Council of Princes
The findlings have discovered that Martel has been hired to assassinate someone
- perhaps the High Prince! - and it seems extremely likely that he will do so at
the next Council of Princes, in but a week's time, for Martel is jaded, and
never chooses to do things the easy way, when he can test his skill further.
The Council of Princes is a league tradition, starting on the first day
of Needfest, and continuing until the first day of Fireseek.
They rush to the capital, on Midwinters day, the heart of the Dim Nights, and
attempt to enter the Council of Princes. Outside a nearby tavern, Morty
recognises the horse of Seargant Krager, agent of Iuz and Martel's
accomplice.
(In truth, the old man is also a contemporary of the foundlings parents, though
we never find it, he served in Safeton.)
He escorts them all to the Council of Princes, though a heavily armed guard
contingent and several Seekers of the Truth escort them in, with weapons bared.
In these days of trouble, everyone is suspect.
At the Council the Princes are outraged at the presence of armed men, but the
Prime Minister smoothes things over, as Lord ________ explains that an
assassination attempt is about to occur. Martel is spotted, in the balconies
above the great hall, and as the Seekers, and the party rush to defend their
High King, he fires his bolt.
But at the Prime Minister, not at the King!
The bolt is intercept, Lord ________ threw himself in the Ministers way at the
last moment, taking it through his breast, Beren's healing is unable to stem the
flow of blood from his heart (Severe Bleeding, C&T), but the old man is
able to gasp out a few last words.
"Ensure that he survives, for he is vital to our defence against Iuz,
ensure he lives no matter what, swear that on your shield!"
Beren does so, and the hunt for the assassin is on.
In the chaos that ensues, nobody realises that Amberle's only supporter in her claim to become lady of the Gap has died. It appears that she will not be able to reclaim the birthright stolen from her by the Keepers of Truth. Tears cloud her eyes as she draws her blade to chase down Martel, who has once again robbed her.
As the party darw steel to pursue Martel, the Seekers and Keepers of Truth draw down on them, Disk Crossbows are unfurled, and Skullswords raised. the High Prince is hurried out of the room, and the Prime Minister picks himself up, and wipes some of Lord ______'s blood from his face.
"There will be no more bloodshed here today, leave these good folk alone, and chase the real assassin."
The keepers obey immediately....