Lucius Prepares an Ambush

Checkers set out early the next day, with five copper bits and a simple but useful map of the Tupport hinterlands from her host. If anything, the journey back was easier than the journey out, despite a prevailing headwind. Having seen the way once was a great help. She arrived back in town shortly after noon, and found Mister Jarnestone. Within an hour the transaction was registered at the City Hall and Jarnestone's debt was paid, with some left to spare. Checkers chose to accept her pay in the form of the one gold sovereign. She also accepted a handful of seeds from her grateful patron to kill her hunger from the journey. In a brief conversation, she understood that this was the day that men were traditionally paid for their work in the yards and in the shops, and so there was to be much activity tonight. Mister Jarnestone advised her to be careful, as there were times that some of the wilder men might get drunk, and she might find herself in an innocent victim of mayhem. She thanked him for the advice, and went to the Four Winds. Apparently her companions had gone. The flight in from Red Deer had tired her, so she found a comfortable niche in a group of trees in the forest and took a nap, intending on resuming her search later in the afternoon.

Lucius and Brennus had discreetly arranged for a room at the town home of the Archeron of Tupport. Lucius intended for Brennus to get out and find out as much as he could about any newcomers into town. He himself would pay a call to Jayton, who may have been the most skilled mage in Tupport. It was Jayton who had tipped him off to what appeared to be Astra's companions.

Brennus took a large pewter mug of ale from the bar, and sat on a tall stool. He easily chatted with the patrons of the Four Winds about his favourite subjects - beer, horses, and women. He soon found out a young blonde who was in the company of two men, and a servant who was rarely seen. As Brennus pushed deeper, he found, that despite her work as a maid, there was some speculation that she was noble, and heavy speculation that she was a magic user of some power. She could not speak Barque, but was said to speak the mariner's language quite well. She was elusive, however, and had not mixed with the townsmen, which made tongues wag all the more. She and the taller man looked like foreigners, but of a nationality that none could pin down. Jan, the shorter man, was now working gutting fish for the Four Winds. It was known that he was a north Blacksander, from around Coperton. He was a good man, but did not seem to know much about his companions, or was not volunteering much of interest, other than, than the name of the woman (Sartoma), and her marital status (didn't appear to be). But as far as her intentions, he was not able to get much on that, other than she wanted to go north, toward Colonia Gallia. (Brennus made special note of this very interesting piece of information.) And today Jan was busy helping prepare for a big night at the tavern, where there was much eating, drinking, merrymaking, and gambling. Brennus stayed a little, gave out some insignificant gossip about Colonia Gallia, and then returned his mug, collected his deposit, and left to search for this Jan. He did not approach him directly, as it would have been awkward, but did find one of the men who collected the filleted fish. Jan had apparently told him about the great, dragon-powered balloon. And that the lady had not been feeling well earlier in the week. He noted these two interesting facts, and then went to find Lucius.

Lucius and Jayton met for the second time that day. Jayton shook Lucius's hand, and said, "Thank you for the powder, Mister Lucius. I have been looking for that."

Lucius replied, "Jayton, I know how to take care of those who show promise. You have performed very well. Would you be perhaps interested in a situation in Colonia Gallia?"

Jayton arched his eyebrows, and dropped his jaw a bit, before regaining his composure and saying, "Certainly I will listen. What is going on?"

"A lot of very interesting things, for the right man. I am always looking for more talent, and have had my eye on you for some time."

Lucius was gratified to feel Jayton shuddering a bit, and not completely from excitement. Jayton said, "I do not have ties to Tupport which bind me tightly to it. How can I help?"

"It concerns that young lady that we have been talking about. I have received additional information - that she intends on coming tonight to a certain test of magical skill that is to take place tonight."

Jayton sucked in air. He and the local mages had been trying to read Sartoma's mind for a week now, but with no results. They suspected that she was a mage, but could not confirm it. Now Lucius was announcing it as a fact!

Jayton did not say that. Rather, he replied, "Indeed. We call it the Big Game. But she has not let us know of her interest."

Lucius replied, "I believe that she intends to surprise you. I intend on surprising her."

Lucius threw down a sack of silver coins. "There are five sovereigns' worth of silver in there. I want you and a few of your companions to let Sartoma win a few rounds, to build up her stake. And then I want you to try to break her. I will be observing."

Jayton knew better than to ask Lucius why he wanted to do this. He accepted the silver, and Lucius went on his way, thinking to himself, "If she is as good as I suspect, the Tupport mages will not be able to break her. I cannot have her read their minds and understand that they are going easy on her so that I can match wits against her. Once I have her, mind versus mind, she will decide to come to Colonia Gallia, and will not listen to the fear, superstition, and ignorance of others. And then she will pursuade Astra to come to me as well."

1. The men have been paid, the food and drink has been put out, and the games begin.

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