Gregori nods
You've always been right M'lord and trusting you was always the right way to get out of dire situation.
after several more minutes of riding the Nightscarf captain slows his horse down and raises a hand. He points to the shore of the nearby lake - a mirror of polished silver in the moonlight. There, several small creatures, maybe a goblin patrol stand huddled together next to an abandoned wagon.
Lucretia's bell-like laughter seems to come from everywhere
You're not here on Solaric's behalf? That I shall believe? How stupid do you think Iam? I offered him to save Sassandra and he tried to put his holy steel through me?! He's a lunatic, a fanatic...completely unsuited to sit on the throne.But you say you don't speak for him? If not why are you here anyway?
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Lucretia's bell-like laughter seems to come from everywhere
You're not here on Solaric's behalf? That I shall believe? How stupid do you think Iam? I offered him to save Sassandra and he tried to put his holy steel through me?! He's a lunatic, a fanatic...completely unsuited to sit on the throne.But you say you don't speak for him? If not why are you here anyway?
”I don’t come on peoples behalf, I go where I please and under my own initiative – the same way I interceded when my colleagues struck a poorly thought out bargain with you in my absence. It is the detail of that bargain, amongst other things, that sees me here today”
”You are quite right, Solaric has gone quite spare, his normal earnestness replaced by poorly considered and ill tempred outbust at the loss of his Lady love, a doomed relationship marked by spectacularly poor choices and foolhardy actions if ever I saw one – it was only a matter of time before either he or she was killed as a threat to the Crown, and I suspect the odds were also likely they’d have both been killed. The Iomedian paladin, Count of Karcau? Perish the very thought and condemn it to the flames! Could you imagine such rulership in the lands of darkness, the lands walked by the whispering tyrant where the population keeps its guard up at all times to be wary of the monsters that dwell in the dark? The citizens that adhere to the strict social order and structure and keep to their place to ensure the machine of governance is always their to protect them from the even darker Evils? What would happen were he in charge – they’d be like tender lambs walking towards a light and forgetting that the wolves are between them and it, they’d be massacred by the score. They’d throw off the way things have to be and the social order we hold dear...and all..this” Victoria gestures broadly at her Sczarni friends ”These people would be hounded and run out of town as the new zealots moved in, of they call themselves Paladins, but you and I and these folk know that ‘Paladins’ are just ‘Hellknights in pretty armour with prettier manners’, and not long after they hunted you out of existence those Iomedians would be burning me and mine at the stake. At least the Hellknights don't pretend they do it out of love”
”So, ally and friend he may be, but ruler he may not. He could never be ceded control, and on that we both agree.”
”Where does that leave us all though, where indeed, perhaps let me illuminate you. I know you didn’t kill the Countess, and I have no doubt in my mind your offer to assist was most genuine. It occurred to me that nothing offers stability more than a long lived liege, and perhaps the kiss of unlife could hide many boons for everybody, and perhaps temper the two love birds in the same instant, but that’s not to be. I know the Ragman is the one behind her death, but as I have suggested there were likely many many daggers already closing so whether it was him or even Grand Prince Stavian having a bad day it is all beside the point. Solaric took it to blame you, and he has gone quite off the rails, I fear his emotional balance will continue its landslide and he will fall from the grace of Iomedae, but what will lead to that is when he finally ignores my pleas for calm and instead simply comes down here with the might of the Iomedians and the City guard and destroys you all with sword and flame... and for what, misplaced vengeance? Stupidity we cannot afford. He can’t afford the loss, the city doesn’t want the loss, and you, you certainly don’t want that. So I am here to offer a way out”.
”Solaric and his allies were reading to come in here and lay waste to the place, and on my request he afforded me the chance to come broker peace between you that we may all save ourselves from the monsters at the gates – you survive, and we survive, however I suspect that he’s likely going to insist on taking out his vengeance in an act of misplaced passion and double cross you the minute the opportunity arises. You can’t survive the full weight of what he can bring, we both know that. He’s only going to be inclined to strike whilst you are a tempting target, we both know that as well. But what if you weren’t here when he arrived? His forces will be here soon, very soon, and they will mark comings and goings, but I have an out for you”
”These men” Victoria once again gestures to her Sczarni ”they are of the old ways, they understand blood debts, they understand honour, they understand famiglia. I respect these people and they respect me in return. They are here to help me, unquestioningly and loyally, and in turn they are here to help you. You asked for a new place to settle as part of your deal, well the old deal looks well and truly broken now but I seek to make as good as I can – the lands of Jarovicha will be your new place of rest and respite, and the people there will mark your presence well. Jarovicha will thus always remain a retreat for me should times turn to witchhunting... it serves my interests for the future. My stalwart and blood loyal men have readied a convoy and a good cover story to smuggle you out right on dawn, we have the right connections to ensure you safely depart the city gates, and they will do...what has to be done should any Iomedians come poking around asking questions”
”The offer is only good for right now, it is almost dawn, Solaric has been off with his clergy who have no doubt been pouring the sweet nectar of war into his ear, and when the sun comes up they will corner you, and eventually crush you... so please, I ask you, accept this offer. Fill your coffins now and allow us to evacuate you form this place so that reckless and needless losses are avoided. It’s in everyones interest”
”The men here are well packed and provisioned for several days journey, we will have no need to stop anywhere for supplies so the ruse is almost perfect – it only becomes less so with each minute you delay in doing the smart thing. If not, I walk and we all die. You, these men, your people, me.”
"Let's get this done whilst we still have the chance, the wagons await" Victoria offers with a smile.
"A goblin patrol does not seem like much of a threat? " Solaric mentions to Gregori quietly as he looks over the abandoned wagon carefully.
"Although I would love to simply slay them in haste, I will stay my hatred for the vile creatures if it might give us some insight into what the enemy is doing. Any suggestions on how we can get over there to listen in on them without being seen? I confess my stealth is not very good nor is my goblin. Perhaps capturing one and forcing it to speak might be a better option."
------
Gregori nods and slowly draws out one of his pistols
We'll charge them...on horseback...these snow goblins fear horses, I've seen them flee before. I will shoot one down...though not wounding him lethally...that one will give us some answers.
"We'll charge them...on horseback...these snow goblins fear horses, I've seen them flee before. I will shoot one down...though not wounding him lethally...that one will give us some answers."
"I am happy to ride in and slay as many as you like. My longsword, Warden, is quite good for lethal wounds, but perhaps they will submit before I need to use it too much. I am ready at your word."
Diplomacy
"Let's do the smart thing, into your beds and smuggled out the gates before any of the guards or the Iomedians are any the wiser. Solaric and his fellow devotees will be mad for a while that you are suddenly beyond their grasp, but they will learn to forgive and forget".
We'll charge them...on horseback...these snow goblins fear horses, I've seen them flee before. I will shoot one down...though not wounding him lethally...that one will give us some answers.
Let's prove the fear of goblins.
Lucretia steps out of the darkness, she seems to be genuinely considering your offer...
I need some kind of security...I guess you understand that I can't just trust you...especially after what Solaric did...your offer though sounds well-thought to me.
------------
As you crash into the line of goblins, for the first time you feel how your life in Karcau has changed you. When you graduated, a snow goblin would have been a considerable foe, but now you just hew through the fragile bodies driving them away in no time - and just as Gregori had promised: a shot directly above the knee cap turns one of the creatures immobile.
After only about twenty seconds the whole fight is over and the remaining goblins scurry away into the night toward their camp
We should take the injured one to Karcau m'lord...
Lucretia steps out of the darkness, she seems to be genuinely considering your offer...
I need some kind of security...I guess you understand that I can't just trust you...especially after what Solaric did...your offer though sounds well-thought to me.
"I am uncertain what surety you would like, and therein lies our problem. As it stands, we have put ourselves in a precarious position of coming here in the first place - on one hand you'll note that I bring only one companion and a group of associates, but we are no match for all your forces here, it is a lions den, and I had to take it on faith and goodwill that you recalled my fairness in our last meeting and wouldn't just use the lot of us as a bedtime snack, for the sun rises very soon" Victoria pauses to let that sink in "So far this whole venture leave me as the one exposed, to walk into danger and cut a deal to smuggle you from this place and earn the ire of the Iomedites, a witch with the taint of demons, oh how little I can afford their attention, and all this for a possible future payoff of maybe having a well placed ally should the time come - and future payoffs seem terribly unreliable, you'd never believe the efforts I went to in order to secure the County of Jarovicha, the work I had to do to try and claim the lands so that the people could finally be looked after by a just and even liege and then that callow and vapid Countess dithered around and died before signing the petition, I am livid! So where's my security? No, I don't think there's anything I can really give you, I have made an offer and its on the table - to smuggle you from this place and take you to Jarovicha, a new 'resting place' or whatever you call it"
"Or, just after the guards have comfortably changed shifts again and we miss the dawn we'll have no way of getting you all out of here and you'll be trapped in this place as your final tomb - the kiss of Sarenrae will inspire the Iomedites to set upon this place in force, out of friendship I will look on in surprise and not give them any assitance in finding you, but they'll manage without our help... maybe during the burning we'll smuggle ourselves out, because once the rabid proselytisers are done with you it wont be long before they start on us, particularly with no liege in power here"
"Take it or leave it"
Solaric takes great satisfaction in crushing goblins. A slight smile crosses his face as he feels that the Inheritor's will moving through his veins.
"We should take the injured one to Karcau m'lord...
"That is a wise decision, Captain. I will stay my sword long enough to keep him alive, but if he attempts to cause any harm, I will have little mercy on him."
Lucretia glances over her assembled followers and then nervously licks her ruby lips...actually it's quite amusing that a vampire can be nervous...well, but laughing doesn't seem clever now.
Ok...enough talking. You're right, the sun will rise soon enough...guide us to your wagons, but be assured, should you try to trick us, most of you are going to die...
--------
M'lord
Gregori nods and throws the goblin over his saddle...the ride back to Karcau is a bit more light-hearted...at least a patrol of goblins was no match for you...not the worst revelation.
As you return to the city, you can see two fully loaded wagons, disappearing northbound in the distance...
"Most of these fellows packed their provisions for several days, but with a wagon load of vampires they worry that they will only see breakfast and lunch and will instead be dinner, so lets think about who put what faith where"
Victoria signals the men.
"When our guests are in their resting vessels we will move them carefully upon the wagons. I will inspect each vessel carefully to ensure it is well sealed and there are no cracks by using magical detection. When each wagon is full, ensure it is well covered again as added surety against accidents. If you are disturbed whilst loading up the wagons or on our first move, delay the inquirer, I will see what can be done peacefully to send them away, but if we can't win them over... they will simply have to come with us... one way or another"
"Let's move quickly though, we don't know how soon before the Iomedites might come in force."
Solaric, now as we have tested the horse theory about goblins fear, what is our next step?
The Sczarni had gone over the plan well and the men fell into the work as if theyd done it a thousand times. Their typically jovial laughter and mirth while working was gone however and several of the men could be making the warding signs with their hands when they no one was looking. Once all of their passengers were loaded did the men fnally start to mutter about mundane things like the weather.
Cairn gave Victoria a nod and let her know We're ready M'lady.
Solaric, now as we have tested the horse theory about goblins fear, what is our next step?
"With some reluctance, I have let Victoria negotiate peace with Lucretia. Our next step is to determine the status of that meeting. I have no doubt in Victoria's skill at charm and grace. she can clearly handle herself in any debate or conversation dealing with tact and subtley, but I do not trust Lucretia all that much. All in all, we have threats from within and threats from without the city. If he can keep the threats from within at bay, then we may have a chance at fighting the battles outside! This is where I have great concern around Lucretia and her minions. I simply wish that I had not involved myself with her in the first place."
"With some reluctance, I have let Victoria negotiate peace with Lucretia. Our next step is to determine the status of that meeting. I have no doubt in Victoria's skill at charm and grace. she can clearly handle herself in any debate or conversation dealing with tact and subtley, but I do not trust Lucretia all that much. All in all, we have threats from within and threats from without the city. If he can keep the threats from within at bay, then we may have a chance at fighting the battles outside! This is where I have great concern around Lucretia and her minions. I simply wish that I had not involved myself with her in the first place."
Even the best Diviner can not tell with certainty what will happen, or why something has happend. Of course the result is what matters at the end in this world, but the reasons why you do what you do, constitute you as the person you are. With the knowlege you have now, you may disagree with your decisions of the past. But that is not important: important is, that the decision of the past have been taken without knowing the outcome. And from this perspective I trust you did take the best decision. See it from the perspective of the past, not from the present.
What I mentioned is obviously only valid for non-diviners....
"What a beautiful morning, the sun is so warming, one might even forget that there was so much Evil in the world" Victoria comments to Cairn with a wistful sentimentality.
Solaric notices the wagons in the distance...a strange sight in this times, but you have encountered ALOT of strange things during the last weeks.
The guards in front of the gate however don't seem to be very interested in the wagons, they try to stay away from it and even avoid looking at it.
Gorian notices the wagons too and chuckles
Looks like some of my kin don't want to wait for the siege...I can't condemn them..out folk is of a travelling nature, staying and defending a city on the walls isn't natural for us.
Looks like some of my kin don't want to wait for the siege...I can't condemn them..out folk is of a travelling nature, staying and defending a city on the walls isn't natural for us.
This behavior is from an nature perspective a good strategy to survive. The only thing that matters is, if a living being adapts to a new situation. The qualities the mankind and the elfs value and are proud of - such as intelligence, might, etc. - represent only ways to adapt to a situation.
"This behavior is from an nature perspective a good strategy to survive. The only thing that matters is, if a living being adapts to a new situation. The qualities the mankind and the elfs value and are proud of - such as intelligence, might, etc. - represent only ways to adapt to a situation."
"Sadly, it is my own failings that have caused these fine folks to flee the city. Clearly they do not feel the protection that we offer. I should not blame them, for my time has been taken up with quests and many pressing matters, and the evil upon our gates is great. This is just an indication that our work is far from over!"
"What a beautiful morning, the sun is so warming, one might even forget that there was so much Evil in the world" Victoria comments to Cairn with a wistful sentimentality.
Cairn had been lost in thought and didnt react to Victoria's comment at first. The young man was too focused on their surroundings... need to find a place with no immediate cover...keep these undead out in the light where their weakest...
Huh?...oh, yes, a beautiful day it is. My apologies M'lady. But yes, one might just forget... but one musnt ever forget...
He shot the witch a conspiratorial wink and made ready to give the signal.
Its ceratinly a fine day for a ride. We should make good time.
Victoria looks to the Sczarni gang guarding the wagons, then back to Cairn "I think it an honour to have so many fine friends I can rely on, especially in such harsh and confusing times. I meant what i said back there about the balance of power, we need to ensure the Iomedites stay in check or they will ruin everything, everything. Some day their Knights of Ozem will finally win, they will beat down the demon spawn of Mendev and come back and re-settle the Whispering Tyrant, and when they do they will be crawling all over the place enforcing their rule and bringing their version of ‘order’ to us all, but you know what, that isn’t today, that isn’t right now, and right now we need these Iomedites facing out at the enemy at the gates, they keep the scale balanced”.
”What isn’t balanced though, is having an extra group running around with no loyalties to anyone but themselves, no sense of honour or interest in our way of life...or life itself, they don't love and look out for the community, for family, not like these Sczarni, the Sczarni are good fellows. Pull into that open field off the road there.” The heavy sentimentality and sweet sorrow almost causes her voice to crack.
Victoria looks across at one of the shady Varisians with his squeezebox ”Play me something sad”
”Cairn.” the word forms clearly, as though cut from steel, yet no emotion is evident – just a sound with a meaning, and that meaning is unmistakable.
Naga takes flight, like a winged bullet heading with great haste back to Karcau, honing in on Solaric.
important old post.
Can you believe we have been waiting patiently since Aug 2012 to whack this chick?
Aye M'Lady.
With the slow, mournful harmony being played by one of his cousins giving a soul full ambiance to the task at hand; Cairn nodded and then pointed before giving the signal that his family and friends had been waiting for... finally...
The sczarni drivers pull the reins to the right and slowly the wagons rumble off the road into open space...directly into the sun's face...
And while the tune had begun melancholical and slow, it takes up speed and rythm...it's almost a saltarello when the drivers stop the wagons...
The coffins' covers are thrown open and for a split second an unearthly silence is everything that heralds the vampires' doom.
Sarenrae's fingers blast through the undeads' skin, burning flesh and long-dead muscles, cutting through sinews like daggers, pour into throats and drown any scream of pain...silently the vampires die, some struggle, but none of them is able to leave their casket.
Lucretia dies like the others, but she is able to lift her head and stare directly at Cairn and Victoria - stern and stoic while her skin turns to dust and her bleached bones crumble...
"Gather what you can of the remains, they will be resettled in Jarovicha. If nothing else, I am a woman of my word"
"Just one dirty chore after another, that was a tragic waste, a terrible loss and it would have been a great boon to Karcau if we were able to find an ally in Lucretia instead of a snake, but she is undead, they have no heart and they know not of love and people who don't know love are strangers to loyalty, respect, and honour; they don't understand family, they don't have a bond with people."
"So, straight home for the lot of us, or did the boys get dressed and provisioned for a bit of business? There's a roaming war band out here, might be worth picking at the edges of and seeing how much loot they have swept up on the march, could be some gold laden targets..."
Better we had not alligned with Lucretia Lady Vicky. As you said, the undead have no heart and should all be burned to ash. And better yet that we lost not one of our family to their ultimate destruction.
Deep down, Cairn wondered if theyd been played for fools. Lucretia was smart... maybe even as smart as Victoria... and the undead were sometimes known to be extra crafty. It wouldnt be too far a stretch that he vampire had contigencies in place.
"So true that it would have been better if there was no alliance, but then things were looking dire and some days you just have to take power where you can find it. That is the nature of times like these, they find us unusual friends and fellows to cast our lot in with."
"I am comforted by the thought that the losses were as minimal as I could manage, and that all of these men will return home safely, but we wont know the final tally until the Iomedites finish charring Lucretias lair down to ash. If she had somehow got wise at the last minute and double crossed us or used magic to escape the lunchtime sunrise she'd have succored to her lair and straight into the waiting arms of the Iomedites hell bent on her destruction, and" Victoria gestures to the mountain of ash "alone and without her friends"
"Next we eliminate the Rag Man and his ilk, but I don't suspect that war will be won with honeyed words alone"
"That's what these Iomedites will never understand. This isn't a place of light and happiness and we don't want it anyway - this is Ustalav, nd that pile of ash over there is the Ustalavian way"
There were 14 men accompanying you.
Andreanu seems a bit unsure of what to do next after he takes a closer look at Lucretia's ash
Lady Victoria, the drivers can bring the ashes to Jarovicha...but...I'm not sure that it is a good idea to send them alone...on the other hand, you're right, they would form a formidable raiding band.
Meanwhile Solaric and Jo have reached the gate and are able to observe the two Sczarni wagons and their strange cargo next to the road.
Solaric takes an interest in the strange cargo and heads over to observe.
"Johenric, is this a strange sight to you? These wagons were transporting coffins? What do we have here?"
"Greetings, comrades!" He declares as he pulls up on Dart. "In the name of Iomedae, what do we have here? Have our vampires found justice at last?! My dear Victoria, did you have something to do with this?"
"Johenric, is this a strange sight to you? These wagons were transporting coffins? What do we have here?"
Well, given the condition of the cargo next to the wagons and the coffins on the wagons, I suspect the remains we see belong to a vampire. In addition the clothes indicate that the vampire has been female.
For the time being Johenric remains seated in the sattle of his horse.
Solaric, I believe this are good news to you, no?
"Solaric, I believe this is good news to you, no?"
"Johenric, my friend. If Indeed this is Lucretia turned to dust by the sunlight, then I am well pleased, for these vampires have preyed too long in my city. I just do not understand how this came to be? Is this too good to be true or is this some sort of deception? Here in Ustulav, I've learned to be cautious."
Cairn looked up squinting from the sun in his eyes.
Well met Solaric and Johenric. What we have here is the remnant of a vampire purge. We were just trying to decide what do with these ashes.
"Well met, Cairn! How did you make this happen?! I knew you were going to try and negotiate with Lucretia, but I did not expect you to persuade her to come out here in the sun! I know I should never underestimate Victoria's skill at diplomacy, but this is above and beyond anything I ever imagined!"
Truth be told it was all Lady Victoria's doing....well, that and having a group of such outstanding kin folk nearby willing to lend a hand. How goes the battle?
"We were just going for a lovely morning stroll after cleaning out an old cellar, had to dispose of these old coffins we found - burying them in town or burning them might have seemed alarming to the locals in such dark times so we decided to take them outside - imagine our surprise to find out they were full of ashes and old clothes..." Victoria feigns any understanding of what has taken place.
The Sczarnis snicker and try not to meet Solaric's gaze, like Victoria they just stare at the coffins in disbelief and some imitate the sounds of explosions.
Andreanu is also hardly able to hide his amusement
It was just as Lady Victoria said, we inherited an old cellar and what we found there we thought unfitting for our lovely Karcau...well and when we brought it out of the town *pooof*
"Your plan was brilliant, truly! May the Inheritor bless you all your lives for this service you have rendered Karcau. You have taken us one step closer to bringing about the everlasting peace that we must bring to Karcau. Step by step, little by little, Karcau shall become that beacon of light for those who travel in dark places. Today, you have all helped make this one step closer to that reality."
"The brighter the light, the deeper and darker the shadows" Victoria gently cautions "It is not the great pyre that brings hope Solaric, it is the candle, hence why they put them in churches - and on cakes"
"So what of the Horde? For that is now the great issue"
"It is not the great pyre that brings hope Solaric, it is the candle, hence why they put them in churches - and on cakes"
"I've heard the old saying that stars shine brightest when it is darkest out, but I am not familiar with your custom of candles on cakes. I had no idea that gave such hope to the downhearted. Are you sure that more of a small thing isn't better. I mean, wouldn't it be a good thing for the candle to set alight the bonfire and watch it burn?!"
"So what of the Horde? For that is now the great issue"
"Well, we had some fun when we came in on horseback and overtook a goblin patrol. We destroyed them all except for this one goblin tied up and laid across the horse. Perhaps you would care to questions the little humanoid and see if it has some information that we could put to use."
"Too big a fire, too much heat - drives people from it's source. Nowhere shines brighter than the Worldwound to our North"
Victoria looks at the Goblin "Oh what do we have here?" she offers gently, but the vague hint of a clinical undertone is clearly present and partly ominous.
Cairn's honesty was getting him a good natured ribbing from his cousins and he took it well... I'll have to learn to be more discreet... even around friends evidently... He tried to follow the talk of candles and lights but it was beyond his scope. He was more interested in the horde at their gates.
That little cur is going to lie through his teeth.
Not lie not lie!
the goblin squeaks
Tell all tell all...no kill, me friend!
the creature looks really miserable...
"Tell all tell all...no kill, me friend!"
"Go ahead and speak, you wretch! Let us hear what you have to say! Go ahead and tell us all that you know!"