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The ruling council of Sloboda closes the doors of their Town Hall , and stand next to a big table where their best and most updated map of the Stolen Lands lay.
Annotated Stolen Lands Map
Anando Varesisi, Treasurer of Sloboda, and Cohort and most faithful cohort of King Rupert I (which most of his subjects have never consider that, having always known Tatiana Fortuna as the Queen) explain to you, in his usual grave and pessimistic style.
"We are stretched to thin. We have been lucky. We can't continue like this. We have confirmation of the location of the Stag Fort, base of operation of the Stag Lord Bandits, but every time we have tried to move more into his territory the ambushes and retaliatory attacks to our side have stopped us in our tracks. And when we leave them alone, they leave us alone. So I think that is what we need to do."
Benjamin Leventon, first born and heir of Leventon's Land, one of the new baronies of the Kingdom interjects:
"We can't allow that! The Stag Lord is only bidding, preparing to attack us! We can't let him strike us first, in his terms!"
Anando ignores him and continues:
"The Kobold Lands are quiet, and since we have forbidden our subjects to enter it there have not been any more attacks or disappearances, so we can be at ease there for now."
The very beautiful Maria Borgnok, now "Baroness" Borgnok, ruler of another of the new baronies, mayor of "No Name Town" - as it is know, Grand Diplomat and regarded by many as a double agent to the Stag Lord, hits the table with her hand.
"Nonsense! That land has many resources we can use. We just need to drive those creatures out! Let's send the Silver Dragonflight to root them out!"
Anado shakes his head.
"As I told you, we are spread too thin! Half of them are pattrolling Varhold..."
He nods towards Elpída, the young pregnant "representative" of the Cenobitic Order, rulers of the Varnhold Barony. You all remember the "scandal" in Varnhold a couple months ago when her pregnancy was discovered, carnal unions forbidden in their rules. Only Tarina, Tatiana and Maria's diplomatic skill saved her from the fire, even if they had to remove her from Varnhold. With her soft and gentle voice she says:
"And we are really thankful for it. Without them we would be defenseless against bandits and the Nomen Centaurs."
Anando smiles at her and continues...
"And the other half is patrolling our lands, specially the Stag Lord and Kobold's border". And the other followers are needed at Leventon's lands, investigating and protecting the forest border."
Vodyanoy Leventon, the adopted gnome part of the "seven brothers", and always around Neji (even here where he is not supposed to be) interjects:
"We think we can make headway there, if only have a little big more help!"
Anando ignores him too.
"And don't forget the frequent undead attacks in the south border... we must take them more seriously, as they are more and more dangerous. But master Zmeu wants to gives us good news..."
Zmeu Dunarea, the plant wizard you captured on the Shrike river battle, and now trusted friend and adviser, looks at you and starts with his deep voice.
"My travel accompanying Queen Tatiana I to the crooked river was a success. All the hamlets and farms in the region will recognize us as they fiefs (lords) in exchange of our continuous protection. They are convinced we are here to stay, and of our good intentions. They have requested a baron for them, as they requested to be a new "barony", and they asked me for that honor. But we wanted the council say in this matter."
Vodyanoy (the adopted gnome of the Leventon's brothers) kicks his brother Daniel's leg (third of them, very charismatic), which in turn kicks Benjamin's leg (firstborn, heir), which then asks Anando to talk (very funny all of it, and in Leventon's style). After being given the floor, he starts.
"We want to make another proposal. One that lets the Kingdom be unified in a more secure and permanent way. We all are people of honor, but it is the time to take this new kingdom one step forward. We propose the alliances that have us here to be cemented by blood and marriage. As such, I am to ask for Maria Borgnok's hand in Marriage..."
Maria gaps in feint surprise and smile at him.
"But we also want to ask in marriage, for my brothers Daniel and Vodyanoy, Queen Tatiana and Magister Neji's hands. And not only as a means to an alliance, but because my brothers are madly in love with them."
That last part is no secret, as all of Sloboda have seem both of them "head-over-heals" for Tatiana and Neji.
"We also like to know the council say on this, but most importantly, the girls say about it."
Daniel and Vodyanoy move as one, Daniel kneeling in front of Tatiana, and Vodyanoy in front of Neji, both presenting a very nice ring for them, smiling, hope in their eyes.
"A triple wedding!"
Rafael Khavortorov scream (one of the four Khavortorov brothers, also know as "The Four Swords") screams with joy, prematurely, as is his custom (Donato, his brother, is know as Elpida's child father)...
An awkward silents then falls, because of the anticipated scream... what will the ladies say?
From the corner of the Town Hall, Daliedhur raised an eyebrow. She still remembered very well when they first met each one of their new allies, mainly Maria Borgnok - no, the last six months had not always been easy, but here they were.
She shook her head at the impromptu marriage propositions, but simply kept her opinion to herself, arms crossed over her chest, waiting for the answers.
All this talk was just that. Talk. Marriage? Feh. This was war time and she agreed with the Levetons, better to find the Stag Lord and turn him into a doe...
She chuckled darkly as she sharpened her greatblade, which was badly dinged from their last encounter during an bandit ambush. She had added six news ears to her necklace, totalling sixteen dried ears so far. By the end of the war she hoped it would be closer to a hundred...
One for every year her sister lost to live...
With no one else to blame she had turned her Hate on the bandit kingdom, any that swore loyalty would the Doe Lord would die by her blade. So there she sat like normal, rubbing the whetstone over her battered blade over and over again. Ignoring the long winded rubbish of politics and idle talk.
DAliedhur moved close to Xi'Tir, greeting the woman with a nod - "It seems everyone has forgotten that the borders are far from secure, turning their attentions to celebration, while others prepare for war Xi'Tir..." - she spoke calmly to her companion.
Seraph glanced warily at Xi'Tir, the sound of her sharpening her greatblade was putting her on edge. In the recent months Xi'Tir had started collecting her grim trophies and Seraph was content on letting her keep her own council so long as she didn't display her trophies outside this room or the battlefield. But...
Sometimes she felt it was like watching a dog turn rabid...
The moment passed and she looked back to the map, the markers showed where her men were and with a practiced hand she adjusted the dragonflight markers to indicate where, when and how her men were progressing. She made sure not to show the cracks in her emotional armor but Anando was right, frighteningly so, that they were spread thin.
After the debacle with a near deadly clash with the monks over Elpida, Seraph herself had luckily been present and made it quite apparent how it would end if a foul hand was laid on Elpida. Her relationship with Tarina suffered greatly over the ordeal but the girls heart was in the right place so she let the matter die quietly. Besides she had more on her plate to deal with then most. Especially as her men were dealing with the Centuars on top of the rest of their numerous enemies.
Undead in the South East, Bandits in the South West, Kobolds in the West and the Forest border the Leveton's defended. There was much to do...
It was then Baroness Borgnok's shouting made her look away from the map...
She never could quite trust Maria Borgnok, as General of Slobada she had to entertain the idea that she could be a double agent. However Seraph believed that Maria was more in it for fame and fortune. More then likely she played both sides until one proved to be the Champion and she hung on to them like a leech. Her own idea's didn't stop her from being friendly with Maria because she was quite beautiful and a decent enough person to speak with late into the night on occasion.
However in this setting she kept things above personal, especially when it pertained to the welfare of Slobada. Seraph used proper titles and spoke in a friendly tone as she got Maria's attention. "Baroness, pardon me, but at the moment the Kobolds are the least of our concern. Resources do us little if we are unable to hold them and a protracted war with guerilla fighters is out of the question. Please look at the map and allow me to explain further." She gestures to the map of the Stolen Lands, indicating their position. However she was interrupted by the sudden marriage proposal's and it came as no surprise when the boy finally proposed to Maria, took him long enough.
It was then that Xi'Tir chuckled in a dark manner and Seraph narrowed her eyes in the Mwangi rangers direction. She looked away when Xi'Tir continued her eerie blade sharpening, undaunted by the marriage proposal's and seemingly ignoring the whole event.
She looked to Maria then, removing the pieces and rolling up the maps to avoid a celebratory disaster ruining their hard earned intelligence gathering. "I'd like to discuss this further Baroness, perhaps hear your ideas as to how we would make moves against the Kobold lines and such. Perhaps at the usual place?"
A more casual setting, less interruptions and more loosely arrayed. Perhaps with some wine and away from so many jarring voices.
Being the general she is quite strained by the lack of seriousness that the kingdom faces, but she is hiding it very well as to not to spoil the mood.
Seraph speaks far more casually then normal in regards to Maria, though the annoyance in her voice is very well masked. Being the general she is quite strained by the lack of seriousness that the kingdom faces, but she is hiding it very well as to not to spoil the mood.
Xi'Tir returns both of Seraph's glances, smiling all the while before Dalidhur came closer. She returned Daliedhur's nod with her own, smiling up at the exotic elven warrior as spoke. "Dat's why I like ya Daliedhur, ya not fo'gettin' dat the war is on da door step. Tis good to know when da time comes." She continued sharpening amid the surprise announcement, unconcerned and uncaring in the face of such happiness...
She arced an eyebrow at Seraph's continued friendiness with Maria Bor'Nog. Xi'Tir would have spat if her disdain for the pretty little fetchling sycophant wasn't already apparent for Maria. Feh, again with politics, it sickened her. She patted an empty seat nearby before continuing to hone her blade. "Save ya feet Daliedhur, ya gonna need dem for the long patrol ahead. Besides what da ya think, should we be fightin' dem little scalies (kobolds) or be going straight for the Doe's Heart." She was quite attached to the Doe Lord now as the bastard had yet to show himself. The cowardly little brigand wannabe he was, Bekyar were more fearsome then his lot, where they lacked in strength they made up in numbers. A battle of attrition that would still end with the fall of the Stag Kingdom.
She didn't think about the undead, those things made her skin crawl. Some Bad Juju there Mon!
"I think it is about time we ascertain exactly what kind of threat is this Stag Lord - We've heard a lot about him or her, but the truth is we know close to nothing about this enemy" - Daliedhur retorts - "It is about time we change that, and understand what it is exactly we are up against"
She ponders for a few seconds, then adds - "I don' want to dismiss the kobold threat - individually they are usually not a threat, but they amass in huge numbers, and can overrun even the more tenacious of fortifications in a matter of days, with no care for their own losses" - then she takes on a somber tone - "The undead worry me deeply - they are usually an indication of something much worse, as if those abominations were not bad enough... But still, the Stag Lord has become more than a bandit, and we need to understand exactly what it is"
Xi'Tir Nods in agreement as Daliedhur speaks. She smiled at the thoughts of the Stag Lord being a woman and rightly so. "It show how dey held on so long, a woman leading dem. Heh. Now dem little scalies I tink we leave them be for now. Maybe we make nice with dem and dey help us with da bandits..." She smiled as she pictured the bandits being ambushedwhile they were waiting to be ambushed. The imagined look of surprise on their faces was priceless to Xi'Tir.
She got along surpringly well with the elven ranger, the mention of undead though makes her visibly shake. It takes her a moment to get her rhythm back as she approachesn finishing sharpening her blade. "Hard to fight sometin' dat don't fear dyin' or bleedin' Mon. Bad Juju there. Sometin' upset da world and it comin' for da mean vengence. When da bandits are done we go der and stop dis bad juju for good Daliedhur..."
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Daliedhur and Xi'Tir remember the chat they had with Vodyanoy Leventon, the gnome Leventon "brother", a couple of hours back.
"Ladies," - he say - "I have a proposal for you. We can make a , let say, 'strike' team, infiltrate the Bandit Lands and gather information of how many they are, how strong their defenses seems, and, why not, try to assassinate the Stag Lord. I have seen you work this last few months, and I think 1 or 2 of my brothers, and you two, maybe some other people, can resolve the Bandit issue, or at least make a big headway, if we are willing to take the risk. I know that would be dangerous, but I think we can manage. What do you say?"
You notice he is very brave, and anxious. He has shown himself in the time you have expended with the Leventon's as a very brave and rash little fellow. And madly in love with Neji.
Everything is quick and bold with him.
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The meeting takes place in a small inn people says belongs to Maria, and where more than one shady character uses as a base of operations. If you need something "shady" made in Trivium the "Keyhole" (the name of the inn) is the place to go.
You have a small private booth where privacy seems guaranteed, both you and Maria arrived covered with big baggy indescriptive cloaks, taking care no one follows you. Maria insisted that was the best way of doing it.
"Please, call me Maria, not Baroness. We both now that "Baronies" dream don't mean anything if we are unable to make our claim stand. And let me call you Seraph instead of "General". I know many of you don't trust me, but I was born here, without nothing, trying to scrape my subsistence in the Stolen Lands, surrounded by bandits and monsters. I didn't had the privilege to... I didn't have any privileges, really. I only had this" - she signals her body with a hand wave - "and this." - she points at her temple - "I like you, I have always liked strong people. I learned that as a child, keep near the strongest guy around. Let him protect you. So I will try to be sincere with you. I have done many things, and most of them would have me imprisoned or dead on Brevoy or other "civilized" place. But this is not a civilized place. Not yet."
She looks you at the eye, and you think you see fear and hate and pain in there... but you also see strength, cunning, persistence. A survivor's will. And... also... other things. Could she be attracted to you?
"You arrived and changed everything. If you manage to hold on this "Sloboda", and you keep your bargain and let me rule my little piece of land... Do you have any idea what would that mean for me? To be a ruler instead of a... "comfort girl"? But I can't put all my eggs in the same basket. I can't risk everything. I don't have anywhere else to go. You and your "Silver Dragonflight" can go anywhere. I can't. I only have myself. I have to play safe."
She looks at you almost pleadingly.
"You understand, right?"
She extends a hand over the table, timidly.
Maria
Her flame red hair fell over her shoulder as she took Maria's hand in hers, palm to palm, squeezing her hand gently while looking her in the eyes. "Perfectly Maria." Her voice remained low, warm and her eyes never wavered from Maria's as she continued to speak. " You and I are alike in many ways; however you are wrong about us. We, like you, have nowhere to run to; we are fully invested in this country and Our People." She emphasized the words to indicate Maria as well before gently cupping Maria's hand with her other hand in a warm and protective way. "You are beautiful and strong in ways few can see or imagine, your stronger then you know and I see this in you. You did what you had to to survive and I will not judge you, in fact, I caution you to forget. Remember what the past taught you but leave it behind so that you can grow. Don’t let it weigh you down and ruin opportunities that come your way or lessen your happiness.“ She and Maria were different but the same on many levels, her earliest memories being the foul treatment she had received in ‘civilized’ society. She could not help but feel for Maria even more…
She leans closer cautious not to put-off Maria with her intensity, the same intensity that Danath had instilled in her so long ago. Her voice is low and sincere as she continues to hold Maria’s hands gently in her own. ”We will hold, this I swear on my life. So I ask you to trust in Slobada, not to stand behind us but side by side with us as an equal. If it's too hard to do that right now, then place your trust in me and let me prove to you the bright future that awaits all of us. We need women of your caliber to give all their effort and I need people I can trust. Like you…” With that last part, her intensity fades and for a moment her doubt sets in, she started to feel that perhaps she had come on too strongly or spoke to pointedly and she gently began to withdraw her hands.
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Maria looks at Seraph, her brown eyes fixed oh hers.
"Are you willing to trust me? Are you willing to stand side to side with me? I am not like you. I am not the leader of the saviors of the land. But I can be useful to you, and you can be useful to me. And if you are willing to risk it, I can be a great companion. But no one has trust me before. And with reason. I am not a woman to trust in."
She smiles at her, her eyes fixed in Seraph.
"But you make me feel like maybe... just maybe... if you trust in me, I can trust in me too. And in that case I can do something I would never thought I could do..."
She peeks outside the box to verify nobody is eavesdropping.
"I can take you into the Stag Lord fort, so we can assassinate him."
This news would have shock others but Seraph was cool, calm and collected. Her strong posture and maintained strong eye contact with Maria as the woman spoke. At the moment though she was more focused on making Maria realize how important she was to their cause. Even the possibility of striking directly at the Stag paled in comparison to Maria's importance. "Your words shock me, you say you are not a saviour, yet you control a stable land that will only grow under your wise leadership. No one will have to struggle as you did, so you too are a saviour Maria in your own way."
She reaches out then, once more holding Maria's hand in her own to emphasize her words. "You need only look in a mirror and see that the strongest person you know is you. So trust in yourself Maria, as I am more than willing to trust you. So let us build on this together then. Side by side; as equals." She hoped that Maria would let down her guard and trust not only her but the rest of the Barons in time as well. She didn’t feel like she was being deceived and that the chinks in Maria’s armour were being revealed to her little by little.
She was glad to know the Stag Lord was a man at least, but that was not what troubled her. Still holding Maria’s hand in hers she asked quietly. "Must he die? Will he not see reason and perhaps join us?" The Stag Lord had proven himself an adept commander, his troops were ragtag and undisciplined but if he joined them as a Baron they could avoid more bloodshed. She had to hope that reason could prevail…
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"Join us? He is a mad man that workships some evil goddess. You are right, I pretend to make my Lands prosper, and make all the people in there, so no girl has to endure what I did... He doesn't... He just want to eat and drink his fill, killing and pillaging..."
Tears start to flow freely from Maria's eyes.
"And raping any innocent little girl he comes near... "
Seraph's shoulders rise, the thought of such suffering caused her breathing to hasten. She believed Maria, these lands had never known a just hand and now that they did the Stag would stop at nothing to hold them at bay or crush them. There was no reasoning with a monster, only peace with its destruction. She reached out and brushed away some of Maria's tears with her free hand. "Remain strong Maria. I promise you that no more innocents will suffer at his hand if we can help it."
She rubbed Maria's cheek with her thumb as she cupped her cheek with the palm of her hand. She never stopped holding hand as she looked into tear stained face. "Please stay at my Villa and collect yourself before we discuss further on how to reach him. But I don't think we should not discuss this further in public, especially here." She was guarded but already she thought on what she needed, who she would bring and how they would accomplish their goal. Maria was the linchpin in all of this and we need to be protected.
If she could reach him she planned to kill him or die in the attempt. For this land didn't have room for him or his evil goddess. Their dream could not exist if he lived...
Xi'Tir, Daliedhur and the Son's of Levington~
Xi'Tir listens to Vodyanoy while cleaning her weapons from the latest clash with a particularly sneaky bandit. Chi lay licking her lips and purring at her side as she nodded at Vodyanoy proposal. She never looked at him as she spoke, running a finger along the edge of her weapon and calmly testing the fine edge she was creating. "I tink dis is a good plan, but I havta ask if'n you told da General about this? 'Cause if'n you hav'n't den I can't do it Mon. If'n we don't succeed den how would she know to comin' get us, eh. Seraph she a fiery one, ya lie or trick her den you deserve da wrath she brings down on ya."
She turns her eyes to Vodyanoy, regarding him with narrowed eyes as she spoke. "So lets sa ya told her. Ya tink it will be dat easy? The dragonmen have been fightin' hard, yet da bastards still standin'. I'd kill dat Stag if I had half da chance, No question on that Mon. So what dis plan of yours? How da ya plan to git in?"
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She rubbed Maria's cheek with her thumb as she cupped her cheek with the palm of her hand. She never stopped holding hand as she looked into tear stained face. "Please stay at my Villa and collect yourself before we discuss further on how to reach him. But I don't think we should not discuss this further in public, especially here." She was guarded but already she thought on what she needed, who she would bring and how they would accomplish their goal. Maria was the linchpin in all of this and we need to be protected.
Maria kisses Seraph hand when she rubs her cheek.
"I want to accompany to your villa. I want to spend the night with you. I want to fell safe and accompanied at least one night of my life. Could it be possible this is that night?"|
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She turns her eyes to Vodyanoy, regarding him with narrowed eyes as she spoke. "So lets sa ya told her. Ya tink it will be dat easy? The dragonmen have been fightin' hard, yet da bastards still standin'. I'd kill dat Stag if I had half da chance, No question on that Mon. So what dis plan of yours? How da ya plan to git in?"
Vodyanoy, the gnome, smiles amused...
"The red general? Are you kidding? I mean, she is nice. And if need a parade, yes, I'll call her anyway. But the key here is to be fast and discreet. In and out without anyone knowing, except the future widow of the imbecile in the fort. May he rest in hell. But I won't work with the Silver Dragonflight trampling all over the place."
Xi'Tir was enraged, her eyes shot daggers as she barked at the Levington son as he finished speaking.
"Seraph is her name ya arrogant boy! Ya bring shame to your family!"
Xi'Tir growls at the insult laid on the Dragonmen and Seraph. At her sudden aggression Chi's hackles rise as she stares predatorily at Vodyanoy. Xi'Tir's voice dripped with scorn, she didn't hide her hate this time, unleashing it now, despite Seraph's wishes, because Vodyanoy had revealed his treachery. "It's sad that Seraph say to trust ya, She say dey ur allies, dey dis dey that and dis is how ya repay her now. With scorn?" She waves her hand upward in anger before laughing bitterly, expecting this kind of behaviour completely.
"I expect dis and dis is why I hate people. Dey just as f!!!in' evil as da Stag Lord deep in der soul, speaking ill and betrayin' those who trust dem. Sacrficin' others for der glory and gain... Thats why I can't trust ya because ya just gonna get people like Neji killed!" Her voice carried the same fire that Seraph had unleashed on her weeks before, a fight that had led to an unsightly brawl between the two for the first time and ended with them being seperated by the dragonmen's officers.
"Funny ting is I don't remember you or ya brothers being at the first battle, ya?" The memories of that night flashed through her mind and her veins puffed out as her blood boiled. Both from the memory and the utter disdain she had for the little man's insulting tone. Her muscles flexed as she started to rise to her feet, hissing her words through clenched teeth. "Ya were in da north safe courtin' Neji, while Seraph and her men bled the ground red mon! She led the charge and never asked for reward! Where would ya be now without dem?"
Her knuckle's cracked as she flexed her fingers, her lips were a thin line and Daliedhur previous experience with Xi'Tir warned her of what would come next if Vodyanoy pushed Xi'tir any further. Because he had crossed the line with the Mwangian and Xi'Tir wasn't the type to let an insult go...
Seraph continues to smile warmly at Maria and nods to her. "Only if you wish it. You will always have a safe haven here in Trivium, Maria. Come, we have much to discuss and little time to waste."
Seraph hoped that Maria could deliver on her promise, it could possible be their only shot at taking down the Stag and dissolving the bandit territories. Granted the fall out would result in roving bands of brigands but with the fall of the Stag the Dragonflight troops could focus on cleaning up these ragtag bands.
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Vodyanov face grows red, his nostrils expanding...
"My father and brothers have been here for many years before you came, and have shed a lot more blood than you, foreigners. So don't come taking to me about sacrifices, as we have been fighting the Stag Lord for years. And without any kingdom paying us a fortune to do it. So go hide with your general if you want, I'll get the help I need with more sane people. "
He turns and starts to get away,
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Seraph continues to smile warmly at Maria and nods to her. "Only if you wish it. You will always have a safe haven here in Trivium, Maria. Come, we have much to discuss and little time to waste."
"I will tell you everything we will need, and I will accompany the group that goes. But I will keep telling in public that I think the Kobolds are a more important threat, and will let you guide, as I don't want anyone to know I am the source of the information. "
She smiles shyly at Seraph."I hoped you invited home... I couldn't invite myself, or you would think I am an 'Easy lay' ..."
Things seem about to burst into a fist fight, but Daliedhur does not seem to react overly concerned, the only tell tale of any aprehension being a raised eyebrow - "A parade..? Foreigners... Paying us..?! Hide with our general?!" - as she recaps the gist of the Leventon gnome conversation, her tone rises ever so slightly.
"You are acting like a fool, and practically begging to be throttled where you stand - we have come here offering our help and sisterly assistance without ever a trace of asking for anything in return" - she speaks calmly - "Your plan is sound and makes perfect sense, but you have just offended every single one of the Barons, and ourselves, their cohorts, in a single sentence" - she adds.
"You say you have been here for long, shedding blood in defense of the lands, but yet you speak like an oaf who seems to know nothing about rising a blade, nor about honoring your allies. I have been in this world for longer years than you, your brothers and your father all added up, yet you hear no arrogance coming out of my mouth. You, on the other hand, insist on talking about things you know nothing about - clearly you do not know of Seraph's valor or capability. You should learn about it before emitting any other opinions in ignorance" - she states flatly.
"As Xi'Tir has explained, we agree with your plan, but will not carry it out behind Seraph's back - those are the terms. If your next words are in agreement to this, they are welcome. Otherwise you should step back, and think about your poor choice of words in addressing us today" - she finishes, then looking at Xi'Tir - "Come my friend, let us allow him a moment to rethink his view of himself and of others" - she nods, motioning them both to leave.
His words made Xi'Tir open her mouth in anger, ready to roar in challenge but when Daliedhur began to speak she stopped. She had a look of confusion when Daliedhur wasn't as angry as she was, the set of Xi's jaw easily betrayed she was nowhere near done. She ran the possibilities through her mind and as the long tense moment she balled her hand into tight fists, shaking ever so slightly as she restrained her anger by the thinnest of margins. "Daliedhur! ... He! ... But! Serap... " She releases her anger in a garbled string of loud words before she could finally think more clearly. She took a deep breath and spoke at Vodyanov. Every word took effort to restrain her anger from emerging again. "Daliedhur... is... right. Dat's dey term." She turns to Daliedhur then, clapping her on the shoulder. "Tell me what ya decide Mon. I'll apologize to his fa'her and clan. But not to him, not until he apologizes for dis insult. I won't disappoint her... again..." She moved in the opposite direction of Vodyanov.
She was in total agreement with Maria's suggestion. "Sounds like a solid plan I will work to sway the council on why we shouldn't concern ourselves with the Kobolds just yet and steer them towards committing to defending the borders." She chuckled as the political plotting thickened, for the betterment of all she hoped. "This will be interesting indeed... A bit of tit for tat." Danath had been just starting to get into teaching her about politics and after about six months as General she was starting to get a feel for it.
She chuckles at Maria's shyness, remembering the account from Halcorg of when they were ambushed at Maria Borgnok's place originally. "Your anything but, besides, I wouldn't have minded as assertiveness is a virtue I admire among other qualities." With that they made their way back towards Seraph's shared manor, discarding their robes and taking a carriage ride while enjoying a more casual atmosphere.
A gated manor, surrounded by a medium wall and resembling a keep more then an esteemed residence. A reflection of Seraph's mind for preparedness and a working training ground for the dragonflight soldiers. Bunkhouses dot the wall and seemingly at all times there are soldiers about on the grounds, training, mainting their equipment or performing various duties in or around the grounds.
The first floor was Spartan in its furnishing's, a large kitchen, a suitably large dining hall or mess as the soldiers referred to it. A large war room, decorated in maps and where the officers would gather to discuss strategy, an armory and some other rooms they didn't reach in time. Several sets of staircases split the upper level of the manor into private rooms and sections. This manor wasn't Seraph's alone, from time to time the other barons would stay here as well in there own suites. It had also housed important political parties or visiting allies as well and the constant presence of the dragonflight troops made it hard for people to brazenly attack.
Seraphs room was quiet and comfortably dim even during the day. The suite was one large room with a raised area for the large four poster bed and mattress fit for someone of nobility. Adorned with silk sheets it was the epitome of comfort. In the center of the room against the wall near one of the few larger windows sat a large tub and on the other side of the room sat a large desk, adorned with maps and small neatly arranged piles of parchments with an ink and quill nearby.
Despite it's Spartan appeal the manor was not without it's amenities, it contained a small wine and ale cellar and dual cisterns in the kitchen, one that was heated and used for hot bathes for the soldiers and for those staying at the manor.
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"As Xi'Tir has explained, we agree with your plan, but will not carry it out behind Seraph's back - those are the terms. If your next words are in agreement to this, they are welcome. Otherwise you should step back, and think about your poor choice of words in addressing us today" - she finishes, then looking at Xi'Tir - "Come my friend, let us allow him a moment to rethink his view of himself and of others" - she nods, motioning them both to leave.
The gnome Vodyanov Leventon doesn't seems scared...
"We were doing ok without your 'gratuitous' help. Didn't Brevoy financed your 'expedition'? Aren't you appropriating the new lands? Charging taxes? Of course, you are all 'for the good of all'! Forget me, I am not much of a diplomat, and I know the Silver Dragonflight is, on a man by man basis, the best fighting force in the Stolen Lands, but I don't pretend to lead a military parade into the Stag Lord's fort! Are you idiots?!? We need small, brave, quiet, like you both and me! But also smart! And I see I am alone in that respect! Good night to you!"
He goes, fuming, looking for Halcorg.
"Halcorg, can I have a word with you? I want to make an exploration expedition to the Stag Lord's fort, and even if a couple of my brothers will accompany me, I fear I need more "muscle", if you know what I mean. I went with the "ladies" - He points towards Xi'Tir and Daliedhur - "but it seems they would like to march with the Silver Dragonflight in there, which we already know doesn't work. So, are you interested in taking a stroll?"
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She chuckles at Maria's shyness, remembering the account from Halcorg of when they were ambushed at Maria Borgnok's place originally. "Your anything but, besides, I wouldn't have minded as assertiveness is a virtue I admire among other qualities." With that they made their way back towards Seraph's shared manor, discarding their robes and taking a carriage ride while enjoying a more casual atmosphere.
About the Villa... I am not sure it was build... Can someone confirm?
Seraph was referring to the building that was built for free, Noble Villa, during the kingdom building. It was a rolled event and an extra building built for free by someone who wished us prosperity in our endeavors.
Unless you deem the event didn't happen thats fine, I believe thats why he has it in spoiler form. ;)
Xi'Tir's shoulders bunched together when he called them idiots and she turned back. He'd done it now. "Ya don't know anything! I never said ta bring the dragonflight, not once! I said to tell Seraph of ya plan, dat way she could be ready, if ya knew her ya trust her ability to be quiet on tings. Cause if we fail dey be comin' to hurt the people. If we fail people will die cause of your lack of sight! I won't bury more of our soldiers for ya recklessness and after your years of fighting I thought ya father teach ya better!" Even as he walks away she shouts at his back and its the last thing he hears before moving to Halcorg.
She was more angry than before, Vodynoy would lie, cheat and deceive to get people to agree. She didn't need him as far as she could throw him. She clicked her tongue and Chi rose to her feet. "F~#$ him Daliedhur, little lying s%~*! I will kill da bastard myself, I'll move more quietly then his fool plan! I am sure the little idiot isn't speaking to anyone wth brains on dis s%!*. I'll tell Seraph and den I go ta his father and den I go south." She turns, sword in sheath and her small pack on her shoulder with Chi at her heals heading for where she believed Seraph to be.
Yep, Xi's right, I assumed the manor was built but with it being so early in the kingdom it was more rough then some huge sprawling masterpiece in the middle of nowhere. :( Sorry for any confusion.
The tall hard Shonati warrior looks down at the gnome when he approaches.
You want me to fight Stag Lord alone? Why not bring ladies? Xi is great warrior. Seraph great leader. Others also among best in this land. My hammer hurts. But, I not army and not going to fight Stag Lord alone, with or without careful plan.
Why you not want army?
Daliedhur was answering about at the same time as Xi'Tir - "No one said the intention was to march the whole army into the Stag Lord's..." - but then she fell silent as her companion voiced both their opinions.
As the man moves away, and Xi'Tir voices her frustration, she simply shakes her head - "Foolish pup" - she adds.
Turning to the upset ranger, she continues - "It is irrelevant, I will move to the border myself, and gather first hand all the feedback we have on their organization - we need more information before we proceed with any action, either covert or not"
Pondering for a few moments, she adds - "If necessary I will venture forth myself to gather intelligence in their own terrain. Let us see if I can get a moment with Seraph to inform her. Agreed Xi'Tir?"
Xi'Tir nods in agreement, no longer looking in the gnomes direction. "Ya, mon. We see what she says ya?"
Queen Tatiana the First just realized that someone had asked her for her hand in marriage. She had been dreamily staring across the room at Szymon enjoying his face. They had hardly been apart since their joyful reunion. If both of their presences had not been demanded for this council meeting, they would both been together in her suite catching up on lost time. It was Szymon's sour expression that jostled her out of reverie realizing what the Levanton brother's had asked, the fools.
At a pause in the discussion, Tatiana clears her throat and quietly announces, "Thank you for the kind offers, but my love has been committed to another for quite some time. When the time is right, we will celebrate our love with a marriage ceremony, but it is not a priority."
"I agree with Daliedhur. We need more information about the Stag Lord, but his history of banditry presages his demise. The kobolds on the other hand creates an opportunity of diplomacy. Perhaps, we could live in concert with the little reptiles?"
She looks around the room trying to assess the positions and priorities of the instigators.
Although she had sat quietly, listening all of this time, and holding her foster mother Lalia's hand, Tarina decided now was the time to speak up.
"Rather then worrying about weddings and such, I agree that we should focus our efforts on expanding upon the security of our borders." Tarina spoke softly, but loud enough to be heard. "More then a reason for celebration, what our people need now is the assurance that they are safe, and dealing with this "Stag Lord" would assuredly help our citizens feel at ease." She pauses for a moment as Lalia Lebeda whispers in her ear to describe the events that she cannot quite see.
"The Stag Lord must be dealt with, and the longer that is delayed, the more we risk." She spoke with a firm voice.
Next chapter in Corsario's Kingmaker campaign. The barons are back to Sloboda, and now they have to get his Kingdom up against enemies internal and external.
I am going to be a bit busy so I will post as I can, so let me know! :) Thanks Corsario.
The Banner of the Dragonflight hung lazily nearby with her personal standard bearer holding it proudly. Seraph listened intently to the continued conversation in the room as talk of attacking the Stag Kingdom began to take precedence once more. Despite what happened the last time they mobilized the army.
She Rose to her feet before speaking her voice polite but firm. "Baron's and Baronesses, please bare in mind that The Stag Kingdom isn't the only prominent threat, the Undead are attacking more often and the attacks grow in severity with each passing week. We are up to two attacks a week now and it will get worse."
She lets this news sink in for a moment before continuing. "Now, I am dealing with the Stag Kingdom but we cannot commit our forces to a battle of attrition again. Not when they are needed here to handle the undead. However, we've recently received valuable intelligence, at great cost, that could allow us to get close to the Stag Lord. The success of this mission would rely on those selected to fight this battle." Her eyes and words indicated that she possibly mean't the Baron's of Slobada themselves...
She waited to hear their combined responses before continuing.
Next chapter in Corsario's Kingmaker campaign. The barons are back to Sloboda, and now they have to get his Kingdom up against enemies internal and external.