Lord Brend’s Manor

[Windsong]

Two gaurds in blue and white lacquered armor bearing the flame and diamond of House Cathoin stand to bar the way of any who would attempt to enter the iron gates. Beyond those gates lays a large rectangular house. All of the curtains are drawn, day or night, and no one can see inside.

Three stories high, the manor house belongs to Brend Cathoin, High Seat of House Cathoin. Lord Brend has long been a secluded man, yet many of the neighbors have remarked that Lord Brend has not been seen for the past three months. While his guards have more then tripled.

Behind the manorhouse is a large tower. At the top of the tower, standing over the conical walls, armed soldiers can be seen. This is the barracks for the armsmen of House Cathoin. Next to it lies a stable where a line of horses, and oddly enough, a single blue dragon sits in wait for the use by the armsmen. The dragon, strangely enough, showed up around the time Lord Brend disappeared. Of course, none of the other nobles have commented on this. Many of which are to afraid of Lord Brend’s strength, if in fact he is not missing.

[Windsong]

Four large men covered in muscles walked through the streets. Upon theirs shoulders rested the legs of a sedan chair, upon the door was the flame and diamond of House Cathoin. Even though it was mid day the streets were clear. Not to many people walked around this part of town where no shops were, only a few sedan chairs and carriages could be seen moving the other well to do people around.

From within the safety of the curtains Windsong looked out. Many people were surprised to see the emblem on the side of the sedan chair, he was sure they were wondering if it was Lord Brend himself who rode inside.

The four men walked up between the iron gates, across the paved walkway, and up to the doors of the manor. Stopping they gently set down the sedan chair. The door opens and Windsong steps out.

Wiping the hair from his face he strides past the bowed men and up to the door. Grabbing a hold of the ring hanging down to the side of the door he pulls on it. A gong sounds inside, announcing the arrival of a guest.

The door swings open and a human dressed in black mail looks out. “Welcome back Lieutenant. The Captain is in the sitting room.” Applying fist to chest he steps out of the way of the door.

Windsong steps into the manor and passed the guard at the door. Walking into the sitting room a gruff faced man with a scar down his face looks up from a book. Captain Fern, a Knight of the Skull, goes back to his book without a word.

Windsong grimaces as he places his fist to his chest. “My Captain. I have returned.”

Fern nods without looking up. He reaches out his left hand. A nervous looking man in blue and white livery of a House servant pours some chilled wine and brings it to Fern’s hand. The Captain takes it and sips without looking at the man.

The fool has gotten to use to a life as a lord. Windsong though derisively. He looks at the chair across Captain Fern, then continues to stand. “My Captain, the guards have yet to become suspicious about our movements. Also the armsdealer in Greyfriars says he will be able to supply us with some shock lances, yet it will cost us a lot of gold.”

Windsong shakes his head at the thought of gold. “Our steel pieces are useless here my Captain, this city will not accept steel as a currency, only gaudy gold. They are truly as corrupt as any of the Solamnic back home.”<br>
Fern grunts and puts his book down. He gives Windsong a hard look, but then again a smile would frighten a child if it came from that face. “More the reason to be done with them and conquer this city. We are cut off from Neraka, yet we might be able to get some word back to Jelek with all the magical devises around here.”<br>
Windsong continues to stand looking at his Captain. Does this fool still think we can take the city with only a hundred men? It might be best to remove him before he can make such a blunder.

“Do you have anything else to report?” Fern asks impatiently.

“Yes Captain.” He says hurriedly. “I also believe I have found a way to acquire us more dragons. But I do not understand why you wish to have one for each soldier, except for you, I, and perhaps another one or two the men are not trained in-“<br>
“Of course you do not understand.” Fern barks, cutting off the end of Windsong’s words. “An Elf doesn’t understand the ways of battle. It is yours to listen and obey, not to think.”

“My Captain.” Windsong places his fist to his chest in salute again. My stupid, stupid, Captain.

“What are you smiling at?” Fern’s eyes narrow and his grip tightens on the silver goblet in his hands enough to put a dent in it. Fern looks down and grimaces at the wine on his clothing. “Leave me!” He yells getting up.

Windsong turns and leaves the room as Fern yells at the servent to find him more clothes. Turning up the stairs to go farther into the mansion Windsong sighs. “That man is a fool and he will get us all killed.” He mumbles under his breath.

Not low enough though as a fellow Knight of the Lily standing at the top of the broad stairway looks at him. The human carried a dangerous look in his eye. “You elves, always plotting. I don’t know why any of you would be let into the Knighthood.”<br>
“Possibly because I am more competent then you.” A wry smile appears on Windsong’s face as he passes the soldier.

The Knight grimaces at the remark, and then his eyes widen as a knife is plunged into the creases of his armor.

Pulling the blade free Windsong wipes the blood from it. He looks down the stairs at the guard to the door. “Clean this up.” He yells down at the soldier, the man salutes and Windsong turns away.

We have to few to waste them, I shouldn’t have killed him no matter how angry that buffoon made me. Shaking his head he continues on to his room. What is done is done. Now on to more important matters.[i/]

[Rumerin]

*A young woman walks around the street, carrying a box of trinkets to sell. She's dressed in bright colours, her hair is dyed red and hangs on her shoulders in messy curls. She's wearing enormous earrings that look rather cheap, and overall she's quite pretty. She tries to sell the trinkets to some passers-by, and for lack of commerce ends up chatting to and flirting with the manor guards*

[Windsong]

The two guards, actual members of House Cathoin’s armsmen, enjoy the rest from the boredom of standing watch. The taller of the two flirts a lot with the young women, while the smaller more pudgy guard takes the opportunity to lounge against the gate and rest his feet.

After a few minuets Captain Fern walks out of the manerhouse. Covered in a fine blue coat, with silver scroll work up the sleeves and on the lapels, and dark red trousers; he would seem a lord if not for his face.

Striding down the pavement towards the gate he gives the two guards a glare. “Bloody useless sell swords.” Can barley be herd under his breath.

Captain Fern makes a leg to the young women, it seems practiced yet still out of place on the man. “And who might you be darling?” He asks as a lustiest smile appears on his face.

[Rumerin]

*The girl leans on one leg, box under her arm, hand casually resting on her hip. She throws some of her hair over her shoulder and smiles*

Me? I ain't nobody e-special, m'lord. Me name's Nerkori, but "darling" will do just fine.

*She winks*

[Windsong]

Fern’s smile widens at the wink from her. Of course a man of his character reading more into it then what most would think acceptable. “Well, Nerkori. What a pleasant name, but if you rather keep it to darling, then darling it will be.”<br>
He walks closer to her and reaches out for the box under her arm. “What is it that you are trying to sell here, darling? Maybe I will buy it.” His tone indicates that he wants to buy more then just what’s in the box.

[Rumerin]

*She smiles sweetly and opens the box to him*

Valuables, m'lord... Goods of- luxury and enjoyment, ye might say.

*Looks at him, still with a smile*

[Windsong]

“Enjoyment, hu?” He lets out a gruff laugh. “Well I think that we may just be able to find some gold in my pockets for such things.” Reaching behind her he places his hand against the small of her back and begins to shuffle her towards the gates. “Come, let us talk…business.”

[Rumerin]

*She closes the box again and walks along willingly*

Gold sounds good. Sure.

*She walks inside with him. Across the street and to the right, a young man in the custume of a noble leaves another mansion and walks towards the Centre of town, taking his time like good-for-nothing young nobles will. Nerkori looks around in awe when she is led in, she never seems to have been inside one of these great houses*

[Windsong]

Walking past the soldier garbed in the armor of a Knight of Neraka, Fern looks down at Nerkori to see if the light of recognition shone in her eyes. Instead he found wonderment at the sights in front of her. Good he thought I wont have to kill this lovely lass afterwards..

Leading her up the broad marble stairs to the second story of the building he turns to the left expecting her to follow. They pass a few nervous servants who do their best to avoid looking at Fern and Nerkori, too, they pass more men in black armor then those in the blue and white livery of house servants.

Leading her to a large room in the back he enters. Two small fireplaces flank the sitting room with a large writing desk covered in papers near the fireplace at the right side of the room. Across from the sitting room two doors stand open, the dim light of a single lamp shows a messy unmade bed.

Peering beyond Nerkori into the halls he looks for a servant. “Come!” he barks, then turns back to Nerkori with a broad smile. “Would you like anything? Chilled wine, fine pears maybe?”

[Rumerin]

Oh, whatever strikes yer fancy.

*She looks around for a place to deposit her box, and in the end decides to put it on the desk. She gives the papers no more than the passing glance of an illiterate, then walks back to the centre of the room and resumes her former position- one hand on the hip, looking half subservient, half defiant, as befits her class*

[Windsong]

A sour expression appears on his face as he turns to the servant. Speaking a few words with the man, he turns back to Nerkori with a smile. Walking the short distance between the two of them he puts his arms around her small frame. “So.” He says giving her a kiss on the neck. “While we wait for the refreshments, why don’t you tell me the price of your goods?” He says, placing an odd emphasis on the word ‘goods’.

[Rumerin]

*She watches the servant go with a blank expression, and keeps the same expression when she is touched and kissed*

Oh, I ain't yer fancy lady. Two gold pieces is all.

[Windsong]

“Two? A rather nice price.” He turns away, though his smile seems to lessen as he walks to the drawers of the table. Pulling out a small box he opens it and sifts through a large number of steel and copper coins, then comes upon a few gold. Pulling out two pieces he closes the box and looks back at her smiling.

Another fifteen minuets latter the servant returns with a silver tray. A silver wine pitcher and two goblets laced in gold sit upon the tray. He stops and listens at the door, hearing the noise he turns and leaves for the kitchens again. Best not to disturb the Captain during…that. The man thinks with a blush. Shaking his head he banishes the thoughts and quickens his pace.

[Rumerin]

*A few hours later, she dresses, seeing to it her goldpieces are well secured, and picks up her box, ready to go again*