[RPG] Family pledge

[Jamie Cheyfetz]

Captain Krieger waited for five hours before he was finally seen by one of
the Duke's aides.

He said that he had a letter to deliver to screndt2 Faracan personally and
was told that Count screndt2, prophet of Eretzism, hadn't been seen in
Enweilieos any time recently.  He spent most of his time preaching and
taking care of his region in the western side of the realm.  Before he was
escorted out he at least found out that Ete City was still firmly under
Enweil's control.

Five hours and two minutes after he had entered the waiting room, he was
escorted back out of it and into the streets.

*Prophet and Count?  How the hell am I going to get a meeting with him.  I
don't even know the name of the person sending the letter.  I damn well hope
that someone recognizes this signet ring imprint.*  He sighed.  *For Daeni's
sake, I'm sure one of his men will.*

He headed back to the boat and after the men had some shore leave, they
headed out to Ete City.

A day's sailing later, they arrived just before dawn.  He took his men
ashore, not docking his ship again.  He went straight to the Duke's palace
and was told he would be lucky to be seen that day.  He decided to take his
chances and went looking around a Temple of Eretzism.  It wasn't too hard to
find and he entered it.  It was open to the east and west and beautifully
architected.  It seemed almost as if it had grown as part of the city.

He informed one of the temple caretakers that he was delivering a letter
from the Far East Island for Prophet screndt2.

The caretaker smiled, "The gods work in mysterious ways.  Follow me."

A little confused, Krieger followed him to a room open to the east.  The sky
was lit with a pre-dawn glow and the room was filled with people, singing
and dancing.  Most of them were not doing either very well.  Though not all
of them were singing the same songs or dancing the same dances, it almost
seemed to blend into something bigger.  A beautiful sight to behold; more
than the sum of its parts.  He turned to the caretaker, "Very beautiful.
Thank ye fer showin' me.  This letter's important and time-sensitive.  Do ye
know where screndt2 be?"

The caretaker smiled again and looked to the east.  Sighing, Krieger did the
same just as the sun rose and the people were bathed in a golden glow.  He
saw someone farther to the east.  An older man in priestly robes dancing not
very gracefully, but with fervour and familiarity.  He bore the crest of the
Faracan family on his robes.  Krieger's eyes grew wide and he turned to the
caretaker and blurted, "Do I have ta wait 'til this is over?  C'n I see him
now?  Will ye tell him it's urgent?"

The caretaker told him to wait there and made his way to screndt2.  After a
brief exchange, they both came to the Captain.

Screndt2 looked to the captain and in a genial voice said, "Hello, Captain.
I understand there is a matter of importance?"

The man standing before him seemed still lit by the dawn light though it was
no longer as bright or direct as it was when it was first rising.  The
captain took no note, but ploughed forward with his own business.  "I've a
letter for ye.  A man had me come ta seek ye and return ta 'im wit an
answer."

Screndt2's eyebrow raised, "And who is this man?"

"I don't rightly know, Prophet.  He met me in my house in Hosiel.  He...paid
me to do it."  Krieger was taking no chances in divulging the circumstances
of the trip.  He didn't know how well screndt2 knew the man.  If it would
save Daeni, he would take this story to his grave.

"Hosiel, you say?  I am not familiar with that...village?"

"Nae a village, Prophet.  It's a coastal region on the Far East Island."

Screndt2's eyebrow raised even further, "You aren't from Beluaterra?  This
man must have paid you very hansomely to come here.  I am happy to see that
you've made it.  Now, I won't keep you here any longer.  Where is this
letter?"

Krieger pulled the scroll-case out of his jacket and handed it to screndt2.

Screndt2 didn't recognize the seal at first.  He opened the case and
unrolled the letter.  It was from his cousin, Fetz Faracan.  He quickly read
the letter and said, "We can go to my chamber and have a reply written up."

They all turned to walk down the hall, "So, captain, what does it take to
have someone risk their and their crew's life to come to Beluaterra to
deliver a letter?"

Krieger missed a step before he replied, "When I get back, I'll be gettin'
somethin' very dear to me."

Screndt2 nodded.  He knew of his cousin's ways and he knew that this captain
was not here because of gold, "I see.  Have your ship stocked for the return
voyage from the city's larders.  Mind, take what you need for the trip and
no more.  Food is scarce on this island."

"Very kind o' ye, Prophet."

They arrived at the chamber and screndt2 wrote a reply:

Fetz,

It has been some time since we have seen each other.  I hope you have
changed your ways.  I have not used our family gold since I have arrived on
this island many years ago.

But I may know who has.  A child of mine has come from Atamara.  Her noble
blood was recognized in Avalon.  We met once and I know that she still lives
and is in Mesh.  I can only assume that she was the one to use the gold.  I
am sure you know as well as I that Screndt would never deign to use such
ill-gotten gold.

I have not spoken to her except for once, before her blood was recognized.
I shall speak to her again and tell her of how the family expenses work.  I
don't know what the gold situation is like in Mesh.  I don't know if she
will be able to return the funds to the family stores.  Please take it as a
favour to me to let it go this once.

screndt2

He sanded the paper, rolled it up, placed it in the case and gave it to the
Captain, "My reply.  It is one he should be happy with."

That was a big relief off of Krieger's shoulders, though by no means the
largest, "Thank you, Prophet.  If you will excuse me, I would very much like
to get away from this forsaken island."
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