Back to Page One
-----"You can imagine Devlin’s fright and anger at Krondor’s abandonment and then to learn that this same band of hardy adventurers had captured a major post of hers south of Tru."
-----"Before I answer any other questions you may have, I must ask your forgiveness. It would seem you have carried more than the brunt of these past few days. You may ask why the Lord Wizard himself would not be involved in stopping this evil. I can only answer that I have been involved in my own way. I cannot give you details of my activities for reasons of your own safety more than anything else. When battling the forces of evil, one of my stature has learned to work more discreetly. If I openly involve myself, it may encourage the involvement of a much higher evil."
-----"One thing I can tell you is I am able to return one of your own to you." The Lord Wizard stands back welcoming someone into the room. In walks the Paladin Arliss Vanderbrook and bows to the assembly. The servants make a place for him to sit down.
-----Zepharon explains, "Young Vanderbrook had every intention of rejoining you days ago. Before journeying to the Temple of Thales, he went to Krondor Keep to solicit help from the warriors there. Discovering the evil ones within, he was quickly overpowered and imprisoned. We discovered him in the dungeons once Krondor had left."
-----"I think I have talked enough and I am happy to answer any further questions," the Lord Wizard pauses for questions as thoughtful looks dominate the faces of everyone present.
-----Outside it begins to heavily rain.
-----Even after hearing all that, Sarah still has only one thing on her mind. She fidgets nervously in her new golden dress and waits until her father is done talking. When a pause in the conversation develops she asks quietly, "So, why did you tell me no earlier? What was it?" Sarah nervously picks at her plate so she doesn't have to make eye contact with anyone, not even her friends. She hasn't eaten much.
-----Sol seems distinctly overwhelmed by the whole evening. He had eaten the food on his plate carefully and had kept reasonably still throughout the meal. He only occasionally glanced up from eating, and when Lord Zepharon began to speak, Sol was obviously glad at the distraction.
-----As the wizard spoke, Sol's right eyebrow slowly rose, the look on his face one of growing confusion. Sol listens to his companions concerns carefully, as he has none of his own. By this time he looks uncomfortable in his seat, every now and then readjusting himself.
-----Looking out of place surrounded by all fine china and such, Raven listens to Zepharon explaining what or who was behind all this madness. Raven looks down at his plate and seems to be trying to figure out what kind of food is in front of him. As Raven listens to Zepharon, Raven frowns and pushes the plate away from him.
-----When Zepharon finishes, Raven speaks up, "Where is the justice? The men that attacked Broacter's keep and killed the good men there have to be dealt with." Raven looks around the table, "What is being done to see that this bag of puss named Krondor dances from the hang-man's noose? And why do you call him 'Sir' if he is a traitor and caused such suffering to the people around here?" There is a touch of anger and pain in Raven's voice.
-----"I apologize, Raven," Zepharon answers with a regretful look, "I do not mean to sound insensitive. It is a bit foolish to hint that the traitor still has a title though I have no authority to remove it."
-----"These are true words, Lord Wizard, though I do hold the authority and Krondor is a criminal and an enemy to Hearthorn and her people," interjects Lord Lambert rising from his seat. "He shall not be addressed as if he holds a title of this court." Zepharon bows to the Lord of Hearthorn. He then takes his seat, speaking quietly to his daughter.
-----Turning toward Raven, Lord Lambert continues in a clear voice, "You are correct, sir. Krondor must be brought to justice and I pledge by the people I have sworn to protect, this will come to pass. In the past two days, patrols to the north of the town have rooted out two more groups of the marauding bandits. They have also encountered a small band of orcs. All of these groups have been put down with the least amount of casualties to our troops as the foul looters and murderers lack now the leadership they had. We shall soon turn our attentions to the southern regions."
-----"Even now some of Hearthorn’s finest scouts are trailing the evil ones to find where they flee. I shall be honest with you, one fear that I have is perhaps these devils had alliances with those outside of our fair fiefdom. At this point, it is unfair to speculate further on this until we have more evidence. Tomorrow, the guards and scouts that accompanied the Lord Wizard are due to return and inform us on what they have learned. We also currently have those that are working farther in the field."
Go to Page 3