Berrin looks at the Stag Lord and Akiros and sighs, sagging a little as he does. "I dunno." he mutters in respose to Jemini's tactics. "Sounds as good a plan as any I guess."
"Look. I'm not one to back down from a fight easely but thers one thing thats been bothering me a bit. We came out here under a charter from a man who intended us to fail so as he could invade these lands in force. Well, I rekon we've failed to deliver his expectations so far, thank the gods, and I plan to keep failing him utterly by doing my damndest to stay alive."
"My point is; if we initiate a fight here, and it's gona be one helluva fight, we might very well be delivering these lands into the good lord mayors hands. A fullscale slaughter is what were facing here people. I'm starting to think our best bet would be to just tell the Stag Lord about where and how we stand, just tell 'im, and see how he likes the prospect of an invasion from Brevoy."
Jemini shakes her head uncertainly, "...maaaybe... we just don't know enough. The Stag Lord said he was assured his position by somebody. He might have spoken about the Lord Mayor then."
Verik and Jhod appear to be doing a good job of keeping the people from panicking, praying with them. Most of the hardy survivalists who call the Stolen Lands home flock towards Jhod, as they are more comfortable with Erastil. Several of them do seem to come to Verik. In times as perilous as this, one cannot be picky about which of the gods might grant protection. Verik looks up from one of them to catch Jemini's eye. In that moment, he conveys that he trusts her leadership and judgment, and will follow her whatever she decides.
Zander stands on the battlements, away from the others. Truth be told, he doesn't want to go down there for fear of having to deal with his secret being known. The others were fine, but Jemini is of noble blood. She may think him a liar, insist on his ejection from the expedition for laying claim to a birthright that he cannot prove. He considers taking a shot at the Stag Lord, just to get himself killed before that can happen, but discounts it because of the danger it poses to the rest. He simply stands watch, keeping an eye on the bandits and the guards in their uneasy standoff.
The Stag Lord, growing tired of the drink, turns towards the group. "Where is Dovan? I will judge him! I grow impatient! Bring him out, or I will put this entire damn place to the sword!" He seems a bit unsteady on his feet, but totally capable of this threat. The people in the fort shudder with the proclamation, a few of them shouting for the expedition to release Dovan to the Stag Lord.
Jemini sighs inwardly, then goes to find Dovan. "By your own admission, you are judged a stain on these lands and are sentenced to death. We unfortunately do not have time for more due process than this. May the gods find mercy on your soul, that you apparently do not care much for." Securely bound she takes Dovan to the Stag Lord, "Your boss wants to see you, though I cannot decide whether this is good or bad."
Tandlara nods sadly as Jemini goes to fetch Dovan and moves back up onto the wall beside Zander watching the scene at the gates below. Staring out at the bandit force, praying desperately that someone talks the honor out of Jemini or the violence out of the Stag Lord.
She lays a hand on Zanders elbow as she gazes out, both seeking and attempting to give comfort and a sense of comraderie in this dangerous situation.
Taisper simply stands down, having said all he can, and waits to see how things shake out. The enemy is inebriated and evil and needs to die. When that happens, the wild cards of Akiros and any turncoats in the bandits' ranks will both be played.
The Stag Lord looms over his former lieutenant, who for once looks absolutely terrified. Dovan's blank eyes dart from side to side, trying to figure out where the Stag Lord is. The bandit king stalks towards him, pulling the massive greatsword off his back. "Dovan, you defied me. Kneel before your king!" In a terror, Dovan drops to his knees and remains utterly still except for the occasional tremble. The Stag Lord's voice booms over the walls, presumably for the benefit of the other bandits. "The sentence for defying my wishes is !" He holds the sword up over his head, ready to bring it down upon the condemned bandit.
Akiros looks on dispassionately. There is clearly no love lost between him and Dovan.
Berrin bites his tounge as Jemini goes to retrieve Dova, the man was a bastard and deserved what he got, opting only to stay by her side through this he grimances slightly as the Staf Lord sentances him to death but makes no move to intervean.
Jemini wishes she could avert her eyes, but she fells duty-compelled to witness the execution of the bandit. Sarenrae, please give that his death is swift; this is one mercy I would see bestowed on him.
The Stag Lord brings his massive sword up and holds it in the air for just a moment. "And you will now pay the price!" The sword comes down like a guillotine from Galt. Dovan's life is snuffed out like a candle in a hurricane. The force of the Stag Lord's strike nearly cuts him in half, from shoulder downward. He puts his boot on Dovan's chest, wrenching the sword free. The bandit's body lays still, bleeding profusely into the dirt. Frightened gasps arise from the assembled group, including some soft crying from the younger members of the crowd.
The Stag Lord turns to the crowd and the expedition. "Swear fealty to me as your king! Pay tribute and you will live! Defy me and meet his fate!" With his stag helm obscuring his face and blood dripping from his massive greatsword, he is a figure inspiring great terror, like a nightmare come to life.
Slightly pale, Jemini nods to the Stag Lord. "We will swear fealty, or defy, tomorrow morning. I hope that peace will be found one way or another."
The Stag Lord steps forward, growling at Jemini. A fury gleams in his animalistic eyes as he pulls the bloody greatsword up. Akiros steps between him and Jemini. "My lord, this is the arrangement. As King, your word must have meaning and integrity. Let us leave them to discuss their choice." He looks significantly at Jemini before continuing. "I will return personally in the morning for your answer and then return to the Stag Lord. Enjoy your festival. Everyone here has my personal guarantee that they will be able to return home without threat of harm."
The bandit king and his honorable lieutenant turn and leave Oleg's Trading Post. There is a collective sigh from the people inside as they exit the gate. Walthon and Kesten keep their men in line as the Stag Lord climbs atop his mount to leave. The dozens of bandits are likewise kept in control as they disengage. As they slip into the shadows of the forest, the soldiers' tension finally bleeds away.
Bokken sits up from a table that he had passed out on, walks around Dovan's shattered corpse, and walks up to the group. "Oy, what'd I miss?"
Following the Stag Lord and Akiros out the gate Berrin stands and watches as the ragtag bandit army retreats into the woods. Breathing a sigh of relief as the last bandit disapears he hangs his head and heads back to the group, rolling his shoulders to ease the tension. "That was close, the man 's a monster thats for sure."
Watching Bokken bee-line his way to them Berrin cracks a grin at the crazy dwarf, barcking a laugh at his easy manner. "Hah! You missed a visit from the king. The Stag Lord himself popped in for a chat, left a message for as too; Kneel to him or die. What'ya reckon, you want to kneel to him?"
During the execution Corwin stands just slightly behind Jemini ready to fight if need be. As the blade descends he watches Akiros.
Cool that one. Why does he serve this mad dog of a master.
Only after the bandits leave does he move his hand away from the handle of his axe.
So whats it to be: bend the knee, challenge or perhaps an evening walk in the forest.
"I cannot speak for the rest, but I cannot idly stand by. I will fight, one way or another," Jemini looks to the assembled party members. Her voice carries a steady harmonic, "Ideally, in my opinion, this night should be used to end the celebration on as high a note as possible under the circumstances, then for all vulnerable and frightened, the farmers, wives, children, to return to their homes at speed. If Akiros speaks true, they'll be able to leave without trouble."
"That would leave us, the fight-capable ones, at this fort - if Oleg will have us." She looks over to the merchant, who isn't entirely happy with the attention that is suddenly directed at him. "Well? Oleg? It is asking much, your place might be overrun and burnt to the ground this time tomorrow if we stay. The only thing we can offer is the opportunity for Svetlana, and if you wish yourself as well, to be safely away from these premises. And if the fates and the gods smile on us, then after tomorrow a new era for the Stolen Lands begin."
Tandlara moves down among her friends again, listening intently to Jemini.
'I'll fight by your side. Regardless of anything. You have what I can offer, though it may be meager aid, I will do my best. I will not let a friend of mine stand alone against the dark,' Tandlara rests a hand on Jemini's shoulder and squeezes it gently as she speaks, her face fraught with worry for what the morning might bring.
'We'll need to prepare our limited magic as wisely as we can.'
"Yeah, it'll be a bloodbath in the morning Oleg. We'll understand if yo'd rather we'd take the fight outside you gates." Berrin pipes in, giving the man the option of bowing out of this one.
"No way will I bow to that one, he's as vile as they come, shouting and strutting his stuff like he's all that. But who so you reckon is that 'she' that chose him? You reckon he's connected somehow to that procession we saw back in the mountains?" Berrin thinks with a shudder back to the fey they encountered when exploring the west.
Oleg stands tall in defiance. "If he wants me to kneel before him, he can pose my corpse. I'm not much of a fighter, but I've got something to fight for." He looks back at Svetlana as she comforts the others in the crowd. "I can't speak for any other man, but I'm ready to head out and meet him on the battlefield. Between actual weapons and armor I have for sale and some tools, I can outfit maybe a dozen men for battle. They'll need convincing though."
'Ah!' Tandlara suddenly and loudly exclaims, her brows still wrinkled as if she were furiously calculating.
'I have an idea for how we could lessen the Stag Lord's chilling efficacy in battle. Dovan was a powerful foe in his own right, but when blinded he was a fraction of his pervious danger. So much so that we actually took him captive, yes?' a matronly, explanitory tone slips into her voice in her sudden focus.
'But the Stag lord is likely to have a much more mighty constitution than poor Dovan. I can attempt to blind him twice tomorrow morning, but it will go alot easier if he lessen his resolve significantly. Meaning... Meaning that I will have to be close to the front lines,' She shudders slightly at the idea of being within the range of the Stag Lord's fury.
'If I can hex him, and one of you more sturdy warriors can unsettle and demoralise him, we may be able to blind him. It will only take a moment out of one of your times, but it will give me a chance or two to stop him in his tracks,' she looks around now, her eyes focusing on her friends rather than projected imaginings of how it will go. 'What do you think?'
Jemini nods, "This might be our best bet for a quick resolution of combat with a minimum of lives lost."
Walthon and Kesten walk up to the group, having settled their men back in the fort's walls. Walthon speaks first. "Even blind, I fear he would still be incredibly dangerous. An errant blow from that sword can still kill a man with ease. In addition, there are tactical concerns to the battle. Even with better training and arms, our men will be overrun in a battle of this small scale. We can try to hold them off, but as long as the Stag Lord lives, they won't break. You should have seen how terrified and awed they are of him. There's no guarantee that he'll even meet us in battle. He may simply send Akiros to accept our surrender, head back to his own fort. If that's the case, he'll come back to set Oleg's to the sword."
Kesten adds to Walthon's grim assessment. "If that happens, it won't take long to starve us out. Even if we get word to Restov, you know that the Lord Mayor can tie up the request far too long for us to survive. Unless House Orlovsky received my request for aid and already sent it, we stand no chance defensively. We have to take the fight to him. If we lay seige to his fort or meet him while en route, we can separate him from his troops. It will be up to you to kill him while we engage the troops. We'll need to take everyone, though, to have any chance of success."
Alexius loudly sheathes his black sword at this. He begins walking to the gates. "This is not my fight. Good luck." He seems to fade into the shadows, gone as mysteriously and quickly as he arrived at Oleg's. His exit sets the crowd to murmuring, some suggesting that they should all do the same.
"If he retreats to his own holdings, then that would be a sound plan." Berrin replies to Walthon and Kesten, "But as it stands, we have no way of knowing what he'll do. If he comes for us personally then I'll go and meet him myself, I'll weather at least one blow more than your troops, giving us a chance to swarm him."
"How many horses do you have? We might send them out, have them circle back and hit their flanks if they lay siege to us, giving us a chance to open the gates and take the fight to them."
"Berrin is right, we cannot predict how the Stag Lord will act - although, I dare say if he is provoked he will want to personally exact revenge." Jemini stares after Alexius, who vanishes from sight almost as if the night prematurely embraced him.
She points to the vanishing shadow, and addresses the crowd at large. "This day started as one of celebration. A day to be honored. But then, for a brief moment it appeared that we are all doomed to be overrun by Stag Lord and his entire army." She pauses, for effect, "We have been given a reprieve by the gods. Time to do what is right, for each of us. Some..." Jemini nods to the gate, "Some should leave. This is no place for children or women who aren't warriors, not everybody is born to challenge fate in battle. The Stag Lord has granted this night for everybody that should not be here to leave. Find the safety of your homes." She nods to Walthon, "Two soldiers will accompany the group that leaves this place, to ensure the safety and in an emergency buy time to flee."
She looks into the crowd, feeling its fear, capturing its mental momentum, and reigns it to her direction. "But! Every able-bodied man and woman who know that the River Kingdoms grant Freedom to every person who tread its soil. Everybody that feels the yoke they suffer under. Everybody that shivers in fear of when and where the bandits come to rape and pillage, to steal and slaughter. Everybody that knows that sometimes a man and a woman have to make a stand and cry out "
The crowd erupts in cheers and shouts as Jemini concludes her oration. Moments later, every man and several women stand in line in front of Oleg, who hands out all the weapons and armor he can find. The confiscated weaponry of the bandits who attacked the day before is distributed to the newly deputized troops. By the time he is out of arms, their ranks have swelled by a dozen and a half. Numerically, they are almost on even footing. Oleg outfits himself with a fine looking axe, though it has seen quite a bit of wear, likely chopping most of the trees that make up the rebuilt walls.
The noncombatants, a bit more than a dozen women and children, line up with their goods to evacuate. Svetlana checks them all, making sure they are ready to flee. They will head back to their homes, prepared to make flight back to Brevoy if the battle does not turn out well. They bravely appear determined to return home, as this is their land and will soon be free of the Stag Lord's tyranny.
Ilyana approaches the group, angling closest to Taisper. She holds Nicholas Jr. by the hand. "I know it's a lot to ask, but I plead for you to let my husband earn his freedom. He knows the Stag Lord's lands. He can be a great deal of help for you, and will fight bravely by your side. Please."
If we can't defend with our own fortifications, I don't see us having much chance assaulting his.
But were getting ahead of ourselves. He'll attack us or he won't.
Corwin casts his eye over the hastily assembled militia. They're brave enough now but they're like to break hard when the killing starts.
For all of his doubts, Corwin looks energised and excited.
Berrin looses himself in cheering with the crowd at Jemini's speech, goose-bumps running up and down his body as he gets into the fervor of the moment. This was perhaps the proudest day of his life, the day he actually stood up for somthing that would mean somthing, win or loose, they would defy the fates and take on the Stag Lord. Siddling up to Jemini he lays a hand on her shoulder and whispers into her ear, "Dibs on the stag helmet." whan Jemini looks at him she sees a mischievous twinkles in Berrin's eye and know he's joking.
When Oleg starts handing out arm Berrin makes himself usefull by going around the militia and checking everyones equipment, offering advice where he can.
Settling in on a bench he breaks out his own weapons and sharpens them till they sing as the whetstone stokes them.
Taisper looks on as Jemini rallies the troops. He gives a sideways smile but can't quite bring himself to cheer or pump his fist. Even if I survive this, how long before I have to come for one of you? For many of you? Knowing, now, the Stag Lord's reach and extent of his corruption, how many others must be Judged? How many freed and how many executed? He sighs heavily and takes off his leather gauntlets, then rubs the spot above each eyebrow with his thumb and forefinger. How did I get here? How did it come to this? It was not a month ago I-
His thoughts are interrupted by the arrival of Ilyana and her son. Oh, Ilyana...if only... Taisper is surprised how flustered he gets around the strong and resourceful settler. Master Hunter Sindelle warned me about this, too. I'll need to visit the woods again tonight. To purge. To cleanse.
"Ilyana, I...I will ask my companions. It's...not my decision to make...alone. However, given the enemy and the odds we face, I would say it's...likely your husband could be brought along to help." The teen does his best to smile and not give any hint that the odds are Nicholas would not return from such a mission. Having seen the Stag Lord's method of dealing with traitors, he guessed someone like Nicholas would be the target of many a bandit's ire.
"I'll be right back." Taisper walks over to where the others are conferring. "So. Um. Guys, Ilyana is petitioning to have us bring her husband along. She makes a good point that he'd be familiar with the woods around the Stag Lord's fort and perhaps even certain aspects of the fort itself. The tactical advantage seems undeniable, what do you all think? Shall we bring him? If so, do we arm him?"
"He'd be as much a burden as help if we do not arm him. But, we cannot justly give Nicholas a chance, without extending the opportunity to others." Jemini nods to Verik and Jodh. "I think we'll give you two the opportunity to examine the captives hearts and souls to the extent you can. Any that passes muster by both, will be given the chance to proof themselves. Your husband included, Ilyana."
Jhod and Verik quickly make their way into the makeshift jail to interview the prisoners. Their worthiness as potential soldiers is one thing, but their rehabilitation potential is another. Kessel, obviously, would betray them at the slightest opportunity. Nicholas, as an unwilling participant to banditry, may be redeemable. The others, likely not, though they hold out hope. As the night settles over the fort and the hours pass, they emerge together. Verik looks disappointed. "I think that Nicholas will help, since he has something to fight for. One of the other bandits is relatively trustworthy, but the others are not... They're not going to be productive members of a lawful society. Are you going to send them north with Kessel?"
How human. To refuse to change in the face of defeat, even for such malcontents as those. Its either admirable or stupid, perhaps its both, humans are not afraid to be contradictions, they have so little time to think about it.
Tandlara turns her eyes to Jemini to see what to woman suggests. Its an awful lot of effort, but will she make it or will she invoke the charter? What would I do? Probably avoid being the one who has to make that awful decision.
Seeing others focus on the men and prisoners, Corwin spends several hours looking at the state of other resources that can be brought to bear, sweeping up through force of will any of the non-combatants who aren't immediately leaving for home.
He has them move up spare wagons ready to be moved in front of the gates to strengthen them or provide an additional barrier if the gates are breached.
He has water and sand barrels placed strategically around the fort in case of fire.
He ascertains what spare ammunition is available and has it parcelled out.
If any of the younger or older men are willing he sets them to the task of being stretcher bearers or runners. He has women tear up spare clothing for bandages.
Taisper looks levelly at Verik. "Send them north, why? To rot in a prison? To consume the resources of a city they will never serve or support? To waste the taxes of good, law-abiding folk?" He looks between his cousin and the others and shrugs. "If they are truly unrepentant and irredeemable why not just let me do what's going to be done with them anyway, and take each for a little walk in the woods? I mean, we can have a trial first, if you want, but I can't see as how shipping them off now is going to matter, and keeping them here is a huge liability since if they're freed they'll just take up arms against us and swell His Stagginess' ranks. I say we be done with them and move on with peace of mind."
Verik looks horrified and conflicted at Taisper's condemnation, though the horror is turned inwards at the fact that he is considering it. "They need to stand trial, to make sure it is proper. Otherwise, we'll just be murderers and no better than the Stag Lord, ruling these lands with an iron fist. If Kressle is headed north to Jemini's family's lands, what's a few more prisoners? Perhaps a few months of imprisonment before we get to them will make some of them ready to repent."
Taisper twists his mouth and raises an eyebrow dubiously, but says nothing in response.
He turns to Ilyana. "Well, you heard Verik. We'll give your husband a shot, here. But you gotta understand the kind of danger he's gonna be in. I'm pretty confident the Stag Lord isn't gonna look too kindly on him leading us right to the fort." ...assuming that's what he does...
Her mouth curling, as if it has a sour aftertaste, "I agree with Taisper, we need to hold an impromptu trial and execute those bandits that are deemed a liability. Kessle is more than just a bandit, she's become a political prisoner." There's a hint of a smile of irony on her as she adds, "Besides, once we get those 60 additional bandits out there to surrender, I can assure you that the Lebeda prisons will not be able to cope with the influx of inmates."
"Apparently Nicholas, and one more, are our hopeful candidates for redemption. We'll see how they fare."
Berrin shakes his head as the religeous types maintain their need for a trial. "Why are you so adamant on this trial buisness? Do you need it to make yourself feel better or somthing? It's simple; just give the man a weapon, tell I'm; You'r either with us, or against us, and be done with it. If he has half a brain he won't do anything stupid at least while we're looking. And as to proof on banditry guys; You do remember that it was us they attacked, right? Why the all the pomp? Just set the noos, say a few words if you need to make yourselves feel better, and hang 'em."
Seeing the way the argument is going Tandlara's eyes take on a sad cast, the idea of beign forced to end these lifes saddens her, but she agrees that is the only way available to them now. Perhaps thats what makes me the saddest of all. I'm learning hard practicality, but at what cost?
'Berrin is right,' she says haltingly at first. 'Its not a matter of legality, we were given a charter to put any bandits to sword or noose. Even what time we gave them, and the chance we offered them are beyond our legal purview, we could have beheaded them all in the forest and been techincally right about it. We didn't offer mercy out of duty, or obligation. We offered it out of compassion. This is a decision of ethics and morality, not laws and trials. If we must kill this, men, and as much as it saddens me, it would be a lie to say that any other safe option exists, let us kill them and be honest about it. We need not be barbaric, we need not display thier heads on pikes, or make public their hangings. We must simply have it done with, not for the greater good, or law or our imperial ambitions, we must own up to what we're doing. We've decided that these men must die, we will carry out their executions, and that is all. Regardless of the aftertaste is leaves us, we must own our actions here honestly, or we will become nothing more than the next tyrants in the brewing, using law and trial as a farce. Be honest. Give the order.'
Taisper nods as Berrin and Tandlara speak, but still says nothing, only stares impassively at the building where the bandits are being held. you count them they all go up to the vault there's a big drawer where the sit and then they go down and they burn yes all the meat men let go and come down where they get what's in the fire and it's all coming for them you just a doorman for them you do wh...
Taisper suddenly blinks and shakes his head, as if to clear it. He appears to be listening to something. A slow smile gently lights his face.
"It would be the clearest signal we could send, hanging them outside the trading post, as clear a piss off as I've ever heard one."
'I'd rather we didn't hang them openly. We're unlikely to scare the bandits out there, the Stag Lord is more fearsome than any amount of staked heads, but showing discretion and even-handedness might predispose Akiros to us. Which is still a tactic we need to pray to employ. We gain little, and risk losing alot,' Tandlara looks to Berrin, her eyes distant and lost in thought, though the sadness over this neccesity hasn't left her yet. 'Perhaps I am too soft. But Jemini's point about not becoming another Stag Lord is important, we'll do this not through rigorous and time-consuming legal issues, but by not being cruel. Wouldn't you agree?'
Berrin blushes under Tandlara's words, averting his eyes. "What? Oh.. yeah, right. Umm.. yeah."
"Sorry if I sounded cruel, I just want to be done with this ugly buisness. I just don't see the point in giving trial to them we know are guilty and are gona hang anyway." he mumbles in his defence.
'I agree, Berrin, Dear One. We do need to execute them at this stage. As sad as it makes me. But we don't need to be graphic or cruel about it. Let's just have it over and done, we can reflect on it later. Right now we have one large, hairy, angry, sword-wielding fish to toast. As humans are fond of saying. Let's just do it, and accept the responsibility for it,' she looks around at all of her gathered companions, her eyes lingering on Taispar. Don't be so eager to be the hand that wields the axe, for your own good.
"I think this is where the wisdom and insight of the elves shows. Humans tend to think impetuously. Thank you, Tandlara." Jemini recounts the tasks ahead in her mind, then adds, "There is much to do - I suggest each of us determines what they need to achieve and go about getting it done swiftly and to the best of their abilities. Let's go!"
Jemini quickly pulls Walthon and Kesten aside, quickly briefing them somewhat out of earshot: "I've included two of our soldiers as bodyguards for the leaving civilians with a purpose: our fates may very well be sealed - it may be important that word from us reaches our respective estates. I know I will include a letter to my father and mother for the Lebeda soldier, I expect you will want to sent a message to House Orlovsky as well, Kesten. I will leave it to your respective digressions on who to send, a veteran or an unblooded soldier."
Dearest father, dearest mother
I hope this message reaches you, along with word of victory. I pen it in haste and with a worried heart, the celebrations of Taxfest have been diminished with the arrival of the Stag Lord; a most fearsome brute that carries a great deal of magical wards about him. His band of 60 will likely attempt to overrun us in the morning - I pray that it is enough time for the innocent to escape and for the warriors to prepare.
A sizable defense force has gathered here, Oleg's commands around 45 defenders now - it is my most fervent wish that the gods guide our blades that we may slay the Stag Lord and halt his men before too many pure of heart are killed.
A man, I suspect of some blood or standing, called Akiros is standing with the Stag Lord, we pin some hope in him as a balanced counterpoint should we defeat the Stag Lord himself.
my most undying love and devotion
Jemini of Lebeda
As they prepare into the early part of the night, Zander approaches Jemini. He steels himself for the conversation he is about to have. "Jemini, can I talk to you?" He walks to the far side of the fort, looking back to make sure she is following. As soon as she arrives, he tries to explain away what Berrin had told Jemini.
"Berrin must've misheard or misunderstood me. I was born Duron Vosk. I told him that Zander Orlovsky saved my life. I was in that fire, just a young servant boy. He got me out with my life. They got me out to a monastery somewhere. They took care of me there, tending my.. My burns.. as best they could. They told me what happened when I woke up. I heard that he died in the fire. Since my parents died in the fire, I figured that I could take his name to thank him for what he had done. What I told Berrin was that because of what Zander Orlovsky had done for me, I felt like I had to live up to his name, like I was him. I've gone by Zander ever since. Do you know what I mean?" He looks at her, a hint of desperation in his eyes as he hopes that she believes the lie that he just told her.
Jemini is hopelessly distracted by the presence of the Stag Lord and his bandits. She nods absentmindedly, only half-registering what he says, "Yea sure, we'll discuss this with Berrin and the others after the Stag Lord is dealt with, yes?"
The expedition and their soldiers, including the newly organized militia, try to get as much sleep as possible. Many of them recognize that this morning may be the final one they see. No one turns from the battle, though. There are things worth fighting and dying for.
As dawn breaks over Oleg's, a lone figure appears on horseback at the treeline. Akiros, true to his promise, has arrived to collect their answer for the Stag Lord. He rides towards them, calmly unbothered that he is riding into a potential trap. As he arrives at the gates, Walthon signals for them to open. He rides through the open gates and dismounts from his amber-colored horse. He respectfully bows, the practiced gesture of a man of good upbringing. "Good morning. Do you have an answer for the Stag Lord."