For More Than Glory

[Dragonwriter]

First Arrow Galanyyr turns back to his map and begins making small marks of his own, after dismissing you, though Cerys remains behind. The elf pauses for a moment, saying over his shoulder, “Why haven’t you left, human?”

Meanwhile, Szitha and Ak’man are still in Mersella’s shop. She says, “Well, like I said, it’s a bit over twenty thousand gold for each shield and twenty-five thousand for that dodge ring. Now, you said you had fifty-five thousand, and this good dwarf has fifteen thousand on-hand. Together, those will cover the costs of each item. And you can bring whatever you have to sell, so I can have a look at it. I’m always happy to trade. This is a store, after all, though I don’t deal in many weapons. Barrhan is better at making armor than blades.”

 

[firehorse]

Szitha rolls out the portable hole on the floor of the shop. "Thiss iss what we gathered from our rescent battless. If you trade in thesse itemss, pleasse let me know what you are willing to pay for them.

Ass far ass the shieldss and ringss, I can pay for them now.

Szitha and Szenthrass both dig out 45,000gp (21000 from Szitha, 24000 from Szenthrass) worth of gems and hand them to Mersella. Turning to Ak'Man, Szitha offers him 10,000 worth to help pay for the ring.

"If we ssell thesse itemss now, you can reimbursse me from the ssale. If not, I trusst you to pay it back at that later time."

 

[Steven7]

Mr. Cerys straightens up and looks the First arrow in the eye, "I come to you with the possible offer of reinforcements, before you say anything hear me out, yes, they are most likely going to be human. Yes they will most likely be from Mittendein, and yes Mittendein would see this as a favor owed for a favor given. The troops will most lkely be capable armsmen able to hold a fortified position indefintely and an open position for a while anyway.
I say most likely as I've yet to meet the troops personally, but I trust my countrymen implicitly.
They'll serve their commander or me, but work under your orders for the defense and if you feel the need they can be dispatched to the smaller outlying villages to deal with the threats there while you concentrate your own forces here in Barbeni.
If you refuse my help, then so be it, innocent lives will be on your head, not mine. The question stands, will you rebuff the assistance of a bunch of armed foreign humans, or will you accept the help of some friendly neighbors?
I must have your decision by this evening, or else I fear it will be too late.
I'll be at the Gilded Bow making preparations if you require me."

 

[Dragonwriter]

The First Arrow frowns and glares at Cerys. “First you bring me half-answers and useless information. Only that wizardess gave me the knowledge I needed. Now, you offer help, but with strings attached. I know we cannot save everyone under threat, but I will save as many as possible. And I will do it without the assistance of greedy Mittendeinish outlanders. Now leave. Before I have you thrown off the tree.”

======================================

Mersella takes a look into the portable hole. “I don’t deal much in weapons, though there are a couple other mages who do. Some of those armors look rather big, which will make them hard trade afterwards, though Barrhan might be able to do something with that…” She seems to be talking to herself a little, at this point, vocally evaluating most of the pieces she can see. She finishes with, “I’ll deal with the rings, amulets, belts and such, and a few of the suits of armor. But it has one unholy stink to the lot. Where did you get this stuff anyway?”

 

[Steven7]

Mr. Cerys bows and leaves the room looking for Niladaya and Lurass.

"I need you two to brief me on zhe political situation here, how many camps, who're the big players in each camp, which camps are "elf-only" and which camps are "pro-human". I also need to know who put zhat stick up the First Arrow's arse, who's the "Second Arrow" and who else runs the town. Oh, how did things go at zhe war college?
One other thing, what do you think of someone who places their pride above innocent lives?"

 

[firehorse]

Szitha nods to Mercella. "I completely undersstand dear lady. Many of thesse itemss came from ettin/green dragon sspawn and orc/green dragon sspawn. We sstumbled upon them and, after much battle and sstrife, cleaned their lair out. They sseem to have inherited thier non-dragonic heritage'ss averssion to bathing.

We alsso sstumbled upon a larger plan to coordinate attackss on Lorlyinian citiess ssuch as thiss one by more tribess of thesse dragon sspawn. Ssome of my companionss are attempting to warn your military ass we sspeak.

Szitha instructs the skeletons in the hole to pull out all the items Mercella wishes to consider. Pleasse exscusse my sservantss, they are harmlesss."

 

[Dragonwriter]

First Arrow Galanyyr pauses for a moment. “I might be able to pressure the mages of the city to provide our forces with teleportation to the cities. If enough of them are capable, we might be able to establish a force at each location. I have thirty elven soldiers available, with enough to still keep some order here, and ten of the Seledyne Rangers, myself not included. I am loath to leave Barbeni undefended, so I’m not committing everything. But that much should be able to hold the towns, in conjunction with their own guardsmen.”

Chief MacRorie nods. “Aye, and I’ve got another twenty fighting men I can add to tha’. As fer ye, I’d say we could best use yer talents at Liannodel or Serysian, if’n ye don’t want to stay ‘ere.”

The First Arrow turns and quietly says to one of his retinue to go back to the garrison and send escorts out to rouse the mages and ask them for teleporting services and scrolls.