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

Storm stands proud as Emma chastises him for taking the only possible action for their mission to succeed. He stands with his legs slightly apart and his arms crossed over his chest, his swords now back in their sheaths. His head is arcing up, and his maw is set in a firm scowl, with his jaw jutting out, providing a very resolute look. His head lowers, though his eyes stay right on hers, as Emma yells at him. "Storm, what have you done?"

"What me done?" He begins, staring right at her. He pauses for a moment, trying to figure out a way to describe his actions. After a few seconds, all he can come up with is one simple sentence, which he says in a low, firm voice, directed right toward Emma. "He ain't gotten away...an' he ain't dead!" He adds as an after thought.

Storm is confused as to why she's so mad at him? 'What more does she want?' he thinks to himself. "Aye, ye damn picky human..." he mumbles a little too loudly in Dwarven. He glances Cy's way, rather unsure if the Cavalier heard his Dwarven words.

Hannibal isn't fluent in Dwarven by any means but he at least knew their word for human and could sense the frustrated tone and knew it couldn't be good. It wasn't Emma's fault, Hannibal knew. They had come from very differing backgrounds and she could never understand how the two thieves felt.

He gets further agitated as Emma makes her further disgust known toward the Knight's actions on Rayton. His jaw drops slightly agape as she fumes at the strong knight of Rinder. Right as the group starts moving away from the thief complex, Storm makes his way up to Cy, who's carrying the unconcious Rayton. "Aye, Cyveiliog, what be gotten in that woman?" He starts in Dwarven. "How she not be likin' what me or th' shiny one did? It be the only thing to be done. What she gripin' about? I's don't get that one sometimessss....." He trails off. He walks with Cy (and Rayton) back to the town, and sleeps rather well that night, snoring so loudly it might have woken his neighbors at the castle.

Early in the morning, Emma goes to Naeron and offers prayers to Anhur in an effort to heal some of the diplomat's wounds. She casts several "Orisons" (a total of 8) upon him to heal his wounds, treating each nick and cut with a simple gesture and prayer (1 hp each).

"Thank you, kind lady," Naeron replies with a delicate elven smile. "You have the strength to smite the evil and the softness of touch to heal the body. You are a rare angel of Anhur." He smiles at her, still touched by her gift of healing.

Once Rinder's Six gathers together, Emma pulls them close and announces that she wishes to invoke Anhur's blessing upon the successful completion of their charges against Lady Hannah. "Our lives depend upon this day...but, more importantly, the lives of every soul in Rinder also weigh upon the balance," she tells them, "Please, pray with me so that we will all gain favor in the sight of Anhur this day. If we are to be successful, we need his presence and wisdom in that council chamber..."

Emma then leads a simple, silent prayer to her god, allowing everyone to observe their own moment of silence. Once she utters the obligatory, "Amen", she looks in Cy's direction. Since the death of Edryd, he is the only member of Rinder's Six that shares her faith, although even that could be suspect at times, given his checkered past. Inwardly, she hopes that he finds the same peace that praying to Anhur brings to her.

She then eats a light breakfast before setting out toward the Great Forum. On her way, she realizes just how tired and beaten her body feels from last night's exertions. 'Those explosive beads of Rayton's sure took a lot out of me,' she thinks, pausing a moment to catch her breath, 'Perhaps Anhur can renew my spirit before I stand before the knights once again...'

Emma then casts a simple spell while standing upon the street, saying, "Refresh my resolve this day, Anhur, so all my actions ring strong and true like the sound of steel on steel."

As the group reconvenes in the main hall, Storm looks a little annoyed. Again in Dwarven, he says to Cy, "Here comes all that blabberin' stuff again. Me's wishin' we can get on with it...I's got a wily bard to find..."

Storm idles by impatiently as the conversation goes back and forth. In fact, he even stops paying attention after a while. He draws a dagger and begins fiddling with it, adding in the occasionally rude noise; a belch, a yawn, a sniffle, another yawn.... He catches one of the knights staring at him quizzically, to which he simply keeps doing what he's been doing, though staring right back at the knight until the 'shiny one' looks away.

Hannibal could only eat a little of the breakfast anyway, so he wasn't bothered when Rinder's six heads off to the scene of the crime. How strange everything looked now, after the carnage of before. Plus, everything looked different upside down, he mused to himself with a smile.

The debate would soon ensue with Hannibal finding a cozy chair in the back. He has little interest in the events unfolding and feels Bernigan's trail growing ever colder. His temper flares many times through the events of the day but never once does he let it get away from him.

As the floor is handed to Rinder's Six, Crayne looks at Judd and nods in acknowledgement. "Thank you, Sir Judd. Now that we have captured Rayton I think that you will find that all the pieces of this jigsaw have been fitted together. As we proved earlier in is this dreadful case, Lady Catherine was asked on arrival to guide this man," Crayne points to Rayton and continues, "to the chamber of her sister! Firstly I think we should clarify that this was indeed the man that she led to Hannah's room. If Lady Catherine could again be summoned in order to identify this man then there can be little doubt that this man, Rayton, had spoken with Lady Hannah the night before the assassination attempt took place!" Crayne nods and awaits the knights response.

Emma also speaks in support of Crayne, saying, "If the Lady Katherine could please verify to the Council that this man is whom she led to her sister's room, it would be appreciated." She looks in the young woman's direction, realizing that she and her are almost the same age. "Come, milady," she urges Katherine, "The man has suffered bruises and wounds, but clearly his face is still in your memory, yes?"

Katherine smiles weakly, looking to her father, then to her older sister, Hannah. "Yes," she finally replies, "that is the man. Rayton."

Crayne continues, "So! It has been confirmed that this man here is the Rayton who met with Lady Hannah two nights last!" Crayne smiles as he sees Lady Hannah squirm, "Now if I can address this man Rayton I am more than sure that we will make our allegations develop into the truth." Crayne walks back and forth now as he readies himself to begin the questioning of Rayton.

"I have request before I begin!" Crayne looks over to Emma, "I request that the Lady Emma be allowed to cast her priestly spell called 'Zone of Truth.' This will enable us to achieve answers which only speak the truth."

Emma nods again. "I would be happy to oblige," she says, then looks to Sir Samuel and the rest of the knights, "With the permission of the Council, of course."

Sir Samuel sits in his chair at the round table in the center of the room. His hands are clasped in front of his white beard and his elbows are on the armrests of the wooden chair. From behind those aged and wrinkled hands his voice replies, "you have permission."

With a nod Emma begins to cast the spell, calling upon the power of her god to insure that only truthful words are spoken within the room. She is sure to center the effects of the spell on Rayton and Hannah.

Crayne breathes in deeply and then addresses Rayton, "Now Rayton I will ask you some questions to which you will answer me truthfully. Is it not true that two nights ago you were led to Lady Hannah's room by the Lady Catherine?"

Rayton swallows hard, wincing in pain as he gathers the energy to reply. "Yes, it is true." He sounds pained. Not just physically, but genuinely pained to respond in such an incriminating manner.

Smiling, Crayne continues his interrogation. "Now isn't it the case that you spoke to the Lady Hannah about the meeting that was to take place yesterday?"

"I did."

Crayne continues, attempting to slowly come to the main point, "She told you of a complication, did she not?"

Rayton nods.

"Who or what was this complication, Rayton?"

"She told me that Rinder's Six would be present at the meeting." His voice is low and dry, and he stares directly at Crayne. Those eyes bore into the Mage, but Crayne is in his element and seems hardly to notice.

Naeron simply watches the proceedings with great interest, keeping special

watch on Elgar and his family for any sign of inconsistency or...wrongness... He feels a bit green to speak on behalf of Rinder's Six.

Duke Elgar's eyes are narrowed as he pays close attention to the line of questioning.

"Why Rayton were the Rinder's Six a complication? Why did she slap you across the face Rayton?"

"I...she...I angered her. I led her to think I did not understand the importance of her plan. She did not want Rinder's Six getting in the way. And she did not want her...her...her father appearing to be the hero."

There is a wave of whispers and gasps across the room. Duke Elgar's brow tightens and his eyes narrow some more. He sighs, folding his arms in front of his chest.

Crayne then continues. "Isn't it correct that the Lady Hannah told you that she would meet with you in a week's time to give you payment?"

"That is true," Rayton responds.

Emma listens attentively to all of Rayton's answers, noting his willingness to cooperate. She focuses her god-given 'sight' upon him to detect the taint of evil upon his soul. 'How far into the clutches of evil has he fallen?' she wonders.

She definitely senses evil within him. But it is not the strongest evil she has ever sensed. The Baron General Wade III, he was pure evil.

Emerging from her reverie, Emma takes advantage of a pause in Crayne's line of questioning to step forward. She raises her hand for attention and calmly states, "Lady Katherine reveals to us that Rayton was indeed led to her sister's bedchamber to hold a secret conversation...presumably to discuss their plans to eliminate the Knights of Rinder at the request of the Baron General of Caerloon."

She points in the direction of the captured sidekick and says, "And this man has identified Rayton as the person responsible for hiring him and the others to carry out their assassination attempt. But his voice is not the only one to make that connection. Through the power of Anhur, I shall contact the dead spirit of the leader of these assassins. Please bring forth his body, and we shall let him accuse Rayton as well."

Emma then waits patiently for Morden's body to be brought before the Council. She knows that contacting the dead in such a way isn't something that Anhur or Nire look upon all that favorably, but in the right circumstances, the truth can only be learned from those that have passed into the afterlife.

Once the dead thief is laid before her within the Zone of Truth, Emma sits down upon the floor, legs crossed under her, and lays one hand upon the body. "Anhur, I beseech you," she begins to intone, "Favor your daughter and let justice be served. Nire, I call upon you, as well. Favor your neice and let the truth be shown this day. Bring before me the spirit of this thief so we may enter his testimony into the accusations brought before this court."

Emma remains calm as the spirit of Morden begins to appear, hovering over the remains of his physical form. Her resolve hardens as she hears the concerned rumblings of the people gathered within the Round Room. 'This thief must also be swayed to connect Rayton to the assassination attempt' she reminds herself.

"Greetings, shade," Emma addresses the spirit, "By the power of Anhur, god of Justice, have you been summoned before us. You must speak the truth of any question that I, his faithful servant, ask of you. It is so written in the Scrolls of Anhur. To do otherwise shall damn your soul to even worse horrors than those that Anhur's judgement has already punished you with."

She opens her eyes and looks at Morden's translucent face, "So tell us, shade, what is the name of the person that hired you to attack the Knights of Rinder here within the Round Room?"

There is an erie sound, as if a cold wind blows through the room, howling. The whispered voice seems to emanate from no particular location. But its words are clear, nonetheless. "Rayton..."

"And, lastly, looking about this room, identify for us this Rayton," she continues, "Which person present here, is known by that name and did indeed promise you rich rewards for slaying the Council Knights?"

The image of the dead Morden appears to raise a ghostly white arm, a broken, disfigured finger pointing directly at Rayton.

"Thank you, shade," she replies, "Now go to your just punishment as decreed by Anhur himself, and reap the rewards of the hatred and strife that you sowed in this life..." She bows her head and allows the spell to expire and the spirit to fade away. "You may remove the body," she says to one of the men nearby, "Thank you."

Crayne then comes to his conclusion: "Well! What have we established so far? We have established that the men behind the assassination attempt had been in contact with this man Rayton. We have also concluded that Rayton was led to the bedchamber of Lady Hannah by her sister Katherine two nights before. We have also established that the food was poisoned and that Lady Hannah made an appearance at the kitchen at the time of the administering of the poison. Now I am more than sure that any person with a degree of sense would recognise that all of these facts seem to point the finger at the Lady Hannah.

"The question has to be posed to Lady Hannah, here. Why, Lady Hannah, did you meet with this man Rayton? Why was this man in your bedchamber? Also, why did you go down to the kitchen and ask the Master Chef to make sure that the food was nice and tasty? Is that what you usually do? Master Chef, perhaps you can shed some light on this event, is it usually the case that the Lady Hannah here comes to the kitchen and asks you to make sure that the food is tasty? Come Master Chef! Speak up! Do not be shy!"

"I..." the Chef starts, "I thought it strange that Lady Hannah took such an interest in my preparations. And it was, indeed, unusual for her check up on the affairs of the kitchen..."

Emma returns to her spot from before, keeping silent as Crayne continues his line of questioning. This time, she keeps her eyes upon Lady Hannah, wondering what might be going through the wicked woman's mind. 'And to think that I once masqueraded as her,' Emma thinks to herself, shuddering at the memory.

Picking up where Crayne leaves off, Emma approaches Lady Hannah as well. Playing upon the Zone of Truth, she carefully words her questions to make sure Hannah cannot avoid answering truthfully. She tries to keep them to 'yes' or 'no' questions, so she won't have any choice but to confirm or deny Emma's statements.

"Please tell us, Hannah," Emma begins, purposefully leaving off the noble title of 'Lady', "Have you seen this man before?" She points to Rayton, making it clear whom she means.

Hannah squints and hesistates to answer. Her face grows dark with anger. "Yes."

"Did you plot with him to arrange the deaths of the Knights of Rinder?" Emma continues, "Answer me, yes or no."

Hannah's veins protrude from her neck as she strains to contain her frustration. "Yes."

Another wave rumbles through the room. Duke Elgar visibly sighs.

"Did you also slip poison into the bottle of spice brought forth from the palace kitchen?" Emma asks, then catches herself in case Lady Hannah duped someone else into doing the deed for her, "Or did you instruct someone else to put the poison into the bottle, knowing full well that it would be used to flavor the meal served within the Great Forum?"

"I...placed the poison..."

"Have you ever met the Baron General Robert Wade the Third of Caerloon?" she asks, pressing hard for an admission of that fact since it too will go a long way in connecting Lady Hannah to the crime, "And did you meet with him to agree to his promise to spare your father's duchy once he conquered Rinder?"

"No." She replies. "I have never met the Baron General. He refused to meet with me, and sent his son in his place."

Emma's eyebrows shoot up so fast she is surprised they stay on her face. She swallows hard, knowing that Hannah must mean Robert Wade IV.

Hannah continues, "And I did discuss the Seden Duchy. I was there representing the best interests of this Great House!" She shouts, looking around the room. Her eyes stop at her father. "My father, Duke Elgar, is a good Duke. But father, you could not see the writing upon the wall. I have not conspired to destroy your great duchy! I have been working to save it!

"You were given a chance," she continues, almost lecturing. Knowing she is still in the Zone of Truth, all in the room pay close attention. "You saw the letter your military advisor received. You knew of the Baron General's offer! And it was your choice to ignore it! 'That man does not deserve our response.' Those were your words, father.

"I took the letter. Stole it, perhaps. Because I knew that you had made a mistake. I responded to it, knowing that perhaps in time I could make you understand." She then looks to the knights, "There was, of course, a price to be paid. War is never free of death."

She then returns her attention to Emma and Crayne. "Don't you see! I am not a traitor. I am a visionary! I could see where my father, as good a man as he is, simply could not. I will one day become the greatest Duchess of Seden in the history of the Great House!"

Lady Hannah's voice echoes one last time on the stone walls. Then, the Round Room falls silent.

Crayne takes a step closer to Hannah, who stands on the top step leading down into the center of the room. He looks straight up at her and responds plainly, "I think not."

"Now you must judge," Emma says to the Council Knights, but also to the rest of the people gathered in the Round Room, "Weigh your thoughts carefully on this matter. To have such charges brought against a noblewoman of the honorable House of Seden is indeed a great tragedy. But more so the tragedy should you fail to see the treachery that destroys it from within...and with the fall of Seden, so too shall follow Rinder. All of this, Anhur and Nire have revealed to me. It was plainly written in last night's stars. May Anhur guide your wisdom and may you deliver a just verdict. We place our hearts and the heart of Rinder in your hands."

Sir Samuel rises from his seat. "Thank you, Lady Emmalya, Mage Crayne. All present will clear the room, and the Council will come to judgement."

Canter smiles to Emma, and Hannibal winks at Storm as they leave the room. Mingling in the hallways of the Great Forum is boring, and the anticipation is intense.

Once outside, Canter turns to Naeron. "Naeron Thess," he says, looking also to Hannibal who is nearby, "care to join me to ask a few pointed questions?" He looks over Naeron's shoulder.

Naeron turns to look, and the figure of Willem, leige to the Great House of Marlond, appears, milling about with the other dignitaries. Naeron then looks back to Hannibal and Canter and smiles. "Of course, Canter Tarp."

"Hannibal, perhaps you'd best wait here. Trust me, this is for your benefit," Canter says, patting Hannibal on the shoulder as he walks away.

"Mister Willem," Canter says as he approaches the diplomat.

Willem smiles and offers his hand in a warm greeting. He nods to Naeron. "Canter Tarp, Naeron Thess. May I present to you two Cypher, leige to the Great House of Archadia. Cypher, these men are of Rinder's Six."

Cypher smiles, tweaking his mustache and firmly planting his cane on the marble floor. "I know, I was lucky enough to be here yesterday to see Rinder's Six in action! And I have heard much of your travels and accomplishments. You have much to be proud of."

"Well, thank you," Canter says kindly. He then turns to Willem. "Good Willem, we have a question which you may be able to answer, if you would be so kind: Where is your comrade, Bernigan?"

Willem looks to Cypher, then to Naeron. "Bernigan? Oh, yes. He has moved on to his next assignment."

"Next assignment?" Naeron asks.

"Yes. He wanted to come along with me to Seden just to greet Rinder's Six. His real business, however, is in Parton. He left yesterday morning. Some official business at Raimead's court, you know..."

"But of course," Naeron replies politely.

"Have you a message for him?" Willem inquires.

"No, no, I suspect we will see him sooner than you," Canter replies, smiling. "Thank you, and goodday."

"Goodday to you," Willem replies as Naeron and Canter walk back to the rest of their party.

"Well?!" Hannibal demands.

"We have learned," Naeron reports, "that Seden was not Bernigan's true destination! He was with Willem only to greet us."

"To greet you, I suspect," Canter addes, motioning to Hannibal.

"His real assignment," Naeron continues, "is in Parton."

"Parton?!" Storm pipes up, suddenly interested in the conversation. "Guilliam!"

"Yes," Cy says, trying to calm Storm so the dwarf does not attract too much attention. "Perhaps a visit to the Raimead Duchy would be a most prudent course of action..."

His voice trails off as the doors to the Round Room are thrown open. "The Council of the Knights of Rinder has come to a decision!" Sir Bowman calls into the hallway.

Soon everyone is back in the Round Room, eagerly awaiting the decision.

Sir Samuel clears his throat as he looks about the room while standing in front of his sword, laying on the table. "In the opinion of this Council, it has been sufficiently proven that the Lady Hannah of the Great House of Seden is responsible for the crimes committed in this room yesterday. Moreover, it has been proven, in our enlightened view, that she is responsible for conspiring with our hated enemies, the Kingdom of Caerloon."

Emma breathes a sigh of relief.

"However!" Samuel says curtly. Emma gasps. "It is the opinion of this Council that Lady Hannah of the Great House of Seden has been misguided, and will therefore be spared the punishment of death. Lady Emmalya of Surralund and Priestess of Anhur, have you a position to assume with regards to the proper punishment for the crime?"

Emma once again calls out, her voice strong and clear. "Sir Knights! Sir Knights! You have listened well to our words and honored Anhur with your decision. I pray that you would listen well, once more. The proper sentence for murder is execution. But I would plead with you to spare Hannah's life, even though she would have gladly seen us slain for accusing her if you had ruled in her favor. And you have wisely come to this decision by your own accord.

"Instead, I would counsel you according to the teachings of my temple...and according to the histories of law and justice, which I have studied since I first began my studies there.

"Hannah is young...and although her heart is full of venom...there is still much time to undo its evil work," she says, "She is only guilty of attempted murder and as such, I would urge you to imprison her within the walls of my own temple. Perhaps there, with the proper care and instruction, our priesthood can save her soul. There is no need to throw away her life, or the love of her father." She looks toward Duke Elgar in recognition that the man must have been duped by his daughter just as easily as everyone else.

"But neither should her punishment be so easy as she does not learn her lesson," Emma continues, "While at the temple, she should be made to do the work of a commoner and publicly shamed for her treachery. There is no doubt that others will see her and acknowledge her guilt. Through hard work and supervision by the priests of Anhur, she may serve her penance and learn a new life.

"In addition, treason against the crown of Rinder is a high crime...also punishable by execution...but I would believe that Hannah's motivation in such a crime came from her desire to climb higher into the ranks of the nobility. With the Caerloon Baron General's success, she intended to gain a higher station than what she had already been blessed with. Therefore, the proper punishment should be to remove all such station from her life. I would advise you to strip Hannah of her noble title. Remove her from the line of inheritance to the Duchy of Seden and insure that she will never again be tempted by the power that comes from such a position.

"It is the only way to insure your daughter's life will change for the better," she says, looking to Duke Elgar apologetically, "And now that they know the truth, your people would never follow her anyway."

Sir Samuel looks around the table to the other Council Knights. One by one, they all nod solemnly. "Very well then. We accept your proposal. Guards! See to it that Hannah, daughter of Duke Elgar of the Great House of Seden, is taken to the Temple of Anhur."

"As for Rayton," Emma starts again, causing the knights to look up from Sir Samuel to the priestess. "He too is in need of a change of heart, but alas, he has lived many years and his heart is hardened to the soft touch of Anhur's love. Where Hannah's crime may have been born of a passionate desire to rule ahead of her time, Rayton's crimes are many, stretch back several years, and were carefully and methodically planned. It is obvious that his organization within the very tunnels beneath this city has existed for a long time, contributing to problems that we can only guess about. Murder, deceit, and theft are a way of life for him and his men. What punishment can correct the imbalance of their souls?

"History would suggest that a thief without hands can no longer steal," she tells them, "And often one hand will be cut off to punish such a man, but it takes only one hand to kill. Perhaps a murderer should have both hands removed? But Rayton would be a burden to society if that were chosen as his punishment, unable to feed or clothe himself, or find gainful employment in an honest profession. So then, shall we take his life to balance the innocent deaths that he has caused? It is beyond my judgement to say. Instead, I would suggest that you seek the counsel of my temple leaders, the high priests of Anhur, to determine his fate."

The knights approve, and Rayton, too is removed to the Temple.

"This Council will now resume its discussion of the line of succession," Sir Samuel continues, assuming control of the conversation. Then, the sound of the door slamming, as Duke Elgar leaves the Round Room, Lady Katherine in tow. Samuel frowns, but knows that the meeting must continue.

"Sir Samuel," Sir Judd says, "I would like to recognize once again Lady Emmalya, as I do believe she would like to address the Council on this matter."

Samuel breathes a sigh and then sits. Without looking to Emma, he responds. "Very well, you may proceed."

Emma clears her throat to get the attention of the Knights of Rinder once more. She smiles half-heartedly, realizing that they must be tiring of her voice by now. But, as long as she has their ears, she intends to fill them with that voice until she's heard or they throw her and Rinder's Six out of the meeting.

"On that subject, Sir Knights," Emma says, "I would voice the opinion of one priestess of Anhur. In my travel and limited experience with Rinder's Six, there is no better candidate for the throne than that of Sir Duke Bryant."

She pauses a moment to weather the storm of protest that's sure to erupt around such a bold statement. "I make such an assertion," she exclaims, "Because no other choice makes sense." She looks toward Sir Judd and says, "You told me once, Sir Judd, that the land needed a strong man to guide it through these terrible times. A war is brewing and we need a man of action and not only of wisdom, you said. I would say to you that Duke Bryant is both of those things. How many of the other dukes are also members of the Knights of Rinder? To my knowledge, only Sir Duke Bryant. Who had the foresight to bring Rinder's Six together through Sir Nigel and set them the task of clearing his mines to reopen them and support the war effort? It was Duke Bryant."

She looks toward Sir Klare and her eyes flash for an instant, "And how many of you truly know that story, after all? I had not joined Rinder's Six at that time, but I've heard their story since. The wealth of the mines of Duke Bryant weren't being held in reserve by him as some sort of political power-play as many of you would believe. He sent several miners to their deaths trying to reopen them because he knew how important they were to Rinder and not just himself. He was wise enough to send Rinder's Six to take care of the problem and now that they have been reopened, our troops can once again be properly armored for the coming conflict with Caerloon.

"Duke Bryant has also supported our efforts to retake the borderlands from the Caerloon forces...lands that aren't even under his direct control. So, he obviously has a sense of compassion that some of the other duke's seem to be lacking." Emma allows her gaze to settle upon the representative from Archadia, remembering his reluctance to promise his lord's troops in the coming war.

"And, Duke Bryant even sent his own representative to join Rinder's Six in order to ferret out the conspiracy here in Seden...once again showing his inclination to serve the better good of our nation and not simply his own duchy. How many of the other candidates have done anything like that? None, it would seem.

"As for the future of our country...following a successful campaign to fend off these Caerloon invaders...I think Duke Bryant would continue to serve admirably as our King. He has already shown himself capable of holding a substantial amount of land in Rinder and managing it well. Although this may have caused some jealousy and resentment from the other duchies, they would all do well to support such a leader for the throne. For, if he can cause Rinder to prosper like his own duchy, all of us will benefit as a result. So, his leadership is in everyone's best interest."

Emma looks around the chamber, then finally addresses them all once more, looking almost apologetically at Sir Samuel. "But I am a young woman," she states flatly, "And many of you probably think me too young to voice such opinions. I am but a maiden. What wisdom could I possibly have?" Emma then reaches down and pulls her broadsword from its sheath and slams it down upon the round table in addition to the rest of the knights' swords.

"But I am a noble citizen of Rinder! And a representative of Anhur!" she shouts, "He is a god of Justice...and Truth...and Defense. As such, it is my responsibility to defend my country in accordance with his will. And I can see no better way to do that except with Duke Bryant upon the throne. He is a strong man of action, judging by his willingness to safeguard our freedom in so many ways. He is also a man of foresight, judging by his wisdom in supporting our actions and listening to the truth when it is made evident to him. Who better to ascend the throne? With him, we shall have a strong general, a successful leader, and a wise man."

With those words, some of the fire leaves Emma's posture. She looks down at her broadsword, lying upon the table and feels a little embarrassed at her outburst. She realizes that much of her emotion had been building since she first joined Rinder's Six. Her solitude within the libraries of her temple had protected from the knowledge the world's problems. And now so many discoveries are taking place that her world is becoming reshaped by them. The loss of the innocent men of the border forts to Caerloon aggression. The false charges against Dire Luthor. Her meeting with Robert Wade the Younger. The death of Edryd. The treachery of Seden. And now the political in-fighting of the Dukes and Knights of Rinder.

'Can't they see?' she thinks to herself, 'They're tearing this nation apart when now is the time that we should all be coming together for mutual defense against our enemy.'

The priestess' hand clasps the hilt of her sword, and she looks to Sir Samuel, giving him a look of remorse, confusion, and despair that no one will hear and understand her message...the message that Anhur has given to her. Her eyes fall back toward the sword and she starts to slide it away and off of the table. 'Perhaps I'm wrong,' she thinks to herself, tears beginning to form in her eyes, but not yet released, 'Perhaps I'm unworthy to bring such things to their attention. Who am I that they would listen to me?'

Naeron then clears his throat, stepping closer to the table and alongside Emma. He, too, addresses the Council. "Good people of Rinder, and that is what we are, despite our allegiances to the Houses and Guilds, we are of Rinder, not of Caerloon. Strength and Unity win wars. Fear, Strife and Division lose them. It is no mystery to any at court that my allegiance is to Sir Bryant, but that is second to the Throne of Rinder. Is it out of place to speak objectively when I would give my life for this man? I would hope not. My Duke, my leige, does not seek for himself entirely. Certainly there is honor for a man to be king. He who would deny that is a liar, and is fooling himself and any who follow him. But there is honor to spare in Raimead. It is a strong and healthy land. It is a strong and healthy army, one which would make an honorable core to any fighting force. And there is honor to go around, for it will not be Raimead that wins the War for Rinder. It will be all of Rinder, or it will be none. Sir Bryant cannot stand alone. He knows that. He needs all of the Duchies, and all of them need him and each other. A house divided against itself cannot stand. A kingdom divided against itself will be dashed and overrun by the monsters of the South.

"I speak to you as leige to Sir Bryant, but also as the son of a Knight who gave his life in service to Rinder, and as the surrogate son of another who did the same. I will gladly give mine, as any of these would as well," he gestures to Rinder's Six, hoping Hannibal or Storm didn't break character on this point, "to preserve Rinder as it should be. Free. Free of the South, free of the evil of the Orcs and those that would treat with them. Free." He takes one last look around the room, stopping at last at Sir Samuel's gaze. "Free." He then turns the floor over to Sir Samuel to allow the proceedings to continue.

"Thank you, Lady Emmalya and Naeron Thess, leige to Sir Bryant--an esteemed member of this Council, himself," Samuel says with a smile and a nod toward Emma and Naeron. "This Council will deliberate the issue. At this time, however, it will be necessary to clear the room once more so that a decision can be reached in confidence."

Once again, all present in the room, except for the Council Knights, rise from their seats. It is growing late in the day, and many decide to simply head home rather than wait out the deliberations. Rinder's Six leaves the room and finds a small secluded alcove elsewhere in the Great Forum.

There, Emma takes a moment to cast "Cure Light Wounds" upon Hannibal. "Here, she says, "Canter and Naeron may have given you some peace for your mind. I will offer some healing for your flesh." (4 hp restored)

"Thank you Emma," Hannibal stutters with sincerity, the pain of his previous thoughts showing through his eyes. Taking her hand in his own, he smiles weakly. "You know, recently I have had some poor judgements and terrible thoughts as of late. I only want you to know that I hold all of you in the highest regard, now and always. I only hope you can find it in your heart to someday forgive me for what I will soon have to do."

Not allowing the conversation to turn in Emma's favor, he pats her shoulder lightly and then moves off.

Emma smiles, at no one in particular, enjoying the lingering feeling of Hannibal's kind--and rare--words. Then, feeling the pain of her own flesh, she clasps her holy symbol and intones the words to "Cure Moderate Wounds" upon her self. (6 hp restored)

Stepping toward the group as they await the Council's decision, it is Storm who speaks. "Uh...friends? I think I be wantin' to head to Parton an' look fir Guilliam. I still gotsta give him this." He holds of Edryd's holy symbol, hanging from his neck. He looks around the group, awaiting a response.

"No objection from me," Hannibal says, returning to the group. "I am ready to go right away."

"Me too," Storm chimes in with a toothy smile.

"Actually, to Raimead is exactly where you will go." The voice appears from behind Cy, coming from the hallway. Each person turns around, surprised. It is Sir Nigel.

"Sir Nigel!" Crayne says, shocked. "But?"

Nigel holds up a hand, "There is little time to explain--" He is interrupted as the doors to Round Room are once again thrown open.

The gathering inside is noticeably smaller than before, but all the important figures are present, this time including Sir Nigel, who is a Council Knight.

"It is the decision of the Council of the Knight of Rinder," Sir Samuel proclaims, "to recommend to the Dukes and Duchesses of the Great Houses of Rinder," Naeron bites his lip with anticipation, "that Sir Bryant of the Great House of Raimead succeed the Great King Garith III of the Great House of Merriam to the Throne of Rinder."

Naeron is exstatic, but just barely manages to contain himself. He looks to Emma, who smiles widely.

"This Council with adjourn for the evening. Tomorrow, in our final day of deliberations, a strategy for the conflict with the Kingdom of Caerloon will be discussed. Please have the appropriate aides, squires, and advisors present and prepared with their proposals." The Council Knights all nod toward Samuel.

Samuel then turns to Rinder's Six. "On behalf of the Council," he says kindly, "I would like to thank you for your service. Without your efforts, we might all be slain, and the outlook for our kingdom not so bright. You are all to be commended for your work, and I will personally see to it the next King of Rinder will be made aware of your good services to his Knights and country."

"Indeed," Sir Nigel says, smiling broadly. He looks like a proud grandfather as he looks over Rinder's Six. Then his expression changes as a sense of urgency sweeps over his face. "Come," he says, motioning the group out the door, "we have much to discuss."

As the group enters the hallway and finds itself in the alcove again, Nigel continues:

"You have done fine work here, that is indeed true. But your efforts are now needed elsewhere. In Raimead. There is a problem. With the mines."

"The mines?" Hannibal asks, "You mean the same mines that..."

"Yes," Nigel replies, "but not just the adamantine mines. All of them." Nigel's gaze then falls on Storm. "It seems your kind have descended from their mountain homes and are not allowing the Duke's men into the mines. They are blocking the Raimead Passes, not letting anyone through. And those passes are the only safe passages across the mountains, and the only connection between Raimead and the rest of the kingdom. A party of men, including some Knights, were dispatched from Parton with a message from the Duke."

"Yes?" Cy asks, scratching his face, "what did the message say?"

"We don't know. The only man to make it through the Dwarven blockade was a lowly squire, and he died just after reaching me at Merriam. The late King's advisors are worried. We need that adamantine! And we were depending on some of the Dwarven Clans to join us in the battle with Caerloon. The late King Garith's advisors and I thought it best to send some of our most experienced forces, for this is no small problem!

"Unless we can discern why the Clans have descended from the mountains, and convince them to return, not only will we have lost our most powerful armor, and a small but significant part of our military force. But if, indeed, Sir Bryant is to become the next King of Rinder he will be a prisoner in his own castle!"

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