The Grisly Eye

Arrival at the Keep

It is with some relief that the party spy the Keep rising between the hills that border the Western Hinterlands. It perches on a rocky outcrop. Ivy chokes its high walls, vibrant green against its grey stones.

Within its walls a pile of gables, chimney stacks, and towers huddle together. They rise in a steep incline to a forbidding fortress.

A stone bridge ascends to a gatehouse, spanning a treacherous ravine.

Flint

looks up at the giant walls..quickly checking his seeming in a little mirror he keeps on his person.

Alic

hobbles up to the bridge. short and scruffy. Limping on his left leg. Grumbling terribly

By father.. stoopid... pissin' poxy leg... cobbles everywhere... stupid walk this is.

Strik

cocks their head.

It's awfully big isn't it? Something about it...

shakes their head and doesn't continue.

Flint

nods.

Big... and very cramped

looks uncomfortable and pulls his hood instinctively.

Strik

Full of all sorts of... interesting people. I'm sure.

Alic

pushes past Strik and Flint.

Get outta me way.

grumbles and stumbles forward a bit.

Strik

follows Alic quietly.

Flint

rolls his eyes at Alic.

We should find an inn.

Alic

snorts derogatorily,

Alic

Yeh, o'righ bluebell.

The party make their way across the steep bridge. With the sun directly above them, its flagstones blaze with heat.

The gatehouse here stands over the ravine. A crow's cage hangs from the outside walls containing a corpse, blackened by decay. The rushing of water can be heard far below.

Beneath a precipitous drop falls beneath the gate house. Beyond, another stone bridge spans the rest of the gulf to the Keep itself.

A solitary guard slouches here, sweat covering his brow. He stands up as the party approach, a hard look on his face. Behind him the gates stand firmly shut.

Bailiff

Who goes there?

I don't know you.

Flint

Just travellers, weary from the road, hoping to rest for an evening or two

Sorry for the bother.

Alic

glares up at bailiff, irritated.

Alic

The Queen of frikin' Sheba, what's it to you? Lemme in so I can sit.

Bailiff

sneers at Alic.

Settle down, I need your names first.

Out with it!

Bailiff

wipes his brow with his sleeve.

Flint

does a small bow.

Strik

nods their head to Bailiff.

I am Strik, ser bailiff.

Alic

wipes his wet nose.

Jafu.

Bailiff

nods, but seems unsatisfied by the answer.

And what is your trade here?

Come on, speak up!

Flint

looks to the other two quizzically.

Work I suppose.

Manual labour.

Strik

waits quietly for the others to answer first.

Alic

Murderer, blackmailer and general irritable little man. And I play cards.

smirks.

Bailiff

eyes go wide.

Strik

takes a step away from Alic.

Bailiff

He moves so close to Alic, you can smell his foetid breath.

What did you say, pal?

Alic

raises an eyebrow to Bailiff.

You think if i was any of those id just say it? By the Father, I'm a crippled little man, tired and thirsty trying to get in. I have no special work due to this...

motions to his leg.

Now for the love of everything please may I pass. Standing still is the worst.

Bailiff

pokes Alic in the chest.

Alic

Get ya' mangy hands off me.

Bailiff

You only enter by the authority of the Castellan.

Alic

grumbles under his breath.

Bailiff

starts to clench his fist around his poleaxe.

And I'm 'er representative, pal.

Alic

bows Thank ye muchly.

Flint

I am sorry, ser... this poor cripple has been travelling a long time and has become irritable... he didn't mean anything by it.

Bailiff

I'll ask you one more time... what's your business here?

Because you ain't manual labourers.

Flint

I am looking for any kind of work... fetching, labouring, grunt work if you will.

Strik

clears their throat.

Ser. We do indeed seek work. Of whatever kind if available. I also seek word of my family.

Alic

rolls eyes. I don't know these well, I'm lookin for a chance for coin. Nothin for a cripple out there is there. I'd be more like food for somethin else.

motions behind him.

Bailiff

looks you over carefully, considering.

I'll need to search those bags and packs first.

Alic

lifts arms Ain't got anythin' someone else wouldn't.

Flint

Of course.

opens his bag and removes his dagger.

Alic

turns round and mutters obscenities under his breath

Flint

shows the guard.

Strik

un-slings their pack and offers it over.

Bailiff

points at Flint's dagger.

You'll need to stow those weapons whilst you're 'ere.

starts riffling through the bags.

Flint

nods his head in a bow Of course.

Alic

rolls eyes Fine.

Bailiff

sneers.

The Castellan takes a tithe, mind you. Anything over five score crowns, she takes one score.

Not that you lot have much coin to your names.

Bailiff

slings your bags back at you.

Strik

We are modest folk.

Alic

rolls eyes again, clearly not listening to this prick.

Bailiff

eyes Strik and Flint up and down, sniffing the air suspiciously.

You're sorcerers aren't you? Tell me.

Flint

raises an eye brow.

Not at all, ser.

Strik

What is a sorcerer, ser?

Alic

pauses a moment and tilts his head to listen.

Bailiff

You better not be lying. All those who practice must report to the Royal Society of Magic.

points to a tall tower poking above the rambling roofs of the Keep.

Flint

Thank you for all your help.

Strik

You are wise, ser.

Bailiff

reluctantly opens the gate for you, signalling to the main gate to raise the portcullis.

Flint

moves on eyes often drifting to the tower.

Alic

trudges passed Bailiff still muttering under his breath.

As you pass, he leans forward over Alic, standing far too close again.

Bailiff

grabs his arm.

I've got my eye on you, pal. Step out of line...

points to the crow's cage.

Alic

in a very put on accent.

Oh of course sir, yes sir, hope you buy me dinner first sir.

pulls arm free and slowly slumps off.

Strik

pulls their dagger and sling from their belt and tucks them into the pack as the bailiff returns it.

Alic

Jumped up.... i coulda.... 'e asn't a clu.... prick.

Flint

Sooo... shall we just head to an inn? any clue where we might actually find work in this place

looks a little dumb struck with the scope of the keep.

Strik

resettles their pack on their shoulders and follows along quietly.

The party make their way across the second bridge, into the Keep itself.

As they approach they hear screaming, shouting and booing. They find themselves in a small square where all, wooden stake stands.

A platform has been constructed at the base of the post. A chopping block stained with blood sits atop.

An execution appears to be taking place. A crowd of peasants has assembled and are booing as a burly executioner drags a monk onto the platform.

The monk

PLEASE, HAVE MERCY ON ME.

A barrel chested man with a bushy, black beard and a bald pate appears to be supervising. He wears an eye-patch covering a nasty looking scar.

Alic

looks up with a grim smile,

Friend o' yers?

Strik

What gives you that idea?

Alic

Notin'. Notin' at all.

The monk

PLEASE, SPARE ME.

The executioner drags the monk kneeling in front of the chopping block.

The burly officer nods, and turns to the crowd, waiting for the shouting and booing so subside.

Gyles

On this day, the first of Summer, I, Lieutenant Gyles, Commander of the Bailiff, do hereby sentence this man for the crime of heresy.

points to a sign that hangs from the post.

The sign reads as follows:

By the order of the Castellan of the Keep, Countess Erys of House Graye, the laws are as follows:

Pay the Tax
No Killing
No Stealing
No Adultery
No Witchcraft

Gyles

This post has stood for centuries, as does the the law of the Low Kingdoms. The rules are few, but the punishment is the same.

The crowd roar at this, chanting Chop him, chop him!

Gyles

Can anyone speak in the defence of this apostate?

The crowd boos.

Gyles

nods to the executioner.

The monk

NO, HAVE MERCY, BY THE MO....

There is a loud crack. A heavy thud, and the monk speaks no more. A loud cheer goes up.

Alic

shouts up with the crowd.

Kill 'im.

With the excitement over, the crowd start to disperse, happily chatting amongst themselves.

The Command of Bailiff marches off, while the executioner starts to pick up the pieces of the monk.

This gives you time to examine your surroundings.

To the south is a stables.

A cobbled street runes westwards.

And to the north a crooked, three story building leans awkwardly. A sign outside proudly declares it is The Last Post.

To be continued...