Music of the Spheres part I

I weary of Montaigne. It pains me to report that our recent valourous efforts in rescuing Monsieur la Bierê from the ultimate haircut has only resulted in a subsequent increase in such atrocities. There were over one hundred executions reported in the last week, and to my horror it seems that any Vestenmannavnjar in Charouse is a fair target for Le Coiffure. A direct result of my part in the proceedings.

La Vallée are making the most of the overwhelming majority they now have in the fledgling government, and any who oppose them are accused of plotting against the revolutionary council and soon lose their head. It is now a capitol offence to speak sedition.

On the morning of the 18th, we ventured out for the first time in a week, our wounds healed, but our hearts still heavy. Reports in the local market were of a poor local fellow named Jacques, father of fifteen children, savaged by some beast in the night. Wild howls had been heard over the previous couple of nights. I shared a worried glance with Dandelion, the moon had been full over the previous 3 evenings.

We returned to the inn, the fourth we'd stayed at in the last week, to find our old friend Don Carlos snoring in Dandelion's bed. He awoke upon our arrival, and greeted us warmly "I thought I'd sniffed... err... heard that you were staying here!" As he stood up, a small box fell from his clothing to the ground.

It was an old despatch case, the sort used by the military, although any insignias had long since worn away. The only distinguishing marks were some rather large bloody tooth-marks. Don Carlos opened the box and discovered a small map, and a note written on a torn piece off brown paper bag. He handed the note to Dandelion to read.

"Jacques. Be sure to bring your squad to the road before dusk on the 18th. J.P."

The map showed a section of road, heading through a pass named Highwayman's defile. Dandelion recognised this as a notorious spot for banditry, some miles out of Charouse. A large X was marked on the map, just where the road entered the defile. We decided that it was worth investigation.

I put on the latest disguise I'd been working on, that of a Crescent musician, all in gaudy colours, complete with turban and veil. I attached a few strings to my Zweihander to make it out like one of those weird stringed instruments the Crescent use. All in all, a very satisfactory disguise (despite some critical glances from Dandelion). So we headed off out of town. But here we hit the first snag in our plan... The gates were now heavily guarded, and bound to be on the lookout for any Vestenmannavnjar, but whilst my disguise might serve me well, it did not come with papers identifying me as a Crescent!

So Don Carlos and Avon went through the gate, with their legitimate papers, and Dandelion, Antonio and I went over the wall, climbing over an inn adjoining the city wall. We were able to accomplish our task successfully, and proceeded on through the outer town.

A crowd blocked the road up ahead, and as we drew near we were able to make out that they were gathered to watch a company of revolutionary guardsmen marching a group of prisoners through the street. I noticed amongst the group a savagely defiant Vestenmannavnjar fellow. Leading the procession was the same fop in top-hat and cockade who ran from us at the Inn of the Fallen Oak last week, Victoire d'Valleroix.

A stand had to be made. I stood in the middle of the road in front of d'Valleroix and his company and with a flourish whipped off my Crescent disguise! d'Valleroix blanched a little before looking back to his musket-wielding companions, "Fire!" And I was soon enveloped in musket-shot. My companions joined quickly into the fray, and soon the guardsmen were lying unconscious all around, except for the half-dozen or so that Don Carlos had chopped into mince-meat. d'Valleroix had fled soon after learning that his rapier was not going to be a match for my Zweihander. Dandelion followed in hot pursuit. However, the rest of us were soon lost.

Seeing Dandelion catching him, but no other pursuers, d'Valleroix decided to turn and fight once more, knocking Dandelion to the ground then attacking with his sword. Both combatants were soon carrying heavy injuries, but d'Valleroix was gradually getting the better of it. However, just as he had gained control of the battle, he heard Don Carlos and Antonio approaching, and once more took to his heels.

Ambrose saw to the various wounds that were inflicted, and Avon and I helped out with Dandelions injuries, and pretty soon we were in sufficient health to continue on our way.

As we approached our destination, Dandelion suggested moving off the road to avoid a possible ambush. So we moved off to one side and climbed the bluff that overlooked the road. Alas, our plan to avoid an ambush went astray, as our approach must have been spotted, and a gruff voice called out for us to drop our weapons. Not understanding the question, I acted instinctively grabbing my zweihander, a bad move as it resulted in a volley of musketfire in my direction. Sorely wounded I joined my companions in dropping weapons. A man in a shabby sergeant's uniform, that of the pre-revolutionary army, came out to interrogate us. He ordered a couple of men to come out and tie our hands, but Don Carlos would have none of this, and reached for his swords. It provoked the rest of the company into action, and we were quickly on the offensive.

The battle was swift, although these men were army trained, they had been living rough, and were not in the best fighting condition. A second group of men (probably from the other side of the defile) came across to see what the sergeant and his men were up to. We quickly captured the leader of this group, a former corporal, and forced him to tell us what had been planned.

It seems that the group of ex-soldiers had turned to banditry, and had heard of a particularly important coach to be passing through at this time. In fact they had already spotted its approach, and the rest of the bandits should have captured it by now...

We hurried down the defile, Don Carlos putting caution to the wind and riding his horse down, barely managing to stay in the saddle. With a little persuasion, we convinced the corporal to tell the rest of his men to surrender, which grudgingly they did.

We were greeted by a very grateful party in the coach, there were two men, Donadieu Deneuve du Surlyn and Alfons Prevoye with a beautiful young woman, Madeliene Prevoye. It turns out she is a rather well-known composer. I mentioned that I had performed in an opera at Charouse, Alfons inquired further, but seemed somewhat disenchanted when I regailed him with the story of my appearance. I guess he doesn't appreciate true art.

Madeliene is to write a composition for an upcoming function at the Chateau d'Soleil, something to do with a celebration the Council of Eight have planned. The function will be a gala costume ball. Interesting...

We offered to escort the good lady and her companions to Charouse, to ensure they are not further set-upon by bandits, an offer that was gratefully accepted. So grateful in fact that they offered us tickets to the ball! How wonderful, it is likely to be a very interesting evening, and I'm actually looking forward to it. Now, just to find the right costume...