James' Gauntlet

Gauntlet (Autumn 1193) - where James and men kill an ogre, Randolph is mortally wounded, and a Noble Fae is rescued.

As is Master Duncan habit he swaggers in, as if from a fight or a night of whoring, grabs James by the shoulders and proudly announces his Gauntlet. "Caballus, its time for you to prove yourself a wizard worthy of the name Flambeau. A fantastic creature of great and unknown powers has made the road south from Aberdeen certain death. Your quest and Gauntlet is to purge Causey Mounth of this scourge and come back victorious. Now if it's too dangerous, which it likely is, I want you coming back right away - no heroics. Also I want to be clear - come back with your grogs or on them - I'll make you a Jerbiton again if you get any of your grogs killed. Oh and it could be bandits but I think its something much much worse, and deadly. The Turb Captain gave leave for you to use Angus, Randolph, and Robert. Get to work and try not to get killed." With that, James takes his leave and gathers the grogs into the main hall.

Looking over his men, he was pleased to have Angus a stalwart companion who taught him to fight when he was a boy; Randolph the Kennel's Apprentice will be invaluable with his hounds in finding this monster; but Robert, who was really a boy worried James; just keeping him alive will be a challenge. James was obviously excited and the grogs were obviously nervous when James says, "I've been given a quest. You are to accompany me though Causey Mounth where we are to hunt and kill a monster who has been murdering all travelers who dare walk its hills. It may be bandits so come fully armored. Any questions? (shocked silence) Good. Be here in the morning and we will ride out." With that, James leaves the grogs to contemplate their fate while he prepared for battle.

More or less on time the grogs appear dressed for war outside the main hall to find four impressive and identical warhorses saddled and ready. The men look over each other in the cold morning air, dressed as only men do, to kill or be killed for some purpose great or small, together brothers in arms. Any feelings of companionship are snuffed out as James announces the order to mount. At that point it was obvious that Robert had never rode before but it seemed he could ride so they rode east to Aberdeen.

Along the road, James spied a pretty lass of good stock and against his better judgement he engaged her in conversation. James was shocked that his attempts to charm her were not immediately rejected. His shock turned to suspicion as his Pater's words rang in his ears, "Mundanes hate Wizards." With this suspicion, he became coy and avoided answering questions directly. Still ever hopeful, he suggested that they meet up when their business in Aberdeen is done. The lass still not fleeing continued to pick her flowers and smiling which left James totally perplexed. The grogs on the other hand were notably amused and Angus was noticeably smitten. She really was a good looking lass.

The party rode off and well before dusk crested a hill to see the large and friendly looking town of Aberdeen. A slight drizzle was falling and an early night in a real inn with ales and cakes was just what the grogs needed. Instead James turned south and rode towards the Causey Mouth and into unknown danger. James was mistaken in his certainty that their would be a village along the road and just before darkness fell reliable Angus spied an abandoned tower. Their job of leading their horses up the narrow rocky path to the tower became suddenly easier as their mounts disappeared with the setting sun. The grogs made camp and James lit the fire with a flaming dagger, making the grogs more uneasy but also a bit thankful as the drizzle had turned into a cold rain. The fire was small and provided little light but the walls of the tower though dilapidated provided a sense of safety and soon James drifted off to sleep.

Screams awoke James to the sight of Angus wrenching free from the grasp of a giant who had stepped over the broken down tower wall. A deformed and monstrous man only barely human and as tall as two men, had entered the camp in the dead of night with the intention of murder - this be our quarry, an ogre - and he had ambushed us. Robert forgetting he had positioned his head under an overhanging rock to keep the rain off, leapt up knocking himself senseless. Randolph agilely grabs his bow and looses an arrow which bounces off the giant's stony skin. James gathering his senses grabs three knives and casts them into the towering form, one knife bounces but two sunk in causing the beast to cry out. Having met unexpected resistance the ogre retreated over the wall and disappeared into the night. Eager to track the pray James shouted for the hound but the bitch caught one sniff of the quarry and refused to follow. The dog being the only sensible member of the party stayed back while James and men looked for the beasts trail. One would think a fleeing giant would leave a noticeable trail but in the dark of night nothing was found and they returned to the tower with a double watch.

In the morning, fully armored we slowly scrambled over the rocky terrain in the wet rain. The dog still refused to follow the scent so it was up to Randolph and Angus to find the beast's trail and hunt it down to its lair. At a dark ominous cave mouth, James prepares his men for battle, enchanting their armor and firing Randolph's sword for light. "To the victors goes the spoils." was the extent of James speech and side by side he and Angus walked into the dark with the others close behind. Swift and silent a dead fall expertly placed falls upon their heads; James agilely steps aside but Angus about to take the full brunt of it gawks in amazement as James hand magically deflects the heavy log from its path saving his life. Weary from the effort of spell casting, James suggest a retreat but before any action can be taken the ogre bellows, "Who dares disturbs me? I'm going to bite your head in half!" While James and Angus watch the ogre shuffle into the sword light, Robert unexpectedly charged laying the first blow, and quickly after the second. Not to be outdone Angus charges in while Randolph cautiously advances, leaving James to cast his Knives of Vengeance which had wounded the beast before. Blows fell hard upon the beast to little affect; the beast turns toward Randolph perhaps annoyed by the bright sword light and with one blow crumples him to the ground. Angus seeing an opening slashes hard against the ogre back and breaks his sword with the effort, leaving Robert alone to face the beast's wrath. Seeing his grog fall, James advances into the fray to protect Randolph from further harm. Angus disengages, pulls Randolph to safety, and retrieves the flaming sword. The ogre having suffered many light wounds fights on but falter after two heavy wounds, leaving James to put in the killing blow.

Exhausted James and Angus sat down near Randolph while Robert searched the cave, pocketing all the silver. A cry for help was heard and Robert reported a woman was stuck behind a boulder, as well as two chain hauberks and some miscellaneous trade goods. The cries continued even after James told them to wait and he sent Robert back to comfort her. James cleared the space around his fallen companion, chanting and moving he wove a spell to Bind the Wounds of Randolph so he could be moved without fear of worsening his injuries. Resting again, the cries for help again started up and this time she calls for the wizard, and James curious went to investigate. A massive boulder blocked the end of the cave and a fair hand stuck out reaching for help. Instructing her to back off, James, incanting, laid one hand on the rock and the boulder rolled aside to reveal a fair maiden crouched against the stone wall. She was obviously a Noble Fae, obvious to everyone but James, who gruffly introduced himself and went back to his wizard's work. The lady's name was Princess Muriel. After speaking a brief incantation on the ogre corpse, he summons a magic sword and beheads the beast and takes his prize. Turning back to the fair maiden, he agrees to accompany her to the Seelie Court as long as he and his men are allowed to leave at thier will. With this assurance, James summoned horses and they rode into the mist.

The Seelie Court was like a dream, and pleasant one at that. The grateful King offers a boon to each of the warriors who braved the beast and saved his daughter. James' boon was that Randolph be restored to full health. The King called for his doctor who healed Randolph with great magic. Robert's boon, being the foolish lad that he was, was to be rich. The King handed him a purse that when two coins are put in it a third would appear. Angus blushing asked for his boon to be the love of the lass they passed on the roadside. The Queen presented him with a bejeweled comb which if willing put in the hair would make the wearer fall in love with him. Last, Randolph thinking this all was just a dream, having recovered from mortal wound to find himself in a faerie court, laughed and wished for a dog that would track. The King's Huntsman presented Randolph with a fine white dog which would never lose its quarry's scent. As promised they all were free to leave and return to the Covenant after they enjoyed some feasting at the King's table.

Returning to the Covenant, James was greeted by Duncan the Bold who took his hand and said, "Welcome back Sodalis Caballus ex Flambeau."