Birthright: Chapter Seven

[ewancummins]

LATER....
AT NIGHT, ON THE TUOR RIVER BETWEEN HAES AND LOFTON

The men paddle as quietly as they may, hunkered low in the dark boats on the black water under a moonless sky.

In the lead rowboat, Torthur leans forward a bit, peering into the dark.

VIEW CONTENT:

His dwarf-sight reveals several dim blurs of heat moving about on the fast-approaching wharf below the high bluffs of Lofton's port district. Men, maybe.


Clyde dog-paddles in the water beside the lead boat, a blur of heat aginast the cool water.

[kintire]

The lines in his face deepen, aging him ten years at least.
“Studied magic for years, the only one of all our line in seven generations to take up the magical arts. He disappereed years ago, in the Five Peaks. I sent riders, offered rewards, waited, prayed. But he never came back and no tracker-- not even his brothers-- could find him. I’ve come to accept that he is dead. This-“

He reaches to a table set besides his chair and lifts a tome bound in battered leather and dull brass fittings.

“Was one of his books of grammarie. I want you to have it, as a guerdon for your valiant service to my house.”

Safana rises from her chair and curtsies deeply.

"My Lord my poor service, given in exchange for the defence of my life by your liegeman, pales compared with your open hearted generosity. I will treasure your gift, and treat it with the respect due to the relic of a noble and valiant man. I will speak of your generosity and wisdom wherever I go, and of course I do not need to say that I will devote any skills and resources I have to your service for as long as this unfortunate situation continues."

[ewancummins]

SAFANA, COUNT ROBIN'S HALL

The lines in his face deepen, aging him ten years at least.
“Studied magic for years, the only one of all our line in seven generations to take up the magical arts. He disappereed years ago, in the Five Peaks. I sent riders, offered rewards, waited, prayed. But he never came back and no tracker-- not even his brothers-- could find him. I’ve come to accept that he is dead. This-“

He reaches to a table set besides his chair and lifts a tome bound in battered leather and dull brass fittings.

“Was one of his books of grammarie. I want you to have it, as a guerdon for your valiant service to my house.”

Safana rises from her chair and curtsies deeply.

"My Lord my poor service, given in exchange for the defence of my life by your liegeman, pales compared with your open hearted generosity. I will treasure your gift, and treat it with the respect due to the relic of a noble and valiant man. I will speak of your generosity and wisdom wherever I go, and of course I do not need to say that I will devote any skills and resources I have to your service for as long as this unfortunate situation continues."

''Indeed, I thank you again.''

Count Robin motions for the serving-man to refill his cup (and also Safana's if she wishes).

''If you are going north after the foe, your magic will no doubt prove useful. But I couldn't ask you to take such risks. If you stay here, perhaps you would agree to tutor my daughter Beatrix for a time. Her governess was slain by Lynwerd's cutthroats.''

[steveflam]

LATER....
AT NIGHT, ON THE TUOR RIVER BETWEEN HAES AND LOFTON

The men paddle as quietly as they may, hunkered low in the dark boats on the black water under a moonless sky.

In the lead rowboat, Torthur leans forward a bit, peering into the dark.

VIEW CONTENT:

His dwarf-sight reveals several dim blurs of heat moving about on the fast-approaching wharf below the high bluffs of Lofton's port district. Men, maybe.


Clyde dog-paddles in the water beside the lead boat, a blur of heat aginast the cool water.

"Oi, there's prolly mens up there I seen, Roald. A few o them on tha wharf. Red dots, yer knows how me sight works,"
Torthur whispers to Roald.

[ewancummins]

LATER....
AT NIGHT, ON THE TUOR RIVER BETWEEN HAES AND LOFTON

The men paddle as quietly as they may, hunkered low in the dark boats on the black water under a moonless sky.

In the lead rowboat, Torthur leans forward a bit, peering into the dark.

VIEW CONTENT:

His dwarf-sight reveals several dim blurs of heat moving about on the fast-approaching wharf below the high bluffs of Lofton's port district. Men, maybe.


Clyde dog-paddles in the water beside the lead boat, a blur of heat aginast the cool water.

"Oi, there's prolly mens up there I seen, Roald. A few o them on tha wharf. Red dots, yer knows how me sight works,"
Torthur whispers to Roald.

Clyde swims close to the boat, gently bumping the port side.

[Varrus the Ethical]

On the water

"Oi, there's prolly mens up there I seen, Roald. A few o them on tha wharf. Red dots, yer knows how me sight works,"
Torthur whispers to Roald.

Roald leans close to Torthur and pitches his voice low. "Can you see the Pleasure Barg, Torhtur? I want to avoid stepping on Alamie soil if I can."

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

LOGGING CAMP

Renn watches the courtier leave, his eyes narrowed to slits. He'd make sure to remember that man's face.

"Well, that should tie up the matter for some time," he tells Ranald. "And gods know we'll need men well armed and armored when we ride after the retreating enemy. That's why I'm hear, Sir Ranald. To gather men to strike quickly at the enemy while His Grace gets the rest of the army in order."

He turns, and looks to the huge man with Lynwerd's sword. "From what I've just seen, I can guess that you are Gunnar, no? If so, I owe you a debt of thanks for what you did for my sister, Beatrix. I'm Captain Rennault Ghonallison, and that bit of legal trickery with the courtier is only the start of my repayment for protecting my sister's life and her honor."

[kintire]

''If you are going north after the foe, your magic will no doubt prove useful. But I couldn't ask you to take such risks. If you stay here, perhaps you would agree to tutor my daughter Beatrix for a time. Her governess was slain by Lynwerd's cutthroats.''

Safana smiles and bows, slightly to cover her dismay at the prospect of becoming a governess!

"My Lord's chivalry and courtesy are beyond reproach. But do not let your honour be disturbed, my Lord. You are not asking me to take such risks; I am volunteering to do so. And if my magic can preserve just a single man from death or injury at goblin hands, I will count the risks worthwhile."

[Lord Skybolt]

LOGGING CAMP

Renn watches the courtier leave, his eyes narrowed to slits. He'd make sure to remember that man's face.

"Well, that should tie up the matter for some time," he tells Ranald. "And gods know we'll need men well armed and armored when we ride after the retreating enemy. That's why I'm hear, Sir Ranald. To gather men to strike quickly at the enemy while His Grace gets the rest of the army in order."

He turns, and looks to the huge man with Lynwerd's sword. "From what I've just seen, I can guess that you are Gunnar, no? If so, I owe you a debt of thanks for what you did for my sister, Beatrix. I'm Captain Rennault Ghonallison, and that bit of legal trickery with the courtier is only the start of my repayment for protecting my sister's life and her honor."

"Yes, I'm Gunnar . It was our pleasure to save your sister from such scum as Lynwerd's ilk, my Lord ."Gunnar says with a bow and grin to Captain Ghonallison .

[VAN]

COUNT ROBIN'S HOUSE,, FOX RUN, DEVLIN & FILBERT

"I have seen no goblins Yours Grace, only the leader that he was ordering everyone to pack the tents and be ready to leave and go South. His exact words were: "ride south after those bastards' and to 'get him back alive!'" Apparently they are after someone. I saw no prisoners. I counted like 40 knights or men-at-arms and at least 40 others that help them like pages, squires etc. Several of the soldiers wear a black tower badge on their coats. The leader should be respected and knows how to command because none was objecting his orders. I have found a chest in a wagon at the camp, among the coins there were a kind of strange stones, I got a few and I have been told that maybe are gems uncut but its better ask a miner or a jeweler. Do you think you can send them to be checked? If are gems are precious and in that chest were many of them including many gold and other coins. Our enemies are rich Your Grace, or they have robbed someone and took that chest."

Filbert gets the strange stones out of his pocket and shows them to Devlin.

"Now, about the letter I will be glad to help you Your Grace. After I fetch them I will come back and join Captain Rennault's special force? I know he is recruiting men for an attack."

When Hotspur comes in Filbert bows to him as well glad to see that the elf is alive.

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

LOGGING CAMP

Renn gives a tight grin and a nod to Gunnar. "Scum is the right word." He flexes his fingers, showing a crescent moon of red, an emblem of his restraing in not killing the courtier where he'd stood. "I have explained to Count Devlin--in detail--the crimes of Baron Lynwerd and The Black Tower Horse. Perhaps, in his other cares, he has forgotten that our dead cry out for justice. And in a just world, Lynwerd would never see his beloved Sorelies again."

"And we've still got the rest of the Horse to deal with, plus whatever goblins yet live. They withdraw toward Five Peaks, but I think they are still in good order. Let's change that. I'm putting together a company of riders. I need good men on fast horses. My scouts report 40 horsemen, 40 hangers-on, and a shitpot of gobs. Let's harry their retreat, break their morale. There may be some good ransoms among the horsemen. Or at least good weapons and armor to strip from the dead. And if we can delay their retreat long enough, perhaps His Grace will bring the rest of his forces to bear, and we can turn that skirmishing into a full assault, and break the Horse before the cowards can run back to Sorentier."

[Adam]

Cormac wisely bites his tongue as the exchange is going on between the courtier and Gunnar, not familiar with these "civilized" customs and knowing enough to be wary of Gunnar's stubbornness.

"Aye, ye great clod," he finally joins in, "There's gobs tha' need arrows in 'em. Ye' comin'?"

He gives him a big toothy grin.

[RocEter]

MID-DAY, THE ABBEY


A mountain rainstorm has blown up, washing the abbey grounds clear of the last few traces of battle.

The smallfolk and monks left behind come out into the courtyard to great the acting abbot and his friends. When the people realize who the half-elf woman with ‘Abbot Foerde’ actually is, they erupt into cheers and excited chatter—even the two monks.

One of the men rushes forward to kiss Fhylie’s right boot before the Grandmaster can dismount.

"Good people, please allow the Grand Master to dismount, she has been riding all morning." Foerde says. Leaning he lowers his voice. "Did I mention I am also the abbot in charge?" He says.

Dismounting he waves Brother Aelfred over to him. "Brother Aelfred, please find some one to see to the horses. The Grand Master and I will be in my office. Have everyone continue there duties as normal, maybe some of these spears can assist you?" He says looking at Fhylie.

[Lord Skybolt]

LOGGING CAMP

Renn gives a tight grin and a nod to Gunnar. "Scum is the right word." He flexes his fingers, showing a crescent moon of red, an emblem of his restraing in not killing the courtier where he'd stood. "I have explained to Count Devlin--in detail--the crimes of Baron Lynwerd and The Black Tower Horse. Perhaps, in his other cares, he has forgotten that our dead cry out for justice. And in a just world, Lynwerd would never see his beloved Sorelies again."

"And we've still got the rest of the Horse to deal with, plus whatever goblins yet live. They withdraw toward Five Peaks, but I think they are still in good order. Let's change that. I'm putting together a company of riders. I need good men on fast horses. My scouts report 40 horsemen, 40 hangers-on, and a shitpot of gobs. Let's harry their retreat, break their morale. There may be some good ransoms among the horsemen. Or at least good weapons and armor to strip from the dead. And if we can delay their retreat long enough, perhaps His Grace will bring the rest of his forces to bear, and we can turn that skirmishing into a full assault, and break the Horse before the cowards can run back to Sorentier."

"I will be coming, but Rumble is not all that fast since he is built more for battle and less for speed especially with me on his back . I agree we need to break them though before they reach the Peaks ."Gunnar says in response to those speaking to him .

[JMaytr]

Devlin-

"I have recieved the Captain's report as well. I plan to ride with him. If you want to accompany us, I would be pleased to have you along my friend. You say black tower troops are grouping as well? That's Sorelies, The Baron Lynwerd's men. They clearly come for him. We need to make sure he is held in a secure place so that he is not retrieved and taken home before he faces my justice. I know he and his soldiers have commited great crimes in this province, but they did so as part of the concentrated war effort. His crimes are Carilon Alam's crimes and are against all of Tuornen. We must first interogate him however, and find out what else he knows about the Alam war plan."

Devlin calls a guardsmen to him.

"Summon the unit commanders to me forthwith. I have need of my war councilors."