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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Rel" data-source="post: 2120318" data-attributes="member: 99">As promised...They appeared in the usual place atop Hrongar’s Hill.  The place was bustling with activity but those passing by clearly were astonished to see Lazarius appear from nowhere with a dozen birds sitting all over him.  They were no less amazed when Speaks, Scar, Rhys, Marcus, Cathal, Ilrath and Marius fluttered one by one to the ground and resumed their normal forms.  By earlier agreement, Magdar and his Orcs retained their bird forms until it could be explained to Urdrax that they were not hostile.Marcus, Scar and Rhys crowded onto the Magic Carpet and gave a quick wave to the others as they ascended into the sky and began to head southwards.  Marcus did not really know either of these two men, though he had heard Speaks speak fondly of them.  Marcus decided that if they were going to be risking their lives against Bale that it would serve him well to get a better sense of them.  He cried above the wind, “You have my thanks for taking me on this errand with your carpet.”Rhys gave a wry smile and yelled back, “Don’t thank me.  Thank the King of Sythia.”Marcus thought this odd, he responded, “Do you serve him?”Rhys smiled and shook his head, “Not exactly.”Marcus was even more confused now, “Then why should I be thanking him?”Rhys continued to smile, “He’s the one I stole the carpet from!”Marcus was taken aback.  Thievery was not something he approved of but he was in little position to complain about it now since this bit of larceny was helping him carry out his mission as well as the fact that it was a long way to the ground.  He still couldn’t help but respond in a disapproving tone, “I would imagine that the King is rather mad about that.”The elf laughed, “Not half as mad as he was when his daughter rode away with me on the carpet!”*******************Lazarius and Marius needed to be on their way as well.  They exchanged a last batch of well wishes to the others before the Wizard reached out and gripped Marius’ arm.  Since he only had one passenger to transport the weight was manageable and it was not necessary for Marius to be in bird form.  Lazarius was just as glad since he didn’t relish teleporting into the Imperial War College looking like some sort of mad ornithologist.  They vanished from Hrongar’s Hill leaving Speaks, Cathal and Ilrath to move uphill toward Urdrax’s Mead Hall.  The small flock of birds that had arrived with them fluttered up to rest on the ridgepole of the lodge.They mounted the steps of the Mead Hall to be informed by the guards that Urdrax and Hrothan were not there.  They were down at the southern edge of the hill meeting with the Suevi.  Speaks and Cathal exchanged glances at this.  Last they’d heard Relmar, chieftain of the Suevi, had been steadfastly against moving his people out of their ancestral lands.  Perhaps the marching Legions of Emor had changed his mind.They descended the hill and exited the palisade.  They could see that it was being strengthened and expanded all down its length.  Whether that would do any good against Bale and his minions was anybody’s guess.They entered the Suevi encampment and made for the chieftain’s pavilion located near the center.  The guards outside stopped them but recognized all three men a moment later.  They were openly astonished to see Ilrath had returned but held their questions and instead stepped inside to announce them.  A moment later they were all brought into the large tent.Inside, seated on mats on the floor were Urdrax of the Brigantes, Hrothan of the Corritani, Seshmarl of the Allmani and Scipio the Dire Mountain Lion.  A scattering of maps littered the floor in the middle of the group.  They all stood and warmly greeted the tribesmen and the Druid.  There was clearly much to talk about but Speaks did not wish to have to repeat himself to those not present.  “Where is Relmar?  Are the Nervii coming?”The others exchanged somewhat nervous glances.  Urdrax answered the second question first, “The Nervii are marching south to our aid and should be here by tomorrow.”It was Scipio who answered the first question, “Relmar is dead.  I killed him.”“WHAT?!” cried Speaks.“He refused to take a course of action that would preserve our people.  I challenged him for leadership of the tribe and I killed him in single combat.  I am now the chieftain of the Suevi.  I have adopted the name Uthreld.”  Silence filled the tent in the wake of the great cat’s announcement.Speaks was stunned as his mind raced to catch up to the consequences of this development.  As his brain closed the gap another question rose to his lips, “What about Orthula and…her son?”Uthreld turned his gaze away from Speaks, “She fled.  I tried to make her understand that my quarrel was not with her and that she and her son were welcome to continue to share my lodge.  But she left that night and has not been seen since.  She took the boy with her.  I think she will be safe from the Legions.  A woman and baby, particularly a woman with her skills, will attract little attention.”Speaks sank to the ground, speechless for now.  Urdrax sought to fill the awkward silence, “What news from the north?”Cathal and Ilrath looked at one another.  Cathal addressed his chieftain, “None that is good.  I think we should sit and have food and ale brought in.  There is much to tell…”</blockquote>

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