Chapter 1 - Summer

Elaine ~

There are many appointments in the books, most checked off, that are from over the past month. They contain full names of minor nobles from the Duchy of Strif. It'd be clear they are irrelevant.

The appointments over the past week seem more cryptic--abbreviated with shorthand, initials or seeming "nonsense" but your research would tell you it's pertinent to recent events:Today is the 19th.

Elaine narrows her eyes at these last three records, meticulously analyzing each one.

F&H is undoubtedly The Fox and the Hound, which matches the pattern of Rene putting place names in the middle. W Stables might indicate Witherwood, or perhaps Witchop - although either would be questionable in relation to the timeline, since it's only about a day of travel from here, yet the appointment was three days ago. Perhaps she should look for the baron again and ask where they were back on 16th to confirm or disprove the nature of W.

The last part in every record is trickier... Except is it truly? N. M. of D. G. She'd think that D stood for Duchy, if not for the complete lack of G-named duchies in the royal province. A person of the Dyers Guild, then. And perhaps a clue that the second record, Tally D, is also related to the dyers.

Elaine hums and looks through the book again, trying to see if there are any more Ds among Rene's appointments. Without raising her head, she also addresses Mathis: "If you looked into the guild, can you name the most prominent figures from it?" The woman doesn't clarify why she is asking, continuing to examine the pages with an unreadable expression.

Mathis looks at Sans and the others. "Ah, she talks," before replying.

"The last leader of note, as far as I could tell, was one Nicole Moreau. I actually went to her estate in Capital but it was boarded up. Locals said no one's been there since the War."

Elaine gives Mathias a very unimpressed look upon hearing his first comment. "Thank you," she responds after he provides the name - one which supports her deductions, no less, - and then stands up from the table. "I want to talk with the baron again. His valet was in contact with the Dyers Guild. Would any of you wish to accompany me?"

"I will," he says, finishing good beer. "Although I am not optimistic about his will to co-operate..."

"I don't believe his Highness will take kindly to my presence. I can take a look at the orchard where the brigands were coalescing. Aloys, and Mathis, you're welcome to join me."

Looking at his unfinished ale, "Is there an open container law here?"

Sans nods to Issac in agreement, and follows Elaine as she stands to find the Baron's quarters.
"We can meet again here at this Inn, or send a messenger if you need us there," he says.

"Sounds like a capital idea." Aloys speaks up from having counted the coin within his cloak for a moment and doing the quick math of splitting it amidst his companions. A donation to the Queen's chosen guard was the very least that the man could do for the crime he had committed. "If either of you learn anything, don't run out without us. It seems that the situation is getting thicker by the minute. Also...good to see you Mathis, apologies for the silence."

Aloys nods to the man before looking around, clearing his throat. "Are we to walk with you if you're accompanying us or could you perhaps gain us some horses? We've already acquired some early to rescue the Duke and I would think the locals not too pleased if we did so for a less...dramatic reason."

Issac ~ Your local common knowledge regarding decency laws is good--is there a law against drinking in public here; what do you recall?

Mathis finishes his drink in a gulp and belches. "I'd be happy to join you Issac, my lad." He'll follow Issac about, and tips his hat at Aloys' greeting.

He then responds to Aloys' as they start walking. "You're like to pay dear to find some good horseflesh round here. These country folk hold on to their horses as if they were wealthy spouses. And sadly," he picks lint from his golden coat, "my reputation is not as famous as it should be round these parts."

The fancy mechanical clock strikes out the hour in the common room--the keeper has returned to watching his patrons from his gearwork chair, and the crowd outside has long since dispersed as the party of Gold Cloaks go about their leads.

Issac remembers there being an open container law, but technically restricted to the seedier parts of town (Scum Alley, Mistress Meadows, etc). Though not fully enforced elsewhere, best not to rile the local constabulary further, what with the current happenings.

He quickly downs his ale and sets down payment for the meal, grimacing at the lightening of his coin purse. While exiting with Aloys and Mathis, he claps a hand on Mathis's shoulder, "We can start improving your stance with the townsfolk by joining me in a local celebration. There's a stable boy who's turning 14, and I dearly need to keep his horseflesh, *and* get paid. Tell me, can you keep your composure with sharp objects being thrown at you?" A pause. "For the children, my good man."

Mathis tugs his coat straight after the hand on shoulder. "I ain't bloody street performer friend..." he turns to Issac and lets a grin take over his face. "But I'd sure as gear love to be one."

He continues merrily walking along with Issac and Aloys.

As the three gold coats make their way out of the inn they pass by the large stable.



Unseen in a back corner, Captain Alarie speaks, heads together with the guards who were on the scene when your party arrived...

With the grin on Issacs's face matching Mathis's, "Well then, friend, let's do it. After we check out the grove, I'll find some time later to schedule a gathering with the boy and his family. I'm thinking of a skit akin to the classic Babbet and Morello 'Who begets the primary', a real lark the kids are sure to enjoy. And if that fails, knife throwing!"

"The Morello and Babbet gag? I'm afraid the children won't even remember that one. Maybe some of the parents and they're the ones paying for the celebration. Nevermind, it sounds like a great idea." Aloys chimes in, moving a little faster on his shorter legs to keep up with his taller, broader companions. "I'm not half bad with a thrown blade. We could both throw knives at him while he complains. Twice the danger, twice the excitement, yeah?"

Aloys and Issac

Farmers, crofters, and tradesfolk going about their tasks round the village glance with interest at the three musketeers making their way down the dusty, narrow dirt roadway.

Mathis smooths his mustache but grins at the prospect of impressing the local village folk with his bravery. "Aye, as long as you both have true aim, I reckon my role will be the easier." He practices his complaints on the walk--"I said I was in need of a wash, not a SHAVE!"





A quick jaunt outside the villages edge, and the road curves round a couple hills. Pleasant summer day is filled with the sound of summer grass rustling in the wind. Round one more bend and you'd see the river, with orchards stretching all the way to its gurgling edge.

At the rivers edge, you see homes and shacks less well kept than in the village proper. Smells like fish and mud.



You'd also be able to clearly identify the copse of trees the village woman had referred to.