Dark Heart of Arkravia

[Ralts Bloodthorne]

Frella

The pouch of coin is waiting exactly where it should be, on a small table beside the door, along with the ornate silver staff adorned with holy sigils that Frella tucks in his belt, and the thin leather crop gleaming with fire-nettle oil sits next to it, awaiting its master's use.

The walk to the square is slow and stately, letting the common soldiers see the living symbol of Father Church's benevolence and might. Two slaves move up quietly, pacing the Bishop. One whispers that he witnessed a church soldier who hid during the battle, more concerned with stuffing wealth down his tunic then protecting his fellow church soldiers, another whispers that Spear Captain Julvrenga has continued his disgusting practices despite Bishop Frella's warning. As he enters the square he can see that a squad of marines are standing before a white painted building with over a dozen balconies on the front, their blades drawn and two dead church soldiers on the ground in front of them. One of the Spear Captains is chewing out a group of church soldiers, waving behind him at the marines several times.

Two marines, both wearing the sigils of the Lord Bishop's personal guard, stand on either side of the pile of gold, silver, artwork, or other material liberated from the pirates, both keeping silent watch with their blades and pistols drawn. A church acolyte watches the men approaching the pile carefully to make sure that they only deposit things, not remove them.

There are six lines of prisoners, all of them properly secured, waiting their turn to be secured to one of the large stakes at the edge of the square so that they can be purified with fire.

 

[Wolv0rine]

Smythe

Smythe reaches out to chuck Trabith under her chin with a wink.

"That's what I like to hear! Boys, I know there's work to be done, but there's always time for breakfast. I don't have a lot of time, Trabitha dear, so hurry on now and bring me an omlette as big as your head before I suit up!"

He struts over to the table in front of the fireplace, beaming a smile at each of the three women sitting on it, and dropping himself heavily into a chair to await breakfast.

 

[Ralts Bloodthorne]

Smythe

The marines look nervous about sitting down, with the exception of the two older marines, who both sit down a respectable distance from the Scout Captain. The servants seem to anticipated Smythe's command and bring out a large omelette, stuffed with strange meats and cheeses (His cook got a 22 total on her roll) as well as another mug of mead. The marines looks startled as they are served fried eggs with hasbrowns and strips of meat still sizzling next to the fried eggs.

A short creature with a full beard, a thick body, and short arms and legs comes out from behind the bar with a fiddle, playing a lively tune as he dances about. Both the older marines raise their eyebrows at the sight of a Tapper as a servant, as only a few who took part in the brutal fighting in the mountains possess even a single Tapper slave.

Outside more whistles are blown, obviously ordering up the excursion forces. At one of the younger marine's worried looks Hravak chuckles. "Scouts prefer to leave either before the main force or afterwards, not with everyone else. They keep to the outside of everyone else, or hare off in another direction to try to surprise any enemy who will be concentrating on the main force." He grins and shovels in another bite of eggs. "The Scout Captain doesn't look like the type to do something foolish like have us all form up with the others."

 

[Wolv0rine]

Smythe

Smythe ignores the marines, letting Hravak handle their worries (since he's correct) while he shovels huge bites of omelette into his mouth interrupted by equally huge droughts of mead, occasionally reaching out to give the bearded Tapper a good-natured punch to the shoulder.

Once he's finished with both he pushes the chair a bit away from the table and stretches back in the chair with a pleased 'ahhh' before standing up and walking to where his armor awaits and begins meticulously putting it on, checking and double-checking each buckle and leather plate as he goes.

Once his armor is all in place he begins striding purposefully toward the door, bellowing back behind him to the marines.

"Keep up, lads, there's wilderness to tame and men I probably need to kill!"

 

[Ralts Bloodthorne]

Frella

The square falls silent except for the weeping and heathen prayers of the pirates lined up to be purified. Everyone is watching as the imposing Bishop enters the square, moving up next to the acolyte, who bows deeply.

"Only two have attempted theft, and both of them Molty's." He says respectfully. He points at the building that the marines are guarding. "We have put the lagoo prisoners there, as the Lord Bishop has promised the grace of Father Church if they gave proper submission. A few church soldiers forgot themselves and demanded to be able to take first pick of the slaves, but Spear Captain Harling is reminding them that things are different under the watchful eye of your eminence and the Lord Bishop, for you both keep a keen eye unlike Lord Bishop Ratheron."

An older lagoo is listening to the drawn up lagoo, some of them unbranded, obviously still remembering the barbaric tongue she spoke before being accepted as a servant of Father Church. Frella knows that the lagoo choose one to carry their concerns and fears to Father Church, with the matron deciding what is important enough to disturb the Bishop with.

Two acolytes are approaching from where they were listening to the commanders of the gathered up church soldiers. They stop for a moment, eyeing one another's badges of rank, before the balding one makes way for the younger one, who approaches Bishop Frella, sweating with either hidden sin or the heat.

"Your eminence, I carry word from the Ninth Holy Spear." he says formally. He mops his forehead quickly. "Three men distinguished themselves in battle, one man rallied his squad after his officer fell to a heathen musket and led them to victory over the cannons on the wall."

There's a sudden disturbance at the edge of the square as a large lagoo pushes his way past the church soldiers, many of which recoil. The figure is bright green skinned, with long black hair flowing behind him. He's impressively muscled, with the sigils of angels and prayers carved into his skin. He wears only iron bands around his biceps and thighs and a loincloth of chainmail. His skin is covered with splashes and spatters of blood, and in his hand is a cruel looking hooked axe.

"Out me way, ponces." The large lagoo snarls, his eyes fixed on the bishop as he puts one huge hand over the face of an church officer who had opened his mouth to protest the massive Lagoo forcing his way through the human soldiers.

 

[Wolv0rine]

Frella

Frella nods as the acolyte delivers his report.

"Very well, have the two Molty's flogged for their weakness, so as to remind them of God's law."

He pauses as the acolyte continues, his face growing dark, brows furrowing menacingly.

"I'm sure you didn't intend to imply that the Lord Bishop Ratheron is lax in his duties, acolyte."

He turns as the other two approach, nodding while he hears their report, noting to himself to list the valorous actions in his report later before turning as the large Lagoo pushes through.
As the large beast steps up, face-palming the poor smaller man, Frella gathers his vestments in his hands, back stiff, straight, and imperial.

"Ugra Nine-Axe, I await your report."

 

[Ralts Bloodthorne]

Frella

The acolyte nods, sweating slightly as he stammers, unaware of the massive lagoo coming up behind him. "Of course, your eminence, the Lord Bishop was purified by fire, so his sins and shortcomings were forgiven by Father Church." He mops his brow. "My sincere apolog... urk!"

The massive lagoo, Urga Nine-Axe, leader of the Lagoo irregulars for nearly a decade hipchecks the acolyte away from in front of him. "Bow before Father Church." He snarls, his red eyes glowing. He bows low to Bishop Frella, ignoring the startled and slightly afraid acolyte behind him. "Lagoo jump from ships, swim to shore. Kill heathens outside of gate. Break down gate. Chase heathens through street." He gives a large smile. "Church soldiers run from heathens, Varkek Six Fingers take men and force them into hungry sea so that Hragalthala, Angel of Sea, may feast on their flesh and fear. Urga and other warriors crush heathens and throw heads into ocean to tell church soldiers how lagoo fight to be given souls by Father Church." His smile is broad, and savage as he recounts how the church soldiers fled from battle and how his men properly punished them. He's telling the truth that his men did not kill the church soldiers themselves, and he is sincere about sending the church soldiers into the arms of the Angle of the Seas rather than one of his heathen gods.

Urga glances at the treasure and sneers, spitting onto the ground next to the treasure. "Warriors are bedding in the last building they took. We wait for our witches to lead us in prayers."

 

[Wolv0rine]

Frella

Frella listens to Urga's report, his face blank, impassive, and stern.

Looking down his nose at the massive lagoo, he extends his hand bearing a large, ornate ring for Urga to kiss before rising.

"Duly noted, Nine-Axe. The Irregulars' actions shall be noted, I shall have your witches sent shortly to lead the prayers."

Frella waits for the lagoo to kiss his ring and stand before adding "Carry on."