~ The Council of the Knights of Rinder: [Archive] [Home] [Previous Turn] [Next Turn] ~

Emma is somewhat surprised by Storm's announcement, though she wisely understands that his devotion stems from Edryd's dying request. She senses that someone needs to help the grieving Dwarf, and moves toward him in order to reassure him. In her eyes, Storm's devotion to the Sword-Bearer is an honorable thing. But, convincing him that the needs of the many outweigh the immediate journey to find Guilliam, should be handled delicately, she realizes.

"Storm," she says quietly, laying a hand on his shoulder, "You can still honor Edryd by finding Guilliam after we've finished our duty to the living souls of Rinder. As far as we know, Guilliam is still safely in Parton, under the Duke's protection. He should still be there when we return, no matter how long it takes. I'm sure Edryd would understand a bit of delay...and he would probably even urge you to fulfill your duty in reporting to Merriam and Sir Nigel what has happened at Dillend, first. Without doing that, the men left defending the fort will face the entire Caerloon army by themselves, and what Edryd gave his life for would be meaningless.

"As for Seden," she continues, "Well, we shall see. Perhaps Sir Nigel has the means to deal with that treachery himself. After all, he is a Knight of Rinder, so I would assume he will be meeting them there. If we warn him, then perhaps our part is done and we can then journey on to Parton to see Guilliam. If not, and he requests us to look into the matter, again, Guilliam should still await us when we're through with our work. Don't worry. I'm certain Edryd did not mean for you to seek out the Gale right away, but rather in time, you can honor his request of you.

"Does that makes sense?" she quietly asks in as reassuring a manner as possible, "Once we're done, I'll even gladly go to Parton by your side."

It is at this point that Crayne makes his way over to Emma and Storm, "Emma is right, Storm! What Edyrd asked of you is a deed that must be fulfilled and I know that you will not rest easy until it is seen through. I myself am inclined to feel the same way. Nevertheless, our journey to Merriam is imperative and to delay in any way would put all our efforts so far into jeopardy."

Crayne moves closer to Storm, "Think Storm! About all that the Rinder's Six have fought for and for what Edyrd gave his life, too. You know that it is not what Edyrd would want. We must go immediately to Merriam as the Rinder's Six. Then we will go and find the Gale and fulfill your promise!"

Crayne kneels beside Storm waiting for his reply. He sees a look of loss in the dwarf's eyes and knows that he misses his friend deeply.

Canter sits by the fire with Hannibal, not participating in the conference with Storm. Both are quiet, lost in their own thoughts but somehow gaining comfort sitting there, staring into the flames, together. Canter has his leatherworking tools out and is patching up a hole in Hannibal's studded leather. Cy is inspecting his armor and sharpening his sword.

Finally Storm speaks again, looking first to Emma, but then to Crayne, where his eyes rest. "I's see yer point," he concedes, swallowing hard and slowly. Were those tears in his eyes? "It be best we head to Merriam, I be seein' that." With those words, the dwarf rises from his seat and walks away, turning his back to the rest of the party.

Emma's eyes following Storm's figure as he disappears into the darkness around the campsite. Crayne looks to the priestess, asking with his expression, "should we following him?" But Emma senses that, no, Storm just needs to deal with Edryd's loss on his own terms.

As the evening draws to a close, Emma casts her spells over the campsite, helping to ensure the safety of the group, its guest, and the important messages they carry. Cy agrees to take the first watch. Canter, Hannibal, Storm (now returned), and Crayne retire to their bedrolls (Hannibal to a dry spot on the cold ground--he had given his blanket to the priest of Lentyr outside Faren!).

As the others turn in for the night, Emma takes some time to speak with Mara, approaching the priestess when most everyone else is asleep. She's just as tired as everyone else, but Emma feels the need to get to know the Edryd's betrothed a bit better.

"Sister?" she asks, taking a seat close to Mara, "I wanted to ask you a few questions, if I may? Edryd really never spoke of you to any of us. Quite a few of Rinder's Six was surprised to discover that you and he intended to marry. How did you meet him?"

"Emmalya," Mara says with a sniffle, "Thank you, first of all, for offering your protection and support in these dark times." Emma nods, listening intently. "Your group, this 'Rinder's Six', came to Dillend a few months ago. I do not remember seeing you there, perhaps you had not yet joined the group. Well, they are blessed with your guidance and the guidance of Anhur."

"While at Dillend I offered them some healing power on behalf of our god. And it was there that I met Edryd of Kalt. He wooed me and bade me marry him when next he returned to find me. He was what I always dreamed of. My knight, strong in his convictions, unrelentingly faithful to Anhur, and strong willed in the pursuit of justice. Of course, I agreed.

"I had no idea that the Caerloon troops were so close. Sanford stopped the patrols. I thought it was a poor decision tactically, but he would not listen. When they attacked...it was terrible. They, they...slit throat, tore limbs from bodies. They...wanted to tear the place apart. Sanford 'gave' me to this other soldier to 'extract my knowledge.'

"They tortured me." Mara sniffles again, choking up with tears. Emma places a hand on her arm to calm her.

"It was Anhur's answer to my prayers that you came. That Edryd saved me. Little did I know that would be that time we would meet." Mara straightens her back, trying to maintain her posture and not collapse physically in addition to emotionally.

Emma soothes Mara with kind words, and slowly Mara collects herself. Emma goes on to chat with Mara for awhile, comparing notes and stories about the Sword-Bearer. She does so to try and help the girl express her grief in a constructive way. Besides, Emma feels the need to do so for herself, too. Finally, after a few minutes, the priestess switches to a new line of conversation.

"So what do you think about the Caerloon invasion?" she asks, "These documents that you take to the King, what do they say? Will you request reinforcements on behalf of Dillend? If so, I would gladly stand by your side and make the same plea. Perhaps together we can convince the nobles of Merriam that these skirmishes are much more than they appear..."

"We knew they were preparing for conflict," Mara begins, "but we had no idea it would come this soon. Ever since Rinder's Six killed Mazen, we thought we had bought ourselves some time. With our victory at Dillend, my hopes are bouyed. But I sense your concern for the safety of our kingdom and the welfare of its people--and I share it.

"These documents contain Captain Wheeler's account of the events leading up to our victory in the Battle of Dillend, and his analysis and report of our victory there. It also mentions some wizard by the name of Dire Luthor. Do you know of him?" Emma nods in reply. "Yes, well. Wheeler says that Luthor has proven his innocence and value to the King and the Knights, and recommends that he be given special commendation by the King's military advisors."

Impressed with Wheeler's comments, Emma then goes on to explain the charge given to them by Sir Nigel and Duke Bryant of Parton. She also relates to Mara the information they discovered in Baron General Wade's encampment just across the border, as well as the Red Dragon school's involvement. "So you can see," she finishes telling her, "There's more to all of this than perhaps even your documents will relate. We shared this information with Captain Wheeler before our battle at Dillend. Hopefully, the King can be made aware of all this, too."

"Hopefully..." Mara concurs.

The following morning travel continues. By midafternoon they are marching through Nesor along the road north to the capital, Merriam. It is very late at night when they finally reach the outer limits of Merriam, but the party presses on. They reach the gates of the great city, and after a few words with the guards, Mara leads them in.

Continuing the lead, Mara directs the party directly toward the center of the city--to the magnificent Merriam Castle. Its tall towers overlook the entire city, and its strong walls have for generations stood for the strength of the Kingdom of Rinder. The moon is high in the cold night sky when they arrive at the gate.

The place is eerily quiet as they approach the guard. He quickly sends for a herald, who leads the party in. "Welcome to Merriam, Rinder's Six, priestess. I hope your journey was a safe one. The King's advisors eagerly await the messages you carry," he motions to Mara. "But at the moment they are unavailable."

"Asleep?" Cy asks, as if about to lecture the herald on the importance of a general's role in times of war.

"No, good warrior," the herald answers, tweaking his mustache. "They are with the King in his bedchamber.

"His bedchamber?" Canter repeats, questioning.

The herald nods, "Yes, I'm afraid. We fear it is the end." There is a moment of silence in the group. "I will fetch Sir Nigel and have him meet you in the Council Chambers."

The group is then led into the castle. The buildings are endless, the walls tall. They are led into a moderately sized stone building. Above the doorway is the emblem of the Knights of Rinder. Inside are a number of tables and desks: positions for scribes, maps hanging on the walls, map tables, cabinets for maps, weapons, and armor. The place is mostly empty, except for a young squire, his head on the front desk in his arms, snoring.

As they stand there taking in the scene, Sir Nigel of the Knights of Rinder appears in the doorway behind them. "It is good to see you again," his voice booms. "If you follow me into the next chamber, we will talk." Nigel leads the group into the next chamber, a conrference room of sorts. All take seats aroundt the round table. Nigel remains standing so as to officiate the discussion.

"We have received preliminary reports of your victory in the Battle of Dillend. For this I am glad. And I have been told that among you I will find Captain Wheeler's official report."

"I have it," Mara says, handing over the papers.

"Good," Nigel says. "Before I read these, I would like to hear it from your mouths. In the words of the great 'Rinder's Six.'" He chuckles and says aside, "you have quite a reputation now. But I want to hear of the battle. And where is the paladin?"

---------------

If someone would like to script the scene where they bring Nigel up to date, please feel free.

---------------

Nigel swallows hard after hearing of Edryd's death. "I am sorry for your loss. These things happen in war, but it is never easy. Unfortunately, his is not the only loss."

A table full of puzzled faces turns on Nigel.

"We fear the King will die tonight." He takes a pause there to let the news sink in. "He has been quite ill for some time now, and he is aging. But that is not the problem. The problem is that he has left us no heirs, which means that the next king will come from one of the other six Great Houses of Rinder.

"You see, nine generations ago, King Henry I of Merriam united the people of Rinder to fight off the Orcish invasion. Since then, his heirs and the aristocracy of other small kingdoms which have, over the centuries, become part of Rinder, have developed an extended system comprising of Houses. That is, each province of Rinder is ruled by one of the Great Houses. King Garith III of Merriam, Duke David II of Archadia, Duke Elgar of Seden, Duke Patrick II of Marlond, Sir Bryant of Raimead (the Duke of Raimead, but addressed as Sir because his is also a Knight of Rinder), Duke Phillip III Welten, and Duchess Serra II of Adela.

"The King's advisors and I fear that with no immediate heir to the throne, our kingdom will fall into disarray. And with the present Caerloon war, the kingdom cannot survive an internal struggle for power.

"And then you bring me the news of the planned attacks on the Knights at our Council meeting! This is grave news, indeed, yet I am thankful you bring it. The meeting of the Council, due to the new war, has been moved up. It begins in three days."

There is another moment of silence as the Knight strokes his chin, thinking hard. Drops of sweat trickle down his temples; he has been under a lot of stress and is overtired after an unending day.

"I'll tell you this," he finally says. "You will go to Seden. You will see to it that the meeting of the Council of the Knights of Rinder takes place without disruption. Should this meeting fail, then there is nothing to stop this kingdom from falling apart before the next new moon! And should the Council be destroyed, it would surely spell doom for every one of us."

Nigel looks around the table, peering into each person's eyes, feeling their determination.

"Have you any questions or concerns?"

1. Feel free to fill in the explanation of the latest events in the middle of the turn if you wish...I'll have Nigel respond to those events in the next turn.

2. Do you want to ask Nigel any questions regarding your new emergency meeting? Will you tell him of the plan to find Guilliam? When will you do that? Before Seden? After Seden?

Later on that evening Crayne takes some time alone a little way from the camp to investigate the staff that was retrieved from Gaven. Laying it down upon the ground Crayne begins to whisper the words of magic feeling for the strands of colors that surround him. His words develop from a low whisper to a chant and with the wave of his right arm, his eyes glow over with a green hue. Looking around he adapts his eyes to the bright colors of magic that surround him. The colors merge into one and fall to the staff that lies on the ground before him.

He notes the color in his mind and tries to identify what school of magic the staff has been imbued with. Just like when he cast the same spell during the Battle of Dillend, the staff glows a deep red. Concentrating deeply, Crayne tries his hardest to sense what kind of magic has been placed on the staff. After a few moments, he is successful, smiling as he grows ever surer that the staff has been affected by some kind of enchantment.

"How it's been affected, that I'm still not sure..." Crayne mumbles to himself. "Perhaps in Merriam there will be a sage who can tell me a little more."

Crayne then turns and moves his eyes over the camp to see if he sees any strong magic emanating from the rest of Rinder's Six or Mara. To his relief, he finds none. He notes how his ability to control magic has improved since last. He grasps onto the colors with more ease than what he was used to. His reservoir of energy is greater in concentration. As Crayne's sight returns to it's normal self, he begins to inspect the staff more closely. He looks for any sort of unsual markings or concealed compartments that may hide themselves in the staff.

The staff is made of solid oak. It is about as tall as his last staff, coming to a point at the bottom and thickening at the top. At the top, branded into the wood is an emblem. Crayne is at first puzzled by it, as it became slightly burned at one time or another (perhaps duing the Battle of Dillend?). But then Crayne recognizes it for what it really is. He inhales deeply, swallowing hard.

There, on his own staff, was the insignia of the Red Dragon School. The circular figure of a dragon swirling around, its open mouth in the center of the small emblem. Crayne nods to himself, mouthing the word, but not finding the breath to actually speak it: "Whoa..."

After the examination Crayne stands to his full height with his dark cloak swaying in the zephyr. He looks down at his sheathed sword that helped end the life of Gaven. Crayne stands there for a few moments staring into the gloom. He picks up on the rustling of the trees and the twittering of small insects. Relaxed, Crayne swings the newly gained staff through the air. He seems like a child who had just been given a new toy to play with.

He adapts to the staff quickly and tries to identify whether the staff is magically assisted through speed. After a few swings, he discovers it is not. Then he tries striking nearby tree trunk to test it's strength. Holding it lightly in his hands, he taps the trunk of the tree. The staff vibrates with the impact, but doesn't seem to have an effect.

Then, more determined, Crayne tightens his hands as tight as he can, and strikes the tree trunk again. This time, a loud "crack!" reverberates through the night, and a large dent appears in the strong trunk. "Hmm...perhaps gripping tightly is the key. It definitely had more of an effect!"

Satisfied Crayne then returns to camp.

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