Battle at Harkon Manor

[HolyMan]

The smells coming from the great hall are the first thing to assault your senses. Roasted meats and fresh baked bread fill the air along with the sweet smell of flowers. Then entering the grand banquet chamber you see it has been decorated with candles and flowers a change from the dark deary place of the night before.

The candle scones have been polished, the woodwork dusted, and the table laid out to overflowing with food and drink. Roasted duck and seared vension stand as the main coarse with what look lik ea few wild game hens thrown in for good measure. Bowls of boiled potatoes with parsley, peas in a butter and onion sauce are laid out beside fire roasted carrots and loaves of dark bread.

The finest dishes have been brought out for this occasion and the sparkle in the candle light. Wine glasses ready to be filled sit side by side with silverware that looks like it has never been used. Rizella is there to greet you with a warm smile somehow her demeanor the total opposite from the night before. For one thing she is always smiling now and a small laugh escapes her as she takes each person to their designated seat.

The long oval table has twelve chairs around it five on a side and two at the ends. She seats everyone down and looks a little vexed when she discovers two chairs will remain empty those of Aidan and Tira. But undaunted she continues till everyone is seated and they only have to wait for Vance and the baron to come toake their spots at the ends of the table.

When dinner starts it seems not to be a grand formal affair (except for it's apperance), the talk is one of homes and places seen. Rizella talks of Tharivol playing here at Harkon, and of her time as a irl growing up behind these stone walls. Vance talks also of growing up, giving his tales a slight imbelishment it would seem to make you believe they were daring quest and bold adventures throughout his life. There ae only two people quiet throughout the whole meal, Brend and the Baron Valorn.

Then suddenly the baron starts to tap his glass to gather everyones attention, tink tink tink, his grip unsteady on the knife he is using. After the conversation dies down he stats to speak, "An honor it is to have you at my home. I am sorry for the dark times but heartened none the less by the apperance of such fine heroes. My father would have called you all 'brothers of the road' for he too was a hero of his day." At the mention of his father the baron looks at Claude and frowns slightly.

"Tomorrow we would ask that you all help us in the defense of Harkon Manor, and although it be not your home I pray to Delvoin that you all would find Harkon a worthy substitue for now." The baron starts to cough and his bodyguard who has remained back in he shadows steps forward with a cup to let him drink from.

"My brother has come up with a plan to defeat these eastern elves and drive them back, he has givin you all a part to play. I can not command you to help but I would like to ask for it all the same."

While he was speakng servants hurried about taking away empty platters, and other foods from the table. Leaving the bread and some fruit for those who still wished it, but the majority of the table is cleared away. Vance takes the map out that Lora had penned earlier, unrolling it and using plates and candle holders to keep it weighed down.

"Tomorrow we will arrive at this open grassy area early. I don't wosh to give the enemy tome to chose a different place of attack. But I believe they will see this area to their advantage thinking us the fool." The map shows the old ambush site from this morning along with some of the forest that stretched out on three sides of it, forming a 'U' of trees.

"We will gather are forces here," Vance says pointing to the edge of the map with no forest. "And it will consist of the militia and men at arms. I have men from the villiage even now starting to work on barricades to use in helping to stop the enemies arrows. We will set up the men there and hopeful draw out the Treylor. In coming down this open land they will give me and my men, time to get around them. I will lead a small strike force that will attempt to circumvent their line and attack their leaders. I believe once these elves have no leadership they will withdraw from the field and hopefully go back to their homes."

Vance smiles his grandest smile so far. "You young Heroes of the Western Woods," his smile shows his straight white teeth as he looks at the confused faces around the table. "Oh yes that is what the villagers call all of you. They see you as mighty warriors and wizards come to save them like in some tale of old. And I have not corrected them in anyway, tommorrow they will need tales of old to strengthen them as much as they will need a fine blade. This why I would ask you to lead the milita to stand at the center of those men and embolden them to hold their ground till I can complete the task of dispatching the Trelorian leaders. Your presense as well as your abilities will be of great use tomorrow."

"As my brother said I can not command you to do this. But I ask humbly for the sake of my families home to please help us defeat the Treylor."

 

[Deskjob]

Marko, Defense of a Castle

Earlier...

Marko rode out from the village and back to the Manor. He had successfully convinced his cousins of their voyage and they had blessed him with their horse for the time being. The preparations for departure were complete. The preparations for combat were only beginning.

He horse moved slowly through the evening trees until the sights of torchlight and camp activity where soon to be seen. The inner walls of Harkon had become a camp of workmen. Outfitters, craftsmen, and volunteers all working toward prepping the fortress for combat. Equipment was laid out, repaired and polished. Wood was being molded and cut for use in battle and defense. Food and feed was being stored and locked away too. It was a ragtag effort to be sure but no fear showed among the brave men and women. They worked out of loyalty and pride. Pride in their land, their homes, and their lord.

The dark-haired shoemaker, dressed for a finer occasion, dismounted his horse and stabled it himself. He walked the camp for a moment. His soldier's pleasure filled him. The momentary preparations that where commencing, the activity; the life that remained. The stubborn resolve of these hard and worn people. Tomorrow would be a day to define the very existence of these hard folk. A day that would define himself as well... No more did thoughts of death and perishing cloud his mind. Marko would think only of victory. Duty would prevail upon the righteous and this land would be free still. He laid his hand upon the shoulder of the smith and gave a reassuring nod. Duty would prevail upon them all...

Marko smirked at the first stars of the evening and slipped away to the Dining Hall while there was still a meal to be had.

 

[ghostcat]

Trinham feels very out of place during the meal. Not only is he overawed by his surroundings but also by the company. It does not help that he is not used to formal dining. So he watches Claude closely and does what he does.

Trinham has never been that much of a drinker. No doubt the wine is a fine vintage but, not being a connoisseur, he can't tell the difference between it and the stuff his family drinks on feast days. So he only takes the occasional sip to wash his food down. The food, however, is another matter. He has never had such a fine meal and the fact that he feels out of places does stop him eating everything that is put on his plate. Throughout the meal Trinham keeps quite and only speaks if addressed directly.

[sblock=OOC]I'll post Trinham's response to the baron's request once all the others have posted.[/sblock]

 

[Dragonwriter]

Through the dinner, Jareth was quiet also. His mind lingered on the events of the day and what was to come tomorrow. Resplendent as the meal was, it wasn’t truly enough to distract him from the task of the next day. As he listens to the ‘strategy,’ if it could be called that with a straight face, his face creases into a frown, though he still says nothing. It would seem our talk in the library had no effect. He is an arrogant buffoon and will be the death of those militiamen, runs through his mind, his eyes betraying his dark thoughts.

Jareth puts a hand to his forehead and shakes his head slowly. There is obviously no dissuading the foolhardy nobleman from bringing everyone to their doom in this battle.

He looks up as Vance mentions the party’s place. A grim expression covers the young man’s features. “I cannot agree with your plan. It is headstrong, foolhardy and arrogant and will likely lead to great deaths on our side. Nevertheless, I swore to fight the Treylor, so that is where I will be. And I will make them pay dearly for all they have done.”

 

[HolyMan]

The baron seated to Jareth's left starts to cough again as he was about to say something.

When the fit is over and he has had another sip from his cup he says, "Well said my young lord," he nods in approval. "Vance's strategies have always been charge and then charge again. But we have no time to delibreate anything more. His plan has a chance only because the enemy will not believe we would take the.." *cough cough* "take the offensive."

"The men of the villiage only stand a fighting chance if they can defend from behind the barricades. I'm hoping you will be the one to lead the men of our villiage, Lord Kyras."

Vance looks to his brother as if he is taking this conversation in a direction already argued over and already decided.

 

[Gondsman]

Quietly partaking of the food evenly, moving about the dishes with noble practice, enjoying a little of everything and listening far more than he contributes Lurik Offers no opinion on the coming battle, having already had his own plans thoroughly rejected. He prepares for the fight on the morrow, absorbing what he can of who these companions are and how best to fit in when the fight arrives.

 

[Dragonwriter]

Jareth’s eyebrow rises considerably at the Baron’s words, wrinkling his forehead in surprise. “What do you mean the one? I was under the impression we would all be out there in the fight. And… please don’t call me Lord Kyras. My father is dead, but my elder brother may yet live. I will not take his title until there is proof, one way or the other.”

 

[HolyMan]

Vance starts to say something but the baron is quicker to respond.

"The one to lead the men of the villiage," he says looking at Jareth intently. "My brother will be off behind the enemy lines, and we need someone we can trust to keep..."

Vance shakes his head and says a single word cutting of his older brother, "No."

*cough cough* The baron looks angry for a second and then another fit of coughing started giving Vance an opening to speak.

"Harkon's defenses are mine to command and mine to assign. Lord Kyras is a good man of this I am sure. But as I told you before I believe it is Lord Grignard who should lead the men."

"They will not follow that, that Reygur!" the baron shouts, "It is lucky they have not formed a mob and had him beheaded just for coming to Harkon. They do not forget who killed our father."

Vance looks back also angry, "You wish to do this here then, very well." he says like ice. "The men who killed our father were Reygurian and they were brought to justice out in the field, when Brend, the others, and I found them. This man is not the same as they just because he has their skintone or accent. I have watched this man and he is not working with the Treylor."

"Bah!! There have been spies all about you haven't seen. The elf gone without saying anything, and the lad who left in his night clothes. Both could have been paid spies for the Treylor." the baron says rising unsteadly. Coming to help the scarred warrior waits at the baron's elbow should he be needed. "You don't see because you are blinded by the same trust our father once had. It lead to his death, yours will lead to the death of us all."

Turning the baron leaves hobbling and coughing.

[sblock=OOC] This is the second part of what I was cooking up before just didn't want to post something so big out there all at once. Didn't know I would get to use it so soon though. [/sblock]

 

[Deskjob]

Marko, Defense of a Castle

Marko was standing and leaning with both arms on the planning table overlooking the map with mild interest. It was the first he had seen it and he browsed it with some curious gestures.

An uneasy movement took his stomach as the old baron managed to easily escape the table after his toxic rampage. This conversation was ridiculous to the shoemaker altogether. The battle was imminent and they were still stuck bickering on who was in charge. It didn't matter anyway. Nobody at this table was qualified to issue orders but Vance, and he would be absent from the circle field.

With head bowed, his hawk-eyes flickered upon each and every head, one at a time. They started at Lurik. A magician. Not a soldier. Then Lora. A magician and a soldier. But... Not front-line material. Then Trinham. Again, not chainmail material. Then Jareth. Stubborn, resistant, and evidently a Knight himself. However Marko certainly felt the fellow up to killing some elves. If not more so than Marko at the moment. His eyes skipped the two empty chairs. They held little meaning for the dark-haired craftsman.

They lastly fell upon Claude. The idealistic crusader, as it were. Would he defend himself? Would he salute? Would he stand at the center?..

Marko could only guess and clenched his jaw fast...

 

[Frozen Messiah]

"Harkon's defenses are mine to command and mine to assign. Lord Kyras is a good man of this I am sure. But as I told you before I believe it is Lord Grignard who should lead the men."

"They will not follow that, that Reygur!" the baron shouts, "It is lucky they have not formed a mob and had him beheaded just for coming to Harkon. They do not forget who killed our father."

Vance looks back also angry, "You wish to do this here then, very well." he says like ice. "The men who killed our father were Reygurian and they were brought to justice out in the field, when Brend, the others, and I found them. This man is not the same as they just because he has their skintone or accent. I have watched this man and he is not working with the Treylor."

"Bah!! There have been spies all about you haven't seen. The elf gone without saying anything, and the lad who left in his night clothes. Both could have been paid spies for the Treylor." the baron says rising unsteadly. Coming to help the scarred warrior waits at the baron's elbow should he be needed. "You don't see because you are blinded by the same trust our father once had. It lead to his death, yours will lead to the death of us all."

Claude felt the eyes of the Baron appraise him since the start of the dinner, Claude attempted to pay no notice. His concentration was towards the battle plan that was forming. Claude's mind did not come back to the subject of his nationality until the Baron voiced his opinion.

"I have no need or care to prove me to be any different from the man who had done such a horrible deed, those who I do care to prove myself to are the people who will go out on to the field. They are the ones who give you the food you eat and the money you spend therefore it is to them I will act. I thank you Vance of Valorn, it would be my honour to lead the militia." Claude says in a calm tone but his eyes narrow slightly as he responds to the baron.