[sblock]
Perhaps a quarter-mile past the barricade, the walls of the canyon narrowed considerably, to a spot that a military man would recognize as easily held against a forth moving up the canyon from the valley below. A half-dozen or so tents, each large enough to sleep 2 or 3 men were arranged about a campfire in an orderly fashion. The procession stopped just outside the camp, and Rollo proceeded to one of the tents, motioning for the three folorn pickets to follow. He stopped and saluted someone inside the tent, then went inside. After what seemed to Michael to be an interminable wait, the tent flap opened and Moar was motioned inside. Michael's joints grew stiff waiting, as Moar exited and "Squatter" was waved in. Finally, after Khulig took his turn, Rollo returned to Michael and gave him a no-nonsense look. "The Lieutenant will see you now", he stated, softly but with steel in his voice. One of the soldiers took the lead of the horse as Michael followed into the tent, ducking as the ridgepole was just at the height of his head. A young man in polished scale armor sat in a folding camp chair, and motioned to the floor in front of him. Michael sat before him, clearly mindful of the difference in status that the chair provided. It was clear the man regarded him with displeasure.
"You have attacked the forces of Fallon without provocation, without identifying your unit, and without a formal declaration of war. By law, I could have you executed as a common bandit. Yet you have the stones to return to my camp, and to return my men to me, somewhat worse for the wear. Explain yourself; this I've got to hear." The last was spoken with some disdain, as if the man expected to be disappointed with Michael's explanation.[/sblock]
Rollo glanced at the tools, grunted in acknowledgement, and placed them in a small leather sack in a workmanlike manner. "This way", he ordered, and started marching up the path. It was clear from the looks of the troops surrounding him that Michael might face unpleasant consequences should he choose to stay, so he followed the man, leading the demon-horse on foot, and surrounded by a ring of spear-wielders.ajanders said:
Perhaps a quarter-mile past the barricade, the walls of the canyon narrowed considerably, to a spot that a military man would recognize as easily held against a forth moving up the canyon from the valley below. A half-dozen or so tents, each large enough to sleep 2 or 3 men were arranged about a campfire in an orderly fashion. The procession stopped just outside the camp, and Rollo proceeded to one of the tents, motioning for the three folorn pickets to follow. He stopped and saluted someone inside the tent, then went inside. After what seemed to Michael to be an interminable wait, the tent flap opened and Moar was motioned inside. Michael's joints grew stiff waiting, as Moar exited and "Squatter" was waved in. Finally, after Khulig took his turn, Rollo returned to Michael and gave him a no-nonsense look. "The Lieutenant will see you now", he stated, softly but with steel in his voice. One of the soldiers took the lead of the horse as Michael followed into the tent, ducking as the ridgepole was just at the height of his head. A young man in polished scale armor sat in a folding camp chair, and motioned to the floor in front of him. Michael sat before him, clearly mindful of the difference in status that the chair provided. It was clear the man regarded him with displeasure.
"You have attacked the forces of Fallon without provocation, without identifying your unit, and without a formal declaration of war. By law, I could have you executed as a common bandit. Yet you have the stones to return to my camp, and to return my men to me, somewhat worse for the wear. Explain yourself; this I've got to hear." The last was spoken with some disdain, as if the man expected to be disappointed with Michael's explanation.[/sblock]
