Nolus 19:

As Derin figured he eventually would, the Baron sent a page to "summon"
Sturmer. Sturmer rebuked him sternly, and Derin cringed. But, when he
returned with the Barons Soldiers, Derin decided he needed to go smooth
things over. Not wanting to get beaten at the Barons, he took the page
to the Earls townhouse.
With the brunt of the Earl behind them, (and two Dariune soldiers,)
Derin returns for Sturmer while the Earl Troda Dariune summoned the
Baron!
Its pure luck that the Barons son Prehil, Marshal Koris and Derins
mothers liege, Princess Cheselyne are also paying a visit to the Earl.
He notices Jannath and Merela getting cozy in the garden, but Scina and
Cheselyne the younger are absent. He remember playing with lil Chezy
when they were little. She liked to......well that's not
important..{ahem} Derin tried to stay in the back, out of sight. He
still wasn't sure if the Baron and his make believe daughter were going
to be an issue.
Then he noticed that the scribe Nocent, and all of the guards and pages
were suspiciously absent....

Earl Dariune, waved the missive before him. "Whats the meaning of this?"

Baron firith: "We have Merricks recount of the events in Kobing, now
Sturmer, you were there. What really happened?"

Sturmer starts mewling and fawning over the rich nobles like a country
sod horse farmer that he is. Its disgusting.
Of course Sturmer tells the story poorly.

"I left Jedes with my men to find the book. For those of you who do not
know the whole story, we had learned that buried with an ancient Jarin
prince was a book that described how the Demon Aedlad was defeated, and
therefore how the demon could be summoned again. It was our aim to make
sure that the Navehans among the paggers never get a hold of that book."

"But when we reached Kobing we discovered that the paggers had the run
of the place. From what I was told, the paggers convinced a guildmaster
that a fortune could be made excavating an ancient tomb, and all the
paggers wanted as a reward for leading him to the treasure was one old
book. How the guildmaster convinced the Baron to go along I do not
know."

"To distract the paggers I hired some men to start digging in a random
place well away from where we knew the tomb to be. But my distraction
failed when the Baron decided to arrest me - it was, of course,
impossible to tell him the secret nature of my mission without tipping
off the paggers, so I spent a day in his prison."

"With my distraction ruined, the paggers were able to secretly follow my
men to the burial mound. My men entered the mound and found the book,
but at some cost. The tomb was a deathtrap. One man was killed, two
more injured nearly to death. When they emerged with the book, the
paggers were waiting for them. Now the paggers have the book."

"And just to show their appreciation, they also set to torching the
village. Sir Merrick attempted a valiant sortie and eventually
dispersed them, but much of the village was ruined and there were
deaths. Sir Merrick set me free to help, and I did what I could."

Baron Firith: " Well what about the treasure? "

"My men were under orders to leave any treasure alone. We were there
only for the book. If my men disobeyed me, it doesn't matter - the
paggers took all that they had anyway. That said, they told me
afterward that there wasn't much to tempt them. Thousand-year-old armor
and weapons, probably too rusty to salvage. It's all buried now
- the tomb collapsed after a fire broke out within it. Now whatever
isn't rusted through is crushed."

He did concoct a good story, Derin was enthralled as everyone else,
because even though he was there, this story was new to him. Sturmer
managed to make the Baron look like an innocent victim, and managed to
place all of the blame on poor Merrick and the Guildmaster, Ostwyn.
Well, Derin thought, he couldn't have done a better job himself...He
guessed there would be a new Guildmaster position available in OselShire
very soon.

After his make-believe story the council began discussing the finer
points of the story. Listening to them, Derin realized that the Kingdom
didn't have a royal sheriff in the Oselshire, just an acting one, and a
Maradyne at that. That family had always been layabouts and neerdowells,
at least that was the gossip at the Holy Oak. According to his father,
There hadn't been any law in the Osel for a year now, and bandits and
barbarians had the run of the shire.

Something inspired the Earl to ask Sturmer a question that gave him the
chance to try an ambitious plan. A deeply veiled bit of blackmail on the
Baron started the log rolling. Didn't anyone else see it for what it
was? The Baron suddenly became amenable to the suggestion of one of the
Earl's men being appointed to Hutop, at least, if it was the right man.
The Earl would have preferred to put his son in the office, but he could
hardly turn down the chance to elevate one of his most able and loyal
clients to the position. And all agreed that Gareth Kaphin would easily
win the approval of the king, as he is the king's mistress' cousin.
Derin was hoping for Scina Dariune, himself, but the Baron would never
go for it.

Troda: "that might mollify her for the ousting of her cousin Remiu."

Hmmm...Garith accepting the office of Sheriff of Osel at Hutop, would
also give him rights to appoint bailiffs of the royal manors in
Osel....and he may seem fit replace Sir Arrys at Asolade, if he so
chooses. He would likely seek to appoint his son Erath as Bailiff of
Skaist in his name. Although Skaist belongs to the Earl, the Constable
may not agree to that. I do think Gareth would appoint his younger son
to Kodar's old manor, so he can be close by Hutop. In that case think
Erath would likely command the Sheriff's troops. This immediately solved
the problem of overpopulation at Skaist.

Derin rather preferred to think that appointing Shernath to Sheriff of
Osel would be wiser, then giving Jedes to Scina made more sense.

Scina would be an interesting idea for Asolade. He added another
political dimension, and it's a reasonable office for the young future
Earl. He wondered how well Scina and the Constable would get along?
Those can be tricky relationships.

He also began to wonder what Cheselyne would think about Asolade....

Derin was thinking that he couldn't wait to put together a song,
letting the Kingdom know what a service Sturmer did for the crown this
day!

Orsin: "We still need to decide the fate of Nebulan as well, but it can
wait. I would support Gareth, but I want Kodar. He will replace Merrick
as my deputy assistant. It will be good for him, and hopefully his
cronies will follow and "take the black."
Everyone seemed pleased with the outcome. Even Cheselyne was smiling.

Troda: "I guess the Earl of Osel will need to be resolved soon as well.
Meanwhile, my survey is waiting for its leader..." as he cast an eye at
Sturmer.

Derin was in awe.
He was listening intently, but trying to remain unnoticed at the same
time.
This would certainly make a great saga!

Suddenly he was confused? Was the Earl supporting the Keep at Osel
bridge? Apparently he was, but only with his own agent invested as
Sheriff. That's wise.
Derin didnt agree with Garith though and he told Sturmer as they were
escorted from the Earls manor....."Hes rough and unpopular. He will not
be well liked in Osel."

Sturmer: "You think he's rough? He's just too damn smart to be bothered
with idiots like you and me. But his boys are popular. And the Sheriff
doesn't have to be liked, just respected. He'll bring some good law to
the shire."
Derin: "But his position will solidify the Earls hold on Asolade,
especially with the Earl of Osel absent and Thilisia powerless.
A Kaphin in a Sheriff post will placate Erila, to a point. It may even
heal some clan issues. Or not. I would prefer to see Scina as Sheriff,
or Shernath."

Sturmer: "The Baron would have never swallowed that. That's why there
han't been a Sheriff. No one was looking for the middle ground."

Derin: " Also, having the Sheriff watching over the Baron, he is less
likely to run amok and provoke Chybisa. He wants the Earldom you know?"
" Building a keep at Oselbridge will cause an uproar. The key will be
Nebulan. Nebulan will be needed to support the Osel Army now that the
Paladins are gone. The Baron will likely want to raise some Heavy Horse,
and use Nebulan to stage them. If these were under the Sheriff of Osels
control (ie a Royal manor) then the southern hedgemony of Kaldor (sans
Earl Meleken) under Dariune rule would be solidified. The Firiths, would
then likely support the Dariunes in a succession council."

Sturmer: "I guess it's good that we didn't expose the Baron, then.
Remember to keep your tongue when you tell the story around town. It's
all the guildmaster's fault."

Derin, nodded before changing the subject, " So who do you think will
be given Nebulan?"

Sturmer: "I can't imagine Koris is in any hurry to give it up."

Damn straight. That was going to make Firiths life hell for *months*.

Derin felt sorry for Sturmer. First he had to listen to everyone gripe
about why the guy that can't even joust is suddenly going to be Leading
the Earls expedition. When Arrys discovers that his brother was demoted
because of an idea brought by Erni's new employer, he'll want to make
Erni's life that much harder. (And forget them getting any help from
Arrys regarding the local murders.) Then there will be all the knights
jostling to become the next bailiff at Skaist. Some will think Sturmer
can help them, others will want to make sure Sturmer doesn't stand in
their way. And worst of all, Sturmer will have to listen to Erni whine
that *Sturmer* should get Skaist so Erni can have his forty acres. That
peasant kid is so unrealistic. Sturmer's lucky the Earl didn't cuff him
on the spot for his impertinent suggestion.

The amusing thing about the way it went down is that, as far as anyone
but the Baron knows, Sturmer didn't really do anything. He just came up
with the idea, and the fact that the Baron was surprisingly agreeable
will be chalked up by others to mere good fortune. Sturmer can't take
credit for the little bit of blackmail without, of course, violating his
unspoken agreement with the Baron. The story that will get out is just
that Sturmer made a good suggestion, and the Earl and the Baron worked
out the rest.

It will be interesting to see how the Baron responds to Sturmer down the
road. Will he be grateful for Sturmer keeping his secret, or angry for
Sturmer using it to the Earl's advantage. The rest of the day was spent
preparing for the Hosaths costume ball, and Derin had to find a costume
for himself and Sturmer.

Nolus 24:

The party was amazing! Derin had found himself a feathery serpent
outfit, and he had dressed Sturmer up as an angry bear. Sturmer had made
a comment, but Derin didn't get the reference.

After several trips to the Sindarin crystal punchbowl and Karejian
delicacies, Derin saw Jannath storm out of the townhouse. He wondered
why until he noticed Sturmer with Merela. She was nearly spilling out of
her bodice, and Sturmer was trying not to help put her back in. For a
moment he thought they were going to do the deed right there by the ice
sculpture! Inone of his weaker moments, Derin decided he should involve
himself. Whether to save Sturmer or Merela, even he wasn't sure.

After helping Sturmer back to the Inn, Derin rushed back to the party,
and the three maidens who wanted to play with his "serpent".

Nolus 25: (After the Party)
Derin awoke sometime before noon still at the Hosath residence. He
carefully extricated himself from the three sleeping ladies, careful not
to wake them, and headed lightfooted to the kitchen to scare up some
breakfast. Being just his mother's son, he had to stay "downstairs"
with the serving and guard staff. He really didn't mind so much. When
he was a little boy, Lady Cheselyne herself used to let him have the run
of the place, and would even play peek-a-boo. But the older Derin got,
the fewer liberties he was allowed. Now he rarely even saw the lady of
the house, and he felt his commoner status weighing on him more and
more.

Wrangling Sturmer than invitation wasn't easy, but it was worth it.
It was the first time Derin was able to attend a Hosath party
without sneaking in (and getting in trouble!) And what a party!
That was far better than the little dances Cheselyne hosted in the
townhouse. Even Sturmer seemed to enjoy it, judging from the way he
couldn't keep his eyes off Merela's breasts. (When did Merela get
that hot? Last year she was just a beanpole
Derin was surprised, then, when a servant told him that the "young
lady", that is, the younger Cheselyne, wished to see him in her
chambers.

"Gulp"

Cheselyne is about two years younger than Derin. They used to
play with together a lot when they were little kids. Then she started
"growing up", and nothing had been the same since. For a while she
was really mean to Derin, making sure he knew his commoner status.
That phase passed. As she got older and a little more mature, she
just started ignoring him. But so far on this stay she had been
actually fairly warm. Polite, at least, and interested in
hearing his stories.

In fact, at the party Derin was sure he heard her rebuke one of her
friends on his behalf. Derins back was turned, but he knew the
little witch wanted him to hear it -
Nameless young girl: "I can't believe you invited
those two, Cheselyne. One's just barely a knight. The other isn't
quite anything at all!"
Derin was surprised to hear Cheselyne say,
"I'm quite happy to see them here." She barely addressed him at all
during the party, but yoheu had other ways to keep busy and she
certainly had her hands full.

Well, Derin knew her pretty well, and she is only nice when she wants
something, so he dressed down, in his common breeches and tunic. It
should make her less comfortable.
Even Derin knew she wouldnt lay him, so he had nothing to lose.

Making his way to the chambers of the pampered "Lady the
Younger", He found her alone, standing at a desk by the window
Apparently writing a letter (or so he supposed the parchment to be).
When he
entered she turned and gestured for him to have a seat on her bed.
There were no chairs.

Cheselyne: "Derin, I am . . . concerned. Perhaps it is because you have
been
away so much lately. Perhaps you have spent so much time with the
Herald of Jedes that you are forgetting where you were born. Was it
not your mother that raised you to manhood? And did not my mother
give you a home, and play with you and love you like you were her own
child? What commoner's child had a more loving home than you, Derin?"

Of course, the question is rhetorical.

She continued: "You have no idea how loved you are here. Did you know
that when you
wanted lessons at the Guild of Arcane Lore, my mother secretly paid
the masters to tutor you? She never told anyone - I just learned
myself. She was so terribly sad when you chose the College of Heralds
over the Guild - she knew you'd be happier there. You know she was
right, don't you?"

Again, the question is not meant to be answered.

The woman just doesn't know when to be quiet: "See how much she loves
you. And how do you repay her? You meet a
simple knight who calls you his herald and you forget all about the
clan that has suckled you. What were you thinking?"

She looks a little cross.

"Merela had Sturmer all but seduced. And you let him get away. You
took him back to his shabby tavern, where his blood could cool and he
could regain his pathetic country-bumpkin morality. Now it will be
next to impossible for Merela to ever get him back."

"Lady the Elder wants Sturmer in our camp. It's up to you to make
sure that happens."

Stammer, stammer...

"I'm so glad we had this little talk. I thought we should have had it
before you left for Jedes, but Lady the Elder thought that you needed to
see the Herald one more time before you would be ready. You do realize
now that he will never acknowledge you, don't you?"

Considering that "dad" won't even talk about it, this just might be
true. But he hasn't seen the Sword yet......

" He's a very good and noble man, and you are right to be proud of him.
But you will never be a Mazerony. But you will always be your mother's
son, and you will always be loved by this house."

Derin begins to realize how much this girl has grown up. How did that
happen so fast?! She seems so much like her mother - poised and
intelligent.
At the party she seemed just the same flighty, flirty girl he remembers.
This serious side is something new to him. Derin isn't sure if he finds
this intimidating, sexy, or both. But it's obvious to him that if the
rumors are true that she's destined to marry Scina Dariune, she could be
a very powerful queen.

Suddenly He wanted to be anywhere but in Tashal.