Chapter 7 Epilogue

[Rukellian]

When everyone has finished posting what they want to say in chapter 6, you can all continue on to this one, the final chapter of the game.

The last post in chapter 6 was meant to finish it up. If anything was said or done before everyone retired to their rooms, feel free to post it before moving over to chapter 7.

Chapter 7 Epilogue, will be just as the name says, the final part of the game. What is spoken and done will set the stage for the sequel of this game.

[tooleychris]

Flynn and Amberlynn dress and make to look for breakfast.
"We have survived the prison world, scattered the bandit menace, destroyed the object of our quest, sent a demon back to the Abyss, rescued a king, and I found a reward far greater than gold. " the sailor tells the healer.
"We are winning this game of thrones, but there's still much to do and I think Deceidon may be playing a larger role than we know of. A secret tunnel from the castle to this very place...? We should have words with the others."

[onlyme]

Whitsell, having fallen asleep shortly after being relieved, is probably the last to awaken. Days of little sleep in that sun drenched hell he was in was catching up to him.
When he finally does join the others for their breakfast and discussion, he feels much, much better.

Your majesty, and friends... We need to move to safer quarters. It is dangerous for the king to stay so close with such unworthy protection as ourselves.

[Grognardsw]

Deceidon, fighter-thief

Deceidon returns.

"Aye, let's move the king to safer quarters," he says.

The tavern didn't connect right to the castle. It connected to sewers, which after enough wandering led to the castle among others places.

[Zhym]

"The King must be moved to safety, on that I believe we all can agree" says Elethil. "But we have additional business: Fenrin cannot be allowed to escape if we can help it—although I admit that it is unclear what, if anything, we can do to prevent that from happening."

[Rukellian]

The group awakens to the morning sounds of a city coming back to life. Far away in the distance, you can already hear metal being struck at a smith's forge, the cry of the local bell ringer shouting the latest of news, and the rustling and bustling of people and livestock sharing the mud-paved streets down below. It has felt like ages since you've heard such ambient noise, nothing like the silent and ominous Dunnet Community back in the prison world. Many feel rejuvenated now after a real night's rest. Each person goes through their morning routines, some with a prayer, others dressing themselves to look decent.

The smells and sounds from below welcome them, a friendly tavern with a few patrons already sitting next to the fire and bar, already a pint of something in most of their hands. The food has been made and a table is already set up and waiting for the group. As the group sits down for their meal, they start to discuss their plans in low tones, even though their table is in a separate room from the main tavern.

"Your majesty, and friends... We need to move to safer quarters. It is dangerous for the king to stay so close with such unworthy protection as ourselves," Says Whitsell in a cautioned tone. Deceidon replies favorably to this course of action, sharing in the holy warrior's concern for the safety of current area. "Aye, let's move the king to safer quarters."

"The King must be moved to safety, on that I believe we all can agree" says Elethil. "But we have additional business: Fenrin cannot be allowed to escape if we can help it—although I admit that it is unclear what, if anything, we can do to prevent that from happening."

It is at this moment that two men approach the group, both of varying greatly in appearance. An old man of undiscernible age comes hobbling forward in tattered brown robe with a cane. A hood is pulled over his head and not much can be seen of his face. The other man is just as mysterious, but in a different way. He bares the looks of an average citizen of this city, donned in not too formal clothing, but not too poor either. His face is an enigma, one that is strangely hard to put to memory, even after getting a close look at it. It's a face that bares no history, no story to tell, very unnerving in a subtle way, but no one can quite figure out why.

These two individuals approach the table the group is seated at and stops at an appropriate distance. The owner of the tavern, being present in the room as a sort of bouncer, initially tries to expel the two men, but a quick look from the man with the mysterious face seems to put the owner down. A nod of understanding is exchanged. It is after this brief exchange that the old man of undiscernible age speaks up in a surprising healthy voice. "It is dangerous to speak of such names in a public place like this. One would think you would all be plotting to overthrow the last of the royal court." A smile shows underneath the hood. The man with the mysterious face chimes in shortly afterwards, taking a seat at the table with a plate of food. "Indeed, for some of us already knows of what has happened to his majesty and various events behind the execution of his murderer. It would certainly not bode well if certain names and words got out to the public."

The old man's voice is easily recognized by Elethil, Rand, and Deceidon. He is Matkinsai. The other, whose face is wrapped in an enigma, is not as easily recalled. The voice itself seems to be 'fake' as well to the trained ear. Mr. Urshurak, the tavern owner, nods his head towards Deceidon. The fighter-thief has already met this man, the nod seems to say.

[onlyme]

Whitsell, alarmed, asks Deceidon,

Do you know these men? can they be trusted?

[Zhym]

Elethil is fairly certain that he has also met the stranger. He keeps a steady gaze on the "faceless" man.

[Rukellian]

Once everyone posts, I will update (Monkeywrench being the exception right now).

[tooleychris]

Flynn rests hand on hilt and follows diecedons lead.

[Grognardsw]

Deceidon nods to the others and retires with the group and two new men into a back room to safely discuss matters.

"Aye, Matkinsai here is the rogue wizard who had the orb and warned us of Fenrin's deceit. I can't recall the other man. Who are you?"

"Matkinsai, can you help us track down Fenrin?"

[Rukellian]

The 'faceless' man but shrugs with a smile as he cuts into the pork before him. After taking his time in savoring the juices of the meat, he uses a nearby cloth to dab his face. "A testament then to my ability to survive. The el-" he catches himself for a moment, forgetting his company and then continues in his strange voice. "Elethil, it seems, has an idea as to who I am, and the knowledge I will put forth will further validate my identity for a few more, including yourself, but for now, I am simply a sailor merchant who has docked here on official business with the Mentzer Trading House of New Dathan. A good colleague of mine was to meet me here after the ships anchored down, a Mordenkainen Moldevay."

Matkinsai raises his hood so that the group can see his face more clearly, but keeps it draped over his head all the same. "Thank you for the daring rescue attempt my brothers, though it would seem as if I will need to go by a new name and face now for some time. The whole city thinks me dead!" Matkinsai lets out a dry laugh and downs a pint of drink before continuing. "As good as it is to finally sit down and rest, I know that much more still needs to be done," he says as he scans the room. "His majesty will need proper passage out of this city and a safe place to stay until he can resume the throne. I have such a place in mind and a way for him to leave New Dathan unnoticed, but Fenrin must be dealt with first. This sailor merchant, whose name I've yet to learn," he says with a knowing smile, "has informed me of a VERY suspicious person near the docks, a person who is fuming over damaged goods and delays in his plans."

"My loyal 'crew'," states the faceless man, "is currently keeping watch of the situation at the moment. No ships will be leaving the docks until the Trading Houses receive permission from the ruling court, and right now the ruling court is in a state of disarray with thanks to the terrible events that just recently plagued this fair city. May the good king's soul rest in piece." The faceless man looks directly at King Benagal as he says this, a lowered head showing due respect.

[onlyme]

Whitsell looks around.

Well, Let's make sure the good king is protected while the rest of us go visit the docks. Seems a good place to start looking.

[Zhym]

Elethil nods slowly and bites into an apple. His breakfast plate is piled high with bread, cheese, and fruit. The events of the previous day seem to have given him a ravenous appetite. "I concur," he says between bites. "Let us go see this 'suspicious person' at the docks before he too finds some other route out of town."

[Rukellian]

Captain Hal and the king have been silent for the duration of the meal. It is only after mention of an escape plan is brought up that Hal speaks. "With your permission, your majesty, I would like to rebuild the old royal guard. Now that I am back, and the current guard can no longer be trusted, I think it falls to my men and I to help rebuild the peace, with your blessings of course."

The king responds in a deep voice, but still quite raspy due to his still weak constitution, "You are welcome to take back your position, though you do not need my blessings. Your actions thus far more than validate your rightful claim to such a title and responsibility." Benagal looks to Matkinsai and the others as he says this, searching their faces for confirmation. Matkinsai does so with a nod. "Though if what you all say is true, then it will be not as easy to make the people believe I am who I am when I return. The council, are they still-" Captain Hal shakes his head no with sadness. "I see, then my traitorous brother has been thorough with this work.

"Matkinsai, is it?" The king receives a respectful nod. "You seem like a person I can trust, despite your magical origins, but tell me this, what place is truly safe in Kinra for someone like me? My face is known, as is my name, and I am not comfortable using false names and faces."

Matkinsai nods his head with a smile. "Very true my king, and your honesty is quite inspiring. Rest assured, the place I am taking you to will not cause a stir. You will be a welcomed guest of honor within the elven clan of Noldor. Elethil's influence in your city has helped bridge communications between important individuals, they are more than welcome to aid you in your time of need."

[tooleychris]

Flynn clear his throat and stands. "Majesty," he says bowing, " Flynn Ryder, sailor of no import..A retreat seems a safe course for now but what of the future? There are matters to set right."

[onlyme]

Whitsell replies,

If we feel passage to this elvan kingdom is safe, I believe we need to find and bring his magesty's brother to justice. But, I shall go where needed, whether to escort or to police.

[Grognardsw]

"To the docks!" says Deceidon.

[tooleychris]

Docks. Flynn likes the sound of that.

[Rukellian]

Does the group want to do any last minute pre-planning before heading over? Or do we want to just head over and see what happens, then plan accordingly? Right now we have the 'faceless' sailor's crew at the ready, and the whole group is now assembled. Matkinsai seems to want to join too, but Captain Hal stays behind with the king. Amberlynn shows great interest in joining Flynn, but she is also reminded of her duties in tending to the injured at the tavern. What does the group want to do before heading to the docks?