Six From Gate Pass - Chapter 3: Shelter From The Storm

[fromage67]

Lars fidgets uncomfortably while Kirio answers. It is unnatural for Lars to be seated so close to the power of the realm and the representative of the Law.

Lars cases the room looking for any valuables he might pocket unseen, or for further reference. He refrains from doing anything rash, thinking about the need to stick around until the morning to collect his new clothes, as well as the fact that instead of quick horses, they have a dreadfully slow cart.

 

[Adjuntive]

Alric considers the Baron's poignant question for a moment. It would be easier to weave a tale of falsehood, leave some plausibility to their story and dissuade further questions. However, Alric has never been a very good liar, so resorts to the method of speech he is good with: curtness.

"We flee the Ragesian advance. We are simply passing through your lands. We want no trouble and wish to trouble no one."

 

[Gregor]

"To be more precise," adds Torrent, "we are headed for the village of Seaquen and the Lyceum that resides there."

The half-elven knight, Sir Edwin, speaks up at this point: "If I may ask a question? Why are we ignoring the obvious here? These so-called adventurers who travel openly with a human of clear Ragesian heritage have just conveniently disposed of the only obstacle facing an aggressive Ragesia that is obviously interested in moving on the Kingdom of Dassen."

The dwarven knight, Sir Belwick, pounds a fist on the table and adds: "I agree with Sir Edwin. My Baron, these here adventurers are obviously in league with that false Empress Leska and they are here to remove roadblocks for Ragesian armies once the siege of Gate Pass is over."

Thomas, Lady Bronwyn and Sir Delphin seem troubled by the sudden accusation but do not add anything. The Baron mulls the words over before saying: "Those are heavy accusations Sirs Belwick and Edwin, but thoughts that have gone through my mind as well. What say you adventurers? Do you have anything to say that would convince me that you are not Ragesian agents?"

 

[Adjuntive]

Alric grinds his teeth. He knows much of how nobility can be foolish in their assumptions, perceiving grandiosity where there is mundanity. The intelligence is the information they are holding back, but he didn't see them drawing this conclusion. He bites back his temper, succeeding only somewhat and let's loose on their foolish presumptions.

"Leska is a usurper and deserves none of my allegiance! If you doubt my word then test my mettle and if you judge me by my blood then you better be prepared to spill it. But first consider your words. Why would Ragesian agents travel 'openly' in your lands? If our mission was to end the fires, why did we come straight to Eastwatch and not go back to the Ragesian army? Why is the whole Ragesian army not at our backs? Surely if it were the Ragesian's intention to end the fires to cross into Dassen, they wouldn't bother with subterfuge, but simply attack while surprise was theirs since you obviously didn't expect the fires to end. Instead, we came here to rest and do commerce and left no mystery of where we came and our exploits. Wouldn't we lie about coming from Gate's Pass? Wouldn't I conceal my heritage if I were here for sabotage and spying? Wouldn't we deny knowledge of ending the fires rather than claiming that we were the one's who ended it? We would be foolish agents indeed if what you say is true."

OOC: diplomacy check coming, in hopes that these arguments constitute one.

 

[funkmamagoat]

Kirio sighs and leans forward on the table, and looks from the baron, to sir Edwin and the sir Belwick "My lord... as I hinted in my explanation earlier, we understand the difficult position this places you in, and for that we are truly sorry. I would humbly suggest that you contact Lady Timor and ask for reinforcements, if for no other reason than to alert her of the danger. Yes, Alric is from Ragesia... as is plainly evident. We have made no attempts to hide from the authorities or disguise his origins. We are, in no uncertain terms, refugees from Gate Pass, a city we last saw in flames with a red dragon in the sky. We have all, including Alric, fought Ragesia in making it this far. Why pray tell would we stroll into town, our younger members openly bragging of our deeds, if we were Ragesian agents?"

OOC: note, as Alric rolled diplomacy first, Kirio's will be to assist.

 

[Bannock]

Bannock bristles at the implication that he works for Ragesia and stands up at the table.

"Ragesians! I resent that! My home is prob'ly burned to ash by now, and we risked everything to come here and seek help, only to face accusations! We never meant to end the fire, only to pass through it alive. I still don't even understand what happened! By gods, the Ragesians have dragons, beasts that love the flame! Now that the fire is gone, you should thank us for giving you the forest back as a place that can be occupied by your men. Why, in those woods, I'll wager a few hundred rangers and veteran fighters could cut the road and hold off a whole army for months."

 

[Adjuntive]

Bannock bristles at the implication that he works for Ragesia and stands up at the table.

"Ragesians! I resent that! My home is prob'ly burned to ash by now, and we risked everything to come here and seek help, only to face accusations! We never meant to end the fire, only to pass through it alive. I still don't even understand what happened! By gods, the Ragesians have dragons, beasts that love the flame! Now that the fire is gone, you should thank us for giving you the forest back as a place that can be occupied by your men. Why, in those woods, I'll wager a few hundred rangers and veteran fighters could cut the road and hold off a whole army for months."

Alric's head snaps over to Bannock and his jaw follows a moment later. Not surprised at all by the outburst, but completely and entirely shocked at the remarkably astute tactical assessment from the youth who has, to date, shown only a keenness for smithing, glaive fighting and drooling over attractive women.

"Well said," whispers Alric to no one in particular, in both admiration and dumbfoundedness.

 

[digimattic]

Arnir lets all of this take place without raising an eyebrow. This whole time he has been drubbing is fingers on the table and casting his gaze about this centre room trying to find something of interest to look at. When this fails, he begins to play with his large signet ring bearing the mark of his house, flipping it over his fingers like a waterfall and generally fidgeting.

Being in boring meetings talking about ridiculous notions brings him back to his childhood where he was expected to sit by his father's side in such dealings. Placing his ring on the table, he reaches for a tankard of ale and drinks deeply.

 

[Gregor]

Sir Delphin, who has held an intensely focused set of eyes on each member of the party leans in and adds: "My Baron, for what it is worth, I detect no evil from any of the adventurers."

Lady Bronwyn nods and says: "Additionally, travelling with a Ragesian should hardly be cause for indictment. Hundreds if not thousands of refugees from that nation are migrating across Dassen and head south in search of Seaquen and the Lyceum."

The Baron nods and rubs his bearded chin. "Hmmmm, those are fair reasons and I see no reason to detain you on your travels. The advice for reinforcements is prudent as well. Of course a message will..."

Sirs Edwin and Belwick stand up violently, interrupting the Baron by knocking over tankards and causing a scene. "This is foolish!" cries Edwin, "With all due respect, we have allowed Ragesians to move throughout our nation with impunity since Leska declared war on Gate Pass and everyone else on her borders. How many of these 'refugees' are innocent and how many are agents waiting to assist their invading armies from behind enemy lines? Now an armed band arrives with a magical tale about fire fairies. Pfft, that forest has burned for 40 years and we have enjoyed security on this border. Now its gone and these mercenaries come stumbling into town..."

The Baron slams his hand down on the table and shouts. "Enough Sir Edwin! When last I looked this was still my keep and my district. If you cannot swallow my decisions, then you and Sir Belwick can leave and I will deal with the both of you at a later date."

The two chastised knights exchange glances and then storm out of the conference room. Before he slams the door behind him, Sir Belwick says: "These short sighted actions will mean the end of the Kingdom one day."

The Baron turns to the party with a frustrated look and says: "I apologize for that, but my knights are frustrated by current events. As I was saying, I see no reason to detain you. You may feel free to stay here at the Keep tonight as my guests. Quarters and meals will be made available to you. Please be aware that a message will be sent to Lady Timor to inform her of these events. As Lady of the realm it is her information to have. Is there anything else Thomas?"

The wizard finishes scribing words on a parchment and says: "I would suggest that the party leave an object in my possession. It need not be valuable or important: a lock of hair, a dagger or piece of clothing. The Lady will want to know that we can find these individuals should anything take place on their journey that may alter the story they have told here today. By having one of their possessions, I may be able to 'scry' them more effectively."

"I agree. Make it so." Says the Baron. "Now, are there any questions you have of me and my council?"

 

[Adjuntive]

Alric, not in the least surprised in the uproar of complaint, is at least relieved that the Baron is letting them go. The wizard's recommendation of personal object makes him wary though.

Turning to Arnir and whispering, "Is such a thing safe Arnir? Could they use such things to enslave or ensorcel us?"