Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="doghead" data-source="post: 1048707" data-attributes="member: 8243">| Castle Oe | South Garden Room | Dusk || Lord Oe | Chief Retainer Oshii |"I think I will send the two Middle Kingdomers to Karatsu.""Lord Oe!" Oshii blurts out, momentarily startled out of his usual self restraint, "You can't be serious. They have no honour!"Lord Oe says nothing but his quiet look of reproach stills Oshii."I mean," Oshii continues after a small bow, "I don't understand. House Oe has never used mercenaries.""House Oe does not use mercenaries as many of the other houses do. But we have, and I will where and when it is in our interests. Despite the appearence of normality in the Kingdom at the moment, I feel that we in fact live in unusual times."Lord Ari will be a capable steward. He is bright but knows how to listen. He has learnt your lessons well. As you said, he will manage the town and the farmers well. But we can't send enough men to cover the whole territory and Lord Ari must know what is happening in the Foothills and Mountains. For that he will need men capable of thinking for themselves and experienced in living by their wits. In that, the masterless swords are often more capable than the retained sword.""Priest Ito has a restless soul on his hands. An honourable man. I will send him along with the others."Noticing the look of doubt lingering in Oshii's eyes, Lord Oe adds quietly, "If that is not sufficient and they bring dishonour to the name of the House, then I will give you, personnaly, permission to hunt them down and execute them."| Church of War and Strength | 7th meditation room | late morning || Priest of War and Strength | Chief Retainer Oshii | Tharl |The Priest and Chief retainer are waiting when Tharl arrives. Once the formalities are concluded, the Priest begins. "I have heard your request. It would seem that the Fates have too. House Oe wishes to send some assistance to Lord Ari in Karatsu. They wish to send the two Middle Kingdomers there, and they wish you to go also. I assumed that you would accept."Tharl's small nod of approval prompts the Priest to continue."Take this scroll to the Middle Kingdomers. They are staying in an inn in the Merchant Quarter near the Old Bridge. They won't be hard to find. It outlines the agreement House Oe is offering. It is, I believe, a fairly standard agreement. Lord Oshii doesn't anticipate any problems. If they agree, you are to leave for Karatsu at first light tomorrow. Present yourself to Lord Ari when you arrive. She should be expecting you."If you have no questions? ... No? Then you may leave us now. There is no need to stand on formality at this point. You will need what time is left in the day to find the others and prepare.As you bow and prepare to depart, Lord Oshii speaks for the first time."It is said that you believe that principle exists in all men, and even the masterless are capable of acting with honour if shown respect. I hope that you are right.| The Agreement |Lord Oe, Master of the House of Oe, Steward of the 15 territories of Chikuzen and the district of Karatsu offers Tharl of the Church of War and Strength, Chen Xiaoshu of The Middle Kingdom and Kaijia of the Middle Kingdom, in return for your services and obedience and loyalty to the House Oe, the sum of one Iron piece per day plus provision of foodstuffs and miscelanuos items as seen fit by the House in the form of one in a legitimate position of authority.</blockquote>

Verification