Illwinds at the Shattered Skull

[Guest]

The look in Jaccob's eyes was puzzling to her. She didnt understand why all this was so important to her. She understood that her sister and cousins were in danger but had no clue why all this would be so meaningful to her. Yes, family is important and what happens to one means much to the others but she had purposely kept away from their dealings. With never knowing her mother due to her dying in childbirth she only had recollections of her Aunt Ebony. She had very little memory of her father since he died when she was quite young. It seemed ages ago when she found the family heirloom that Jaccob now had possession of. Things were becoming very confusing for her.
Jaccob again patted her hands and touched her cheek lightly.
"There are things my dear girl i must tell you. Things that you will probably not believe...but they must be said."
Nodding her understanding to him he began to tell her the story of why her father had died. It seemed that he had fallen in with some members of a secret sect determined to overthrow Britain and bring evil to the world. He had put himself into the service of a mage who dealt in the darkest of magical arts. Necromancy mixed with high magery had become his obsession. Turning himself away from his family and all that was good in the world. He told her that on the day of her father's death the two of them had come to blows over who should control the staff. Her father wanting to bring the staff to evil use and himself wanting to keep it from it. Jaccob took a deep breath then continued to tell her how they fought ferociously and he had slain his own brother. He too was wounded severely and had no recollection of what had happened to the staff. He thought it may have been destroyed or taken by the evil forces that his brother was with. He never knew until the day she showed it to him. Looking at Aletta he could see that she was in shock over the tale of her father but she seemed to understand there was nothing that could of been done to stop it. Sitting back in her chair Jaccob continued telling her that the hooded figures that have been stalking the girls were of the same people her father had once been involved with. It was rumored long ago that they still sought after the staff that for some reason they felt it was of great power and would aid them in their fight for control. After her father's demise they had gone into hiding and was not heard of since. But now it seems they are back and very much looking for the staff again. That is why they came and attacked the girl's in Skara Brae.
Sitting back in his own chair Jaccob took a deep breath and tried to relax. The telling of this story was hard on him and Aletta could see that it brought back terrible memories to him. Having really never known her father she found it all a bit overwhelming. Thranos reached towards Jaccob and nodded towards the beds.
"Jaccob . You tire yourself my friend. The night is late and you two need to take some rest."
"Yes. You may be right. We have a freind out in the city. If you could have someone fetch him here we may be able to rest for the remainder of the night. But this discussion isnt done. We still need to decide what to do."
"Yes, yes. I wil send someone for your friend and I agree that we need to talk about this further. If what you said is true we could very well all be in danger."
Thranos rose and left the room. Jaccob lead Aletta to one of the small beds in the room and helped her climb in and cover up. She was so tired but her mind was racing with images from the past. Fleeting thoughts danced through her head from when she was younger. Only a dark shadow filled the spot of the man who she remembered as her father. Then memories of Ebony taking care of her and teaching her things. Her early memory of Jaccob was not to be found. She only remembered him from being on Crimson's crew and taking care of them there on the Black Rose. Finally sleep took her and the world became blank as she fell into a deep sleep.
A knock on the door and Meyer entered the room. Jaccob pointed to the other bed next to Aletrta and Meyer went to lie down. It wasnt long before sleep overtook him as well. Jaccob sat once again by the fire and thought back again to the day his brother died. Questioning himself he wondered if Jonah was really dead. It made little sense to think otherwise but something kept creeping into his mind. Something recently that was unsettling to him. There was more of a connection to the things that happened in Skara than that of the hooded figures. After a few moments passed it came to him like a lightning bolt across the sky. Lighting up the dark recesses of him mind. Maxwell.

 

[Guest]

Sitting back and taking in all the events that had past of late Crimson was overwhelmed at things that had passed. Her sister's incarceration, meeting up with Jack, confronting her cousins, and the appearance of those dark hooded figures. None of the things made sense to her. Did they all tie in together? Was it all some elaborate plan to make her life miserable? If so then who ever was behind it was succeeding.
The sounds around the house were what were normal to her. Chattering of the birds. The noises of the forest creatures. The waves of the bay splashing the shoreline. And the light conversations of the people who were trapped in the house with her. They were told to not leave. Told. Why was she listening to Jaccob about this? What did this old man know that he couldnt tell her about? Not even Scarlett knew of the mystery that Jaccob was keeping. And now he had Aletta with him. She of all people had nothing to do with any of this. Purposely she kept out of their dealings from the past. Passive and shy, there was no way that Aletta could deal with the troubles waiting for them all out there. What on earth was Jaccob thinking taking her along with him?

 

[Guest]

Sleep seemed to evade ALetta. She kept thinking back to the day she found the staff under those leaves, covered with blood. The thoughts she had carried for years of her father's death seemed to become blurry. Never did she see his body. Never was any real proof brought home of his death. Things were beginning to settle into place abit. Her father's supposed death and then the untimely death of her mother. Being raised by others for so many years. She thought to herself if it was possible that he was still alive. Just as the sun was about to rise she huddled under the covers to try and remove the chill that had taken over her body. How was she to deal with anymore information that Jaccob was to give her? It was enough to hear that Jaccob was her uncle as well. And to hear of the things that had come to pass in Skara. The confusion was taking its toll. Finally she fell asleep.
When the dawn came Meyer and Jaccob moved to the warmth of the fire and sat in silence. They ate the food brought to them and waited for Aletta to get her rest. She was in need of as much as she could get. After some time a guard came to the room and gave them a message to meet Lord Thranos in the main hall. Leaving Aletta to sleep and Meyer to watch out for her Jaccob went to meet his old friend.
Entering the double doors of the main hall brought back many memories from the past. Memories he hadnt let invade his mind for many a year. The sight of the Paladins sitting around talking and chatting amongst themselves was a sight for any person to behold. In all their splendor it was truly amazing.
Jaccob approached Thranos and sat next to him. Quiet nods came from the others around the room. It was apparent that Thranos had made mention to them what was going on and had made a plea for their help. Many of those in attendance were there when they fought this evil for the first time and many would come to fight again. Jaccob sat back with a slight grin on his face. He knew they would come to his aid but only had to make sure of such.

 

[Guest]

Many of the knights , warriors and paladins talked amongst themselves. The older ones relayed the stories of old to the younger ones which made them realize that the fight against evil was still very much needed. The enthusiasm of the youth bolstered the passions of the elders and there was much excitement in the air. Although they knew this fight would be of great hardship on many they all knew and felt there was nothing else that could be done.
After much talk the decision to help was made. Half the forces in attendance would stay and remain their vigil with the guard to protect Britania and the other half would go and assist Jaccob with his mission. Their were many that had made this decision based solely upon their own past with this evil Jaccob talked of. They had seen first hand what they would be up against and for this they chose to join him. Their sons and daughters too decided to stand by their fathers, uncles and others to do what they could to help.
Jaccob sat back. Pleased he was that the allies he once had in the past were willing to stand with him again. Now he needed to get word to his family in Britain to what was going on . He thought at first to send Aletta back and let her do the telling but after much though he decided to keep her at his side. She would be safer with him than back there. The ones there would be able to keep themselves guarded. As he rose from the table to go see to Aletta a messenger came and gave Thranos a newly arrived missive. Looking at the message he handed it to Jaccob.
Taking the note and reading it another great smile crossed his face. Things were falling into place that he hadnt forseen. And now this force would be there to aid him as well.