Turin walks around and changes the schedule of his own meeting (this applies to Natalya, Carter and Jenya) to dinner time (6:00 PM) when all work for the day should be done.
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As the cold winds of Kuthona blow outside the council once again gathers to discuss matters of the kingdom.
As they do there begins to be some commotion outside, in walks White Eagle carrying a dirty, disheveled Grigori, who appears to have lost some weight.
grabbing the wayward bard (Grigori) he takes him to the council chamber. actually drags him most likely.
tossing him to the floor, Mr. Grigori has decided to bless us with his presence.
He whimpers a bit and stares at the assembled council. He appears to have lost most of his fire and confidence since last you saw him.
Having noted Chief coming into the castle Jenya alerts as many of the council members she can find around the castle and heads into the council room.
You don't look too good there Grigori, Watcha been upto since you up and vanished on us? she crouches to get a better look at the man as she asks her question.
Kyras' eyes carefully follow Gregori's movements.
Well, now 'ere's a surprise. He looks less chubby too.
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Kyras knows how tired she looked immediately after the encounter with the drow. As such, he turned to notify her.
To Raven/Miyuki, "I'll be right back, i'll go and get 'er."
"Zartana, you awake? Sorry to disturb, but White Eagle just came in with Gregori. Gregori says 'e wants to speak to you."
Turin calmly gazes from the council table at Grigori and silently applies a rune to his armor... It looks more spiky, rough and threatening.
intimidate
Turin makes himself far louder then he needs to be, he also seems quite jovial like this was a festival. It's also quite evident that he is attempting to break Grigori before proceeding to question him...
"Now that we have the little weasel it is time to ask the first question, should we remove his lying tongue or prying eyes first?"
Seriously.....what a worm.
Turin calmly looks at the idiot before him and speaks, "speak, now."
Turin then launches into his questions mercilessly, the crossbow leveled at Grigori's head...
Who are you truly?
Is this your true form?
Who is your employer?
Do you know magic?
Do you report to someone else or know of other agents within this city?
What is your mission here wretch?
As he asks the questions he gazes at White Eagle eagle briefly and then points at Grigori and makes a twisting motion with his left hand (rather like someone snapping another's neck). It is quite clear what Turin intends to do if Grigori does not comply...
Jenya steps between Turin and Grigori. He said he'll speak to Zar. So we'll wait for her. she says to the cold Numerian.
"You need to stop this. He's already tried giving us a bad name for whatever reason. This is just giving him reason to. This is cruel and unnecessary and not what we do as a people. Let the council do our own job please."
Carter joins Jenya.
Turin's voice and tone while still cold as winter do change subtly, like a professor who is disappointed with a favorite student.
Turin still has his crossbow in hand but keeps it pointed away from Jenya in order to prevent any "accidents" from occurring due to rage.
"That is not the point Jenya, if this man were merely a complaining citizen with a loud mouth I would be more inclined to mercy. He is not however a citizen, he is a rabblerouser who's activities could have caused much chaos and turmoil. He does not in anyway deserve a shred of consideration from this council."
And you're the judge, the jury, and the headsman? Don't recall those responsibilities being a part of Treasurer duties. You know for someone who claims to be fleeing tyrants you really seem to want to act like one yourself.
"The difference between tyranny and interrogation is simple, tyranny is inflicted upon a populace. Interrogation is inflicted upon a few souls at most. As it stands there is another way to make Grigori more compliant..."
Turin puts away the crossbow and reveals the device he used previously in the council chambers, "stand back Jenya, this should hopefully get us the answers we desire from Grigori without inflicting physical damage."
Natalya moves from the shadows where she has been observing from
Turin, he may not be a citizen of Emermark, but the consideration he deserves is the same as any other person in his place, in this land. Last I checked torture, or other unsavory interrogation tactic for that matter, is not approved of here.
She moves next to Grigori
And what if Zartana is not available? Will you stand there the whole night quivering and refusing to speak, reinforcing the council's already low opinion of you? You ultimately have to answer to us anyway, Zartana is but one voice in the choir that will judge you. Do not waste your time and ours this night, it will not advantage you any...
She sits down, waiting to see if he speaks.
Lorald slams his left fist down on the table without rising. Loud enough that it echo's, the normally cool and controlled half elf is clearly angry. His voice full of authority and promise.
"Turin Baelor, you will put away that weapon or you will be the first to be bloodied. Punishment is decided by the council, not you. Even if it is, your duties do not fall under that purview. We do not pass judgment on a whim, nor enforce it in the same course."
Dragging back a fleeing troublemaker before the council was one thing. Threatening and intending to kill or harm someone who had yet to be guilty of any crime other then causing unrest in the city was another thing. As far as he was concerned, Turin was toeing the line of a criminal himself with such actions. Should he commit murder before him he would be treated as any other, regardless of position.
Turin snorts, "what I am about to do is not in any way a form of torture. This is simply "expedited friendship" between Grigori and myself."
Turin's voice turns to other matters as he calibrates the strange device, "I am trying to ensure that our time is not wasted. We have far more pressing problems then meddlesome idiot, a new dimension to defending this realm has been added and it needs to be dealt with promptly... Lest my own people are the next ones to wind up in the chains of slavery."
Kyras, where are you and your sweettalking tongue when there's need? You're not having fun back at Zartana's are you? -.-
White Eagle sat quietly for much of the argument. Turin's actions though have re-kindled memories of the not to distant past.
memories of a hunter that once was to be a part of this council had he survived the ordeal.
he gets up and heads to the door to see the crowd assembled. He scans to see if any trouble is stirring.
if all is well, he turns back to the counsel and Grigori.
there is more to this man that must be discovered, he is but a pawn. the evidence discovered indicated that this man, most likely, was being used by someone else. there is reason he seeks Zartana. He must be given the chance to speak freely, without the influence of magic.
Turin looks at White Eagle and the rest of the council, his tone is blunter then a hammer, "throw him into the dungeon or somewhere. Put him into thumbscrews or iron gloves to immobilize his hands and jam his mouth with cloth, preferably soaked in a foul substance such as vinegar.
That should prevent any magically enabled escape attempts and should weaken his will, something tells me that our Spymaster would prefer to do her own interrogation in private."
Turin then looks over the rest of the council table and speaks his tone business like, "we have other matters to discuss. Let spies handle spies as it were."
Raven bides her time, watching the growing tension in the room. Though she would like to say a few things to the writhing creature on the floor, she instead awaits Zartana and whatever the message he has for her.
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The walk was a quiet but a quick one. She was barely dressed for occasion. She walked in, much less graceful than she usually is. Followed by Kyras (i assume)
"What seems to be.... oh." she sees the cowering man. And the current situation he seems to be in
"And here i thought people blame me for such techniques" she shakes her head
"I need to up my game to keep my rep up if you lot want to steal it" she gives a weak and almost forced smile
"So why am i here?"
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Turin turns to Zartana and speaks, "I cannot speak for the others but I am confident in your abilities to handle this man's interrogation. As it stands I would personally prefer for you to do the interrogation in private, other affairs are nipping at our heels and need to be resolved promptly."
Turin turns the strange device off and pockets it, "if you require interrogation aid say so now, I have several magical options which will make Grigori far more "compliant" then he has so far proved."
She looks at him for a moment. Does this guy think i need help? she gives him a wary grin
She then puts a finger on her lips. Smiling.
"Okay mister Gregori. Lets go have a talk. Follow me" she bends down and helps him up, gently leading the poor man out. It does look like he has been through a lot
"Dont worry. Torture is not on the books. We are just going to have a talk"
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"Turin, that is ENOUGH! We are not your subjects and you will stop this immideatly or you will find the hands of friendship given very fast turn into an iron fist. I DO NOT CARE WHAT YOU can do, and IF I wanted to influence this man by magical means, I can do so myself just fine thank you. Now please sit down and keep your mouth shut!"
Turin crisply rises and to your surprise gives a bow of apology to Miyuki and then proceeds...
"I am sorry to have angered you your grace but I am eager to reach the meat of this meeting, Grigori is an annoying eyesore and distracts us from securing our borders... I for one have no interest in seeing my people in chains, unfortunately this possibility continues to exist so long as the tunnels beneath us remained unsecured."
Turin pauses and quickly motions to Jenya and Carter as he continues to speak before the council, "I was going to delay this conversation for later but apparently we need something to unify us collectively. We can all agree that any of our fellow citizens winding up in chains is bad correct? If that is agreed upon then we must logically devise a way to ensure that doesn't happen."
Turin's voice is reasonable and surprisingly pleasant as he carries on, he has moved to a subject he quite evidently knows.
"I being the treasurer know full well that resources are stretched thin, I have done my best in my short time to alleviate this worrisome problem. As such I with the help of our excellent Magister and skilled gunsmith Jenya am confident that an appropriate solution can be found that will not strain either our treasury or our limited manpower.
If everything goes according to plan we shall never have to worry about underground invaders again. If we are extremely fortunate we may even gain a "free" roadway out of this."
Turin takes his seat and puts his two hands clenched (like those greek statues) underneath his chin as he awaits your response.
She walked in, much less graceful than she usually is. Followed by Kyras (i assume)
Kyras comes back to a council chamber with the tension more tight than it was when he had left. Evidently with the words between Turn and the others.
Yikes, i'm not gettin' between det. Best to just watch 'ow tins go from 'ere.
"As you speak, what is Situation in treasure, what has to be done, what income can we expect and how much can we put down for army. Now with real enemy below, we might Need army."
Lorald controlled himself quickly.
"We don't need an army. We know the entrance, we simply seal it. If they were willing to tunnel themselves then they would have an outpost, not send raids when an easy route was found. If we provoke them they will come in force, a force that we most likely can not compare with. A solid army would number more then all our citizens combined."
He had been in the patrols of Brevoy on the border, they numbered over two dozen strong at least. At the base they easily numbered in the hundreds, a full army would be in the thousands. Even a mere thousand man army would be enough to take or destroy Freewater as it stood. They were to small, best to remain unnoticed or at least uninteresting to all major forces.
White Eagle gives a nod to Elangomat, perched in the rafters of the council chambers.
Elangomat flies down and follows Zartana.
Zartana, the good townsfolk brought Gregori to me, he requested to speak with only you. I brought him here. no harm came to him by any of our hands. I fear that he was or still is under the influence of another.
"I will make sure this ends well" she reassured White Eagle
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Grigori squeals and falls to the floor as Turin levels his crossbow upon him. As Jenya gets between them he begins to thank her profusely.
By some fluke Grigori makes his will save, resisting Turin's charm person.
Answering he Natalya he swallows hard. "I'm only allowed to speak to Zartana Orlovsky."
He then goes off with Zartan once she arrives, obviously relieved.
"Well...suffice to say dis bein' one eventful day. If 'e is indeed forced by someone, like Chief 'ere suggests, my guess is someone from Zartana's past ventures? The citizens would normally come wit matters during audience 'ours."
We thought someone was pulling his strings, and it's confirmed. I'm sure Zar will get it out of him, he was obviously willing to talk before he even got here.
Jenya turns to Turin with her arms crossed. I'll hear your plan, but based on everything you've done since you've got here. I'll be incredibly surprised if you don't suggest some kind of horrible crime against decency. And in any case what to do about the drow depends very heavily on what Zar learned when she talked with them.
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While waiting for the results of Zartana's interview a few citizens come in looking for minor rulings on issues, clarifications on simple legal matters. Nothing contentious.
The local herbalist reiterates the interest in obtaining a samples of Troll blood and shambling mound sap for experimentation in the creation of healing potions.
Stas the lumberjack is hoping someone can recover his spear from the hodag he left it in.
arven the fisherman hopes you can remove old Crackjaw, the giant snapping turtle from his favourite fishing hole in the spring.
Relieved that cooler heads prevailed, Raven listened intently to the people's wishes. Though she was eager to hear what Zartana would tell them, she was satisfied in helping the townsfolk, her flock. Though not an actual member of the council, she assures each one that they will look into their problems as quick as they can, having Akiros take notes as to each hunt they must go on. The idea of sending more creatures to her Queen for judgement brought a grim smile to her face.
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@Etienne,"the state of the treasury is barely tolerable. I recommend that any excess funds generated during a month that are not spent should be split between an emergency fund and a fund for Magical Research and Development to be administered by Carter.
If the council agrees to take that recommendation we need to decide the projects that will be researched. I myself have several ideas although some of them may be too ambitious to engage in at the moment.
As for the subject of building an army I may be able to meet both the goal of bolstering our economy and raising an army at the same time..."
Turin pulls up a ledger and calmly speaks again, this time with a business proposal.
"I have noted one other morbid thing about our finances, whatever contractors the Kingdom has been using previously charge through the roof for their building expertise. I am willing to take on the task of building some of the things we need at a far cheaper price, it won't be as fast as your previous contractors but it will save us a lot of gold in the long run."
Turin is clearly weighing the cost and benefits analysis of the tunnels below...
@LoraldI would avoid sealing the entrances at least for the moment my fellow councilors, we need to scout these tunnels and gain knowledge of their full breath and width... We also need to scout them for resources, if there is say a mithral vein down there we would be loath not to exploit such a resource.
I would also note that if these tunnels are truly extensive and run throughout the Stolen Lands and perhaps beyond that they could be invaluable in the defense of the realm. A roadway that is not effected by the weather would allow us to shuffle armies across the land with impunity, even in the middle of a Numerian winter."
Jenya and Carter, "the project I am proposing is taking the blackpowder in your weapons and turning it into a far more potent explosive. This explosive then could be used to seal and perhaps alter the tunnels below us, I also envision numerous other uses for it. Including but not limited to mining and the military."
Lorald does not address the other concerns, they were not his area of expertise and would wait to give his opinion on them for the moment. So he spoke on what he did know well.
"Do you think that the drow, who live underground and claim it as their realm. Would not themselves know the area far better then us. If any resources are below us, no doubt they are claimed or if not, their is a reason for it. I do not wish to know why drow do not claim a resource. The drow have a presence below, of that we can reasonably be sure of concerning their relatively quick appearance with the establishment of Freewater. If we intrude on their realm, this may provoke them. As I have said we have nether the ability or need to provoke a conflict with them. We are a people of the surface, they are a people of the darklands. It is in our best interest to keep it that way, more so when we are in no position to deal with them on any terms as a kingdom. Endangering Freewater for the possibility of something is foolish."
That last sentence drops like a stone, it was not insulting but a hard truth.
"Nothing you have said convinces me otherwise. The tunnels should be sealed and the drow left to do as they please below so long as it does not threaten us. Something you may want to consider before you start rattling and raining rock about their heads. Were I in their position, I would consider it a threat. One that with our current abilities and numbers would be simple to deal with permanently."
You would think a man that supposedly saw his home town laid to waste would not be aiming to repeat the course. In war, numbers matter but so does tactics. They were inferior on both fronts currently, that would change with time and growth. The point being time and growth.
"If your going to demolish the tunnel entrances do the damn job properly Lorald, a small sheet of dirt and rubble will not deter even the laziest. One ton of stone however will give them pause, even powerful magic would have trouble getting through such a barrier."
Turin considers the threat of the Drow and smiles cruelly as an idea springs up in his head to keep them under control...
"Indeed they are a people of the darklands, a people unaccustomed to the harsh light of the surface world. Given time and funding I could devise a way to bring the harsh rays of the sun directly to the enemy. If they are stumbling around blind even a child could take them out..."
P.S ready treehugger bane crossbow...
Lorald was not sure if the man was deaf or had selective hearing, it seemed he had to repeat himself yet again on somethings.
"First off, you presume to know the manner in which I will seal the tunnel. You do not. Secondly I know enough of magic to know if you wish to travel half way across the world, it can be done. If such a magically inclined people wished to come here, their is nothing you or anyone here can do to stop them. Sealing the tunnel will remove a simple method for those with less means. Slavers are often short sighted and interested in quick gains, they would not waste their time and money tunneling through rock for the prospect of battle with those that barred their passage."
He shook his head.
"Again you seek to provoke a realm without reason. For what? Their is nothing to be gained in it and everything to lose. Do you think the drow are fools? Do you think they are unaware of an innate weakness that they live with everyday? A lifetime that will last longer then the dust from your bones and you think they have no countermeasures for such a thing."
Lorald leaned back in his seat but his expression was grim.
"Speak no more for your own sake Turin. The tunnel will be sealed in a manner that will not draw attention. As long as the drow do not bother us, we will not bother them. Does the rest of the council find that satisfactory?"
"Agreed."
He says simply.