Birthright Chapter Nine

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Renn's fine speech transitions into a stream of curses as the protest turns into a riot. Seeing that the Militant Order's adherants pay not a whit of attention to their cat-priest except to loot him, Renn quickly turns to the headquarters and shouts inside.

"GUARDS, RIOT! SHIELDS AND CUDGELS NOW, ALL OF YOU! LET'S PUT THIS DOWN!" With that, he dashes into the Headquarters, shouting commands who whichever guards might be on hand and searching for his own club, shield, and helmet.

[kintire]

With a swirl, fire curls across the cobbles, flickering between the two crowds, and suddenly springs up to dancing wall of flame, swirling and curling with thick black smoke rising above it. In the smoke, baleful faces seem to form, with rising embers pausing and hanging in them like glowing eyes, staring down at the onrushing crowd as they surge towards the barrier, the cobbles of the street seeming to glow with heat

[VAN]

Filbert was ready to leave the HQ when the riot started. The halfling knows that with his small size can hardly do anything to stop the angry men and even if he tried he had more chances to get hurt before someone listens to him. Always inside the building he looks around in order to find anything he can use to stop the rioters from distance.

[ewancummins]

Both factions of citizens fall back from the seemingly haunted wall of fire.

The Haleynites retreat a short distance down the street, keeping at least a ragged sort of order and carrying the injured boy with them. Seeing watchmen coming towards them they lower their weapons and fists, but do not disperse unless ordered to do so. The young priest who had ranted at Captain Renn now exhorts his followers to stand firm but not to strike unless first struck.
"The Watch is not our enemy!"


The Cuiracenites curse, stumble, and turn round, bearing their banner with them as they hustle down the street. A few stand their ground and make ready to fight the oncoming watch, but without any plan or cohesion.

Renn's watchmen avoid the fiery barrier, flowing to either side of it to carry out their duties. They quickly subdue the few scrappers too dumb or too brave to flee, using their shields, boots, and cudgels.
After the brief street fight has ended, the watchmen move to prevent anybody else of either faction from fleeing the scene.

Cormac is able to get in among the Haelynites and tend to the injured boy. This action seems to further calm the protestors. They stop shouting. No one attempts to hinder or harm Cormac.

Lord Filbert runs back and forth from the watch-house, emptying and refilling buckets of sand and water in an attempt to extinguish the fire. in the street. A couple of watchmen who aren't busy cracking heads of rounding up protestors join the Halfling in his efforts.


Other watchmen drag the wounded into a heap on the portico of the watch-house. No one slain, at least half a dozen badly hurt, and probably more minor injuries among those standing on scene or who have run away.

The watchmen have taken eight Cuiracenite prisoners, and await a command as to whether they should also arrest all the detained Haelynites, who thus far haven't attacked the watchmen or damaged property.

[Varrus the Ethical]

ROALD, RIOT AFTERMATH


Roald sheaths his sword dusts himself off. "Well that could've been worse."

He walks over to Renn, "Your men make fast work, Captain."

To Safana, "A most artful display, madam. That seemed to scared the fight out of those louts."

[ewancummins]

LOFTON

The dwarf screams...

[Adam]

CORMAC

"Aye," Cormac says, after seeing to the young boy's care, "Well done. Probably saved some lives, there."

He looks to Renn. "Probably should cut these folks loose. I doubt you've got room in your jail for all of 'em."

[RocEter]

Foerde joins Renn, Cormac and Roald. "I agree with Cormac, first though let me have a look at them." He says.

Walking over to the Cuiraecenites he looks for the man dressed in the monk robes.

[ewancummins]

Foerde finds the man in monk's robes among the injured, knocked out with a bloody scalp.





The Archprelate soon arrives on scene with a contingent of about thirty swordsmen in breastplates and burgonets, half mounted and half on foot.

His Holiness directs his men to assist the Watch in restoring order, and then approaches Renn, Cormac, Roald and the others.

"I came as soon as I heard there was fighting outside the watch-house. I trust none of you have been hurt?"

The old cleric frowns.

"It may be the hotheads in the Militant Order and their tavern-rowdy supporters are to blame for this little riot, or maybe the Duke's enemies have been stirring up trouble.
In any event, I doubt that your operation can be delayed much further and still have a good chance of success."

He looks round at all the team.

"Be warned, although I countenance unusual action in this emergency situation, I will not bless assassins. Rescue the women if at all possible. If it is too late for them, as we fear it may be, then I counsel you not to give in to the thirst for revenge. You should bring the man you seek back alive so that he can answer questions. If he is indeed guilty, I will surely be able to tell by prayer and examination. And if he has done the vile things of which he is accused, then I promise you he will face trial and judgment. His rank will not spare him."

[RocEter]

Foerde finds the man in monk's robes among the injured, knocked out with a bloody scalp.





The Archprelate soon arrives on scene with a contingent of about thirty swordsmen in breastplates and burgonets, half mounted and half on foot.

His Holiness directs his men to assist the Watch in restoring order, and then approaches Renn, Cormac, Roald and the others.

"I came as soon as I heard there was fighting outside the watch-house. I trust none of you have been hurt?"

The old cleric frowns.

"It may be the hotheads in the Militant Order and their tavern-rowdy supporters are to blame for this little riot, or maybe the Duke's enemies have been stirring up trouble.
In any event, I doubt that your operation can be delayed much further and still have a good chance of success."

He looks round at all the team.

"Be warned, although I countenance unusual action in this emergency situation, I will not bless assassins. Rescue the women if at all possible. If it is too late for them, as we fear it may be, then I counsel you not to give in to the thirst for revenge. You should bring the man you seek back alive so that he can answer questions. If he is indeed guilty, I will surely be able to tell by prayer and examination. And if he has done the vile things of which he is accused, then I promise you he will face trial and judgment. His rank will not spare him."

Foerde says nothing when Archprelate starts placing blame, instead he kneels and says a healing prayer for the knocked out monk.

Once the monk is awake Foerde speaks with him. "What's your name boy, are you a monk or do just wear our robes to cause to trouble?" He says.

[Varrus the Ethical]

ROALD

Roald shrugs. "Your Holiness, I have a proven track record of taking things from Carlion. Taking his brother alive to face judgment is just the next logical step in my career."

He smirks slightly and thinks, But you didn't say we have to bring him back in one piece.

[ewancummins]

ROALD

Roald shrugs. "Your Holiness, I have a proven track record of taking things from Carlion. Taking his brother alive to face judgment is just the next logical step in my career."

He smirks slightly and thinks, But you didnt say we have to bring back in one piece.

''Then kneel and be blessed, Sir Roald, Warden of the Tuor River."

The Archprelate holds forth his right hand, his ring of office glittering in the sunlight.

[ewancummins]

Foerde finds the man in monk's robes among the injured, knocked out with a bloody scalp.





The Archprelate soon arrives on scene with a contingent of about thirty swordsmen in breastplates and burgonets, half mounted and half on foot.

His Holiness directs his men to assist the Watch in restoring order, and then approaches Renn, Cormac, Roald and the others.

"I came as soon as I heard there was fighting outside the watch-house. I trust none of you have been hurt?"

The old cleric frowns.

"It may be the hotheads in the Militant Order and their tavern-rowdy supporters are to blame for this little riot, or maybe the Duke's enemies have been stirring up trouble.
In any event, I doubt that your operation can be delayed much further and still have a good chance of success."

He looks round at all the team.

"Be warned, although I countenance unusual action in this emergency situation, I will not bless assassins. Rescue the women if at all possible. If it is too late for them, as we fear it may be, then I counsel you not to give in to the thirst for revenge. You should bring the man you seek back alive so that he can answer questions. If he is indeed guilty, I will surely be able to tell by prayer and examination. And if he has done the vile things of which he is accused, then I promise you he will face trial and judgment. His rank will not spare him."

Foerde says nothing when Archprelate starts placing blame, instead he kneels and says a healing prayer for the knocked out monk.

Once the monk is awake Foerde speaks with him. "What's your name boy, are you a monk or do just wear our robes to cause to trouble?" He says.

The groggy young monk comes to,
"What? I'm Brother Theon. Who the hell are you, beast-man?"

[RocEter]

Foerde smiles showing his pearly white sharp teeth. "I am Foerde, hero of the battle of the Broken Bell. A champion of Cuircaecen, a wielder of his thunder and lightning, a herald of the storm." He says to Brother Theon. "So when you open your mouth to speak to me again Brother Theon, I suggest you do so with some respect."

"How many of our brothers joined you in your little display?" He says.

[ewancummins]

Foerde smiles showing his pearly white sharp teeth. "I am Foerde, hero of the battle of the Broken Bell. A champion of Cuircaecen, a wielder of his thunder and lightning, a herald of the storm." He says to Brother Theon. "So when you open your mouth to speak to me again Brother Theon, I suggest you do so with some respect."

"How many of our brothers joined you in your little display?" He says.

''Uh, yes, Brother Foerde. There were couple of the other monks and some acolytes with me, along with a bunch of the lay folk."

He bites his tongue.

"It wasn't my idea! We were instructed to do something about those stupid cowards."

Theon's face twists into an ugly sneer.

"A man with a hook for one hand was handing out silver coins and free beer this morning, down near the waterfront. I thought he worked for the Order and was just being, um, discreet. He told us when the Haelynites would hold their rally. We knew what to do after that.

Don't you see? We've got to keep the war on till Duke Devlin conquers all of Alamie. That's good for Tuornen. That's good for the Militant Order too."