'Ah, yes,' says the guard, 'it is a fair city. I sailed there once in a ship. In you go, then...' You thank him and walk under the portcullis into the bailey beyond.
You saunter across the courtyard towards the Bailiff's office. The two men in black travelling robes, Honoric and Manse the Deathmage, are talking to the Captain of the Guard and a group of his men. You stop to watch at a distance as Honoric, a powerfully-built man with an arrogant and cruel look about him, borrows the captain's weapon and invites the soldiers to attack him. Several do so at once, but there is no way past his flashing sword. He disarms three of them, then beats the rest back – all they can do is fend off his blows, and you know that he could kill them at will.
Seeing this display, Manse grimaces sourly and, pointing, turns the sword which Honoric is holding into a tulip. The captain of the guard cannot resist chuckling at the sight of this huge man, the Marshal of the Legion of the Sword of Doom, clutching a tulip with which to belabor the soldiers.
Honoric turns red with rage and, flinging the flower down, he draws his own great black sword. A chill of horror grips you and the guards cower as a pall of fear descends upon the castle. The wicked blade smokes slightly and the tulip has turned back into a sword.
'Where is your magic now, Deathmage? Your spells will not work with Sorcerak unsheathed,' says Honoric. The Deathmage's eyes narrow and his pallid pinched face seems to whiten still further as he mouths another spell. Nothing happens and Honoric turns on his heel and walks towards the Keep, sheathing Sorcerak as he goes.
As he opens the gate which leads to the Inner Bailey, you catch sight of a tower at the back of the castle which seems part derelict. It would make an easy climb. The Bailiff tells you they have hired 'a real Bard' for tomorrow, but when he has heard you sing and seen you juggle, he says that you can do a turn at dinner that evening.
You are watched constantly, but find time to examine the lock of the gateway that leads to the Inner Bailey and to find a hole in the wall, used for passing food and arms through when the gate is shut. When it is time, you are taken into the Keep itself. The main hall has a large spiral staircase which leads to the castle roof and thence to the three turrets.
You are ushered into the parlour before dinner to entertain Yaemon and Honoric; Manse the Deathmage is nowhere to be seen. Yaemon watches you intently, but Honoric is at ease, pouring wine from a flagon into a golden goblet. The Captain of the castle and his lady sit between them. You sing a Manmarcher song of brave deeds in battle and lost loves, and your juggling raises polite applause. As soon as your act is finished, the Captain signals and your escort, two guards, usher you out of the parlour, just as Manse enters from the door opposite.
• Use a Poison Needle against Yaemon?
• Allow the guards to escort you from the castle?