Stuck between a rock and a hard place Berrin looks uncertainly from Corwin to Akiros and back again. "Look, it's not that... oh, hey! See, I didn't mean that... oh hells!"
"Hey! Hold your horses there. Wait just one fraking moment." he calls out to Akiros, his face a storm he heads over to the inner side of the palisade and shouts out, "Jemini! Thers a frakker her who wants to talk. Get up here would ya? ..or send Verik, he's good at diplomacy too right?" and heads back to look at Akiros, a frown of displeasure on his face.
"Look, I don't care about the ale as such." he mutters to Corwin, eyeing Akiros suspiciously. "I'm just not particularly keen on letting that guy in to sit at our tables."
Neither do I. No doubt we'll be trying to kill each other soon enough. But look if they have any brains at all they already know all about you. At least one of the people here today enjoying the dancing and ale will have provided information for coin. We can be careful about how many we let in and see them up close.
Taisper lets out a little sigh, and steps forward a bit. The slight, obviously young, laconic inquisitor puts himself in between the forces in the fort and the now-angered Akiros. He gives no sign he is aware of the forces in the woods. Clad only in his plain mail and battered leather, with his shield arm down and weapon latched, he is the epitomy of a young adventurer in over his head. His mail doesn't even fit completely right.
Thankfully, his veins still run ice cold. Akiros' temper means nothing to him he's just meat look at him breathin' all his meat breath the blood's so close you see this one you look him too
"Hey, whoa. Okay. Hey. I'm sorry, man. Look, we been jumped a bunch of times, you know? I bet you can identify with that, right? Just trying to look around the woods and BANG! Someone's all over you. No it's alright, we're all just a mite confused here, friend; all we been hearing the whole time we're here is how the Stag Lord's this ultimate tough guy who runs the place, you know? How he's gonna crush us all and all that. Sure enough a bunch of his people been attacking us. And now you're here to make nice. Maybe you can understand why we're all a mite touchy? Huh?"
Taisper smiles lazily, his eyes sleepy-looking in imitation of some of the drunker fellas inside. The inquisitor is just within his running distance if this goes south, though it looks like he's hanging himself out to dry since his enhanced speed gives him more range than would be expected.
"So, I think we're willing to chat a bit with maybe you and just two guys at first. Sound reasonable? But you gotta tell me why, first, why he wants to talk. 'Cos from where I'm standing I reckon it don't make a lotta sense." Taisper's smile grows wider, as if Akiros and he were the best of friends, sharing a laugh. "Oh, and, could you have the fellas in the woods come on out where we can see 'em? That'd go a long way towards helping us take your word, you know? Have 'em move nice and slow like, too."
As Jemini steps up to the palisade something about the bandit below tugs at her memory. She just cannot place it. A bit distracted she eyes the bandit below and the scenery around. With a stern voice she begins to speak, "Greetings, I am Jemini of Lebeda. I am given to understand that you and your retinue are here to join in the celebration that is Taxfest. We've not had much luck with diplomacy and bandits in the past - so please forgive the reservations we bear against you. Still..." Jemini considers the responsibilities they carry, but also the hope that this offer could represent. "I think I can understand your desire to partake in this festival though..."
"I think I can make the following offer: your men are welcome to partake in the celebrations - but they are limited to the field here before Oleg's. In return we will ensure that a fair share of the alcohol is made available to them. You, on the other hand, will enjoy the festivities within Oleg's Trading Post itself - accompanied by..." Jemini looks back down into the courtyard, then around, then nods nonchalantly at Taisper. "This lad here. He'll ensure that nobody will give you trouble and that you leave in peace after the end of the festival."
"This is the extent of the offer, accept or leave bearing no ill will."
Akiros seems more at ease, especially towards Taisper, after their conciliatory words. His anger fades, returning as quickly as it appeared. He whispers to Taisper. "Tell your group that they're making the right choice. The Stag Lord has quite a few men in the woods. It took some effort to convince him to not attack. If anything happens, he'll give the order to attack, and there will be civilian casualties. Just trust that I won't let any violence come to you."
Akiros picks up the horn from around his neck, blowing it three times quickly. The bandits come out of the woods warily. One of the bandits rides up to Akiros on a horse, dismounting to confer with him. Akiros delivers the terms to the young bandit, who seems hardly old enough to shave. "Tell the Stag Lord that they will meet with him in the fort, and that the men are to wait in this field." The youth jumps back atop his horse, riding back to the bandits in the woods. Akiros turns back to Taisper. "What's your name? I want you to get word back to your friends. Do not attack the Stag Lord, or insult him. He is a very dangerous man, and has the loyalty of most of his men. It will turn out bloody."
Taisper raises his eyebrows, feigning awe. "I don't doubt it, oh man I don't doubt it. I'll definitely pass the word on, just like you say. I'm gonna step back in and tell them now, you coming with, or are you gonna wait here for the Stag Lord to arrive? I don't wanna commit a breach of protocol here, you know? Don't wanna offend anyone, leastways especially not after we had our kind of a rough start here." He smiles conspiratorily.
Tandlara's furious expression as she glowers at the bandits is suddenly replaced by shock, her eyes widening. He's here. The Stag Lord is going to walk among us. I have a bad feeling about this.
Tandlara looks to Zander then lifts Riddleskin out of his pouch, to place him on her shoulders, she hunkers down behind the battlements and begins to think. She casts magic protections on herself as she does, reasoning that they will last quite long, enough to determine how this incident will go down.
Berrin steps up with Jemini, staying by her side. "Hope you know what your doing." he mutters to her when she's said her piece. "I still think this is a trick."
Berrin suddenly grunts and looses his breath when the farmer tightens the final buckle by the small of his back. "Done m'lord." he mutters under his breath, reddening in his face half angry and half embarased for beeing made to play squire he turns his back and walks off to find his wife, determined not to let the Stag Lord see him.
"Thanks." Berrin manages as he watches him stalk off. Turning back out the palisade he focuses on the matter at hand.
Jemini confers back to Berrin, quietly, "I don't think he and his army would come all the way here and then leave quietly if we don't let them join in. Now we require the bandits to stay outside, and allow only the lieutenant and the Stag Lord himself in; this way we can keep a close eye on them and to some extent limit their command structure. It'll be harder for them to coordinate an assault on Oleg's if the commanding officers aren't with the troops. Though..." Jemini frowns, "We'll have to keep an eye on the horn, or any other big way to make a signal. Failing that, the only reliable way for them to assault us would be at a predetermined time." A grimness circles her lips, "If the worst happens, we will have to take our chances and subdue or kill the leaders, if we manage that quick enough, then we can break the back on the main assault before it picks up speed."
Akiros waits outside, patiently and silently assessing the situation from his location. He seems a mystery and a paradox, as he seems genuinely concerned for the safety and well-being of the civilians inside Oleg's yet willingly engages with bandits. He is a handsome man, with dark and intense eyes framed by equally dark hair. As he stands awaiting his liege, he seems as strikingly heroic as any paladin.
The bandit horde approaches, numbering almost four dozen as they pour out of the woods. Walthon and Kesten exchange a glance, knowing that their forces are outnumbered almost two-to-one even before considering the vaunted martial prowess of the Stag Lord. Still, neither man flinches from his duty. From atop the battlements, Jhod and Verik consult each other regarding the division of any possible healing duties during combat, the differences between their faith minor in comparison to their shared duty. Svetlana and Oleg worriedly usher the partygoers into the safest part of the fort, reassuring them of their safety. Bokken sits comfortably atop one of the tables, seemingly unconcerned about the potential for an outbreak of violence. The bandits arrive at the field, where they and the defenders eye each other warily. It is a tense scene as they consider the value of attacking first, though the glares of their leaders seem to keep everyone in line for now.
The Stag Lord rides a horse at the front of the bandits. He is a strikingly intimidating figure, starting with the massive horned helm he wears. It appears to be fashioned from the skull of a stag with huge horns, reaching out to either side of his head and making him seem more animalistic than man. His hulking physique is apparent even on horseback, as his scarred torso is mostly uncovered except for a small leather jerkin and a fur cloak. As he arrives at Akiros's position, the second-in-command bows in deference. The Stag Lord's dismount practically makes the ground rumble. He towers above the crowd, his horns adding height to his already massive figure. His thick hands inch towards the bow on his back, a wicked-looking oaken longbow that most men could likely not even string. A huge sword is strapped to his back as well, probably big enough for a giant to use comfortably. He looks around as he walks to the gates with Akiros behind him. He stands in the base of the gate doors, assessing the place with cagey eyes under the bone helm.
His voice booms as he addresses the crowd, shaing the crowd and causing even more anxious murmurs. "I am the Stag Lord. These are my lands that you have entered without permission. Who amongst you has taken my men prisoner and lays claim to what is mine?" It is a powerful voice with a ragged edge, as if unused to speaking in any human tongue.
Jemini steps forward, her voice firm but still in stark contrast to the intimidating boom that is the Stag Lord. "I am Jemini, of House Lebeda. If any one person needs to take responsibility for imprisoning bandits, it is me. It is every man and woman's right to defend themselves, and this is what we have done."
She attempts to soften her tone slightly, as she adds, "But I believe today is not a day for bloodshed, but for celebration. Is this not why you have come here?"
Taisper remains calm as ever, but the tactical part of his brain knows this will be a doomed fight, should it come to that. A voice enter his mind that he has never heard before, ancient and slow and sad.
I T ' S
O K A Y
K I D
The teen nods, and leans in to whisper to Jemini: "Akiros claims it took a great effort on his part to convince the Stag Lord not to outright attack us today. Make of that what you will, I guess, I'm still mulling it over myself."
After delivering that message, he stands a bit to the side of the noblewoman, waiting to see how this would play out. The old slow voice says nothing more, but a steady chatter is starting to build up in the back of his head. The presence of so many lawbreakers, murderers, evil and broken men and women, the angry and the lost, the hopeless, the orphaned, the abandoned; all of them in such great quantity is making the Abadarian a bit crazy. For once he finds himself wishing he could talk with Verik, but knows that is both impossible and ill-advised at such a moment.
Instead, he stands his ground, and forces himself to focus on the Stag Lord's erstwhile army; where they are, how they are armed, who would run and who would fight.
He also wonders what hitting the Stag Lord with lots of acid would do...
Do you remember how much it hurts? Does the memory haunt you? Where would you break, if I wanted to break you? I bet there's still blood under your skin. I bet. I bet. I bet.
[perception
Berrin takes a place a bit by Jemini's other side, now armed and armored he flexes his fingers, making the leather creak, testing the flexibility of the gauntlets as he stares at the Stag Lord, wondering if he could take him.
"Hey, Taisper. How's the view from your end." he shoots out the side of his mouth to the inquisitor.
berrin wants to know what their auras are like.
"Hmmm good question...let's see, shall we?" Taisper relaxes his eyes and lets the power of the Master flow through him, giving him insight into the motivations of these men and women, how their auras look and swirl...
The Stag Lord steps forward toward Jemini, the chains in his boots chinking against the hard-packed dirt of the fort's floor. He looms far above her as he slowly examines her with his hidden eyes. His gaze is more like a scouring as he assesses the leader of the group. "I have not come to celebrate, but rather to make you an offer. I am king of these lands. They live and die by my will and my divine patronage. If you have entered my lands, you enter as either a vassal or as an enemy. I give you one chance to make your choice: give me Kessel and Dovan, along with the others. Fail to do this and you will be my enemy. Give me what I want and pay fealty, and you will all live unharmed."
Akiros stands silently behind the Stag Lord, holding his hands behind his back. The bandits outside stand warily, trying to listen to what is going on while keeping an eye on the assembled group of guards. The tension in the air is so thick that a single noise could send both sides into pitched battle with the slightest provocation.
"This is quite a sudden decision to make. From the briefings I've been given the situation is entirely out of control and requires a bit of rethinking. I feel like the wool has been lifted from my eyes - still... this is not just my decision to make; can you give us a brief minute to discuss this in private? I hope you agree that such life-and-death decisions cannot be taken lightly."
Akiros jumps in at this point, trying to salvage the situation from spiraling out of control where the civilians will be hurt. "My liege, I recommend that you guarantee their safety for the night as a show of goodwill, and to allow them ample time to fully consider your offer. These adventurers have not yet had an opportunity to see your mercy. If they choose to deny your rightful role as king, the account can be settled at a later time."
Jemini looks seriously at Akiros, "Perhaps it would be instructive if you could elaborate on the state of the Stolen Lands. As I said, the briefings I've had were in no way able to prepare me for this place, nor were they representative of the many... truths out here. You, for example, seem out of place. Like an enigma."
Berrin shifts his feet uncomfortably as he glimpses Jemini's messages, narrowing his eyes he steps up shoulder-to-shoulder with Jemini. "This is going nowhere. Get your lord and get out of here.". He say to Akiros. "By what right do you rule anyway?". He throws out at the Stag Lord as he protectively places himself between them.
The Stag Lord growls at Jemini's question. "Do not concern yourself with my men, girl. The Stolen Lands are mine, and mine alone. I will grant his wish and assure you that no one will die here today, whether or not you recognize the authority granted on me by the gods."
The Stag Lord looms over Berrin, a fearsome sight who seems hardly human with the massive horns of his helm. He grips the bow on his back, the knuckles on his huge hands white with rage.
Akiros looks at Berrin with a look of pure contempt, though not because of any disrespect towards the Stag Lord. "My liege, this fool is not worth breaking your word and spilling blood. He does not speak for this group, just himself."
Jemini curtseys politely, "Thank you, you show more grace than rumors grant credit. Should battle shall be drawn between us, I hope that we can both fight with honor and that tonight may be spent to make peace with our gods."
Berrin pales as the Stag Lord towers over him, quivering despite himelf, sweating as he gazes into those inhuman eyes. 'Frack! This guys big.'
"Right. No disrespect." he manages in a small voice, furious at himself for his cowardice.
Taisper's eyes narrow as the Stag Lord bellows and postures, and especially when he reaches back for his bow while speaking of being "selected." He looks back at Verik and Jhod and mouths the word "She?" and looks significantly at the bow.
Taisper nods to Jemini, returning her signal and confirming that he is prepared to fight, regardless of the...sub-optimal odds. He looks from Akiros, to Jemini, to the Stag Lord, to Berrin, and opens his mouth as if to speak, then quickly shuts it. He can think of nothing he could possibly add here that would help. doesn't matter he's Judged anyway no use even of it
Instead, Taisper relaxes and lets the power of the Lawgiver flow through him, calling on his connection to the divine to aid him in what he is about to attempt. Once filled with the light of Perfect Order, he utters the following, quietly but clearly, making no effort to conceal it from anyone's ears, as if he were praying to himself. First he lets out a small relieved sigh, as if terrified all this while. Then moves his hands into a prescribed prayer motion and he says; "A prayer to the gods for thanks, thanks that their divine chosen, the Stag Lord, has shown us mercy this night:
Salyeln, Xelelqeln, Hafwijeln
Fray sawiv il relnel, lruf sel
Yray I saz tu uon funx
Yray haf act vijihikayiuc saz lqnelat"
What magic is here, show me
That I may do our work
That law and civilization may spread
The man, Akiros might be tenable. If it comes to it, we could kill the Lord and sue for peace with this Akiros. Tandlara thinks furiosly to herself, ready to attempt to blind the Stag Lord if he takes out his bow, her keen elven eyes staring intently at the giant man. He will resist the magic, it may not be enough. all we have may not be enough.
Tandlara tries to battle her elven tendency towards self-defeat as the Stag Lord looms over Berrin, he jaw clenched and teeth gritted as if she is in pain to see her adopted little tribe in such danger.
Akiros catches Taisper's eye as the inquisitor casts his spell, holding it for just long enough for Taisper to know that he knows that it is no simple prayer to Abadar. An almost imperceptible nod later, Akiros says nothing as magical auras appear around him and the Stag Lord. Taisper nearly gasps, having never seen so many magically worked items in a single place. Especially compared to Alkenstar or the backwoods of the Brevoy frontier, his possessions glow with magical power.
The Stag Lord's bow sings with the strength of its magic. Each shot fired from the bow, if one is capable of even pulling its bowstring taut, will steady the wielder's aim and strike true. The greatsword on his back drips with an evil aura, almost malicious with its desire for blood. The leather armor he wears extends magically to his unprotected torso, while the amulet he wears around his neck imbues his very skin with enough resilience to turn away a sword. The stag's skull he wears as a helm is likewise enhanced by magic: the eye sockets glow with the ability to insightfully see that which hides. Akiros holds magic in his sword and shield. The shield promises protection, while the sword offers destruction. His armor, a very fine breastplate, is magically reinforced to ward off glancing blows.
The Stag Lord's voice booms again as he turns his attention towards Jemini. "I wish to speak to Dovan. I ordered him to watch your little camp, not attack it. He must learn that disobeying the Stag Lord comes with its consequences." His growling voice makes it clear that this is a request that he expects to see fulfilled.
Corwin watches the bandits carefully as they approach, taking note of their weapons and armour. The odds don't seem particularly heartening, although the walls of the fort should go some way to evening the odds in the event of a fight.
He maintains his silence as Jemini talks to the clearly unbalanced Stag Lord although he has to restrain the urge to lift his axe when he menaces Berrin.
He's the key. Drop him and the rest will break and break hard.
Taisper gives Akiros a shrug and a sheepish look, an abashed grin on his face. He looks about to say something to the diplomat when the Stag Lord speaks again. Without missing a beat, the inquisitor speaks up. "Why, I think that's a fine idea. Why don't you let me take our two roustabouts here, Corwin and Berrin, and put them to good use fetching him for ya? I'd consider it a singular honor to witness such a conversation." Taisper is actually being completely honest when he says this. He would relish watching the Stag Lord crush the life out of Dovan. Granted the teen would then love to crush the Stag Lord in turn, but first things first.
Jemini gives Taisper a stern look, then turns again to the Stag Lord, "Your Grace, I wish to see justice done to that man as much as you - may I ask you to be patient for a pause, I shall have Dovan brought to you within the hour. I... -" Jemini thinks furiously at what she can offer the man to appease him while he waits, "- I think I can offer you a small token of gratitude: the finest brew I have tasted while in the Stolen Lands - and one to rival the best I've tasted at any court."
Berrin shrugs and makes ready to fetch Dovan as Taisper wanted but stops as Jemini halts them. As she offers up the ale Berrin visibly sags, "..Oh, just perfect.." he mutters but makes no move to go retrieve it.
The Stag Lord accepts this offer, almost too fast and without the imperious command of their previous interactions. "Fine, but bring it quick. I have little patience today." He takes a mug offered by Oleg, who glares at the bandit lord with open hate. The Stag Lord doesn't seem to notice as he downs the ale in a single gulp. The mug is laughably small in his hand as he thrusts it back to Oleg. "Another!"
Akiros shakes his head at Oleg's questioning glance, turning down any alcohol offerred to him. He looks uncomfortable at the Stag Lord's consumption, but says nothing.
Jemini almost laughs, inadvertently, as she notices Berrin's displeasure at giving up some alcohol. "Come," she grins, hoping that her positive aura has an infectious quality to the rest of the men. Once safely out of earshot, but still moving, she asks the heroes around her, "Okay, everybody, what are the plans? I suggest we run a very quick trial for Dovan; he's already admitted to his foul actions and the trial can be concluded in expedience. I trust that the Stag Lord is as effective an executioner as Taisper here. The problem is what happens after. If the Stag Lord keeps his word - then we have over night to prepare and plan, and most likely battle will be drawn in the morning." A second thought strikes her, "And does anybody know something about the Stag Lord's Second? I don't remember hearing about such a man in the Stag Lord's employ - but still... there's something that itches at me in my head about that guy."
"I'm okay with all that. Dovan was gonna swing one way or the other, I'm sure." Taisper gives Jemini a significant look, surprised she agrees with him on this. "To be honest, Akiros kinda...I dunno I kinda like him. It's like, he seems like he's not really into what the Stag Lord's selling, you know? I get the feeling he'd rather be somewhere else. He doesn't have anything evil in his aura at all, in fact his aura, it...ah...it..."
Taisper gives a rueful smile. "...it reminds me of my own. But the Stag Lord, he's evil. Through and through. Only problem is, and I reckon you guys all guessed this, but they're both carrying some serious magical gear. Don't be fooled by the Stag Lord's bare bits, he has magical protection in his armor and amulet that covers them. His helmet, bow, sword? All magical. At least as magical as my morningstar if not moreso. Same with Akiros, his armor's all magic and so is his sword. I've never seen this much magical gear in one place since the Master Hunters' weapons locker back home, and I wasn't even supposed to have seen that."
The youth pauses. "I don't recognize Akiros at all, Jemini, sorry. I stayed pretty close to home and didn't get much chance to learn about officials outside of the church." He shrugs, honestly apologetic.
Corwin moves with the rest keeping one eye on the bandit group.
I don't know this Akiros either.
Then he scratches his head and looks honestly bemused. This trial? Don't we have more pressing concerns at the moment? We could have easily killed Doven in battle. I thought we only took him for information and we seem to have progressed past that. Even if Bokken's ale keeps the Stag Lord occupied what sort of state is he going to be in after he finishes it? Happy maybe or maybe he'll want to see some blood. A fight here with all of the women and children will be a bloody massacre.
Look this Stag Lord is clearly god touched. He very carefully avoids looking at Taisper. He wants worship, fealty. Well I say we give it to him, every bit of it. We give him his men back. We apologise for questioning his magnifience. Bend the knee if need be.
Sorry Berrin but then as a sign of our friendship we give him every barrel of ale in the fort. Every one. Then when he thinks we're cowed, when his men are good and drunk we hit him. Take this Stag Lord's head and his men will fold. Its not the honorable way but thats going to get a lot of innocent people killed.
Jemini shakes her head, "I disagree, Corwin. If I understand you correctly and you mean to get the jump on the Stag Lord. You're right though, that the bandits as a whole will likely fold once their leader drops. And if we make a concerted effort, once the battle starts, he'll not hide in a hole somewhere, he strikes me as the type to be at the very front - which means we'll have ample opportunity to get at him." She puts her foots down resolutely, "But we won't strike out at him without warning - then we're no better than the bandits and have no right to claim these lands."
"Strategically, here, we have a lot of advantages. Although we're outnumbered, we have as many able soldiers as is possible - and the fort itself. Best of all, we have time to prepare our defenses even more. I'm in two minds about the presence of so many women and children; but they are probably safer here than at home - the Stag Lord does not strike me as the type to go with half measures."
Leavign Zander to stand watch on the walls Tandlara comes down and joins her companions in discussion. 'I don't see Jemini backing down on this, its not in her nature,' she says to Corwin as she arrives.
'But honor may well be in our favor. If nothing else it does mark us as more legitimate than the Stag Lord. Moreover, I do beleive it would make Akiros more likely to side with use should we fell the brute, if he sees us as the better option, the righteous party, he may try and stop some of the bandits, so among him dividing the forces, and those that flee, we could win. But we need to slay the Stag Lord himself. and that is not easy task. I will attempt to blind him upon the battles commencement.'
And if we refuse his demand, close our gates and shout out our defiance why should they so easily come at us as we would like?
They have enough men to just put us to siege. Do we have hope of relief I don't know about? We have every non-combatant in the area in here with us. Mouths on legs. We'd be down to shoes and rats within the moon's turn.
And say we enrage this Stag Lord enough that he does attack. He raps on the wall with his knuckles. These walls are made of wood not stone. Good enough for a few men and wild animals but against a determined enemy? How long before we have fire arrows raining down and turning this place to ashes. The small folk will run and it will be a bloody slaughter!
I'd say our only chance is capitulation, false or not.
But then I'm just a man with an axe. The choice is your m'lady. Just think hard of the consequences.
"Did the Stag Lord strike you as a highly patient man? If he feels he rules by divine mandate, then he'll not think twice before assaulting." Jemini adds, "I think you're overestimating their position - we account for around 24 professional soldiers as well as a good handful of us. Not to mention we have significant magical and divine support on our side, I'd expect it to be a lot more than the Stag Lord fields. That makes us outnumbered two-to-one; not promising - but should we win it would hardly be the stuff of legends. A cool head and good planning should go a long way to help even the odds - and," Jemini notes the passing of another keg towards the Stag Lord, "I suspect that if the Stag Lord is as fond of the grapes as he appears to be, then there will be considerably less strategy involved on his side than ours."
Berrin listens quietly as the group discusses their course of action, brooding over the percieved slight the Stag Lord gave him, given enough time he would probably work himself up into a frenzy and slug the bastard, but that was neither here nor now.
"Your forgetting somthing Jemini." he pipes in, his face still a stormy mask as he wears his emotions on his sleave. "Your forgetting the peasants. The farmers and workers of this land, given the chance, the right motivation by the right person.. he gives Jemini a meaningfull look, ..I'm sure theyd rather fight for their freedom than live in the shadow of fear for the rest of their lives. We could at least give them the option.. he shrugs, ..them and our prisoners." he fiishes quickly, raising his hand to ward off any protest.
"Now wait, just hear me out. Most of those guys are just plain Joes, husbands gang pressed into service by s$@*s like Dovan and Kressel and their ilk. Again, I'm sure that, with the right motivation they'd join our side in this fight."
Corwin pauses a moment to consider the paladin's words.
He doesn't seem patient no. But your gambling a lot on him acting the way you'd prefer. Attacking blindly at the front of his men. In my experience its best to take allowance for the opposite. We might still win. I'm not saying theres no hope. But win or lose in a straight up fight we can expect our losses to be significant.
I think my way has a better chance of success. Bokken might even be able to add something to the ale that won't be immediately noticeable but may weaken them after a few hours. And if we fail the locals could at least claim to have had no part in it. They might survive.
But we'd have to make the Stag Lord think he has us by the scruff of the neck.
He turns to Tandlara. I'm not asking her to back down, just consider the options. Its a bad leader that won't change their mind regardless of the situation. Not making any accusations just saying I've seen plenty of that sort. This Akiros might be more honourable than the rest but thats not going to help us until his master is dead.
"Your forgetting somthing Jemini." he pipes in, his face still a stormy mask as he wears his emotions on his sleave. "Your forgetting the peasants. The farmers and workers of this land, given the chance, the right motivation by the right person.. he gives Jemini a meaningfull look, ..I'm sure theyd rather fight for their freedom than live in the shadow of fear for the rest of their lives. We could at least give them the option.. he shrugs, ..them and our prisoners." he fiishes quickly, raising his hand to ward off any protest.
"Now wait, just hear me out. Most of those guys are just plain Joes, husbands gang pressed into service by s@!*s like Dovan and Kressel and their ilk. Again, I'm sure that, with the right motivation they'd join our side in this fight."
Their lives, their choice. But I think arming the bandits is a bad idea. We'd be expecting them to take up arms against their former friends, at bad odds, in circumstances where they could do a lot of damage. Seems a big risk.
Jemini pauses, to reflect properly on the input. At length she continues her stride, "Firstly, you're right Berrin - those under our protection that want to take up arms against their oppressors, they should be given the opportunity to do so. Though I'll ask Captain Walthon to look over their potential martial prowess; any he deems a risk to our soldiers we'll hold back in reserve rather than risk them on the field."
"Secondly, Corwin, I think you're right about the prisoners, we cannot easily give them all a free ticket - that risks our men unnecessarily; many would just look at the odds and switch sides to the bandits without a second thought. But... there should be some margin for error... What do you think about having our clerics spent time with the prisoners and see if they can determine any they feel with some certainty are genuinely repentant and could be given a chance to redeem themselves?"
"One more point, Corwin, I feel very strongly about this: no tampering with the wine, no underhanded trickery. We can build traps, certainly, but no relying on poison or backstabbing to wrestle an advantage from the situation. Perhaps you don't see it the same way I do. To me, if we try to cheat as it were, we might gain a small advantage here or there - but we lose a far more powerful advantage: the favor of the gods themselves."
"There is, unfortunately, another complication. I mentioned it earlier but not all of you were around to hear; Akiros made it a point to tell me he wants this little "visit" to end without bloodshed. I have no doubt he'll fight if it comes to that, but he says he doesn't wish for that to happen. This could mean that there is still the possibility that after, I dunno, the Stag Lord gets drunk and kills Dovan, we can work with Akiros to get him to just leave."
"I hasten to add, by the way, that just because I'm starting to shine to Akiros doesn't mean I trust him. His telling me that could be a big ruse, I don't know. So I'm not necessarily advocating this course action, just saying it's another card on the table."
"Another thing. Regardless of how the fighting goes down, I've been watching His Stagginess and I've spotted a couple weak spots in his armor I can exploit if a flanker can keep him distracted for just a second. If we cut him down quickly, and if Akiros is telling the truth, well I'm willing to bet Akiros will come to our side right quick and help us subdue the bandits in the woods with minimal fighting at all if we take down his current boss."
Corwin grimaces. The Gods aren't going to smite down half the bandits leaving us with even odds. We need to create our own favour. Taisper may be right. We give up all of the prisoners and they may go away. Are you willing to do that?
"Sending our clerics in sounds good, but how about you Taisper? Arnen't you good at telling when people are lying? And your ability to judge peoples auras would probably come in handy there as well."
"I'm all for every advantage we can gain, I'm not above drugging the enemy to thin their numbers. Think of it Jemini, we could be saving lives if we could just take down that evil self-styled bastard king. No Stag Lord, no fight, right? Maybee Akiros will roll over if his lord is no more."
"And Taisper, I'm game for getting his attention if you think you can get your morningstar past his defences, I'm up for at least a couple of blows from that greatsword I rekon."
The inside of Oleg's Trading Post is a bit surreal as the expedition consults and decides what to do. Where there was dancing and music before, there is now only a tense silence. The people of the Stolen Lands stand together, trying to avoid a violent end. The Stag Lord appears to have almost forgotten about them, downing drink after drink. He takes little joy in the ale, simply drinking one after another. If he were not so incredibly dangerous and power-hungry, he would almost be piteous in his melancholy. Half a dozen mugs of ale into drowning himself with the alcohol, the Stag Lord throws a glass to the ground, shattering it. The noise startles the people, who flutter nervously near Oleg's house.
Oleg approaches the group, looking as if he (for once) has something to say. He pauses for a moment. "I came here for freedom, and I'm willing to fight for it. However, I want it to be as far from Svetlana as possible. And the others." As usual, he is rather taciturn.
Akiros doesn't move from the spot he is at, silently surveying the situation. He is as a boulder in a stream, simply standing unmoved by the situation's chaos and currents. His loyalties are difficult to predict, for why would a man of such noble appearance take up arms with a bandit lord?
Corwin looks thoughtful as he looks in Akiros' direction.
Seems to me it might be good sense to talk to this one aside from his master. Jemini perhaps we should suggest that this one take a look at the prisoners. We could talk to him. See how firm his loyalty is.
Tandlara takes little part in the discussion, simply keeping an eye on the Stag Lord and Akiros, wary and ready for action, she presumes the worst of the situation. People are going to die one way or the other, victory is only making more of them die than us.
Turning to Oleg her heart bleeds for his request, "Oleg, I understand your plight - we can only try to keep the innocent out of this fight. But we cannot simply remove the fight; should we chose to fight at another location and lose, then the Stag Lord's reprisal will be all the more terrible here and on the surrounding farms."
Nodding to Corwin she adds, "I agree that Akiros is the man that can make or break this battle for us. I sincerely doubt that we can sway his loyalty while the Stag Lord stands, but there should be reasoning with him if the Stag Lord is defeated. But..." she grimaces, "until then I don't see him lending us undue aid. We cannot ask him to tell us which prisoners would genuinely side with us, for example. We need a better pretext than that."
She looks to the group as a whole: "To the point... if battle ensues, I think our strategy will have to be simple: Walthon and Kesten and the soldiers stay behind and defend the fort to the last man. While we try blitz the Stag Lord, rushing him as fast as possible and engaging him in direct combat." She points to those that command some magic, "Us, who can call on the gods or magic, need to make it possible for everybody else. I can shroud large areas with a fog made of spirits, for example, this should reduce their ranged attacks on us while we make for the Stag Lord." She looks up, "What do you think? Suicidal? Too suicidal?"