"Do you want them to go with Walthon, or are you planning on giving them their justice here?"
"...don't tempt me..." Taisper mutters under his breath. He watches Alexius go off on his own, paying particular attention to the sword the man carries. At Svetlana's comment, the inquisitor makes a pained face and looks up at the lookout points on the walls, then out into the woods they just came from, which do seem to carry a strange menace with them today.
Shaking his head, Taisper stows his camping gear, then sits at a table with pen and paper and begins writing...
Our guest's visit was a smashing success! He provided financial assistance to help us keep his land's interests at heart over any other concerns. Surely this is something he will continue to pursue, and I will wait here eagerly to welcome him and observe him as always.
Your Obedient Servant,
Uncle Tipsy
Knowing the heads of the Inquisitorius would understand his barely-coded message, Taisper folds the message up and addresses the envelope to a name and place he was told once but didn't think he would ever need to know. He arranges for it to be sent with the next messenger out of the trading post.
Jemini shakes her head, "No, House Lebeda cannot cater as a prison for all the bandits we come across. Kressle is quite privileged in her own strange way." She shakes her head again, "No, we will form a make-shift court here, Verik can preside as judge; and -" she looks at the young man marching off, "- and Taisper will most likely act as executioner. Most will likely hang, or receive the sword. They were acting on under the orders of the Stag Lord himself, by own admission, so they are relatively high and trusted in the bandit's hierarchy."
Verik comes striding up, catching the last part of Jemini's statement. "Judge? I can make rulings as the legal technicalities, but I would really prefer it if someone else were to actually render judgment. Perhaps a group of somebodies so that no single individual must face the terrible choice of condemning someone to death." He casts a quick glance at Taisper, off at one of the tables in the center of the fort. "Not everyone is capable of making such decisions, and not everyone wants to be!"
The bandit who first surrendered raises a quick objection to that plan. "Um, do I get some sort of legal counsel here? After all, I did surrender, and I do want to change my ways! After all, I didn't set out to a life of banditry. I was pressed into it against my will by that one and some dreadful woman. Dovan told me that if I didn't assist him, he would cut off my fingers and send them to my family. He said that they'd get my head when the Stag Lord paid them a visit, which would be the last gift they'd ever get."
Dovan nods in agreement. "Yes, I did indeed. Nick here turned out pretty well at the whole banditry thing, though. Even killed a fellow a few weeks back without being ordered to. I was so proud." His dry lack of affect rolls off his tongue. "Can I just plead guilty now and get to my execution?"
Here Jemini interjects, "Actually no, we require your testimony at the court as well. It is rather easy to give lip service and affect a change of heart at the threat of death. Verik here can to some extent induce divine sanctity on what is spoken to verify truths; but this is not in itself enough to incriminate someone, nor to pass final judgment on them."
Jemini turns to Verik, smiling encouragingly at him: "I think your reluctance is what makes you a good candidate to be the judge. Don't give onto them who want power, but those that would rather not have it - as they have a far greater understanding of the burden such power carries. I believe this is one of several points where Irori and Abadar strongly agree. I cannot think of a better man to weigh the certainties of the law with the imperfections of life."
Verik still seems quite reluctant, but he tends to do whatever Jemini asks of him. "All right, but it will have to wait until two days from now. I don't have any truth-telling spells prepared for today, and we'll be busy tomorrow with Taxfest." He pulls out a small tablet and begins writing notes, muttering to himself about the legal necessities as he walks off.
Over on the other side of the fort, Ilyana approaches Taisper with Nicholas Jr. in tow. She smiles at him, pushing forward the young boy a bit. "He wanted to see you. Truth be told..." She trails off as she looks at the prisoners with Jemini and the others. "Nicholas?" She breaks into a run over to them. "Nicholas! You're alive! Why is he tied up?" She starts untying his restraints while continuing to hug and cry in joy at seeing her husband alive.
"Oh Gods.." Loosing his smile Berrin grimances at the coming emotional torrent he knows eill be coming from the poor woman and child. Stone faced he quickly goes over to Ilyana and lays his hands over hers, stopping her from untying Dovan, or Nicholas, whatever his name was.
"No. Stop. Please, stop." he says as gently as he can. Taking her hands firmly he raises her up and starts leading her away. "Please, go with Taisper. You'll see your husband soon enough."
Dovan sneers as Ilyana embraces Nicholas. "Oh, dear, the little wife's here. Though I don't think she's going to want you once she finds out what you've been up to, Nick."
Ilyana wipes away her tears and tries to pull away from Berrin, looking up pleadingly at the others. "What's going on? Why is my husband tied up? He was a prisoner!" She strains in Berrin's arms, but he is far stronger than her.
"Please Ilyana, we'll need to keep them for now. We'll clear this up, I'm sure, but for now, Nicholas needs to remain in bonds. They attacked us in the wilds, half-heartedly at best. Driven on by their leader, but you must understand, we need to clear this up. he says in the same voice, trying his utmost not to cause a scene. "Ignore Dovan. He's a prick, and an evil one at that. Men do many thing to survive Ilyana, I'm sure you Nic did what he did so he could get back to you but please. You must let us sort this."
'I think it best that we keep Nicholas seperate from the other bandits, and Dovan and Kressle seperate aswell. I suggest we gag them all and put Dovan and Kressle at opposite ends of the stable, with the others in a stall in between. We can tie Nicholas to a post out here so that nothing untoward happens to him, then post watches in four hour chunks with three guards inside and two outside. Svetlana, do you have a bell we can give to the guards in the stable? I can perform an augury to see if leaving Nicholas outside is safer for everyone. Does that seem fair?' Tandlara asks, her head cocked to one side, her face expressionless and distant, she looks exceptionally alien for a moment, green eyes betraying as little of her thoughts as they show white.
Ilyana is crying and begging, while being held back by Berrin. Nicholas Jr. is similarly wailing inconsolably, but Nicholas can't do anything to comfort his family. He looks up at his captors, begging them for enough freedom to hug his wife and son. "Please, I beg of you, just let me hold my family. I did what I did to protect them, not because I wanted to!"
Dovan, eyes still glazed over with Tandlara's spell, laughs at this. "Please. You have a dozen opportunities to get free and see your precious family. Truth is that you were glad to be free of them."
Ilyana spits on Dovan's face from a few feet away. "You shut up! You're a liar and a thief and a murderer! You took my husband away from me and a father away from his son! I'll hang you myself if they'll let me!" She turns back to the others. "Please, I beg of you, let him go. He didn't choose this life. I'm sure that he would have left them if it was safe. He just stayed to keep us safe."
Jemini looks serious, but there's a soft edge to her eyes. "I think there is no harm in allowing Nicholas to embrace his family again. It's not like he can use that as a chance to escape - nor, I think, would he want to right now. But -" she adds to Ilyana, "- we have to keep and try him as any of the other bandits. The law will be served. This is not just a formality, the lives of many lie in the balance. You must also trust that justice will be served. If you understand this, then you understand that this is the way that your husband can walk from this with his head held high."
Taisper is gobsmacked as he watches events unfold, but there is a certain divine irony at play that quickly sets right his equilibrium. He shakes his head. of course it would turn out this way but you know what the cards are and you knew how this would At Jemini's words, Taisper stands and takes out a dagger and walks steadily towards Nicholas. When he gets there he gives Ilyana a long, steady look. "I told you we'd bring him back to you, didn't I?" he says softly "I'm sorry these are the circumstances, but facing justice is better than being found dead, I reckon." He smiles ruefully, figuring his words bring cold comfort, if any.
they were gonna see eventually they got eyes don't they and anyway you know kids they
The inquisitor steps between Ilyana and Nicholas. they don't care they don't understand they don't know what you "Look, Nick, man..." Taisper shakes his head just the tiniest bit, and looks the erstwhile bandit in the eye. "...you better not be lying." It is not a threat, it is not a posture; it's just the truth. Taisper really wishes that Kressel and Dovan and these other fools would realize that. Save 'em a world of hurt if they did. After giving Jemini and the others a nod, he moves around behind Nick and cuts his bonds, but stays behind him and on guard.
'Can we please get rid of these now? We're only stirring them all up and giving poor, blind Dovan his childish showtime. I'm not built to manhandle however, so if someone could move them into the stables and keep them apart like I suggested we'll all have alot more peace and calm to discuss and think about this calmly.' Tandlara watches Nicholas as Taispar releases him, wary of more trouble, before turing her gaze back to Dovan, with his cloudy eyes, the mark of her magicks. My power is returning, this is good.
Releasing Ilyana Berrin steps out of her way as she rushes into her husbands arms. Clasping his hands behind his back Berrin watches as husband and wife are reunited, if only briefly, with a pained sting in his chest. 'Not right, man having to go through that with wife and kid at home worrying.'
Letting his eyes come to rest on Dovan Berrin quickly strides over to the man and cuffs him roughly on the cheek before he can have words to ruin the reunion.
Sending the bound man realing from the blow he rises with a split lip and a sneer on his face. "Quiet! Berrin snaps at him and grabs his reins and drags him forcibly to the stables. "Not a frakking word out of you you hellbound worm! You'll have plenty to chat about when we whant you to chat! Untill then you keep your mouth shut till we tell ya! ... Berrin's voice trails off as he disapears into the stables followed by two Lebeda guardsmen.
Corwin looks on a bit in disbelief at the talk of trials and legal rulings.
They attacked us. Whats the point of going through a mummer's farce of a trial? Either hang them or let them go but why waste everyones time.
Later he is striding toward the restrained Dovan to shut him up when Berrin acts first. He smiles at the man, Gods this one never shuts up does he. He takes the other arm of the bandit leader dragging him roughly.
With Berrin ending the debate, things go back to normal in the Trading Post. Dinner is a bit subdued, though Svetlana does her best to raise the spirits of the camp. Zander returns back to the fort at dusk, carrying a magnificent stag on his back and a backpack filled with moon radishes. Svetlana takes both of them, with Oleg practically gleeful when he sea the radishes. By the time night falls completely, their moods are lifted considerably and laughter bounces around the walls. Even Ilyana seems in better spirits, though she obviously wants to go to her husband.
Verik is first up, like a child on his birthday. "It's Taxfest! Blessings of the Lawgiver upon you all! This day, we celebrate the great value of shared expenditures for the common good! Through fair taxation, all of society is improved!" He rushes out from the guest house to prepare, throwing the faint light of the sunrise in with the others.
Jemini is up early enough to race Bokken to the top of the palisade. The snippets - real or imagined - that he told of his life kept coloring Jemini's perception of him in absurd and grand new directions each morning. It was a guilty pleasure that her more disciplined side did not want to admit to.
As she climbs down the ladder to terra firma she laughs at Verik, "Abadar's laws and economic acumen be honored! ...but really, maybe you should learn to invest in a good bard that can paint a more palatable picture of the greater good." She winks at him, "But today it doesn't matter, there will be merriment one way or another - Bokken over here will see to that - and for the occasion today, I've decided to sponsor a 100 gold prize for the most graceful couple to join the dances this afternoon - and if you will judge on it, I'll be offering a run of Oleg's sweets for the child that shows the greatest aptitude for numbers!" She gives Verik a great big hug and a kiss on the cheek: "Happy Taxfest Verik!"
"oh, come on..." Berrin groans as Verik tears open the door with all the grace of a bear just out of hybernation. Laying still for a moment Berrin shifts and ties to find a more comfortable postition to continue sleeping, after shifting several more times he finally sits up with a sigh. "Why's ereryone waking me all the time." he moans and rises. Blinking sleep out of his eyes he tryes to smoothe down his hair as he makes his way to the washbin for a cold splash to wake up. Dunking his head in he comes up with a gasp, heart rasing and short of breath. "That'll do it!" he hollars to no-one in particular.
Changing into clean clothing he checks on Valnir before making his way to the breakfast table.
Tandlara rises in her own time this morning, electing to wear the white dress Svetlana had given her, now newly washed, with bare feet and bits of flowers and twigs woven into her fair hair.
She is all smiles as she wanders off to prepare spells, and after returning to her friends climbs onto the walls to observe the activities which are already starting to fill the palisade with laughter and cheer. Zander joins her after a time, clearly uncomfortable with the influx of new faces, and as wary as Tandlara of the Stag Lord launching another attack on the very day of their celebrations. Their silence is a comfortable one of friednship, not needing to fill the quiet moments between them as they look out and see the first celebrants begin to arrive, in drips and drabs, new faces, unused to such community after living in the dangerous wilds of the Stolen Lands, Tandlara's smiling but alien face, and Zanders wary, handsome expression greeting them as they look up above the gate before entering Oleg's.
The inhabitants of the Stolen Lands are few and far between, but somehow Bokken's call has drawn nearly all of them in to Oleg's Trading Post. It isn't more than a few dozen people, but it's more than they've seen since leaving Restov several weeks ago. They are hardy settlers, much like Ilyana and Nicholas or Oleg and Tatyana. While they are mostly worshippers of Erastil, they are not the type to turn down a big party celebrating the spring. Before long, the party is in full swing. Several of the locals brought instruments, starting a lively rural tune and engaging in dancing and merriment. Bokken stands on a table, barely coming up over the heads of the partygoers, and calls for quiet. "A moment for a speech! In honor of Abadar and the fine adventurers who are making these lands safe, welcome to Oleg's Trading Post! Many have tried to tame this land, but none with the express blessing of the Lawgiver. I was speaking to him the other day and he told me, 'Bokken, this group will do quite a bit of good. Help them in any way that you can.' I intend to take those words to heart." He raises a mug to them. "To the brave men and women working to free this land from the tyranny of the Stag Lord! Huzzah!" The assembled group shouts in unison, happily praising their quest to be free of the bandit menace.
When Bokken is about to step down from the table, Jemini joins him atop. She lifts a pouch, shaking it a bit to make it jingle and tinkle. "This is the prize for this years Taxfest! It will go to the couple that show us the best dance this afternoon, and the honorable Bokken and I will be the judges!" She winks meaningfully at the table with the most musically gifted visitors, who quickly catch-on and raise a toe-tapping ditty that has little words, but a hip-liberating melody. "And before you fall all over your feet, me and Bokken here will show you how its done!" She grabs Bokken, fully expecting to coerce him into a dance - but is not at all prepared for Bokken's exotic moves. She does her best to keep up - silently thanking her mom to have enforced such a broad educational regiment. But even so, she laughs and keeps up with the gyration as best she can. What is this? Some bastardization of Khatapesh belly dancing? There's no end to this man's mystery.
Tandlara's eyes are brought back over the interior of Oleg's as the music picks up. She cannot contain her smile as people begin to take they're wives and sweethearts by thier hands and join the merry jig. She sways gently as she watches them, entranced by the lively music, but so familiar and so alien from her own distant past. A music of fast living, of firm loves, of entire lives passed by in the blink of an eye. An inherently human dance.
Zander taps her on the shoulder and mutters 'I'll keep watch up here just fine. You can go and join them. Just... Uh don't get too drunk!' He smiles weakly, and stiffly, reminding Tandlara of the burns that lie still beneath his magical disguise. Tandlara kisses him on the cheek and smiles at him, before moving down to join the small crowd. Once down there she stops to stand beside a bowed, but still wiry and strong looking old man. He looks at her with glassy, saddened eyes. 'My Jessa would ha' loved this. She always liked to dance she did,' he taps his feet to the rhythm, sad yet happy in all the varied messy, emotional complexity of humanity. 'Lifes too short so it is, but thats the way of things I reckon.'
Not for me, I have watched it vagaries play out a score of times, and will watch them many more. At seeing the man's smile, Tandlara elects to put aside her own sadness, and take his hand, leading him to join the dance, she moves with swift elven grace, and quickly learns the steps from the old man, who dances in turn with suprising dexterity. Any watching her would be astounded by the falling away of her calm facade, broken by twinkling eyes, dancing feet and a clear, beautiful laugh, rarely heard and quick to fall to silence. Today her laughter continues for the entire song and a few breathes beyond.
Jemini has a great time - and two hours pass in almost no time - but eventually she and Bokken have to get to the hard task of figuring out just what pair brings the most dance to Taxfest. Given the exuberance and - to not put too fine a point to it - intoxicating nature of the festival under Bokken's influence, all dancers were great. But both Bokken and Jemini agree in the end that the most fitting couple are a strapping and only slightly homely woodsman that had quite literally swept a shy onlooker off her feet and danced with an unexpected and temperamental grace that was natural to many of the proud free men of the River Kingdoms. Jemini gladly offers him and his partner the prize - 100gp - that turns out a little later to also double as an engagement gift for the two.
Jemini's next activity for the day is trying to entertain and teach the children that have gathered at the festival. But, given all the excitement that the day brings, she just finds no way to settle them down sufficiently to make them do anything remotely work or education related. "Ooo you're so pretty!", "Do you live here long?", "Where you from?", "Are you really a paladin?", "What is a paladin?", "Do you like someone?", "My mommy says that you aren't here to stay!", "Dance with us! Dance with us!"... eventually she gives up and contends herself with telling some stories and answering questions that the kids barrage her with. Most meaningful, is her answer to "Why are you a paladin?" In response, Jemini answers:
"A paladin is a very special form of warrior, someone who is devoted to their god and -" "What god what god is your god!?" "- erm, actually I, not just one god. I follow three gods -" "Eeehh??" "- yes, Iomedae, Sarenrae and Irori -" "I know Iomedae! I know Iomedae!", "Me too!", "Iro-- who?" "Well let me explain first: each god represents different aspects of what I believe are the cornerstones of good and law. A paladin needs to be both good and follow the law -" "Can you be good and not follow the law?" Uh-oh... "That is... well, it can happen yes. Almost always to be good you also need to follow the law - but sometimes the laws serve a bad end; or somebody does a little bad thing to make a big good thing happen." "Eeeh? Is that okay?" "- ultimately we all need to find that answer in our heart. Me, I don't think it is right to break the law. Now Sarenrae, I like her teachings that say there is good in us all; and Iomedae - she's the one that shows a woman can be strong and act against the evil and corruption in this world. Irori, he's the god of knowledge and self-perfection. He wants us to become better at who we are. I like what all three of them say, so I decided to follow all three." "Did you always want to become a paladin?", "I will become a hero!", "I want to be like my dad!" Jemini sighs a little, with a smile, "Actually no, when I was a little girl I didn't want to become a paladin, it actually never occurred to me. Let me tell you the story..." "Oooo!", "Yay!"
"When I was a young girl, just a few years older than you. My dad took me to meet a boy." "Did you like him?", "Are you married?" "Now now, be patient, you'll hear it all soon enough: my dad did in fact did want me to marry that boy. But I didn't want to!" "But why not?", "Wouldn't he be your prince?", "I want to marry a prince!" "Well think about it, do you want to marry someone that you've never met before? And only so that your dad and his dad could get along better?" "Oh", "Noooo" "Well, I could not just say no without at least meeting the boy; my dad would have had my hide! So we traveled to visit him, he was quite far away, several days of travel in fact. Finally, before the day we were supposed to meet, we stayed for the night at a big inn." "I stayed at an inn once!", "Uh, me too!", "No you haven't!", "Have too!" "But! That night a big fire broke out in the inn!" "Oh no!!" "It was terrible! So dark and I couldn't breathe. But then suddenly the flames broke into my room, and everything was burning. It was so hot!" The faces of the children are painted with silent horror as Jemini tells the story, "I was so scared, and I couldn't find my dad and I couldn't run away. And then... then he appeared. That boy I was supposed to meet. He and his dad had gone hunting that day and were on the way back to their home when they saw the inn burn. The boy -" "Who?", "Who is the boy?" Jemini's face turns a little sad with the memory. "Not is. Was. His name was Zander of Orlovsky. He died in that fire. But first he came in, jumping through the flames - he gave me a wet towel to hold before my mouth so I could breathe easier, then together we made to escape - but just when we thought we made it suddenly falling timbers buried him and we couldn't get him out in time. I only found out the next day that he was the boy I was supposed to meet. He was a hero and saved my life! But he paid for it with his own life. I... I decided to become a paladin to be like him. I wanted to be as brave and do the right thing, just like Zander Orlovsky. That. That is how I decided became a paladin."
The eyes of the children are still big from the telling of the story, and they start disbanding as they notice that Jemini is apparently in her own world and not really responding to them anymore. They go off, soon starting up a game of playing heroes and princesses.
The party is one of great celebration, one that no one expected to see with the shadow of the Stag Lord looming over the whole of the Stolen Lands. Bokken's ale is quickly consumed, as is Svetlana's cooking. The dozens of guests dance, laugh, tell stories, and enjoy each other's company. Verik looks on appreciatively from above, not quite partaking in the enjoyment but still proud of the festivities. He finds Taisper, putting his hand on his cousin's shoulder from behind. "Abadar must be proud of us, to give us such an opportunity to build a community with such fine people. Truth be told, while the Bishop's orders were unequivocal in not allowing me to sally forth into the wild with you, I don't mind my role. I relish it, in fact. You all are the heroes, not me. I'm just the one who makes it easier for you all to be what you are all meant to be, and I like that role. People are going to talk about you, Taisper, and how you spread the word of Abadar into the untamed wild with no fear and no doubt. They're going to talk about all of you, because you are something special. You're all someone special."
Zander patrols the top of the battlements, keeping an eye out for trouble. Even with the Stag Lord's scouts defeated, the bandit king may still prove troublesome. He could likely do quite a bit of injury to them with so many civilians in their care. In all honesty, Zander still feels like he is not truly a part of their world, but rather its silent protector. For so long, everyone looked at him with fear, revulsion, and pity. The magical repair of his visage is not enough to repair the damage to his social skills and self-image. When looking at the mirror, he looks past the imperfect magical disguise and still sees the burned young boy, the angry young man. He is the lost son of a noble house, cast aside by a father who was more concerned with appearance than whatever love he might feel for his flesh and blood. He is too focused on not interacting with people who might see through the magic to hear Jemini's story, and too distracted by his thoughts to see what is coming.
"Wait, what..?" Berrin interupts as Jemini concludes her story. Having enjoyed himself imensely during the dance, finding a comely daughter to dance with, and now on his third tankard of ale Berrin had been moping about looking for Jemini to see when she'd get into the dunk tank. Blushing a little as his trin of though is interrupted he thinks a bit guiltily back to the morning when he rigged the trigger to respond to even a glancing hit. "Zander Orlovsky? Umm.. Jemini, we need to talk." he says, grabbing her by the arm and tugging her away from the children.
Getting Jemini to a spot out of earshot by most Berrin geives a thin smile to passerbys who give them a knowing look with a wink or a grin, shaking his head he dismisses them from his mind, not really caring what impression they are giving sneaking off. "Look, Jemin. I eh.. I don't know if I should be telling ya but eh.. I couldn't help over hearing see, and eh.. how to put this.. eh.. You know Zander, our Zander, he told me a few days back that he's Zander Orlovsky!" he finishes in a rush, waiting on Jemini to either laugh in his face or slap him.
Taisper, perhaps surprisingly, has been a bit of a blur at the party. The chance to lose himself amongst the revelry (or as close to revelrous as Abadarians get, anyway) native to his faith has proven a surprising and welcome break from what he feels is the constant...judgment of himself by those around him all the time.
He tries not to dwell on the irony of that.
Indeed, while filled with trepidation at the outset, once people streamed in, the inquisitor felt the divine guidance of Abadar washing over everyone, and pouring through himself and, he assumed, Verik and any other Abadarians on the premises. Grinning like a fool and relaxing for what feels like the first time in years, he saunters easily into the revelry.
While continuing to abstain from alcohol, Taisper is never seen without a mug in his hand -- pungent cider, fresh clear water, fruit juices, these things are all easily obtained at a shindig such as this and the youngster takes advantage of it. His easygoing air and laconic smile gains him entry to any group, makes him welcome in any conversation. He starts out in a group of Kesten's men and finally gets some laughs for the duck joke. I knew it I knew it! Still gotta work on the delivery. If the men are in their cups and as willing to laugh at a weird rock as a told joke, well, Taisper doesn't let that phase him. After hanging about with the men, he dives in to the dance contest, partnering first with a frontierswoman, then in a big-brotherly gesture, with someone's very-young daughter, putting the child's small feet on his and "dancing" about, badly of course, but earning some indulgent smiles from various parents. He smiles wistfully as he remembers growing up and watching his dad do similar things with he and his siblings before the Time and the Accident before UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY and he cheers loudly for the winners.
After chatting for a bit with Bokken, marveling at the man's ability to recall or invent detail remember this you remember this they must all believe all the time your failure with the bishop is not forgotten NEVER AGAIN , Taisper eventually finds himself sitting with his cousin, the two having a civil conversation and what looks like a brief moment of prayer together for the first time in quite a while, a little ways set apart from the rest of the goings-on. It is dark, and the night is pleasant and the air fresh, even with multiple fires going. At Verik's comment, the younger cousin looks over, a bit surprised.
"I suppose you're right, Verik, though I reckon all who are part of this will be remembered, if it goes as we are led by the Master to believe it will go. Whatever each of our roles are, we are all cogs in the great machine of the goodness of civilization and commerce. Of community. Of family." Taisper sits, then, and watches Nicholas, Ilyana, and Nicholas Jr. His face is unreadable in the flickering firelight.
Tandlara happily chats with Svetlana after her dance, and is soon roped into helping the woman, wearing an old apron of hers the elven woman stalks around bare-footed, avoiding spilled ale, and broken shards of mug that are the inevitable footprint of big parties like these. People become increasingly merry and one man tries to grab her to sit on his lap, though she easily evades his clumsy grab, illiciting a round of loud guffaws from his still seated friends.
After helping Svetlana with the busiest of the serving, she begins to talk to older members of the party, asking them about the land, its moods and secrets, and of course, its secret inhabitants, the fey. Like all elderly humans, they are glad for an attentive audience, and unlike a young short-lived human, Tandlara has all the time in the world to listen to their tales.
Jemini stares at Berrin, comprehension slipping from her. "What... are you saying?" Jemini's flustered, even a bit angry, "I was there, at the funeral. His body was... shown..." She firms up, "There must be some mistake. Some misunderstanding. ...don't. Don't worry about it." She smiles.
And leaves.
His body, at the funeral. But Zander. Zander's face! It's burnt and crushed. Just like... like Zander. Zander! What is this? With ever increasing purpose she moves through the yard, keeping an eye open for Zander; she spots him eventually - far off from the crowd on the palisade.
"Zander. Zander!" Jemini grips the man by both shoulders, her eyes burn in a confusion of anger and tears and - and hope. "Zander! WHO are you? Tell me! Berrin says you are Orlovsky! Zander Orlovsky! The boy who saved my life!! WHO ARE YOU ZANDER??"
'Oh crap.' Berrin sinks a bit from Jemini as she goes full circle mood swings before his eyes, raising his hands defencively he backs off a step. "Hey, hey. Lets not be hasty ok? You must admit it explains a lot about him right? First of his burnt skin and then his dislike for anything to do with nobility and birthright." he tries to explain but ends up talking to the back of Jemini's head as she stalks off with a purpose in her stride. "Let's not be hasty, ok?" he tries one last time, calling after her. 'Oh crap.' he thinks again, left by himself to suffer the curious stares of the party goers. Meeting a few gazes he just shrugs, takes a swig of ale and heads back into the crowd.
Corwin does not initially get caught up in the Taxfest holiday spirit. He is heard to remark that the priesthood of Abadar encouraging the celebtration is something like whores encouraging the spreading of syhpilis, with the same uncomfortable feeling. After a long lecture by Verik he rapidly retreats to ensure the prisoners are secure.
He thinks of his family and their celebrations this day. Pretty much the same as every holiday. A few pious noises to satisfy the priests and smallfolk layered over self-satisfied smiles. He knew how his father and brothers really celebrated Taxfest, tallying the family coffers and counting the family influence.
It wasn't all bad though. Being too low to sit on the high table meant that he often got to attend celebrations with the family retainers and soldiers. He'd had his first full cup of ale at a celebration feast, given to him by a friendly serving man. He could still remember the taste, thick and creamy.
He finds his way back to the party, now in full swing. He liberates a mug and does his best to join in even taking a few turns to the lively music, although his dancing is in no danger of taking Jemini's prize.
When Verik leaves to give Corwin a piece of his mind, Taisper stays put on the construction scaffolding for a bit, watching everything and just smiling. gosh it's been a while since I've been just...content to sit a spell like this. feels nice. a calm before the storm of the stag lord. the hell that'll break loose when we-
His reverie is interrupted by Jemini stalking across the grounds calling out for Zander. Taisper raises an eyebrow, wonder what that's all about but has no idea if he should go after her or not. Seeing Berrin remain behind, and not wanting to kill his pleasant mood, the inquisitor initially decides that discretion is the better part of valor, and is about to stay put, when he remembers his dream of the prior night. He sighs, but not in exasperation. He offers a prayer to the master, in crisply enunciated celestial...
"Salyeln act xelelqeln.
I yracx zuo bun vhaniyz.
I yracx zuo bun sz toyz.
I wu bunyr I as zuon ractl,
Zuon elzell, zuon elanl.
I yracx zuo bun sz toyz."
...and trots off after Jemini. He hangs back a little ways, but doesn't make a concerted effort to be quiet. At this point, he's just curious.
Zander seems wholly taken aback by Jemini's upbraiding. He hesitates, looking back and forth between her and Berrin, occasionally glancing at Taipser as well. "I... It's not..." His magical disguise flickers momentarily as he loses concentration, revealing the scarred face underneath. "I can explain."
He does have to, as he doesn't have time for another word when a horn blows from the south side of the battlements. One of Kesten's men, the unlucky one who drew the short straw and is thus wholly sober, points into the dim light of dusk. "There's a group of men coming from the south!" Zander, thankful for the reprieve, rushes to see the group. The party abruptly quiets, the sounds of celebration replaces by anxious murmurs.
Looking over the walls, the assembled partygoers see a dozen men several hundred feet off on foot. They are not moving aggressively or tactically towards the fort, though they don't seem casual in any way. The guards from both House Garess and House Lebeda rush out in front of the open gates, despite the intoxication of several of them. A single man, a large fellow with long hair, walks out from the group towards the fort alone. He holds his hands out to the side, showing that he is unarmed. Kesten, quickly coming to the front of the defense atop his horse, holds up a hand to have his men hold their fire. "Halt! Who are you?"
The man stops, now about a hundred feet from the guards. He shouts back to Kesten. "I am Akiros Ismort, liege to the Stag Lord. He extends the courtesy of a truce for the evening and requests entry to partake in your celebration." Akiros is a man of some presence, even this far away, every word burning with intensity and purpose.
Taisper's eyes narrow and he ducks back down out of sight. He whispers up to his companions. "You guys! Movement in the woods. Lots of them! I'll bet this guy is just a distraction. I'm gearing up!" The inquisitor sprints to the guest house to get his shield and see if he can find Corwin. En route, he mutters to anyone who will listen; "There are more of them in the woods, many more. Be on your guard!" As one who has never had alcohol, Taisper does not understand the concept of "drunk", or that many of the men here will not be as helpful as they could be if this is an attack.
Corwin heads to the gate at the sound of the horn. He yells at two of the Garess guards, more drunker than they should be, You two! Don't just stand there. Get ready to close and bar the gates. Do it now!
Intimidate (if required)
He scans the approaching group.
Perception
Knowledge nobility
At Akiros's words he chuckles, A gutsy move or a ploy. I say let them come in if they leave their weapons outside. If its an attack they won't, if they do then we can end this now!
After fetching his shield and weapons, Taisper takes up a position not far from Corwin, ready to help with the doors, and calls upon the Master for protection. "Corwin. More of them in the woods. Lots more. Be careful!" Taisper hisses to the bigger warrior.
After warning Corwin, the inquisitor speaks clearly in celestial, eyeing the woods balefully as he does so.
"Salyeln. Lrielht sel ic yrel yalx pelbunel sel.
Uc yril zuon ruhz taz.
Bnus yrulel fru uqqulel yrel haf,
Bnus yrulel fru lqnelat tilvunt."
Golden energy coalesces around him, causing halation of the firelight about his person.
As the alarm rings it takes a moment or two for Jemini to switch gears, but then she doesn't hesitate to shout out: "Zander! Taisper! I trust you two to deal with the outside threat, I will organize the defense in here! Buy as much time as you can."
She rushes back into the courtyard, rallying the frightened and unsure crowd as she goes. "Everybody! Gather here! Women and children come quickly! Yes you too!" She beckons Svetlana, "Take these people into the main building and get the windows and doors barred." To a man looking unsure, "Yes, you can go with your wife." Louder, "All able bodied men who wish to fight, please enter the building with the women and children! You're the last line of defense! May Sarenrae ensure that it won't come to that..."
"Walthon! I need two men with wet burlap sacks on top of the building here! If the bandits want to lay fire, I want them to stop burning the moment they touch the building!" She retrieves her shield and sword, keeping her arms at ready, but tries to maintain an encouraging disposition as she helps guide the masses into the building and organizes the defenses around her.
Finally, when the door closes in front of her she turns around and readies to defend the innocent to the last blood. Iomedae, steel our resolve! May no one with taint in their heart touch this building!
Looking up at the sound of the horn Berrin lays down his tankard and gets up to head for the battlements. Seeing the explosion of movement he hustles to his bunk to retrieve his arms and armor, carrying them outside he dumps them uncerimoniously on the ground in front of the first man he comes accross. "Help me get this on." he says picking up his breastplate and starting on the buckles.
Tandlara's smile dies with the sound of the horn, her face goes dead and still for a moment. Then she snarls and races towards the palisade, climbing the ladder to get up on the wall to join Taispar and Zander.
When she reaches them she whispers 'Whats the plan? Shall we invite the near few in if they surrender weapons? At least we could seperate them.'
Jemini overlooks the defenses once more, then she shouts to Kesten, "Hey! Kesten! I trust you and your boys can cover the palisade? Then I'll have Walthon and the Lebeda soldiers act as reserve, support and maintaining this place from the inside!"
"Have someone roll out the water barrels, if their going for the same tacktic as Happs and his boys we'll need it. Berrin shouts to Jemini as he holds the chestpiece in place for the happless farmer to strap on. "Let's just hope we can save Bokken's ale." he mutters, seeing visions of it beeing up-turned over a flame.
After Taisper's warning, Corwin peers at the trees trying to make out the other bandits.
Keep him talking. Corwin says quietly to Kesten. Lets see how many want to come in and watch what the others do. You men watch for a rush on the gate.
He scans the group with the herald looking for a bandit with a stag helmet.
Standing near Corwin, Taisper speaks again in celestial, beseeching the Master for speed:
"Wnelay Vupphelruub, helct lqelelt yu sz belely,
Qufeln yu sz helwl.
Yrel payyhelbielht fihh pel sicel."
Akiros continues walking forward as the fort's defenses mass against a potential attack. He reaches a dozen feet from Kesten's men and stops. "We aren't here to attack. I have a genuine offer from the Stag Lord to the group that has come to the Stolen Lands from Brevoy. He wishes to meet you face-to-face. These men are here to ensure that this is not a meeting that ends in violence." He looks at them, scanning to determine who is the leader of the group.
Listening to the shouting over the wall Berrin sighs and gestures to the farmer helping him with the armor. "Come on." And heads up to the palisade.
Coming forward, the trembling farmer still struggling with the straps, he sees the messanger standing there like he's safe as can be. Somthing about him riles Berrin. Nevertheless Berrin does his best to strike a pose, not wanting to loose any grounds to the bandit lieutenant.
"State your piece." he shouts. "Ya ain't coming in." "No way am I sharing Bokken's ale with you lot." he adds to himself giving the farmer a thin smile of embarasement as he realizes he said that out loud, hoping Akiros didn't hear that.
Taisper gives Berrin a surprised look, then shakes his head and smiles. Well, to be fair, that's probably as good a reason as any not to let them in...
Jemini strains to hear the intercourse between the bandit and Berrin, but only catches incoherent snippets. Perhaps for the better, she thinks with something approaching Irorian wisdom.
"Verik, I think you're best stationed along with me here in the courtyard. Captain Walthon! Have a man assigned to Verik here, to support and assist him as needed. A cleric will be invaluable for the safety of Oleg's, and I would feel better if there is a man dedicated to the task of keeping this cleric safe."
Corwin walks casually over to Berrin.
Sure the idea of sharing the ale is a difficult one to stomache but should we give up the chance to see our enemy up close? And if the right opportunity should present itself to deal with this stag lord here and now...
Akiros prepares to turn and leave, clearly feeling angry at Berrin's rebuff. "Fine, have it your way! Don't complain and say that the Stag Lord never tried to be diplomatic! I guarantee that no blood will be shed today, but I can't make the same promise afterwards." Every word is launched with incredible force of personality, the underlying anger in his voice bubbling to the top.