Arasmes frowns, seeing the injuries on Tad and the elven woman. He moves to a position to cover all his injured allies, including the elven woman and raises his hand, channeling the power of the dawnflower
Teyran looked at the captives, ensuring that they were properly restrained, and then stepped forward to address the stranger. "I am Teyran Rilskel, servant of the Dawnflower, and these are my fellows. I fear that we are all you will find in the way of law and order for miles around. I suppose yours was the voice I heard?"
The woman instinctively raised her bow when one of the other humans approached and raised his hand, but lowered it again with a slight sigh as the healing energies washed over her.
Her eyes shift slowly and deliberately over the Thadeuzs. "I did not give it, for there are enemies nearby, and I'm still not sure about you."
The woman still seems tense and distracted as she scans the scene, taking in people and faces while replying to Teyran.
"Many sounds travel in these woods, and I do not know what you did or did not hear." The elf dismisses the question, but loosens her grip upon the strange arrow of pale green and white wood she had nocked... but does not yet put it away. "I was told that humans had advanced and become civilized in the last several thousand years... but it seems that the old tales of your barbarism still holds true. Most disappointing. What gives you the claim to law and order in these parts?"
Antha observes with interest as a full-blooded Elf woman is guided to them.
"We've been commissioned by the Swordlords of Restov to seek those responsible for an attempted murder of the Lord Mayor of Restov and by extension, deal with the growing threat that the rampant banditry poses to Brevoy's southern border," replied Antha to the Elf woman's question.
"I'd like to think we humans - as a whole, are somewhere between barbarism and civilized. Things.. just.. kinda got stalled 'round here on the road to smart town. Our old gal Antha and shiny friend Teyran here sure do class us folksy folk up a bit.... me'thinks. Not to mention Arasmes here... not once have I caught him picking his toes at mealtime.... That's right classy for a human, eh?" He smiles genuinely... "all in good fun... I hope..."
Nodding enthusiastically, Tad adds. "Yer! Wot me mate Morley said!"
Teyran sighed, this woman was already wearing on him. "We have not raised weapons to you, we have spoken to you kindly, and we outnumber you. If we were your enemies, I daresay you would have known it by now. I suppose we could circle each other, growling like wild dogs, but that strikes me as tiresome. If you prefer, you could accompany us back to our fortress and speak with Lord Garess himself." Teyran kept his sword at his side. He didn't expect the woman to attack. As abrasive as she'd shown herself to be, he didn't think she would attack a group. Still, if she was going to attack someone, it would likely be either the most heavily armored, to send a message that she was not afraid, or the least, to inflict the most damage and possibly create a distraction. He glanced toward Antha, wondering if he should step in front of her. He decided not to, for the moment.
Sure. One of the two male bandits that had been captured is your prey.
Arasmes chuckles at Morley's words. "I try my best."
"Antha and Teyran have spoken true, he says. "As you may have noticed," he continued, gesturing to the captured bandits, "there is no law and order in these parts. We are here to cleanse this place of the banditry that accosts those travelers, such as yourself. You may continue on your way, and risk more such meetings with their type, or you may return with us to discuss the concept of law and order in this region with the Lord Garess."
The Elven woman gives Teyran a look that is both fearless and incredulous. "And I am still bloody from the last group of humans that I tried to speak evenly with. You live, and you learn." With those words, the woman glares at one of your prisoners. The intensity of her eyes could cut through steel. But she quickly softens and returns her attention to the others again. "Kind words do not prove you are not dangerous or worthy of trust. But the fact that you have them bound and prostrate is a good start."
Finally the elven woman un-nocks her arrow and puts in back into her quiver (which holds many similar arrows), and her expression softens once again. "You also mentioned Brevoy without my mentioning it first. In that - at least for the moment - I must give you my trust, for that is why I am here.
The woman pauses for a moment to give Antha an appraising glance. Her expressions shifts subtly from the slightly annoyed look she had with Teyran, to slightly disappointed, to slightly confused, to slightly curious, then finally to slightly ambivalent, all within about two seconds. "Your elf blood represents in you well." She comments quickly and softly to Antha. Ever the hunter, she continues to visually appraise everyone, but her eyes seem to harden only when returning to Teyran (prisoners excluded, of course).
And she addresses Teyran again. "You will take me to your Lord."
Teyran looked at the captives, and then back at the stranger. Surely her malice toward them was due to being accosted by them, but a suspicion stuck in the back of Teyran's mind that wasn't so easy to dismiss. Nothing about this woman was easy to dismiss, as much as Teyran might have wanted to.
Teyran grinned in irritation, and said "It is an odd thing. You stumble out of the woodwork, offering naught but disdain for the people who saved you from whatever the bandits had in store, and now you are giving orders as though you had authority when you haven't told us so much as a name. Now, because you asked so nicely, I will take you to Lord Garess, but unless you'd like to be marching in line with them," He gestured toward the captives, "Then I'll need to know who you are and what you are doing here. As we have told you that about ourselves, I feel it is the least you can do."
"Schaleth, Prastha, ein x'drik h'layana'shti, ein zen'rach ghahlahc." The elven woman grumbles something that sounds almost like clearing her throat of marbles, or a growl of an angry dog with a far too long tongue. However, her eyes look forlorn while making that strange noise.
"You either don't have a home, a family you wish to protect, or don't even care about such things. You give your name within earshot of known enemies and strangers alike, even though they could use that information against you. I do not give my name because I do have a home and a family to protect, and they-" The elf points to the bound bandits. "-are most definitely my enemy."
To say that the elf woman is frustrated right now would be an understatement. She pauses for a moment, at least to collect her thoughts before continuing.
"But if you would chain me for that, and no alternative will sway you, then at least let us move from their ears or cover them, to honor the safety of those you do not know."
The woman does not yet move, but her stance does shift subtly as if getting ready to run, possibly at the sight of new bindings.
Features contorting as he considers the Elf woman's words, Tad adds. "I've 'eard worse reasons. Now afore starts gettin' all prickly, what say you, me 'n' 'er go over there an she can give yer 'er name & an' we can start makin' tracks-like." Nodding his head to the far side of the clearing as he begins to sidle towards it.
Teyran seemed to deflate at her words. Surely she couldn't know how truthful her words were. He no longer had a family, and he had no home that he cared about. He sighed, and said, "Very well then, I suppose that will do. Perhaps I will have to come up with something to call you until you can offer your name." He paused for a moment, thinking up a name, before he added, "Kaz dekhel seems appropriate to me. I suppose we should be off then."
"Kaz dekhel" cocks and eyebrow quizzically at the name, but for the most part appears oblivious to both it's meaning and to the wound that she just inflicted.
"Very well then. شعوذة استدعاء جبل"
A moment after the strange words, a pure white horse emerges from the woods, fitted with a bit, bridle, and saddle. It casually gallops up to her, lowering it's head into her hand, and she responds in kind by patting it's head and rubbing it's ear. After a moment of bonding, she mounts her steed.
Antha respects the Elf woman's privacy and deliberately restricts any possible outward reaction when she speaks in Draconic.
"A fine steed," Antha comments, referring as much to the spell used to summon it as the mount itself.
"think you meant azkaz dekhel..." Morley mutters near Teyran as he mounts up, then smiles to suggest it was a feigned complaint... more in jest and to show he knows dwarven.
"suspicious elf"
"So boss, we just gonna leave all their loot fer them ta come back & grab?"
Teyran smiled and said "I suppose you are correct. In all of the suspicion and accusations I had lost sight of our true purpose here: breaking the enemy camp."
With that, Teyran began sifting through the camp, trying to determine what was worth taking and what was not.
A careful search of the camp, and the bandits will reveal...
642 sp
180 gp
a wooden music box
three crates of furs and hides
a polished wooden case of potent greenish herbal liquor (8 bottles)
Recovered from bandits
8 leather armor
8 longbows with 20 arrows each
8 short swords
16 days of rations
80 gp
Kressle surrenders
A potion
2 masterwork handaxes
4 daggers
85 gp
studded leather armor
a silver amulet (exactly like the one recovered in Restov from Auchs)
You make haste from the Thorn River bandit camp after dismantling it. You travel quickly and make the edge of the Narlmarches as twilight begins to descend. You rush over the plains of the Stolen Lands towards the derelict keep where the Swordlord Kesten's army is encamped. As you crest the hill that hides the valley the keep was built in you are presented with a much changed sight from the one you left.
Kesten must have put his men on double time, because the keep is surrounded by tents and covered in tarps. Torches and lanterns illumate the keep, and you can see people moving about working even now. You notice movement within moments of riding down the hill and a patrol of soldiers comes riding out of the keep towards you.
They begin to slow as if to stop a cautionary distance away, then the lead rider snaps his reins back into a gallop towards you. You recognize him the Swordlord moments before he pulls up his reins.
"By the Sword Baron. I thought you were dead out there. We started getting harassed by bandits and other things a couple days ago so I thought they got you. Glad to see I was wrong. We are on high alert now and I have everyone working double time. We should have the Keep finished in a week." He smiles for a moment as he greets you again like old friends then his face goes serious. He speaks gravely, "We need to talk in private. I got news from Restov this morning too."
How did they get by us? We need better scouts... Shaking his head ruefully, Tad turns, looking to Teyran's response to this new news.
"Hmm, that is unpleasant news. Perhaps they were the refugees from Kressle's camp, not knowing that Haps has been deposed? I am eager to hear news from Restov, but first, we brought guests hoping for lodgings." He motioned toward the captives, and then in the direction of LoTae. "One is a formerly feared bandit leader who surrendered when she saw that she was outmatched, the other is, well, a mystery."
Kesten shakes his head, "The bandits were many and organized. They came at us from the east." Kesten gestures his hand east and looks back to the group, "And we have been running into trolls too. One of them got into the horse pin before our sentries saw him. We lost most of the cavalry horses." Kesten looks grim as he says that, the look in his face says he is well aware how impossibly hard it is for a troll to sneak around.
"Trust me, you will not be eager once you hear this news." He gestures for men to retrieve Kressle and the other two bandits, "I have a couple solid building to keep them in until they can be questioned and dealt with it. As for the mystery, she does not appear to be a captive like the bandits so I assume she is a friend?"
"I don't know I'd call 'er friendly...
but she's no friend o' tha Bandits leastways." Tad replies.
"She ran afoul of the bandits as we were attacking the bandit camp. After the fight, she, uh, requested an audience with you. Beyond that, I believe she can speak for herself." Teyran said, prodding his horse forward at a slow but steady pace. A decorum with the Swordlord must be maintained, but he would not hide his eagerness to get back within the walls of the keep, where could at least let down some of his guard.
"Are any of the men still injured from the attacks here? If so, perhaps I can lend assistance to your healers."
The elven woman gives the man identified () as Lord Garess a slow and deliberate bow of her head without breeching eye contact, then speaks softly.
"Elen sila lumenn omentilmo, heru en amin... A star bless this meeting, unfamiliar Lord. I have made a habit of not speaking names within earshot of enemies." She motions with her head and eyes towards the captive bandits. "I would keep my peace until the brigands are dealt with, and will not interfere with your work until you summon me thereafter."
Despite the seriousness of the situation the Swordlord grinned, "The elvish language and way of speech has always been fascinating. So elegant, well met then Lady Elf, I will have the bandits removed so we can speak freely." He waves towards the soldiers who promptly ride forward with the bandits. "I am sorry for the breach of etiquette but the news from Restov is dire."
While the bandits are being led out, Morley sees the veiled unease in LoTae's face as she looks around, and tries to assure her...
"...and don't sweat it m'elf lady. Yer in good company. No one'll push you to spill yer guts, and yer free to hit the road whenever it suits ya. This place here may look rough, but this is day one of culling filth who prey on the peaceful and the weak. And when we folk get set on taking out trash who go and tick us off... got about much chance of stoppin us as prying a mug from a dwarf."
Antha smiles apologetically at the unnamed Elf woman, "Please forgive my...rough-hewn companions' mannerisms of speech. They mean well, however ambiguous that intention may be from how they express it!"
While short of the "Amen" type of affirmation from his companions he would have preferred, Morley nods in deference to Antha's softening of his words. He looks over himself mulling over the "rough-hewn" comment - and considers going into how difficult it is to remove berry stains from a tabard, but keeps quiet to give Swordlord Garess his full attention.
As the group begins to make their way towards the Keep; Kesten drops back momentarily beside Antha. He smiles, "I am more then relieved that you survived."
Kesten begins to address the group after the moment. His voice carries concern as he speaks, "Restov is a mess. Natala Surtova has called her uncle to her side. He marches for New Stetven, but the Lord Regent is dead. His forces from New Stetven marched on Restov, and Lord Orlovsky offered a parlay. Natala granted him an audience... he betrayed the Lord Mayor to the Surtova. Ioseph is dead. The Swordlords are scambling to retake the city and many refugees have fled Restov. They are on the road being set upon by monsters and bandits... I sent half my forces for protection and to guide them here. Lady Sellemius is with them as well as several of the Sword Scions that served the Lord Mayor and his household guards that survived Lord Orlovsky's coup. They should be here in three days..."
Tad says nothing as Swordlord Garess relays the recent events in Restov. His expression grows harder at mention of Lord Orlovsky's perfidy, but gives no indication of surprise.
"What word of Ale-.." Pausing a moment, Tad closes his eyes & swallows reflexively before opening them again. "Was there any mention of the Lord Mayor's wife?"
Arasmes is shocked at the news. Hearing Tad's question, he also pushes for clarification "The Lady Orlovsky, betrothed to the Lord Mayor... Has the wedding come to pass and thus she is the Lady Sellemius of which you speak?"
He then goes on with further questions on the situation. "Does this mean civil war? Or was the coup so devastating that there was nothing for them to do but flee?" he asks, concerned about the possibility of war back home.
"Either we must give up this attempt to tame the wilds or, as it seems is truly required, we must endeavor to rid this land of the bandits so that we can put together a staging ground in order to take back the kingdom. Dark times are ahead, may the light of the Dawnflower see us through," Aresmes intones.
Morley tries to occupy his thoughts with pragmatism. He unfolds the map, and traces South Rostland Road with his finger. "We should head east." Morley moves over to let others see the map. "That's the direction the fort was hit from... and if the Nob'es are traveling along here..." He hides his grimace; realizing his less than respectful reference, and his intention to continue with a metaphor of trapping hedgehogs.
"The attacks here were enough to weaken, but not enough to prevent Lady Sellemius from seeking refuge here. It may be stretch, but that may have been intentional."
"I wanna see what's east... clean up our doorstep before Lady Sellemius comes to stay."
Teyran listened carefully, having a hard time keeping track of so many names that he'd heard for the first time so recently. "Beg your pardon, but you said that Lord Orlovsky betrayed Lord Sellemius to the Surtovas? I was under the impression that Orlovsky declared himself an enemy of the Surtovas, why would he do such a thing?"
"'Cause me Da's a Rat Bastard 'oo'd shil 'is own daughter fer political gain...
Hell, 'e'd do't fer 'perceived' political gain!" Tad snaps out. "If'n he thinks it'll advance his interests ta ally wi' tha Surtova's fer tha moment, 'e'l do't."
Snorting in derision, Tad adds. "Tha good news's she knows it too. Right noo tha two o' them 're eyein' each other laik half-dead alley cats arter a scrum waitin' ta see 'oo leaves an openin' first..."
The elven woman cannot help but frown at overhearing the human nation's plight. The introspective frown turns into a cocked eyebrow as it turns into discussion among the others.
After several moments of awkwardly eavesdropping, the woman draws nearer to Kesten Garess. "Lord Garess? ... If I may speak, I would... like to help." The elf seems to almost choke on her own words, but her eyes show she has recently been thinking very hard on this.
"Me, too!" she replied, grinning, secretly pleased by his consideration. "And it looks like you've been busy here, yourself, to!"
As he shares the news of what's been happening in Restov, she pales in worry. She didn't know Lady Sellemius like it seemed others did, but her heart went out to the newly-wed widow who now had to shoulder an enormous burden in caring for so many others.
"Kesten, what can we do to help?"
Teyran was clearly getting into speech giving mode, the way his tone rose with each word. "We can ensure that any other bandits that attack this fortress buy themselves nothing but an early death. We can offer a place of refuge for anyone who is not interested in this ridiculous civil war, and we can put to the sword any bandit that refuses to surrender!" Teyran seemed to catch himself as soon as the words had been spoken. He looked toward Kesten, an expression of embarrassment crossing his face. He added, "By your leave, of course."
"A slip of speech. I meant the Lady Orlovsky, but Lady Sellemius came out as she was a close ally in the end." Kesten nods his head to Arasmes, and frowns "The Sword Council is unlikely to let the death of Ioseph go unanswered. Civil War is certain, but the Swordlords will be at a disadvantage. The blow from Lord Orlovsky and Natala was swift. They are likely scrambling around now looking for allies and gathering their forces. Several of those loyal to Ioseph are headed this way and I am sure will want to set up a provisional government."
Kesten makes a helpless gesture towards Thad as he describes his father. His arms out wide... "Lord Orlovsky is a shrewd man, and the political gain must have been great. Also his main political adversary, the Lord Regent, is now dead too. He may have no longer needed us to oppose the Lord Regent..."
He nods to LoTae, "I won't turn down help. We are out here alone, and now we are surrounded by hostiles."
Kesten grins at Teyran, "By all means, Sir Paladin. Bandits are hassling us at every turn so putting some fear into them is both beneficial and maybe necessary. I will leave that discretion up to you. Morley has a solid idea in mind it seems, and I would suggest you consider it. I will keep things moving along here and give you a letter of command for the army supporting the refugees, and the other Swordlords so they know you speak with my voice in the Council."
The elf woman maintains an introspective frown as the conversations continue. As they continue, she inches her way a bit closer to Lord Garess.
"I know it must be cumbersome to have so much happening at all sides, and my words are likely seen as not related to your urgency's, but there is another thing I must ask you..."
The woman's voice, while always soft, lowers slightly, and an obvious discomfort of the current situation shows on her face. "... have you seen any other of my kind in these parts of late?" Her eyes shift slightly towards Antha, but she quickly returns them to Lord Garess. "Other... pureblood elves?"
Kesten gave a shake of his head, "I am sorry, but none have pass by here, but we haven't been here long and this place was controlled by bandits when we arrived."
The elf woman looks truly distraught at this news. After a moment of silence, she lifts her head and responds.
"Then you should know that there are other elves who were sent to these parts by the wearer of the Viridian Crown, Queen Telandia Edasseril herself, just as I was. We each have our tasks, but I assure you they are not cause for alarm, and should you find other emissaries from Kyonin, they should be treated well." Once again she cannot help but glance at Antha as she continues to speak. "If however you come across any of the Forlorn, elves who do not claim Kyonin as their home... I have a personal message for them, from Queen Telandia Edasseril's mouth, through me, to their ears alone."
__________
Sorry folks, I keep forgetting that we gained a level. I'll take care of that either when I get home or tomorrow, depending on how tired I am.