Einheimische Keep #1
The largest of the Landsknecht strongholds, located on the outskirts of Blitzheim. It is a fortress of stone and machines, watching over the City of Clocks and providing the firm base to the knight's codes.

A lone figure rides up to the main gates of the keep. His uniform and the trappings of his Drokar identify him as a palace guard. He slows the steed, approaching the raised portcullis, looking for someone on watch.

A Cervani Landsknecht, large, two handed blade strapped across his back, steps out to meet the guard, "Greetings, guard; what business have you here?"

"I am Leftennant Varick, and I wish to speak with Sir Gergesene." The mounted guard replies, bringing his Drokar around and dismounting. "Could you summon him, or direct me to his quarters?"

Inside the gates in the practice yard, a few knights practice their techniques while their squires look on. The field echoes with the ring of sword on armour, and the other noises of combat.

The Landsknecht nods, and calls loudly for a squire to tend to Varick's mount. He then turns to the Guard and motions towards the Keep, "I'll take you to him."

"Thank you sir." Varick replies, following the Cervani. He is led into the keep, and through the stone corridors to a non-descript door, in a hallway of similarly unmarked wooden doors.

The door stands a little ajar, and regular grating sounds come from within, a tiny 'whiiit! whiiit!' noise.

The Cervani approaches the door and knocks. {Well, he's here, at least… }

"Who's there?" kaws a voice from inside.

"Landsknecht Steinhardt, Sir St. Germain, with a Leftennant Varick. He'd like to speak with you," the Cervani responds. "Will you see him?"

The voice answers, "Ah! Excellent. Yes, it would be my honor, Sir Steinhardt." A moment later the door opens to reveal a rather cramped cubby of a room, the bed replaced with a perch which shows much scraping of use. Twin metal sabers rest on the floor next to a whetstone and some oiled paper, which he must have been touching up. Gergesene wears just a leather vest at the moment, upon which he would at other times be wearing a chitin breastplate.

Gergesene kaws, "Good day to you, Leftennant Varick, Sir Steinhardt. I'm afraid there isn't much room in here, but I'll perch so we can fit."

The Cervani Varick bows to Sir Gergesene, "Thank you sir, it should only take a moment of your time." He waits for Steinhardt to enter the room, then follows.

Upon entering the room, Steinhardt stands by the door in a 'guard' position. No such thing as too formal. . And then, there's otherwise not much space in the room.

Gergesene hops onto his perch. "First, I am afraid that I have bad news for you, Leftennant Varick. The monk, Brother Salvatori, and your guard, Shem, were both injured in an ambush, and are presently being held by possibly enemy hands, unknown. I pray to the Star that they are being treated well, and not as prisoners." He bows his head piously.

The palace guard looks downward at the floor, "I am sorry I doubted your honour, Sir St. Germain. I was most confused to find you had not returned the palace, but that does explain your reasons."

"More curious however, was the response of my commander upon hearing we had failed in our orders." Varick continues, "He seemed uninterested, and let the whole matter drop. I did not hear anything further on the subject till this morning."

Gergesene looks up with surprise. "Kaw? That is very odd indeed."

The guard nods, opening his topcoat and reaching inside to bring out a sealed tube. "I had expected anger, or recriminations, but nothing, and days passed without hearing from you either. I thought the matter had moved beyond me, till this arrived." He holds the tube out to the Korv.

The seal shows it has come from Lord Ruthven.

Gergesene takes the tube and examines it. "I am, at the moment, waiting to hear back from Baron Phelan for parley, Leftennant Varick. I have high hopes that we will be able to solve this question without resort to violence."

Gergesene opens it up. My, my.

"I did of course, give a full report of what occurred, so your name was mentioned. My commander instructed me to deliver this to you." Varick explains.

Out in the hallway, two Cervani approach the room, the elder a Landsknecht though not terribly old himself. Fadyr looks to Jael as they walk, "So you see, for the time, it may be best that you not go about saying who you are, lad. If you are willing, I would gladly have you as my squire, at least until this is over… " Fadyr falls silent as they near the room and he hears voices.

Jael just nods numbly. "Alright… although I'm probably not going to be too convincing as a squire."

Inside the tube is a piece of parchment, unrolling it reveals the text of the message, in a fine cultured script.
Gergesene St. Germain

You have the mage's son, Jael in your possession. I trust you will keep him and his secrets safe. I will summon you to discuss matters soon.

Fadyr pats Jael's shoulder and offers quietly, "You'll do fine." He peeks into the room, antlers partly filling the doorway as he looks in. "Sir Gergesene, have we come at a bad time?"

Gergesene's eyebrows go up. "A summons," he says.

Gergesene looks up. "Ah! Sir Fadyr." He smiles and shakes his head, "Not at all. Please allow me to introduce to you the honorable Leftennant Varick. And of course, you know Sir Steinhardt."

Varick bows to Fadyr, "I am honoured to meet you sir." He turns back to Gergesene, "I hope I am not the bearer of bad news, is the message… " His voice trails off, obviously the guard has been imagining many consequences as soon as he saw Ruthven's seal.

Steinhardt bows at the two arrivals, stepping further aside from the door in an attempt to make more room.

The Cervani child pokes his head in the doorway as well and waves weakly to Gergesene.

Gergesene shakes his head. "In fact, Baron Ruthven complimented me for my discretion and would like to speak with me at a later date." He beams.

Fadyr decides to remain just outside the door, listening for the moment.

"That seems promising sir, again I apologize for doubting you earlier." Varick looks around at the dwindling space, and the Landsknecht standing in the hallway, "I can wait around if you wish to write a reply, but if you have no further need of me, perhaps I should leave you to your business."

Gergesene clasps hands with Varick. "You are an honorable servant to the Palace. May I count on your support when it comes time to parley for the safe return of your guardsman? Ah yes, I'll write a reply this very instant!"

"Of course sir. I was concerned that Shem did not return, and is still absent. Even though my commander seems uninterested, I do care for my men, and would like to know Shem is alright." The palace guard states, moving against the far wall from the door, allowing a little more space in the room.

Fadyr grins faintly to himself at Gergesene's actions. It seems any mention of Ruthven gets him moving twice as fast as anything.

Gergesene looks around for paper, then starts writing a note. It reads, 'You may trust my discretion, milord. We of Chronotopia stand united against Bosch and the threat it presents; we champions of peace and order will stand ever-vigilant, I promise you that… ' He goes on in this vein for a while, and signs the letter with a flourish.

Gergesene hands the note to Varick. "Thank you again for your understanding, Leftennant. All will yet end well!"

Jael reaches up and gently taps Fadyr's shoulder. "I was just wondering," he whispers. "What will I have to do to be a squire?"

The Leftennant bows once more to Gergesene, "Order will prevail. I'll ensure this message is received by the Baron. I, of course, can be found at the palace barracks, and am at your service as required. I should be getting back now, I do have my duties."

Fadyr chuckles very softly and leans down to whisper to Jael, "Mostly keep close, as I haven't much need of additional things a squire might normally carry. We can discuss it more in a bit."

Gergesene bows back to the Leftennant, and looks rather pleased.

Fadyr steps clear of the doorway and nods to the Leftennant.

Varick bows to the other knight and waits to be led out by Steinhardt.

Steinhardt nods to Varick, then leads the way out of the room; back towards the stables.

Jael keeps close to Fadyr as instructed… bumping into him in the process.

Fadyr blinks and grins. "Not quite that close… "

Gergesene preens. "A note from Baron Ruthven! By the Grand Machine, Fadyr, surely this heralds the beginning of a new campaign. And surely for our part in seeing that the succession of the Kaizer goes well, we will be chosen to for great roles. The flower of Chronotopia's knighthood will bloom again!"

Fadyr steps into the room now. "All well and good, Sir Gergesene, but there are other matter more immediate, you realize. For instance, Jael will need another name to go by unless we are to lock him up here for safety's sake."

Gergesene looks up startled at Fadyr's suggestion. "Another name?" He blinks.

Fadyr crosses his arms. "Enough blood has been shed already, albeit largely a misunderstanding. Safer to avoid any more, don't you agree?"

Gergesene kaws, "But of course! Er, just why do you need a new name, Jael?"

Jael's ears perk at this. "I like my name… but if you think I'd be safer by changing it… "

Fadyr says, "Sir Gergesene, if we address him by his name, those who are looking for him will know him. If not, they may well think him just another squire. Certainly you can see… "

Gergesene blinks. "But, surely there are none who would do him harm… " He pauses, looking back to the note. "Of course! Baron Ruthven has detractors who wish him ill. He himself, of course, wishes the boy every good, and perhaps he might even seek to adopt him, to provide him with the father that dear Jael has lacked all his life. But those who hate him, and I cannot think why, might seek to thwart his plans."

Fadyr politely remains silent until Gergesene is done. "So, have you any ideas then?"

Gergesene looks sentimental. "Perhaps our young Jael reminds him of the Kaizer's son, so unfortunately gone… Truly a noble gesture."

"Perhaps we might name him after some family of yours, Sir Rainscroft?" the Korv suggests. "It might be assumed that he was a relative, then."

The Cervani knight pauses, scratching behind an ear. "Ah… aye… Hmmm… " He looks to Jael. "Devon mayhaps?" he offers hopefully, not being one for coming up with names much.

Returning from seeing the palace Guard out, Steinhardt once again approaches the nondescript corridor of nondescript rooms where Sir Gergesene resides. {By the Great Machine, so much happens now, with the Kaizer's death… May the Star shine down and guide us.} On hearing voices coming from the room, he slows, then knocks on the doorframe and waits to be acknowledged.

"Devon Rainscroft," Gergesene says. "An excellent name! Er, who's there?"

Stepping to the door, Steinhardt bows to the Korv, "Sir Steinhardt again, Sir St. Germain. I have some small matter of news I had hoped to share with you."

Fadyr nods to Steinhardt, stepping off to the side and beckoning Jael with him.

The Korv looks interested. "I am most attentive, good sir. Please, come in. My home is yours."

"Devon." Jael says. He mouths the name quietly to himself.

The Cervani grins slightly at the lack of space remaining in the room, and settles for standing in the doorway. Turning to the Korv knight, he begins speaking, "It is a matter of some small confusion to myself, regarding a rather odd mission I was given to undertake on the eve of the funeral… "

"An odd mission?" Gergesene looks bemused. That was, in fact, the very night that he and Salvatori received their own mission.

"Aye," the Cervani nods. "Most certainly it was not that which I am accustomed to performing. I was sent, alone, to escort one mage, a 'Talia' by name, from her cell in the prison to a certain room in the basements of this very keep. I was to see to her care without asking of others for assistance… "

"The mage repeatedly requested to know 'an you had sent me."

Gergesene blinks. "Do you mean to say then, Sir Steinhardt, that Talia is within our very own basements at this time? Is she permitted to receive visitors?"

Fadyr furrows his brow at the news.

Nodding, Steinhardt answers, "Aye, she is indeed here. I fear, however, that I am not allowed to take any to visit her. This mission has, however, puzzled me to no end, and I thought I should approach you and determine if I could learn aught else."

Gergesene pauses. "By whom were your orders given, if I may ask?"

The Cervani child hovers close to Fadyr. He looks on the verge of tears again.

"Sir Hehner," the Cervani replies, a faintly puzzled expression on his face.

Fadyr rests one hand on Jael's far shoulder, holding the child to his side, trying to offer some bit of comfort.

"Silberglascht," the Korv muses. "Verily, such a noted champion must have his good reasons for acting as he did. But perhaps he may be persuaded to a small bit of mercy." He looks over to Fadyr, wondering if the other knight agrees.

Fadyr nods to Gergesene. "Yes… I believe it would be worth trying."

Steinhardt glances between the two other knights, {More here than I yet see.}

Fadyr asks as he glances to Steinhardt. "Have you had any more visions of late, Gergesene?"

Gergesene shakes his head. "But I know Steinhardt. He pledged with me at the funeral to the Kaizer. He, I believe, is also one who struggles to see that good is done, no matter what dark forces there may be arrayed against us."

Steinhardt remains silent, not sure where exactly this is leading.

Fadyr starts to speak, then nods and reconsiders. "Mage Talia's son is in our care, as there seem to be those who would wish him harm, or use him in some fashion. I believe we would all feel better if he were allowed to see his mother. Certainly you can understand that, Sir Steinhardt?"

Steinhardt's eyes narrow slightly, "Indeed; it is not well to separate mother and child. As I said before, though, I cannot bring visitors to see the mage; so I am ordered." He trails off.

"… but then, my orders never specifically implied I was to prevent those selfsame visitors from arriving without my aid." the Cervani concludes.

Fadyr blinks at the loophole and cannot help but smile a little.

Gergesene looks dumbfounded, and then kaws laughter. "Ah, and what you do not know, you cannot complain about then. Well, the Grand Machine is served well then, and there is yet the good light of the Star upon all of us."

Jael sniffles, then brightens. "You mean I can see my mother!" he says a little too loudly.

Steinhardt smiles slightly, pretending not to hear the it'un's question. Half-turning towards the door, he begins "I thank you for this chat, and such information as you did chance to give me." Pausing at the threshold, he continues, "but I should now go to making sure of the safety of the mage. Perhaps, 'an you wish to shine more light on unanswered questions, you could send for me. You likely will find me on the second basement of this keep; near unto the equipment stores in the northwestern corner."

Fadyr says quietly, "Thank you, Sir Steinhardt."

Gergesene smiles. "Anon then." He bows to Steinhardt.

Bowing, the Cervani Landsknecht turns from the door, and, adjusting his swordbelt, moves off into the bowels of the keep.

Fadyr looks to Gergesene. "We should get to this then, aye?"

"Oh, aye indeed," the Korv knight says. "Come on, Ja – ah, Devon. Let's give you a little 'tour' of our fine Keep." He sheathes his swords again and puts on his breastplate, feeling underdressed without it.

The two Landsknechts give the new squire a tour of the keep, leading him first through the infrequently used basements of the keep. One door seems more recently disturbed than the others in this area, and sports an open lock. On the other side of it, Steinhardt's muffled voice can be heard.

Gergesene stops and listens. Steinhardt's orders might not bar visitors from dropping by unannounced… But he cannot ask the man to honorably look the other way if we are too blatant. He looks over to Fadyr, wondering if the Cervani's ears are any better than his.

Fadyr glances at Gergesene and shrugs.

The Cervani child seems anxious, his eyes glance down the corridor as he strains to catch some fleeting glance of his mother.

"Let's try the next door," the Korv suggests to Fadyr quietly. Perhaps Steinhardt only meant to point us the right direction.

Steinhardt's voice suddenly becomes louder; as if approaching the door, "… aith, Lady, I believe some small … surprise should anon arrive."

Fadyr steps off to the side quickly, glancing around. A corner would be nice, though Steinhardt seems set in this and would likely not give the hallway much of a glance.

Gergesene retreats to the corridor as well. A chance meeting is nothing out of the ordinary, but if we were lurking immediately out, it might impinge on Steinhardt's honor to report that he saw nothing.

The door opens, and a Cervani Landsknecht steps out of the room. Steinhardt glances down the corridor, then, closing the door, proceeds towards the guardhouse, seemingly oblivious to the other occupants of the corridor.

Gergesene gestures grandly to Fadyr to lead the way. ;>

Jael watches the exiting knights, glances at his two companions and suddenly dashes for the door and runs inside.

Fadyr reaches for the door, but ends up dodging out of Jaels way and following with a soft smile at his enthusiasm.

"Jael!" A loud happy cry can be heard from inside the room.

"Well, Squire Devon will have to wait a while before he gets used to his new name," Gergesene says to Fadyr with a grin. Hm. It seems that the orders to guard Talia did not include watch-on-watch, or Steinhardt would have waited to be relieved – or is he intentionally leaving us to stand watch?

Inside the small room is the Mage Talia, tightly hugging her son. Any improvements in her condition have been negated by worry. She still seems a pale, shadow of a Cervani, with haunted looking eyes and a dull looking pelt. A smile is on her face, and that improves her appearance, a little.

Fadyr starts to reply to Gergesene, but keeps silent as he sees Talia. He seems almost afraid to interrupt the reunion.

The Cervani child clings tightly to his mother, burying his face into her arms and sobbing. "What did they do to you, mother?"

The doe holds her boy just as tightly, "It was my own fault Jael, a spell I cast went wrong. I've been so worried about you." She looks up, through the doorway at Gergesene and Fadyr, "Thank you."

Gergesene smiles. "You're welcome, milady."

The Cervani knight bows to the mage. "We will do all we can… for both of you," he says softly.

"Where is Brother Salvatori?" She asks, still holding Jael tightly.

"But can't you fix it? Can't you make yourself better?" Jael asks, looking up into his mother's sunken eyes.

Gergesene bows his head. "We were ambushed, I'm afraid," he says. "Brother Salvatori and a Guardsman were both captured, but I've asked for a parley with the captors. Hopefully we can resolve this without difficulty."

The mage nods at Gergesene's words, then rubs her son's head, "I'll be fine in time, I just need to rest. I would need my materials, to heal myself, and I don't have any of them. Don't worry, I'll be fine."

Fadyr sighs softly to himself. "M-milady? We have decided it may be best that Jael here be as my squire for the time, just to avoid the attention he has attracted thusfar."

"A squire? but that could be dangerous. He's so young. You will make sure he doesn't get hurt?" Talia's eyes plead with Fadyr's.

The child looks back to the Korv knight, then squeezes his mother's arm and asks, "Mother… is it true that the Kaizer was my father?"

"I am certain that Sir Rainscroft will treat the young Jael as if he were a cousin – no! A veritable younger brother." Gergesene smiles as he reassures Talia with utmost confidence.

Fadyr nods. "I shall, milady. I would protect him with my very life." He notes quietly, "Also, if you have any knowledge of why Baron Phelan would be interested, or even know of Jael, it may help."

"Thank you Gergesene, Fadyr, I know you will not let him come to any harm, and yes Jael, the Kaizer was your father… its, its very hard to explain, but you will understand why I could not tell you before." The doe gives her boy a tight squeeze, "I'm just so glad to know you're safe, my heart is so much lighter now."

"Baron Phelan?" Talia looks curiously at Fadyr, "He and Heinrich were close friends, they often hunted together, and would play cards or chess late into the night. I would not be surprised that he knew."

Jael just continues to quietly cling to his mother, tears flow freely from his eyes and stain the Cervani mage's fur and clothing.

Fadyr nods and offers, "It would seem he and Ruthven have both sent guards to look out for Jael, in their own ways." He would be less kind about it, but he knows how Gergesene would react to such things said about Ruthven.

Gergesene looks up at this news. "Close friends?" he says with surprise, though he has managed a small immunity to the way that Talia speaks of the Kaizer so casually.

Talia brushes at Jael's cheeks, wiping at his eyes, and continues, "Vanth and Heinrich were close friends. The Baron… he is an interesting man, but I am sure he would not hurt my son, or the Kaiser's son."

"Only a creature born of Bosch could willingly seek to injure a young child," Gergesene agrees readily. "I remain certain that we shall soon discover that this has been a misunderstanding, and then we shall join forces to destroy our true enemy! Do not fear, milady Talia, I am certain that the light of the Star shall prevail."

"His family is an old an aristocratic one, long associated with the throne. Always loyal. Their fortunes have worsened, and I've heard that Vanth lives almost alone in his mansion, unable to afford more than the necessary expenses to keep up public appearances." Talia looks between Gergesene and Fadyr, her arms tight about the young Cervani, holding him against her chest.

Fadyr steps back toward the door. "I… I will be outside if you should have need of me." He makes a bow as he reaches the doorway and turns to step into the hall, keeping an eye on things there. The Cervani sighs softly to himself and shakes his head, hating to see anyone in that state and trying to make sense of everything. He listens to the conversations though…

Talia kisses the head of her son, "Vanth would never hurt you Jael, I know that. He couldn't, not after how Heinrich spoke about you. Oh I wish you could have known your father, he was so proud of you."

Gergesene bows to Talia and Jael. "I as well," he agrees. "Ah! Motherhood. It is so touching to see the bonds of familial relationship." He wipes a tear and steps outside after Fadyr.

Gergesene turns to Fadyr, outside of the Mage Talia's holding place. "You should wait here, Sir Rainscroft, in case there is any question as to why she might have been left unguarded. I'll speak to Sir Hehner about our new guest at the Keep… Jonas."

Inside, Talia and Jael have their privacy. The doe soothes her son, and tells him about his father, a hard story for them both.

Fadyr nods to Gergesene. "Very well. Good luck in that, Sir Gergesene." He stands at attention by the door, ear flicking once in a while as he overhears bits of the tale told within. The Landsknecht even finds himself wiping a tear away at one point before catching himself.

Gergesene shudders a bit. An illegitimate son of the Kaizer… An old friend setting an ambush for his friend's son. Or for the guards who were bringing them in? He feels chinks of doubt in his confidence for Lord Ruthven, but prays that there is a good explanation for all this. "Starspeed, Sir Rainscroft." He heads down the corridor and up the stairs, stopping by Jonas's temporary quarters on the way to Sir Hehner's office.

Jonas looks up from pulling on his boots as he hears a knock on the door to his quarters. "Enter," he says, standing up.

"Sir Gergesene," the Korv says announcing himself as he opens the door. "I'm on my way to Sir Hehner's office. I thought that I might introduce you as well, so you can meet your host personally."

Jonas grabs his sporran off of the bed and fastens it around his waist, bringing the pouch to rest in front. "That'd be a good idea. Where's the boy?"

"Just follow me and we'll be there before you know it," the Korv knight promises with a twinkle to his eyes.

Jonas walks after the Korv knight.

The office of Hehner Silberglascht. It would not do for one Landsknecht to claim greater status or importance over another. However, some knights do have a seniority of sorts, based on their long-standing service, and some also have the need for more space. Sir Hehner, principally responsible for coordinating all the postings of Landsknechts, has both. His office then, is one of the larger ones in the keep. The door is of course, always open.

Knock, knock. The Korv knight peeks in. "Sir Hehner? Sir Gergesene. I've a guest to present to you, if you're free."

"Ah yes, Sir Gergesene, do come in. I've been meaning to speak with you, but there has been so much to deal with recently." The older Cervani opens the door. Sir Hehner is still a capable fighter, though he has become a much more capable administrator. His excellence shows in his rounded shoulders and stooped stance, gained from pouring over many texts. He straightens, seeing the bear behind the Korv, and then waves the two in.

Jonas waits for Gergesene to enter, and then stoops slightly to clear the sill, and goes into the room.

Gergesene hops in, then introduces Jonas and the older Cervani. "Jonas, this is Sir Hehner – he runs the keep. Sir Hehner, Jonas, a most worthy and capable warrior who is presently 'between lords'." He pauses, and then continues, "May I hope that we have sufficient room to guest him here for the time being?"

Jonas looks the older Landsknecht over, and says, "Grace upon you, Sir Knight. I be Jonas MacAlister, of the Black Watch."

Sir Hehner nods, "Well met, Jonas MacAlister, I have a few things I'd like to discuss with you. Take a seat please, I need to put a few things away." The Cervani returns to his desk, closing up some books and replacing them on the shelf beside him, absently saying, "Oh, sorry about the door. This office used to belong to one of our panther brethren, and I never got around to having the sill raised."

Sitting down, Sir Hehner also gets down to business. "To answer your question Sir Gergesene, Jonas is welcome to stay here. Once we determine his loyalties."

Jonas seats himself in a sturdy chair. "It's not a problem, Sir Hehner. Highlanders are big folk; we get used to ducking."

Gergesene blinks, "Loyalties?" It never occurred to him, of course, that Jonas could help but support Chronotopia over all else.

The older Cervani nods, "Of course. I hope you won't mind telling me about yourself, I have not heard of either the Black Watch, or the Highlanders, and I do pride myself on being well informed."

Jonas scratches his head, and says, "Well, to tell the truth, Sir Hehner, the Black Watch is a well-known group where I come from. Even the Desert Kingdoms, which are many days ride to the south of the Highlands know of us, even if we have little reason to go that far south.

Jonas says, "I kin only suppose that I am not in the land o' my birth, or anywhere close to it. Although Chronotopia does bear a fair resemblance to the Highlands."

"I think I would have to say then, that you are far from home." Sir Hehner concludes. He smiles, upon hearing his homeland is similar to the one of the impressive bear. "Sir Gergesene would not have brought you here if he didn't think you were a man of honour. What are the codes and morals you uphold?"

Jonas says, "Ah, the Code o' the Watch. Well, there's two important parts to the Code. Ye must understand that the Watch is primarily supposed to work in the Highlands, so these are a bit … specific."

The older Landsknecht nods, "Yes, of course. I'm merely interested in starting someplace."

Jonas closes his eyes for a moment, and then recites, "As a member of the Black Watch, ye shall set yerself apart from all clan rivalries, including those of yer own family and clan, and serve as an impartial and unbiased judge of all those arguments set before ye. Ye will make judgements on these arguments to the best of yer ability, using yer knowledge of the laws of the Highlands, the Word of the Great Mother, and the Words of the Primogen, and yer own good sense, consulting with other Watchers as ye see fit. Once ye have passed judgement, all parties in the matter must abide by that judgement, or else appeal to the Watch Commanders."

Jonas opens his eyes. "That's the first rule of the Black Watch."

The Korv knight listens, curious what sort of fellow has been chosen as Jael's guardian.

"One similar in many ways to the principles that guide the Landsknechts, please do continue." Sir Hehner writes down the highlander's statements.

Jonas recites again,

Jonas recites again, "Ye shall defend the Highlands and the peoples of all the clans from the depredations of those who would prey upon them. Ye shall defend the innocent in all struggles, for they are the true losers when violence occurs."

Jonas says, "That's the second rule of the Black Watch."

Jonas settles himself again. "Heh, haven't had to do that since being made a full Watcher. That's the majority of it. I'll spare ye the long and boring recitation of the written laws of the Highlands and the Clans."

Sir Hehner nods, continuing to write. "Again, quite honourable. Your Black Watch seems formed on the very same high ideals we subscribe to. Yes, the specific laws are not necessary. It would take some time for me to tell you of all the rules in Chronotopia." He taps his pen on the desk.

Jonas explains, "The Watch was formed to protect those that were quite often caught between feuding clans. It also serves as a border guard, defending against Norscan Raiders from the North, and Imperial encroachment from the South. Not that the Empire has 'encroached' fer over a century."

"The question remains, how did you get here?" The Cervani keeps tapping his pen.

Jonas nods. "That's a good question, Sir Hehner. I wish I could answer it."

Jonas pauses briefly, and looks over his shoulder at the door. He fixes each of the two Landsknechts with a serious gaze. "I would take ye into confidence about some details of my arrival, but I would ask that, as furres of honor, ye withold any snap judgements until ye hear me out."

Gergesene looks up with startlement from where he'd almost glazed over in the recital. "Of course," he kaws quickly.

Sir Hehner nods, "I'm willing to hear you out. We are not strangers to odd occurrences in Chronotopia, we battle against them incessantly."

Jonas shifts forward in the seat. "I first arrived in the land ye call Bosch," he says simply.

The older knight looks Jonas up and down slowly, "You understand we do not trust the things that come out of Bosch. Please continue."

Jonas nods. "That is what I was told. By my own memories, I was at one moment on the road to the Free City of Auslin – a place that is most likely not one ye're familiar with – and the next I was in a place very different from the wooded road I was traveling. Bosch … well, quite frankly, I've never seen anything like it, and I daresay that the folks there weren't particularly hospitable."

Jonas says, "Save one, and I would've died without his assistance."

"You must have been hard-pressed to keep life and soul together in that demons' lair," Gergesene bursts out.

"Oh?" Sir Hehner tilts his rack forward, "I would not have expected that. I am quite familiar with Bosch, and nothing is given freely, or without consequences."

Jonas nods to Gergesene. "Aye, it was a close thing there fer awhile." He turns to Hehner. "I canna say anything about that. Only that a Knight in the service of someone called 'Lord Nosh'ma' saw me to the gate into Chronotopia. Helped take care of the gate's keeper, as well.

Jonas fishes in his sporran, and pulls forth the odd amulet that the Boschian Knight had given him. "He said that this might have some weight in the argument." He leans forward and places the twisted metal disk on the desk.

Gergesene looks puzzled. "I know of no Lord Nosh'ma… " he says, then looks up at the clacking the disk makes against Hehner's desk. What could it be?

"I see." Sir Hehner looks down at the twisted metal with a very distasteful expression. He slides back on his chair, and takes a dusty book from low on the shelf that fills one wall of this office. "You'll excuse me a moment while I do some research."

Jonas nods. "Take yer time."

The older knight flips through several pages of the book. He has to draw another two off the shelves, from radically different places. Finally he says, "Yes, I have an account here from a returning Landsknecht, it confirms your statements, but aren't much more enlightening that what you've just said."

Jonas says, "Well, what the knight said was that Lord Nosh'ma – who I never met – understood that we … that is, non-Boschians, could not survive very long inside its borders. Nosh'ma evidently took the effort to escort any non-hostile, non-Bosch furres out of the country. As to why, he did not say."

"I believe however it is safe to conclude that you are who, and what you say you are. A Demon Knight would hardly walk into this keep, and tell that story so plainly. As well, I am familiar with the beings of Bosch… " Sir Hehner just gazes at Jonas, "… and you do not strike me as one."

Jonas says, "He also said that, in helping destroy the gatekeeper, I had repaid Nosh'ma for his kindness. Evidently there was a struggle over the land there. I didn't inquire deeper. "

Gergesene whews.

Jonas grins. "Good. I did not strike me as one either."

Gergesene kaws, "All the same, Sir Hehner, it might be most prudent if we were to, ah, turn this 'souvenir' over to some scholars to study. It may be merely a prize, but then again, the broken machinations of things Bosch are beyond my conceiving… "

The older Landsknecht nods, "That likely was his sole motivation for rescuing you. Demon Knights are not known for their altruism. If he had further goals, they would not be to your benefit, and would be to our detriment as well."

"Good suggestion, Sir Gergesene. If you are willing to part with it, Jonas?" The knight asks.

Jonas shrugs "I am not particularly attached to the trinket, although, since it is metal, I would like some compensation. The blade I brought with me is Boschian as well, so ye might give me a good claymore in exchange."

Gergesene flusters his wings at the requests. How blatantly commercial – but perhaps Jonas is not as sure as he where his next shekel will come from. "I would give you one of my sabers, Jonas," he says. "But they are not suited to your size. Perhaps there are some spares in the armory, Sir Hehner?"

"A the moment, I don't think we are in possession of a weapon that would be suitable for him, Sir Gergesene… " Sir Hehner looks over Jonas, "… I also have never heard of a claymore. I would suggest you discard your Boschian blade as soon as possible, that area has a way of claiming you, and there is no telling what your sword might do. However, as I said, we are unable to replace it."

Jonas grunts. "Have ye no two-handed blades, then?"

"We have some of those, yes." The older knight nods.

Jonas grins. "Well, p'raps one of those will do. A few swings at a pillion'll tell me whether or not. And if not, well then, I'll find something. The Mother provides, and St. Bruin'll not let a warrior go without arms fer long."

Gergesene sits up straight on his perch. "Sir Hehner, with your permission then, I'll take Jonas to the armory and he can try some blades for size. Then he can leave this one… " He gestures to the sword of Boschian make. "With the token, both to be studied by scholars."

"You seemed to have something specific in mind. Forgive me, the records I keep must be very precise, and substitutions or alternatives don't always occur to me." Sir Hehner looks to the Korv, "Sir Gergesene's suggestion sounds reasonable. Also… "

Jonas looks down at the blade of odd not-steel, and shrugs. It's served him well enough, but the Boschian knight said that it wasn't particularly magickal. He leans it against the edge of the desk.

"… there are many rules to be followed in Chronotopia, and you are a stranger. I trust you will accept Sir Gergesene's guidance in these matters, as I am charging him to oversee you. Things have become recently unstable, and we do not require another loose gear in the machine." The older knight keeps his gaze on Gergesene.

Gergesene nods. "I'll do my best, sir," he says with back drawn up straight and looking proud of the trust the older Landsknecht has placed in him.

Jonas grins. "I'm not the most discrete of furres, Sir Hehner; the Mother did not make me that way. But, I will try to follow Gergesene's lead."

Sir Hehner rises, taking the strange blade and amulet as he walks around his desk. "Once you have a new weapon, feel free to use the other facilities of the Keep. I'm sure some of the other knights would wish to test your skills. I can't think of anything else to tell you at the moment, except welcome to Blitzheim."

Jonas stands up, nodding. "Thankee. Fer the welcome, and fer the trust." He extends a hand.

The old Cervani takes the hand with a grip that belies his age, and shakes firmly, "Our homeland is hard, we try to soften it for visitors as much as we can."

Jonas nods. He says, "Well, if there are no other problems, I'll see that armory of yers. Mayhap there's a blade in there that'll be of a proper size."

Gergesene bows to Sir Hehner. "Thank you, sir, and Star watch over us all." He sets off to lead the big bruin off to the armory, though his pace is nowhere nearly as fast as the bear could cover by himself.

"No other problems, you may stay here for the time being." Sir Hehner follows the two out of the room. His stooped posture means he doesn't have to dip his rack quite as much as other Cervani would to exit the office, "I will just take these to the scholars who can do more with them than I can. Farewell. May the Star light the flaws in your path."

Jonas follows the Korv, idly wondering if there might be an actual sword of iron to be found in the armory. It'd be nice to have a _proper_ weapon again.