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Post by sleepingdragon on Jul 25, 2009 17:16:03 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: "Alright, let's get moving immediately," said Toban. "We need to make our way back to the inn and gather our belongings." Vachir: "Let's go."said Vachir hurrying "The sooner we get to Copperdell, the sooner we can see what Darragan will be up too." Vachir: edit: what the rebels are up to Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael went outside, listening to what people were saying as he did so. Ardrun (enter): 19:47 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (2457) Ardrun... Sakura: Sakura also strolled onward to go back to the inn and be prepared. Meanwhile, she kept a close ears on the surrounding people. Sakura: 's discussions Vachir: Vachir followed his companion's example, trying to hear anything of interest Sleeping Dragon: the party and the representatives quickly made their way away from the Palace, delayed briefly with the delicate task of separating Sophia from the colonel she had been speaking to, and then to gather their servants, who had been placed in a room in the western wing of the Palace. Once this was finished, they left the walled royal enclave and began to make their way towards the Crown. There were still street performances going on, but the Kingdom Guards had obviously been alerted of the uprising because as they went, they saw a number of Guards approaching groups of people with demands that they disperse and head home. In one group near the north side of Beacon Hill, a few drunk men took exception to the Guards' peremtory commands and hurled stones at the Guards, but were swiftly beaten down and dragged away. Ardrun (exit): 20:01 Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked expressionlessly at what was happening and said nothing, hurrying on towards the inn. Sakura: Sakura merely looked troubled for a moment as she considered what is coming on at Copperdell. Sleeping Dragon: they came back to the Crown, finding half a dozen Guards standing by the doors in case of trouble. They rushed to their rooms to change into their travelling clothes and gather their equipment, while Toban told a serving man to go and prepare the carriage and the horses Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael quickly gathered his gear and weapons and met the others outside. He eyed the carriage. "A pity we have to travel with them, it will slow us down." Ardrun: Ardrun walked out quietly with a slightly weary look. Vachir: Vachir took his bow, quiver, backpack and other equipment quickly and went outsider with the others. "We can't simply leave them here, can we?"he said to Rafael sullenly Sleeping Dragon: the representatives servants brought their masters' items out to the carriage while Judge Mawen climbed wearily in and Toban argued briefly Mantal - Mantal having remembered too late that he had intended to speak to Town Captain Trepp about getting permission to recover the books which had been confiscated at the barracks the night before. "To hell with your books! You can send someone to get them after we're back safe in Malador!" Toban snapped at him. Mantal looked distraught, but didn't continue the argument further as Toban quickly walked over to the Guards and explained that they were leaving and that word of their departure should be sent to the Palace. "Don't want them to think we've gone sneaking away or been abducted," he said as he came back and got into the carriage. "Mount up, then, we need to move!" he snapped at the party Rafael ben Efrim: "I think we are still expected to see them safely out of the city, but if we can get them to the estate we can leave them there and investigate the situation in Copperdell more closely." Rafael replied. Ardrun (exit): 20:17 Sakura: "Even though the estate is right next door to Copperdell?" She asked Rafael, "Beside, I am sure we will be just fine." She looked around for someone. Sakura: edit: "one mile away" Rafael ben Efrim: "We will be fine." Rafael answered. "But we need to make sure they are kept away from the fighting - I can't see the three of them being much use in protecting themselves." Sleeping Dragon: they mounted up and were quickly out of the city, as the southern gate was only a few streets away from the Crown. On their way out they passed a number of people heading home, some having to be almost shepherded by the Guards, and the air seemed to crackle with hostility as the revellers glared at the Guards who were forcing them to finish their celebrations earlier than they'd wished. Shortly afterwards, as they crested a hill just outside of the city, they saw a fire start in a building just south of the eastern bridge, and they could hear the distant hubbub of many angrily raised voices. Sakura: Mounted Sakura took a glance at this distant crowd and wonder what is going on. Sleeping Dragon: Toban Torwald glanced out of the back of the carriage. "Oh, looks like there's some trouble. I hope they give those Guards a bit of a kicking, they could do with learning some humility and anyway it would delay them." Vachir: "I don't think any of us would disagree with the Kingdom Guards getting a sound beating" added Vachir Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (2465) Ardrun... Sakura: "Agreed. Although I often find that all military people can learn humility." Sakura replied Sleeping Dragon: "What, even my fucking brother?" Toban snorted. "He's in love with you, by the way." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael raised his eyebrows. "A fine opportunity to influence a man of great power in Malador to do the right thing." he said with a smile to Sakura. Sleeping Dragon: "Oh, Carus is already doing the right thing for Malador. Just ask him and he'll tell you," Toban said sarcastically before withdrawing back into the carriage. FruitOfTheLoom (enter): 20:44 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (2469) FruitOfTheLoom... Rafael ben Efrim: "We must decide what to do." Rafael said to the others when the carriage started off again. "If this is a true rebellion in Torath, are we going to aid the rebels?" Sakura: Sakura smiled faintly at departing carriage and glanced at Rafael, "Hmm." She looked thoughtfully up at the stars, "We really do not know what happening there. For all we know, this could be a trap drawn by that Kingy back there." Rafael ben Efrim: "You think maybe the situation is being encouraged to bring any potential rebels out into the open and then crush them?" Rafael asked her. Vachir: "Aid them? But openly siding against Darragan and the Torathi? That sounds unwise."said Vachir "Thogh wise decisions can make for a very unexciting life..."he added later Vachir: edit: add 'Perhaps...' between 'them?' and 'But openly...' Ardrun: "Yes. We must learn more before we act. But we must also be unafraid to act if the opportunity arises." Rafael ben Efrim: "Darragan is the enemy of Malador, and of all those who value freedom," Rafael said. "And we may not have the luxury of time." Rafael ben Efrim: "But Sakura is right to be wary. There have been these kind of rebellions in the past, using people's fears to flush out rebels." Sakura: There have been in the past, rumours of false rebellions. In fact, there was one twenty five years ago with the Guards and it was used to drew out any potential rebels out. Maybe they want to figure out what the city will do as test." Ardrun: "But would it not be a wonderful irony if their false rebellion turned into a real one?" said Ardrun thoughtfully. Sakura: "Life are full of irony, Ardrun." She replied with a smile. Rafael ben Efrim: "It would be a great blessing to the Torathi, and to the whole New Coast." Rafael said. Ardrun (exit): 21:06 Sophia: Disconnecting from server... Sophia (exit): 21:11 Sleeping Dragon: the party rode on, slowed by the darkness and the ponderous carriage. The group rode wearily through the night while the representatives slept in the carriage, Judge Mawen snoring loudly. The hardiest of the servants, Mantal Wellaw's man who was a former slave, drove the carriage with Mawen's girl and Toban's man dozing restlessly beside him, muttering quiet abuse at his master as he went.
The sun was rising again by the time Copperdell came into view. As they drew near they could see that on a hill just outside of town, the Guards had established a fortified point, having dug ditches and used the earth to form breastworks. As they drew near a group of a dozen Guards strode down from the hilltop to come meet them. Toban, sticking his head out of the carriage and grumbling about the poor sleep he'd had, looked at them. "We'll probably have to talk our way in," he said. Sakura: Sakura looked tired as she gave them a glance Rafael ben Efrim: "You intend to enter the town?" Rafael asked the representatives. Vachir: "Looks like a warzone."commented Vachir "Must be a very serious matter then" Sakura: Sakura looked at them curiously, "And do to what? Tell them to go back to their homes?" Sleeping Dragon: "Well, if we're to find out what's going on we'll probably have to," he said. "Might be easier for us to wait at your estate and you to do it though, I think we'd just get in your way if something broke out. These chaps presumably want to stop anyone getting into Copperdell though."
The Kingdom Guards drew close. Their commanding officer, a square-jawed man wearing a steel helm with a long nasal bar, called out to them. "I am Colonel Gann Chovett. Who are you? I am afraid that I cannot allow you to pass, there has been an uprising in Copperdell and we cannot risk allowing anyone to pass through our cordon until the rebels have been defeated." Black Cat: Disconnecting from server... CosmicHorror (exit): 21:51 Sakura: "And deny us access to our estate and respectable officals from staying there. As it is, we have no need to go through that town. You will let us pass." She waves her right hand at the party, "I am Sakura of Ayanna, the others mounted are Rafael, Vachir, Sophia and Ardrun. The people in the carriage are representatives from Malador, respectable officals of the city." Sleeping Dragon: Colonel Chovett rubbed his chin. "I see. I have already spoken to your companion Enrico, I have stationed four of our men at your estate in case the rebels sneak out to attack it, and also to ensure that no one leaves. I will allow you to go to your estate and you can remain there, however you are not permitted to pass beyond the border to Malador. We cannot risk any possibility of aid or support for the rebels, intentional or unintentional, to come or go. You should be aware that there is already a representative of your city present here," Colonel Chovett pointed to the south. Just to the south of the bridge across the river, they could see that a small encampment was being set up. "A certain Holpan Seamander has been sent by the Maladoran Council to attempt to facilitate a solution to this rebellion. You may wish to go and speak to him." Sakura: "Is that so? I have heard of this Holpan Seamander and truely, we will speak to him. Still, I wonder what is happening so far within this town?" Sakura inquired. Vachir: Vachir looked impatient as his companions spoke with the guard. Sleeping Dragon: Chovett paused to think before speaking. "In the early hours of Thursday morning, some equipment went missing from the Copperdell mine. When this occured, Town Captain Hannant was most displeased and he ordered an immediate search for the tools, as over one hundred gold pieces worth of equipment had gone missing. My Guards thoroughly searched the town and a number of slaves were interrogated extensively. Unfortunately, none of them would reveal who had stolen the equipment. Yesterday at approximately noon, therefore, Town Captain Hannant issued a decree. It stated that the culprits had six hours to return the stolen equipment, and that, if, following that time the culprits had still not confessed and the equipment remained unreturned, that one tenth of the slaves would be picked at random and adjudged responsible for the theft." Chovett paused. "Under our law, this would be treated as a major crime and be punishable by the application of a Lawbreaker's Rune. Those convicted of their first major crime are sentenced to five years of indentured labour, but those who are convicted of their second are treated as if they had committed a capital crime, which is punishable by death by hanging. There are a number of slaves in Copperdell for whom this would be the case." Chovett paused. "Shortly afterwards rioting began and we were forced to quickly flee the town and fortify ourselves. At present we do not have enough forces to storm the city, but I have received news in the night that General Juthe will be coming with reinforcements soon." Ardrun: Ardrun clenched his jaw as he listened, but kept himself from responding hastily. whispering to Ardrun, Rafael ben Efrim, Sakura, as Chovett spoke, it seemed clear that he was somewhat confused and unhappy about the situation - when he spoke of Hannant's order it sounded as if it had surprised him. He delivered the news about Juthe, furthermore, with a great deal of relief which was not simply because of the reinforcements - Chovett plainly felt somewhat out of his depth in this situation and would be pleased to allow someone else to take command Sakura: Sakura just realised that guard's speech was finished and shook herself out, "Seems very strange to me. I assumed that the Town Captain is alive after all. Which raise another question at the moment. What are they doing in that very town? Is there a real danger of this encampment overwhelmed before the General arrives hopefully soon..." Vachir: "And when is the General supposed to arrive?"asked Vachir Sleeping Dragon: "We were able to rescue Town Captain Hannant and he is now in our encampment," said Chovett. "I do not believe they could overrun us. There are about eight hundred people in Copperdell, perhaps two-thirds of whom are slaves and their families, but we believe that only about four hundred and presently under arms. There are presently eighty of us on the hill and we are strongly fortified and concentrated. I am unsure what they plan to do, but if they had wished to attack I would have thought it would have already come. General Juthe has been commanded to force march his men here and should arrive in about three hours." Sakura: "That is good news." Sakura smiled with approval, "Good luck by the way! Sakura: " Sleeping Dragon: Chovett did not seem to know how to react to this. "Thank you," he said slowly. "As I said, you are free to wait at your estate, but I cannot allow you to go to Malador. Hopefully this should be finished quickly after General Juthe arrives." Ardrun: Ardrun nodded and readied himself to leave with the others. Sakura: She nodded at Chovett and prepared tog et ready Vachir: Vachir nodded silently to Chovett. When they were away from him, he spoke in a low voice "Should we try to contact the rebels perhaps?" Ardrun: "Of course. But how can we do that? They'll find out if we're delayed going to the Maladoran camp, even if they don't see us." Sakura: "There may be a way, as for now, let see what up with Maladoran encampment and that wannabe to be popular chap." Sakura: she whispered ot them Ardrun: Ardrun nodded. Sleeping Dragon: the party made their way quickly to the Maladoran encampment. A burly guardsman with a sword shouted a challenge at them as they came near, but then saw the Maladoran symbol on the side of the carriage and waved them over. The encampment consisted of five silk tents, four large enough to keep two people each, and the final a sizeable pavilion large enough to hold at least a dozen people. Within this large tent they could see that there were flags of Malador and Torath, as well as a table and several large chairs which had obviously been brought on the back of a wagon that was left nearby.
As they came near a short man with iron-grey hair emerged from one of the smaller tents and came out to meet them. "Well well! I see the wind's blown you here after all - I thought you might come. Good to meet you sailors, I'm Holpan Seamander! Come and make yourselves comfortable in that pavilion over on the port bow and we'll have a chat." Ardrun: Ardrun's mouth turned up slightly in amusement, and he headed to the pavilion. Sakura: Sakura nodded for a moment and approached the pavilion to have a chat... Vachir: Vachir chuckled to himself at the man's peculiar way of speech, and then walked over to the pavilion with the others Sleeping Dragon: the representatives climbed out of the carriage and looked around. Toban came quickly and purposefully with Judge Mawen waddling along slowly behind him, while Mantal Wellaw clutched a book and kept glancing nervously in the direction of Copperdell, as if the town was likely to begin belching rebels in their direction.
Seamander came and sat down with a sigh. "Alright, now that we've weighed anchor we can talk. The Council have sent me here to try to negotiate a peaceful solution to this conflict. Or at least that's what I'm to say, but of course while I'm to do that I'm also to cast my nets about to see what we can catch, and of course negotiation can be a bit slow and drag out this voyage a bit and set an ill wind blowing throughout the Kingdom. It can't but have occured to you when you heard of this rebellion that if the rebels are able to hold out long and cause the Torathi enough problems, we might be able to tack our way about and ensure that that first tribute we paid is the last one too." Ardrun: "How do you think that might happen?" asked Ardrun warily. Sakura: "It is very nice idea. Not mentioning that such chaos in that kingdom would make everyone outside the kingdom much happier.
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Post by sleepingdragon on Aug 1, 2009 17:45:33 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: Seamander came and sat down with a sigh. "Alright, now that we've weighed anchor we can talk. The Council have sent me here to try to negotiate a peaceful solution to this conflict. Or at least that's what I'm to say, but of course while I'm to do that I'm also to cast my nets about to see what we can catch, and of course negotiation can be a bit slow and drag out this voyage a bit and set an ill wind blowing throughout the Kingdom. It can't but have occured to you when you heard of this rebellion that if the rebels are able to hold out long and cause the Torathi enough problems, we might be able to tack our way about and ensure that that first tribute we paid is the last one too."
Ardrun: "How do you think that might happen?" asked Ardrun warily.
Sakura: "It is very nice idea. Not mentioning that such chaos in that kingdom would make everyone outside the kingdom much happier. Rafael ben Efrim: "Although it has also occurred to us that this might have been organised by Daragan to bring potential rebels into the open. It would not be the first time." Rafael said. Sleeping Dragon: "Well, as you've asked, what I'm going to do is that when General Juthe arrives I'll reel in him, Town Captain Hannant, and the rebel leaders for a meeting. And I'll then facilitate a 'dialogue' between them - you'd be surprised at how easily you can twist this sort of thing about, leave it all to me - and it'll give us a chance to see what these people are like." Seamander nodded to Rafael. "That is certainly a possiblity, and it's why we have to be sure not to sail straight in on this one! The information we got in Malador was sketchy and I had to go with great haste. What I really need now is some hands-on information about how the winds are truly blowing in Copperdell - how angry are the rebels, how determined are they to fight, what are their leaders like, is this just a convoluted plot by Darragan - that sort of thing. I knew it'd be a tough task to accomplish that with the resources I've been assigned, but fortune's favoured me and now you're here." Seamander smiled. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "We would have to get around the guards, but it could be done." Vachir: "A dialogue?"said a somewhat surprised Vachir "I can't see the Torathi making a deal with the rebels, and I'd be wary of them trying to assassinate the rebel leaders if given a chance. Still it might be worth a try" Sleeping Dragon: "We can only hope they assassinate the rebel leaders, that will be pretty sure to set a storm rolling! But don't worry about the Guards. If I speak to Chovett and the rebel leaders, I wager I'd be able to convince them to let you into Copperdell as 'observers'. Chovett knows the role you played in bringing the treaty about - and is dumber than a dead fish anyway - and the rebels might see your presence there as a sign that they're not likely to be immediately attacked and that Malador is involved. I can go and do that now, and you fine people can have a bit of a rest - most of you look so tired you could capsize at any moment!" Sakura: Sakura was faintly amused by all these nautical terms that he been saying. "Yes, we have been riding directly from the royal capital after all. Still, it would be a feat alone if you managed to convince Chovett and rebels just to let us in though." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael had to admit Seamander was right. The journey had exhausted him. Sleeping Dragon: Seamander stood up. "Do you want me to wake you up right when I get back, or will you be putting down your lines for a bit longer?" Sakura: Sakura shook her head and replied, "Will be sleeping fully." Rafael ben Efrim: "Is there somewhere we can bed down?" Rafael asked. Vachir: "We won't be of much use unless we get some quality sleep first."said Vachir, obviously tired Sleeping Dragon: "Haven't you got estates around here? Best not to weigh anchor here, in all likelihood there could be a meeting here shortly after Juthe arrives." Rafael ben Efrim: "Won't his arrival make it harder for us to enter the town?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: "I doubt it, I'll go and negotiate your ability to enter now and by the time Juthe arrives it'll be too late. He's not likely to overturn any decision Chovett's made, it'd be knocking holes in his own boat making Chovett angry and the Torathi seem divided. You needn't worry." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked unconvinced. "Juthe...doesn't like us." Sakura: Sakura nodded wearily, confirming Rafael's statement, "Yes, you cannot but help making people that got axes to grind against us." Sleeping Dragon: "Hmm...Juthe strikes me as the sort of person who'd put his personal tastes Sleeping Dragon: "Hmm...Juthe strikes me as the person who'd put his personal tastes in second to his duty, but if you're worried I can try to make sure you're in Copperdell before he arrives. I'll wake you when I come back then, and you can straightaway moor yourselves in Copperdell. You can always sleep there." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael smiled faintly. "It might be safer to face old Juthe. But at least we would be sure of getting in." Sophia: "Id still like to meet this... Juthe person." Sophia chuckled Vachir: "He's not...particularly funny to be around."Vachir commented Sophia's words "Still, we'll have to deal with him again sooner or later...." Rafael ben Efrim: "We saved the wretched man's life. Maybe that is what he finds so hard to stomach." Rafael said, then added quietly to Sophia with a sudden grin. "He did have to part with some gold as well, not with a good grace." Sophia: "Id still like to meet this... Juthe person." Sophia chuckled Sophia: Edit: ignore that Sophia: Sophia kept the smile on her face "People worry too much about gold, he should have been happy you didnt take his arms and legs." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael shrugged. "We were not the problem. He had poor taste in pets." Sleeping Dragon: Seamander chuckled. "He's a prickly fish, Juthe. Farewell for now, then." Seamander called to his bodyguards, and shortly afterwards he and two of them mounted up and headed towards the Torathi camp. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael found a place to rest and fell asleep almost immediately. Sakura: Sakura went off to have a short sleep Sophia: Sophia passed out curled in a ball like some sort of cat. Her gentle snores could be heard almost right away. Vachir: Vachir found some free space and quickly lay down to take an invigorating nap Sleeping Dragon: the party were woken up several hours later. "I've convinced them to let you in," said Seamander, "and you probably want to raise anchor quickly - Juthe will be arriving any moment now. His reinforcements are marching up the road about a half a mile away. Looks like it could be another three hundred Guards." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael jumped up and quickly gathered his gear. Sophia: Sophia quickled jumped up and shook the sleep out of her eyes "Lets do this" Sakura: Sakura woke up, yawned and got ready for this... trip Vachir: Vachir rapidly got to his feet and took his bow and other belongings to go with the others Sleeping Dragon: Seamander handed Ardrun a short staff, on the end of which was a white flag stitched in red with a crude open hand to serve as a peace banner. "Take this with you, the rebels know you're coming but it's best that they know who you are and that they don't get skittish and start shooting." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded and prepared to walk behind Ardrun and the flag. Sakura: "Good luck when Juthe arrives." She walked to join Rafael and Ardrun. Vachir: Vachir put himself a short distance behind Ardrun Sophia: Sophia marched proudly beside Ardrun. Sophia: Edit: Sophia marched proudly beside Ardrun, weapon sheathed, with a big smile on her face. Sleeping Dragon: the party left Seamander's small camp and made their way towards Copperdell. Behind them when they looked they could see Juthe's Kingdom Guards marching, the mounted scouts at the front of the column having now reached the edge of the hill on which Chovett's men were encamped, a long line marching in disciplined formation along behind them on the road. Seamander's estimate of their numbers was perhaps slightly high, but certainly there were at least two hundred, mostly infantrymen clad in scale armour and bearing swords, axes, spears, and shields.
On the lone gate into the town, large numbers of the motley rebel army had assembled to watch the arrival of their foes. Lacking any flag behind which to rally themselves, the rebels had simply raised large black pieces of cloth to be their standards. A small number of the rebels were shouting insults towards the arriving Kingdom Guards, but the great majority were simply staring out at them grimly. There were about forty immediately on the walls, and were considerably less well armed than their foes - where they had any armour at all it was mostly leather, their shields were small and wooden, and their spears were obviously freshly made and of uncertain quality. Some were armed instead with the tools of their trade - big sledgehammers, mattocks, and picks. Many on the walls carried slings, ready to fire at the party if they showed signs of treachery. A small number of the larger, tougher looking rebels were better equipped, bearing swords and armour which had presumably been looted from the Kingdom Guard barracks when the town was overrun, but they were distinctly in the minority on the rebel side. As they came nearer they could see that the men all had short growths of beard - as slaves, their heads and faces were kept shaven regularly to identify them in case they ran away, and now that they had won their freedom it seemed that they would let their hair grow as a symbol of defiance against their former overlords. The party were struck by the number of women among the rebels - still a minority, but perhaps a dozen of the forty rebels they could see were female, standing firm with their male comrades.
As the party came near the gates were opened. As they swung open the party looked in and could see that there were another thirty rebels standing behind the gates, these ones on the whole better armed than their compatriots on the wall. These rebels were standing in a protective circle around an unarmed woman, who, as the party entered and the gates were closed again, stepped forward to speak to the party. She was a short, thin young woman in her mid-twenties, with slightly slanted brown eyes and a serious expression. She carried a sheaf of papers and an inkpen. "I'm Katerine Soyval, the Chief Representative of the Freemen of Copperdell. I'm told you are here to act as observers for Malador and to attempt to facilitate a peaceful solution to this conflict. As long as you adhere to those goals, you're welcome in Copperdell, but if we find reason to believe that you are spying or attempting to undermine our cause, you will be shown no mercy." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael stepped forward beside Ardrun. "I can swear that we are no spies, nor will we try to undermine your cause. My companions and I wish to know what the truth is, rather than what the Torathi care to tell us." Sakura: Sakura confirmed Rafael, "That right, we are only here as observe the whole event and indeed, to see what can be done." Sophia: Sophia nodded with what he said and smiled sincerely. Her heart swelled to see women not in subservient roles, to see them standing up to defend there town and their rights as human beings. Sophia held her tongue for fear she would give the wrong impression with how much she respected these people. Vachir: "We are no friends of the Torathi and come here only to help." said Vachir matter-of-factly after glancing at the assembled rebels Sleeping Dragon: "Very well," said Katerine with a nod, writing something down. "You're free to go wherever you'd like in Copperdell, except the mines there," she said, gesturing to the mine located at the very end of the road. A large number of rebels stood guard at the mine, and some were digging a ditch around it while others were carrying supplies down into the mine. Rafael ben Efrim: "Thank you madam." Rafael bowed gravely. "We may ask questions of the people here?" he enquired. Sleeping Dragon: "Yes, certainly. Do you want to ask me any questions? I'm busy and would like to get on with other things, but if you want to speak to me it would be best to do it now," said Katerine. Sophia: "Lady Katerine, my name is Sophia Crentell, may i ask you a favor? I wish to assist in training some of the women here in combat effectiveness. I have many long years of combat under my belt and i feel i would be able to assist the women here in learning to protect themselves and protect each other" Sophia smiled again at Katerine Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked surprised, then added. "I can vouch for Sophia's fighting prowess." Sakura: Sakura just looked very annoyed at something and whispered to Rafael, "Just remember that any helps for these... people must be close guarded secret. I am sure you do not want to start a war with Malador?" Sakura: edit: between Malador and Torath Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael turned to her. "This may be the turning point, weakening the hold of Daragan on the whole region. And I will not see these people face the might of the Kingdom Guards alone." he said quietly. Sleeping Dragon: Katerine looked surprised by Sophia's offer. "Of course you're free to help in any way you can...if your companions don't object too much...I'm not a lady, however, I'm only a clerk." Sophia: "Lady... clerk... these are only titles and they do not do you justice. I am proud of you and your people and i would be glad to assist in helping to train people. Who should i report to for combat assistance?" Sophia looked around. Sophia: Edit: i would be glad in helping to train. Rafael ben Efrim: "We do want to ask you some questions." Rafael said to Katerine. "Would you tell us what led to this situation? And what your intentions are?" Sakura: Sakura smiled slightly at Rafael's respond and settled down as she listened to Rafael and Katerine's discussion Sleeping Dragon: "The person you want to speak to about military matters is Drammoc Rene, our commander. He is in our headquarters over there," she gestured to what had previously been the Kingdom Guard barracks, just to the south of where they were standing. "And as for what led to this situation...well. Did you want merely the immediate events of the past week, or did you want more detail?" Sophia: "No time to waste, i will go assist immediately. Update me on the situation later guys" Sophia nodded at them and walked over to the barracks where Katerine had gestured to. Rafael ben Efrim: "If you have time to tell the rest of us the whole story, it would be appreciated." Rafael answered. "I have to say it was not really a surprise. We came through Copperdell previously and saw the way things were then." Sakura: Sakura only glanced at the back of Sophia with a hint of annoyance at the happy go lucky Sophia Vachir: "We should go there with her."said Vachir watching Sophia leave "If a battle happens, and I think it will, we'd want to coordinate." Rafael ben Efrim: "We need to know what is going on." Rafael answered. "But you go with Sophia and speak to the Commander." Sleeping Dragon: "Too fucking right!" one of the rebels shouted in agreement with Rafael. A few of them banged their spear-butts loudly on the ground. Katerine held up her hand, but the noise continued until she called for quiet. "Alright. If you want my opinion, the problems here in Copperdell really started when Ombrosian Hannant became the Town Captain here - that was about nine months ago. He sent everyone he could down into the mines - he sent me down, and you can see that I haven't a miner's frame, and he even forced some of the free citizens of the town to help a bit. He increased hours, was vindictive and arrogant in his treatment of us, and he responded to any indiscipline with excessive force. A week after he arrived one old man was beaten to death because he couldn't work the extra hours, and there've been two others who've died at the hands of the Guards since. This heavy-handedness has marked his entire time as Town Captain."
"Some time during the night on Wednesday some mining tools were stolen, and this caused Hannant to commit his worst atrocities yet. Hannant tore the town apart searching for the stolen items, and when he couldn't find them he had dozens of us beaten and tortured to try to force us to reveal the location of the tools. When this still didn't turn them up, he announced a truly draconian measure. Yesterday at mid-day, he gave us six hours to return the tools, or, he said, he would randomly pick one-tenth of the workers in Copperdell and hold us collectively responsible for the theft. Because of the value of the tools, this would be a major crime, which would mean five years of further slavery and branding with a Lawbreaker's Rune. For those of us who already have a Rune - and that is more than half of us, myself included - that would mean that we would be subject to death by hanging. When this announcement was made, Drammoc Rene attacked the men making the announcement and rioting broke out, and the Kingdom Guards and Captain Hannant were driven out of Copperdell." There were loud cheers at the last comment Sophia: Sophia had paused to listen in. She would not stand for the atrocities that Torath had commited on these good people and everyone else they had control of. She would do whatever it took to bring down Torath so that cute frail girls did not have to work in mines...unless they wanted to. Sophia chuckled a bit as she turned and continued walking to the barracks. whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, "Riot? We were fucking defending ourselves," Rafael heard one of the rebels complain to one of his comrades. "And she thinks this just started with Hannant? Stupid bitch, but then she wasn't in the mines then was she?" the other replied. Rafael ben Efrim: "The situation in Copperdell has clearly been bad for some time though hasn't it?" Rafael asked, thinking of what he'd heard. "Now that you have driven the guards out, what are the intentions of the people of Copperdell?" whispering to Sophia, Sophia made her way into the headquarters of the rebels, a two-storey stone building which had previously served as the Kingdom Guard barracks. Passing by several rebels who gave her curt nods, she came into a large mess hall. A few rebels were busily cooking, ladelling out some manner of stew to a steady stream of miners coming in from their shifts. On the far wall, Sophia could see that there was a painting there - presumably it had once looked like the picture she had seen in the Guard barracks on the way to Torath, depicting a majestic looking King Darragan and legions of unstoppable Kingdom Guards, but the rebels had annihilated the original painting and replaced it with vulgar graffiti, slogans of defiance, and crude pictures, mostly of sexual acts or Kingdom Guards being killed.
"Who are you?" one of the cooks shouted at Sophia. "Don't recognise you." Sleeping Dragon: "Fight!" somebody shouted. Katerine nodded hesitantly. "We will keep fighting. We will not stop resisting the Kingdom Guards until we receive surety that we will all receive full pardons, and that those who are truly responsible for this horrific situation are fully punished." Sakura: "And? What would you do after that?" Sakura asked practically. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael considered this. "Do you think Daragan will allow you to defy his authority and live?" he asked Katerine quietly. Sleeping Dragon: Katerine looked uncomfortable. "That would depend on the terms," she said vaguely. She spoke to Rafael quietly. whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, "No," she said bluntly. "Not unless we receive help. There are too many Kingdom Guards and not enough of us, and some of us are completely mad and seem to think we can fight against all of Torath!" Vachir: "I don't think the Torathi would let this go and just pardon all the people involved."said Vachir sullenly "They're afraid that if you are not stopped violently, this revolt will spread like wildfire."he added Vachir: add: he added in a low tone following Rafael's words Rafael ben Efrim: "I'm sorry but we need somewhere to sleep." Rafael said, his eyes on Katerine. "We have travelled fast. Is there a place you can show us where we can rest?" Sophia: (whispering): "My name is Sophia Crentell, i am a ally of Malador, Copperdell and all people who want to be free of Torathian rule. Katerine said it would be ok for me to come and assist in training some of the less experienced people in combat as i have much experience in this area." Sophia patted her scythe that was still sheathed. Sleeping Dragon: "Of course, I can find somewhere for you to sleep. Come with me," she said. She gestured to a few of the rebels, who came with her and the party while the others dispersed.
Katerine breathed a sigh of relief as she walked away. "I'm sorry. Emotions are running very high. You asked what we intended to do. Well, personally, I see no hope for anything better than a negotiated settlement, whereby none of us, or at least few of us, are executed for what's happened. Some of my companions are quite adamant that we should not accept any terms with the Torathi at all, and we should attempt to fight our way free altogether, but I see very little chance of that happening. Frankly I see very little chance even of a settlement unless Malador intervenes. I have some hope now that that bastard Hannant is no longer in charge, but it's still unlikely unless the Kingdom Guards believe that Malador will declare active support for us and break the tribute treaty." Sophia: (whispering): "Do you think you could point me in the direction of Drammoc Rene?" whispering to Sophia, "You're one of the Maladorans? Fucking hell, are you actually going to step in and help us?" the rebel cook looked astonished. "This is brilliant fucking news! Commander Drammoc is upstairs, you'll want to speak to him," he said, gesturing to a door off to his left. Rafael ben Efrim: "I can see that you are in a very difficult situation." Rafael agreed. "One thing, Daragan and his guards are not the whole of Torath. There are problems within as well as without his kingdom. But for Malador to intervene...there would have to be a good chance of success. It would be a great risk, seeing what would happen to the city if it failed." Sophia: (whispering): Nodding to him, Sophia walked through the door the cook gestured at "Thank you very much" whispering to Sophia, Sophia headed through the door and then upstairs. She found herself in a very long room which housed many beds, previously of the Kingdom Guards and now of the rebels. The beds had all been pushed up against the east wall, and the west wall was covered with rough charcoal drawings of the town and of the enemy forces outside, who could be seen through a window - the Kingdom Guard reinforcements had now almost all joined the Torathi encampment at the top of the walls.
A very big rebel who had been looking out the window turned as Sophia entered. Several of the rebels reached for their weapons, and he picked up a big two-handed axe from the floor. "Who are you?" he snapped. Sleeping Dragon: "Of course. I'm not expecting full and unconditional support - if you want to give it that's excellent, but I don't expect it. But it's not necessary that you actually give it, only that the Kingdom Guards think you might, and that might convince them to give lenient terms." Sophia: (whispering): Sophia held up her hands in peace "My name is Sophia Crentell, i am with the Maladorian convoy, we are supposed to be negotiating with you in order to find a peaceful end to this conflict but i know that the tyrannt of Darragan is not something to be taken so lightly." Sophia dropped her hands nback down to her side and continued. "I, as well as a few of my comrades realize that peace with Darragan is pretty much out of the question so i am here to help train some of your soldiers while my comrades decide how we can help you best. Perhaps we can even convince Malador to step in and assist. I have been fighting the good fight for a long time, all i ask is that you give me a chance to help you and your people by allowing me to assist you in training and tactics." Sophia ended, a bit breathless. whispering to Sophia, The man gave a hearty laugh. "Excellent! Do you really think peace is out of the question? We were hoping to fight the fuckers to a standstill, but hey, if Malador is going to intervene then maybe we can smash them outright! I'm Drammoc Rene, by the way. If you want to give some training, then it's entirely welcome, I can get you to work on that straight away. Come with me!" he exclaimed, heading to the stairs with great vigour Rafael ben Efrim: "But what is to stop Darragan from going back on anything that is promised?" Rafael asked. "And what is the importance of Copperdell to him? We know that the mines produce copper. What else?" Sophia: (whispering): Sophia smiled at his enthusiasm as she followed him. "I am pretty sure peace is out of the question, i think he would see any dissent being let go as a sign that other cities can step out of line and be forgiven. He is a cruel man and i think crushing Torath is the best option." Sleeping Dragon: Katerine looked troubled. "I have no way to be sure. But I am certain Darragan doesn't want trouble in this region, for two reasons - firstly, because we produce a lot of the metals which the Kingdom Guards use to equip themselves, and secondly, because Copperdell lies on the road between Torath and Malador. If there are prolonged problems here he will be unable to collect the tribute. So we can hope that if a settlement is reached, he'll relent and keep his word for fear of sparking a new rebellion which would weaken him further and might cause further strife." Sophia: (whispering): "That is just me though, i have fought tyrants before and i know they are unforgiving it matters of rebellion. Either way i will help you and your men and women be prepared if something does happen" Sophia continued to walk after him. whispering to Sophia, Drammoc gave a nod. "Alright. I'll find some people for you and you can get onto training them - a lot of us are tough and strong, but we don't have much experience of real fighting." Sophia: (whispering): "Well that is where i come in, i hope you dont mind some of the fighting styles i will be teaching, a lot of it i learned from pirates in the north so sometimes it can be...well... some people refer to it as 'cowardly fighting' i like to think of it as advanced self defense techniques. I will be teach this to all the men and women and once im done, the torathi or any other invaders will not know what hit them." She solidified this by making a fist and smashing it into her palm. Sakura (enter): 23:18 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (2012) Sakura... whispering to Sophia, "We're fighting for our fucking lives. I don't care what it looks like or what anyone thinks of it as long as it's effective," said Drammoc. He found some of the rebels in the downstairs mess and ordered them to gather their equipment, and then led them outside behind the the barracks. "Sophia here is going to show you some things," he said. Rafael ben Efrim: "You think that if the workers here offer a peaceful solution Darragan will accept. But will the workers accept that solution?" Rafael asked. Sophia: (whispering): Sophia first examined what sort of equipment they hand and then partnered them up, she connected them up with the more experienced ones sparring with a less experienced person. She then proceeded to show them all moves that would allow them to take advantage of the more bulky guards. "In combat everything is a weapon, every moment am opportunity. If you falter for even a second then you could be in trouble. Always be moving and always be watching, the guards are nothing more then bullies and it will be your job to make sure they never bully another person again." Sophia shouted at them, some encouraging words and some curses. "Always remember to carry multiple weapons, if your weapon knocked out of your hand, know where your next one lies so you can be ready in a split moment to cut down whoever is in front of you. Also, if you see someone fighting with a guard and you are guardless, help them rather then finding a new guard, overwhelm them, stab, kick and punch where you can and never give a second thought to finishing them off. These are the people who do evils bidding and they must be stopped, not only for yours and your families sakes but for the rest of this continents sake as well." Sophia chided them all with friendly words and taught them everything she possibly could. Sleeping Dragon: "I think most of us realise we have no chance of truly fighting off the Kingdom Guards. Even if we somehow defeated those out there on the hill now, that's only a fraction of the Guards in the Kingdom. Sooner or later we're likely to be overwhelmed or starved out. Our only chances are either a settlement, or hoping for rebellions to break out elsewhere, and I don't have much confidence in the latter." Sakura: "So it look like there may be peaceful settlement after all. But only time will tells." Sakura considered Rafael ben Efrim: "Thank you for being so honest with us." Rafael said. "We will need to talk to others, to Drammoc Rene, and to anyone who knows the situation. Also to judge the mood among your people here."l
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Post by sleepingdragon on Aug 8, 2009 21:46:34 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: "I think most of us realise we have no chance of truly fighting off the Kingdom Guards. Even if we somehow defeated those out there on the hill now, that's only a fraction of the Guards in the Kingdom. Sooner or later we're likely to be overwhelmed or starved out. Our only chances are either a settlement, or hoping for rebellions to break out elsewhere, and I don't have much confidence in the latter," said Katerine
"So it look like there may be peaceful settlement after all. But only time will tells." Sakura considered
"Thank you for being so honest with us." Rafael said. "We will need to talk to others, to Drammoc Rene, and to anyone who knows the situation. Also to judge the mood among your people here." Sleeping Dragon: "Thank you for offering your help. Apart from Rene, you might also want to talk to Ildwin Porey, he's taken on the position of civil liaison between those of us who are fighting and the free people in Copperdell who didn't take up arms. He lives up there on the hill, I'm not sure exactly where but it's towards the south wall I believe." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "We will do that. Where can we find you if we need to speak again?" Sakura: Sakura glanced up at Katerine on the mention of people who did not take up arms and was intrigued by mention of Iidwin Porey. Sleeping Dragon: "Well if you were going to speak to Drammoc then I may as well come with you - he's at the headquarters and I can do some planning there. Your city's representative, Seamander, wants to hold a meeting between us and the Torathi." Vachir: "Perhaps those who didn't take arms might be persuaded to do otherwise..."said Vachir "Or not, that might only make things worse. We'll see" Sleeping Dragon: "I doubt it," said Katerine. "They've little reason to want to fight, though a few hate Hannant because of the way he treated them." FruitOfTheLoom (enter): 19:39 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (801) Sophia... Rafael ben Efrim: "We will need to see for ourselves." Rafael said. He moved to one side and spoke quietly to the others. "We need to find out what the people really want. We can not take this woman's word for it. She may or may not be right, or telling the truth. I suggest we seperate - maybe Ardrun can join Sophie speaking to Drammoc, Vachir and I could see this Porey, and Sakura could investigate the feelings of people in the town?" Sakura: She nodded at Rafael, "Make sense. I am good with people after all. Nevertheless, I doubt there will be a good outcome for these people." She told them quietly. Rafael ben Efrim: "Please don't suggest that when you speak to them Sakura." Rafael said seriously. "We don't want to cause panic." Skyman: "I'll do what I can," said Ardrun, though he didn't look certain of his chances for getting useful information. Rafael ben Efrim: "Just talk to Rene about fighting and freedom," Rafael said with a smile. Sakura: Glanced back seriously, "Destroying morales of enemies of our enemies is not good idea at the moment. Where shall we meet back?" Rafael ben Efrim: "Where will we be able to sleep?" Rafael asked Katerine. "We have food with us so we do not need to take yours." Sleeping Dragon: "I'll put you up at the headquarters, there are some beds free," Katerine replied. Rafael ben Efrim: "Then we will meet there," Rafael said to Sakura. Vachir: "That's good of you, we really need some rest."said Vachir thanking the woman Sophia: (whispering): Sophia approached Drammoc "I have been assisting your men and women with some training techniques, they are fast learners. I cant help but be a bit scared that they might underestimate Darragans forces. Do you think you could give me some info about how many people we actually have to work with against the Dictators army and what sort of training they all have. For that matter what about you Drammoc, i know very little about you" Sophia tilted her head curiously Sakura: Sakura thanked Katerine politely as she went off to gather as much information on the feelings about this rebellion./ Rafael ben Efrim: "Ardrun, perhaps you can talk to the miners. They are slaves seeking freedom after all." Rafael suggested. "Vachir can talk to the commander." whispering to Sophia, Drammoc paused to think. "I'm not sure exactly how many we have - three hundred and fifty, maybe four hundred? I should do a count but it's all been fucking chaos. Very little training, haven't got any former Kingdom Guards among us so far as I know. But we're strong and determined. As for me there's not much to tell. I'm a big man and I've always had a problem with my temper, has got me into trouble a few times. I try to avoid people mostly but when that bastard Hannant made his announcement I just lost my head...I don't even remember attacking the Guards very well." Vachir: "We might be able to come up with some sort of stratagem or tactic, yes."said Vachir as he went off to find commander Rene Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael set off to find the home of Ildwin Porey, asking directions as he went. Sophia: (whispering): Sophia nodded at him "Thats what i figured, also, what sort of weaponry does the town have? Small arms and heavy arms? Your soldiers pick up quickly, its rather exciting to have people to work with when it comes to combat." Sophia smiled "I think we will be ok whatever happens, i will continue to train them for a while longer" Sophia walked back towards the training area. Sophia: (whispering): Edit: Sophia waited for his answer so she could walk back to train the men* whispering to Vachir, Sophia, Katerine led Vachir to the rebel headquarters, and learned that Sophia and he had gone outside to train the men. Heading out back, Vachir found Sophia speaking to Drammoc Rene, who was a big, muscular man with browned skin. Ardrun: Ardrun went to the entrance of the mines. whispering to Ardrun, Ardrun made his way to the mine entrance. As he went along he passed a large, wrecked building about halfway between the gates and the mine entrance. From the smashed shingle outside and the broken shelves within, the building had plainly been some kind of shop, but now everything was gone. A short bearded man was sifting through the wreckage, cursing to himself. Vachir: (whispering): "There we are."said Vachir as soon as he saw the two "I am Vachir, the archer. Like Sophia, I'd be happy if we could help you fight the Torathi in any way...." whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, Rafael trudged his way up the hill and began to ask around after Ildwin Porey. Eventually, he discovered where the man lived and made his way there. The home was a small building not far from the southern wall, and was noteworthy because there were four people lounging around outside of it, sitting around a fire cooking some kind of meat and talking quietly. They had spears and crossbows on the ground near to them.
As Rafael came near the four men stopped talking and their leader, a short, handsome man in a green cloak, stood up and took a few steps towards him. "Hello there! Has Katerine sent you? I'm Ildwin Porey. Who are you...Gods! Are you Jethi?" whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, Rafael noted that the three men speaking to Porey bore scars that indicated that they had seen battle before Vachir: (whispering): "I do not have much experience with large-scale battles, though I have trained men in the past..."trailed off Vachir "Craft bows?"Vachir looked somewhat surprised by the question "I don't think so, I didn't craft mine. Even if I knew how too, I don't think this area has the proper wood and other materials." Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): Rafael nodded politely. "My name is Rafael ben Efrim and I am indeed a Jethi, and a resident of the city of Malador. I am here at the request of the Maladoran representative, to find out what is truly happening in Copperdell, and to aid bring about a solution. Katerine did suggest meeting with you." whispering to Vachir, Sophia, "We don't really have the materials to make bows, no," said Drammoc. "You were asking about what kind of weapons we had, Sophia - well, not very good ones, to be honest. We captured a couple of Kingdom Guards - have the fuckers down in the cells - and took some equipment from them and some of the Guards we killed, but most of us just have spears, javelins, and slings. Do you know slings and javelins well, Vachir? If you could teach us something of how to use them, then we'd be able to give the Torathi quite a bloody nose if they attack." Ardrun: (whispering): "Hail," called Ardrun. "What's happened here?" whispering to Sakura, Sakura made her way around Copperdell, speaking to everyone she met. The mood was one of grim, weary determination - especially now that Juthe's reinforcements had arrived, they were resigned to a siege. The initial hours of the rebellion had seen tumultuous upheaval, as the Guards were unexpectedly chased from the town, and a large crowd had descended on a local shop, the Copperdell Emporium, and destroyed it in response to the owner's attempt to triple his prices during the rebellion. Now that this had passed, however, people began to realise what they were up against. Morale was not very high. Few dared to say that they had little hope of defeating the Guards, but Sakura could see the uncertainty in their eyes and in the way they moved. When Sakura attempted to speak to them about any plans beyond the next few days they had little to say - they did not dare to think about anything other than their immediate predicament.
In her conversations, Sakura encountered a few exceptions to this rule, a small, militant segment of the former slaves who believed they might yet have a chance to win. Sakura could tell quickly that these people were quite hostile to the rebellion's supposed leaders, particularly Katerine, who they lambasted for cowardice and being a latecomer, having not actually fought in the initial uprising against the Guards. These men were insistent that they would under no circumstances negotiate with Torath or accept any terms that would return them to their former bondage, even if it meant escape from the death penalty. They had previously urged for a rapid strike on the Torathi position, prior to any reinforcements arriving, which could have allowed them to break through and attempt to escape into Malador, but they had been shouted down and were extremely bitter about this. They were now advocating the most militant resistance possible, arguing that a single defeat of the Kingdom Guards could send shock waves through the Kingdom and cause more rebellions, as well as giving them the best opportunity to flee. Vachir: (whispering): "They're not my specialty, but I'm fairly sure I know about throwing and shooting enough that I could teach a trick or two. "said Vachir "And I'd be happy to help with anything that involves shooting a few Torathi Guardsmen in the face, of course."he added whispering to Ardrun, the short man turned to look at Ardrun. "What happened!?" he cried. "What happened? What do you think happened? These rioting bastards destroyed my shop and took everything that wasn't bolted down! It's hardly a wonder now that Hannant treated them so harshly, probably needed to just to stop them from burning and looting at will!" Ardrun: (whispering): Ardrun shook his head. "They were angry and foolish. I will speak to them of it. We will speak again when the siege is over, and I'll do what I can." whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, Porey grinned. "What's truly happening in Copperdell? Why, a rebellion is! All these slaves have quite rightly got up to fight back against the likes of Hannant after he pushed them too far! And the solution is quite elementary, we need your city to declare itself to be fully behind us, and then maybe we can hold out against Torath here." whispering to CosmicHorror, Sakura, as Sakura walked around speaking to people, one of the rebels bumped into her as he went walking past. The man rounded and stared her right in the eye, wagging an angry finger in her face. "Watch it! You'd better keep a real close eye out or something bad could happen to you," he said ominously, but he was grinning very slightly. As he waved his finger under Sakura's nose, she could see the edge of some kind of paper concealed in the man's sleeve. He waved it under her nose again for emphasis, causing the paper to slide slightly further out towards Sakura. Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): Rafael nodded again. "This would be a fine things to happen, and we would like nothing better. But you know that the councillors of Malador will only bet on a sure thing. How can they be sure that the Kingdom Guards will not simply sweep your rebellion away and then attack Malador for helping you?" Sakura: (whispering): Sakura frowned with hint of annoyance at the finer and try to gain the paper while saying, "I always keep a close eye and bad things have habit to coming toward me at full speed!" whispering to Ardrun, The man waved at Ardrun dismissively as Ardrun made his way up to the mine. The mine entrance was easily recognisable from the very large piles of ash and rock around it, and from the four large smelting furnaces for refining ore brought up from the mines. Even now, when they had been allowed to go cold, a stench of smoke hung over the area. About a dozen rebels were busily digging ditches and building a palisade around the mine entrance, while others were bringing supplies down into the mine.
The most well equipped of the rebels, in a suit of looted scale mail and carrying a sword, approached Ardrun. "You're one of the Maladorans, aren't you?" whispering to Sophia, Vachir, "Alright, well, feel free to join in. I'm frankly not much good at this training thing, I'm strong and have been in my share of scraps but I don't actually know too much about battles. Good to have you helping out. Missile weapons will be key though, we've got the wall for now and as long as we do, we can bleed them if they launch an attack." Ardrun: (whispering): "I am. My name is Ardrun. How fare the preparations?" whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, "Maybe someone needs to convince them to be willing to take a risk once in a while," Porey said. "But you should point out to them that if anywhere is going to be able to rebel in such a way as to help Malador as well, it's here in Copperdell. After all, we're right on the border. If we could fight our way out of the town, we could make our way up the road and maybe set up some kind of base blocking the road up in the mountains. It's narrow and difficult terrain there, perfect for trying to hold out against the Kingdom Guards' superior numbers. A few defeats and rebellion could break out across the entire Kingdom and drown the Guards in blood." Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): Rafael considered this. "That might work - I imagine Darragan would not take kindly to a rebel base in the mountains just on the border. He would have to send Guards to try to take it. But how would you make your way there? Would you take all the freed slaves? And what about the other people of Copperdell? Might not the Guards take reprisals against them?" whispering to Ardrun, "They're coming on. We figure that we can hold a last stand here in case the Guards manage to break through the walls - it's very narrow and we know these tunnels far better than they do." whispering to Sakura, CosmicHorror, Sakura was able to stealthily grab the paper with none of the other rebels, some of whom had turned to look at what was happening, noticing. "Sometimes things happen quickly," the rebel said, before moving off Sakura: (whispering): Looking throughtfully for a moment at the rebe's back, she turned to the servant and asked her quietly, "So, what do you think?" Ardrun: (whispering): Ardrun nodded. "Are your men ready for that sort of challenge? Are they still willing to risk themselves, or is morale wavering?" Sakura: (whispering): As she said it, she moved as she pulled the paper out of her pocket and read it whispering to Ardrun, The man paused. "I...I think most of us would be willing to fight," he said quietly. "But our hopes aren't very high. Our only real hope, it seems to me, is that we make the cost so high that the Kingdom Guards decide they'd rather negotiate with us than risk the rebellion spreading elsewhere." Black Cat: (whispering): "Someone who wants to help? But help who?" Cat glanced at the paper momentarily. "What does it say?" whispering to CosmicHorror, Sakura, they glanced at the paper and saw that it read...gibberish. It was written in the script of Ancient Speech, but Sakura knew that tongue and could tell that the words on the page meant nothing. It seemed that the message was in some kind of code. Ardrun: (whispering): Ardrun nodded. "That is wise. Would you mind if I spoke to the men out here for a short time? I would like to help keep their spirits high." Sakura: (whispering): "Which does not mean anything... yet" She softly whispered back at Cat whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, Porey shrugged. "Take everyone willing to come. Anyone fool enough to stay behind will have to face the consequences - of course we'd encourage them to all come. I'm trying now to convince my fellow free townsmen that we should support the rebels, but it's slow going. Help from Malador would probably go a long way to convincing them. No one here likes the Kingdom, you understand, especially not after Hannant made some of them work in the mines even though they were free." whispering to Ardrun, "Go right ahead," said the rebel, looking interested. Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "Rafael frowned. "It would be a tough journey for some - you have families here do you not? But if the free people are likely to be sent into the mines....who knows what might happen to them. I wish that I could promise that Malador will help, but I will do everything in my power to convince the city's leaders that they should. Do you have any contact with other rebels in other parts of Torath? A rising in several places would improve your chances." Black Cat: (whispering): Cat looked around the area for an out of the way spot. "I may be able to help. No promises though. We'd just need to get somewhere away from prying eyes." Ardrun: (whispering): Ardrun stepped forward and raised his hand in the air until people noticed and quieted down. "My fellows. You have been oppressed. I know what that feels like, how it eats away at the core of you. I know that it trains your mind to doubt all hope, that it makes you think your master is invincible and will eventually defeat you. But you have shown your courage in ignoring those feelings, in trusting in your own strength and value. Your former masters and their soldiers are but men, men who fear death. Now is the time to remind them of that. Do not plan to die for some abstract cause in the coming days. Do not plan to die at all. Plan to fight, to defend your town, and to instill in your enemies the realization that their power is not given by any god, and can be lost at any time. If you can hold out here, a settlement can be reached, and the soldiers can head back to lick their wounds, and you can be free forever. I will stand with you in your cause." Sakura: (whispering): She glanced around the streets and buildings for a out of the way spot, "Any helps is worth trying." as she also try to find a way from prying eyes. whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, Porey looked surprised. "I was hoping rather that people would begin to rebel when the Kingdom looked weak, not rely on existing rebels, if there are any," said Porey. "There are some families here, but it would be no worse for them to do that journey than it would to suffer a siege. They could always go to Malador once the journey was over and leave those of us who want to fight behind in the hills." Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "We Jethi know what it's like to have to leave at a moment's notice but many do not - they cling to their settled life even in the face of death. We will try to help you convince them - my companions can be quite persuasive. How do you propose to get past the Guards? There are at least two hundred and fifty of them camped out there." Sakura: (whispering): "But can you read Ancient Speech?" She asked while handing the note over... whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, "We'll have to fight our way past," Porey shrugged. "Maybe if we can get them to attack the gates and we're able to fight them off, we might be able to rush out while they're still reeling and break out." Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "We may be able to help you, either from within or without." Rafael said. "But we need to find out what the Maladoran representative's response is to a request to aid you." whispering to Ardrun, a few of the miners punched the air, energised by Ardrun's willingness to stand with them. "Well said!" shouted the rebel Ardrun had just been speaking to. "We've got a better position and now we've got these people from Malador on our side! If the city declares for us then the Kingdom Guards will really know fear!" Ardrun: (whispering): Ardrun nodded as he moved over to speak with the man more privately, and shook his hand. "Can I ask you one thing before I go to check in with my comrades?" He mentioned the man whose building he'd found burned, and asked if he knew why he'd been targeted. whispering to Ardrun, The rebel laughed. "That arsehole Gax has been whining to you as well has he? I'll tell you why his store was targetted. Shortly after we threw the Kingdom Guards out, Gax decided that the middle of our fight to the death would be an excellent time for him to triple his prices, as we're under siege and have no other easy way to get supplies. We weren't about to stand for that sort of rubbish so we just took what he had. Serves him right for being an opportunistic greedy bastard." Ardrun: (whispering): Ardrun nodded. "That was wrong of him. But it is not productive to burn his building. I would recommend that next time such a thing comes up, take what you need and give fair prices in return. Perhaps he will learn that you are generous and change his ways, and if not you can commandeer the building instead of destroying it. This is a time of war, but that only means that even more caution is called for than usual." To break up the lecture, Ardrun smiled. "You are doing well though. I will not fault you too much. It is amazing what this town has accomplished." He patted the man on the shoulder and prepared to leave. whispering to Ardrun, "I don't think any of us were thinking about being productive, but I'll keep it in mind. Goodbye for now." whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, "Well then, you're the man to find out. Although we're supposed to be having some kind of meeting at some point with the Kingdom Guards," Porey said. He spat. "Their promises aren't worth anything. Don't trust them not to just rush down and attack while we're out there." Ardrun: (whispering): Ardrun went back to meet up with his companions. Ardrun: (whispering): Ardrun arrived at the headquarters. Ardrun: Ardrun arrived at the headquarters. Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): Rafael shook his head. "You should not be going outside the walls, not at this stage. If the Kingdom Guards want to speak to you, let them - and not many of them - come up here under flag of truce." He considered for a moment. "Meanwhile the people need to arm themselves - any kind of weapon will do - and practise using them. One of my companions has gone to see Rene to offer her services to do just that. " whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, "Well I'm trying to convince them to arm themselves." whispering to Ardrun, Vachir, Sophia, Ardrun arrived at the headquarters and found Sophia and Vachir out behind the building, training some of the rebels Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "Good," replied Rafael. "We have no time to lose." Vachir: (whispering): Vachir turned as he saw Ardrun arrive, and paused for a moment from the training to greet him "Did you manage to learn anything useful from the rebels? Or raise their spirits?"he asked" Sleeping Dragon: the party all came back from their various tasks and met up at the headquarters. On the bottom floor of the headquarters was a large mess hall where some rebels were cooking. The wall of the hall had previously been painted with some kind of picture, probably like that they had seen in the barracks they had slept in on the road to Torath, depicting King Darragan in glory and legions of unstoppable Kingdom Guards, but the rebels had nnihilated the original painting and replaced it with vulgar graffiti, slogans of defiance, and crude pictures, mostly of sexual acts or Kingdom Guards being killed. Beyond here, Katerine led them upstairs. On this floor, the rebels had pushed all the beds against one wall, while the other was covered with rough charcoal drawings of the town and of the enemy forces outside. Katerine showed them to a few beds which had been left empty for them Ardrun: "I think the men at the mines will fight as long as necessary," said Ardrun as they related their stories. "I spoke to them, and they seemed inspired, as long as there is a light at the end of the tunnel." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael spoke up "Ildwin Porrey suggested they leave the town - take all the free people who will come as well as the freed miners - and go into the mountains. The rebels would remain while the families went onward to Malador. Then they would hold the pass against the Guards. However they are dependent on Malador pledging its aid to their efforts." Vachir: "That's good to hear."said Vachir in response to Ardrun's words. "Do you expect Malador to do just that?"said a not particularly hopeful-sounding Vachir Rafael ben Efrim: "It is up to us to convince them I believe." Rafael replied. Sakura: "While the men at the mines are very spirited about the rebellion and will attack the Guards. The people on the whole are depressed, uncertain and well aware of what they are going against. Frankly, it would be much easier if everything is back to status quo. Beside, I do not think Malador will lift a finger to help. This rebellion is a golden chance but it came too early for I felt the city to take advantage of." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "Too early? Why do you think that?" Ardrun: "And do you think the Kingdom would allow the status quo to return? There would be retribution." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael listened intently to what Sakura would answer. Sakura: "Because the city do not have enough money to fund an army, yet. The position of Malador is still in hell. I hold the safety of the city higher than this town. And I would still like to see peaceful ending to this rebellion and that mean talking and maybe, retribution can be avoided." Rafael ben Efrim: "If the city does not have enough money to fund an army now, how much less will it have when the tribute has been paid twice, three times....Malador will never be better off than it is now." Rafael said. "And what chance is there of a peaceful end. Will Darragan allow these rebels to stay free? Will he accept that they have defeated him? They are dead men walking unless they can escape from this place. And the free people of Copperdell will pay the price of their rebellion I fear. If the rebels are crushed, the cause against Darragan will be set back, and Malador will pay and pay for decades." Ardrun: "Rafael is right," said Ardrun gravely. "Something must be done now, waiting will gain us nothing." Vachir: "Darragan might try taking the whole matter into his own hands if Juthe's forces are defeated, later than try sending other generals."said Vachir "If he were to be killed, things in Torath would probably change for the better..." Sakura: "This is just one rebellion among other countless others. These rebellions happened before and rebellions that will happen again in the future. Sooner or later, there will be a rebellion back in the city. It is the inevitable cycle of life." She shrugged on that point. "This town will rebel again against that First, you can count on it." Rafael ben Efrim: "You are so fatalistic Sakura. Do you not believe that men, and women too, can take the future into their own hands and change the cycle of repression?" Rafael asked, his eyes bright. "If my forefathers had not heeded the message of the One they would have remained slaves, and I would not be a free man today." Ardrun: "And you, Sakura. You had the courage to leave your city when you had to, and to take me with you. Can't you see the time is right for this?" Black Cat: "Fight now, and you will die. Along with all of those who resist Torath, including Malador." Sakura's servant spoke up, and took off her head scarf, revealing the brown hair and distinctive mask of Black Cat. "This is not an easy truth to come to terms with, but put simply, Malador is not strong enough to fight Torath and have a hope of anything resembling victory." Sakura: Sakura slightly smiled on that, "I believe that people can take the their own fate into their hands. That what the rebellions are about. Rebellions do succeed, sometime. Only that the point I am making is that fighting a force which clearly got so much advantages only can end in tears." She replied softly as she reflected upon her memory Ardrun: Ardrun stared at Black Cat for a moment, then said "Do you have an alternative? Leave this town to be brought back into slavery? Perhaps I will die in this effort, but if so I will know I died in service to the One." Rafael ben Efrim: "Ah, the mystery woman. What gives you this extraordinary insight?" Rafael asked, his voice cold as he surveyed the 'servant'. "It is too late Sakura, for these people and for us." Black Cat: "I observe before I act. Blind faith leaves one blinded to failure. How many do we have here? Three hundred miners-turn-rebels, against the well trained Kingdom Guard. Even if Malador could come to their aid, they wouldn't reach Copperdale in time. Stand and fight and these people will die, and many more after. The best hope we have of topling Torath and Darragan is to wait. Malador is growing strong, if quietly. In time, it will be ready, but not now." Cat looked to Sakura. Rafael ben Efrim: "We are not going to stand and fight though. We are going to move to a better position, where the weak can leave and the strong hold." Rafael said. "There are rebels in other parts of the Torathi empire. They will be given hope to rise up." Sakura: "Beside, that is one thing that conviced me. Another is the letter from Carus outlining the problem that Malador will face on this trouble. And lastly, I do not want to see all of you killed." She responded with the letter taken out. Sakura: edit: She reponded Rafael ben Efrim: "Carus!" Rafael said with scorn in his voice. "He has his own interests to maintain." Sakura: "That might be the case. But he really does look out for the city after all. Unlike most councillers in that Council who think their city is nothing more than a jar of changes." Black Cat: "There are no other rebels. Not now. And definatly not after Torath crushes this little uprising." Cat sighed then spoke again. "Malador can help, and overcome Torath if it's given ample time to prepare. We may be able to persuade the miners to peacefully end this until such time that Malador can actually aid them." Rafael ben Efrim: "They will be dead by then," Rafael said flatly. "They need their freedom now. Not in some mythical future." Vachir: "Ample time?"said Vachir after having been silent "I do not think the people can stand to wait for 'ample time', whatever that means. What we need is for the rebellion to spread and gain momentum. Once it looks like it stands a serious chance, many guards will probably desert, and Malador might be much more eager to help, especially if it can be convinced it has something to gain from this." Ardrun: Ardrun nodded. "If this rebellion dies down, it will only convince others that no more will be successful." Rafael ben Efrim: "Or if not gain, then less to lose." Rafael added. Rafael ben Efrim: Disconnecting from server... Rafael ben Efrim (exit): 00:26 Black Cat: "If this rebellion is crushed, which it no doubt will, it will reinforce the belief that Torath is unstoppable. You were there when Darragan paraded through the streets. People don't follow him just out of fear. No small amount geniuinely wants to serve him. This rebellion will not gain any momentum now. The time is too early." She paused for a moment. "I am no strategist, but I think I have a plan that would spare these people and give Malador time to gather strength. We may be able to convince the Torathi to put the town of Copperdale under martial law, administered by a certain third party." Cat looked at the rest of the group meeningfully at this. "With the oversight of the Torathi of course. Then, when the time comes, we rekindle this rebellion." Black Cat: "Then, we can fight." Cat added and looked to the rest of the group.
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Post by sleepingdragon on Aug 29, 2009 15:21:23 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: If this rebellion is crushed, which it no doubt will, it will reinforce the belief that Torath is unstoppable. You were there when Darragan paraded through the streets. People don't follow him just out of fear. No small amount geniuinely wants to serve him. This rebellion will not gain any momentum now. The time is too early." She paused for a moment. "I am no strategist, but I think I have a plan that would spare these people and give Malador time to gather strength. We may be able to convince the Torathi to put the town of Copperdale under martial law, administered by a certain third party." Cat looked at the rest of the group meeningfully at this. "With the oversight of the Torathi of course. Then, when the time comes, we rekindle this rebellion."
"Then, we can fight." Cat added and looked to the rest of the group. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael's expression changed. He leaned forward, interested. "You think this would work?" Vachir: Vachir sad nothing, but he didn't look really convinced with the woman's words Sophia: Sophia shook her head "I am scared that this 'martial law' idea will mean death to many of the citizens here. I would really prefer a 3rd option if we can come up with one, perhaps you can hurry to Malador and request aid?" Sophia pointed at Cat. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked Cat in the eye. "You mean we will be the ones put in place by Torath to administer martial law, do you not?" Sleeping Dragon: Cat nodded Sakura: "I like it." Sakura smiled faintly but still seriously, "After all, third party would be netural and who better than this little group with an estate nearby." Rafael ben Efrim: "We've worked successfully for both sides, and they trust us, as much as people like that trust anyone." Rafael smiled coldly. "I think this might be a way forward." Sophia: Sophia looked a bit shocked "well.. at least that would ensure that no one else gets killed..." Vachir: "But would we have to deal with Juthe?"asked a perplexed Vachir "The man hates our guts after all.."he trailed off Rafael ben Efrim: "We would be able to organise the rebellion from the inside." Rafael said, this time with a genuine smile, but it soon faded. "Yes, Juthe is one problem. But he might be glad to hand this potential poisoned cup to someone else. Think of how hard it will be for him to overcome the town by force. He may prefer us to take it on." Sakura: "Hmm..." Sakura looked annoyed for a moment as she muttered, "I knew that nice deal will come to roost... Still, the Juthe's character is as such that he will put his own idea of interests of Torath before his own desires." Vachir: "He looked like that kind of man, yes."nodded Vachir "Still I do not trust the Torathi. Their leaders at least - if we had the support of their common people, it would all be easier..."he shrugged Sakura: "Well, unless anyone else got better idea?" Sakura looked around at the faces of her colleagues Ardrun: "It seems to be the best way to avoid bloodshed without betraying their cause," Ardrun said contemplatively. Sophia: "No bloodshed... yet. How long can we get away with having them under "martial law"? I would think that darragon would want them back under his boot after not too long" Vachir: what the fuck Joe? Rafael ben Efrim: "I believe that if we explain to the leaders of the revolt then we can do this." Rafael said. "But they are not going to be returned to slavery of course. If they know it is for their freedom, I think they may return to the mines from choice, so that it appears the revolt is over, but they will be free. The metals that they mine can be smelted for their own use, and made into weapons for when they no longer have to hide." Sakura: "And can be improved or sell off. I got modest skills with trading after all." She added modestly Rafael ben Efrim: "I think the Torathi will want to know where it's gone Sakura." Rafael said. "We can't hide it for too long." Sophia: "Well at some point we can take down Darragon and make sure he never does this to people again!" Sophia smiled "Id like to give him a kiss with my scythe at some point" Rafael ben Efrim: "I would like to see you do it." Rafael said with a smile at Sophia. "So we should talk to the rebel leaders, let them know the plan." Sophia: Sophia nodded "Yes lets go talk with them about this plan" Sakura: "Going to be fun to convice everyone. Still, are we going to sleep?" Sakura: "Or do that later?" Rafael ben Efrim: "We should probably put the idea to Rene as early as possible." Rafael said, considering. "How long have we got do you think? Before the Torathi lay seige to the town?" Sakura: "No idea on Torathi. But your suggestion is better though so let go to Rene now." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael went to look for Rene. Sleeping Dragon: Rene was downstairs in the mess hall speaking to one of the fighters Sophia had been training earlier. "Hello!" he greeted them warmly. "There are some of you I've not met before - my name is Drammoc Rene." Rafael ben Efrim: "Rafael ben Efrim." Rafael greeted him. "We believe we may have found a way out of facing the Kingdom Guards, at least right away." Sleeping Dragon: "Have you? I'd quite like to kill the fuckers myself, but it might prove a bit difficult so if you can find a way out that doesn't mean us all being executed I'll be glad to listen." Sakura: "My name is Sakura Ayanna. It is very nice to see you." She greeted politely with a hint of smile. Vachir: "You might have the chance the a couple kingdom guards them some other day of course."said Vachir "But for now it might be best to lay low and try this stratagem." Rafael ben Efrim: "Both the Maladoran Council and the Torathi government trust our group to some extent." Rafael began. "If we could convince them that we can restore order here in Copperdell, we may be able not only to avoid immediate bloodshed, but to keep your people free, and build up the strength of the rebellion." Sleeping Dragon: Rene raised an eyebrow. "I see. And why should we trust you?" Rafael ben Efrim: "Do you have a better plan?" Rafael asked. Vachir: edit: 'you might have the chance to kill a couple Kingdom Guards some other day' Sleeping Dragon: "No, but that doesn't answer my question." Sophia: Sophia took Renes hand "I really know how much your people do not want to be put back into slavery and that is something we are trying to avoid while we attempt to build momentum for a full blown rebellion against Torath. You really should agree to this and if there is even a slight chance that something will go wrong i will be the first to put myself in front of the gates of the town to keep Torathi out. I swear it." Sophia ran out of breath but smiled and clinched her hand sincerely" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael, who had opened his mouth to speak, shut it again, and looked at Sophia with admiration. "I also swear it, by the One." he added. "Slavery is abhorent to us, but needlessly throwing your lives away is not an alternative." Sakura: "We all shared many common things among others and main one is dislike of the kingdom. But I am realistic, there is very little chance of this rebellion to achieve a victory as it is. Still, one day and that day will come that the Kingdom will collapse and people will walk this land as true people. Surely as military man, you can see need for long term view? I have no desire to see the blood taint the very street of this town, even less that such blood that are spilt for a cause that is so great with fire but not tempered with ice." She told him Sleeping Dragon: Drammoc spoke quietly to the fighter near to him, who went away. "Do you really think you'll be able to convince Maxxen Juthe to put you in charge and to not execute any of us? And what do you mean by building up the strength of the rebellion? If you negotiate this deal the rebellion will be over." Sophia: "Yes but the people in the land will still be under the rule of Torath and that will not be ok" Rafael ben Efrim: "The rebellion will be only just beginning." Rafael replied with fire in his eyes. "While the Torathi believe we are returning the town to its previous state, we will be building up arms, making sure everyone who can fight knows how, and preparing for the real revolution." Sleeping Dragon: Drammoc looked alarmed. "If we get caught doing that they'll fucking slaughter us all, and you with us. You're talking about spreading the rebellion to other places in the Kingdom? There were some people here who wanted to do that but most of us didn't think it possible." Rafael ben Efrim: "What did you expect would happen once you had rebelled?" Rafael asked. "Either you prepare to fight or you will be in a worse state than before." Sophia: "I would never let them slaughter you... i will fell a thousand torathi guardsmen before i let one of them injure one of the citizens of a free town" Sakura: Sakura merely sighed for a moment Vachir: "The Kingdom Guards are spread thin."said Vachir trying to give some hope to Drammoc "They couldn't stand against a well-organized and prepared uprising." Rafael ben Efrim: "If this plan works there will be no Torathi guardmen here." Rafael said. "But it depends on Juthe believing that we can control the town." Sleeping Dragon: "To be honest none of us thought what would happen when we rebelled. It wasn't planned, it just happened," said Rene. As he said this, Katerine Soyval came into the room, led by the man Rene had sent out a moment ago, and came over to them. "Tell her what you've told me, she's the one who makes the decisions ultimately," said Rene. "I'm just a big man with a bad temper." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael explained the plan again. Sophia: Sophia gripped her hand and repeated what she said to Rene. Sakura: Sakura pointed out the matters to support Rafael and Sophia's points Sleeping Dragon: Katerine looked on gravely. "This is as good a plan as any I've been able to come up with, except...you want to plan for a new uprising to happen later? Gods, the first one was dangerous enough! If they're willing to give us our freedom and grant us amnesty, and to take action against Captain Hannant, I don't see why we can't just lay down our arms and go back to work." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael sighed tiredly. "Do you think they will free everyone here? How long will it last if they do?" Sleeping Dragon: "As long as you're in control, I would presume." Rafael ben Efrim: "What about the mining? You want to return to the mines, as long as it is as free men?" Sleeping Dragon: Katerine grimaced. "I'd prefer to return to being a clerk. If Hannant had trusted me not to steal I presume he would never have sent me down in the mines in the first place. But someone needs to work in the mines. As long as we're treated well then it may as well be us." Sophia: "Do you enjoy working in the mines?" Sleeping Dragon: "No, I don't have the strength for it." Vachir: "Who would enoy that?"commented Vachir "Toiling away all day in the dark tunnels, no blue sky or safe roof over your head..." he shook his head "I hope you eventually manage to get out of it."he said sounding somewhat concerned Rafael ben Efrim: "Those who wish could work in the mines. Of course they would have to be rewarded properly." Rafael said. "We will have to see what Juthe and Seamander agree to." Sakura: "Indeed, that is the hardest part of the plan I am afraid so." She replied Sleeping Dragon: "It's not bad work, mining," said Rene. "Or it wouldn't be if we weren't worked so fucking hard, or treated so badly. Someone's got to mine or we'll have no metals, but the King doesn't want to have to treat those of us who do it properly so he uses slaves to do it instead and treats us like shit. It's a bit of fucking cheek really, his Kingdom Guards could never be maintained without us, but all the benefit of our work goes to the overseers, the army, and the King." Rene shook his head in anger. "Do you want to come to this meeting we're supposed to have then? Seamander is arranging that. It's meant to be in a few hours isn't it Katerine?"
Katerine nodded. "You look exhausted though. You might want to take a rest first before the meeting." Sophia: "I think i will" Sophia agreed "Im going to go lay down until the meeting so im fully rested and at my best" Sakura: She merely yawned and as she went over to have a sleep, she told the others in Isperans. Sleeping Dragon: "I'll ask them to postpone the meeting until we're all ready, I could do with a few hours of sleep myself and I wouldn't mind making Juthe wait for us," said Katerine. She walked off. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael agreed and went to find a bed. Vachir: Vachir too looked to be quite fatigued by his lack of rest and went, like the others, in search of a proper bed Sleeping Dragon: the party finally went to bed and slept for a long time, their first full night's rest since they had slept at the Kingdom Guard barracks on the road to Torath. They woke a few hours after sunrise, and Katerine soon came up to speak to them. "I see you're awake. I'll have a message sent to Seamander and we'll hold the meeting. I've spoken to Ildwin Porey and he seemed to approve of your idea." Katerine paused. "Thinking of it, perhaps you should go and speak to Seamander yourselves, and then you'll already be there for the meeting." Rafael ben Efrim: "Where do they propose holding the meeting?" Rafael asked. "Is there somewhere that would be neutral ground?" Sleeping Dragon: "Seamander's camp," Katerine replied. Rafael ben Efrim: "Who is going to represent you?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: "Myself, Drammoc, and Ildwin will go." Rafael ben Efrim: "Isn't that rather a risk?" Rafael asked. "If anything happens who will lead the people inside the town?" Sleeping Dragon: "It is, but it's a risk we need to take. We've already agreed to it and if we pull out now it could compromise the whole process - as it is they're not happy that we've delayed the meeting. If it's a trick and we're all killed, then those inside the town will have to find someone to lead them - we're leaving Willin, who's been in charge of things at the mine, to look after things while we're gone so I suppose it would be him." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "We'll be there at the meeting too." Sakura: Sakura told them, "Indeed, and may it will go well and best of luck for all of us." Sleeping Dragon: the party departed and made their way through the Copperdell gate and towards Seamander's camp. Looking up to the Torath encampment, they could see that even in the little time that Juthe had been there, several new ditches had been dug and the earthen breastworks expanded and strengthened substantially. A few Kingdom Guards were drilling just outside of the encampment, practising their manoeuvres in an obvious attempt to intimidate the rebels watching from the walls.
After a short time they reached Seamander's encampment, and he came out to greet them. "I see you've finally returned to port," he said sardonically. "I suppose this means that we can go about setting up the meeting. What have you learned?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael led the way inside. "The rebels wish to make peace. They rose up because they were very badly treated, in fact some free inhabitants of the town were forced down the mines. They wish to make their peace with Torath, but to do that they need security." Sleeping Dragon: "Treated badly how and by who?" Rafael ben Efrim: "The town captain, one Ombrosian Hannant. He has been overworking the men in the mines, and then forced townpeople to join them. Worse, some tools went missing, and Hannant threatened to kill people in an attempt to force whoever had done it to come forward. Instead there was an uprising." Sleeping Dragon: "Hmm. A ship can hardly sail straight when her captain's such a fool. But you think the rebels are ready to put down their weapons, and don't want to continue fighting?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "They want to live their lives. They are not revolutionaries. But they need assurances that there will be reforms before they will lay down their weapons, and that they will be safe from veagance." Rafael ben Efrim: edit* vengeance Sakura: "Only under certain conditions of course." Sakura told him Sleeping Dragon: "What conditions?" Rafael ben Efrim: "They do not trust Juthe or the Kingdom Guards, but we believe that they trust us, and that the rebellion would end if we were to be given the task of bringing order to Copperdell." Sleeping Dragon: Seamander blinked. "You're bloody bold. I doubt very seriously that the Kingdom Guards would let you take the helm. You don't work for them and they need to show that the authority of their Kingdom has been reestablished." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael shrugged. "Then they will have to fight to do that. The people of Copperdell have nothing to lose in that case." Sophia: Sophia just stood there, ya know, looking tough. Sakura: "And the village does have nasty habit of burning down during the battle as well." Sakura also answered Vachir: "And they know it won't be an easy victory, anyway."added Vachir "The Guards are not invincible, and they can't afford to lose many of them." Sophia: "Also we want to make sure they start back up the work so that resources can be peacefully shipped back to Torath" Sophia added Sleeping Dragon: "No, but they'd rather lose Guards than lose face. They can't afford to come out of this looking like they've had to make concessions," said Seamander. He paused. "The Council won't be pleased by this either. They want this rebellion to go on." Rafael ben Efrim: "But it isn't a rebellion." Rafael said, frustrated. "If it had a chance of being more, we would have worked to make it happen." Sakura: "Beside, the time is not ready. This is merely a calm before the storm. A way to craft new deck, weave new sails and then the ship of chaos be on it way when the tide is at the right height." She said. Rafael ben Efrim: "Of course, it would be a different matter if the people of Copperdell believed Malador would support them." Rafael added. Sleeping Dragon: "And if Malador backed the rebels, would this get anywhere or would it just cause us both to run aground?" Sakura: "Let see... " Sakura glanced over at the Kingdom Guards, "I can see considerable number of these Guards right there and I do not notice any soldiers from Malador here. I felt that such time is not of suitable wind. Or rather living corals that can sink the city ship after taking out the fishing sloopt." Rafael ben Efrim: "In plain language, Malador has stood back, that is why. But the rebel leaders are no revolutionaries. If Malador backs the plan, and we bring order to Copperdell, well, who knows?" Vachir: "Of course Malador expects something in return."said Vachir "Though perhaps simply not having to pay the tribute to Torath might be enough." Sleeping Dragon: Seamander laughed. "They definitely won't agree to that. I'll back your plan, but like I said, I doubt the Torathi will accept it. We might as well make the attempt I suppose, we can always chart a new course if they reject it." Sakura: "Malador will still pay tribute to Torath, Vachir. No matter what happen so far. Of course, we do not know what might happen in a year or two" She told him sternly Sakura: "That is fine I guess. Only Torath will know the true answer to it" Sakura replied. Rafael ben Efrim: "If that plan doesn't work we have another." Rafael said. "We will see."
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Post by sleepingdragon on Sept 12, 2009 13:24:42 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: Seamander laughed. "They definitely won't agree to that. I'll back your plan, but like I said, I doubt the Torathi will accept it. We might as well make the attempt I suppose, we can always chart a new course if they reject it."
"Malador will still pay tribute to Torath, Vachir. No matter what happen so far. Of course, we do not know what might happen in a year or two" Sakura told him sternly. "That is fine I guess," she said to Seamander. "Only Torath will know the true answer to it"
"If that plan doesn't work we have another." Rafael said. "We will see." Sakura: Sakura merely sighed in respond of Rafael's reckon for the future. "And I am sure if that another plan does not work, there is always Plan C." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael smiled slightly. "I do not think our options extend that far." Sleeping Dragon: "What's your other plan? The wider the waters in which to sail, the better," said Seamander. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked coolly at Seamander for a moment. "Sometimes the fewer who know something the better," he replied. Sakura: Sakura only smiled slightly, "At least the meeting is going to be... fun." Vachir: "I wouldn't call it that."commented Vachir to Sakura's words "But it's something we have to do." Sleeping Dragon: Seamander held up his hands. "Fine, but if you don't tell me what you're going to do then I can hardly promise support from Malador." Sakura: Sakura told Seamander, "Either way, let see how this meeting go first, shall we?" Sleeping Dragon: "Let's do that," said Seamander, standing up and shouting to one of his guards to get him his horse. "I'll go and haul everyone in," he said, mounting up on his horse when it was brought to him and trotting off in the direction of the Torathi encampment. Sleeping Dragon: Seamander rode on up to the Torathi encampment and stayed there for a short while, and then they saw he and his guard leave and make their way towards Copperdell, where they spoke briefly at the gate before being admitted in through the gate. Another short while passed and then he returned out from Copperdell and to the encampment. "They'll be here in about an hour," said Seamander as he dismounted. "Maxxen Juthe, Gann Chovett, and Ombrosian Hannant for the Torathi, and Katerine Soyval, Drammoc Rene, and Ildwin Porey for the rebels." Rafael ben Efrim: "How are we going to ensure the safety of the rebel leaders?" Rafael asked. Sakura: Sakura looked thoughtfully as she tries to recall who are these people that are coming. Sleeping Dragon: Seamander waved his hand dismissively. "I don't think you need to worry. I've told both sides to be on their best behaviour and warned them that we have a certain party of powerful adventurers here to ensure everyone keeps their weapons to themselves." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael said nothing but exchanged a glance with the others. Sakura: "Hmm." Sakura only replied with amusement, "Still, how is the city of Malador?" Sleeping Dragon: "Same as it has been, as far as I know. I'm not sure what the reaction to this rebellion has been there because I came flying out of port as soon as the Council appointed me." Sakura: "I see. Hopefully, I am sure everything will be fine in the end." She replied confidently. Sleeping Dragon: they ate and waited out the next hour. Finally, at almost the same moment, the gates to Copperdell opened at the same time that a group of half a dozen riders emerged from the Torathi encampment and began to ride down towards them. "There's only supposed to be three of them," Seamander muttered in reference to the Torathi Sakura: Sakura looked at the others and Rafael with a slightly hint of concern Rafael ben Efrim: "They are not to be trusted." Rafael said, his gaze dark as he watched the Torathi approach. "We should look dangerous, remind them of who we are." he added. He took up a stance in keeping with his words. Vachir: Vachir shrugged when he heard Seamander mutter "Not much of a problem, they should know we'll kill them if they try anything weird." Sakura: Sakura took a stance that made herself to look... slightly dangerous Sleeping Dragon: the rebels were the first to arrive, being the nearer of the two. In addition to Drammoc and Katerine was Ildwin Porey, who they had not met before. He was a short, handsome man in a green cloak, his face framed with medium length coal black hair. He was carrying a crossbow and Drammoc a two-handed axe, while Katerine was unarmed. "Why the hell are there six of them?" Porey demanded, looking at the Torathi. "I told you these bastards weren't trustworthy." Rafael ben Efrim: "If we go to meet them we can ask them that," Rafael suggested. "Tell three of them to clear off." Sakura: "Good idea." Sakura replied softly, "Trust seems to be in short supply here sadly." Sleeping Dragon: Seamander called for his horse again. "I'll do it. They're likely to take offence if you go, and I'm unarmed." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "They understand force, I doubt if they will be impressed. I think the less chances you take the better." Vachir: "It doesn't matter anyway."said Vachir "If it ends up in violence, the more we kill here the less we have to kill on the field." Sleeping Dragon: "What chance? I went into their entire encampment less than an hour ago with only one guard and was fine. Juthe is an honourable person," Porey snickered at this as Seamander continued, "and not an idiot. If I get attacked then the whole arrangement they have with the Council regarding tribute sinks. Now I'll go and ride out to them." Seamander proceeded to do this without waiting for any further argument. Rafael ben Efrim: "I don't trust that man. Either he is a rogue or an idiot." Rafael said, glaring at Seamander as he rode off. whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, Rafael peered out at the Torathi, trying to discern who was there. He recognised Juthe and Colonel Chovett, and there was a tall, weedy looking man who was presumably Ombrosian Hannant. Behind them were three stout men in Kingdom Guard uniforms who Rafael did not know. Rafael ben Efrim: "I see Juthe and Chovett, there's a thin man I think must be Hannant." Rafael said, narrowing his eyes as he stared at the group of Torathi in the distance. "The other three look like ordinary Kingdom Guards." Sleeping Dragon: Seamander rode out towards the Torathi and spoke to them. There was a short argument, but Seamander plainly won it because only three of the Torathi continued on with him, though the other three did not go back, but simply stayed where they were, looking towards Seamander's encampment. Sleeping Dragon: "Let's sit down," said Katerine, taking a seat in the large pavilion in which were hung the flags of Torath and Malador. "Do you think there's any chance of Juthe accepting your proposal?" she asked Rafael. Rafael ben Efrim: "Seamander doesn't think so, but we can try." Rafael replied. Sakura: "In the end, there is no try, only that it will work or does not work." Sakura told them. Sleeping Dragon: Seamander shortly returned with the three Torathi. There was Maxxen Juthe, who gave the party his traditional scowl, Colonel Chovett, who looked slightly uncomfortable, and a tall, weedy looking man with short dark hair and a short, unkempt beard, who was glaring at the rebel leaders in undisguised hatred.
"Take a seat and we'll set sail soon," said Seamander, gesturing at the pavilion. The three Torathi leaders seated themselves beneath their flag, while Seamander took up a position in the middle of the table.
Before Seamander could say anything else, Hannant jabbed a finger in the general direction of the rebel leaders. "We now have four hundred Kingdom Guards, trained and disciplined soldiers, prepared to storm the town if you do not immediately and uncondtionally surrender!" he proclaimed shrilly.
"Well that was a fast meeting," Porey shot back sarcastically, rising from his chair, but Katerine, who was rapidly writing a note of what had happened so far, reached out and took his hand and indicated for him to sit. "That is simply not acceptable," she said. Ignoring Hannant, she looked at Maxxen Juthe. "We will continue to resist you unless you are prepared to offer clemency. It was this man, Ombrosian Hannant, who provoked this situation with his brutal heavy-handedness. We will not have him in any position of power over us again. We are prepared to lay down our arms, however, if certain terms are met."
"These terms are that firstly, a full pardon is issued, stating that all those who took up arms against the Kingdom Guards will be free from any prosecution or punishment, and that secondly, as no one inside Copperdell is prepared to trust any representative of the Kingdom Guards of Torath to rule over us without brutality, that a third party be brought in to administer affairs in Copperdell, specifically, this party of adventurers," she indicated the group. "We believe that they should be acceptable to..."
Katerine did not manage to finish before Hannant began to shout at her. "You don't get to dictate terms to us, rebel! How dare you? If you did not want heavy-handedness then you shouldn't steal the property of your betters! And as for these..."
This time it was Seamander who interrupted. "Please, Captain Hannant, permit these adventurers to speak. They have proven vital in preserving peace between our realms, and now, I think, can preserve peace in Copperdell as well." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael cleared his throat and leaned forward, "We have studied the situation in Copperdell and believe that we can control the unruly elements without enraging the peaceful population." He looked meaningfully at Hannart as he said this last. Sakura: "The simple fact is that sometime that certain leaders can go too far imposing on the people's life. For every town, there is always a limit on how much stress people of the town can take. The Captain did not merely break it, he shattered it. Thus causing this rather amusing scene." Sakura paused for a moment while glancing at the Captain up and down. "However, as Rafael softly pointed out few moment ago, there may be a way for this to be resolved somewhat... peacefully. Of course this require a concept of... comprise. Kingdom want the town and mine back and Copperdell want to be ruled justly, a fair goal for both sides." She stopped for a moment and glanced at the group to reckon their reactions so far Sleeping Dragon: Hannant glared hatefully at Sakura while Juthe paused. "There are two issues," he said after a moment. "Your party does not represent the Kingdom of Torath. Unless you are prepared to offer him fealty, then this proposal can't be accepted. I would not have the authority to grant it anyhow, you would need to come back with me to Torath to plead your case. Secondly, King Darragan has ordered me to ensure that his authority is clearly and thoroughly established, and for this to happen...to be quite blunt, for this to happen, someone must be held responsible for this situation - someone must be punished. I would be prepared to accept your proposal tentatively and bring you back to Torath to pledge loyalty to King Darragan, but only if these three," he indicated the rebel leaders, "surrendered themselves up to trial. I have been given leave to pardon the rank and file rebels, but not those who have led it." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael shook his head. "That would be unacceptable. These people were only trying to protect others." Rafael ben Efrim: He leaned forward again. "Is this what King Darragan really wants, what any of you want? A protracted fight, men killed on both sides, disruption to the production of the mines here, then bad feeling and possibly further revolts? The Kingdom Guards tied up, instead of being where they are really needed?" Sleeping Dragon: Juthe shrugged. "I'm very sorry, but I am quite simply unable to pardon them, and by that I mean quite literally that King Darragan will not permit me to do so legally and if I did then I would be stripped of my position and probably tried for treason. If you are prepared to come to Torath then there will be a trial and it does not necessarily follow that you will be executed..."
"I told you this was pointless!" Porey declared. "I will not surrender myself up to the mercies of the tyrant Darragan! He will hang us all and then storm Copperdell anyway!" Rafael ben Efrim: "Perhaps we should have time to consider this." Rafael said. "To allow tempers to cool and common sense to prevail." Sakura: Sakura glanced at the Rafael, Juthe and Porey and winced at them, "And lose the mine which is important to the Kingdom. It is true that King will rather risk losing the town and the mine just to show that he is strong warrior? Understand that sword is good force, even words of comprise is also vital..." Sleeping Dragon: "My orders are what they are. The reestablishment of King Darragan's authority over this town is to be given the absolute highest priority. The question is simply how many will die before this occurs. If you three surrender yourselves up, then it will be three at most and, depending on the result of the trial, perhaps none at all," said Juthe. "You must understand that I don't like this any more than you do, but the King's orders are the King's orders and if I disobey them I will be replaced with someone else who will have somewhat stricter orders and the whole situation will be even worse for you." Sakura: Sakura merely sighed for a moment and settled back, looking thoughtfully for a moment. Sleeping Dragon: there was a silence and then Seamander spoke. "I think that perhaps we may have reached the limits of what discussion can accomplish at the moment, and that Rafael's proposal that all parties withdraw and consider their options is the wisest one," he said. Juthe nodded and glanced at the party Sakura: She nodded with a hint of disappointment. Sleeping Dragon: Juthe and the Torathi withdrew, and after a moment the three rebel leaders also stood, with Porey animatedly denouncing the Torathi. "So will you back us then?" he demanded of Seamander. "You see what the Kingdom Guards are like. Juthe cares for nothing except following his orders - and what orders do you suppose he might receive once we're away from Copperdell to face this so-called trial? If they crush us then soon they'll also crush you, you know." Vachir: Vachir had been silent for the whole meeting and now looked uncertain Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked at Seamander. "I think the King is worried about Copperdell. You heard Juthe - he wants it given absolute highest priority. Have you thought what a thorn in his side this revolt must be?" Sakura: Sakura spent few moment sulking by the fact the meeting did not work as well she hope it will go. Sakura: Sakura and her servant strolled away together. Rafael ben Efrim: "We will accompany you back into the town," Rafael told the three rebels. Sleeping Dragon: "Of course I have. Its timing, after five years of peace and immediately following Darragan's greatest triumph in years, is a massive insult to him, and Copperdell is vital to him for a half dozen strategic reasons. He has to reel it back in at any cost." Seamander paused. "You might want to consider accepting his offer. You might be able to save hundreds of lives..."
"Oh fuck off!" Porey spat at him. "You rich and powerful types are always pleased to encourage people to sacrifice their money and their lives - as long as they're not people you care about. Darragan is a liar and nothing he or any of his representatives have to say is of any value." Rafael ben Efrim: "I would not trust Darragan," Rafael said. "He is inhuman." Sleeping Dragon: Katerine was reading her notes, which she had taken throughout the entire conversation. "Mightn't there be another way?" she said, rising. "He said that someone must be punished. Why not Ombrosian Hannant? Many of the things he was doing were not only wrong but outright illegal. If we can show that then we might be able to win ourselves a pardon as well." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked at Katerine in surprise, then he smiled. "That is clever thinking. How do you propose to do it? Take evidence from people in the town?" Sleeping Dragon: "Yes. They might not accept it but it's worth a try," she said. She gave a grim smile. "If I'm going to die then I'd at least like to take that bastard down with me." Skyman (enter): 22:47 Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "Try it. We'll accompany you into Copperdell and help in any way we can." Sakura: "What a delightful idea..." Sakura smiled with manic cheerfulness. Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (321) Skyman... Vachir: "Might work."said Vachir "Or it might not. Worth a try, at least." Sleeping Dragon: Porey shrugged. "They'll probably just say we're lying," he said Rafael ben Efrim: "It depends." Rafael said. "But it is always worth trying." Sleeping Dragon: "Cast your nets then and have a go," said Seamander. "Goodbye for now," he said, and went to speak to his guards. Black Cat: (whispering): "If we find those missing tools, then we'll likly find something linking their theft to Hannant. We should see if we can't find out where he was operating out of before this happened." Sakura: (whispering): Sakura frowned for a moment, "You mean it might be in his own home? That might be worth a try..." Sleeping Dragon: the party headed back into Copperdell with the three rebel leaders, who walked along mostly in silence. "Alright, in terms of outright illegal actions that Hannant took over the time he was here, the main one which I can think of is forcing some of the free citizens to work in the mines. Some of the interrogations carried out when the tools went missing were more or less torture and it might be worth looking into those as well. And then there's the actual order itself, to hold people responsible at random, which is of rather questionable legality, but I suspect they already know of that and have decided it's fine." Sleeping Dragon: said Katerine Rafael ben Efrim: "How do the Torathi view the law?" Rafael asked Katerine. "If it can be proved that a man in a position of authority abused that authority, will the law apply to him as it would to those under him?" Sakura: Sakura raised a point with them, "I am still finding the whole missing tool episode quite suspicious. Just wondering what is the consquences if the tools were in fact found, let say in the house of the captain? Did anyone search his office or home?" Sleeping Dragon: "I would guess it depended on in what way he abused his authority," she said. "If he abused it in such a way as to damage the King's interests then they would punish it. If he abused it in such a way as to not damage the King's interests, or to further them...not so likely." Katerine paused. "If Hannant were found to have stolen the tools then it would be very important indeed! But the Town Captain's residence was looted after the uprising and we'd have noticed if they were found. Unless he has some manner of hidden rooms that weren't found." Sakura: "Hmm, I suppose it would not hurt if we made sure that there is no hidden rooms." Sakura considered. Rafael ben Efrim: "Hannant would hardly steal them himself. More likely he would have some underling hide them away, if he did want it done." Rafael said. Sleeping Dragon: Katerine paused. "Search the Town Captain's residence first, that hasn't been done and I can get people to go and look and find anyone that might be useful for you to talk to while you're doing that." Vachir: "Why would the captain steal the tools for himself? To sell them off, or just to spite the miners?" Sleeping Dragon: "Who knows? The man is vicious and petty and it's very difficult to understand people like that." Rafael ben Efrim: "He may have had a specific person in his sights, or just wanted to make life hell for the townspeople. We don't know if he actually did it though." Rafael said. "We'll do whatever you think is useful Katerine." Black Cat: Disconnecting from server... CosmicHorror (exit): 23:25 Sakura: "Let head for the Captain's residence then" Sakura told them Sleeping Dragon: the party made their way towards the Town Captain's residence. This was not difficult to find, as it was the largest building in Copperdell, two-storey and stone-clad. The main door had been smashed in and when the party entered they found that in the main hall and the throughout the large kitchen and dining hall that dominated the lower floor there were signs of struggle - dried blood, broken pieces of swords and spears, discarded arrows, torn carpets and broken furniture. The lower floor also contained two offices and a filing room. Most of the rooms had been thoroughly looted, with only unwieldy items like large desks and tables remaining. Vachir: "Quite a fight here."said Vachir looking around Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael started looking around. Sleeping Dragon: the party thoroughly searched the bottom floor, but could find nothing of interest there Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael started upstairs, not very hopeful of finding anything. Sakura: Sakura looked at the floor with hint of annoyance, "Not here then. What about the other floor..." Vachir: "Let's check there. We might find something of interest. It's not like there's much else we can do anyway" Sleeping Dragon: the upper floor contained four rooms - three bedrooms, and a private study Sleeping Dragon: the group searched the upper floor as thoroughly as the lower. Rafael, while examining the study, eventually discovered something odd in the wainscoting. When he searched it thoroughly he discovered that there was a secret panel there that could be pulled out, one, he became aware, was plainly rigged to let off some manner of trap, though he was not sure what exactly Rafael ben Efrim: "Sakura!" Rafael called. "Come and look at this!" Sakura: She rushed forward to have a look at the trap. Sakura: She try to disable the traps Sleeping Dragon: Sakura was able to disarm the trap - the panel was rigged so that, if opened incautiously, a large bag containing some manner of poison would be fired out and torn open by a small hook, spraying deadly poison over everyone in the room. Sakura was able to carefully open the panel without setting off the trigger mechanism, however, and examine the small wood-lined compartment behind it. Within was a small leather sack, and a bundle of documents. Rafael ben Efrim: "No tools, but this must be interesting." Rafael said, leaning forward to see what was in the sack. Sakura: Sakura opened the sack to see what is in the sack. Vachir: Vachir stood behind Sakura, trying to see what was in the sack Sleeping Dragon: in the small sack was a large amount of money, over six hundred gold pieces Sakura: She grinned happily for a moment and opened the bundle of documents. Sleeping Dragon: the documents were a long and rather boring series of figures relating to production at the mine, in particular the amounts mined each day throughout his term as Town Captain Sakura: She wrinkled her nose with annoyance, "I thought we might be sitting on the gold mine of information... no pun intended..."
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Post by sleepingdragon on Sept 19, 2009 16:17:11 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: the documents were a long and rather boring series of figures relating to production at the mine, in particular the amounts mined each day throughout his term as Town Captain
Sakura wrinkled her nose with annoyance, "I thought we might be sitting on the gold mine of information... no pun intended..." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned as he pored over the documents, looking for any discrepancies. Edivad: "Think we can find something against him?"asked Vachir Rafael ben Efrim: "That's a good deal of money to be hiding away," he said to Sakura. "I hope we can find evidence that he was creaming off money for himself, or that there were things going on in the mines." Rafael ben Efrim: "It would help the townspeople's case if we did," Rafael replied to Vachir. Rafael ben Efrim: "There may be a different set of figures downstairs in the room with the files." he suggested. "Let's take these down there and compare." Sakura: Sakura nodded, "That would be useful." Sleeping Dragon: they made their way down to the filing room and searched through the desks - fortunately, the documents there were among those items that had not been taken, as most of the Copperdell rebels were unable to read in the first place.
They were eventually able to find a copy that also related to mine production in the filing room and sat down to compare the two. Sakura, well-trained in reading such books, was almost immediately able to discover discrepancies - the figures given in the copy they had found in the secret compartment were all significantly higher than those in the document in the filing room. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael grinned. "We were right! The captain was on the make. Now how should we present this to the Torathi?" Sakura: "It depends... We only found out that he is making the money on the side. Maybe, we can show the captain is a traitor who betrayed the trust of the King and he should be made example of." Sakura nodded fircely, her eyes looking thoughtfully over this matter. She does not like corruption among the public servants after all. Sakura: edit: servants of the ruler Rafael ben Efrim: "We have the money, the public accounts and his private accounts," Rafael said. "What more can we find to prove that he was abusing his position?" Sakura: Sakura shook her head as she replied, "Nothing really. I would love for example, letters of communication with the King's enemies with suggestions that he to cause troubles but we have not found that. At the end of the day, there is nothing more we can find." Rafael ben Efrim: "We can talk to the people Captain Hannant abused in the search for the tools." Rafael said. "We may gain more information." Edivad: "Might as well."said Vachir "Hopefully the Torathi aren't hatching plots of their own, though" Sakura: "Yes, see if we can understand the progress of events and hopefully glean something... useful against that chap. While I think the King would be deeply unhappy with the captain stealing from him, we need to ensure it is legitimate informations." Sakura replied, "Hmm" She looked thoughtfully. Rafael ben Efrim: "The question is whether Hannant's guilt or any other reason will be enough to prevent them using full force on the people of Copperdell." Rafael said. "They may not give a damn about the truth." Sakura: "We need to find handwriting of the captain somewhere else." Sakura answered afterward Rafael ben Efrim: "He must have written reports or sent letters back to Torath, surely?" Rafael ben Efrim: "We can speak to Juthe about it, he must have access to such things." Rafael added. Sakura: "That true I suppose." Sakura considered, "Let head back to the hq" Sleeping Dragon: armed with the two sets of documents, the party made their way back towards the rebel headquarters. As they drew near, they saw that Drammoc Rene and Ildwin Porey were speaking by the main doorway. Porey was only half-turned towards Drammoc as he spoke, as if he had been interrupted on the way out and might yet walk off at any moment. "...will just waste our time! We need to get ready to fight and show that we're stronger than the Kingdom Guards!" Porey was saying, sounding agitated. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael walked up to Porey. "Before you prepare for battle, we will tell you what we found in the captain's house." Sleeping Dragon: Drammoc gave the party a look of relief while Porey gave Rafael a sharp glance. "What did you find?" Rafael ben Efrim: "Let us go inside." Rafael replied. "And we will show you." Sakura: "Yes, we managed to find something that cast bad light onto the captain." Sakura just said. Edivad: "More than that, outright treachery."muttered Vachir "But let's go inside." Sleeping Dragon: Porey sighed. "Very well, I have matters to attend to, however, so let's not linger overlong," he said. Drammoc opened the door and led them back inside.
In the mess hall they found Katerine, speaking to a short man and taking a few notes. There were about a dozen rebels in the room, and lined up against one wall were eleven men, bound hand and foot and gagged. The men were all stoutly built with athletic bodies, but they also bore signs of injuries. Several had their heads wrapped in bandages, and another bore an agonised look on his face and was cradling his right arm to his chest - bloody bandages were wound round a stump on the end of the arm.
Katerine looked up. "Back then, Ildwin? I really think...oh, you're back as well!" she said, seeing the party. "Did you find anything?" Rafael ben Efrim: Instead of answering, Rafael indicated the bound injured men. "Who are these? Why are they bound like that?" Sleeping Dragon: "They are Kingdom Guards we captured during the battle," Katerine replied. "It occured to me some of them might have useful information, we've simply been so busy since the uprising that we've not had enough time to interrogate them properly." Edivad: "Torathi! You might have told us before that you had some prisoners."said Vachir "But anyway, we have important information of our own now..." Rafael ben Efrim: "They are injured men, even though they are the enemy, and should be treated as such." Rafael insisted. Sleeping Dragon: "We treated their injuries as best we can, but we have no trained physicians among us as far as I know. If you have any such skills then please tend to them as best you can," said Katerine. "What's your information?" Sakura: Sakura glanced at Rafael with knowing glance, aware that he just love to heal people. After Katherine's question, she replied, "We did little rooting around the captain's house and lo, after looking at the carefully hidden trapped cupboard, we found... books concerning the production of this mine. Rafael ben Efrim: "I am a doctor" Rafael said, as he took his equipment from his pack. "Sakura will explain, and show you the evidence." Sleeping Dragon: "Hidden? Can I see?" Katerine asked. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael went over to the prisoners. He told one of the rebels to fetch hot water, and called another over to help him. Sakura: Sakura nodded and as she handed them over to Katerine, "Indeed, you may. After we found them in the cupboard, we compared the official book in the filing room and the book found and clearly, there are discrepancies. Apparently, the output of the mine was quite higher than reported in the official book, suggesting that the town captain could be stealing from it. We also found six hundred gold pieces in the cupboard as well. However, I am not sure these books are of town captain's handwriting so hopefully, can you confirm it is in fact, his handwriting?" Sleeping Dragon: Katerine looked at the books excitedly. "Yes, that is his writing," she said after a short examination as a rebel brought Rafael some hot water in a large wooden bucket. Katerine examined the figures. "This explains a lot! It certainly shows why he'd been pushing us so hard since he'd got in. Town Captains have to send figures on to Torath periodically to show how their town is performing. While he's Town Captain only he and a few of his aides have access to them, but at some point he'll probably leave and there'll still be people around aware of the increased quotas. I'd guess he was going to swap the figures when he left and just hope that his successor never checked the figures against those sent to Torath. I wonder where the extra's been going?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael turned around from his work on the wounded. "That's a good question. He has been supplying someone with metal." Vachir: "Foreign nations perhaps?"suggested Vachir off-handedly Rafael ben Efrim: "It could even be someone in Malador." Rafael added. Sleeping Dragon: "Interesting question," said Porey from by the door. "I, however, am going to go and see to some things - there are a few of the free people that I have more or less convinced to take up arms to assist us, but they need just a bit more persuading." Porey gave them a nod and headed out the door.
Katerine shook her head in obvious annoyance as Porey left. "I don't know what's got to him. You're probably right, Vachir, there aren't many buyers of metal here in the Kingdom that aren't very closely monitored."
As this went on, one of the soldiers Rafael had just begun tending to jerked as violently away from him as he could manage while bound hand and foot, glaring at him half in panic and half anger Rafael ben Efrim: "I'm a doctor, here to treat your wounds," Rafael said to the man. "I'm not trying to harm you." Sleeping Dragon: the soldier tried to growl something at Rafael through his gag, shaking his head violently. "Wherever the metal went to, this information should suffice to bring Hannant down. It might not save us but it should at least give the Kingdom Guards pause. Do you still want to talk to the people who got beaten during the search for the weapons? We have a few of them, Channen here is one," she indicated the short man she'd been speaking to when the party had entered. "Porey couldn't find any of the ones who'd been forced to work in the mines...well, rather, he couldn't with a brief look and then said it was a waste of time and stopped bothering." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael did what he could for the worst of the wounded, then spoke to Channen. "Can you tell us what happened?" Sakura: Sakura looked annoyed for the moment on the fact they cannot find any workers in the mines. "Fair enough. I am quite intrested in what happened for Channen." She smiled 'kindly' at Channen Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael spoke quietly to Vachir as they waited for Channen to answer. Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): . "It may be nothing, but do you think there may be another reason for Porey not finding anyone? Perhaps he's more involved than he makes out." Vachir: (whispering): "What do you mean? Suggesting he might be up to something, betraying us to the Torathi, or..." Vachir: Vachir thought for a moment and then said something in reply Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "I don't know. He might have been involved with captain's little game in the mines. I'd like to know where he's gone." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael shook his head, then murmured something else to Vachir. Sleeping Dragon: Channen spoke out angrily. "These bastards," he pointed at the Guards, "was always beatin' me or spittin' on me or shoutin' at me since I'm shorter'n them. Not long after I were sent here eight months ago that one there, Tantil, near beat me to death," he said, pointing to one of the captured Guards. "When them tools went missing they came to pick on me again, said it were cause I got sent here for thievery and so I'd probably stolen again. They beat me up again, and Tantil there ordered some to hold me down and take me trousers off, said that unless I talked they were going to cut off...well..." Channen trailed off. "Their captain happened by or I think they'd have done it." Rafael ben Efrim: "Was that the first you heard about the missing tools?" Rafael asked. "Did you actually know anything about them?" Sleeping Dragon: "I'd heard they were missing but I hadn't a thing to do with it. Not that that seemed to matter much." Vachir: (whispering): "Perhaps we might check on him, or ask around if he was seen doing anything suspicious." Vachir: Vachir whispered something else to Rafael Sakura: "Nevertheless, did you notice anything out of place or strange occurances?" Sakura asked pointly Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded in response to whatever Vachir had said, then he concentrated on Channen. Sleeping Dragon: "What, is them threatening to cut off me bollocks not strange enough for you?" Channen sounded indignant. "From what Tantil there were saying, it sounded like they were to beat up anyone who'd thieved before, then move onto others. They near killed Raysen, who's an old second-storey man." Rafael ben Efrim: "Had anything like this happened before?" Sleeping Dragon: "I said they'd beat me up before, but I'd never known them to go round in such a worklike manner and beat up loads all at once, and they'd never threatened me with no weapon before." Rafael ben Efrim: "What do you think really happened to the tools?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: "Someone pinched 'em, more likely several someones as it were a lot of tools that went. I'd guess it were probably some of these fuckers myself, Hannant never would have suspected 'em," Channen indicated the Guards. Vachir: "Maybe someone plotted for this whole rebellion to happen..."muttered Vachir "It sounds like a very suspicious affair, like it was intentional. I wonder who is behind it." Rafael ben Efrim: "Perhaps Hannant wanted to cover up his fraud. Or someone else had an interest in causing trouble that would distract everyone." Sleeping Dragon: "I doubt very much it's Hannant," said Katerine. "The mere fact that this rebellion happened could destroy his career, and that's before the fraud was discovered. I'd have thought if he wanted to cover the fraud up he'd have destroyed some of the records you found - he could always blame the rebels, after all. Though it's hard to work out why anyone would need to steal that much mining equipment." Sakura: "The fact the large theft did happen is strange. The tools itself could be burnt to hide them or for other purposes." Sakura considered Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "Perhaps they are using them for mining. Katerine, is there any way we can actually get to see inside the mines?" Sleeping Dragon: she glanced at Drammoc and then shrugged. "I suppose. We've been loading things into the mines since shortly after the uprising though and there's been no sign of any mining beyond that which we knew about prior to the uprising. It would be virtually impossible to carry out secretly, since there's only one entrance and it was always under watch, but if Channen is right and the Guards themselves took the tools then that wouldn't be a problem." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael stood up. "I think we should investigate the mines as soon as possible. The tools may have been hidden there to precipitate this situation, or there may be other secrets we can find out" Sakura: Sakura nodded eagerly, "Excellent. There are always secrets to find!" Vachir: "Hoping that the Torathi won't attack while we are investigating this."said Vachir "For now, what are we going to do with what we know about the Captain?" Sleeping Dragon: "We should contact Seamander and ask him to set up another meeting, and then we can confront General Juthe with this information. If nothing else, it will sow doubt in the Torathi camp," said Katerine. Sakura: "Divide and win eh?" Sakura replied, "Seems to be a good idea." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "We need to get the information out to the Torathi. If there is something really big going on in the mines we may be...delayed. I would rather the Torathi knew, in case." Sleeping Dragon: "We can tell Seamander and arrange for him to give them the information if we can't come to the meeting for some reason," said Katerine. Rafael ben Efrim: "I think we need someone trustworthy to carry the information." Rafael said. "Seamander has an axe to grind. Perhaps Sakura could go." Sleeping Dragon: Katerine shrugged. "As you wish. Were you going to question any of the Guards?" Sakura: Sakura looked at Rafael with hint of surprise, "Well, I suppose I can go after all. Just to tell them the facts concerning the Captain?" Vachir: "Might want to bring the letters if they want proof."added Vachir Rafael ben Efrim: "Yes, you need to take the accounts, and the money." Rafael added. Sakura: Sakura nodded at Rafael, "Yes, evidences are evidences." She asked for the books back.
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Post by sleepingdragon on Oct 3, 2009 16:55:13 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: Katerine looked over the notes she had been taking during the conversation. "So Sakura will take the evidence regarding Hannant's corruption to General Juthe while the rest of you go to examine the mines?" she asked. "Do you still have any questions for the prisoners or for Channen, or should I go to speak to Willin and arrange for you to go down into the mines immediately?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael cast an eye over the prisoners, looking for a likely one to question. Rafael ben Efrim: "We'll take Tantil into another room to question him," he said to Katerine, pointing at the big guardsman who had led the beatings. Sleeping Dragon: Katerine nodded. "Drammoc, go and tell Willin that we'll be allowing these adventurers into the mines to search for the missing tools," she said, standing and picking up her notebook. As Drammoc headed for the mine, Katerine ordered one of the rebels to lead Tantil into a small armoury full of provisions, spare arrows, quarrels, spearheads, and bowstrings. Katerine ordered the guard to leave them and stood in the corner, gesturing for Rafael to begin Sakura: Sakura merely left with the books in her possession, in hope to get to General Juthe. Hopefully, the common guards of the Gate will be willing to let her through whispering to Sakura, Black Cat followed Sakura as they headed for the gate. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael pulled down the guardsman's gag and stood back, looking down at the man with his arms folded. "We're going to ask you a few questions. I hope you will be willing to answer rather than being...difficult," he said, in a chillingly quiet voice. Vachir: Vachir glared at Tantil silently, letting Rafael ask the questions. Sakura: (whispering): Salkura and her servant is heading for General Juthe by high road. Sleeping Dragon: Sophia stood behind Tantil, unslinging her scythe and laying its blade down over the Kingdom Guard's shoulder. Tantil shuddered. "Alright, what do you want?" Rafael ben Efrim: "Captain Hannant sent you to enquire about missing tools," Rafael began. "Why did you use so much force and threats? Wasn't this unusually harsh?" whispering to Sakura, Sakura and Black Cat made their way along the road, crossing over a small wooden bridge and then starting to make their way uphill towards the Torathi encampment. Sakura could see that it was very well fortified, and Juthe's men were constantly at work strengthening the defences, digging new ditches and raising the earthen breastworks even higher. Some of the Guards were scattering broken blades, jagged stones, or twisted bits of metal in the finished ditches, and there were others cutting wood to build another pallisade. Sakura and Black Cat were spotted quite quickly and a half dozen riders were quickly sent to ride out and meet them with weapons in hand. "Identify yourself!" the leader of the Kingdom Guards shouted at her, reining up about fifteen feet away and hefting a mace threateningly. Sleeping Dragon: "He wanted to find out quickly where the tools had gone," said Tantil. "And if it was unusually harsh, well, it was an unusually large theft." Rafael ben Efrim: "Did Hannant say anything in particular about the theft when he ordered you to do this?" Rafael asked. "And did you actually find any clue to what really happened to the tools?" Sakura: (whispering): She smiled slightly at the Guard's leader, "I am Sakura of House Ayanna,. I wish to speak to that nice General Juthe. I am member from that band whom dealt decisively with these monsters which commited spates of murder back in your capital." Sleeping Dragon: "Didn't find a thing, the fucking things seem to have vanished off the face of the earth," said Tantil. "He didn't want word of the theft getting back to Torath because..." Tantil paused for a moment, and as he did Sophia tilted her scythe blade around, blade now up and hovering in the air before Tantil's throat. "Ahh, he was afraid that Colonel Chovett might send word back to Torath and they'd send someone to investigate, because then they might also find out about all the extra ore w...he...aaaah, shit, we'd been having mined and weren't reporting back." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael smiled wolfishly at Tantil. "Ah now we're getting somewhere. We do already have evidence that Hannant was defrauding his masters. Who has been buying the extra ore?" Vachir: Vachir smiled to himself at Rafael's questions, obviously having been following a similar line of thought Sakura (enter): 20:20 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (530) Sakura... whispering to Sakura, the Guard eyed Sakura for a moment, nodded, and slung his mace away, ordering his men to sheathe their own weapons. "Very well. I'll escort you to General Juthe's tent," he said. The six horsemen fanned out and formed a circle around Cat and Sakura before escorting them into the camp.
they were led past the fortifications and into the Torathi encampment. Tents were spaced at regular intervals, with large campfires placed in open areas between the tents. Off-duty Guards lounged by these fires, dicing or playing cards or drinking, while on-duty Guards marched up and down on look-out. The difference in mood here compared to Copperdell was stark. Whereas the rebels were looking towards the coming days with fear, resignation, or bloody-minded determination, the Guards' demeanour was one of cool, detached professionalism. One of the off-duty Guards was heard to boast about how many rebels he would soon kill, but this kind of eagerness for violence was also out of place - the Guards were not thirsty for blood, but rather quietly confident.
At length they arrived at Juthe's tent, which was entirely unadorned and only noteworthy due to the slightly larger amount of space around it as compared to the other tents, and the presence of two senior Guards watching the entrance and another circling the area to keep a lookout. The leader of the Guards escorting Sakura dismounted and walked over to the two Guards at the tent flap, who Sakura now recognised as having previously been among Juthe's guards when he was in Malador as Torath's Envoy Sleeping Dragon: "People in Malador. They're..." Tantil paused. Sophia pulled the scythe blade up to his throat, and Tantil swore. "Look, I'll tell you, but only if you swear you won't reveal my role in this to Juthe or any of the other Guards. It's no good threatening to kill me, if this gets found out they'll hang me anyway." Rafael ben Efrim: "Very well," Rafael nodded. "If you tell us the whole truth." whispering to Sakura, Cat spoke quietly into Sakura's ear. "There's been someone else here tonight, the sergeant there said that he was bringing someone from Copperdell and the one at the flap just said 'what, another one?' I think they must have only just left." Sleeping Dragon: "Ok. There have been some merchants in Malador buying. Underlings, but Hannant dug up some dirt on them and they've all got big backers. Important people, Councillors. I'm trying to remember their names...Delorri, that was the one Hannant was particularly pleased about, and there are two others that weren't Councillors until recently, their names are...aah, Torwald is one, don't remember his first name, and the other is called Colm Vargo, he's always done lots of trade here, most of it in the open but this he wanted kept quiet. They used to mostly be interested in the pretty stuff - gems and such - but a couple of months ago Vargo and Torwald started asking about iron too." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked at the others, then at Tantil. "Did Hannant know what these councillors wanted with so much iron? And who else knows about this?" Sakura: (whispering): Sakura nodded thoughtfully and whispered back confidently, "As expected, I suppose. We will need to find out eventually... " She settled down, glancing at these two guards and told them, "Nice to see you two again." Sleeping Dragon: "Don't know. Don't think Hannant cared to find out. As far as I know no one else knows this stuff, there are another dozen or so that I'm presuming are in the main encampment that sometimes helped us do things quietly but as far as I know Hannant didn't let any of the others know about who exactly he was dealing with." whispering to Sakura, The guards frowned as Sakura came forward. "Hmph, it's you," said one of the Guards. She recognised him as the one who had previously threatened Rafael when they had gone to Juthe's estate to solve Councillor Rohdell's murder. "Always sniffing around where there's blood and violence involved, aren't you?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "Did Hannant have any idea what these councillors were doing with so much iron?" Vachir: "Did you know if the Maladorans needed the iron for anything specific?"asked Vachir Sleeping Dragon: "No idea. It wasn't Delorri interested in the iron, just Vargo and Torwald, so far as I know. I don't know why." Rafael ben Efrim: "Thank you for being so honest with us," Rafael said. He indicated to the others that they should talk in private. Sakura (exit): 20:49 Sleeping Dragon: Sophia led Tantil out of the room and shouted for one of the rebels to come and take him before re-entering the room.
"That was interesting," said Katerine, examining her notes. "You know more about Malador than I do, do you know these Councillors Delorri, Torwald, and Vargo? I've heard of Vargo, he and his business partner Darel Tanen used to buy ores from Captain Fleck. That was open and above board though." Sakura: (whispering): Salkura strolled into the tent, expecting to see the General Juthe. Rafael ben Efrim: "We know them," Rafael replied. "I believe you have met Torwald have you not Vachir? Vargo is his brother-in-law. And we all know Torwald's son, he is a military man. The big question is what exactly they are using the iron for. Is it to equip an army for Malador? Or an army for the Torwalds?" whispering to Sakura, Within the tent was General Juthe, Colonel Chovett, and two other Guards. "You," General Juthe greeted coldly. "What do you want?" Sleeping Dragon: "If they're willing to use it against the Kingdom Guards I'm not sure it matters. You said Torwald's son is a military man, is he trustworthy? He might come to our assistance." Vachir: "I have trained quite a few men at the Torwald estate."said Vachir "That was when there was the risk of the Torathi army attacking though. It might just be for the good of the city."he added, shrugging Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael smiled without humour. "Carus is as trustworthy as a snake. He would see you all dead to further his own ambition, I have no doubt. As long as he sees some sharing of interests he might aid you. But trust...no." Sakura: (whispering): "Merely a chance to speak with you at this moment..." She went silent for a moment before continuing with her speech, "I bring information concerning... Captain Hannant's treason against the King. I wonder if you are aware of this already?" whispering to Sakura, General Juthe looked unmoved. "I'm not aware of anything like that. What do you mean?" Sleeping Dragon: Katerine shrugged. "I suppose then that if he wanted to do that he'd have contacted us already." Rafael ben Efrim: "Possibly. It would be good to know what is going on in Malador, and particularly at the Torwald estate." Rafael said thoughtfully. "How long do you think we have before the Torathi decide to end this?" Sleeping Dragon: "I'm not sure. If this information about Hannant's corruption gets to them then it will probably cause a stir and that might give them pause." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "They won't rest until they find out who was buying the extra ore. If Hannant doesn't give them the information as soon as they put pressure on him. Whatever the iron is being used for it will affect relations between the Torathi and Malador." Sakura: (whispering): "Hmm." She glanced at the Colonel Chovett, "We just found the public books and his personal books which was hidden in Captain Hannant's chamber. I am sure if you read them both." She took these two books out, "There are discrepancies... Very concerning discrepancies showing that Captain Hannant have been mining far more ores than he may have reported to the King. " Sleeping Dragon: "So it will. But you know, the Kingdom Guards can't attack Malador as long as we hold out against them, their supply lines would be under constant threat." whispering to Sakura, General Juthe examined the two books closely, calling Chovett over to look too. "Hmm. You are right," said Juthe after a minute. "Corruption for money. It's terrible what a person can do in the name of greed, isn't it?" Juthe gave Sakura a hard look. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked at the others. "We should carry on and investigate the mines, and then consider our best course. But I think that whatever we do, we should not allow Copperdell to come back under direct Torathi power." Sakura: (whispering): Sakura looked thoughtfully as she tapped her forefinger against her lips, "Yes, it can be. Not only money but the promise of power and even love can drive such people to do terrible things. As it is, greed is the most darkest feeling among others but it is not the most immoral. There are far worse immoral ways than giving into greed of others." She impassionately stared back at him. Sleeping Dragon: Katerine nodded. "Do you want to go to the mine now?" whispering to Sakura, "Hmm. I have a question. Why shouldn't I presume that you're lying to me, and that these books are forged?" Vachir: "Might be best to get this sorted out as soon as possible."said Vachir Sleeping Dragon: Katerine made for the door. "Alright, I'll take you there," she said. Sakura: (whispering): "I have no reason to lie to you, General Juthe. Only that these books are not forged and as far we can see, these books are written with the Captain's handwriting. Of course, you would naturally wish for seperate confirmation on the fact it is his handwriting. Beside, these books are quite thick and detailed, it would take a while for a forager to produce such items after all." Sakura shrugged at that point. Sleeping Dragon: Katerine quickly led the party to the mine entrance, where she left them with Willin, a broad-shouldered man in scale mail. "You wanted to search for the missing tools in the mine?" he said, sounding dubious. Rafael ben Efrim: "We just need to be certain that all possibilities have been investigated." Rafael answered. whispering to Sakura, Juthe examined her carefully. "As you say. I'll take these books and look over them. I should tell you, however, that no matter what happens to Hannant, I still don't have the authority to pardon the rebel leaders. Convince them to surrender, or else Copperdell will be washed in blood." Sleeping Dragon: "As you wish," said Willin, calling over one of the men that was carrying supplies down into the mine and telling him to lead the party down into the pits.
the miner led them down into the pits, holding a lantern in front of him that shone out a narrow beam of light. Conditions in the mine were cramped, and Ardrun and Sophia had to bend down very far in order to move. They made their way down a shaft, which was laid with track upon which carts could be wheeled carrying supplies, eventually arriving in the large gallery in which supplies were being gathered. Vachir: Vachir looked to be somewhat uncomfortable, obviously unaccustomed to this kind of narrow underground passage. Rafael ben Efrim: "How many side shafts are there?" Rafael asked. "Are there any which have been abandoned?" Sleeping Dragon: "I don't know an exact number - there are some that have been abandoned, yes." Sakura: (whispering): "Even though that the actions of the Captain indirectly led to this rebellion?" She replied, "So willing to deal with the effects but not the underlying cause. So no mercy whatsoever? Not even a slightest drop?" She enquired on this. Rafael ben Efrim: "Would you show us those?" whispering to Sakura, "I've already told you that those decisions aren't mine to make. If any mercy is going to be shown, it will be King Darragan who shows it." Sleeping Dragon: "Sure," said the rebel, leading them through the gallery. They were brought to the abandoned shafts, which were those deepest in the mine, and searched through them for any sign of the missing tools, but they found nothing Rafael ben Efrim: "Is there anywhere else where either work could be carried out covertly, or where something could be hidden?" Rafael asked as they returned to the main gallery. Sleeping Dragon: "Not that I know of," said the rebel. "All the shafts lead off from here, there's no others." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked around at the others. "This seems to be a dead end, unless anyone can come up with something useful." Sakura: "I see..." Sakura looked sad for a moment, "So there is no hope for either side after all. Unless there is any other messages you wish you relay...?" Vachir: "Umh."said Vachir looking around "No chance there's hidden passages or..?"he trailed off, his eyes wandering Sakura: (whispering): "I see..." Sakura looked sad for a moment, "So there is no hope for either side after all. Unless there is any other messages you wish you relay...?" whispering to Sakura, "No, that's everything." Sleeping Dragon: "We'd have probably noticed at some point if there was." Rafael ben Efrim: "What do you think happened to the stolen tools?" Rafael asked the miner. Sakura: (whispering): "Hmm. Have good evening and everyone will lose." Sakura walked out with annoyance. Sleeping Dragon: "I haven't a clue. With all that's happened no one's really thought to look for them - we're not actually doing any mining for as long as we're under siege so we haven't any need of them." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "Do you have an idea of the amount of ore being produced by the mines?" Sleeping Dragon: "Since Hannant took over it's gone up quite a lot. The bastard worked us as long and hard as he could possibly manage and left us with nothing," the rebel's voice was filled with loathing. "And anyone who complained even a bit got beaten by his thugs, and now we're likely to be killed for standing up for ourselves. It's not fucking right." Rafael ben Efrim: "No, it isn't." Rafael agreed. "We're going to ensure that the people of Copperdell are fairly treated. Hannant was committing fraud as well as his cruel treatment of the miners, and we will expose him." Sleeping Dragon: The rebel didn't look confident. "Good. Did you want to see anything else?" Rafael ben Efrim: "We will take a look in the active shafts," Rafael replied. Sakura: (whispering): She took a glance at the people and guards around her to see if anyone looked familiar back at Copperdell. Sleeping Dragon: the search of the active shafts also turned up no sign of the missing tools Sakura: (whispering): After seeing there was no one around, she decided to head back for the town. She is extremely irritated by unwillness of the General Juthe and that fucking king. whispering to Sakura, Sakura saw no sign of anyone familiar from Copperdell as she and Black Cat made their way out of the Torathi encampment. As they did, Black Cat spoke from behind her veil. "We should go and look into what Ildwin Porey is doing," she said. "Katerine said he's not been cooperating. He might be up to something." Sleeping Dragon: as they went around the party spoke to the rebels who were taking goods down into the mine. None of them had any idea where the tools might be, and they instead advanced their own contradictory theories - Hannant had stolen them, someone had destroyed them, they'd been taken by sorcery, Maladoran agents had stolen them.
There was more fruitful information to be found on the question of what had occured to the town's free citizens who had been made to work in the mines. Few of them knew any personally, as the slaves rarely mixed much with the town's free people, but group were able to eventually find two rebels who knew some of them personally. One was called Raylin, a poet who had sometimes entertained the slaves and lived on the highest point of the hill above the mine, another was Ganton, who they said was close to Ildwin Porey and lived near to him, and the last was Celdar, a former convict who had served his sentence and moved to Copperdell to work as a smith. Sakura: (whispering): She looked back at Black Cat, with hint of doubt in her eyes, "We might as well. This town is going to burn anyway." She commented darkly, "Who know, he may even be a spy. Either way, I am going to be sure that the Rafael, Vachir, Ardrun. Sophia and you alive..." She looked determined for a moment as she glanced and start strolling toward the Copperdell. Rafael ben Efrim: "How odd that Porey couldn't find Ganton..." mused Rafael as they left the mines, having thanked their guide. Vachir: "Might want to talk to him a bit."suggested Vachir Rafael ben Efrim: "If we can find him." Sleeping Dragon: as the group headed out of the mines, they made their way back towards the rebel headquarters to find that Sakura and Cat making their way back in through the gates. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael greeted them. "Well Sakura, have the Torathi seen sense?" Sakura: Sakura glared at Rafael with hint of frustration, "No. They are stubbon as bricks! Nevermind about the finds, just telling me to delay the same old message for the town to surrender. I am afraid that they would rather slit their own wrists than allowing this town to be free" She went closer to him and whispered in his right ear, "And as I got there, some guards was overheard that they was surprised by another one from the Copperdell. There may be a spy in this very town." Rafael ben Efrim: "You mean someone else from the town had been to visit the Torathi?" Rafael frowned. "Well, we have our suspicions of Porey. But it could be any number of people - Katerine or one of the other rebel leaders, or some insignificant rebel who has kept their eyes and ears open. We need to find out who if we can." Sakura: She nodded and asked the gate guards privately to see if anyone else apart from Sakura and the group that went out to the meeting on that account. Sleeping Dragon: the guards said that only Sakura and her servant had been through the gate since the parley with the Torathi leaders. Vachir: "Then there must be some kind of passage."quietly said Vachir to the others
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Post by sleepingdragon on Oct 10, 2009 16:49:43 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: the guards said that only Sakura and her servant had been through the gate since the parley with the Torathi leaders.
"Then there must be some kind of passage."quietly said Vachir to the others Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael considered this. "The traitor may have a way through from their house. We should consider where such a passage would exit outside the town. And how it could be used for an invader to enter." Sleeping Dragon: "They might not need to have a tunnel to get out, couldn't they just climb over the wall?" said Sophia. "They're not that high and someone stealthy and on their own could probably get by the guards, though not let all the Kingdom Guards in." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked at the wall and frowned. "It's possible I suppose. Walls are usually intended to keep people out, not in. I wish we had a way of finding out who it was." Edivad: "That makes sense."said Vachir replying to Sophia's words "However it doesn't help us much, since we cannot know who it was, can we?" Sakura: Sakura went, "Hmm..." and kept going, "The evident place to let them in would be somewhere on the north wall as it is quite close to the Torathi camp. Not mentioning there are several large buildings over there." She glanced at Rafael, "I did wonder about Porey, did anyone know anything more about him?" Rafael ben Efrim: "Apart from him not being able to find any of the townsfolk who had been forced into the mine, despite his best friend Ganton being beaten by the guards, no." Rafael said. "We were on out way to talk to that friend, and a couple of others - Raylin, a poet, and Celdar, a smith." Rafael ben Efrim: "Someone should find out what Porey is doing at the same time," he added. Sakura: Sakura whispered to her servant. Sakura: (whispering): Sakura asked Cat, "Can you catch up with Poery? You are so much stealthier after all..." Black Cat: Black Cat nodded. "I'll keep an eye on him. Need me to do any more than that?" Rafael ben Efrim: "If you do find out that Porey is the traitor, we'll need proof," Rafael said. "He is seen as a leader of the revolt. But it may not be him - keep your eye out for anyone acting suspiciously. Black Cat: "Proof." Cat repeated, "That would be difficult to produce." Rafael ben Efrim: "If you can't get it, then we'll need to question him more closely." Black Cat: Cat thought for a moment then nodded. "I'll meet up with you again soon." She said before turning away from them. Sakura: Sakura glanced at Cat's back looking throughtfully for a moment before turning to the gang, "So are we going back to the base?" Rafael ben Efrim: "We should interview the three people who were forced to work in the mine." Rafael answered. "We have an idea where the poet lives, can start there." Sakura: "A poet? I wonder if his poems is bad enough... Anyway, let go then" She smiled fancyfully. Sleeping Dragon: the party made their way up onto the hill over the Copperdell mine and began to search for Raylin the poet. They were soon directed to his house, a small shed built on the highest point in town.
They found Raylin outside, and he was not as would be expected from a poet. He was a very big man, with coal black hair and a broken nose. He was stripped to the waist and cutting firewood as they approached, but on spotting them he stopped and waved to them, resting his axe on his shoulder. "Who are you then?" he called out Rafael ben Efrim: "We are from Malador." Rafael replied. "We have been asked to sort out the situation here, if we can. Would you be willing to answer a few questions about what happened just before the revolt?" Sakura: Sakura nodded softly, "Yes, it is quite important for all the facts can be gather to form a full scene." Sleeping Dragon: "I could do. What do you want to know?" Rafael ben Efrim: "What happened when the tools went missing? Did Captain Hannant send guards to search and question here?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: "I don't think so, I didn't see any. I think he was pretty convinced it must have been some of the slaves who took them." Rafael ben Efrim: "So how did free townsfolk get involved?" Vachir: Vachir said nothing, letting the others ask the questions, though he looked inquiringly at the man who looked more like a warrior than a poet Sleeping Dragon: "What do you mean? Hannant forced some of us to work in the mines long before the revolt, if that's what you mean, I was one of them. Fucking bastard." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "The impression we got was that free townspeople were forced to work in the mines as a direct result of the theft. We hadn't realised Hannant was overstepping his authority long before that. How did he justify it?" Sleeping Dragon: "What do you mean, 'justify'?" Raylin laughed. "Who were we supposed to complain to, the Town Captain? Some people tried Colonel Chovett, he's a more reasonable sort of person, but he's not very clever and Hannant was always able to trick him or make excuses." Rafael ben Efrim: "Did you ever hear why Hannant wanted so many to work in the mines?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: "Cruelty? Increased ore quotas he didn't feel like announcing? He was mining some extra and selling it off without telling anyone? He was already working his slaves as near to dropping as he could manage? No one was really sure, those were the main theories I can remember." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "There is some evidence that Hannant was dealing in metal on the side. Have you ever heard anything of what really happened to the tools?" Sleeping Dragon: "Not a clue I'm afraid. Maybe Hannant stole them to test how far he could push people before they bit back. Maybe some slave stole them and kicked them down a hole in a fit of pique." Rafael ben Efrim: "It is very strange." Rafael said. "Well, thank you for speaking to us." Sakura: Sakura looked annoyed for a moment before smiling with a thank. "Indeed, hopefully, we will know what happen soon." Vachir: "Well, thanks for that."simply said Vachir, though he looked somewhat displeased at the lack of new information whispering to CosmicHorror, The house was medium-sized and obviously lived in - there were two beds, a table, a number of chairs, clothes lying on the floor, and other such signs of habitation, but no one was present in the house at the moment. On the wall opposite was a front door looking out to where Porey and his friends were sitting. Sakura: "Are there anyone else to look for?" She enuired at Rafael Sleeping Dragon: "Not a problem. You said you were from Malador - are they going to be intervening? I know the rebels were wondering about that." Rafael ben Efrim: "We are working on it." Rafael said. Sleeping Dragon: "Good luck with that, otherwise Copperdell's likely to be getting plundered in the next two or three days." Sakura: Sakura merely nodded at the clear event that may come soon. Rafael ben Efrim: "We are looking for two others - Ganton and Celdar. Have you heard of them?" Sleeping Dragon: "Don't know any Celdar, I know Ganton though. Ever since he got taken down into the mines he's spent much of his time with that strange bloke, Ildwin Porey, he lives round that way near the southern wall," Raylin pointed. "He's likely to be around there." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "Thank you for your help. I hope there will be good news soon." Rafael ben Efrim: As they walked towards the southern wall Rafael spoke. "There seem to be so many complications. This business with the tools. Do you think it could have been arranged by someone to force the issue, create the climate for a revolt? Or possibly to bring things to a head to get rid of Hannant? Maybe the damned things didn't even exist in the first place!" He sounded tired and frustrated. Vachir: "It wouldn't surprise me if things were like that."said Vachir "There's obviously powers out there trying to manipulate this situation to their advantage..." Sakura: Sakura sighed for a moment "Sometime I wishes I never came here. There is so many factors and it is so annoying that we are truely caught in the middle between so many diffent factions." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked out over the town. "I'd like to know how many people in this town have some secret connection with either Torrath or Malador. Or something else - the Crimson Path even." Sakura: "I would not be surprised. Such cult never stay only in one town but spread like diseases." Rafael ben Efrim: "If they are here, they must be frustrated that there has been so little bloodshed." Rafael said grimly. "But that will change if we don't find anything soon." Vachir: "The Crimson Path here?"Vachir said sounding surprised and worried as soon as he heard mention of the cult "I...hadn't thought of that at all. Yet, it makes sense that they'd be involved in causing wars and strife..." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked keenly at Vachir. "You think they might have secreted the tools to bring that about?" Vachir: "I'm not saying that. I had never thought they be involved in this before, but now that you do mention this...Do remember they take pleasure in causing violence and fighting."Vachir replied. He shrugged as he said that though, as he wasn't too convinced of what he was saying Rafael ben Efrim: "Supposing Porey was a member of the Crimson Path. He could be encouraging the revolt, and at the same time selling the town out to the Torathi. That would be just the way the cult work. And might explain why he doesn't want our efforts to bring peace to get anywhere." Rafael exclaimed. Vachir: "It might also explain why it looked the tools disappeared as if by..."Vachir paused for a moment, sounding worried "magic." Vachir: edit: add 'like' between 'looked' and 'the' Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "Keep this in mind while we interview Ganton. It may not be true, but it is very strange that the tools have vanished. Although it could be an attempt at creative accounting by Hannant. Maybe they didn't exist after all." Sakura: "Anything is possible. Let keep open mind about it." Sakura told them. Sleeping Dragon: the party made their way on towards the southern wall and Ildwin Porey's home. Porey's house was a small building not far from the wall, but Porey himself was seated outside the buidling around a fire. There were six other men with him there, several eating while others were sharpening swords. They were all hard-looking men with scars, and all had weapons not far to hand. Porey waved to the party as they approached. "Hello there! Have you learned anything more about Hannant?" Rafael ben Efrim: "We are still collecting and collation the information," Rafael replied carefully. "We have come to speak to Ganton, I believe he is a friend of yours?" Sleeping Dragon: Porey paused. "Why do you want to speak to Ganton?" Rafael ben Efrim: "His name came up as one of the townspeople forced to work in the mine." Rafael said casually. "All information is useful." Sakura: "Indeed, so we can have fuller pictures of the events happening so far." Sakura agreed with Rafael's assessment Sleeping Dragon: "Alright. I'll go get him, give me a moment," said Porey. He stood up and made his way into his house. About two minutes later he emerged with another man beside him, this one short, stocky, and carrying a spear. "This is Ganton," said Porey. The two men went and sat down by the fire. Ganton eyed the party quietly and said nothing. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded to Ganton. "Thank you for speaking to us. For a start, do you have any idea what happened to the missing tools?" Sleeping Dragon: Ganton shrugged. "They could be anywhere." Sleeping Dragon: Ganton seemed distinctly nervous as he spoke, glancing at the others around the fire and picking his words carefully. Sakura: Sakura merely looked quiet as she glanced at Ganton, noting Ganton's nervousness Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael appeared to overlook Ganton's reaction and continued his questions. "Hannant was already forcing town people into the mines. Did Hannant just send guards to round people up or was there ever a reason given?" Vachir: Vachir looked slightly suspicious of the men's wariness, but again he said nothing letting Raf speak Sleeping Dragon: "No, he never gave any reason, he just sent his guards to pick people out and force them down," Ganton's voice was full of anger as he spoke. "He'd pick only one or two people every now and then, to not make everyone turn against him, but he got lots of extra work out of us." Rafael ben Efrim: "So he didn't suddenly take a group of people, just a few now and then?" Rafael said. "No doubt Hannant was committing fraud." Sleeping Dragon: "He'd take a new one every now and then, and force us to work a long time. He'd let us go eventually but then would often take us back again later. The bastard ought to be killed." Sakura: "Maybe he would be one day." She considered it for a moment before going along, "I was wondering if you have noticed anything strange back then? Anything out of place?" Sleeping Dragon: "Yes, there was something very strange going on, the Town Captain was kidnapping free people and treating them like slaves! Isn't that strange enough?" Rafael ben Efrim: "So it must have been something of a relief that Hannant's over-reaction to the loss of the tools lead to the revolt." Rafael said. Sleeping Dragon: Ganton laughed. "I'd have liked to see the look on the bastard's face! It's just a pity he escaped." Rafael ben Efrim: "How did he escape? I'm surprised he wasn't torn to pieces," Rafael said. Sleeping Dragon: "The Kingdom Guards rescued him I think." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "Only to be expected. While you were in the mines, did you notice anything unusual? Apart from the free people being forced to work there I mean." Sleeping Dragon: "I'd never been in a mine before, how would I know what was unusual or not?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael shrugged. "You didn't overhear anything off, or that suggested something untoward going on there?" Rafael ben Efrim: edit* anything odd Sleeping Dragon: "The slaves seemed to all think they were being treated particularly harshly. I don't know how hard they're normally worked but Hannant seemed to be pushing them very hard, a few died I think. Too weak for it." Rafael ben Efrim: "As if he might have had a deadline perhaps?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: "I don't know. What do you mean?" Rafael ben Efrim: "That Hannant was working them to death because he wanted a large amount of metal by a certain date." Rafael explained. Sleeping Dragon: "Could be." Ganton shrugged. Sakura: "I see that you are quite willing to fight. Did you also partake in the fight against them from the start?" She asked Ganton Sleeping Dragon: "Of course when the uprising occured I went and fought. Unfortunately much of it was over by the time I got down there, and I never got near to Hannant, but I did for one Kingdom Guard." Rafael ben Efrim: "It must have been very frustrating that the revolt did not happen sooner, if you feel that is the only way to free Copperdell from the Torathi yoke." Rafael said. "Although many of the town's people still seem wary of complete rebellion even after all that has happened. Perhaps they prefer the less bloody way." Rafael emphasised the last words slightly, hardly enough to be noticed by anyone not aware of their import. Sleeping Dragon: "They're idiots and cowards," Ganton declared. "Not willing to face a confrontation that is inevitable anyhow, because they're afraid they're not strong enough!"
Porey interjected. "That is hardly fair, Ganton, they are afraid and want to survive. Still. You said Hannant might be working to a deadline, do you think this is the case?" Sakura: Sakura looked thoughtfully for a moment, "You know, I do wonder if anyone heard of Crimson Path?" She stared at others with hint of curiosity. Sleeping Dragon: things went very still. Then Ildwin Porey laughed. "But of course! Let us show you how it works!" he said, and Porey and his men grabbed rapidly for their weapons
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Post by sleepingdragon on Oct 17, 2009 16:04:05 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: Porey acted first. Raising his crossbow and loading it with tremendous speed, he sent a bolt slamming into Vachir's side and then moved back near to the door of his house. "Come out! We're under attack!" he shouted Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael swore to himself, then ran to Porey's house and heaved himself onto the roof where he crouched. Vachir: Vachir quickly fired an arrow at Ganton, wounding the man and then taking a step back from the approaching cultists Sakura: Sakura smiled slightly at seeing bloodshed, she look foreboding as she stepped backward and started singing good song to inspire courage. It was new song based on great victories they personally fought for last year or so. Sakura: EDIT: She stepped backward between the shadows of two towering fighters, Ardrun and Sophia. Sleeping Dragon: the tougher looking cultists hefted swords and shields and charged at Sophia and Ardrun, landing blows on each, but they were only weak strikes Sleeping Dragon: Sophia drew her scythe, stepped up, and slashed at the cultist who had struck her, landing a solid blow Sleeping Dragon: the other cultists also rushed to the front. Ganton, bleeding badly, stumbled towards Sophia, shouting and stabbing at her with his spear, but it fell wildly wide. The other two had greater success, landing blows against Sophia and Ardrun - the strike aimed at Ardrun was aimed straight at his throat and nearly pierced it, but he was able to dodge to the side and the weapon tore into his shoulder instead Sleeping Dragon: the archer stepped back and aimed his bow at Rafael, but his arrow sailed well over the Jeth's head Sleeping Dragon: growling with anger, Ardrun drew his blade and slashed at the cultist who had struck him with his spear, but the blade sailed wide Sleeping Dragon: Porey stepped back up again and levelled his crossbow at Ardrun, dealing him a significant wound Black Cat: The black clad figure of Black Cat suddenly rushed out of one of the nearby houses. Moving quickly, Cat hopped down an incline and drove a dagger into Porey's back. "Not quite the reinforcements you were hoping for?" She mocked him. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael somersaulted off the roof and ran up behind Porey, drawing his scimitar as he went. Vachir: With lightning speed, Vachir fired three arrows one after another at the cultists. The first one went through Ganton's throat, killing him instantly, while the latter two struck another cultist in the chest, throwing him dead to the ground Sakura: Sakura smiled and yet saying that they met the Crimson Path many times and always they fell beneath their might. However,, only one looked shaken by this fact. Sakura: She then tumbled back, away from near danger with sharp weapons. Sleeping Dragon: the veterans rushed forward, one moving up into the space Sakura had just vacated and slashing Vachir with his sword. While the other hit Ardrun, the door to Porey's house opened and a third large cultist stepped out with bared blade in hand Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun took another strike of a cultist's spear, and then two more came out from the house ready for the fray Sleeping Dragon: the archer stepped back and shot at Vachir, but the arrow thudded harmlessly into the building behind the Bolgar Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun hacked at one of the big cultists. His first blow slashed heavily into the man's chest, forcing him to stumble backwards, and the backstroke of Ardrun's scimitar flashed through the air and sent the man's head bouncing to the dirt before Sophia's feet. Ardrun spun with the momentum and lashed at another cultist, but the blow went far wide Sleeping Dragon: from out of the door which some cultists had just come through, strange, inky black shapes poured forth. They flowed through the air, their forms shifting in almost hypnotic fashion. Sleeping Dragon: Porey tumbled away, firing at Cat and striking her with a well aimed quarrel. He landed next to the two strange masses of black ink and hissed something under his breath, gesturing towards Black Cat and Rafael Sakura: "Glooms like falling on foes, hold and force themsleves down your throat!" Sakura yelled out quickly. Black Cat: Flicking away the bolt with her spare hand, Cat rushed at Porey, maneuvering around the archer and struck him lightly before nimbly dancing back. "You're a fool to send shadows after a shadow." She called at him after stopping on the far side of the fire. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael glared at the shadowy things but heeded Sakura's warning and turned instead to deal with one of the cultists but his aim was off and he missed the man. Vachir: "Fiends!"shouted Vachir as he saw the inky creatures in the distance. Meanwhile he nimbly fired three arrows at the cultist threatening Rafael, critically wounding him and putting him out of the fight Sakura: Sakura drew her crossbow and fired the bolt at one of the dark glooms, worse than any mere human slaves and freefolks, it flies true but the wounds it cause is very modest. Sleeping Dragon: the biggest cultist remaining stepped up next to Black Cat and slashed at her, letting out a terrible cry, but Cat easily avoided the blow Sleeping Dragon: Sophia swept out with her scythe, slashing the legs out from under a cultist Sleeping Dragon: several other cultists rushed into the fray, but their blows went wide of Black Cat and Ardrun Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun advanced and landed a heavy blow on the toughest of the remaining cultists Sleeping Dragon: the glooms flew into the fray, flowing down to grab at Black Cat and Rafael with arms like tendrils of darkness. One smashed into Cat and its dark form suddenly wrapped round her, attempting to envelop her, but Cat wrenched herself free of the creature's chilling grasp, while Rafael was able to avoid being struck altogether Sleeping Dragon: Porey stepped up and took aim at Ardrun. "Kill or be killed!" he shouted as two quarrels thudded heavily into the former gladiator's chest Black Cat: "You can't kill what you can't see." Cat returned back at Porey, producing a grey stick and tossing it into the fire, a huge cloud of billowing smoke quickly obscured the area. Cat then rushed past the man Ardrun was fighting, confusing the man's sight to give Ardrun an advantage while her shadow was mercilessly attacked by the creatures and the other men. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael attempted to confuse the cultist facing him, but the man saw through his ruse, and only suffered a light wound. Vachir: Vachir fired at the closest gloom, but he missed twice before he could strike and wound the creature. Sakura: Sakura reloaded, moved forward shortly and fired it at the gloom she attacked last time but sadly she missed. Sleeping Dragon: the big cultist hit Ardrun with a strong blow from his sword Sleeping Dragon: Sophia charged into the fray and smashed one of the glooms with her scythe, slicing deep into the strange creature Sleeping Dragon: the archer fired at Rafael but missed again Sleeping Dragon: badly injured, Ardrun called upon the One and slashed around him in a whirlwind of rage. His scimitar slashed through the chest of the strongest cultist, sending him bleeding out his life to the floor, and then struck out into another cultist, sending him thudding dead to the ground, before finally striking a third cultist, sending him reeling back and badly injured Sleeping Dragon: the glooms flowed after their targets, but Black Cat and Rafael dodged their attacks Sleeping Dragon: tutting, Porey stepped up and aimed at Sophia instead, crossbow thrumming. One bolt smashed heavily into Sophia's chest, tearing through her chainmail and embedding itself deeply into her body, staining her deep with blood, and a second slammed into her arm Black Cat: Ignoring the black shape that was ineffectually trying to attack her, Cat dodged around it and moved in on the cultist that Ardrun had wounded. Driving her dagger into his back, the man fell forward and landed with a smapt sound.\ Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael, trapped by the gloom, was only able to strike out at the cultist with little effect. Vachir: Vachir fired an arrow at the gloom threatening Rafael and Sophia. As the projectile pierced the cloud, the latter dissipated, leaving a dead, human-like body. Though a bit dazed by this, Vachir managed to fire another two arrows at the remaining monster, hurting it. Sakura: Sakura yelled at Porey, "Is this all you can do? Haha" She reloaded her crossbow and fired this time in direction of Porey but sadly she missed... poorly Sleeping Dragon: Sophia struck down a cultist and moved to engage the gloom, at the same time taking cover behind the smoke so that Porey couldn't target her again Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun lashed out at the gloom, striking it heavily as he let out a roar and let adrenaline wash over him Sleeping Dragon: the gloom attempted to grab at Cat, but it was badly battered and missed widely Sleeping Dragon: Porey aimed at Rafael, striking him twice. One bolt nearly lanced through Rafael's throat, but the Jeth spun aside and took it in the shoulder Black Cat: Moving away from the gloom, Cat ran behind Porey and jabbed at him again. Rafael ben Efrim: Seeing Black Cat attacking Porey Rafael ran over, raised his scimitar and completely missed the man. Vachir: Vachir fired again, this time at Porey, who was wounded thrice and left barely standing. Sakura: Sakura reloaded and aimed for Porey but missed again Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun gave a yell and rushed heedlessly through the smoke. Emerging out on the other side in front of Ildwin Porey, he swept his scimitar out in a thunderous arc. The blade lashed viciously through the air and sliced straight through Porey's neck, and the head of the Crimson Path cultist sailed through the air to land atop the fire he and his men had made Black Cat: Cat slipped her dagger back into its sheath. "You want to keep going?" She asked, turning to the remaining enemy. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael stepped up to the archer. "Are you going to surrender? Or be a fool and lose your life?" Sakura: Sakura looked at the dead bodies with hint of annoyance and as she went over to the archer in front of Rafael, "You are only one left, surrender or die." Vachir: Vachir kept his bow pointed at the surviving archer, waiting for him to surrender Sleeping Dragon: Sophia stepped up, preparing to strike the man if he wouldn't give in Sleeping Dragon: giving a mad grin, the Crimson Path archer stepped towards the seriously injured Vachir, ignoring blows from Rafael and Sophia as he went. The archer raised his bow and pointed it at the Bolgar, put an arrow to the string Rafael ben Efrim: As the archer prepared to fire, Rafael struck him from behind, a heavy blow that felled the man. Rafael ben Efrim: Immediately Rafael dropped his weapon and knelt by the fallen cultist, binding his wounds. Black Cat: Cat walked over to the fire and rolled Porey's head out of it with her foot. "Well at least we have one survivor." She said looking over at Rafael. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "This one can testify to what has happened here. When we turn him over to the Torathi I suspect he will wish he had died." Sakura: Sakura glanced around at these houses and wondered, "Hopefully there will be proofs and evidences. Who would have thought that they keep popping up." Rafael ben Efrim: "Only this house is Porey's." Rafael said, going over to the door. "We need to find out where the others lived." Sleeping Dragon: a frightened looking woman peered in fright out of one of the houses, face white. She attempted to look surreptitiously but was very inept at it and was immediately spotted. "A...are you...K...Kingdom Guards?" she said in fear Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael immediately went over to her. "Don't be afraid. We aren't Kingdom Guards, we're trying to help here. But we have had to deal with traitors who would have destroyed you all, if they'd succeeded in their evil plans." Vachir: Vachir went to check for some of his arrows that where still intact and put them back in his quiver. When he was done, he gave a worried look to the human-like corpses of the glooms. "Where did these things come from?"he asked for the others to hear "Did Porey summon them?" Sleeping Dragon: the woman looked only slightly relieved, looking at Rafael with some consternation and ducking back into her house. Black Cat: "She might know where the rest of these crazies lived." Cat looked at Sakura expectantly. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael shrugged and returned to Porey's house. Sleeping Dragon: Sophia and Ardrun followed Rafael cautiously into Porey's house. The house was quite small, consisting of just two rooms. One was covered with bits of bedding and contained a chest filled with supplies and clothes, and also a barrel on top of which was a sheaf of notes, an inkpen, and a jar of red ink. The other room contained a second chest, this one locked, and piled in one corner was a large amount of tools - shovels, picks, and hammers. Large amounts of dirt was scattered across the floor or heaped up in erratic piles. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael pointed. "I think we know what happened to the missing tools. But why the heaps of dirt? Have they been digging under here?" He picked up the sheaf of notes and looked at them. Vachir: Vachir followed the others inside the house, deciding to ignore the bodies of the glooms for now Sakura: Sakura glanced at the Cat and nodded at her, "Good point, but first..." She strolled over to Vachir, "They are summoned from the Plane of Negative Energy, that come forth when parts of that realm spill over into this world. Another useful thing to know in case you face them once more is that they can seize the control of the bodies they drained life energy from. If Rafael or Black Cat die..." She paused for a moment, "We may have to destroy their bodies utterly. But thankfully, that did not happened" Sakura: Sakura for a moment as Vachir strolled away, she returned to this poor woman's home and knocked on the door politely... Black Cat: Cat, hearing Rafael's question, poked her head into the house. "I think they were working on a tunnel to escape the city after the Kingdom Guards attack, which they were pretty sure would happen." Rafael ben Efrim: "We should find their workings then," Rafael said. "It will be more proof of their plans." Black Cat: "They said they filled it in, I'm not sure how much, possibly just enough to easily open it back up when needed." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "You were in a fortunate position when the fight started. Did you hear anything else of their plans?" Black Cat: "They mentioned something about a Great Rite and that two of the three parts of it were already gathered. They also seemed to know about our plan for Copperdale, and suggested that someone else knew as well." Sleeping Dragon: Rafael read through the notes, which were wildly disorganised and did not seem to be in any particular order. Many were the sort of rantings that one might expect from a member of the Crimson Path - lengthy diatribes attacking foolish and ridiculous notions such as pacifism or respect for life, paeans to conflict and its central role in improving character and furthering spiritual achievement, and essays expounding the right and indeed moral necessity to destroy weaker creatures so that stronger ones could benefit.
Other passages, however, spoke of Porey's purpose in Copperdell. They spoke of a 'vault', which 'the Overlords' had ordered Porey to break into so that he could discover a fragment of 'the Great Rite'. The cultists, it seemed, had eventually stolen the mining tools to further their task, eventually making their way down into the vault beneath Copperdell and discovering the fragment, with Porey seizing control of several of the vault's occult guardians as he did. What seemed to be the chronologically final passage read:
My third of the Great Rite has been recovered and its success has been communicated to the Overlords. With our success, and that of the disciples in Torath, there is but one more vault to unearth and then the Day of the Blood Storm shall be at hand. I suspect its location to be somewhere in the south, perhaps around Tellerthan or Rannemort...but the Overlords will surely communicate this information to me once we have escaped from Copperdell.' Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "Katerina or Dramock trusted Porey so they might well have told him. These papers speak of the Great Rite, and of the gathering of a part for it. It might be something written I suppose." Rafael looked troubled. Rafael ben Efrim: "Who are these Overlords? Are they demons?" Rafael spoke again. "We may have to go to the south, to stop the final part of this rite being discovered." Vachir: Vachir had been checking the notes together with Rafael "Great Rite? Overlords? Blood storm?"he commented "This is ominous." Rafael ben Efrim: "There may be something useful in the chest over there," Rafael said. "It's locked and may be trapped. Not something I have any skill with I'm afraid." Sakura: Sakura strolled away and back into group is staying Sakura: "So what up? What is in these notes?" She glanced at these notes Black Cat: "I'll take care of the lock over there." Cat said to no one in particular and proceeded to fiddle with the lock. After a few minutes, the lock came open and she lifted the lid. Rafael ben Efrim: "This group seems to be part of a conspiracy to perform something called the Great Rite, parts of which they have been collecting - one from a vault under Copperdell, one I suspect from the underground temple in Torath. The final part is somewhere in the south, and the rite will bring about the Day of the Blood Storm, which does not sound good." Sleeping Dragon: Cat eventually managed to lift the lid of the chest. Within the chest were a number of treasures - several golden candlesticks, a silver ewer, two cloaks of cloth-of-gold, a collection of ancient coins, and a vial of a strange red-black liquid Sakura: Sakura shook her head and told Rafael, "No, that does not sound good..." She looked of full consternation, "Still, it is shame you burnt the last full copy of the Great Rite..." Rafael ben Efrim: "What?" Rafael looked surprised. Sakura: "The iron-clad book which had lot of blood magic in it. And we know that Crimson Path like to dabble in blood... I did came across the riutal that is called the Rite of the Blood Storm." She looked troubled for a moment Vachir: Vachir looked at the chest greedily, but when his eyes fell on the vial, his expression turned to one of worry "Who knows what poisons or drugs these madmen kept with them?" Rafael ben Efrim: "Sakura, if that book held the complete Rite then why were they searching for parts of it?" Rafael asked. "Surely they would have taken the book if it was what they were looking for." Black Cat: Disconnecting from server... CosmicHorror (exit): 00:26 Sakura: She shook her head, "No, it is only concern the introduction of the Rite in question. So that may be why they are looking for full Rite. Still, what I read of the Rite is that it seems to create the Blood Angel and and the ones that summoned it are only ones that can control it. It is so strong that only the full powers of the Masters can defeat it..."
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Post by sleepingdragon on Oct 20, 2009 17:14:31 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: Sakura shook her head, "No, it is only concern the introduction of the Rite in question. So that may be why they are looking for full Rite. Still, what I read of the Rite is that it seems to create the Blood Angel and and the ones that summoned it are only ones that can control it. It is so strong that only the full powers of the Masters can defeat it..." Sakura (enter): 19:26 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (6548) Sakura... Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "Then we must do everything in our power to prevent it take place. I suggest we go immediately to the leaders of the revolt." Sakura: Sakura nodded back seriously, "This Crimson Path is more dangerous than I give them the credit for... Have we searched everything in here?" Vachir: "And don't forget we have to bring the missing tools to them...."said Vachir "Who would have thought they'd have been taken by the Crimson Path..."he shrugged Sakura: Sakura looked warily at these dead bodies, "Shame we have killed them, they would make an excellent offerings for the Royal Justice...." Rafael ben Efrim: "We have the prisoner." Rafael said, looking at the man now tied and recovering his senses. Sakura: "Maybe he will know what we need to know..." She looked at the archer Sleeping Dragon: Black Cat frowned at the prisoner. "This is the one Porey sent to take a message to General Juthe," she said. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked at her. "What kind of message?" Server Administrator-> Kicking '(6528) Sakura' from server... Removing dead client Sakura (exit): 19:45 Sleeping Dragon: "Porey said that Juthe now knew what we were planning in Copperdell, I presume that was his message." Sakura: She frowned with hint of concern, "Is that so..." Rafael ben Efrim: "That's not good." Rafael shook his head, Sakura: "So the Crimson Path plans got a blessing from Juthe... I do not like that at all..." Vachir: "I wonder what will happen when news of this reaches Darragan...."mused Vachir "I don't think he will be pleased." Rafael ben Efrim: "I presumed Juthe was nothing to do with that side of it, but had been told we were planning to aid the rebellion," Rafael said. Sleeping Dragon: "I don't know, Porey only said that Juthe now knew about what we'd been planning," said Cat. Rafael ben Efrim: "That would hardly make him think more highly of us," Rafael said with a sigh. Sakura: "Oh..." She shook her head, "I misheard Cat then... Nevertheless, we should go back to these rebel leaders, dragging the archer..." Sleeping Dragon: the party made their way back towards the rebel base, taking their prisoner with them. As they grew near to the walls they noticed that there were a large number of rebels gathered near the gate, speaking in irregular groups. The discussion seemed in some places to be getting quite heated. Sakura: "I wonder what they are discussing about" She looked at them with curiosity. Rafael ben Efrim: "Only one way to find out," Rafael replied. He went over to one of the groups. "What's going on?" Sleeping Dragon: "The Guards've sent a messenger to the gates," said a short miner. "That bastard Hannant's been arrested for corruption. Juthe says that any rebels who surrender will receive a full pardon except for Katerine, Drammoc, and Porey, who are to stand trial. Juthe claims he'll speak on their behalf himself at the trial to try to convince the King to show leniency." Rafael ben Efrim: "Is the messenger still there?" Rafael asked, looking at the gates. Sleeping Dragon: "No, he rode up and gave the message, then rode off." Sleeping Dragon: edit: Juthe says that any of us... Sakura: "Pity..." Sakura muttered, "So what do you think of this, Rafael" she whispered. Rafael ben Efrim: "I think Juthe is trying to forestall a true rebellion, knowing what Porey told him," Rafael replied, "we need to let everyone know the situation has changed." Sleeping Dragon: one of the rebels looked over at where Ardrun and Sophia were struggling with the mining tools. "What the fuck, are those the missing tools?" one of the rebels shouted Rafael ben Efrim: "Yes, we've solved the mystery of who took them, but we must take them to headquarters." Rafael said. "Would you accompany us?" Vachir: While Rafael and Sakura spoke, Vachir kept his eyes on the captured Crimson Path archer, wary of any dangerous movements Skyman (enter): 20:29 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (6578) Skyman... Sleeping Dragon: a few of the rebels broke off and followed Rafael. "So what the fuck happened?" the man asked him immediately. "I never thought those things would turn up." Sakura: " Simple, someone stole them on purpose. We have found these mining tools hidden in one of the homes we went through. And now, we will go to headquarter to explain what had happened so far..." Sakura: She explained carefully to the crowd. Sleeping Dragon: "Who took them? You can explain to us on the way back, we've got a right to know." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked at Sakura. "I think you do have that right. Porey had them hidden in his house. He and some of his men were working with the Torathi." Sleeping Dragon: "That fucking bastard!" the man exclaimed. The rebels following along muttered amongst themselves angrily. "Did you kill him or did he get away? I assume you've fought him, you've got blood on your clothes," the man added. Rafael ben Efrim: "Yes, we were asking some questions and he and his men suddenly attacked us." Rafael explained. "We had got too close to the truth." Sleeping Dragon: the miners spoke amongst themselves for a while. "So how come they stole the tools in the first place?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "They wanted to cause trouble and bloodshed. If they had succeeded there would have been far more fighting and the Torathi would have attacked the town with terrible results." Sleeping Dragon: "What, the Kingdom Guards wanted a rebellion?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael shook his head. "Not the Kingdom Guards. These men had other, far more complicated reasons for wanting this situation to escalate." Sakura: "Well, as far we are aware of, Porey have been passing along informations to the General concerning the situations here." Sakura told them. Sleeping Dragon: at this point the party drew up to the rebel base in the former Kingdom Guard barracks. "Right. But why did the Kingdom Guards want a rebellion in the first place?" Skyman: Disconnecting from server... Skyman (exit): 20:57 Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael sighed. "We are now going to explain everything to Katarine and Drammoc, so you will learn all that happened." Sleeping Dragon: the door opened and they made their way inside to find Katerine and Drammoc speaking quietly in a corner of the mess hall. As they looked up to see the party Ardrun and Sophia began to pile the mining tools up against a wall, glad to finally set the heavy items down.
"What...you found them? Where were they?" Katerine asked. Rafael ben Efrim: "I'm afraid you aren't going to like the answer to that," Rafael said. "Porey had them." Sleeping Dragon: "What?" Sakura: "Pretty much," She shook her head sadly, "The simple explanation that Porey and his group was part of the murderous cult devoted to spreading disorder and chaos. This rebellion is just merely part of that aims. After all, if it was not for the theft, would you be able to say if the rebellion have indeed occurs?" She told them. Sleeping Dragon: "A cult?" Katerine looked stunned. "Do you have proof? What is this cult? What's happened to Porey? Did you kill him?" Rafael ben Efrim: "We did kill him. He and his men attacked us, because we had begun to ask certain questions. " Rafael said. "And we have met with the cult before, in Malador and in Torath. They are known as the Crimson Path." Sleeping Dragon: "What's your proof? And what is the Crimson Path?" the miner who had been questioning them before asked. "You could be making this up." Sakura: Sakura looked at this miner with a hint of annoyance, "The Crimson Path is responsible and indirectly responsible for many deaths so far. We are certainly not making this up. Why would I tell a lie?" Sleeping Dragon: "Money? Power? I don't know you. Why should I just take you at your word? This is pretty fucking serious stuff you're talking about," the miner replied.
Katerine broke in. "It's a very far fetched story. Do you have any proof you can show us?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael turned to Karenine. "Yes, we have proof. But...would it be possible to speak to just a few first. This is serious stuff!" he said to the miners. "Bloody and vile, and we intend to stop it going any further." Sleeping Dragon: Sophia nodded. "We'll explain it all, I swear. This is new information to me as well, but we're telling the truth." Sakura: Sakura looked with hint of concern and nodded, "Yes, the fates of many will depend on it." Sleeping Dragon: the miner looked suspicious, but nodded. "Fine," he muttered. Rafael ben Efrim: "We have some papers." Rafael said quietly to Katerine. Sleeping Dragon: Katerine nodded and she and Drammoc rose and walked towards the store room where they had interrogated one of the Kingdom Guards earlier. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael followed, indicating to Ardrun that they should bring the unconsious prisoner with them. Sakura: Sakura followed them as well. Sleeping Dragon: Ardrun heaved the prisoner over his shoulder casually and brought him along with them, putting him down on the floor once the door was closed.
"You have papers?" Katerine said to Rafael, holding a hand out Enrico: (whispering): Enrico asked around for directions and the party's current whereabouts whispering to Enrico, "They went to base to speak to Katerine and Drammoc, it's just over there," one of the rebels told Enrico, pointing to a large building which had previously been the town's Kingdom Guard barracks. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael held out Porey's notes. "We found these locked in a chest in Porey's house. You will see that the tools were actually taken for another reason, although Porey was happy enough that the theft had led to the revolt. We did not want to expand on the dark and horrible dealings of this evil cult in front of everyone. You must decide how much of this knowledge should be made common." Enrico: (whispering): He thanked the man and strolled towards the rebel headquarters. Sleeping Dragon: Katerine sat down to read the papers while Drammoc stood, half-gaping and half-frowning. "I knew I never trusted that bastard..." he muttered. Rafael ben Efrim: "Did he ever say or do anything odd or suspicious?" Rafael asked Drammoc. Sleeping Dragon: "What, other than being unhelpful earlier? No, but I never quite liked his manner." Sakura: "We also found out that Porey communicated with the General Juthes concerning this rebellion by this archer." She told them. whispering to Enrico, Enrico quickly made his way into the rebel base. He entered and found himself in a large mess hall, in which there were ten miners standing around speaking quietly to themselves. Several grabbed their weapons as Enrico entered. "Who are you?" one of them demanded Enrico: (whispering): Enrico walked over to the former barracks, and looked for an entrance. Sleeping Dragon: "Do you know what he communicated to the General?" Enrico: (whispering): "No need to get so defensive. I'm an assistant of those conversing with Katerine and Drammoc right now, and have some information for them." Sakura: "Not sure, just the situation concerning this rebellion so far. I have hope that the archer will reveal more informations." Sakura wondered whispering to Enrico, "What's your name? I'll go tell them you're here." Enrico: (whispering): "Tell them that Weemowet the Ferocious Roarer is here to help." Enrico then sat down, looking bored. Sleeping Dragon: "Alright," said Katerine, continuing to read quickly. "This is definitely Porey's hand writing," she said. "Horrible..." she paused and then handed the paper back to Rafael. "I've seen enough...what do you suppose this 'Great Rite' is?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael paused. "It appears to be intended to bring about an event called the Blood Storm. Given the nature of the Crimson Path, it is likely to be violent and deadly." whispering to Enrico, "Do you think you're funny? Let me explain something to you, slowly. I've never seen you before. You've suddenly showed up right in our base in the middle of an uprising in which we're fighting for our lives. I find that a little suspicious and therefore I want to know your fucking name before I decide whether or not we should be sticking you full of spears. Alright?" Sakura: "An event so powerful that no races apart from the Masters can oppose it." Sakura looked concerned. Sleeping Dragon: as Rafael spoke, the archer stirred weakly on the floor. Enrico: (whispering): "Sticking me full of spears wouldn't help with anything, I'm afraid. Just tell them that Enrico is here so that we can all work on getting your asses out of this quagmire." Enrico sighed. "Your lack of humour is inexcusable, however." whispering to Enrico, "If I wanted your excuses I'd ask for them," the man replied, turning and leaving the mess hall. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael crouched to examine the man. "This is one of the cult, and their contact with Juthe. He is coming round, so we may get some information from him." Sleeping Dragon: there was a knock on the door. "Someone called Enrico wants to speak to you," one of the miners said. Sakura: Sakura turned at the door, looking surprised. "What Enrico is doing here I wonder..." Rafael ben Efrim: "Enrico is our friend and has also faced the Crimson Path." Rafael explained to the rebel leaders. Sleeping Dragon: "Do you want to speak to him? I'll bring him here if you do." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded, looking to Katerina and Drammoc for agreement. Vachir: Vachir nodded in agreement with the others whispering to Enrico, the miner came back into the room and waved Enrico over. Sakura: Sakura grinned for a moment as if Enrico is a comedic relief as she reflected on that ship with looking for that item. Sleeping Dragon: the door opened and Enrico was let into the room Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael welcomed Enrico. "How did you get in through the seige?" he asked. Enrico: Enrico strolled in wearing a sheepish look on his face. "Ah, all of my dearest friends. You all look as fabulous as always, even when covered in human giblets." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael smiled despite himself. "We have had dealings with the Crimson Path again, Rico." Sakura: Sakura glanced at Enrico closely as if trying to gauge his last reply, smilign Vachir: Vachir looked somewhat bemused at seeing Enrico again after such a long time, but he said nothing. Enrico: "Those barbarians again? Regardless, I have abandoned my luxurious and most exciting post to render my services to you in this great time of need. As I get more informed about the current situation you can expect full cooperation." Enrico flashed an innocent smile. Vachir: edit: change 'after such a long time to 'again' Rafael ben Efrim: "I'm sure we shall get it as usual," Rafael replied smoothly. "I believe we are about to embark on a most important mission, and it will be good to have you with us again." Enrico: "Sounds quite extraordinary, indeed. There will be a trifling matter of some nagging particulars for which I'm here, but we can discuss those later at your leisure." Enrico's smiling after every sentence appeared to be hypnotically flawless. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael turned back to Katerina and Drammoc. "Do you wish to interrogate the prisoner?" he asked, indicating the recovering archer. Sleeping Dragon: "Of course." Enrico: "Perhaps I can help" - Enrico swooped down on the prisoner, depositing him on the chair. Sleeping Dragon: the archer groaned and looked around blearily Enrico: Enrico produced a small stick and pushed it in between the prisoners fingers. He then held the hand tight. "Ah, you are awake, friend. Feeling better?" Sleeping Dragon: the archer said nothing Enrico: Enrico smiled charmingly and pressed hard on the fingers with both hands. "Perhaps this will refresh your memory." Sleeping Dragon: the archer ground his teeth for a while, but couldn't keep it up, eventually giving a stifled scream Enrico: "Don't worry, there will be no permanent damage. Perhaps you can still try performing arts?" Sleeping Dragon: "Fuck you." Sakura: "Nevertheless, who do you serve and will you tell us what we want to know?" Sakura asked him directly Enrico: Enrico lightened the grip a little, waiting for an answer Sleeping Dragon: "Aaaaargh! You haven't told me what you want to know you fucking idiot!" Enrico: "Everything you know, of course" Sakura: "Good, a reply. What was the message you bought for the General Juthe and how did you came to be here and the plan for the Crimson Path naturally." Sleeping Dragon: "Ok, ok...aaaaaargh! Do you enjoy doing that?" the archer asked Enrico Vachir: "And tell us all you know about this 'Great Rite' of yours'."said a spiteful-sounding Vachir Rafael ben Efrim: "And who the others are. The ones who have gone south." added Rafael. Enrico: "I don't enjoy inflicting pain on friends. Just talk." Sleeping Dragon: "Why not? AAAAAAARGH! It's natural to...aaaaargh...inflict pain." Rafael ben Efrim: "It's natural to suffer it then. Not so enjoyable though is it." Rafael said, with a cruel laugh. Sakura: "The only question is how long you can withstand it. Anyone can be broken in time, it is just matter of time." She yawned for a moment Enrico: Enrico pulled the stick from between the man's fingers and started fiddling around with it, waiting for an answer. Sleeping Dragon: "Ok, ok...Porey told me to tell Juthe that you were just stringing him along with your proposal to be 'administrators' in Copperdell after a peaceful solution. He thought that would mean Juthe wouldn't trust anything you told him and it would mean that the Kingdom Guards would surely attack." Rafael ben Efrim: "Did Porey suggest what our actual intentions were?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: "That you wanted another rebellion here later? Of course, I told Juthe that." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael dismissed this with a wave of his hand. "Never mind that. What about the Crimson Path?" Sleeping Dragon: "It's the only rational way to live, as you know intuitively even if you won't admit it. Initiating conflict and inflicting pain on me is working fairly well for you so far, isn't it?" Rafael ben Efrim: "But it isn't an end in itself," Rafael retorted. "Causing pain is sometimes necessary to avoid a greater evil, but it is never a good thing." Enrico: Enrico suddenly produced a dented-looking pockmarked dagger and poked the archer in the earlobe. Sleeping Dragon: "I agree entirely, it's sometimes necessary to...aaarrgh! Bastard!" Enrico: "What's the matter, Brother? I'm following the way of the Path." Said Enrico solemnly. Sleeping Dragon: the archer said nothing Enrico: Enrico shrugged and started sawing methodically at the earlobe. Sleeping Dragon: "Aaaargh! Fuck off, aaaaargh! None of us went south! Aaaargh! Porey wanted us to go south once the Kingdom Guards attacked! I don't know where to!" Sakura: "And what about the Great Rite? Do you know anything about that?" Sakura frowned at him. Vachir: "And the Overlords, tell us who they are."added Vachir sternly Sleeping Dragon: "No, Porey kept the details to himself! The Overlords are the leaders of the Path! I don't know who they are or even if they exist outside of Porey's head!" Rafael ben Efrim: "Were you involved in the digging?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: "We all were, yes." Rafael ben Efrim: "Did you enter the vault? And did you see what was found there? Sleeping Dragon: "Some sort of papers, Porey didn't let us see them." Rafael ben Efrim: "Did anyone speak about them?" Sleeping Dragon: "No, Porey passed the information in them on to the Overlords and then burned them." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "How did he contact the Overlords?" Sleeping Dragon: "I don't know, he didn't do that through me." Rafael ben Efrim: "Did he use someone else then?" Sleeping Dragon: "I presume so, he didn't tell me how he did it and we were to keep our tasks secret from the others so we couldn't give them up in circumstances like this." Rafael ben Efrim: "But you knew the others," Rafael said thoughtfully. "Were all of you present at Porey's house today?" Sleeping Dragon: "That was all of us, as far as I know." Rafael ben Efrim: "All who were going south after the Torathi attack?" Sleeping Dragon: "Yes." Rafael ben Efrim: "Have you heard of Tellerthan or Rannemort?" Sleeping Dragon: "They're towns in the south, Porey guessed that the other vault must be around there somewhere...I don't know why." Rafael ben Efrim: "I imagine the Overlords informed him," Rafael said drily. He looked around at the others. "Is there anything else you wish to ask this man?" Sleeping Dragon: "Nothing, but I'd like to speak to you," said Katerine Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. He pulled a vial out of his pack and gave the prisoner a short drink from it. In a matter of moments the man fell asleep. Sleeping Dragon: Katerine eyed the man. "Are you sure he's out?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael lifted the man's eyelids. "Completely so. What did you want to say to us?" Sleeping Dragon: "You've heard about the offer Juthe's made us, I'm sure. What do you think we should do?" Rafael ben Efrim: "I think we must start by informing him of this new development." Rafael said. "Juthe has had some experience of the Crimson Path himself, so he will understand their effect." Sleeping Dragon: "Alright." Rafael ben Efrim: "We have given you all the information," Rafael said to Katerine and Drammoc. "We did not give the whole story to the miners, it might cause panic. But it is up to you how little or how much you tell them of the cult and their intentions."
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Post by sleepingdragon on Nov 1, 2009 12:42:25 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: the party went and spoke to Juthe, who reiterated his offer to speak on behalf of Katerine and Drammoc at any trial, and revealed that Ombrosian Hannant was to also be tried, having been arrested and then made a desperate and futile attempt to have Juthe assassinated. Juthe suggested that the party should come with him to Torath - they could also speak on behalf of the rebel leaders, and Juthe claimed that there could be information about the location of the last part of the Rite of the Blood Storm in either the Public Halls or the library at the Royal Palace. Juthe followed this up by coldly warning the party that, once their business with the Crimson Path was finished, that they should leave the Kingdom of Torath and never return.
The group were able to easily persuade Drammoc and Katerine to accept the offer, but Sakura then warned the party that Holpan Seamander, who had been hoping to prolong the rebellion, might be unhappy with a peaceful solution and that they should go and speak to him to ensure he did nothing to interfere. Seamander required some persuading, claiming not to know what they were talking about and skillfully avoiding their attempts to pin him down to any specific promises. The party helped his understanding with liberal bribes and eventually he promised that he and the Council would accept the resolution that had been worked out - not that they had ever planned to do otherwise, of course.
Finally the party were able to return to Copperdell and drop into a deep sleep. In the morning the situation in Copperdell was tense - word of the offer had begun to circulate. Most of the rebels were accepting it in resignation, believing it to be the best possible offer, with only a small group of militants loudly denouncing even the conditional surrender and warning that the Kingdom Guards and the King were utterly untrustworthy and that the slaves were throwing away their best chance to win their freedom. Several vowed to never return into the mines unless it was their own choice. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael tried to get these militants to see that they stood no chance against the Kingdom Guards as the situation now stood, especially with no help likely from Malador in the immediate future. CosmicHorror: Disconnecting from server... CosmicHorror (exit): 19:48 enrico: Enrico enjoyed a bottle of wine he brought with him. Sakura: Sakura sulked a little as she didn;t get Seamander agree without paying anything. This is not good time for her. "Well, at least we managed to settle this..." She whispered to herselfd. Vachir: Vachir was gloomy and didn't join his companions in their attempts to calm the militants Sleeping Dragon: Sophia and Ardrun helped Rafael attempt to argue his case. They won about half of the militants over, with a few hardliners insisting that a successful defence of Copperdell could have sparked rebellions elsewhere in the Kingdom. "Your views might be different if you'd ever had to work a sixteen hour shift down a puny fucking mineshaft," one of them added as he departed.
The surrender and the party's setting out to Torath did not occur until late in the day - Juthe, hoping to ensure no incidents that could respark the rebellion occured, spent the day with Gann Chovett, rearranging the divisions of the Guard so that troops that had previously been stationed in Copperdell and might have had reason to have a grudge against the rebels were removed and came back to Torath with Juthe, replaced by soldiers who had not previously been stationed there. Halfway into the afternoon, Katerine and Drammoc formally surrendered, Colonel Chovett was placed in command in Copperdell, and Holpan Seamander set out for Malador with the envoys that the party had escorted to Torath previously. Juthe had horses provided for the party for them to ride back to Torath. "I can't imagine you'd be able to keep up on foot," he said harshly to Sakura by way of explanation, before turning his destrier and trotting away to ride at the centre of the column Rafael ben Efrim: "You should perhaps keep away from Juthe, Sakura." Rafael said to her with a half-smile. enrico: "Now that this bothersome rebellion business is done, no more professional bureaucrats I hope?" Sakura: She wrinked her nose for a moment, "He does not seems to like me much..." Rafael ben Efrim: "I don't know that Juthe likes anyone much," Rafael replied. "But I believe he is the most honest person we have met since coming to the New Coast, and therefore a good man to have on your side." Vachir: "I wonder why."commented Vachir sarcastically "People tend not to like when you get bags of gold from them through threats. It might have been best if we had never asked for that..."he shrugged Sakura: "But then, we always look at the past with perfect sight. Still, what is done are done and you can only either put up with consquences or at least try to make it slightly better." Sakura considered for a moment Sleeping Dragon: at length they departed, seeing Colonel Chovett's Kingdom Guards re-enter Copperdell a few at a time as they went
The column of a little over two hundred Kingdom Guards marched along at a great pace in disciplined silence. The party drew numerous glances - a number of the Guards looked at Rafael in particular in open loathing - but they were given nothing more than looks. Katerine, Drammoc, Hannant, and the Guards that had tried to kill Juthe were kept prisoner in wagons and under close watch. Katerine and Drammoc were briefly allowed out to get food and so that the party could see that they had not been badly treated, though they were forbidden to speak to anyone. No such provisions were made for Hannant and his lackeys. As the column had set out late in the day they stopped and encamped several miles short of the farming town of Maddrik, with the Guards setting up rudimentary pallisades on each side to protect the camp in case of attack in the night before pitching tents. The Guards supplied spare tents for the party, one for the women and another for the men. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael made a point of thanking the Guards. Sakura: Sakura settled down, wondering what is going to happen in the coming time. enrico: Enrico followed the procession, whistling tunes to himself and ignoring the stares from the soldiers. Vachir: Vachir sat down with the others to rest, not saying anything Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael spoke to the others when they were alone. "I know we have two hundred Kingdom Guards with us, but it might be as well to keep our own lookout during the night. Suppose there were traitors among them who would release Hannant? Or members of the Crimson Path?" Sleeping Dragon: the party decided to keep watches during the night, keeping one of them up in each tent just in case, but the night passed without incident and the Guards rose early to break camp and continue the march back to the capital city. Sakura: Sakura only looked confused for a moment, "So nothing happened during the night?!" She muttered to herself enrico: "No Crimson Path delegation with fanfare, trumpets and gifts I'm afraid." Sleeping Dragon: they continued on their way. Not long into the day they passed by the farms around Maddrik, where Juthe stopped briefly to confer with the chief of the Guards there before they continued on their way. They passed a few travellers on the way, who suggested that there had been a bit of low level unrest in Torath following the festival and the Guards' harsh dispersal of revellers following the news about the rebellion in Copperdell, but there had only been a few fights and a stabbing or two and nothing had seriously threatened order.
They continued the march for most of the day. As they drew near Juthe despatched messengers on fast horses to Torath to announce what had happened, and shortly after the sun had set the city of Torath came into view. The gates were opened for them and the column marched back into the city, where they were greeted by a crowd of about a hundred and fifty citizens under the careful eye of a company of Kingdom Guards. The crowd cheered loudly as the Guards reentered, but most of the people in the crowd hardly looked happy, casting occasional wary glances at the Guardsmen that had been assigned to watch over them. The only citizens who seemed legitimately pleased to see the Guards were their families. These went to greet the soldiers with flowers or kisses, and in a few cases learned that their loved ones would be serving briefly in Copperdell and had to go away unhappy. Town Captain Marlog Trepp and a few courtiers were also on hand to greet the triumphant Guards, but most of them did so with little enthusiasm.
Juthe rode over to the party briefly. "It'll be too late for you to access the libraries now, but I'll go to speak to the King and get you access as soon as possible," he said, managing for once to address the party with a minimum of hostility. Rafael ben Efrim: "Thank you." Rafael replied. "We will need to find somewhere to stay." Sleeping Dragon: Juthe shrugged. "The King's Arms is right there," he gestured to a building by the city walls, which the party had stayed in during their first visit to the city. "Whichever you prefer. I'll send a man to meet you at King Darragan's statue an hour after sun up tomorrow morning to let you know what's happening." Rafael ben Efrim: "Very well. How long do you think it will be before the trial?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: "Not long. We take justice seriously in Torath. Perhaps you should invite some of Malador's Councillors, they could find it instructive," said Juthe. Rafael ben Efrim: "Perhaps our two cities have lessons they could learn from each other," Rafael said. Sleeping Dragon: "If I need to learn to be greedy, corrupt and treacherous I'll just ask for your instruction and not bother myself with a journey to Malador," said Juthe. He gave a grunt and trotted away from the party without further comment. Vachir (enter): 21:19 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (318) Vachir... Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael sighed. "Patience would become that man." Sakura: Sakura nodded for a moment, "Right, to Crown?" Rafael ben Efrim: "The Kings Arms is a perfectly good inn, and right here." Rafael replied. Sakura: Sakura sighed for a moment, "Fair enough." Sleeping Dragon: as it happened, they discovered that their choice had been limited to one anyway - in the King's Arms they learned that the Crown, known as a haunt for off-duty Kingdom Guards, had fallen under attack by a crowd during the disturbances following the festival, the innkeeper had been seriously injured, and the building itself damaged by fire and was temporarily shut for repairs. The innkeeper of the Arms, Grelgar Thwaite, had the good grace not to applaud his rival's misfortune, and in fact seemed genuinely horrified. "Made me glad again that we have the Guards to defend us from the mob," said Thwaite. "Otherwise it'd be utterly impossible to do any sort of business around here. It's six silvers per bed, by the way. There's three rooms available with six beds each - if you want privacy you'll need to pay for the beds you're not using as well, otherwise you might end up with some strangers in there with you." Rafael ben Efrim: "We men can all share a room, if that is agreeable to the rest of you." Rafael said, looking round at the others. Sleeping Dragon: Sophia offered to stay with the men, saying she didn't mind Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "That is hardly decent." Sleeping Dragon: Sophia laughed and punched Rafael in the shoulder Sakura: Sakura smiled for a moment, "I am taking the whole room, I won't mind Sophia at all." Rafael ben Efrim: "That would be far more suitable," Rafael agreed. Rafael ben Efrim: He surreptiously rubbed his shoulder. Sakura: She handed oevr modest sum of 36 pieces to the inn-keeper. Sleeping Dragon: Sophia agreed to stay with Cat and Sakura Vachir: Vachir agreed that it was best for the men to share a room Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael paid for himself. Vachir (exit): 21:49 enrico: Enrico threw some coins on the counter without any questions, then headed to the room. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael asked the proprietor about food. Sleeping Dragon: the party retired to their rooms, being told that food would be brought up to anyone who wanted it shortly Sleeping Dragon: bowls of stew were brought up to the party shortly afterwards Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael ate his stew hungrily, and then performed his ablutions before sitting in silence on his bed with his head bowed. whispering to Vachir, enrico, Rafael ben Efrim, as dawn began to break, the men were all woken by a noise that sounded like heavily booted feet coming up the steps whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, Rafael, focusing hard, thought he could also hear a slight metal jangle behind the steps whispering to Sakura, Sakura was woken suddenly by Cat sometime around dawn. "There's quite a few people coming upstairs," she said quietly, moving on to wake Sophia as well enrico: (whispering): Enrico quietly armed himself and pretended to be asleep Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): Rafael got out of bed and made sure the other men were awake. "Can you hear that sound? Is it keys or...?" Vachir: (whispering): "Sounds like someone is coming for us.."said Vachir getting out of bed suddenly whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, enrico, Vachir, there came a loud, heavy knock on the door. " whispering to Sakura, after a few moments in which Sophia hastily rose and grabbed her scythe, there came a loud, heavy knock at the door Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "Who is it?" Rafael called out, quickly pulling on clothing and making sure his daggers were about him. Vachir: (whispering): Vachir rushed to get his bow and quiver Sakura: (whispering): She woke up and took her crossbow up, prepared for any potential dangers. "What is going on?" She inquired loudly of the door. Listening for any more noises whispering to Sakura, "I am Jondaran of the Torathi Kingdom Guards. You are ordered to come to the Royal Palace to answer some questions." whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, enrico, Vachir, "My name is Malton of the Kingdom Guards of Torath. You're ordered to come to the Royal Palace in order to answer some questions." Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): Rafael looked at the others and raised his eyebrows. "We will be ready shortly." Then he whispered to the others. "What do you think this is?" Vachir: (whispering): "I'm not particularly surprised."replied Vachir "I think they want to question us throughly about the Path and...a few other things, possibly" enrico: (whispering): "Perhaps they have found a pretense to do something unpleasant." Sakura: (whispering): "Hmm... questions?" She wondered. After quickly prepared for the trip, she unbolted the door and opened the door very carefully. Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "We may regret returning to Torath." Rafael said, completing his preparations and arming himself. "First we ensure this man is who he says he is." whispering to Sakura, standing by the door were two uniformed Kingdom Guards in scale mail, carrying swords and shields. Jondaran eyed Sakura's crossbow and Sophia's scythe. "Please put down your weapons, it's forbidden to take arms to the Royal Palace." whispering to Sakura, Sakura could sense extreme tension in Jondaran's voice, though he attempted to hide it. He gripped his sword tightly and was eyeing Sophia in worry whispering to Vachir, enrico, Rafael ben Efrim, "Please come promptly," said Malton. Sakura: (whispering): She nodded, "Very well." She went over and put the crossbow down and strolled back, glancing at Sophia. "Hmm?" Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): Having ensured that the other men were ready, Rafael opened the door cautiously. "Forgive our suspicion, but we would like to see proof thyat you are who you say you are." whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, enrico, Vachir, "I am in uniform. Open the door and you will see." whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, the man seemed to be telling the truth about who he was, but there was a great deal of tension in his voice whispering to Vachir, the man sounded very tense, though as far as Vachir could tell he was telling the truth about who he was Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): Rafael frowned. "He seems to be truthful but very tense. Are we going to trust him?" whispering to Sakura, Sophia very hesitantly put down her scythe. Vachir: (whispering): "Let's go with him, but keep our eyes open for treachery."he whispered to the others Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): Rafael nodded and opened the door cautiously. whispering to Vachir, enrico, Rafael ben Efrim, behind the door were four uniformed Kingdom Guards, wearing scale armour and carrying shields & bared swords or hammers. Their leader, seemingly Malton, looked at Vachir's bow. "It's forbidden to bring weapons to the Royal Palace. Please put leave them here." whispering to Vachir, enrico, Rafael ben Efrim, *please leave them here... Sakura: (whispering): She smiled slightly as she glanced back at Jondaran, "Let go shall we?" whispering to enrico, through the open door Enrico heard Sakura speak. "Let's go shall we?" she was saying to someone Vachir: (whispering): Vachir slowly set his bow down, though it looked like he had considered not doing that enrico: (whispering): Enrico put his rapier away and got dressed, fumbling with his gear Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): Rafael frowned, but he left his scimitar. "You guarantee our safety?" whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, Vachir, enrico, "I have no orders to harm you unless you do not cooperate," said Malton whispering to Sakura, "One moment," said Jondaran, holding up his hand and looking to his left whispering to Vachir, Rafael ben Efrim, the Guard seemed tense again, and his words, though carefully picked, didn't seem to ring quite true Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): Rafael looked at Vachir, and imperceptibly shook his head. Vachir: (whispering): "I wonder why Juthe didn't tell us that'd have us brought to the palace and questioned...."mused Vachir, obviously sounding like he felt something was wrong with the situation whispering to Sakura, Cat whispered quickly into Sakura's ear. "The men are stalling, something's wrong," she said Sakura: (whispering): "An ambush?" She whispered, "What do you hear?" Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "Please excuse us for a moment." Rafael said, then slammed the door again. whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, enrico, Vachir, Malton thrust his hand out to try to keep the door open. whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, enrico, Vachir, Rafael was able to get the door shut, but there promptly followed a loud thump at the door Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "What the hell is going on?" Rafael hissed at the others. whispering to Sakura, as she asked that she heard a loud bang out in the hallway enrico: (whispering): Enrico whispered : "A trap of some sort? They probably have the house surrounded." Sakura: (whispering): Sakura frowned at the guards, "What is going on!" She yelled at them authoritatively. Vachir: (whispering): "This is just wrong..."whispered Vachir "I feel we are being set up and they'll slit our throats as soon as there are no witnesses around."he added. As he said that, his gaze went to the bow he had dropped on the nearby bed Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "Has Juthe been sidestepped?" Rafael suggested, grabbing his scimitar. whispering to Vachir, enrico, Rafael ben Efrim, as Enrico said that, Ardrun picked up his scimitar and glanced out of the window, which looked down over the inn's back yard and stable. "There are two Guards at the back door, they have crossbows," said Ardrun whispering to Vachir, enrico, Rafael ben Efrim, "Open the door now!" enrico: (whispering): As the guards were struggling to kick open the door, Enrico grabbed hold of his rapier and stood right next to it. "When I tell you, swing it wide open!" Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "You've been lying to us!" Rafael said, while making gestures to the others to get out of the window. "Swear that you mean us no harm at all!" enrico: (whispering): As the guards were struggling to kick open the door, Enrico grabbed hold of his rapier and stood right next to it. "When I tell you, swing it wide open!" whispering to Sakura, there was another bump and a shout of "Open the door now!" from out in the corridor. Jondaran's face went white as Sophia leapt for her scythe. "P...put your weapon down!" he shouted Vachir: (whispering): Hearing Ardrun's warning, Vachir started to reach for his bow again, though he hesitated for a moment, as if he was still unsure of the situation Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "If they are working for Daragan that might be a bad idea." Rafael said. Sakura: (whispering): Sakura's eyes narrowed at the guards, "You are not casting yourself in very good light at the moment. Are you trying to kill us all? Be truthfully..." Vachir: (whispering): "I know."replied Vachir "But we have to decide now, it might already be too late." enrico: (whispering): "Swing the door wide open and suprise them! If they are here to actually kill us, this is the only chance." whispering to Sakura, "No, but you must put your weapon down and come with me immediately!" said Jondaran enrico: (whispering): "Swing the door wide open and suprise them! If they are here to actually kill us, this is the only chance." whispering to Vachir, enrico, Rafael ben Efrim, Ardrun thrust the window open Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "Our business with the Path is too important for this nonsense." Rafael said angrily. "But there are many guards in the city. Let's just get out of here." whispering to Vachir, enrico, Rafael ben Efrim, as Rafael said that the door was suddenly burst open with a heavy kick whispering to Sakura, there was a loud smashing noise from out in the corridor Sakura: (whispering): "We are not foolish to leave our weapons behind. We will only leave them outside the Royal Palace." She took up her crossbow and glanced at the guards... "Well?" whispering to enrico, Vachir, Rafael ben Efrim, Malton burst through the door with his sword raised, but as he did Enrico kicked out and swept his feet from under him. The other Kingdom Guards raised their weapons and let out a yell. whispering to Sakura, at this there was a loud yell from the corridor and Jondaran rushed suddenly at Sakura
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Post by sleepingdragon on Nov 14, 2009 16:17:52 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: Malton burst through the door with his sword raised, but as he did Enrico kicked out and swept his feet from under him. The other Kingdom Guards raised their weapons and let out a yell. Meanwhile, Jondaran rushed suddenly at Sakura Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael ran to the other side of the fallen guard and held his scimitar ready to strike. "One more step and he's a dead man!" he hissed at the other guards. Vachir: Vachir got his bow from the bed where he had dropped it and rapidly turned to face the nearest guard, drawing a bead on him Sleeping Dragon: Black Cat rushed in towards Jondaran, drawing a dagger out in a flash from under her heavy, concealing robes. Stabbing at the Kingdom Guard viciously, she then sprang away again Sleeping Dragon: outside in the courtyard, the two men who Ardrun had spotted, hearing the noise, moved to get a look in through the window, raising their crossbows and pointing them towards Vachir. "We have you surrounded! Surrender!" they shouted Sakura: Sakura looked taken back by this man rushing toward her, her eyes looked at him with pure calm as he is nothing more than an ant that managed go above it station. "You do not know what you are dealing with... We fought countless enemies and monsters. They all gone. You will join them... headless!" Sleeping Dragon: Sophia stepped forward into the path by the door, holding her scythe ready to strike Rafael ben Efrim: Ardrun moved to the door and loomed over the man on the ground, glaring at his companion in the doorway. "One step inside and you will die, liars!" Rafael ben Efrim: The man on the ground moved suddenly, and Rafael struck out, wounding him. Vachir: Vachir followed Rafael's attack with an arrow, but it was only a glancing shot which left the man shaken but still conscious Sleeping Dragon: as Vachir raised his bow, the two crossbowmen outside also fired. One struck the window and skittered away, but the other sailed through and slammed heavily into Vachir's back Sleeping Dragon: the Guards moved in. The one that had stood up struck weakly at Ardrun, while two of the others, maneuvring in the narrow space available to them, slashed at Enrico and missed widely Sleeping Dragon: at the other door, the Guards also moved in, save for the one threatened by Sakura, who made for the stairs. The first Guard to step through the threshold raised his sword at Sophia, who responded by calmly slashing out with her scythe. The wicked blade sliced through the air with monstrous force. Shearing into the Kingdom Guard's side, it tore through his scale armour as if it wasn't there, rending it to pieces as it passed straight through the Guard's body. Blood and entrails spattered his compatriots as the Guard fell in halves, slain instantly Sleeping Dragon: keeping their distance, the other two Guards remained in the hallway, sword and warhammer held at the ready but doubt evident in their eyes as they stared at Sophia and the wreckage of their friend. Jondaran stumbled towards the stairs and shouted down. "Reinforcements, NOW!" enrico: "Quavering fools! If I do not see those arms on the ground before I'm done talking, you will be stripped of your rank and driven with your families into slavery! Raising a hand against friends of General Juthe himself!" Sleeping Dragon: Black Cat sprang out into the corridor, ignoring a light blow from one of the Guards' warhammer, and slashed at the soldier before springing away again Sakura: Sakura started singing good song about their expolits and how they always defeat their enemies. It inspire great courages in everyone heart. It even got new verses concerning Enrico! Rafael ben Efrim: Ardrun growled with fury, but held back to see how the guards would react to Enrico's speech. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael kept his eye on the guard in front of him, ready to attack him if he kept fighting. Rafael ben Efrim: "Why did you lie to us?" Rafael asked. Vachir: Vachir waited nervously while Rafael spoke to the guards, ready to fire again at a moment's notice Sleeping Dragon: the two crossbowmen outside fired at Vachir, but missed widely Sleeping Dragon: Sophia kicked away the halves of the dead Kingdom Guard and kept her scythe ready to strike the next Guard to enter the room Sleeping Dragon: the guards in the room with the men each stepped away slightly, looking nervous and confused but wary Sleeping Dragon: one of the Guards facing Sophia gave a wild cry and rushed at her. She struck out at him, wounding him severely. He raised his hammer to strike her, but his blow fell wide and, the last of his strength fading, the Guard fell dying to the ground. His companion also charged in, but Sophia dodged a blow of his sword with a laugh whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, Vachir, through the confusion of the fighting and shouting there was a sound from below like many feet moving rapidly enrico: Enrico stepped up to Malton, rapier at the ready. Eyes unblinking, he intoned - "You will lay down your arms immediately or suffer death at this very moment." Vachir: Vachir suddenly turned to face the window and the two officers in the backyard. He shot a carefully aimed arrow at the hands of the nearest one leaving him unharmed but with his aim hindered, and called out to them. "Some of your soldiers are falling back to save their lives."he said looking down on them "Perhaps you'll want to do the same?" Sleeping Dragon: Black Cat darted acrobatically through the room. Leaping over a bed, she hurled herself towards the feet of the Guard who had just entered the room. He moved to try to block her, but she passed through his legs, spun, and stabbed him in the side as he turned slowly to try to face her. Cat continued her movement, darting out of the raging Guard's reach. Sleeping Dragon: the two sets of stairs leading up to their floor rumbled with the sound of iron-shod feet. At each end of the corridor two Guards whose uniforms were emblazoned with insignias of rank stormed up the stairs. "For the Kingdom!" one shouted Sleeping Dragon: a hulking figure encased from head to toe in steel plate stormed up the stairs, wielding a two-handed hammer. "Take these maniacs down!" a woman's voice boomed from within the visored helm Rafael ben Efrim: Ardrun ground his teeth, swung his scimitar and cut down the guard in front of him. "Who are you calling maniacs?" Rafael ben Efrim: "Why did you send these guards to attack us?" Rafael shouted at the woman. Sleeping Dragon: the two men outside fired at Vachir, but missed completely Sleeping Dragon: Sophia stepped up, swinging out in a broad arc with her scythe. The blade sheared through the air, sent one Kingdom Guard dead to the ground, then followed through and cut the legs from under Jondaran as well Sleeping Dragon: several more Guards thundered up the stairs enrico: Enrico stepped up and stabbed the closest guard right in the armpit, sending a trickle of blood down the man's side. Vachir: Vachir took a step to get a better look at the battle that was going in the corridor, ignoring the crossbowmen firing at him. He shot twice at the nearest, wounded guard, dropping him to the ground, and then fired another powerful arrow at the man behind him. He kept one of his eyes on the newly-arrived woman as he did so Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael suddenly called out something in a strange language. Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "Sakura, there are more coming! We need a way out, maybe through the roof?" Rafael called out in Ancient Speech. Sleeping Dragon: several of the officers moved towards the room where the women were staying Sakura: Sakura yelled out in a strange language as she prepared her crossbow to attack any enemy that is sighted through that door. Sakura: (whispering): "No. I don't think we can do that. Escape through window maybe. We are surviving fine!" She replied back in same language. Sleeping Dragon: the armoured woman stepped forward, smashing at Enrico with her two-handed hammer and landing a heavy blow Rafael ben Efrim: Using his height to advantage Ardrun swung his scimitar slicing into her armour and the flesh beneath. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael slashed at the woman, cutting her slightly. Rafael ben Efrim: "Who are you, why are your men attacking us?" Rafael asked again. Sleeping Dragon: the woman responded to Rafael's attacks. Waiting until he committed himself, she lashed out viciously with her hammer, smashing it heavily against the doorframe as the Jeth dodged away Sleeping Dragon: "You are all under arrest by the orders of the Most Glorious King Darragan!" the woman replied Sleeping Dragon: Sophia stepped into the corridor, hacking out viciously with her scythe, felling an officer and wounding another Sleeping Dragon: two guards rushed at Sophia, one striking her while the second's blade went wide Sakura: Sakura at the sight of a guard rose her crossbow and fired the bolt at him. It stuck but only causing light wounds. enrico: Enrico danced around Lanslaine, his flurries blurring together into a hedgehog. She turned unwittingly, exposing her side to Ardrun's scimitar. Vachir: Vachir sized up the plate-armored woman for a moment before unleashing three arrows. Despite being heavily armoured, the woman looked seriously hurt by the powerful attacks. Sleeping Dragon: Cat rushed out into the corridor, tumbling past the Guards. She stabbed out at an officer, drawing blood, then leapt back into the room unharmed Sleeping Dragon: "Fall back!" the armoured woman shouted. Disengaging from Ardrun, Rafael, and Enrico, she made her way back down the stairs Rafael ben Efrim: With a roar Ardrun rushed out of the room, smashing one of the guards down. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael ran up to one of the guards in the corridor. "Your leader is a coward! Give up now and we will let you live!" Sleeping Dragon: "Fall back...fall down!" Sophia laughed, swinging her scythe about, downing one officer and slaying another outright, and severely wounding another Guard Sakura: Sakura moved quickly to beside the door, reloading her crossbow while at it. Rafael ben Efrim: As the guard moved to attack him, Rafael lashed out. Sleeping Dragon: the Guards attacked, but they were demoralised and terrified and their blades found nothing
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Post by sleepingdragon on Nov 15, 2009 15:40:36 GMT
enrico: Enrico pulled his crossbow out and fired at the fleeing officer, wounding him slightly. CosmicHorror (enter): 19:21 Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (2135) CosmicHorror... Vachir: Moving a bit to get a better sight of the battle outside, Vachir saw one of the officers hiding behind his soldier's back, and shot him dead with three rapidly fired arrows Black Cat: Cat rushed past the badly wounded kingdom guard Sophia was fighting and around to the second one, driving her dagger into his back. Rafael ben Efrim: Ardrun roaring with rage, attacked the guard in front of him, wounding the man badly. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael danced and wove, slashing out suddenly at the same guard and dropping him like a stone. Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "We need to get out of here, now!" Rafael shouted to Sakura in Ancient Speech. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael shouted something in the same strange tongue he had used earlier. Sleeping Dragon: Sophia slashed out with her scythe, felling one Guard and then spinning and hacking into another. The blade sheared into his head, and the Guard fell dead leaking blood and brains through a gaping hole Sakura: Sakura replied back in same language, reloaded her weapon and fired the shot as she came froward into the corrider and the bolt reached an enemy. Drawing blood. Sakura: (whispering): "But where?" She replied in Ancient Speech. Sleeping Dragon: the two Guards who remained on their feet looked at each other for a moment, trembling, then threw their weapons down. "We surrender!" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael raised his hand. "Very well." Vachir: Vachir lowered his bow when he saw the others accept the guard's surrender enrico: "Let's move it before more catch up. No amount of hacking away will help when there is 10 spears for every one of us, no matter how proficient we are." Sakura: Sakura glanced at them, strolling toward Rafael, reloading her bolt, "We do not have time..." Sleeping Dragon: Sophia moved quickly back into her room, gathering her belongings and stuffing her chainmail into her bag. Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "We'll take horses and head south." Rafael said to her Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael spoke quickly in the strange language to Sakura then spoke to the guards. "Who sent you? Vachir: Vachir quickly took his backpack and things and went outside the room with the others Sakura: Sakura nodded for a moment as she softly quickly made for her backpack to gather her possessions and made way for the others, looking determined. Sleeping Dragon: the two Guards stared at each other for a moment, and then the bolder of the two spoke. "Lieutenant-Colonel Ameira Lanslaine...she's the one who just ran...we were gathered quickly and on short notice this morning..." enrico: "She's still downstairs, so we might have to hack through some bodies, again. And get some fresh horses too" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "On whose orders? You must have an idea. And what was the plan?" Vachir: "We can do that."replied Vachir hearing Enrico's words "We can't take on the whole Torathi army by ourselves, but killing another couple dozen guards should be alright."he said sounding fairly confident Sakura: Sakura glanced at Sophia and Vachir, "Yes... I guess so." She smiled slightly under the grime and bloodsplatter from this fight. Sleeping Dragon: "She said it was the King's orders...she...she hoped that you would come peacefully downstairs and then we would have you surrounded with no weapons..she hoped to avoid a confrontation with..." the Guard heard Vachir's comment and blanched, "dangerous mercenary c...cultists." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael smiled coldly. "Cultists? Fools!" He looked around at the others. "How are we to get out?" Vachir: "Maybe we should fight our way downstairs and then get some explanations from this 'Liutentant-Colonel'."suggested Vachir "They might be gathering reinforcements as we speak now, so I'd do that quickly.." Sakura: "It is possible that there are more guards are prepared for us to come down the stairs and ambush us..." Sakura considered the potential event. Vachir: Vachir quickly ran to the window of their room to check if more soldiers were arriving. whispering to Vachir, there was no sign of any soldiers through the window. As Vachir looked out, he could see out to the street outside, which led to the nearby gate. A number of people were walking around, going about their early morning business, but there seemed to be some commotion in the midst of one of these crowds. As he looked Vachir saw a heavily armoured figure smashing through the crowds towards the gate. whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, there was no sign of any soldiers through the window. As Rafael looked out, he could see out to the street outside, which led to the nearby gate. A number of people were walking around, going about their early morning business, but there seemed to be some commotion in the midst of one of these crowds. As he looked Rafael saw a heavily armoured figure smashing through the crowds towards the gate. Rafael ben Efrim: "What's that?" Rafael called to the others as he looked out of the window towards the gate. "Could that be the woman Lanslaine?" Sleeping Dragon: Rafael pointed out towards the street which led to the northern gate of the city. A number of people were already going about their morning's business, and in the midst of one crowd was a commotion as a heavily armoured figure ran towards the gate. Vachir: "It could be her."said Vachir "Or someone else...Darragan himself?"he added sounding worried Sakura: "Or to order the gates to closed, sealing this town..." Sakura rued over it Rafael ben Efrim: "Or running away after failing to stop us, if she was not doing Daragan's work but another's?" Rafael mused. "Why no guards with her then?" Sakura: "The number of questions is getting bigger and bigger by every moment..." Sakura wrinked her nose. Vachir: "That's possible.."mused Vachir over Rafael's words. "Though I wonder who..." Rafael ben Efrim: "We need to check who is downstairs." Rafael said. Sakura: Sakura glanced at Cat, "Can you please see for us?" She asked nicely. Black Cat: Cat nodded. "I'll be back in a moment." She said, slipping down the stairs. whispering to CosmicHorror, Cat crept quickly downstairs towards the bar. From the stairs she could see where the innkeeper had hidden himself ineptly beneath a table, clutching a meat cleaver nervously, but there was no sign of anyone else around. Black Cat: (whispering): Taking another look around the room, Cat headed back upstairs. Black Cat: "Seems safe down there, no threats." Cat said as she returned to the group. "Though I wonder how the innkeeper is going to handle this." She said, survaying the hallway. Rafael ben Efrim: "Where have all the guards gone?" Rafael asked. Black Cat: "Out of the inn?" Cat shrugged. "Either they're well hidden, or not there." Sleeping Dragon: "W...we are all the Guards..." one of them stammered. Rafael ben Efrim: "There are men here who can be saved." Rafael said quietly. He moved quickly among the bodies to check for any still breathing. Sleeping Dragon: Rafael was able to quickly patch up three Guards, but the others had all expired. Rafael ben Efrim: While he worked Rafael spoke to the two guards remaining on their feet. "We're not brutes and we're not cultists. If you had not come to commit violence on us these men would not be dead." Sleeping Dragon: The Guards nodded slowly Rafael ben Efrim: As soon as he had finished, Rafael moved to the stairs. "Stay with your companions and see that they do not die," he ordered the two men. Sakura: Sakura glanced at these two remains of the group that was sent to arrest them and glanced at the rest of the bodies that covered the floor and nodded, "Indeed." She went for the stairs, follwing Rafael downstair. Sleeping Dragon: the party made their way downstairs into the bar. The innkeeper had hidden himself badly under a table, where he clutched a meat cleaver nervously, but there was no sign of anyone else around. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael brought out a pouch and put some coins on the bar. "There is something of a mess upstairs. Please believe we had no wish for this to happen." Sleeping Dragon: the innkeeper let out a squeal of terror at realising he'd been spotted and said nothing Sakura: Sakura merely said to the innkeeper politely, "Thank you for your hospitality." And looking determined as she is clearly ready to move on. Vachir: "Yes, we had some...troubles upstairs."added Vachir "But we mean no harm to you, or other Torathi civilians who don't stand in our way." Rafael ben Efrim: As they left the inn, Rafael asked. "We need to know if Lanslaine was acting for the king, or outside his authority." Rafael ben Efrim: edit* Rafael said. enrico: "How do we do that?" enrico: "I mean, we are in deep, deep shit regardless and on hostile territory. Instead of figuring things out we need to either report to Juthe or scram for out lives. If not, we'll soon be some twisted meatballs on hooks." Rafael ben Efrim: "If she was sent legitimately, then there will be guards hunting us down," Rafael replied. "We need to tell Juthe what has happened either way." Sakura: "The question is how? Go to that status where we was planning to meet at or something else?" Sakura looking troubled. enrico: "Statue it is then." Rafael ben Efrim: "And if they are hunting us?" Rafael asked. "We can hardly walk through the city - we stand out like a fire on a dark night!" Vachir: Vachir nodded "We were to go there anyway, let's just hope we don't get surrounded there though." Rafael ben Efrim: "We still need to decide, are we going to walk openly through the streets?" Rafael said. Sakura: "Personally, does it matter in the end? If we are this town's enemies. we are all in troubles anyway. How do you think we can make very noticeable members of this team into not noticeable?" enrico: "I'll go up ahead regardless, see if anyone is waiting for us and look for signs of a commotion." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael shook his head. "We just fought to stay free. We would be fools to run into more trouble if we could avoid it." Sakura: Sakura hummed for a moment as she went to Enrico to see anything. whispering to Sakura, enrico, the two made their way forward and looked around. Looking north to the gate, they saw an unusually high number of Guards gathered around it, talking animatedly to each other and strapping on shields or readying weapons enrico: Enrico returned, wearing a reassuring smile. "We are toast. Troops are being massed by the gate, and they have sharp things." Sakura: "And putting on very solid armours..." Sakura kept going in Enrico's tone. Vachir: "How many troops are we talking about?"asked Vachir Rafael ben Efrim: "We are going the other way, which they don't know about. Time to raid the stables perhaps." Rafael said enrico: "Lets move quickly. Don't want to stay here any longer that necessary." Sakura: Sakura muttered in taint of some lanaguage as she headed for the stable. Sakura: edit: language Rafael ben Efrim: Ardrun opened the stable door and disappeared inside, shortly returning with several horses. Sakura: Sakura smiled slightly at one of these horses, and mounted the horse. She left her backpack onto the back of her new mount. Clearly, she is prepared to ride onward. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael swung himself into the saddle of a quiet looking mount. "We will attract less attention if we do not ride in one group." he commented. Sleeping Dragon: the party rode south, spreading out a bit to draw less attention. They pushed their horses through the busy market, full of stalls or small shops with vendors hawking their wares, mostly food or other small and inexpensive items - clothing, blankets, tools, and other provisions. The square was already heavily crowded, even this early in the day. Nerve-wrackingly, there were also a few Kingdom Guards patrolling the square in pairs. Amidst the throngs, the party was able to ride all the way across the square before one of the Guards squinted at them and shouted. "It's them! Stop them! Stop those riders!" Sleeping Dragon: the party kicked their mounts flanks and burst forward to put some distance between themselves and the pursuing Guardsmen, speeding past the Coronation Statue. As they flew along Sakura's horse gave a groan as it stepped on a sharp stone and its gallop slowed noticeably, hobbled by the injury. whispering to Sakura, Rafael ben Efrim, enrico, as they made their way along they noticed a strange, very long piece of graffiti someone had scrawled on a building south of the Coronation Statue - it appeared to have been written very hastily in chalk, and it must have been written recently for it showed no signs of being worn down by the elements: Marrow breaks between the bridges The black cat strides through red-black door Marrow breaks in mid-day sun In the south, stride once more Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael stared at the wall of a building as they raced past, seeming to mutter to himself. Black Cat: Seeing Sakura's horse slow, Cat quickly turned her horse towards Sakura. "Get on." She said urgently, watching the kingdom guards. Sakura: Sakura picked up her backpack quickly and tries to get onto Cat's mount. enrico: Enrico paused momentarily, then spurred his horse on. "Did anyone else see that grafitti? Something about black cat - it looked like it was just scratched there hastily" - he yelled Sakura: Sakura nodded into back of the Cat. Rafael ben Efrim: "A message for us I believe," Rafael called back. "Bridges and red-black doors? South at any rate, the way we're going!" Black Cat: Cat glanced at Enrico momentarily after spurring her horse on to catch up with the others. enrico: "A red-black door somewhere in the south? Can't believe we are following this while being chased!" Rafael ben Efrim: "It means Juthe knows!" Rafael shouted, kicking his horse harder. "At least I hope it does." he muttered to himself. Black Cat: (whispering): "Did you see what they're talking about?" Cat said softly to Sakura. Sleeping Dragon: the party sped past the Public Halls, the large buildings which served as the centre of all civil administration of the Kingdom. The Guardsmen, on foot, had no hope of catching them and soon fell behind. As they made their way towards the buildings, there was a loud click and a bolt came firing out of one of the upper floor windows of the largest of the buildings, sailing over Enrico's head. Looking up they saw someone in a Kingdom Guard uniform hastily reloading. Rafael ben Efrim: "That bit about between the bridges, could that be a way out?" Rafael called to the others. Vachir: "If they keep firing at us, I might as well fire back."commented Vachir "Hopefully this will be a message from Juthe and not a trap...." enrico: "Nothing here, lets keep riding south." Sleeping Dragon: the party continued on, hammering over the western of the two bridges over the River Torath. As they stormed across, a patrolling Kingdom Guard on the bridge looked up, startled, and attempted to interpose himself, but Enrico, at the front of the group, stormed past him. Enrico's horse brushed up against the Kingdom Guard, who went sprawling sideways and hurtling over the side of the bridge and into the river with a cry. The remaining people on the bridge scattered and the party shoved their way across Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael slowed slightly until he was level with Cat's horse. "Did you see something in that vault here? When we were fighting the marrowbreakers?" Black Cat: "What kind of something?" Cat asked in return. Rafael ben Efrim: "I don't know, that's the point. In the writing on that wall..." Black Cat: "I didn't see any writing. I was a little busy." Sakura: "Well, setting the Great Beacon lit will get the whole realm on fire and all the Kingdom Guards marching to here... On other hand, it is protected by ten guards or so..." She whispered to Cat and Rafael. Rafael ben Efrim: "Some lines, chalked on a wall. A message from Juthe I think." Black Cat: Cat shook her head. "I didn't notice anything. I think our first priority should be getting somewhere safe. I don't think the beacon would be a good place to go though, it would be impossible to hide there." Rafael ben Efrim: "Which bridge should we go for?" Vachir: "We can take on ten guards."said Vachir in reply to Sakura's words "Though it might not be the best course of action, I agree" enrico: "Maybe we should search between bridges again, only on this side of the river." Rafael ben Efrim: "We need to get out of the city, quick as we can. " Black Cat: "I agree. Once we have a moment to collect ourselves we can plan our next course of action." enrico: "Any word on that rhyme scribbled on the wall?" - Enrico turned to Cat. "Cryptic message about an escape tunnel or just idle scratchings?" Rafael ben Efrim: "She didn't see it, was too busy rescuing Sakura," Rafael panted as their horses pounded along. enrico: Enrico quickly recited what he saw. Sleeping Dragon: the party thundered along towards the southwestern gate, angry pedestrians hurling themselves out of their way and screaming abuse after them as they charged along. whispering to Rafael ben Efrim, as they rounded a bend, Rafael looked towards the southwestern gate and could see that the number of Guards there was about triple of what it normally was, around a dozen in the open and possibly more in the towers to either side Rafael ben Efrim: "Guards! Lots of them at the gate and more in the towers!" Rafael shouted as they saw the gate ahead. Sakura: "What next?" Sakura asked Rafael. Rafael ben Efrim: He pulled up his horse. "We can't charge them without great risk. Is there not some way out signified in that rhyme? Between the bridges? Maybe an entrance to the vault?" Sleeping Dragon: the party turned and rode back towards the bridges, thinking to check there again and then perhaps hide in the marrowbreakers' tunnel. As they passed by the bridge again they heard someone shout "It's them, there! Get the Guards! GUARDS!" Rafael ben Efrim: "Ride!" shouted Rafael. "Faster!" whispering to CosmicHorror, Rafael ben Efrim, Vachir, they rode along, searching for anything that might relate to the strange riddle. About halfway between the two bridges, they abruptly noticed something strange - a marrow vegetable had been hacked in half and left lying by the side of the road. Directly across from it was a house with a red door, on which had been spread a little lick of black paint Vachir: "There!"Vachir called out to the others "Can you see it?" Rafael ben Efrim: "In here, quick!" Rafael said to the others. He leaped from his horse and ran over to the door, trying the handle. Black Cat: Cat waited for Sakura to dismount for hopping off the horse herself. enrico: Enrico dismounted and whacked the horse on the rump as hard as he could, sending it galloping to where they came from Sakura: Sakura dismounted from the horse, quickly made way for the door with Rafael. Sleeping Dragon: Rafael and Vachir shouted at the same time, pointing out a house with a red door - across which had been spread a little lick of black paint. On the road by the house a marrow vegetable had been hacked in half. As Rafael tried the handle the door flew open to reveal a gaunt, sick looking man in his thirties. "Get in! Get those horses out of here, quick! Hurry!" he hissed. He leapt outside and helped with the animals Sakura: She eyed the Cat to see if she also dismounted. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael ran out to scare the horses into running the way they had been travelling. Vachir: Vachir looked curiously at the man before quickly darting in Black Cat: Cat glanced back to see if any guards were following nearby and then ducked into the house. Sakura's cat who had somehow managed to keep up with them slipped in behind her. Sleeping Dragon: the man was able to send the horses away and hurry the rest of the party inside. He was plainly terrified, sweat pouring down his face and soaking the armpits of his poorly made clothes. As soon as the horses were away he leapt back into the house and slammed the door.
The house was very small and meagre. There was a little bed against one wall with the beddings unmade, as if someone had just leapt up from it, a chest of clothes by the foot of the bed, a small cupboard with barely any food in it, and a table with three chairs. The man hastily led them towards the back of the room and reached down to the floor, pulling up a board that led down into a cellar. "Down here. Try not to make much noise, my sister is asleep," he said, climbing down a rickety wooden ladder. Vachir: "Are you an agent of Juthe's?"asked Vachir, obviously wanting to know more "Or someone else..."he trailed off Rafael ben Efrim: Ardrun followed him down unhesitatingly. Black Cat: Cat followed the man after taking a quick look around the house, staying quiet. Sakura: Sakura glared at Vachir for a moment before heading down into the cellar Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael followed close behind. "Thank you for this," he said very quietly. enrico: Enrico was trying to take everything in as they descended into the cellar. Sleeping Dragon: "I'm not anyone's agent," the man said as they came downstairs. The cellar was quite small - there was a little room with the door closed immediately on the right, and beyond that a second room which seemed to be a storeroom of some kind.
The man stopped and panted for a moment, then climbed back up the stair and closed the trapdoor. "My name is Antar," he said, climbing back down the stairs. "You...I don't know if you remember me. My wife, Lilian, she was one of the victims of those creatures, the marrowbreakers you said they were called, one of the first. My sister Badri is very sick. My wife and I were able to put enough money together to get medicines she needed, but Lilian was making more money than I am. If...if you hadn't come around afterwards and given me some of your cash, my sister would have died as well by now." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael smiled at the man. "I thought you looked familiar. But how did you know we needed help like this?" Sakura: Sakura looked surprised for a moment as she re-considered the whole concept of giving money to needy... Vachir: "Ah. Sorry if that came off wrong, but that was time ago..."replied Vachir slowly sounding a bit taken back "We are very grateful for your help ." he added Sakura: "Indeed, we are. Deeply grateful." She bows toward Antar as sign of honour. Sleeping Dragon: "It's my job. I'm a punishment clerk at the Kingdom Guard halls - we handle all the paperwork relating to prisoners and sentencing and so on, for everyone in the Kingdom. Two days ago, the most gl..." Antar stopped and shook himself. "Umm, the King, he received a message from someone called..." he stopped and thought. "Ghent? I think that's his name, he's some sort of politician. Anyway, this Ghent person provided details of some kind of strange operation in the city, by a dangerous group, a cult of some sort. In the same message this person alleged that your party were also members of this cult, and that your operations in Torath were just cover to...some nefarious secret objective. The message contained details of one of the cells of this cult in the city, operating out of the Temple of the Covenant of the Return. The cultists there were taken in and under interrogation named you as fellow members..." he shook his head. "But I knew it was nonsense. If you were bloodthirsty cultists you would never have helped me, you didn't need to do that." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded as the explanation made things clear. "We are certainly not members of the cult, in fact we are engaged in a long fight against them. " Sakura: "Hmm..." Sakura frowned for a moment, "Paraz Ghent is the Town Captain of Rannemor..." Sakura: "Which is south from here..." She added afterward after moment of thought enrico: "Have you had any contact with him?" - Enrico asked. Rafael ben Efrim: "That explains a great deal. Ghent may well be a member of the Crimson Path." Rafael said. Sleeping Dragon: "Of course I've not had any contact with him, I didn't even know exactly who he was until you just said," said Antar. Vachir: "Or he might not be Crimson Path, and was simply wrong."said Vachir shrugging Rafael ben Efrim: "Where would he have heard of us then?" Rafael asked. Sleeping Dragon: "Anyhow, I hope you didn't have any trouble finding here...I'm sorry if my message was a little cryptic, I had to write something that would get your attention but would seem like gibberish to anyone else," said Antar. Antar suddenly grimaced and groaned. "Aaaagh. I feel awful. I had to take a little bit of redshade to make myself sick, so I'd have an excuse to leave work." Sakura: She shook her head, replying, "No, it is just some information I heard somewhere. The name and location." After hearing Rafael's words, she nodded, "Yes, and this may also show where we should be going next." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "Redshade is very dangerous. I have something here which will help you to feel better" Rafael ben Efrim: "I am a doctor," he added. "I would be happy to help your sister too, if I can." Sleeping Dragon: "The doctors we've gone to have always said that there's not much that can be done for her other than to make her comfortable, but please try if you're willing. I don't know how you can get out of the city, but you're free to hide here as long as you need." enrico: Enrico pulled out some coins from his pocket - "If not for you I'd be on the rack right now, singing like a nightingale. You deserve it." Rafael ben Efrim: "We have to find a way," Rafael said, sorting out some things from his bag. "The future of the whole world rests on it." Sleeping Dragon: Antar looked extremely alarmed at Rafael's statement.
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Post by sleepingdragon on Nov 28, 2009 18:49:29 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: after overcoming his discomfort at Rafael's ominous statement, Antar said to him tentatively, "You said you wanted to see Badri? I'm afraid you won't be able to do much, she has a brain tumour and everyone I've spoken to says she won't last much longer." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael's face was serious but his manner hopeful as he said, "It may be possible to do something, even if that diagnosis is correct. At the least to make her more comfortable." Sakura: "Rafael is excellent doctor. He will do everything he can to ensure the well-being of the patients" Sakura approved of Rafael Sleeping Dragon: Antar nodded and opened the door to Badri's room. It was a small room, little more than a bed and a little table on which lay a stub of candle and a small figurine of a black cat. In the bed Badri, a shrunken and emaciated woman, lay asleep. Antar picked some flints out of his pocket and lit the candle to allow Rafael to see. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael woke the woman gently and explained that he was a doctor. "I will try to help you if I can." Sleeping Dragon: Badri looked up at Rafael, groaned, and nodded weakly. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael examined Badri, all the while quietly asking her questions about her symptoms. Sleeping Dragon: Badri answered Rafael's questions - her main ailment was that she suffered from blinding headaches that left her unable to move for days on end. She had very little appetite which left her extremely weak, and even when she could move around had horrible dizziness. She said she had not been outside for more than an hour in months due to her weakness, which was confirmed by the extreme paleness of her skin revealed by the flickering candlelight. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael took Badri's hand and spoke gently to her. "I'm afraid you do have a tumour, and it is not possible to remove it. But I can give you something that will take away much of the pain and help you sleep." Sleeping Dragon: Badri nodded wearily. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael asked Antar for somewhere to boil up ingredients. "I can give you a supply of medicine which will free her from pain, for the next month or so." Sleeping Dragon: "Thank you," said Antar. "I'm not sure where you should do that, probably the storage room...I don't think you should go upstairs for a while, if at all, in case someone comes investigating about those horses or where you've disappeared to." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded and went off to prepare the drug. Vachir: "What are we going to do?"asked Vachir to the others in a hushed tone "Are we going to lay in hiding for a while until the Torathi are less concerned about this? Or should we try something more...direct?" Sleeping Dragon: "If you're still here tomorrow I can go to work and get more information...I can't go back in today or they'll get suspicious, but tomorrow I can go back in and see if I can work out how seriously they're taking this and what measures they're adopting to catch you. Though I'd not be back until evening and that might be too long for you." enrico: "Need to lay low for at least a day, afterwards at least one of us will be able to be up and about, given that they are disguised properly." Sakura: Sakura's expression was considering various paths, when Antar mentioned it, "I guess very seriously. But any information we can get in coming days would be vital for considering the next path." Vachir: "That would be quite useful."said Vachir agreeing with Antar's help "However I'm worried that the Torathi might eventually find us if we stay here for a while, and then we'd be trapped and you would be killed for helping us."he added sounding concerned Rafael ben Efrim: "The Kingdom Guards may be sent to search houses," Rafael added. "We must not bring danger to you." Vachir: "Not suggesting we outright attack the guards, but perhaps a more direct approach could be useful."said Vachir. "Though we would need a plan first."he added, as if he realized that his previous words might have sounded foolish "Perhaps we might look for a way out of the city, though there's the issue of leaving Catherine and the others here..." Rafael ben Efrim: "We do not know how the prisoners are being held of course," Rafael said thoughtfully. "We need to gain more information." Sleeping Dragon: Antar looked puzzled for a moment. "Do you mean the rebel leaders from Copperdell?" Sakura: Sakura merely shrugged for a monment, "I have no desire to do anymore with Katerine and others. I want to leave this city as soon as possible, way from people with great desire to speak with us in dark rooms.." Rafael ben Efrim: "Yes, although they are hardly rebels," Rafael said. "We found that the town captain was embezzling money, and that a blood thirsty cult had caused the rebellion for its own ends." Sakura: edit: away Rafael ben Efrim: "Sakura, we promised Katerina and the others that we would speak up for them," Rafael chided her gently. Sakura: "And, how do you know that we would not risk their lives by helping them? For all we know, it is quite possible they may live with General Juthe speaking for them." Sakura questioned him. Sleeping Dragon: "You'd have an impossible time trying to break them out. They're being treated very carefully, normally prisoners are held in the cells under our building but Town Captain Trepp ordered those two held in the cellars of the main Kingdom Guard barracks. There are usually 100 soldiers or so there held in reserve but there's even more now as the troops that have returned from Copperdell are staying there temporarily as well. Your chances of breaking them out are pretty slim." Antar nodded at Sakura's comment. "General Juthe seems to be championing them for some reason. He wasn't happy about them being held in the barracks instead of the cells under headquarters as normal, but Trepp outranks him." Sleeping Dragon: edit: remove 'your chances of breaking them out...' enrico: "Who's this Trepp you speak of?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "Juthe is going to be unhappy about what has happened here. We really need to send word to him to let him know the truth, but I don't think we should give anything away." Rafael ben Efrim: "I don't believe he had any hand in this morning's events." he added. Vachir: "I' mnot sure we should contact him, he might prefer to capture us first and then ask questions later."replied Vachir Sleeping Dragon: "Marlog Trepp? He's the Town Captain of Torath and head of the civil service." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael sighed. "I think we will have to plan to leave as soon as possible, and hope that Katerine and Drammoc are treated fairly. If the Blood Angel comes to pass, there will be far more lives lost. We have to think of the greater good." Sleeping Dragon: "The what?" enrico: "So nothing can be done besides leaving?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael shook his head. "The less you know the better Antar, but we must work to stop something evil from taking place." Sakura: "Indeed." Sakura agreed with Rafael's opinon, "The sooner we can leave, the better." Rafael ben Efrim: "We cannot risk being arrested." Sakura: "Still, we could go out in night. Enrico and I to see if there is any information concerning the events that happened today..." Sakura considered. Sleeping Dragon: that night, the party went out in disguise and ensconced themselves in a nearby pub, which was overflowing with customers as the Crown was still undergoing repairs after the riot. The Guard presence on the street had obviously been stepped up - they passed several on the way to the pub, who fortunately overlooked them.
Obliquely, the party asked around about what had happened, hoping to glean some useful information. Everyone knew a large mobilisation of troops within Torath had been ordered, with reserve troops ordered in from outside the city, but the reason why was somewhat confused. Some believed that the King was preparing to make a show of force or even declare war on Malador, as many suspected the city of having been involved in some way in the Copperdell rebellion. Eventually however someone confirmed what Antar had told them - that the mobilisation had been ordered to 'capture a group of dangerous renegade mercenaries identified by Town Captain Paraz Ghent of Rannemort as members of a demon-worshipping cult.' Since the mobilisation the Guards had been stopping people in the streets randomly to check identity papers and tokens, garrisons at each gate had been trebled, and the Guards on the walls and in the streets had been increased by at least double. Criers had gone out announcing the party's names and describing them, as well as offering rewards for information leading to their capture, though the amount was a meagre 100 gold pieces, which, all in the tavern agreed, was a minuscule amount if these mercenaries were truly so dangerous as to require such a huge mobilisation of troops. enrico: Enrico listened intently and proceeded to buy the horrid watery booze, putting it away (somewhere) with frightening speed. After mingling with the patrons and cracking a few ribald jokes, he announced that he was in fact in the area during the hunt for the cultists. The tale was rather wild - it involved the cultists tearing the kingdom guards into ribbons and feasting on their still pumping hearts. The offenders were described as stout, fierce wrs wielding scythes who slaughtered the guards and vanished in the north part of the city before anything could be done. Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (4029) Rafael ben Efrim... enrico: *warriors enrico: To complete the tale, Enrico leaped on the table and acted out what looked like a farmer mowing grass, yelling about evil demons sent to consume us all. enrico: *leapt Sleeping Dragon: the mood in the tavern went very quiet as Enrico recounted this tale - perhaps they were simply taken aback by the presence of someone presumably employed by the Kingdom Guards in their pub - but they seemed to believe everything he said. They could hear several people whispering animatedly amongst themselves about these revelations and a few drunken people arguing they should search the northern half of the city to see if they could find them - easy money, as long as they kept back. enrico: Enrico then cried about how lucky he was to survive this horrific ordeal and bought a drink for everyone in the winesink. Several moments later, he was hugging a stranger, tears in eyes, and calling him "brother". Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael turned away until he could control his smile. Sakura: Sakura glanced at Enrico's excellent storytelling and strolled out of the pub into the hidden night. Sleeping Dragon: the party made their way out of the pub in small groups to attract less notice.
when they arrived back at Antar's house, they found him sitting on his bed, looking frazzled. "There were some Kingdom Guards knocking on doors looking for you," he said quietly. "I managed to convince them I didn't know anything and that the only thing downstairs was my sister and she shouldn't be disturbed, but it was a bloody close thing." Rafael ben Efrim: "It was just as well we were out," Rafael said. "But it shows we must leave straight away. I have been thinking how, with all the gates guarded and people being randomly stopped in the streets. Perhaps we could get through via the water gate?" Sakura: Sakura merely wrinked her nose on the idea on getting wet... Sleeping Dragon: "Wouldn't you suffocate? They've got loads of Guards up in the towers keeping lookout and they'll be especially alert now I imagine." Rafael ben Efrim: "I've been thinking about that too," Rafael said slowly. "I believe if we can find some kind of tubes to breathe through, we could stay below the surface most of the way." enrico: "Perhaps a conflagration somewhere in the city will take an edge off their attention?" Vachir: "A distraction of sorts? Could work."said Vachir "Got anything in mind?" Vachir: edit: remove the 'Got anything in mind'part enrico: "Perhaps nothing catastrophical, but enough to create chaos." Rafael ben Efrim: "Where do you recommend?" Rafael asked. enrico: "Stables, granaries and storage areas. I'll get some booze and flint and stay behind, meet you outside of town later." Rafael ben Efrim: "Try to keep civilian casualties to a minimum Rico," warned Rafael. "It is not the people of the city who are to blame for its ills." Vachir: "And we don't want to lose the support of those who think well of us here."added Vachir Sleeping Dragon: "There's a bakery not that far from the eastern river gate," Antar said hesitantly. "I don't think there'll be anyone there this late...do you have to set anything on fire?" Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael frowned. "Won't they come to the river for the water?" Sakura: Sakura said softly, "Possible but that is the risk we might have to deal with. There is no real better way to leave this city apart from by water gate." Rafael ben Efrim: "Perhaps better to fire something a little further from the gate." enrico: "Whatever it is, wait for the panic and then swim. We shall meet somewhere downstream, but I'll need time." Rafael ben Efrim: "We need to find reeds. Even if we just keep them for emergency use." Rafael said. Sleeping Dragon: "You should be able to find some by the riverbank, it's just out back." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael went out to take a look. Sakura: akura narrowed her eyes, and took out a gold piece, five sliver pieces and two copper pieces to give to Antar in hope that it would helps to pay for the medicines. whispering to Sakura, as Antar took the money, Sakura noticed the look in his eyes was significantly less friendly than it had been previously Sakura: Sakura merely sulked for a moment as she settled back, waiting for Rafael. Vachir: Vachir helped Rafael and Cat with finding and prepared the reeds enrico: Enrico ventured out to purchase some very strong alcohol, then scrounged up some rags. Sleeping Dragon: "I need something to eat," said Antar, heading upstairs. Rafael ben Efrim: "Is there anything I can do to help?" Sophia asked, going upstairs with him. Sleeping Dragon: "I'm alright thanks," Antar replied. Sleeping Dragon: Antar stuck a bit of oil into a small pan and began to fry it up, getting out some bacon and sticking it on the side. "I'll make you some if you're hungry," he said to Sophia Sleeping Dragon: once the oil was boiled, Antar went to grab some of the slabs of bacon and stuck them in the pan. As they hissed in the pan, Antar abruptly whirled with the pot in both hands, flinging it straight at Sophia's face. As the pot struck her heavily, scalding hot oil flew up and struck her in the face and eyes, burning agonisingly Sleeping Dragon: Sophia gave a scream of shock and pain Sakura: She looked upward in surprise, pulling her dagger out as Sakura rushed toward to the ladder and up to the trapdoor. Finally she then was able to open the trapdoor quickly. Sleeping Dragon: screaming in blind rage, Sophia rushed over and punched towards where Antar was, but, blinded by the oil, she punched wide of him and struck the counter instead Rafael ben Efrim: Hearing Sophia's scream Ardrun rushed up the stairs, throwing himself on Antar. Sleeping Dragon: with a great wrench, Antar pulled and somehow yanked free of Ardrun's grasp. Seemingly as surprised as any by his escape, Antar rushed to the door and began to grab at the handle. Sleeping Dragon: Sophia, wiping oil from her eyes, rushed after Antar and tried to grab him, but he ducked and avoided her grasp Sakura: Sakura rushed over to Antar, "Stop this!" She cried out threatening great danger for him. She yelled out in alarm, in hope that the group can hear. Rafael ben Efrim: Ardrun reached out and grasped the man in a great bear hug, this time keeping a tight hold on him. Rafael ben Efrim: "You traitor!" he snarled into Antar's ear. Sleeping Dragon: Antar tried to break loose again, but this time Ardrun had him in his grasp. "Fuck you!" Antar shouted back at Ardrun. "You're no better than the fucking Kingdom Guards, I should have let them kill you!" Sakura: "Why?" Sakura asked him directly. Sleeping Dragon: "'Try to keep civilian casualties to a minimum?' Randomly setting fires just to give yourselves a little bit better chance of escape? I risked my fucking life for you, and my sister's, and I managed to do it without killing anyone!" Rafael ben Efrim: Ardrun let go of Antar at that. "I am ashamed," he said, hanging his head. "This is not how the One would have us behave." Sleeping Dragon: Antar pulled away from Ardrun and wordlessly went to clean the oil and bacon off the floor. enrico: Enrico returned with a roll under his arm, smiling amiably. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael returned carrying a bundle of reeds. Rafael ben Efrim: "What's going on here?" he asked immediately, sensing the tense atmosphere and seeing that Sophia was bathing her burned face. Vachir: Vachir also returned, and looked suspiciously at the people gathered there, obviously having noticing something was up Sakura: Sakura sighed softly for a moment, considering on what Antar was saying. ""I am sorry about this." As she glanced back to the others, "Antar really do not like the ideas of arson which may kill others and try to flee since he considered us no better than Kingdom guards. I am afraid that he may be right on this." She reflected on this. enrico: "Mmm.. smells like bacon." - Enrico smiled Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael looked at Antar. "We do not want to harm the ordinary people of Torath." he said. "Any fire is purely to take up the attention of the guards, not to hurt anyone. If you believe the only way to do this is to fire the bakery, than that is what we shall do." Rafael ben Efrim: With that he went over to Sophia and dealt with the burns. Sakura: "Enrico," She asked seriously, "Did you spark something in this city yet?" Sakura: edit: a building? enrico: "Of course not, this has to be coordinated." Vachir: "We may have been getting carried away with the whole plan."said Vachir sounding a bit ashamed when he heard Sakura's words. "At least it is not yet too late" Rafael ben Efrim: "Are you sure it wouldn't be better to just slip into the river without a distraction which might actually cause people to notice us?" asked Rafael. Vachir: "Water instead of fire..."commented Vachir "Might be safer." Sleeping Dragon: "Whatever you do please leave soon," Antar said simply, heading downstairs.
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Post by sleepingdragon on Dec 19, 2009 15:40:20 GMT
Sleeping Dragon: "Are you sure it wouldn't be better to just slip into the river without a distraction which might actually cause people to notice us?" asked Rafael.
"Water instead of fire..."commented Vachir "Might be safer."
"Whatever you do please leave soon," Antar said simply, heading downstairs. Rafael ben Efrim: "I think we should leave now," Rafael told the others. "Quietly." Rafael ben Efrim: "We can keep the fire plan in reserve in case something happens." he added. enrico: "No distraction, with the exception of a riot, would be better. Surely the mighty King Darragan can handle the loss of a few supplies without much problem?" Sakura: Sakura nodded thoughtfully, "The sooner we can leave this city, the better!" Rafael ben Efrim: "We need to plan how we will get to the gate. There's a bridge further down, we need to get past that." Rafael said thoughtfully. Sakura: "Go under the bridge then?" Sakura replied as if it just matter of fact. Rafael ben Efrim: "I suggest we slip into the water just here. We can let the current carry us down, which reduces the splashing and likelihood of being spotted. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael showed the others the reeds and demonstrated how to use them to breathe underwater. enrico: "Going to check out the place Antar has so graciously recommended. Count to three hundred after I leave, then swim." Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael shook his head as Enrico left. "A law unto himself, but he seems to know what he's doing." Vachir: "I hope you're right."commented Vachir whispering to enrico, Enrico disguised himself and crept along towards the bakery which Antar had mentioned. Picking the lock, Enrico brought a pile of tinder into the bakery and set it aflame before leaving the scene. enrico: (whispering): Afterwards, Enrico looked for a good vantage point from which to watch the river and the fire at the same time. Sleeping Dragon: the party left Antar's house and quickly went down into the river. It was a murky night, the clouds beginning to gather to block out the twinkling stars overhead. Slipping the reeds they had cut into their mouths, they entered the river and swam down beneath the surface a bit, letting the current carry them eastwards towards that river gate. Shortly afterwards they passed underneath one of the two bridges, on the sides of which were hung torches allowing late-night passersby to see. The party saw a few Kingdom Guards lounging at either end of the bridge, but neither group seemed to take any notice of the party as they drifted past. whispering to enrico, Enrico made his way up onto the nearby Beacon Hill and watched from near a bush. Soon the blaze had begun to spread through the bakery, lighting up the night. Glancing towards the river gate, he saw a small group of Guards exit into the night and begin to move quickly towards the blaze Sleeping Dragon: looking up as they swam the party could see that a blaze had broken out in the bakery Antar had mentioned. As they floated along towards the river gate a small group of Kingdom Guards left the gate and made their way towards the fire, hustling and carrying buckets. The party floated past them and near to the gate itself. The nearer they came the fouler the water got, badly polluted with the waste of the city. Sleeping Dragon: at length they made their way through the huge river gates, which were made of thick iron bars with gaps between to allow water to continue to flow into the city in a siege. Heavy chains held the gate open. There were two large gatehouses on either side of the river, and they could see Kingdom Guards positioned by open windows at the tops of each gate house, holding crossbows and peering down, but they didn't see the party as they drifted along and past the gate. Sleeping Dragon: the party continued to float along, keeping underwater until they had floated well out of sight of the gates Rafael ben Efrim: When he estimated they were out of sight, Rafael swam to the surface and cautiously looked about. Sakura: Sakura however tries to stay hidden, until Rafael to point out that is 'slightly' safer Sleeping Dragon: at this late point at night, the countryside around Torath was still, only the occasional nocturnal bird flapping lazily overhead. Rafael ben Efrim: "I think it's safe to get out." Rafael whispered. Sakura: "If you think so..." Sakura whispered back quietly. "Shall we head for the location that Enrico will reach later?" Rafael ben Efrim: "Yes." Rafael swam to the bank and climbed out as quietly as possible. Vachir: Vachir climbed out of the river, turning back a moment to cast a wary look at the city Sleeping Dragon: the party made their way towards the rendezvous point they had mentioned to Enrico, a small hamlet to the east of the city. As there were still some hours to go they found a sheltered spot to camp until morning, as Enrico had told them he would not be leaving Torath until after sunrise Rafael ben Efrim: "We should keep watch," Rafael said. Rafael ben Efrim: Ardrun said he would watch with Sakura. Sakura: Sakura agreed with Rafael and Ardrun's words. "I really hope that we will get to safe lands soon. And to ensure the utter destruction of the Crimson Path. Clearly, they do not like us..." Rafael ben Efrim: "I don't think anything that is facing us can be described as safe," Rafael said grimly. "And it is right for them not to like us. We are their destruction." Vachir: "We're going south, where the other vault is supposed to be located right?"asked Vachir Rafael ben Efrim: "Yes, and Antar said that the person who had named us cultists was the Town Captain of Rannemort, which at least gives us something to go on." Sakura: "That must be something. It is quite possible that Town Captain named us to attract us to attend to him... personally. A trap waiting for us..." Rafael ben Efrim: "It seems a rather risky trap, seeing as it would rely on someone telling us they overheard it, and we could have been arrested before then," Rafael replied. Sakura: "It is but only an idea." She replied softly. Sleeping Dragon: the party lit a small fire to dry their clothes, taking pains to keep it hidden from view, and slept lightly, keeping watches in pairs. Black Cat: Black Cat sat near the fire, listening to Rafael and Sakura talk. She had only shed her Gazar disguise since leaving the river, letting the rest of her outfit dry on her. "I'll keep watch with Rafael." She said before lying down to sleep, the first words she had spoken since meeting Antar. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael nodded. "You and Sophia first then?" he suggested to Vachir. Vachir: "That's alright."replied the Bolgar Black Cat: (whispering): During their watch, Cat kept moving her glance to Rafael, as if waiting for him to say something. Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): Rafael got up and moved around, looking out accross the dark landscape. He obviously noticed Cat's glances, but was unsure what she wanted of him. Black Cat: (whispering): "I don't know that much about the Jethi." Cat said, finally speaking after a few quiet minutes. "Honestly, I don't think anyone other than the Jethi themselves really know much of them. By contrast, us Isperians are fairly easy to figure out wouldn't you say?" She said motioning to Sakura. Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): Rafael came back to the fire and sat down, surprised at Cat's words. "I had taken you for an Almerid until now." He gazed at the sleeping form of Sakura for a moment, then looked at Cat. "I don't think you Isperans are easy at all. Sakura says many things, believes many things, but her actions frequently belie her words." Black Cat: (whispering): "Everyone puts a mask on. Especially those with the most to lose." Cat said, watching Sakura for a moment. Then she turned to Rafael. "I had a question about the Jethi if you don't mind." Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): Rafael did not hesitate. "I will try to answer." he replied. Black Cat: (whispering): "You probably know that the Jethi are thought to conspire with demons." Cat waved her hand dismissivly. "A notion born from ignorance surely, but what do you think of those that do? That man in Juthe's manor, he worked magicks while we fought." Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): Rafael considered that. "He was not a Jethi of course. Such sorcery leads easily to black deeds. There are scholars among our people, and sometimes they delve too deeply into dangerous knowledge. It is always a risk, and therefore is best left alone." Black Cat: (whispering): "But surely, not all who use such magic have evil intent. There are stories of great healers who could close wounds with a touch." Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "I have heard such stories. Perhaps these healers have been blessed by the One. I can imagine how tempting it would be to use great power for such a good cause." Rafael replied with a smile. Sleeping Dragon: the party rested, Sophia & Vachir's watch turning over into Black Cat & Rafael's, who sat talking as the darkest hours of night wore on. As they spoke quietly amongst themselves, there was suddenly a burst of noise and several large, dark canine forms leapt out of the nearby undergrowth and flung themselves at Cat and Rafael. In the dark their nostrils flared, little tendrils of fire licking out Sleeping Dragon: the huge dogs surrounded Rafael and Cat and bit at them viciously, sharp teeth glowing with hot flame. By the time the stunned watchers could react each had suffered heavy wounds Rafael ben Efrim: "We're under attack!" Rafael shouted at the sleepers as he tried to dodge the vicious slavering things. Vachir: Vachir woke up with a start and quickly grabbed for his bow which fortunately was at arm's reach. He tried to leap to his feet but failed and had to stand slowly and stumble a few feet away from the attacking beasts. Black Cat: "Damnit." Cat swore spinning away from the hounds and chided herself. "Careless." Moving like a shadow, she dashed away from the creatures, avoiding two more snapping jaws, flipped past Rafael and used one of the dogs facing him as a springboard, planting her foot on the creature's head and leaping off to the other side of the fire, sending a knife flying through the flames into one of the dogs that had bit her. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael swung out at the still bemused hound but his blade went wide. He took a step back, his lips moving in silent prayer. Rafael ben Efrim: He suddenly shouted in a strange language. Rafael ben Efrim: (whispering): "If anyone speaks the language of Hell, shout "Remember Murian!" now. Midnight: (whispering): Midnight was caught off guard as well, and moved away from the combat into the underbrush. Rafael ben Efrim: edit* He suddenly shouted "If anyone speaks the language of Hell, shout "Remember Murian!" now. It may confuse them! Sakura: Sakura stood up, with a look of surprise to see that they was under attack. She yelled out in slightly harsh chilly language at these hellhounds, in order to appear threatening. Sakura: (whispering): Sakura shouted ""Remember Murian!!" in Inferal language. Sleeping Dragon: the hellhounds continued to surge forward. Two bit at Sakura, but both missed her, while another breathed fire towards Black Cat and Vachir, singeing them lightly. Rafael fared less well, bitten by two of the hounds while a third breathed fire over him and Sophia, who was just rising. Sleeping Dragon: Sophia leapt rapidly to her feet, snatching up her scythe in a deft, fluid motion. Raising it high, she brought it slamming down heavily onto one of the dogs. Rafael ben Efrim: Ardrun surged to his feet, grabbing his scimitar and charging into the nearest hound, giving it a horrible wound, although it remained on its feet. Vachir: Leaping back behind the cover of the tree, Vachir fired the arrows in quick succession, knocking senselesss one the hell hounds and killing another with two-well aimed shots to the head Vachir: edit: 'the arrows' should be 'three arrows' Black Cat: Seeing the hounds nearest her felled by Vachir, Cat quickly took stock of the battlefield. The dog attacking Sakura seemed like it was having some difficulty, and Ardrun was nearby, Rafael on the other hand... Launching into a roll, she maneuvered past it, knocking its hind legs out with a sweep as she came out of the roll, then bounded away and send another dagger into the creature's flank. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael stepped back & again slashed out at the confused and injured hound, and this time his blade hit twice, sending it bleeding to the ground. Sakura: Sakura snarled at these still active hellhounds, in same language she shouted out before. She then moved back into trees. Hellhounds themsleves were quavering at her words. Sleeping Dragon: the remaining hounds continued their attacks. One breathed fire over Ardrun and Sakura, neither of whom were more than lightly wounded, while the other two continued to hound Rafael. One actually stepped onto the campfire, completely unaffected by the flames, but neither of the dogs could land a bite on the Jeth Sleeping Dragon: Sophia stepped up and hacked at one of the hounds, sweeping wide on one blow but striking with a second swipe Rafael ben Efrim: Ardrun swung rather wildly at a hound, missing it in his effort. Vachir: Vachir fired thrice again at one of the surviving hounds. His first arrow struck dead on while his second flew wide, but the third just finished off the dead, sending it sprawled to the ground bleeding. Vachir: edit: 'finished off the dead' -> 'finished off the hound' Black Cat: Cat sprang out from behind one of the trees and past the hound in the fire, yanking on its tail to pull it off balance, then knocked the front legs out from under the other hound as it turned to bite her before retreating back behind another tree and landing another dagger on one of the hounds. Rafael ben Efrim: Rafael made full use of the hound's confusion again, as it stared about for Cat, he slashed out wounding it badly. Sakura: Sakura stepped forward from the tree and snarled at the Hellhound in front of her in the language. Sleeping Dragon: one of the hellhounds stepped up and attacked Ardrun, biting him hard, while the other shrank back from Sakura Sleeping Dragon: Sophia stepped forward, lashing out with her scythe. She felled the injured hellhound that had just struck Ardrun, and followed through onto the final hellhound, badly hurting it as well Rafael ben Efrim: Ardrun also lashed out at the last hound, wounding it. Vachir: The last beast that was still fighting was felled by a pair of arrows fired from Vachir. Rafael ben Efrim: As it became clear that the hounds were all dead, Rafael knelt to examine one. "I think these may have been set on us." Vachir: "The Crimson Path?"said Vachir "We have seen them summon fiends before, and these were no common dogs..."he added looking down at the bodies of the defeated monsters Black Cat: With the dogs dead, Black Cat let out a groan and sat down at the base of the tree she was using for cover. "Should have been more careful." She quietly admonished herself. Sakura: Sakura glanced iver her burns, winced at her pain, "Have not felt that for a long time." She muttered to herself. Rafael ben Efrim: "Do you see they have very dark coats, and these angular snouts here?" Rafael pointed at the features of the dead hound. " I believe these were from Thymbal's brood. He was a nobleman in Karatekos, an evil man who set the hounds to kill his wife and child. He is dead, so far as anyone knows. Why his hellhounds are here in Torath....the Crimson Path are probably the most likely culprits." Vachir: "You mentioned a Murian before."asked Vachir who sounded curious "Who was he? The wife or child of this madman?"he added Sakura: Sakura nodded, "I agreed. I also recognised them as Thymbal's brood." Confirming Rafael's suspicion. "Good thing I know the language after all." After glancing at Vachir's point, "She is wife who was given to hellhounds in exchange of power. Murder of darkest form." Rafael ben Efrim: "The madman would 'encourage' his minions by telling them to "Remember Murian", in case any felt like turning traitor to him. Also had they regularly beaten, to encourage their good behaviour," Rafael said with distaste. Rafael ben Efrim: edit* had them regularly beaten
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