Mirth
Explorer
KaintheSeeker said:
"Let's not talk about this in front of the soldiery," Tarowyn says quietly to 'Julia.' "After I've said my piece to the others, if you still want my head, you can have it." The elfs smiles briefly at her and then focuses on getting to the rest of the Fist as quickly as possible.
jasamcarl said:
"Lieutenant," Tarowyn uses the knight's new rank when he addresses him, "you have every right to question my actions, for that I commend you and promote you. I want you there when I talk to the commanders, so that you can carry my words back to the men. I want there to be a direct line of communication from me to you to the men so that there is no miscommunication or rumormongering afterwards. Are we clear? And give me your name so that I may relay it.."
When the group reaches the front, Tarowyn quickly dismounts and heads towards Bhartus and Jericho, ignoring the angry looks on their faces. He searches the faces of the scouts, however, until he sees Tarkik and motions him to follow along with the newly appointed lieutenant. Once the group is convened, the elf doesn't hesitate in speaking, "Good sirs, I must get this out quickly, so please do not interrupt me. First, I want it known that I am solely responsible for any slight of honor or breakage of the rules of war. Jericho had no prior knowledge of my actions and he is not to be held accountable. That said, I'd like to explain my actions and what I have in mind now."
After a brief pause and a large intake of breath, the elf's words tumble rapidly out, "This enemy knight first came to us in full helm without identifying himself and wanted to be taken to speak with the leader. I had no intention of letting him get a look at the position, size or strength of our troops, so I held him there and sent for Jericho. I felt there was a reason that the knight was hiding behind his mask as well, so I forced him to expose himself, but more on that later." Tarowyn glances at Tarkik and then continues, "I kept up the act of insubordination and belligerence with Jericho, in order to foster a false sense of a fractured leadership on our part. I want the enemy to think that we are at odds with each other, so that they will underestimate our abilities and our resolve."
The elf catches the eye of the questioning knight from before, to make sure he is taking all of this in, "Now that we have this advantage, I think we should use it. We should mount an offensive as soon as possible. The enemy will not be expecting it. If Kravik has even reached them yet, he will relay our bickering and they will assume that we are broken and aimless. An assured, brazen and strong attack will catch them unawares."
Seeing that Jericho is about to break in, Tarowyn quickly intercedes, "Ah, but there is more. Even with the surprise factor we may have now, I still don't relish going head to head with that goblin shaman again. So the last part of my plan involves some subterfuge on our part," he winks at 'Julia' and goes on, "I propose that while the main force is attacking, a small, stealthy contingent uses whatever crafty and mystical means we have at our disposal to sneak behind the enemy's lines and take out the shaman, thereby cutting off their primary advantage."
The elf smiles for a small moment, before his face takes on a grim countenance, "There is one last thing, however. A nagging suspicion that, if true, could prove disastrous for us... I believe that the enemy may have undead on their side," Tarowyn motions for Tarkik to step forward, "When Kravik revealed himself for the first time, Tarkik here blurted out that Kravik was supposed to be dead, killed by the goblins. Given the knight's rotted and leafless livery that mocks the Evenwood's own heraldry and his reluctance to show his true self, I wonder if Tarkik here might be right. Tell us what you know, lad."
