Legacy of the Silver Dragon - Day 2 (Interlude)

[Binder Fred]

When Stellan is asked how he acquitted himself, he just shrugs slightly. "I feel I need to make amends. That's all."

Antares frowns a bit, reaching out. "That wasn't your fault." This is likely not the best of times, granted, but he must be referring to the incident in the barracks again, mustn't he?

Whatever the case, the statement holds.

Glasia smiles at Antares' suggestions of envoys and armed escorts. "You make good points, but there are a couple of notes I offer in return. The armed escorts would of course have to come from the guard, and I think my esteemed colleagues." Here she looks to the other two, "would agree that with the recent goblin attack, townsfolk will prefer to have the guards... more visible. And also, we are trying to minimize the effect on the townspeople regarding a possible threat under our very feet. Sending armed escorts down the well, if seen, would have a rather negative effect I think. Panic might ensue." The two other councilmembers nod.. Rikolai seeming to want to take offense in some way, but not finding an obvious point of disagreement is forced to agree. "I think it best that a small team already familiar with the tunnels be the ones to go down. However, if you would prefer to delay that expedition - we can always board up the well more thoroughly for the time being."

"It wouldn't have to be very many," meekly counters Antares, feeling his heart speed at the thought of impending abandonment by those he trusted most for rescue. "Four or five perhaps? And-And rumours of the well and its content are already rife within the town -- at least with the well informed?" Teacher Dysare obviously chief amongst those worthies... (The unintended pun sails right over his distressed head.) "Would not -ah- Would not the good citizens be most re-assured by news that both council and trained guardsmen are indeed handling the matter... as well, my lady?"

Which last is implied promise to return themselves, granted, but at this point... And Former-Anna is (likely?) owed as much. And more.

"Regarding the envoy... Likely a scouting party, such as yourselves, would be needed. Most of those who would negotiate, aren't necessarily woodsmen or combatants if things should go wrong."

Emerald eyes grow a fair bit larger than they should: Them?! By themselves?! Things are... not going at all the way of the young elf this day! (He was hoping to find help, some relief from responsibilities already large for ones of their short years -- and yet shorter experience. Instead...).

Before he can frame that into words though:

"I thought you'll say that, but I also expected you to say how many gold China you were going to offer us for such highly dangerous quest, alas you'vent talk about it. I urge you to make an offer that seems interesting" the dwarf interjects

Antares wets dry lips, "Well, I- don't believe any of us are truly 'woodsmen', per se..." he carefully begins, obviously trying to edge them away from Muzdin's implied acceptance of the offered task, if price is met, but then he suddenly veers into: "This would be escorting a duly mandated representative of the council to the goblin village to sue for peace, correct?" Surely they are not going to put actual negotiations in their hands as well?! But- But this IS something that needs be done, and done quite urgently as well, he's already convinced himself of that. This- This is why he brought it up in the first instance, isn't it?

His thin elven jaw firms somewhat and he looks back to his companions (minus Muzdin who is too apparently already spoken for), "I... I think this is something that needs to be done? Lest further tragedies unfold?" There is a definite internal trembling in his chest as he says it though. Hopefully- Hopefully he is the only one able to perceive it. "What say you...?"

 

[Voda Vosa]

"It needs to be done and we need to be paid for doing it" the dwarf adds

 

[Binder Fred]

Antares nods in general agreement without demure, that being the time-honoured, history-steeped format which they all agreed to at the time of Company's founding (to Bosco's great rejoicing at the time, as he somewhat forlornly recalls).

"Though it need not per force all be in metals clinking?" he does temper with hesitant looks towards the councilmen three, not wishing to offend. Then he catches a glimpse of Beatrix's crenulated helm and his effervescent mind flashes to the conversation they had but yesterday at the Half and Human, upon their very first meeting!

"For- For an example, we have of late been considering finding a place in which to ground our Company, a building to call our own...? And - this is just a thought, honoured councilors, but if such new-built fortification happened to stand as manned bulwark atop possible connections with whatever rests below, say a certain well of troublesome memory, that would be to the good of all concerned, would it not? Reassurance for all that know AND all that but suspect..." Even if their own sleep will have to perforce suffer...

But all that may be wholly premature, granted, seeing as neither Stellan nor Beatrix has yet spoken for or against this theoretical diplomatic mission they might be embarking on (or its dark, underground pendant)...

His emerald gaze shifts back their way.

 

[Voda Vosa]

Muzdim raises his eyebrows upon the elf's suggestion. "Indeed, that would be suiting. This town could use some descent building of dwarven craftsmanship, and we dwarves are known for building reinforced buildings made for withstanding the passage of time and the occasional trasgoid horde."

 

[Binder Fred]

"Trasgoid?" blinked Antares by his side, if obviously quite pleased (and relieved) by the rest of Muzdin's remark. Perhaps a word flowing from ancient dwarven idioms?

 

[Goldhammer]

After staying quiet for so long, Beatrix finally gets up and bows before the members of the council.

​"Honoured council members, I understand the need to be keeping your guards here. The people need to know they are protected, especially if this well proves to still be active." Beatrix states. "There for, under the holy glaze of Malborka, I volunteer to take part in this scouting party. I am recommending we go speak to the goblins first. They may know more about origins of dark mage and his unholy liquid. If not, then we can at least we can attempt to be creating pact of peace with them."

"I ask for no gold for this task, only a place where I may build shrine to the goddess Malborka."

 

[Voda Vosa]

Muzdim

"Goblins, orcs and other related filth. It's a dwarven word." explains the dwarf to Antares.

 

[gambler1650]

Glasia glances between the party as they talk amongst themselves, and smiles to herself, with a sidelong glance at Mikon and Rikolai. The dwarven councilmember manages to pull off a look that encompasses beaming and glowering simultaneously, and the younger human appears mostly discontented. The party knows that groups of three often are sent to determine matters of importance, and will then report back to the whole group of council members who will only redact their decisions in extreme cases.

"I believe we can agree that guarding the well rather than simply destroying the entrance might be the best path forward in the short term. We will cover it, and maintain a guard in your soon to be headquarters. We will provide you materials you need to reinforce the house, and send a work crew over to shore it up and clean it up. This is a favor for the work you've already done in two short days. Should you provide useful scouting information, followed by a later safe escort to the goblin village, we will continue work on your company's house. Mikon, Rikolai, does this sound like a good plan for you?"

Mikon looks at Rikolai, who chews over his words. "I can't think of a reason not to agree. We need to discover who is behind this." Mikon merely nods, "Agreed."

Glasia then turns to Beatrix, "And where would you like your shrine to be? This town has always been open to the gods and their worship as long as a benefit for all is brought by their worship."

 

[Goldhammer]

"Malborka is the goddess of castle and defensive buildings, so I would like to build it near somewhere like town wall or the guard post. Anywhere the Citadel Goddess' blessing of protection is needed most."Beatrix explains.

​"Also as one of the vows of the Sisterhood has is to feed the hungry, our shrines also double as food stalls. A place where the poor may get food for their bellies. If you are having suggestion where such an establishment would be most useful, I will be gladly be building it there."

 

[Binder Fred]

"Goblins, orcs and other related filth. It's a dwarven word." explains the dwarf to Antares.

"Ah, in truth?" Muzdin must be feeling very well indeed (About this possible incoming headquarters?), if he is volunteering knowledge so freely. That is all to the good, of course, patches of light in otherwise desperately stressful times... "My thanks, master Stonehand."

Mikon looks at Rikolai, who chews over his words. "I can't think of a reason not to agree. We need to discover who is behind this." Mikon merely nods, "Agreed."

"The Behenian Company thanks you," automatically bows Antares to each in turn starting with lady Glasia, deep if only somewhat graceful this time (for an elf, that is), a slightly puzzled frown showing on his face... "So- so we four are to first chart access to the goblin village and there arrange for diplomatic meetings between their representatives and ours? Is this correct?" he tentatively inquires, wanting to be quite sure he has an utterly firm grasp of what is required. (He's never, ever done this sort of thing before; hardly imagined he ever would!)

"Malborka is the goddess of castle and defensive buildings, so I would like to build it near somewhere like town wall or the guard post. Anywhere the Citadel Goddess' blessing of protection is needed most."Beatrix explains.

​"Also as one of the vows of the Sisterhood has is to feed the hungry, our shrines also double as food stalls. A place where the poor may get food for their bellies. If you are having suggestion where such an establishment would be most useful, I will be gladly be building it there."

"Might I -ah- suggest the same place as our future headquarters, perhaps?" inserts the young elf after a small swallow. He doesn't quite know why, but he's felt very at ease with sister Beatrix ever since their second meeting (or perhaps as soon as after their first, with the idea of her? (Even with that initial interruption of their private talks - or perhaps because of it?)). This is not at all usual for him... "It- does stand upon one of the town's borders, in truth, if one that we had not previously thought to even consider?" With a somewhat subdued, apologetic gesture downwards, towards all that may now lie sharply clawing beneath... "That is, if the other members of the Company approve? And you yourself wish to join, of course?" he quickly adds, suddenly uncertain.

For some reason, this matters.