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Message: <blockquote data-quote="HolyMan" data-source="post: 5195862" data-attributes="member: 84167">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."</blockquote>

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