Friedrich came from here

Previous Blackbird file.

Narrator:
At that moment, there is a stirring behind Blackbird's audience. They part to allow two large figures to approach. The newcomers are both attired as would befit young nobles in the field, and the deference they're shown makes it immediately apparent who they are.

Blackbird: [recognizes first Friedrich of Tudor... ]

What was I saying about the fates?

Stu:
So, is he all pox-ridden and missing an ear? How does he look?

Narrator:
Well, he's got a bunch of bumps on his face, he's missing an ear and that side of his face is badly scarred. A few more warts [what are they called for pox, anyway? Let's call them warts cause it's easy to spell] on his hands. Oddly enough, the garishness adds to his inborn evil charms. This man could still keep his bed warm at night.

Stu:
Oh, good lord. This guy's a snake. A charming snake, but a snake nonetheless. I think they're just called pox or scars.

Narrator:
As Friedrich sees her, he smiles warmly. Actually, he warms quite a lot in general. Blackbird doesn't realize it, but this is similar to an effect she often has on a room - the temperature goes up a number of degrees.

Friedrich:

I owe Brandon for this one!

Ah, Blackbird! What a pleasure it is to meet you.

I am Friedrich Gustav Koenig von Tudor

I am pleased that you have accepted our offer of hospitality. We will make every effort to make your stay as pleasant as possible.

This is my friend, Brandon d'Harrogate, whom you may have met.

I regret that I was detained and could not enjoy your song. Perhaps you could be persuaded to sing for us again? It would mean much to us to enjoy such beauty here in the wilds!

Narrator:
His look implies that he'd like to enjoy much more of her beauty than might be expected from a husband and father. Or maybe this is why he *is* a husband (once) and a father (at least once).

Blackbird is even more moved at the sound of his voice. [GM rolled a six on the olde charming roll, this guy is definitely heavy sigh material] This man could charm the socks (and any other garments) off a nun.

Blackbird: [unspoken]

Oh, wow. If I'd known they grew them like that in Tudor, I'd have spent more time there.

When asked in such a charming manner, sire, little persuasion is required. I would be delighted to sing for you.

Narrator:
As Friedrich turns to order accommodations and sustenance for her, Brandon speaks.

Brandon: [not without his own charm]
Blackbird is it?

Of the Traveling Anchor?

It has been some time since last we met. You look marvelous tonight.

Blackbird: [allowing her hand to rest in his. speaking warmly]

It has been long, Brandon. I am pleased to see you once again. My life has changed a great deal since I ceased to bear the name of Evaine Corinna San Sebastian. Blackbird is a more fitting name for an Anchor; it is empty of unwanted associations.

Perhaps here, far from Waltham and it's entanglements, we will truly be able to become acquainted with one another.

Brandon: [returns her warmth, giving a glimpse of a roaring fire somewhere]

I would like that a great deal.

Blackbird: [smile broadening]

You will at first.

Narrator:

At this moment, Friedrich returns with a servant in tow, bearing wine bread and cheese for the three of them.

Blackbird's own cup is still half full, but she unobtrusively sets it aside and takes the one Friedrich offers her, not willing to shun his hospitality. She only picks politely at the food.

Blackbird: [apologetically]

I do not like to eat much when I perform, it thickens my voice.

If it please you, sires, I shall sing for you now.

Narrator:
Friedrich and Brandon rapidly assent, and Blackbird begins to play a soft fluid melody that echoes eerily through the clearing. She sings her song directly to both Friedrich and Brandon. Her unsettling blue eyes and expressive features speak as loudly as her voice.

Blackbird: [singing]

Narrator:

She continues on, singing other songs -- folk songs, love songs and ballads -- and telling stories learned in the Anchor Halls of Harrogate. Some Brandon remembers from his own youth. Blackbird tells them well.

Blackbird: [after finishing her last song for the evening]

It has been a most pleasant evening for me, sires. [to Friedrich] I thank you for welcoming me into your camp; I had not expected to find such here so near the wilderness. How do you both come to be in this place? Is it a tale worth telling?

Narrator:
Both Friedrich and Brandon have been entranced by Blackbird's performance, and the evening has drawn to a close without their quite realizing it. The majority of the retainers have already left, sensing that their lords preferred to enjoy the company of the anchor alone. A simple gesture suffices for the rest, and the three sit by the crackling fire in relative quiet.

Friedrich: [quietly]
Ah, it does my spirit good to be here... How do we come to be here tonight? There is no mystery to it. Brandon, here, is an old and dear friend, and when I heard that he was travelling in this area, I hastened to meet with him to reminisce about old adventures and perhaps share a few new ones...[he smiles]

Blackbird: [unspoken]

"Old and dear friend?" Gack! Ti, where are you when I need you?

You both just decide to meet in the backwoods of the neighboring duchy on a lark? Either you both have way too much time on your hands or you are up to something. What are you really doing here?

I know what your "adventures" usually entail, Brandon. And here I am alone with the both of you. Go ahead and make me the object of your next "adventure." I'll remember it when I'm cutting into you.

I've got what I wanted, I suppose. I'm just going to have to put up with them and try to fend them off long enough to get Brandon in a spot where I won't be blamed for anything that happens to him.

Blackbird:

I am impressed that you would make such a journey for the opportunity to reminisce with your friend.

You are lucky to have a friend like that.

Friendship brought Friedrich here, wanderlust brings me everywhere -- what is it that brings you to this place, Brandon?

A good horse did most of the work!

Brandon! You're funny!

No, we don't have *anything* to hide do we? Let it drop.

Friedrich: [continuing]
You want news, though... I suppose I could tell you of the news of Tudor and the south. Harmonious relations with the people of Karn have been reestablished. We hope to expand trade with them to the enrichment of all of York...in fact -- [he turns away from the fire and gestures to a retainer who was standing unseen in the shadows] Tell Shroeder to bring the bolt!

Narrator:
The retainer hurries into the darkness and returns in a few minutes with a Friedrich's counselor, Shroeder. Shroeder is a pale looking middle-aged man who clearly would be more comfortable elsewhere. He carries a ornately-carved oblong box which he presents to Friedrich with a stiff bow, and then backs off into the shadows. Blackbird and Brandon are already impressed. The box itself would fetch a goodly price -- the carvings of intertwined dragons are fantastically detailed. Friedrich sits the box on his knees and works the obscure catch. The box opens to reveal a bolt of white cloth.

Friedrich:
I had never seen the like of this...have you?

Narrator:
He unrolls a yard of the fabric, and Blackbird and Brandon both catch their breath. It floats like a cloud in the cool night air. The thread is so fine and the weave so tight that it looks more like rippling water than cloth.

Friedrich:
And this is but one of their wonders...

Sadly, it is quite expensive to keep such a long and dangerous trade route open. I fear that treasures like this will be in short supply for some time. We are, of course, doing our best to recruit the steadfast and sturdy into the ranks of our Legionnaires for the protection of the route, but our people are a peaceful and earthy lot...

Perhaps if you were to mention our need to those whom you feel could answer... We would also welcome miners, smelters, blacksmiths, and artisans of all inclinations. There is much opportunity for the honest and hard-working in Tudor.

This is news the whole realm will want to hear. I will be happy to mention it -- doing so will enhance my status as an Anchor as well.

Have you made the journey to Karn yourself? I have a great desire to go there. Perhaps to be the first Anchor to bring back stories of that city. What is it about the route that makes it so dangerous.

Friedrich:
Yes, I have made the journey, and I would be delighted if our paths were to cross again so as to provide opportunity for me to take you there and show you the many splendors. Perhaps we can discuss this later.

Yes, the route is long and extremely treacherous. It is a good month and a half journey by horse, although there are beasts called camels that can do it in less time due to their unique abilities. We do not have the skill or stock to make use these beasts as yet.

And I would not suffer the beasts even if they were as common as rabbits.

As for the dangers... Frequently we traveled for days without seeing change on the horizon...all was dusty rock and cracked earth. Some areas that we had to go around looked like living seas of sand. Were one to become lost or separated there, they would be dead within a day or two. And there are roving tribes of nomads who make their homes in these wastelands. No treaties can be made with them for passage as no group of them will recognize another's seal as binding. [he shakes his head] Bahamut knows we paid dearly learning that lesson...Ah, my throat grows dry!

Blackbird: [takes a sip of her wine and passes it to Friedrich. Their fingers brush lightly as the cup is exchanged]

You said you are looking for adventure, sires. You must know that we are not far from the infamous Castle Llughen. Legends say that wise men avoid the place, which is a scribe's way of saying there is excitement to be had there.

Friedrich:
Yes, please -- regale us with another of your fine tales. I remember little of the legend of the castle.

Blackbird: [obviously happy to oblige -- it's plain she can't resist a request for a good story]

Of the ten kingdoms of around the Great Sea, McMannon was the fifth to be settled. In those days, the lands of the King of McMannon encompassed all of McMannon and Tudor, and much of what is now Waltham, making it the largest of the kingdoms of the Great Sea, thogh much of the land was unexplored and claimed by the king in theory only.

Eagerly the settlers pushed into the uninhabited lands to the west, settling far beyond even the explorations of the king. It was fully two generations before a second son named Randall decided to explore the western lands, to see how far the settlers had penetrated into the wilderness.

The accounts of Randall's journeys contain the first mention of the Great Forest.

The settlers in McMannon had not journeyed nearly that far, but Randall had the spirit of the explorer in him and led his party far into the western wilds.

When finally they came to the edge of the great forest, all Randall's men could sense the power within and refused to journey farther. Randall ridiculed their fears, and to prove that there was nothing to be afraid of, he spent the night alone within the forest -- none of his men were brave enough to accompany him.

The next morning, he emerged unharmed, but would not venture into the forest again. He said a "glamorous lady" had come to him and forbidden him from venturing deeper into the Great Forest. When asked who she was and what she looked like, he was unable to say. Gladly, his men followed him away from the forest. On his return trip, he marked a spot -- in the hills near here -- that he thought would be a defensible site for the king's castle.

Many years later, upon his father's death, Randall still remembered the spot and persuaded his elder brother Allen to have a castle built there.

The whole court was moved westward with much fanfare, and all the best that the kingdom could provide was used to furnish the new castle. For many years the descendants of King Allen lived peacefully in the castle, known as Castle Llughen [Neil, what's the origin of that name? -- Stu]. But as the kingdom grew more prosperous and its people became more numerous, the settlers reached the boundary of the Great Forest, where Randall once turned back.

The peasants lacked Randall's wisdom. They began to chop down the huge ancient trees of the forest to make room for their crops and to provide wood for fires and homes. Some reported seeing a lady who warned them away from the Forest, but her warnings went unheeded. The Earl D'Asturian, who ruled the lands nearest the forest, was taxing his subjects heavily and they were forced to expand their farmlands to satisfy his tax collectors.

The farmers who had cut most deeply into the Forest began to die in strange ways, swarming insects and fierce animals began to terrorize the farms, and docile farm animals became vicious. Even the weather turned against them -- strange sudden storms that brought killer floods and crop-ravaging hailstones.

The Earl D'Asturian sought to appease whatever forces had been aroused and journeyed into the Forest to investigate. He and his party were never seen again. Finally, the king ordered the peasants away from the Forest, and all was quiet once again.

Within a year, though, the folly resumed. The king's son, Imre, had a taste for the hunt, but he was bored with the game to be found in the woods of McMannon. He began leading hunts into the Great Forest in defiance of his father's command -- he was enthralled with the great cunning and size of the beasts he found there. But one beast drew him more than any of the others. The White Stag. Imre saw it on his first journey into the forest and gave pursuit, but it eluded his party, running longer and faster than his swiftest horses, concealing it's passag ewith greater cunning than a fox. He became obsessed with capturing and killing it. Five more times the creature eluded him.

One evening, over cups of ale, Imre told his father of being warned away from the animal by a lady he couldn't describe. Neither the lady's warning nor his father's pleading deterred him at all. He continued to hunt, and the seventh time he spotted the stag, he killed it with a single arrow from his yew bow.

Imre was killed that day as he rode back in triumph. He fell from his horse when it was spooked by a small stinging insect.

That night, the denizens of the Forest -- some call them Druids -- attacked Castle Llughen. It soon became dangerous to go out of any of the castle buildings or to stand upon the walls. The castle was under seige. The attackers were not numerous. In fact, they were seldom seen, but the king could not break the seige. When supplies ran low and the people in the castle were in danger of starvation, the king left the castle alone under a white flag, to try to bargain with the attackers.

He returned to the castle only once more, to instruct the people of the castle to travel East without delay. He said the castle was never to be occupied again and no subject of McMannon was ever to move west of the boundary of the Great Forest. The price of the agreement, he said, was his life. He left the castle that day, heading west, and was never seen again. The remaining residents of the castle, and the peasants who sheltered with them, left the castle and headed east, never looking back.

Many people consider this just a tale created by the family of McMannon, but it is true the castle stands unoccupied, and even today no citizen of McMannon is allowed to settle past what has become known as Imre's line, on pain of death. The law has not been activbely enforced sine the reign of Duke Ian Cadwallader McMannon, but the peasants still fear the Forest enough that none, to my knowledge have violated the law.

It is told among the Anchors that the residents of the castle left in such haste that much of the family treasure was left behind. There are accounts of adventurers trying to reach the castle, but none that speak of success.

Narrator:
Later that night, just before Blackbird considers whether to leave or how to arrange staying, a woman whom Blackbird remembers as one of Friedrich's retainers approaches her.

F's Retainer:
It would please my master if you would be willing to join him tonight in his pavilion to sample a unique Karnish liquor and other exotic delights.

Blackbird: [suppressing a smile]

"Other exotic delights?" I'll bet!

Please tell your master that while I am very flattered and tempted by his request, I am still rather fatigued from my journey and the evening's revelry. Perhaps another night -- I am fond of both exotic liquors and exotic pleasures.

But I'm not bought that easily, sire. You'll have to work harder than that.

Where's Brandon? I didn't expect him to leave without making me an offer. Perhaps it's one of those male pecking order things -- he won't try for me until after Friedrich's had his chance.

I think that's the last direct involvement we have for Friedrich.

Next Blackbird file.