Two Hundred Eighty Eighth Day in the Seventh Kingdom
– Freehold
Fortune smiles and my mentor Master Jin shall grace Freehold with a visit this next month. I look forward to speaking with and possibly learning more from my benefactor within the organization. On a similar vein I have invited many of the town’s merchants to join the Golden Tong, and thus far only Pania, a newly arrived Riverfolk has accepted. Let it never be said I did not seek to aid all my people so that our mutual course shall lead to prosperity. My only hope is that I can offer so much to more of my kinfolk here, so far from the waters we so often sleep beside.
In light of certain developments, the later events of the evening may seem quaint, or perhaps even foolish. It seems Captain Aubrey has been freed and made a return to Freehold, he tells of his captivity by followers of Primus. His armor has been taken, and he has spent the months confined to a box. That the forces of the cult tried to indoctrinate and subvert this brave soldier does not surprise me. Happy to see him again, even though he has a difference of opinion with his lieutenant, and most of his men regarding the alliance with the Ixians, and Flowers and O’Connell’s marriage, we step out to enjoy the evening. A curious man pitching the services of the Freehold school of Jest comes along with us, even taking the appellation Maximum Shots after some drunken carousing among the Seelie Caravan.
So this little group, fueled by the delightful spirits the Seelie’s have brought from who knows where, wanders about. Ahkmenilol, the deeply strange Troll healer grants us all a favor, and imparts some protections from the spirits. The name Skull Buddies, to describe this allegiance sticks, and we become some form of group. Besides Aubrey, Ahkmenilol and myself there is Jochimo, and a pair of Aubrey’s soldiers. The incomparable Maximum Shots of course is among us for much of the nights wanderings. While still making the most of the lingering effect of the Seelie’s drinks, a local farmer comes requesting aid. It seems a small village nearby has come under the effect of a wicked curse and shadow corrupted plants threaten its inhabitants. Let it never be said Skull Buddies refused to lend support when asked.
We arrive and soon with an impressive feat of arms the vile plants are put to rest. This does not seem to completely remove the threat however and some lingering corruption hangs about the dwellings. A search of the structures is organized, traps likely set by the inhabitants to protect themselves removed, and a bit of spoils found. Things look better still when a handful of survivors are found. Soon this too turns darker as they are overcome by some dark works and become beasts of shadow themselves. With little choice these poor souls are sent to their rest as well. Now one might suppose that at this point, what befell this village could have no further effect. Little did we realize a curse still clung to anything taken from the village. Feeling its vile influence Ahkmenilol quickly set about to cleansing himself. Others were less able to resolve the situation and became slaves to their greed, they single-mindedly wrenched wealth from the hands of friends, becoming quite violent indeed.
The effects of the curse only seem to linger a short time, and even those most affected are soon themselves again. Or at least they better contain their greed and allow peace to reign in the town for the rest of the night.
Two Hundred Eighty Ninth Day in the Seventh Kingdom
– Freehold
Morning comes cold to the latest location I have chosen to lay my head. The new shop has plenty of room to accommodate myself alongside my wares, but lacks some of the comforts of Annie’s inn. The attacks of the Dusken Vale continue and grow more bold and pressing, the corrupted plants and mud beasts are lead against Freehold once more. In addition there are signs of a leader capable of shifting and shaking the very ground beneath our feet. I do not know if this is the same druid that once nearly destroyed Annie’s inn with a similar feat. Much of the town turns out to fight this fearsome enemy, but he is able to flee when the tide of battle turns against him. I am sure we will see and feel more of their wickedness in the coming days. These druids seem dedicated to removing our settlement here at any cost.
I hear about some affair which the wild elves of Freehold choose to resolve on their own. I can only speculate what they might have faced or what may have been done. Luigi and Hans come from Freehold’s School of Jest to entertain and instruct whomever among the townsfolk seek skill at entertaining. I choose not to take part, but it is pleasant indeed to see these minstrels work and share their craft. If a settlement in the midst of so many threats and conflicts needs anything its laughter.
One of the small highlights was some work with the little blades my kin from the rivers would approve of. There is an undeniable skill and virility to be found in fighting with only a short knife. To exhibit this, even in training upon small platforms tests nerve as much as the swiftness of arm and steadiness of foot. I’m sure it was quite unfamiliar to the warriors from Pendrakken and Fir Bolg, so used to shield and sword, but they took quickly to the little dance. This was definitely a wonderful exercise and splendid way to pass a little time. I heard of but was unable to witness a fight in the river ways of bound blades, that indeed is a vicious dance. Few have the quickness and nerve to fight tied to an opponent, with as little to defend oneself as to attack.
Late in the night, while tending to my shop I hear commotion of battle deep in the wood. From what I later learn some source of the Dusken Vale’s power and influence was found, a great corrupted tree. I can only guess at how grueling and trying the battle was by the sounds I heard and for how long they went on. As with all struggles in the past though, it seems Freehold fought back the foe and stands free for one more day. Of course this is a minor event in relation to what I learned happened still later this night.
Over what would normally be a pleasant breakfast I learned this most troubling news. It seems that though we believed him liberated from the vile forces of Primus, Captain Aubrey had been converted and follows the whims of that ancient terror. Late this last night he sought out Athence and the caretaker of his church, slaughtered them and left a note telling of the return of Primus, and that those brave men were a sacrifice. There was an even more dastardly act later for the fallen Pendrakken, as they slept he murdered his former comrades of the Pendrakken and Ixian alliance. This foul betrayal threatens so much more than the tranquility here in Freehold.
The attack threatens the alliance forged between the Pendrakkens and those from Ixia. More than that slaying an envoy carries grave consequences, all know a nobleman from Pendrakken killed the Ixian envoy as she slept. That he did so following Primus likely makes the entire incident still worse. I think we shall all sleep more lightly, fearing his blade in the night, but the thud of the armies that may soon be marching on Freehold should be more terrifying than the silence. I only hope that this one night’s betrayal does not lead to the ruin of the accord that created Freehold, or of the peace between kingdoms that allows us to thrive here. In time we shall see if a civil war shall come as Aubrey jested before his betrayal was revealed. I hope that whatever happens, those I have grown to care for can keep safe amid the swirling maelstrom that threatens us here.