- Eivor: Sigurd's life is at stake. We need you there.
- Dag: No. I am needed here.
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Revision as of 18:11, 27 January 2022
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The Abbot's Gambit was a virtual representation of one of Eivor Varinsdottir's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.
Description
Eivor travelled to Cent to track down Fulke and her brother Sigurd.
Dialogue
Eivor spoke with Randvi about pledging to Cent.
- Eivor: Tell me more about Cent.
- Randvi: Basim has written, claiming to have found the woman Fulke and asking for your aid. He has taken shelter at Saint Hadrian's Priory.
- Eivor: Any news of Sigurd?
- Randvi: Nothing he mentioned. But if he has found the Paladin Fulke, Sigurd cannot be far behind.
Eivor pledged to Cent.
- Eivor: I will go as soon as I can.
- Randvi: Good. Be safe, Eivor.
Eivor left Randvi.
- Eivor: Basim has news of Sigurd. I should find him soon.
Eivor went to leave but halted to talk with Dag Nithisson.
- Eivor: Dag. Basim has brought word of Sigurd's location. We are leaving at once to find him.
- Dag: Well done, Eivor. After so long, it finally occurs to you to search for our jarl. I applaud your half-hearted effort. I will not be joining you.
- Eivor: Dag, this is no joke. On the ship. Now.
- Dag: Someone needs to stay home and direct the affairs of the settlement. As you seem to shun this place as often as possible, it must fall to me.
- Eivor: If you wish to stay, so be it. But when Sigurd is back among us, we will see what status you have among the raiders.
- Dag: Say whatever makes you feel superior, Eivor. I know Sigurd will understand my decision.
- Eivor: Do you doubt me so completely that you will not raise your axe to save your jarl?
- Dag: A fine way of putting it, Wolf-Kissed. But go ... find the jarl, bring him back. Only do not get lost along the way, as you seem to more and more these days.
- Eivor: This is not done, Dag. We will speak when I return.
Eivor left to find Basim at Saint Hadrian's Priory. Upon arrival, Eivor found Basim conversing with priests near some barrels.
- Brother Hortbert: Did not Augustine make a distinction between faith and understanding? That is my point.
- Basim: So you hold no stock in faith, only in rational proof? The science of the divine. You're bold to defy your teachings.
- Brother Hortbert: No ... no ... that's not what I mean. Let me ... let me explain if I might. How to put it...?
Eivor joined the conversation.
- Brother Hortbert: What I mean to say is, faith is paramount. Yes. For without it, Christ's sacrifice means nothing.
- Basim: He died to save us, did he not? From the original sin of Adam and Eve? Yet evil persists.
- Brother Hortbert: Yes, evil persists. Because he gave us free will.
- Basim: Does a newborn babe slain by a despot have free will?
- Brother Hortbert: Yes ... no, I mean ... that is too simplistic.
- Basim: Or the priest who's heart is torn from his chest by the wolf? Judas, who was predestined to betray the Nazarene?
- Brother Hortbert: Some argue Judas was used...
Another priest walked into the conversation.
- Brother Cedric: Do my ears deceive me, Brother Hortbert? You question the scriptures? Declare Judas an innocent? A preposterous blasphemy!
- Brother Hortbert: N-no, that is not what I said! Brother Cedric ... am I not the most pious of His servants?
- Brother Cedric: Out! Out!
Brother Cedric pushed Brother Hortbert away as Eivor went to talk with Basim.
- Eivor: Making new friends?
- Basim: A person's tongue gives you a taste of their heart, Eivor. And such information is often useful.
- Eivor: And how do these sallow Christians taste?
- Basim: It was only a figure of speech, Eivor. And I have tired of it already.
- Eivor: Is this how it must be between us?
- Basim: Of course not. I'm grateful that you have come.
- Eivor: So what of the joy-canker Fulke? In your message you say you tracked her to Cent.
- Basim: She is here somewhere, and as of last month, Sigurd was with her. But there is no guarantee this will be the case tomorrow.
- Eivor: we're wasting time, Basim. Fulke took Sigurd for some dark purpose. Let's find them before it blackens.
- Eivor: I agree. The time for talk is long past.
- Eivor: What happened in Mercia still puzzles me. Fulke saw something in Sigurd. A power, a legacy. What is it she wants?
- Basim: Her motives are difficult to fathom. But that can come later. Let's find your brother first.
- Eivor: Agreed. If we do this, you'll earn the right to call me friend ten-thousand fold.
- Eivor: So, what is your plan?
- Basim: We are deep in their god's heartland, a heathen and a heretic. To hunt Fulke, we'll need a Christian snare.
- Eivor: Fulke is hardly a saint herself. These Christians abhor her strange ideas.
- Basim: True. But unlike us, she can carry herself as one of them. She won't hide from everyone, not with a prisoner in tow.
- Eivor: So where to begin?
- Basim: I've made a friend. Abbot Cynebert. Full of pious fire, but with ambition that far outweighs his wit.
- Eivor: And what does your friend Cynebert know?
- Basim: Come, I will introduce you. And we'll hear the full ale together.
Both Eivor and Basim started to walk together.
- Eivor: Have you found some peace in your time alone, Basim?
- Basim: I am always at peace. And never alone. I move along the people of the world with great joy. I watch them, study them, learn from them at all times. This is our duty, the Hidden Ones' calling.
- Eivor: You know, for the first time since we've met, you sound more like your apprentice than yourself.
- Basim: Hm. Surely Hytham sounds like me ... if I have taught him well.
- Eivor: Your creed and your tenets, you mean?
- Basim: That's right. And our sense of ... how should I say ... deep responsibility to the betterment of mankind.
- Eivor: That's quite an ambition. But it doesn't explain what you see in Sigurd. My brother is not so generous.
- Basim: Ah, but your brother is ... someone special. Important. And I want him to see that. I hope to show it to him.
Eivor and Basim walked to talk with the abbot.
- Cynebert: Is this not a blessed plot? God's own country. And this Eden should be given to his servants to tend.
- Basim: Abbot Cynebert. This is the Norse I spoke of.
- Cynebert: Ah, yes, and quite a fearsome one at that.
- Eivor: Basim says you know the paladin, Fulke.
- Cynebert: Indeed. The Lady Fulke passed this way not more than a month ago. We talked, we drank. A very pleasant woman.
- Eivor: And where is she−
- Basim: Eivor will be your axe, abbot. Whether to fell a tree or hew the limbs from an enemy.
- Eivor: What have you promised him?
- Cynebert: O, just a trifle, Eivor. A little problem I believe you can help me with.
- Eivor: Speak your terms plainly, abbot. I will decide if the bargain is worth my time.
- Cynebert: Ah! Your wolf shows its teeth, Basim.
- Eivor: If you know where Fulke is, do not rattle my bucket. Tell me now and we'll talk terms later.
- Cynebert: The hot-tempered one stirs up strife, Basim! Will this rebellion-caked Dane do what I ask?
Eivor stood silently.
- Basim: This Norse is one who knows the value of silence and secrecy. The perfect choice for our subtle business.
- Eivor: Let's cut to the point. What favor would you ask in exchange for Fulke?
- Cynebert: Some weeks ago, our ealdorman in Cent was called to God. A terrible loss. King Aelfred has chosen his replacement, but has not yet announced the name. I must know it ... now.
- Eivor: All of Cent will see soon enough which thegn he has chosen. Why not wait?
- Cynebert: I want ... early access. To woo him, before his exalted position is made public and every fool is at his door.
- Eivor: Who else knows the chosen man?
- Cynebert: The king's emissary. Sent with a letter of congratulations to the new ealdorman. Intercept him and bring me the news. When I know the thegn's name, we'll discuss how I might win his favor.
- Eivor: Why not kill him in secret and petition Aelfred for the seat?
- Cynebert: As a man of God, I cannot. Besides, he who stands behind the throne can better pull on the puppet's threads.
- Eivor: Your king will not be happy, his Church meddling in his politics.
- Basim: Does this not delight you, Eivor? A chance to defy Aelfred?
- Cynebert: I am God's humble shepherd, sent to protect his lambs. If Cent's new ealdorman is a wolf, I would blunt his claws.
- Eivor: If we do this, how will you find Fulke? I want some kind of assurance.
- Cynebert: Do you have ears in every church, abbey, and cathedral in Cent? Because I do. And I will find her.
- Basim: And we will do the deeds too staining for a Christian soul?
- Eivor: This emissary. How will I find him?
- Cynebert: Tonbridge Monastery sent word that the king's men always pass a few nights in their hospitality. Begin there.
- Eivor: I'll get the ealdorman's name, you find Fulke.
- Cynebert: All in good time. Now, if we are done, I have business up the south coast. Folcanstan has the best fish in Wessex.
- Eivor: Then I will find you there when the ealdorman's name is mine.
Cynebert nodded and left Eivor and Basim.
- Basim: Cynebert is ambitious, but well-connected. We will not find Fulke without him.
- Eivor: I suppose we'll see. What will you do?
- Basim: I am not done playing with these Christians yet. I will see you in Folcanstan.
Eivor and Basim shook hands and departed from each other. Eivor traveled to the inn below Tonbridge Monastery.
- Eivor: If Aelfred's emissary spent a few days here, someone may know where he went.
Eivor spoke to a man, who was moving hay.
- Anglo-Saxon Man 1: You're not welcome here.
Eivor soon spoke to a man talking with a child.
- Anglo-Saxon Man 2: We are not friends, be gone.
Eivor overheard some commotion from behind the inn.
- Anglo-Saxon Man 3: Did she speak to you of the Betrayer's scriptures? I am troubled in my spirit.
- Anglo-Saxon Man 4: Shhh, it is heresy to even think of it. Forget her words, her blasphemies. Think only on Christ and his redemptive message.
- Anglo-Saxon Man 3: She spoke freely of a deceit of angels. That we are the defiled race, ones who can never find salvation.
- Anglo-Saxon Man 4: If you are Hell-bent on believing this, you are already lost to the Lord of Flies.
Eivor also overheard two women speaking to each other.
- Anglo-Saxon Woman 1: A bear? Of furs and tears? Why does he cry?
- Anglo-Saxon Woman 2: My brother saw him in the old stone ring with his own eyes. Rubbed them twice to be sure.
- Anglo-Saxon Woman 1: Someone should do something.
- Anglo-Saxon Woman 2: What? Ask him to move on? Or perhaps he can live with us here and the children will ride with matted back?
- Anglo-Saxon Woman 1: They sent my husband to work at the Beamasfield, the lumber mill. They mean to fortify us against the Danes.
- Anglo-Saxon Woman 2: My sister said they're all tall and strong. Muscles rippling, hair braided and woven with spice.
- Anglo-Saxon Woman 1: And what will you do if one carries you off?
Eivor spoke to a woman looking towards the sky.
- Anglo-Saxon Woman 3: Stay away from me, stranger.
Eivor spoke to a woman within the inn.
- Anglo-Saxon Woman 4: I'm busy, let me be.
Eivor spoke to a drunk man near the barrels.
- Eivor: Are you sober enough to answer me?
- Anglo-Saxon Man 5: You have fine hair. It shimmers like ... woven silk.
- Eivor: I don't have time for flattery. I seek Aelfred's emissary.
- Anglo-Saxon Man 5: The only man of Aelfred's I know is Orvyn the legless.
- Eivor: And he is...?
- Anglo-Saxon Man 5: Hm. Haven't seen him in years. Probably dead drunk, or just dead in a ditch. Why do you think they called him legless?
- Eivor: Because he has no legs?
- Eivor: Baw! It's a figure of speech, Lord in Heaven.
Eivor found and talked to a man writing at a desk.
- Eivor: I'm looking for someone.
- Anglo-Saxon Man 6: Speak your piece, I have work to do.
- Eivor: Seen anyone here on the king's authority?
- Anglo-Saxon Man 6: I've been wondering that myself! Did someone bring news of the ealdorman? Lord Landry's make a good one.
Eivor spoke to a man within the crowd.
- Anglo-Saxon Man 7: I'm in no mood for wind-belching. So choose your words well?
- Eivor: I heard the king's men came through here, caused a stir. A man of your wit noticed them I bet?
- Anglo-Saxon Man 7: I am witty! Finally someone sees. I'm always telling my wife, but will she listen? Will she bollocks.
- Eivor: You choose your words well. What do you know about Aelfred's emissary?
- Anglo-Saxon Man 7: 'Course I do! I'm apprentice to a famous flyter, the Silent Monk. Challenge me for it!
- Eivor: You'll call me word crusher, your wits I will addle.
- Anglo-Saxon Man 7: Eh ... alright, you bested me.
- Eivor: The king's emissary ... I need to know where he went, after he stayed here.
- Anglo-Saxon Man 7: And I need to know why I've started getting boils under my armpits. Time will tell, eh?
- Eivor: Aelfred's emissary. Where?
- Anglo-Saxon Man 7: Him and the bard ended up in the copse by the bridge doing the Lord knows what. Sounded like they were murdering a cat.
- Eivor: Singing?
- Anglo-Saxon Man 7: If you say so.
Eivor went inside the inn and found a soldier by himself.
- Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1: You trying to catch flies, or would you ask something of me?
- Eivor: I'm looking for a man. He passed through here on the king's business.
- Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1: Bugger off, eh? Or I'll call the guards. I'm sick of people. You need to heal your own ills.
- Eivor: Maybe some coin will loose your lips?
- Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1: He was pissed as a newt. Last I saw, he was passed out in trees between the harbor and bridge. Now go find someone else to vex.
- Eivor: And people are sick of you.
- Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1: Jesus wept! Guards, guards! A Dane, saints preserve me!
- Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1: Help me! This Dane has murder in mind!
- Eivor: How about you help me from the goodness of your heart? And then I leave you alone?
- Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1: A wise move, mud-wit. It so happens I did see Aelfred's man. He's long gone though. Maybe Gowan the Bard knows where?
- Eivor: Where will I find him?
- Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1: He was pissed as a newt. Last I saw, he was passed out in trees between the harbor and bridge. Now go find someone else to vex.
- Eivor may have found a man behind a barred door and talked with him.
- Anglo-Saxon Man 8: Who are you? Loitering and lollygagging?
- Eivor: I'm looking for someone, an emissary from Aelfred. Have you seen such a man?
- Anglo-Saxon Man 8: O, la-di-da. Listen to you all high and mighty. Get away with you, yer valley-lily.
- Eivor: If you would rather feel the edge of my blade, it can be arranged.
- Anglo-Saxon Man 8: Now that I respect! Forceful, to the point, as refreshing as a summer ale.
- Eivor: Tell me what you know, or this will go badly.
- Anglo-Saxon Man 8: For you, maybe. I'll be dead, and you still won't know a thing.
- Eivor: TBA
- Eivor: You're a strange fish. Did you see the man or not?
- Anglo-Saxon Man 8: I did. He was getting pie-eyed with that bard Gowan and causing quite a ruckus. They left together. See? That wasn't hard was it?
- Eivor: Harder than it should have been.
Eivor made her way out of the inn as she heard a conversation.
- Anglo-Saxon Man 9: God teaches obedience and humility and yet our abbot would defy Aelfred?
- Anglo-Saxon Man 10: How so? He is simply being a good shepherd, keeping Cent and her rich lands in the hands of the Church.
- Anglo-Saxon Man 9: But the Danes? Do they not nestle at our borders? Like ash-scaled serpents?
- Anglo-Saxon Man 10: Danes in Cent? I don't believe it. Aelfred overspeaks their danger so he may take from us as he pleases.
Eivor also heard about the last ealdorman.
- Anglo-Saxon Man 11: I heard he was captured by Danes, and they ate his heart.
- Anglo-Saxon Man 12: Ealdorman Deogal got blind drunk and likely staggered off the white cliffs.
- Anglo-Saxon Man 11: So who will take his place? Thegn Fairfax? Landry? Tedmund?
Eivor left to find the bard.
- Eivor: There was a bard drinking with the emissary. I should find him, see if he knows anything.
Eivor went to the bridge above the inn and looked around its premises.
- Eivor: That ale-swamped scop can't have gone far.
Eivor looked around and heard a voice below the bridge.
- Drunken Bard: ... So cold ... brrrr ... Someone stole my trews?
Eivor spoke to the drunk bard.
- Eivor: You there ... you alive?
- Drunken Bard: Patience is a tired horse, plodity, plod, plod.
- Eivor: Another tottering teat-sucker who can't hold his drink. Let's clear your head.
Eivor sobered up the bard as she found a note by him.
- Musical Musings
These bells! What incredible music they make. It is like the singing of angels. A waste to bury them away in churches! I would love to compose a great work to harness their beauty. The deep knell of the largest would provide the anchor of the piece. The harmonious tolling of the smaller bells would be the choir and the smallest would soar above the tune, a descant of chimes.
Gowan the Bard
- Drunken Bard: It's cold as a witch's tit in here!
- Drunken Bard: Ow! Why do you smite me so?
Eivor spoke to the lucid bard.
- Eivor: God's trews! Fie on you. What infernal wakes me?
- Eivor: Are you the tale-weaver?
- Gowan: Gowan the dandelion, for the seeds of my stories flit upon the winds of Wessex! But why, mule, do you kick my noggin?
- Eivor: I'm the one you sing of, bard. Stern of eye and scant of mercy. Have you not seen the ravens feasting in my wake?
- Gowan: Enough! Your word-mangles are making my hair ache!
- Eivor: Who I am is no concern of yours.
- Gowan: And I do not care. Did you want something, or did you just wake me to torment me?
- Eivor: You and Aelfred's emissary were drinking in the tavern. Tell me where he went.
- Gowan: Were we? I was so ale-addled ... perhaps a small and silver thing upon my palm might help me recall?
- Eivor: How about something long and sharp in your gut?
- Gowan: Alright! No need for that. You paint a vivid picture, Dane. He was headed to the white coast to the southeast. Dover Fortress. He said it is where they train those religious fanatics. Zealots! They pray all night instead of sleeping.
- Eivor: No one would drown themselves in weeping with one less bard in the world. Tell me what you know.
- Gowan: You Danes aren't ones for bargaining, are you? He was headed to the white coast to the southeast. Dover Fortress.
- Eivor: Have some coin. And rent a proper bed for the night.
- Gowan: Ah, bless you, for stories are my currency friend. How else am I to make my living?
- Eivor: A more honest profession? Plowing fields, milking cows...
- Gowan: Manual labor! God's blood! There's a fortress to the southeast where paladins pray by night and fight by day. Dover, on the white cliffs.
- Eivor: My thanks, and in return, wisdom. Too much beer-bibbing will grow a fool in wit and words.
- Gowan: My thanks, weaver of the obvious. Now leave me to my unholy punishment.
Eivor left the bard as she traveled to Dover Fortress.
- Eivor: The emissary made for Dover Fortress, on the southeast coast.
Eivor arrived at Dover Fortress.
- Eivor: Dover. The emissary is somewhere here. Perhaps I can find the letter without bloodshed? The bard said paladins trained at this fortress. This will not be an easy fight.
Eivor made her way through the fortress and found the emissary.
- If caught, the emissary let out a demand.
- Anglo-Saxon Man 13: Who interferes with the king's business? Guards! Guards!
Eivor took the letter from the emissary and read it.
- King Aelfred's Orders
I, Aelfred Rex of the West Saxons, appoint Thegn Tedmund as the ealdorman of the territory of Cent.
May he serve me, his God, and his lands well.
- Eivor: Aelfred's chosen ealdorman is a thegn called Tedmund. The abbot Cynebert will want to know.
Eivor escaped the fortress and headed towards Cynebert.
- Eivor: I should meet Basim and the abbot in Folcanstan.
Outcome
Eivor learned the name of the next ealdorman of Cent for Abbot Cynebert.