IC3: Finis

[Leitz]

The inner courtyard was blooded chaos. One man, tall and gaunt, stood in the center. His ragged clothes were covered in dried mud and worse, yet he held a long sword proudly. Around him, other wretches dragged bodies of bandits out through the open portcullis. Chaplain Kurstnen held a man's frail body in her arms, and cried.

Diego, a bandage on his upper left leg, hobbled over to the group. "The prisoners are freed, thanks to you. Please, let me introduce you to the rightful lord of the castle."

He led you to the man in the center, and then he bowed. "Sir Stephan, these are the brave men who fought the Beast and freed you. I will let them introduce themselves, since my pronunciation is likely wrong."


PC introductions


Stephan's haunted eyes turned to each of you as you gave your introduction. He nodded gratefully, and then said. "Thank you. I have little to offer right now, but what I have is open to you. Please, be my guests for as long as you like."

Several young women were cooing over Diego, while at the same time chastising him for getting hurt. Claudia saw Louis and quickly ran to his side, to ensure he had no serious wounds or lacked in any attention. Likewise, Angelica fawned over Kerecsen, touching here and there, and asking in Italian if he needed anything, anything at all.

True to Stephan's word, a room was cleared for the three of you, and if Kerecsen brought up his horse, it was put in a freshly cleaned stable. Soon streams of villagers arrived with food, clothing, and bedding, while groups of prisoners went to the river to bathe off the stains of captivity.

Chaplain Kurstnen led the funerary services for the fallen captives, including her husband. Later that evening, a banquet was held to praise the victors and to honor the fallen. Food and drink flowed, and none were shunned because of their frailty or age. Tales were told of their battles; Stephan choking a bandit with his bare hands, and of the loyal friend taking a death blow meant for the castellan. One wretch boasted about another, and in turn another shouted out the first's accomplishments.

- - -

In the days to come, more and more villagers showed up with food and clothing. The bandit's bodies were carted off for ignoble burial, to include Dimitris, whose judgement was summary and quick. PCs seeking companionship found it easily. If they are of a mind to linger for a while, Stephan pointed out that while the former prisoners were loyal, they were also malnourished and unable to put up a fight if another group of bandits came. Stephan himself stood guard, and led the cleanup and rebuilding of what could be done with local skills.

Two weeks later, a small group of artisans and a long train of supplies reached the castle. A messenger had been sent with the news, as well as the suspicions about Ilyas' intentions on Tirol. The group was escorted by a troop of actual landschnekts, and a goodly pouch of gold was presented to each PC. The landschnekts took up residence as guards, relieving the PCs and the former prisoners. They even had a pair of small cannon to mount on the wall, near the gatehouse.