Rhasadilara walks up with Lothar. She gives the young man a slight bow, but says nothing. After his proclamation, she looks at Lothar like she needs a translation.
And so it begins...
Lothar rubbed his scalp, then turned a sideways glance to Rhasadilara. And though he spoke directly to her, the magician projected his voice so that everyone could hear exactly what he was about to say.
Lord Jotham-Sales has come from Restov on behalf of the Swordlords to evaluate the Wardens' progress. If all is in order, then the process to formally settle the Greenbelt will begin, turning the region into a true Brevic colony.
He turned his attention back to the squire. Was that accurate?
"How then shall progress be evaluated?"
"Perhaps over fresh baked bread and moon radish stew."
The elf nods, "Oh." She looks at the squire. "I am Rhasadilara Goldenbough. Some call me Rhasa."
Quietly to the squire
"Poomp and circumstance it shall be!"
Barnubus uses another minute of flight hex to fly high above Oleg's.
He casts a glitterdust high into the air overhead
He calls out loudly
"Lord Jedward Jotham-Sales, Emissary of the Swordlords seeks audience with the Guardians of the Greenbelt at Oleg's Duty free Embassy!"
To Rhasa: As a citizen of Rostov, Oleg cannot deny the lord entrance and neither shall we.
Lothar could only shake his head as he watched Barnabus proclaim the arrival of the lord in spectacular fashion.
The squire seemed to be decent enough, but the lord was another matter. Impatient and most likely filled with a sense of entitlement, Lord Jedward Jotham-Sales would be difficult to deal with.
The magician moved aside to allow the entourage to pass through the gates of the trading post.
She whispers in return, "Oh, no, I would not refuse him, but it would seem appropriate for him to be here."
She also steps aside to allow the contingent to enter the trading post, helping to open the gate further if necessary.
Seeing something she can do, Rhasa steps forward to assist with Lord Jotham-Sales' horse. She will hold the reins if necessary as he dismounts and lead whoever is tasked with caring for the animal back to the stables and shows them where the common brushes, etc. are kept if they have not brought their own.
Leaving them to their task, she will return to where the others are, following them into the building as they move to a more suitable meeting location.
"I felt Gorguk spoke masterfully and provided a recorded document for tha Guardians"
Lothar cast an irritated look Barnabus' way before turning back to Stiles.
Gorguk does indeed speak for the Wardens, but in his absence, I will attempt to perform the role. Our leader is currently overseeing the restructuring and upkeep of the defeated Stag Lord's personnel and outpost. We have come from there but recently. Would his lordship like to postpone the debriefing and accompany us back or would he prefer to have it sooner from us?
Lothar gave a slight bow. As the lord wishes. Will you require anything else, sir?
Though the magician spoke and acted cordially, he wanted nothing more than to throttle Lord Jedward. Thanks to Barnabus, the man saw him as little more than a lowly servant.
Of course, that may have already been a foregone conclusion if this lord knew anything about his heritage. Noble bastards were seldom looked upon favorably by the peerage.
Lothar knew that this day would come. He just didn't think it would be so soon after the Stag Lord's defeat. He collected himself, centered his thoughts, and relaxed his tense stance.
Given a choice between battling in the wilderness and dealing with court politics, Lothar would rather be fighting for his life in the field than navigating the many-layered plots of nobles.
The magician wondered just exactly how the Wardens would be fitting into Lord Jedward Jotham-Sales machinations.
Unfortunately, it was his job to find out.
Rhasa waited impassively, wondering to herself about the body language she detected in her scouting partner. He's not uncomfortable, it's not that sort of tension. What... Ah, his discipline come forward and he makes himself relax. The cause of the tension remains - I will have to be alert - perhaps he detects a threat I've overlooked.
Given a choice between battling in the wilderness and dealing with court politics, Lothar would rather be fighting for his life in the field than navigating the many-layered plots of nobles.
The magician wondered just exactly how the Wardens would be fitting into Lord Jedward Jotham-Sales machinations.
"He can tour wha ever he likes from a map, I got no arrangement tah baby-sit a noble nephew."
Rhasa looks at Barnabus coldly, "Fine. Perhaps you best remain here and sample the beer while Master Narda and I see to the responsibilities due the contract that you signed."
She turns to Lothar, "Master Narda, if you wish to show our guest to the quarters, I would be happy to assist his party in setting up their lodging for the night. I do not believe there is room in the trading post for the entire company, but I know a good place to camp very near. Since the bandits have been dealt with, safety should not be a concern."
"Perhaps you can provide a tour of the post and the site of the battle while we await the meal."
Rhasa leads the rest of the lord's party to the campsite so they can start getting set up for the night.
"Perhaps I spoke hastily.....a full recounting seems unlikely, an a incredulous tale indeed."
If there was ever a time to be thankful for Golden Arm, this was indeed one.
Her words allowed Lothar to have a pleasant smile touch his lips. The role... Remember the role. The show must go on.
Aloud, the magician said, If you will follow me, I'll show you to your lodging for the night.
Rhasa will make small talk as she assists the entourage with whatever tasks they are willing to let her do. While she visits, she will try to take note of their general abilities to know their strengths in a crisis. The area is safer, but it's not without its dangers, after all.
Lothar stared at Lord Jotham-Sales for a moment before affecting another bow which the magician held as he spoke:
Is something amiss, lord? Is it your wish to not be shown to your quarters? Or is it that you'd rather have it done by someone other than myself?
"Indeed we have routed tha bandits an taken their fortress as a base of further operations, we hast a map here at Oleg's, which is in need of additions from our most recent foray."
"Perchance yourselves would like us to show and tell at the same time, this is a fine place for you encampment."
"Any further information necessary to satiate your superiors?"
"Will a trip to the former bandit stronghold be necessary?"
Barnabus nods at the man and knows Rhasa will be ready to hit the road in short order.
"If you can spare some inventory, we have needs of wands, healing and force missiles, would aid most graciously."
Again, Lothar flashed an annoyed glare at Barnabus. He was trying to focus on the last portion of Jotham-Sales pronouncement.
Empowered to govern. The Wardens. I may have been hasty in my assessment of the situation. Someone else will come in to handle things here if we don't accept. I will have to consult with Rhasadilara before our return to the keep.
The wheels within his mind spinning, the magician cast a glance toward the ranger. Rhasa, a word before we sit to enjoy the excellent repast prepared by our host.
"Of course." She stands as their visitor rises to leave, then looks at Lothar questioningly once the rest have left the room.
"I assume you are not overly concerned with privacy. If you are, we would do better to stroll outside the walls, I think.
I am always concerned with privacy, but if a stroll will put you at ease, then let us be about it.
The magician followed after the ranger. Once outside the walls, Lothar stopped walking.
I assume you understood the offer that Jotham-Sales just made. How do you feel about being empowered to both govern and enforce the law here in the Greenbelt? Especially considering that if we do not accept, someone else will be appointed. Someone who may not have the interest of the people in mind. I understand that Gorguk will wish to speak to us all concerning this once he hears, but I would like to know the thoughts of my partner on this matter.
"Of course I understand. And I am less concerned about the people than what they will do to the land. I will abide by the Wardens' decision, but I wish to remain here and help the settlers use their resources wisely. And protect them if need be, of course."
She looks at her friend appraisingly. "What do you want? Stay? Or go?"
Barnabus waited by the map to see if assistance was forthcoming....
He nodded to Lothar and Rasha as they left for private discourse.
The magician's brow became a tight furrow even as he clasped his hands behind his back. He looked to the sky, though Lothar was not focused on its beauty, for it only served to remind him of how his vision was beginning to expand.
Lothar maintained his gaze upward as he spoke to Rhasadilara, I do not know how effective I would be, but it my wish to safeguard the people of this land from outside exploitation from the likes of Brevoy and the other River Kingdoms. So to answer your question I intend to stay, as in my mind, the best chance at accomplishing this would be to accept the offer when it is put forth. But is this course best for the Wardens? In a region where the belief 'you have what you hold' is justification for taking what you want through open force of arms, I'm not sure just how effective we could truly be in establishing a stable refuge in these lands. It is truly an arduous course we would have to navigate, for the path will ever be teeming with treachery and peril. Are the Wardens truly the best suited to bring about change on so great a scale in the Greenbelt or does the land and its varied peoples deserve something other than what we could provide?
He looked back at the ranger. These are questions that we must ask ourselves both as individuals and as a group. Logic dictates that the needs of the many outweigh those of the few or the one. That is, after all, what it means to serve. And make no mistake, that is exactly what we Wardens will be doing should this path be set upon. We will be serving the needs of the people, often at the cost of our own. Lothar paused, as though at a loss on how to phrase his words next. How do you feel about that?
Her gaze never wavers, her overlarge eyes focused on his face, reading his gestures as he speaks. When he turns his eyes to ask her thoughts, she shakes her head. "What is it you think I have been doing? I have no official capacity - I have never seen the contract you have committed to. I do not care if I do. My initial intent in joining your merry band was for vengeance, nothing more. I found respect and acceptance and found them to be far more fulfilling than the empty ache for revenge and the momentary thrill of vengeance achieved. I am Forlorn, Vudrani. My blood marks me as a member of a people that does not understand me and I spend my years watching my friends grow old and die. I will stay. The good of the many outweighs the good of the few, this is true. And the good of the many will be better served by intelligent and far-sighted use of their resources. The good of the land goes hand-in-hand with the good of the many. I will stay to protect the land to protect the people. But if the Wardens turn their back on the Greenbelt, though it break my heart, I will accompany my friends for the time I have with them and come back to the land when they have joined it once more. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust."
Her uncharacteristic speech is delivered without excitement, flowing from her naturally as water from a spring, and yet there is a slight undercurrent of passion in what she says. This is not what she thinks, this is what she feels.
"Ahh an observer not a participant."
"Please excuse me, I have matters to attend to."
Leaves Lord to look over the map.
Goes to check in with Svetlana and Oleg about any new items and placing an order for equipment.
The magician acknowledged Golden Arm's words with a slight bow and a smile. That was quite eloquent, Rhasadilara. Your passion has inspired me in ways you cannot begin to understand.
Lothar reached into the folds of his robe and retrieved his holy symbol, which he presented to his partner. To most, what I hold in my hand is nothing more than an item sacred to my faith. But to those with the proper training, it is so much more.
The name 'Irori' is a palindrome in both the Taldan and Vudran languages, possibly others. In addition, when rotated the name forms an image. Like so. The magician held the leather thong and caused the medallion to spin, which formed a starlike pattern in place of the name of the deity. Lothar continued to speak as he performed this action. The lines of the star represent knowledge and enlightenment flowing from the Master of Masters to our mortal selves. This is the Master's Rebus.
Lothar stopped spinning the holy symbol and looked at the ranger. I won't bore you with the spiritual aspects inherent within the rebus. You call yourself 'Forlorn', one marked by their association with the short lived races. To me you are a shining star, illuminating the lives of all around you. And though we may become dust long before you, we will do our best to prove worthy of the light you represent.
Now, let us go and partake in the meal that our hostess has provided for us all.
Barnabus checks in with Oleg....
"Any signs o trouble?"
Barnabus intends to
DM