Off to War [IC]

[Dragonwriter]

Jareth winces as Rizella takes the news as he expected. He still had to actually provide a note with the truth on it, for her. "I am sorry, Lady Rizella. If I could go back and change the way things went, rest assured I would."

The young nobleman grimaces as Vance and Lora's words follow. "I don't intend to ask Dellex why he wanted Tharivol. He would only throw some smokescreen words into the air, claiming secret orders from the king or something similar, I'm sure. And flaunting a rank I don't want is a mistake I don't intend to make. I wouldn't be surprised if he still bears me ill will from our last meeting. The same is certainly true on my end.

"But as you say, it has been some time since we left. And your earlier response wasn't exactly detailed. Could you fill me in on what's happened since I was sent to the others?"

 

[ghostcat]

Trinham hadn't considered what Dellex wanted with Tharivol. He had assumed it was for his knowledge and his friendship with the elves. However, what the ambassador said made even more sense. He makes a mental note to discuss with the others ways of tricking Dellex into reveling more of his plans

Trinham does not even considered joining in the conversation. Given Vances opinion of commoners, it probably wouldn't help and may make things worse.

 

[jackslate45]

Ern was ready to tell it all. Her full story, which the truth of which had been riding on her for a long time now. And when her time came, in that infinitival second between Mal stepping back and when she was going to step forward, something stopped her. A voice that sounded all to familiar.

"Why? Why did you betray me then? Why would you betray me now, my love?"

She had frozen as Haden's voice filled her mind. A voice she feared above all others.

"Do you think they would understand? What you have done to both humans and elves alike?"

"They will! They know how much I wanted to be done with it! These people are ..."

"If you explain it, you will be killed. I hear hanging is a popular way to die. But I never want anything hurting your pretty neck,. And if they do, they will never trust you. Always remembering what you once where, why should they? "

"Liar! They saved me from my past! They have a right to know!"

A wry laugh issues in her head. "Do what you think is right. But you should know the consequences. You always were a smart girl..."

What seemed like a minute of conversation in her head was mere seconds. As the ambassador looked on, she shook her head, ashamed, but above all, scared.

 

[HolyMan]

"Again we have been doing nothing but waiting." Vance says to Jareth in a deeply regretful tone. "Lord Dellex has been busy sending men looking everywhere for Tharivol. If there was even so much as a hint as to his whereabouts he sent men there to look."

Coming to stand beside his now slightly calmed sister he continues. "Lord Bear has been just as busy trying to round up the remnants of the Treylorian army. There hasn't been any new prisoners taken in a couple days now so they must be beyond his patrols and headed back to their homeland. We have only eight prisoners, these elves don't like to be taken alive. Lord Bear says that he will take them with him when the army moves on. I guess that will be soon now that you are back."

"Brother please that can all be discussed later the important thing is what news does the ambassador have for the High King and how can it stop the war." Baron Valron says in a harsh whisper his health seeming to get the better of him at the moment.

"I am sorry but that is for your High King alone. The less people who know the better for everyone." Ambassador Silniecian says as he takes a seat. Aver starts to sit down but with a look from the ambassador he stops and folds his arms moving to stand behind the man.

"Oh please forgive me," Baron Valorn says sheepishly."Sit, sit everyone. We will wait for Lord Dellex and Lord Bairan. And then discuss preparations for your departure, with the army."

Looking at the group he adds, "You all look to be traveling very light. Will you need anything? Horses? Tents? I can not join the battle to help save the Five Kingdoms should you be unsuccessful, so I wish to do what I can to help you stop the war before it starts."

[sblock=OOC] Idle chit chat time. Any questions you have for anyone present and then I will advance the thread to the more... um dramatic council to start.[/sblock]

 

[ghostcat]

Trinham can't stop himself from shivering at the mention of horses. He vividly remembers the expedition to find the Traylor scouts. Pulling himself together he says "Thank you my lord but I would rather walk. I would accept a tent though."

[sblock=OOC]HM. If Trinham has any choice he won't ride a horse. If you want the party mounted, just have the ambassador order him.[/sblock]

 

[ghostcat]

Moggins

It seems to Moggins that the longer he associated with his master the easier it is for him to understand things. That does not mean that he like standing around jabbering especially if there are better things he can be doing.

From their shared link Moggins knows that is master is interested in something. Personally he doesn't understand why but there again, even with his increased understanding he just can't make head or tail of humans.

Trinham grew up in a small village where, like small villages everywhere, everyone knows every else's business. Well once you have talked about the crops and the weather there is not much else to talk about so people gossip. Anyway Trinham loves gossip and he had spent the walk from the river to the keep speculating if Vance and Lora had been "intimate" and this is what Moggins has picked up on.

Waiting until the lords of the place are not looking, Moggins sneaks out of the rooms and starts roaming round the lesser used corridors of the keep. Not only is there more chance that he will find what he is looking for there, but there is also a chance of encountering a juicy rat. By the by, Moggins encounters a female cat also roaming the corridors. Spotting Moggins she starts to retreat but Moggins calms her "Peace little sister. I won't hurt you. My name is Moggins, I look after the fat human who is meeting with the humans who look after this place." The other cat stops moving away but does not move any closer. "Me called Tabatha." she says. Cats don't indulge in small talk so Moggins gets straight to the point "Do you know if the human alpha male and the new young human female are mating?"

After answering Moggins, Tabatha continues "You want hunt. Me know rats nest that too big for Tabatha on own. Tom fat and lazy. No even bother mate. Not bother with rats nest." "I would like to hunt with you Tabatha." "Good. Tabatha like Moggins. Pity Tabatha not on heat so could mate with Moggins."

With that, the two cats go off hunting together.

[sblock=OOC]Just trying out Moggins new ability [/sblock]

 

[Dragonwriter]

A quick nod is Jareth's only response for the moment as he takes a seat. "Food, I think, would be the best place you could start with your assistance, Lord Vir," he begins, a touch of humor in his voice, "Both for here and for on the road. Beyond that, while I would appreciate a horse and it has been a long time since I rode one, I will decline. I can walk just as easily."

The red-haired young man runs a hand back through his vibrant (though unkempt) locks. "And I would like paper, quill, ink and sealing wax. And I remember from when I left, you gave me potions, Lord Vance. If there are any more, particularly of a wound-healing nature, we could certainly use them on our travels."

 

[jackslate45]

Ern had considered the possibility of using horses to make the trip faster. If anything, it would be nice to not have to deal with walking. However, with this large of a group, there would be a lot of horses. That increased the amount of supplies needed to keep the horses alive and well. However, it seems that option was shot down already, and Ern shuddered at the prospect of the LOOONG walk to the capital.

Sitting down, she decided to continue to say nothing until someone spoke to her. It was in her nature to be inquisitive, but being in the presence of two nobles was already off putting.

 

[HolyMan]

OCC: Advancing...

The group sits and has some wine each making small talk with whomever is close at hand. Lora looks vexed as she quietly "talks" with Vance and then asks in a loud voice.

"Am I dismissed mi'lord?" her voice heavy with sarcasm.

"If you wish it," Vance says disheartened.

Without another word Lora gets up and goes to join Lady Rizelle, she whispers something, and then both take their leave of the room.

The quiet that follows is almost deafening but it does allow everyone to hear the horses as they trot into the courtyard outside. "Ah, they are here." Baron Vir says to everyone.

A few moments later two men, as different as night and day, enter the room. The first man is thin, almost gaunt as if he forgets to eat. His sharp features and pointed chin only highlighted by the lack of body fat. He wears a purple robe, with an elaborate belt, and a gold sash across his left shoulder. His face is pleasant and clean shaven but the look in his eyes is cold a piercing. They dart to everyone as if taking in all the information about the person, then ringing them out for the few drops left.

The second man is tall and broad, with a well muscled frame that has taken on a few extra pounds, but only to add a roundness to his bearded cheeks. He jingles as he walks into the room, and must be wearing a chain shirt under his snow white tabard trimmed in gold. A large blue bear sewn into the tabard covers his chest and his long cloak is of the same royal blue color. A sword is at his hip along with a dagger on the other side for balance. His hair is a brown wavy mess and his eyes are a deep blue that twinkle with a mirth as if he is hearing a funny joke.

"Hail! And well met, Baron Valorn protector of Pesh's northern frontier!" The bearded man bellows as if use to giving commands on a practice field.

"Hail. And well met, Baron Roetir. I give greetings and welcome the Blue Bear to my home." Baron Valorn returns the old greeting of the nobility.

"What goes on here Lord Vir?" The robed man asks close to a sneer. "Neither of these elves are Tharivol. Has something happened?"

The baron looks simply at the robed man a moment before replying. "It has seemed a lot has transpired in the realm of the elves, Lord Dellex. But that is not for me to say. And I know not all the details anyway."

"Dellex is not one for titles or old pompous ceremonies, Vir. I just thought the mood was right." Lord Bairan says with a grin.

"That it was my friend." the baron says returning the grin.

"Greetings mi'lords," Vance says to the two newcomers. "I have the honor to introduce to you Ambassador Silniecian. He has just arrived from Farshaw Forest and has urget business with High King Brolim."

"Ambassador Silniecian?" Dellex asks questioningly.

"Or if we are to forgo formalities you may call me Sil. Most humans do," the ambassador says in a hurry. "I do have urgent news. News that could stop the war before it truly starts. The skirmish here in Harkon was a travesty, and I wish for no more men... or elves to die."

"We need Tharivol to stop the war with the Treylor, before it starts." Dellex says smugly. "That was the orders given to us by our king. Which were given to him by the High King himself."

"Tharivol is dead." Jareth says simply and cold.

"Dead?! How?! Where?! By whose hand? I swear they will pay!" Lord Bear snaps out as he crushes the empty wine goblet in his hand. Standing, the chair he was in falls with a thunk to the floor.

Dellex stays seated and places is hands before him fingertips touching. "Please can anyone answer those simple questions?"

 

[Dragonwriter]

Jareth calmly remains seated at the outburst. "I can assure you that task is already complete, sir. He died a Bon'Dradi and a hero, defending us and the ambassador from certain death in the city of Tirol. A foul and mighty beast attacked us there and he sprang into action. It was his dying act to kill the creature and save us so we could end the war." The young makes takes a shuddering breath. "Please, do not ask for more. Tharivol was my teacher and my friend and reliving those last moments I saw him..." His voice trails off, the painful ending implied.

He takes another deep breath, apparently steadying himself. In truth, it is more for effect. Having to re-tell these miserable lies is taxing on Jareth's frame of mind at the moment... and it doesn't help that he customarily doesn't care for flat-out lies. He meets Baron Roetir's eyes as he continues. "Ambassador Silniecian has information capable of ending the war, but it can only be discussed with the High King and him alone. Not even the King's advisers," Jareth says with a glance at Dellex, "until after the first meeting is done and the King agrees to inform them."