Classic-Castle Roleplay: July 2005

[Lord_Of_The_LEGO]

Greetings Roleplayers!

Additions to the continuing epic should be posted here. Questions and comments regarding the CCRP should be posted in this thread.

Let the adventure continue!

[Sir Kohran]

Suddenly, Jaythus was on a hard stone floor, his face awash with sweat. He felt dizzy and sick. Pain arched down his back. There was inaudible shouting and noise evrywhere. Danju, Santis, even Jayson, and many other Knights crowded around him.

"Magablocks...what...happened..."

Grid: N-14
Location Castle Talonjay

Jaythus blacked out, swooning. The Knights, still a bit overcome by the young Knight's collapse, milled about, not quite sure what to do. Glancing at Mathias, Sir Danju Violess, being one of the more senior Knights, grabbed Jaythus up over his shoulder, heading towards the door, saying, "I'll take him to the lounge, where he can get some rest, with some food and drink. I'll be back in a minute."

The Knights stared after him. Mathias awkwardly cleared his throat.

"Well, um, I think we should get back to business, hm?"

***

Danju set Jaythus down upon a couch, in the lower levels of the Castle. The Talonjain stirred, and Danju took the chance to feed the boy a bit of water. His eyes rolling, Jaythus sat up.

"Da-Danju, is that you?"

"Careful, boy. Don't try to stand up. Now, please, tell me what happened."

[Formendacil]

Grid: J-10
Location: Orion

"Removed?" said Vækadær quietly. "Without replacement? Who would have done that?"

Master Lentawl was already cross-referencing.

"Head of the Smiths Guild in 1982- Master Harold Brakespear, of Port Crowne. Remained head of the Guild until 1986. The last entry mentioning him- that is referenced- is from August 1987, when he retired from the king's service."

"Thank you, Master Archivist," said Vækadær, turning to leave. "I must track down this Master Harold Brakespear."

The image in the crystal grew clear as Vækadær bent his thought towards Envika Dolour. Andrei Bartavlo's face came into view.

"Yes, Milord," said Bartavlo, acknowledging Vækadær's presence. Bartavlo was teleharming Vækadær, which that lord had to pick up on his crystal.

"Report," said Vækadær.

"Preliminary reports from our contacts in Port Crowne have returned by pigeon," replied Bartavlo. "All negative. The current whereabouts of Harold Brakespear are completely unknown. No information more recent than his disappearance in 1987 has turned up. Shall I continue to search?"

"Yes," said Vækadær. "It is imperative that I find those papers, if at all possible. Spare no cost."

"Yes, milord," nodded Bartavlo. "What about Count Ollero? I was ready to send our men in to claim his estate, but he hasn't died yet."

"His death has been temporarily put off," said Vækadær, "in favour of Lord Marshal Elbadar. I will deal with Ollero by other means- even if it means that we will be unable to secure his estate for any of my supporters."

"Very well, milord," replied Bartavlo. Vækadær ended the conversation, and the crystal went blank. Now, there was nothing to do but wait.

[Formendacil]

Grid: J-10
Location: Orion, in Millennial Park

"En guarde!"

"Hah! Take that you scurvy knave!"

The sounds of phoney bravery and slight ringing of swords came out of a small grassy space in Millennial Park. Millennial Park was one of green spaces in Orion, built for the use of the ordinary citizenry. It's close proximity to Slacsentius Manor made it a popular hangout for Adrian and Hans after they had finished their every-other-day "lessons" in dancing, etiquette, and assorted snobbery by Cate.

At the moment, they were vigorously playing around with the swords Sir Dractor had given them. They weren't too serious about it, which was good since they were certainly real swords, every bit as dangerous as any soldiers. They were also every bit as heavy, and both Hans and Adrian were soaked with sweat.

"There you are!" came the voice of Cate Slacs-Sicl as they took a short, panting, break in their sword-play, grinning like four-year-olds.

"It's the damsel in distress!" said Hans. "Adrian, we must away to her rescue, lest the dreaded Dragon Butler take her back to his loathsome cave!"

Hans and Adrian laughed, and Cate held back a grin, while raising a querrying eyebrow.

"I was going to ask if the two of you wanted to come with me to Duchess David-Julia's dinner tonight. The one for all the young, unattached, lords and ladies. However, I'm not so sure that I want to be seen with a couple of little children. Stinky ones, too."

"A stuffy party?" said Hans. "That means getting dressed up and all that. Why don't we just go down to the tavern and have supper there. It's a lot more fun."

"I'm all for it," said Adrian. "And it means that we can go wear our swords..."

"Boys," Cate muttered under her breath. "Fine, I'll come. But I need to change into something else. Meet you at the park's gates in an hour."

As Cate dashed off, Adrian said:

"And the dreaded butler dragon yanks the damsel back to his lair with its terrifying wardrobe chain."

~~~~

Two hours later, Hans, Adrian, and Cate were in a small tavern not far from Millennial Park. It was fairly upscale as taverns went, catering to knights and nobles' servants, and merchants: respectable people. As they walked through the door, Adrian caught sight of a familiar figure.

"Hey, it's your friend," he told Hans. "Sir Dractor."

"Who?" asked Cate, as Sir Dractor caught sight of them, and beckoned them over. As they went, they saw that Sir Dractor was seated with two other people: a middle-aged, worn, but important-looking, Forestman, and a young man with both a fine sword and a heavy hammer in his belt. He was maybe two years older than them (maybe a year older than Adrian, the oldest of the three).

"Bjarn!" Hans said, as he caught sight of the old Forestman. "Great to see you here, dude! Sir Dractor mentioned you were in town."

"Hans Lentawl!" said Bjarn with a wide, genuine smile. "Does your father know you're here?"

"I doubt if he knows EXACTLY where I am," admitted Hans. "But he's pretty good about stuff like that. And I'm grown up now, you realise. I finished my schooling a month ago."

"Congratulations!" said Sir Dractor. "How about we make a few introductions." So Cate was introduced, and Thomas was introduced, and Bjarn and Adrian made each other's acquaintance.

"Take good care of this girl," Sir Dractor teased Hans, "she's pretty enough to attract quite a bit of attention. Now that you are both a man and a sword-owner, you've got responsibilities."

"Don't worry," laughed Adrian, "Hans won't let anyone near her." Hans blushed, and the rest of them laughed.

"Nothing's going on," said Cate. "I'm curious though why the King of the Forestmen and someone as renowned as Sir Aethelred Dractor are in this tavern."

"Escaping those confounded servants and soldiers," said Bjarn. "But more especially the nobles. This city is swamped with them. Pretty ladies with makeup and grand ideas of politics, and not a clue as to how the real world works. No offense intended, Lady Slacs-Sicl."

"Call me Cate," said she, "I'm not offended. I know exactly what you mean. So, Thomas," she addressed the young man directly, to his surprise, "how did you get hooked up with Sir Dractor?"

[Formendacil]

Grid: J-10
Location: Arriving at Orion.

Viscount and Viscountess Quorandis arrived at Orion's southeast gate, with their small escort of Cavaliers. Commander-General Bernard glanced at his new wife.

"Looks rather different, don't you think?" he said.

"It looks... spectacular," said Elwen.

"Nice to see that all that fighting was worth it."

They entered the city.

~~~~~~~

A few leagues away, Lord Marshal Elbadar and Captain Oris Del Grakken struck out for the great city.

"Try to remember which of us is in charge," Elbadar was berating his junior officer. "Don't contradict me. Any sign of dissention is only going to make it harder to get ourselves a commission."

Perhaps I don't want one of your commissions, Del Grakken thought to himself, but he said nothing. In Orion, Elbadar had a great deal more influence than he.

~~~~~~~

Jayko collapsed on his bed, asleep before he hit the pillow. Training had really intensified as E'terriole wanted his cadets in top form in time for their parts in the ceremonies. A bunk over, Arthur was already snoring.

~~~~~~~

Emperor Constantius finished dictating his letters and sought the Imperial Bedchamber. It had been a long day and he needed his sleep. The great Ball was fast approaching.

[TheOrk]

J-10 Orion

Several days past, Belzzar spent most of his time mixing with the classic nobility. When Radu asked about it, Belzzar simply said he wanted to make new allies. Once he learned another Batlord was in town he redoubled his efforts. All the Batlords were almost in a state of civil war competing for the Favor of the Lady,

While Belzzar was mixing with them he ordered Radu and Kale to leave him and his hosts alone. Radu accepted the decision wordlessly.

“I still can’t see how you put up with that.” Growled Kale “if anybody ever spoke to me like that I’d gut them on the spot!”

Radu looked at him blankly and nodded. “He is my master. If I disobey him I have dishonored my family…”

“Forget it…” Muttered Kale gulping down his beer. He couldn’t understand Fright Knight culture. The two of them had been sitting on bar stools for the last hour talking about nothing. It was just a good thing Belzzar was rich, as the bar tab went higher and higher.

“Excuse me, I must use the facilities…” Groaned Radu as he stumbled at of the inn’s common room. Some of the other elites told him Radu had no tolerance for alchohol, but he still drank it.

Kale sighed and learned back against a pillar. Since the two of them sat down the small common room had filled up. Kale didn’t much like it, too upscale for his tastes. But it was a place recommended for all the guest’s more respectable servants as well as more upper class types. Kale wouldn’t have come here but Radu walked in.

Kale scanned the room it seemed to be bristling with interesting people, his hearing was better then most and was able to pick up on a lot of conversations. In one corner he noticed acouple of young nobles talking with some royal looking forestmen. Kale’s eye widened. If his memory was any good, one of them was Lord Bjarn himself. Next to him was a huge dangerous looking man that must have been his bodyguard.

Kale met Bjarn once and under the circumstances that was enough. Taking another sip, he took in the rest of the room. Nobody at any of the tables were any interesting. “Willerd! Another beer!” came a booming voice.

Kale turned to see two knights sitting further down the bar. The one that ordered a beer was even bigger then Bjarn’s body guard. The man had a huge muscular frame a firey red mane of hair. The smaller knight next to him was intelligent well kept man with dark black hair.

The smaller knight looked down on his luck and was content just to stare dispondently at his drink. The violent knight next to him had half a dozen empty mugs around him and more in his hands. “How could that have happened!?”(hic!)”Kjeld was as good a king as I’ve ever met and I’ve met a lot I’ll tell ya!”(hic!)
Boomed the red haired knight.

“I think your overeacting…” replied the other knight.

“Bah! Magic usin’ freaks always get me goin’. I’ve ended up killin’ almost everyone of them I ever met. Never a shape shiftin’ one though. Once Pythos gets what he diserves, I’ll track it down…” Kale’s hand flew to his sword hilt automatically. Sure he hated Pythos but now he was interested…

[Lord_Of_The_LEGO]

"I'm curious though why the King of the Forestmen and someone as renowned as Sir Aethelred Dractor are in this tavern."

"Escaping those confounded servants and soldiers," said Bjarn. "But more especially the nobles. This city is swamped with them. Pretty ladies with makeup and grand ideas of politics, and not a clue as to how the real world works. No offense intended, Lady Slacs-Sicl."

"Call me Cate," said she, "I'm not offended. I know exactly what you mean. So, Thomas," she addressed the young man directly, to his surprise, "how did you get hooked up with Sir Dractor?"

Grid: J-10
Location: Orion, in an inn, near Millennial Park

Thomas fumbled for words and then began to tell a halting tale on how he had Sir Dractor had met. Meanwhile, Adrian and Hans had scooted over onto the wooden bench next to Sir Dractor and hailed the waitress.

“Two Golden Gulps.” ordered Adrian, referring to a fizzing drink with a sharp tang and very little actual alcohol.

“I’ll pay for that.” smiled Bjarn, reaching for his purse.

“Thanks, man!” exclaimed Hans.

Bjarn handed the waitress the appropriate amount of coins and then ordered supper for the six of them, double portions for Thomas, Adrian and Hans.

“So, my young Hans…” said Bjarn, leaning back and scratching his beard, “How are you?”

“Doin’ good. You?”

“I’m fine. Been taking a leaf of your book and doing some archiving of my own.” Bjarn sat up, “Which reminds me…”

Bjarn reached behind himself and pulled up a satchel back. He drew from it a large bundle of finely written manuscript. He handed it across the table to Hans.

“I would like you to add this to the Classic Archives. It’s my account of the Fellowship of the Pendants.”

“‘The Lost Stars Chronicle’.” Hans read aloud, “Cool name. Am I in here?”

He began to leaf though the pages and Bjarn said with a smile, “Of course.”

Hans kept turning pages until he came across Chapter 26: Inside The Archives.

“There I am!” he laughed, “Sweetness.”

He kept turning pages and soon came across Chapter 45.

“‘Hans Lentawl To The Rescue’!” he read aloud, “Uber-sweetness! I’m in a chapter title!”

Bjarn and Sir Dractor laughed and Adrian rolled his eyes.

“My accounts of the Misfits, BloodVaine War and other adventures in my life are forthcoming.” said Bjarn, “I send them down as each is completed.”

“Cool.”

Just then supper arrived, and the six companions ate a hearty meal. Cate mostly occupied Thomas, chatting enjoyably with him and anything and everything. In other situations Hans would have been annoyed, but he was pleasantly distracted by Bjarn and Sir Dractor, who were both him and Adrian tips on fancy swordplay. They all had a good sup, and Hans was updated on the lives of the other persons from the Fellowship he had been acquainted with.

“Reno and Shainya married? Sweetness! I knew they would do it…” laughed Hans.

“They’re here, actually.” said Bjarn, “Along Anardan and Voolmark. In fact…all of the Fellowship will be attending the Bal, except for Aros and Luxus…”

“Cool.” nodded Hans, “We’ll be able to see them, too…”

Bjarn raised his eyebrow.

“You’re attending the Emperor’s Ball?”

“We all are!” piped in Cate, breaking off her conversation with Thomas for a moment, “Hans, Adrian and me!”

“They’ve acquired tickets.” Sir Dractor inform Bjarn, nodding wisely with a twinkle in his eye, “How they managed that, I don’t know…”

Cate quickly returned to talking to Thomas. Hans slurped his drink. Adrian coughed.

“We’re just so cool and popular, eh, Adrian?” said Hans at last.

All of them laughed.

[Formendacil]

Grid: J-10
Location: Orion, a tavern near Millennial Park

Thomas fumbled for words and then began to tell a halting tale on how he had Sir Dractor had met. Meanwhile, Adrian and Hans had scooted over onto the wooden bench next to Sir Dractor and hailed the waitress.

"So your parents were adventurers?" said Cate. "That's really interesting. Where was your father from?"

"He was a Dark Forester," said Thomas. "He served with Fallmir Kath for a while, before he met Mother."

"Whatever caused them to meet?" said Cate, bending over very interested, not even noticing as the attendant brought them food and drink.

"Father had just left the royal forces, and had travelled to Port Crowne, looking for a sword of all things," said Thomas. "It was to be a present for King Kath's jubilee, from his old regiment. He met Mother in Grandfather's smithy.

"It's funny," said Thomas, "Grandfather never really said what happened from there on. They were married in a year, and I was born there soon after. Grandfather never said why they wandered off the way they did, but when he retired it was to Father's hometown of Hemmerington. I was only a couple years old then."

Cate saw that Thomas was starting to get a little melancholy, and diverted the conversation to other topics. One included dressware for the Ball.

"Yeah, I've been to the tailor," said Thomas. "Bjarn made us." Bjarn laughed, and took a break from giving Adrian a fencing tip.

"You bet I did!" he said. "If I have to suffer those gilded robes, then the rest of the Forestman contingent is doing the same- unless they want to hand their invitations in."

"I almost wouldn't mind," said Sir Dractor. "I've got pretty much what I came for, thanks to Hans here."

"You abandon me now, and I'll have to excommunicate you, old friend," said Bjarn, half-serious.

"Since I'm not one of your subjects, that won't be so easy," laughed Sir Dractor.

Conversation took another nose dive, and some time later it came out again with the revelation that Hans and his friends had invitations.

“Cool.” nodded Hans, “We’ll be able to see them, too…”

Bjarn raised his eyebrow.

“You’re attending the Emperor’s Ball?”

“We all are!” piped in Cate, breaking off her conversation with Thomas for a moment, “Hans, Adrian and me!”

“They’ve acquired tickets.” Sir Dractor inform Bjarn, nodding wisely with a twinkle in his eye, “How they managed that, I don’t know…”

As the younger ones continued to laugh, ("Then I won't be completely alone," Thomas was saying), Sir Dractor turned to Bjarn in a lower voice.

"Don't look now," he said, "but there's a couple of tough-looking types over by the bar. One looks like a Fright Knight, although I don't know that faction too well, the other could be a Bull, but he doesn't quite match the style of Barbod's men- either from the Resistance or from Bull Isle."

"Are they doing anything threatening?" asked Bjarn. "Otherwise don't worry. There's a lot of strange people in town for this ball."

"True enough," nodded Sir Dractor. "Those despondent knights down the bar being an excellent example. They look like they lost their best friend."

"They may have," said Bjarn. "Who knows? By the way, before I forget, how did looking over those notes Hans made go?"

"Not too good, not too bad," said Sir Dractor. "Most of the swords were eliminated either due to loss, destruction, or current ownership. I think I have four left that I can investigate."

Bjarn shook his head.

"My friend, you really ought to just go to the armoury and take whatever first comes your way."

"I have nothing better to do in Dametreos right now," said Sir Dractor. "I may as well indulge my tastes."

[Sir Kohran]

The captain chuckled. "We'll have you up for questioning tommorow, maybe," he said, "But until then, you can have a little nap in the dungeon!"

Irritably, Solesstorn let the guards pull him away, towards a keep that dominated the small town below.

Grid: P-20
Location: KK1 prison, in Candleon Port

Solesstorn sat on a pile of hay, in the corner of a tiny prison cell. He almost scoffed at the prison; the lock was ridiculously easy to open, and there wasn't even a guard posted at the jail door. He could see why the Western Knights' Kingdom had a bad reputation. They spent too much time on lavish, over-dramatic architecture, and not enough time on building good, decent structures.

He peered out.

The dark figure was there again, grinning like a cheshire cat out from under his hood, at the young wizard in the jail. Solesstorn felt his hackles rising, but he grit his teeth and looked away. A wave of pain shot through his left "hand".

When he looked back, only a second later, the dark figure had gone.

Another hour passed.

Solesstorn sat, going over his life miserably, reliving each awful event in his head. The village, with that lovely smell of freshly baked bread...A tall, proud old man...His own hand, torn off...A great castle, rearing into the distance...A dark figure, clad in silver armour...

His stupour was broken as he heard two figures coming down the stairs. Solesstorn rose, and peered through the bars. it was a pair of Western Knights' Kingdom soldiers. They were dressed in the elaborate armour and wide-brimmed helmets typical to that military. As they passed his cell, Solesstorn listened into their conversation:

"So, has the King left yet?"

"Um, where?" the soldier sounded clueless.

"The Yellow Castle, at Orion, where the big meeting is taking place, you dummy!" his companion groaned.

This sparked Solesstorn's interest. A meeting would be a great way to establish his role in the land.

"Oh, that! Well, the King wants to leave, an' he's even at the borders, but they say there's some weird warrior nearby, and he carries a green spear, and the King wants it checked out 'fore he leaves..."

The conversation grew fainter as the soldiers left the prison. Solesstorn sank back down, his mind reeling.

"So, Venvorskar's in Dametreos. I should've known he'd pop back up someday..."

- Matt

[Robin Hood]

"Oh, you know," replied Aiden. He suddenly whipped out his two sheathed sabers, twirled them around in a complicated pattern, threw them in the air while they were still spinning, caught them, and sheathed them. "Take care of him."

He them turned and left, Kae-Os right behind him, leaving a rather surprised Robert behind.

Grid: J-10
Location: A short distance from Orion

Looking back now, Aiden wasn't so sure he would "take care of him".

Upon leaving the castle, Kae-Os had led them south of the city for a while. He them stopped and found more of the shapeshifter's blood.

Having been out of breath, due a run to the spot, Aiden fell against a tree while Kae-Os spoke.

"He changed form here. Most likely into a human shaped form. The trail is old, but he went south. We'd better get going."

"What?" Aiden had said. "We just run around Dametreos, grab the guy, run back here, give him to the king, get the cash and buy an ale at The Waving Wand before it closes? Wait a sec for Tyco's sake."

"You'll live," the elf had replied, and he turned and walked briskly down the road.

Breathing heavily, Aiden hauled himself to his feet and followed.

Now, deep into the Classic lands, Aiden had trouble recalling when his feet hadn't hurt. He felt like he was always out of breath.

Kae-Os, who had set a brisk pace for the trip and showed no sign of exhaustion, turned and spoke. "We are closing his lead. I can feel him much better. His is no more than a day ahead. Possibly much less."

"I bet he is in Orion," said Aiden.

"What makes you say that?"

Aiden gestured and said, "Because Orion is about a days march from here."

Kae-Os looked to where his friend pointed, and saw a sigh.

Orion-4 Leagues

------------------------------

Cloak was feeling very happy, very happy indeed.

As he left the tavern, he hoisted the large chest that held his payment on his back and moved toward the gates.

His employer had paid very well. With this added to the rest of the money he had stashed away, he would be able to live in relative luxury for the rest of his days.

However, Cloak had no intention of doing nothing. He despised inactivity. Looking around, he saw many people preparing for the trade fair that would be going on during the Great Ball.

Surly there would be contracts here. With a little digging, Cloak was sure he would find some people who needed an assassination done.

"Yes, I have no need to worry." thought Cloak. "I'll get a contract soon. But first, I need to get rid of this chest."

That being thought, the shapeshifter left the city, stowed his newly acquired money with the rest of his profits in a secret spot, then returned to the city in search of a good job.

------------------------------

"Hmm, big city," commented Aiden as he and Kae-Os topped the last hill overlooking Orion. It was late evening and visibility was not good, but the city was quite visible. With millions of candles, fires, lanterns, and other types of lights, the city looked like a piece of the night sky that had decided to move to earth.

"Yes...." murmured the elf. "Very big, big enough for anybody to hide in. I don't know how we'll find him. I can't sense him well at close range."

"Well...." Aiden said as they headed for the city. "I'm not worried."

[Formendacil]

Grid: J-10
Location: Just outside the Walls of Orion

Just outside the east wall of Orion another city seemed to have grown up overnight. Sprawling over several hectares were tents and booths, stalls and stables, vendors and peddlars. Hundreds of merchants and craftsmen, from Classic LEGOland and far beyond had converged for the Imperial Trade Fair being held in conjunction with the Emperor's diplomatic ball.

For the most part, potential buyers were being turned away, as the vendors set up and awaited the official opening. A large crowd was gathering outside the gates of fairgrounds, waiting.

The Emperor arrived to the sound of trumpets. He rode in an open-air carriage, waving at the crowds, escorted by fifty Cavalier cadets in dress armour on white chargers. Several, but not all, of the visiting dignitaries had turned out to witness the opening of the fair, and to browse it themselves.

"People of Dametreos!" the Emperor's voice rang out as the noise died down. "Trade is the lifeblood of the nations, the bond of the self-interest that unites those of differing race and culture. As the leaders of our nations gather here to celebrate the peace of our lands, it is only fitting that all be given an opportunity to sample and purchase the wares of their neighbours.

"It is with great pride, therefore, that I cut this ribbon, and open the Imperial Trade Fair to business." And, with a golden pair of scissors, Constantius snipped the red ribbon tied across the main entrance to the fair, and stood aside as the first of the crowd surged in.

"Cavaliers, attention!" came the voice of Captain-Colonel E'terriole. The Cadets snapped to attention as Constantius returned to his carriage, and once again with the sound of trumpets, returned to the Yellow Castle.

[Sir Dillon]

J-10
Location: Orien

Kor wiped a trickle of sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand and looked down upon the large yellow city of Orien before him. The sun shown down on the city, which made the yellow rock of the city even brighter and it made Kor squint with its brightness.
He had never seen Orien before, and now he wanted to just stand there and take in its beauty.

Kor had taken Koravan’s Bat helmet, cape and money (which was a lot) and was considering whether or not he should put the cape and helmet on. In the end, he decided against it, for they were uncomfortable, and he doubted he would need them until the actual ball.

Though he was decently far away from the city, he could tell that it was bustling with activity. It seemed to Kor that half of the country was packed inside the city; there were tents, booths and carts all over the place. As he started walking towards the city, the closer he got the more people he found around him, so by the time he reached the gates, he was in a small crowd. He was a little surprised that he -and everyone else around him- was let in without questioning, but when he thought more about it realized that the soldiers couldn’t really do anything about it, with all these people came in and out.

There was still three more days ‘till the ball, but Kor figured he could easily take up that much time, and now as he gazed up at the many towers and houses of the city, he thought that he would have to stay after the ball to see everything he wanted to. As he was looking around, he saw blacksmith shop out of the corner of his eye. He turned and looked at it for a little, then looked at the Shadow Knight sword that he still carried, and then walked over to the shop.

[Lord_Of_The_LEGO]

“People of Dametreos!" the Emperor's voice rang out as the noise died down. "Trade is the lifeblood of the nations, the bond of the self-interest that unites those of differing race and culture. As the leaders of our nations gather here to celebrate the peace of our lands, it is only fitting that all be given an opportunity to sample and purchase the wares of their neighbours.

"It is with great pride, therefore, that I cut this ribbon, and open the Imperial Trade Fair to business." And, with a golden pair of scissors, Constantius snipped the red ribbon tied across the main entrance to the fair, and stood aside as the first of the crowd surged in.

Grid: J-10
Location: Just outside the walls of Orion

The Emperor smiled as he watched his subjects and many persons of other factions surge in like a storm surge, all sniffing for deals. This was truly a sign of the goodwill and peacefulness of Dametreos. Wolfpack and Dark Forester stalls sat side by side, each displaying and shouting the excellence of their wares. Royal Knight seamstresses and weavers showed off colorful tapestries and rugs, Crusader merchants proclaimed the ‘magic’ properties of brews that would rid oneself of seasickness, and there were even a few Ninjaria traders sitting quietly in their own stalls, gleaming kantanas on display.

“Ah….Emperor Constantius.”

The Classic Emperor turned, and started ever-so-slightly. He stared up past the huge black warhorse and up to the man sitting upon it.

“Lord Void!”

“Indeed.” Lord Void bowed his head, barely, and smiled. His eyes glinted behind his polished monocle.

“So sorry my envoy was so land, Emperor.” intoned the Dragon Master sorcerer, “But traveling across the Moawbi Deasert can be…ghastly.”

“Indeed?” replied Constantius, aware of a crink in his neck that was beginning to form.

“Indeed.” nodded Lord Void, “I must thank you, Emperor, on your generous invitation. I am quite…ah…honored…”

Lord Void preformed another little mock nod of his head.

“And now, Emperor, I am afraid we must continue on, my entourage and I. Good day, to you, Emperor.”

Lord Void dug his heels into the sides of his mount and the beast leapt forward, carving a path through the masses like a plow through soil. Constantius stepped back further and exchanged glances with Caimlin, who nodded briefly but respectfully, and Elsa Byrd, who called out, “Hello, dahling!”

E’terriole wrinkled his nose as he watched the Dragon Master entourage forcefully push it’s way through the crowds and up to the Yellow Castle.

“Dragon Masters.” he virtually spat.

Constantius sighed.

“So he did come.” he said, “Very well.”

“It takes all kinds.” snorted E’terriole.

“Indeed, Captain-Colonel.” said Constantius, “But Lord Void is no less deserving than anyone else here. He aided us greatly during the BloodVaine War.”

E’terriole said nothing.

Constantius said, shrugging the matter of Lord Void’s arrival aside, “I will return to the Yellow Castle now.”

"Cavaliers, attention!" came the voice of Captain-Colonel E'terriole. The Cadets snapped to attention as Constantius returned to his carriage, and once again with the sound of trumpets, returned to the Yellow Castle.

[Formendacil]

Grid: J-10
Location: Just outside the Walls of Orion

"It is with great pride, therefore, that I cut this ribbon, and open the Imperial Trade Fair to business." And, with a golden pair of scissors, Constantius snipped the red ribbon tied across the main entrance to the fair, and stood aside as the first of the crowd surged in.

Many people streamed into the fair once the ribbon was cut. More streamed in later. They kept streaming in for several days thereafter, until the festivities had run their course. Naturally, more than a few streamed in and out.

Among the last group were Adrian Seojton, Hans Lentawl, and Cate Slacs-Sicl.

Cate had come prepared, with a rather large sack of gold, and porters to carry whatever she happened to purchase. The porters went by the unfortunate names of Hans and Adrian.

"Honestly, Cate," said Hans as they stopped at their eleventh handbag vendor- this time a Western Kingdomer. "Why are we doing this? Is it actually necessary to BUY something from everyone you visit? And why don't we look at any of the interesting booths?"

"Yeah," said Adrian, "those freshy-roasted Falcon sausages are smelling better and better."

But Cate did not answer, as she had caught sight of a jewelry vendor from Orkosan. While she rushed over, Hans and Adrian followed at a slower pace, lugging allher previous purchases.

"How long d'you think this is going to keep up?" Adrian said to Hans.

"Probably until that sack runs out, and she has to go back to the Manor for more," said Hans. "I say we ditch her after that. I'm not spending all weekend lugging around her stuff like some besotted kid."

"Funny, I thought you were. Besotted, I mean," said Adrian with a laugh.

"Not that much- if I am at all!" said Hans defensively. "Anyway, I've got a lot of money saved up from odd jobs and a lot of gifts from my graduation. I've been eyeing that chess set those Talonjain merchants are carrying. And I want one of those model boats- even if the vendor looks like a Viking."

"I wouldn't mind one of those chess sets myself," said Adrian, "but I don't have a ton of money, what with this trip and all. I might have to wait on it."

As it turned out, Cate blew the rest of her money on a gold and ruby bracelet ("goes perfectly with my ball dress," she said), so they had to return to Slacsentius Manor to get more money, and to deposit the current purchases.

"Cate," said Adrian when they got back to the Manor, "Hans and I are going to do some of our own browsing. If you need help, get Daniels to carry your stuff."

"But the servants have the day off," said Cate, with a puppy dog face, "and I'll really need help bringing back that sofa. Please boys?"

"Sofa!" Hans and Adrian said together.

~~~~~~~~

A hour later, Hans and Adrian were struggling under the weight of a rather weighty sofa. They were still twelve blocks from Cate's carriage.

"We are such suckers!" Hans said.

"I suppose we can also sneak away once she goes to bed," said Adrian. "It'll be going all night, and it's not like we have any reason to get up early tomorrow."

"Aye," said Hans. "We might just have to do that."

Finally, they reached the carriage where Cate was waiting.

"Oh thank you, boys!" she gushed. "You guys are lifesavers."

[Sir Kohran]

"Oh, that! Well, the King wants to leave, an' he's even at the borders, but they say there's some weird warrior nearby, and he carries a green spear, and the King wants it checked out 'fore he leaves..."

The conversation grew fainter as the soldiers left the prison. Solesstorn sank back down, his mind reeling.

"So, Venvorskar's in Dametreos. I should've known he'd pop back up someday..."

Grid: P-20
Location: Candleon Port

Solesstorn mused over this new information for some time. In fact, it was several hours, before he finally stirred. But he had much to think on.

What do I do? he thought out.

If you recall, I mentioned Jayko Falconensis. I'm not sure yet, but I think he has a part to play in the future. What it is, when and how big I don't know, before you ask it. It might do to meet him too, if only briefly.

I'll keep that in mind. Solesstorn murmured. Anything else?

I can't help you anymore. came the reply. You see, He's coming, and I have to get this fortress ready. The siege will take several months at the least.

Fine, fine. I understand. Solesstorn answered, though it was obvious that he wasn't happy about the new arrangement. Just take care.

I always take care. You know that. and with that, he was gone.

Solesstorn considered all his options. On the one hand, he had to reach Orion on time for the ball and dinner, which began in about three days time. It was too good an oppurtunity to miss, and the the best way to meet the leaders of Dametreos. On the other hand, however, was Venvorskar. So far, the sorcerer hadn't done anything suspicious, but Solesstorn didn't want anything out of hand. At last, he decided on a course of action. He would head straight for Orion. Venvorskar would have to wait.

With that, he melted the lock on the jail door, and strode into the prison corridor.