By the Boatman
Baronet Oscar, an itinerant fencer, failing student and nobleman was surprised when a burly barge owner sat down at his table, brining with him the group of worthies. He had recently moved to the University of Altdorf at the behest of his father - having learned only the skills of drinking and fighting in his term at Nuln's academic establishments.
As Reiner spoke with the young noble Josef asked Igor to help him get in several bottles of wine. As the two stood by the bar awaiting their generous selection of vintages Josef quietly told Igor of events surrounding the grave robber's departure from Nuln, of how he had offended the Oldenhaller dynasty of that learned city. Igor had little time to mull this grim news over because shortly after their drinking began a fellow clad in black studded leathers entered the Boatman.
The patrons, clearly afraid of him, made room for the sinister man, Max Ernst. Nonetheless the company remained at their table when the inn was also guest to the students Oscar was waiting - two noblemen and their retinue, out to stir trouble. They were clearly drunk already and Oscar began to rue awaiting the two rogues.
When Reiner was drenched in second hand wine by the two noblemen he lost his temper and tried to punch one of the noblemen. Max Ernst threatened Reiner and he was all too swift to succumb to the protagonist's attempts to start a fight. A bar room brawl started which ended when Igor attempted to club Ernst unconscious and dealt the man a fatal blow to the chest.
As the two drunken noblemen shuffled off the staff of the Boatmen thanked Reiner and Igor for killing the troublemaker. They tossed the corpse into the river and tried to make it look like the fellow had fallen in and drowned.
The company enjoyed several more drinks and pleasant banter before retiring to Josef's barge, Oscar in tow. On route the rather drunken friends spotted the fellows from the Koenigplatz following them. After making the fact they had spotted them obvious they continued to Josef's barge. As they were in sight of the Berbeli Igor, who was glancing briefly at the pair following them, witnessed a pair of crossbow bolts ending the life of their pursuers. The group hastened onto the Berbeli, making such noise that they soon discovered Josef's crew had a baby. Chided by Girda, the baby's mother and one of the married couple that comprised the crew the group mentioned they were escaping.
Eventually Josef, Igor and a rather curious Oscar returned to the body. Igor, experienced in examining the deceased noted that not only had the fatal quarrels been removed from the two dead men but that they had rather obviously had their coin-pouches cut, their clothes rummaged through -very- thoroughly and arranged to appear as if they had passed out from drink.
Not wishing to incriminate themselves the three fellows returned to the Berbeli and settled down to sleep. No sooner had dawn arrived than Josef awoke them all by making his way on deck loudly. They did not notice Edgar quietly slipping out of the barge a few moments later, and returning within the hour. A few hours later Josef returned, ruddy faced, and informed the company they were departing immediately. It seemed one of the noblemen from the Boatman last night had been murdered, the other injured, their bodyguards having fled.
Oscar in particular had been fingered as a suspect with Reiner and Igor wanted for questioning. Josef said the innkeep at the Boatman had said posters with their likenesses were most likely going up throughout Altdorf with the implication being they were considered to have murdered the nobleman. Oscar decided it would be unwise to return to the University and decided to remain on the barge while Reiner reasoned this might lead the watch to ask too many questions the group did not wish to answer so Josef unlocked and untied the barge and the company were soon setting sail down the river towards the Weiss Canal - their destination, Bogenhafen.
As Reiner spoke with the young noble Josef asked Igor to help him get in several bottles of wine. As the two stood by the bar awaiting their generous selection of vintages Josef quietly told Igor of events surrounding the grave robber's departure from Nuln, of how he had offended the Oldenhaller dynasty of that learned city. Igor had little time to mull this grim news over because shortly after their drinking began a fellow clad in black studded leathers entered the Boatman.
The patrons, clearly afraid of him, made room for the sinister man, Max Ernst. Nonetheless the company remained at their table when the inn was also guest to the students Oscar was waiting - two noblemen and their retinue, out to stir trouble. They were clearly drunk already and Oscar began to rue awaiting the two rogues.
When Reiner was drenched in second hand wine by the two noblemen he lost his temper and tried to punch one of the noblemen. Max Ernst threatened Reiner and he was all too swift to succumb to the protagonist's attempts to start a fight. A bar room brawl started which ended when Igor attempted to club Ernst unconscious and dealt the man a fatal blow to the chest.
As the two drunken noblemen shuffled off the staff of the Boatmen thanked Reiner and Igor for killing the troublemaker. They tossed the corpse into the river and tried to make it look like the fellow had fallen in and drowned.
The company enjoyed several more drinks and pleasant banter before retiring to Josef's barge, Oscar in tow. On route the rather drunken friends spotted the fellows from the Koenigplatz following them. After making the fact they had spotted them obvious they continued to Josef's barge. As they were in sight of the Berbeli Igor, who was glancing briefly at the pair following them, witnessed a pair of crossbow bolts ending the life of their pursuers. The group hastened onto the Berbeli, making such noise that they soon discovered Josef's crew had a baby. Chided by Girda, the baby's mother and one of the married couple that comprised the crew the group mentioned they were escaping.
Eventually Josef, Igor and a rather curious Oscar returned to the body. Igor, experienced in examining the deceased noted that not only had the fatal quarrels been removed from the two dead men but that they had rather obviously had their coin-pouches cut, their clothes rummaged through -very- thoroughly and arranged to appear as if they had passed out from drink.
Not wishing to incriminate themselves the three fellows returned to the Berbeli and settled down to sleep. No sooner had dawn arrived than Josef awoke them all by making his way on deck loudly. They did not notice Edgar quietly slipping out of the barge a few moments later, and returning within the hour. A few hours later Josef returned, ruddy faced, and informed the company they were departing immediately. It seemed one of the noblemen from the Boatman last night had been murdered, the other injured, their bodyguards having fled.
Oscar in particular had been fingered as a suspect with Reiner and Igor wanted for questioning. Josef said the innkeep at the Boatman had said posters with their likenesses were most likely going up throughout Altdorf with the implication being they were considered to have murdered the nobleman. Oscar decided it would be unwise to return to the University and decided to remain on the barge while Reiner reasoned this might lead the watch to ask too many questions the group did not wish to answer so Josef unlocked and untied the barge and the company were soon setting sail down the river towards the Weiss Canal - their destination, Bogenhafen.
posted by Stuart | 3:46 PM
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