Off to War [IC]

[Dragonwriter]

Jareth snorts and pulls away as Darling passes her hands through his unkempt-as-ever hair. "Ah, yes," he begins, tone dry, "the young lady we spoke with for a short time before embarking. Darling, wasn't it?" He stands and gives a short, perfunctory bow before taking his seat once again.

"Master Martomum, I would suggest you not use such derogatory terms to the ambassador. Ambassador Silniecian, may I present Martomum, Commander of the Irregulars of Lord Bairan's forces. We met the ambassador in Tirol, the Nandirly capital, and he has important news for the king alone. So our mission, plain and simple, is to go to Siere and speak with His Majesty."

 

[HolyMan]

Martomum looks Jareth up and down a moment as if appraising him.

"Ye've changed boy. Wunder if'n it'd fir the better or no." the dwarf says shrugging his thoughts off before Jareth can retort. "So ye means tae stroll up and see dae king do ye? An dae High one at that no doubts." he shakes his head and runs a hand down his beard as he thinks.

"I knows ye and yuir group 'ave been bullying dere way through til now. Uts I tink it's time fir a stealthier approach. Mayhaps a decoy in is case." he says looking at both the ambassador and Aver. "Ye gots two elves ye know."

[sblock=OOC]
DM thinking as that the group may be over large at nine players. So will run two side games. This is not carved in stone just my thinking at the moment - this all could change.

For now I would like to RP with everyone and get ideas thrown out onto the table.[/sblock]

 

[Fangor the Fierce]

Mal listens to the words, looking at the others while the leader of the Irregulars spoke. "I don't think I understood everything this guy said, then again, I don't think anyone could. But from what I could pick up, it looks like he's a lot smarter than he looks. I too was warned that Vester's spies will be able to pick up on us the closer we got to Siere. We've got to come up with a way to throw them off our trail, or keep them busy."

Mal looks over the group, seeing the number that they had now grown to. "We found that a smaller group is how we made it to our last mission and back. We've gotta head to Siere. It sounds like you may have a way to accomplish both.."

 

[Dragonwriter]

Jareth's eyebrow rises sharply. "You don't mean having Aver pretend to be the ambassador, do you? Two minutes near him, let alone talking with him, would quickly reveal the deception. And while it may be difficult to get an audience with the High King, the ambassador is a recognized diplomatic envoy. Keeping him at bay would not be in the king's best interests, what with the looming threat of war. Especially so when the news we bear may cause the war to stop before it is begun in earnest."

 

[Axel]

Rodric

The armoured newcomer stepped forward into the light and bowed slightly, the light gleaming off his bald skull. Rodric had observed the group for a minute, trying to add personalities to appearances. Knowing people was important, especially if he was going to have to work with them, as seemed likely. He stood proudly, shoulders back and head held high, the scales on his armour reflecting the candlelight and firelight in a myriad of patterns. A battered wooden shield stands by the door where he has placed it.

"Ladies, gents. Elves." he added after a pause, clearly trying not to spit the word out with a slight narrowing of his eyes.. Rodric's voice was slow, deep and deliberate, as if he was choosing his words carefully "Your problems, like everything in a war, come down to logistics. If all those here intend travelling to Siere in a single group then you will need wagons for food and supplies, draft horses to pull them and an escort to make you unattractive to bandits of more than thirty, more likely closer to fifty. Every peasant along the road will know of your travels, let alone the spies of your enemies."

He paused for a second, rubbed the bushy black mustache with his right hand and continued. "Shorty has the right of it. Two groups, though three would be more like to reach the capital. Send one with your decoy elf in a carriage or something that screens him from sight. Mounted escort. Send another the day after dressed as merchant and guards. Wagons and all. Put the important elf in it and keep him out of sight. Last group can go on foot. Leave as messengers going different ways and meet up in a village. Go on foot, or mounted and work like a flying reserve? More care needs to go into protecting the important elf. He's dead, I'm guessing, if he gets caught.

 

[jackslate45]

Ernestine's look of confusion was clearly obvious as Darling mentioned her being a pretty jewel. She looked down at the sweat, blood, and mud caked into her clothes from the week long hike back to here. More then ever, she felt like she needed a long, hot bath.

As the discussion moved towards the splitting of the party, Ern's interest was immediate peaked. After listening to both Mal's and Jareth's points, Ern spoke at last.

"Aver is not the only one who could be put at risk. There is basic magic that could disguise someone quite well. The only times you need to be worried about being seen, cast the spell to change your form. Surely there is a wizard here that can teach us the use of spells like that. "

 

[ghostcat]

Trinham jumps as Martomum enters and takes a moment to get himself under control before saying "Hi Martomum. Glad to see that Dellex hasn't managed to lock you up yet."

Seeing Darling follow the dwarf in, Trinham smiles. Then watches as she waltzes round the room teasing all of the men. He heart starts to race as she breaths in his ear, even though he knows she is only teasing him.

Trinham corrects Jareth by saying "No Jareth. Our mission is to get the Ambassador into the King's presence. Whether or not we are there is immaterial. Although I for one hope we all are."

Finally he replies to Rodric "My name is Trinham Woods but I answer to Trinham. As for an escort, well we were planning to take a whole army."

 

[Dragonwriter]

Jareth shrugs at Trinham's words. "As the ambassador's bodyguards, I expect we would remain with him. And there's the matter of supporting testimony. We saw, heard, and learned a great deal about these circumstances while in Tirol."

He looks at Rodric, curious. "As Trinham said, the plan was to move with the entire army. Lord Dellex and Bairan have ostensibly agreed to the travel plans. However much I dislike and distrust Dellex, it would likely be as grave an insult as I have already offered him if we were to abandon the hospitality set aside for us. And I'm afraid you've come a little late to this business; we've argued at length about how best to reach Siere."

He pauses and seems a tad lost for a brief second. Then he shifts in his seat as he says, "Oh, yes. Forgive me. Introductions are warranted. I'm Jareth Kyras... Um, Baron of Kem." From his tone and hesitation, it's obvious he is less than comfortable with his title.

 

[Sugar_Silk]

"Baron?"

Darling's eyes fall back to Jareth with renewed interest.

"You're just full of surprises! I won't tread on your tactics, but offer my talents to team trickery. I make beguiling bait, and I'm savvy at soliciting secrets from shadows."

 

[HolyMan]

"Dae girl's gots it right. Stealthy and tricksy will help in dis." the dwarf says with a nod to her. "If anyone knows what ye are about then they will surely try an'a stop yuse. Ands do ye tink dat wizard won't dip his hands into any of this? Sooner aways from im da better."

"What do you propose Master Martomum? Skulking out at night? And then having everyone looking for us." Ambassador Sil asks with just a little sarcasm.

"Looking and maybe finding after it be to late. A decoy group to make them think they know where ye be. One dat will draw all dae attention as da real group makes fir the capital, quietly." the dwarf looks satisfied with himself. "And a burr to stick in dat wizard's butt."