The Ballad of Bloodmarch Hill

Game Master Joana

Marikel throws his hands up in the air.
"Where's the proof? We need evidence. And we're a lot less likely to find it if he's going to rush home now and hide it all."
He folds his arms.
"The law is there for a reason, you know. It protects the innocent as well as the guilty and you can't just decide to ignore it when you want. That's what bad people do and that's how we catch them."

Vhailor pales and goes stuttery under the weight of Marikel's disapproval. He stammers before unloading a torrent "B-b-but I was just th-thinking what if the Sawyer man was in with the F-f-fl-flood trolls and they don't speak like we do they speak Giant and I was wondering if they speak Giant and don't speak Taldan like we speak Taldan well mostly when I'm not gibbering away in Infernal or Gnomish... lovely language by the way... but what if the Sawyer man was speaking with the trolls maybe he'd need to talk to them and that meant that he'd need to speak Giant... right? So I thought what if I spoke Giant and we saw if he heard what I said or just not... I mean... ummm..." pausing for a few moments and blinking before raising an eyebrow and honestly saying "Sorry?... seemed like a good idea... I mean in my head... but then again most things do before I say them..."

Once clear of Marikel's disproval Vhailor seeks out Dorn "Do you like languages? I'm kind of fond of them... only speak nine though, still learning, always learning" pushing his lenseless glasses back up the ridge of his nose.

Marikel seems somewhat mollified.
"That was Giant? I see. Well, it's still not proof."
He sighs.
"We should be up early tomorrow. I'll see you all then."

"Proof?" Dorn asks raising an eyebrow in thought. Nodding and then looking to Alicia, "I think he's got ya there, lass. Proof might be good. Blast! We almost had 'im." He snaps his fingers. "Keep at 'im, lass, we'll get 'im sooner or later. The bad ones always mess up at some point. It's what they do," he states as a matter of fact, nodding.

Once clear of Marikel's disproval Vhailor seeks out Dorn "Do you like languages? I'm kind of fond of them... only speak nine though, still learning, always learning" pushing his lenseless glasses back up the ridge of his nose.

"Oh yeah! Absolutely! Ya never know when it might come in handy. But NINE? That's pretty impressive. I only know two. Well, outside of me own and the Common tongue. You're gonna have ta teach me some of those others some time," he says with an emphatic nod. "Ya know what they say: The more ya know..."

Alicia screws her mouth up into a scowl. "What if we were to case the place? Sawyer's, I mean. He's got to be hiding something in there somewhere. I'd bet he'll probably try to hide it now, but I could always sneak inside.... "

Marikel stops and places his hands on his hips.
"Miss Alicia! That will do. I will not have you jeapordising the trust the council has placed in us by being caught trespassing like a common thief."
He offers her his arm.
"Permit me to escort you back to your room."
Marikel's tone is evident that this is not a request.

The blond girl scowls, taking Marikel's arm very reluctantly. She sulks the entire way back to the mission.

The following morning, it is not until after sunrise that the alarm bell rings from the top of Bloodmarch Hill, summoning the citizenry to the Commons. Given the Chief Defender's words at Kerst's funeral the previous night, no one is overly surprised at the summons, though, of course, only the Council, the Patrol, and those few in attendance at the late meeting after the funeral know exactly what Halgra is going to announce.

(And Tyari, whom Marikel filled in upon arrival back at the mission. And Ruby, who heard it all from Alicia in their room last night. And Cham Larringfass who wormed it out of Kaleb, and whomever she might have shared it with.)

Marikel makes his way to the commons with the rest of the town, fully dressed and mulling over his conversation with Tyari the night before.
Of course, he had told her everything and volunteered to join Captain Grath's expeditionary force on behalf the church.
Her lacklustre response puzzled him.
Did she want him to stay? Did she care? Was Brantos going?
Marikel sighs as he trudges beside the others.
It's going to be another long day.

Alicia groans and fumbles out of bed at the sound of the alarm bell chiming. She gets dressed and waits for Ruby before joining the general mob milling about in the Commons.

Dorn wakes and rises crisply out of bed, smiling. "Ah the mornin'. I love the mornin'." As he readies himself and gathers his gear, he moves to the common room where everything is happening.

The citizens of Trunau, and the interested visitors, a group which, after Halgra's announcement of the imminent danger the night before, includes just about everybody, file up the switchback to the Commons atop Bloodmarch Hill. A sizeable contingent amounting to approximately a third of the Patrol is geared and armored and clearly ready to march on command, Jagrin and Rodrick Grath at their head. The available combat-ready horses are saddled and waiting under a groom's supervision near the Longhouse. The party notices that Banny is with the expedition, as is Kaleb with his riding dog at the ready. In addition, Brantos Calderon, in full Iomedaean panoply, is standing nearby, though notably separated from the Patrol in their more quotidien uniform.

Five of the six members of the Council of Defenders, looking official, are lined up alongside the Graths; only Halgra is presently absent. Brinya Kelver is visible in the crowd, standing tall and resolute; some of the schoolchildren are gathered around her. Cham Larringfass has pushed and prodded her way to the front row, eager for her ears to be among the first to hear whatever the news may be.

Tyari Varvatos is among the onlookers near Brantos. She sees Marikel arriving and begins to make her way politely through the intervening crowd to join him.

"The Council agreed to allow Brantos to join the expedition," she informs Marikel with a smile when she reaches his side. "I think you've done very well in building trust with the government of Trunau," she congratulates him. "This is a promising step toward closer cooperation."

The horses shift and turn their long necks, as someone begins to walk by them. It is, in fact, two people: Halgra and Omast Frum, walking side by side and exchanging a few words as they approach the Commons. The dwarf is dressed in common street clothes, but the Chief Defender is wearing sleek black traveling clothes, tall riding boots, and black armor strapped trimly over her limbs and torso. She has a sheathed sword and several smaller knives at her belt and a bow and quiver slung over her shoulder.

The rest of the Council of Defenders, save Baseil Sawyer, evinces a sense of alarm at the sight of Halgra seemingly geared to join the expedition; Sawyer narrows his eyes a moment, then looks rather pleased, rocking forward a bit on his toes.

Marikel's eyes narrow as glances between the Chief Defender and Councilor Baseil Sawyer.
"I wouldn't be too pleased," Marikel leans in towards Tyari. "That promising step is about to ride off."

With a final quiet word and a nod, Halgra separated from Omast, who took a place in the front of the crowd while the Chief Defender climbed up on the platform.

"People of Trunau," she addressed those assembled, and the spectators immedately fell silent so her words could carry, "I told you last night that the Twisted Nail tribe was planning to attack our town. They hired saboteurs who intended to help them get past our palisade, but thanks to Kerst Grath, and to those who loved him and discovered his killers, their plan has been thwarted."

A buzz arises among the spectators at the mention of saboteurs; the words "Freedom Town" can be heard from every direction as the audience speculates in a fierce whisper.

"All known saboteurs," Halgra goes on, pitching her voice to carry over and silence the interruption, "are dead or in custody, save one: a woman known as a Hold guide working out of Freedom Town, Melira. I'm telling you her name, because the Patrol has been instructed to capture or kill her on sight. Any loyal citizen of Trunau can consider themselves under the same orders, and anyone found aiding or abetting her will be considered an enemy of Trunau and an ally of the Twisted Nail."

"Captain Grath," she continues, "is leading an elite group of the Patrol up into the Mindspins. Their intention is to waylay the Twisted Nail, defeat them, and send the survivors back to their mountain tops to lick their wound for a generation or two." A few whoops of encouragement ring out from the crowd. "Failing that, the team will fall back toward Trunau, skirmishing along the way to reduce the enemy's numbers and deplete their resources, to rejoin the main group of the Patrol, where they will be ready at the palisade." She pauses. "Where you will be ready at the palisade." Another outbreak of whoops and cheers: 'You're damn right we will!' 'We'll be waiting to pound those Twisted Nails straight!'

"And with Captain Grath's permission," Halgra drawls, clearly enjoying herself now, "I'm coming out of retirement for the occasion and joining the expedition. If you have no objections, Captain?"

"No, ma'am!" Jagrin Grath barks immediately.

The rest of the Patrol members on the away team look pleased and excited at the prospect of having the famed Halgra Blackblade fighting at their side. Sara Morninghawk and Agrit Staginsdar look alarmed.

"And, in keeping with the theme of coming out of retirement," Halgra goes on smoothly, "I have imposed on former Patrol Captain Omast Frum to take my place as Chief Defender until I am back within our walls."

The dwarf, who has clearly been waiting for this cue, hops up on the stage, raising a fist to the crowd who largely respond with cheers, particularly the Patrol, with whom Omast is immensely popular. Agrit Staginsdar visibly relaxes, and Sara Morninghawk grins and slaps her thigh. Baseil Sawyer, on the other hand, looks as if he has just mistaken the chamber pot for his morning coffee.

Vhailor listens attentively, but doesn't seem to get caught up in the zeitgeist to anywhere near the same as the rest. All he can think of is a balance of what it entails... a quizzical feeling emanating from his shoulder rug appears to reinforce that somewhat unsettled and burbled feeling growing in the pit of his stomach. Sidling up to Marikel and tugging at his sleeve to lower his ear to allow for soto voce speech, Vhailor asks "If they're taking all the good fighters out and putting the rest of them on the palisade... what if they haven't gotten all the sabateurs?... Might it end up a bit like when Aunt Gretile sat on the chamber pot after Cousin Harble dropped a whizz-popper in it? Trouble from the direction least expected?" raising an earnest and concerned eyebrow.

Halgra unsheathes her sword, revealing that its blade is as black as Kerst's hopeknife after it was burnt in the flame last night. Raising the weapon above her head, she shouts, "Trunau forever! Live free or die!"

"Live free or die!" the crowd roars back. Halgra moves over to join Jagrin Grath as the Patrol begins to mount the readied horses. Baseil Sawyer scowls at Omast as the assembly begins to break up, then stomps past the dwarf without a word, heading for Halgra.

"Live free or die!"
Marikel joins the crowd's return cry before bending down to Vhailor.
"Don't worry. We'll be here."

Tyari seizes Marikel's arm from the other side. "Come, let's share a prayer for victory with Brantos before the soldiers depart." She heads toward Halgra, the Graths, and the rest of the expedition as well.

"Of course."
Marikel nods to Vhailor as he allows himself to be dragged off.

Vhailor can't quite bring himself to match the cry... instead settling for a "Live..." and tailing off into a half mumble. He notes Marikel's words and gives a nod as the padre is led astray by the pretty girl. Cocking his head to the side he wonders well... guess the church doesn't ban all forms of enjoyment then... good for Marikel. At that he meanders over to Dorn offering a smile and looking around for his overgrown bird.

"So... what's your take on the plan?"

As Tyari and Marikel join Brantos, the priest can't help but overhear an angry Baseil Sawyer as he storms up to the Chief Defender. "Halgra, you can't just take off and leave that old dwarf in charge!"

"Check the town charter, and I think you'll find I'm required to," she replies tranquilly, checking the saddle straps on her black horse. "'If the Chief Defender departs the palisade, he or she shall designate a citizen to perform the duties of the office until such time as he or she returns within the palisade.'"

"Well," he blusters, "I think the intent clearly is that you designate someone already a member of the Council of Defenders."

"What? And leave you short a voting member? The founders chose six councilors for a reason, to discourage politicking and promote consensus." She smiles at Sawyer, the corners of her eyes crinkling with amusement. "Don't worry, Baseil: Omast has no intention of proposing new business. If the Council isn't convened while I'm gone, he'll only concern himself with directing the Patrol in case of need in Jagrin's absence."

Brantos greets his fellow Iomedaeans with a hale smile. "It would seem I have you to thank for permission to ride with the Patrol," he tells Marikel, reaching out to grip his forearm in both greeting and farewell.

Vhailor can't quite bring himself to match the cry... instead settling for a "Live..." and tailing off into a half mumble. He notes Marikel's words and gives a nod as the padre is led astray by the pretty girl. Cocking his head to the side he wonders well... guess the church doesn't ban all forms of enjoyment then... good for Marikel. At that he meanders over to Dorn offering a smile and looking around for his overgrown bird.

"So... what's your take on the plan?"

Grinning, "Well, I'd have ta say it's a bit suicidal," he says as a matter of fact. "Should be fun though! We're going too, right? And do ya speak elven? 'Cause I'd like ta learn elven."

Nodding "Oui, oui, au moins en passant juste... though the umlauts always give me trouble." before looking back and forth to make sure no-one is paying too much attention "Though I've found Infernal one of my personal favorites. Narrantur fabulosa filiorum." finishing with a conspiratorial wink.

"I think we're to stay behind and check to see if the latrine explodes while everyone is out to lunch."

Brantos greets his fellow Iomedaeans with a hale smile. "It would seem I have you to thank for permission to ride with the Patrol," he tells Marikel, reaching out to grip his forearm in both greeting and farewell.

Marikel only pauses a moment before grasping Brantos forearm in return.

Alicia utterly fails to hide her triumphal smirk at Baseil's distress.

"How so? I only looked into the murder of a fellow citizen."

"Aye," the paladin beams. "Pitching in, lending a hand, demonstrating that we're all part of the same team, pulling together."

"Brantos is right," Tyari smiles. "This is the first real progress we've made toward winning the town's trust since reopening the mission."

Dorn and Vhailor see Rodrick Grath urgently weaving his way through the crowd toward them. "Vhailor, listen," he hails the gnome as he returns the last handshake and wish of success from the Trunauans he is passing, "can you keep an eye on Brinya while we're away? Just drop in on her now and then? With Banny and I both gone, she might need some support, or a friendly visit, or ... I don't know, just check on her?"

Vhailor nods enthusiastically before pushing back his lenseless glasses up the ridge of his nose "Course, not a worry Roddy - I'll make sure she's ok... Dorn will too" turning to gesture towards the dwarf by his side "Won't you Dorn? Oh... Rodrick, Dorn, Dorn, Rodrick... Skyreaver is around here somewhere as well."

"Uh ... pleased to meet you," Rodrick offers the dwarf his hand.

"Pitching in, lending a hand, demonstrating that we're all part of the same team, pulling together."

Marikel releases his grip and turns to Tyari.

Nodding "Oui, oui, au moins en passant juste... though the umlauts always give me trouble." before looking back and forth to make sure no-one is paying too much attention "Though I've found Infernal one of my personal favorites. Narrantur fabulosa filiorum." finishing with a conspiratorial wink.

"I think we're to stay behind and check to see if the latrine explodes while everyone is out to lunch."

Dejected, "Blast. Well that doesn't sound like a lot of fun. Infernal you say? Now that's fascinating," he nods in interest.

"Uh ... pleased to meet you," Rodrick offers the dwarf his hand.

"Me pleasure!" he responds with enthusiasm, shaking the half-orc's hand vigorously. "And Skyreaver's me bird. He's around here somewhere." He looks around in the sky, not seeing him. "REAVER! Where are ya, ya blasted bird." Shrugging, "He'll show up eventually. He's a good bird."

Vhailor beams a proud smile... as though his actions had reinforced Rodrick's opinion of him.

Tyari invokes the blessings of the Inheritor before Brantos mounts his horse and joins the rather slipshod formation. Jagrin and Halgra lead the procession down the road through the Inner Quarter and out the Lower Quarter, the citizenry of Trunau following along and cheering them all the way. From the town gate, the terrain is flat and featureless enough that the regiment can be seen for quite some time before disappearing behind a distant hill.

Omast Frum remains, grinning and watching, until most of the crowd has straggled away to their daily routines. Baseil Sawyer stays only as long as decency requires, directing a sour glare at the old dwarf before turning and striding quickly back up the hill to the Upper Quarter.

Vhailor hangs around until the traffic dissipates enough for him to freely walk without fear of trampling, before beckoning Dorn to come along with him. "Let's go say hi to Brinya now - do you know her? Either way it's worth saying hello." and if he passes anyone else on the way he'll freely share his interim destination.

"Sure! Why not. Can't say that I do know her but I won't turn down meetin' a possible friendly face."

Alicia decides to wander around town a while, though it's really a cover for tailing Baseil Sawyer.

"What now?" Marikel turns to Tyari.
"I can tell you that one of the main impediments to the church forging closer ties to Trunau is Councillor Sawyer, who seems insistent that only true citizens should contribute to the well being of the town."

"Those who need help the most are often the least willing to accept it," Tyari responds. "Perhaps we should have a word with the interim Chief Defender: assure him that we intend fully to respect the lawful authorities and to act solely at his direction in case of need." She stretches her mouth into a wry grimace. "I admit to having had little interaction with former Patrol Captain Frum. I was mostly concerned with his exerting an unhealthful influence on Banny. Formally extending an offer of help might set the relationship on a more appropriate footing."

"An excellent idea," Marikel nods thoughtfully.
"I'll speak to him now. Will you join me?"