Birthright: Chapter Seven

[ewancummins]

THE TENT IN THE LOGGING CAMP
CORMAC, RENN, GUNNAR

Sir Ranald quickly summons and dispatches several of his men to retrieve Baron Lynwerd from the manor-home.

“Bring him hence with all haste. Use the back roads to throw off pursuers. Do not let the Duke’s men stop you. If the southerners try to seize Lynwerd and you simply cannot prevent it, then you are to slay the prisoner on the spot. Don’t risk your lives defending that piece of filth, just cut his throat and ride away with all speed. “

He looks over to Captain Renn and then back at the men.
“You know that the law here will protect you.”

He sends another pair of riders to seek the sheriff and local magistrate.

After the men leave, the knight turns back to Renn and says in a steady but hard voice,
“As much as I need the ransom money, I’d rather see Baron Lynwerd dead than let these outsiders march into our province and tyrannize us, ignoring our rights, stealing our property, and treating us as if we were no better than their serfs.”

He places his hand on Renn’s shoulder and says,
“You have my respect, my thanks, and my loyal service, Lord Captain.”

He looks over at Cormac and says,
‘’It’s good to see a friend like you with us at a time like this.’’




COUNT ROBIN’S HOUSE IN FOX RUN, RECEPTION HALL
SAFANA

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.



COUNT ROBIN’S HOUSE IN FOX RUN, DEVLIN’S BORROWED CHAMBERS
DEVLIN & FILBERT

After taking Filbert’s full report, Devlin has the chance to eat luncheon with Hotspur. The elf talks of little except fighting the Alamiens, although he does laugh and clap at any entertainment provided by Filbert.

Not long after the luncheon ends, a messenger arrives for Devlin. The thin courtier, bedraggled and rain-soaked, kneels before the Duke.
“Your Grace, I come with ill news. The men who hold Baron Lynwerd a prisoner have refused to hand him over, and have also refused to turn over his arms and armor. They demanded to see a writ and then went on to claim that this is all a local matter, not your affair. What is more, Captain Rennault Ghonallison has openly sided with these men and bade defiance to your authority. I saw and heard all this with my own eyes.”

Hotspur laughs. “Tuor pride!”

THE ABBEY
FOERDE
Fhylie the Sword dismounts and walks about the abbey, taking stock of the defenses, supplies, and so on.

Her men help with the work done by Foerde’s people.

After the inspection, she sits in Foerde’s little office with him and discusses matters over mugs of vinegar and water.
“I think that you can hold this place against a large force, given that your small numbers were properly reinforced and supplied with adequate food and water.

But since I don’t know the disposition of enemy forces in the province, I cannot recommend splitting the Duke’s army. We need to find the enemy; it is impossible to defend all routes and strategic points with the small forces at our disposal. The Spears will be more effective in support of him than holed up in a mountain abbey."

Fhylie gazes intently at the leonine warrior priest for a silent moment, and then asks,
“So, will you stay on as Abbot and continue your good work here, go scouting for the foe, or leave on some other quest? You might be a great help to our Order and these people in whatever capacity you choose to serve.
I need to know your plans in order to better form and carry out my own.
What shall it be, old friend?’

ON THE RIVER (LATE SCENE, AT NIGHT)
TORTHUR & ROALD

Torthur guides the raiders towards the port side of a long, broad, low vessel with shipped oars, which floats along the wooden pier below the high bluffs of Lofton’s small port.

At intervals of about five minutes, a pair of cloaked guardsmen walks around the deck above the oar banks, accompanied by a lantern glow and the occasional dull thwack of scabbarded long swords slapping against a thigh or the butting against the gunwales of the barge.

Other men, maybe ten in number, patrol the wharf to starboard of the big barge, now and then casting their lantern beams out onto the dark, rolling waters.

The watchers don’t give any indication of having spotted the two long rowboats of the bear swimming in the water—at least, not yet.

[ewancummins]

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."

The guard hastens to carry out Devlin's orders...

[Varrus the Ethical]

ON THE RIVER (LATE SCENE, AT NIGHT)
TORTHUR & ROALD

Torthur guides the raiders towards the port side of a long, broad, low vessel with shipped oars, which floats along the wooden pier below the high bluffs of Lofton’s small port.

At intervals of about five minutes, a pair of cloaked guardsmen walks around the deck above the oar banks, accompanied by a lantern glow and the occasional dull thwack of scabbarded long swords slapping against a thigh or the butting against the gunwales of the barge.

Other men, maybe ten in number, patrol the wharf to starboard of the big barge, now and then casting their lantern beams out onto the dark, rolling waters.

The watchers don’t give any indication of having spotted the two long rowboats of the bear swimming in the water—at least, not yet.

When the two guards pass, Roald whispers, "We should start scaling the sides of the bardge now, before the those guards circle back. Our first objective once we board is to secure the gankplank to keep more guards from boarding. Pass the word along."

[JMaytr]

Devlin-

"Those fools," Devlin says, shaking his head. "Tuor pride true...but Baron Lynwerd presents a strategic vanpoint. He must be brought to me.

Braedonnal, take 50 soldiers with you and go fetch me Lynwerd. If they refuse to hand he and his arms over, they are traitors to Tuornen during Wartime. Guards! bring me count Robin post haste!"

[RocEter]

THE ABBEY
FOERDE
Fhylie the Sword dismounts and walks about the abbey, taking stock of the defenses, supplies, and so on.

Her men help with the work done by Foerde’s people.

After the inspection, she sits in Foerde’s little office with him and discusses matters over mugs of vinegar and water.
“I think that you can hold this place against a large force, given that your small numbers were properly reinforced and supplied with adequate food and water.

But since I don’t know the disposition of enemy forces in the province, I cannot recommend splitting the Duke’s army. We need to find the enemy; it is impossible to defend all routes and strategic points with the small forces at our disposal. The Spears will be more effective in support of him than holed up in a mountain abbey."

Fhylie gazes intently at the leonine warrior priest for a silent moment, and then asks,
“So, will you stay on as Abbot and continue your good work here, go scouting for the foe, or leave on some other quest? You might be a great help to our Order and these people in whatever capacity you choose to serve.
I need to know your plans in order to better form and carry out my own.
What shall it be, old friend?’

"I've never been for leading an abbots life. I don't like to stay rooted to long, that and I have ward in my custody." Foerde says. "Besides I would never miss a chance to ride with the spears and fight beside an old friend!" He says.

Pausing to take a drink from his mug, he recalls the last time he and Fhylie rode out together. Snapping back to the present he smiles at Fhylie. "How is Braedonnel? I haven't seen, or fought by his side since the last battle in the war of two brothers." He shakes his head again. "Nevermind all that, we can discuss the past later. I believe our best option now would be to escort these people back to the safety of Fox Run. Do you agree?"

[ewancummins]

DEVLIN & FILBERT

Devlin-

"Those fools," Devlin says, shaking his head. "Tuor pride true...but Baron Lynwerd presents a strategic vanpoint. He must be brought to me.

Braedonnal, take 50 soldiers with you and go fetch me Lynwerd. If they refuse to hand he and his arms over, they are traitors to Tuornen during Wartime. Guards! bring me count Robin post haste!"

Hotspur rises with a languid sigh.
"If you wish it, Your Grace. ''

He walks out with no great haste, pausing to finish his drink and toss the empty cup onto the table before Devlin and Filbert.


Moments later, Count Robin enters. The nobleman bows so that his long gray mustachios droop away from his chin, and then straightens before the young duke.

‘’Your Grace, I was already on my way to see you when your request reached me. I meant to ask when we shall be going after the foes, and in which direction. But what is it that you wished to speak with me about?’

[ewancummins]

THE ABBEY
FOERDE

THE ABBEY
FOERDE
Fhylie the Sword dismounts and walks about the abbey, taking stock of the defenses, supplies, and so on.

Her men help with the work done by Foerde’s people.

After the inspection, she sits in Foerde’s little office with him and discusses matters over mugs of vinegar and water.
“I think that you can hold this place against a large force, given that your small numbers were properly reinforced and supplied with adequate food and water.

But since I don’t know the disposition of enemy forces in the province, I cannot recommend splitting the Duke’s army. We need to find the enemy; it is impossible to defend all routes and strategic points with the small forces at our disposal. The Spears will be more effective in support of him than holed up in a mountain abbey."

Fhylie gazes intently at the leonine warrior priest for a silent moment, and then asks,
“So, will you stay on as Abbot and continue your good work here, go scouting for the foe, or leave on some other quest? You might be a great help to our Order and these people in whatever capacity you choose to serve.
I need to know your plans in order to better form and carry out my own.
What shall it be, old friend?’

"I've never been for leading an abbots life. I don't like to stay rooted to long, that and I have ward in my custody." Foerde says. "Besides I would never miss a chance to ride with the spears and fight beside an old friend!" He says.

Pausing to take a drink from his mug, he recalls the last time he and Fhylie rode out together. Snapping back to the present he smiles at Fhylie. "How is Braedonnel? I haven't seen, or fought by his side since the last battle in the war of two brothers." He shakes his head again. "Nevermind all that, we can discuss the past later. I believe our best option now would be to escort these people back to the safety of Fox Run. Do you agree?"

''I do agree. Let us begin...''

[RocEter]

Foerde at the Abbey.

Foerde nods, "I will instruct Brother Aelfred to begin making preparations. I still have some men out there, they should be back soon though." He says.

Standing he walks to the door, if Fhylie doesn't have anything else to add he leaves room. When he finds Brother Aelfred, he instructs him to bring making ready to move out and that they are falling back to the town of Fox Run.

[ewancummins]

THE BOAT, NIGHT



Two men climb over the side.

They creep for cover as two more climb up.


The two watchmen return a bit earlier than expected, casting lantern beams about as if searching for something.
One of the two guards leans over the port side and stares into the water.

''Is that a cow?"

[JMaytr]

Devlin

"Hold for a moment Braedonnal. Ah, Count Robin. First I must say, the accomodations are excellent. I thank you for your hospitality.

Secondly, I am distressed to learn that your knight Ranald and his men have refused my ducal order. I demand that Lynwerd and his arms be turned over to me, so that I may see to his punishment. We are at war, and we cannot allow our subordinates to undermine our strategic planning.

Now, the last thing I wish here is to go against your honor. If you have promised these fighting men spoils, I will see that they are justly compensated. However, Lynwerd is a noble, and despite his loyalty, he has the blood of the gods in him just as we do. If we ignore the customs of our nobility and act as bandits, then we cannot, as Tuor, call our selves men.

Do not take this to mean that I am in mind to free him and send him home. He must face justice for being a part of this war. But his will be a legal punishment, handed down by me. We will not act as our goblin allied nieghbors have; we will not become beasts during this war.

I have ordered Braedonnal to retrieve the Baron and treat any who would stop him as a traitor during wartime. I would like to belay that order in hopes that you can talk sense into your knight and your son. We all fight for Tuornen. I will not allow squabbles over looted arms to undermine that cause."

[ewancummins]

Devlin

"Ah, Count Robin. First I must say, the accomodations are excellent. I thank you for your hospitality.

Secondly, I am distressed to learn that your knight Ranald and his men have refused my ducal order. I demand that Lynwerd and his arms be turned over to me, so that I may see to his punishment. We are at war, and we cannot allow our subordinates to undermine our strategic planning.

Now, the last thing I wish here is to go against your honor. If you have promised these fighting men spoils, I will see that they are justly compensated. However, Lynwerd is a noble, and despite his loyalty, he has the blood of the gods in him just as we do. If we ignore the customs of our nobility and act as bandits, then we cannot, as Tuor, call ourselves men.

Do not take this to mean that I am in mind to free him and send him home. He must face justice for being a part of this war. But his will be a legal punishment, handed down by me. We will not act as our goblin allied neighbors have; we will not become beasts during this war.

I have ordered Braedonnal to retrieve the Baron and treat any who would stop him as a traitor during wartime. I would like to belay that order in hopes that you can talk sense into your knight and your son. We all fight for Tuornen. I will not allow squabbles over looted arms to undermine that cause."

"What?"

The Count stares at Devlin, shaking his head.
‘’Let me be sure I have heard His Grace correctly. His Grace has ignored my pledge to Sir Ranald, my word that Baron Lynwerd, whom I’d otherwise have hanged by now, is to be his lawful prisoner. His Grace has sent armed men to seize the guerdon of battle from the heroes who rescued my daughter Beatrix…''

The grim-faced man stands boldly before Devlin and adds, in a voice rising from muted bewilderment to loud angry tones,
"And now, under my own roof, His Grace calls my own son a traitor? My son--- whose blood has been shed to defend His Grace’s person, his realm, and his honor!’’

[JMaytr]

Devlin stand and walks toward Count Robin until he is an inch from the man.

"You listen to me. Those invaders assainated my father and started this war. Killed my father! Now, as a prisoner is captured, whom I, the duke, demands meet punishment and you would work against me? This is war! we fight for the saftey and defense of the realm, not for your honor! The Alamiens as a whole have done much aginst Tuornen. If your son publicly stands against me during war, then he is a traitor. Now, I speak to you, before I would send more armed men to that camp, in hopes that you would have the sense to see reason. Perhaps i should take my troops back south and leave you to this goblin threat."

[ewancummins]

Devlin stand and walks toward Count Robin until he is an inch from the man.

"You listen to me. Those invaders assainated my father and started this war. Killed my father! Now, as a prisoner is captured, whom I, the duke, demands meet punishment and you would work against me? This is war! we fight for the saftey and defense of the realm, not for your honor! The Alamiens as a whole have done much aginst Tuornen. If your son publicly stands against me during war, then he is a traitor. Now, I speak to you, before I would send more armed men to that camp, in hopes that you would have the sense to see reason. Perhaps i should take my troops back south and leave you to this goblin threat."

Count Robin shakes his head.

''I never questioned Your Grace’s orders when you sent me and my men into Alamie, leaving these lands but poorly defended. It was a gamble, and you were doing as you thought best. You could not have known that Duke Carilon had hired an army of goblins. But now you threaten to abandon Ghonallison in our time of need, you would cast me and mine aside out of spite? That is unworthy of the Duke of Tuornen.”

Hotspur looks on with a wry smile.

[JMaytr]

Duke Devlin-

"You question my strategy by refusing my demands. It seems you feel you have a better strategy for defense, so then by all means pursue it. I have left southern provinces lighter defended to come to your aid, and now I see that the north is governed by their greed for goods. Your so called knight acts as a bandit. I have an entire duchy to defend, not just this stretch of land. I attempted to speak reason to you, but you are a stubborn a fool. I cast you aside Robin, not out of spite, but for insubordination. Know that by your actions you personally weaken our war effort."

Devlin turns his back to Count Robin.

"Braedonnal, belay the order for Baron Lynwerd. Instead, prepare the troops. We march south for Haes. The north clearly does not need my aid."

[ewancummins]

Duke Devlin-

"You question my strategy by refusing my demands. It seems you feel you have a better strategy for defense, so then by all means pursue it. I have left southern provinces lighter defended to come to your aid, and now I see that the north is governed by their greed for goods. Your so called knight acts as a bandit. I have an entire duchy to defend, not just this stretch of land. I attempted to speak reason to you, but you are a stubborn a fool. I cast you aside Robin, not out of spite, but for insubordination. Know that by your actions you personally weaken our war effort."

Devlin turns his back to Count Robin.

"Braedonnal, belay the order for Baron Lynwerd. Instead, prepare the troops. We march south for Haes. The north clearly does not need my aid."

Devlin’s lieutenant nods and walks towards the door.
As he passes Count Robin, Braedonnal says,

''Sorry Rob, politics...at least I'm not arresting your son.''

The elf walks out of the room.