The night passes quietly. The temperature drops down to near the freezing point, and the sky clears towards dawn.
February 12th is sunny and calm. You break camp and go walking south. To your right loom the Rocky Mountains, covered in heavy forest on their lower slopes and snow on their upper ones. After awhile you come to a large open area where the ground cover has been burned away around the road. Bones litter the area. Illyana recalls that this was where she - as a member of Yuri's forces - battled orcs a month or so back.
It is a long and tedious walk, and you arrive at Castle Yuri well after dark. Princess Sarah - silent for the night and part of the morning - begins to complain and by the time you arrive at the Castle you are ready to gag her.
Castle Yuri is ablaze with light: a mighty castle with tall walls, a great Keep and outlying towers, all of the stonework is painted white, and flags and pennants fly from the battlements.
A guard meets you after you cross the drawbridge and approach the main gate.
"Lady Illyana!" he exclaims in surprise, and leads you into a warm, well-lit guard room. "What brings you back home so soon?"
While you await Illyana's reply, Farad looks about.
Farad seems impressed. "When I meet this Yuri, I must compliment him upon his home. I have never seen such a pristine example of a building so obviously dedicated to the fight against evil. But what else could be expected of a holy warrior? Truly we shall be for a time safe against the ever encroaching danger of evil within this stalward fortress of light."
Suddenly, you hear a distant noise...
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA."
It gets closer and closer...
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA."
Until you hear the sound of someone running across the drawbridge.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA."
Then, none other than Pillar bursts into the room and skids to a stop.
Remember him?
"Who's this creep?" asks Princess Sarah, looking at him with distaste.
"I and my companions wish to speak with Yuri on a matter of importance.. we found 'Princess' Sarah in the dungeon Yuri himself bade I clear out for him. I believe he would be interested in this."
"Who are you referring to as a 'this'?" demands Sarah, turning back to face Illyana. "You're as politically incorrect as these men! Are you trying to be one of them?"
Illyana sighs. "I meant this MATTER. Sometimes I wonder if there is anything in that head of yours."
Illyana smiles at Farad's comments. "It has always been my home, more or less." She glances back. "Pillar! What brings you along?"
Pillar stands there panting...being completely out of breath.
"I will send word to Yuri," says the guard, and signals to another.
Five minutes later the guard returns, with word that you are to accompany him to the Keep.
You do so, and soon you find yourselves in a large living room, decorated with portraits on the walls, shields and swords as well, along with suits of armour in the corners and a large fire burning in the fireplace.
"Illyana, and the others!" exclaims Yuri, rising from an armchair by the fire where he was sipping at a snifter of brandy. "This is unexpected! I hear you have brought someone with you! Have you eaten yet?"
Sasha smiles at Yuri, "Well, I see you have finally found something better to drink than milk at least." She smirks.
Yuri smiles.
"One must keep up appearances when one is in public."
"We have just arrived, Yuri. Food would be very welcome, thank you. We were in the dungeon you had asked us to clear out, when we stumbled across 'Princess' Sarah. Realizing the dangers of having with us one who is untrained made us leave before anything bad could befall her. Since you personally asked us to do this task, I believed that you would find this interesting."
Yuri drops to one knee before the princess.
"Your Highness! I am truly humbled to have you within my lowly abode. Your wish is my command."
"Good! At last a man who knows his place!" says Sarah. "My first wish is to have him fixed!"
She motions to Bel.
"It shall be done," replies Yuri, rising.
"Next, I'd like a bath!"
Yuri claps his hands, and several ladies-in-waiting-appear.
"To the master suite," he commands.
Sarah leaves...pausing only long enough to smirk at the rest of you.
Farad introduces himself. "Farad Golamarth at your service. Like you I am a warrior for the light, and a vanquisher of evil."
"I am much impressed by your castle. It truly is a magnificent structure. Its very presence comforts my soul, for I know that evil must indeed be sorely tried by this proof that their cause is doomed. Indeed, if ever I am able to afford such a place, I shall mold it in this castle's image so that all who believe in truth and justice may be upraised by its presence."
Yuri laps this up.
"Yes, evil is doomed, of course, but it will not go down without a fight. Such a bastion of Goodness and Law troubles the powers of darkness to no end, I am sure."
Bel gags at this soliloquy and says, "Easy stomach, keep it down. Now Yuri, our problem is that we have found this Royal Pain in the ---, and thought you might have an idea who she is. She was changed into an Ogress and we freed her, thought the change seems to be for the worse, her disposition and appearance were better before. She claims to be a princess of Sandas, but none of us have heard of her. She might have been in the megadungeon for as long as 700 years. Any ideas on who she might be?"
"Of course. You must study your history, young druid. If she is who she claims to be, then she is indeed older than the Kingdom of Nlad...being a true noble of the Empire of Saltar."
Yuri leads you out of the room and down a broad hallway.
"There is a story about a princess of Sandas...back when Nlad was but a province of the Empire...who was so obnoxious that the court arch-mage had her cursed rather than allow her to marry his son...who was a great teacher. She vanished without trace...though rumours persisted that she had been changed into a creature more befitting her personality. The arch-mage, while found out, never revealed her fate, and was put to death soon after."
Yuri leads you through a doorway and into a large dining hall. Maids and servants are rushing about preparing for a great feast, it would appear.
"The arch-mage's son," Yuri continues, "While releived at being let off the hook, lived to be a ripe old age. He had revolutionary leanings, and indeed became one of the movers in the uprising that eventually led to the Civil War and the birth of Nlad.
"But, the old families survived remarkably intact. If you examine the family trees of most of the royal lines of Nlad, you will see that they lead right back to the Imperial Family of Saltar. In fact, I think that Princess Sarah's family currently rules the city of Vomit. I will make enquiries and if that is the case, I will reunite her with her family.
"Who knows," the Paladin concludes, "Her family may pay you a reward for finding their long-lost ancestor. Or," he adds, "You may be cursed by them."
You are seated at a long table, as great platters of steaming food are brought out.
"Please forgive my table tonight," Yuri says, "But it is late and we were not expecting company."
Before you are platters of hot corned beef and roast pork, large tureens of soups, serving bowls of cabbage, carrots, onions and dumplings, and plates of breads and rolls.
Serving wenches circle about, filling your glasses with your choice of wines, brandies, ale and beer...or milk.
Farad thanks the host, "Your hospitality is excellent. There is nothing to Forgive. Indeed it is we who should be forgiven for not arriving at an earlier hour with a messenger announcing our coming so you were not caught unprepared. But indeed, I think a man of your talents is never caught in a state of unreadiness."
Yuri laps this up again.
"We make a point of always welcoming weary travellers regardless of the hour," he replies.
"I imagine we shall be leaving first thing in the morning. However I do have a question."
Farad pulls out his map. "See these large sections of space between the tunnels. Seems like there should be something there. In your vast experience would you say we should spend time searching for secret doors? Would you have any quick and easy methods of finding such areas?"
"Ah...the Megadungeon! I thank you for working to clear that place, for it has become a thorn in my side...so to speak. As for searching for secret doors...apart from looking in the obvious places it is not usually worth the trouble in my experience...unless you have a magical way of doing so. Who knows, perhaps you will find such an item in the dungeon! Otherwise, if I were you I'd explore the obvious areas first. Later on you can always come back and search with spells...locate object or whatever...and triangulate if the need be."
Illyana smiles. "Its been a while since I've eaten here. It may be a while longer before the next meal like this, so I suggest that people enjoy themselves."
"Have you supplies? Camping equipment?" asks Yuri. "My guard reported that most of you were afoot...you shall be equipped with horses before you leave. Oh yes, Illyana, I have sent word to your father that you are here. He should be along later."
Sasha shakes her head, smiling and helps herself to some wine ... and beer ... and ale. Then, concerning Princess Sarah...
"This will be interesting if she is returned to her family. What will be the implications on politics if she is returned. There seems to be much brewing up that way ... and her return will have some impact on alliances there ... if anyone would marry her and all ... " Sasha muses, rather pensively.
Yuri shrugs.
"That will all be in the future."
Looking aghast Pillar blanches and throws up all over his food "ALE.... take the Devil's drink away, I am surprised and shocked Yuri I would have expected better from you". Looking very dissapointed Pillar motions to a serving wench and she tops up his tankard with some warm milk.
Yuri beams.
"Turned over a new leaf, have we?"
Illyana frowns. "It's just ale, not quite as bad as some other things I've heard about." She hiccups.
Sasha's mouth falls open in surprise at Pillar's comment. She gives him a thoughtful look.
"It seems some good has come from your trip then. But there is a difference between drinking in moderation and overdoing it."
Turning to Pillar, the wood elf says, "Hello I don't believe we have met. I am Kelar T'alster."
"Don't worry about Sasha she knows her limits when she starts to wobble she knows it is time to start on another type of drink and when her eyes start to blur she stops. So one glass of each won't hurt her yet..."
Sasha laughs, "Well thank you so much for your clarification, Kelar! I do not wobble ... or blur my eyes ... " Sasha retorts, tossing a hunk of bread at him.
Raz, who has been in his usual moody silence, speaks up..."Glad to have you back Pillar....you've been missed." After a brief nod and smile to Pillar, Raz pours himself another drink and sits back, enjoying the conversation flowing around him.
Bel thinks a second and then says, "Ok Yuri, what are the laws on marital rights in this country? Is there a patriarchal clause, is consumation necessary, on what grounds can a marriage be forbidden? I need some info to plan my campaign of defence."
Yuri laughs.
"I don't think you need to worry about marrying her, now! She will soon have plenty of other matters to preoccupy her...and probably plenty of other suitors as well, if she is indeed a princess."
Frowning Pillar watches the conversation and sips his milk "I don't see that as a problem, we either return her or destroy her" shrugging Pillar starts to eat his corn beef, giving the alcoholics in the party dark looks.
"That is a rather extreme way of looking at it, though it does have it's merits." Sasha replies with a puzzled smile at Pillar's dark looks.
She turns back to Yuri, "Can you give us an update on the current political situation in Princess Sarah's area?"
"I am not entirely abreast of matters there...for it is a journey of several weeks to Vomit. Last I heard, all was quiet. The rulers of Nlad are quite preoccupied with matters in Mestom, right now," answers Yuri.
Aldarin seats himself saying "Now this is the life I was suited to live. Nothing could be more rewarding right now than this magnificent meal and the good company we share."
"Thankyou for your gracious complement," replies Yuri. "But all this is a result of my life-long neverending quest to destroy evil wherever it lurks."
The meal, needless to say, is superb...the wines and brandy first rate.
After dining a string quartet sets up in a corner and plays...
"Yes, that seems like wise counsel. Thank you for taking the time to listen to my questions."
"I always try to help those battling evil!" proclaims Yuri.
Concerning the horses...
Farad smiles. "That is very gracious, but I fear that they would become a burden. While it would speed our travel to and from the dungeon, I would not know how to keep the mounts safe while we were away. I fear they would fall prey to some wandering creature."
"Yes...quite true."
"Aye, perhaps we too shall soon see better times. This group has had much in the way of tragedy, for while evil usually falls, it often greatly weakens those of good faith in the process."
"But you must remain true. Such adversity builds character and ultimately makes you all stronger in the end."
Bel beats a hasty retreat, and eventually the rest of you head off to bed...each in your individual rooms.