Lost in translation

25 September 5000
After a deserved day resting at Huldrak's Manor, it was clear that the company would not be able to take prolonged vacations as they soon would have to depart again. Another sunny September day was just beginning when Mulchanor woke up and took all his gear down to the kitchen. Going down the stairs was the only options, 4 guards were blocking the way up, gently showing the way with a firm smile.
The companions knew already a little bit of this house, and the dinner room was one of their favorite. Waiting alone, Mulchanor hoped that his fellow men and woman will come down quickly.
At his turn, Alast awoke and checked the room for some nice items to be sold. Unfortunately for him, only the heavy art was left for his hands. Anyway he tried to sneak in Mulchanor's room. He probably waited him to go down, listening to any noise to cease. But one of the guards came immediately and requested an explanation at once. Alast smiled and invented one more brilliant unconvincing lie. As a result a guard was following him down to be sure he would behave.

Slightly nervous, Alast tried to gain some distance between him and his new special friend by speeding down the stairs. Luckily his innate dexterity kicked in as he missed a step , which ended in a beautiful artistic move which could have ended by a broken neck. But this is just a very lucky pirate. As now, the guard won't leave his shadow during his stay. Alast seemed amused, while Mulchanor started to find him annoying. Quickly Gustavius came down with Erleothir whom he had awoken. Not paying more attention than a slight shrug to the guard behind Alast, all started to eat. Meanwhile Griselda checked on the mage, to find him opening his door in Pijama. He was really finding himself at home. Griselda didn't find that so amusing and went down to the dinner room.

At the table all ran smoothly, Lightning tried to keep up with the Bor Beer Breakfast and stood it, being slightly drunk, but not completely wasted as the dwarves expected. Somehow, they respected him more for that. One of the servant informed them that they couldn't go out. To avoid the dark agents to know their where about, and to keep a little of secrecy so loved by Huldrak. But some places in the manor would be open to them.
Lightning spent some time in the library learning more information. Mulchanor tried to learn some skills from Gustavius, and was taught how to do some flash-bang bombs, while Gustavius managed to created some fire bombs and some poison gas bombs. Erleothir and Alast trained with the guards, after Alast refused their offer, too afraid to be beaten up. Erleothir's word was even enough for the pirate. Unexpectedly, it was Erleothir injured by a wooden sword during the training. Now all his face was a colored with different shades from blue to yellow, fortunately his eye sight was not affected contrary to his knight pride. As Griselda was informed about her golden prisoner state she went back in her room but not for long. After 5 hours of solitude she came back to the kitchen, learning more about the plants of this side of Magnamund.

At dinner time, as Huldrak was late, they started without him, and shared their day with the others. Lightning talked about his research on the Huldrak family, which actually save the Magnamund shore to have a Drakkarim base 1300 years ago in the island they raided 2 days ago. By destroying the altar, they gave back to Huldrak the island to his family. But all good done to his family can't be enough, as they have provided the Sommerlund with many blessings over the centuries.
Nice stories, shouted Alast, but how can you tell these information come from a trustworthy source? Lightning was stunned. He didn't though about that. Blocked for a few seconds he happily recalled the King's Seal on the book. Which was more than enough for all to believe it. Gustavius and Erleothir talked about their respective artifacts. Showing them these fine crafted pieces.

As Huldrak came, their all saluted him with reverence, awaiting, avid for questions and answers. After a quick reminder of their adventure he gave them the name of Theol Jurstin, whom could direct them to the right path to follow. To find him, Josephine the priestess of Ishir would be their contact.
Promptly Alast joked out:
-How can we know it's Josephine? How can we make the difference between her and a whore?
Huldrak jumped on his chair,
HOW DARE YOU TO INSULT HER?

Quicker than you can spell "prostitute" 2 guards grabbed him and got him between their swords and the wall, only waiting for Huldrak's final order. Luckily, his companions were apologizing fast enough for his life to be spared. Loudly the guards dropped him on the floor, leaving his body hurt but not broken. He muttered that he will avoid to talk for now, while Mulchanor was lecturing him about good manners. Social life can be a very tricky game for young hot blooded adventurers. Not everybody has the same sense of humor, especially when the Gods are involved.

The 2 artifacts were the main surprise of the night, and Huldrak explained the little he knew about them. 7 artifacts in fact being 7 keys opening 7 chests, containing some unknown treasures. One thing was clear, if the dark spawns desire them, it is of outmost importance to get them before the enemy. This was a run with no silver medal for the second place. Gustavius was more interested in knowing in what this adventure will help them on their own quest, but Huldrak dissipated his doubts telling him that this mission was meant to catch the artifacts robbers. The word "robbery" slightly inconvenienced him, but he calmly acknowledged this information. Once more, Huldrak told them to contact Josephine and Theol, whom will lead them to the correct person and equipments for the adventure. Inquired if he would let them check more in the manor's library and other rooms he dropped a convincing no. Has he had business of his own to deal with, he won't be there for their departure. After setting his heavy eyes on Alast with a final warning about his behavior He gave them his blessing and left. Griselda was the most affected by his refusal to talk with her in private that the others. Soon they went all to bed, Alast was hurt and followed by a Damocles sword swinging guard. It will take some time till this offense will be forgotten in their memories. Slowly they went back to their rooms, with more questions than answers. Once again.

A few hours after this brief, but intense, encounter all were united to another meal. A frugal breakfast with enough energy to start a new journey full of surprises, good and bad ones, but that's the deal when you chose this kind of life. Leaving the manor under shadow of dawn till the forest limits for going under his safety. For long minutes they walked down the road till Kelfin. Awaiting a possible ambush. But none came. When light were more dense in the forest, the road couldn't offer much of a hideout, so the company tried to go along the road, on his left side.

After just a few minutes, some companions spotted 3 giaks ahead. And they were spotted by them too. The situation ran fast at this point. Feeling the ambush they started to check around, one giak was now coming at them in front, while 3 were at their left. Behind them, more 4 coming, none to be seen at their right. Griselda screamed to escape by the free side, none were really decided, words came with no solutions. More organized the giaks went at steady pace at their encounter. 40 meters away the company were deciding what to do, now at ten meters still no initiative were made from our heroes side, now the giak add the first strike advantage.

the 3 rear giaks attacked Griselda, while those on the left side went directly to Erleothir. Running towards Mulchanor brandinshing a sword, the first one met his evil creator due to one bullet penetrating his forehead. It was Gustavius to have the first kill. Seeing the first potential threat dead Mulchanor turned aside to aim at one of the those Erleothir was facing. Meanwhile 3 giaks stroked Griselda, 2 of them hit her right. The other one was hit by Alast. The battle frenzy made the giaks jumps all 3 on her. Killing one instantly when he impaled himself on her spear exhaling his last words:

Zuk okak zutag narg tadzar okkkkkk...

The 2 others felt on the forest herbs stopped by this bizarre incident. Alast didn't wait and killed one which was trying to stand up. The other remaining Giak would never stand up again, while slipping on the forrest floor his head hit a stone thus stopping any cerebral activity. The mage mumbled something but was unable to react. At the turning point of the battle, he cheered for them. Erleothir finished the last two with a swift sword swipe learned with the guards. A quick view on their belongings provided them some extra weapons and 8 dog tags for a possible prize for their death. One Skin scroll in one of their back pack was too much complex for them to understand. But they took it anyway.

Heading now fast to the village, they decided to split in 2 groups at the outskirt of the city of Kelfin. Alast went with Griselda and Lightning, even if they didn't really wanted him, fearing some political incident with worst consequences than a rude guard can do. After some research both group found her. By chance, or by Ishir's will, the dwarves and the knight met Josephine first, proving their allegiance and good will with Marghal's scroll. Of course they warned Josephine about the possible impetuosity of the young pirate.

As Josephine heard about their misadventure on the way to the village, she sighed heavily and confirmed that there were increased drakkarim activities recently in the area. One of the higher member of the merchant's guild XYZwas reported missing in Kalte and what is worse: he was not alone but along with him was also a Kai Lord named Dark Raven. After a few concerting talk, Josephine decided to bring them herself to Theol. Not so far from the temple, The Merchant house was awaiting them. Knocking on the door, no answer came from inside. Insisting more a quiet voice could barely be heard:

- What do you want? It's closed!
Erleothir, answered loudly: I am a King's Knight, we are in the company of Josephine priestess of Ishir, open the door!
Kinder he half smiled to Erleothir
-Please come in gentle friends! Josephine, so good to see you!
-These are Huldrak's protégés, take care of them, they can help us as much as we can help them.
-Of course mylady, I hope to see you soon in the temple. Farewell.
-May Ishir protect you, I ll take my leave.

All respectably saluted Josephine and turned at Theol now. As soon as she left his speech turned quite different.
-More adventurers, he sputtered in an unpleasant manner, just what we need! We'll see what Stephenath can take out of you. follow me!
While he was getting up to the second floor, Griselda leaned against the wall, Erleothir followed him with Gustavius, Lightning stayed with Griselda, Alast wasn't sure of what to do, and Mulchanor tried to boost the troops morale. Once again no decision were taken.
-Oh great... said Theol. If your fighting skills are as good as your teamwork I shouldn't even consider to hire you!
Gustavius promptly answered: "no need to worry they are far better..."
Once again they started to discuss with a non visible ending, it was when Stephenath came down the start of the stair:
-Please join me upstairs, young adventurers, I am Stephenath, from the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star. Time urges for action. I have important information for you. Come or go. But do it now.

In doubt all froze, looking at each other's reaction. Now seemed one of those decisive moment in life when all can be changed.