Session 5

Keech is sprawled, unconscious, at the feet of the Tvordal dwarf, Willem. Barrax drops some healing on Keech, while Willem's second-in-command, Rolf, slaps some manacles on the assumed partisan assassin.

Though pleased at having captured a partisan (he thinks), Willem isn’t thrilled to be deep in enemy territory. He sounds a snazzy-looking horn and his squad soon gathers—all but Herst, who ran off after another assumed partisan (Odysseus) but has not yet returned.

Willem offers to hire Barrax to help the squad take their captive to Dockside (10gp to be paid upon arrival). Barrax accepts, so the troupe of dwarves herds the recalcitrant Keech to the northeast… with Odysseus following stealthily behind.

The squad clearly knows its stuff, maintaining situational awareness as it goes. Progress is slow, however, mainly because Keech drags his feet (literally). After a bit, Willem sounds the horn again. Although its clear tone rings in Barrax’s ears, neither Keech nor Odysseus hears a thing. Uneasy that Herst hasn’t rejoined them, Willem hands the horn to Gisela. He orders the sharpshooter to take two soldiers and recover Herst—though they’re to return to Dockside if they haven’t found Herst after an hour. Willem, Rolf, and the other three soldiers (and Barrax) will take the partisan back for questioning.

Meanwhile, Malcis, having been apprised of the situation by Brother Simon (over a tasty breakfast at Claes Bakery), heads thataway to see what’s up. She soon spies the Tvrodal squad while Odysseus spies her. Malcis and Odysseus reconnect and proceed to shadow the dwarves along a parallel street.

Having had enough of Keech’s antics, the dwarves requisition a small donkey-led milk cart (paying its owner for the privilege) and toss Keech in the back. The dwarves start making better time, so Odysseus and Malcis decide to set an ambush. They find a good spot—at the end of the narrow street the dwarves are heading along—and spring their trap… with an attack on the donkey!

The wounded donkey freaks out and goes pelting up the street, smashing one of the lead dwarves out of the way in the process. Keech, having been dumped out the back of the cart the instant the donkey took off, finds himself dragged by Willem through a convenient door. Barrax follows in helpful support while Rolf covers the rear.

Back on the street, the lead pair of soldiers spots Odysseus and descends upon him in dwarven wrath. However, they soon fall under the combined efforts of Odysseus and Malcis. Inside the house, Barrax takes advantage of the circumstances to turn on Willem. Though seriously injured, the sergeant doesn’t fall. He retaliates and calls out for aid. Rolf and the remaining soldiers dash inside and gang up on Barrax.

Barrax is knocked senseless, while Keech takes advantage of the chaos to flee. Rolf and a soldier pursue, where they face Malcis and Odysseus in a deadly melee. Indeed, Rolf somehow deflects what should have been a lethal blow from Malcis which instead strikes down his compatriot. Rolf then retreats, joining Willem and the remaining soldier (Renholt)—as well as the unconscious Barrax—inside the home (slamming the door behind him in the process).

Keech at last frees himself from the devilishly well-designed Tvordal shackles, then joins Malcis and Odysseus in attempting a rescue of Barrax….