Birthright: Chapter Seven

[JMaytr]

Devlin follows Braedonnal out.

[ewancummins]

THE BOAT

The man with the lantern held up turns his beam onto Roald’s boat and shouts- ''Pirates!'' Both watchmen on deck draw their swords.

Roald's four men already aboard are not moving about in sight of the party in the rowboats, but everyone present hears a loud splash from the opposite side of the vessel, maybe coming from short stretch of water betwixt hull and moorings.

[ewancummins]

COUNT ROBIN'S HOUSE

Devlin follows Braedonnal out.

Braedonnal looks at the Duke and says-

''Well, Your Grace, that went very poorly. I'm sorry I don't have better advice for you, but I 'speak' best with steel.''

[Varrus the Ethical]

Boarding Party

Roald puts away his bow and grabs the hull. "Time we earn our loot, boys!" He begins to climb.

A sword catches him in the shoulder as he pulls himself up the railing. He grabs one of the Alamie guards by the collar and pulls him close.

"Get off my boat!" He then hurls the man over his shoulder and into the Tuor with a splash.

[JMaytr]

Duke Devlin-

Devlin reaches out and clasps the elf on his upper arm.

"Your blades have never given me reason to question their loyalty. My own Tuor pride got the best of me in there. You know I would never abandon Ghonallison, no matter how much they hate me. Let them. I'm not here to earn their love, I'm here to defend them. We are still preparing to march. North."

Devlin hands Braedonnel the letter from Renn Ghonallison.

"If this report is accurate, we can decimate the rest of the goblin invaders and drive off Alam's host."

Devlin looks to Filbert and hands him the copies of the letters proving the goblin-Alamie connection.

"I need you to take these copies to Boeruine and Avanil now. Your talents are more needed ferrying this proof than in battle with me. You have been invaluble to the war effort Filbert, and it is not fair for you to be just my fool."

Devlin looks behind him at Count Robins home. He shakes his head. He turns back to Filbert.

"Kneel."

Devlin takes out his rapier and touches the flat of the blade to the top of Filberts head.

"I name you my royal ambassador. From this day until your last day, I name you Lord and all will know you as such. Your council is one of my greatest resources. Your friendship, one of my greatest treasures. Rise Lord Filbert. Now, hurry on to Boeruine and Avanil. Our neighbors must be made aware of the Alamie-Goblin connection."

[ewancummins]

Duke Devlin-

Devlin reaches out and clasps the elf on his upper arm.

"Your blades have never given me reason to question their loyalty. My own Tuor pride got the best of me in there. You know I would never abandon Ghonallison, no matter how much they hate me. Let them. I'm not here to earn their love, I'm here to defend them. We are still preparing to march. North."

Devlin hands Braedonnel the letter from Renn Ghonallison.

"If this report is accurate, we can decimate the rest of the goblin invaders and drive off Alam's host."

Devlin looks to Filbert and hands him the copies of the letters proving the goblin-Alamie connection.

"I need you to take these copies to Boeruine and Avanil now. Your talents are more needed ferrying this proof than in battle with me. You have been invaluble to the war effort Filbert, and it is not fair for you to be just my fool."

Devlin looks behind him at Count Robins home. He shakes his head. He turns back to Filbert.

"Kneel."

Devlin takes out his rapier and touches the flat of the blade to the top of Filberts head.

"I name you my royal ambassador. From this day until your last day, I name you Lord and all will know you as such. Your council is one of my greatest resources. Your friendship, one of my greatest treasures. Rise Lord Filbert. Now, hurry on to Boeruine and Avanil. Our neighbors must be made aware of the Alamie-Goblin connection."

ON THE ROAD AWAY FROM COUNT ROBIN'S HOUSE

Braedonnal laughs, ''And they call me a hot-head!''

[JMaytr]

Duke Devlin-

Devlin turns back to Count Robins house and enters. He goes to Find Count Robin. As he walks. he removes two Nabherine ale bottles from his pack.

Once he finds Robin he hands him one of the ales and says,

"I believe we started on the wrong foot there Lord Count. Let's try again shall we? I will start. I apologize for my heated tone and arrogant words. Tuor pride touches us all. Your son Rennault is a hero of the highest honor and caliber.

I don't want to besmirch your word or promise to the heroes who saved the Lady Beatrix. I want the prisoner because I believe that Baron Lynwerd could provide us with a tactical advantage. Either through ransom or by what he may know strategically. Its wholly possible that the Baron didnt order his men to behave as they did, and acts on the orders of his Duke, much as you have acted on mine. My noble blood grants me the gift to judge a man's character, and to discern lie from truth. After I question Lynwerd I will know if the crimes commited by his men were under his order or his dukes. Then I will know what is the most just punishment. Fear not, when the time comes, I will see justice done to him, and all Alamiens involved in this war. We will be judged by history on how we treat our prisoners. I don't care about the claimed weaponry, just that if they were heirloms, we returned them to his sons. Just as I would hope our enemies would do if you or I was slain by them. If I decide Lynwerd deserves execution, as local law, I would of course allow you to pass sentence. And then I would see his remains returned to his family. I didn't want this war, and I won't disgrace the code of Haelyn to fight it."

[ewancummins]

DEVLIN

Duke Devlin-

Devlin turns back to Count Robins house and enters. He goes to Find Count Robin. As he walks. he removes two Nabherine ale bottles from his pack.

Once he finds Robin he hands him one of the ales and says,

"I believe we started on the wrong foot there Lord Count. Let's try again shall we? I will start. I apologize for my heated tone and arrogant words. Tuor pride touches us all. Your son Rennault is a hero of the highest honor and caliber.

I don't want to besmirch your word or promise to the heroes who saved the Lady Beatrix. I want the prisoner because I believe that Baron Lynwerd could provide us with a tactical advantage. Either through ransom or by what he may know strategically. Its wholly possible that the Baron didnt order his men to behave as they did, and acts on the orders of his Duke, much as you have acted on mine. My noble blood grants me the gift to judge a man's character, and to discern lie from truth. After I question Lynwerd I will know if the crimes commited by his men were under his order or his dukes. Then I will know what is the most just punishment. Fear not, when the time comes, I will see justice done to him, and all Alamiens involved in this war. We will be judged by history on how we treat our prisoners. I don't care about the claimed weaponry, just that if they were heirloms, we returned them to his sons. Just as I would hope our enemies would do if you or I was slain by them. If I decide Lynwerd deserves execution, as local law, I would of course allow you to pass sentence. And then I would see his remains returned to his family. I didn't want this war, and I won't disgrace the code of Haelyn to fight it."

It takes over an hour for Devlin to locate Count Robin, whose servants seem to have no idea where he has gone, or aren't saying.When he does find the Count, the older man is speaking with several of the officers of the heavy horse company, in the stables at the south end of the town.

After listening to Devlin, the Count replies in calm, determined tones-

“Your Grace is concerned with justice, I understand that. A ruler should be just.

Justice has been done.

There is no need, and never was, for Your Grace to trouble himself over these things. It’s a Ghonallison matter, and as count of this province, I made a judgment according to the laws of the land and the customs of war.

No one has attempted to prevent Lynwerd from being questioned.

As I understand it, my bannerman brought you letters that were taken from Lynwerd, letters which show a link with the goblins. You see how we northern men have acted in good faith, trying our best to help you.”

[JMaytr]

"Then lets continue the effort. Your son sends this plan,"

Devlin hands count Robin the letter.

"Its time for us to ride north. Take your knights north and lets meet with your son and stomp the goblins out."

[ewancummins]

"Then lets continue the effort. Your son sends this plan,"

Devlin hands count Robin the letter.

"Its time for us to ride north. Take your knights north and lets meet with your son and stomp the goblins out."

''Excellent, as you command, Your Grace."

[ewancummins]

CUT-SCENE

VIEW CONTENT:

The knight, the girl, and the old servant ride through the drizzling rain, up the muddy logging trail...

[kintire]

Count Robin tells Safana,
“I understand. You are a brave woman.”

He stands.
“I must go and speak with His Grace. If you are going to go with the raiders and scouts, I suggest you seek them out sooner rather than later, lest you be left behind. Good day, sweet lady.”

He bows and departs the hall.

Safana curtseys, and sets off to do exactly that...and to devour the book and see what arcane secrets are hidden within!

[steveflam]

Boarding Party

Roald puts away his bow and grabs the hull. "Time we earn our loot, boys!" He begins to climb.

A sword catches him in the shoulder as he pulls himself up the railing. He grabs one of the Alamie guards by the collar and pulls him close.

"Get off my boat!" He then hurls the man over his shoulder and into the Tuor with a splash.

Torthur climbs up, grunting after Clyde to do the same.

[VAN]

Filbert

Devlin looks to Filbert and hands him the copies of the letters proving the goblin-Alamie connection.

"I need you to take these copies to Boeruine and Avanil now. Your talents are more needed ferrying this proof than in battle with me. You have been invaluble to the war effort Filbert, and it is not fair for you to be just my fool."

Devlin looks behind him at Count Robins home. He shakes his head. He turns back to Filbert.

"Kneel."

Devlin takes out his rapier and touches the flat of the blade to the top of Filberts head.

"I name you my royal ambassador. From this day until your last day, I name you Lord and all will know you as such. Your council is one of my greatest resources. Your friendship, one of my greatest treasures. Rise Lord Filbert. Now, hurry on to Boeruine and Avanil. Our neighbors must be made aware of the Alamie-Goblin connection."

Filbert doesn't speak when Devlin and Count Robin argue about the Baron, he knows that isn't his place to judge or speak. Afterall he was just a fool that occasionally helps the Duke when he needed his spy talents. But when Devlin asked him to kneel and named him Lord a tear comes from the halfling's eye. He would never expect something like that to happen. He actually got a tittle, he is a lord. After so many years of making jokes and pranks his skills are appreciated.
Bowing at Devlin he says with a voice full of emotion.

"Thank you Your Grace, it's a great honor for me. I will keep doing my best to serve you. I'm on my way to get the letters to Boeruine and Avanil as you ordered and then I will get back to join your forces."

With another bow Filbert exits the room and goes to pack his things.

[Adam]

LUMBER CAMP

Cormac nods.

"Aye, ye've all the aid me an' mine can give ye. I plan to make a home here, an' found a church. I've no desire to see these goblin vermin comin' back an' spreadin' strife." He nods towards Dietric. "We'll see tha' they pay, an' we'll get back as many as we can. Should be a fine group o' warriors we've assembled here. When are we leavin'?"