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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mathew_Freeman" data-source="post: 1381127" data-attributes="member: 1846">A Simple Trip To The Country "Captain Xiang, please come in." Margrave Kanor looked ill at ease and a little dishevelled. He'd taken news of his sister Saphie's death at the hands of Heracules and the Frost Giants badly, but there was a sense of renewed purpose about him today. "I've recieved news that Margrave Varnior had died. However, I have also recieved news that his son Arngrim has been declared Margrave in his place, and accused Eloise, his step-mother, of his murder. You remember Eloise, you travelled with her for some time." Xiang nodded quietly. This was politics. Clearly his promotion to Captain of Gaxmoor was not merely ceremonial. Kanor was beginning to involve in him the miriad plots of the Scornic League. An interesting thing, for a warrior, but not unlike learning a new battlefield. You scouted out the terrain, saw the places where you'd prefer to fight, and engaged the enemy at those places. Scout - plan - execute. "Of course Eloise must be innocent, I've been hearing reports of Arngrims wastrel ways and poor judgements for some time. I'm sending you and whoever you wish to take to the Castle to free Eloise and eliminate Arngrim and Constable Hrethel, his closest advisor. Do whatever it takes." "Indeed, my Lord. As you command. Do you have any news on people I can take with me? What with Heracules, I find myself a little short of friends at the moment." Xiang smiled without a trace of humour. "Tarquin is busy in the Temple, Leo has locked himself in his rooms at the Tower of the White Way and is apparently muttering something about disintegrating anyone that disturbs him...however, your Aryptian friend Ramu Khem would no doubt be useful on such a mission." Xiang grimaced. He'd hoped that Leo and Tarquin - men he owed his life to and trusted implicitly - would be able to come along. However, Ramu Khem was a useful ally. "Anyone else?" "A group of three adventurers have arrived in Gaxmoor." Kanor quickly consulted some notes. "A Dwarven Paladin weilding what he claims is a Holy Avenger, by name of Raven. The Dwarf, not the Holy Avenger, that is. A female Witch named Fjorent, and a...capable young woman named Cailin, who is apparently a former member of Tarkane's army, albeit in a very minor role." "They sound like just the sort of people that could help. A Witch Woman, eh? And a former Army woman? A curious mix." *          *          *          * The five riders set out from Gaxmoor later that day. Xiang had cast his warriors eye over them, and quickly formed some opinions, based also on the conversation. Raven seemed more than capable, a grimly determind Dwarf clad all in Black Full Plate, and holding an Axe that almost papably resonated with the Black Spear. Xiang had been forced to hold the Spear in his off hand to keep it away from the other weapon. Fjorent had looked him straight in the eye and declared she was a Witch, with powers of shapeshifting and elemental destruction. Xiang had heard of such, indeed such a woman had joined the initial ill-fated attack on the Frost Giants. This one seemed tougher, somehow. Cailin had also not come as a surprise. She turned out to be somewhat small and nondescript, and Xiang read in her movements a preference for sudden strikes from the shadows rather than a straight up fight. So - not a threat when he could see her, but someone to keep an eye on. They rode, departing early afternoon, intending to go North via Dulleaburg. However, a short hour from Gaxmoor there was a nasty incident. Rolling down the road towards them was a ball of what seemed like wire - wire that could move and strike at exposed flesh! Xiang charged it with the Spear, only to find he had nothing to hit, and at the same time Cailin's arrows whistled through it and Fjorent's flame strike did nothing. Fortunately, Raven and Ramu Khem were able to do much more. Their weapons, forged of cold iron and bearing powerful enchantments versus chaos and evil, quickly slashed through the creature. Finally, even as a summoned earth elemental joined the fray, the creature was destroyed, Ramu striking the final blow. Xiang thanked his companions. It had become clear during the fight that the creature was seeking to kill him first and foremost. It was clearly an abomination sent by the forces of Warmaster Kung to retrieve the Black Spear. Xiang explained the situation, and warned them to be vigilant for future attacks at any time. As midnight fell, they rested and resumed the next day. *          *          *          * The next day saw the Castle bearing into view as the afternoon reached it's midpoint. From a safe distance, Fjorent offered to do a flypast as a quick scout to establish whatever she could. First step - scout. Xiang let her go and waited patiently for her return. She reported back safely, saying that the drawbridge was up, the moat filled and guards and siege engines were on the walls. "It is as we might have expected," said Xiang. "Arngrim knows that taking power like this might spring reprisals from Eloise's allies, and guards against it. Before we approach any further, what magical powers can you summon should this disintegrate into a straight fight?" After some discussion about the heights of the walls and so forth, it was established that the largest Earth Elementals that Fjorent could summon were likely to be able to take the castle apart, quite literally. In addition, they could lift Xiang and the others onto the battlements. Xiang grinned to himself. He strongly hoped not to have to attack openly, but it was nice to know that should it come to it, the magical power was on his side. A day later they returned... *          *          *          * Riding around to the other side of the town seemed like a good plan at the time. The group wanted to try and go into the city on a scouting/searching effort to find out more information. However, the gates were locked. Even two Christos Priests were barred entry. After some discussion and shouting at the guards, Xiang and the others rode back up the road and camped out at a local farmers. Cailin went in and found out that all the important people were in the castle, and that the town was completely incommunicado. No one in, no one out. The group got up early the next day and decided to go staight into the castle, claiming that Margrave Kanor had sent them to celebrate Arngrims's succession and commiserate him on the death of his father. *          *          *          * Before they reached the Castle, Xiang and Fjorent hatched a plan. The Witch wildshaped into a Tiny Snake, hiding in Xiang's pocket. Now they had a secret to protect, but a powerful ally that would remain unknown. A brief conversation with the gate guards granted them entry once they recognised Xiang. Raven looked somewhat interested to note that his words, though better phrased, did not quite have the impact of Captain Xiang's presence. Once inside, the Black Spear and the other weapons of the group were removed. Xiang found it hard to let go, hearing a voice on the edge of his mind urging slaughter, but instead allowed his hand to relax away from the grip of the weapon. Everyone mentally noted the location of the stored weapons. Xiang was taken to see the new Margrave as the others made their way to the food hall for some lunch. After a short conversation of pleasantries that neither man meant, both being aware of the reputation of the other, Xiang joined the rest of his group. At the same time, and feeling somewhat confident with the effect his reputation was having on all around him, he pulled Fjorent from his pocket and made sure she ate as well. Smiling to himself, Xiang reflected that he would only gain legend from this...the weilder of the Black Spear that has a snake for a pet... Later that afternoon was the "trial" of Eloise. A Priest of Ksarul was present, apparently detecting the lies she would no doubt speak. He wore a silver mask, completely hiding his face. In short order, the trial took place. It was clear to the group that Eloise was here to be found guilty, as the Priest declared her words a lie or truth as needed. Arngrim sentenced her to death the following morning for murder; the method was to be beheading. Any plans the group were to hatch would have to be tonight. Xiang went to speak with Captain Jethis. He was in command of the light crossbowmen at the Battle of Jerrikig, and Xiang had heard good things of him. After getting rid of the guard that had escorted him across the castle, Xiang and Jethis spoke quickly and quietly. Jethis was shocked to hear of Xiang's mission, but considered it just, and agreed to attempt to keep his crossbowmen out of any fighting that might erupt. In return, Xiang gave his word that he would try and keep the casualties to a bare minimum - hopefully just Hrethel and Arngrim! In the evening, Fjorent and Xiang got moving, taking action while Raven, Ramu and Cailin were arguing over the rights and wrongs of the situation. Fjorent slipped out the door, wriggling underneath it to head for the Margrave's room. Xaing's plan was to wait for her distraction, and then go for his weapon and attempt to take out Hrethel, and then free Eloise. The plan went somewhat better than expected, all told. A few moments after Fjorent left, Xiang opened the door to the 'guest quarters' and spoke to the guard, asking to check up on the Spear before retiring to sleep. As the conversation proceeded, Xiang and the guard both heard a roar from the Margrave's quarters and the sounds of combat! Xiang immediately brushed past the guard and started to head down the stairs, shouting "The Margrave is under attack! Guards, rally!" and motioning his companions to follow. Cailin and Ramu simply dropped off the walls down the door hiding the weapons. Cailin picked the lock and headed inside as Raven and Xiang caught up. The fighting continued as the guards tried to break the door down. Unlocking a second door, Cailin passed out weapons to all those that needed them. Both Xiang and Raven looked much happier with their weapons in hand, the Black Spear once again fitting snugly into Xiang's grip. Racing back up the stairs, Xiang saw the outer door had been destroyed, revealing a wall of thorns. Xiang new that this was Fjorent's work, but forced himself through it, getting scratched in the process. On the far side he found a single Earth Elemental and the dead bodies of Hrethel and Arngrim! It seemed that they had been together when Fjorent attacked. Xiang smiled grimly, batted aside an ineffectual strike from the elemental and destroyed it with a couple of swings of the Spear. "The Margrave is dead!" he shouted, and plunged back through the wall of thorns. Outside, the other Captain, and now joint-highest ranking officer was Captain Kerek. He had command of the many pikemen that now thronged around the place. Xiang approached him, along with the others, as he began to shout for Eloise's immediate death. Just as guards began to run to her prison, a second wall of thorns sprung up in front of the doors. With a glance, Raven began trying to dispel it, without immediate success. Xiang knew that delaying tactics were needed for Fjorent to engineer a disappearance or a rescue and he stepped forwards and began arguing that since Eloise was now the rightful ruler of the Castle, she should be freed - anything to keep Kerek talking. Ramu Khem circuled around the battlements, intent on keeping an eye of the Ksarul priest that had emerged from his quarters. As Raven finally dispelled the wall of thorns, Kerek stepped forward to unlock the door and go inside to kill Eloise. As the door opened, both he and Xiang saw Eloise free, standing next to Fjorent. Kerek's mouth fell open in shock, but he went to draw his sword. The Black Spear was suddenly between him and his target. Kerek looked round at Xiang. "Go to kill her and I shall strike you down where you stand. That is the rightful ruler of this Castle, freed by my forces. I do not want to kill you, but if you do not step down now I shall do so. Make your choice." Kerek gulped, and dropped his sword. *          *          *           * By the morning Eloise was formally recognised as Margravine, Kerek and some of his guards had been exiled, and Jethis promoted to Chief of Security. Fjorent used her tree stride spell to return to Gaxmoor and speak with Margrave Kanor as Xiang agreed, along with the others, to wait a few days until Eloise's position was made safe.</blockquote>

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