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

Emma turns and looks squarely at Sir Judd before the next dance begins. "I would recommend to the Council of Knights that they hasten their choice," she tells him, "Rinder's Six fought at the Battle of Dillend and the troops left behind will be hard pressed to defend our borders from the armies that lie to the south. The duchies must raise their own armies...and soon, I fear, or the borderlands will be lost."

Then, hearing the pronouncement that Duke Elgar will retire 'to pray,' Emma inwardly scoffs and wonders to herself which of the gods of Rinder Duke Elgar might pray to. After all, none of them would support a traitor such as he, would they? Her thoughts become more distant as she leaves Sir Judd behind and wonders around the rest of the courtroom, away from the dance floor.

She had known for some time now that the other castes within Rinder's religious hierarchy were becoming distrustful of Anhur's followers. Too much bloodshed...too much power concentrated in one place. Those were the words they used in speaking out against her caste. But would one of the other castes stoop low enough to foster a war...and more bloodshed...in order to pull the reins of power more into their own hands? 'Perhaps the Red Dragon School isn't the only organization with renegades in it,' she ponders.

'It's something to think upon,' she supposes to herself, 'Of course, there's a grain of truth to the charges that some of the other castes level against Anhur's temple.' She remembers the numerous debates she used to hold with her own leaders, right here in Seden. Some of them had always favored another conflict...and King Garith's peaceful nature didn't suit them all that well. They had probably looked upon his death as a godsend...a divine indicator that a change of leadership was necessary...and that Rinder should rise up and become more than a defender...that they should conquer Caerloon. After all, the treachery of that nation could only be justly punished by carrying the flag of Rinder into the southlands once and for all.

Or perhaps some of the church's priests looked favorably upon Duke Elgar's solution. If King Garith III wouldn't conquer their neighbors and spread Anhur's worship, then why not allow Caerloon's expansionists to conquer Rinder instead, then build the church of Anhur within the new government, and let it convert the rest of the world?

Emma shakes her head at all of these disturbing thoughts. Such philosophies had never been for her. The many nights she had spent reading the Scrolls of Anhur and discerning the truth behind their simple words, had molded her into an activist for peace instead of warfare...a prepared defender instead of an active conqueror.

She finds a quiet corner and places her back to the wall, barely noticing Naeron just a few steps away. She thinks to herself, "Oh Edryd...I wish you hadn't left us so soon. I have so many questions, and no one of my faith that I can discuss it with freely. Would that you had survived the Battle of Dillend. I could use a friend's sparring-wisdom right now..."

Not realizing that she's hungry until Sir Klare's suggestion of food, Emma nods graciously. "Please," she says, looking around at Cy and Naeron, and assuming that they agree, "We'd be honored."

Emma does her best to charm the two knights as they make their way to one of the nicer taverns in Seden. She recognizes the place, of course, but it wasn't an establishment that she frequented while living at the temple. "Oh, how nice!" she smiles as the knights lead the way, making it clear that she's a native of the duchy, "I've never visited this tavern before."

Cy is definitely in for the idea of a midday meal and drink. He mostly listens

to what is said. Most of his questions center around the military capability of the various suitors to the crown. This is a turbulent time for Rinder, he thinks to himself.

As the group is finally settled, with food and drink aplenty, Emma allows herself to relax a bit. It feels better to be away from the Duke's court and among men that she assumes to be loyal to the Crown instead of their own self-interests.

"So...gentlemen," Emma opens the discussion, "When we were last with Sir Nigel in Merriam, he told us that each of the Council Knights represented a particular province within our kingdom...or had performed some noteworthy deed in order to join the order. I'm curious as to which provinces either of you might represent...or perhaps you could give us the tales of your heroic accomplishments?"

Klare looks to Judd and smiles. "My esteemed colleague here," Klare motions to the other knight, "has become quite a distinguished warrior. Especially against the Orcs." Judd smiles slightly and nods from behind his glass of ale. "As for myself," Klare continues, "I am representative, you might say, of the Duchy of Welten. I have served my Duke for decades now in his army and I look forward to the day he might have a son whom I can continue to serve.

"As for his heroic accomplishments," Klare says, taking a sip of his drink, "he has been quick and fair in dealing with the problems of the mountains." Sir Klare's expression changes as he stares across the table at Naeron. He sees that Cy is confused, and so goes on to explain himself: "the Raimead Mountains present in themselves a challenge for those who live in their shadow. The Hobgoblin tribes can swoop down and bring a quick end to an entire village if proper precautions are not met."

"Those precautions are met, yes?" Emma asks.

"That depends on who you ask." Klare continues looking to Naeron. Emma looks to the half-elf, unsure of the underlying tensions here. Was there some dispute between the Duke of Welten and Sir Bryant, the Duke of Raimead, the neighboring province on the other side of the mountains?

In an effort to keep the conversation neutral, Emma continues with her questions: "In the matter of the war with Caerloon's forces at our border, do you feel that your province stands ready to reinforce the brave men of Fort Dillend?" she plainly asks. "I believe that reinforcements must arrive soon," she explains, "As I mentioned to you, Sir Judd, during our dance in the courtroom, Rinder's Six has seen the forces of Caerloon that are amassing just across the border. And, we have discovered that they intend nothing less than fully conquering our nation. To accomplish this, they have even allied themselves with the Orcs...as well as renegade wizards from the Red Dragon School. We know these things to be true...for we've encountered all of them at the border."

"I am sure," Klare responds to Emma, "that my duke will send a fair number of men to the border. He will not see the great Kingdom of Rinder torn to pieces by our animal neighbors."

"I have already informed Lady Emmalya," Judd says to the others at the table, looking to Klare, "that one of the items on the agenda for tomorrow's meeting will be the raising of an army."

After allowing the others to speak their own minds on the topic of war, Emma eventually steers the conversation back around to the recommendation for a new king.

"Sir Judd explained to me earlier that the Council Knights will be voicing an opinion on who should succeed King Garith III after tomorrow's meeting. Apparently, several of the Dukes are already setting their sights on the Crown. Presumably, they do so with only the best interests of our kingdom at heart, but you should be aware, Sir Knights, that not all of them do. It has come to Rinder's Six attention that treachery exists among our own nobility. It is the reason that Sir Nigel has sent us to address the council tomorrow."

She looks pointedly around the table, then settles her gaze upon Sir Judd and Sir Klare. "It is imperative that you allow us to speak before you make your final decision regarding the King's heir. Will one of you present us to the council so we can make our case? Duke Elgar mentioned that we must have your approval to attend the meeting, and we would be grateful if you would both lend your support to Rinder's Six in this matter. I assure you we are devoted to our country...and to the Crown, for they are one and the same...but we desire to see that it sits upon the head of the wisest and most good-hearted ruler, and not the most wicked."

"I will introduce you to the council," Sir Judd says with a nod, "and if you deem it necessary, I will do so before the vote."

"I do." Emma responds clearly.

Naeron, having returned from the bar to pay the bill on behalf of Sir Bryant (he was sure to give Klare a look to make sure the knight was aware of the gesture), listens to the conversation for a while, bristling a little when Emma so pointedly mentions our knowledge of treachery amongst the Great Houses. We are not completely sure of their intentions, he thinks, but lets it slide.

He then addresses the knights. "What, good sirs, would you look for amongst the candidates that would indicate fitness for the throne of Rinder?"

Judd clears his throat. "First thing is first, Naeron. There will be no Rinder if we do not have a strong leader to win this war. Beyond that, I look to a fair man, a good man. One worthy of following in the footsteps of Garith III."

Cy nods, looking to Emma and Naeron. After a little more talk, the midday meal is finished. The two knights take their leave of Emma, Naeron, and Cy, leaving them outside the Duke's castle. "Now I wonder," Emma says to her two comrades, "where is Crayne and what has that man gotten himself into?"

Crayne listens intently to the conversation that transgresses between Katherine and her small entourage. It seemed that Katherine wasn't the most intelligent of the sisters. To dismiss such possibilities straight away seemed naive to Crayne who was afterall not the most trusting of persons. It seemed a little unbelievable to Crayne that Katherine didn't even enquire as to who this Rayton should be. Shaking his head, the invisible Crayne starts to look around the chamber to see if he spots anything of interest. He starts looking specifically for a place of concealment where he waits for the arrival of Rayton. He soon finds a small alcove with a small altar and holy symbol.

As he sits with his back to the altar, watching the sleeping Lady Katherine and the room, it appears to Crayne that this name is the one that must be remembered and must be acted upon. The only thing that worried Crayne at present was proving the Duke of Seden's involvement. That was a problem which Crayne was sure would come together in the near future.

For now however, Crayne was content with finding a good spot to await the arrival of Rayton and to memorise his spells. To leave now would be to risk missing this meeting between the Lady Hannah and Rayton.

Perhaps an hour passes, with Katherine silently sleeping all the time, before there is a loud knock at the door. Katherine stirs slowly, moaning and stretching on her large fluffy bed. Then the knock sounds again, this time louder. Katherine rises, smothing out her clothing and looking to the door. Yawning, she answers, "Yes!"

The door opens slowly and a woman's head peeks in, one of her ladies-in-waiting. "Lady Katherine," the womans says softly, "there is a man here to see you. It is Rayton."

Katherine stops streching when she hears the name. "Send him in," she orders.

Rayton enters the room. He is a human man, a little under six feet tall with dark hair and a face covered with stubble. His darker complexion suggests he is not from around here. At his side is a short sword and a dagger, on the hilt of which he rests his hand. Katherine looks him over before speaking, straightening her back at the same time.

"Rayton," she pronounces.

"Lady Katherine, you are as beautiful as they say," his gruff voice startles the young woman, but she smiles with the compliment. "Your sister--"

"Yes," Katherine interrupts, "I will show you to her." Katherine pauses for a moment, then walks quickly to the door. Crayne scrambles to get up and follow them, eager to attend the next conversation.

They walk down the hall, up another staircase, and through a number of doors and corridors before stopping at another large wooden door. Katherine looks to Rayton and then raps on the door.

In a moment it opens slightly, and Lady Hannah recognizes her sister. "Sister," she says.

"Hannah, this man Rayton is here to see you."

"Of course," Hannah responds, opening the door fully. She carefully inspects Rayton as he passes in front of her into the room. "So good to finally meet the great Rayton," she says to him once the door is firmly closed.

"Lady Hannah of the Great House of Seden. You are as stunning as I have imagined." Katherine coughs in the background, turning away from the other two.

"Katherine," Hannah says in a scolding tone. "You may leave now if you wish."

Katherine looks to her sister, then to Rayton, then back to her sister. "Of course," she says quietly as she exits the room.

Crayne begins to circle the two as they talk; they are alone in the room (they think):

"You have received my instructions?" Hannah asks plainly.

"I have. My men will be ready. But it will take more men than I expected, and I have told them to hire three more. I will meet with Morden this evening to look over the new recruits."

"Listen to me," Hannah says quickly, stepping closer to Rayton and staring him in the eye. "There may be a complication."

"Complication?"

"Rinder's Six appeared at court today, I am told. They will be at the meeting."

Rayton's tight lips slowly turn into a smile. "It will be a challenge."

Hannah hardens her glare and slaps Rayton hard across the face. So loud is the noise that Crayne takes a step back. "You fool! This only raises the stakes. If you fail, they become heroes."

"We won't--"

"And if my father aids them, he becomes more so the hero. Not exactly the point. Understand?"

"Yes, Lady Hannah."

"You must not fail. You will meet me in one week's time, at the agreed place, to pick up your payment. Don't be late; time will be of the essence."

"I understand."

"Fine. Now get out of here and check out your recruits."

Rayton scratches his cheek and nods. He turns slowly and begins to walk to the door.

"Rayon--" Hannah says loudly. "You know, this conversation..."

"Never happened."

Crayne scrambles to follow Rayton out the door. 'I must get back and tell the others!' he thinks to himself. He follows Rayton through the castle, past windows overlooking a well-groomed courtyard and tapestries depicting glorious battles. After what seems like an unending hike, he finally finds himself in the familiar corridor beside the main hall. He follows Rayton's lead through one of the doors and in a few minutes emerges outside the castle into the late afternoon sun. He squints for a few minutes, then as he adjusts to the harsh yellow light, spots Rayton crossing the square.

'I don't see Emma, Cy, or Naeron,' Crayne thinks to himslef, 'so I must follow him...'

Storm cracks his knuckles as he sits atop Thunder's moaning form, a wide, ugly, toothy grin across his face. He starts laughing a little under his breath. He always found it funny how this big loafy humans always thought they'd have the edge in a fight just because dwarves were shorter. He found it funnier that every time he had to prove them wrong.

"Nice touch stout," Hannibal says, admiring his shorter friend not only for his fearless demeanor but the ability to back it as well. "Just when I start thinking you're nothing but a common thief."

Storm gathers his long swords and keeps his mouth shut for the rest of the meeting, his eyes rolling slowly over the table of weapons when they are shown them. "Me be thinkin' this be important," he thinks to himself, although he can't predict much else. He figures, though, that he doesn't really have to.

Outside again, once clear of the thieves' personel, Storm pipes up energetically. "Aye! That be fun! Anytime ye's be needin' to topple some lanky tall folk ye just be callin' on Storm!! Hahahah!!!" He starts guffawing so loudly that other passersby on the street stare confusedly and veer wide around the group of friends. "Ahhh...." he says after he stops laughing. "What we be doin' now. Should we be followin' one of them assassin types? That Morden feller? Ye be tellin' Storm what to be doin', and he be doin' it!" He smacks a fist on his chest and stand with his chin pointed high, still running off the adrenaline ruch of toppling the big human.

Hannibal throws back his head and laughs. "Ok Storm, but don't bite off more than you can chew!" Canter laughs as well.

"I'll check out the tavern," Canter offers.

"Good," Hannibal nods, "Gladiator and I will follow Morden and meet you there at sunset. Look for possible ambush sites, maybe go in disguise? We'll shadow Morden like Storm says. I smell a rat and he smells strangely familiar."

Soon Canter disappears into the crowded city street. Hannibal and Storm then begin to follow Morden as he emerges from the nearby alley. The walk behind him, one a short ways back and the other further, looking to make sure the path is clear. They see nothing out of the ordinary.

Morden enters a tavern, but it's not Dull Blade's. He speaks with the bartender, who passes a small sack across the bar to him. Storm smiles, but Hannibal places a hand across the dwarf's chest, keeping them in the shadows. After another hour or so of following Morden to various taverns, shops, etc, the sun is beginning to set.

As he turns a corner, Hannibal can see a sign for Dull Blade's. "That's the place," he whispers to Storm. From across the street, Canter emerges from a baker's shop, just after Morden passes by. The sun's harsh orange rays are spending their last lingering minutes in the street.

"The place looks clear to me," Canter says to his friends with a smile. "As best I can tell. What happened to you? What took you so long?"

"It seems Morden was running errands this afternoon," Hannibal responds.

"Hmm. Okay, well, are we ready?"

"Aye," Storm growls, preparing to march toward Dull Blade's.

Crayne is getting tired of avoiding children, carts, horses, and other obstacles as he follows Rayton--still invisible all the while--through the city streets. So he is relieved when he sees Rayton slow and enter a tavern: Dull Blade's.

Rayton looks around the crowded pub and then settles on another man sitting at a round table in the back. With a nod, he makes his way toward the table, pulling a chair alongside. Crayne positions himself along a nearby wall, out of the way, but still within earshot.

"I got me three new men," the other man says to Rayton.

"Good. You know them, Morden?" Rayton asks.

"No, but they say they're from Strunk's Guild."

Rayton raises his eyebrows, grabbing a drink off a barmaid's tray. "Fine. Did they pass the test?"

The other man laughs out loud. "Yeah, their smallest. Dwarf. Strong rascal. I think they're good."

Just then two other men, Pale and his sidekick, enter the tavern. They nod to Rayton's comrade. "Morden," Pale says with a nod, rubbing his shoulder.

"So where are they?" Rayton asks.

"Right there," Morden points to the door. Crayne's eyes follow his motion to find Hannibal, Storm, and Canter standing in the doorway. The mage nearly loses his balance and falls over at the sight of them, but he manages to keep himself together.

Hannibal, Storm, and Canter make their way over to the table, seating themselves.

"Gentlemen," Morden says, "this is Rayton."

Hannibal looks Rayton in the eye, memorizing his features. "Grey Mouser," he offers. Rayton nods, looking over Canter and then settling on Storm. He then looks to Pale Thunder and raises his eyebrows.

"Good." Rayton begins, clearing his throat. He leans over, closer to the table and speaking quietly. "I have just returned from the castle. It's on. And this is how it will happen:

"Tomorrow morning the Council will begin its deliberations. They are expected to meet all day at the Great Forum in the hallowed Round Room. There are but two ways in. But we will use neither doors. We will be waiting on the roof above, and at the right moment, enter by breaking through the great glass ceiling.

"The right moment will be after the Knights have eaten their midday meal, which should be tainted with the necessary poisons, which I have arranged. This will slow the Knights' reactions and allow us to slay them--there should be ten in total--more easily than were they in their usual, 'heroic' states.

"You three," Rayton motions to Pale, his sidekick, and Morden, "will enter through the eastern glass panel, just above the eastern entrace to the Round Room. You three," he looks to Hannibal, Canter, and Storm, "will smash through the western glass panel. Understand?"

Canter nods.

"There is one complication." Rayton swallows slowly. "Rinder's Six is apparently in town. We must see to it that they, too, eat the tainted food or the plan is doomed to failure. And we must not allow our plan to fail at the hands of Rinder's Six or the Duke of Seden. Do you understand?" All at the table nod slowly. "Good. Then let's go."

"Go?" Hannibal asks.

"Yes," Morden says, looking over to Rayton with alarm, "of course. Back to the lair, where we will wait until midnight before making our way to the Great Forum. We cannot just scale the walls to get on the roof in broad daylight!"

Canter looks to Hannibal. 'But we were supposed to meet the others a few hours before the meeting! What will we do!'

Crayne looks around, unsure of what to do. Should he follow Hannibal, Canter, and Storm? Will they go with these thieves and assassins? What about the meeting with Emma, Cy, and Naeron? Or should he go to find Emma, Cy, and Naeron, to warn them of the plan?

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