Umberto Complicates Things

Umberto, who had served his entire apprenticeship at Rochehaut, now decided to spend a little time investigating the possibility of bringing in some professionals to help train up the bodyguard at the Covenant. Such training as the grogs received was haphazard at best, and Umberto felt a little extra training as well as a little continuity would be a good thing. Accordingly, he packed some supplies and headed off towards the Inn. Consultation with the Innkeeper gave him a likely prospect in Sir Lorâil, a crusader in Marseille who might know of retired soldiers looking for a soft posting.

He flew to Marseilles and contacted Sir Lorâil, who gave him several names, Monsieur Grimeton and Monsieur Moustaud. Moustaud turned out to run a profitable grocery and seemed disinclined to leave. Grimeton was living on Lasâil's estate and seemed a dour and bitter man - due in part to his having lost a leg in the Crusades. He was not wildly excited about the idea but wished to check with Sir Lorâil. Umberto was left with an odd feeling from both Sir Lorâil and Grimeton. Upon returning the next day, he was informed by M. Grimeton that the job would be acceptable. Umberto hedged and declined, feeling that if he accepted he would be hiring a spy for Sir Lorâil and perhaps endangering the Covenant's autonomy. (The Covenant and village is sufficiently small and isolated that no one much worries about it, although the Inn is under the control and taxation of a nearby Baron and the village nominally so.)

While in the city, though, he had made contact with the Hospitalers and learned that two of their order had recently returned from the Crusades and left the order. The soldiers, André and Jacques, were performing one last mission for the order by carrying messages to the chapter house in Avignon. Umberto spent a day purchasing some small items and arranging for them to be sent to the Inn's agent in Avignon, then followed in flight. (The usual practice being to walk out of the city a few hours, then take to the air, then land a few hours walk away.)

In the city, contact was made with André and Jacques. Both were interested in the idea, although it turned out that André was in fact a lay brother of the church and was very interested in the religious practices and souls of the villagers. Umberto was a little hesitant about inviting a priest to live in the valley and spend his spare time converting the villagers, but wasn't dead set against it. So he hedged and arranged for the pair to visit the village in a few weeks time.

He returned to the Covenant and sounded out the other magi. The covenant was divided on the issue, and Umberto decided not to push it.

When the ex-Hospitalers arrived at the Inn, Umberto explained that the offer had been withdrawn, but the invitation to visit was still extended. Jacques went over well with the villagers and magi, but André was a hair too evangelical for most of the magi to feel comfortable. "It's a pity they come as a pair," was the comment often overheard. He seemed genuinely concerned for the souls of the villagers and magi, but was unwilling to abide by the status quo.

After a week or two, they showed no signs of leaving and, finally, Umberto prodded them after which they departed.


Back to the Timeline
Jeff Berry/