Aldous nods. "Of course, Droht - my apolgies. I was just trying something out. It seems I can call my assistant from the beyond if need be. I imagine he'll be joining me watch duty in the future."
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Looking out onto the river, the Doctor packs his pipe and lights it. "A plan indeed, Captain. Droht, Ky, you are our tacticians. How should we approach Ascanor?"
"meh . . . maybe we should have had you speak with Zstelian. It appeared that he considered you a colleague. I would suspect that we should go there largely as we are. I am your hired huntsman, you as a doctor and Edward as a professor with a young, um . . . female companion, along for the trip. Ky can either be a young rake along to show his more stiff cousins how to have fun or? Some kind of personal assistant to the Doctor."
"Simple and more truthful the better. Also those roles would allow us access to the different social strata of the lodge."
"Any other suggestions my friends?'
Mircalla, head cocked, looks on as the older members of the party talk. There is a worried look on her face.
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"I have never been published, Droht. I doubt the man has ever heard my name. The Doctor, on the other hand, is a name to conjure by within academic circles."
He sighs, stepping back aboard. "We must have information. Someone needs to scout ahead. Mircalla, prepare yourself - I intend us to fly there on black wings in a few hours. Let us retire to meditate."
"Leave a light on the mast for us, friends. A bright one."
Walking into a room, for privacy, he takes the young woman's hand and chants for a good fourteen seconds, his voice going hoarse at the end. A few moments later three ravens strut out.
After waiting for any last words, they fly away down the river.
"Caw!"
"Caw?"
A large open yard, about 300 ft., spans the complex, from the gate to the waterfront, the main lodge sits near the center of this, on the north side.
The Droht folds his arms and leans back against a railing. With a smug look he chuckles.
"Heh! on black wings he says. Certainly no one has heard of you Edward Caromarc. Heh heh heh, yes, indeed."
He turns to his remaining companions.
"What do you say to my plan Doctor? Ky, you have been quite quiet of late. Does something trouble your thoughts?"
The Doctor watches the ravens strut out of the cabin and then take flight, off towards Ascanor. Laughing softly with surprise, Aldous turns to the Droht. "I think it is fine plan, Droht. The ability of each of us to meet different kinds of people is important. May our friends return with all their feathers."
After that, look at Ascanor proper. Would it be possible to alight on the roof and have Mircalla and Edward change back into human form?
How bad is the mist around Ascanor?
Can He hear anyone speaking? If so, which language? Is it "war talk" or, what you'd expect from settlers?
The roofs are all caved in, but what's left of the stone walls would suit that purpose.
The mist is lifting with the morning sun, by the time your companions arrive it will be clear.
As you listen in, they're speaking a rustic dialect of Varisian, and the topics of conversation concern hunting, raiding civilized settlements, and arguing over staying in small groups or joining the "Great Pack" deeper in the forest.
"Speaking of returning Doctor, this servant of yours, can he be destroyed? Or does he simply return the next day if driven off like a ghost? I assume Edwards . . . extraplanar? companions can be summoned as needs be. I can see where having semi disposable combatants could be of great benefit to those of us afflicted with the condition of living."
"Mircalla appears human, but there is something in her blood. My imagination about her wanders. Edward did not share the truth about her with me when I asked. I think I am understanding why, but assumptions can often lead one to ruin."
Ivan looks off into the sky into which the birds had disappeared.
"Heh heh, he is an interesting one that Caromarc, blessed with so much talent and intellect. A lazy streak in him though. Short cuts often lead to short comings, but his personality and way makes it hard for me to dislike him."
Three black birds flutter onto the roof of the wheelhouse, and a few moments later Mircalla jumps down, Edward following with a little more dignity and a little less speed. he waves away all but the principals - and Mircalla - and speaks.
"Wolves and humans. Perhaps five of each, though probably more. I'd suspect more. They seem to be part of a larger group, and speak Varisian with an atrocious accent. They seem to be in shacks by the waterfront. Ascanor itself has seen bad days - fire, rather than time."
pulling out his notebook and charcoal he starts to sketch the ruin. There is a large, 300ft are, clear area from the charred gates to the waterfront.
"Their attitudes, talk and fashion - they make the Droht here seem positively a dandy - lead me to believe they are forest residents who have been raiding civilised settlements. They spoke of a "great pack", which to me suggests either lycanthropy or at least a shamanistic or animal-focussed society."
He tilts his head "I'd suggest we start with diplomacy. The moment the first blood is spilled, that option is gone - probably for ever."
"We could certainly try, but I doubt we'll have an easy time of it, especially if they've claimed Ascanor. Could anchor the boat in the middle of the river, give us a range advantage if things turn for the worse."
"That's an excellent point. Still - if we start this fight now, we'll be fighting the forest for the next thousand years. It is as much to their benefit as ours if we can restore order to the land. We simply need to convince them of it."
The Doctor shrugs, giving the Droht an apologetic look. "I'm afraid I don't know, Droht. I'd prefer to not test any theories until I know more of my connection to Brogol."
"And yes, the Earl is quite likeable, I agree."
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"We can use the clear area between Ascanor and the riverbank to do as Henric suggests, and more the boat in the river. Arter and his men can provide ranged cover, if things come to that. Provided the good Captain has a lighter that can get us from the keelboat to the shore. Captain, is there a lighter or raft available?"
"I'm fine with trying diplomacy, but if this group is raiding others nearby, we'll have to put a stop to that, one way or another."
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"If you'll give me a moment of privacy, I feel I should call my assistant." Ducking his head, the Doctor heads into the cabin to summon Brogol.
Arter rubs his chin, "No lighter, but we could set you off some ways up from the lodge, and you might be able to get around through the old gate."
"Do we? Or do we simply need to encourage them to target the... our enemies." Edward looks around at the last minute.
"I have means of transport myself, of course, but nothing suitable for others. If you feel the gate is the most apropos, then so be it."
Aldous rubs his jaw, scratching along the scruff growing there, deep in thought. "Possibly, Earl, possibly. If we can co-opt them, then certainly that's the preferable course. But we need to provide those nearby with security, to show the people we're a competent alternative to the Palatines. Just remember the larger game at play."
Grabbing his pack, the Doctor hoists it onto his back. "Shall we, lady, gentlemen? Captain Arter, may I keep my stagecoach on board for the time being? If we don't make it back, its yours."
Arter gives Aldous a long-suffering glare. "Like I said, anything faster than the keelboat will overtake it, and probably end us all, your stagecoach counted amongst that."
"Well I am one of the most pleasant occupants of the forest. Thank you for noticing. Heh heh heh."
The Droht lights his long stem pipe and considers what was said.
"The lodge ruined . . . And the wolves sitting court in the lawn . . ."
After a while he speaks.
"I don't want to unduly risk the Doctor's life."
"All our lives are at risk, Droht, simply by the subterfuge that we are engaged in. We must make contact with the lodge at some point. Better now, when we know they are there and when they don't expect us."
Lighting his pipe, Aldous looks to Captain Arter. "Your boat is fine and your crew is top-notch. You'll be fine. Drop us on the beach."
"We'll be just north of Ascanor soon, get yourselves ready."
Arter pilots the boat down the river a ways, until the trees on the bank leave room enough for a landing. One of the crew ties off against a large oak leaning over the water and the captain turns the rudder against the current.
"Alright then! We'll stay here a tick, then ride down, hopefully the wilders won't know how to swim."
Brown eyes shiny with anticipation, Mircalla jumps out onto the bank, grabbing hold of a branch of the oak that moors the ship.
Edward is just as fast to leap off, his normal lethargy and lassitude vanished under anticipation. "Sic infit" he murmurs as he disembarks.
The Doctor follows, his crossbow drawn and loaded but at his side, as is his apprentice. "Earl, I assume you have a pitch in mind for this pack to digest - instead of us?"
"The same pitch Thassilon used so well. Join or Die. Offer them rights and privileges. Blame or enemies for their woes. Calm on the ancient pacts the Droht referred to in our first meeting. Carefully suggest that we are strong. Mostly point out to them that half this forrest already lies in the worldwound, and that we will need all hands on deck to stop the spread. What may I not offer? "
"Our fealty of course. I would suppose everything else would be on the table. Onward then."
"Indeed. Ky? Ivan? Henric?"
"Meh, fine."
The Droht bounds off the boat after the others.
"If the Doctor becomes dead then so is my cause as I will be also be. We talk to them of balance and demons, but I bend my knee to no monster."
"I'll just keep my crossbow at the ready in any case, you never know."
" I would be happy to play the part of the young debonair nephew who has come along to show my somewhat stiffy uncle's a good time. However, we are running under the assumption that it is inhabited. I was led to believe the place was currently uninhabited. Perhaps me and the droht could go ahead...quietly...to see the current condition of Ascanor before we finalize any other plans."
Ky jumps lightly off the boat with impeccible balance landing with barely a sound and not even bothering to remove his hands from his pockets for balance.
"If we wish to try diplomacy I would be happy to talk with these fellows. I do suggest we try a different tactic than 'join or die', these are not noblemen or courtly types. We must show them strength while still letting them keep their pride. Having dealt with many a gang leader I know all to well what happens when you try to threaten a superior force with brute strength. Our group is quite skilled and in time our reputations may grow but for now we lack a certain intimidation factor. I recommend a more symbiotic relationship. We offer them something they can't get elsewhere, legitimacy and trade routes, in exchange for protection and force. "
"Well, sir, if you can speak Varisian and have experience in such negotiations, I am more than happy to allow you to take my place."
After a scant few minutes, the group approaches the main gate of Ascanor. Where the stone of the massive gate isn't scorched, vines cavort about the gate, nothing is left of the great wooden door save the hinges. Through the archway are many more ruined structures, rubble from the walls is strewn about the yard. In the distance you can finally hear the calls and voices of man and beast at the beachhead.
"Wait here. I will see if I can gain these men's trust and companionship. If you hear screaming feel free to assist."
Ky has a small grin on his face as he heads in, you aren't quite sure if he meant his own screams or theirs.
"The Droht and I have hereditary ties to the area. You may use our titles if you wish to go alone. I am happy to accompany you, however."
I will walk towards them standing tall and showing no fear.
"Hello good people might I ask who's in charge here?" I say in Varisian
As Ky moves through the gate, Aldous nods to Brogol and follows behind, looking briefly to Ascanor and noting how the walls of the lodge, though crumbling and broken, could be rebuilt into something magnificent and enduring, able to hold up to the strongest of assaults...
Edward looks at the Droht as the doctor leaves, eyebrow elegantly raised in question.
The Droht frowns back.
"My family owes the Earl our lives, the Doctor is his rightful heir. I suppose we should all walk out together, but if things go badly, do what you can to get the Doctor and yourself to safety. I will repay my debt if need be."
Ivan walked out after Ky, his head held high ready to meet his destiny.