Of course I can. Could you tell me where she currently is?
Winter asked the Silsavar politely; ignoring the elf's weak attempt at intimidation.
With a destination in hand; the priest rose from his seat and left in search of Evianna.
After the priest of Erastil had left; Kabal got back to business.
Does anyone else have advise or something to do before we leave? I'd like us ready to move out in two hours.
"I'm more than ready."
Silsavar describes Winter the way to Eviana's home.
The beautifully coloured timber house lies at the centre of the village opposite the small temple.
Eviana is standing in front of it, speaking to some of the elven warriors who now, after readying their equipment, want to receive a last blessing before they join the war party.
Winter will wait with all the patience of a granite boulder that has weathered mother nature since time began and hasnt moved an inch. Once the war party has accepted their blessing and departed will he hail Evianna for an audience.
Lady Evianna, it is good to see you again. May I have a word with you? I have informed the War Leader that while I advise against the gamble of using you as bait; I do indeed see the merit in such a course of action. Kabal is living up to exactly the description I gave has he not?
The priest smiled in pride. Although at his wisdom being proven or at appreciation of the Brevian; one who didnt know him couldnt say. Those who did know him would have no doubts that both statements were quite true.
I will not make the decision for you my Lady. Erastil will's that the man of the house is the head but we are not husband and wife for me to have that responsibility and I respect you too much to take liberties with your life. The War Leader wishes to know if you will join us on the crusade to drive the drow from your homeland and win back Celwynvian?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Quickly a spark of adventure and adrenaline kindles in Eviana's eyes
A bait to lure the drow into a trap? How dangerous is it and do we have any means of protection? she pauses and takes Winter's hand Don't think I am a coward - I don't fear for my life, but I fear for my people. They need me, they need the spiritual bond to their gods and ancestors...I trust your judgment, Winter - is it a good plan?
Winter smiled warmly and could clearly see the light shine in the elven queen's eyes.
That is Sislavar's plan. He thinks the drow will become overzealous in their hunt for you to ignore the obvious. I will not lie though, it will be quite dangerous. There are risks in all things Evianna but you will be surrounded by your warriors. They too will need to benefit from seeing you willing to do what needs to be done to reclaim Celwynvian. It is a good plan...or as good a plan as we have time for and certainly the best considering the available resources. Plus as in life; all good plans only last until the first stone in thrown. One cannot determine the course a stream will take once the dam has cracked.
Caterine stands at ease, yet also ready. Whips are coiled and at her waist, though a ready hand rests upon the handle of one.
Eviana smiles and nods
Your words ease my worries...I will fetch my weapon and don my armour, then join you at the guest house.
she gives Winter a quick kiss on the cheek and disappears in her home...
----
Meanwhile, most of the elven mini-host has assembled in front of the guest house. All of them have only donned light armour and are armed with weapons usually used for hunting - spears, bows, broad daggers. Two of them, who sport impressive green/black war paints also carry large horns to give signals.
Sebastian spends his time jotting down half-developed soliloquies and incomplete choruses....wanting to get things on a page...just in case.
He flips to a new blank page and stares at it a while, before closing the book. Sliding it into his pack...he is ready to go.
About ten minutes after Winter has returned to the guest house, Eviana also arrives. She wears high black boots and a silky nothing that shows nearly everything of her painted body.
She reminds you of a chimera of elf and wasp - bands of black and yellow alternate from head to knee and the rapier in her hand reminds you of a nasty stinger...
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Winter's cheeks showed just a hint of embarrasment at such a public display and he looked around to make sure it wasnt shared while he waited on his Wasp Queen.
The stoic priest almost guffawed at her very brazen display but kept his shock hidden.
This way Evianna. I believe the War Leader is readying your people.
----------------------------------------------------
With his host ready and still waiting on word from Winter and Evianna; Kabal stepped out to inspect the troops. He'd been a mercenary long enough to know better than to berate them into discipline at the first day.
The War Leader had a terrible memory so he asked Sebastian - Will you walk with me and write in your book the names of all these elves? Most wont make it but they should all be remembered.
He was sure the bard would jump at the chance so the two walked around and Kabal looked each and every elf in the eye, shook their hands and learned their names.
That done he stood before them and kept it brief.
You all know whats at stake this day...and your place in it.
He spotted his friend and the Queen and grinned mischeviously even as he raised his voice.
Rolling her eyes at Evianna, Caterine stands ready and waits to head out.
The elves cheer, raise their weapons, praise their gods, Eviana and their new war leader
A very perceptive observer notices that all but one elf seem enthusistic...only Silsavar seems sullen and glares at Winter.
---Ok, how's the advance organised? How many groups? How large is the distance between them? How are the groups put toegether?
Your army roster looks like this:
10 Hunters (armed with longbows and spears, low/medium battle value)
2 Hornblowers (equipped with horns, armed with two-handed swords, medium/high battle value)
13 archers (armed with short swords and composite longbows, high battle value in ranged fight, low in melee)
5 rangers (armed with two melee weapons, composite short bows, high battle value)
20 militias (armed with spears and short bows, low battle value)
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Bree catches Silsavar's glare and narrows her eyes. She adjusts each of her knives in turn, making sure they slide free from their sheathes easily and nothing hinders her access. She casually approaches Kabal, slides her arm through his and quietly says, "Walk with me a moment." As they pass by Cat, Bree uses her eyes and a slight nod of her head to indicate to Cat that she should join them.
(Assuming they agree to this) She leads them several feet away from the others before whispering to Kabal and Cat, "I wasn't certain before, but I am now. Silsavar's behavior towards Winter is off, I think perhaps Eviana as well. You two are the only ones here I think will take me serious when I say I don't trust the man, especially for him to be too near to Winter."
Taking the hint, Caterine falls in with Bree and Kabal. She restrains from the urge to cast a glance at Silsavar, instead trusting in Bree's suspicion. Her eyes turn dark and callous as she mulls the issue "Easy enough to keep an eye on him, Kabal can make sure either Bree or I stand beside him during the affray... but should we try and force the issue? Battle such as this can be hard enough without needing to look sideways and behind as well as ahead."
Kabal frowned at Silsavar's apparent lack of enthusiasm but his mind was working on troop displacement. Well, it was until Bree took him by the arm and lead him away with Cat.
Aye, Ive seen his dirty looks for our priest. Id meant for for him to lead the ambush party but that could be problematic. You think confrontation now is a good idea? I'll talk to him then.
Kabal walked over to the Sentinel and beckoned him off to one side with the very true statement of Lets talk about who's going where.
Once alone the War Leader wastes no time with pleasantries.
Whats the deal bub? Is your heart in this? Cuz I aint seeing a determined leader right now.
Silsavar shyes away from looking directly at Kabal and after a moment of hesitation he says
You're right, but I'm no boy, I have been a soldier for all my life and even though I neither like this Winter fellow, nor the way he has impressed Eviana, I will fight with determination and a clear mind, don't worry about me, worry about the drow.
he now faces his war leader again with a stalwart gaze...obviously it was a good thing to address the matter.
Kabal nods with some understanding...jealousy? is some childish emotion at the heart of this?..how could someone not like Winter?.. and looks the Sentinel in the eye as well.
You have dispersed my doubts Silsavar. This is a good thing. I need you to lead the ambush party.
Kabal clasps the elf's forearm in a show of solidarity and starts laying out troop displacement.
We'll need a guide and some archery support. Give us a ranger, an archer and two hunters and enough time to get into position. The rest are yours to use how you know best to lure the drow out. What say you? When we hear the horns then we move in. Now lets go cut some gods damn drow into little pieces. Are you with us man?
Silsavar nods and returns the warriors' greeting
The hunter can act as your guide, the ranger may sweep out wide and attack from behind should you get into an ambush. I recommed taking two archers with you so that they can flank possible opponents. Let me get this right:
1 Ranger
1 Hunter
2 Archers
You, Bree, Winter, Sebastian, Sable, Cat and Eviana form the vanguard, coeect?
Bree shakes her head at Kabal's tactics, but hopes that he is able to truly lay the matter to rest. Watching Kabal walk away with Silsavar, she tells Cat, "There's nothing that man can say that won't leave me still suspicious of him. Even if he were to beg for forgiveness and prostrate himself at Winter's feet. A person can hide what's in their hearts easily if they have a mind to do so. Winter has become very much like a brother to me, I'll not loose him too."
Caterine nods "Aye, best we keep eyes on him... You look to Winter, I'll keep a whip on Silsavar." giving Bree a quick nod before jogging to catch up with Kabal.
After his proposed split, Caterine adds "Kabal, perhaps it's best I walk with Silsavar and his group... I'm sure that I can make myself useful." a hardness to her tone and eyes suggesting that she would prefer to not brook opposition on this before slipping into the tongue of the Drow "Mám nejaké nadanie po všetkých." and looking to Silsavar to see if he kens the words.
Bree nods to Cat and makes her way back to the group, standing near Winter. She stands with her arms beneath her breasts, her fingertips resting on the hilt of daggers.
The War Leader took the Sentinel's council to heart.
Sounds like a solid plan. You know your people best Silsavar. Good luck out there. Whats the signal to let us know the damned drow have taken the bait?
After getting the signal Kabal turned to return to his group and could see that he was in for a serious talking to when the whip weilder stalked up to him. He listened to her idea and he wasnt nearly dense enough to miss the tone in Cat's voice and surely wasn't in the mood or a position to argue with the woman.
You wanna run with them? Thats fine. Just dont going getting yourself killed. Fare you well out there Cat.
he gave her the same handshake he gave Silsavar.
Indeed, Silsavar looks over to Cat as soon as he hears the evil parody of the Elvish tongue. His expression is a mixture of shock and fear and after a moment of silence he shouts
Traitor! She knows the tongue of the black ones!
and now all eyes rest on Cat...
Caterine smiles at Silsavar, though it is far from genial. A predatory edge comes over her and those that have stood with her in battle realise that she has adopted a fighting stance. She raises her voice and addresses the elf in his own tongue "Oui, je parle la langue des forces noires .... quoi?" turning left and right to the crowd and those whose eyes are on her. "Pour parler cette langue ne me fait pas elfique, ni la langue commune me faire humain quand il passe mes lèvres. Il n'y a aucun mal en mots, quelle que soit la langue, à moins qu'ils ne soient utilisés comme des armes." Caterine pauses for a few moments to let the crowd digest those words.
"Mais ..." springing into brutally efficient and swift action to draw a whip with her right hand. She sends the striker flashing forth to crack above her head "Je suis pas un traître! Vous rétracter vos paroles ... ou je les prendrai de ta bouche." letting the whip in her hand dance across the ground before her - clear that if needs be she will strike in anger if Silsavar does not relent.
Bree slowly nods her head before saying that she herself speaks Elven and Drawven but has never spent much time amongst either.
Sebastian lags behind as he follows Kabal taking a moment to catch each warrior's name and if they wish, a short message for posterity. In exchange he makes the odd request of an arrow from each, so that he might go into battle carrying a bit of each with him.
Silsavar still glares at Cat and is probably about to shoot back a very unfriendly reply, as Eviana steps next to Cat and says
She's right - actually, speaking the tongue of our arch-enemy could be a huge benefit in the coming fights. She will be able to interrogate captives, translate their orders and last but not least insult them in their own language!
sly grins steal on some of the elves' faces and the tension dissipates as quickly as it had risen...Silsavar however just shakes his head and moves over to some of his most loyal warriors to have a silent talk with them.
-----
Meanwhile Sebastian has collected about two quivers of arrows and hopes he will be able to remember which of them belonged to which warrior.
Kabal fumed at Silsavar's accusation and nearly tried to remove the elf's head from his skinny shoulders but he knew enough to let the woman handle her own business and it worked out...still, that elf is up to no good... He approached Cat and rumbled as quietly as he could. You sure you want to head off with them? That guy dont like you...or probably any of us very much.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Caterine doesn't take her eyes off of Silsavar, and there is an air of danger as she replies to Kabal "Oh I'm even surer now... I'll stand beside the bastard, someone has to keep eyes on him. I can handle myself just fine, though if you want him killed..." turning to look at Kabal directly "Accidents could be arranged"
Kabal took the cue and tried to keep the conversation discreet.
Unecessary. We got enough blasted enemies without making any new ones. Keep close to Winter's lady will you?..and fare you well Cat. We'll see you on the other side.
Silsavar seems to be as wary of Cat as she is of him
...she...in my back...want you...me...don't let her and...betray us.
is what you understand of the quiet discussion he has with his most loyal soldiers.
The main body of the elvish troops parts into three and begins the advance to the ruins of Kelwynvian.
The closer you come to the desecrated place, the more lifeless the forest becomes. When the first crumbled parts of an elven city wall appear between the trees and bushes, all the woodland noise has vanished. Now the beating of your hearts feels like the rythm of a monumental drum...
As all groups have moved into position, runners begin to deliver messages - Silsavar and the bait group wait for the final command to move into Celwynvian now...
Kabal listens to the runner and answers with a firm nod of his head and a brief command.
Its time. Tell them to begin the assault.
...now we wait...the hardest thing for any soldier to do...
Bree waits as patiently as she can, her muscles tight; coiled and ready to spring.
The runner nods and sprints back to the group with Cat and Eviana
As the panting runner returns and passes Kabal's orders, Silsavar nods grimly and looks at you
Ok, time has come to prove yourself in combat. Stay close to the hornblower since he is crucial for our success. Best of luck to you , I hope you don't meet your gods today.
Even though his words could contain a silent threat, you don't see any hatred in his eyes....
Slowly your group moves forward and as you pass through another section of the broken city wall, you suddenly hear the scream of some sort of animal. A high-pitched screech followed by some sort of gurgle.
Silsavar curses and suddenly you spot fear on some of the elves' faces.
Lizard riders some of the elves whisper fearfully.
Silsavar looks at you and whispers Does that change our plan? They are insanely mobile with these beasts
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
To those poised with him, "It is good to have a saga written about one's heroic life, but it is best to be there opening night to hear it."
Kabal couldnt agree more with the rogue.
You got that right Sebastian. We stick together and show no quarter to these bastards to make sure we're there for this opening night......whatever that is...
The joys of spoilers and suspension :)
Silsavar nods and exchanges some quiet words of encouragement with his men, before Eviana boldly takes the lead of your group. Not far from you, the first lichen-covered domes and towers appear between the trees - and still you haven't spotted a single drow...
Soon we are too deep in Celwynvian to retreat! Silsavar hisses
Silsavar grins
No, surely not play...
You enter the city proper on a broad boulevard that must have once been a marvellous sight, completely made of alabaster with large golden marquetries it is now cracked and retaken by the forest - its splendour is now gone, but you can still imagine elves in fine costumes wandering on it...quickly you drive such thoughts away, as you spot a black flag flying at the other end of the boulevard, some hundred metres away.