Turn 38 -- Meeting with the Count

Disappointed in the prospect of a further delay in the party's trip to Shadowdale for equipment, Ras throws his arms in the air and starts walking slowly toward the keep gates. "Here we go again," he says as he passes Kre. After walking a few yards he stops and takes a seat on the ground. He pulls out his journal, places it in his lap and begins writing in it; absently tossing his dagger into the ground over and over again with his off-hand.

Talimar glances down at the guards hand on his horse's bridle and then gives the guard an expressionless stare for several moments. Watching the guard talk to Talimar, Gnore walks up and positions himself on the side of the hand the guard used to grab the reigns of Talimar's horse, "Quite an invitation. We'll need a meal and some wine first." Gnore finishes with a glare toward the guard's hand. Ortho calmly sidles up to the guard. He pokes a stiff finger in the man's ribs before saying, "Hey mate, best let go of that horse." He nods at Talimar before continuing, "The Colonel's killed men fer less than that."

"Aaah! I don't think he means any harm. I'd sure like to meet the count and find out whether he knows anything," says Druckner to the company.

"Of course I mean you no harm," says the captain to the company. "If I did, you would all be dead by now. The Count merely wishes to speak with you before you leave the Keep. And you will receive food and wine at his leisure." He ends by dropping his hand from the bridle.

Talimar dismounts in a single fluid moment and then gestures to the guard to lead the way. As the guard steps forward to head to the Keep, Talimar falls in line behind him as the rest of the company moves in also. Beleg has shield at the ready and you notice that his strong right arm is not far from his sword hilt.

Gnore also has an uneasy look about him, despite the words from the guard. Stepping in behind the guard, Randor speaks up, "Perhaps we can get some information from the count and possibly even some equipment for the mines. No matter what, I don't believe that talking with the Count could hurt any." He then taps the guard on the shoulder before addressing him, "Do you have any idea as to what matters the count wants to talk to us on?"

The guard turns with an amused look on his face for Randor, "The Count does not share his plans with a lowly guard captain."

He then turns back to receive the salute from the two guards at the gate to the Keep itself. The doors open and the party files into a large waiting room. The guard motions for the party to take a seat before he walks out another side door.

"I wonder if he hides in his keep like that mouse of a wizard?" asks Druckner to no one in particular. "I mean the guy gets his apprentice kidnapped and he hardly lifts his little finger and this count has orcs and brigands on his lands and I haven't seen any of his guards keeping the roads safe."

"Good point," says Ortho to his friend.

Upon entering the waiting room, Kersath takes a seat in a somewhat comfortable chair in a far corner of the room. A few of the party members notice that he has his hood down covering his features and he is staying to the shadows mainly. Sensing Kersath's awkwardness, Randor moves over to him and joins him, putting a hand on the ranger's shoulder. "Friend Kersath," he begins, "I feel truly sorry that you must hide your heritage. Tyr has not judged you badly and as Tyr's hand I will defend you and Tyr's judgement of you should the residents of this keep judge you for the colour of your skin."

"In fact," Randor continues with a wink, "I don't think there is anyone in this group who would not defend you in a time of need."

Hearing the words of Randor, Dain walks over to join the ranger and the priest, "I will defend you to the death, friend Kersath. I swear on my father's name!"

Rather surprised by the priest's support, Kersath raises his eyes to meet Randor's, "I thank you friend, I know you will. It's just that it seems best not to let everyone know of me and what I am. We do not want to cause any trouble, at least not on our first visit to the count." He then lets his gaze drop to the ground.

Dain moves back over to join Talimar as they wait for the Count. "Perhaps if we remind Count Parlfray of his problems with orc infestation, maybe a bounty will get placed on orc hide. Now wouldn't that be nice?"

Talimar murmurs back at the mage, "I doubt it, besides the way we have been going we would end up bankrupting him!"

"A man can dream, can't he?" sighs Dain.

"You are one who I believed would not be mentioning dreams," answers Talimar with a wry smile.

Dain goes white as a sheet upon hearing this. Ortho's question to the mage is cut short as the guard captain returns to take the party to the Count.

Everyone falls in line to follow the captain as he leads them through a series of doors and passages until you reach a very large double door that has guards with pole-arms on both sides of it. The guards salute by touching hands to chest as they step aside to open the doors and allow the party access to the Counts meeting hall. The party enters a very large room, approximately one hundred feet deep by thirty feet wide. In the middle of the room is a very large oaken meeting table that has ten chairs lined on each side of it with a very large and opulent chair at the head of the table. The captain gestures to the party and they each take a seat at the table. As they do, several servants enter who each offer them a goblet and a glass of very fine red wine. Everyone partakes of it except for Garth who asks for juice. After a few minutes, the count enters. Entering with two very large men dressed in chain mail with large bastard swords on each hip, the Count walks forward and takes a seat at the head of the table. The men stand on each side of him with their heads pointed straight across the room.

The Count appears to be a middle-aged man with greying hair who is of medium size. He is quite handsome for his age and their appears to be a quiet strength about him. He is obviously more of a diplomat and statesman than a warrior.

"Thank you gentleman for accepting my invitation and meeting with me today," begins the Count to the group. "I am Count Parlfray. The purpose of this meeting was simply to get to meet the great Red Feather Adventuring Company that I have heard so much about."

With the open invitation, Talimar begins to tell the Count of the groups exploits before the others can bombard him with stories. Talimar recounts the entire tale of their attack outside Milborne and then Jelenneth's subsequent disappearance. He also relates all the attacks by the orcs. Upon hearing about the attack by the bandits outside the Thornwood, Parlfray goes white as a sheet. Talimar immediately begins to press him about this issue.

"I don't know anything about that area," he says when asked about the Thornwood. "I merely am surprised by the number and severity of these attacks. I am concerned for my people is all."

"Yes, but why are you so frightened by that area," asks Ortho.

"Frightened? I am not frightened," laughs the Count rather forcefully. "Merely concerned for my people as I just said. Now if you gentlemen will excuse me, I must see to other matters. You are welcome to stay here this evening in the Keep if you wish. Thank you." He finishes as he stands and moves to head out of the meeting room, his two guards following him out of the room. The guard captain from earlier enters the room after the count leaves and moves over to the group.

"I understand the Count has offered the hospitality of Parlfray Keep to you gentlemen. Will you be staying the evening then? I can show you to your rooms." He says as he awaits the response from the party.