"All of us are on a path with many branches. Every choice we make, takes us down one of them. But all of them lead to the same destiny. Given enough time, we all achieve our purpose for which we were born to accomplish." Glances at Leon, then Baster. "But to what that purpose is, none can say. I only try to see the symbols for what they are and follow them as best I can."
Leylyn notices that Leon has gone silent. "What's wr-wrong Leon, did I offend you?" Leylyn says, easing up a bit on Leon.
"Of course not." Leon says quietly. "I have a lot of appriciation for your, um, affectionate nature. It's me who should apologize. I have a hard time responding the way you deserve. I recently lost my wife. I'm afraid I haven't coped with it well."
Tim riding near Endrian had moved to help only to find Ithriel was closer. He did however overhear and the chimed in, "I joined because my father and don't agree on a lot of things. I am afraid he might chose my brother to succeed him but my brother is too weak, he just goes along with what ever anyone says to him, and if he is faking it then that would be worse. I would hate to my family decline because my father chose the one that agreed with him the most. I wouldn't mind my sister taking taking the reins but she wouldn't be interested, too busy with her grapes and wines. So I hope to show my father that I am a good choice even if we don't always agree on things."
"Well at least you have a father." Ithriel blurted out before he could stop himself.
"Ithriel? Surely you have a father? Or do elves do... Endrian becomes noticeably uneasy, "Things... differently?"
Sighs heavily, and continues, "Yes I have a father Endrian, but he left my mother an hour after they consumated their union. He's never been a part of my life. Yet another reason I left home." The grey in his eyes seems to shift momentarily a pale blue before turning gray again.
*
Ready as I'll ever be at this point.
*
*
Leylyn is silent for a moment as she lets that sink in. "I'm sorry. If there is anything I ca-aan..." Leylyn pouts for a moment, obviously not amused anymore about her hiccups. She twirls her hand and smacks her chest, lets out a croak of a burp and a blue puff of smoke puffs out her mouth. "There, no more interruptions. A'hem! If there is anything I can do to help you, you let me know, ok?" She says as she pats his cheek, sincerely concerned.
Leon can't help but laugh, a rare smile appearing on his face. "That helped. Thank you."
After another day of hard road beneath horse hooves, you finally return to the Seekers camp.
The men have indeed been busy and the wagons as well as the dirigible seem to be repaired and in use. The men cheer at the sight of your return with the supplies and one of Captain Pelemynn's aide-de-camp comes over to take them to their designated locations.
After a few hours have passed, and the supplies stored and used for last minute repairs, Pelemynn himself comes over to your group.
"It seems that every step I ask you to take for our cause only reinforces your strides as some of the most respectable men... and woman... that I've ever had the pleasure of leading."
He glances about to make sure that no one overhears.
"I have to warn you though, it is, in my opinion, possible that we have certain kinks in our chain. The incident we just encountered was certainly not by chance. Men and dragons don't just meet up for an afternoon skirmish if you get my drift. Therefore, I have decided to put you all in charge of the dirigible, along with a few other... select individuals. I believe they might be... suspicious enough to warrant investigation. Therefore, under this pretext of making our air support stronger, I want you to ferret out any... dissidents or enemies we may have within our midst."
He hands a parchment scroll to Leylyn.
"Written on this scroll are the details of the people I've assigned to the dirigible. I want you to memorize the details and then burn the paper."
He straightens up.
"So remember, keep a weather eye on the horizon and watch out for any dragons!"
He salutes you, then strides back to his tent.
Amedeen Koyr: Female human, 31, professional magician. Reason for suspicions: Is often seen apart from the camp and has been overheard talking to thin air.
Leonard de Keddemas: Male half-elf, 40, bastard noble son. Reason for suspicions: Acts violently and has threatened many officers and soldiers.
"Tiny": Halfling, gender unknown, age unknown. Tiny keeps him/herself wrapped up in a cloak covering all but the eyes. Was hired on as a linguist. Reason for suspicions: Disappeared for two days and sometimes seems to go missing.
Endrian salutes in reply, "Yes sir."
He then turns to Leylyn, "So who are the possible traitors to our cause?" He then thinks aloud, not to anyone in particular, "Who or what would want to sabotage such a noble cause?"
"So just let me get this straight, these others will be assigned t' the dirigible too?" Jevon asks the Captain. "An' what if we find somfin?"
"Then they accidentally fall out of the dirigible, one after another, until everyone on the ground realizes what happens to people who take oaths, break them, and endanger the lives of those they have sworn to protect" Leon says in his usual simplistic tone.
"Och, surely we don't need nine people to watch three? I'm not trustin' myself to that air ship... could be brought down by a single arrow... If I liked heights I'd be taller!"
Koldir continues muttering to himself about the dirigible.
Endrian blurts out "Where is the honor in that! You would not give them an opportunity to defend themselves?! Should we learn of any treachery, they will be given a fair trial, by their choice of combat or jury. Eveldine would abandon me if I were to allow anything less."
He then turns to Leon, hanging his head "I thought you were better than that..."
Aldus grimaces and looks up at the Dirigible. Sighing he heads over and gathers his things before boarding the airship.
"Endrian, we were ambushed and almost died. He asked what would happen if we found anything out. That means determining guilt. Once that is done, so should they be. If you want to challenge them, fine. Personally, I'd rather not endanger anyone on their account ever again."
Leon shakes his head. "Soldiers don't get trials. They take to long. If there's doubt, you give them the benefit of it. Soldiers risk their lives and do questionable things in the line of duty. They earn a certain consideration. If there's no doubt, then there's nothing to do but serve justice quick. In either case, trial by combat is stupid. It doesn't prove or punish anything. It just allows a chance for might to make right. I know you're better than that."
"Almost died? As I recall there were casualties."
"As for determining guilt, how do we know they are truly guilty? A hunch? It must be dealt with in a way that proves guilt beyond reasonable doubt."
"Eveldine would not allow a mans honor to be disgraced by a wanton accusation, she would ensure that justice is brought about, giving he who is righteous her power. I will conduct the trials, all that I am given, is given to me by Eveldine and she can take it all away."
"We will maintain our honor, for without that, we are no better than them. Wouldn't you agree, Sir Baster?"
"I do not believe in trial by combat, but perhaps that's because I don't believe Eveldine is going to bother with every petty little crime. However I do think more then a hunch is needed hence why we are investigating.
I will get close to Miss Koyr. Could always do with learning more magic. Beside a little action in my tent couldn't hurt. Could it, Endrian." He chuckles then takes his place on the dirigible.
"A couple of you can track those below, looking out for those who leave the group etc."
"Eveldine will care when it is one of her chosen Holy Warriors conducting the trial. She will strip me of my powers should the accused not deserve their punishment and the honor of all will remain intact."
He raises his finger to Leon saying "If there are any 'accidents', you are first on my list of suspects."
In response to Tim's quip, Endrian replies "Yes, intimacy can lead to misplaced trust, and if she is innocent you will have a girl to call your own."
Leon just shakes his head. "Would Eveldine truly stay your hand to keep you from punishing an innocent or would She let you make your own judgement, and punish you if you were wrong? I have read her trieste on knighthood. I don't believe she would ever protect you from your own faulty judgement. I think she expects her followers to be able to find the truth on their own."
"Knighthood and Paladinhood are two very different things, friend. I would notice the severence in my ties with her immediately."
"We will maintain our honor, for without that, we are no better than them. Wouldn't you agree, Sir Baster?"
"Yes, honor is paramount" Baster says matter-of-factly.
Then he has a somewhat indulgent smile for Endrian.
"And my honor, Endrian, is not dependent on the fate of potential traitors. I like Leon's solution: it is simple and final."
He holds a hand out as if to prevent Endrian's objections.
"However, I value you as a... divinely inspired ally, paladin. And I know you believe what you just said about Eveldine granting you powers - or depriving you of them. If you want to give an ousted traitor a fair trial - whatever that might be - I am fine with that."
Baster makes a courteous gesture at Leon.
"As I bow to your pragmatism, Leon, I hope you'll bow to mine."
For whatever reason, Baster seems very pleased with himself today.
The nobleman then turns to speak to Tim.
"As for Miss Koyr, maybe you should see the girl before you envision dragging her into your bed ?" he says pleasantly.
"Still, if the worst comes to pass and she is ugly as sin, I understand, my dear Tim, that sometimes a soldier has got to sacrifice himself for his general" he chuckles.
"And as for might making right, I believe there are much worse philosophies around" Baster half-seriously muses to himself.
"I just want it to be known that I will not stand for an on the spot execution. Eveldine would not approve either."
"A trial will ensure that justice is done, seeing to it that justice is delivered is a a core tenet of my code."
Leylyn shares the parchment. Once every has had a read of it Leylyn rereads the note a few more times. Once it is committed to memory she looks up to the arguing that is going on.
"I'm not an expert of law or paladin-ness, but wouldn't our investigation be a trial in it's own right? And as a paladin, is it not in your jurisdiction to doll out appropriate punishment? Ya'know, upholder of all things good and just, Left hand of Eveldine and all that. Didn't becoming a paladin basically give you the power and right to smite the allies of darkness and evil? If we find this to be true, their actions have caused many deaths and even more wounded. Endrian, I doubt Eveldine would hold you guilty of executing accomplices to mass murderer..."
"...But, All that aside, I think knocking them off the airship, or killing them out right is a terrible idea. First off, we were told to ferret them out, not execute them. If we find any of them to be trators, we should report to the Captain. Secondly, I believe it is in the best of the entire camp's interest to capture them alive. Trials and justice aside, we need to interrogate them. Why and who are they working for and what not and so forth."
Leylyn holds the rolled parchment up. "Anybody got a light?"
"She would not hold me guilty of murdering accomplices to mass murder, but she would hold me accountable for attempting to punish one innocent of crimes. I really think you all take my profession lightly."
He turns to Baster, "This is what I was referring to earlier...
Leylyn shrugs. "I don't know, I was only half listening to the beginning of the conversation anyway. I'm kinda on your side here though. I think. Anyway, do not kill them. That is not our mission."
"I... I'm sorry. I walk a fine line and I'm still finding it hard. Perhaps we should investigate first, then decide what to do with the traitor, yes?" Endrian looks rather embarassed, knowing that he probably got ahead of himself.
Baster extracts flint and steel from a belt-pouch hanging on his hip and sets alight the parchment held by Leylyn, which is rapidly consumed
"Well, let us investigate then."
The nobleman walks to the spot where the dirigible is being prepared.
Baster looks at Jevon Ryker.
"I couldn't help but notice that you didn't take part yet in that discussion on moral issues" he says to the man.
"I take it that it's not your area of expertise" the nobleman says, seemingly light-heartedly (but with an hint of provocation - or not ?)
"I jus' don't care. If someone tries to kill me, I'll kill them. If I find out someone tried to kill me, I'll kill them. Other than that, I can't be bothered. Long as I keep gettin' those fat sacks of gold." He replies to Baster. "Honor is for fools. Just some rules someone made up to control others."
Baster bursts out laughing.
"Hahahaha ! Hahahaha !"
And laughing.
"HAHAHAHA ! HAHAHAHAHA !"
He looks really delighted, like he is releasing some tension in a most pleasant manner.
Then he gradually calms down.
"Haaa, Jevon, Jevon..." Baster says, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes.
He looks like he is about to explain something difficult to formulate. But he finally shakes his head and gives up.
"Your sincerity is... refreshing."
"I hope I will be able to show you honor, one day, so that you will recognize it for what it truly is. But for today, simply know that made up honor is no honor at all."
Baster strikes his chest to indicate his heart.
"Honor lives in there. Not in some empty rules ! I agree that rules are destined to be bended by the powerful and mighty anyway." He grins crookedly "Or abused by the subtle."
He pauses to consider what he is going to say.
"And honor is not the exclusive purview of nobles, by the way. It's just that, contrary to the commoners, we are taught about it by our elders. To lead as is our wont, we must know about honor."
"Some never understand it, it is true. Like these two... clowns" he spits the word with utter contempt " ...harassing that old man yesterday."
Baster looks at Jevon with a level gaze.
"So, am I to understand that you are not controlled - your word, not mine - but some moral imperative, but rather by sacks of gold ?"
The nobleman snorts derisively.
"Someone wiser than me once said that he who most avidly grasps for gold is most assuredly made the poorest for it."
"I have lead men like that in the Marches. They were eager and reliable dogs of war. But somehow, you don't exactly look the type to me."
He shrugs.
"We'll see."
Listens to the debate of morality and thinks, Humans really have varied outlooks on different situations. Most of which, I fear, I will never understand. When they finished Ithriel says, "I shall keep a closer eye on Keddemas. He might find it easier to talk to me, for we share a similar heritage."
Pull Leon aside, "Leon, my friend, I couldn't help but notice a slight venom in your voice when discussing dishonorable soldiers. Is there something in your past that has wounded you so?"
"Yes." Leon says curtly, clearly aggravated by the entire discourse, but he does not offer anything further. Instead he just pulls his cloak around him and walks away from the group.
Endrian makes his way to the dirigible, ensuring to speak to each member of the crew outside of his group of companions.
His topics of conversation will include their bravery in the battle against the unknown force and their dragon, the trip so far, the weather and how they are feeling.
Jevon also heads for the dirigible, while smiling. At least I get to ride in the dirigible again. I'll have to keep an eye on that Tiny. Anyone with a name like that...
Once they are aboard he will approach Leylyn privately, "Hullo Leylyn....uhm...I was wonderin' if you might teach me to speak proper like?" He looks down, slightly abashed.