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

[Kobold Stew]

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."

Danica smiles, but says nothing. The only act of communiication is that her left eyebrow arches on her forehead.

She feels the rat she carries in her pocket shift in its nest.

[SBLOCK=OOC] She is readying an action, to cast ray of enfeeblement, at the sign of any hostile action from the officer or the wizened man. [/SBLOCK]

 

[Fenris]

"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.

Dartis meets the commanders gaze with that cool arrogance that only a noble has, merged with the confidence of a trained soldier. In a clear voice he calls out:

"Well met Commander Sassarius. I am Duke Dartis Kalnian, this is my advisor Silas Eyrstan. I know of no dwarven outlaws in these parts, and I would gladly turn any over to you should I find one. In fact I would help you search these hills for them if you would accept my aid. But I doubt you would for though I have never met you, you claim to have a quarrel with me. For indeed I am a Dorinthian. As for how I have survived well that is a long tale better suited over a tankard and table, rather than dirt and grass.

But come, you say you are having problems with outlaw dwarves? Surley the stout dwarves of the Dunkel mountains have not sunk to mere brigandry. Or have we stumbled upon some oher quarrel of yours? And if that is the case, you seem to accrue quarrels at a rapid pace. But come, why do you have a quarrel with me, for being a Dorinthian? For being a soldier? For being here?

Haven't you heard Commander, Dorinthia is no more, nor are we in lands once claimed by Dorinthia. We seek a new life, far from the strife of the old. Without enemies, old or new."

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Sassarius' eyes grow wide for a moment, as Dartis' words were unexpected. He gives a regretful shake of his head and says, meaningfully, "I've come to expect lies from Dorinthians, and here one speaks honestly, and admits proudly of his heritage. Well said, although it changes nothing. In fact, your honesty may make things worse for you. Tell me, Duke Kalnion, what you are a duke of? If Dorinthia is no more why do you use the royal title? In your hearts you remember what it is to be a sovereign people, and you will never forgive the injustice of being brought down. No decent people would. If we let you go, how long until your people insist on even the smallest of revenge for ancient slights? Would it be wise to allow even a small danger threaten my own citizens as we occupy your lands? And you never outright admitted that the dwarf beside you is not the one that killed a few of my soldiers, with help from a few other Dorinthian spies. No... the only course now is to ask you to submit to the empire now or prepare to defend..."

"Commander Sassarius, if I may make a suggestion," Rufus Nefius interjects with a thin smile under bloodshot eyes. "Our seige of the dwarves isn't going as smooth as some of us would prefer. Perhaps we can make a deal that would be beneficial to all parties. If I may ask, what are your intentions towards the Dorinthians being held by the dwarves, Duke Kalnion?"

Sassarius stiffens his stance slightly. It's almost as if he'd rather have you and your men killed now then to have you involved in Nefius' machinations...yet he says nothing.

 

[Fenris]

Dartis listens carefully to the two Imperials and addressesthe Commander first:

"Indeed, perhaps you have experianced lies from Dorinthians, but I have from Imperials, so rather than assume all Dorinthian's lie, perhaps you should judge everyman by his own honor. As for my title, well I inherited that from you. When my father was killed by Imperial troops, his title reverted to me. As for how I still claim it, well I did not say 'Duke Kalnian of Dorinthia' did I. But when your father passes away, will you renounce the name Sassarius? I thought not. Just as you will still claim your heritage and name as your forefather's pass on, so shall I claim my heritage, name and title, whether or not that title is attached to any land that I can claim. I was born unto the title and by the gods, I can claim it until I die and so I shall. And whether it does my weal or woe, I shall claim my heritage proudly and without hesitation or reservation."

"As to the future of my people. Perhaps the Dorinthian are different than the Imperials. Perhaps an Imperial mouse would seek vengance against the lion that steps on it's tail. But a Dorinthian mouse seeks land where there are no lions rather than spend a fruitless life pursuing an enemy beyond him."

"But, perhaps Counselor Nefius may have the right approach to the situation. It would seem that the lion has too many deer to guard. These lands here were not a part of Dorinthia. Does the Tallione Empire truly seek to control every land, this year. Should they not take the time to digest the bite they have taken these past 40 years? As to Counselot Nefius's question, the Dorinthians sheltered within are the remants of a few scattered villages Inside are craftsmne and farmers, not warriors. Surely, Commander Sassarius, within the Imperial heart, within your heart, dwells mercy for fallen foes. Mercy that will not, can not be repaid by vengance."

 

[Kobold Stew]

Danica's heart rises with Dorinthian pride at Lord Dartis' words.

Her gaze scans the surrounding area, watching for hidden Imperials.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Nefius claps in glee, "Well said, Lord Kalnian, well said. I can see that our two sides may come to an agreement after all. You see, it wasn't just by accident that our Imperial forces came upon the dwarven lands. There is something that our Emperor needs. Something deep inside the sealed section of the dwarven kingdom. Although the crypts were made by dwarves, beyond the seal lay ancient catacombs made by hands not dwarf, nor gnome, nor man. It's a shield. Such a simple thing really, that shield, although crafted onto its surface is the face of a young king bearing a crown on his head. I saw it once while I was scrying and meditating, and just by chance my mind's eye fell upon it. A brilliantly crafted..."

Commander Sassarius interjects angrily at this. "What in Hades are you talking about, Nefius? We are here to finish the conquest of Dorinthia."

"Commander Sassarius," Nefius starts with a sigh, "Please don't interrupt me again. You forget yourself. As much as capturing the Dorinthian forces would please me to no end, we have more important matters to attend to. Such as finding this shield, the real reason I agreed to your silly plan of attacking the dwarves, since I need to spell it out for you. It's discoverer would be awarded greatly by the Emperor. And I mean to have it and deliver it to him personally. Such an artifact of beauty would be a great prize indeed. Greater than the ragged remnants of a conquered people. Dorinthia is finished, Commander. Seek your glory elsewhere, better it not be conducted against your father's bretheren anyway." At the last comment, Commander Sassarius glares at Nefius with a look of utter hate, which is promptly ignored as the scrawny man turns back to the party members. "So what do you say? You enter the dwarven caves, convince them to allow you inside the sealed off sections of their catacombs, and return with the shield. And then we will leave, and allow you to reunite with your men. We are a gentle Empire, after all."

Chalik
[sblock]
You remember the tales of the wall with the steel seal deep inside the dwarven burial chambers. Legend has it that a great subterranean enemy burst in large numbers from out of a hole the dwarves had inadvertantly dug. Many dwarves fell during that almost forgotten time, and it wasn't until nearby humans came to the dwarves' aid that the battle turned in their favor. Unfortunately, the human king was killed during the battle, and it was said that he was buried with his shield in a hidden chamber that the dwarves had found. It's a good thing you paid attention to the local history...
[/sblock]

 

[Fenris]

Dartis raises an eyebrow at Nefius's treatment of Sassarius, especially at the invocation of his heritage.

Oh ho, now we see who hold the leash thinks Dartis.

"Indeed" replies Dartis "A heady prize and grand offer indeed. A mere shield in exchange for all that. Still there would be an issue of safeguards. As Commander Sassarius has so blunty put it, lies have often been put forth on both sides of the battle. What assurances could you give me that my men would be left in peace, and that should I succeed that you would indeed hold to your word and leave, prize in hand. We seem to be at a bit of a stand off Counselot Nefius. I require you to leave, yet you require me to achieve your end. At least if you want to present the shield to the Emperor and not your children. Now how would you begin to approach this issue? I would think that the releasing of captives would be a good first gesture of good will, a sure sign that you intend to negotiate in good faith. Certainly the act of a gentle Empire after all. But the would but lay the foundations for trust upon which we can build an agreement. For I would certainly not want news of the sheild and its' value to circulate among the Imperial army, I would want to assure you that the shield is placed into your capable and deserving hands and no other. But how shall I deliver the sheild unto you? Shall I march down, alone upon the plains surrounded by a full division of the Imperial Army? No that will not work. Perhaps Commander Sassarious and you could stay with a small contingent while the rest are sent back to deal with the real and everpresent dangers that threaten the Tallione Empire on it's newly acquired eastern flank. Now how shall we proceed?"

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Nefius cocks his head to the side, and leans on his darkwood staff as he listens with amusement to Dartis' demands. After the nobleman is done speaking he says, "Bravo, my young man. If you were bargaining from a position of strength, I would definitely be swayed. However, as it stands now, let me give you my own offer. Do as we say, otherwise I will be forced to execute one of your three companions we have recently captured; a death each day until you comply. I think I'll start with the elf, since he's a bit too high-and-mighty for my tastes. If you do agree to our terms, we will allow your men safe passage to enter the dwarven kingdom and pull our army away for a short time so you may safely do so and join your people inside. I may even release the elf in your care as a sign of good faith. Return with the shield, and our main purpose is complete, and we will release your other two companions and leave this place. What do you think of our terms?"

 

[Ilium]

Chalik gnashes his teeth in silent frustration. He growls to Danica, "That shield lies in the tomb of a true hero, though no Dwarf. I'll not see it desecrated for the amusement of these dogs or their master!"

"Better to die here and take some of them with me," he finishes grimly, hand resting on his blade.

 

[GlassEye]

Silas listens intently but his mind is aswirl. For what reason do they want this shield? The fact that they want it so desperately is telling but...why? His thoughts continue to spiral in that vein until one thought in particular crystallizes: The Tallione want the shield and the shield itself may give the clue as to the why.