but only received a broadcast "This is the DNS Hippopotamus, We are flying war colors, Any vessel attempting to interdict us will be fired on.." the message repeated grimly despite Alden's fevered attempts to warn the ship of Antimonists in Sekbridge.

Morning came and Brother Godfrey was exhausted. Alden wasn't in much better shape. As the sun rose high in the sky they could see the smoke of a coastal village ahead. They had no idea who's lands they were in or even if the cultists were limited to Sekbridge. They the a creek that poured into the beach and approached the quaint thatched roofs of the rural village. As they drew near they heard the roar of an engine and before they could react a big off-road autowagon roared onto the beach and charged at them. The vehicle stopped about a hundred feet away and a muster stood over the cab and leveled a Rocketter at them "Weapons on the sand and take three steps back..." Not having had the best of times with the Muster lately Alden aimed his shotgun away from the autowagon and explained "I am Sir Alden Hendle Va/" the Muster in the back of the Autowagon raised his voice "Weapons on the sand and take three steps back or my next response will have an armor piercing warhead.." Godfrey dropped his pistol in the sand and pleaded with his brother who eventually dropped his many guns onto the beach and they both backed away as the guilders demanded. Two more muster exited the autowagon and approached them fast with weapons ready, putting them on their knees and checking them for weapons and papers. Once the Muster verified who Alden and Brother Godfrey were they apologized for the paranoia, handed them their weapons back and helped them into the autowagon to drive them back to Costner Village.

Within the peaceful little Sheppard village the Muster helped the brothers out of their autowagon and into the headman's house. They discovered they were safely just across Sarsbourg's boarders. Costner's headman was a pleasant old fellow named Brendon and the leader of the Muster was a Sgt named Poler. Alden got the impression that the Muster had been hired by Lord Braam to protect Costner and that would indicate that Braam knew at least something about Sekbridge. One of Poler's privates performed first aid on the brothers while Headman Brendon heated up some soup for the them and let them rest in comfortable chairs while he hammered out how to get them back to Gold Hills and Lord Braam's estates. Within a few hours the Muster sent one of their lower ranking mercenaries to drive Alden and Brother Godfrey back to their autowagon and then they drove up the hill to Lord Braam Lindscroft VanGelder's estate.

Alden and his brother arrived in the late afternoon. Alden made a brief report to the Lord of the manor about the state of Sekbridge. Lord Braam was surprised but not with the panic that was his usual character, he knew much more than he was letting on. Alden was permitted to use Lord Braam's squawker center and with the amplified antenna he barely managed to reach Sir Altier of the Order of the Blue Glove who assured Alden he would try to raise a posse to respond to Sekbridge. Godfrey had laid down on a couch for a moment and fell into an exhausted sleep. Alden soon joined his brother.

The both of them were woken after dark by a servant rousing them to serve them dinner in the den. Alden had asked if there was any response from his order but the kitchen girl shook her head. Alden got on his squawker and tried to raise anyone on his Order's frequency and immediately he was responded to by Sir Ben, Sir Ian the Handsome and Lady Willie. They all seemed shocked to hear about the antimonist activity and all began pestering Alden for details with frustrating urgency and peculiar inquiry until they began to laugh, finally telling Alden that they were standing in Lord Braam's courtyard arming up and letting him sleep in. Alden stepped out into the courtyard and greeted his order brothers. They reviewed the Intel and proposed plains for a raid on Sekrbidge Fortress. It was decided that a raid in autowagons would give them an advantage of mobility. It was also decided that if they were going to siege a fortress they should get the help of a sapper, so they mounted up and drove back to Sokol to try to convince Uzilo to help them.

The posse arrived at Uzilo's shop near dawn and Alden and Brother Godfrey tried to convince him to aid them. Uzilo was at first very reluctant to deal with Antimonists and less so to push his luck with the Inquisition. Uzilo was concerned for his foolish human friends but more interested in convincing them to leave this mess alone. Alden finally won him over by offerring to invest as a full partner in his alchemy shop. Uzilo packed a crate of explosives. Sir Ian put fresh fuel cells in both Autowagons and they took off up the valley highway to Sekbridge.

Several hours later in the early afternoon Altier in the lead autowagon waved the brothers to the side of the road. The gathered up and had a quick tactics meeting less than a mile from Stone Harbor. It was decided that they would siege the guard house and take control of Stone Harbor and Alden's autowagon would lead the charge. They mounted up, sped up, and drove hard into Stone Harbor.

Session 11 - November 10 - November 12 5002AD

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.

Session 10 - November 4 - November 9 5002 AD

Alden felt heartsick again watching the priests take little Emily away from him. It was as if he couldn't protect anyone close to him from this world. He turned away from the Cathedral side entrance and walked into the night until he found himself at Hilidi's townhouse, a reminder that his cousin was still missing. He walked in to find Maid Ava nervously tidying up and tripping over herself to apologize that the Church took Emily from her care. Alden showered and went to sleep

Brother Godfrey was more curious about the turn of events and the possibility that his biological father was imprisoned somewhere in the Cathedral. He asked around at some of the clergy he knew but they're reactions ranged from cluelessness to disbelieve that a prisoner would be housed in the Cathedral. He turned in for the night obsessed with the notion of meeting his real father in chains.

Alden woke before the dawn, unable to tend to any errands on his list. He walked down to the garage and took stock of the space, making plans for how he'd lay it out once he had money to furnish it. He did a bit of practicing in the garage, hoping to sharpen up his swordwork. As he stood in the wharf streets before dawn, cooling down, he watched the big cargo ships come in and go with no cargo being moved up or down the pier, each day the stagnant cargo piling higher in the yard.

Godfrey woke feeling no better than the night before but pulled himself out of bed through strength of will. He met his brethren for morning prayers and he took confession. The local dioces confessor wouldn't meet the requirement for his confessions as a theurgist but he still found the practice comforting and it helped him marshal his will against his troubles. He found coffee and sought out the Chartoplanx to gain access to the Cathedral's Starlight. With some assistance he reached out to the Engineer's Guild in Elibyrge posing as Doctor Sarkensen's associate to find out the status of the analysis of the piece of the Count's stage that was soaked in poison. The Engineer Fellow seemed genuinely confused and said they showed no record of a contract with the doctor and perhaps the work order was made with the Sokol branch of the Guild. Godfrey wrestled together a bowl of oatmeal and some fruit for breakfast and headed out into the Bazaar. He met with Entered Ellis at the Engineer's help counter who shared the same confusion. He knew the Doctor well and could say with certainty he hadn't spoken with him in weeks. He suggested that perhaps Doctor Sarkensen made the mistake of taking his business to the Alchemist's Cartel. While Godfrey was at the service desk he got a referral for someone to teach him the Think Machine.

Alden felt the need to get updated with his order and possibly get intel on this NLO leader that he was meeting with. This time he decided to attempt to drive only part-way to the Order's Manor and attempt to squawk them. With some work he found a high hill at the edge of the fields around Sokol city where he could get poor reception with the manor house. He was able to reach Marshal Gunther Henning Van Gelder. Gunther was no help, he had really heard nothing about any "Dragon" among the NLO but he commented it sounded suspiciously like Hironem mysticism. Gunther did say there was a big event planned at the manor early in the following week that he wanted Alden to attend if he was able and he reminded Alden that the lists for the Winter Tourney were open today and making a showing in the tournament is important to the public face of the Order.

After a disappointing search for the poison Brother Godfrey stopped by the Castle district gates hoping to get an appointment with the Tourney Council. While he waited for them to arrive he spotted his Brother Alden arriving to survey the turnout to sign up for tourney events. After waiting in line for some time entrenched with Decados scumbag knights he arrived at the business window to find out that he had already been entered in not just the courtly contests but the general entry events as well. The clerk at the desk didn't know who had paid his tickets for the events but had an envelope with his name on it containing all of his entry tickets for all 10 Tournament contests. Soon after Godfrey was admitted to speak to the council and Alden begrudgingly agreed to accompany him and wait to speak afterwards. Sitting on a bench in the hallway of the County Courts building, Sir Alden of the Blue Glove was surrounded by Decados livery and banners and and endless tour of passing Decados pages and courtiers passing him and whispering about him indiscreetly.

In the Council chambers Brother Godfrey met with the three petty Decados nobles that made up the Council, their council chambers was a multi-purpose room that likely served councils for other seasonal efforts, not unlike the work halls he used in the Cathedral. The Council had a list of concerns that mostly boiled down to them being a little panicky that the Bishop was going to use her influence to make the Count's Tourney into a religious event. Godfrey assured them that the Bishop's interest was just to use a public event for good politics just like everyone else. The Council caved on most events but they were reluctant to have a child's tournament with padded weapons and three legged races because they were worried it would belittle the child's competitive rankings with steel weapons. Godfrey laid down the law and explained that the Church was funding nearly half of the Tournament this year and they'd be happy to allow the tournament council to buy-back their share if they want to dictate terms to their largest backer. The Council's snooty tone turned on a Talon and they even offered to allow the children to use the jousting green for their events. The council was very excited to find out that the Church wanted to center their theme around Lexitus and his trials, finding him the most palatable of the saints and most allied with the courtly fashion of the tournament.

While waiting for his brother, Alden struck on a smart idea. He walked down the hall to the offices of the Count's Chancellor and spoke with a court officer, a comely young Decados who was very suspicious of Alden's motives as a knight of the blue glove. Alden told the man that he saw the Count's stage was damaged by the attack at the festival and he would like to pay for the repair of the stage if he could take the damaged wood. The officer was immediately paranoid but soon became convinced that Alden was a genius for repairing the stage that served as a trauma to the Count. He told Alden he'd get an estimate for the repairs. And when Alden reminded him about the damaged wood the officer he waved his hand disinterestedly and assured Alden he'd find an opportunity to drop his name in connection with the stage repairs.

The brothers lingered outside the County Court's Hall and reflected on their recent discoveries. Alden expressed regrets that he couldn't help the Muster Sgt's sister Kimberly Hayes and reasoned that the mess at the port is his own fault to some degree. Brother Godfrey warned away his grief with a parable of the evil man in the crowd where Horace revealed that many hands do the work of a single sin but that the only man who is really culpable is the one who ignores sin in his fellow man. They speculated impatiently about the impact of this meeting with the "Dragon" but neither of them knew what to expect.

Alden parted ways with his brother for the night and swung by the Salon to see if any of his Order were wetting their beaks. Instead he found the Salon packed with Decados nobles and soldiers. Feeling armored and arrogant Alden stepped up to the bar. Alden enjoyed a tall cold glass of mango nectar while waiting for an opportunity to start a fight. Instead he overheard conspiring as the Decados angrily talked about some shared concern. "She can't get away with this, this is way out of bounds." "What recourse do we have? The Count isn't accepting any petitioners, it's almost as if she's shut him down before we can even try.." "If the Count is too cowardly we'll go to the Duchess!" "The Duchess? Do you know someone in her court? Because I can't get on her appointments.." "We need a Baron to even get in her waiting room." "What about Valasky, he's the flavor of the month.. She'll see him." "Is he even back from his honeymoon?" "What about Syrzan? Wouldn't he help us?" "Not without a heavy cost.. We're better off waiting on the young couple to return.." Eventually Alden's lingering felt suspicious and he paid and walked out, trading hard looks at one of the soldiers near the door.

Alden returned to the castle gates and met with the Chancellor's officer who told him he could rebuild the damaged stage for 16 FB. Alden passed him the coins and reminded him he would need the damaged wood. The officer shrugged and assured him he'd have a page or someone drop the damaged lumber off at his home in the next day or so.

Alden squawkered up to Sir Ben and the knights garrisoned up at Castle Hapsburg. Ben wasn't all that worried about the turn of events but confessed he was getting very bored and hoped Alden would come up and spar with him a bit. Alden drove out to visit him and drop off some tobacco and sweets and to relay news of the big Order going on next week, but he felt too tired to spar so he returned to Hildi's and slept lightly.

Brother Godfrey returned to the Cathedral and called it a night, waking fresh and early. He was surprised to see the Cathedral so quiet as he went to fetch breakfast and found almost nobody in the prayer hall for morning vespers. Travelling through the residence he found a cluster of clergymen at the end of a hall looking over the balcony at the street outside the side entrance to the Cathedral grounds. As he approached he throng he could see a swarm of Decados nobles, knights and soldiers standing in the street outside brandishing weapons and staring back at the spooked priests. Apparently they had been there since dawn and nobody knows what they're after.

Brother pushed past the nervous churchmen at the gates and walked out onto the city streets into the midst of the Decaods. Sizing up notables in the crowd. He decided to talk to Lady Szorcha Chomolnv Decados of Snopa Pass, the more powerful of the landed nobles he recognized. She was a powerfully built woman with rugged features and jet black braids. Godfrey mentally noted that her fief was the location of the attack against the roadside temple that left priests burnt in the highway.
"How can I be of assistance to House Decados today my lady?"
"We're here to see to the release of Baron Andre little priest."
"I'm afraid I've no information about his charges or disposition but I could look into that for you if you like.."
"That's no mystery, we've already spoken to the Count's men and he has no knowledge of the warrant for the Baron so we'd like him presently, in good health and good faith."
"My lady, I'm afraid I don't even know if he's within the Cathedral.."
"In that case we'd like an excuse..."
"Pardon? An excuse"
The woman stared Brother Godfrey down, tightening her grip on her high-tech saber "Yes, any excuse will do.. see if you can provide us with some excuse to take him.."
Godfrey smiled nervously "I'll look into that for you as well ma'am, good day to you.." and he backed away slowly towards the Cathedral, a little astounded by the brazen gall of these Decados.

Brother Godfrey ran for the Sancrosanct looking for the Bishop. As he approached her office doors they bowled open and Swords of Lexitus in full gear bearing arms marched out. Left behind Godfrey found the Bishop armoring up with the aid of her initiate. He launched into an explanation of what the Decados wanted and she just smiled. He pleaded with her to stop her knights before things escalated and she smiled at him patronizingly "Brother Godfrey, The Decados aren't here for a fight. They know they can't survive an attack on the Diocese politically or militarily. They're just pushing because that's how things worked before. I'm going to clear them off the streets like delinquents. They'll be sore but they'll learn a valuable lesson about thew new Diocese.. Speaking of learning lessons I'm reluctant to ask a favor of your brother but I'm afraid I need him." Godfrey wasn't sure what her angle was but he wasn't about to point out his Brother hated her. She continued to explain "Baron Andre cannot stand trial here with these shenanigans and the Swords of Lexitus cannot accompany him to Elibyrge to stand trial. I need someone of some martial bearing to guard him. Will you and your brother drive the Baron to the Church prison in Elibyrge?" Godfrey said he would ask his brother but didn't think he would accept.

Alden was up and about the Baazar looking for a map of Sekbridge when he brother squawked him and told him the Decados were about to attack the Cathedral and the Bishop was summoning him. However by the time he wound his autowagon through the streets of the Hub he found that the last of the Decados forces were being shown down the street by a mass of town guardsmen. He parked and walked into the Cathdral's rear entrance. Brother Godfrey intercepted his brother and lead up straight to the Bishop's offices to find her now being stripped of her armor without having broken a sweat. She greeted Alden with a warm smile and a averted his eyes as she was unarmored "I'm loathed to impose on you once more but I find myself once again in need of your help. Baron Andre Romonov has to be transported to the Cathedral in Elibyrge and my Order brethren cannot leave Sokol. Would you be able to serve as his guard for the transfer? I of course can compensate you." Alden sneered at her "I'm not a mercenary.." "No!.." she responded raising her hands in surrender "I meant to offense to your good name Sir Alden. As you were already coming along I thought it would be an imposition to expect you to take on responsibilities outside your normal obligations." Alden was perplexed but kept his composure "I wasn't aware I was travelling with the Baron, am I late to be informed?" The Bishop flashed an embarrassed smile "I'm so sorry Sir Alden, I just presumed you'd be making the trip with your young ward Emily as she's travelling with the Baron and vulnerable to whatever schemes House Decados chooses to launch.." Alden gritted his teeth "It seems I am going to be along for the trip, thank you for your kind offer of compensation but it won't be necessary.. Have the prisoner readied and I'll fetch my Autowagon if you'll grant me my leave." The Bishop smiled and shook her head "There will be no need, the convoy will depart tomorrow morning. I'll arrange for a room for you for the night.." Alden stood by the door of her office and shook his head "There's no sense in that, quietly ready the prisoner, we'll leave through the back and be in Elibyrge before the Decados finish their breakfast.." Bishop Asha stared at Alden with a single raised brow, calculating at him silently for a moment before responding "Brilliant.." she turned to her initiate "Tilly, arrange for provisions and paperwork for these men, I'll see to the Baron personally.." and she marched out of her own office, leaving the brothers unsure if this was a win or a loss.

Ten minutes later Alden was parking his autowagon at the rear of the Cathedral and two Swords of Lexitus knights loaded a hooded figure in shackles into the wagon's flatbed. A white jacketed initiate climbed into the back as well carrying a box of provisions. The young boy introduced himself as Initiate Gans, a cheerful enough lad. Brother Godfrey tried to encourage the youth to stay behind but he insisted that the Bishop herself assigned him to this expedition. So onward they rolled. Their first stop was at Uzilo's workshop but the hironem was in the middle of cooking a batch and couldn't leave it alone so they drove onto The Causeway and into the night.  Once out of town they pulled the hood back from their captive and were actually surprised to find that they had the real Baron Andre. A few minutes outside of Sokol City they got a squawk from Uzilo "A pair of white autocoaches just followed you onto The Causeway. I'd be ready for trouble on the road,"

The brothers stopped briefly at the border crossing into Elibyrge, nervously waiting as their vehicle was searched. Upon seeing prisoner transfer papers they were quickly waved through the checkpoint. As they were driving out a pair of white autocoaches with Decados livery pulled in behind them. They caught sight of the headlights in the tunnels under the mountain and saw them in the distance briefly when they stopped to change out fuel cells but the horsepower of their autowagon was too much for the Decados to catch. When the sun rose there was no sign of the Decados behind them.

Whenever Godfrey wasn't driving he was making pointed conversation with Baron Andre asking him about his crimes, most of which were met with glowers and annoyed stares. Finally Godfrey asked him if he reads and he boasted "Constantly, it's one of the many prizes of being a man of immense power, time and wealth enough to read as I like.." "Have you read anything good recently?" Godfrey asked, positioning himself to hand his birth father a copy of one of his books to read during his imprisonment. "A friend of mine recommended a series of books about a priest, fictions, not biographies, I doubt you would have heard of them." "Oh really? what are they about?" "They're called the Calder Mysteries, about a priest who solves crimes with the breadth of his knowledge.." Brother Godfrey smiles and opened his writing kit "Would you like to read the next unpublished manuscript?" Andre smiled smugly "Well I suppose I have some time.." he accepted the bound manuscript and began flipping though it engrossedly, waving off interruptions until he was substantially into the book "It wasn't the father.. everyone would expect the father.." Godfrey exhausted by his own game just came out with it "Baron Andre, I am your son through Alica Decados.." Andre looked up from the book drolly "Allustraude, I'm one of the most powerful men in Sokol County, do you really imagine I don't know everything about my own son?"

Through the rest of the journey Brother Godfrey and Baron Andre talked candidly. Immediately Baron Andre denied involvement in the burning of the temple in Sarsbourg, but oddly stated that he did nothing to stop it. When asked who did burn down the church Andre pointed out to Brother Godfrey that he was there and likely saw more. Andre asked if he encountered any of the Sword of Lexitus that night then further guessed that Lady Miren's explanation for why she was in Sarsbourg in the middle of the night didn't pan out and Godfrey had to admit that he hadn't heard anything about her in Sarsbourg after she left in pursuit of Harden Peak's militiamen. Godfrey pointed out that Andre did send his men into Sarsbourg and the Baron denied it, but again said he did nothing to stop it. Godfrey guessed correctly that Andre's son Luger ordered the raid and the Baron admitted that he disliked Braam Lindscroft VanGelder intensely and would have benefited from a few dozen steers going to slaughter at the beginning of winter, but he had nothing to gain from burning down an Orthodox Temple. Brother Godfrey asked who the Baron imagines burned down the Church and he explained that there are three people who stand to gain the most from his incarceration. Baroness Eldana Hapsburg VanGelder who has been his longtime rival, the Bishop, who's political aims for Sokol conflict with his financial prerogatives, and Leutennant Bossman the Port Boss who may believe that he can exploit Andre's son Luger. Alden commented that the Muster are too busy doing nothing to set him up and Andre laughed that off. Alden further explained that the Port had been locked up because Luukas Hendle VanGelder was too cheap to pay a 1500FB ransom for the sister of the Muster he had kidnapped. Andre eyed Alden and asked him "Do you really think a Muster Sgt can closed down a 2000FB per day contract over a 1500FB ransom that could have been avoided by hiring a 1000FB hit team to get the kidnapped girl back? The closure of the port isn't about a kidnapping and not likely about whatever else they say it's about." Alden chuffed at Andre's know-it-all attitude "Why would they give up that stream of firebirds then?" Andre smiled a Decados smile "It's a wedge, a wedge to create a gap between the hands of the powerful and either money or power and it will be followed by a grab.." Alden mulled the idea over "Then who''s hand and which are they going to grab?" Andre laughed "I'm a man in irons racing towards my jail cell, If I were you I'd ask my son, he writes mystery novels.."

The brothers and Andre arrived in the late evening after driving through the night. Elibyrge city was a confusing brightly lit labyrinth of ramps and tunnels that led through the massive pylons that created the plateaus of the main city. The eventually found the way to the Cathedral's Pylon and entered the massive parking garage of the cathedral where they were greeted by guards to took custody of Baron Andre. After turning over Baron Andre they met with the Deacon of residence affairs and got assigned rooms for the night before passing out.

Alden woke before the dawn and hunted around the massive residence building until he found a gymnasium. He worked out for a while while chatting with a sweaty old clergyman named Cannon Teldin. Teldin gave him directions around the pylon and spotted him through a series of exercises. Alden was hoping to get access tot he library and look into some matters and Teldin said he had a friend in the Chartoplanxy who would likely help him if he dropped his name. Alden was starved but the delicious smelling dining halls only served Orthodox Clergymen.

Brother Godfrey woke lazily and enjoyed a hot shower and ice cold tap water in his room. He got information about the Library and Agora and he roused Initiate Gans for breakfast. They ran across Alden and made plans for the day in the capitol city. First they found a robust breakfast, then they crossed the pylon to the library and with the help of Cannon Teldin's friend they did a bit of research. Brother Godfrey looked around for information about lost relics in the Valley. He found some promising starters and decided on pursuing a quest for the Vestments of Brother Barton, lost somewhere in the area of Harden Peak. Alden read a bit about the Brother Battle martial art and with his brother's help he was allowed to review a book called The art of A and B stances, an illustrated manual of Montok moves. Alden desperately wanted more time to review the text in hopes of expanding his knowledge of Montok but it was part of the reserves, so Godfrey filled a request to have the book transferred to the Cathedral in Sokol where the Chartoplanx might be more amenable to letting the book out.

The trio caught a rail-train across the city to the Agora Pylon and pushed through the crowds of shoppers and merchants. Both brothers had shopped in the Agora before but initiate Gans was pie eyed. Godfrey picked up a book on Understanding Ur-tech. Initiate Gans went wild spending money in shop after shop, buying chocolates and alcohol and stockings, much to the brother's amusement. At the end of the long day they rode the rail-train back, mounted up with Gans's dozens of shopping bags and began the long uneventful drive home.

It was early in the afternoon as they all pulled into Sokol City once more. Brother Godfrey returned to the Cathedral to be reimbursed for fuel and other miscellaneous expenses, but when he presented his receipts to the Calderer the elderly cannon explained that all of the trips expenses should have been taken from the per-diem. Godfrey explained that there was no per-deim provided but the Calderer gave him a dubious look and explained that he counted each firebird and placed the purse in the provisioning crate personally, if Brother Godfrey lost the coins on his trip there was no help he could offer him. Godfrey immediately realized that no initiate could have afforded the shopping trip Gans had gone on but the boy had disappeared along with his armfuls of shopping bags.

Alden returned to his garage hoping to find a neatly stacked pile of poisoned lumber in front of the door. Instead he found a hand written note from Lady Sylvia Romonov Decados telling him that they need to talk and he should come by her office. Alden was exhausted from the long drive but his sense of  Chivalry wouldn't let him rest. He drove back across town tot he Castle District and walked into the offices of the Mantis League. As soon as he arrived Sylvia rose from her desk with a sneer "You've a lot of nerve showing your face here after what you've done.." in his tired state her words instantly confused him. She raises her hand at him "Don't bother with your excuses. I think we both know I deserve better than that.. We are ended Alden Hendle VanGelder.. I'll send a boy by with your belongings so you won't need to darken my door again.." Alden was still stunned, not sure where any of this was coming from, but a dismissive wave of her angry fingers sent him staggering from the office and he stormed out to his Autowagon equal parts angry and confused.

Returning to his garage he found a Court Page waiting with a bundle of things that didn't look like his belongings. He was about to send the boy away with the bundle but curiosity got the better of him and he took the bundle inside. He found a ridiculous blouse that didn't look like it was his size, and an old bathing towel that was wrapped around a broken plank that looked as if it's finish had been stripped away by some kind of acid and a handwritten note card that red "Careful"