As you catch your breath for a moment, gingerly testing your limbs and finding them weak but fully functional, a commanding woman in simple black robe strides into the room and introduces herself as Sister Mary, the leader of this sect of what she terms the Wives of the Battlefield.
You ask what exactly that means. "After the plague... there were many women who lost their men, their sons, their whole existence. I organized the Wives as a way for those of us who lost so much to prevent further loss." You make a mental note that this Sister Mary, despite her apparent benevolence, does not seem to be an actual Nun.
Glancing outside, you ask about the snow. "My good sir Knight, the month is October, and we are experiencing an early storm." She pauses. "Yes, October. You were recovered from the field of battle in June, I know. We have been watching over you for a long while, we have. You seem to have a particularly strong constitution, to be able to survive for so long on what simple broth we could feed you."
You ask how she found you, and she indicates that you were pulled, barely breathing, from under a horse on the first night of the battle, when the Wives combed the field for wounded. Your armor was perforated and badly impinging your breathing, and was left behind, along with your arms. Sister Mary indicates that you are lucky to have your life at all, given the state you were in.
Asking where you are located, she indicates that you are at a small estate several days ride from Fallsberg across the Wyrm. She explains that it was her late husband's and the Wives now use it as a hospital of sorts. She takes charge of the conversation, asking your name. When you reply that you are Count Samuel Stone, she raises an eyebrow.
"Well, far be it from me to judge your identity, Samuel Stone. Be you a Count or a Knight, you are still just a man in the end, and our task for now is to nurse you back to health."
When you ask of the battle, she demurs, simply stating that many men lost their lives. You ask after the King, the Duke, your men, and she once again deflects the question, saying that her concern for the machinations of the land's nobility are limited, at best. She hesitates for a moment, as if to say something more, but continues with a platitude about getting you a proper meal.
Your stomach's growls betray you, and she whisks herself out of the room. Another woman returns, wearing a blue robe, and places a tray with a simple beef stew, a roll, and a small glass of beer on your cot, before walking away. You ask her her name, but she says nothing. You soon come to find that the women in blue seem to have taken a vow of silence, with only a select few "Sisters" choosing to talk.
When they do talk, you find that your questions go unanswered, with the focus being entirely on your health. Which, admittedly, they seem to be quite proficient at improving. Despite your anger at your lack of knowledge, you lack the stamina or strength to leave the place. Within a few short weeks, however, you are back on your feet, albeit unsteadily, and deemed ready for release.
You are given a simple walking stick, a traveling cloak for the weather, a few days provisions, and directions to the nearest town, a hovel by the name of Mum's End. Sister Mary approaches you as you prepare to leave, looking tentative.
"Samuel Stone, I have not told you this until now, for I judged that your best interest would be to steadfastly focus on your health." She pulls out a small note. "A few weeks after the battle, a bear of a man came by looking for someone he feared was dead, by the name of Count Samuel Stone. We do not let strangers see our patients, so I promised him I would pass along this note if by chance we were caring for you."
You glance at the note, which clearly has been opened. Sister Mary blushes slightly as you regard her. "I had to read it, I'm sure you understand."
The note is cryptic, and simply says "Come to the Capital, but do not make yourself known. Call upon me at The Fat Flea." Underneath that is a crude drawing of a rat. You fold up the note and place it in your pocket. You ask Sister Mary about the distance to the capital, and she states that it would take you several weeks to walk to, which she doubts you could accomplish in your current state.
"I really must insist that traveling to Mum's End first. It will take you a day's walking. What you do from there is your choice, Samuel Stone, who may be Count."
With that, she steps aside. You stand on the porch, breathing the crisp fall air. What will you do now, Samuel Stone?
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Topic: Lordship: A Suggestion Game (Read 327376 times)