World Moved On (IC): Chapter 4, New York

[Shock]

Jhondak
HP: 3

"Fatigue drags at me as well. I believe I will retire after our meal." He looked around at the rest of the ka-tet. "Since we've been left to our own by Parkus and Florent, what shall we do with Oswald tonight?" Jhondak had no problem with speaking about Oswald as if he weren't there. As far as he was concerned, the man was still their prisoner.

[McGuffin]

Russ
HP: 0 CND: -2 Toughness, Staggered

Russ shrugged at Jhondak's question. "Get him an extra room and lock the door for the night? Or did you want to babysit him through the night?"

The gambler turned to Pablo with a roguish grin having clearly said all he intended on the matter. "So, Pablo me mate, you seem to have gotten well on the good side of the local womenfolk. What say you we find some local liquor and local ladies and see what kind of trouble we can scare up for this fine eve?"

[Lord Fell]

Myron Frost

Myron has pulled the sheaf of papers from the leather sachet, although he hasn't had a chance to read through them yet. "I have made promises to Ozzie, in terms of his welfare. I also have obligations to my ka-tet, to ensure that he does not place a burden upon them. I believe my room is large enough to accommodate us both. It will also give us time to discuss his future here. I believe he could use my counsel."

Myron begins to examine the papers presumably sent by the Kawima. He skims the papers quickly, looking for details that he should bring to Owen's attention immediately.

[McGuffin]

Russ
HP: 0 CND: -2 Toughness, Staggered

Russ paused his talking to give Myron a look that clearly questioned the sorceror's sanity. "I didn't suggest we truss 'im up like a pig or march him off to the brig, did I? Anyone else an' I'd just say it was your funeral but you're a member of this ka-tet Myron. That means you have a responsibility to each of us, same as each of us has a responsibility to you. And that responsibility includes not going off to do something stupid and getting yourself killed. You sure about this? And what is that damned paper you've been fidling with since Parkus arrived?"

[Project Icarus]

Owen
HP: 5

Owen cleared his throat. "Russ is right, Myron. I have no objections to you and Oswald discussing things further, and I know that you can handle yourself, but I believe it would be wiser to house Oswald in a separate room." He looked at Oswald. "No offence, but I am truly unsure as to how much we can trust you."

He returned his gaze to Myron. "I will find a room without windows to house our friend in. If you wish to talk with him, then lock the door as you leave." He paused, then added, "And yes, just what are those papers?"

[RedBstrd]

GM Post:

Not understanding the humor, Pablo begins to stammer and fumble over his words when Russ proposes that they attempt to pick up on women. "Sai Russ... I can't... I mean we have compatible... parts and all... but... not human..." His uncomfortable response gets cut off as attention turns to Myron and the leather scroll that he reads. The scroll is clearly of Kawima design, bearing painted words on parchment from the thin hide of some animal or another. The contents are simple and direct:

Three days after the ka-tet arrived at the Kawima settlement, an army of 10,000 men and the odd slow mutants began rallying and then marching from Medraut's camps. According to the Kawima elder, the army will reach Camelot within a week after it began marching.

[Shock]

Jhondak
HP: 3

"Three days? How long were we in the Todash?" Jhondak looked worried. It had felt like only a few hours, at most. "If it has been three days and they will arrive in less than a week, we have lost much of our time to prepare." To Jhondak, this was just more evidence that the Todash was a waste of valuable time.

[Lord Fell]

Myron

"We were in the Todash three days, apparently before the army started marching. The number of days before they reach Camelot will depend on the total number of days we were in Todash." Myron stands up and scans the serving staff, and waves over someone he recognizes.

"As for Ozzie, I do not fear for my safety. With the armies of Chaos on the march, we do not have a lot of time. For Oswald to become someone we can trust, we will need to give him some trust as well." he pauses momentarily. "Besides, have you ever actually seen me sleep?" It occurs to you, that you haven't.

Once the servant arrives, Myron asks how long it has been since they left to the Kawima.

[RedBstrd]

GM Post:

Pablo sits uncomfortably in his chair. "Sai Jhondak, time is soft now that the world has moved on. In Todash, it is even more so. You were gone a week. If that letter is correct, we have but three days before they will reach Camelot."

[Project Icarus]

Owen
HP: 5

"I believe we already gave Oswald some trust, and it nearly ended in bloodshed by allies," Owen said, pointedly, to Myron. He shifted his attention once again to Oswald. "For my part, you will have to earn my trust." Turning back to Myron, he added, "His room will be locked if I have any say in the matter, which I believe I do. It's as much for his safety as anything. Sai Florent was not happy with his presence, and we all know the forces of Chaos are probably eager to have him back."

As Pablo spoke up, Owen's attention was quickly diverted. "What?" He held his hand out for the paper. "We need to bring this to the King's attention immediately. Even one night could make a difference in this battle."

[Lord Fell]

Myron Frost

Standing, Myron hands the scroll to Owen with a bow. "You are absolutely correct, Owen... as I mentioned earlier, there is no place for Mr. Oswald at the palace just yet. He will remain with me, for now."

Myron beckons for Oswald to join him, as he leaves the dining room. Once he is alone with Oswald, he speaks somewhat confidentially to the man. "I have something of a dilemma. I feel that my oath to protect you applies to even ephemeral things such as your honour. Owen Armistad is leader of my little coterie, and it is his wish that you be confined when I sleep. These two obligations upon me are conflicting."

"For now, I have a compromise which allows be to bypass the issue. Some time ago, it was my desire to cast enchantments to divine the movements and disposition of our enemy, but I was distracted. Time is short, and I have no time for distractions now." Myron has lead Lee Harvey Oswald to the large unused banquet that he previously used as a spellcasting chamber. As before, he calls his Brass Engine to assist him. "Tonight, Ozzie, you will serve as my assistant. I think that working with me, you will learn a great many things that will help you understand the war you've found yourself in."

I don't know if Ozzie has any skills that would allow him an Aid roll, although it sounds like he was a conspiracy theorist. Mostly, Myron wants to keep him busy until he falls asleep. If possible, he will want to show Oswald exactly who's dirty work he was almost coerced into doing.

[Project Icarus]

Owen
HP: 5

Owen nodded. "Thank you, Myron." He tucked the paper into his own satchel and looked to the others. "Who will accompany me? I don't think there's a need for us all to go, but I'd welcome any company I can get."

[Shock]

Jhondak
HP: 3

"A week." Jhondak stated it with a grimace. "I will go with you. We wasted too much time to that Todash and we must get the urgency across to the King."

[McGuffin]

Russ
HP: 0 CND: -2 Toughness, Staggered

Russ gave Myron a skeptical look as the sorceror left the room with Ozzie in tow. The point about never having seen him sleep hadn't exactly helped settle his uneasiness. Well, it had, but it had also raised all kinds of new questions about the members of their ka-tet and what a peculiar bunch they were. Still, if he couldn't trust Ozzie he supposed he'd have to settle for trusting that Myron knew what he was doing.

When Owen mentioned going to see the King, the gambler tensed for a moment but relaxed quickly when Jhondak volunteered to accompany their dinh. Whew, dodged a bullet there. Not that he thought informing the King asap wasn't important, just that he didn't particularly care to be part of that little mission. Not when they were going to war in probably less than three days time.

"God, I can't even remember when I last just spent a night out on the town. Come on then, Pablo." Russ put a friendly arm around the can-toi's shoulder as he steered him to his feet. "You'll find that there are two very powerful things in this world. One is gratitude and the other is liquor. Just have a laugh and enjoy the good company."

[RedBstrd]

GM Post:

Before going back, Oswald comments to the whole ka-tet: "Your to-dash or whatever wasn't a complete waste, you know? You got that rifle and I'm a marksman. Looking at this city, I'll bet there's not another like it anywhere here. Get me in a tower with a good view of the walls and I'll make the enemy's officer corps regret getting anywhere near here." After making his point, he heads back with Myron to the sorcerer's chambers. "It's alright; I was in the marines. I understand your loyalty to your brothers and I don't mind if you got to lock me up for the night. Just make sure that I can get out to some night clubs or bowling alleys or something every once in a while."

Oswald doesn't have any specific skills which would help out, but he has been touched enough by the forces of Chaos that Myron gets a +2 circumstance bonus to any magic-related rituals that involve Oswald's help.

What did you wish to know precisely about Medraut's forces?

Meanwhile, Pablo lightens up his demeanor a bit. "Now, good company I can go for. I just mean to be back at a reasonable time to get rest. Tomorrow we will need to train extra hard and make sure that our supply of orizas is sufficient."

As Owen and Jhondak approach the castle, they see that the building is still thriving with activity despite the hour. While the knights don't yet know of the information that the ka-tet carries, they are already active in their preparations for the upcoming battle. The guards recognize the two foreign guests and wave them in without a word. Within the halls of Camelot's castle, the pair can see a number of gunslingers, soldiers, and civilians hard at work. The gunslinger Susan stands at one table, looking down at a map. Florent stands at her side, pointing to various things. Elsewhere in the series of rooms full of the knights stands King John, busily discussing strategies of one sort or another.