Bordell's Tales, Chapter 1 : Two faces.

[Velmont]

"Have you ever heard that Theodor have asked help to anyone? He! His indenpendency is what is most precious to his eyes. If I am not wrong with my guess, it should have taken everything to decide to take this decision. But what the problem is and what he need, I can't tell. I've heard nothing about Theor for a some time, except the usual gossips." He tells this and you can hear no much respect for the Monarch in his voice.

The door open and Leopol enters. "We all know how you like politics, Jasper. And you're guess is right, as usual." Leopol sits down at the table and smells his food. "First meal since last night, it will do me some good." He break his bread and put a small piece of cheese on it before eating it. "I won't make you wait any longer. Theor have ask the help of the order. He has some problem with barbarians. It seems they have broken the unofficial agreement that have been respected for now over twenty years. That long peace havn't help Theor defence. The council have decided to send me to help to manage the defence. I've requested Jasper help to the council, and they have accepted."

"My help?" asks Kriegspire with a sarcastic smile. "You must be kidding. I'm no tactician. I'm just a filthy thief in shining armor, as many like to tell..."

"... and it is a sneaky rogue I need. Before going to Theor, we will travel in the barbarian land and cross Theor borders by that way. I want to see by my eyes what is happening. With that knowledge, it will be easier to help Theor. It would be too dangerous for Xavier and me alone. With your help, it should be fine." Leopol pause to take some meat and vegetables.

During that pause, Bellmon asks to Leopol "But sir Stone. Isn't the barbarian attack our order on sight?"

"Yes, but we won't travel as knight of the order, but as some hunters. It happens some times that the noble on the border send there hunters in the barbarian territory. The only known case of attack by barbarian on hunters have been when the hunters have tried to hunt the same prey as the barbarian. We should be safer like that. Brodell have seen to have some clothing for that. We will have two extra horses to carry the armors. We will hide it under some blankets and we will put it on only once in Theor."

"A small walk in the nature with fresh air before we start to say what to do to Theodor? Looks like interesting."

"We are there as diplomats, not as generals. We won't have any command and we will only offer suggestions. We will have to show our respect to Theodor. We will represent the order, and we will carry a gift from the order. Greffit will finish it tonight, he has spent most of last night on it. We leave tomorrow morning. The sooner we will be at Theor, the better will start our relation with the Monarch, and as I don't know what we will find on our way, I prefer to leave as soon as possible. I've planned our trip. We should cross the border of Gaile in two days, travel four days in the barbarian lands before crossing the border of Theor. After that, it should take us another three days to reach the capital."

Leopol take another pause and take another mouthful of his half finish plate. "Hmm.. start to be cold... any questions?"

 

[Jdvn1]

Xavier patiently waits and eats through the dicussion. "Yes, is there any estimation of how long we will spend in Theor? Is our mission a secret? I would like to be able to send word to my family that I will be gone for some time." He finishes off his meal with a drink. "Sounds interesting to say the least."

 

[Velmont]

"I cannot say how much times we might stay there, but it may turn to be counted in month. We might have to be supervising the construction of fortifications. Even if we doesn't need to, we will surely not be back before the end of the summer.

And Theodor has asked our discretion, so you can't talk about it to other knights, even less outside the order."

"Theodor is too proud. If that rumor start to spread in Gaile, it will hurt his honor." Kriegspire adds, shacking his head.

"If there is no other questions, we will meet tomorrow when the sun set up. And Xavier, you won't have guard duty tomorrow, I've seen for it. Take a break, I'll need you in best shape for the travel."

OOC: The summer equinox was two weeks ago.

 

[Jdvn1]

"Thank you, Sir Leopol. I will see you tomorrow Sir Kriegspire, Bellmon." Xavier nods and takes his leave and tries to relax for a while before he goes to bed early. There is plenty time to be worried; now is the time for mental preparation. An early start would be good for him.

 

[Jdvn1]

Assuming the night is uneventful...

Xavier wakes up in the morning early and refreshed. After his usual morning duties, he makes his way to meet Leopol Stone with the horses and hunting clothes.

 

[Velmont]

The remaining of the days pass uneventfull. You pass at Hanry's shop and take the hinter's clothing. You go and gives some to Bellmon for him and Kriegspire and leave the two other sets in your room. You enter the room and you see Leopol already in his bed. You are carefull to do the less possible sounds and you decide to immitate your knight and you lie down and fall asleep.

The day after, you wake up and at the moment you open your eyes, you see the door is cloing and Leopol's bed is empty. You prepare yourself as usual, but you pack your orders' clothing and wear the hunters' clothing you have. You go then to the stable and prepare the horses, packing the horses.

Bellmon arrive a moment after you, carrying his stocks and Kriegspire stock. He pack the other pack horse. As you are doing your task, Bellmon ask you.

"Nervous by the travel? It will be the first time I'll leave Gaile. That close to the border, it shouldn't be very different, but I wonder how is the barbarian lands and the kingdom of Theor."

 

[Jdvn1]

"I'm not very nervous, but anxious. I don't have much experience in these travels either, but I think we are ready for a lot of situations." Xavier pulls a few straps to make sure they're tight and looks at Bellmon, "Are you worried by something? Sir Stone and Sir Kriegspire are possibly the two best people to lead this thing anyway."

ooc: Stone isn't down here yet? That's something I'd have looked for first.

 

[Velmont]

OOC: As you said you wanted to meet him with the horses, I made supposition you would prepare them before seeking him.

"My first mission since I entered the order. Yes, it's makes me nervous." replies Bellmon. You both finish to pack the horses and take them out of the stable. Stone is talking with the captain of the guards, and you don't see Kriegspire.

 

[Jdvn1]

ooc: Ah, yes. For some reason I was thinking that we were already out of the stables.

Xavier walks to Stone and waits for his conversation to end. After Leopol turns to Xavier, he'll ask, "We're only waiting on Kriegspire, then?"

 

[Velmont]

You leave the horses attention to Bellmon and walk up to Stone. He is talking with the captain about the fastest road outside Gaile, without having to meet too much person in the way, favoring a calm road over one where he would be questions. You see that Ferinshir, the captain, is a bit confuse by the question but doesn't ask more and suggest him two different road. Stones thanks him and the captain wish him luck and leave you.

"We're only waiting on Kriegspire, then?"

"Yes, pontuality have never been a quality, but he should arrive soon."

"Talking in my back Leopol?" Kriegspire turns the corner and walk up to you.

"As usual. Now, let's go."

You all mount your horses. The two pack horses are taken care by you and Bellmon. You leave the Rock on a small boat with flat bottom, used during high tide. The boat leave you a kilometers to the west and from there, you ride across a feild before you reach the road. You travel all day and meet only some peasant working in there field or carrying there early crops to the nearest market.

The night starts to fall when you reach the border of a forest. "That's the forest of Lord Taran. His rangers are keeping the forest safe. I think we will be able to safely take a rest there, and at worst, we will be disturb by a ranger, but Kriegspire will be able to talk us out of there."

"As usual. I'm good to talk to low freemen and peasant but not to noble."

"You like so much more there company. Don't hide it under false accusation."

"True, they don't think of themselves as better than the average."

You continue an hour and find a small glade to build your camp.

"Jasper, you will build the camp with Xavier, I'll go fetch some wood with Bellmon."

Kriegspire nods and Leopol and Bellmon leave into the woods. You take care of the horses and then you start to help Kriegspire in his tasks.

"So Xavier, how do you like to be the squire of the great Leopol Stone?"