Sorry for the delayed updates, there's been some delays with the Soulstorm action and Majestic Effect going on.
Chapter 13: More Adventures!
The Sentinels situation have reached its conclusions...
Tell them the location, and demand politely for a share.
Our emissary returns with a banner. A pity only Warlords can wield banners.
As for the gift, inform Quintus family of our need of their finest steed. They would be honored to supply us with one.
It went smoothly, milord. What of the Brigantes prisoners? Do you wish to purchase them?
No. Question them, and let the Messalas buy them.
ED: There doesn't seem to be a lead-in to this quest result at the moment. I'll keep track.
Milord, our relations with the Sentinels are improving so rapidly, they're basically ready for an alliance.
What benefit could we gain from this?
Aside from Quintus family, they are also able to hold annual military training with our army.
Interesting. I'll make my decision soon enough. Now, I believe we have an arena tournament to attend.
I wish to sign up some of my soldiers to fight in the arena.
Best to investigate this shady dealer...
What kind of assistance?
Then I would require your assistance. Here is the gold. Not a word of this. We've never met.
What's that? I don't know any public baths around here...but I know a good drink. Heh heh. Thanks for the gold.
Time to register my soldiers...
I will enlist three of my soldiers. Here are the gold.
The scribe writes down the names. When he is ready, he politely sends you to the arena servants waiting outside the hall. They will tell you how you can place your bets.
More bets? Do tell.
In addition, you can bet on the victory of any other gladiator, just like every spectator does. If he wins all of his duels in a row, your winnings will be fivefold.
That's nice. I'll place a bet on my best warrior.
Your third soldier is the best warrior among your legionaries. Besides, he used to be a gladiator before your father freed him. However, that was quite some time ago, and years of battlefield service may have dulled his skills in arena combat.
Might not be a good idea to bet on him winning. I'll stake on him winning three victories.
After you've made your bets, you climb the stairs to the seats where the nobles of Eboracum are sitting, gossiping and scheming, while they are waiting for the games to begin. The comfortable seats of the uppermost tier are all occupied. The seats below are also populated with commoners. It's a typical windy and wet day, so the nobles enjoy the protection of the canopies and their thick furs. Servants hustle among the rows - they arrange the bets.
Time to take a seat and watch the fight.
The fight in the arena resembles a battle; almost 150 contestants duel in pairs in the wet sand. You find it difficult to estimate the odds. You could point out at least a dozen excellent warriors. Finally you notice the two gladiators who seem to be a match for all the others.
Any bets, milord?
I place a wager on the uninjured gladiator.
The rounds are lasting longer and the duels getting more spectacular. At the end of the third round your weakest warrior falls to the ground and makes the gesture of defeat, but the other two are still standing, just like your two favorites, the injured and the uninjured soldier.
Looks like my bets are still alive...
Damn, it wasn't a complete loss! But is it enough to cover my losses?
Congratulations, milord. Here is your gold.
Not bad at all.
Milord, I'm sorry to interrupt your celebration. But spies in the Quintus territory have started the investigation into the plague, do you wish to lead it?
Yes. Take me there now.
We'll need permission from the Quintus family...wouldn't want to risk their wrath over our trespass.
Agreed. Let's ask for permission first.
Horatius. I am here to investigate the recent plagues in your lands.
You tell Horatius Quintus all you know. Horatious Quintus becomes very solemn. Finally he gives you his permission to enter his lands to pursue this investigation. You'll be accompanied by one of his experienced legionaries, who will serve as your guide and probably as your guard too.
Thank you. We'll take our leave now.
Examine the corpses.
They all died from the same disease...but I've no idea what it could have been.
No incriminating evidence...
Wait, there's something...
You find nothing that could tie them to anyone, although there is a strange-looking object on one of the bodies. It's the handiwork of the barbarian arcanists they call wizards.
Is this one of the Pict's conspiracies against New Rome? Check the wagons.
Milord! Footsteps! What should we do?
Hide!
They must be here to take away the precious cargo.
How can you be so sure? They burn the corpses - perhaps they were simply preventing the plague from spreading.
Or removing evidence. TO ME MY LEGIONARIES! SULLA VICTUS!
Caracallas. As expected.
Come. Let us report to Lord Horatius. He will deal with the Caracallas accordingly.
I am very disappointed with this outcome.. Very, very disappointed.