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Hareth's heightened sense of hearing picks up the name 'Erastil' from a not-too-distant conversation and in a momentary lull in the buzz of conversation around him... He turns in that direction and spots Dargaryen speaking with Laszlo... He makes note of the pair, but doesn't intrude on their private talk... Perhaps other followers of Old Deadeye... I should introduce myself to them when they are not busy.
Hareth takes note of the Erastil worshipers of the Steel Fist and nods in approval, half closing his eyes in prayer along with them. "Ray, do you want me to see about last minute supplies while you meet with the rest of the veterans, or shall I come to the meeting as well?"
"Ah, Aramil, well met again indeed. Today should be exciting, yes? What, no Porablum today? or is your little friend out exploring the town?"
TWO: Realized I never did roll for Hareth to learn anything through the followers he sent out... since they don't have full stats or skills or character sheets, I've rolled the 'gather info' based on Hareth's diplomacy... if that means he would have had to accompany them, he would have.
Hareth was already back at the rooming house when Azrael returned and he greeted his friend with a wide smile. "I've sent several folks out and about in the city to see who is here and attending the party tomorrow night. It should prove useful to know who will be there, who the movers and shakers are. We can expect they will start filtering in later with their reports - perhaps some time after dinner. Since they will miss the evening meal here, and might need to grease a few palms to gain the information they need, I distributed a bit of coin among them to fill those requirements. As for me personally, I spent the day crafting more arrows for the trip ahead should we be selected. What have you been up to all day, my friend?"
Sorry - don't want to discuss politics on these boards... so it doesn't belong here... let's just say I'm very depressed and disgusted by the outcome of the US election on 11/8.
Too sick and depressed and terrified to game right now... expect I'll be gone a day or two while I process recent events.. I WILL be back.
I am leaving on a retreat on Thursday the 3rd and won't be back til Sunday afternoon. I will try to keep up on my phone, but it's very hard to post using it, so please bot me as necessary to keep the game flowing. Thanks
sorry for my lack of posting, two issues - 1) nothing for Hareth to add really to advance the plot and 2) super busy lately, barely reading and making posts anywhere these days and this thread was one that got back-burnered a few days. Sorry again, I'll try to do better.
to the monk girl: "You will be foremost in my thoughts until we meet again." He kisses her on the forehead. "I hope that wasn't too forward of me. If so, forgive me, but I couldn't face the future without that little bit of connection between us." He squeezes her hand gently, then bows before slipping off to rejoin his own folks, and ready to ride out.
Hareth moves to the girl (if she is the same one he spent time with) after she speaks... to the girl: "I would hate to see you placed in such danger... I would go with you and protect you, but I have an obligation to guide and protect the lady Rade... will you forgive me for abandoning you? And agree to meet me later, should you and your fellows make it to the rendezvous point? I would hate to have you think ill of me for not remaining behind with you."
"Of course, I can assist with that... " Hareth replies with a cooperative nod. Hareth gives what are now essentially his followers to command, orders to get the folks moving and to keep a close watch on stragglers and non-combatants.
Hareth has of course given Azrael's other followers the orders to pack up the camp and be ready to march within the hour... And they are busy doing so. Hareth himself is remaining with the other cohorts, observing the various negotiations. He has little to add, as it's all been said.
"I agree with Ishana and STefan... poking the bear is not the wisest option at this point."
Hareth considers all the information, almost an overload thereof, and nods in agreement with Ishana... "The trading post seems a likely place to start and make a base of operations there or near there... annexing nearby areas like the bandit range belonging to the Stag Lord next or the kobold infested places next. Having a solid base first though seems a good starting point."
Hareth remains silent, as the diplomacy seems to be well in hand by others, and when talk of duplicity comes up, his discomfort is palpable, and he continues to remain silent rather than put a damper on plans that might be efficacious though underhanded. The birth of a new kingdom might be worth a few lies though he himself cannot be an integral party to them.
Hareth waits for Rade to speak before presuming to speak for her... though he has words on his mind. He stands protectively beside her...
"I concur... I'm not good at all these political machinations myself, but Aly's thoughts and musings seem valid to me. We need to talk to Garess, before he leaves with the bulk of the resources. And I, too, think the Hellknight will be more a force for discord than harmony, and right now we need an accord and a clear path for us all, strict adherence to one person's code."
Hareth gives Rade a warm smile, and kneels before Rade. "If I may speak for the Coursers in the absence of Azrael and Lord Christian, we too pledge our support for Queen Rade! My bow and my blade are ever at your command, your majesty." Then he rises. He turns to the girl from the Cenobitic order and smiles warmly at her as well. He walks over to her and stops before her, speaking low so as not to interrupt any other oaths to Queen Rade. "It seems we still support the same cause and have similar goals... May that ever be the case."
"Aye, it might be better to protect you in your own camp... I have no desire to force you into any course of action, your majesty. I will take you wherever you wish to go, of course."
"Well let's get to that gold before your uncle's representatives come and take it... It will be needed to see your father's vision come to life. When he returns, he will be pleased to see your efforts." "Excuse me, milady, no affront is intended but I must ride with you for speed." He mounts the horse as well, and urges Arrow to as much speed as the horse can manage with two riders.
On the way back to camp, Hareth asks Rade, "THere are apparently folks who want to take the resources given your father and return them to whence they came. We simply cannot let that happen. To continue his good work and his vision until he returns, we have to have those resources. Can you tell me what they are and where they were being kept? I can't do anything to protect them unless I know what and where they are. That might have to be our first order of business... and I might have to ride with you if you would allow that, as speed may be of the essence. Arrow should be able to carry us both for a few miles."
"Come your highness... let's get out of here... back to our camp where you can be protected, until we are ready to take whatever actions are deemed appropriate to find your father and our leaders." Hareth leads the princess to his own mount, where he helps her mount, and allows her to ride while he leads the horse.
"She is indeed the princess-regent, for now, and deserving therefore of respect and protection." He turns to Rade and holds out an arm for her... "If you will allow me to escort you, your majesty, it IS time to depart this place, as it doesn't seem safe, and is getting less so by the moment..." Not sure exactly WHERE to go, but i suspect the arrival of the Restov contingent does not bode well... and getting Rade out of here before they arrive would be the best we can manage at present. I wish Az was here... he'd know what to do.
"Until your father is found and returned, you are de facto queen, milady, but do not let that dampen your hope for your father's safe return. Always keep that surety of his survival in your mind. Now, what would have me do? I am yours to command." Hareth gives the young royal a little smile of encouragement.
Hareth looks at Rade with a mix of empathy and pity on his face.. he approaches her hesitantly and kneels beside her. "Take heart, young lady... We have no proof that anyone has died here... There are no bodies, and no such signs. We are all hoping for the best. Great magics were at work here, and such things can transport as easily than they can kill. Please stay hopeful. I think most of us are here to assure that your father's will be done until his return. We would expect no less of you. Wipe your tears and be the princess your father knows you to be. You've had your moment of surprise and grief, now it is time for you to be brave." He stands at her side and holds a hand out to help her to her feet if she complies.
Hareth continues his search, looking for any signs of the missing ... either equipment, body parts, anything of the sort...
"Not exactly sure... there was a meeting.... everyone who attended seems to be,... just gone... no signs of bodies, except the mounts, they are all simply missing..."
"Some kind of vortex touched down and everyone is just... gone... Oh by the gods, Pora, I hope they aren't dead. I see no signs of anyone... but their dead mounts are here... if they were killed, their bodies would be here too, I think. We need to find out what happened to them."
Hareth returns when the tornado hits the ground and disappears with a loud boom. He examines the crater with a deep scowl on his face... As far as he knows, everyone at the meeting was obliterated and his face twists in anger and grief.
Hareth ran as fast as he could toward the pavilion, racing to get there and do what he could for Azrael, and the king to whom Azrael had sworn allegiance on behalf of both of them... He arrived just in time to see folks disappearing in flashes of blue and one being disintegrated by lightning... Not wanting to share Alexander's fate, he did not draw his bow to fire into the vortex... Instead, he ran to and into the invisible wall of force... falling back from the force of his impact with it... He stared up into the air, calling out "Az!" to his friend who had already disappeared into the maelstrom. He stood and backed away from the wall, staring up... having no way to fly up with the others. He continued backing up, not wanting to get struck by the lightning despite his wish to follow his friend and the king.
Hareth sprints toward the meeting site and the pavilion... probably only to run into the wall of force when he arrives... He watches the swirling cloud over the tent trying to discern if it's evil or not.
When Joanni arrives at the dinner to summon Hareth back to camp, she notices him deep in conversation with a young woman and seems nervous about approaching the pair, but she has her orders and finally does so. "Hareth, I hate to drag you away from more pleasurable pursuits, kiddo, but Az needs ya back at camp before midnight. Sorry missy, he's gotta go when the bossman calls." She addresses this last to the oracle. Hareth sighs and looks at Oracle, taking both her hands in his... "I think I'll call you Rachel... it's close and sounds prettier... Rachel, my dear, I really do have to go... this evening has been wonderful, made magical by your presence... I hope to see you again. Very soon. Will you allow me to call on you again?"
"You know, you've never told me your name, my dear... I thought perhaps that might be some kind of vow, but would you share it with me anyway? I need to know who it is whose eyes are comparable to the star-filled heavens." He walks with her around the area, taking her arm when walking on rough terrain like think grasses, and not relinquishing it after. "and I too wish this night not end."
Hareth will, after dinner, approach the young monk girl and ask her "Well, what did you think of the oathtaking ritual? and the dinner? IT all seems a bit over the top to me, but I can understand his reasons for asking such oaths... I am surprised that not all of us were asked to swear oaths, but I guess our affiliation with our leaders is enough for the new king. Politics is not my forte, so I'm a bit out of my depth here. Anyway, would you consider walking with me a bit, perhaps mingling with others, or just walking about the grounds?"
Hareth is more reserved than his friend and leader, Azrael. While he commends the new king, he doesn't shout, but merely stands and applauds. This is a great show of support and respect for the usually reticent half-elven archer. I pray he is all he claims to be. May the gods guide his future and protect his House.
Hareth lofts a brow after the sensation passes... curious as to its meaning and source. "I am a monk, true, but I have dedicated my life to serve a greater cause as well... I am also a warrior sworn to serve Ragathiel, lord of Vengeance, but this is not to say unwarranted revenge, but more in the line of justice. Blending the two credos, I live a life dedicated to selflessness, protection of the weak, honesty, and said justice. I know that's a very short explanation, but perhaps if you would know more, we can continue to talk. If seating is not assigned, perhaps you would do me the honor of sitting with me at dinner tonight? We can continue this conversation of course, now and over dinner, too."
Before dinner, Hareth walks over to the folk from the Cenobitic order. Truly he hopes someone else would walk over and distract the monk, so he can speak freely to the young lady, but he's not expecting it, since they are so... reserved. Still, he can wish. He walks up to the girl and bows politely. "A pleasure to see you again so soon. I didn't think I'd get to see you again today. Are you enjoying the company here so far? Have you had a chance to speak to any of the others going to the Stolen Lands yet?"
"Most recently, I am from Restov. My life before that isn't terribly important. Like you, I am seeking a new life in the Stolen Lands, though my friends and I seek to free those lands from the bandit lords that hold sway there currently. As for your noble goals of building a home in the new lands, perhaps I can offer some aid in the future. You have but to call on me and if I am able, I will come. I would be glad to instruct you in focusing your chi. It isn't something I can explain or teach in a brief conversation, but I'm surprised that as a monastic order, you are not already versed in the art, at least a little. Anyway, it seems," he says, nodding toward her fellow monks as they watch with disapproving looks, "that your compatriots would like us to end our conversation. Perhaps it would be best if I took my leave. I would like to talk with you again though and I look forward to our next meeting." He bows politely and takes his leave, looking back but once, briefly, not long enough to catch her being ushered off by others of her order.
Before leaving the camp of the Cenobites, Hareth brings up "My particular focus of meditation is the art of the bow. It is the object of my tao and how I concentrate my chi. Do you here specialize in any particular weapon or weapons, or do you merely focus the mind perhaps? Excuse me if I am too curious... Also, do you mind if I ask yet one more question? What is your purpose in going to the Stolen Lands? Do you plan to construct a monastery perhaps? IF so, would you be open to having visitors come to meditate and train with you from time to time?" --- After talking with the young monk, or acolyte of the order at least, he bows and departs with a simple 'Thank you for your time, I must return to my own camp now and ready myself for the dinner. I have enjoyed our little talk, thank you again." He heads back to the camps of the Coursers. Once in his own tent, he looks at the sleeves loaned him by Azrael and thinks up several combinations of fancy clothes before settling on one that seems to suit him, a fine suit of silks and leathers all in elegant black. He leaves his bow and quivers behind in his tent, along with his other weapons, a longsword and dagger, to be attended and protected by the guards set on the compound.
@ the Cenobitic camp: "I am a student of the esoteric myself. I come to introduce myself and learn what I can of your order. I have no wish to intrude, or cause anyone to break oaths, but I would know more, if such can be spoken of." Hareth speaks softly to the young monk, not wishing to disturb the silence any more than necessary. |
