Sarka, transit from Sir Cyr’s den to The Royal Court, Klos 20th, 350AC, 9:20  (underground, 65/72 degrees, half moon)

Like many times before, your group is surrounded, and led through Sarka.  You march back across the bridge to the central keep, then through the keep and along a new bridge that heads toward the south wall, above Sarka’s main cavern.  The bridge ends at a solid looking 3 meter high metal gate.  Arrow slits are cut into the stone wall next to and above it, and you can see badder archers peering down at you.  As your host approaches with beating drums and blaring horns, the gates swing open smoothly and silently, and you are marched through.

The gatehouse contains another garrison of badder soldiers.  Hoplites are lined up shield to shield, 1 row on either side of the passage, forcing your group to walk between them.  Archers sit on fortified balconies and aim down at you.  Looking down the tunnels to the west and east, you think they are probably used for barracks, and/or to operate and defend the gate.

You are marched into a large chamber and immediately sense it is warmer and muskier than outside.  Large metal lanterns, fashioned into chandeliers, hang from chains above, making this room brighter than most.  The stone walls and support columns are decorated by tapestries, flags, and shields.  Badders, dressed in finery (colored cloth, leather, and jewelry), stand or sit in carved shruden chairs around the periphery of the chamber.  Several servants (plainly clothed badders) are carrying mushroom cap tables out of the room into a side chamber.  You can smell that food was recently served.

Part of your escort moves through the room and reinforces the soldiers already here.  The rest of them, along with the robed yellow-eyed badder, bring you to the center of the room where you finally halt.  The robed one kneels, and says, “My king, here are the Aktonites, as you demanded!”

Along the southern part of the room sit the nobles of Ukrul, including King Rrullka and Lord Frall.  I will start a new turn and describe them in more detail, hopefully by the end of the holiday weekend (no time now).

Any fruit to declare?  ANY FRUIT??!!