Merc Journal - May 21

 

The following day the fort receives a visitor. He is first encountered by a patrol led by Netava. The lone traveler is one of the Blood Knights. Riding a huge warhorse he dressed in a fearsome suit of blood-red armor and a demon-faced helm, the very sight of him sends feelings of unease and fear through the scouts, as well as the group of Haruz horsemen nearby. The Knight approaches Andram and orders them to bring him into the fort and summon whoever is in charge. One of the scouts has to be restrained from attacking the Knight, who makes no comment on the incident and is escorted inside the fort.

 

Captain Rohn and Mandor are interrupted in mid-discussion by the news of the Blood Knight's arrival and they head down to the courtyard to meet him. Andram, Tajon and Master-Sergeant Johan are met on the way. The news of the unusual visitor has quickly spread. A hush falls over the fort as Rohn and the rest come outside just as the Knight rides in through the gate. He dismounts and approaches the group gathered in front of the entrance to the keep itself. The Knight's voice seems to echo as it issues from within the helm as he informs Rohn that he requires some men to aid him in a task and he hands Rohn a document that bears not only the seal of the Harandor government but also that of Umbar. Tajon brings word to Captain Tarikadar, and the Knight is given a room to wait in. A short while later the Blood Knight is attacked by one of the men. Sergeant Lyarr and others arrive in time to prevent any bloodshed and the attacker is taken away. The Knight is less than pleased and informs him that the next time he has to draw his sword inside the keep he will ‘empty it of the living’.

 

Netava has gathered some Haruz around a bonfire. They sit and tell stories and prepare themselves should they be called upon to fight the Blood Knight, for they are unholy and it is said that death follows close behind when one of the Red Ones is seen. Outside the Fort more Haruz horsemen gather and they call out in their unknown chant until Netava goes to them. Among them is a holy man who speaks with Netava, who then returns inside the Fort. It is like a veil has been drawn from his eyes, when he returns inside.

 

Into all this rides Captain Tarikadar, accompanied by Tajon, and he is less than pleased. A meeting is convened at which the Blood Knight reveals that his destination is the same town the Company is to attack, Chyrefal. An agreement is reached. The Knight will sail along with the Company and he will be given a squad to aid him.

 

The meeting breaks up just in time to find that the courtyard has turned into a battlefield. Netava battles a werebeast that has already slain one of the Haruz that follows Netava. Before anyone else can join the fray, Netava slays the beast. Afterward, he sends another follower to the afterlife, one who has fought beside him but felt the claws of the beast. Once dead the creature's shape blurs and shifts to reveal another of the men sworn to Netava's service. Netava, walks away unmoved by this. The bodies are seen to in the manner of the Haruz. The pyres are seen by some as an omen of things to come.