18-20 Feb

By the end of the third day, most of the talk around the guard shack has begun to circle around the new Constable. Typically, the local Lord to would appoint the new Constable, but with the disappearance of Baron Tryffin, and the continued absence of Dame Hakkima, the guardsmen have decided to take matters into their own hands; they will select their own Constable. All who want to compete need merely make their desire known. The election will take place in a week. Participants have that long to convince people to vote for them. Kentaro is pleased to see that Max is among the first to put his name forward.

On the same day, Kinnaka receives a missive from Tirask, their intermediary with Sir Miles. It thanks them for the information Kinnaka sent and gives them leave to deal with the situation as they see fit. Since they are on County soil, concern about the team’s abilty to bring them in has faded. Kinnaka accepts the news with equanimity, though Kentaro finds it insulting, and takes no pains to hide the fact.

21-26 Feb

When not serving in the jail, Kentaro and Kinnaka are more than anything left to their own devices. Nobody expects them to stay long without the enticement of catching Ax and Murray to keep them here, and sure enough just a week after Constable Sluman’s death, Kentaro expresses his desire to leave. By this time, he and his partner have questioned their prisoners often enough and with enough vigor to ascertain the following pieces of information, all of which they regard as the absolute truth:

1. Ax and Murray have been together for the better part of a decade. Ax, the leader, is a fairly amiable chap unless crossed; you do not want to cross him. He never forgives, and he never forgets an injury, real or imagined. Murray is the disciplinarian of the group. She plays the role of Ax’s enforcer, and is, except where Ax is concerned, nearly completely bereft of the finer side of normal human emotion.
2. The three lads are brothers who recently lost their parents. They were recruited by Ax less than three months ago. They are:
   1. Stahl (18) is serious and solitary. He doesn’t always pay attention to detail, and tends to act without thinking. He currently limps badly due to a partly healed arrow wound in his thigh.
   2. Elias (16) is extremely dull-witted and slow (borderline idiot). He’s good with a sword, but is otherwise totally dependent on Stahl.
1. Reteos (15) is short and very muscular. He is quiet, tending to think things through before acting in any way, though those actions can be completely unpredictable.
3. It was the boys (whom Ax collectively called his “Posse”) who killed the architect. Neither Ax nor Murray played any part in that event, apart from the planning, of course.

1. Before the killing, the gang has been involved in several small-scale acts of disruption up and down what is now the County/Duchy border – burning down a farmhouse, stealing some beasts from a breeder, random vandalism, that sort of thing.

Kinnaka at first demures from Kentaro’s repeated requests to leave, but after another 48 hours with no further progress in the search for Ax, he accedes to Kentaro’s demand. When he does so, Kentaro looks at him aghast. What? With the Constabulary election tomorrow, how can Kinnaka think about leaving today? What’s he thinking? For his part, Kinnaka couldn’t care less who becomes the Constable, but for the sake of Kentaro, who has found a good friend in Max, he agrees to wait another day before leaving, though inwardly he shakes his head. The giant really is half human. He begs to leave and begs to leave, then when given leave to do so, wants to stay. Humans! Who can ever figure them out?

27 Feb

The guardsmen compromise by postponing the decision. They decide that unless the winner claims victory by less than two votes, they needn’t worry. If that should happen, they’ll pick up the debate again.

Hands are counted for those who favor Max for Constable. Then other calls go out for guardsmen named Harrald, who fails to achieve Max’s total by 3, and Viktor, who garners just a few votes in total. It is done, and Max is the new Constable of Ryell Pass.

After congratulating his friend, Kentaro informs him that his first official act can be to accept his and Kinnaka’s resignations as deputies. Max smiles, thanks them for their service, and performs the necessary rituals, which involves collecting their cloaks and badges, and having them sign another form. Before they leave town, however, Kinnaka requests they take three of the killers’ horses, one of which must be the identifiable one with the cross on his shoulder. Constable Max agrees to this request readily, and before the hour is out, Kentaro and Kinnaka are riding north again with their three young prisoners.

28-29 Feb

The next day, their final on this journey, goes equally well, and in the late afternoon, they once again approach and then enter Fort Leman. They present themselves at the Keep, which appears unchanged since they left – was it only two weeks ago?

After they turn their prisoners over to the guard, a page arrives to show them back to the sitting room they remember so well from their previous visit. They are fed a good meal, after which Tirask appears and asks them to provide their report. The two stand when Tirask enters, and Kinnaka bows. They sit when asked, and Kinnaka begins to tell the story, interrupted frequently and good-naturedly by Kentaro. Kinnaka accepts these interruptions with patient humor, but takes great pains to tell the story his way, including ensuring that Tirask is well aware that they returned these three rather than pursuing the other two because they are the actual perpetrators of the murder. They felt that it was more important that they be imprisoned officially before resuming the hunt for the other two. Tirask thanks them for their report, and informs them that he will take it to Sir Miles. They are to make themselves at home, and will be sleeping in the same room as last time. Sir Miles will undoubtedly have some word for them in the morning.

Kinnaka bows again as Tirask leaves, and the men are able to fully relax for the first time in what seems like months.

01 Mar

In the morning, Tirask invites them to breakfast. Kinnaka and Kentaro are shown to a small, private dining room in which Tirask is already seated, though no food has yet been served. Kentaro bows, and Tirask waves them both into seats – seats that both notice are very much oversized to accommodate their huge frames. Immediately after they take their seats, several servants bring a varied and well-prepared breakfast, which the two huge men avail themselves of impressively.

Although Tirask leads a lively conversation, he does not broach the business ahead of them at all – an act that is noticed by both Kinnaka and Kentaro, who follow the man’s lead. Finally though, breakfast is over and Tirask is ready to talk shop.

Tirask:

Gentlemen, I would like to pass on Sir Miles’ appreciation of your efforts, his pleasure that you caught the three directly responsible for the actual murder, and his extreme disappointment that the two who bear the deepest responsibility for this heinous act have escaped. However, that is in the past, and Sir Miles prefers to live in the present. That present demands that you prepare for immediate departure from this location. You are being dispatched to the City of Greyhawk. Take this. [He hands each of them a sealed letter and two gold dubloons each.] Present the letters at the Lord Mayor’s Compound Gate. The gold is obviously to cover your expenses while on the road. If you have any questions, I’ll be happy to entertain them now, but you should know that I know nothing of your future in Greyhawk. I am not familiar with the contents of those letters. I know only what you know – that they are addressed to a Dame Permas, a name I have never heard before, and have been sealed with Sir Miles personal seal.

He stops speaking and looks up. His face looks as if he expects no questions, and he doesn’t get any. Neither Kentaro nor Kinnaka have any questions that they believe Tirask can or will answer, so they stand, Kinnaka bows one last time, and they go to pack their meager belongings.

Kentaro:

We’ve got a problem we ave. Where esle do ya think he coulda gone?

Kinnaka shrugs:

When turtre scared, it hide in sherr. When tiger scared it run to cave. Turtre or tiger? I am not knowing.

That piece of wisdom leaves Kentaro speechless, so Kinnaka fills the silence by recommending they go talk to the Ryell Pass jail’s new “guests.” Kentaro is not opposed, and a few short minutes later they reach the main guard shack to find every light ablaze and what must be every guardsmen in town up and active.

An unfamiliar guard in full armor is standing watch over the front door. He bars the pair’s entry.

Kentaro:

Hello then. Wot’s all this?

Guard:

Not tonight, mates. We ain’t got time fer chit chat.

Kinnaka raises an eyebrow:

Oh? We herp?

Guard:

Look, we got a situation ‘ere, and I ain’t got time fer this.

Kentaro:

Yer constible said ye’ve been working triple shifts…

Kinnaka shrugs:

OK, we tark to our prisoners then.

Guard:

Look, long as ye get yer asses outta my door, I don’t care ‘oo ye talk to.

Kentaro and Kinnaka press forward. Faced with two such huge brutes unexpectedly on the advance, the guard, much to his credit, doesn’t panic. He does however draw his sword, strike a defensive pose, and blow his whistle. Several other guards, also fully armored, immediately rush out, weapons at the ready.

Kinnaka shakes his head:

We do this again? Why you keep us from our prisoners?

Kentaro:

WAIT A MINUTE! WAIT JUS ONE MINUTE! … Kinnaka, just hang back a sec alright? [He turns to address the oncoming guards, but is interrupted by the only one of them who he recognizes.] We’ve …

Guard [to the other guards]:

Hold on mates. Stay yer weapons. They’re friends er somethin’ o’ th’ Constable’s. [To Kinnaka and Kentaro:] You two, inside. Now.

Kinnaka:

Arigato. That is being better.

As they go in, Kentaro chats amiably to Kinnaka:

Ya know Kinnaka, you’ve a knack fer getting many swords drawn on ya.

The guard stops dead in the lobby:

Shut up and lissen, will ya. … Th’ Constables dead. The woman’s gone…

Kinnaka:

Who in charge now? Where you think wird red haired man is?

Guard:

Shut up dammit! Shit, ye got mud in yer ears, er what?

Kinnaka turns beat red and is about to say something, but he restrains himself with extraordinary effort.

Kentaro:

Hang on Kinnaka … let’s let em speak. [He pats him on the back.]

The touch sends silent messages to both parties involved in it. Kentaro can feel the tightness in Kinnaka’s back, the muscles contracted and tensed, the slight trembling as Kinnaka fights to contain himself – or perhaps prepares for some sort of action. On the other side, Kinnaka experiences a sudden onslaught of feelings of uncertainty, shock, and anger. The sudden unexpected intimacy causes them both to pause.

Guard:

Thass better. Now then. We came back from th’ inn an’ found Constable Sluman dead an’ th’ woman gone. Them lads as we brung in don’t know shit. They was waitin’ fer th’ red-haired man t’ return. Apparently, he flew th’ coop without tellin’ em.

Kinnaka says nothing; he simply stands still, staring at the guard.

Kentaro:

Well, that’s a pile o shit ter deal wit now innit? Who’s in charge now? is it you?

Guard:

Yeah it’s a huge pile o’ shit. We on’y had one Constable in town an’ now ‘e’s dead. We got guards, but we got no one in charge. We got folks that’s been working days on end, long hours. Ever’one’s tired. We’re goin’ through th’ motions, but no one knows what ‘appens next. We’re workin’ that out. Shit, was all I could do t’ keep ‘em from killin’ th’ lads. They’re downstairs now. … Oh, an’ Ax, th’ red-haird man? No one’s seen ‘im. Gone. Vanished int’ th’ fuckin’ mist.

Kinnaka remains standing silently, still staring hard at the guard.

Kentaro:

Alright…we’ll can ya tell me wot happened? And then perhaps how we can help ter get these guys out o your town. I figure the sooner we get em to justice the better.

Guard:

I just fuckin’ tol’ ye what happened! Someone killed th’ Constable an’ let th’ prisoner out. Shit! ... Look if yer gonna waste my time askin’ me t’ repeat, ye may as well just take those lads and get outta here. … [He turns on Kinnaka:] An’ you can turn off th’ evil eye, mate. I don’ believe in it.

Kentaro:

Ya’ve got a situation on yer hands. I understand yer frustrated. I’m askin if ya know how it happened? Can ya tell me that?

Kinnaka mutters something in elvish.

Kentaro:

Kinnaka, maybe ya should wait outside eh? Jus fer now?

Kinnaka nods, turns on his heel without saying a word, and leaves. When he gets outside he kneels, feet under his butt, hands clasped with his forefingers pointed down. He closes his eyes and sighs deeply.

Guard:

Yer friend’s touchy. … Okay, I’ll say it slow, so’s ye unnerstand. Someone or maybe more’n one – don’t take a scholar t’ figger at least one of ‘em was probably this, Ax person – came ‘ere an’ killed th’ Constable. What we’re guessin’ is th’ same person or persons took th’ Constable’s keys an’ opened th’ cell. Then they either had a picnic an’ sat aroun’ singin’ sad songs er they jumped on their horses and beat it into th’ night. See if ye can guess which.

Kentaro:

That figures it does. Now, how can we help ya make sense o all this? Wot can we do ter get some o yer guys to get some sleep? And also, can I see his body? Have ya moved it?

Guard:

Ye don’t need to. Ye ain’t part o’ this. Ye got yer prisoners. Take ‘em back t’ yer Baronet. Miles was it?

Kentaro:

Ain’t no use takin back half of them. That wasn’t my job. Ya got any mages in town? Maybe one o them could look fer em?

The Guard drops he head and rubs his eyes:

P’rhaps yer not gettin’ what I’m sayin’. This is where we part ways. Ye got a job t’ do – take these lot back north. I got my job t’ do – find th’ one that did this. ... Look, I’m tryin’ t’ ‘elp ye. I unnerstand where yer comin’ from, but don’tcha get it? We’re workin’ opposite sides o’ this from now on. If we fin’ th’ red-haired man before ye do, there’s no way in ‘ell we’re lettin’ him go, either to yer Baronet or anywhere else. If ye find ‘im first, th’ only way he’s goin’ north is if ye don’t let us know ‘bout it.

Kentaro:

I think I see wot yer gettin at. Wot if we didn’t take em wit us? Could ya hold em for a couple o days till we tell our boss at least? He’s wanted fer more than one murder an if ya can promis me you’ll hold em instead of killin him everyone might see im to his proper end.

Guard:

Ye ‘aven’t seen me mates. Constable Sluman was highly respected, even loved. ‘E was very pop’lar. Th’ lads ain’t gonna treat ‘is killer with respect, if ye follow me. I can’t promise nothin’. All I can say is I can try.

Kentaro:

If you can issue an order ter yer guards ter not kill em that would help me out greatly. If they… //the guard cuts him off. //

Guard:

I can’t issue no orders. I ain’t in charge ‘ere. Ain’t no one in charge.

Kentaro:

Mate, all I can say is that yer already givin the orders. If ya tell em ter follow us, we’ll back ya. Ya can do it mate. Hell, if ya don’t want ter be bothered wit it, let me an Kinnaka take charge. Back us up though. Someone’s got ter take charge and start workin this thing or they’ll get away and yer constables death will go unpunished.

Guard:

Yeah, yeah, I follow ye. An’ yer right. Someone’s gotta do somethin’, an’ it may’s well be me. But I can’t do it while I’m talking t’ ye ‘ere. Where are ye stayin’? I’ll be in touch when I know somethin’.

Kentaro:

I’ll be stayin where ya need us ter be. We’re doin wot we can ter fix this mess here.

Guard:

I need ye t’ stay at yer lodgin’s fer now. Where’s that? … No. Wait. I got a better idea. Ye sure ye wanna ‘elp? Yer partner too?

Kentaro:

It might depend on what it is fer Kinnaka. Me, I’ll help as long as it’s somethan ter do wit catpuring and detaining those murderers.

Guard:

Fine. Ye come along then. Leave ‘im fer now.

He leads Kentaro into Constable Sluman’s office – or rather, the office that used to be Constable Sluman’s.

Kentaro:

Wot yer name?

Guard:

Me? Oh, shit. Sorry. I’m exhausted an’ fergettin’ me manners. I’m Max. You?

Kentaro:

I’m Kentaro. Nice ter meet ya Contable Max. Sorry bout the circumstances

Max:

Hah! Gettin’ a little ahead o’ yerself ain’tcha? Just a guardsman, me. Ain’t no constable.

Kentaro:

Tonight you’ll be more than that. You’ll be a leader of guards.

Max:

Hah! Wouldn’t me dad’ve been proud o’ that!

He goes into the office and reaches into a chest. He pulls out a cloak to match his official guardsman cloak and a small identification badge. He also pulls out a piece of paper and tells Kentaro to make his mark just there and he’ll be an officially deputized temporary guardsman of Ryell Pass.

Kentaro:

Aye. Me dad too! Wot ya gonna have me do boss?

Max:

We got t’ figger out where that fucker went – an’ ‘is girlfriend, too. We’re already knockin’ on doors. Been doin’ that fer coupla hours. Somethin’s gotta break soon. Once we get a bead on ‘em, we gotta send a search party after ‘em. I want ‘em back in this jail afore dawn.

Kentaro:

Mate…yer in charge…yer issuing orders not doin…right?

Max:

Oh, I’ll be doin’, too. As fer issuin’ orders, time’ll tell ‘ow long a run I get afore they stop lissenin’. … Okay, so follow me.

Kentaro:

Alright, I’ll back yer orders. Don’t forget ter tell yer guardsmen not ter kill im. That’s important.

He leads Kentaro to a room down the hall, where several guards are seated, arguing. He walks in and introduces Kentaro as a new deputy. He also tells them that they have to start doing something effective. As soon as they get a break on Ax’s direction of travel, they’ll set a search and run him to ground. Harrold is to get the hounds and be ready. They’ll need them before long.

The others are silent for a moment, then, one of them asks who put him in charge. Max responds that someone needs to be in charge and until someone else has a better idea, it may as well be him. A few more moments of silence pass, then much to Max’s obvious surprise, several men get up and head out the door. On the way, Max reminds them not to kill the red-haired man. If they’re lucky they can make sure he gets the gibbet.

Max’s next move is to send Kentaro out after Kinnaka, see if he wants to join the party as well. Kinnaka agrees readily, and is soon outfitted like Kentaro, and in the nick of time, too. A guard rushes in to say that they have a witness reporting a man and a woman, on horseback and leading several other horses, leaving town at speed heading westward into the woods.

The guards are gathered, as are several bloodhounds, a block west of the Cheese Wheel, at the edge of town. The dogs are set to the chase, and they head willingly into the woods. They follow for the better part of an hour before the dogs lose the trail in a large stream. Hoping to pick up the scent on the far side, the handlers bring the dogs to the other bank, but apparently the fugitives followed the river.

The search party is released to go get some rest – most of the men have been up the majority of the night, and it may be several hours before the dogs can pick up the trail again. Kinnaka, who rarely sleeps anyway, prefers to stay on station, but Kentaro, who is fairly dead on his feet, takes advantage of the offer, and returns to town to grab a few hours of sleep.

In the event, the dogs do pick up the scent again, about seven hours later and 7 miles upstream when they come upon a small shack built at the confluence of the stream and a larger river. A small wooden dock stands on the large river, but no boat is in evidence. The dogs pick up the scent on the dock, but nowhere else. Five horses are found wandering not far away. One of them is white except for a black cross it bears on one of its shoulders. Kinnaka remembers the description given by the witnesses in Fort Lehman. He passes the information on, and the guards come to the only conclusion that they can, which is that the fugitives have abandoned the land and taken to the water. The river is too deep here to pursue without a boat, so they are forced to return to Ryell Pass.

By the time they reach town, dawn is breaking and even Kinnaka needs some sleep. Before turning in, however, he spends some time filling in Kentaro and then writing a short note to Sir Miles to explain the situation. When Kentaro gets back to the guard shack, he finds a despondent bunch of guards on station. It has become common knowledge that Ax and Murray have given them the slip, and most despair of finding the Constable’s killer at all.

Instead, he dispatches one of the privates to spread the word and gather the necessary men. It takes longer than Kentaro, who is reduced to pacing like an expectant father, is comfortable with, though Kinnaka sits patiently through the half hour until the private returns, with the requested people, who are not wearing their usual uniforms. After a very short briefing by Constable Sluman, in which he reminds his men that they are not acting in an official capacity tonight, but should anything go wrong, they are not to hesitate to use the full weight of their authority. HIS first priority is for everyone to get home safely. He’ll keep the cell doors open (apart from Murray’s, of course) and the cells ready for their new guests. After this short pep talk, they are ready to head out. The time has not yet quite reached 9 bells.

Kinnaka, Kentaro, and the 8 guards head out the back (north) entrance of the guard shack. They make a quick stop at a stable and coach house across the street to pick up two small wagons, then circle the block to approach the Cheese Wheel from the north. On arrival, the large band ducks into an alleyway between the tavern and the building next door (a shoemaker’s shop with apartments above). The side door to the Cheese Wheel opens into this alley. The front door, of course, is on the main street, while a third door, one that probably leads to the kitchen or a storage room, opens into the courtyard around back.

Under Kinnaka’s direction, the guards use the carts to block the kitchen and alley doors, preventing any from leaving via those portals, and leaving the main door unblocked. A guard in civilian clothes enters the main door, and returns after about 10 minutes with the news that four customers (plus the bartender and a serving girl) are in the common room. Three of them are clearly the three youths in Kinnaka’s picture. The fourth is a well known local vagrant who apparently did well enough today to get himself drunk enough to pass out at the bar. The three young men are sitting at a table in the back corner of the common room. They do not appear to be drunk, but are obviously waiting for someone – the guard would guess Ax. When he opened the door, they looked up suddenly, but not being locals, they didn’t recognize him as a guard, and went back to their conversation.

The barman (who did recognize him as a guard, but he said he was off duty) told him that there are no available rooms. The place only has three rooms to rent, and Ax’s party is occupying two of them: the rear room on the first floor and the front room on the second floor. He has no idea who was staying in each room, as they are identically furnished, and laid out for two people each.

Kinnaka has 4 guards remain in the street, watching the windows of both rooms to make sure no one tries to get out that way. The other 4 will go into the common room with Kentaro and Kinnaka. The most respected guard (a man named Thaddeus) will ensure that neither the drunk or the barkeep interfere with the operation. After ensuring that all understand their roles, Kinnaka gives the word, and the team rushes the room.

The bartender is looking bored and talking to the serving girl, but his expression changes as soon as the others enter. Thaddeus heads directly to the bar, pulls his short sword, and informs both the bartender and the serving girl in no uncertain terms that if either one of them so much as puts a finger in the wrong place, he’ll remove it. The bartender freezes and the serving girl looks as if she is going to faint. Thaddeus tells her to sit down for the gods’ sake. The drunk never stirs.

For the rest, the fray is as short as it is frenetic. The men at the table do not recognize the newcomers, but they recognize trouble when they see it, and they react instantly. The split up, heading different directions.

1. The oldest looking of them is short and sturdily built. He breaks for the door that leads to the alleyway. One guard tackles him immediately. On his way to the floor, the youth smacks his head smartly against the edge of a table and is easily corralled.
2. The second, who is of average height but is very muscularly built, pulls out a morning star that was hanging on the back of the chair. He swings it at the guard who is heading his way, but the guard ducks it and retaliates with his short sword. The man is quick, and manages to block the counter-strike. Both men pause, having taken each other’s measure with no blood drawn. The enemy looks from the guard to Kinnaka and back again, obviously deciding on his next move.

1. The youngest looking young man, a tall, skinny lad, breaks for the stairs, with a guard and Kentaro in hot pursuit. He is quicker than he looks, and actually makes it to the stairs and begins up them. Unfortunately for him, doing so exposes the backs of his legs to the guard, who, experienced at this sort of thing, jams his truncheon between the other man’s legs, causing him to trip and slide back down. He looks up at Kentaro’s menacing face, and even more menacing mace, and surrenders immediately.

The solo guard on the stunned youth begins trussing him up, while Kentaro and the other guard do likewise with the skinny one. Kinnaka and the third guard continue to exchange stares with the muscular one.

Kinnaka:

We bear no wish to hurt you. Count zhe odds. You are only one man amongst many worves. You know we win in end. You onry must ask yourself if you wish to end this day with a broken arm and a disrocated shourder or arr in one piece. [He shrugs.] Your choice. On your knees and be unhurt or remain on your standing and lose limbs. [Kinnaka shrugs again.] I not care.

Young man:

Yeah? Way I see it, I got another choice.

He throws his left arm outward, some sort of powder flying from his open fist toward Kinnaka and the guard. It takes the two by surprise, and both flinch away. Both recover almost immediately, but the distraction is enough to allow the youth to begin his next maneuver, which is to take two strides toward the wall, step on the chair he so recently vacated, and launch himself through a window that overlooks the courtyard behind the inn. He is very athletic, and pulls off the maneuver excellently, apart from two things. First, several very deep lacerations open on the man’s scalp, face, and neck. Blood flows freely, running into his eyes and certainly impairing his vision. It is probably this fact that prevents him from seeing the second obstacle to his perfect escape—the guard Kinnaka posted outside. That man is alert and poised for action. He prevents the young man from taking more than two steps before he clocks him on the back of the head with his truncheon. Game over for thug number three.

Kinnaka looks that guard that got powdered and shrugs:

He right. He end night with broken face. [To Kentaro:] Upstairs, is man with wird red hair in room? We check now, then take murderers back to jair.

Kinnaka moves toward the stairs, but Kentaro suggests an alternative plan:

Alright Kinnaka. You gonna stay by the stairs in case he gets by? [Then to the guards.] 1 or 2 o’ ya’s come wit me.

Several guards look at each other and have a short conversation, obviously trying to decide how many should go, and which ones.

Kinnaka:

I watch stairs. Go!

Two guards look startled, and step forward to accompany Kentaro. With Kentaro in the lead, the three head up the stairs. On the first floor, a short hallway runs the width of the building. One door is on either side of the hallway. With no difficulty, Kentaro identifies the door to the rear apartment. He motions at the guards to indicate that he wants them to be quiet and reaches out to open the door with his left hand, while keeping his mace at the ready in his right.

Downstairs, Kinnaka tells the guards with him to secure the prisoners and watch the windows in case Ax tries to make a run for it.

The giant reaches out and pulls the door. It rattles, but doesn’t otherwise move. Both guards smile, but either Kentaro doesn’t see it, or he chooses to ignore the taunt. He changes strategy, pushing it inward instead, but has even less success; it doesn’t even budge. Apparently, the door opens outward when it opens at all, but in this case is locked. One of the guards sniggers, causing the other to follow suit, which Kentaro can’t help but hear. He says nothing, but takes a half-step back and settles his battle with the door by hauling his leg back and kicks the door in. With a shower of splinters, the door flies open.

Downstairs, the sound of the door being kicked in can clearly be heard. The bartender looks at the guards:

Someone’s gonna pay fer th’ damages, mate.

The guard shrugs:

Not a official investigation. Talk t’ ‘im.

The guard indicates Kinnaka, who flips the bartender half a gold dubloon without really looking at him. The bartender smiles and shuts up. Back upstairs, Kentaro finds himself in a fairly large room, easily big enough for the two beds, dresser, large chest, table with two wooden chairs, and two easy chairs that furnish the room, while still leaving plenty of floor space. Yes, two people could quite easily live in this room, though it is clear from the extra pallet on the floor between the two beds and the personal items strewn untidily about the room that three have been doing so, though currently no resident is in evidence.

The guards shake their heads and follow Kentaro, who briskly walks up to the second floor and stops by the front door.

Kentaro shouts loud enough to heard on the ground floor, and probably next door as well:

COME ON OUT AX! YER SURROUNDED! COME PEACEFULLY AND SAVE ME THA TROUBLE O THROWIN’ YA DOWN THE STAIRS!

He stops to listen, and hearing no noise coming from the room, tries it gently. When he finds this door locked as well, he creates more kindling out of what used to be the doorframe. This room is furnished very similarly to the other. The primary difference is the lack of the extra pallet, the presence of a double bed instead of two singles, and the complete lack of personal possessions. Whoever occupied this room obviously no longer does, and judging by the lack of care taken in the removal process, they left with some haste.

Kentaro stalks out and approaches the final door. The two guards look at each other and shrug. He’s the boss, and apparently he’s having a rather good time kicking in doors and is set to continue. Sure enough, he removes this door from the frame as well, a move that is accompanied by a tremendous scream emanating from a 60+ year old woman, nearly apoplectic with fear, cowering behind her bed.

Kentaro (turning red):

Oi! Wrong room. Sorry. Er ah … jus’ got in da spirit o’ things…

And so saying Kentaro turns on his heel and leaves. The woman says nothing, but at least she stops screaming. The guards burst out laughing, and by the time they reach the ground floor, both have tears in their eyes

Kentaro [to Kinnaka]:

Ah…no one upstairs.

Kinnaka looks at the barkeep:

Where wird red haired man go?

Kentaro:

Looks like he left in a hurry he did.

The barkeep looks from one to the other:

Look, mate, I’m a bartender, not ‘is mother.

Kinnaka starts to look angry:

Ret me ask again. Where’dhe go? I wish not to … um … break more of your prace rooking for him.

The barkeep shrugs: Ye pay well. Keep on breakin’ shit. I don’t own th’ place, so I don’t care. An’ I don’t know where ‘e went.

Kentaro:

Alright Kinnaka, he’s probably seen o lot o people comin’ in an out o here.

Kinnaka:

You see him leave. When he go? Who may seen him?

Barkeep:

Fuck, there’s 4,000 people in this town. Take yer pick.

Kentaro:

Did he happen ter mention where he went? Did he talk ter anyone befor’ he left?

Barkeep:

Not t’ me, ‘e didn’t, an’ I didn’t ask. People like their privacy, an’ I respect that.

Kinnaka walks toward the bartender:

You did not answer my question. I ask when he leave?

Kentaro [answering Kinnaka’s question]:

Probably when I said we oughta storm da place.

Barkeep:

‘E scarpered ‘bout half hour ago. Came rushin’ in an’ headed upstairs. Thirty seconds later, ‘e’s off again. Those lot come down 10 minutes later an’ sit there drinkin’.

Kinnaka:

Out front door? Out side door? Which?

Barkeep:

Came in front door, left by side door. Carryin’ ‘is gear. Don’t expect t’ seem in back.

Kinnaka looks at Kentaro:

Rook rike we ride again. We need to rock these up. [Then, to the guards:] You help? Rock these men up while we get last murderer?

Guard:

Sure, we can do that, least ‘til th’ Constable says otherwise.

Kinnaka:

Argiato. Kentaro, we ride!

Kentaro:

That’s a right kinda o ya.

Kinnaka and Kentaro move at a quick pace, backtracking along their previous route to find the Cask and Auger, the inn where their horses are stabled. It’s not the most direct route, but in a strange town, it’s safer, and in this case, it works. So within 15 minutes they are back in their saddles and riding toward, and them northward on the main road.

They ride at a speed sufficient to allow the horses to maintain the pace until they reach the river, some 20 miles away. They aim to be there within the hour, and in the event, they almost make it, getting to the ferryman’s shack an hour and a quarter later, at an hour before midnight.

It only takes a few minutes to determine from Bismuth that Ax did not cross the river at this point tonight. Kinnaka takes the news in stride, and the pair begins the ride back at a much more sedate pace, to give the horses a chance to rest.

After a few questions, they discover that there is a 4-way intersection straight down the main thoroughfare. A left turn there will take them, a block later, to the Open Square. There are several places on and near that location that should be able to provide food and a room for the night.

The first place they see is a small tavern named the Red Lion. They drop in briefly, but on finding that the place is particularly popular with gnomes and dwarves, Kinnaka stalks out. Kentaro makes a quick scan for the red-haired man, but comes up empty, so he follows his partner out, wondering what the hell just happened. Kinnaka tersely explains that he is “not eating with ZHEM,” then ignores all further attempts at conversation until they come to the promised Open Square.

The square is of the very old sort, with a fountain in the center and a series of benches around that. Two inns face the square: to the west is the smaller Sun Inn; to the east is the imposing façade of the Cask and Auger. The pair doesn’t even have to speak to agree on the Sun Inn, but upon entering, they find it dark, gloomy, and dirty. After a second scan for the red-haired man comes up empty, they grudgingly head toward their last remaining option.

The Cask and Auger is much nicer than the Sun Inn. It is relatively clean, with a very busy public room. People continuously come and go through the supper hour. Kentaro looks for the red-haired man again, but can’t see him.

Kinnaka:

I get rooms? You get food?

Kentaro:

Yer particular about yer food. I’ll get da rooms.

Kinnaka bows his head slightly:

Hai.

The serving girl, Margerie, takes their order, then looks at the picture Kinnaka offers, and thinks for a while. She says she’s pretty sure the guy with the red hair has been here a few times. She thinks he was with the woman, but can’t be sure. She shakes her head about the others though. She doesn’t know them at all. Kinnaka thanks her, and she leaves to go get their food.

When they are alone again, Kentaro tells his elven partner that he thinks this is closer than we’ve been in a while and now that the moment of truth has arrived, how will we be convincing them to come back with us?

Kinnaka:

Same way as in forest of malcontents.

Kentaro:

Alright. Well I guess we’ll be watchin fer ‘em tonigh’?

Kinnaka:

Yes, we wait. Do zhey stay in this inn or another?

Kentaro:

The barkeep wasn’t sure of ‘imself. He see’s a lot o’ people in here, I guess.

Kinnaka:

When rady come back we ask what meant by “a few times.” Zhey rive in town?

Kentaro:

Ya think? I thought jus’ a lot o’ people are comin’ and goin’ jus’ now. Be interestin’ ter see what they’re doin’ ... Want me ter check it out while ya ask the waitress?

Kinnka:

Zhey in town for few hours today, no? How zhey here a few times? Why zhey come and go so often? Unress zhey rive here for more zhan today. With who?

Kentaro:

Well we’ll be watchin’ ‘em won’t we? We’ll see whot their up ta soon enough.

Kinnaka:

If zhey come here again.

When Margerie shows up to deliver their food and drinks, Kinnaka stops her.

Kinnaka:

Excuse me. Before you say zhat red-haired man here a few times. Did you mean today or before today as werr as today?

Margerie:

Nah, ‘avent seem ‘em in a week er so. They stopped by, three four times in th’ week afore that.

Kentaro:

Ya know em? Ya know if they live ere?

Margerie: bq. Sure I know ‘em. I just said they was in here three four times, didn’t I? Don’t know if they live ‘ere though. Doubt it though. Afore they came th’ first time, I ne’er saw ‘em afore.

Kinnaka:

Oh, I see. Do you happen to know where zhey might be found?

Margerie:

Dunno. If I remember aright, they said as they’s headed north. Not sure where though.

Kinnaka:

Zhank you. Oh. Did you know man zhey meet with?

Margerie:

Hmm. Don’t remember no man. Think ‘twas just th’ two o’ em. I been thinkin’ ‘bout it, since ye asked, and I remember ‘em better now. Real lovebirds those two. Nice to see. Sweet.

Kinnaka:

Zhank you.

Kentaro:

Ya’v been real helpful miss. I thank ya kindly.

Margerie:

Ain’t nothing at all, gentlemen. ‘Nuther round?

Kentaro:

Yer speaking my language

Kinnaka:

Zhank you , no.

Kentaro:

er…never mind

Margerie looks at Kinnaka:

Well, if ye change yer mind… [She turns to look at Kentaro and smiles] … er if he changes it fer ye, jess give a whistle.

They pay the bill and Margerie leaves.

Kinnaka:

Need to find bar. One with red haried man and woman in it.

Kentaro:

Did ya know that I never knew ‘im before I met ‘im?

Kinnaka shakes his head:

You humans are trury strange creatures.

Kentaro:
bq. Only 1/2 as strange as yer makin’ me out ter be. Was a joke it was. Anyway, yer righ’. We ought ter be findin’ the little red haired guy

As they walk out of the Cask and Auger, Kentaro suggests they look elsewhere for a bit. He’s obviously not here. Kinnaka answers that they’ll walk around the town looking for others bars and asking people where we might find some. He then goes silent suddenly as he catches movement out of the corner of his eye. He turns around and looks back at the buiding they just left, and is fairly certain that their quarry just entered it. He didn’t see the woman though. Either she’s not with him, or she entered first.

Kinnaka:

Hord on I forgot somezhing to ask.

He then turns and heads back into the inn. Kentaro, not having seen the man, stops and waits, wondering what in the world his partner is up to now. Kinnaka says nothing else, however. He is already back at the door, which he opens and enters. IN the lobby, he looks around and sees, about 15 feet away, just inside the common room, the red-haired man and the blonde woman speaking with Margerie.

Kinnaka glances around for Kentaro, but when he doesn’t see him, he heads toward the dining room, which necessarily takes him past Margerie and the others. As he goes by, he hears Margerie say, “Well there he is now! I though he’d left.” The serving girl tries to get his attention, but Kinnaka continues to walk past them, saying nothing.

Margerie [loudly]:

SIR! ... Oh, hang it, I’ll go get ‘im.

Kinnaka hears her high heels clacking on the wooden floor and getting closer:

Sir? Sir?

Kinnaka:

Me?

Margerie:

Yes, you! … He’s here! Ax! And Murray, too. How’s that for luck?

Kinnaka looks around and smiles when he sees the pair. The man looks wary, but approaches. The other woman backs up, placing her about 10 feet from Kinnaka and the red-haired man.

Ax:

Margerie tells me ye’ve been lookin’ fer me. [He smiles broadly.] Now who would you be, an’ why’re ye lookin’ fer me?

Kinnaka (still smiling):

My partner outside. We tark with him, but no here. We seen here. Outside.

Ax tilts his head and scratches his unkempt beard in thought:

Mebbe. Who sent ye? Say th’ magic word an’ I’m all ears.

Kinnaka:

Amaya sent me.

Ax: Ah. That ain’t it. We’re done then. Good evening, sir.

Kinnaka:

Shame.

Kinnaka watches him walk over to the blonde woman and whisper to her. They then head toward a door on the left (north) wall. Kinnaka heads out of the building, looks around for a moment, then spies his partner standing with his hands in his pocket, calmly watching people walk by.

Kinnaka [shouting]:

North warr, now. Red-haried man.

Kentaro reacts quickly, and immediately the two begin sprinting toward the north end of the building, and as they reach the corner, they see a flash of red (no, not his hair, he’s wearing a red shirt as well) disappear behind a small house slightly north of the inn.

Kentaro:

Should we draw our weapsons?

Kinnaka:

My oma arways said: “No run wizh scissors!”

Kentaro:

And you said I’m strange?

Further conversation is cut off as Kentaro and Kinnaka come around the building. They briefly see the other pair stopped beside a small public announcement platform and notice board, but they are obscured by a bright red flash, followed immediately by a red streak that shoots forth and hits Kentaro directly in the chest. He goes down hard, red smoke rising from a scorchmark on his shirt. He is not badly hurt, though he is stunned and disoriented. Ax and the woman turn and run again.

Kinnaka pauses, briefly torn between caring for his fallen partner and chasing the fleeing couple. With only a brief instant to make his decision, he decides that Kentaro is not badly hurt, and will recover on his own, so he takes off after the others, who have by this time jumped onto, across, and off the far side of the platform, and are heading straight up the green on the far side.

Kinnaka manages to close the gap a little by going around the platform, but even at that, he is still a good distance behind them as they take a sharp left, disappearing between two buildings. When Kinnaka passes between the same two buildings, they have disappeared, but he can hear then through an alleyway off to the right.

He turns right and passes through the alleyway, emerging into a courtyard between several large buildings. He sees a flash of red light and by instinct throws himself sideways. A familiar red streak flies past him, crashing soundlessly against a nearby wall and dissipating like a red fog in a hot sun.

As Kinnaka reorients himself, the others run into an alleyway on the far side of the courtyard. Kinnaka barely breaks stride, trying to keep pace, and is rewarded by the sound of a stumble and a body hitting the ground hard.

Back where the chase began, Kentaro shakes his head, heaves himself back to his feet, and heads north up the green, looking right and left, hoping to catch sight of the pursuit, and yelling for Kinnaka.

The elf follows the others through the alleyway and emerges to see Ax sprawled on the road, a street vendor lying dazed near him. The woman has just skidded to a stop and started back to help him. Then she sees Kinnaka and stops, staring, wondering what he will do – chase her or go for Ax. For a second their eyes lock, staring at him. Then he makes another snap decision and heads for the woman, who turns and runs northward up the street, screaming, “Help! Help! Mad elf!” Behind them, Ax gets to his feet and runs southward, disappearing without a trace. Passersby look, but don’t seem inclined to get involved. At least not yet.

Back on the green, Kentaro has come to a stop, wondering where to head next, when he hears cries of “Mad elf” coming from beyond the buildings to his left and bolts in that direction.

The woman only runs for about half a block before she turns left and cuts through another alleyway just south of the temple of Gaea. Unfortunately for her, the grass is wet, and she loses her footing, crashing to the ground after one last cry of “Mad elf”. Kinnaka catches up to her easily, and after only a few seconds of struggle, winds up sitting on her back with and immobilizing her with a one-armed arm lock. She screams, but is easily held. He spends perhaps 15 seconds patting himself down for something with which to bind her hands, and finally comes up with a short, but sufficient piece of cord. As he begins to tie her with his free hand, he hears a stern male voice behind him say, “Release her, stranger, an’ explain yerself.” He ignores the man, causing him to state more firmly:

This is your last warning. Release her or consider yourself under arrest.

Kinnaka [without looking up and continuing to work on binding her hands]:

She murderer. Wanted by Baronet Mires. Feer free to arrest her.

The man hesitates, partially swayed by Kinnaka’s last words, when Kentaro, following the pointed fingers of the helpful citizens of Ryell Pass, comes around the corner and sees his partner sitting astride the blonde woman apparently just finishing binding her hands, with a guardsman behind him, sword drawn.

Guard:

Sir, you are to desist at once. You will receive no further warnings.

Kentaro:

You’ll be puttin that sword away or I’ll be showin ya a new place to put it!

Kinnaka:

Not need any warning. Baronet outrank you.

The guard seems far less sure of himself now that he has Kentaro behind him and Kinnaka before him. He addresses Kentaro:

Ye’ll be stayin’ outta this. … [Then, he includes Kinnaka as well.] Both o’ ye.

Kinnaka:

Not untir you arrest her and I see her behind bars.

Kentaro draws his mace:

He’s with me he is and you’ll be doin’ as my friend says!

Her hands now securely bound, Kinnaka stands the woman up.

The guard addresses Kinnaka, but his gazes is now locked firmly on the immediate threat – the giant with the drawn weapon:

Ye don’t dictate terms, elf. Not in this town. Yer th’ one under arrest. Now, release her.

Kinnaka:

I tire of you. Prease leave here.

The guard gets into a defensive stance, moves a small whistle to his mouth, and blows a long, high-pitched blast.

Kinnaka:

Where you’re jair?

Kentaro:

I don’t want ter be hurtin’ ya, but yer interuptin’ an investigation ya are. Leave us be!

Guard:

My jair? [He then turns to Kentaro.] No, sir. You are interrupting an arrest. And if you don’t want to find yourself in the same cell as your elf friend, I’d advise you to drop that weapon now.

Kentaro:

I doubt you’ll have a jair…jail big enough for the likes o’ me. I’ll be puttin’ my weapon down…you too alright?

Kinnaka [with exasperation]:

Yes, jair. Where you hord murderers like she.

Guard:

Yes, put it down. That’s a wise decision. [Then, to Kinnaka.] An’ ye, ye stan’ right there. Nobody moves, right? We’ll get ‘is all sorted soon ‘nuff. Don’t want nobody doin’ nothin’ stupid afore that, aye?

Kinnaka:

No, I do not zhink so. I wirr find it myself. [He begins to back away with the woman.]

Kentaro:

NO! I’ll be puttin’ my weapon down wit’ ya. We can sort this out right? Kinnaka…jus’ ‘old on a minute alright?

The guard blows another time on his whistle, and within seconds, the sound of running boots can be heard. As the approaching guards get close, swords drawn, the guard in place shouts, “Two! One armed, one with a hostage.”

Kinnaka muttering:

Why wait? I wourd zhink zhat zhis guard wourd know where the jair be.

Kentaro:

Kinnaka…just hang on alright? Guard, call off yer goons. I’ve had several chances to attack ya, and I could overpower ya easily. We don’ want trouble alright. We’re on an investigation.

The new guards, close on Kentaro.

Guard #1:

Careful, boys. ‘E refuses t’ disarm.

Kinnaka:

I tire of him.

Kinnaka:

And he refuses to terr us where the jair is to lock away this murderer.

Guard #2:

S’alright. Th’ Constable’s on th’ way.

Guard #1:

Stephens, make sure ‘e knows we got a ‘ostage situation ‘ere.

Kentaro:

‘ow many times I got ter tell ya, I’ll be puttin my weapon down wit ya. I won’t be attackin a guard…no gain fer me ya see. I’m on an investiagtion. Yer got ta let me be.

Kinnaka:

If we lose the rest of the gang, the Baronet won’t be preased.

Guard #3 [to Kentaro]:

You, giant. Lose th’ weapon. Now. Ye ‘ave no ‘thority ‘ere.

Kentaro is starting to get agitated:

Can ya see I’m not being help’d by ya Kinnaka…jus hang on a sec alright?

Guard #3:

No, sir. We will not ‘ang on. Now!

Kinnaka:

This useress. Humans are too stupid to understand.

Kentaro:

Alright…let’s all talk this over. There ain’t no hostage and there ain’t no fight in me wit ya. I’ll put my weapon down ter show ya I’m not gonna hurt yas.

Kentaro puts his weapon down, upon which the guards close in and order him to his knees with his hands behind his back.

Kentaro:

Wot? Ya got shackles big enough fer me?

Guard #2:

C’mon. Yer ‘alfway there. Stop resistin’. On yer knees, giant! Now!

Kentaro:

Ya’d know if I’d be resistin ya. … Fine. Thanks fer your help Kinnaka.

Kentaro slowly goes on his knees. One of the guards ties his hands with a piece of rope. Judging by the good job he does, the guy must have been a sailor in a previous lifetime!

Guard #1:

Yer partner’s finally been talked int’ behavin’ sensibly, elf. I’d advise ye t’ let th’ ‘ostage go an’ come willingly.

Kentaro:

She’s not a hostage. Bad guys threaten hostages. We haven’t done that once

Kinnaka:

I have no hostage. I have murderer. I not reave her untir she in jair. You have one right? Baronet Mires not happy if you reave her go after I catch her.

Guard #1:

Take that up with th’ Constable. ‘Til he says otherwise, she’s a ‘ostage an’ yer a criminal. We arrest criminals ‘ere, not ‘ostages.

Kinnaka:

Then arrest her!

Guard #1:

Now ye listen…

He is interrupted by the arrival of the Constable, a very tall man with a definite presence; a man who moves as if he’s used to violence.

Constable:

Situation, private.

Guard #1:

We got this ‘ere elf, chased this woman down, an’ tied ‘er up. Resisted arrest. Still resistin’. ‘Is partner drew on th’ guard. Refused t’ back down ‘til outnumbered, then wised up.

Kinnaka:

We work for the Baronet Mires. This woman murderer. We tord to bring her back to Fort Rehman. Her and her gang.

Kentaro:

He’s righ ya know. Yer guards are interferin’ wit an investigation

The Constable shakes his head:

Look, this isn’t th’ place t’ sort this out. [He addresses Guard #1.] Look at ‘im. ‘E’s not violent, is ‘e.

Guard #1:

Well, not now.

Kinnaka:

Neither of us have threatened any of them.

Constable:

Apart from chasing th’ woman, was he violent at any time?

Kentaro:

I was never violent. Yer guard drew first!

Guard #1:

Yes! ... Ah, well, no, sir. Not really. ‘As some ridiculous story o’ ‘er bein’ a murderer.

Kinnaka:

Is true. not ridicurous.

Constable:

Private, if ‘e was goin’ t’ attack ye, ‘e’da done it afore now, don’t ye think?

Kentaro mutters something about this being the lousiest bunch of guards he’s ever dealt with, but nobody pays any attention to him.

The Constable spends the next 30 seconds barking rapid fire orders at the guards, who jump and start moving purposefully for the first time. Most of them with the Constable bringing up the rear walk Kinnaka, Kentaro, and the woman to the northeast portion of building number 21 on the map. Their weapons are taken (the woman has none) and they are split up, with Kinnaka and the woman being taken to rooms on either side of a hallway that jogs back into the depths of the building and Kentaro being taken down a flight of stairs into a room with several jail cells. He is put in one, though the door is not actually closed or locked. All are attended by at least one guard (Kentaro has two). The Constable remains with Kinnaka.

Constable:

All right. Let’s hear yer story. From th’ top please.

Kinnaka begins without preamble or pausing to think:

We have been in the emproy of your government for severar months now. Two days ago a man, and architect, if I remember, was kirred in Fort Rehman. The murderers fred the County to the Duchy of Urnst. Lord Mires hired us to forrow them and bring them back to justice. Since we were to go to the Duchy, we word be having no officar authority. Therefore, we not given papers stating such. That mistake. Not the first one made.

We forrowed murderers to town in Duchy, but zhey left the night before. Zhey left South and we forrow. Ferryman state zhey come here; Ryerr pass. We forrow. We get here after the moon rises. We get rooms and eat supper. Much to surprise of us, we find two of zhem: the woman and the wird red haired man. Man approach me and ask who sent me. When I give wrong name, he run. I forrow.

Then magical attack come. Kentaro go down, but he breathe stirr. Lord Mires upset if we lose zhem so I forrow. Zhen man trip and woman stop. I forrow woman, hoping to stop man with no fight. It not work. I have no knowing where he is. Lord Mires be upset if we lose him and the others. (Kinnaka shrugs) We … you … have woman. That good. Not want to lose others though. I have picture of them. Made by artist in Fort Rehman. Slow artist…took him arr night. Not bad zhough. I have in pocket. I let you have artist copy it.

I not need find gang. Gang need go to Fort Rehman. You bring there? I bring there. No matter. They go. All that important. (Kinnaka shrugs again). What more to say. You’re man, he slow. Not know his master’s wishes. No matter. You have her now. That important. I help as you let me. You know town better.

When he winds down, the Constable stands slowly and begins to walk out, saying he’ll be back when he’s had a word with the others. He leaves, leaving a guard in the room with Kinnaka. Kinnaka informs him that there’s a 50/50 chance that the woman is a mage, and bears closer watching. The Constable thanks him and leaves. Kinnaka is pleased to hear him tell the guard in the hallway to keep her door locked, and no fewer than two guards in the room with her at any time. The door across the hall closes, and silence descends. Ten minutes later, the door opens again, and Kinnaka hears the slow, purposeful tread of the Constable as he heads back down the hall. Silence falls again.

Kentaro is sitting on the floor, fuming silently about the lack of respect he has been shown, being ignored in the field, then being left here and ignored again. The guard hasn’t said a word to him in the 20 minutes he’s been here despite his repeated attempts to start any sort of conversation, and later, to actually attempt to provoke a fight, just to have the man say something. Nothing worked, so Kentaro gave up and sat on the bed, which creaked horribly, but held. Finally, after another 10 minutes, the Constable shows up and greets him … well, warmly would be overstating it, but certainly courteously. While he speaks, the half-giant stands, barely able to reach his full height in the cell.

Constable:

Good evenin’, sir. I apologize fer our lack o’ facilities t’ accommodate a man yer size, but as ye can see, we’ve a small facility. To move ye along as quick as possible though, I’d like t’ get yer story, if ye please. Start as far back as ye can.

Kentaro pauses for a while, thinking:

Where can I start? Well firs’ we’re hired by Baronet Miles in Fort Lehman which is under construction to become Olmarr Keep ya see? Baronet Miles asks us ter find the murderers of his chief architect. His name is Zarian. The murder was done in plain sight, real obvious like. Kinda like they wanted everyone ter know about it. Before we left fer this town we got the witnesses tergether and asked em questions bout the murder. Kinnaka asked fer a painter and he got one ter draw a picture o da murderers based on da witnesses. Did a real good job if ya ask me. Anyway, Baronet Miles asked us not ter kill the group o murderers, jus bring em back ter im. Suits me jus fine.

So we make our way ter this town and we looked in the inns and the tavern. We were jus about to go across to the west side when Kinnaka says he’s forgo’ somthant on the table. He tells me ter wait outside and I do. A minute later he comes runnin out sayin the red haried guy is by the north wall. I ran ter follow em, Kinnaka that is, and as we round the corner of one o yer buildings somehan hit me…hard. Kinnaka says it wos magic. I was disoriented and had ter get my bearings bout myself. When I finally did this, they were gone. I start runnin and calling out fer Kinnaka. I didn’t have ta do this long cause the woman started screamin somethan bout a mad elf. I ran towards the noise and see yer guard wit weapon drawn. I didn’t want im to advance on Kinnaka, cause I know how frustrating Kinnaka is, so I tried to intimidate yer guard down. Didn’t work this time. Well eventually he calls fer more guards and Kinnaka ain’t helpin much so I put my weapon down ter show em I ain’t gonna hurt em (even though I already tol em that). Then you came.

Constable:

Thank ye. I’ll be back shortly.

Kentaro considers railing again and demanding to be let out, but chooses instead to bid the Constable a good night and settle back onto the floor. He sneers behind the Constable’s black and settles for replaying the day’s events, wondering whether there was anything he would have done differently, and deciding that there probably wasn’t.

Upstairs, Kinnaka is sitting patiently, waiting for the Constable’s return. When he does, less than half an hour later, Kinnaka stands politely as the Constable plumps down heavily into a chair and pauses to run his hands through his hair. He looks very tired. Before he speaks, he waves Kinnaka to a chair, silently telling him to sit, then waits while the elf does so.

Constable:

I been doin’ this fer a long time, and I can generally tell who’s tellin’ th’ truth and who’s lyin’. You an’ th’ giant, yer honest ‘nuff. Th’ woman’s another story. Wouldn’t know th’ truth ‘less it bit ‘er on the ass. … Ye gotta unnerstand summat. This transfer o’ power, it’s causin’ no end o’ trouble here. Yer lucky up north. Ye got that Baronet Miles in charge. I ‘ear ‘e’s on th’ job an’ runnin’ things. We ain’t got that ‘ere. Oh, we got a new Baronet, a Dame Hakkima ‘pparently, but we ‘ain’t seen er ‘eard from ‘er yet. Th’ ol’ Lord-th’ Duchy’s Lord, that is-left town, prob’ly ne’er t’ return, and no one’s yet come t’ take charge. Here in Ryell Pass, we don’t know ‘oo’s settin’ th’ rules, er e’en what laws t’ follow er t’ enforce. Th’ bad people know that, too. Bandits, thugs, lowlifes – ever’body as ever wanted t’ live outside th’ law is active, hopin’ t’ collect as much coin as possible afore th’ situation stab’lizes. My men’re workin’ double, e’en triple shifts, tryin’ t’ stay ahead o’ th’ game, t’ keep order, but we’re losin’ th’ battle. … Int’ this mess you strangers come in, start chases in th’ streets, refuse t’ obey th’ guard, actually surround a solo guardsman – then one o’ ye draws a weapon an’ refuses t’ drop it. [He shakes his head.] That’s a nightmare scenario that’s played out all to often these days. I lost two men this month alone. Good men with wives, children, families. So I won’t apologize fer th’ behavior o’ my guards out there. But I do want ye t’ unnerstand where it comes from.

Kinnaka:

Constabre, I cannot furry understand your position. We erves don’t have this probrem. Rawressness iss not somezhing zhat we condone. I wirr most certainry bring zhis up to the Baronet. I aporogize as werr. I know not he not in charge of zhis town. Our presence causes probrem—that I understand. I wourd offer to herp here and may suggest it to the Baronet, but he insistent he want summed up soon. Maybe we herp whire we here? Word that herp?

The Constable looks agitated, showing real emotion for the first time:

Condone? Condone? Do ye think we condone this? No! O’ course we don’t. That’s why I do what I do. That’s why I’m in th’ ... [stops to calculate] ... th’ 17th hour o’ my shift t’day. [He shakes his head and gets control of himself with an effort.] ... Ah. It matters not. Ye can do nothing. Until my own Baronet shows up, no one can. ... Jess take yer bounty huntin’ outta my town. ... I’ll lend ye some men if ye promise t’ be gone as soon as ye can. I can do more fer ye.

Kinnaka [bows]:

Shitsurei shimasu. I aporogize. I am rude and mean not to be. I suggest not zhat you condone zhis. Zhe fairure is my own. I wirr gradry accept your herp, but I must stay untir we have the all gang. Then we reave. I zhank you for the herp. Might you know zhe peopre in my drawing?

The Constable shakes his head:

No, but I know where they stay, if they are still there. Th’ woman, Murray, was … most helpful. They should prove little difficulty. They number but four, three under th’ age o’ twenny. On’y Ax, him with th’ red hair, may prove difficult. Half a dozen men, plus me an th’ two o’ ye should sort ‘em out quick-like. If I ‘ave me way, ye’ll be on yers afore midnight.

Kinnaka:

I zhank you, zhen. We have shackres, but I worry about mage. Is zhis Murray zhe mage? If zhis Ax, he may be probrem.

Constable:

Oh she’s th’ mage, awright. Tried t’ cast some spell at one o’ me men. Idiot. Had t’ know we had a spell dampenin’ zone in this buildin’.

A short conversation ensues in which the Kinnaka requests a total of 8 guards to help him execute his plan. The Constable, (who, as it turns out, is named Sluman), says that he’ll see what he can do. He leaves Kinnaka and Kentaro to work out the details, while he disappears into his office to re-work the guard shift for the third time today, and see who he can round up to help with the capture.

Kinnaka wakes panting and in a cold sweat. The horrors that visited him in his dreams fade quickly and completely, but leave the sick, discontented feeling with which he is so familiar. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he puts himself into a lotus position and calls on the small amount of magic he was taught; calming his shattered emotions as he lowers his heart rate. When he’s done he opens his eyes and looks out the window. The fact that the sun has barely broken the horizon does not surprise him in the least. It’s the rare morning that he does not greet the sun as it makes its first appearance over the land.

At this hour, the Keep is mostly quiet. Even the hammering and sawing sounds that accompanied him into slumber have ceased. Some, however, are obviously awake; the recently kindled fire bears evidence that at least one servant is active at this early hour.

Kinnaka doesn’t need to look at the pallet to know that Kentaro is still asleep. The one sound that permeates the early morning silence is the din of his snores. Roaring like an impaled dragon, they are sufficient to cause the water in a nearby vase to ripple. Kinnaka is at a loss to explain how he managed to remain asleep through the racket, though it does explain how the nameless servant managed to enter the room, light a fire, and leave without awakening him.

He glances at the half giant lying stretched out upon the pallet, but can’t really see him. His overlarge frame is rolled up tightly in a blanket, and his nighttime tossing and turning have left his head beneath the end table that sits next to the sofa that served as Kinnaka’s bed. No problem. He aims a kick at his partner’s thigh, and barely suppresses a smile as Kentaro sits up suddenly, banging his head against the bottom of the end table and upsetting the vase, which falls over with a crash. Somehow the vase does not break, but it does send a small shower of cold water over the large man, who is none too pleased with the unexpected deluge.

As Kentaro hefts his huge bulk off the floor, grumbling and beginning the process of waking up and preparing for whatever may come next, the elf steels himself to face another day of pain and raw emotion.

Three quarters of an hour later, they reach the border marker, a thick post painted black and yellow on one side and green and silver on the other. It is not guarded, so they ride past without a second glance.

Almost immediately after entering the Duchy, the road turns sharply south, both paralleling the border itself and following the hill’s ridgeline. The Janaquil valley and the forest they know so well spread out below them to the east.

An hour short of midday, they leave the valley behind as the ridge splits. One branch heads to the southwest, marking the southern edge of the valley, while the road follows the other branch to the southeast, then shortly thereafter it turns south again.

By noon, the horses are ready for a half-hour rest break, and the pair are starting to seriously think about lunch, but as they rein in their horses, Kinnaka spies what appears to be a small town in the distance. He estimates that they can easily be there in 10-15 minutes, so he makes the decision to carry on.
Kentaro and Kinnaka reach the outskirts of a small town encircled by a wooden palisade wall. Here, too, are signs of improvements underway; construction projects no doubt intended to transform the town from a small frontier camp to an actual border stronghold. The most obvious of these is the beginnings of a stone gatehouse that currently sits in a position just outside the town’s existing wall. A wooden guard shack has been hastily erected temporarily in front of the new gatehouse-to-be. As the pair ride up, two soldiers in chain covered with quartered black-and-yellow surcoats and carrying halberds step outside the gatehouse and take up a position blocking the road. As the strangers get close, they are asked to state their business in Fort Gellner.

Kinnaka:

Jus’ doin’ a rittre shopping.

Kentaro:

Jus’ passin by

Guard:

Shoppin’? Hah, ye’ll not fin’ much o’ that in this town. ... Hang on. Which is is? Shoppin’ er passin’ by?

Kinnaka:

Both. We don’ intend too stay rong.

Tall guard:

I say they’re liars, Dedre. Kick their asses out!

Dedre:

Now, Qat, hang on. We can hardly kick ‘em out if we ain’t let ‘em in yet, can we?

Kinnaka:

You had probrems with guest latery?

Kentaro [whispering to Kinnaka]:

Bit a temper on him innt there?

Kinnaka nods slightly, but doesn’t otherwise respond.

Qat:

No, an’ we don’t intend t’ start t’day.

Dedre:

Qat, hold your tongue. Make the entry.

Qat grumbles, but complies. He pulls a clipboard out and starts writing something on it.

Kinnaka bows slightly:

Arigato.

Dedre:

Sorry ‘bout that, gennlemen. Th’ lad’s a bit green, ye see. First week on th’ job.

Kentaro:

S’alright. No harm

Dedre:

Thanks fer bein’ unnerstandin’. We’ll have ye on yer way in two shakes.

Kinnaka:

Get many guests? No, that new County born.

Dedre smiles:

Varies. Mostly it’s quiet. Maybe half a dozen a day. On a busy day anyway.

Qat, still writing, mutters:

Fucking boring, it is.

Dedre silences the lad with a glare and sends a “what can I do” look toward the others.

Kentaro:

I’ll bet yer thankful it’s boring sometimes though. Would ya really be wantin that much trouble here?

Dedre:

Yeah, way I hear it, in th’ big cities, guards is forever in fear fer their lives. This is a quiet town. An’ I hope it stays that way.

Kinnaka:

Yes, I understand. Hey, rook, have you seen a ferrow wif wird red hair go this way? He was serring saddrebags in rast rown.

Dedre:

Red hair? No, I’m afraid your outta luck there. Our shift only just started. Yer our first travelers today.

Qat looks up:

Got it, Dedre.

Kinnaka:

Again, Arigato.

Dedre:

Excellent. Thank you, Qat. You gennlemen are free to enter our town.

Kentaro [quietly, to Kinnaka]:

Ya think we ought ter ask some other guards ter make sure he didn’t pass? (to Kinnaka)

Kinnaka spurs his horse on, then as he’s halfway through the gate, he stops:

Shitsurei, I wondering. Where is nearest tavern. Is runch time.

Dedre:

There’s only two. Both on the Green Market. Ye got yer Three Sisters. That’s actually onna Market itself. Nice place. Decent food. Little pricey. Then there’s yer Crimson Pike. Actually just off th’ Market. Clean, food’s average, but cheap. Owner’s special. Gorrie. Ye’ll like her. Always time fer a chat wi’ anyone.

Kinnaka, moving forward again:

You most kind. Arigato.

Dedre:

Don’t make no sense bein’ rude t’ one an’ all, as I keep tellin’ Qat here.

Qat snarls, but says nothing.

As they take a few steps away, Kinnaka address Kentaro:

I thought best not tark too much in front of suspicious guard. Bored guards like inquisitive fox rooking at henhouse.

Kentaro:

Oh…guess I shouldn’t ta asked that back there. So ya think we ought ter or not? Maybe the barmaid would be better.

Kinnaka:

Yes, I bereive she wirr be herpfur. We tark to guards rater, perhaps. Best not too arise suspicioun. Which reads me thinking. Why we rooking for men. I thinking that we rookin’ for goods they serring, but missed them. We knew they headed same way and may run into them.

Kentaro:

Wait…um…da ya mean we don’t go aroun tellin others we’re lookin fer em? Jus sayin were looking ter buy wat he ‘as ter sell?

Kinnaka:

People want to know why. We need to terr them something. I figure goods to be buying is good story.

Kentaro:

Alright Kinnaka.

Kinnaka nods his head and starts toward the Market, and the inn. The Green Market, like most farmer’s markets, is on the main road, toward the center of town. As Dedre said, the Crimson Pike is easily visible just two buildings away from the actual market square. In look, it could be any pub in any town, anywhere in the Flanaess.

As they approach, a very young lad rushes out, obviously to take their horses, but he stops and stares slack-jawed at the two giants. He clearly wants to bolt, but something – fear of a beating most likely – prevents him from doing so.

Kentaro:

S’alright lad. Ya don need ter be scared o us. Have ya come ter take our hourses?

Kinnaka gets off his horse and hands the reins to the boy without comment. In response to Kentaro’s statement, the boy nods his head, but looks no less terrified. He barely retains enough presence of mind to take the reins from Kinnaks. As he does so, a fearful look flits across Kinnaka’s face, but the elf quickly composes himself and walks into the pub.

Kentaro sliding off his saddle and handing his reins over as well:

S’alright lad.

As Kentaro follows Kinnaka into the Crimson Pike, the boy takes the horses and almost runs through the breezeway toward a stable at the other end of a small courtyard.

The pub is small, but very clean. Most tables are taken with people eating lunch, but most seem to be nearly finished. An overworked-looking serving girl dashes about, collecting money, grabbing empty plates and dishes off the tables, and chatting companionably to the customers. A short, overweight woman stands by the bar, surveying the scene as if she were the Overqueen of Rauxes observing the return of a conquering army. A young woman stands behind the bar, but doesn’t seem to be pulling as many pints as one would expect.

Kinnaka finds a nearby table that is open, sits down and waits patiently. Kentaro follows.

Kentaro:

Guess we should be use ter that from the kid eh? Ah well. You Alright?

Kinnaka:

I am fine. Have seat?

As Kentaro works to fit his huge bulk into one of the wooden chairs without breaking it, the “Overqueen” steps forward and welcomes them. She gives the table, already spotlessly clean, a cursory rub with a rag tucked into her apron string, and then smiles broadly.

Gorrie: Welcome to the Crimson Pike, gentlemen. I am Gorrie, the proprietress. Prepare yourselves for the finest lunch to be found south of the Nyr Dyv, and possibly north of it as well. What’ll it be?

Her accent surprises them; it is upper class and cultured.

Kinnaka:

Sumimasen, Have you a hot tower to wash hands?

Gorrie smiles even more broadly:

Ah, a true gentleman! Of course, sir. At once.

Kentaro: Oi, the guards said this place be nice an they were righ’.

She pauses to call out to the serving girl:

Ingrid – hot towel for table 4. Get a move on, girl. [She then turns back to Kentaro] And with which guard did you speak. Not Havald, I’ll wager.

Kentaro:

Na. We talked ter Dedre and Qat. He seemed ter be fresh from cleaning an oil dreched penquin.

Gorrie clucks her tongue:

I’ll not speak ill of the lad. He’s young and impetuosity is the purview of the young, is it not? He’ll mature soon enough. Now Dedre, she’s a rare one. A flower in the thistles in this town. [She leans close and whispers.] Good heart. A most rare quality.

Kentaro:

Well we didn’ really talk ter them that much. Dedre seemed nice though.

Gorrie:

Ah, nice doesn’t begin to touch her, my good man. I know she’s not much to look at. Most men are only concerned with the surface appearance. But she’s a true poet. She’s got a depth of soul I’ve only rarely encountered in my days. And I’ve traveled a lot in my life.

Kentaro:

Er…wow.

Gorrie:

A beautiful summation, sir. Would that you had seen that with your own eyes, rather than through mine, but we are only able to see what our abilities allow us to see, isn’t that so?

Ingrid stops by, hands a hot towel to Kinnaka, who thanks her (“Arigato”) and another to Kentaro, who doesn’t seem sure what to do about it. After giving Kinnaka a chance to finish washing, she asks for their orders.

Kentaro [obviously relieved at the chance to change the subject]:

Do ya have anything in 1/2 gallon mugs or cups. Most glasses are a bit to small fer me. Butterbeer if ya got any.

Ingrid:

Most assuredly, sir. [To Kinnaka] And you, sir?

Kinnaka:

Koocho, Sakana …. Sorry. Green tea, fish, and bread, prease.

Gorrie [to Kinnaka]:

Ah, I’m most desparately sorry, sir, but we have no green tea. I can offer you a find local blend or Thistleberry tea, a halfling concoction that is both light and fragrant?

Kinnaka: Ah, I understand. I wourd rike the rocar brend. I also wondering if you know of some ferrow traverres that may have stopped this way in last few days.

Gorrie:

Very good. Ingrid will see to it. [She nods to the serving girl, who bustles away.] This I can tell you, sir. If they stopped by my tavern, I am most definitely acquainted with them. However, if they did not stop here, I likely am not aware of them. [She smiles] I really don’t get out all that much.

Kinnaka:

A rovery day missed is loosing A bit of one’s sowr. Ah, but I have rossed my share of zhem as werr.
Gorrie:

If true, sir, I’m afraid I have little left. So as much as I hate to disagree with you, I hope you are wrong. [She sighs] Ah, but I fear you are not.

Kentaro:

Ya seem ter be doing pretty well here tough. Ya fancy yer business or yer longin for more adventure?

Gorrie turns to Kentaro and laughs:

At my age, my good man, adventure is taking the steps two at a time. No, I’ll leave adventures for the young. I’m happy here.

Kentaro pulls out the drawing and lays it on the table. Gorrie notices the drawing and narrows her eyes:

Ah. So they’re in trouble are they?

Kinnaka: Ah, why you says that?

Kentaro: Ya know em?

Gorrie:

Well, I know them because they’ve been here and spent the night beneath my roof. They ate my food and joked with my staff. So I know them, but not in the way one usually means it when they say they know someone. ... As for why I say they’re in trouble, in my experience, people who carry the likeness of others are generally either associated with the law or are lovers. [She smiles.] I made the assumption that you aren’t the latter.

KInnaka looks startled at the last comment, starts to say something, but then stops:

I take it, zhen, that they are gone?

Kentaro:

This heres a bright one Kinnaka.

Gorrie:

Thank you, sir. [Then, to Kinnaka] Yes, they are gone. They came yesterday, spent the night and a fair amount of coin on my best ale, bless them, and left this morning.

Kinnaka:

Zhen we missed them. You might be knowing where they traver?

Gorrie:

I’m sorry, no. They did not confide such information in me. If you like, I can ask the staff, or perhaps you’d prefer to do that?

Kinnaka:

Arigato. You understand people here. We like geese in south. Only visit, but not stay.

Gorrie:

Tell me, sir. What did YOU think of Dedre?

Kinnaka:

Efficient. Friendly. Werr suited as a …um…welcomer to city.

Gorrie:

Ah, and that’s it? It occurs to me that as something of a poet yourself, you might have … experienced something more meaningful. [She smiles again.] Or maybe you’re too shy to say. Mmm. Perhaps. But be that as it may, I shall be happy to question my staff on your behalf. ... And this is just the time for it. Here comes Ingrid with your lunch. Until later, gentlemen.

Kentaro:

‘Twas good ter meet your aquantince Gorrie. Pleasure ter talk to ya.

Kinnaka bows his head to her. She smiles at them both, and shuffles off as Ingrid sets down the food, which, as Dedre promised, looks fair, nothing more.

Kinnaka looks at his partner:

Itadaki-masu.

Kentaro has heard this before, and knows it means something along the lines of “have a good meal”:

Aye. You too

After a quarter of an hour, as the two finish eating their lunch, Gorrie returns:

Ah, and how did you find the food, my good men?

Kinnaka:

Suteki! My compriments.

Gorrie looks initially confused, but smiles again:

You’re too kind.

Kentaro:

Did its job it did. Refreshed me for the ride ahead.

Kinnaka:

Gochiso-sama deshita.

At Kinnaka’s statement, she looks very confused, but like any innkeeper worth her salt, she recovers quickly:

Much too kind. ... Oh, and about our guests from yesterday, I’m afraid none of my staff admit to knowing their destination or direction of travel.

Kinnaka:

That shame. It seems we rossed zhem zhen.

Gorrie:

I think not. You seem like capable men. I have every confidence that you’ll pick up their trail before long.

The men thank Gorrie once again, then depart. They spend a moment discussing it, and decide to begin their interrupted search by heading to the South Gate and inquiring there. Suiting action to words, they head southward, and soon arrive at the South Gate. Kinnaka asks the senior guard if they’ve seen these people [shows the picture] leaving by this gate in the last 36 hours or so. The man says that regulations forbid him from passing on such information, and he can’t afford to lose his job. Money’s tight these days, ye know?

Kinnaka:

Ah, so. I understand. Vely solly to put you in zhis position. [He pulls out half a dubloon.] I need pay tarrif. You take care for me? [The man grins and reaches for the coin, but the grin turns to a frown as the elf pulls his hand back slightly.] Zhey go zhis way?

The man looks suspiciously at Kinnaka then mutters that he wasn’t on duty, but will check the log. He heads off to the guard shack, ducks inside, then five minutes later returns, plants himself in front of Kinnaka, smiles, and sticks his hand out. Kinnaka hands him the coin, which the man grabs, bites, and looks at carefully. He gradually grows disappointed that Kinnaka doesn’t rush him along, and eventually, he reports that the men left town about 10 bells this morning.

Kinnaka remembers that 1 bell passed some time ago, which, he calculates, puts his quarry just 3.5 hours ahead. The elf looks at his partner, nods, and they ride southward at a nice fast trot. After about a mile, the southern road begins steeply descending in a switchback pattern that equals a 10 mile-ride, but actually only provides about 5 miles of forward progress. The ride is further slowed by the steepness and the loose shale on the ill-maintained road. As a result, by the time they reach the bottom of the hill, a good two hours have passed. They pause briefly, listening to what sounds like the sound of running water. There is obviously a sizable stream or small river nearby.

Another mile passes before they actually reach the river, and when they do, they find that while it is only maybe 30 yards wide, it flows incredibly swiftly. The only way across is via the ferry that is currently resting on the other shore. Kentaro stifles a curse, but Kinnaka calmly tugs the cord that rings the bell mounted to the wall of a cozy-looking cabin on the far side.

No more than a minute passes before the cabin door swings open and the ferryman makes an appearance. The pair easily recognizes the fluid, easy movements of a man in fantastic physical shape. He has the ferry moving quickly across the river shortly thereafter.

Bismuth:

G’day gents. Name’s Bismuth. I assume ye’ll be wantin’ t’ cross th’ river? Two bits each.

Kinnaka:

That depends. Here is your four bits. Before we cross river, (he pulls out the drawing) men like this go this way?

Bismuth:

Oh, aye. That they did, ‘round about lunchtime er so. Friends o’ yers, are they?

Kinnaka:

We have some common … um….how you saw …. we know same peopre. (Kinnaka moves to board). You know zhem werr?

Bismuth:

Come again? ... Oh, wait, I see. Know ‘em well? ... On’y as much as I kin get to know sommun in a 5 minute crossin’, which is t’ say, not at all, o’ course. I on’y knows what they tol’ me, which wasn’t much. Headed t’ Ryell Pass, they were, which is no s’prise. [He laughs heartily.] That’s th’ on’y place this road goes! ... Entertainers o’ some sort. Woman – very pretty, she was – is some sort o’ fortune teller. Th’ lads juggle and tumble and that sort o’ thing. That man [indicates the red-haired man] don’t seem t’ do much. I gather he’s th’ business manager or sommat.

Kinnaka:

We headed to same town. No surprise for you. Hopefurry we see zhem in town. Rike to finarry meet zhem. Friends say so much about zhem. How rong is it to town of Ryell Pass?

Bismuth:

Oh, twenny mile, near ‘nuff. [Looks at the sun.] Doubt ye’ll make it afore dark, ‘less ye get a move on. That’s a long haul. Least th’ town ain’t walled. Ye won’t be stuck sleepin’ rough.

At this point, Kinnaka tunes out and lets Kentaro take over the small talk. That doesn’t last long, as the crossing is a quick one. Still, short as it was, their ferry ride has delayed them by about a quarter-hour, so that by the time they begin their pursuit again on the southern shore, Kinnaka estimates that they have about 90 minutes before the sun sets, and maybe half an hour more of daylight left after that. If Ryell pass really is 20 miles away, they will just have time to reach it as they lose the last of their light. If it is any further, they will be riding in the dark.

Fortunately, the nearly full moon and lack of clouds makes the decision easy. They can continue to ride even if they do lose the light.

Ten miles and an hour further on, they again reach the Duchy of Urnst/County of Greyhawk border, where the road begins to run concurrent with the border – or stated more simply, the road at this point IS the border.

They follow the border/road for another dozen miles (the last half of that in rapidly fading daylight, on a shallow descent before they finally catch sight of a large town, much larger than they expected, just on the County side of the border. Though the light has now faded completely, there remain just a few miles before they reach the outermost buildings, for as Bismuth promised, the town has no wall at all.

Early one afternoon, Dainel arrives at the barracks and rousts Kinnaka and Kentaro out of the warmth of the long, narrow cabin that serves as their barracks, telling them to dress warmly. He is none too gentle in his approach, drawing looks of ire from both. Once they get outside, he informs them that they have an appointment with the Baronet of Olmarr. The two look blankly at each other and then at Dainel, at which point their boss explodes, “He bleedin’ runs th’ Province, don’t he?” At their continued blank looks, Dainel seethes, “Get a fuckin’ move on”, and 10 minutes later the three are riding north at a fast trot toward Fort Lehman through a light snow flurry.

They ride for a time nearly silently, the only noise apart from the clip clopping of the horses’ hooves being Dainel’s incessant off-key humming, sounding more like an angry wasp than music. Making a supreme effort, Kinnaka manages to tune it out, but Kentaro cannot. To quiet the noise, despite the fact that Dainel hates to indulge in unnecessary conversation with the hired help, he ventures a question.

Kentaro:

Dainel…what’s this Baronet want wit me anyway?

Dainel breaks off humming, and stares briefly at Kentaro. The sudden silence elicits a quiet sigh of relief from Kinnaka, who stares fixedly into the forest, refusing to make eye contact with the odious man.

Dainel:

How th’ fuck do I know? He wants ye. That’s good enough fer th’ likes o’ you, right?

Kentaro:

Well I suppose so.

Dainel:

Damn right it is. [Then, to Kinnaka] How ‘bout you, elf? You got somethin’ to say?

Kentaro:

No reason ta bother im now. I was jus curious.

Kinnaka says nothing , continues to stare off into the woods, and shakes his head no.

Dainel:

That’s good. That’s real good. When yer dealin’ with yer betters, ye gotta keep mum, got it? [Kinnaka’s eyes flare, but he says nothing.] Jess leave th’ talkin’ to me and ye’ll do well. I’m good with royalty, see.

Kinnaka continues to remain silent, declining to point out to his boss that being a Baronet does not make one royal. Kentaro shakes his head and sighs. Dainel laughs, though the sound carries no humor at all, then resumes his humming. And just like that, the temporary respite from the hideous whining noise is over.

A little less than two hours later, they reach the walls of Fort Lehman, the County’s fourth largest city, distantly behind Greyhawk City and Hardby, but with only slightly fewer people than Elmshire. The town is located at the top of a steep hill, not the tallest in the area, but tall enough to provide a good view to the north, south, and west. Inside the walls, a flurry of construction activity is evident, as carpenters, stone masons, glaziers, and others work diligently to turn Fort Lehman into Olmarr Keep, which as one of the County’s four new Provincial capitals will one day house most of Olmarr’s most vital administrative functions.

Dainel leads the two huge men to the main walled enclosure and find the main door standing wide open and unguarded. Passing through, they enter the main courtyard and wend their way through stacks and piles of lumber, stone, sand, and other construction materials toward a large tower barely visible beneath a mass of scaffolding and waterproof sheets. Their goal is a pair of ancient, heavily scarred and studded oaken double doors.

Before Dainel can grab the huge knocker, the door swings open and they are greeted by a page who takes their names and leads them not toward the grand hall, which is visible through a door to the right, but straight ahead, past several sitting rooms to a large dining room that is currently being used as an impromptu conference room rather than for other than its intended function. Four richly dressed men are gathered around the gleaming mahogany table poring over a set of blueprints. Three of them are middle-aged. The other is a heavily muscled man of average height and youthful looks. One of the three older men is speaking, but the way the younger man carries himself is sufficient to clearly identify the younger man as the one in charge.

The page pauses at the door and announces Dainel, Kinnaka, and Kentaro. Sir Miles nods, waves the page away, and tells the three other men with him, “Go get supper. Return in half an hour.” The men roll up the blueprints, bow, and depart the room with a gloomy air.

Dainel bows, but before he can get started on his well-rehearsed formal greeting, Sir Miles interrupts him:

Gentlemen, here’s the situation. A local dignitary was murdered this morning. The killers rode into the Duchy of Urnst, and we need someone not formally associated with the County to find them and bring them back. [He looks pointedly at Kentaro and Kinnaka.] You two were recommended for this task because you have earned a reputation amongst the goon squads as being effective without resorting to undue violence. That is a vital skill to bring to bear on this task. … I’ll say this once, and only once. You cannot kill these men; you must bring them back alive. Success will beget long-term employment and great rewards. Failure will result in a return to the work Dainel hired you to do. [He rings a small bell, and a tall, slender man with long, white-blond hair enters and bows.] Tirask will answer any questions pertinent to the mission. You are dismissed.

Kinnaka deeply bows to Sir Miles:

Arigato. It wirr be done.

Noticing Kinnaka’s movement, Kentaro quickly does a short bow to Sir Miles, the turns to Tirask:

‘Lo Tirask. I’m Kentaro an this here is Kinnaka.

Tirask briefly looks aghast, but his face quickly resumes its carefully neutral pose. Dainel looks like he’d like nothing better than to slice both of his men into quarters. Sir Miles casually waves the entire group away and returns distractedly to his blueprints.

Tirask bows out of the room and leads the men back to one of the sitting rooms they passed on the way in. As they enter, he cursorily dismisses Dainel, which pleases both Kinnaka and Kentaro inordinately, but sends Dainel into an impotent fury. He goes blusters, and begins to argue, but Tirask has nothing more to say to him. Fuming, Dainel leaves the room. The blond man closes the door quietly behind him. Kinnaka smiles slightly, but then winces. He says nothing however; he mere turns his green almond eyes onto Tirask and waits for him to begin.

Kentaro, on the other hand, cannot resist throwing in a last mocking jibe:

Bye Dainel!

Tirask takes a moment to compose his face before continuing then invites the remaining two to sit. When they do, he informs them that 3 or 4 strangers (witness accounts vary) were hanging around the main square this morning around 10 bells. When Zarian, the town’s chief architect, entered the square they jumped him. He was unarmored, unescorted, and stood no chance against their maces and clubs. His death will set construction progress back several weeks until a suitable replacement can be found, fetched, and brought up to speed. The men jumped on horses and rode fast out of town heading east. The town guard gave chase, but as no town can realistically afford to be without its guard for long, they have standing orders to turn back at the border if they have not caught up with whomever they are pursuing. Unfortunately, in this case the criminals beat the guard to the border, so the guard returned without them. The Baronet has sent word to both County and Duchy authorities, but rather than sitting around waiting for an official response, he wants Kinnaka and Kintaro to find the killers and bring them back.

He then gives a cursory physical description of the killers as provided by the witnesses—the only details that seem to be relatively consistent are that one had wild red hair and a beard, one ran with a definite limp, and although she apparently did not participate in the actual attack, a fairly pretty, exceedingly skinny woman with long blonde hair rode with them, apparently of her own free will. Their clothing, arms, and armor were unremarkable, as were their horses, though two of the witnesses described a unique marking pattern on one horse: it was mostly white with a black cross on one of its shoulders.

He hands Kinnaka five gold dubloons as traveling money and an advance to purchase any gear they need. Tirask has the authority to approve funds for other purchases, but they will have to provide ample justification for them. He then pauses and asks the men if they have any questions.

Kinnaka:

Yes, I do. I am wondering … why zee men attacked…zee architec’?

Tirask looks chagrined:

I’m afraid we do not quite know. We know that Zarian had some gambling debts, though we don’t believe they are significant enough to warrant death. He had a woman or two in town, but we don’t know whether he was married. Jealousy? Perhaps. He was an important man. Rich, too, for that matter, but he wasn’t robbed. Oh, no. We assume the men were hired to kill him. That this was no random act.

Kentaro:

Oh. They left all his personal effects on im then eh?

Tirask:

Yes. They struck quickly and violently, then immediately fled. They left no written message, took nothing, and made no statement as they departed.

Kinnaka:

We know no detairs about men who attack architec’? Other zen physical… description.

Tirask:

They were strangers in town. We know they have been here just a day or two, but certainly not more.

Kentaro:

Do ya know who ‘is women were? Can ya point me in their direction?

Tirask:

To what end, master Kentaro? You have been engaged to bring the men back here, not investigate the killing.

Kinnaka:

You have artist … to draw … murderers?

Tirask looks momentarily taken aback:

We can have such brought in if you believe it will help. Naturally, we have also retained the witnesses’ names and addresses and can contact them if you desire it. But as the artists work, do the men not get farther away by the minute?

Kinnka:

It herps us not…to find men… but not know… who they are… because I not recognize them. Ar humans rook arike.

Kentaro:

He’s got a point ya know?

Kinnaka:

You have quick artist?

Tirask:

Very good master Kinnaka, master Kentaro. If the descriptions I have already provided will not suffice, I will have artists summoned and the witnesses brought forth. Are you comfortable waiting here, or would you rather be shown to a more comfortable location?

Kinnaka:

We wir wait were we wir not be in way of workers.

Tirask:

Very good. I will summon the artists and witnesses. I do not know whether they can be considered fast or not, but they will be as accurate as possible. Is there anything else you require while the requested persons are gathered? Have you eaten?

Kinnaka bows less deeply than before:

I would not troubre you further, but it rude to refuse your offer.

Tirask smiles knowingly:

Yes, of course. Very good, master Kinnaka. I shall have the servants fetch something from the kitchens.

Tirask departs, quietly closes the door behind him, and summons two pages. One he sends to the Chief Constable on duty with orders to fetch an artist and those who witnessed the Zarian’s murder. They are to report to the Orchid Sitting Room. The other has orders to head to the kitchens and bring some food to the guests. He himself returns to the dining room-cum-conference room, where he finds Sir Miles looking over a list of some sort.

Tirask:

Sir Miles?

Sir Miles:

Ah, Tirask. Are they off then?

Tirask:

No. Actually, they are in the Orchid Sitting Room awaiting supper.

Sir Miles:

Most interesting. And why would that be?

Tirask:

Master Kinnaka has requested the use of an artist and the witnesses.

Sir Miles raises one eyebrow:

For what purpose?

Tirask:

I’m not exactly sure. I feel they are simply wasting time, but I will return to clarify the point.

Sir Miles:

Tirask, you should not be so quick to judge. But just in case, please ensure that they are aware of just how highly I would value a quick, successful completion of this mission.

Tirask:

Of course, Sir Miles. I shall return presently.

Back in the sitting room, Kinnaka and Kentaro have tucked into it tray of food and drink brought by a stout, older woman with a ready smile. They eat with all the gusto and capacity of two very large men, and are mostly finished before Tirask returns.

Tirask:

Ah, I see cook has provided refreshments. Very good. … Master Kinnaka, I have sent for the artist and witnesses. They should be arriving shortly. However, Sir Miles would like to know your reasons for your delay in getting underway, and desires that I make quite clear to you his extreme desire to have these men brought in with all possible speed.

Kinnaka:

Prease terr Sir Mires, we not deray. Cooking duck wizzout preparation read to fezzers in mouth. We not provided wiz good …um how you say? Good features of murders. Word rike to crarify…before reaving. Artis’ drawing worz many words. It no good reavin’ wizout good … understanding of how zey rook.

Tirask smiles wanly:

Excellent, master Kinnaka. I shall pass that message to the Baronet.

Tirask turns and leaves. Kinnaka isn’t positive, but he may have noticed the man shaking his head as he closed the door. The blond man returns again to Sir Miles.

Tirask:

Master Kinnaka, the elf, seems to think it would help matters if he had more precise portraits of the criminals. He’s wasting valuable time, Sir Miles.

Sir Miles:

Perhaps. On the other hand, there may be something in what Kinnaka is attempting. … I think we shall leave the giants to their own devices for now. Perhaps they shall surprise us. On the other hand, just in case they don’t, I want Carin’s team on this as well. [He glances out the window.] No one will get started before morning, however. Make sure our visitors have accommodations for the night.

Tirask:

Of course, Sir Miles. It shall be as you say.

While this conversation is going on, a servant has entered the Orchid Sitting Room and lit the candles and kindled a fire in the fireplace against the forthcoming night. As the servant leaves, a man arrives, shown in by the same page that so recently escorted in Kentaro and Kinnaka. That he is the artist is attested by the fact that he is carrying an easel, a small canvas, and has several brushes sticking out of pockets on his smock. He is also carrying a portmanteau case that is likely to contain his paints, etc.

Before the man can even introduce himself, Kinnaka jumps up:

No drawing, only artist? We need drawing. So, sorry, but we need drawing quickly. This takes too long.

Thran:

Huh? ‘Ey said ye wanted a artist. I’m a artist. Ye want drawin’ instead, I’ll draw fer ye. Whadya want drawin’?

He quickly sets up the easel, then places a small canvas on it and pulls some drawing pencils out of his bag.

Kinnaka [trying to hold his temper]:

This useress and too srow. I begin to sink he slowin’ us up. We should reave now. Artist useress now.

Thran:

Ye don’t want nothin’ drawin’?

Kentaro:

Wait a minute. Wait jus one minute.

Thran:

Ye want a drawin’ er not? If not, I got better things t’ do.

Kinnaka [raising his voice]:

Yes. Murderers drawn. He bring you not drawing. I want drawing of murderers.

Kentaro:

I think we should wait fer the witnesses doncha think Kinnaka?

Kinnaka:

Why, how they herp? They know where murdererd go or who they running to?

Kentaro:

Why they’ll help us get a visual picture o who we’re lookin fer. Besides, he’s already here he is. Why not wait?

Kinnaka sits agitatedly:

I wait.

At this point the door opens and Tirask comes in with two men and one woman:

Tirask:

The soldiers have brought the witneses, master Kinnaka.

Kentaro:

Er…a…‘Lo ladies. Nice ter meet ya. I’m Kentaro and this here is Kinnaka. We’d like to ask you some questions about tha murder ya saw the other night. Can on o ya start by tellin us wot happened?

The men and the woman simply stare at the huge man addressing them and say nothing. They look more amused than anything else, however, when the creature begins patting down his pockets absent-mindedly, eventually pulling out a crumpled piece of parchment and battered quill that looks tiny in his huge hand. They are surprised when he looks up expectantly, obviously fully prepared to write down what they say. After another moment’s pause, they start to talk, though the talk is more like babbling at this point.

Simon:

If ye mean this morning, why don’t ye say so? I don’t appreciate bein’ dragged away from me family at suppertime fer some lark.

Anders:

Simon, please. He wants to know what happened. I’m happy to help. I was in the main square this morning, doing some early morning shopping ye understand? These three goons…

Ursula:

Four, there was four.

Anders:

I only saw three, but please Ursula, let me continue. Anyway, these goons, however many there were, were hangin’ around, joking amongst themselves, but not really doing much. Not causing trouble, ye understand?

Simon:

Anders, get t’ th’ fuckin’ point er we’ll be here all night.

Kentaro stands to show his full size and raises his voice:

Now wait a minute all o ya. I need ya one at a time!

Simon:

Damn…

The woman just looks scared.

Kinnaka:

You, woman. Come. Tell artist what men rook rike. He draw them, QUICKRY, prease.

Kentaro:

Er…a…thanks Kinnaka. Simon, you come over here with me. I wanna ya ter tell me what happend wit out exaggeration.

For the next half hour, Kentaro interviews the three, while Thran does his best to draw portraits of five people based on the descriptions of the three witnesses. He has several false starts before Kinnaka gets him to understand exactly what he is looking for. When the elf judges him to be headed in the right direction, he contents himself with pacing before the fire. Tirask approaches him a few moments later.

Tirask:

Master Kinnaka, when you have accomplished what you can, pull that rope. A page will show you to your room. And now, I must excuse myself. I have other tasks to see to.

Kinnaka bows again:

Arigato. [Then he turns to the artist and raises his voice again.] We not start untir morning. That your deadrine Sran.

Simon:

No way I’m stayin’ all night so ‘e kin paint pictures! I got a business t’ run.

Tirask pauses at the door:

Simon, you shall stay until Sir Miles releases you. Is that clear?

Simon grumbles, but acquiesces. Tirask looks around the group, and seeing no further sign of dissension, departs, closing the door quietly behind him. Time passes. The artist works on. Figures and faces begin to take shape. Kentaro finishes his interviews, which result in approximately the same information as they already have.

Kinnaka is still pacing before the fire in agitation when Kentaro finishes the interviews and reports his findings, which don’t please Kinnaka all that much. Still, better to have confirmation. He then resumes his pacing.

Kentaro looks unsure of what to do next. Kinnaka doesn’t look like he wants to engage in casual conversation and the witnesses and artist are busy with the painting. He settles for standing with his arms behind his back, rocking forward and backward, and whistling. This doesn’t lasts long before Kinnaka turns on him and tells him that if he has nothing else to do, he may as well get to bed. They’ll be starting early in the morning. Kentaro nods and pulls the bell.

A minute later a footman shows up to guide him off to another sitting room, where a pallet has been set on the floor for him to sleep on. The servant apologizes, saying that there are no beds large enough to accommodate Kentaro comfortably. Kentaro tells the servant not to worry about it. He’s used to the inconvenience.

Back in the Orchid Sitting Room, Thran continues to work into the night. Kinnaka eventually stops pacing, and settles for standing still, watching the proceedings carefully. Slowly five figures start to take shape. Their bodies are very cursorily drawn, but the faces are carefully represented. Thran also adds to the overall effect by add some small touches of color. Some time after the bell tower has given notice that thee hours have elapsed since midnight, Thran steps back, looks carefully at his handiwork, and glances at Kinnaka, his eyes asking for approval. The canvas shows:

1. A man who looks to be in his early 30’s with a warm smile and steely eyes. He has long, unkempt, red hair and beard.
2. Three male youths, all apparently younger than 20.
   1. A short, sturdily built blond lad with a short haircut and a serious expression.
   2. A taller, more slender young man who wears his hair longer. No expression is identifiable; his facial features are easily the least specifically drawn. This is the man the witness cannot agree on.
1. A boy of average height with darker, close-cropped hair and a very muscular build. His face stares intently straight out of the portrait, as if challenging the viewer.

1. A tall, skinny blonde woman with very long hair. Her expression is difficult to read. She may be scared or worried, or she may just have gas.

Kinnaka:

Zhank yoo, Sran. It wir herp us bring sese men to justice.

The witness sigh with relief. Thran nods and pulls the bell cord, then starts to pack up his gear. A few minutes later, an elderly male servant who clearly has not been to bed yet enters. When Thran informs him that they are ready to leave, the servant tells Kinnaka that Sir Miles has instructed him to inquire whether they have finished the task to master Kinnaka’s satisfaction. After Kinnaka acknowledges that they have, the servant dismisses the four, who leave faster than swifts fly, lest anyone change their mind about letting them go, and offers to show Kinnaka to his room.

Kinnaka accepts the offer, and shortly thereafter is lying on an oversized sofa listening to the distant sounds of some construction project that is obviously going on through the night, wondering if he will be able to get to sleep. He never sleeps well, and sometimes not at all, and in fact, it is at least an hour before sleep, fitful and restless, finally welcomes the elf into the land of horrible dreams and worse nightmares, and we can finally call their day complete.