Six lazy months in Khorsun finds the noble conquerors feeling lazy and bored. Even though winter has come and gone the city is in fine shape without even a hint of Byzantine reprisals. Most in the city realize it is just a matter of time before this happens though.

Zmija and Loukas have spent their time diligently working on establishing a trade center near the docks of Khorsun dedicated to their patron deity Volos. Things are going well and a few more monks of the order arrive int he city every month. Loukas has risen rather quickly in the ranks and there are quite a few acolytes under him now.

Balthazar and Dyanna have spent most of their time together traveling and researching.

Jaleh has been distant with only A'kos seeing her on any regular basis since he has taken up living with her in the estate left to her.

When no engaged with Jaleh, A'kos often finds himself engaged in exercises of arms with Sir Jean, Miroslav, Ulfr, Radvila, Oleg and anyone else with the inkling.

The growing Slavic population of Khorsun are full on celebrating the holiday known as Maslenitsa (mar 21) as the end of the winter frosts...the weather has been nice for almost 3 weeks straight at this point. Vendors can be found on just about every street in the city selling round pancakes representing the new sun.

Dobrynya has call the party of adventurers to the palace...there is rumor that the Knyaz has fallen ill, he has asked for them by name...the regent awaits your arrival to fill in the details.

Sir Jean arrives full armed and prepared as he would at the side of anyone he considered a friend.

It has been an intense six months. Not only has he been involved in establishing a temple and monastery of Volos, the Hall of the Horns and Wool, he has spent the other 12 hours of the day in intensive training with Zmija and the other monks who have joined them. In the process he has gained abilities that he had never known were humanly possible.

As he has gained in ability he has taken over greater responsibility from Zmija in the monastery, which has enabled his Master to focus his energies on the Temple. The result is now Khorsun has a safe place in the Temple where merchants may now meet to do business and have their agreements notarized, etc., and they may store their goods under the protection of strong walls of the monastery and disciplined eyes of the Monks.

Additionally, the Temple has encouraged local performers by having weekly events at which they may compete for prizes as well as offering free meals to artists of all sorts. The winners of the competitions have been offered commissions to create works for holy days and city events. Meanwhile, Monks have begun to patrol the area around the Temple and monastery and docks to ensure the area's security.

Through this time Loukas has invited his old friends to the events at the Hall, but he has been rather focused upon matters related to his new learnings and Order to spend too much time with any of them. So, when he receives the summons he is worried to hear the rumors of the Knyaz's health, but excited to see his old friends. When he arrives the first thing those who know him will notice is that whereas formerly he was always wearing armor, bearing shield, bow, daggers and his blade, Akribis Alitheia.  Now, however, he is much more simply, if severely dressed in a simple brown and black robe worn over a brown tunic with a cowhide cloak and boots.

While he is no longer quite.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:20, Tue 09 Oct 2012.

Hearing the summons Dyanna makes ready to head to the palace.  She dresses in typical spartan fashion (as opposed to Spartan fashion - to clarify), her simple cuirass, a couple of daggers, and her bow strapped across her back.  Inspecting herself a last time in her mirror she makes ready to leave.

A sudden thought occurs. 

Mulling over events she makes her way to Balthazar and says, "I am ready, Baldy."

The nickname seems to suit...

Balthazar touches his flowing locks of hair, as if to make sure they are still there.  "Baldy?"

Balthazar shrugs, casts fly on himself and Dyanna, and the duo fly across the city and into the palace.  The sight of them flying about the city has become somewhat of a regular occurrence over the last couple of weeks since their return.

Zmija arrives with Loukas. He remains fairly quiet and lets Loukas catch up with the others on what he been up to regarding his training and the work being done on the Hall of the Horned Serpent.

Before they are addressed by Dobrynya, Zmija says to Loukas..."I am fairly certain that travel in in your future.Ii will remain in the hall and continue our work here in Khorsun. If it comes to it, I would like you to travel with your companions. This is part of your training as well."

Dobrynya has arrived but is not calling for an audience as of yet. He is waiting for all the others to arrive.

Miroslav has been here for a few days already. Apparently he is already privy to the information about to be disclosed. He has left Barmak and Oleg to prepare the ship in case there is a need for a speedy departure. His retainer Boris stands silently by his side. Also by his side is the woman Masha who some of you have come to know in the last six months as Miroslav's wife. She and their 3 children joined him from Kiev just a month after the taking of Khorsun. They have taken up living in an estate near the palace.

"I'll never get tired of that," giggles Dyanna, landing next to Balthazar.  "A joy indeed."

Noting the rather somber congregation of the fellows in the party, her grin fades and she takes on a more practiced, serious mien.  She nods her hellos to the other party members, offering a quiet smile for Sir Jean, then settles in to wait.

"Where are A'kos, and Jaleh?" she asks quietly.

In reply to Zmija (msg #6):

Although it had been a busy six months Loukas had done his best to stay in touch with Miroslav. Well, really that means that he was present when Masha and the children arrived and drank them welcome, but given how busy everyone was it was sufficient. At least he hoped...

Meanwhile he greets Dyanna and Balthazar and Jean heartily. As good as it has been to start his new life it is wonderful to be with friends.

When Zmija speaks to him he replies, "Thank you, Master. I shall tell the world the tale of Volos and return with tales of the world."

"JALEH," roars A'kos.  "Are you coming woman?  We're due at the palace!"

A'kos stands, fidgeting in his travel gear, although he does wear the blue jerkin Jaleh won at daggers what seemed ages ago for the audience.  He was eager to be off, though saddened of news of the Knyaz illness.  He barely knew the man, but coming to know his retainers and those officers in his army who would deign to speak with the Falcon about tactics and such he respected the loyalty engendered among those men.  By that alone he knew the man to be of worth.

Outside, Storm's Wind was tied, the stallion hovering protectively over Jaleh's erstwhile light riding horse - the Falcon was ready to go, having grown bored of the city life after six months.  To be sure there were benefits; their lovemaking had grown far more acrobatic and urgent during the time in Khorsun, but a warrior's life was on the plain and he yearned to feel the free wind upon his face - to often missed these past months.  Almost he could feel a fresh breeze now, and his ire growing he called, "JALEH, what are you doing, woman?  We must needs leave for the palace now!  The bells rang many minutes ago!"

"Good to see you Loukas.  And you Sir Jean.  Oh, and there you are Miroslav, good to see you pal.  Hey, Zmija, you're looking thin as usual.  My oh my, don't A'kos and Jaleh sound like an old married couple."

Then Balthazar reads the situation and grows silent like Dyanna, looking wonderingly at Dobrynya.

Jaleh came running still fidgeting with her clothing, seemingly in a struggle to get everything 'just so'. "I am coming A'kos! Are you trying to wake the gods with your screaming and carrying on? It's the palace. They will likely have us wait for something at any rate. Besides, it is always best to arrive just a touch late, that way you can capture everyone's attention."

Sir Jean greets everyone in a surprisingly friendly manner and waits patiently to hear what the commotion is about.

Mouth opened to mutter something appropriately inappropriate, A'kos halts and stares, admiring Jaleh, and the swish of her outfit.  After a moment he says, "Fit to meet with a King, Lady!"

Holding his arm out, he cups her hand where it sits in the crook of his arm and walks her to her horse.  Helping her mount, he climbs aboard Storm's Wind and the two of them ride for the palace as quickly as traffic will allow.

Some time later they find themselves in front of the palace where two grooms rush forward.  Dismounting swiftly A'kos growls, "Have a care with him...he's got a temper!"

Assisting Jaleh down he walks with her into the palace to find the gathering of their companions...and notes that, yes, the couple was indeed late to the summons.

Dyanna looks up as A'kos and Jaleh make their entrance.  She smiles as the months since she'd spent any significant time seemed to have changed them.  A'kos seemed...more tame, though the dark intensity of his gaze as it swept over the rest of the group remained.  For her part Jaleh appeared at once the noble lady not yet truly comfortable in her skin.  Nodding as they greeted everyone she leaned back against a wall and awaited the summons.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:07, Fri 23 July 2010.

I typed out a longer version fo this, just about 20 minutes ago but my browser crashed and I lost it:(

The Rus herald calls for the audience. it seems only those from the Heart of Oak and a few select other Rus are present.

Once the group has assembled before the regent, Dobrynya begins to speak, his face lined with worry..."Greetings great bogatyri (basically knights or heroes) of Khorsun! I trust this day finds you in good health.

For some time now there have been rumors that all is not well in the kingdom of the Rus. My...trusted aid and your captain Miroslav has been helping me piece together the gathered intelligence over the last week or so. From what we have gathered there was some political intrigue in Pereyaslavets and the youngest son of the Knyaz, Vladimir has been killed as has his mother. Sviatoslav himself has fallen gravely ill with  a wasting sickness and his two sons Oleg in Novgorod and Yaropolk in Kiev prepare for war with each other. They only wait for the Knyaz to pass on.

Yesterday we received a message from the Knyaz which confirmed many of these facts. He has requested that the heroes who captured Khorsun come to him in his capital. he does not give reason for this, only a summons.

Miroslav has had your ship prepared and I wish you to sail before nightfall. Time is of the essence. I am afraid the Knyaz may not have long before he joins his ancestors."

With a glance and nod at Zmija, Loukas steps forward, "Let us hope that we might be able to keep this kingdom from falling into civil war -- everything the Knyaz has gained could be destroyed. I need only grab my haversack and I shall be ready to row."

Looking at Balthazar Dyanna murmurs, "Was peace too much to wish for?"

With a sigh she checks herself...of fortune she had rigged upon her pack a place for her invaluable mirror, though she would have a care lest she break it and release it's mystical energy...an explosion surely she would not survive.  With greater thought she checks her bandoliers, the pouches each with a full contingent of the material components of those spells she currently had memorized.  Looking up from her inspection she glances at the others.

"I am ready," she says, "though I fear for peace in this tumultuous time."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:00, Mon 26 July 2010.

"Maybe I'll just charm everyone in sight and make them all friends again."



"I just need to get my spellbooks.  I'll make sure to be on the vessel before it sails."

Balthazar flies out through the window.

DM: Is Michael still around?  If so, I'd like him to be Balthazar's porter to carry his books.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:26, Sat 24 July 2010.

Michael waits patiently for Balthazar...he has already taken the liberty of gathering up some of the mages belongings. He has not touched his spell books or the like, just mundane items.

Having listened quietly to the gathering thus far, Jaleh looked at A'kos after the mage flew out the window. "Can he really do that, charm everybody in sight? If he can, why doesn't he just fly over there and fix the problem? I don't trust him. What happens if he decides to charm us?"

Loukas overheard Jaleh's question and laughed, "Then we kill him!

"Come, Jaleh, we have been with Balthazar for a rather long time, no? Have you ever detected anything in his character to suggest that he is unreliable? He has fought along side us in every battle and his powers have saved lives. Our lives..."

Pausing he locked eyes with her and continues with a rather pointed expression on his face, "Besides, each of us have secrets, no? None of us are without our powers, are we? Any one of us could do rather a lot of harm to any one who was unaware."

Smiling, "Trust is vital and difficult and required if we are to stand together against our enemies -- all of whom are greater than any one of us on our own."

Miroslav listens to the conversations and looks for any sign of dissent or unwillingness to take this journey among his fellow adventurers. He sees nor hears anything that would make him think that the doldrums of city life are about to be broken through so he says..."Barmak and Oleg have been preparing the ship all morning with the rest of the crew. We will be ready to leave as soon as the rest of you are. Space has been made for mounts on the ship. it will be crowded like always but I know some of you have specially trained steeds that you prefer. For the rest of us if there is a need to ride we will get horses from the Knyaz's own stables."

I am moving this ahead since the meat of the story lay on the other side of the opening voyage. Feel free to finish up older conversations though. So do any last minute equipment shopping or whatever and let me know if you have your mount or whatever it is you need to carry on board.

Just two hours later Miroslav stands on the deck of the Heart of Oak waiting for all the party to arrive. Oleg and Barmak make a good team and the ship is all in order and ready to go. Familiar faces line the benches particularly Ulfr and Radvila who have both taken up oars near the front of the ship.