Midwinter Abduction (Date 2/1/21)

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!