Uriel does his best to aid in the city's rebuilding in any way he can find, especially by overseeing reconstruction of fortifications and helping supervise the reconstituted city watch in that area. Once he learns of Darya's impromptu academy, he begins attending to assist there as well.
He is impressed by the Queen. How could he not be, when she has stood at the head of of Mendev's desperate resistance for so long, been such a key to her country, and indeed all of Avistan's, survival? He listens and nods as Darya tells the tale, interjecting a bit here and there. He is sure to mention their rediscovery of the lost sword Radiance, which he presents for the Queen's inspection, if she wishes.
Keeping peace in the camps is a duty shared by the Order of the Flaming Lance and the city guard, and it's a sometimes shaky relationship; the city guard have the additional responsibility of reigning in the Order's "enthusiasm". What seems to have the most calming effect is, frankly, your presence. To put it mildly: people are intimidated by you, and no one wants to risk making you angry. They've heard the stories of the Paladin who wields the legendary Radiance, and not one of them wants to test your patience. You are occasionally sent to problem spots to find that the problems just sort of stop once you arrive.
By the end of the week, tensions have calmed a bit so you drop in on Darya's impromptu training classes. It's a huge boon for attendance, an inspiration to the two inspiring instructors, and a real hoot for everyone when you and Darya spar.
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That evening, you're approached by one of the city guard who say there's a young man named Kelvim that is asking for you, and he claims to be your brother. The news is like jolt of electricity, and you and Miles practically run to edge of the camps, just outside the city walls. There, you find Kelvim and your mother waiting for you at one of the temporary guard posts, and the four of you exchange long, sobbing hugs--equal parts joy and grief. Wilhem and your father are still missing, your mother explains. They were separated on Armasse, and she doesn't know what's happened to them. But there are a lot of survivors still returning to the city now that word has gotten out, so there's plenty of reason to hope and you settle in for the wait.
Word comes two days later that a man and his son are looking for their family, and the main claims to be the father of one Alexa Dorne. Fame almost works against you here, as by now a lot of people are claiming to be old friends and distant relations of Kenabres's heroes just to get a chance to meet you, but the guard on duty remembers you really were searching for your family, so she passes the message along. It takes time to track everyone down, but by that night the entire family is reunited.
It's going to be a long road. Though it appears your home was undamaged, both Miles and Wilhem see things that redefine traumatic, and Miles in particular was in the heart of it. Wilhem is quiet while Miles is chatty. Both are forms of denial in their own right, and there's no telling when they'll end up processing this, or how it will affect them. Of course, they aren't alone--there's a whole city of families with children here, some even worse off--but this is your family, so that makes it personal.
You're torn between helping Alexa--who is your friend, and someone you fought alongside, and risked your life protecting as she did for you--and the needs of the masses around you. So you split the difference, and spend part of your days helping with her search, and part helping out in the refugee kitchens. When word comes that she's found at least two of her family, you dive into the kitchen effort full time.
Everyone knows who you are, of course, but you have more than just your reputation: you have skills when it comes to cooking, and this is a situation that is in desperate need of good cooks. It takes a couple of days to really get operations spun up, but you help organize the network of community kitchens, and adapt several basic recipes for everything from soups to stews so that they can be prepared efficiently and scaled to hundreds at a time. But what separates you from an army mess tent--which is roughly the same thing when it comes to scale--is that this food is good. Really, really good. And that just doesn't happen when you're cooking for that many people out of one pot.
It may not seem like a lot on the surface, but food and morale are pretty tightly linked. Having enough to eat is the bare minimum. Eating well helps keep people from slipping into despair, and that means buying more time to let those who are sweeping the city do their job and get people home.
The next week is a trying one for Alexa, though for the first time in perhaps years she's able to weather it with good humour. It didn't take long for her to find the rest of her family; if anything, they found her first. She has a hard time believing her eyes at first, but when Kelvim pulls her into the biggest group hug she's ever had, all her doubts are dispelled.
Eventually, the rest of the family is reunited. The tears start flowing from Alexa's eyes and don't stop for a long time.
--------------------
Of course, news of Queen Galfrey's impending arrival have the opposite intended effect on her. While most would be thrilled (and perhaps overawed) by the fact that the Queen of Mendev, Sword of Iomedae and General of the Armies of the Crusades, would be coming to visit, Alexa's mood takes a turn for the dark. It's telling that Horgus' news of ill rumours spreading about the group has less of an impact on her demeanour.
Small-minded, blithering idiots. Hulrun loved employing them; if nothing else, they never questioned his orders.
When the Queen finally arrives, Alexa can tell that she's not a woman to be crossed; her aura of holiness and authority is a perfect fit for her bearing. That being said, Alexa's expression is stony and focused entirely on Queen Galfrey when Darya starts telling her about everything that went down in the Garrison. She offers no input, and during the story she only blinks twice.
How much did she know of Hulrun's activities in Kenabres? She appointed him--didn't she?
She spends her time also adding spells to her spellbook and crafting items.
Queen Galfrey listens intently to Darya’s telling of the raid on the Garrison. The second raid on the garrison. The emphasis on the words second seems to take her by surprise, though she is very, very good at hiding it, and you almost miss the change in her expression. Apparently, the stories she has heard so far have been incomplete on that point, and though there are plenty of legitimate reasons for that to be so, perhaps that’s exactly why she is here: to hear the whole tale, and to trust that you would give it.
When you describe your experience of cleaning the shrine in the Garrison, however, and the realization of what you saw that would come only days later, even she can’t hide her shock. Up to this point in your story she has not interrupted, making only polite sounds of concern, praise, or appreciation as the situation warranted, but it is here that she actually stops you and asks to repeat what you saw--twice. And then she says with quiet awe, “A manifestation. You experienced a manifestation of the Inheritor.” She lets the truth of those words hang in the air for a moment, then she simply says, “Continue.”
The last time she stops you is just before the end, when you describe the visions you experienced as the Wardstone surged, bathing you in its sacred radiance. This time, she asks each of you to describe what you saw, and it’s not until after you are done that you realize you all used the same words, the same descriptions, the same tone and cadence, each one’s telling identical to the other. Not because you were trying, but because as you spoke they simply came out the same way.
When you’re done, she stares at you in silence for a very long time, as though she is at a loss for words. You get the impression that it does not happen very often. And then, finally, she breaks the silence. “I’ll be honest with you. When I first heard this story of heroes who had been blessed by the gods, I was not sure I believed them. I wanted to, of course, but stories have a way of...distorting truth. But this? I am convinced. Beyond any doubt.”
She pauses again as she considers her next words, then continues. “I have lived a very long time, have fought in every crusade since the opening of the Abyss, and what my years have taught me is that we are losing a war of subversion.
“There are those among the crusade who blame you for the destruction of the wardstone border. There are many more who believe the Wardstones are--were--our best defense against the advancing hordes, as they kept the demons contained to the lands they’ve poisoned. What this limited thinking ignores is that demons do not conquer: they corrupt, demoralize, and pervert. While the Wardstones certainly stopped their advance and contained their armies, over time we became dependent on them, and created a prison of complacency with the Abyss serving as our jailers.
“The proof of this is in the visions you had. Vorlesh’s task was to corrupt the Wardstones themselves so they could be turned against humanity. And it happened under our noses, using their agents among us to see it to fruition.
“So while you have, inadvertently, destroyed our one defense, that blast of energy has also bought us valuable time in which we can act. And, Iomedae herself has made you her agents of change. She has told us in no uncertain terms that it is time for us to stop hiding behind barriers.
“In time, the demons will regroup and reorganize--we can trust their inherent chaos to delay this process--but we shouldn’t underestimate them; they’ll be back soon enough. Already I’ve received reports from the front lines that small groups are probing fortifications and settlements along the southern border.
“But what intrigues me most is news from reliable sources that the fiends massing in the southern reaches along the Riftshadow have drawn from their forces in the north, leaving their northern lairs relatively undefended. In particular, Aponavicius has taken the bulk of her army from Drezen.
“The time is right to strike into their territory. Drezen was the first of our cities to fall after the First Crusade, and we lost more than our kin and our pride when it happened. We lost the Sword of Valor, a magical banner that was carried by the Inheritor herself during the Shining Crusade. If the Sword of Valor could once again be held by the crusade...I trust I don’t need to explain how that would affect our morale, and how much of a blow it would be to the Abyss.
“Unfortunately, I cannot send a large army into the north, as this would merely draw Aponavicius back to defend it. So the obvious tactic is to send in a smaller force, led by an elite group of crusaders, ones that would inspire the forces under their command.
“And that is why I am here. I would like for you to lead that force, to retake the city of Drezen, and reclaim the Sword of Valor. It will be dangerous, but bold strokes often are. And bold strokes are what we need. I might also add that success would likely silence your critics, once and for all.”
Your Majesty, the elf maiden begins I am Telerin Quenya of Kayonin and a recently installed member of the Riftwardens here in the city. My cohort had his eyes she says pointing to her fellow elf take out by the balor when he killed the dragon of silver. Is there a way that your forces can restore his sight so that he can provide arcane protections for the town if we are to head to the Abyss?
Queen Galfrey smiles in response. "I am aware of your efforts to help rebuild the Riftwardens, Telerin. And I believe we can help in this matter. And thank you for bringing it to my attention. Details, even important ones such as this, do not always make it to my attention because there are simply too many for one person to oversee. I trust and rely on those around me to use their judgement."
She looks to all of you. "If any of you have questions for me, or suggestions or requests that would strengthen Kenabres in your absence, now would be the time to raise them. Assuming you accept this assignment, of course. Though I do not have much time, I can spare a few moments for you."
”How many did you intend to send north, your majesty? Would it be our group alone, or others as well?”
"The main fighting force consists of 100 crusaders, all paladins of Iomedae. In addition to the support attachment, you'll have three specialists." She slips into military jargon smoothly, her roots as a field commander clearly showing through. "Aron Kir was a cleric of Shelyn here in Kenabres before the temple was destroyed—he can help with healing as needed, but he’s also quite knowledgeable about demons and their tactics. Sosiel Vaenic is an expert on siege tactics, traps, infiltration, scouting, and the like; he’s where you’ll be getting your map of Citadel Drezen, where we believe the Sword of Valor is being kept. Nurah Dendiwharis an expert on the region and I'll wager she knows more about Drezen than anyone in Kenabres at this point. She can also assist in other ways with her bardic magic."
She hesitates for a moment before continuing. "It’s...not a large force by any means, but you’ll be able to move without attracting attention. That will work to your advantage. Demonic forces hit hard, and you will need to define the battlefield so they aren't given the opportunity.
"Since you'll be leading this force, you can also choose your own specialists to join you. So long as you keep the number small."
"How soon are we to set out?" Alexa finally asks.
Obviously, you can't build a bunch of farms in a few days, but you can influence how people think. Like a lot of cities that grow quickly, Kenabres went dense to contain its sprawl, and of course to protect its people behind the rings of walls. With the same space and--soberingly--not even half the population, maybe you can get the city to make better use of it's space, and teach people a few skills to help them through the coming months. After all, the soil here is still fertile, and unlike the Worldwound across the river, plants still grow. Now is a good time to focus on some winter crops: root vegetables, winter lettuces, parsley, peas, kale, and spinach. And for quick results, there's radishes, turnips, arugula and most other lettuces. All easily grown in the back yard, or small community gardens.
It's a start. And, a few days organizing some basic backyard garden lessons also has an effect on morale by giving people something to do. Not only that, but these vegetables can be started in small wooden boxes, and transplanted in a few weeks when, hopefully, the city is opening up en masse.
On the morning the Queen arrives, you and two of your co-instructors are finishing up lessons in soil management and composting when you spot a familiar face in the crowd: your uncle Crocris, groundskeeper of Truestone Park. He looks like he's aged several years since you last saw him just before the city fell--a striking change for a half-elf--and when the class breaks up he comes up to you. Scars that weren't there before tell the story of someone who had to fight their way to safety. He tells you his story of survival, which is a familiar one by now, but that's not why here's here. He heard what you had been doing for the people here, and he came to say, "I'm proud of you."
The Queen looks at Alexa and smiles somewhat sadly. "You'll be leaving overmorrow. Time is just not on our side.
"I know you were only recently reunited with your family. I wish I could give you more time with them, but I can't. Unless, of course, you choose to remain in the city. Family is, ultimately, what we are fighting for after all, and I would not decry you for making that decision."
Alexa's expression doesn't change, but from the way her hands ball up into fists the news hits a nerve all the same.
...damn it all. Damn this war.
"...very well." She stiffly nods. "Then I have some preparations to make."
"I'm honored, your Highness." Darya says solemnly. "Would we be moving mounted or on foot to better cover our activity?"
"Mounted. You'll travel north to Valas's Gift, and then drop down into the canyon where you'll follow the east bank of the Sellen River to Vilareth Ford. Then you'll continue north along the west bank of the Sellen until you reach the dry Ahari riverbed. This will be a natural trail to Drezen. In total, the route is over 150 miles. Going on foot will take too long.
"The river canyon will cover your approach."
The Queen approaches Uriel, her movement graceful. "Uriel, you mentioned Radiance. I heard you are now carrying this weapon. May I see it?"
Uriel carefully removes removes Radiance and presents it to her. Queen Galfrey takes it from him and inspects the blade with a keen eye, again revealing her long history as a skilled fighter. "When I last saw this it was a longsword. But this is Radiance. I can feel it. It's awakened.
"I don't know how much you know of its history. It belonged to a paladin of Iomedae named Yaniel." She returns the sword to you as she speaks. "She was an accomplished demon slayer in the early days of the Fourth Crusade, but she was arrogant and brash. She often spoke out against other crusaders, attacking their character. When Khorramzadeh invaded Kenabres the first time in 4692, and managed to damage the Wardstone, she confronted the church directly, accusing them and the crusaders of suffering from inertia and negligence.
"The thing is, she was right. At least in part. Her words were poorly chosen, as was her means of expressing them. But at their core was an uncomfortable truth, and the Church reacted...badly." She leans back against a table, steadying herself with her arms. It's a distinctly ignoble posture. "They threatened to excommunicate her. And in her arrogance, she proclaimed that she would fight the Fourth Crusade on her own, as no one else seemed willing. And again, her words were even less diplomatic.
"She stormed off and, good to her word, did exactly what she said she would do: she entered the Worldwound, alone, carrying that." She gestures to Radiance. It feels odd hearing it referred to as that. "It was just a magic sword at the time; nothing extraordinary.
"Anyway, the Church was all too happy to have her gone, and she had saved them some paperwork, so they considered the matter closed. Everyone assumed she was dead, of course. But then, two years later, she returned. Leading a small army. She had personally rescued some crusaders from the Worldwound, and together they worked to rescue others, and so on. And then she led them all out. Carrying Radiance. And it had transformed, imbued with divine power.
"Both the Church and Yaniel had tempered in those two years. The Church had learned that uncomfortable truths must be heard and acted upon, no matter their source. Yaniel had learned humility, and that decisions which seem easy rarely are. The two reconciled, and Yaniel was welcomed back as a hero.
"A few months later she was dead, assassinated by Minagho personally. And Radiance died with her. Just lifeless, cold iron.
"Until now."
She stands up straight, the royal figure returning as she strides to the door and knocks on it gently. It opens a crack and she says something to her retinue outside, and a man enters carrying an ornate, wooden box.
"I have never been one for ceremony. A flaw in a leader, I suppose." She smiles meekly, then adopts a serious, formal tone. "You are now Knights of the Fifth Crusade. This title gives you permission to lead armies, and to rule lands in Mendev." The man brings the box to her and opens it, revealing a number of medals.
"When a Knight accomplishes certain significant tasks, they are rewarded with Righteous Medals. These Medals are imbued with divine power, and provide you a blessing if you have truly achieved the feat for which it is aligned. And I can award them retroactively, because I am the Queen of Mendev and I make the rules," she says with a very wry smile.
"For uncovering viral information about the demonic agents in Kenabres, and Vorlesh's plans for the Wardstone, you are all awarded the Righteous Medal of Clarity. Uriel and Darya, for defeating demons in combat before they can fight back, thus saving others from harm, you have earned the Righteous Medal of Agility. And Uriel, for delivering the death blow to a demon that is a superior foe, you are awarded the Righteous Medal of Valor." As she announces each on, the main affixes the medals to your clothing, and you feel the effects take hold.
Arloric barely has time to rest as he rushes about helping his friends with what they're doing: he's there when Alexa and Miles reunite with the other Dornes, happy for them but still concerned as Crocris has not yet been found; he's there helping Kelly start up the kitchen out of Defender's Heart, but then throws himself into making sure she has what she needs.
Every so often, just before night falls and the day's work is done, he can be seen on the edge of the ruins, atop a hill. Any who follow can see him kneel and pray, before being approached by an enormous elk, whom he spends time talking to. Red Branch has survived, roving the hinterlands surrounding the ruins and driving off lesser enemies, and some among the survivors are taking the mighty beast's appearances as a sign of good luck.
To Horgus' warnings, he only nods.
"Thank you, Horgus. I'm honestly proud to call you friend. You may protest, but I have to say, you're a good man. You're like those southerly desert plants. Cactus I think the Kelish call it. Prickly to the touch, but a soft heart," he says with a chuckle.
When Crocris returns in the wake of the Queen, Arloric can barely contain himself, rushing to embrace his uncle, laughing and crying at the same time. He listens to his tale and hugs him again.
"With your help, we'll bring the green back not just to Truestone Park, but the whole of Kenabres!"
Upon greeting the Queen, however, Arloric stops dead in his tracks and gapes. He knew she was going to speak with them, Horgus had told them that, but nothing could have prepared him for this. The first time he'd seen her it had been from a crowded street, a fleeting glimpse as she passed in the parade, but now he almost felt blinded by her radiance. He blushes fiercely as he tries to maintain some form of dignity. He contributes to the telling of the tale, as only a bard can, though he tries to avoid getting too flowery when he notices Alexa shooting him an annoyed look.
"It is true...even as we battled through the Grey Garrison, her presence bolstered and comforted us. I'd heard the tales southerners tell of her, of how she once walked among us as a mortal fighting against evil almost impossible to comprehend...but to witness her actually among us...even a Sarkorian like me, who's always felt close to every god, couldn't help but be awed."
When she explains her plan, he straightens up.
"Yes! There could be no worthier goal! To finally strike back and liberate the lands, one turf at a time! You may depend on me, my Queen! Er, upon us all!"
And then, as she offers them knighthood and medals, his jaw drops.
"Thank you, my Queen! I...I am humbled by this generous gift! None of Sarkorian blood have ever been honored so! I swear, on Tree and Stone, to serve you loyally and well!"
He drops to one knee to be knighted, trying and not really succeeding to look dignified and resist giggling with delight, like a smitten teenager whose crush had just spoken to him.
After the knighting, he stands.
"I already have some ideas of specialists whose talents could aid us in our mission," he says, looking to the others. "Those who aided us in the aftermath of the attack: Aravashnial, like Telerin mentioned, but also Horgus Gwerm and the Tirabades. Horgus is a canny and hardworking man, with a good heart under his thorny disposition, Anevia Tirabade is a sharp-eyed scout, or will be once her leg's healed, and her wife Irabeth...well she is a paladin herself. Surely 101 paladins would give us just that much more of an edge!"
Darya goes dorn on one knee herself as the Queen pins medals on each of them, her usual preternatural glow seeming just a little brighter than usual. "Thank you, your Highness, I will do my best to continue to prove myself worthy of this honor."
"I get the feeling Irabeth will have her hands full running the main force while we're on our mission?" Darya says to Arloric "And likely have need of Anevia's scouting. Besides, we have Alexa." she says grinning at her grim expressioned companion.
"I admire your enthusiasm, Arloric. No people have suffered more greatly in this war than yours.
"And do not be afraid to ask your friends to accompany you--if you feel they will be valuable additions. This gambit may put us on the offensive for the first time since this war began. I by no means want to belittle the reconstruction of this city as it is an important job, but there are many people who are capable of doing it. That is not true of the one I have given you."
She exchanges a silent look with the man who brought in the medals, then she turns back to you. "I am afraid I am out of time, and we must still meet the men and women you'll be leading to Drezen. If you'll come with me?"
Alexa feels more than a little conflicted about being rewarded so generously; while it was nice to be appreciated for all of the hard work she and her companions had done (and it was clear that Queen Galfrey was as holy and good-hearted as many had claimed), there was the matter of her being the superior of the Prelate she loathed so much.
She accepts the medals and the knighthood, but doesn't kneel. "...thank you, Your Highness."
"I get the feeling Irabeth will have her hands full running the main force while we're on our mission?" Darya says to Arloric "And likely have need of Anevia's scouting. Besides, we have Alexa." she says grinning at her grim expressioned companion.
"Your trust in me is duly noted." She replies, turning a deadpan look on the radiant paladin. "Lady Darya."
"I am afraid I am out of time, and we must still meet the men and women you'll be leading to Drezen. If you'll come with me?"
"...very well." She responds, the lit fire in her chest starting to sputter and fade.
Now's not the time. We've got another mission to complete.
Uriel listens attentively to the tale of Yaniel. ”There is wisdom in your words, your highness.” he says, nodding. ”I will endeavor to honor Yaniel’s memory both by learning from her example and furthering her mission.”
He kneels and humbly accepts the honors the Queen heaps upon them. ”We will do our utmost to be worthy of the honors you do us, my lady.” he says.
As Arloric mentions various allies they’ve made over the last few days, Uriel thinks to himself I’m not sure Horgus will care to come, but perhaps I am mistaken. But he says nothing, and follows the Queen from the room along with the others.
Queen Galfrey and her retinue lead you out of the city to just beyond the northern wall where her army of several thousand is now encamped. You are taken through the masses of soldiers and crusaders to the northern edge, where she seeks out a group of roughly a hundred soldiers that, based on the horses near by, appear to be an armored calvary. As you approach, they stop what they are doing and quickly fall into line and stand to attention.
"These knights have volunteered for the mission of retaking Drezen. Attached to them are a support staff of three dozen, plus the three specialists. Who we'll be meeting now."
At the far end of the soldiers stand three humanoid. Your introduced, in order to Aron Kir, a human man with short, somewhat disheveled brown hair, Nurah Dendiwhar, a female halfling bard with long, blond hair in braids, and Soseil Vaenic, a dark-skinned man who is quite obviously a cleric of Shelyn--her holy symbol has been etched into his breast plate and very lightly colored.
"Aron is your scout and will supply you with the maps you'll need. Nurah was one of my personal advisors, but I'm assigning her to you because she knows this region better than anyone. Soseil is your cleric, and also an expert on demon tactics and strategy." Each acknowledges you with a salute.
"Knights of Kenabres," she says in a loud voice. "You have your orders, and my faith in you. The Inheritor be willing, you will send me word of your success, and the Sword of Valor will once again be raised in Drezen."
She leads you away and speaks final words, out of earshot. "My only advice to you is this: listen to your experts, and listen to your soldiers. An army is a complex machine, and a battlefield is far different from the skirmishes you may be used to. May the Inheritor bless your mission." She bows her head slightly, and takes her leave.
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Stunned by her majesty’s presence, Kelly can only speak when asked to give her account of the assault on the garrison. She silently bows, kneels, and stands as appropriate through the brief knighting ceremony.
Me, a knight? I’m just a cook!
"I admire your enthusiasm, Arloric. No people have suffered more greatly in this war than yours."
"It's easy to have enthusiasm when you're under the command of such a beautiful leader! Er...and wise too. And fearsome in battle!"
NOW I've put my foot in it!
He beats a hasty retreat as the meeting comes to a close, knowing his friends will rib him mercilessly for this.
After they're introduced to their new army, and Queen Galfrey bids them farewell, Arloric bows.
"And may she and every God in the land below and the sky above guide and guard you, Your Majesty."
"Your trust in me is duly noted." She replies, turning a deadpan look on the radiant paladin."Lady Darya."
"And well placed...Lady Alexa." Darya replies with a grin.
As the queen introduces them to their army and fellow officers and takes her leave, Darya grins at Arloric, still a bit red in the face. "Looks like someone is more than a little smitten....not that I blame to in the least...the Queen very much lives up to her legend."
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Alexa winces in response to being called a Lady. "...right. Never going to get used to that."
As the queen introduces them to their army and fellow officers and takes her leave, Darya grins at Arloric, still a bit red in the face. "Looks like someone is more than a little smitten....not that I blame to in the least...the Queen very much lives up to her legend."
Standing close by, Uriel quietly says "She does indeed." his eyes then flick down, before coming back up to meet Darya's. "Though she's hardly the only one who cuts and impressive figure." he says with a smile.
"I mean, I could come up with ten ballads for each of you! Paladins are very easy to sing about, though most of the ones I've heard are from southerly poets. The songs of my people are more about the wisdom of druids or the fierceness of our warriors...what southerners might call 'barbarians,' but never to our faces."
"I mean, I could come up with ten ballads for each of you! Paladins are very easy to sing about, though most of the ones I've heard are from southerly poets. The songs of my people are more about the wisdom of druids or the fierceness of our warriors...what southerners might call 'barbarians,' but never to our faces."
"If you sang a ballad about me, it'd cripple our morale. My job's hard enough now that people know who I am--I'll not be a burden on our army too." Alexa quips before going to speak with Sosiel, the Shelynite cleric.
How long has it been since one of the Eternal Rose's priesthood last came here?
"You really ought to give yourself more credit, Dorne. You're strong, smart and as fierce against evil as any paladin! You're a burden to no one."
"...I don't doubt my dedication or my strength." Alexa finally responds. "It's how I got them that's... the problem."
The elf clearly and strongly responds I thank you for the offer of knighthood Your Majesty, but as a denizen and citizen of Kyonin, I respect the order of Her Sovereign Majesty, Queen Telandia Edasseril. As such I cannot accept your offer of knighthood of a human realm, though I have no problem battling demons and their followers in any way.
@Telerin "I understand, Telerin. And I am not here to force anything on anyone."
Darya grins in response to Uriel's compliment. "Why thank you! The same goes for you, were I one of those idiot cultists, I'd likely find you downright terrifying!" she says with a chuckle.
Turning to hear Arloric speak words of encouragement to Alexa, she nods, but doesn't comment. "I'll go talk to Irabeth, and see her thoughts on leading our force."
Before Darya turns to leave, Alexa leans in.
"I still owe you an explanation for the Garrison... and perhaps why the Templars and I never saw eye to eye."
4:00pm
Defender's Heart
Darya returns to the Defender's Heart, and unsurprisingly she finds Irabeth at a table with two other members of the Eagle Watch. All three look tired, reflecting the long hours they've been spending getting the city back into something resembling order. She looks up as Darya approaches, meets her gaze and correctly decides Darya wants a private conversation--or at least as private of as you can have in the busy common room.
Irabetha gives Darya an appraising glance and then remarks, "You are wearing medals." The half orc smirks, a gesture that looks slightly sinister thanks to her lower, tusk-like teeth. "Courtesy of her majesty?" she asks as she takes a seat.
Before Darya turns to leave, Alexa leans in.
"I still owe you an explanation for the Garrison... and perhaps why the Templars and I never saw eye to eye."
"Whenever you're ready," Arloric replies with a warm smile.
3:30pm
Knights of Kenabres Camp
Alexa heads back to the bivouac of soldiers now manifestly under her authority. Though only out of earshot for a couple of minutes, the crusaders are already returning to their drills, and the support staff back to their duties. Several of them stop to give her a salute as she walks by.
She finds Soseil under a tent, where she sees him giving Aron what seems like a lengthy embrace before the latter heads off.
He looks up when he sees her approach, also snaps a quick salute, then says "Lady Dorne! How may I be of service to you?"
Alexa takes note of Sosiel's affection for Aron. When he salutes and addresses her by her title, her response is a brief twitch of the lips.
"Nope, still not used to that..." She mumbles under her breath before returning the priest's salute. "At ease. I just wanted to meet the only other Shelynite I'm aware of in the ranks."
He chuckles and says, "We do seem to be outnumbered, don't we? Though I suppose it's to be expected. It is unusual for her path to lead to the battlefield. But when it does? Those who follow tend to be quite extraordinary. And the proof of it is, you are here.
"But I sense you are not entirely comfortable with your new title. How would you prefer I address you?"
4:00pm
Defender's HeartDarya returns to the Defender's Heart, and unsurprisingly she finds Irabeth at a table with two other members of the Eagle Watch. All three look tired, reflecting the long hours they've been spending getting the city back into something resembling order. She looks up as Darya approaches, meets her gaze and correctly decides Darya wants a private conversation--or at least as private of as you can have in the busy common room.
Irabetha gives Darya an appraising glance and then remarks, "You are wearing medals." The half orc smirks, a gesture that looks slightly sinister thanks to her lower, tusk-like teeth. "Courtesy of her majesty?" she asks as she takes a seat.
"Yeah," Darya says with a smile, sitting down in the chair across for Irabeth. "Quite the honor...it'll take some getting use to." she says with a smirk of her own.
"So...trying to keep the city from descending back into chaos keeping you busy hunh?" she asks, looking at the assortment of reports and papers on her desk.
Before Darya turns to leave, Alexa leans in.
"I still owe you an explanation for the Garrison... and perhaps why the Templars and I never saw eye to eye."
"Sure...would you prefer now or to sit down somewhere and talk?" Darya asks Alexa quietly.
"Sure...would you prefer now or to sit down somewhere and talk?" Darya asks Alexa quietly.Before Darya turns to leave, Alexa leans in.
"I still owe you an explanation for the Garrison... and perhaps why the Templars and I never saw eye to eye."
”Somewhere else, more private. You...” Alexa sighs. ”...you may not like what you hear.”
Irabeth snorts. "I never thought I'd see the day when the Eagle Watch would be run out of an inn. Even this one."
She sits back in her chair and sighs. "Chaos is already here, it's just a matter of how much we want. I...it doesn't feel right to say this, in a lot of ways, but...I actually like doing this. I'd just rather it was under better circumstances. I suppose any circumstances other than this would do.
"But I don't expect it to last. Now that we are being reinforced? There will be a new commander for the Watch. I was not 'next in line' so much as 'highest ranking still alive'."