Birthright: Tuornen, Chapter Ten

[Varrus the Ethical]

ROALD, HAES.

"I will make sure to send a message to His Holliness as soon as we're all safely inside the castle. But I need you to keep him breathing. If Safana get's captured, we'll need leverage to get her back."

[RocEter]

Foerde nods, "I will do all that I can. We should also consider the possibility of a counter attack. Especially once they realize their Duke has been taken." He says.

[ewancummins]

With Foerde's further healing prayers spoken Duke Carilon comes to, stirring and groaning.
The old man sees the points of several swords leveled at his neck and head.
Scowling at his captors, he gestures towards his empty scabbard.

''I yield.''

[ewancummins]

DUKE DEVLIN, LAYING SIEGE TO CASTLE SORENTIER


The castle garrison has refused to surrender despite being completely surrounded by the now-enlarged Tuor force.

Fhylie invites Duke Devlin and Count Robin to a council-of-war in her tent.

The newly arrived swordsmen from Haes and the cavaliers of Ghonallison find a hearty welcome with the Cuiraecenite volunteers; soon the Tuor soldiers and Fhylie's crusaders are all playing cards, throwing dice, and drinking together like old friends.


As the evening pickets go out to change places with their daytime counterparts, a rider comes in from the southwest. He delivers a letter for Duke Devlin.

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Roald writes that Lord Riegon has been captured and is being held in Haes. The letter dates from just the other day.

[RocEter]

"A wise decision, your Grace." Foerde says standing up.

"Lets move him to the castle and see to that he is comfortable." He says to the others. "We should increase the guard, he could have agents within the city."

[ewancummins]

HAES

"A wise decision, your Grace." Foerde says standing up.

"Lets move him to the castle and see to that he is comfortable." He says to the others. "We should increase the guard, he could have agents within the city."

Duke Carilon ignores the beastman and addresses Sir Roald instead.

"Cousin, are you in authority here, with Duke Devlin gone? If so, I mean to deal with you and not your lackeys. If you are not in authority, take me to the one who is."

[ewancummins]

LOFTON, GATE OF CAER ALAM


Safana fishes a tiny flask holding a wee spider out of her clothes. Unstopping the flask she drops the invisble wriggling thing into her open mouth. It's perhaps easier this way, without being able to see what she's doing.

A quick gesture and a whispered chant, and she feels the familiar tingle in her hands and feet.
But as she turns to the castle walls to climb away from the men closing in on her position, she finds a fresh layer of soot drifting down. She might leave visible tracks if she tries to climb in this spot. Looking about, she sees men getting closer and closer to the open gate, walking with arms linked to prevent an unseen enemy from easily slipping by.

The noose tightens a little more as the men with bloodhounds draw near. The dogs sniff the air. One beast points its long snout towards Safana. It strains on its trainers leash, howling and barking. Other hounds join in the baleful chorus. Men look in Safana's direction, but don't seem to see her (no great surprise).

An officer mounted on a dun horse tells the searchers,
"It may be nothing or it may be the Tuors. Close in, move in good order. If you bump something you cannot see, don't stab it. Just grab it and hold on tight. No fear, men, we can beat their sorcery."

[VAN]

Filbert is tense while they found themselves in from of the palace. The halfling sighs in relief and looks around to make sure everyone is present and ok including Carillon. When Foerde heals the Duke Filbert says:

"Better not tell anyone that we captured the Duke, let only his Holiness know we can't risk spies to know and try to save him. Better get in the castle from a secondary exit and lock the Duke not in prison but in one of our rooms and have only trusted guards with him."

Looking to Carillon Filbert says:

"I'm sorry, I have to search you."

Filbert searches Carillon and takes any spell pouch or concealed weapon he may have.

[ewancummins]

Duke Carilon smiles at Filbert.

"By all means, Lord Filbert."

The old duke does not resist as the halfling checks his armor and boots for concealed weapons and sorcerous reagents.
Filbert finds no hidden stilettos or mysterious pouches.

The Duke gestures towards a growing crowd of gawkers, men and women pausing in the street to stare at the party and its captive.

"Perhaps we should enter Caer Haes now, or shall I address the rabble?"

[VAN]

Filbert isn't that surprised the Duke has no spell pouch or hidden weapons, neither Riegon did. Apparently they have innate spell like abilities and they count on their bodyguards for muscle power. Noticing that they they get strange glances of the nearby people Filbert says:

"Right, better get inside."

[ewancummins]

Filbert isn't that surprised the Duke has no spell pouch or hidden weapons, neither Riegon did. Apparently they have innate spell like abilities and they count on their bodyguards for muscle power. Noticing that they they get strange glances of the nearby people Filbert says:

"Right, better get inside. Follow me."

Duke Carilon walks on after the halfling.

"How are you taking to your recent rise in station, Lord Filbert? Do you find that people treat you much differently now that you are a peer of the court?"

[VAN]

"I don't feel really different, I don't like to abuse my power for example...But yes people treat me with more respect now."

Getting closer to the palace but not so close where the secondary entrance is, Filbert gets a piece of cloth and says:

"Excuse me for that Duke but I think you understand precaution."

The halfling blindfold's Carillon.

[ewancummins]

"If it's necessary, so be it."

Blindfolded, the Duke walks into Caer Haes.

Once inside inside, he remarks to Lord Filbert,

"I envy my noble cousin Devlin his good fortune. At least some of his courtiers show great talent and courtesy. All too many of mine are wretched, grasping villains who never tire of making petty intrigues or finding new ways to rob my subjects. I punish the worst when I catch them, of course, but it gets tiresome."
He laughs.

"Will I get to see something of court life here in Haes? Perhaps you may be my escort, Lord Filbert."

[VAN]

Filbert cannot hide his surprise that the Duke is so keen to talk to him, afterall till few months ago he was just a fool. But since he wants to know more about Carillon as person the halfling keeps talking to him.

"I'm sorry but I doubt we can allow that, you are a powerful and resourceful man which will for sure have already sent his best spies in Car Haes. As about Duke's Devlin's men, well I think all lies in trust and respect. His Grace trusts and respects his men and thus all including me are ready to give our life for him and Tuor. You may pay to get a man's sword but only respect can get a man's heart."

[RocEter]

"Lord Filbert, I am sure his Grace would agree that once we have placed him in a room within the palace that a change of his attire would be most welcome. Bloodied, torn clothing is not proper attire for a man his position." Foerde says. "I also believe that his Grace would agree that wearing his armor would prove tiresome and that storing his armor safely within the palace vault would be acceptable."