The Master Overthrown

See Also: Bardic Knowledge

In the morning Ian Fist goes in search of Master Baldewin. He finds him on the commons helping his people to recover what they can from the mess. While they are talking Xarth arrives and demands to talk to the “dragonman”. Master Baldewin rejects the request, but has Xarth tells him about the creature – the master believes he can change more for his show. Eventually he relents when Xarth says that he will tell Baron Ulrichstein that Baldewin knew about the spirits before it happened last night.

After cajoling him, Xarth finally finds out that the Shoag was sent on a spirit quest. This quest is to find the lost Tribe of the Stone, whom the irillians called the Marlot. Much to the shoag's surprise Xarth begins to speak on the oral history of the Stone Tribe. He even tells the tale of an Irillian Legion that fought them in this general area less that five hundred (500) years ago.

Brizanthimus hears that Xarth and Ian both went to the menagerie and he wants to see if any tracks from the Soul Metal remain. While looking around he hears a woman with a beautiful singing voice. He finds her and introduces himself to her. After talking with Gwyndolen for a few minutes he gets the impression that she is more than just a courtesan. However, he cannot think straight and soon finds himself avoiding rather direct questions. Lucky for him Sofiya hears him talking and pops her head in the tent and drags him out before things get worse.

Ian and Xarth both agree to free the shoag from his bonds. Ian notices that the iron is very rusty, so Xarth uses his magic to further weaken the bonds. To cover up Xarth's long ritual, Ian draws upon the chaotic nature of this menagerie and suddenly some barrels near a fire burst into flames. Sofiya and Briz can hear Xarth's ritual and are about to see what he is doing when Squire Eckard shows up. He wants to gossip about Sofiya’s upcoming lunch with Sir Gerhard Sattler. Sofiya, worried that he might see Xarth, allows the young squire to escort her back to his store so that she can prepare herself.

The shoag breaks free of his bonds and roars a challenge to the sky and his ancestors. Just at that moment Briz comes to investigate what is happening – the shoag looks very hungrily at him. Xarth steps in front of the shoag and tries to stop him, but he seems very intent on filling his supply of vitamin H with Briz. Briz dislikes this idea so he uses his glamours to make himself appear as a tree. The shoag is confused by not willing to give up the hunt regardless of what Xarth tries to do. To help him Briz makes an illusion of a bleating sheep in the nearby woods. The shaog goes running after easier prey and disappears into the woods.

Exhausted Xarth, Briz, and Ian return to the shop.

Squire Eckerd Kaufmann arrives to escort Sofiya to her lunch. Sofiya had spent quite a bit of her personal purse to acquire a new dress and jewelry for this lunch. When she arrives at Sir Sattler's townhouse she is met by his butler. She sits down with him and has a wonderful lunch, more importantly Sir Sattler lets his guard down around her enough that she gets a good feel for the man.

Sir Sattler is no widower; although he was courting a young lady when he was in Celinus. The lady was killed by two elves, who escaped before they could pay for their crimes. This lost justice is what drives his hatred of elves. He is a strong supporter of the crown and speaks highly of Queen Aurora I's desire to secure the trade route to Bornheim.

Wary that Master Baldewin will cover up what happened with the shoag, the guys decide to information the Baron straight away. After securing an audience they convince the Baron to speak to Master Baldewin. When the good Master arrives at the Great Hall, Baron Ulrichstein decides to administer Ian's punishment at that time. Watching Ian get flogged eventually breaks Master Baldewin’s resolve and he tells the Baron everything – at least enough to cover his own tracks.

He tells the Baron that the creature has escaped when someone opened its locks. He defends his own people by immediately accusing Xarth of having a hand in freeing the creature. Furthermore the fire that took his people away was no accident.

The Baron decides to test Master Baldwin's claims so he takes his huntsmen with him when he visits the east commons. Unfortunately for the Master, the Huntsmen back the story that the cage was in disrepair and is was negligence that free the creature. Master Baldewin appears dejected when the Baron order his men to go through his goods until they have reached a fair settlement for the town’s losses. The Baron gives Master Baldewin until nightfall to leave sight of the town.

Things would have been perfect except that Baron Ulrichstein has taken the courtesan into his household staff as a entertainer and tutor for his children.