LogFAQs > #904002551

Entry 0: Horror on the Hill

Three caravans had left from the city of Hendrake in hopes of seeking Cain's estate. Contracted by a private company of treasure seekers, these mercenaries had left long before the local lord and his knights could decide what to do. Those would still be mired down by bureaucracy. The men and women gathered here planned to strip the place of treasure long before the local government could decide what to do about the situation.

The people of Hendrake were incited with fear of the 'Horrors' mentioned in Cain's letters. Defense of the city was more important to the average citizen, as opposed to reclaiming Cain's estate. And for the Lord himself, defense of his own castle was far more important than defense of the city at large. While Hendrake was preparing for their defenses it had been left to the private citizens like Yoshiki Matsuda to take the offensive.

Matsuda's father had come to Hendrake from a foreign land, almost thirty years ago, and that old man sincerely believed that loyal service to the Lord was the correct way of life. Matsuda saw things differently. If his father's way of life was correct then he wouldn't still be licking the boots of the nobility in hopes of raising his station. Matsuda planned to take his fate into his own hands.

Despite their planned headstart, the caravans had been mired by rain for several days. The skies had cleared today, but there was still mud on the roads. It made the ascent of hills treacherous and slow. To make matters worse... Matsuda himself was situated on what had come to be known as the 'Prisoners Caravan.'

Sitting in the back of his caravan was a man in chains, an Abomination who hadn't spoken but who must have committed unspeakable crimes. Matsuda did not get the sense that the abomination was here of his own will. Someone had likely bought him and sent him here, hoping to gain treasure without putting their own life at risk. That would never be Matsuda. He did not intend to end up in chains. He would serve only himself, and he would become rich -- no matter the risk required.

In addition to that, a unique pair had wound up on the same caravan and helped reinforce this image of those fated and damned... even if Matsuda didn't consider himself among that group. Dismas the Guilty had been convicted in the courts of Hendrake for multiple crimes including theft, robbery, and assault. Before being sent to a cold cell, where he surely would have rotted, his sentence was bought out by The Golden Group. Their agent, a man named Seth, was escorting Dismas to this site to make sure that the man behaved.

Dismas, however, had a low cunning about him that could not be underestimated. Matsuda had a suspicion that Dismas would become more trouble than help later down the line, and all it would take is for Seth to stop watching him carefully for a moment or two.

Thinking of the man, and giving it some consideration, Matsuda felt that Seth was the only person here worth talking to. "Seth," he said, to the man who was sitting beside him on the outer edge of the wagon, "I've been wondering this for a short while, but what is that bag you are carrying with you?"

Matsuda's polite way of speaking was a 'gift' from his father. He had inherited even a few traits from that boot licker.

"Oh, this?" Seth lifted the bag, shaking it slightly. A clanking noise was made inside as metal struck against metal. This seemed to draw the attention of Dismas. Seth glanced at Dismas, and then looked back to Matsuda. "These are his personal effects. All he had on him when he was taken into custody."

"... and I expect I'll get them back," Dismas said in a low voice. He wasn't chained as the abomination, but his hands were still cuffed together.

"Until we leave Hendrake you are not a 'free' man, Dismas," Seth told him. "You'll have to sit tight until then."
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~* Now I only see your dull imposter ~*
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