Last Stand of the Dorinthians (Chapter 3 - The Imperials)

[Deuce Traveler]

"It is decided, then. He will meet you with one of your assistants. Both sides may also bring two guards each, which will be expected to stand away and out of earshot. My commander will meet you soon," the man says and stiffly turns his horse, as if disappointed that talk would precede violence.

OOC: The Imperials do act in the letter of their agreements, although they can be quite treacherous in the way that they bend the truth and oaths. Normally, parlays are respected, however, as it gives the Imperial commander a chance to size up his opposing commander. Who in the party will act as guards, and who will be Dartis' assistant?

 

[Fenris]

OOC: Why, Silas will be my assistant, and Chalik and Danica my guards of course

 

[Ilium]

Chalik bows his head humbly. "Thank you my lord," he says simply.

 

[GlassEye]

Silas seems a little nervous but nods his head in acceptance of this honor. He seems unusually quiet as he prepares himself for the meeting. Finally, he presents himself to Dartis. "I am ready, Lord Kalnian."

 

[Kobold Stew]

Danica is the first to arrive at the rock, and she withdraws her torch to lead the group she has led here into the shadow of its mouth, but not further. Wit a confidence unexpected in her years (or in someone her frail size, some would say) she posts guards and indicates defensible positions for archers. She places her pack close to where she had found the mysterious velvet bag not very long ago (I must check into that she thinks to herself), but does not let people linger. She takes two of her group, and leads them down deeper into the cave, to where it forks.

"I'd like you two to stand guard here. Spread yourselves out, but it appears these caves go deep, and we've not had a chance to check them out. I'm suspicious that all of this smell is not due to the bears we fought earlier." Confident that they have their innstructions, and that they will be able to realay a message in case something appears -- "Letting us know of the danger is of top concern" she had stressed -- she leaves them with the torch if they need it, with the intention of checkinng on them regularly.

As she emerges from the cave, of course, the other wing has arrived, and are taking up defensible positions. When she is told that Lord Dartis has requested her to be on his guard detail at a parlay, she flushes, and starts biting a fingernail. Nevertheless, she excuses herself, checks the time to see if she needs to recast her mage armor (does so if it is going to last less than an hour) and checks her crossbow.

She is biting her lip, not noticing people as they pass by, but trying to look neat, or presentable, or intimidating, or some combination of the three.

"For Dornithia," she says to herself, standing up and bracing to meet Lord Dartis and his entourage when they arrive for the parlay.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

The party arrives at the meeting place for the parlay, while both armies watch each other from a distance. The four-some are not harrassed by any enemy besides the occasional misquito. It is a bit of a walk, maybe three miles away. Standing already at the outcropping when you arrive are four Imperials, two in legionnaire armor, one in an officers armor and plumed helmet, and the fourth a stooped, wizened man in black robes and red sash. As you approch, the two legionnaires move back to give their commanders privacy, while Chalik and Danica also stand away. Dartis and Silas walk forward to meet them.

"I am Commander Sassarius, leader of the Imperials here. This is Rufus Nefius, my advisor appointed by the Emperor. We are chasing a dwarven outlaw that killed a number of my men, and have no quarrel with you. No quarrel, unless you are Dorinthians, such as the three men we've just captured. If you are not men of Dorinth, who are you? And if you are men of Dorinth, how is it that you've survived?" He asks his questions in a demanding tone, his back straight, and his hand on the pommel of the short blade that rests on his hip. As he mentions the dwarven outlaw, he nods pointedly towards Chalik. Despite the distance, Danica and Chalik can hear the conversation clearly as a slight wind carries his strong voice.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Silas
[sblock]
The wizened, sickly looking man called Rufus Nefius is wearing the serpent necklace of a priest of Oberius, the Cassus-Tallione god of Obedience. Those of Oberius worship evil, law, strength, and trickery. Still, by the components at his belt, you would guess he is more an arcane spellcaster than priest.
[/sblock]

 

[Ilium]

At the Imperial's words, Chalik purses his lips but doesn't intervene. Instead he mutters quietly so that only Danica can hear, "This just keeps getting better and better."

 

[GlassEye]

Silas, of course, defers to Dartis and remains silent. However, the wizard makes him uneasy and the fact that the man wears the religious regalia of Oberius...well, it reinforces his niggling suspicion that the Tallione have treachery in mind.

 

[Fenris]

OOC: Players please see OOC thread!