"It's...Possible it could work...The reports we got seem to suggest a lack of food. If we offer then some they may agree to work for us. Of course we cant trust them either as they are likely to betray us at the first opportunity and too feed so many would greatly strain our supplies." replies Irabeth clearly not fond of the idea.
"That will work initially but will no longer be possible after we enter the canyon as it goes on for miles. There is also the fact that most demons can teleport at will. We could check to see that it's clear only to have the demons to teleport up there when the army arrives. The idea does have some merit if we have scouts who can keep and eye for trouble while remaining unseen and can communicate at long distance. At the very least they should be very good climbers who can scale the canyon walls."
"The canyon walls are several hundred feet tall. How will we communicate with the scouts? Do you have something we can use to do so? Regardless crossing the bridge comes first. Lets get some rest we will journey on at dawn." Irabeth looks out to the crusaders putting down the remaining zombies. "In a way this works to our advantage. The demon will expect us to continue on into the worldwound because of his challenge. He does not suspect we meant to go that way all along and he has no idea we plan to assault Drezen."
If we go it would delay our arrival to Drezen by a day at most as it is a small detour...Going into the canyon will benefit us if we need to fight a large force head on but it may leave us vulnerable to attack from above. There is a a bridge we will need to cross to go to the other side of the river but we needed to cross it to get to Drezen anyway. Last I heard there was a garrison of crusaders protecting the bridge but it was most likely attacked, there has been no word from them since Kenabres fell.
"I originally started my career as a paladin in Lastwall before I decided to make my way north to join the crusade against the Worldwound. I joined a caravan and it was during that time that I met Anivia. When the caravan was crossing the border between Mendev and Numeria it was attacked by a band of bandits led by that orc. The ambush caught of guard an before we could fend them off a lot of the valuables of the caravan and Anevia had been taken. Unwilling to leave her to her fate I tracked down the bandits and tried to save Anevia the chief engaged me and during our duel he fell of a cliff and I assumed he died. For saving her Anevia made a vow to serve me for the rest of her life. I refused but she started following me regardless, we got married a year later." replies Irabeth.
Irabeth is troubled by the note. "Red morning massacre?...Minagho? This letter was most likely written by her. One day she came to Kenabres and killed 62 people at random before vanishing in a puff of black smoke. She was also the one who infiltrated the ranks of Yaniel's followers and murdered her. The rest means nothing to me but is likely important I will have this matter investigated. Yaniel is the paladin who previously wielded Radiance.
"We still need more time to prepare for the attack, it could happen tomorrow at the earliest and I'm still not sure if I want to trough with it at all. Either way you have time to go tonight or tomorrow. You should still be able to make it before the attack happens. I might be able to spare a few men if you need the help."
Irabeth talks as she walks leading you to the Inn. "It seems the library has fallen, but there is some good news. The first descendants have been contacted and they will arrive in force soon to reinforce us...Those three knights that came in have been coming in and out of camp several times and they found the enemy stronghold in old Kenabres (a district in town). By their count pretty much every cultist and demon left in the city apart from a few stragglers are gathered there. The knights are urging me to attack and I am considering it...One thing at a time however we need to decide what were going to do about the library. At this point you arrived at the Inn room were Aravashial and The librarian are talking alone. To be continued after I have had some sleep
As you return to the heart, Irabeth approaches them with a grim, worried expression. "My friends your arrival at the Heart couldn't have been more timely, come, follow me to meet with a man named Quednys Orlun to find out why. You might recognizes the name, he's the head librarian at the Black Library. He wandered into camp a short while ago barely alive."
"That is very interesting, I will send some men to make contact with them. We will gladly take any help we can get. We have a period of rest at the moment but it's only a matter of time until the demons make another push to take the heart. We have around two-hundred survivors here but currently less than half of these can fight."
Irabeth nods listening to your explanations and seems very interested when you mention the templars and their safehouses. "They have spies everywhere," she says "and they have apprently been among us for decades and only recently has proof of their presence been manifesting. I personally managed to root out one of their more powerfull members - the leader of a group called the hammers of heaven. We all thought Staunton Vhane was a model crusader, but as far as I was able to discern, he's been working for the demons for decades. There is even evidence he may have been the one to betray Drezen all those years ago causing the fortress to fall to the demons. They knighted me for that discovery, but I'm still not sure why, since he slipped trought my fingers and escaped. He is still out there causing who knows how much more damage..." Irabeth trails off for a moment before she shakes her head to clear her thoughts. "We will tend to the wounded if you need any healing we will provide it. Resources are scarce but we have several skilled healers here and plenty of food and drink. Take some time to rest while I consider this." |