Talking & Shopping

13 DECEMBER 3460

With the Winter Solstice just over a week away, it is not necessary for the party to wake too early in order to get to their meeting at the remains of the 'Pen and Parchment'. However, the Librarians of Kitry begin their morning chanting on the stroke of 6.00a.m. and it is hard to sleep through it. Still, even with just a few hours' sleep, they all awake feeling refreshed and find that the strength loss caused by the shadows' touch has now returned.

They all rise, dress and wash and Yaz and Kokal try and make their morning devotions in their rooms, having great difficulty in hearing themselves think as a result of the droning of the Librarian's voices outside.

After Yaz, Kokal and the Librarians have all finished their devotions, they all get together for breakfast. They see with a little disappointment that the only item on the menu is the Kitrian's staple diet of porridge. They ask around to see if Faewen'il returned to the Library during the night, but the acolytes on night duty inform them that there has been no sign of her.

Winnacer looks a little concerned at this:

"Let us wait until we have to head for the remains of the inn to see if she returns. She knows where we are heading."

They wait at the Library for another hour, with Winnacer continuing to chat with Clarissa during the time. However, there is still no sign of the feisty one and so, at 8.15, they are reluctantly forced to leave the Library and head off to their meeting at the 'Pen and Parchment'.

Still not feeling as part of the group yet, Aithne trailed the group, keeping an eye out for any interesting occurrences, like more necromancers dropping out of the sky, etc.

It is just a five-minute walk to the site of the inn. By the thin light of dawn, the extent of the devastation is brought home to them, as the inn is little more than a smoldering heap of burned timber and stone now. On the other side of the road, four shops were also demolished as a result of the earthquake and a thatched cottage a short distance away is now an unthatched burned down cottage as a result of catching Faewen'il's lightning bolt.

Despite the fact that it is not yet fully light, the city has already come to life, with the result that there is quite a large crowd of bystanders crowded around the site of the inn. A company of orcs keep the crowd away from the debris, while a company of goblins continues to clear away the debris under the watchful eyes of three Witchfinders who are investigating the area closely.

They look through the crowds and Yaz manages to make out the form of Surgeon General Pasternak among the throng. It is quite hard for the druid to make him out at first, as he has covered his white robes with a plain cloak of rough brown cloth. There are three others along with him, dressed similarly.

At the same time as Yaz spies the Surgeon General, Winnacer spots Chief Justice Soukup heading towards the gathering, flanked on either side by two more figures, both of whom are dressed in chainmail, partially covered by long black hooded cloaks. The Chief Justice is dressed similarly.

Upon seeing him, Winnacer subtly moves towards him, until the Chief Justice manages to spot him. The Chief Justice doesn't appear to be terribly happy about the situation:

"I would have preferred somewhere a little less crowded for a meeting, LawBringer," the Chief Justice says without emotion. "I take it that the state of the inn and your residing in it are less than co-incidental?"

Seeing the inn makes Aithne pale, but she recovers quickly, her hands checking her weaponry to make sure it is still present:

"Do you think we might get some time to buy some clothes or gear?" she whispers to Yaz. "My clothes were pretty much trashed in the explosion."

"Ya, I think we've got a few days here," the druid replies. "There are a couple things I need to get too. Never thought I'd say that in Civ-town..."

Yaz looks at the woman's garb, then picks at his own green poncho thing self-consciously:

"This is all I got. And it stinks of disease."

He wrinkles his nose, then draws a looger from his sinuses and projects it to the ground casually.

Aithne looks at the druid in all seriousness:

"That was pretty good. Can you get one just as large from the other nostril? Then I'll truly be impressed."

Again, just the hint of a smile creeps into her eyes.

Yaz misses the subtleties:

"Well I might need some time," he says, eyes sincere, "but..."

He starts making disgusting sinal noises and grunts with his throat, twisting his face in honest effort.

"Hang on," he says.

While Yaz and Aithne chat, Winnacer speaks to the Chief Justice, looking a little abashed:

"The Inn was supposed to be intact and private, but its destruction coincides with the destruction of an ancient Injustice. Let us find a place with less ears and I will explain it all to you."

Chief Justice Soukup is not looking at the LawBringer at all as he speaks, but rather looking with distaste at the Nyemetz around the site and the Witchfinders in particular.

His lips hardly move at all as he replies to Winnacer:

"The One Elm Inn. Straight away. Don't follow us. Show the innkeeper your gavel."

Without another word, the Chief Justice turns his back on the party and slinks away through the crowd, the two figures with him flanking him as he does so.

Yaz sees the Chief Justice depart and turns to Winn:

"I'll let the General know. I want to get to him before he gives up on us."

Winn nods in response:

"Yes, tell him the venue so that we don't keep the Chief Justice waiting. Let's split up. I'll head there with Kokal and Will, you go with Aithne."

The druid nods and Winn, the Padre and Will all start to make off in the same direction as the Chief Justice.

Yaz and Aithne head through the crowd of rubberneckers until they get to where Surgeon General Pasternak and his team are waiting nervously, obviously unsure as to what they should do next.

The druid bounds up to him in his usual style, rolling a ball of phlegm around his mouth as he does so:

"Hey, Doc," he says throatily. "It's me. Batman. Y'remember?"

The Surgeon General looks around him a little nervously, his face blanching:

"How could I possibly forget."

"Change of venue," Yaz replies. "This one had ... errm ... a bit of an accident. Y'know some place called the 'One Elm Inn'?"

One of Pasternak's team, a thin, pale woman in her mid-forties replies:

"I know it. It's in the Parish of Spravedelna. I'll lead the way."

Yaz and Aithne follow the Lechit priests as they carefully head away from the crowd, walking through the cold streets of Olmutz. It takes them a little over ten minutes before they see a tavern before them bearing the sign of the 'One Elm Inn'. Winnacer, Kokal and Will are standing nervously before the inn, waiting for them.

Just before they meet up with the others, Yaz nudges Aithne in the ribs. He then begins to cough a little, a viscous rumbling coming from his throat. He then presses his thumb against one of his nostrils, leans his head backwards and then snorts forwards with as much force as he can muster.

As he does so a globule of green snot, seemingly the size of a gold piece, is shot from his nose at an incredible velocity. The mucous flies through the air for a little over ten yards before splattering against the whitewashed wall of the inn.

Yaz grins and gives Aithne a wink.

At this, Aithne can no longer restrain her laughter, though at the dirty looks she's getting from Padre Kokal, she quickly stops.

The Surgeon General sighs and shakes his head:

"That's a very bad catarrh problem you've got there, son. I can give you something to clear it up back at the Cathedral if you like."

"Errm ... perhaps," Yaz replies.

The Surgeon General looks at Yaz in wonderment:

"Do you ever suffer from irregular bowel movements?" he asks.

"Errm ... no," Yaz replies. "But is that really relevant?"

"No," the Surgeon General replies. "I was just interested. That's all."

Winnacer leads everyone into the inn. He quickly sees the innkeeper and fingers his gavel once the innkeeper makes eye contact. The innkeeper says nothing, but simply nods in the direction of a thick wooden door at the rear of the inn.

The LawBringer leads them over to the door and knocks firmly upon it.

"Enter," the stern voice of the Chief Justice beckons.

Winnacer opens the door and leads the others inside.

Surgeon General Pasternak breaks into a smile as he sees the Chief Justice in the room:

"Chief Justice Soukup, what a pleasure it is to see you again. I haven't seen you in an age."

The Chief Justice just nods in response and then shakes the Surgeon General's hand so firmly that it makes Pasternak wince.

"Right, sit down everyone," the Chief Justice's voice booms.

Once everyone has taken a seat, the Chief Justice leans backwards in his chair and speaks directly at Winnacer:

"Right then, LawBringer Stradheim. We've got Nemotz priests, we've got demons, we've got ratmen, we've got the Church of Spravedelna and we've got the Church of Lechit. How EXACTLY do they all fit together and what do you want us to do?"

"Go."

The Chief Justice leans forwards with his elbows on the table, his eyes fixed on those of Winnacer.

Winnacer takes to his feet, standing behind his chair back as if it was a lectern, obviously more comfortable speaking on his feet:

"My colleagues and I were on our way to Olmutz when we decided to stop in the small town of Vysoke Myto. A barkeep who had once sheltered us from the Nyemetz patrols had gone missing with his daughter and we decided to aid his grief-stricken wife. What we stumbled upon were Nemotz slavers, gathering scattered villagers and carrying them back to a secret lab for experimentation."

"Incensed by the Injustice of such a possibility, we traveled quickly to the site of this laboratory. What we found was an island fortress easily defensible against an army, which the Nemotz used as a base of operations. We assaulted the scum and thoroughly inspected the length and the breadth of the place. What we found was both astonishing and horrifying."

"First, it seems that the Nemotz have contacted a new race of creatures I've never even heard about in my father's tales. Bipedal rats with dexterous hands brought strange arms against us with a devastating power I've never witnessed. A portable flame machine was one of the items that we left behind, but we did bring back a firearm that packs the punch of a cannon. They also seemed to use this bizarre substance, which they called 'warpstone', in many of their creations."

Winnacer fishes the sample he brought back with him from the sealed case he placed it in.

"Spravedelna is certainly suspicious of such a substance, but I felt it may be more important to bring it back for study, to better able us to destroy it if need be."

"Secondly, we found out the Nemotz have created a new plague that subverts the minds of the afflicted into zombie like slaves."

Winnacer removes the appropriate documents and the Plague sample:

"They make to infect the entire city of Opava, as described within the papers here. If such a thing were to come to pass, the world may see an Injustice that can never be rectified. We intend to make our way to them and interfere with their plans."

"After a hard fight, and a great many losses of good friends, we had taken control of the lab. Many prisoners we found, their bodies altered by the cruel whims of the Nemotz. Our meager resources were not enough to cure them of their ailments, nor guarantee their safe passage, so we decided it would be best to make haste and send a party to bring them relief. Which is why we appeal to all those assembled here today."

"It would be a great Injustice not to aid those who suffered so long at the hands of the Nemotz. There are many that need our help and it is our responsibility to help them. There is also a great deal of information and research materials that remain there that may help us in our fight against the Nemotz in the future. There are also mighty remnants of evil that linger on which need purification. Two altars and a summoning circle are possessed with greater evils than I can easily consecrate in the field. Such things should not be left idle for too long. These are tasks that should be dealt with quickly."

"Also, I had some thoughts about the building itself. With some small modifications, it could serve a multitude of purposes, from religious to military. With the Slovenes threatening the Eastern borders, it may be best to prepare strong points to fall back to if the need arises. I would appreciate it if somebody could evaluate the place and perhaps find it a use rather than letting it go to ruin, or to the Nyemetz."

"This is why I have asked both Lechit and Spravedelna to come together here this morning. Working together, we could bring the problems here to quick resolution, to the benefits of both parties to boot."

Winnacer digs through his bag, removing the other items procured from the Nemotz, including the notebook:

"Feel free to review any of this or ask questions of any of us. We wish to see those lives ruined by the Nemotz have a chance at restoration, but we truly are needed elsewhere. Please aid us in doing what is right."

The Chief Justice listens intently to all that Winnacer has to say and then takes the letter written by High Priest Zdenyek Spalek of the Nemotz. He reads it quickly before passing it over to the Surgeon General, who fumbles for his spectacles so that he can read it too. As the Surgeon General reads the letter, the Chief Justice reads the notebook of the FaithHealer, while the others in the room sit around in uncomfortable silence. Once the Chief Justice has finished with the notebook, he then passes it over to the Surgeon General for him to read through it. The Chief Justice then sits tapping his fingers on the table a little impatiently until the Surgeon General finished.

"Terrible," the Surgeon General says to himself after reading the contents of both. "This is absolutely monstrous."

The Chief Justice ignores him and continues to speak to all around the table:

"Although it is true that many acts of Injustice have been committed in this accursed place, the Guilty have already been Tried and Sentenced to death for their crimes against humanity already. As a result, I see that Spravedelna's role in this matter has already been played. The outstanding mopping up action is more in Lechit's demesne than ours."

He looks over at the Surgeon General:

"So what resource can you put onto the case, Surgeon General?"

"W-well," Surgeon General Pasternak replies. "As I think that is the case with all of the Churches currently, our resources are rather stretched at the moment. However, such a situation deserves to be made a top priority for us. We can spare one FaithHealer and four clerics for the task. It's not much, I know, but we also have to care for the sick and infirm of Olmutz as well."

The Chief Justice nods:

"I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll donate a LawBringer and two priests to the matter. I know that you are the experts in matters relating to disease and sickness, but we obviously can't be sure that there is no Unholy filth remaining in that place. Knowing your faith's unwillingness to execute the Unjust, there needs to be someone involved in this mission that won't hesitate to take the role of Judge, Jury and Executioner should circumstances dictate."

"The LawBringer runs the show. This was Spravedelna's mission to start with and I see no reason to relinquish our control of the matter."

He looks over at the Surgeon General:

"So have we got a deal then?"

The Surgeon General look a little pained:

"O-oh, alright then. Your people can take command."

One of the Lechit team, an elven woman who you can see is wearing chainmail under her white robes, under her black cloak looks highly annoyed at this. She shakes her head and lets out a long sigh, but says nothing. Conversely, one of the two men with Chief Justice Soukup is trying hard to stifle a broad grin, but failing.

The Surgeon General pauses and then nervously continues trying to look at the Chief Justice, but finds it hard to make eye contact:

"Errm .. . there's one other matter. If there are forty people that might need transporting back to Olmutz for treatment, then that's going to take a lot of resource in terms of wagons to transport them, food to give them on the journey, etc. As you know, we are a poor faith, I was wondering whether you could help us with the supplies?"

The Chief Justice sighs:

"Very well then, I shall make the materials available to you. We shall need 24 hours to arrange for all the equipment to be made available. I suggest that my team and yours meet up outside the city at The Boar's Head Inn where the West Road joins with the Shumperk-Brunn road. My people will be there with the necessary resources at 9.00a.m. tomorrow. Your people can make it on time?"

"I'm sure they can," the Surgeon General replies.

The Chief Justice then returns his attention to speak further with Winnacer:

"You say that this place would make a good fortified structure against the Nyemetz?" he asks.

"That's right," Winnacer replies.

"Are you sure that the Nyemetz are unaware of its location?" the Chief Justice responds.

"Well, we believe that there is some co-operation between the Nemotz priesthood and the Nyemetz," the LawBringer responds.

"That's a shame," Chief Justice Soukup replies. "We'll have to see if there is anything that we can do to get round that problem."

"Errm, excuse me," the Surgeon General interrupts, speaking to Winnacer. "You said that you had a sample of this 'warpstone'? Perhaps we may be allowed to borrow it for a while. We have technicians at the Church who may be able to discover something of its properties."

"Did you manage to bring anything else from the Temple? Anything you have will be very useful so that we can start work on trying to prepare antidotes to the latest Nemotz diseases."

Winnacer nods:

"We brought back a sample of the 'zombie slave plague' that they are planning to infect Opava with."

The Surgeon General nods:

"It would be very useful to start work on analyzing that. I would imagine that it would take us many weeks if not months before we have perfected an antidote, but the sooner we start, the sooner an antidote will be found."

Chief Justice Soukup jumps back into the conversation at this point:

"Which brings us onto item number two on the agenda, this Opava plague business."

He pauses and lets out a sigh before turning to address Winnacer:

"I'm afraid that you're on your own with that one, LawBringer. As I've already said, our resources are pressed to the max and we have a possible siege from the Slovenes to get ready for as well."

His voice loses a little of its hard edge for once:

"You've shown that you and your team are capable of great deeds in Spravedelna's name. I know that I can rely upon you to get to the bottom of this Opava business and see that Justice is performed in Her name."

"Just a word of caution though. Those dwarves are difficult people to deal with if you haven't had much experience with them. You'll need to use all of your skills of persuasion if you are to elicit any assistance from them."

He looks at Winnacer and the rest of the party:

"So that's arranged then?"

He pauses and then continues:

"Right, item number three; destruction of the 'Pen and Parchment' Inn in Olmutz - reasons for?"

Winnacer takes a deep breath and then explains the long story relating to the discovery of Boscobelous, the possession or occupation of the bodies of Faewen'il and the Aneira, Konan's plan, the failure of the Kozlo S.M.A.T. Team and the eventual destruction of the evil necromancer.

Once again, the Chief Justice remains silent while Winnacer recounts the tale and then replies, shaking his head:

"It seems as if Spravedelna must labor harder each day to combat the Injustices that face Bohavia. The accursed Nyemetz have really let this country go to the dogs. Bastards."

He shakes his head and then looks Winnacer squarely in the eye:

"You've done a good job, LawBringer. Spravedelna has brought you into contact with some good people to be able to combat such a threat."

The Chief Justice then pauses and looks around the room:

"Right. Any other business, or can we adjourn this meeting? We're all busy people with a lot to do."

Everyone simply looks at each other, but no one has anything to say to the Chief Justice:

"Good," the Chief Justice says to everyone.

He looks over at Winnacer:

"I'm sure that we'll be seeing each other again at the Cathedral before you leave the city."

He gets up to leave with a nod to everyone around the table:

"By the way, this might not be a bad place to base yourselves while you're in the city. They're good, Lawabiding folk that run this place."

He pauses for a moment:

"I would therefore be most obliged if you could refrain from demolishing it, if at all possible."

The Chief Justice's face almost breaks into a smile as he says this last. Almost, but not quite.

He nods his farewells to the Surgeon General and his team and then strides purposefully out of the inn.

Surgeon General Pasternak then raises himself from his chair:

"It's been very nice to meet you all," he says. "On behalf of all of Our Faith, I would just like to thank you for your actions against the Nemotz. Goodbye and may Lechit watch over you on your endeavors."

With that, Pasternak and his team make to leave. On the way out he walks over to Yaz:

"I'll see you in while," he says with a knowing wink.

And then they are gone, leaving the party alone in the room.

Winnacer closes the door behind them and returns to the table:

"So that is our most pressing needs attended to. So what are our plans for the next 72 hours?"

Aithne stretches with relief after the long meeting. She turns to the rest:

"Well, I need new clothing at least. And perhaps some rations. Do you have a spare horse? Or can you tell me if we might need them? Also, I'm not overly familiar with Olmutz, just dropping in to see the sights as it were, so if anyone would like to accompany me, or if anyone is on a similar errand that I might accompany, I'm game."

She grins at the others, glad to be out of the realm of the bureaucrats.

Will nods:

"We do use horses to speed our movements across the country, and we have extras at the present. I would escort you through the city, but I would prove fearful company this day. I ask your pardon so that I may spend some time alone."

Aithne smiles at the sober young man:

"Of course, I would not impose on you."

She bows slightly.

While glad that the temple situation is being taken care of, Will remains downcast. The harried pace of the previous days has given little time to grieve the loss of loved ones:

"Excuse me all, I shall meet you again at the Library of Kitry tonight," he says and walks slowly and thoughtfully away.

Before everybody heads off, Winnacer offers the following:

"After we are all back from shopping, we'll meet back at the Library of Kitry. We'll need to drop off Clarissa for the night, but I believe we should make new accomodations for ourselves. We'll pick you up Will."

"But I want all of us to be ready tomorrow morning for an hour of practice. I know the squires have had it a bit too easy lately and it would probably be good to work a bit on our technique before moving on."

Not sure if Winnacer means her, Aithne nods uncertainly.

As Will walks away, Winnacer responds to Aithne:

"If you are in need of a horse, perhaps you will find Nainie an adequate steed. She was the mount of our late companion, Jihan. He compared her to the elven steeds that he rode back as a youth. She's a fine horse and she's yours if she suits you."

Aithne smiles delightedly at the offer of a steed:

"Why thank you, kind sir. I promise to take good care of her."

"I was planning on going shopping as well," Winnacer replies. "I know that Tadeus and Milan need to obtain some new equipment, and there are a few items that I require as well. I'd like to stop by and see if my sister is around to come with us as well. After we've all spent the morning shopping, perhaps you'd allow me to treat you all to lunch?"

Padre Kokal interrupts at this point:

"If it's all th' same t'ye, Winnacer, I'm plannin' on 'eadin' f'r the Cathedral o' Radegast, an' I was plannin' on takin' Tadeus wit' me. I've been speakin' t' th' lad quite a bit on the journey from the Nemotz Temple an' the lad was tellin' me 'ow 'e'd like t' be followin' in Xavier's footsteps by findin' out more about Our Faith."

Winnacer nods in agreement:

"Well I would not stop the lad from fulfilling his wishes. It will be a shame for Milan if Tadeus decides to leave us, but I can understand his reasons for doing so. By all means introduce him to your Church, Padre."

Kokal nods in agreement and takes his leave of the others, heading back to the Library of Kitry to pick up Tadeus.

"I'll come shopping with you guys," Yaz says to Winnacer and Aithne, who are the only two now remaining in the room. "I don't know about your idea of lunch, though... do these Civs have anything close to good, dried vegetables and roots? I can't imagine... Bloody meat-eaters don't know what's good for you."

"Maybe tomorrow we'll go to the Park. I wanna get a golden sickle while we're there, a small one... mine was stolen by the filthy mother-f***ing goblinoids who raped my grove. Need it for the weed, y'know? And I hope they can tell me where I can find a herbalist. I wanna get a book or something from him, which Will can help me read maybe..."

"Very good," Winnacer replies. "Let's head back to the Library to pick up my Milan and my sister and then hit the shops."

The three of them then leave the room and enter the busy streets of Olmutz once again. It takes them just ten minutes to walk back to the Library. They find Milan in the stables, taking care of the horses and he tells them that the Padre has just been in to take Tadeus to meet with the Radegastians. Milan is delighted to be going on a shopping expedition and they can all see that his eyes are glowing with excitement. They then go back in to the Library where they see that many of the desks filling the vestry are currently occupied.

Winnacer finds Clarissa occupying one of the desks, studying a book on algebra and making copious notes in her notebook:

"Hey, Clarissa," Winnacer starts. "We're heading off down to the shops and were wondering whether you'd like to come with us?"

Clarissa smiles, but then sighs and shakes her head:

"I'd love to come with you, Winn, believe you me," she replies, "but I've got a lot of studying that I need to do today. I've got more examinations the week after next."

"You go off and have some fun. You'll find the marketplace and all of the best shops in the parish of Obkod. Come round after you've finished later in the evening and we can spend a little more time together then, if I've made enough progress in my studies."

"That's a shame," Winnacer replies, "but I wouldn't like to keep you from your studies. I'll see you later this evening."

With that, Winnacer heads off out of the Library with Aithne, Yaz and Milan in tow.

Having passed the marketplace on their way to the Library the previous evening, they don't need anyone to tell them the directions to get to the marketplace. As the group continues to make its way to the parish of Obkod, Winnacer cannot help but notice the way Aithne eyes seem to be trying to soak in every detail. He leans in close to speak to her:

"There are some pieces of equipment that are hard to buy, and often harder for a man like myself to find. If our mission is to have a chance at success, we will need to find an individual with an eye for pitfalls and the fingers for bypassing locks. None of our group has any skills in these areas, unless you've got a knack for it."

Aithne looks confused at the LawBringer's words.

"Considering how pressed for time we are, I fear we may need to purchase the skills of a qualified professional rather than screen a quite disreputable group to find a good match," Winnacer continues. "I'm sure for the most part they would turn tail before I even opened my mouth, but perhaps you may have a great deal more luck."

"I really don't have much experience in that area," Aithne responds. "If you want me to try, I'll do so, but I'm not really much of a city girl."

"If you could keep your eyes open for an adequate candidate," the LawBringer continues, "I would be very appreciative."

Winnacer smiles at her:

"I feel I can trust your Judgement in these things."

Winnacer is obviously making Aithne nervous at this point. She fidgets openly and walks away from him on the opposite side of Yaz and Milan as they continue to make their way to the shops, not sure whether to take offense or just be confused by his assumptions.

As Winnacer and Milan, Yaz and Aithne continue onwards towards the parish of Obkod in the center of the city, they can see that the streets are starting to get busier and busier. As they enter the parish itself, they can see that virtually every building that they pass is a shop of some type, selling an assortment of goods wider than anywhere else in the country, other than Mnyesto itself.

They carry onwards until they reach the teaming center of the parish, which contains the incredibly ornate and huge Temple of Obkod in the center of a large market square, which is crammed full of small stalls, around which half the population of the city seem to be teeming.

"Perhaps it would be a good idea if we were to split up to do our shopping, as I am sure that we all have our different requirements," suggests Winnacer. "Let's meet up again at 1.30, on the steps of the Temple of Obkod."

Yaz and Aithne agree and head off together. Winnacer hands Milan a small, but bulky purse, trying his hardest to prevent the transaction from being seen by one of the many rough looking loiterers that seem to be standing around the marketplace. Milan looks inside the pouch and his eyes glaze over as if the contents of the pouch are hypnotizing him:

"Th-th-thank you, Lord Winnacer," the boy stutters.

"Just make sure that you spend it wisely," Winnacer replies. "By the look of some of these streethawkers here, you'll need to keep your wits about you."

"O-OK, sir," Milan replies, and then runs off into the crowded marketplace, quickly disappearing from view.

The first item on Yaz's list is to get rid of the heavy coins which are all but filling his backpack. Together with Aithne, he looks around the rows of shops on each side of the square before finally locating a moneychanger. As the two half-elves discuss the subject of money, it becomes obvious to Aithne that Yaz is neither generous nor philosophical about his gold. He thinks it's pretty and he knows it can buy stuff, he just has no idea what it's worth.

"How many of these pretty white platinum coins will I need for new winter clothes, do you think?" he asks Aithne, as they wait in line to see the moneychanger.

"Those coins are very rare and valuable and so you can buy a lot of things with them," Aithne replies. "If it's just clothing that you're looking for, I don't think that you need more than three or four of them to buy yourself a whole new wardrobe."

Yaz looks back at her with amazement:

"A whole wardrobe of clothes for three little disks of metal?"

He shakes his head in disbelief.

"If you say so, then I trust you. You know more about this stuff than me."

The druid then gets to the front of the line and gets the moneychanger to change his huge sack of gold into several little gems worth around 50gp each, just keeping two pieces each of platinum, gold, silver and copper in addition to the three that he has kept back to buy his clothes. At seeing Yaz' lack of familiarity with money, the moneychanger tries to charge him an outrageous percentage for the change, but Aithne interjects on Yaz' behalf and manages to get the moneychanger's fee down to a reasonable 3%.

Once he has changed his money, the pair of them head off, looking around the clothes stores, until they find one that specializes in practical clothing suitable to the great outdoors, as opposed to the foppish outfits that most of the stores in the area seem to sell.

At the clothes store, Yaz buys two each of uncoloured tunics, pants, boots, plus a cloak and thick brown winter coat with lots of pockets. Once again, the clothier detects Yaz' unfamiliarity with buying clothes that someone else has made and tries to charge him an arm and a leg for them, until Aithne manages to get the price down to a reasonable level.

As for Aithne, she buys some simple clothing and gear for the road, replacing everything damaged by the earthquake incident. Since it is winter, she buys clothes in shades of grey, white, and black.

With the pair of them now fitted out in their new clothes, the pair of them carry on round the shops, with Yaz looking for a few more items. Aithne makes polite conversation with Yaz as they squeeze through the crowded streets, though she is rapidly becoming bored by the city.

The next stop for the pair of them is to a leather shop, where Yaz buys himself a second belt and an extra pouch as well. From there, they carry on until the pair of them find a herbalist, where Yaz buys himself some color dyes for later use on his clothes and hair.

The druid is very interested at seeing the herbalist's shop and starts to asks some questions to the owner:

"Nice shop you've got here, pal," Yaz starts. "I'm looking for someone who might be able to teach me a little more about herbalism. I know a little already, but I really wanted to find out a bit more."

The shopkeeper simply shakes his head:

"I'm sorry, squire, but I just sell the stuff here. I don't know anything about preparing them. If I were you, I'd head off to the Herbalist's Guild between the parishes of Prirodna and Lechit. I'm sure you'll find someone there to help you out."

Yaz thanks the man for his help and the two of them head off once more, with Aithne getting very bored of shopping now. To add to Aithne's woes, Yaz decides that he wants to stop by a few jewelry shops to see if he can find a brooch or clip in the fashion of Prirodna's tree symbol. The pair of them spend more than an hour traipsing from one jewelry store to another, but there is no sign of anything resembling the symbol. Eventually, it gets close to 1.30 and Aithne is starting to get very tired of wandering aimlessly from shop to shop. As they are about to leave the final shop, a surprisingly helpful shop owner actually takes the trouble to speak to Yaz:

"Was there anything in particular you were looking for, sir? A little something for your good lady wife, perhaps?"

"Errm .. ." Yaz replies. "No, it was for me. I'm looking for a brooch or something in the shape of the symbol of Prirodna, y'know, like a tree?"

"Well," the jeweller replies, "we haven't got anything like that in stock at the moment, but we could easily make one for you to your specifications."

"How long would it take?" Yaz asks.

"A couple of days, I would imagine, depending upon how ornate you wanted it," the jeweller replies.

"And how much would it cost?" Aithne asks.

The jeweler gives a shrug:

"Whatever you're willing to spend, within reason," the jeweler replies. "Anything from around 30gp upwards."

The pair of them finish their negotiations with the jeweler and then head for the Temple of Obkod to meet back up with Winnacer and Milan.

While Yaz and Aithne have been shopping for clothes, Winnacer has had more practical purchases in mind, looking to replace used supplies and to purchase items sorely missing. After looking around at the array of shops, he finally manages to find a hardware store from which he purchases a large amount of equipment. The storekeeper looks on in surprise as Winnacer reels off a long list of tools for the party's use, including several shovels, pick axes, spikes, ropes, mesh screens, bags and the like. By the time that Winnacer has finished, there is a huge pile of equipment upon the table, far much more than Winnacer is going to be able to carry on his own. He asks the storekeeper to arrange that it is delivered to the One Elm Inn, which the storekeeper is very happy to do, having had one of the best days in recent months.

Winnacer hands the man five extra gold on top of his purchases:

"Thank you so much for your time."

With the necessities out of the way, Winnacer spends his time browsing through the jewelry shops looking for anything that would make a nice gift. By chance, he happens to visit the same store that Yaz and Aithne did and finds the one helpful shopkeeper in the whole city:

"Is there something that I can help you with, sir?" he asks. "Who would the gift be for, if you don't mind my asking?"

Winnacer thinks about it for a second:

"I was hoping to get a silver bracelet done with the symbols of Spravedelna. There's a certain woman that I was hoping to give it to."

He can't help himself from blushing.

The jeweler smiles politely in response:

"I understand perfectly, Sir. Yes, that should not be a problem at all. If you just want plain engraved silver, then I believe that the cost will be around 20 gold pieces, unless you would like some very intricate engraving."

"It should be ready for collection in 48 hours' time."

"I was also looking for a jeweled haircomb, or something nice for a friend of mine whose been a bit upset with me as of late," Winnacer continues. "Something that would be a nice gesture, and would complement fiery red hair."

"Ah," the jeweler responds. "Fiery red hair. Well, it sounds as if rubies would be just the thing in that case."

He opens up a cabinet and brings out an ornate gold haircomb inlaid with rubies:

"This is a very fine piece indeed. It is, however, not a cheap item as it costs 150g.p."

"If this is a little outside your price range, Sir, then I would recommend a silver comb with garnets, which would bring the price down to 50g.p."

"Would Sir be interested in either of these?"

Winnacer looks carefully at the pieces, looking at the gems in a mimicry of Jihan, yet still being completely clueless as to what he's looking for. He nods appreciatively.

"Let me put down a retainer on both the bracelet and the comb. I shall return to pick up both in two days time, with the balance of the money."

After finishing with the jeweler, Winnacer fills the last half hour looking for an armorer, managing to find one that looks reasonable.

"I wonder if you could help me?" the young Lord asks. "I have acquired this shield and don't much care for the design. Is there any way that you could repaint it for me?"

He pulls forth the shield that was retrieved from the head priest's secret room. It truly is a disgusting looking shield, with an embossed iron rat's head leering out from a pale yellow background.

The armorer looks at it with evident distaste:

"Can't say that I care for it much meself, guv'nor," he replies while studying the shield. "Should be right as rain with a lick o' paint on 'er though. Was there anything special you fancied? I could run you up a good dragon, I could. I'm good with dragons and they're very popular these days."

"Actually, I was thinking more of the symbol of Spravedelna," Winnacer replies. "A hammer and a set of scales?"

The armorer sighs:

"You sure you wouldn't prefer a dragon? I can do one any color you like."

"No," Winnacer replies. "I really would prefer the symbol of Spravedelna."

"Oh, alright then," the armorer replies a little sulkily, "a hammer and scales it is then. It'll cost you five gold pieces and you can stop by and pick it up any time after tomorrow afternoon."

"Thank you," the LawBringer replies, "that will be fine."

Winnacer pays the man seven gold, thanking him for his time.

With that, Winnacer heads off to the Temple of Obkod where he finds Yaz and Aithne waiting for him.

"Have either of you seen Milan yet?" Winnacer asks. "It's 1.30 now and he should be here by now."

The two of them just shake their heads in response. They continue to wait for Milan. By the time the clock strikes the hour of two, Milan is still not back and Winnacer is starting to get worried about him. Then, as they are about to make plans to search for him, they see the familiar form of Milan coming towards them.

Their mouths all start gaping as they see him. The first thing that the threesome notice is the fact that Milan is wearing a new helmet framing his grinning face. The helmet is done in the Roman Mohawk style filled with scrolling engravement. It sets off his clothing perfectly. Obviously Milan has come to realize that his Arabian Nights' wardrobe wasn't going to cut it in the early winter on the robe and so he has 'invested' in a collection of winter wear. From his back flows a long cloak made from a motley collection of different furs of differing shades of black, brown, white and gray. Upon closer investigation, Yaz sees that the furs have comes from a variety of different colored cats and dogs, with the occasional rat thrown in for good measure. The cloak is far too long for him and is already filthy from having been dragged in the snow.

Under the cloak, they can see that Milan's love of flashy colors has influenced his choice of clothing once again, what with the crimson red tunic which clashes with his navy blue pantaloons and thigh high leather boots that have been dyed pink for some strange reason.

Were this not enough, Milan is weighed down with an assortment of weird and wonderful items, the common factor to all being only that they are totally impractical. He is staggering under the weight of a large wooden coat rack, while holding a cut-glass cakestand carefully in his other hand. Under one armpit he is cradling a statuette of a porcelain kitten, while under the other he has a brass toasting fork or backscratcher inlaid with semi-precious stones.

He continues to grin as he comes to stand in front of the three of them, carefully depositing the items on the ground before them:

"What d'ye think, then?" he asks excitedly. "I got all these bargains for the money you gave me, Lord Winnacer. They're bargains the lot of them. That's what the folks who sold them to me said."

Winnacer's eyes start to roll.

"But that's not all," he says, starting to draw his new sword. "I got me name engraved on me new sword."

He proudly shows the blade of the magickal weapon to all. As they all look down, they see that indeed the blade has been engraved.

With the word 'WANKER'.

Winnacer sighs:

"That reminds me, Milan," Winnacer says. "Perhaps while we're spending time here, it would be good to get Clarissa to show you the rudiments of reading and writing."

They are then interrupted by the sight of an elderly lady who must be in her early eighties, who appears from behind Milan's billowing fur cloak:

"Hello dearies," she says in a friendly manner.

"Errm .. . who is she?" Winnacer asks, not really wanting to know the answer.

"Oh yes," Milan says. "I'd like you all to meet Granny Legerova."

"Her grandson sold her to me," he continues. "I thought that it would be nice to have her around to read us stories and make us sandwiches and stuff."

Aithne tries, she really does, to keep all emotion out of her face. But the look on Winnacer's own face is too much for her. She suddenly develops a coughing fit, which requires her to sprint off a slight distance from the others. There, she finally succumbs to the laughter that has been bubbling up inside of her. She laughs until the tears flow freely down her cheeks. Only when she has finished, or thinks she has finished, getting all of the amusement out of her system, does she return to the others. Trying her best not to look at Milan, she keeps a straight face by some miracle of fate and says:

"Sorry, had something caught in my throat."

Winnacer's mouth goes a bit slack with the squire's revelation. He gapes at Milan in obvious astonishment for several seconds, his muscles confused as to whether contort in anger or to simply give up and cry:

"Milan...you know you just can't be BUYING people like that, right? Spravedelna has a name for what you have done here, which is called SLAVERY. You must bring her back to where you... errm... purchased her immediately. I'm going to have to have a talk with her grandson."

Milan looks up with horror as he sees his Lord's obvious displeasure:

"Oh, no, no, no. I wouldn't be slaving her nor nothing. I'm not going to be making her wear chains or be hitting her with sticks nor nothing. I just thought she could come along with us and keep us company and tell us stories and make us sandwiches and stuff like my real Granny in Holitze used to do. It's not slavery if you don't hurt or be nasty to people is it?"

Milan looks a little confused:

"I mean, I'm not your slave am I? You don't hurt me nor nothing, so I can't be. Just seems that Granny could be for me like I am for you, except that you didn't give no money to me Mum and Dad."

Winnacer takes a deep breath. And then another:

"Milan, the reason why we are doing any of this is because we all believe that every person should be free to determine their fate instead of being bent to the will of others. Slavery is not about whether one is kind or cruel, it is about considering another person to be property."

"You are not a slave because you volunteered to work for me, in exchange for my instruction and financial support. It was a choice you made and you still retain the ability to leave whenever you wish. You still retain your freedom, even if it may not always feel that way."

"When you pay to own a person, you strip them of their ability to make choices on their own. There is no dignity in being another's property and there is no Justice."

Winnacer notes the bored faces of his comrades.

"We will finish this talk later, Milan. But I think somebody's going to have to spend some time at the Temple of Spravedelna tomorrow."

Winnacer looks at the others, wondering where Aithne ran off to, and notices the fatigued looks on their faces:

"OK, she can come with us to lunch. Then we return her straight-away, Milan. You understand me?"

Milan looks at his pink leather encased feet:

"But she's so cute and nice. Are you sure we can't keep her?"

Aithne, reappearing about this time, especially at the word "lunch" smiles wide-eyed at the LawBringer:

"Oh yes, the grandmother should at least get lunch, I mean for her time and all."

She's not sure whether Winnacer notices the humor sparkling in the brown eyes or not, but she is no longer bored, and very hungry.

Winnacer sighs once more:

"Very well, lunch it is then. I did say that I would be buying and one more mouth to feed can't hurt."

"Now, let's try and find somewhere not too far away."

With that, Winnacer strides off, with Yaz, Aithne and Milan following, the squire holding Granny Legerova's hand to help her along:

"You're right, sonny, a fine bunch of lads and lassy your friends are too," Granny chuckles to herself, obviously enjoying her new friends' company immensely.