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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4516223" data-attributes="member: 3285">On the Red March: Part 8 – An Unraveling WebFortunately, returning to Nishanpur wasn’t a problem.  Sebastian, carefully disarmed of any non-Sarishan weapons, entered with Sagrivan and accompanied him to the House of Stone.  Sagrivan had to round his apprentices up from whatever work crews they were on, a time-consuming task.“Is this them?” asked Kham.  “They look a little scrawny.” The work crew was a motley lot. “We had to make do,” said Sagrivan.  “I was not able to locate all my apprentices, but what we lack in skill we can make up in manpower.”With charges in tow, the trip back to Ventaka proved nerve-wracking.  Sagrivan wanted to hear all about Ventaka.  “What condition is the dome in?”“It’s not good,” said Beldin.  “There’s dust in the air.  It’s flaking.”“All the time?”“Constantly,” said the dwarf. “How tall is the dome?”“Tall,” said Sebastian.  “I have no idea how tall, I haven’t had the chance to measure it.”“How large?”“Isn’t that the same question as how tall?” snapped Vlad. “Maybe we should worry more about the Nierite patrols.”The workmen were nervous. Under the questioning of Sagrivan, they responded inadequately.  Sagrivan began lessons in advanced architecture for some of his worst crewmen. “Great, we’ve got a bunch of winners here,” said Kham.  “What’s your problem with Canceri, Vlad?  You seem to like the place even less than I do.”Vlad paused.  “You know about the Nierites?”“You mean how they got here?  Something about Leonydas val’Virdan, Sword of the Heavens, getting out of prison.  He sacked Nishanpur, raised an army from Erduk, and then tried to sack Ventaka.  You were there when we stopped them.”Vlad shook his head.  “After that.”“After that,” added Sebastian, “the Sword of the Heavens moved his army south and west.” He turned to look at Vlad.  “Towards Milandir.”Vlad nodded.  “I lost good men fighting Nierites. I feel like we should be out fighting them instead of skulking around here like thieves.”“There’s more than one way to win a war,” said Sebastian.It was with relief that at last the great mound of earth in the distance appeared that marked the dome of Ventaka.  Unexpectedly, the smoke of a campfire rose in front of it.Sebastian and Kham exchanged worried looks.  Then Kham drew his pistols. “Well, maybe Garan rolled out the welcome party.”As they approached, the campfire turned out not to be enemies at all, but rather Garan val’Mehan, once again outside the city.“Vell, it took you long enough,” said Garan. “Did you bring Sagrivan?”“Garan, aren’t you on the wrong side of the dome?” asked Sebastian.Kham holstered his pistols“Ah, I see dat you have,” said Garan. “Good.  Ve can get to vork now.”Sagrivan approached Garan.  “Yes, I am Master Architect Sagrivan.  I am honored to be chosen to repair the great dome…”“Repair it?!” Garan started laughing. “Ve can’t repair it.  Vervain threw us out!  He von’t commit to de actions necessary.  He just vants to hide.  I don’t vant you to repair it!  I vant you to tear it down!”“WHAT?!” Sagrivan paled, then turned bright red.  “I will not!” He turned to Sebastian.  “You lied to me! You brought me here under false pretenses.  I should know better by now than to trust anyone who has signed a contract!  Well, find yourself another architect, because I won’t do it!”“Whoa, whoa.” Kham put up his palms.  “Let’s everyone calm down.  We didn’t deceive you Sagrivan, we’re here to repair the dome.”“What’s all this about Vervain not committing to necessary actions?” asked Sebastian, hands on hips.Garan let out an exasperated sigh.  “I tried to convince de Akali to commit his undead forces to de fight against de Swords of Nier.  He refused.  Vervain said dat he had already set his own plan in motion.”Kham rubbed his forehead.  “And then you said…”“And den I accused him of being a coward.”“I’m amazed you’re not dead,” said Beldin.“He threw me out!” shouted Garan.  “How dare he!”Sagrivan backed up towards his workmen, fuming. Standing outside the walls of the city, it was apparent that combat was inevitable.  Garan was stubborn, the Ventakans uncaring.  The workmen reached into their packs…“Now wait a minute…” began Sebastian.Instead of drawing tools, the workmen drew weapons.  They tore off their simple smocks, revealing armor underneath.  “I don’t suppose anybody checked to see if these guys were actually workmen?” shouted Kham as he drew his pistols once more.</blockquote>

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