"We have won out the Fjord, we have found some survivors as well. What did you find in here?" Irabeth asks
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"Give the Order and we will ride in ready to attack, Did you see their commander?" Irabeth turns to ask her wife.
"He was the head of a Mecenary Company, I did even look up to him..." Irabeth says looking at her wife. "He lead sorties into the world wound and helped to kill so many demons. All that was a show though, he was gathering intel and was having key patrols and shipments attacked because he was feeding information to the Demons and their ilk." Irabeth says
The party makes their way back to Defender's heart, as you are coming in you can see Irabeth leaning a group in from the Northwest as you approach from the South West. "What happened? We saw a bright flash then the sky changed colour, some sort of power came out and fried the Demons we were fighting." Irabeth motions for you to go inside, a few people come out with stretchers to move the wounded inside.
"I will assign some more guards to the Stables presently, Thank you for the tip off." Irabeth says standing from the table and heading to a cluster of guards who are sorting out some logistics.
"Take the night to rest Terry, tomorrow is a new day. The Children could use someone to talk to you feel that you would like a place to not feel quite so adult right now as well." Irabeth says with a slight smile.
"There is a mage in the basement, along with a few smiths that wandered here the day before you did. You could ask him Jocasta if you wish he may have some spells he is willing to trade." Irabeth, "We can keep any reinforcements from arriving to assist but I cannot devote troops to helping inside or holding the door for an extended period of time. Once inside you could lock yourselves in possibly." Eterrius nods his approval. "I am sworn to Nestrin, if he stays here I will stay with him and protect the innocents left at this building."
Once everyone has broken their fast, Irabeth calls the heroes, Nestrin, Eterrius and a few others into the warroom. "So we have to breach the doors of The Gray Garrison, we know they have taken the Wardstone Fragment there for something but we are not 100% sure what yet." Irabeth points to a map "The Garrison is in Old Kenabres, we don't know exactly what their force deployment is like there but we have had a few teams take out nest of cultists and we know that you have taken out some as well."
"I was in charge before, we were planning an assault on The Grey Garrison, any insight you may have as to the fort would be beneficial." Irabeth says.
Irabeth nods at Firinn, "We have some scouts out right now but once they return if we send them out again Firinn I would like you to join them." Watching Lorena leave Irabeth calls an end to the meeting, everyone leaves for the night. Sometime in the night a bell rings in Defender's Heart, boots can be heard stomping down the hall way. Irabeth's voice rings out. "Attack, we are under attack we need everyone to arms, those who cannot get the children and others to the basement!"
"You will help out as you can, we are planning our assault on the Grey Garrison. It is the last hold out and where we have intelligence that they are keeping a fragment of the Ward Stone. For what purpose we don't know yet." Irabeth says
Khaz spends his time looking around Defender's Heart for a Cleric of sufficient power, There is no one present that can remove the Curse he bears. "The town lost many in the initial surprise assault, people have been scattered, we don't even know who was lost." Irabeth says
"The enemy knows us well, the have been living in this city for a long time apparently. We have to be ready for anything." Irabeth says
"Quendys told me that you brought his people back here, that is good we can use everyone here to help out. So we have cleared out 2 of the 3 locations that you found out about. Tomorrow will you finish up the last location?" Irabeth asks
Irabeth, with Aniva and a group of guards rush to your tent. "What happened? IS the Sword of Valor all right?" Irabeth has her sword and shield on but no armor, just her surcoat.
"Topaz solutions is closest, an Alchemy store. You might find things in there that could be helpful." Irabeth says
"You can go, you didn't come in with me and I didn't see your name on a Mercenary listing. These Safe houses will need to be explored." Irabeth says.
"They will continuously come until we have secured the city. Out here we are vulnerable and without solid defenses." Irabeth says walking up with Aniva who looks very tired. "I got report that you were back. What did you find out?"
"So much of the nobel district is destroyed or has been razed." Irabeth says. "My Own home was an ambush spot to try to finish off my wife. I will tell you about that orc later." Irabeth says looking at Aniva. "So you came out here?"[b] Irabeth points to the southern portion of the city map, [b]"Made your way along the eastern part of the city and ended up here? You also rescued Horgus Gwerm? I am astounded that he survived but he is clever and resourceful to say the least."
Irabeth doesn't say a word to anyone just rushes over and embraces her wife. After a few seconds she turns to the group. "Thank you for returning her to me, what happened?" Irabeth's face remains calm but her eyes betray the emotion she is feeling. "What do you know of what is happening in the city?"
"The stories I heard and legends say it has to be inside, I don't want to waste the Guardian just to protect the flag over night, we have more than enough Army here to deter an attack." Irabeth says
The war Council convenes, Irabeth is excited to have the banner back but a bit dismayed that at present it is still coated in magical Darkness. "We still have to take the Citadel back from those inside, once there we can Hang the Sword of Valor inside for all to see, out here it is to vulnerable to being stole again." Irabeth says
Irabeth nods and a runner heads out to get the supplies for Tink. "WHy a hammer and Pitons?" Irabeth asks
"I brought her here so we can keep an eye on her, also she may have some information that could be useful." Irabeth responds "We still suspect her of treason but I would like her close so that way she cannot dupe a guard and escape into the citadel."
Watches are set throughout the night, the Towers at the front of the ring wall are manned. Aron and Aniva slip off into the night to find ways to get into the citadel without drawing more attention to you than necessary. On the next morning, Irabeth convenes the war council, breakfast is provided and Nurah is bound to a chair in the room. ”So our scouts have reported there are a few openings into the citadel proper that could possibly be exploited. You could always go down the main bridge itself and have an easier way of crossing the dried out moat but that seems like it would be the most fortified way.” Irabeth takes a drink, readies herself. ”I will also volunteer myself to go in with you to aid in anyway that I can, we have to remember that there could still be slaves or civilians in this place that are there against their will.” With her comment Irabeth holds up a hand to silence Aniva who has just hopped up. ”We need you and Aron outside patrolling and making sure that reinforcements don’t march up. Aron is also needed outside to help direct rebuilding, Sosiel will see to the army and that we are properly defended.”
Heading down the Tower the group is met by Irabeth, Aniva, Aron, and Sosiel. "Well we have won the day out. We will get a defensive perimeter set up across the gate to the court yard and then get some crews out to rebuilding the bridge if we can." Irabeth tells the party
"If you all scout a head, we can get the Army across, it will take time though and you will be without the support of the Army please be careful." Irabeth says then departs to marshal the armies into order and for crossing the half destroyed bridge.
Irabeth comes up to the group and the Paladins. "All we have left is the Citadel itself, from what our scouts can see is there is a rather large army gathering just inside of the Curtain wall. we need to take out the guard towers as well, we have seen something up there but it was small enough that we couldn't make it out."
Heading back to the Camp requires quite a bit of climbing even with the scale of levitation. "The army is ready, my only concern is that they will be bottle necked on the bridge" Irabeth says
Irabeth motions and Aron and Sosiel step into the path of Balthazar, "You can stay for a bit longer, if you were Evil you would be suffering any effects from the spell the Hound Archon placed on this tent plus it didn't feel that you were a credible threat." Irabeth says the last part to see how Balthazar will react.
Irabeth and the others stand a bit awkward as well as the new commer offers up a suggestion and in a meeting that was supposed to be behind closed doors. "So since we have this problem solved for the minute we must get back to laying the siege. We have 2 bridges that we need to assault and hopefully take without any issues to them. Which one do you want to try first?" Irabeth asks
"They are more than likely prepared to destroy the bridges, we have no idea what awaits us across. We just have to pick a bridge and hope we can take it." Irabeth says
Irabeth nods as Horgus finishes up, "We can see from the edge of the old river bed that there is what looks like a broken bridge from the warehouse district to the Citadel proper. To the question of the defenders we are not sure but we expect more armies. We did find a horde of weapons in south shore and we are presently outfitting our knights with them." Irabeth spreads her hands a bit to open up conversation.
Irabeth points to the eastern bridge, "This bridge leads over to warehouses, they could still be stocked with some food and provisions since the defenders are not all demons." Horgus enters the tent at this time a grim look on his face.
"We will need to clear them out before we proceed or risk having them attack us if we get to close."
"Once we get closer to the city we will be able to tell a place to camp and set up better. I have never been to the city and all the knowledge we have is over 100 years old"
"After we take the City I will have a contingent of Knights and priests take the Way Temple back." Irabeth says. "Do you wish to press on or rest for the night? The Army has dug in here and some of the men who were inclined looked at the stairs hoping to draw up some plans to fix them."
Irabeth and Azrael head out back to Defender's heart. "It did as he is a grumpy man, fair but likes things to benefit him in the end." Irabeth says quietly, once they are further away. "He owns the largest mine of Iron, and the foundries that make the weapons that fund the war effort."
"You are welcome for the assistance, I will release him into your custody when you feel you are ready to have him. Other wise I must put you back into your room with the manacles on." Irabeth puts the manacles back on Ortho and 2 guards come in and lead him back to his cell.
"We had a few Tieflings in the Eagle knights, I don't know what happened to them, they were a good few. I wish we had some more soldiers like them. So you want me to come speak with him?" Irabeth looks back at Aniva who motions for hear to go.
Irabeth dismisses the guards and comes goes into the room holding the Alchemist. "Azrael here told me that you are being cooperative with being held here. He also says that he wishes to help you see the wrong that is happening and wants to help you come around." Irabeth sits down, loosening the manacles holding Ortho's hands confined. "I can tell you that I have been a soldier with Tieflings like yourself, men and women who served to fight back the hordes of Demons spilling out to wipe the good folk of this continent." Ortho is a bit taken a back at Irabeth freeing his hands, and at her comments about his race.
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