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

With a groan of saddle-soreness, Emma climbs down from her horse, gathers her gear and saddlebags, and prepares to follow the priest. She quickly returns, however, to assist Canter and Edryd once more. She unties the knots of leather strips that kept them in their saddles and then helps them down from their horses. "Come along," she encourages them, "I'm sure a soft bed awaits."

Looking over to Storm as he dismounts and speaking just loud enough so that he could be heard by the dwarf, Hannibal motions to the sack of silver coins and says, "You sneaky little bastard, what else did you come away with?" Storm only smiles back.

Hannibal stepps out of his saddle and to the hard ground. With the winter's cold setting in everything seemed to ache a little bit more. Wanting nothing more than a warm cot and a hot meal, Hannibal finds his way inside with the others.

The priest of Lentyr shows Rinder's Six and their prisoner into the crumbling temple. Inside there are wooden pews facing an altar, but many of the pews are broken or falling apart. The altar is a simple stone slab with a silver cup on top. There are places along the stone walls where great tapestries may have once been hung, but these are long since gone, if they ever existed at all.

Emma walks alongside Dire and leans close to view the map he holds. "May I?" she asks, reaching for the parchment. Once the wizard allows her a closer look, her face takes on a concerned expression. "This shows troop movements," she announces to the others, but not loud enough for the priest to hear, "Caerloon forces are closing on the border...several hundred it would appear...and in multiple groups. It looks like they intend to take more than just a few simple forts, just as General Wade indicated when we visited the encampment."

She takes the parchment and rolled it up, slipping it into her pocket. "I wonder how old this information might be," she asks aloud, "Does Dillend still stand? It might be a good thing if I sent another messenger bird...just in case. But for now let's make haste to heal ourselves and then make for Lowfield."

That said, she finds a comfortable corner and proceeds to cast Cure Moderate Wounds on Edryd (6 hp restored). She also places an Orison upon Hannibal (1 hp restored), keeping a Cure Light Wounds and the remaining Orisons (5?) in reserve for now.

Hannibal, after receiving the small healing gift from Emma, finds a comfy corner, curls up and takes a long nap. When the priest appears about two hours later with some meager portions of food, Hannibal eats up and even offers what extra food he might be carrying to any children that look in need. "I may be a thief, but I do have a heart," Hannibal says to himself as he takes the leftovers outside to the temple steps as he had seen the priest do.

During this time Crayne makes his way up to Dire and asks if he would spare a few moments. Dire agrees, and Crayne makes his way to a more secluded area within the temple and begins to talk. He looks up at the intriguing architecture of the temple and then looks directly at Dire. He is weary from the journey but eager to learn more from the learned mage.

"I deem it necessary to speak with you about our next action. Sir Nigel has instructed

us to make haste for Fort Lowfield to join forces and assist in an attempt to try and retake Dillend. This does indeed seem a major task and it seems that we would be outnumbered. But, I feel that this sort out of situation is where wars are won. I believe that a success is needed for the Kingdom of Rinder, for confidence is low and the people are dispirited. Through our skill and assistance I believe that we could turn the odds a little more towards us. To reclaim Dillend would be a huge thorn in the side of Caerloon. What do you say Dire? Will you assist me and perhaps the group if they succumb to this idea?" Crayne wipes away the dark strands of his hair and scratches his quickly growing beard. Taking a swig from his water bottle he awaits the answer of his friend the mage, Dire.

Dire listens as the younger mage speaks to him. He nods and strokes his beard, focusing his attention on Crayne, studying his features. When Crayne finishes with the question, Dire nods again. "One does not enter the service of a Knight and emerge a liar or a cheat, Crayne. I made a bargain with you and your friends: you help me gather evidence and clear my name, and in the name of Sir Logan of the Knights of Rinder I will help you at Dillend. Remember, though I believe my school (the Red Dragon School) must be impartial, individually I believe each wizard must act as his concience directs him. I served Logan because I thought it was a noble thing to do. To avenge his death is a noble thing. I will not waver. You will have me at your side at the Battle of Dillend."

Satisfied, Crayne takes his leave of Dire and finds a quiet spot to do some study and memorization.

Meanwhile, without seeming obvious about it, Emma considers asking the priest if he has heard much regarding the border...how safe it might be to travel in that direction...and so on. She's curious if he's heard anything about Caerloon attacks at Fort Dillend, but she won't come

right out and ask such a question. She observes the priest as he delivers the meager portions of cold meat to Rinder's Six. He was old and weary, his white hair and curved back signs of his age.

Before he returns from whence he came, he catches Emma eyeing him. "Do you plan to stay long?" he asks weakly of the priestess.

"No, we wouldn't want to impose upon you or your hospitality, and we really must get back on the road as soon as our health allows," Emma replies kindly, watching the priest.

Emma smiles inwardly as the priest responds, asking, "Traveling, eh? I do say, be careful on them roads. I seen many soldiers marching northward to Rinder recently. You can never be sure of those soldiers, nowadays. They're just not of the noble stock I remember, in the days when...well, nevermind. You eat up. I'm sorry I haven't got anything better, but these are hard times, and with winter on the way, it will get worse before it gets better." With that, the priest ambles to the back of the temple, exiting through a door behind the altar.

Emma then rises from her seat, and after chewing on a small portion of cold meat, walks over to the prisoner. The soldier has calmed down much since his crazed episode the night before. But then again, Dire has not approached him as of late. Emma looks over his person, seeing a small insignia on the left breast of his chain mail tunic. The crest was not one that Emma recognized as being from Rinder. In fact, she remembers seeing it on some of the papers on the table in the Baron General Wade's tent.

Canter sees Emma looking over the prisoner and raises his eyebrows as he catches her eyes. "What to do with him, I wonder?" he asks her.

"I'm not sure," Emma responds, still watching the prisoner while he eats.

Returning from his studies, Crayne enters his opinion. "I suggest we hang onto the prisoner for the moment." He takes a seat on a nearby pew and returns his spellbook to his bag. "Tell the priest that he is a prisoner of war if nobody has any objection."

"If we have questioned him, let him go. He is of no further use," Cy says from his spot, seated on the floor examining his heavily dented armor. "If he knows anything about the opposing forces, someone should work it out of him."

Edryd is torn. "I don't wish to give anyone a heads up on our whereabouts or our direction. Perhaps our priestly friend could be induced to restore him to complete health for a few days, especially in light of his encounter with Dire?" The paladin tries to remain objective, knowing that this man is, indeed, a prisoner. But at the same time, he is a man and deserves Just treatment in the eyes of Anhur.

Emma raises an eyebrow at Edryd's comment. What had he observed Dire doing to the soldier? She had imagined the paladin had been too removed from the battle to have observed much, but now that she thought about it, she supposed that he could have much more easily seen what happened. The rest of Rinder's Six, except maybe Crayne, had been too involved in saving

their friends' lives. When the battle was finished, the captive had acted very strange, almost irrationally in his desire to escape. Her eyes narrow again as she recalls the scene. Had Luthor done something to cause that? Perhaps a variation of Crayne's spell of charming? If so, it might be best to separate the mage from the prisoner as soon as possible.

Finally, Emma begins to speak again, "I'm not sure that the soldier would have much more to tell us...aside from what we've already gathered from General Wade's map and our own observations within his camp. I also think Edryd is right. We can't afford to bring the captive any further with us unless we intend to take him all the way to our superiors in Lowfield...and doing that would probably involve more risk to ourselves and our mission than necessary."

She turns to look in Edryd's direction and continues, "Do you really think we should ask the old man to care for him instead? I'm sure that a priest of Lentyr would not deny such a request, but doing so might place him in harm's way. What if the soldier is nursed back to health and then accuses him of helping us...? We are the enemy, after all. The consequences of such a charge could be as disastrous as those Dire Luthor would have faced before we came on this journey."

She pointed at the walls, the ceiling, and toward one of the windows. "Look around this place...this town. These people are on hard times. And, what's more, our priestly friend seems to be one of the few that's making a difference for good in their lives. Do we dare endanger that by leaving behind our captive with him? I'm not sure if that's the best answer, Sword-Bearer...but I don't have a better one, either. Perhaps, I should prepare an augury? Anhur's guidance in this matter could be crucial, for I would wish no ill will toward someone that has helped us as this priest has." Emma's voice trails away as she waited to hear what the others might suggest.

"If I may enter a suggestion," Dire's voice, low and powerful enters the circle. All eyes turn to see the wizard standing, facing the prisoner, his quarterstaff planted firmly on he stone floor. "This man will be of no use to us. And for once the priestess is right, he may even be a liability. I have a solution: I will render the man blind, for a time. Then we can lead him to a nearby tavern, or perhaps to a place on the road outside the city. We can then leave the scene and return here. His blindness will not wear off until we have gone, allowing us to leave him without the means to follow us. His life will be spared, the priest of Lentyr will not come to unnecessary harm, and we are relieved of the burden of a prisoner."

All think upon the suggestion. Emma is puzzled by the wizard's sudden concern for the prisoner's wellbeing, especially after the magical episode the night before. "I will lead him away while he is blinded." Emma states, looking Dire straight in the eye and with determination.

"Very well, then," Dire says, staring straight back at the priestess and matching her glare. He then slowly turns and walks deeper into the temple away from the party, his footsteps echoing in the cavernous structure.

Cy then advocates a quick return to the road, but he seems distant...lost in thought.

Emma nods in agreement with the big cavalier-turned-mercenary, and comes close enough to speak quietly between just the few members of Rinder's Six that were gathered together. "We've spent enough time chasing down this loose-end," she says, "Hopefully, Dire Luthor has what he needs." She glances over her shoulder in the mage's direction. Her intuition told her that the man wasn't evil...and clearing his name had been important. The scales of justice needed balancing and Rinder's Six had certainly done their part. More would have to be done to convince Rinder's leaders of that fact, but that could wait until they arrived back in Lowfield.

"Now we must hurry back to our original mission, and pray that our arrival doesn't come to late," she says, "Has anyone spoken with Dire? We've lived up to our part of the bargain...will he live up to his? We could still use his ability in the battle for Dillend."

"I have spoken with him," Crayne says confidently. "His reasons may not be yours, exactly, Emma. But he promised me he would fight at our side in the coming battle."

Crayne's comments are met with a round of nods. "Good," Canter replies.

Edryd is of the same thought, "we must make haste back to Lowfield, but not before they we all are up to full strength." He believes they'll need it on the road to Lowfield and the battle beyond.

"Perhaps we leave tomorrow morning then?" Hannibal suggests. "If we're going to get rid of the prisoner tonight, it would make sense. Besides, we need at least a good night's sleep!" The thief shrugs his shoulders for emphasis.

"Okay, then," Emma says, looking to Edryd.

"Yes," the paladin agrees. "Tomorrow morning. In the meantime, we should rest and gather our strength."

The meeting is then ended and each person finds a spot in the temple to attend to his or her own needs. Swords are sharpened, armor is inspected and mended as best as possible, and thouhts are gathered.

As the group breaks up, Edryd notices Cy's pensiveness and asks, "Does something trouble you, friend?"

Emma hears Edryd's tone and turns to look at Cy. He seemed well enough to her...a bit thoughtful perhaps...but whole and healthy since she had last performed the Ritual of Healing. What had the Sword-Bearer noticed about their friend that she had not? She shruggs her shoulders and rises to leave their midst. Perhaps Cy would feel more inclined to talk man-to-man with Edryd.

The two soldiers talk quietly for a moment, but after a short while Cy gathers his bag and leaves the temple. Emma's eyes follow him as he descends the stairs and then looks questioningly to Edryd.

"He'll be back before sunset," the paladin assures her.

Nodding, Emma walks a short distance away, not really noticing that her steps take her in Dire Luthor's direction until she nearly bumps into the wizard. Her head lifts to meet his eyes and she smiles briefly, though there was little warmth to it. She was just too tired to put forth the extra effort. Inwardly, she hoped he didn't sense her uneasiness around him, though.

"So," she says, the word hanging uncomfortably for a moment or two, "What does Nire hold for you and your Red Dragon School now, Luthor?" She watches the wizard carefully, curious as to what his reply would be.

Dire Luthor, who is sitting in one of the pews near the altar, looks to Emma askance. "My Lady Hannah," he responds slowly and with a slight smile, "I believe Nire holds nothing for my school and for myself. Unlike yourself, I do not believe in a god as the ultimate power or authority."

Emma opens her mouth, about to debate with the older wizard, but then remembers his fateful words on the darkened streets of Jilten. 'You hold your tongue,' he had told her, 'I will not engage in philosophical debate with you. I do not have the patience.' Why did she allow herself to be silenced by this man? Not finding an immediate answer, she let him continue.

"But I do still consider my future and the future of the School. The School will need to be informed of the plot against me. It will not be a pleasant day, for accusation trading is never a kind thing. But I hope that enough of my colleagues will see the truth of the matter and the Red Dragon School can be saved from its current factious path." The mage runs his hand through his beard before going on. "As for myself. I made a bargain. I will live up to it. We will return to Lowfield and we will clear my name. Then I will fight beside you, in the name of Sir Logan, and we will see which side may win the great battle that lies ahead of us."

Finishing her conversation with the wizard, Emma finds herself approaching the simple altar to Lentyr. She felt the need to pray to her god, and this was, perhaps, the best place to do it. She kneels in front of the stone slab and lets her head fall back, her hair extending down her back. Her mind was filled with questions, particularly about the fate of the captured soldier. How can she be sure Dire would only temporarily blind him? He had certainly toyed with the poor man's mind before, so what would stop him from doing it again? And would she even be able to tell if he did?

Plagued with these thoughts and fears she prays to her god. The god of War and Justice. She gives thanks for their shelter in the Temple of Lentyr, wishing for Anhur's grace on the good priest and upon the suffering people of Faren. And she asks for Anhur's guidance.

Dire does not move from his pew, the fourth from the altar. He sits there silently, simply observing Emmalya in prayer. A look of concentration dresses his face, but he feels a sense of emptiness inside as he thinks of the devotion showed by the priestess praying just a few yards away. She was praying to a god she believed in with all her heart and soul. She had something to fight for. With Logan gone, Dire felt himself lost. Revenge would be sweet, and vindication would be fulfilling. But when it was all over, what would he have left to fight for?

A few moments later Emma raises herself from her place at the altar. Satisfied with her prayer, she walks slowly up the center aisle of pews, stopping in front of Dire, who stares at the altar directly ahead. "When you are ready tonight, Dire," she addresses him, a sense of calm in her voice, "you may cast your spell on the prisoner. I will take him from there." The wizard does not answer her. He doesn't even move. He just stares straight ahead. After a moment, Emma continues walking to where the others are gathered.

As she reaches the back of the temple, Cy returns from outside, the setting sun eclipsing his tall figure as he enters. She smiles as she sees him enter. He did not seem completely gathered, but there was definitely a more optimistic feel to his gait. To her surprise he walks straight up to her.

"My Lady," he begins, looking Emma directly in the eye, "Somewhere along the way you seem to have lost your spear. I have fashion for you a new one." Cy holds out a new spear for her. His "walking stick," found and carved during the journey from Jilten to Wade's camp, was now topped with a metal spear-head.

Emma at first doesn't know what to say. But Cy, for all his strength, is a humble man. He simply leaves the new weapon in her hand and returns to his spot along the temple wall to continue mending his damaged armor.

During the night, Dire casts Blindness on the prisoner, and Emma takes him away. She leads the prisoner back the path that the group traveled, along the road, to a fair distance outside the city. Then, apologizing first, she hits him hard over the head to knock him out, wraps him tightly in a blanket, and makes her way back to the temple for the night. She returns to find most of the others asleep. Storm sits on the rear pew, cleaning his fingernails with a dagger and keeping watch. Emma smiles at him as she enters, shivering from the cold outside, and finds as comfortable a spot as she can to curl up and sleep for the night.

(During the night, each character regains 1 hp.)

As the sun rises over Faren, the old priest returns with some hard loaves of bread. He places two on one of the broken pews for the party and shuffles outside to distribute the rest to the poor peasants waiting outside. As he flings open the door, a strong gust of freezing wind sweeps through the temple, rudely awakening the party.

Bedrolls are gathered and armor is donned as all prepare for the journey. Soon Rinder's Six is ready to move out, to head back to Rinder, to Lowfield. The priest returns, and Edryd thanks him for his kind hospitality and shelter. The old man smiles and nods, patting the paladin on the arm and saying, "I hope one day we meet again, and by Lentyr's will it will be a bountiful time. Good luck to you."

Soon horses are mounted and once again, Rinder's Six makes for the open road. The three day journey eastward toward Lowfield begins. The strong wind makes travel difficult and cold, but they persevere. The party follows the road for a bit, but where the road turns northward they continue east along the border; Lowfield is farther east than Dillend. The day's travel passes unevetfully. There are a few other travelers along the road but once the road is left behind, travel through the fields of wheat (known as the "Sea of Wheat" on Wade's map) is fairly lonely. (During the three days of travel, each character gains a total of 6 hp, up to his/her max.)

For two days travel continues along the border, but on the third day it is decided to turn northward and cross the border. "Lowfield can't be far," Canter says, examining the map. The wind has died down but the cold remains. In the mornings the frost on the ground serves as a reminder of the cold winter that is setting in. By midday, Dire announces that the fort is not far off. As night descends, the amber lights of torches pierce the horizon, and Fort Lowfield is finally seen.

Rinder's Six approaches the fort, tired and frozen, but glad to be safely back in the Kingdom of Rinder. They ride toward the main gate, which is shut. From one of the gatetowers a voice calls, "Who goes there?!"

Edryd looks up to see a soldier with a bow trained directly at him. "We are sent of Sir Nigel of the Knights of Rinder! We have traveled far, and--"

"We are Rinder's Six!" Crayne yells, interrupting Edryd, "and we are cold!"

The soldier lowers his bow and surveys the party. "I count eight of ya. But come on in, we'll see to that once you're all warmed up!" He then calls to another man below, and soon the large, heavy wooden doors of the fort are opened and Rinder's Six lead their horses into the main green inside the fort.

The fort looks much like Dillend and Mitchend. A large wooden square with various buildings along the outer wall and square wooden towers at the four corners. Out of the main hall, which is across the green and off to the right as the group enters, a man walks toward them at a brisk pace. As he comes closer, the party can see the shield of Rinder on the breastplate of his bronze plate mail in the light of the torch held by one of his accompanying squires.

"Welcome to Fort Lowfield, Rinder's Six," the man says, his breath creating clouds in the cold night air. He wears a dark black mustache and his face is covered in stubble. "We have been expecting your arrival. I am Captain Wheeler. You may leave your mounts with my men and they will be cared for in the stable. Please follow me."

Without waiting for a response, Wheeler turns and quickly marches back toward the hall. He carries himself quickly and proudly. Crayne gives a glance to Hannibal, who simply shrugs his shoulders and dismounts (painfully!) from his horse. Once all have dismounted, they follow the Captain's path into the hall. Inside a large fire is lit, providing the room with warmth and light. A long wooden table is in the center of the room with chairs enough for Rinder's Six and several other men. Standing at the far end of the table, at the head, is Wheeler. Three other men, all clad in chain mail or studded leather, sit near him. Various maps are spread out at that end of the table. The mood is serious.

"Thank you, Captain Wheeler, I am Edryd of Kalt, Sword-Bearer of Anhur," Edryd says with a formal bow in Wheeler's direction.

Wheeler does not immediately respond. His eyes search over the party. For a moment there is silence. Then he walks around from his end of the table to the other, where the group stands. He passes through, past Emma and Edryd and Cy, brushing Hannibal and Storm out of the way. He stops directly in front of Dire Luthor and throws the wizard's hood back, revealing the mage's face.

"You!" Wheeler seethes. "Seize him!" the Captain orders, and quickly three guards run into the room and grab Dire. Wheeler spins around to face the rest of the party. "You have been harboring a fugitive! A murderer of a Knight of Rinder! Is this why you are so late of arrival? And have you ANY idea what the PENALTY is for harboring this man?!?" The Captain's face is red with rage.

"Wheeler, listen to me!" Dire pleads, trying unsuccessfully to break away from the hold of the guards.

"Silence!" is the reply. The Captain steps away from Dire so he can view the whole of Rinder's Six, including Dire Luthor. His voice is low. "I trusted you, Luthor. We all did." He then addresses the rest of the group. "And we are supposed to trust the rest of you in the battle ahead? How do you explain the delay in your journey? Mitchend is gone! Razed to the ground in your absence! And Sir Moore is said to be dead! And you lot bring me HIM.

"Tell me why I should trust ANY of you."

1. HP Status: Everyone is back up to full hit points!

Canter: 22/22, Storm: 32/32, Edryd: 21/21, Crayne: 9/9, Cy: 32/32, Hannibal: 17/17, Emma: 24/24.

2. How do you respond to the enraged Captain Wheeler?

3. Crayne has memorized invisibility, color spray, and charm person. Emma, you would have had the opportunity along the way to Lowfield to rememorize some spells. Would you like to? If so, which spells?

4. Once you have explained both Dire Luthor's presence AND your tardiness to Captain Wheeler, assuming he is convinced, how will you proceed? What plans do you have to suggest to him for the offensive on Dillend? With Mitchend destroyed and Sir Moore's men presumed dead, it seems you and those at Lowfield are the going to be the entire force attacking Dillend, unless you suggest waiting for reinforcements from Merriam. What will you suggest to Wheeler, assuming he is in a better mood to listen?

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