Birthright: Chapter Seven

[VAN]

Ghonallison, Fox Run

"Yes, Filbert, come in." The captain flattens his map on the table and shows Filbert where the goblins and horsemen are moving, towards Five Peaks. "We can't let them get that far away from us. The Duke may decide to bring his full force to bear on that group, but I want to put together a force of skirmishers to move fast and harry their retreat. And if they give us the slightest opportunity, we'll turn their retreat into a rout."

"That's why I need a small force that can move quickly. You've proven yourself an able scout time and again. And if things take a turn, you're the one with the best chance of getting word back to the Duke. There are others I wish to recruit as well. Cormac and Foerde are rumored to have acquited themselves well at a battle with the gobs. And I owe Gunnar and Safana personal thanks for rescuing Beatrix. If we can recruit them and a few dozen or so stout-hearted skirmishers, I think we can hit them hard, and soon."

Filbert thinks for a moment Renn's plan, attacking the goblins that retreat will indeed scare them even more and probably make them root but there is always the danger of getting in a trap.

"I will be glad to join this force Captain and I do hope my talents to be useful, but I suggest we don't follow them far away because we don't know the place as well as they do and we might get lead in an ambush. Maybe is better attack them hard as you say but when we see them root not follow them but return back."

[ewancummins]

LOGGING CAMP

"Yes, I was going to discussing such a business matter as well when I had chance, Sir"Gunnar replies with a smile .

After the two men retire to a tent, Sir Ranald tells Gunnar-

"Baron Lynwerd must be my prisoner for social reasons, as I told you before. But don’t think I have forgotten who it was that beat him down.”

The knight sits on one of the log section stools arranged in the tent.

“Here is my proposal for division of spoils:

Let’s auction off Baron Lynwerd’s armor. With so many of Count Robin’s knights around, the flower of Ghonallison’s chivalry, well; we can no doubt obtain a handsome offer. The vanity of more than a few of those fellows would be tickled by the thought of strutting about in baronial harness. We can divide the proceeds fairly among you, me, and Safana.
Or keep the armor for yourself if you have other plans for it. But I do think I can get us more money through an auction.

The loot from the chest we should cut up into equal shares for the whole party, as you have previously suggested. Yes, even the common men. They did good service, and really pulled our bacon from the frying pan with their timely show of archery. You have trained them well.

If I can get a ransom for Baron Lynwerd, I propose to cover the great losses I’ve taken in hosting all those refugees and Count Robin’s men, and then divide the remainder fairly among the principal raiders. That leaves one more thing—“

He props the scabbarded war sword up on his knees.

“It’s a fine blade, maybe even the work of a fairy-smith.”

He leans forward.

“From not long after we first met in this very camp, I have relied on your fighting prowess, your strength, and your advice. You have served as my lieutenant and eaten at my table, not as a houseless refugee but as a trusted friend.

I see opportunities opening up not just for myself, but for my friends, Gunnar.

You once told me that you came north to protect your wife, your farm, all that’s yours to claim in this world. I respect a man who looks out for what is his own in this world.
How would you like to better your condition, better you wife’s condition, and to enlarge your property?

Enter my service formally, as you have already entered it informally. Pledge fealty and as my fortunes rise, I will raise you with me. Your enemies will be my enemies. My good fortune will be your good fortune.
Keep Baron Lynwerd’s sword for your own, to serve as a sign of the oaths between us.

Will you take it?”

He offers the sword hilt-first to Gunnar.

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

"I will be glad to join this force Captain and I do hope my talents to be useful, but I suggest we don't follow them far away because we don't know the place as well as they do and we might get lead in an ambush. Maybe is better attack them hard as you say but when we see them root not follow them but return back."

"Right, we don't want to give them the chance to slip into Alamie or Five Peaks if we can help it. If they get outside our territory, who knows what tricks they'd pull on us? But if we can catch them while they're in Ghonallison, then we'll have the advantage--this is my home after all. And I've no desire to lead us into an ambush."

He pauses, thinking for a moment. "You said you saw their new leader, yes? Did he seem capable?"

[RocEter]

The Abbey, early morning.

Foerde stands at the top of the bell tower watching the early morning sky. He uses his torch to judge wind strength, speed, and direction. Watches the sky to see clouds will form and if they hold rain or not. Finishing his forecasting Foerde heads down the stairs to join his brothers in morning prayers..

After prayers and breakfast, Foerde goes down to his room and dons his coat mail, war sword and some equipment for his scouting mission today. Once he finishes preparing to leave he heads back up stairs to find Hob. He finds Hob waiting for him at the gate with Neb and two wood cutters.

"I'll be back shortly after midday." He says to them. "Haven't seen signs of Gobs or men on horseback yet but if that attack on Fox Run was successful there is strong chance they could retreat here thinking they have safe place to go. Be safe when out cut those trees today boys and be back a little after midday." He says.

After giving out orders to the boys, he lifts the hood of his traveling cloak and leaves the abbey...

[VAN]

Ghonallison, Fox Run

"I will be glad to join this force Captain and I do hope my talents to be useful, but I suggest we don't follow them far away because we don't know the place as well as they do and we might get lead in an ambush. Maybe is better attack them hard as you say but when we see them root not follow them but return back."

"Right, we don't want to give them the chance to slip into Alamie or Five Peaks if we can help it. If they get outside our territory, who knows what tricks they'd pull on us? But if we can catch them while they're in Ghonallison, then we'll have the advantage--this is my home after all. And I've no desire to lead us into an ambush."

He pauses, thinking for a moment. "You said you saw their new leader, yes? Did he seem capable?"

Filbert tries to remember the night where they crashed the riders camp.

"I did see him Captain, but for merely couple minutes shouting orders here and there, to grab their staff and mount their horses. He seems really eager to leave the camp and go after his target as soon as possible. His men obeyed his orders and nobody raised a voice to contradict him so yes I think he is a capable leader that we should pay attention of."

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Renn considers Filbert's reply. "Very well then. So we can't rely on them being disorganized. All the more reason to strike soon, but not without care."

He quirks his head to the side. "You know, Filbert, amidst all this fighting, I'd forgotten that you and Devlin came to Croaker to seek clues about that poem. Did you learn any more about what the poem meant?"

[VAN]

Filbert slaps his forehead as sign of desperation.

"What silly I'm, I have tottaly forgotten this Captain. With the attack and the plans going on it has slipped my mind. If the Duke isn't very busy I will ask him how he want to proceed. We have some time before we depart right?"

[kintire]

Safana has been making herself useful around the place, although she has been mostly near the new Knight. She has always been easy to find should anyone wish to reward her for her efforts, and occasionally she has dropped carefully chosen hints into the conversation that that might be welcomed...

[Adam]

CORMAC: THE LOGGING CAMP IN THE FUTURE.

Cormac and Dietric ride into the campsite, having received directions that this was where the raiding party was forming up. He asks about for directions to whoever is in charge and moves in that direction.

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

RENN'S HQ

Renn shrugs at Filbert. "Perhaps. The Duke has seemed most distracted lately. I've noticed he and that elf priestess have been spending quite a bit of time together lately. But it couldn't hurt to ask."

He rises then. "As for me, I'm heading to the logging camp north of town. Sevet and Gatt say some of the men up there are spoiling for a fight. I'll meet you there when it's time to ride out."

With that, Renn prepares his horse and gear and makes for the Logging Camp.

[VAN]

Filbert nods and says:

"Sounds like a plan Captain."

Then when Renn leaves he goes to search for Devlin.

[Lord Skybolt]

LOGGING CAMP

"Yes, I was going to discussing such a business matter as well when I had chance, Sir"Gunnar replies with a smile .

After the two men retire to a tent, Sir Ranald tells Gunnar-

"Baron Lynwerd must be my prisoner for social reasons, as I told you before. But don’t think I have forgotten who it was that beat him down.”

The knight sits on one of the log section stools arranged in the tent.

“Here is my proposal for division of spoils:

Let’s auction off Baron Lynwerd’s armor. With so many of Count Robin’s knights around, the flower of Ghonallison’s chivalry, well; we can no doubt obtain a handsome offer. The vanity of more than a few of those fellows would be tickled by the thought of strutting about in baronial harness. We can divide the proceeds fairly among you, me, and Safana.
Or keep the armor for yourself if you have other plans for it. But I do think I can get us more money through an auction.

The loot from the chest we should cut up into equal shares for the whole party, as you have previously suggested. Yes, even the common men. They did good service, and really pulled our bacon from the frying pan with their timely show of archery. You have trained them well.

If I can get a ransom for Baron Lynwerd, I propose to cover the great losses I’ve taken in hosting all those refugees and Count Robin’s men, and then divide the remainder fairly among the principal raiders. That leaves one more thing—“

He props the scabbarded war sword up on his knees.

“It’s a fine blade, maybe even the work of a fairy-smith.”

He leans forward.

“From not long after we first met in this very camp, I have relied on your fighting prowess, your strength, and your advice. You have served as my lieutenant and eaten at my table, not as a houseless refugee but as a trusted friend.

I see opportunities opening up not just for myself, but for my friends, Gunnar.

You once told me that you came north to protect your wife, your farm, all that’s yours to claim in this world. I respect a man who looks out for what is his own in this world.
How would you like to better your condition, better you wife’s condition, and to enlarge your property?

Enter my service formally, as you have already entered it informally. Pledge fealty and as my fortunes rise, I will raise you with me. Your enemies will be my enemies. My good fortune will be your good fortune.
Keep Baron Lynwerd’s sword for your own, to serve as a sign of the oaths between us.

Will you take it?”

He offers the sword hilt-first to Gunnar.

Gunnar says to Sir Ranald:"On the Baron's armor I like your suggestion of selling it and we can just split up the proceeds among our overall raiding party for there help in getting us out of trouble at the end of the raid . On the ransom of the Baron, I would think that you could take most, if not all of that too cover the cost of housing and feeding the refugees that you had to take under your roof ."



Gunnar pauses to think on Sir Ranald's offer and then takes the sword in hand and kneels to his new liege lord and says:"I accept your offer of service under you and this sword as a symbol of it, my lord."

[JMaytr]

Taking reports from Count Robin, Duke Devlin learns that the infamous Baron of Sorelies has been taken prisoner by the new-made knight, Sir Ranald, with the help of Gunnar and Safana.
Devlin-

He also learns the story of the Battle of the Broken Bell and the heroic deeds of Cormac and Foerde. Sir Ranald approches Duke Devlin with captured letters showing that Baron Lynwerd of Soerlies was working with the goblins and had carried pay to them on behalf of his master, Duke Carilon.

Devlin listens carefully to the words.

"I would see the Baron of Sorelies, forthwith. Even though Lynwerd is our enemy, he is a noble by divine right. He will be afforded a prison cell befit for someone of his station. I applaud my soldiers who have captured this rogue. I would give them my thanks personally. And now Lynwerd and all of his ancestral arms and armor are to be turned over to me so that I may decide his punishment under Tuornen law, and see that his rightful heirs recieve their rightful property."

"The broken bell...those men sound like heroes, I would meet them as well."

Devlin takes the letters. He looks at the evidence proving his hated cousin is in league with goblins. He shakes his head mournfully.

"I will be transcribing these personally and sending the copies to our allies. Prepare Ravens for me. This proof will convince the Mhor to allow troops from the Militant Order be raised in his lands to fight further goblin threats. He has told me as much. I will now retire to my planning room in Count Robin's estate. Bring me the men I have requested to see. And find me Filbert."

[VAN]

Filbert finally manages to find Devlin. The halfing gets in the room and bows.

"Your Grace you wanted to see me? I need to remind you that we still have to deal with that poem. We don't know the meaning and who want to harm you, apart of your known enemies of course...Or do you prefer to deal with it later and you have something more important for me?"

[JMaytr]

Devlin-

"Yes, I sent for you because I want an update on your scouting mission. How many men lie in wait for us? Any sign of the goblins? And yes, I have discovered some of the poems meaning. It was an invitation of sorts, for me to meet the wizardess, Maeve. It was a riddle she hoped I would follow. She has joined our cause against the Alamieans and the goblin horde. With Lynwerds capture we have proof that my cousin is in league with the creatures. I have transcribed the letters we took from the Baron of Sorelies. I now want you to take copies to Boeruine and Avanil. The letters also include a request for aid. Let's see which Archduke really cares about defending the realm from the Five Peaks and its residents.

But, first your report."