Birthright: Tuornen, Chapter Ten

[ewancummins]

THE INTERVIEW



Carilon chuckles drily.

"I rather prefer the second scenario."

[ewancummins]

FILBERT

Filbert gets a handkerchief out of his pocket and covers his mouth and nose. The halfling increases his pace through the fish market wanting to put as sooner as possible more distance possible between him and all those stinky odors.

The sun has set behind the western wall. Deep gloom fills all the narrow alleys and back lanes of Haes.

Filbert's catlike night vision saves him from getting lost in the streets or stepping into a flooded sewer.
He reaches Caer Haes without getting more than his lower body and cloak bespattered with muck.


Guards check his papers and face before admitting him to the castle that surrounds the palace.

[ewancummins]

SAFANA, HAES AFTER NIGHTFALL

Safana looks curious, and a little excited.

"Well, I shall certainly be glad of the company of such a gallant knight. Its my honour to meet you, Sir Galen. Please, tell me of yourself as we walk. I am sure you have many exciting deeds to relate!"

She turns and heads for the linkboy, keeping a sidelong glance on the knight

Sir Galen strides along beside Safana and behind the linkboy.
His cheerful demeanor hardens as the little party passes through a heavily guarded checkpoint and into the dark streets.

"Light the torch, boy."

The boy sets the torch ablaze with a hot coal he carries in a tiny brazier.

As soon as the little party has gone out of sight of the dark mass of Caer Haes outer walls, turns to face Safana, his handsome face distorted by shadows and the shifting quality in the flickering firelight.

"I belong to a patriotic brotherhood. We defend the duke and this realm of Tuornen against diverse sorts of enemies, open and secret, at home and in neighboring lands. The masters of my order have learned of your great deeds in service to Tuornen and Duke Devlin."

He casts about, peering in all directions, before returning his attention to the sorceress.

"We had better make haste to join my brethren, I think."

[ewancummins]

THE DUKE'S TENT


DEVLIN

CORMAC

FOERDE

OTHERS

Devlin takes it all in.

"Summon the Arch Prelate of the Haelyn temple," the Duke begins. " I think I have a plan."

Devlin waits until a representative for Nichilar arrives.

"I'd like to propose a deal to the arch-prelate that may end this war between the realms. Carilon Alam, Duke of Alamie deserves the penalty of death for his actions against Tuornen and its people. His soldiers brutally murdered and violated innocents in this conflict. Among those people I include my father and my mother. Unlike most of the heartlands, I do not forget his crimes of assassination. His proved allegiance with the goblins of the Five Peaks also cements the fact that the foul despot isn't fit to be called 'noble' among the others of Anuire's court. For these crimes he deserves Tuor justice. And with all my soul I want to see that old monster swing from the gallows while I plunge my rapier into his dying heart.

But will that end the war?

Probably not. But maybe this will. Send word to the holdouts in Sorentier castle that we have their duke prisoner and he may soon face the justice his brother Region has.

BUT-

If they throw down their arms and peacefully surrender the castle to us we will spare all of their lives. Once I have made positive that Sorentier is empty of Alam soldiers and civilians, I will deliver Carilon Alam to the Western Imperial Temple, alive and unharmed.

Take this message as swiftly as you can to his holiness. Count Robin, I charge you with insuring these demands are sent to Sorentier. Fhylie, I'd like you to remain here with my troops to ensure that Alam forces are nuetralized, and Bradonnel, foerde, and Cormac, I'd like you to make sure the castle is empty once they vacate.

If they do not accept the terms, we will move forward from there, continuing the siege until they rot inside."

The red-robed Haleynlite chaplain who represents the Western Temple folds his hands and bows his head.
"A most wise policy and clever stratagem, Your Grace. I pray for the success of all your just and good plans. I'll write a letter to His Holiness, straight away."




Count Robin pulls his gloves back out of his pocket and tugs them onto his hands.
"I'll see to delivering a message to the castle, Your Grace. Is there anything else?"


Fhylie the Sword says, "My men won't like an amnesty for Lynwerd's gang of robbers, but I can convince them to accept it. If your plan for taking Sorentier Castle does work, Your Grace, I'm going to start raiding the Five Peaks to free captives and smash up the goblins. If any Alamien forces do come north, we certainly will fight them. But I'd rather not slaughter Duke Carilon's peasant levies or even his bannermen, if it's not necessary. Some of them are goodly folk, just trying to defend their own country.''

[kintire]

Safana nods looking excited and enthusiastic, not a hint of suspicion appearing in her face.

Her mind assesses the changes of treachery and shifts a few spells to the foreground... but she follows. It might be genuine invitation, and in any case it promises to be interesting!

[VAN]

FILBERT

The sun has set behind the western wall. Deep gloom fills all the narrow alleys and back lanes of Haes.

Filbert's catlike night vision saves him from getting lost in the streets or stepping into a flooded sewer.
He reaches Caer Haes without getting more than his lower body and cloak bespattered with muck.

Guards check his papers and face before admitting him to the castle that surrounds the palace.

Filbert is actually happy with the palace's control. The guards seem to have taken their duty seriously which is exactly what the halfling was hoping them to do. Once admitted inside he goes to his room and has hot bath so he gets rid of the smell and the muck. Then puts on clean clothes and goes out hoping to find someone of his friends to talk about what he founds out from Atli and decide what to do.

[Varrus the Ethical]

THE INTERVIEW



Carilon chuckles drily.

"I rather prefer the second scenario."

Roald grins slightly.

"I thought you would. Now I believe it's your turn to show your hand, Your Grace."

[Adam]

CORMAC

The northman nods. "Aye, problly the right thing to do, though I hate to let a goblin lover go free." He ponders for a moment. "It's been some time since I've been in contact with the lads I left behind at my church. Can I per'aps borrow a messenger to go let 'em know I'm still alive. I've got some good men there that'd be of help wi' the siege an' the clearin' afterword." He nods towards the others present. "An' they've all a bone to pick wi' goblins as well. We'd join yer hunt when the countin's done."

[ewancummins]

THE INTERVIEW

THE INTERVIEW



Carilon chuckles drily.

"I rather prefer the second scenario."

Roald grins slightly.

"I thought you would. Now I believe it's your turn to show your hand, Your Grace."

Carilon lays down his cards-- a winning hand stacked with all the best trumps.

" I'm doing well at one small game, at least.''

He places his fingers along the table edge and leans forward just a little bit.

''We can discuss a treaty, you and I. ''

[ewancummins]

THE DUKE'S COMMAND TENT

CORMAC

The northman nods. "Aye, problly the right thing to do, though I hate to let a goblin lover go free." He ponders for a moment. "It's been some time since I've been in contact with the lads I left behind at my church. Can I per'aps borrow a messenger to go let 'em know I'm still alive. I've got some good men there that'd be of help wi' the siege an' the clearin' afterword." He nods towards the others present. "An' they've all a bone to pick wi' goblins as well. We'd join yer hunt when the countin's done."

Fhylie remarks,
''More fighting-men would be welcome on the crusade.''
She glances towards Foerde and Braedonnal, who have recently arrived. Turning back to Cormac, she adds,
''But if you have already pledged to some other quest, don't worry." A fierce smile splits the half-elf woman's angular face.
"I'll leave some goblins for you to fight."

[ewancummins]

SAFANA

Safana nods looking excited and enthusiastic, not a hint of suspicion appearing in her face.

Her mind assesses the changes of treachery and shifts a few spells to the foreground... but she follows. It might be genuine invitation, and in any case it promises to be interesting!

Safana's escort takes her through the darkened streets to a neighborhood crowded with high old houses, where many candles and lanterns gleam from behind expensive window panes of glass (not scraped oilskins or rickety wooden shutters, such as less affluent homes use). Guards with rapiers and servants bearing sedan chairs or torches move about some of the homes.

Stopping at a particularly fine house, Sir Galen points towards the rear entrance.

''Forgive me for taking you in via the servants' door, but I'm trying not to attract too much attention.''

A burly fellow clutching a lantern stands on watch at the rear door. Galen exchanges a quick hand sign with him, and a whispered phrase Safana doesn't quite catch. The guard stands aside to admit Galen and Safana; the linkboy remains outside the house.


Within the grand house, Galen leads his guest down a long narrow hall past kitchens , a pantry, and several closed doors. Weakly glowing candles give way to a brilliant chandelier as the young knight pushes open the door to a large reception hall or parlor. Tapestries hanging on the walls show richly colored scenes of hunting, court life, and legendary creatures.
A semi circle of high backed hardwood chairs stands in the midst of the thickly carpeted floor, facing Safana and Galen.
Three small doors pierce the far wall and the side walls, one to a side. A slight draft pulls air up from the floor; possibly to a vent or chimney concealed in the baroque ceiling woodwork.


Safana has but a short while to look about until a door at the far end of the room opens and seven deer-headed and antlered humanoids enter, dressed as for a court ball with daggers and fine garments.

One after another, the stag-men take seats, watching Safana in silence.

The workmanship of the masks looks wonderful, very lifelike. Only the strangers' eyes, staring from the shadowed sockets of the masks, spoil the illusion.

Galen whispers in Safana's ear,
"There's purpose to all this strangeness, I assure you. But don't be flippant or rude with them, whatever you do or say. These are powerful men."


One of the masked figures, which one it's hard to say for certain, speaks in hollow tones,
"You have brought her to us in goodly time. Well done. Now you may take your leave, sir. "

Galen bows and moves for the door by which he and Safana had entered the room...

[ewancummins]

FILBERT

The sun has set behind the western wall. Deep gloom fills all the narrow alleys and back lanes of Haes.

Filbert's catlike night vision saves him from getting lost in the streets or stepping into a flooded sewer.
He reaches Caer Haes without getting more than his lower body and cloak bespattered with muck.

Guards check his papers and face before admitting him to the castle that surrounds the palace.

Filbert is actually happy with the palace's control. The guards seem to have taken their duty seriously which is exactly what the halfling was hoping them to do. Once admitted inside he goes to his room and has hot bath so he gets rid of the smell and the muck. Then puts on clean clothes and goes out hoping to find someone of his friends to talk about what he founds out from Atli and decide what to do.

Filbert learns that Gunnar has left, as has Safana. Where those two have gone, the guards don't know, and no note or message has been left for Lord Filbert.


Roald , Filbert is told, is talking with Duke Carilon in the Castellan's apartments, where the prisoner has been kept the last couple of days.

What will Filbert do now?

[Varrus the Ethical]

THE INTERVIEW

''We can discuss a treaty, you and I. ''

Roald smiles. "Good. This is, of course, informal, Your Grace. But I can lay out my terms.

"You agree to cease any further hostilities against Tuornen, pay reparations, and turn over your daughter to act as a hostage to make sure you keep your word. In return, you will be returned to Alamie with your head still firmly attached to your shoulders. Though Duke Devlin will have the final say on any treaty, as is his right."

Roald leans forward, looking Carlion hard in the eyes.

"But whatever happens, either this war ends, or you do."

[ewancummins]

THE INTERVIEW

''We can discuss a treaty, you and I. ''

Roald smiles. "Good. This is, of course, informal, Your Grace. But I can lay out my terms.

"You agree to cease any further hostilities against Tuornen, pay reparations, and turn over your daughter to act as a hostage to make sure you keep your word. In return, you will be returned to Alamie with your head still firmly attached to your shoulders. Though Duke Devlin will have the final say on any treaty, as is his right."

Roald leans forward, looking Carlion hard in the eyes.

"But whatever happens, either this war ends, or you do."

"Unacceptable, as stated, but it's a start."

He leans back, no trace of a smile now.

"The war was going my way until fairly recently, and despite my capture, Alamie may yet triumph in the field. Peace is possible, but not on such extreme terms. We can reach an understanding about the money. But my daughter will not serve as a hostage. What would be acceptable is a marriage. That's my offer-- not to cousin Devlin-- to you."

[Varrus the Ethical]

INTERVIEW


Roald eyes widen in surprise, and then narrow. What is this old man playing at?

"Correct me if I'm wrong, Your Grace. But did you just offer me the hand of your daughter, the Lady Soraene?"