The Key to Victory

[HolyMan]

"Wait," Tharivol says confused. "What does the old dragon Vester have to do with any of this? I know the history and how he was driven out by the Nandirly but what does this have to do with the Treylor invasion."

<DM assumes someone will fill him in.>

After hearing the tale it sends Tharivol in a state of quietness, until. "I... I have a lot to think on. And it looks like no evening meal will be coming, it is long past due. I suspect they are still wandering what to do with all of you. Please there are plenty of extra beds. Let us see to this in the morning."

<DM assumes everyone takes a rest after their long walk in the woods.>

In the morning their is no change to the little bit of food on the table. "No breakfast either? They are truly not sure what to do then." Tharivol says with a half grin. "They will bring food sometime they won't let us starve."

Sure enough a little before noon a group of elves enter the room bearing food, water, and wine. They are accompanied by a dozen stern faced Wardens with spears in hand. They clear a space from the table to the door holding the group at bay with sharp gestures.

The food-bearers give the group a mix of odd looks. To some this is the first time they have every seen a human.

 

[ghostcat]

Moggins - The Previous Night

Moggins quickly becomes bored with the place where he has been left behind by his master and his friends and decides to go exploring. Originally the decision was based on him finding something to eat but has he starts to become curious about the elven city. Thinking about it he realises two things. One; he has actually become more curious since associating with his master. Two; he has actually started thinking about things.

Shaking his head to clear the alien thoughts, Moggins starts creeping round the city. He has no particular destination in mind as he can tell his master is OK, apart from one brief shock that is. But there again, Moggins knows that his master shocks easily. Mogings doesn not actually get very far with his exploration. Firstly he has to keep out of sight so he is not discovered. More importantly, there are all sorts of interesting and exotic smalls to investigate. At one stage he comes across the scent of a fat, juicy rat and in next to no time Moggins is enjoying the best meal he has had in quite some time.

 

[Dragonwriter]

Jareth takes one of the offered beds, though his night is not a peaceful one. His sleep is troubled by twisted thoughts and visions of what has gone on and what is to come. A mass execution? War with both Treylor and Nandirly? His dreaming mind brings to the surface fears he would never acknowledge, regardless of how far-fetched they may be.

In the morning, he rises slowly, mind still reeling from his miserable dreams. He speaks little during the morning, performing his exercises and meditation in quiet.

When the food-bearers and their guards arrive, Jareth stands at the front of the group as they stand at a slight distance. The young man stands at ease, not caring one whit about the spears pointed at him and his allies. He calmly says "I know some of you are sure to speak Common, so please listen. Tell your superiors armed guards will not be needed. We are not here to cause trouble."

 

[jackslate45]

After everyone starts heading to bad, Ernestine helps herself to some of the snacks, and some water before staring longingly at the wine. However, she had to be at the top of her game still, so the light buzz she felt after drinking what she did was all that she got tonight.

Finally sleeping in a bed was not as great as she first thought. Ern had developed the odd habit of sleeping on her side, and finding that right spot took about 20 minutes. However, after finally laying on her back, and running through the spells she had selected, she finally drifted off to sleep.

The morning came, and Ernestine had not appeared from her room. In fact she had been sleeping for so long that it was nearly lunch when she finally showed up, groggy and asking"Where food?". When no one answered, she headed back into her room, and when the lunch appeared finally she returned outside only to be staring down the pikes. She shrugs, and starts helping herself. She smiles to the onlookers who stare at her, used to being looked at oddly.

Once Jareth says they are not here to cause trouble Ernestine pipes up, in Elven "Also, is there any chance I can use a bath? I have not had a decent one in a month!"

 

[ghostcat]

Trinham turns in at the same time as the others and has no trouble falling asleep. In fact he has a good night sleep. Apart, that is, from time he wakes up screaming dreaming of a huge green dragon bearing down on him, jaws open ready to breath. Getting himself under control, Trinham quickly falls back to sleep but wakes at sunrise. Being in the army has certainly effected his sleep cycle. Trinham stays in bed another half hour or so but fails to get back over and finally giving up trying and goes in search of breakfast.

Arriving in the main room, Trinham is disappointed to find that there is only left over fruit and waits around, despondently, until the others surface. Given Ernestine comments of the previous evening and his own nightmare, Trinham decides that he best prepare for the eventual encounter by finding out the strengths and, more importantly, the weaknesses of green dragons. Trinham has no illusions that he will survive such an encounter but he wants to make as good a showing as possible. Trinham spends the morning waiting for breakfast and questioning those present to find out what they know about green dragons.

Finally, food arrives and Trinham politely waits for the servers to move away from the table before going and tucking in.

Meanwhile Moggins has spent a great night investigating all of the interesting smells of the elven city. Finally just as dawn lights up the eastern sky, he finds a, well hidden, spot near the foot of Trinham's tower, curls up and goes to sleep.

 

[Fangor the Fierce]

Mal had taken the night to look out of the windows, partly to get his mind off of the enclosed room and also to get an idea of the layout of the town from a higher perspective. Checking the lock, he is a bit surprised to find that the windows are unlocked. Enticed to start crawling the walls on the outside, he thinks better on it and closes the window, staying put.

The night passes slowly, as well as the morning. When the doors open, and food is finally brought in, he ignores the threatening gestures from the elves. They didn't know any better, thinking that humans were the enemy.

Jareth speaks to them, and wonders just what they will say and what will happen next...

 

[HolyMan]

The rest of the day goes by with only one more visit to bring in more food, hot water and towels. As the group contemplates escape and the night tarries on, Tharivol cautions against any rash actions as they can't be undone.

Aver pipes in, "Plus elves are a long lived race. For us it isn't nothing to take a week or more to make a decision. But maybe you should remind the food bearers you aren't elven and that may get the attention of someone in charge." he says with a shrug. He hasn't complained once since his "captivity" almost as if he is enjoying his stay so far.


OCC: Due to my on again/off again internet problems moving things along.

_______________________________________________________

It is two days after their capture when the group is finally visited by someone other than food bearers and guards with spears. Two visitors actually...

The first elf is dark haired and wears a simple outfit of breeches, shirt, and vest. His long ears and pointed features are all that make him unable to fit in any common room found in Pesh. He wears a smile when he enters and makes introductions.

"I am Elder Tyion," he says with a small nod and heavily accented common. "I am currently the..."

{{ Shi cali sai myl sai saes ail saes cysordi jhalendri? }} the second elf says in half shock.

{{ Air shr shi thas aeros Eistaradys. }} Elder Tyion replies in elven.

With a nod the second elf, dressed in white robes and sandals, looks uneasily at the group. When his eyes fall on Tira he bursts out...

{{ Shar air sor? Cyrn air saesi sai car-tael caesi? }}

{{ Shi eir aeri Eistaradys. }} Elder Tyion says raising an hand his voice calm. Tharivol steps up in front of Tira protectively and gives the robed elf an evil glare.

"Please everyone be at ease. There is much to discuss and much more to resolve. First is how did all of you come to be here? How is it you walked right into Tirol?"

The Eistaradys just stands glaring hard visibly biting his tongue.

Tira looks first to Tharivol and then Jareth but doesn't speak.

[sblock=Elven translation]
We have to speak to them in their horrible language?

It would be far easier Ambassador.

What is this? How is there two half-men here?

Be at ease Ambassador
[/sblock]

 

[jackslate45]

Ernestine was NOT thrilled when the guards brought hot water and towels to use. However, it was better than nothing She took one of the bowls to her room, along with a couple of towels and some fruit, and locked the door behind her. She did not appear till later that night, her hair still wet from cleaning it out. The towels were covered in grime, dirt, dust, and blood. However, she looked alot prettier, now that she was not covered in grime. If only her clothes weren't covered in blood. When they came for the water the next day, she apologized for the towels, but thanked them for the opportunity for the bath, in elven.

When the two elves finally appeared, she caught the name of the Elder, but as he was interrupted by the Ambassador (who she had a gut feeling was the Treylor's ambassador. Things were going to plan then), she failed to find out what he is currently. Hopefully my memory does not fail me now.
She figured to let someone else do the talking, although she was ready for instructions on passage through the Ways.

 

[Dragonwriter]

Jareth’s curiosity is piqued as the two different elves enter. He approaches and stands before them at ease. He raises a cautious hand as his friend steps in front of his half-sister, as if to say “Calm down.”

Once the two elves finish speaking to each other and address the group, Jareth opens with a courtly bow. “{ { Ais air shyr vaeri si Eistaradys, shi tal tylaesi ail sor maes. Eilyraes os tia tystalol tal salari os vaerylaer sai syri shai talyr ialaesal os jhalendri.

“Eir thys os cerol, Aelaes Tyion, shi salaelaer caesi syl si Var os si Paer, shaelaer si thysaer. Ei codael varandri or os eilol Vester’s tali jhaer iar or thys si tylal eil ailai si shyr baes caesi. Thys sar vyl, shi shaesi eirdi sai shar. Shi tael baeraes poraeraes bys sai tari thaes eistyl os vaedi. Os ailael shar tysi sai myrn shi cali bai vaeryl sai codi, bys aelael sai shi mes tyr baendrys. } }”

He looks calmly to each of the two elves and gives them a nod, then looks to the three people he knows speak Elven (Tharivol, Ernestine and Tira). “One of you won’t mind translating, I assume?”

[sblock=Elven]
If it would please the Ambassador, we can converse in this speech. Another of my companions can translate your responses to those who cannot understand your language.

As for your questions, Elder Tyion, we traveled here through the Paths of the Dead, beneath the forest. A hidden passage out of ancient Vester’s cave let us out from the mountain and into the woods near here. From that point, we were able to walk. We meant neither disrespect nor to cause fear among your people. Our intent was more to show we have no reason to hide, nor even to be such cold neighbors.
[/sblock]

 

[jackslate45]

"I have no problems doing it." Ern pipes up, and starts translating for the rest of the group. Her mastery of languages shows, as her Elven to Common Translation is mostly accurate, even for a human.