Scoundrel's Folly part III

by Dandelion

Dear Lucerne,

The Heroes I am accompanying are most diverting. This party is better than Le Blanc's. Anyway continuing the journal.

At dinner talk was subdued. The death had cast it's pall over all. Hotspur left early followed by Borstenn. He saw from outside the light go on in Hotspur's room followed by laughter. He checked what was up and saw how Hotspur's chest did up the back and that he had pistols in his boots.

Most importantly he 'noticed' the short sword for the first time. It was hidden in secret compartment. We conferred together and with Grumbel.

Next morning at breakfast Ambrose saw that Hotspur had pistols in his boots. Borsten started skillfully questioning people. Hotspur took offence and challenged him to a duel. Borsten named Franz as primary.

The duel took place outside the castle later. It was an exciting match. Franz prevailed. Hotspur was then accused of murdering Marceau. He claimed trial by combat. Franz again accepted the primary honor. Hotspur for this duel used his short sword and buckler. He was at least a Donovan journeyman. The duel was tense and long. During the duel Franz was disarmed twice. Franz emerged the winner but had taken many wounds. Ambrose fixed them.

Reggie was exasperated with us for falling behind on research but progress was made. Syrneth markings on the compass indicate a connection with the direction the Erebus cross points. We then prepared to leave the following day.

That night Eduarde did his bit for international relations with Sophia; Borstenn with Margarite, Franz with Greta and I with Monique.

Travel to Freiburg was uneventful. Hailed as heroes everywhere. The plague even seems to be retreating. While heading to the Linden Tree we were accosted by three vaticines. They asked us to give them the compass and give up our "ways of legion". Wonder how they knew about compass?

They then set their pet brutes upon us. We were slightly outnumbered but heroes like Franz and Eduarde made short work of them. Of course Ambrose and I did our little bit. Borstenn was behind me and did well. We stayed the night. Reggie and Borstenn made contact with Explorer Society. I heard a rumor that Madeline Bisset was there as well.

Reggie organised passage to Carleon in Avalon on a Vendel ship the Golden Apple.

I just realised we still don't know why Marceau was killed or if anyone else was involved. The Eisenfürst may have extracted some concessions from Fergus McAllister (high council member). Apparently Marceau had succeeded in the first part of his mission to gain access for patrol ships from Freiburg. The agreement was that they would allow passage if the other three Eisenfürsts did. Keep your ears open. Possibly Hotspur was acting on behalf of the pirates. Avalon has long been suspect regards Piracy. Fergus may not have been innocent. I may send for some food. Eisen lumps just ...I can't say how bad they are!

Dandelion

PS I submitted Borstenn's tale of the death of the Verschlingen to the Freiburg Gazette. Forward a subscription in a scroll case if possible. Pierre who died fighting the Verschlingen was a student of the Rois et Reines School. Apparently he caused the most wounds on the beast leading it to concentrate on him.