SPQT -- Crestquest: The Adventure Begins

5/25 - Robyn heard something large lurking in the woods, today, and he and Alfredus investigated while we waited. Whatever it was, we evaded it, thanks to the two of them, though it seems it briefly treed Alfredus. I'm not sure what to make of their description. It doesn't sound at all probable, but I feel sure Alfredus would have started laughing by now if they were having us on. The creature most resembled a large bear, but had a flat face, round eyes, and a *beak.* Decimus says he has heard of a magic-derived creature called an owlbear, and we passed an afternoon idly speculating as to why anyone would want to create such a thing. Decimus had the most plausible answer: Because he can.

5/28 - We were proceeding comfortably down the road, in tighter formation than usual since we're back in civilized lands, and suddenly a fireball burst in the middle of us! My horse was gravely injured, and I somewhat; Decimus's horse and the mule both ran away; Gaius got dumped; and the rest of us looked frantically about for the attacker, but saw no one. I placed a Sanctuary spell on myself and Robyn charged the most likely-looking bit of cover, drawing fire on himself, literally! His horse was killed beneath him. Unable to see where the spells were coming from, I summoned some celestial eagles. Alfredus flanked Robyn, which proved wise when seven archers popped up and began peppering poor Robyn with arrows. Magic missiles also came down on him - again, literally, and when it finally occurred to me to look up, I saw a small figure hoving a hundred feet or so above me. I assured Harald that no one would attack me while I had Sanctuary on, instructed Gaius to run after Decimus and help him with his horse so he could come back and deal with the spell-slinger; then did the only thing I could think of - cast Dispel Magic, in its more diffuse form, straight up.

The results were spectacular, depressing, and messy, but from the point of view of people wanting to stay alive, acceptable. Robyn was fencing with the leader of the archers while the Sunshine Boys hastened to his aid, Robyn's dogs made gruesomely efficient work of two bowmen, and Alfredus alternately chopped up and demanded the surrender of the rest, whom the eagles were also harrassing. Seeing that they were dressed more or less as Tarantines, I rode toward the melee and demanded their surrender in the name of Orus and the Emperor. The three remaining lesser archers - mere peons, by their dress - broke and ran, and Alfredus decided not to pursue them. The leader ignored me, so I Commanded him to surrender, and he did so, though with an ill grace.

A search of his person revealed some interesting papers, notably an advertisment offering 10,000 solidii to anyone who recovered an item, but particularly a brooch, a ring, or a dagger, bearing a particular crest - the crest, as it happened, that adorns the hilt of Robyn's dagger. I asked him where he got his dagger, and he unbent enough to reply that it was his father's - the first I've ever heard that he had one. I had no interrogation spells today, but suggested that the Tribune would probably be persuaded to give us space where we could conduct a proper questioning, in private, tomorrow. Robyn opted instead to make a deal with the miscreant, letting him go if he was satisfied with the information he gave.
After some bluster and rudeness, they came to an agreement.

It appears that there are several of these advertisements circulating in the Empire. The agent spreading the word and handing out rewards in Brigantium is one Marcus Cicilus Minutius. Our attacker, recognizing the crest as something he'd seen on Robyn, soon learned his employer and followed us out here looking for an opportunity to waylay us. The reward is for the dagger; no mention of anyone bearing it is found in the circular. Cicilius is an equestrian or possibly even a plebian of social ambition, and his address was described to us tolerably well. His house is small, but he keeps a staff of three or four house slaves and two security personnel. He has in the past had dealings with both Milo and Titus, keeping strictly neutral. He pays in bank drafts, keeping little cash about the house. The advertisement has been circulating for approximately three months.

Robyn has pocketed his father's dagger - getting the target off his hip, he says - and substituted our prisoner's. He also had a magic gladius, which Gaius looks exceptionally pleased to be carrying. Four horses and a pony have also been confiscated - Alfredus's children will be happy to get that, I think, but they were asleep when we arrived. The half-elf assisted me in gathering up the bits of his friend the sorcerer - a halfling; it is unlucky to be a halfling around us, I think! - and prepare them for cremation with the two archers unlucky enough to have engaged Robyn's dogs, and the one who wouldn't surrender to Alfredus. After the funeral was properly concluded, we sent him on his way, paroled not to interfere with Robyn again. Robyn cut a lock of the prisoner's hair and indicated that we'd be able to scry his location with it if he tried anything again. Decimus is safely back, along with the mule and its cargo. He says now I know how it feels to be him, but it scarcely seems likely. Arrived Vircorum very late, and tired, but I can't sleep.

5/30 - Tamara has gone forth and done whatever it is she does that makes the seedier part of the world reveal its secrets to her, and she says that though three groups appear to have been searching for Robyn recently, all hailed from Brigantium. There is no local agent. We start for Brigantium by boat tomorrow, where it will be up to Robyn what action we take next.