Our Night in Kirth

3 Mirtul, 1373 night
With Gustav in tow we head back to St Sollars the Twice Martyred, but along the way I stop by to see how my family is doing. I recommend that they go to St Sollars the Twice Martyred to be safe. They agree to come later. We meet up with Corim and Pavel they found the carriage and the Agony. The Agony is passed out as a drink. I realize for the first time that saving Kirth may be hopeless. I will not let anyone know my fear of failure. I pray that Tyr will give us the strength and unity to win the day. We enter St Sollars the Twice Martyred and begin to talk about our findings. Slyl is being evasive about what he was up to, and yet he tells Evan that he is in danger for his life. It seems that Sharisa who we met at the gate is out to eliminate Evan because their temple are enemies. What does Slyl do to find these things out? Who does he know that would tell him? I will need to keep an eye on him. After he ran off with the potion of gaseous form I doubt I can trust him. I shouldn’t rush to conclusions, but he gives me a bad feeling. I ask Pavel if Evan would be wise to strike first against Sharisa. I ask for his moral lesson on this too. I would love to know how a Monk of the yellow Rose would handle this situation. My family is safe and resting. Kelestri and I talk about many things. She tells me that I should not be ashamed of my station. I tell her I am absolutely not ashamed. I just have a different calling that that of a merchant. I want to reclaim my families’ former glory and perhaps even more. I will tell her sooner or later of my grandfather and the Witch king, but that can wait. She tells me that she thought that I had military experience. I tell her that a Knight of Tyr does indeed. I also tell her that my leadership is not perfect. The swordsman who is first learning tends to hold the sword too loosely and too tightly in the same day. This is not unlike my leadership of late. I think we are gaining an understanding and I know that someday we will not argue. Well I can pray for the later anyway. For the first time we hold our weapons in a pledge of commitment to our fellowship. Maybe we are ready for a name after all. Kelestri and I finish our watch and I take a well-earned bath and rest. I ask Kelestri to help me into my armor in the morning. I wish someone would find a way to make armoring ones self a one-man process that takes less than five minutes. May the first light Prayer bring me Tyr’s blessings.

Our Evening in Kirth

3 Mirtul, 1373 evening
Leaf, Corim, and I walk back from the Thirsty Nymph to St Sollars the Twice Martyred and as we do I ask Leaf if he found anything out about the delivery. He simply says no. Brother Nikolai informs us of the recent events and troubles in Kirth. I listen carefully yet with uneasiness. I want to interrupt him and tell every one of my findings, but it is wrong to be so rude. Brother Nikolai may have knowledge that will aid my explanations. Midwinter Night is when it started said brother Nikolai. The son of Bane, Xvim made his presence known to the followers of Bane. His words haunt all who hear them "Serve No One But Bane". After hearing brother Nikolai’s words I am even more unsettled.

I explained to everyone that Gustav was bringing the “Agony” to Kirth and I had him delay the shipment so we could decide how to handle it. I suggest we try to spoil it magic and deliver it. That way no one would suspect anything and the element of surprise would remain with us. Kelestri remains unimpressed. Kelestri and I have words and she tells me I am foolish. Only time can tell if this is true. We decide to get Gustav and the “Agony” so brother Nikolai can deal with it. He assures us that he can make the “Agony” inert. Gustav tried to hide with the shipment, but failed. We discovered that he was arrested and taken along with the “Agony” to Kirth Keep. To my pleasant surprise another Vast Trade carriage arrives. I chase it down and discover that my family is within. They made the journey to Kirth to make a new home. I explain the situation to my family. Pavle and Dusan understood what they agreed to ship was illegal. They felt that they could ship the “Agony” anyway and by telling the authorities in Kirth about it would get confiscated in Kirth. They would get their payment and the “Agony” would not be used. It is well thought out except the authorities in Kirth are infiltrated by the Baneites.

We hurry to gain Gustav’s release. We decide that Corim and Pavel can sneak into Kirth Keep to locate and free Gustav and the “Agony”. Pavel is not sure it is a good idea. I wonder where is Slyl? I hope he’s not in trouble. We request the Haldoreeve of Kurth and discuss Gustav’s release he seems to be a by the book kind of person. Kelestri is supportive and lets me do the talking. I won’t let that get to my head. Brathimus Drell the Haldoreeve has a good aura and I decide to take a chance and tell him of our concerns in Kirth. He is suspicious as am I. I let him know where we are staying and it gives me enough credibility to convince him to check on our concerns. He seems to understand our plight. We decide to head back to St Sollars the Twice Martyred and take Brother Nikolai up on his offer of comfort and rest. We will need to keep guards posted. I will begin with the first watch.