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

Naeron stares at the flames for a moment, lost in thought, then looks back to Canter. "Well, it is a story of some length..." He sees the eyes of those around him, wanting to know this person in their midst, this stranger with violet eyes. "Very well...My father was Adragon Thess, a Knight of Rinder, a strong man given to idealism and romance. He had a harsh beauty that stole the heart of Wynefar du Galowyn, an elf maid of middling means, but of great and delicate beauty. Against the will of both of their families they were married. I am their only child." His gaze grows distant again, his countenance sad. "Father was killed defending a border raid when I was but thirteen years old. My mother was ill equipped to deal with the mortality of father. She became more and more reclusive, forcing me to find my own way about. Fortunately, my father's station made help available to me. I was taken in by the Duke of Raimead, whose Captain at Arms, Jarl Frond was a friend of father's. The Duke himself was no mean acquaintance as well. I was brought up as a son to Jarl in the Duke's own court, and grew up learning to fight beside the Captain's sons. I have a fondness, too, for the outdoors, and was trained by the Duke's huntsman, Eiger Stenwick, with whom I spent more and more time in the wilderness, learning to hunt, track, and live in harmony with nature." Again he grows distant, almost as if he has to recuperate from this personal spilling. But once the process was started, there wasn't a halt to it. "With the recent death of Jarl at the hands of Caerloon, my losses are doubled. All the more I owe to our neighbors in Caerloon." He slapped his hands on his knees "Yes, I seem idealistic," he glances over at Hannibal and Crayne. "I have a lot to believe in here. I have seen the kindness and love of Sir Bryant and his court. I am eager to begin this mission on behalf of Rinder and of my Duke." He scans the group, "and in the name of my fathers, Adragon and Jarl. But, as Sir Bryant says: First for Rinder, then for all..."

"That's a touching story," Emma says to Naeron, with sincerity in her voice, "Losing one father would be difficult...but two must have been even more so. Your commitment to Duke Bryant is admirable, though. I would have cautioned you against using revenge as your only motive, but it seems that you are already well-grounded in understanding that there's more to your desire to help Rinder than just that. Thank you for sharing your story, though. It certainly helps us to understand which of Nire's stars brought you to us."

Crayne, meanwhile, has been considering Emma's suggestions regarding the course of action in Seden. He looks at Emma, "Indeed! Emma!" Crayne says, "You are right and have prompted us into thought as you always seem to do! We must decide amongst ourselves how we intend to handle this mission. For it will be a very delicate one at that. The Duke of Seden must be stopped. The Kingdom is suffering enough. It can do without people such as him who carry no morals and put there self before anything else. From now I make it my mission to see that man dealt with in the manner to which he should be." Crayne's face is stern. His eyes brim with emotion. He is unusually angered.

"Ah...the righteous fire of justice seems to have lit you up, Highbrow," Emma smiles, agreeing with the mage. And his words! How she had longed to hear someone speak like that within Rinder's Six. But then, that reminds her of Edryd and the way he had cautioned her against being too wrathful against the sins of others. But in this case, it seems well-warranted, and she is certainly pleased with Crayne's commitment to the mission.

The anger then drops and Crayne continues, "We will arrive soon in the City of Seden and we must take advantage of the short time that we have before the meeting will commence. It is clear that we must annouce our presence to the Council. Emma, your idea of splitting the group seems the most appropriate. For it gives us a greater degree of flexibility and enables us to gather more information. It is clear that the Duke of Seden must be closely watched for he will be the key to our success or failure. We must learn of what he intends and when he wishes to make his move. I am more than sure that invisibility will come in very useful in this mission. However, I must be wary for it wouldn't suprise me if another of those dammed Red Dragon mages was lurking in all of this somewhere," Crayne says, running his fingers over the emblem etched into his staff. "The groups you have suggested seem appropriate, Emma. What we must ensure is that the six of us do not loose contact."

Crayne looks over to Storm, Canter and Hannibal. "Before the meeting begins we must come together and pool all the information that we can and then decide on a course of action. I suggest we meet outside the Court some time before the meeting is due to start. What say about four hours before?"

"That would make sense," Emma agrees, "Before that time, if need be, I could send another messenger bird or other animal to the other group to inform them of our plans or success." She looks at Hannibal, Canter, and Storm, saying, "Just keep an eye for animals that seem to approach you with a purpose. You'll find a note that they are carrying, much like the ones I used before."

Hannibal nods, liking the idea of being able to act like a regular thief again. "I like the idea, what exactly though would you like us to look for?"

"Well, Hannibal," Emma says, "As much as I've chided you in the past for the skills that you seem to have picked up in life, I think in this particular case, we can put them to good use. Crayne, Cy, Naeron, and myself probably won't be as good at rubbing elbows with the elements of Seden that you and Storm...and even Canter might gain better access to.

"Look around for information regarding strange visitors to the Duchy...particularly anything that might reveal to us who it is in Seden that has been working with Duke Elgar to plan the assassination of the Knights of Rinder," she continues, "After all, the Duke isn't very likely to simply use his own troops to accomplish such a deed. It will probably come from some other direction...either by the hiring of common thugs and uncommon assassins...or by smuggling into the city some agents of Baron General Wade's forces or the Red Dragon renegades. Do what you can to uncover that...

"In the meantime, the rest of us will keep a close eye on those within the court, itself. We already know that Duke Elgar, and at the very least, his daughter Hannah, seem to be involved. Perhaps together we can uncover this plot and bring it to a just end. I think we all have certain skills that will help in the effort. Crayne has his invisibility magic. You and Storm have a natural affinity with the type of people that might be hired for such work. Canter has a trustworthy look about him that any commoner will accept and probably use to engage him in gossip. Cy and I have the ability to mix with the Duke's troops and guards, to feel them out...and Seden is my homeland, so that should help even more. And Naeron, as a diplomat, should also be able to open certain doors for us, too."

Cy cuts into the conversation in his book-perfect Elven: "A great sage of the Folk once said: 'Strife shall always come. It is best we deal with it and return to who we wish to be.' I agree. Let us do our duty."

Cy then makes some cryptic comment in Dwarven that only storm understands. "Or as another sage be sayin' 'Bang a rock and get it on!'"

Emma looks on with some amusement at the other languages being bandied about, none of which she understands. After everyone's finished, she looks at Cy, Crayne, and Naeron, saying, "One day, I think you fellows ought to teach me some of your languages. Who knows, it might help if we're ever cornered and want to talk to each other without being understood by the opposition. And, since Naeron is now among Rinder's Six, it might be best if we chose Elven...no offense, Storm...but it seems to be a language that many of you already know. Except for me, of course..."

"Don't worry, Storm," Canter says, patting the dwarf on the back carefully, "I think the Dwarven language is beautiful, as long as I don't stand in front of you when you spit!" The others laugh, looking to Storm, who makes a face as if he is about to launch a wad of spittle in Canter's direction!

Crayne then looks to Naeron. "I don't know what you intend to do here. For where we go there will be much danger. If it is your desire to wait and rejoin us after the meeting then I will understand. Nevertheless, an extra hand especially one as skilled as yours would be most appreciated in our upcoming endeavour."

Crayne smiles and speaks in elven tongue, "What is it to be then Naeron Thess, Worker of Words?"

Naeron responds to Crayne: "Good mage, your handling of the elven language is particularly astute. To answer your question... Words without action are empty. While I would not presume to call myself a member of the reknowned Rinder's Six, my sword is drawn to protect you and fight alongside you for as long as Rinder is at risk...," He strokes his trim, blond beard, "longer, perhaps, if at that time you would have me..." He then straightens. "First things first, though. I am prepared to depart."

"Then it is agreed," Cy says with a nod. "We follow the priestess' plan."

Emma nods, then cocks her head to the side, allowing her hair to dangle down her shoulder. She remembers the conversation from the morning about Paros, and turning to Naeron, she questions him, as if the conversation had been on the topic all along.

"An advisor?" Emma asks, "He wouldn't be one of the appointed 'advisors' from the Red Dragon school that Dire made reference to, would he? I ask this only because of the danger it might represent to the Duke, himself. If Paros is an agent of the Red Dragon school, and he only reserves his advice for the Duke for when they are alone, couldn't he...ummm, you know...cast one of those spells, Crayne? You know the one you used to charm that Caerloon soldier on our trip into the south..."

Emma looks worried, saying, "If he has access to that, who's to say that Paros might not be rushing the Duke into a hasty claim for the throne in order to make the internal strife even worse within Rinder? I don't remember much about this Paros that you refer to...could he be capable of such a thing. Could he be a Red Dragon...and worse, one of the the renegades behind much of this mess?"

"That I know not, Emma," Naeron responds. "Paros and I were never close. But it is my hope that our worst fears are mistaken."

The following morning, travel continues. After striking camp, Emma slings her new bow over her shoulder, noticing Hannibal watching her fumble with the new weapon.

"I've already mastered the broadsword...mostly with Edryd's help," she says, then looks hopefully at Cy and Hannibal, "Could either of you help me to practice with this? I have a feeling that I may need something more than my spear if Rinder and Caerloon come into a greater conflict."

Cy gives Emma a look.

"Not now, of course!" she responds with a smile. "When the time is appropriate. Now, we must set off for Seden."

And that they do. Travel is easy and the weather is fair; perhaps slightly warmer as the party heads north, but not too much so. The breeze is different, though. Storm wrinkles his nose at it. "That's the sea breeze, Storm," Canter says to his friend. "Gotta love it..."

It is late afternoon when the party begins to enter the city of Seden, the capitol city of the Seden Duchy. It is similar in size to Parton, with some busy streets, lined with shops, inns, taverns, and other assorted buildings. There are also various larger buildings, with tall columns.

"Could those be the places for the scholars Nigel told us about?" Hannibal asks, motioning to one such stone structure.

"Probably," Canter says, "but your guess is as good as mine."

"Yes," Emma says definitively. "I studied in one such place...didn't think I'd be back so soon..." her voice trails off as the party rounds a corner and Emma's eyes land on the tall Temple of Anhur in the center of a large square.

Just then a man approaches the party as they admire the temple in the yellow hues of the setting sun. "Excuse me," he offers kindly, speaking to Cy but addressing the whole group. "You are Rinder's Six, yes?"

Cy is suspicious, narrowing his eyes. The man raises an open hand before Emma can respond, which she was about to do with open honestly.

"No matter, then. I assure you of my trust. I am Willem of Sonus, and I carry an important message for you from Duke Patrick II of Marlond. If you will, my associate and I would like to purchase you all a round of fine ale in good faith and speak to you as honorable men if you may follow me into that there tavern." Willem motions across to one of the sidestreets where a tavern sits, candlelight pouring into the shadowed street.

"Very well," Emma says, looking to her comrades for support. They carefully follow.

Willem opens the door and motions to a table where another man sits. Emma doesn't notice it at first. Storm just walks by, looking forward to the ale. And that's what Hannibal would have done, were it not for the sight he saw in front of him.

Hannibal Smith stands there, feet planted solidly on the ground. "What is it?" Canter whispers in his friend's ear.

"Come, we have much to talk about," Willem says kindly, motioning to the barmaid at the same time.

"That man..." Hannibal says, trying to contain his anger. "Bernigan."

The associate rises from the table as Storm sits and Naerloon pulls out a chair for Emma. "Thank you for joining us, I am Bernigan."

Meanwhile, Canter places a hand on Hannibal's shoulder squeezing gently. "Hannibal, what's wrong? Come sit!"

Hannibal's body is rigid, tense with fury. But tries to contain himself. "Must not make a scene here..." he whispers to himself, trying to calm his boiling blood. As he sits and Willem begins to speak, he hears not a word. He stares across the table at that face.

Willem clears his throat and smiles. "My friends, the Duke bade us come here in the hopes of finding you at the meeting of the Council Knights. He is grateful for all the good you have done for the kingdom. And it is that very kingdom which he cares so much for that is the reason why we are here." Willem looks to Bernigan, who nods slowly, ignoring Hannibal's glare.

Willem continues, "Duke Patrick II of Marlond would like to invite you to his court as his guest to a banquet on the next feast day. He pledges a great meal in your honor in order to discuss with you the future of this kingdom and of our realm. He would, most of all, like your support in his campaign for the throne of Rinder."

Naeron clears his throat, patting his chest to feign choking. He is too diplomatically polite to object aloud, but looks strongly to Emma and Crayne to see what their reactions will be.

"When is the feast?" Canter asks innocently.

"One week. Please do tell us you will come," Bernigan says, sipping his ale with a smile.

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