RP Session 4: "A Halfday's Ride

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May 25, 2025 2:40 pm
The boy shrugged in Rhoderick's grasp, looking sheepish. "Nothin' special. He looks like any merchant's guard. Scruff of his face, road leathers n'such. He's missin' a finger though... don't remember what hand."

Corson's uncertainty was palpable as he reached carefully forward and slid the loose flagstone as silently as he could from the wall. It came away easily thanks to a pool of tallow coating the stone below, and a shaft of russet sunset cut into the narrow shed. Crouching to see out, the squire could see the walls of Halfday to the north and the plains around.
May 25, 2025 2:47 pm
The pauper's eyes widened greedily at the coin, a grin splitting his hedgerow of a beard with the air of a madman. As Lan strode off however the man looked at the ground. "Ere!" he called out after the knight. "Yer scrap o'parch m'lud." He took a step towards a folded scrap of parchment in the dust on the road where Lan had handed over the coin as if to claim it for himself, before stepping back again with palms raised in contrition. "Have a care it's not lost!"

Not waiting for temptation to once again strike, the beggar turned and shuffled back towards his hound.
May 25, 2025 7:03 pm
Lancaelad started to scowl as he turned towards the insistent mendicant. A 'scrap of parchment'? Was the man trying to give him an invoice for his charity? God's thunder, what a land of merchants and bookeepers this was! But he glanced down and saw the note lying on the ground and his scowl became a frown of confusion. Had someone charged the beggar with passing a message to him? Had the note fallen from his own purse? How had it been slipped there unseen? He was the very paragon of watchfulness?

Lan stooped and snatched up the scrap before a boot or horseshoe could trample it, shook off the dust of the road and opened it.
May 25, 2025 7:16 pm
Rhoderick took a deep calming breath and his usual grin returned, albeit with lines of tension remaining around his eyes

Why are we the ones? What was he looking for?
May 26, 2025 4:00 am
The youth looked genuinely sorry and once more shrugged. "Just any folk who wasn't merchants, looked to be in a hurry, weapons. Lots of folk gimme a coin to watch for other folk. That's why I got this spot set up. I just light up the candle, they come here and I tell 'em what I seen."
May 26, 2025 4:08 am
Corson looks through the hole to see what he can see before replacing the 'plug'...

Rolls

Perception - (1d20+2)

(14) + 2 = 16

May 26, 2025 4:10 am
Lan examined the note. It did indeed look to have been tucked in a pouch for some time - the folds were deep and worn. When had he last reached into his purse? Unfolding it carefully revealed a neat message in expensive ink.

Wastrel not safe. Find spy or new rendezvous. We are watching.
May 26, 2025 4:21 am
The few minutes that Corson and Rhoderick had waited outside for the serving boy would have been enough for his client to slip away - lurking by a wall for longer than absolutely necessary would certainly elicit suspicion. Some tracks might be evident on the other side given the season, but following this watcher might just land them in the trouble they were seeking to avoid.
May 27, 2025 11:25 pm
Lan's brows rose. The plot definitely thickened, like a crowd-pleasing play full of intrigue and double-betrayals. So the Lorn Wastral was not safe - agents of the Rabbit-Prince or the diminutive Dieman spymaster must be about. He glanced up from the note, looking craftily about the bustling streets of the town as if expecting shapes dressed in a black cloaks with shining daggers to be about. But clearly they knew better than to show their skulking selves before a knight of his reputation.

Their contact with the interest in barley had somehow managed to slip this message to him, despite the danger. They would have to root out this enemy agent before the contact would deign to show himself (or herself). No-one ever accused spies of courage, Lan sneered.

He carefully folded the note and placed it back deep in his purse, then glowered at the cart blocking the gate of Halfday. "Make way! Make way and clear the path, you laggards!" he shouted impatiently. "My affairs are of greater import than a sheaves of wheat!"
May 28, 2025 8:34 am
Rhoderick clasped the boy on the back

You have done well my boy! Bring some ale up to our room, we will speak to our friends before resting

As the boy walked away Rhoderick closed the distance to Corson and whispered

We have about 40 minutes to leave or take the boy off the game board before he will begin causing a fuss. Let’s get everyone together

As they made their way towards their room he asked the Squire

What do you think? Set a trap or flee?
Last edited May 28, 2025 8:41 am

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