Chapter 1

The Lady Renier

Weamar's journey south from Port-a-Lucine was blessedly uneventful given the excitement of the past weeks. All the time spent in so-called civilized lands had only increased his desire to return to the forests of Verbrek. However, there was one aspect of the city-dweller's culture that had captured his fancy. The late Guy Olisson's use of firearms had impressed him greatly and he wanted to learn to their use himself.

Weamar found himself on the road just north of Chateauxfaux. It was late afternoon and in the distance he saw a carriage ambling along towards him. As it moved closer he noticed that it appeared to be a merchant's wagon. The driver was an odd looking fellow. His ample frame bulged inside his gaudy purple waistcoat. Ripples moved unpleasantly across his surface with each step his horses took. He nodded his head in greeting as he passed. His eyes, almost seeming too big for his head, peered at Weamar unsettlingly. Weamar returned the nod with a smile, trying to be friendly. Once he passed, Weamar heard him halt his horses. An entirely normal voice called out.

"Excuse me there.", the man began. "You have the look of a man with a fine sense on the tools of war. I am seller of rare things. Perhaps I can interest you with my wares?"

Weamar considered the couple of gold pieces he had. It wasn’t enough for very much.

The man grinned, noting Weamar’s reluctance, a type familiar to him. "If funds are an issue, I'm sure we can come to some arrangement. Won't you at least come and see what I have available?"

"Fine work is always a pleasure to see.”, Weamar answered.

The fellow clapped his hands together gladly and pulled his wagon off the road, securing his horses. He moved around to the door at the back and just barely squeezed inside. Inside the merchant was making quite a racket. There were clangs and bangs and the occasional muttered curse. After a few moments the merchant stuck his head out the door.

"Just a moment.", he assured Weamar.

The merchant disappeared again inside and again there was shouting. "Get back! Get back! I said I'd feed you when we got to the city! That's better. What was that? You don't want me to come in there. That's what I thought."  Looking a little ruffled the man came back outside carrying a long case.

"You just can't get good help these days.", the merchant grumbled.

Pulling down a panel on the side of the wagon to act as a table, the merchant set the case down and opened it. Within it was weapon of obvious craftsmanship. A musket of deep brown wood and silver fittings. At one end of the case was a small white horn and a set of odd tools.

"Very nice.", Weamar grinned. But his attention kept drifting towards the questions of who was inside the wagon and what did they do to deserve such treatment.

"Have you ever seen such a fine thing?”, the merchant said, pleased by the ranger’s smile. “Sure it is worth a king's ransom but I like your face and I'd be willing to make you quite the deal."

"No, I've not seen one so fine.”, Weamar remarked. “But I have no knowledge of how to care for so fine a weapon."

In a flash the fellow disappeared back inside his wagon, seeming totally unconcerned that Weamar might run off with the gun. After more shouting and crashing he returned with a tattered collection of papers bound loosely between two flaps of leather with twine.

"Leave it to me to forget the manual.", the merchant chuckled apologetically.

Weamar noticed the merchant eyeing the rusty long sword Aselid gave him and was beginning to feel uncomfortable with doing business in the road. He didn’t trust merchants much anyway, and wondered if this one was going to try to cheat him as a few others had.

"No, really. I am interested in learning to use a musket, but I think such a magnificent weapon would be wasted on me.", Weamar said trying to let the merchant down easily. "Much better I learn to care for something that won't matter too much if I damage it in my incompetence. Perhaps if I knew where to contact you when I'm more able?"

The merchant seemed flustered for a moment. His eyes darted about as though trying to think very quickly.

"Perhaps you're right. A wise man you are indeed.", the merchant replied with his eyes glued to the sword. "Should you change your mind send word to Frederick Meech in Port-a-Lucine."

"That I will.”, Weamar answered. “Thank you for allowing me the pleasure of seeing it."

The merchant closed the case and tucked it under his arm. "Well, I really should be on my way then.", he said with a frown.

The merchant slid the case inside his wagon and shut the door. Without another word he mounted up and rode off quickly to the north. Weamar had the strange feeling that they would meet again.
 

In Chateauxfaux, Weamar was fortunate enough to discover a little shop specializing in the new technology of blackpowder weapons. After many weeks of various odd jobs, focusing on guarding travelers, he had gathered enough money to buy a weathered matchlock musket and pistol set along with training from the shop's owner. Weamar eventually developed quite the reputation as a guard, becoming the man to have on any merchant train. His travels took him all over the land, finally landing him in Mordentshire.

As Weamar sat cleaning his weapons, the old train hand, an acquaintance of his named Pliny showed up. Pliny was a friendly sort and had been throwing work Weamar’s way frequently. No matter where he was, Weamar could always count on Pliny to dig up an opporutnity for him.

"Weamar! I've got job for you.”, Pliny said to him with a smile. “So tame a kiddie could do it."

"Oh?", Weamar grinned. "Kiddies are cheaper to hire than me."

"Yeah, but the dupe nobles don't know that.", Pliny winked. "Seems some fancy pants rich boy has got it in his head to bring a bunch of animals together in a zoo so other fancy pants rich folk can stand around and gawk at 'em."

"That might be interesting.”, Weamar replied. “What would I be doing?"

"I understand some of these critters are worth a pretty penny.”, Pliny continued. “Just keep an eye out for thieves and such as usual. The caravan'll be leaving in the morning for Pont-a-Museau."

"Sounds ok.", Weamar nodded.

Weamar spent the rest of the day preparing and relaxing. In the morning he made his way towards the caravan at the center of town. He reported for duty and took a look around. Through the slats in the boxes he could mostly see birds of various shades and sizes. Of note was the last cart in the train. Its walls were reinforced with iron. There was a sleazy looking train hand with a stick poking at whatever was inside and laughing. As Weamar watched him a horrid screech and roar came from whatever was inside and the cart rocked back and forth dangerously. The train hand pulled back the splintered remains of the stick and backed away.

Weamar sighed. “There's always one, isn't there?”, he though to himself.

The trip to Pont-a-Museau passed easily. The only trouble came from the same train hand, John, who kept antagonizing the animal in the last cage. At one point he nearly lost a finger when he got too close. Weamar just laughed at him, and suggested that tormenting animals wasn't nice. John stopped poking the animal after that point but gave Weamar dirty looks every chance he got.

Weamar wondered what kind of animal was in the last cage. He asked around but no one knew for sure. Some said that it was a bear. Some said that it was some giant cat. When Weamar looked into the cage through the small holes all he saw was a blur of brown fur and teeth.

The caravan arrived at its destination in the early evening. At the grounds of the zoo Weamar saw the headmaster of the caravan greet a stunning woman. She had dark hair with streaks of gray at her temples which along with her almost feral features give her a vague exotic appeal. Weamar was close enough to overhear their conversation.

"Lady Renier.” The headmaster began. It is a pleasure to see you again. I am honored that you have come to meet us."

The lady smiled. "I've been looking forward to your zoo opening for some months. I simply couldn't sleep without having an early peek."

The headmaster extended an arm to the woman and began showing her the various animals. As they came near to Weamar, the woman's eyes locked with his. There was a look of recognition and surprise in her green and gold flecked orbs.

"Who are you?", the lady asked.

"My name is Weamar, lady", Weamar replied, bowing just a little.

The lady seemed disappointed. "I see. Nice to meet you. I am Jacqueline Renier. Welcome to..."

Her introduction was cut off by the screeching howl of the animal in the last cage. John had been bothering it again, jabbing it with a stick. Weamar sighed, pulled out a rope, and made his way over to the cage. For a moment he considered tying the train hand up instead. He thought better of it and began to make a lasso.

"Give me back that meat you beast!", John hollered.

The headmaster shouted at him "Damn it John! Get away from there. I swear to Ezra I'll tan your hide if you damage that animal!"

John ignored the boss and angrily stabbed at the caged animal. The beast was slamming itself against the door of the cage. Just as Weamar crafted his lasso the door gave way. In a flash John was on the ground being torn apart by the creature. The thing appeared to be an overgrown weasel the size of a small man. Its screeching snout was soon coated in blood. John's screams were matched by the cacophony of the other animal's cries of alarm.

The headmaster grabbed a rope of his own, and leaving Jacqueline alone he cast his loop around the animal's neck expertly. At first the creature fought but then it snarled and rushed the headmaster. Weamar ran forward and threw his lasso at the animal as well. He watched it sail through the air and latch briefly onto the weasel's tail. The animal yelped and spun back towards him as the rope slipped from its rear. It charged once again.

The headmaster still had his rope around the weasel's neck but he wasn’t able to restrain the animal. Others guards and train hands rushed to help but were too far away to get there in time. Thinking quickly Weamar doubled up his rope and held it between his outstretched hands, intending to force it into the create’s mouth like a bit. But the weasel's jaws snapped shut a full foot away from Weamar as the boss pulled mightily on his rope, bringing the animal up short. Two other train hands cast forth their ropes, securing the animal and pulling it away.

For a moment all was under control, then Weamar heard an unsettling creak behind him amidst the cries and squawks of frightened birds. He turned to see a large cart swaying from side to side as the birds attempted to take flight. It teetered dangerously over the stunned Ms. Renier.

"Lady Renier!", Weamar shouted. He dropped the rope and began running towards her but he just couldn’t go fast enough.

The cart began to topple towards Jacqueline. Weamar managed to push her out of the way just in time but his leg was caught as the wooden crate crashed to the ground and broke apart. The night was filled with flashes of white as the birds took flight and winged away into the night. Jacqueline recovered and rushed to Weamar’s side calling for help.

The scene was chaos. People were rushing all about. Some were tending to the foolish train hand, others were still trying to subdue the giant weasel, and a few were surveying Weamar’s situation. The toppled cart had caught Weamar in a very unfortunate position, twisting his leg painfully. Lady Renier knelt next to him, a look of deep concern on her face while the men each took positions around the cart and heaved. They managed to lift it just high enough for Weamar to slide free. Weamar quickly did so and rubbed his aching leg. He tried to stand up as the men lowered the cart but couldn’t. His leg throbbed and protested, but he could feel that it wasn’t broken. Still, he knew that it needed time to heal before he could walk again.

"Are you alright?", asked Jacqueline.

"Pretty much I think", Weamar answered, favoring his good leg.

"Come with me back to my home in the city.”, Jacqueline requested. “My personal physician can tend to you properly there."