"I never intended to imply that disabling the leader meant that I planned to be entirely merciful," Tityanna answers. "It is not diplomacy that occurs at the end of the blade, but coercion, and that is not the precedent that I wish to set. If we allow ourselves to take such convenient measures now, in time we may lose ourselves."
See on that im not so sure, many are brought to justice at blades end and pay debts decreed by hammers fall. Im not sure those that.prey on the weak dederve else but coercion: surrender and pay your debt, resist and pay with your life, ya see.
I look directly at Tityanna: It is a hard road you lead us down, my lady.
We risk much for virtue.
Tityanna inhales, drawing up her slight form rigidly before she answers Master Ironback. "And what manner of example is that to set?" she inquires, and then taps her finger on her copy of the charter. "Our charter has given us the obligation to explore, not to pretend at lawful authorities. We are to strive against banditry, and all of you have been quite correct that it makes no mention of creating jails to hold the persons that we do take into custody. It is my understanding, my... vision, that any who do repent will be invited to join us, and in that be trusted to share our values, supplement the security we provide and the benefits of our company. How can we establish that trust if we default to coercion? How do we distinguish ourselves from them if that is our first impression?"
"Aye, the road is hard, and the work harder, but there will be benefits," Tityanna answers Brother Tyddewi. "Open discourse, such as this, taking each ideal into consideration is what is required to establish communion with each other, and sets a precedent for our travels, and if I might be so bold, our future success."
Svetlana approaches the trio sitting at the tables. "I beg pardon for interrupting your planning, but I'd have you be told how sleeping's to be arranged. There's only four beds in the guesthouse--we've mostly not so many staying at once, you ken--so I've laid a cot in the dining room for one of you, may it do you fine. It should be just as warm as the guesthouse. There's still a few hours of sun left, but I thought I'd prepare you before your eyes grow heavy."
"Will we not be keeping a watch?" Tityanna inquires. I do not wish to impose on their family... "If it is the case that each of us will be sleeping at all hours tonight, I can lay my bedroll on the floor."
"You're welcome to sleep on the floor, if it's more to your liking, but I'd add that a cot might be cozier."
Svetlana looks up at the watchtowers, considering. "I'm not in the way of knowing if a watch'll be kept, but I trust you can decide that between the five of you. Me and my husband'll lock the gates overnight and be up before dawn, as we always do. Are you thinking the bandits may come during the night?"
Her eyes widen with anxiety.
"Not at all Good Wife, they would be at a disadvantage, moving in the dark," Tityanna assures her. "Setting a watch routine now is a measure to prepare us for our ranging. We cannot assume that the creatures of the wilds will be as hospitable as you and your husband have been."
Svetlana visibly relaxes, giggling a little. "I'm skittish as a thylacine pup, I am! Fear'd get the better of me, were it not for you calming my nerves with reason."
She continues to speak as she removes the pot from the firepit. "You say true about the wilds. There's not much out in the Greenbelt that'll give you shelter, aside from at hunter's camps, should you find them. Old Bokken's set up shop southeast of us a ways, and Vekkel Benzen's stead lies northwest of us, at the Narlmarches' northmost tip. Vekkel's retired, he is, but his youngest keeps the place up well enough."
Harsk nods at Svetlana as she steps in to ask her questions.
Mine is a militaristic order, I sleep in my armor and maintain a portion of watch as a practice of my faith. The cot would suit best I would wager, beds tend to be higher and set for more long legged folk, cots tend to be lower and more firm, more to my liking if I'm to sleep no on the ground.
Waiting for Svetlana to pause Harsk leans forward to Tityanna. I'm no scholar, and your ideals are grand. I worry that the cowardly will yield and then put a knife in my back, and I have no idea how I'm to range and be wary of "repentant" bandits as new friends at all hours of the day. I presume I stood in the same room that you did, with the Sworldlords looking down and bestowing me with a task. I'm to explore. To my best, though I have little skill, I'm to map.Also? Harsk closes his eyes for a moment and then reopens them. The carrier of this charter should also strive against banditry and other unlawful behavior to be encountered. The punishment for unrepentant banditry remains, as always, execution by sword or rope. My lady I'm a Rostlander and I know the laws of my land. A man who robs? He swings. Oh aye, he has a chance to ask forgiveness and he pays his debts in irons, not as equals. I call those who threaten rape, Harsk keeps his voice low to not have Svetlana hear the words, as being of a caliber that has chosen a life and should pay their debts without the preamble of asking if they're sorry for what the did, for surely when justice be it death or irons makes many a fool suddenly "sorry".
Harsk leans back and looks off to the doors of the camp. On the order of minor crimes, perhaps there is some subjectivity to be had. But to exercise that subjectivity we must agree that first we have authority, authority I believe our charter gives by telling us to strive against unlawful acts. We carry Restov's laws into this place with us, as its agents. If you desire to be lenient in its execution so we might gain more hands? I'll support you as long as you will trust in us that we are no butchers and if we believe diplomacy a poor course, you give our words their due. Harsk strokes his beard for a moment his eyes still locked on the world outside the gate. None of our words will matter in this place, our actions will define us more as I think you are right, the very nature of this place is to challenge. We needs be ready to react and quickly.
Harsk turns back to Tityanna. But there is one thing here you must know, and I pray you can accept it as it beyond my power to change. For the minor and the petty, the law is fluid and subjective in its execution, this is known as all magistrates and judges be mortal and open to their own thinking. But there are men and women, creatures and beasts that the gods themselves do mark as evil themselves with the authority of the beyond. I will work with you to find common cause. But do not ask me to turn an eye away from those whom Torag marks as evil. In this there is no subjectivity, and I will execute my office as I have vowed. Can you accept this?
"No mercy will be granted the woman Kres, as from the description she is evil. Even if she were to repent, I would not trust that a creature so vicious would not as soon bite our hands, or, indeed attempt to cut them off," Tityanna agrees. "As for the subject which you so clearly do not wish to discuss with the Good Wife present, it was this woman who suggested it, and the men who laughed. No physical harm has been visited upon the Good Wife, only words thrown about with the intent to terrorize.
"I am not unprepared to defend my person, nor would I begrudge any other to maintain his security. As you observe, we have been sent her to execute the will of men in positions of authority higher than our own. I would not have barbarous, savage, and evil men or beasts as my neighbors, nor would any man or woman of sense. All I ask is that we do not simply assume that each man we will encounter is beyond redemption."
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It was nice to doing farm work again, or at least something like it. Yes, shoveling manure was not his favorite thing to do, but it took his mind off of his arm, Lobo Gris, and his home. The look in the eyes of his neighbors still haunted his dreams, but the fear of being found out had ebbed. He was a dead man after all, thanks to Saren.
Harsk stares at Tityanna for a moment his eyes penetrating with scrutiny. He then begins to laugh deeply and without restraint. Harsk sighs and wipes a tear from his eye, I have not had to wrestle with such things since the Grand Master lectured us on the old courts of south Absalom. Ah you have tested me today to think on my feet and for that I thank you.
Harsk peers about to see where Haldaval and Ray went. Perhaps before our day is through we should think on how we construct out confrontation on the morrow? A proper accounting of abilities and tactics would be prudent...
"You've been raised in a working family, to be sure! I'm a bit surprised that a farmer's been sent here to get the lay of the land, but I can't say I disagree. A workingman's eye sees things that warriors and nobles sometimes miss, I say. Where do you hail from, if I'm not too bold to be asking?"
Haldaval enters towards the end of their conversation.
"I'm sorry, I did not intend to overhear. I was trying to find Harsk, and it seems he made it all the way back here before me."
"We must deal with the immediate situation now. Knowing what we know, here is my suggestion. Oleg must meet with the bandits when they arrive or they will suspect something. The rest of you will remain hidden. Svetlana and I will be hidden outside the outpost. When Oleg feels it is time, he can come outside. He can make up some excuse. I will then enter with Shadow. Any bandit seeing us decked out should feel a bit of fear. Svetlana and Oleg can close the gates and be ready to flee should the worst happen."
"I will ask for the bandit's surrender, which I do not expect. If they prepare to fight we must take out the leader. If he is close to me I will ride him down, but if not, it will be up to the rest of you to get him. I will occupy the rest until the leader is down."
"When the fighting is over, if any of them are left alive, I will let the rest of you decide what to do with them. I will be for executing them all after they have given us any information about the rest of their band, but I will not force the issue if you come up with some other solution."
"In the event that they do wish to fight, I've a spell that may chasten their ability to," Tityanna offers, "but it requires that I be close to them. Now, I've a method of defending myself, as well, but... being so diminutive," Tityanna pauses and smiles at Harsk, "and if I dare say an attractive girl as well, it is likely that they will not perceive me to be a threat at all. If I were to appear beside Oleg as a cousin, or some manner of relation, I believe that I could prove a distraction and have the ability to work my magics upon any who would harm us."
Ray is unassuming...he too could be out in the open though perhaps too many would give these bandits pause. It be more me, Haldaval and Malswyn who look more the part for trouble. I worry where I should be being rather slow on my feet...I suppose I could hide amongst the intended furs or in a position from above where my crossbow might prove useful? I like the idea of you and your, heh, "pony" guarding the flank Harsk winks at Haldaval. But if magic's at play why not compel them first? I like me a fight but I like winning more. Harsk chuckles to himself and tugs on his beard.
Tityanna exhales and blushes slightly. "I do not practice compulsion magics," she says softly. Tityanna rises and walks a few paces from the bench which she formerly occupied, then making a number of signs with her hands and arms, and speaking in a high, flowing language causes a living vine to spring from her hand, which lashes out and takes hold of the bench and she pulls it towards her.
"My magics are based in nature. As myself," she concludes as the vine falls away. "The spell I intend to use against the bandits is a form of... necromancy meant to sicken."
"I would prefer," he pauses a moment, " to be the only one directly in harms way to begin. If they do not listen to me at all, we will have to work quickly. I like the idea of Harsk hidden among the wares, but only if we can make sure you are not discovered too soon, friend. As startling as it would be to have a dwarf pop out ready for battle, I fear it might go ill for you if it is premature."
He looks towards Tityanna, "Your magics... will they hit them all at once?"
Tityanna shakes her head. "Nay. Only the one. I intended to focus on the leader, as it seemed likely to me that he would not submit, and I do not wish for any of you to suffer for my idealism. Or myself," she adds after a moment.
Haldaval smiles at Tityanna and puts a hand on her shoulder, "Do not worry. We will prevail, I have no doubt. I think it might be better if you remain hidden. If you can cause vines to grow like that from out of sight, it may confuse and dishearten them. If Harsk and I can maintain their attention, the rest of you should be able to flank them.
If Ms. Leveton has the right of it, they'll be unawares. Confidence can lead to laziness. While I haven't trained to skulk like I should, I think even me sitting still amongst some furs will be hard enough to notice if I keep still. Besides, furs'll block arrows and such and it won't take me long to act if things go that way.
To Tityanna, You know your talents and their limits better than any of us. I think a big shiny guy on a horse will be all the distraction we need so you standing face to face with them and doin what you do will certainly set about some chaos. If its safer from the shadows, then ye can stay out of sight thats up to you in my mind.
I shall find a vantage point.
Malaswyn ponders whether he can lie concealed atop the walls.
"I would prefer to be in the open. My eye sight is not particularly good, and I would distinguish the leader from the rest. Unless another would be willing to point him out to me?"
"I would prefer to be in the open. My eye sight is not particularly good, and I would distinguish the leader from the rest. Unless another would be willing to point him out to me?"
"I think it will be obvious who the leader is by who responds to my demands. If it is not, it should be obvious by the one either I or Harsk engages directly. Does anyone know Ray's fighting style? Is he a fighter at all. If you can't find a vantage point on the walls, Malaswyn, the shadows might be enough to start."
Bah, the girl wants to get marked with blood, a fight on her own terms! Let her stand wherever she wish, her power'll be useful and if they gawk at her then we have that much more advantage.
"Thank you for the vote of confidence, Master Ironback," Tityanna says and smiles. "As you say, I prefer to meet this challenge in good faith."
Svetlana, having cleared the dishes and cookware for washing, approaches the group. "If you're wondering what the hooded longbowman looks like--the one who called the hatchet-woman 'Kris' or 'Kres', you ken--he's much like the others: dirty green-and-gray clothes and hooded cloak, unshaved and with bad teeth. But he sticks out, that one. He wears that hood no matter the weather, and he carries himself like a preening bird, all full of himself and boastful. Then there's his stag's skull necklace, if you're remembering. Aye, I'd spot him right quick, I would."
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"Blessed. Bah!" He mutters under his breath.
"A rebel and a fool," Tityanna comments. She takes a swift look around the inside of the compound. "Do they oft bring their horses in with them, Good Wife? It would seem more than a bit cramped here, if that is the case. It does not take much to unsettle a horse, and rider who is not proficient could likely take a hard fall."
This Stag head's amulet...
"Aye, they bring in their horses to carry our furs," Svetlana says. "It'd get cramped, as you say. They lead them in place of riding them, as I've seen so far."
She points to the oilcloth-covered cart near the stable. "You could move yon cart to a more out-of-the-way place, if it does you fine. Then you'd have more space to move freely."
Harsk looks about the yard, noting the cart Svetlana describes. May be good to open things up. I'm no fan o bein trampled by horses if they're to run from fright.
"If you allow me, Master Ironback, I will assist you to move it beside the stables. I would cut off any possible escape, and their ability to put a building between us," Tityanna agrees.
"Good Wife, how have your gates typically been kept when they arrive? Would the bandits expect to be able to open and close them easily? Tityanna inquires, and then shakes her head.
"Nay," she says, with a tone of scolding herself. "None would believe that it would be required to block a gate with a cart for any reason save fear of an attack from without, and would alert them to our intent as well."
"They've come to an open gate each time, as we've been told by 'Kris-or-Kres' to expect fire or worse should we bar it to them."
Well then lets not do that, I got no interest in dealing with fire.
Tityanna nods. "Beside the storeroom, then?" she suggests. "It is the only reasonable place it might be moored, as to facilitate loading of materials."
"We should have things just as normal, so that we do not raise their suspicions. If at all possible they should think I am alone. We must move the cart, though, so that I can charge from the gate."
Well it sounds like we got a plan. We should grab Ray, let him know what we are thinking, and if are on the sme page move the cart and rest up for the battle.
Harsk will get up and go looking for Ray.
Tityanna will assist Master Ironback to move the cart to a position in front of the storeroom, leaving a narrow path for walking between the cart and the entrances of both.
When she has been assured that Ray has been informed of the plan, Tityanna will seek out Svetlana. Tityanna will take the first watch of the evening on the battlements, learning the way of the ladders and the steps to the catapults before retiring, preferring to keep to the better lit hours than full darkness.
"I will discuss the plan with Oleg and Svetlana. They must know their part and how to stay safe.
After discussing things with Oleg and Svetlana, Haldaval will say goodnight to Shadow again, and attempt to get some sleep. He will wake far too early with the looming battle in his mind, and make himself and Shadow ready for battle.
"I will discuss the plan with Oleg and Svetlana. They must know their part and how to stay safe.
After discussing things with Oleg and Svetlana, Haldaval will say goodnight to Shadow again, and attempt to get some sleep. He will wake far too early with the looming battle in his mind, and make himself and Shadow ready for battle.
I will take first watch after Vespers. Any are welcome to join me.
I retire for the sunset tribute to Sarenrae.