~ Dire Struggle for Dillend: [Archive] [Home] [Previous Turn] [Next Turn] ~

 Posted: 6/28/99

There have been times; on the battle field, during lessons in magic, that Guilliam has looked out of place. This is not one of them. With a flourish, Guilliam stands up straight, his head held high, and addresses the Duke with humble grace. "Sire" he begins in his crisp, clear voice. Not the voice of bawdy folk songs that he had become accustomed to singing but the rich full voice of chamber music in elegant halls. "On behalf of my humble companions, I thank you for this magnificent feast and for the chance to talk to you personally." Waving his left arm to one of his companions after another, Guilliam introduces them as "Rinder's Six" by name and title, making up for some of their lack of lineage with monikers earned in battle. Edryd "The Humble" of Kalt, Storm "The Fierce" son of Thorn of the Raimead Mountains, Canter "Leatherman" of the House of Tarp, The Mage Cryane "Highbrow" of Mistledale and Cyveiliog "Bullseye" the Bowsman. Finally, he introduces himself, Guilliam the Gale.

While showing full respect to the Duke by beginning and ending each thought with proper eye contact, Guilliam also manages to look to the others of the Duke's court while speaking. He take the guard's advice and speaks with full honesty, witholding nothing of their discoveries in the mines. He mentions the undead creatures, the Umber Hulk, the illusionary wall, and the chest and rings belonging to the magicians of the "Red Dragon" school. He also reveals their fears that Dire Luthor might be a member of the "Red Dragon" school and discloses how they came upon that insight. When he is finished, Guilliam pauses and tkes a breath. He notices that the candles lighting the room have burnt low and that all but himself have finished their meal. He apologizes for his long speach, "Your mage will have to excuse me, I am aptly called The Gale and sometimes have a way of making a long story even longer. Still, if patience is one of your many virtues, I would beg of you to let my companions add anything that I may have missed from the story."

Storm smiles at the sight of the healthy feast. He loudly begins digging mercilessly into his food. At one point during Guilliam's speech, he catches Towers peering at him, presumably at his atrocious manners. Storm simply, he flashes a broad, food covered grin the priest's way. When Guilliam mentions his name in the 'role call,' he smiles and offers a loose salute with a chicken bone, flinging meat halfway across his table. Canter can't help himself but to chuckle at the whole scene.

The mention of the Red Dragon school quickly lowers Storm's enthusiasm, however. Fortunately for the others, he keeps his mumblings to himself this time. Luckily, his food provides him with an ample distraction from dwelling on the thought of the traitor...

"Indeed! Guilliam speaks very well of what happened up there in the caves!" Crayne says taking another sip from his wine, "We did have a map of the place didn't we?" he looks around the table at the rest of the Rinders Six waiting for it to be produced, "There were some writings on the map which we couldn't quite decipher! Perhaps there may be one amongst you who would have better luck!" Crayne says with a raised eyebrow.

Guilliam quickly realizes that it is he who holds the map in question, and with a boyish grin, reaches into his pocket to produce the half-burnt sheet of parchment. "I believe I may be of some assistance..." the robed Paros says, sitting opposite Cy. He reaches across the table, holding out his hand toward Guilliam. Guilliam, who pauses for a moment at the idea of handing over the hard-earned map, quickly realizes that this man, despite his questionable persona (what with the slick, thin mustache), is obviously trusted by the Duke. He snatches the map from Guilliam's hand and looks over it briefly. "Oh yes..." he almost moans. "This may take a little while. A couple of days, perhaps. An interesting find. Thank you..." He squints his eyes in Guilliam's direction.

Sensing the need to defuse the situation, Crayne stands up, resting his arms on the table. "Now whatever has been going on in those caves seems important! It also must be mentioned that I believe that the cave system was not fully explored by us and that a trained exploration unit might reek some more information. I think it very strange how the school of the Red Dragon appeared to leave so quickly leaving a wealth of belongings behind them. Perhaps they were frightened off by the presence of the Umber Hulk. I do personally think that unlikely for a highly trained group of mages." Crayne looks at the Duke and then closely at Paros. Snapping out of his stare, he continues. "Well I think that about sums up what we know! Please if you could shed a light on any of this information we would appreciate it! For I have a feeling we are delving into something bigger than we expect, and with my curiousity I feel it could get me into trouble if I am not warned of the danger!" Crayne sits back down again. Flipping some hair away from his eyes the young mage eagerly looks around the table waiting for somebody to voice their opinion.

"Yes, my friend," Towers says in a gentle tone. "It does seem a bit odd that a member of the Red Dragon School would simply drop his treasure and leave. Don't you think?" He peers askance at Paros, then to the Duke.

"We know so little of the Red Dragon School," Peters Lander says, placing his goblet down next to his empty plate. "I for one cannot presume to come to any conclusions."

Paros rubs his hands together slowly, as if deciding what to say next. "Gentlemen. I cannot possibly know all the secrets of this 'Red Dragon School,' if indeed it does exist, as you seem to believe. But if it does, and if it is as powerful as you all believe, I would think a Red Dragon Mage would not be scared off by a measly Umber Hulk..."

Cy clears his throat, obviously reacting to the way Paros referred to the Umber Hulk.

"No offense, good warrior," Paros says with a sly smile in Cy's direction. "But there is only so much that brute strength can do...A mage could deal with such a monster easily. So, given our assumptions -- as ludicrous as I believe them to be -- I would say that the mage had to be more scared of something else. Perhaps something bigger. In a hurry to get away, perhaps?"

"Thank you, Paros," the Duke says, taking one last sip of his wine. "I agree with you, Mage Crayne. The mine needs more extensive exploration. Gladstone, I leave that to you to organize. Send your best explorers and map-makers. In the meantime, I will not stop the mining there. That ore is too valuable to the King and his Kingdom to delay." He then glances at Sir Nigel, who gives the Duke a slight nod.

The Duke continues, "Gentlemen, I would send you back to the mine, or allow you a few days of rest and vacation here in Parton. But more pressing matters have arisen. Nigel..."

Sir Nigel clears his throat and turns to face the party. "While you were at the mine, some events have unfolded which do not bode well for us. You remember the murder of Captain Frond at Fort Mitchend, yes? And Sir Logan of the Knights of Rinder, whom you retrieved from Dillend to deal with the situation at Mitchend? He, too was murdered."

"Good Sir, we heard of this news while on the road to the mine. It is most unhappy news..." Edryd submits.

Nigel nods slowly. "The soldiers at Mitchend were holding this mage you mentioned, Dire Luthor, as a suspect in the murder of Sir Logan. He was Sir Logan's mage. They had worked together without issue for years, many do not understand why he would do such a heinous act and refuse to believe that he is responsible. Yet, he escaped from captivity. This escape merely reinforces his guilt among the soldiers at the front. And that was three days ago.

"But there is more. Since Logan's death, Captain Sanford--who you met at Dillend, I believe--has been in command of all of our forces in all of the forts along the Caerloon border. Two days ago, his fort, Fort Dillend, was captured after a brief siege by troops flying the Caerloon banner." One can see the contempt in Nigel's face as he relays the news. "All hands were taken captive. According to the latest messenger from the border, who spoke with the only two soldiers to escape Dillend, Sanford's first orders after hearing the news of Logan's death were to cease all border patrols."

Suddenly Cy slams his hand down on the wooden table, rattling the plates and silverware. "That traitor!" He growls.

"The traitor," Nigel says with a sympathetic glance toward Cy, "has been captured along with his troops at Dillend. The last messenger from the border told us that a large contingent of Caerloon's troops are moving toward Fort Mitchend.

"The Knights have sent one of their members, Sir Moore, to Mitched. Moore left Seden, along the Northern Sea, with instructions to reestablish order along the border forts and retake Dillend with an attack from the west. He departed Seden yesterday, and no one has heard of his status yet, though even at his best speed he cannot reach Mitchend until tomorrow night at the earliest.

"My good men," Nigel leans forward over the table. "We must retake the border forts! Caerloon controls Dillend, and could already control Mitchend. Every hour we wait allows more of Caerloon's men to pour through the break in our defenses. You retrieved the letter warning us of the war--and now it is happening!

"Your skills are needed now, more than ever. I need you; the Kingdom needs you. I implore you to accept another mission."

Canter clears his throat. "Sir Nigel. I for one would be honored to help. What can we do?"

Nigel smiles and turns to the Duke, who smiles as well. "In addition to Moore, on his way to Mitchend--assuming we still control it--the King is sending other troops to Fort Lowfield, the next fort east of Dillend. Your mission will be to head to Lowfield. Once there, you will be part of a raiding party along with the King's men and the men at Lowfield. You will attack Dillend from the east, hopefully meeting up with Moore's men, who will be attacking from the other side."

"For your participation in the mission, I can offer you 25 gold pieces. But for successful completion of the mission, you will be rewarded 120 gold pieces. In addition, the King has mentioned the idea of offering you permanent places in the ranks of his army, if you retake Dillend.

"Understand, this mission could be the most dangerous you've yet undertaken. Yet it is vital to the survival of the Kingdom of Rinder! A quick stop of Caerloon's troops now can put an end to what so far has been a border squabble, before it becomes all-out war."

At this point, Towers clears his throat, preparing to speak. "You men have done a fabulous job in your past missions. Your fame among the commonfolk is growing. And you are gaining valuable experience for yourselves. On this next mission you will be joined by someone new..." He turns his head toward a side door, "send her in!"

The side door opens, revealing a beautifully adorned young woman. Her hair flows gracefully onto her shoulder and her delicate features peer through the threshold. She looks into the room and then proceeds to take swift steps toward the table, her gown flowing behind her.

"Men, this is Emmalya, Priestess of the Caste of Anhur. She will be of great help during your mission."

"I'm very pleased to meet you all," Emmalya says, smiling and looking at each of Rinder's Six.

Gladstone then stands. "I believe I have another introduction to make, then. Seeing as this is the proper time." He snaps his fingers, and another side door opens. This one reveals a man, not too tall, but not short. His features are hardened and chisellel. He immediately looks over the hall and its members. "This is Hannibal Smith. He is no stranger to battle, have served royalty in the castle and on the battlefield in years past." Hannibal steps into the room, not yet speaking.

Next it is Rebecca who speaks. "I thought, perhaps, before the final course is served, that the mood may be lightened by some soothing music." She motions, and soon four players with stringed instruments enter and begin to play a lively tune. Dessert is served. Conversation around the table is scarce, as each tries to digest what he has heard in the past few minutes.

Emmalya senses the tension in the room, and decides it would be best for her to break it. She rises from her chair and gracefully ambles toward Guilliam. "I would be most honored, Guilliam the Gale, if you would join me in this dance..."

Guilliam's eyes light up as he nearly falls out of his seat before he can answer. His first attempts at speech are unintelligable, but he finally spits out an "of course!" The two float off into some open space before the entertainers. Soon they are joined by the Duke and his wife.

As the song comes to an end and the desserts are finished, the Duke addresses the group. "I know Emma and Hannibal will want a few moments to meet each you. I must leave you now, but you are welcome to stay here in the hall until you are ready to turn in for the night..." With that, he exits the room, his wife at his arm.

"I have payments," Nigel says quickly, reaching under the table, "for some of you, for the job in the mine..." he distributes small pouches of coins. "Now, do you have any questions about your mission?"

1. Emma/Emily and Hannibal/Jason, please introduce yourselves to the party.

2. The others may also introduce themselves to the new characters and players.

3. Those who played the adventure in the mine may add 100 gp and 500 XP to their CISs.

4. Any questions for Sir Nigel before you depart?

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