Edgar adjusted his coat against the chill. The snow wasn’t
bad, but the wind whipping off the lake was a killer. Walking fast wasn’t
helping either. Typically, he found it would warm him up but tonight it wasn’t
working. He paused to look up at the brightly lit castle. Lumi would be there
by now, wearing some stupid ball gown, but somehow still managing to look nice
despite her obvious discomfort. She wasn’t meant for high society any more than
he was, eventually she would see that, or Marty would see it. He just had to be
there when one of them figured it out. Well… be there and get her to notice him.
Maybe he could use magic? No, that would be wrong, right? Right! He wouldn’t
need to use magic anyway. They had so much in common. They were meant for each
other. She’d see it. She had to! Turning
his way toward the orphanage, Edgar felt eyes upon him. He wondered briefly if
they were Strom’s and shook at another kind of chill.
If the kingdom was in dire financial straits, the ballroom
certainly didn’t show it. It had been years since Malwan had put on a Midwinter
Dance and no expense had been spared on this affair. Candles hung in intricate
handwoven arrangements of evergreen branches. The dance hall floor smelled of
fresh beeswax and linseed oil. Multiple, crowded buffet tables served as
islands for the numerous staff to pause at and refill silver trays before circulating
with their burdens of powerful spirits or tasty treats. Nobles and royals, and
those lucky enough to have gained their notice, were huddled in power-cliques
discussing details of trade and prospects for the coming spring. All with their
eyes fixed on the door, awaiting the confirmation of the worst kept secret in
Malwan.
When the King arrived accompanied by Councilor Pavan – but
this time clearly present as his companion, and not in her normal role of
ever-present confidant – most of the gathered throng had the decency to pretend
to be shocked. They even kept it up when the official announcement was made,
that the longest running “secret” affair would finally be validated with a
marriage. Even the king’s enemies had to applaud that and grant it would be
good for kingdom stability.
As the revels pressed on into the night, several notable
exchanges were had:
Lumi took the announcement of the king’s pending nuptials to
inquire of Marty, when theirs might occur. Marty was suddenly distracted by a
passing tray of smoked salmon, and Lumi – who realized that she had actually
voiced the drunken thought out loud – was more than willing to let it slide. Perhaps,
Marty hadn’t heard.
Hedge was called away by Edgar, who arrived claiming he had
been assaulted in the street by masked thugs who seemed to be attempting to abduct
him. The two left the party to investigate.
Kiros Ismort, had the audacity to claim that the King’s
remarriage might be good for the kingdom, rather than handing power into the
hands of an inconstant woman like Relania Bell. A heated exchange followed,
where the lady was directly accused of a scandalous affair with the known
traitor, Lexington Starym. Hands went to swords, but no blows were exchanged.
While Marty was pushing Euwyn to duel the loudmouth Lord
Ismort, Yuri was discovered unconscious on the balcony. He had been assaulted
by gnolls dressed in black and moving like shadows. They had taken Mjelde!
A search party was quickly gathered. Giada and her dog were
brought in to track the gnolls. When Hedge was found, there was some concern
that the thugs might have been gnolls as well, but Edgar felt certain they were
humans. The party left Edgar to recover from his injuries, and brought Hedge
and Ichiban to bolster their ranks.
A few miles outside of town, a band of gnolls attacked with
javelins and spiked whips. They also had a powerful pig demon at their command.
The group managed to fight them off with aid from the timely arrival of Ilyana
and a badly wounded Bar-Bark. They had quite the story to tell…
The faith of Strom had been spreading quickly among the
gnolls, and the high priestess did not like it. To restore her people’s fear
and respect for their demon lord and send a message to the people of Malwan,
she planned to sacrifice Mjelde!
