Garyth's Report, Chapter's End
Subject: Re: Racing with the devil
It is clear that "Captain of the Guard" means something very different to this sergeant and to Garyth. A few moments later, Garyth finds himself standing in the guardhouse next to Nesalin's main gate, while a very bored looking officer looks at him from across his desk. "What can I do for you, lieutenant?"
Garyth casts an irritated look at the sergeant. He says to the captain, "Sir, I have ridden hard with dire news of Overlook. I was hoping to see Sir Mattias, or possibly even Under Marshall Darius. We must mobilize the field command quickly to counter a dire threat to my town."
The captain gives Garyth and incredulous look. "Oh, just like that, then? Drag yourself into the city in a ruined uniform (he gives an impolite snort at the state of Garyth's armor), and march right into the Knight Commander's office? Or the Under Marshall himself? No, lieutenant, you'll follow the chain of command and deliver your message to me. Then I will decide if it moves up the channel or not."
Garyth knows this man, or at least his type. He has grown middle aged with the guard, moving into a position of moderate authority through years of service and not rocking the boat, and he will stand on mindless adherence to regulation because he has no wit to do otherwise. There was a time, not that long ago, when Garyth would have just shut up and soldiered.
Garyth leans across the desk, putting his face less than a foot from the Captain's. "In a little less than two days, my home is going to be sacked. Everyone I care about in this world will be killed. If you delay me getting my message to those who can help, I will consider you solely responsible for this tragedy, and I will be a man who has NOTHING to lose."
The Captain's gaze travels over Garyth's scabby face, the rents and blood stains on his armor, the worn and stained handles of his weapons. To his credit, he does not cower. He merely stands and says, "Then perhaps we should go to the Knight Commander together, Lieutenant." Garyth knows he has earned an enemy in this man. If his message is of less import than he has claimed, this captain will take great delight in making him suffer for it. But he is also not taking any chances. Garyth will get his moment before the Knight Commander.
Garyth follows the captain through the main gate, and into the city proper. They exchange no more words as they walk the six blocks to the guard headquarters. Garyth is struck by the normalcy of everything around him. Street merchants hawk their wares. Citizens bustle quickly about on the business of life. From across the city, a bell can be heard ringing in one of the churches. All will be gone if the demon gains a stronger foothold on this island.
The captain leaves Garyth in a waiting room, but a few moments later he is ushered into the office of Knight Commander Mattias, commanding officer of the home guard, the city watch segment of the Nesalin army, third highest ranked officer on Huss. There are several other men in the office, all looking impatient. The captain says when Garyth enters the room, in a tone of voice that sounds like he is repeating something he's already said, "Lieutenant Garyth Tel'Ardan, of the Overlook guard, with a message of great import concerning the town of Overlook."
Sir Mattias is a middle aged man who has not lost the heavy build of a fighter. Though he wears no armor, and carries only a dagger on his belt, no one could mistake him for anything but a soldier. He looks Garyth over once and says, "You have the look of a man freshly returned from battle. I think you have much to tell me. Speak freely here, guardsman."
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Racing with the devil
OOC:Melani uses her until now overlooked psionic powers and mentally dominates the head of the guard.
msquared
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Racing with the devil
Mission again whispers to the party, "Standing here on the plains is not saving anyone."
Or he might have whispered that, but his throat is dry from the vision, and he finds himself taking shallow breaths.
OOC: Hey, who are we waiting on at this point? As long as Rennick steers them in the direction of Nesalin, Mission follows the halfling.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Racing with the devil
The rest of the party is walking toward Nesalin.
Unless you want to do something different, in which case let me know.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Racing with the devil
Garyth's salute to the Knight Commander has a proper enough form to appease any drill sergeant, but something in the speed belies the worry and bone tiredness in the lieutenant.
Garyth casts his mind back over the events since he left Overlook. It seemed such a long time ago. But it seemed unlikely that any word had been dispatched to Nesalin, and even if it had, the Commander still may not have heard yet. Best to start at the beginning. "A few weeks ago, sir, two of the farms outside of Overlook were attacked and destroyed. The only survivor, one of the farm boys, lived long enough to speak of black monsters killing his family and making off with the bodies before something in his wounds drove him mad and he took his own life. Shortly after, a halfling from the forest around Mt. Huss came into town with stories of a band of wereboar that he had been tracking for several years. I and a group of volunteers followed the halfling in search of the monsters, to try to eliminate them before any more harm could come to Overlook."
Garyth goes on to describe the encounter with Elise at the first farm, then the appearance of Anileth at Gully's trading post and the subsequent battle. He tells about the debacle at the tower in the forest, the journey through the jungle, and the ancient halfling temple at the mountain. So much has happened in so little time; the words just keep coming, and as they do, some small feeling of normalcy begins to return to Garyth's heart. He continues on, telling the Commander about Promise's birth and the flight from the mountain.
He finally finds himself caught up to the present. "The army that marches on Overlook is more than three hundred strong, including undead, mercenaries, and enough magic-users to level the palisade at Overlook." He pauses, swallowing. When he continues, his voice nearly breaks under the strain of his worry. "I estimate that the undead force will reach Overlook in less than two days. If reinforcements do not arrive before then, the town will be no more."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Racing with the devil
Sir Mattias pays careful attention as Garyth speaks. At several points during the story, he casts meaningful glances at one of the other men in the room. He asks Garyth for clarifying detail in only a very few places, mostly allowing him to complete the story in his own words and at his own pace.
When Garyth finishes, the commander looks at his advisor. "Well, Kenis, what say you now?"
The man nods, "Indeed my Lord, there can be no coincidence. I think we have all the proof we need to present to the Lord Marshall and the Duke."
Sir Mattias turns back to Garyth. "We are possibly less surprised by your news that you may have expected. Since you have seen much we have not, I would like to keep you with me for a while." The commander says to one of his aides, "Joss, get this man a new uniform, and have somebody write up a field commission to Captain. Place him on my staff indefinitely.
"Now then, captain Garyth. Let me tell you what I know. Not more than a week ago, a band of halflings attacked a small group traveling from Landfall. Several citizens were taken, but one of the guards captured a halfling. He was brought here for questioning, though I admit we have been able to learn nothing from him. He hisses and spits and tries to bite his jailers, but says nothing when questioned. We found a scroll on him, and one of the wizards at the college translated it. It is a pledge to some black tribal god of theirs, but it tells us nothing of their plans. I think we can guess though.
"Men have only lived on this island for three hundred years. The halflings claim to have lived here for millennia. There is, understandably, some friction from time to time. Mostly, though, they keep to the island forests, and we keep to the coastal areas. The occasional raid on cattle aside, there is usually peace. But there are new stories. Stories like the one you've just told, of bold raids on villages, and of men and women carried off. The timing of your tale and the capture of this halfling raider are just the final straws.
"It seems the halflings are making a move against us. How they are able to hire human mercenaries, I don't know. And the news that they are using black magic to conjure the living dead is ill news indeed. But it seems that with necromancy and sell-swords they finally feel strong enough to hit one of our larger towns. If the halflings can take Overlook, they can sack any city on the isle smaller than Nesalin.
"We have already sent out four squads of Blood Falcons looking for the rest of the raiding party. Perhaps other prisoners will be less reluctant to talk. This attack on Overlook though... Do I send my strength south, to defend the town? Are we sure that this army represents the bulk of the halfling's forces? If we commit there, and another army shows up on our doorstep, my men could be caught between the hammer and the anvil.
"We must take this news to Marshall Whitlocke. Ultimately, he must make the decision on where to mobilize. But at least we can bring him some solid news this time. We are looking at a full halfling revolt."
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Racing with the devil
A promotion. Two weeks ago it would have about burst Garyth open at the seams with pride. Now it seems... Well, less important. And even though the Knight Commander is far more experienced than he is, Garyth can't help feeling like the Commander might be missing something important. It's not his place to challenge Sir Mattias' authority, but something inside Garyth just can't let it go without saying something.
"Sir, I..." he begins hesitantly. "I'm no mage, but what I saw out there was far beyond any magic I've ever seen. More than I've ever even heard of. The ritual under the mountain... The baby..." He falters, unsure of himself, of how to describe what he saw. The enormity of the experience is too great. The words don't come. He opens and closes his mouth a few times, wishing he could explain. "My companions could explain better," he finishes lamely.
His companions. He remembers sharply that they are still making their way to the city, and after what they've been through they'll look a sight. "Sir, I rode ahead of my companions to bring warning, but they will be arriving before the night is out. Someone should... that is, I think the gate guards should be told to look for them."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Racing with the devil
Sir Mattias gives Garyth a look that unsettles him. "Yes. Companions." He pauses for a moment.
"We will keep an eye out for them certainly. This halfling that travels with you. The one that took you to Kessel. Do you trust him? Do you know what his tribal loyalties are? We have little good intelligence on the shifting alliances among the small folk. It would be helpful to know how many of them are involved in this revolt. The Kalama live close by the trade route from Landfall. If they are involved, it could mean that city is cut off from our aid. That is the very route our men were attacked on you know.
"I am not one given to wild conspiracy, and most often the simplest explanation is the true one. But I admit I am uncomfortable with the fact that it was a halfling guide that gave you your route and most of your intelligence. Is it possible that he showed you what he wanted you to see? I don't know the man, of course. Would you vouch for him?
"As much as it seems unlikely, it would be of great benefit to a halfling attack to have one of their spies show us a portion of their forces, claiming them to be all. And once inside the city, and in our confidence, who knows what he might do?"
The man called Kenis nods at this. "Indeed, my Lord. I would be loathe to trust this halfling 'ally' until I knew exactly his allegiances. If indeed the small folk rise up to drive us from the island, then we must cast a suspicious eye on any aid from their quarter. It might behoove us to round up those halflings already within our walls. We can hold them temporarily until all comes to light."
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Racing with the devil
Garyth's face falls. The Commander doesn't believe him. Not that Garyth can blame him; if he hadn't been there himself, he wouldn't have believed it either. Now, though, others will suffer for his clumsiness with words.
But the Commander had asked about Rennik. "Sir, I would vouch for Rennik with my life. He risked his own life more than once to help me when we were attacked. I don't think a spy would do that.
"Rennik is of the Chorrdath tribe, but I don't know where the Chorrdath's lands are. According to him, the renegade halflings are of a tribe that lives near the mountain: the Murrkat. I trust his word on this, and what I saw with my own eyes seemed to confirm it. The Kalama in the village we passed through seemed normal people, but the Murrkat were little better than animals. They were just like what you told me of your prisoner. From what I saw when I was at the mountain temple, though, the Murrkat were not in charge. The few people we saw that seemed to be in command positions were human. The woman we encountered at the farm, Dame Elise, seemed to be the leader." He pauses for a moment, remembering that first day. "The armor that Elise wore when we first saw her seemed familiar. It looked like it had recently had insignia removed..." His brow furrows as he tries to remember, then his eyes widen slightly as recognition hits him. "She was wearing the armor of a Knight of the Order of the White Hart."
From: Ty
Subject: Misconceptions and miscommunications
"Ha!" The shout is so loud and sudden that it takes Garyth by surprise, and his head whips around almost painfully. One of the other men in the room, a large man in expensive clothing steps forward, a scowl on his face.
"You expect me to believe one of MINE has cast in with this halfling rabble? Damn you, Sirrah, you had best come to me with better than wild stories." Too late, Garyth sees the White Hart badge on the man's breast. "Do you claim, in front of God and these witnesses, that the Noble Lady Elise Duskane has joined godless heathen wildmen? God's Teeth man, have you taken leave of your senses?!"
Sir Mattias stands up, placing a placating hand on the Man's shoulder. "Sir Danbury, I'm sure the young captain means no disrespect to your noble order. There is much here that doesn't make sense now. We will have to wait until all matters are brought to light."
Sir Danbury spins to face Mattias, his face red, but Mattias does not back down, and the Paladin deflates. "Indeed, Sir Mattias. I will take leave of you now, to see about marshalling my own people for the coming fight." Mattias grips him once on the shoulder, "Thank you, old friend. The Knights of the White Hart will be a welcome addition to our defenses, should the need arise." Sir Danbury nods once, and storms out, casting one last poisonous glance at Garyth as he walks by. Suddenly, Garyth realizes how out of his depth he is. There is a way of talking and acting that these men expect that he has no experience with. He will have to be very careful.
Sir Mattias turns back to Garyth with a speculative look. "I'm glad we have your experiences to draw on as we plan and gain further information, but do be careful, young captain. There was no way for you to know, but the Lady Elise went missing some weeks ago, and one of her order was found murdered. There was of course suspicion that she had been involved in some skullduggery, but Sir Danbury would hear none of it. She is one of his favorites."
He says to Kenis, "You will accompany me to the Duke, where we will present this new information, and get counsel from wiser heads than our own. I would bring you with me, captain, to tell your incredible tale, but I fear you are in no state for an audience, and we have no time to wait for you. We must move quickly. The duke will have to be satisfied with my humble retelling of the story."
Garyth moves as though to speak, and Sir Mattias raises one hand. "I know you are worried about your people. I'm worried about them too, be assured. I will make a strong case for protecting Overlook, whatever the cost. If nothing else, the Duke will surely see the wisdom in protecting the lighthouse that makes his cities trade possible." He smiles a grim smile.
"If there is nothing else, captain, I will leave you to clean up." He says to the captain that brought Garyth (Garyth had forgotten the man was even there), "See to it this soldier is taken to a room here in the keep, and given whatever else he needs. Send riders to pick up the rest of his party. They should be on the road and easy to find."
He turns back to Garyth, "If there is nothing else, captain?"
[Mike, you can have Garyth check in with any actions you wish now. Just let me know. Next turn will be for the whole party again.]
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Misconceptions and miscommunications
In his mind, Garyth hears himself pleading with Sir Mattias to understand, to take him to see the Duke. But if this meeting is any indication, he would only mess things up further. He bows his head momentarily. "No, sir," he says, and salutes the Commander.
When the Commander leaves, Garyth follows the aide to his quarters. For a while he paces his room, occasionally stopping to gaze out the window. It doesn't feel right to partake of the comforts available while his friends are still out there. But they will be hours yet, and he realizes that depriving himself does nothing to help them. He takes a bath and cleans away the accumulated grime of more than a week of travel and combat. Back on the trail he had relished the thought of this moment, a roof over his head and a hot bath. Now he finds that he can't enjoy it; his mind keeps returning to the fate of Overlook and the mistakes he made in his meeting with the Watch Commander.
When he leaves the bath he finds a new uniform waiting for him. As the Commander had said, captain's markings adorn the collar. He rubs a thumb across the insignia, wondering where the pride he should be feeling had gone. It's obvious, of course. A captaincy was meaningless without people to share in his good fortune, without a family to return to.
Garyth dons the new uniform, then leans against the window frame, looking out across the city. The sun is starting to set, but the streets are still busy. Full of people. They probably all have families, loved ones to go home to. Maybe it's time that he thought about starting one of his own.
He shakes his head. Enough time for such thoughts when Overlook is safe. For now, there's nothing but to wait. Garyth lifts his eyes to the horizon, wondering where his companions are.
OOC: I took a few liberties, Ty. Hope that's OK.
From: Ty
Subject: The Party in Nesalin; The end of a chapter
The sun has disappeared into the horizon, leaving only a read smear across the bottoms of a few clouds. Mission's internal clock tells him it is five hours to midnight. That means they still have five or more hours to travel. But no one looks like they want to stop. Rennik walks out in front, his head looking down at the road. He seems deep in thought. Mission knows they will probably lose him as soon as they get to the city. He has no reason to stay, or to fight for Overlook. His own people are starting a war with the Murrkat, and surely he would rather be with them. Melani follows along behind like a ghost. It is easy to forget she's even there, she moves so quietly. She came with them because she believed that getting Promise on a boat off the island would hurt the demon. Would it? Promise's vision seemed to be saying that it was a temporary setback at best. Kor Garesh would stoke his fires with smaller fuel, perhaps, but he would stoke them all the same. And now it would be Melani's people, among others, that would burn for the demon's hunger.
For the first time on their trip, Sa'id walks with Cadfael, conversing quietly with the priest. Farron walks close by, listening, but seems out of place. As if his friend and the cleric speak a tongue he does not fully understand. Mission was raised in a tradition of spirituality and order. It is obvious to him that such things are of great import. But it must have come as a shock to the otherwise skeptical eastern wizard. And his friend has not had the same experience yet. Those spiritual needs have not been awakened in him. It must be disconcerting for Farron. Cadfael, for his part, looks very happy to play the part of teacher. Prior to leaving on their quest, surely that was the priest's primary role with his church. Teaching must be a comfortable return to something familiar for him.
In his arms, Promise looks around with great interest. The boy had slept for several hours as they walked, but now he was wide awake. Mission thought of what Garyth had said. The boy was like a sponge, soaking up everything around him. The vision he had given his father was made of the bits and pieces the boy had available to him after only three days. Mission is almost a little frightened. What will the boy be capable off tomorrow? In a week? When he is a man?
Mission is started from his reverie by Rennik's quick birdcall. Like cats, the party slips off the road to both sides and takes cover in the low brush. In the dim light, it is not possible to see what Rennik was warning them of, but within moments there is the clip clop sound of walking horses. Another few moments put the horses and riders in view. Ten men in chainmail and carrying light lances ride together two by two. On their armor is the standard of Nesalin. Behind them are six more horses, with saddle and bit, but without riders.
Before anyone can decide what to do, Cadfael steps out onto the road, boldly displaying his Pelor marked shield. "Ho, guardsmen. I think you may have been sent on this errand by a friend of mine. Are you looking for six travelers?"
The lead soldier nods, "We are, sir. We are to say that Garyth Tel'Arden sent us to bring you all with haste to Nesalin. Where is the rest of your band?"
The rest of the group comes up out of cover, and startles the cavalrymen. The leader says, "Days on the road will make a man wary, eh?" Cadfael grins, "Indeed they have, son. Indeed they have."
The party is quickly mounted, though Melani and Rennik find it easier to ride double with Sa'id and Farron then to try and ride one of the warhorses alone. On horseback, the trip back takes three hours on horseback, instead of the five it would take them to walk. It is two hours to midnight when the party rides through the massive gates into the city of Nesalin. The soldiers dismount, and the leader shakes Cadfael's hand before turning the group over to a page. "With me, sirs," is all the boy says before darting off through the streets. He takes the group to the keep of the City Watch, and sends them inside.
A few moments later, they enter the dining hall of the keep. Garyth sits at a table spread with food, picking at a bit of chicken on his plate. As soon as he sees the group, he bounces to his feet. He is very clean and wearing a shiny new uniform.
[Garyth has things to tell the party, and the party surely has plans from here. You will all be allowed to spend the night at the keep. You can send in turns for things you want to do the next day as well. You made it back alive, congratulations. Chapter one of our little saga is ending soon. Anyone who has grown tired of playing, let me know. This is the best time to write you out gracefully. Mission is surely going to try and leave with his son, but Scott can keep playing if he likes. Send me private emails letting me know if you want to leave. I will write something into a later turn. And thanks for playing! Chapter one went very well I think.]
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Party in Nesalin; The end of a chapter
It has been a pleasure...
...but you won't be rid of me THAT easily. :D
Seriously, though, I've really enjoyed this game and plan to keep right on enjoying it. :)