Vampire: Dark Ages - Scene 1: In the Company of Strangers

[Sabine]

"I couldn't sleep alone. I miss my hounds. Ain't never been away from them before."

I sniffle, not quite a sob.

"The room was so big and empty."

[Goatkiller666]

At the Inn of the Shepherd
--------------------------

Ilsa smiles at Johann. She picks up a canvas bag, and puts in a large wedge of cheese and two loafs of warm bread. Then, she holds it close to her body as she says "You can't leave, yet. I don't even know your name, yet. Can't you just stay a while, so we can get to know each other?"

[Seska Karantanija]

Seska makes a face something between a frown and a sympathizing pout. "You poor thing. I have just the idea to cheer you up, though!" She smiles wide with excitement. "After breakfast I was going to walk our horses a bit so they are not stabled all day. Would you like to come along? You can ride one while I lead her about!"

[Johann Von Braniff]

At the Inn of the Shepherd
--------------------------

Ilsa smiles at Johann. She picks up a canvas bag, and puts in a large wedge of cheese and two loafs of warm bread. Then, she holds it close to her body as she says "You can't leave, yet. I don't even know your name, yet. Can't you just stay a while, so we can get to know each other?"

"Xander." I grin at her as I move closer. "That's what people here call me." I reach for the canvas bag. "It's interesting, I've been here for a week or more, and only now, when I'm ready to leave, you ask for my name."

I glance through a crack in the kitchen door and see the two men watching it. "So, where's the back door?"

[Taduz Illyannovich]

Unwedging the door, and making sure the frame isn't marked, I go downstairs, nodding greetings and a short bow to the Lady, and seek out Synovea's table again, signaling for something light this morning.

[Olaf_Magnusson]

The enforcer of honor settles his large frame onto a stool, and attempts the simplest expedient for communication....pointing at things others are eating he wants. Eggs, porridge, and ham.

[Goatkiller666]

At the Inn of the Shepherd
-------------------------

Ilsa smiles flirtatiously, and lowers her eyes before speaking. But, before she can say anything, her husband bursts into the kitchen. "I knew it! You whore! Under my own roof, no less!"

Johann sees the two men smirking at him through the door as it swings shut behind the Innkeeper. The man turns on him, "And you! Get out of my Inn. Get out before I call the constable on you!"

At the Red Lamb Inn
-------------------

Synovea is nowhere to be seen. A brief check through the other rooms doesn't turn her up, either.

Sigismond's wife brings over the things Olaf had indicated. She sets them at his table, then sits across from him. Staring at her husband, she says in German, much better than her husband's mangling of the tongue, "Where are you from, warrior?" [Olaf gets the gist of her question.]

Vida brings stands and ushers Sabine and Seska to the table where she, Bojan, and Pierre are seated. The table seats six, with Seska's seat at the head, opposite Vida at the foot. Pierre and Bojan are seated on either side of Seska, with Sabine between Bojan and herself. She tears off a chunk of the bread, smears some butter on it, and hands it to Sabine.

When Taduz is done with scouting the Inn, she sees him enter the dining room. She waves to him, then indicates the free chair at their table. "You're welcome to join us, scholar."

[Sabine]

I imagine getting to actually ride a horse. I'm bouncing in my seat now, too excited to eat more than a bite or two of bread.

I'm making horse noises again, too.

[Seska Karantanija]

Seska smiles and motions for the bread.

[OOC: Unless something else comes up, I'm done until the evening. She'll exercise the horses while letting Sabine ride. After lunch, they'll finish fitting Sabine then bathe and prepare for the evening's festivities.]

[Alína Nyárí]

Finishing up her meal of oatmeal, bread with butter, and goatmilk, Alína rises from the table and makes her way to the stable to greet Zola and see to her feed and bedding. Taking Zola's lead in her hand, she leads the mare out towards the surrounding woods. As she walks in the day's light, her joy at being in nature bubbles within her while she collects herbs and various berries. Eventually, this joy manifests as vocalizations of various animal calls which ends in the high-pitched "uh-Hu" call of a female Bubo bubo (Eurasian Eagle Owl), as she scans the woods through which she leads Zola on her walk.

[Johann Von Braniff]

At the Inn of the Shepherd
-------------------------

Ilsa smiles flirtatiously, and lowers her eyes before speaking. But, before she can say anything, her husband bursts into the kitchen. "I knew it! You whore! Under my own roof, no less!"

Johann sees the two men smirking at him through the door as it swings shut behind the Innkeeper. The man turns on him, "And you! Get out of my Inn. Get out before I call the constable on you!"

I roll my eyes. "Calm yourself, have no fear. I did not tarnish your good wife's virtue. I only asked for bread and cheese, which she so graciously supplied."

Glancing back out at the common room where the two men continue to watch me, I shrug. "I was about to take my leave when you walked in." I pull a couple of coins out from the leather pouch concealed within my clothes and toss them on the table. "For your hospitality and food."

I make my way to the kitchen door that leads outside thinking. Johann, this time you stayed too long...

[Goatkiller666]

[I'll try to fast-forward to Lothar's arrival, unless anybody else has something specific they want to do.]

In the Forest
-------------

Alina walks Zola a bit, and calls her owl. It flies over and lands on a tree branch nearby.



"The storm was very strong last night. I had to huddle in a barn."

In the distance can be seen the Lady Seska walking her horse, with Sabine squeeling on top of it. Bojan and Pierre are nearby chatting.

In the Inn of the Shepherd
----------------------------

Johann ducks out the side door from the kitchen into the alley next to the Inn. As he leaves, he can hear Ilsa crying "No, it's not like that. He followed me in here, and..." before the door closes behind him. [I told you she had issues.]

Johann steps out into the alleyway, and sees the sky bright and clear after the storm's fury. Some branches are down in the streets, with some puddles still standing here and there. The river through town is swollen with extra water. He stops to inhale the clear air, and then notices the two men from inside come around the side of the inn from the front. They must have predicted he'd come this way, and came out to cut him off.

[Johann Von Braniff]

I curse under my breath and turn to run from them. As I head down the alley with them chasing after I wonder who they are. Hunters sent by my father? Avengers of the nobles I stole from? Who knows...

[Goatkiller666]

The two men curse at having been spotted, and start to chase after Johann.

[Alína Nyárí]

In the Forest
-------------

Alina walks Zola a bit, and calls her owl. It flies over and lands on a tree branch nearby.



"The storm was very strong last night. I had to huddle in a barn."

"I worried a little with the storm raging, but have known you to weather worse.

"Tonight I must appear before the l-rd of this region, in answer to his summons. I still do not know why I was called to appear here, but will bring my supplies with me, in case someone needs aid. If you can somehow stay near, it will comfort me to know you are there."

Reaching in to her pocket, Alína draws out some of the berries she had gathered and extends towards Dara's perch in her open palm. The owl pecks a few out of her palm, then stretches out to her full wingspan and clacks her beak at the Jewess. "Take care inside the stone, and return to the forest soon. I will perch nearby and signal upon your arrival."

"Go and sleep, Dara. Signal me as you see me approach the l-rd's keep, so I may enter assured of your presence."

Watching her familiar fly off, Alína draws upon Zola's lead and takes her back to the stables. Seeing her mare settled, she returns to the Inn where she partakes of the mid-day meal when it is served then retires to prepare for the evening's duties.

[Johann Von Braniff]

“Halt!” I hear one of my pursuers shout as they run after me. “Halt or I fell you!”

I glance over my shoulder as I emerge from the alley and flee down the street. They brandish crossbows and have them pointed at me.

“Johann! Halt!”

Ah, so they are from my father. They know my name. I think. I duck behind another building and run down another alley. They follow. I round a corner and hunker down behind some large ale barrels. As they draw near, I shove the barrels in front of them. They fall under them and I sprint away. I hear the snap of the crossbow seconds before I feel the arrow pierce the back of my arm. I howl out but keep running.

“Are you mad?” I hear one of them shout at the other. “Our lord wants him alive and well!”

“He is escaping! I only mean to slow him. He is quicker on his feet than a rabbit.”

“We should have taken him last night when we found him.”

“The storm was raging. We would not have made it back with him.”

Their voices fade as I increase the distance between them and me. I find my way through the village and into the forest that surrounds it. My arm aches and bleeds. I stumble back into the trees and find a large one to rest against when I am sure that I am no longer being chased. I find a large stick to bite down on as I reach for the arrow that still protrudes from my arm. I count to three silently then yank. I howl out as the stick falls out of my mouth and I fall over passed out from the pain.

[Sabine]

"Ha ha ha! Wheeeeeeeee! Horsey!"

[Taduz Illyannovich]

"My thanks, to you, and your Lady for the invitation" I bow to the ladies present at the table, scanning over Bojan quickly, and have a seat, asking Sig or his son for the morning fare.

"Twas a peaceful night after the khul *lets last 2 letters quickly fade with the young horsey present, cutting it off* cur vacated, did you too enjoy a restful sleep? Correct me, but it appears the little girl is missing, and a horse has taken her place."

[Goatkiller666]

At the Red Lamb Inn

Evening is approaching. The previous night's storm has long been blown away, and tonight's sky looks to be pretty clear. The moon will be full tonight, and will be large and quite bright.

Seska and Vida finished preparing the dress for Sabine.

Roderigo enters the dining room of the Inn, with another man. Lothar is not present. He glances around looking to be sure everyone is present.

"Lords, Ladies, and gentles, I have come to convey you to Lord Giovanni's castle for the evening." In an aside to Seska, he adds "Milady, you might notice that Lothar is not present now. He has been reprimanded and removed from further involvement with tonight's activities."

Outside there are two coaches. They are very ornate, though they seem to have no windows. Sir Leopold asks about this, and Roderigo replies that they are to defend against brigands when Lord Claudio is riding in more dangerous areas. He and his partner unlatch all the shutters, and leave all the windows open for the ride.

After helping people aboard, Roderigo drives one, and his companion drives the other. In the coach with the other man are: the three nuns and the younger woman with them, plus Brother Dante and Sir Leopold. In the other coach, with Roderigo driving, are Olaf, Taduz, Seska, Alina, and Sabine.

Roderigo says to all, "I will take great care to be sure you are all as comfortable as possible." And true to his word, he is a very cautious driver. He slows at the tight turns, and for the streams that they cross.



As you near the castle, which sits on a small hill overlooking the river, Seska glances out the window and notices through the trees that there are three bodies crucified to the trees.

GM EDIT: Pierre, on hearing that Lothar had been punished, speaks with Seska. With her permission, he would like to accompany them to the Castle, to once again ask Lord Claudio for a position. He rides on the back of the coach, as he's not a guest.

[Sabine]

I tug on Seska's sleave. "Lady, what's wrong with those people?"