"So many languages I don't know," Bydar admits and hopes the others are up to diplomacy in this.
The little man snorts and laughs, then drops his legs over the side of the bench and begins kicking his feet back and forth. Almost childlike in a way, he puts his hands on the bench and leans forward.
The little man grimaces, spits once to the side, then glares at your group. As he stares, his eyes begin glowing a bright red, and it seems like his cap has also started to emit a similar red light. A thin line of drool escapes his mouth as he yells through pointed yellow teeth.
Bydar looks at the others, not sure of what's being said, but noting the humor and demands of this fellow at least. Both a little on the disturbing side.
He looks to Belka, "If he's asking, you can tell him I'm Baron Bydar,and I and our delegation hope to explore a bit. Ask him if someone claims these lands if you would?"
"He does want to know who we are and what we want here," Belka says, without breaking eye contact with the offensive little fey. Her eyes are narrowing.
Hoi Polloi says nothing and makes no threatening movements, but he does quietly step in front of the Elves, hopefully partially shielding them from the iron-booted Fey's glowing eyes.
The little fey's mouth opens slightly, hanging there in a stupor for several seconds. He quickly recovers and shakes his head.
He grins widely, then continues,
He pulls his boots back up to his chest, then turns his head away from you while waving you away.
on fey
"This gentleman has informed me that these are the private lands -- to be specific, the garden -- of one Lady Thorn," Belka tells Bydar. "Uninvited visitors are not welcomed, and we are asked to leave. I recommend we do so. I'll ask whether we can get an invitation, and then we need to beat feet. If you say 'noble', you usually say 'guards', and you didn't say anything about starting a war here when we left home. Besides, there's the Elves to think of."
"Indeed, I agree with you, Belka. We have information thanks to this fellow and we're not here to make enemies. We should probably withdraw."
The fey narrows his eyes, but nods once. In perfect Common, he replies, "Aye, withdraw, Baron. Ye have all been respectful, so I'll do you a favor and forget you came through the door."
Looking at Belka, he continues:
Saying this, he points at a small group of wildflowers near your feet. Glancing down, you see a variety of colors with delicate petals... but as you watch, the petals writhe and twist very slightly... just enough for your to make out tiny screaming faces on each of them.
"Lady Thorn is one of those who thinks all the lands, and those who live upon them, should serve the First World. And here, names are power, so I'll respectfully decline to give mine. Now go, your intrusion has been noted and guards are on the way."
He turns his head to stare down a pathway and then stands up on the bench. Without looking back at you, he waves his hand in a dismissive gesture.
The fey narrows his eyes, but nods once. In perfect Common, he replies, "Aye, withdraw, Baron. Ye have all been respectful, so I'll do you a favor and forget you came through the door."
Bydar is surprised for only a moment, then smiles, "I'm glad we made a good impression. Good fortune to you, sir."
Unless others have something to do, he turns to go as requested by the guard.
"I don't think he's lying and we should move on before the guards arrive, unless you want to be turned into a plant."
Raxus looks horrified as Bridgette points out the nature of the foliage around them.
Belka turns towards the Elves and makes shooing gestures, chivying them back through the gate. "Let's go, let's go!" she exhorts the others. "Time to go home!
Bydar heads out, making sure the new elves are with them.
After they are through the door and close it
"Remind me not to visit there."
"We need ta do more'n that, methinks," Belka says, eyeing the door suspiciously. "There's naught ta prevent something from passing out of that forest to here, and naught to prevent anything from here ta come tearing out of that forest and inta your city! At the least, I'd suggest putting a guard on that door."
The young Kellid girl's brow furrows in thought. "Look, I think... I think I might be able to set up some kind of magical protections. I'd need stuff, though. Expensive stuff, sad to say. Scrolls, materials, a place to work... Can we call it a government commission, s'long as I'm living in your town?"
"I think it'll require a bit more than that"
"It's all I've got!" Belka exclaims, some distress showing in her general demeanour. "He said names have power back there! He knows my name! You had better believe I'll do my best to put the best lock on this thing that I can!"
"We'll do what we can with what we have. And Belka, your offer is appreciated. We'll bring it up before the council in full," Bydar assures as they continue down the tower "And let us not panic. We're back in our own world, and names have a little less power here. And, we've been seemingly outmatched before only to defy the odds anyway. If we're lucky, that guard won't mention us at all, let alone by name."
"What about a circlet that caused memory loss of certain names equiped to the guard"
"Odd. Does such a thing exist?" He looks to Belka
Raxus looked kind of angry.
"I don't always understand why we do things. Usually, if I keep my mouth shut I figure it out."
"This time I can't. Why did we come here at all? What have we learned? I am glad we were able to free these elves, but that was an accident. Why are we here?"
"I think the Fae like not being completely understood. We're repaying a debt to them by seeing what's on the otherside of that door. Perhaps they're of rival factions and thus it wasn't safe for them to come here themselves, or maybe they're trying to make us aware of another threat that might yet come to us. It's hard to know all of their reasons."
Raxus's brows furrow. "So we went because the Barons asked us too."
"I knew that. I just assumed someone knew why."
"Good enough. Lets go home."
"When we get back I'll be having a Drink,
as I'm gonna want to forget that slaver creep and the human garden."
"It could just be scouting, yeah," Belka says. "And this way, Lady Thorn won't know - or shouldn't - that she was scouted out by yon Baron. It's skullduggery done out in the open. With a nice little bonus of putting the wind up you, his human 'allies'. Now ye know what all the Fey are capable of, if they're riled up enough, and that this Lady Thorn is one to look out for."
She shakes her head at Bydar. "Can't say I ever heard of such an item before now. Guess I could try and find out about it, maybe even construct one down the line. But how'd you propose getting it on that red-hatted, iron-booted fellow's head without starting a ruckus?"
"Meant a guard we post at the door."
"Perhaps we should wait until we see how the Barons respond to this news when we give it to them in the proscribed method."
Travel back is quick, and despite seeming like you were gone for most of the day, it appears to be little more than an hour after you first stepped through the door. Before leaving, you gather what you can to try and disguise the entrance until you can come up with a more permanent solution.
The elves are filled with a mix of wonder and curiosity. Almost all of them seem enchanted with the leaves on the trees that surround this area. They also gesture toward the trees, apparently impressed by their height.
Returning to town is a joyous occasion, and many among the crowd wave and cheer as you ride past. Notably, you see a number of men wearing similar black leather armor around town. It would seem the mercenaries camped on your doorstep are spending some of their coin in town.
-----
"Right," Belka says once the group has returned to Corbenic. "I'll be assuming you mean to put our visitors from another world up at the castle? Right here'n'now, I'm volunteering to help figure out their language. That... and I'd 'preciate it if I could set up a basement room in the castle ta make something. I'll need the help of a locksmith and a blacksmith, but I think I can set up some beautiful security for that gate. I'll make ye a formal proposal for the Council, if ye like."
"When it comes to security, I think I'd yield to Bridgette and Raxus, it's more their fields than mine unless a bit of divine protection is called for," He says, not wanting to step on any toes and besides that, they are warriors unlike himself, "We'll see what we can do to get you into the castle. Maybe get you a proper tower instead of the basement if construction is coming along quickly enough. I plan on using spells to allow me to talk to the elves soon. That should help find out some immediate things about them." If the others are amendable, I may ask if they think Belka would make a good magister. She's certainly not above hard work.
He looks to the elves and says in Elven <"All will be well."> They showed no sign of using it earlier, but perhaps it will soothe them.
"Ari, if you would, please go on and pass the news to the barons that in the manner they asked as soon as you can. If they have more knowledge about this Lady a certain guard told us of, I want to know it."
"I should've been more clear," Belka says. "I certainly don't mean to replace good guards on that gate, but to add something to help them out. And seeing as it'll be big and heavy, a basement room'd be fine -- that, or ground floor." The Kellid girl shoots Bydar a quick grin. "Don't worry, it'll only be in use for a month or so."
"The security at that door would need guards, magical defenses and divine defenses."
"You'll get no argument from me," Belka says, shaking her head. "Mind you, I can probably use some priestly help with what I've got in mind."
"Just let me know if you need any divine magics in the door's defense then." He says yielding to the expertise of the others
Returning to town is a joyous occasion, and many among the crowd wave and cheer as you ride past. Notably, you see a number of men wearing similar black leather armor around town. It would seem the mercenaries camped on your doorstep are spending some of their coin in town.
Bydar smiles and returns the waves if he can. His eyes light up with pride for his people. They're coming so far, so fast.
Raxus was glad to be home. He didn't say much, as usual. He simply went to the kennels to play with the dogs.
The Council convenes this month under a bright, sunny sky. Talk of the elves has spread throughout the city, and many of the common folk now speak of the new alliance with the elves who live in the nearby forests.
Everyone is in attendance at the Council, and Oleg asks for Captain Milius Taver, leader of the Band of Hallorn, to speak.
Taver is a short bald human who has more scars about his head than most have on their entire bodies. He wears a brown surcoat that while nice, has obviously been in storage for some time if the wrinkles and frayed edges are any indication. Still, he apparently made an effort to dress up to meet you, so that says he understands propriety if nothing else.
Standing before the group, he bows his head, low enough to satisfy decorum, but not so low that he would seem to be ingratiating. He puts his hands behind his back and assumes what most in the room recognize as a military "at ease" stance. Looking at Bydar, he speaks, "Baron, please accept my gratitude for allowing my men to camp across the river on our journey. Your man, Garess, has seen to our comfort, and it is much appreciated." He bows again, significantly lower this time.
Returning to his former posture, he continues, "My Lord, we have been in service to the south for the past three years serving in Pitax. Our contract ended and we voted to move back north in search of more opportunities. Many in Brevoy and the surrounding areas have put out calls for men in our line of business, and we would seek an arrangement with one of those Houses."
"Unfortunately, most of the new contracts won't be available for a few more months. We need a place to stay until then. I would like your permission to remain encamped in our present location - or another of your choosing - for the next three months. We would sign a formal contract for the duration, during which you would pay us a stipend for garrison duty. In return, I will ensure my men have enough pay and leave to frequent the merchants and shops in your city."
"I do not know if any of you have ever contracted with free soldiers before, so if you have questions, I would be happy to answer them."
-----
Belka leans back in one of the supplicant chairs, calmly biding her time while waiting for the mercenaries' business to be concluded so she can bring forth her own proposal -- a blackboard's worth of it, which stands waiting against the wall, covered with a sheet.
Standing at his mistress' side, Hoi Polloi seems to be paying rather better attention to Tavers' monologue than the young Kellid girl.
When the mercenary captain mentions Pitax, Hoi Polloi raises his head slightly, turns to catch Bydar's eye (or so you presume, since the hooded guardian's own face remains in shadow) and shakes his head briefly but sharply.
Bydar listens. He can't say he's surprised by news that the houses to the North are preparing for war, probably with each other. The heads of the dragon are threatening to tear each others throats out. but who these men might be going to serve, he can't say.
"I shall pass on your gratitude to Captain Garess as well, then, and it pleases me that the people have made a good impression. To your thanks, let me simply say you are welcome," He inclines his head as is proper, just so much.
"As for questions, I think I do have a few before we decide on an answer for the council. What size stipend would you ask in exchange for your duty? Will you commit solidly for that duration, or should a better and sooner call from another employer arise, do you reserve the right to depart earlier? I confess, I'm also curious as to Pitax. Has a need for Free Soldiers there faded for a particular reason?"
"Given the discipline The Band of Hallorn is known for, I don't think it would be a problem for your band to stay for the next three months."
"And if I may ask. Since your band are known very well for their skill with bow, sword, and spear, that our army learn from yours and yours from ours.
It could even be as subtle a learning experience from as a simple tournament in one of our festivals during the three months.
Though our Baron and council will have final say on it."
Raxus knew nothing of soldiers. He'd been appointed as military leader of their new land and he felt woefully out of his depth.
The others seemed amiable to this man Taver, which was good enough for Raxus. There was an opportunity here to learn how to go about fulfilling his duties.
Raxus nodded his approval to Bydar, saying nothing for now.
Captain Taver listens intently as Bridgette speaks. He nods in agreement, "Setting up some mutual training sessions would certainly be acceptable. If I may be blunt, such mutual training sessions would be beneficial if my company is called into real action along side yours. I believe those responsible for the defense of your city would agree?" he asks gesturing toward Kesten.
The Warden nods, "Indeed I do. Any familiarity between our Guards and the Band would be advantageous."
Taver acknowledges his agreement then continues, "As for a tournament, I'm sure we could provide some suitable contestants. If the Council does not object, I would also be happy to provide some prizes for winners of the various contests."
Bydar waits to see if any of his questions are answered
"What size stipend would you ask in exchange for your duty? Will you commit solidly for that duration, or should a better and sooner call from another employer arise, do you reserve the right to depart earlier? I confess, I'm also curious as to Pitax. Has a need for Free Soldiers there faded for a particular reason?"
Taver waits until Bydar finishes, then responds in a respectful tone, "My Lord, we would require 2,000 gp per month, and we would commit to the contract for the entire duration. If another job arises, we would allow it to pass. For men in this business, adherence to the contract is of paramount importance. After all, who would hire soldiers known to leave at the first sign of a few more gold."
He pauses, then continues in a thoughtful voice, "With respect, Baron, not all mercenaries sign on out of greed. I, and the other leaders, are simple men - if we agree to terms, we will honor them."
"As for Pitax... my men and I are professionals. I will not order them to raise arms against defenseless commoners."
-----
"Pitax ordered you to raise arms against defenseless commoners? This is something I would hear more of, Captain, though I am glad to hear if so you refused. I for one will lend my vote to agreement to this proposal. It is better to have honorable men of blade and spear among us for a short time than not at all. There are rumors of dangers about as you likely well know, but Shelyn willing, your time here will be one of peace." Bydar looks to the others, "Is everyone else amendable to the proposal?"
While the vote goes on, Bydar muses, And it may yet be the captain and his men may decide to call this place home on a permanent basis. Our land is small, but beautiful and full of growth. The people shine in their endeavors. They would not be the first warriors to find themselves in love with such a place. If not..well, goddess bless them. If so, so much the better for us and more happiness to them.
He nods at the complement, "Thank you, Baron. Though we would stand ready, this is one soldier who does not go searching for an enemy to fight, peace would suit me just as well."
Seeing no other comments or questions, the soldier begins moving toward the door. "I'll wait outside while you discuss my proposal."