"Well, that was quick!" says the mildly astonished halfling from over a big ledger, spread open upon his desk. He pulls his Pince-Nez glasses and rubs the bridge of his nose.
He climbs down from his human-scale stool to greet you. "I see you've found the ruffian. Shall I have the guard captain make accommodations for him and his friend in the shed? It has a very good lock."
"Grrrr."
Illthir rubbed her forehead. Welp. This was probably always going to happen one way or another, but she wasn't a fan of confrontations. "No need. They helped us against the Stag Lord and they are helping build this nation, the accommodations should reflect that. That is; not with locks on it." she paused. Perhaps an appeal to civil behavior would win the halfling over? A little at least. "We are not ungrateful savages."
Serena sighs heavily. "Perhaps if we start again. Anando, this is Akiros. Akiros, Anando. Now that we're all on the same side, we may as well behave like it."
"Now place nicely."
"Well, you are in charge." Ananda climbs down the side of his chair, no doubt to see to dinner when he stops turns and reaches up to the desktop to shut his ledger. He slides the neat stacks of coins there beside it into a pouch and throws it into his safe, which he closes with emphasis.
About a half hour later dinner is served.
Shepherd Jhod arrives along with one of the guards and says a prayer over the meal before taking his seat.
Illthir deflates a bit in tune with the tension. Pew. She throws a thankful glance at Serena for dealing with this. "That's a start." And Anando was right - they were in charge! At least when no investors were near to yank their chain.
Now there was only the other burning questions left. Might as well pop it to the three that were here; Akiros, Jhod and hopefully around somewhere Kesten. "So... Just to float the question; we might be putting together a council and there's empty seats. Here's what we are thinking ..."
Illthir deflates a bit in tune with the tension. Pew. She throws a thankful glance at Serena for dealing with this. "That's a start." And Anando was right - they were in charge! At least when no investors were near to yank their chain.
Now there was only the other burning questions left. Might as well pop it to the three that were here; Akiros, Jhod and hopefully around somewhere Kesten. "So... Just to float the question; we might be putting together a council and there's empty seats. Here's what we are thinking ..."
"Hm? Sounds interesting. Could you pass the potatoes? Did you see Shepherd Keegh, while you were up in Brevoy?"
"Do we have any bread?" asks the guardsman who none of the party is familiar with.
"Of course." says Anando rolling his eyes. He fetches a small basket of bread off the kitchen counters hands it to the unknown guard.
After the food is passed around the table, the silence of the diners lengthens and becomes oppressive to all except the guard who focuses upon his meal, to the point that even the noise of the man's bread absorbing the gravy on his plate seems a deafening accusation.
"... Um, lovely weather we're having." Jhod comments.
Fergus gives the guardsman a glance, then with a wave of his hand casts a minor cantrip, and suddenly soft, pleasant music begins to resound around the table.
The food must be good, if it has taken so many peoples tongues.
He says giving a glance towards Illithir and Serena, still not wanting to take the reigns from the folks who are better known for now.
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"Sorry, a lady can only eat so many wafers of hard bread before real food appears like mana." Illthir smiles and forces herself to put away her food. This *was* probably more important then soothing her worn palate.
"Shepherd, you have tended to matters of faith in these lands. Would it interest you to sit on the council for such matters?"
"Akiros, would you be interested in helping us protect the folks of our fledgling nation? There's many dangers, mundane or monsters; but I hope everyone in our realm will get a chance to thrive."
"Kesten Garess, you have watched over the guards here. Would you be interested in advising on matters of defense on the council?"
Serena glances up from her plate, interested in hearing the answers.
"Sorry, a lady can only eat so many wafers of hard bread before real food appears like mana." Illthir smiles and forces herself to put away her food. This *was* probably more important then soothing her worn palate.
"Shepherd, you have tended to matters of faith in these lands. Would it interest you to sit on the council for such matters?"
"It's quite an honor. I-I don't know that a simple country shepherd would be worthy of such a position of authority."
"Akiros, would you be interested in helping us protect the folks of our fledgling nation? There's many dangers, mundane or monsters; but I hope everyone in our realm will get a chance to thrive."
Akiros hesitantly looks up from his dish. "Sure."
Then returns to his food.
"Kesten Garess, you have watched over the guards here. Would you be interested in advising on matters of defense on the council?"
"Our last position on the council is for the therapist dealing with our crippling imposter syndrome." Illthir quips to try and ease up the mood. Truth to be told though, it was an actual worry. People with experience running kingdoms didn't grow on trees. And, if they were available; it was usually because they sucked at it.
She is silent for a few moments, trying to think of how to put her thoughts into words. Reassuring ones, crafted for the audience. "I don't think any of have all the know-how to steer this without a hitch. But I do think we have the character to get there, to grow and learn. We're the seed, not yet the flower. But we'll get there."
"Remember that the mighty oak was once a nut like you," Serena adds, interjecting some humor that her late father had taught her. She gives a nervous laugh.
None of there words seem to assuage the Shepherd or really touch the Akiros. When he, the Shepherd and the guardsman finish they leave and a couple of minutes later Kesten Garess enters for his meal, which Anando lays out with aplomb.
Kesten makes his welcomes before digging in.
Illthir was a bit disappointed that their plant-analogies didn't work on the shepherd. It had been a long shot with the ex-paladin, but she had hoped one of Erastil's faith would have appreciated it. They liked plants right..? Hmm. Or was that the green faith? She wasn't *quite* sure. Maybe they should have gone for a homesteading line instead.
She appreciated that Serena had helped though and offered her friend a nod of encouragement. Wait is it Sarenraeites that likes plants? No, that wasn't right. She would have remembered that - surely!
Ahem. Regardless. Tasty food...
Oh and there's Kersten. She'll let the soon-to-be general enjoy some food before she pops the question.
"So... Just to float the question; we might be putting together a council and there's empty seats. Here's what we are thinking ..." to bring him up to speed. Then...
"Kesten Garess, you have watched over the guards here. Would you be interested in advising on matters of defense on the council?"
Illthir was a bit disappointed that their plant-analogies didn't work on the shepherd. It had been a long shot with the ex-paladin, but she had hoped one of Erastil's faith would have appreciated it. They liked plants right..? Hmm. Or was that the green faith? She wasn't *quite* sure. Maybe they should have gone for a homesteading line instead.
"So... Just to float the question; we might be putting together a council and there's empty seats. Here's what we are thinking ..." to bring him up to speed. Then...
"Kesten Garess, you have watched over the guards here. Would you be interested in advising on matters of defense on the council?"
"Of course! I would be honored to be the kingdom's warden!" he says beaming.
"It has long been in my mind to cast my gaze farther afield than the outpost's walls."
Illthir blinks and briefly ponders the term "promoted to incompetency". Surely it was nothing important. Nothing they subjected these good people to. Certainly nothing that had happened to herself ...
"To clarify, I believe the official title would be 'General' Kersten Garess. It is a similar thing but may require a finer touch of organization." She gives him a moment to process the information. Hopefully it goes well. "We hope that is acceptable?"
Illthir blinks and briefly ponders the term "promoted to incompetency". Surely it was nothing important. Nothing they subjected these good people to. Certainly nothing that had happened to herself ...
"To clarify, I believe the official title would be 'General' Kersten Garess. It is a similar thing but may require a finer touch of organization." She gives him a moment to process the information. Hopefully it goes well. "We hope that is acceptable?"
"Please, Kesten, it would greatly benefit us and the kingdom."
"I just bought these new, enchanted hiking boots from these two merchants the other day..."
[b]"Perhaps I could find a matching cloak--one of those elven kind! And maybe a hat."
"Please, Kesten, it would greatly benefit us and the kingdom."
"Of course! Anything you say M'lady Mistcastle. Your wish, as ever, is my command."
With that settled the meal continues on in shifts as the rest of the guards and porters enter and exit for their evening meal like clockwork.
After the dishes are washed and put away, Anando retires to his office to pen the letter to the Archbanker to have him send a capable treasurer.
Pew! Illthir was glad to lean on Serena's golden voice. Physical leaning might be frowned upon though on the dining table, so let's try not to.
---
"Oh the blessings of civilization. But they are fleeting; we should try and reason with Sam as soon as we can. Agreed?" the skald proposes. The quicker they disarmed that disaster the better. Or at least showed up and were seen, hopefully that'd be enough to stall the worst rebellious intent.
"Yes. You should." says Anando, obviously impatient to clear the table and wash the dishes.
Illthir takes the hint and rises from her chair. Though she did prefer to stay, drink and be merry - that might start out this whole council thing on the wrong foot. So let's be stoic. For now. It's what the heroes would do.
"Let's see what quarters are available then." she mumbles, partially just to herself and partially because she hopes their crafty host has conjured some clean beds. And maybe a warm water bath? Mmm...
Once she has had her brief day-dream she turns to their future chancellors. "We're not really expecting to hold any meetings until the end of the month; but they'll most likely be held near the old stag lord's fort. We'll make sure to send word if that changes. By then we've hopefully aligned Renault to our goals and we can draft up the bright future of these lands."
Illthir takes the hint and rises from her chair. Though she did prefer to stay, drink and be merry - that might start out this whole council thing on the wrong foot. So let's be stoic. For now. It's what the heroes would do.
"Let's see what quarters are available then." she mumbles, partially just to herself and partially because she hopes their crafty host has conjured some clean beds. And maybe a warm water bath? Mmm...
That would mean the old bunkhouse.
Kesten returns to his vigil. And the party retires to the bunkhouse were they find Shepherd Kavken preparing to retire on the first floor.
Well. A lot better then a pile of dirt for sure!
....
Night settles over the land and the party rests without the need of doing it in shifts or on the cold earth.
Dawn comes and the general bustle of the bunk house (basically 2 floors of communal bunk beds) rouses the party.
Well. A lot better then a pile of dirt for sure!
Serena will accompany Illthir, for safety's sake.
Illthir and Serena head off to meet with Samuel Renault.
After a bit of a ride they come upon the outskirts of the farmlands claimed by Renault's people. In the distance they can see his rustic manor house on a low tree-dappled rise.
Illthir gently reins in her horse and gives him some scritches behind the ear as appeasement. There it was. The last obstacle to peace of mind. "We'll have to convince Samuel that him on the council is the best way forward, for the people and him. By all experience he's stubborn as a mule... It will be a challenge for sure. Though we should start by apologizing for not addressing his worries at the meeting earlier - but the dark plots of a lichling ought to be a valid excuse." she recaps. Then turns to her companion. "Would you take the lead? People seem more inclined to take heartfelt advice from the knight in shining armor then the teller of tall tales."
Illthir and Serena pass through the farmland and arrive at Samuel's house, a rustic manor set amidst a number of wooden outbuildings. The home itself is encircled by a wooden poach. Farmhands are a plenty at work in the fields and barns around the house.
After spending his time in the morning enjoying the sunrise with a hot drink and a book on magical familiars, Fergus would go about finding Akiros first. Obviously something caused him to be hesitant when accepting the proposed position. And while Fergus wasn't sure he could help or assuage whatever that was. He could at least try to understand it. In case it proved to potentially bring further trouble.
Good day to you, Akiros, I believe it was? I see my companions have had a habit of picking up people long before my turn. May we speak for a time?
"Ho!" Serena raises her hand in salute and greets the farmers. "Is the lord of the manor in?"
After spending his time in the morning enjoying the sunrise with a hot drink and a book on magical familiars, Fergus would go about finding Akiros first. Obviously something caused him to be hesitant when accepting the proposed position. And while Fergus wasn't sure he could help or assuage whatever that was. He could at least try to understand it. In case it proved to potentially bring further trouble.
Fergus finds the taciturn man in the barn watching two other former brigands, Chadwick "Chick" Tabbot and his short tubby friend Wilbur Scotello try to figure out how many bales of hay will be needed to cover the stall floors on the barn wall with a bit of chalk.
Good day to you, Akiros, I believe it was?
"Still is."
I see my companions have had a habit of picking up people long before my turn. May we speak for a time?
"Sure."
cries Scotello in triumph.
Chick slaps his forehead with his palm.
"Ho!" Serena raises her hand in salute and greets the farmers. "Is the lord of the manor in?"
"Er, yes." says one man a stout rustic with dark curly hair around the fringe of his head, wearing overalls, with a straw hat in his hands. He notes the women's weapons and armor and nervously rotates his hat in his grip. "W-who should I say is calling?"