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<blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 7223424" data-attributes="member: 143"><p>Chapter 83</p><p></p><p>The stranger was lean and handsome, with a short beard forming a neat fringe around the sharp lines of his jaw. He wore a dark green coat with silver trim that was fit for a lord, but it failed to conceal the links of mail he wore under it or the slender sword with a well-worn hilt that rode on his hip. He was wearing a wide-brimmed hat that he doffed as he reached their table.</p><p></p><p>“I beg your pardon for interrupting your repast,” the man said. “My name is Golver Haran. My friends call me Hari.”</p><p></p><p>“Can we help you, Golver Haran?” Kosk asked. He grunted as Glori elbowed him.</p><p></p><p>“Say rather that I can help you, and you can help the King’s cause,” Haran said.</p><p></p><p>“I don’t understand,” Bredan said. “We only just arrived in Adelar today.”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, I know,” Haran said.</p><p></p><p>“Best say what you mean, then,” Kosk said, after shooting Glori a look. “We’ve had a long day and have not yet eaten.”</p><p></p><p>“Please, then, let me pay for your meal,” Haran said. “It is the least I can do for your trouble. And I suspect you will want to hear what I say.”</p><p></p><p>He made a gesture toward the front of the common room, and in a matter of minutes they were whisked into a small private dining room on the second floor of the inn. Haran was obviously known here, and the innkeeper bowed to him as if he was in fact a lord, though his easy manner never slipped even with the servers who brought in platters of steaming food and pitchers of ale and wine. For a while eating absorbed their full attention, and Haran joined them with as much gusto as Bredan, who ate as if he’d not consumed food since they’d left Crosspath. Finally they all leaned back in their chairs, sated. One of the servers brought a final course of sweet wine to settle their stomachs, placing the small cups on the table as their plates were cleared.</p><p></p><p>“Well, you have certainly earned our time,” Quellan said. He’d eaten more modestly than the others, and he passed on the offered brandy. “You mentioned helping the King’s cause?”</p><p></p><p>Haran waited until the last of the servers had left and closed the door behind them. “Yes,” he said. “I’m in charge of an expedition that is heading up into the mountains in a few days. To the Silverpeak Valley.” He paused a moment, but seeing no recognition on their faces went on, “It’s not anywhere near the invasion, it’s rather isolated from anything, actually. It became important a few generations back when silver was discovered there. The mining boom’s twenty years past, now, but there are still folk up there, a few scattered settlements and one proper town, Wildrush.”</p><p></p><p>“I don’t see what that has to do with us,” Glori said.</p><p></p><p>“Well, the expedition I’m leading is bringing supplies—the valley is mostly self-sufficient, but there’s things they need that they can’t make up there—but also soldiers to reinforce the garrison. As I said, Silverpeak is isolated, but it’s still in the mountains, and it’s strategically important. The goblinoids haven’t shown any interest in it, but it controls a pass that leads from the higher range down into the low country around Adelar. Frankly, I can use your help. Even with the reinforcements I’m bringing the garrison up there is just a token one, and few specialists with proven skills and a strong mettle is just the thing, I think.” He downed his brandy and settled back with a grin.</p><p></p><p>Bredan glanced at the others. “We’d like to help, but we’re waiting for orders,” he said. “We’ve already signed in at the keep, and they said they’d been sending us instructions soon.”</p><p></p><p>“Wait no longer,” Haran said. With a flourish he reached into his coat and produced a fold of parchment sealed with blue wax bearing a seal that matched the standard that flew over the city.</p><p></p><p>“Why didn’t you open with that?” Kosk said sourly.</p><p></p><p>Haran leaned forward and placed his arms on the table in front of him. “I wanted to convince you,” he said. “This mission may not seem important against the broader course of the war, but I assure you that it is. The mountains are dangerous, especially with the bulk of the King’s army focused elsewhere. I don’t know what you’ve learned about this Murgoth character and his army, but so far they’ve proven quite capable, good at surprising even the finest military minds in charge on our side. And even if Silverpeak doesn’t turn out to be a major theater of the war, the folk there are good people, they deserve protection.”</p><p></p><p>“Thus far, the people of the north haven’t been especially welcoming,” Kosk said.</p><p></p><p>Haran regarded him for a moment. “You seem like a man who understands what war can do to a people,” he said finally. “But I’ll not lie, there are reasons why you might have had difficulty if you’d gone after the main army. I don’t know what you’ve heard since you’ve only just gotten here, but it’s hardly a secret that both the elves and the dwarves have thus far refused to answer King Dangren’s call for aid. It seems like the old treaties just don’t have the same power that they once did, or maybe it’s that they consider the north our problem.”</p><p></p><p>Kosk’s face was a thunderhead, but Quellan quickly interjected, “We’re not really interested in politics. We truly just came to help.”</p><p></p><p>“Well, I do need your help, and the people of the Silverpeak do as well. And from what I’ve been told, you know how to handle yourselves. A priest would be particularly helpful up there. I won’t lie and say there won’t be any reactions to your ancestry, but the folk of the Silverpeak are a diverse lot. Up there, folks learn to judge a man on who he is, not what he is.”</p><p></p><p>Glori had slid the packet of orders across the table, and had been looking at it during the exchange. “From this, it seems we are at your disposal, Captain Haran,” she said. “You even managed to spell my name right,” she added with a quirk of her lips. “But as my friend noted, we only just arrived, after quite a long journey. We have a number of errands to attend to, including repairs to armor and a few other things.”</p><p></p><p>“That’s no problem,” Haran said, “take your time, as long as you are at the Square of Departures at dawn three days hence. My understanding is that you don’t have horses, is that correct?” At their nods he continued, “Just bring whatever fighting gear you have, the King will provide the rest.” With a final smile he rose and adjusted his coat before leaning one last time over the table. “Your tab will be paid through then. Enjoy the hospitality of the Justice, the accommodations in the Silverpeak are a bit more… modest. Until then, if you need to reach me just leave a message at the keep. Gentlemen, madam.” With a tilt of his hat, he left them as quickly as he’d appeared.</p><p></p><p>“Well,” Bredan said into the sudden silence.</p><p></p><p>“I don’t like that man,” Kosk said, before turning to Bredan and pointing to his untouched glass. “You going to drink that?”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lazybones, post: 7223424, member: 143"] Chapter 83 The stranger was lean and handsome, with a short beard forming a neat fringe around the sharp lines of his jaw. He wore a dark green coat with silver trim that was fit for a lord, but it failed to conceal the links of mail he wore under it or the slender sword with a well-worn hilt that rode on his hip. He was wearing a wide-brimmed hat that he doffed as he reached their table. “I beg your pardon for interrupting your repast,” the man said. “My name is Golver Haran. My friends call me Hari.” “Can we help you, Golver Haran?” Kosk asked. He grunted as Glori elbowed him. “Say rather that I can help you, and you can help the King’s cause,” Haran said. “I don’t understand,” Bredan said. “We only just arrived in Adelar today.” “Yes, I know,” Haran said. “Best say what you mean, then,” Kosk said, after shooting Glori a look. “We’ve had a long day and have not yet eaten.” “Please, then, let me pay for your meal,” Haran said. “It is the least I can do for your trouble. And I suspect you will want to hear what I say.” He made a gesture toward the front of the common room, and in a matter of minutes they were whisked into a small private dining room on the second floor of the inn. Haran was obviously known here, and the innkeeper bowed to him as if he was in fact a lord, though his easy manner never slipped even with the servers who brought in platters of steaming food and pitchers of ale and wine. For a while eating absorbed their full attention, and Haran joined them with as much gusto as Bredan, who ate as if he’d not consumed food since they’d left Crosspath. Finally they all leaned back in their chairs, sated. One of the servers brought a final course of sweet wine to settle their stomachs, placing the small cups on the table as their plates were cleared. “Well, you have certainly earned our time,” Quellan said. He’d eaten more modestly than the others, and he passed on the offered brandy. “You mentioned helping the King’s cause?” Haran waited until the last of the servers had left and closed the door behind them. “Yes,” he said. “I’m in charge of an expedition that is heading up into the mountains in a few days. To the Silverpeak Valley.” He paused a moment, but seeing no recognition on their faces went on, “It’s not anywhere near the invasion, it’s rather isolated from anything, actually. It became important a few generations back when silver was discovered there. The mining boom’s twenty years past, now, but there are still folk up there, a few scattered settlements and one proper town, Wildrush.” “I don’t see what that has to do with us,” Glori said. “Well, the expedition I’m leading is bringing supplies—the valley is mostly self-sufficient, but there’s things they need that they can’t make up there—but also soldiers to reinforce the garrison. As I said, Silverpeak is isolated, but it’s still in the mountains, and it’s strategically important. The goblinoids haven’t shown any interest in it, but it controls a pass that leads from the higher range down into the low country around Adelar. Frankly, I can use your help. Even with the reinforcements I’m bringing the garrison up there is just a token one, and few specialists with proven skills and a strong mettle is just the thing, I think.” He downed his brandy and settled back with a grin. Bredan glanced at the others. “We’d like to help, but we’re waiting for orders,” he said. “We’ve already signed in at the keep, and they said they’d been sending us instructions soon.” “Wait no longer,” Haran said. With a flourish he reached into his coat and produced a fold of parchment sealed with blue wax bearing a seal that matched the standard that flew over the city. “Why didn’t you open with that?” Kosk said sourly. Haran leaned forward and placed his arms on the table in front of him. “I wanted to convince you,” he said. “This mission may not seem important against the broader course of the war, but I assure you that it is. The mountains are dangerous, especially with the bulk of the King’s army focused elsewhere. I don’t know what you’ve learned about this Murgoth character and his army, but so far they’ve proven quite capable, good at surprising even the finest military minds in charge on our side. And even if Silverpeak doesn’t turn out to be a major theater of the war, the folk there are good people, they deserve protection.” “Thus far, the people of the north haven’t been especially welcoming,” Kosk said. Haran regarded him for a moment. “You seem like a man who understands what war can do to a people,” he said finally. “But I’ll not lie, there are reasons why you might have had difficulty if you’d gone after the main army. I don’t know what you’ve heard since you’ve only just gotten here, but it’s hardly a secret that both the elves and the dwarves have thus far refused to answer King Dangren’s call for aid. It seems like the old treaties just don’t have the same power that they once did, or maybe it’s that they consider the north our problem.” Kosk’s face was a thunderhead, but Quellan quickly interjected, “We’re not really interested in politics. We truly just came to help.” “Well, I do need your help, and the people of the Silverpeak do as well. And from what I’ve been told, you know how to handle yourselves. A priest would be particularly helpful up there. I won’t lie and say there won’t be any reactions to your ancestry, but the folk of the Silverpeak are a diverse lot. Up there, folks learn to judge a man on who he is, not what he is.” Glori had slid the packet of orders across the table, and had been looking at it during the exchange. “From this, it seems we are at your disposal, Captain Haran,” she said. “You even managed to spell my name right,” she added with a quirk of her lips. “But as my friend noted, we only just arrived, after quite a long journey. We have a number of errands to attend to, including repairs to armor and a few other things.” “That’s no problem,” Haran said, “take your time, as long as you are at the Square of Departures at dawn three days hence. My understanding is that you don’t have horses, is that correct?” At their nods he continued, “Just bring whatever fighting gear you have, the King will provide the rest.” With a final smile he rose and adjusted his coat before leaning one last time over the table. “Your tab will be paid through then. Enjoy the hospitality of the Justice, the accommodations in the Silverpeak are a bit more… modest. Until then, if you need to reach me just leave a message at the keep. Gentlemen, madam.” With a tilt of his hat, he left them as quickly as he’d appeared. “Well,” Bredan said into the sudden silence. “I don’t like that man,” Kosk said, before turning to Bredan and pointing to his untouched glass. “You going to drink that?” [/QUOTE]
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