With arms still crossed Halcorg nods at Tatiana's inquiry:
Where is sheriff or magistrate? This land is Restov land. Where is mayor? If you take gold without warrant, will be act of War against Sloboda and King Rupert!
Halcorg smiles:
Interesting, he call the King's treasury "treasure". "Treasure" is what is called by adventurers and thiefs.
"Eh, give the good soldier some credit, Halcorg. We all have our little quirks with speaking, ya know? Sometimes I'm surprised that Common ages so gracefully; ya would think that it-" Neji quickly catches herself from going off on a tangent. She switches her glance back over to Kester. "ANYWAY, it would be nice to know who specifically ordered ya to arrest Anando, Sir Kester. That could make a big difference here. If it was straight from the Regent himself... Well... On the other hand, ya have multiple pieces of proof right here that King Rupert himself asked Anando to retrieve the cart, which is full of things that the Regent officially designated for the mission. Who else other than King Rupert's right hand man would be asked to retrieve something like this?"
Neji's ears droop when the gravity of Anando's words hit her.
"Wait. Why would the Regent want to sabotage a mission that he only stood to gain from? That makes very little sense..."
Morley thinks out loud.. quietly
"Hmm... it is often where things don't make sense that the truth can be found.."
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"I was sent by Alphonse-Louis du Plessis, representative of his Highness King Noleski Surtova. "
The crows indicate Deldeliur that a strong contingent of Brevoy soldiers (a couple hundreds) is approaching...
The courier to the Mayor of Restov also arrives. The mayor send word for them to keep the new Lands resources, not to give them back to the Dragonscale throne troops, and wait for the city troops to support you. He also says that after the resources are secure they will make the selection process again and formally declare you the new chosen teams, after which the resources will be returned to you "legally". He says city troops should get there within the hour, 2 hours tops.
The arrival of the Lord Mayor of Restov's banner was a welcomed sight as she couldn't hear what was going on from where she was sitting astride swift. Now came the waiting game, which her and the dragonflight were used to being trained soldiers. Most diplomatic situations were never quickly resolved, especially in situations like this...
Tatiana bats her eyelashes at Kesten, "I'm not familiar with Alphonse-Louis du Plessis. Who is he?" After a pause, "Since we are not going anywhere soon, why don't we investigate the area where King Rupert and his barons disappeared? We can do it together, can't we?" she asks with a smile.
Continuing Tarina's chat with the Cenobitic Order "Prophet" in the party:
The girl answers you:
"But I am so small, so weak. How could you love me?"
"But that is what is so great about you, I could just eat you up." She says licking her lips, "But perhaps that must wait for another day, as to weather or not I am your 'prophet', you'll just have to wait and find out." She curtseys to the small girl and then adds, "You'll have to excuse me now, I need to get back to my mother."
Cutscene... At the same time the whirlwind takes the Barons away...
Tarina awakes with a scream, her Sacred Ring has gotten so cold it burns her finger, but she refuses to remove it. She quickly tries to use it to talk to her real mother, Venetia, as she is always able to do with it, but for the first time she can remember she is unable too. Somehow her mother is unable to hear her, or communicate with her. She feels her stomach turn at the thought of it. Her mother is dead.
But then she see it. She that is almost blind, can see it clearly. She can sense the love her Mother feels for her, reaching out across the universe and the planes. She smiles. Her mother loves her more than anything. She is thinking in her. She is alive.
"Mother..." She says with tears in her eyes, imminently leaving her room and seeking out her nanny. "Lalia, where is my Mother?" She asks when she finds the half elven noblewoman.
"She said she had somewhere to be, is something wrong." Lalia Lebeda questions the half elven girl, Lalia had already been awaken by Tarina's scream in fact and was already on her way to see Tarina.
"I need to know where she went, I presume she was meeting with Rupert yes? Where were they meeting." She asks, calmly, and Lalia hands her the note that Venetia had gotten from the halfling. "I need to go here, where this note says for them to meet, my mother is missing, I know it." She says as she rushes out the door.
Okay. So we're dealing with somebody really high up the ladder; well, perhaps I can work with that with some more. In the mean time, Kesten's shown a reasonable side thus far... Let's hope that persists, thinks Neji as she hears Tatiana's suggestion.
"That sounds like a good idea, no? It seems that uncertainty is really making us all jump to conclusions. As for... securing the treasury, well, wouldn't you say that it is already secure? We have documents right here that King Rupert trusted Anando to take care of it. I imagine that the cart was well-guarded when Anando when to retrieve it mere hours ago; there had to be some sort of authorization he needed to get it in the first place, right?"
Neji glances over her shoulder at the massive army gathering and gulps. It is times like these when she wishes that she was one of those summoners that could wear Destroyerman like a suit of armor or call up a massive swarm of summons to back her up.
"As for your... more eager troops, perhaps the truth could help clear things up. An unknown third party is working against Brevoy at large, and they took out King Rupert AND his barons. Fighting amongst ourselves would be exactly what they want. I just wish I could put a name to a face, though. Unless Thassilon colonized around here, I don't know of any source of mortal magic that could teleport so much mass at once."
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Kesten looks at the arriving troops, and smiles, relieved.
"My orders are to secure the treasure, arrest Anando Veresisi and take them to our camp. Not to investigate the disappearance of Rupert Surtova or decide who should have the treasure. And I intend to fulfill my mission."
Anando tells to you:
"Since when a judge is imparcial when he is one of the judged? If the Dragonscale throne gets Sloboda's treasury they will never give it back! "
A soldier approaches Kesten, and murmurs something to him.
Kesten get serious and looks at you.
"I am sorry but we can't delay this any longer. I need for you to surrender the treasure, the halfling, and your weapons. Now. "
He looks at Tatiana meekly.
"I fear those are my orders, and I can't do otherwise."
Daliedhur sends one of the Ravens to inform Tatiana, Neji and Halcorg that a strong contingent of Brevoy soldiers is approaching - "Tell them to HOLD FAST and deliver NOTHING! We will wait for the Brevoy forces to arrive, and assist in settling this!" - are the passionate words Daliedhur asks to be transmitted to her companions at the front.
Perception: <-- +2 if in forest
Halcorg smiles and whispers in Negi's ear:
Captain is scared. Restov army arrive in 20 minutes.
seeing the arrival of the troops from the Dragonscale throne Seraph tsked and looked to the leader of the Monks. "I hate to ask this of you and your people but would you surround the wagon. Form a circle so we can try and prevent them easy access. My men and I will do our best to protect you."
She arrays the Dragonflight into battle lines, with only half her force it was a token effort to show they weren't going to surrender their position and wouldn't stand idly while Kesten tried to take advantage of their one sided troop situation.
Xi'Tir growled and Chi rose with a hiss at the arrival of the Dragonscale throne soldiers. "Bastar's! Dey be tryin' to take advantage mon." She stands near Seraph's Men-At-Arms and prepares for the worst with Chi pacing back and forth in front of her warily watching the Dragonscale troops.
"I'm sorry Kesten. You do not possess any authorized written orders or any evidence to support the allegations of your verbal orders. On the other hand, we possess authorized documents supporting the royal treasurer and royal treasury of Sloboda, a client kingdom of Brevoy. When you have an authorized warrant, we can review it. Until then, your verbal orders must be delayed."
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Kesten seems to ponder Tatiana words...
"When the Restov troops come they will try to take the treasure too, and I won't allow that. And I will use force if necessary. I will get the warrant, today, and I can let you escape before that. But that will mean nothing when Restov troops arrive. The only way to avoid a confrontation is if you surrender Anando Veresisi and the Treasure now. This is your last chance."
...D-Man, change of plans. Start heading back. Things might come to blows soon, Neji thinks in her mind.
Wherever he is, the eidolon nods his head and follows the instructions.
Neji tries one last time to prevent the first battle in what could be a terrible civil war.
"It will take time for Restov's troops to mobilize. Before you do anything hasty, Sir Kesten, just give this a thought. Your orders strike me as odd. Anando has full authorization from King Rupert to retrieve the chart. The documents prove that. Additionally, the Regent probably had to authorize this treasury in the first place. Whoever was watching the cart before acknowledged that Anando had permission to retrieve it. It has literally only been hours since Rupert and his barons vanished. Unless somebody Messaged (as in the spell) the throne multiple times, the capital probably has few details on what happened."
"And Alphonse-Louis du Plessis just tells you to capture Anando and the treasury without giving you anything to indicate that King Noleski ordered it?"
Either I'm starting to smell a rat, or I'm crazy.
Halcorg simply growls:
He no care about law or his Lord. He wants treasure. He no call it Regent funds. He call it treasure. He scared of Mayor of Restov. His troops not strong. He knows will lose. His only weapon is threat.
Neji simply nods at Halcorg's deduction.
Documents stay here. Anando stay here. If want, you stay here. If Regent want treasure, Regent need send sheriff, not army.
Not wanting to see this devolve into a civil conflict Seraph unstraps her sword, leaves her weapons behind and urges her mount forward towards the negotiators. "What has been decided?"
Kesten seems to ponder Tatiana words...
"When the Restov troops come they will try to take the treasure too, and I won't allow that. And I will use force if necessary. I will get the warrant, today, and I can let you escape before that. But that will mean nothing when Restov troops arrive. The only way to avoid a confrontation is if you surrender Anando Veresisi and the Treasure now. This is your last chance."
"Last chance? Why? What is the urgency for conflict? Why do you think Restov troops will be successful at taking the royal treasure of Sloboda?" Tatiana honestly questions Kesten and flatly states. "Anyone who tries to take the royal treasurer and treasury without the power of an authentic royal writ is simply a kidnapper, thief, and bandit. And the loyal subjects of the kingdom of Sloboda have been charged by royal decree to prevent those activities."
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Kesten face seems to soften.
"Please understand, I have orders, and I can't just disobey them. I can't decide who should get the treasure. And when Restov troops arrive they will try to take the treasure from you too. And my orders are not to allow that to happen. I don't want a conflict to happen, but I am not backing out from it."
Who gives orders? Nobody here to see King and friends leave. If you ordered to take royal treasurer, then person giving order should be here.
You sure order correct? Not in writing? You sure you want to declare war if unsure about orders?
Bluff:
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Kesten is convinced by Halcorg words.
"No, I won't start a war. But if a war is thrust on me I will win it. "
He salutes, turns, and go back go towards his troops while making signs with his hands.
Seraph recognize them... He asks the cavalry to divide in two groups, one to surround you, the other to stay behind the infantry. The infantry is to take formation for battle away from you... Towards Restov troops.
Brevoy's civil war very well can start today.
Tatiana leads the negotiating group back toward the others. When they arrive, she briefs the situation. "This is the situation: The cavalry commander has verbal orders from Alphonse-Louis du Plessis, the Hand of his Highness King Noleski Surtova, to arrest Anando, to secure the treasure, and to avoid investigating the disappearance of King Rupert. We have been able to put him off, because we have documents naming Anando as Royal Treasurer of the Kingdom of Sloboda who controls the royal treasury. And we are the loyal subjects of Kingdom of Sloboda, who will protect the royal treasurer and treasury from all bandits."
She takes a deep breath and continues, "Arriving shortly are soldiers of Restov. The cavalry commander will fight to prevent the soldiers of Restov from taking Anando and the royal treasury, so we need to avoid the appearance that that is happening. I believe our best option is to keep this situation civil. We have the legal and moral high ground. Anyone who attacks us can be labeled as traitors and bandits. We need to stay on defense and not retreat. Let's get through this meeting with the soldiers of Restov without provoking a battle. Hopefully, afterward we can talk about where we are camping for the night and how we are investigating the disappearance of King Rupert and his barons. Any questions or comments?"
Halcorg retakes his earthbreaker and klar.
Stupid fools. This army have no honor. It send junior officer with orders to arrest when no crime happen. Demand return of treasury. Brevoy is land of thiefs. We make stand and protect treasury. King and friends come back soon.
As he says this last part, it is clear that the statement is a bit hopeful.
Tatiana smiles and replies, "Halcorg, please do not let generalities cloud your judgment and provoke hostilities. Remember that the new Kingdom of Sloboda owes fealty to the Dragonscale Throne of Brevoy, so actually any land that we settle is Brevoy."
"At best, this is all a misunderstanding. This Alphonse-Louis du Plessis verbally ordered with imperfect information, and the cavalry commander does not ability to bend his orders. At worst, the verbal orders were issued to provoke a war that someone wants. Time will tell where we are within those two extremes."
"If war was to break out, coincidence would be on the side of the Dragonscale Throne, after all, the king's cousin and his appointed team disappeared, should the crown have any political rivals, this would be too much of a coincidence that they all just suddenly disappear, the crown may use this to take out their political rivals." Tarina says almost thinking aloud. "I do not imagine this any misunderstanding, they were told not to investigate, it's a plot for sure, someone wants to start a war, and accuse the other side of kidnapping or killing Rupert." She pets her wolf gently as she concludes this.
Bah. All theys wants is war. We is lamb to be sacrificed. We wait for Restov troops. Then, we leave with treasury while they investigate.
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After some half hour Restov troops arrive. They are like 300 infantry and half a dozen mounted officers. They assume battle formations in front of the Dragonscale Throne troops. A parley seems to be happening between Kesten Garess and the Restov officers.
Your are surrounded (protected?) by half the Dragonscale throne cavalry, and no one required your presence in the parley...
Seraph's look to Anando is a chilling one, he could have done something to stop this outcome but he didn't and she was disappointed. Her look is telling and her opinion of him has fallen greatly. "At least you tried everyone, some people just have no honor."
Seraph returns to her soldiers and tries to surround the cart and monks. The Silver dragonflight stood ready to defend the cart
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You start to hear movement and tension in between the Restov and Dragonscale throne troops, and suddenly a skirmish between them has started.
You see how the Restov troops push the middle of the Dragonscale throne soldiers, trying to reach you.
Half of the cavalry of the Dragonscale throne move towards the far right of the formation and disappears from sight, probably attacking the flank of the Restov troops. The other half keeps surrounding you, in a defensive manner, as for not letting you go, not Restov troops approach you.
Tatiana shouts at the scrum. She walks toward the Restov troops trying to reach them.
Tatiana shouts again at the scrum. She looks for Kesten and glares at any of the Dragonscale throne soldier who get in her way.
Halcorg puts out his hand to stop Tatiana before she gets into harm.
Wait. If they fight, then we are strong and leave. We not strong against army. But we stronger than army after fight.
Restov and Re-gent army foolish, let corrupt fight corrupt. When finish, we leave if they not strong enough to stop.
Tatiana shakes off Halcorg's hand and readies her Freedom of Movement effect if he does not let go. "No. We all lose in a war, because it will escalate beyond this battle."
Lil Karou starts to listen to Mulray's explanation of why they are sitting there instead of going fast, and throwing things at people chasing them.... but soon realizes how boring the reason is. He knows Mulray has learned not to point out who's fault things are... so he doesn't bother asking. He just sulks back into the carriage, and curls up to sleep.
Halcorg sighs again.
Foolish soldiers. THIS IS THE TREASURY OF SLOBADA.
He then proceeds to attempt to slow down the foolish soldier. Halcorg will also move in front of the casters attempting to block them from the onrushing guards as best he can.
With his klar in one hand and earthbreaker in the other, he quietly speaks a prayer to Desna which causes a pale glow to momentarily envelope his hammer and klar.
Cast Lead Blades - duration 20 rounds (2 minutes).
"Captain Alastair, defend the monks and may the Drunken God see us through this foolishness. We'll not dishonor our Lord this day!"
In response to her words Alastair raises his holy symbol and blesses all those near him. Calling on the welcomed aid of the Drunken god as the world spins out of control around them.
Seraph was beside herself with what was happening, not only was the Dragonscale troops acting completely odd but now the Restov troops were charging them. Despite the world tumbling into complete and utter madness the Silver dragonflight troops held firm and their new commander's resolve was unburdened by the thought of crushing anyone who threatened the monks surrounding the cart. She gives a warning shout but as they continue forward she lowers her lance and charges in response.
She was attempting not to kill the man and expertly guided Swift around his sloppy counterattack. As her lance came in she aimed for the chainmail links in his armor and, catching them, used them to twist the man savagely around as she rode past. This action would twist his muscles and leave him battered but otherwise unharmed save for a massive bruise that would form later. Her charge carries her well past the overly armored man and gives her the room to turn around and charge again hopefully in the next few moments.
The next strike though would bring him down and she would do this to any who dare threaten the monks. This wasn't what she had expected at all...
As th Restovian's prove their trechery as well, Xi'Tir flies into a battle fury and moves to engage the oncoming man with a shrill battle cry. Seeing Seraph charge by and smashing her opponent without actually harming him makes Xi'Tir grumble as she turns Silver Fang flat side to the man she faced. She closes the distance and the soldier scores a decent hit on her and draws blood. However he pays dearly for it as her blade comes down like a hammer, nearly knocking him completely to the ground in a single blow as she exceled in killing other humans...
Chi rushes to the aid of her master, circling around the man with ease and flanking him as Xi'Tir hammered him from the front.