Bordell's Tales, Chapter 1 : Two faces.

[Jdvn1]

"Well, I could not have a better knight to be the squire of, I think," Xavier starts. "Not that there aren't other good knights on the Rock, but Sir Leopol Stone is probably the best. There is always something to learn from him." He pulls some rope into place for the tents and clears another area. "You have had the honor to be his friend for a long time, though, right? No matter how others may treat you, Stone is with you."

 

[Velmont]

"Yes, Stone has always been an example for the whole order. You might not know it, but I was the one who spot you first for recruitment. I once travel to your homeland, a few years ago, during a trip. I was coming back from a travel. When I've seen you, in the castle court, I've liked you. It is on the same trip I found Bellmon." He finish to gather some pine branch and starts to cover the tents with it. "I talked about it to Leopol, and it is then he travel with the official banner and came to meet you. He approved both my choice, and ask me to take care of Bellmon as he will take you under his wing. I owe Leopol much, and I accept his decision without discussion, but if I had to made the choice, I would have chosen you. Bellmon doesn't have the guts you have, he is more an idealist. I think it is for these same reasons that Leopol have made that choice, so I can work on Bellmon's weakness."

 

[Jdvn1]

"Well, Bellmon seems like he might be good at combat, at least. He will be useful when we need him, despite his idealism." Xavier moves to clear an area for when the firewood arrives. "I have a lot to learn too, still, and I'm sure there will be a lot to learn for everyone in this trip."

 

[Velmont]

"I'm pretty sure you will learn, but don't have too much expectation, as generally, nothing goes as you would have wish. It's not like..."

Kriegspire stop to talk and fell silent a moment, and he doesn't move at all. As a reflex you stop to move and stare a moment at him and the way he is looking at.

"If someone can get out of the bush, we can talk. We are four and our two friends have been seeking wood."

A man wearing some camouflage clothing adapted for the forest get out of the trees. He have a composite longbow in his hand, an arrow on the string. As he walks, you can faintly hear his footstep, walking with an unatural ligthness. The things that strike you when you see him removing his hood is his ears. They are pointed. His facial traits are gracious and lovely, but some beard on his chin make you think he must be the child of a human and an elf. Something pretty rare in Gaile. You've never had the chance to see either an elf or and half one until today.

"Can I ask you what you're doing here?"

"You havn't guess yet. I thought you were spying us for some times."

"You've been talking about Sir Leopol Stone. That must be one of your friend that is looking for wood. You must be Kriegspire in that case. What bring the order in these parts."

"I dunnot know, I'm just following orders. But maybe Stone's squire knows more about it."

Both turn at you, and the half-elf seems to await some explanation.

OOC: There is few non-human in Gaile. The main exception is halflings, who must be around 5 to 10% of the population.

 

[Jdvn1]

Xavier is taken aback. <I thought Kriegspire was the one who was supposed to talk to the Rangers> Xavier motions toward the camp and the horses. "As you can see, we are merely travelling through the forest. It should be obvious that the four of us are no threat to any military force. We are only equipped for basic defense. We have business past the forest that we must attend to. We wish nothing more at the moment than safe passage."

 

[Velmont]

The half-elf walks up to one of the pack horses. "Simple defence?" He release his old on his string to unsheat his dagger. He cuts a strap and your armor, Stone's one and the sword that Greffit fall on the ground. "You looks like you want to go to war honestly. Do I have to cut the straps on the other horse or is it the same?" He sheats his dagger and put his hand back on his bow's string. "Taran's land go up to the borders. If there is some problems with the barbarians, he would be please to learn it. Such information is important to the safety of his people... or maybe you just don't care about the order's virtues you are preaching everywhere."

 

[Jdvn1]

"I am not familiar with your people nor your intentions, and I am also not familiar with where the borders are and where your people are in relation to it. We travel to Theor because they have some trouble with the barbarians. If such information would be useful to Taran, then use it to prepare defenses. If you would come to the aid of Theor, we would be grateful." Xavier looks annoyed that he must now mend a strap, "This travelling group is in no way suited for a war, as we are much too small. We do not plan to take active part in the war, but we bring what supplies we can carry on these horses in case such a need will arise. Of course, the strap you cut and the equipment you dropped is important to the success of our trip... or maybe you just don't care about the death of good men."

 

[Velmont]

OOC: I should have wriiten that in a previous meesage: Taran is a Baron, one of many in Gaile. He has one of the largest baronny in all Gaile, but the border of his lands are also the border of Gaile. He is among the one who suffers from the barbarian every year.

"You should have a bit more respect to me. You are on Taran's lands, and I represent him. It is my right and duty to interrogate you. You have pass through his lands without noticing him, and well armed. Four men in heavy armor and warhorse can do a lot of damage, both to a small barbarian group or to one of Taran's village.

You don't seem to want to cooperate. I find that pretty sad from someone of the order. I'll have to ask you to follow us to see the Baron."

"You are harsh with the kid, Sylvain."

"And how should I treat him, Jasper?"

"He defend well his point, but I would like to say a word with him alone. Come back in a few minutes and we'll have a meal together."

The half-elf lower his bow and looks at Kriegspire.

"Seems fine. I'll bring some prey. I hope you have your spices to make your famous rabbit." He add for you "I'll bring a new strap."

"Always on travel! You were alone?"

The half-elf nods and leaves you.

"Not bad... The man you just met was Sylvain. He is the master ranger of Lord's Taran. He is the one responsible to keep the lands safe of bandits and to watch over barbarians movement for his Lord. As you've seen, he has elven heritage. He has been raised among them, which make him one of the best in all Gaile when it come to scouting and hunting.

I've let you deal with him to see how you could handle it. But you made one big mistake, can you tell it?"

 

[Jdvn1]

Xavier thinks for a little bit, puzzled. "He may interrogated us, but he did not need to cause damage to our equipment. He says we are well-armed enough to do damage to a village, but it is obvious our intent is not so--otherwise, I do not agree that we are prepared for a war although we may be able to handle a small group of barbarians. That does fall under the category of 'defense', though. I was honest to him to tell him our intentions and our destination. I am not sure how I was not cooperative, unless if I was too honest. Maybe it was because I did not trust him at first and did not give the information early enough? I had no reason to trust him, though, after he had been spying on us."

 

[Velmont]

Kriegspire gives a nod. "You were right not to trust him. I think he play the bad guys a bit too much. I don't think he would had cut the strap if it wasn't me who was with you. But at the same time, if he had some doubt on your honesty, he wouldn't like to stay off-guard too long, so cutting the strap is faster, and while he doesn't have his bow ready, he still have a dagger in his hand, so he is still able to defend himself.

It is true that with four men, we would have much difficulty to attack a barbarian village, but the four of us against a small raiding band, let's say, ten warriors, we are most likely to win. The barbarian is used to fight us, and they know they are no match if they are only a small band. Our heavy armor and warhorses give us a huge advanatge over there hard leather armors and spears. The barbarian are good warrior, but they aren't fools, they prefer to leave there loot behind and live another day.

Your little speach was correct. Lack a bit of finesse, but fine. Telling the objective of our mission is generally a good thing. We are here to protect Gaile, and hiding information is not a good thing, generally, but in that case, you should have done so. Leopol told us not to speak of our mission to any other knight, and even less outside the order. You seems to have already forget that. Sylvain will keep his mouth shout. He owe me much and we are good friends, so there is no harm done, but you'll have to watch your mouth more than that, and don't forget your orders. This time, I will not tell Leopol about it, free to you to speak with him about it and I won't give you a disciplinary punishment, which would be most appropriate for not following so simple order. Now, finish to build the camp, I'll make a firepit for the supper, we are recieving someone, let's make it good."

Kriegspire starts to looks around and after having spot some large stone, he walk up to them and start to carry them to make a small circle.