Birthright Chapter Nine

[Adam]

Cormac appears visibly ill at Foerde's description of the cruelty towards women.

"Damned monsters," he says, shaking his head. "An' they call my people uncivilized. I'll put him down with you."

[ewancummins]

LOFTON-

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BASILLICA OF HAELYN
IN LOFTON



"The ducal court in Haes have leveled several grave charges against our liege-lord, His Grace the Duke of Alamie. It is only natural that a man accused of such villainy would wish to fight back against his accusers, yet there is another way, a way both honorable and wise. Let us petition our noble lord to meet with his accusers under the aegis of Haelyn's holy church, to refute any untruths and to seek a just end to this war.
No man who believes his duke innocent of wrong-doing should fear the outcome.
The Archprelate has called for a cease-fire, for time to let the forces of reason and justice work to repair what wild passions and bloody deeds have undone. Let us add our voices to that call. "

When the Prelate of Lofton finishes his speech, six acolytes bring forth a great scroll and set it on the steps of the altar, unrolled with pots of ink, sand, and quills at either end.

One by one, the congregants of the special ceremony; many nobles and gentlemen of the city and province, step forward to sign the document

.

[VAN]

Filbert eyes go wide after hearing Foerde narrating what he saw. He has never heard such cruelty.

"To whatever you plan you may count me in, this monster should die."

Turning again to Foerde he asks:

"Do you know where we can find Riegon?"

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Renn allows himself a raised eyebrow as Foerde's description, and nothing more.

To Filbert, he says. "The bear arena. We'll find nothing at the brothel, I'd wager. Just like we found nothing last time. If we track down Riegon through his goons at the arena, we'll find him and make an example of him."

He turns then, irritated by the shouting outside. "Fools. Excuse me, gentlemen. I have to deal with this."

He turns to exit the HQ, and strides toward the crowd. He is all smiles and waves, and he doesn't touch the hilts of the swords at his waist.

"Citizens," he calls out to the crowd. "How can I help you? Who among you starves in the midst of plenty? Who among you would submit to Carilon's yoke?"

[Varrus the Ethical]

WATCH HQ, ROALD

Roald nods to Renn as he leaves to deal with the protesters. He returns his attention to everyone else.

"I agree with the Captain. The Arena is our best bet to get at Riegon, and save any women who are still alive. Fortunately, I have a plan to get us into the city."

He smiles.

"We just need the right disguises. We just need Safana to make it work."

[ewancummins]

Renn allows himself a raised eyebrow as Foerde's description, and nothing more.

To Filbert, he says. "The bear arena. We'll find nothing at the brothel, I'd wager. Just like we found nothing last time. If we track down Riegon through his goons at the arena, we'll find him and make an example of him."

He turns then, irritated by the shouting outside. "Fools. Excuse me, gentlemen. I have to deal with this."

He turns to exit the HQ, and strides toward the crowd. He is all smiles and waves, and he doesn't touch the hilts of the swords at his waist.

"Citizens," he calls out to the crowd. "How can I help you? Who among you starves in the midst of plenty? Who among you would submit to Carilon's yoke?"

A slender young priest dressed in a crimson cassock emerges from the crowd and raises his hands to the sky-

"Lord Captain of the Watch, hear the voice of the citizens! Not a man here favors the wicked cause of Duke Carilon. We are all loyal Tuors. May Haelyn save our noble lord, His Grace Devlin, Duke of Tuornen!"

A cheer goes up from the crowd.

The demagogic priest continues his rant-

"We do NOT speak against our liege. We speak against the greed and corruption of those who profit by prolonging this war! We speak out against the wicked advisers who have misled our gracious ruler into IGNORING the just, reasonable, temperate admonitions of His Holiness the Archprelate. The church has pointed the way to peace and justice. Let Duke Carilon come forth to answer the charges laid against him, if he can answer them! Loyal Tuors all of us, we do not doubt the justice of our duke's cause. Nor do we doubt the wisdom and goodness of our Archprelate. Duke Devlin has naught to fear from the arbitration of the church--only EVIL men fear Haelyn's justice."

The priest drops his hands and, as if reacting to signal, men in the back of the crowd begin to chant-

"PEACE WITH HONOR, BREAD FOR THE POOR, NO MORE FIGHTING, END THE WAR!"

Soon others join them, the noise threatening to drown out whatever spoken reply the Lord Captain might make...

[JMaytr]

Devlin, On the March-

As the march goes along, Devlin begins to sing a popular Tuornen drinking song.

"Gimme a flagon, a barrel, a wagon,
Oh gimme a flask or a pot or a pail,
Keep on pourin' til I be snorin'
And let's drink that Pechalin Ale!

We march by day, we drink by night
Through sun and snow and gale,
So have a round, a pint, or glass
And drink that Pechalin Ale!

If there be a table, as broad as is able,
Then set down a stump, a chair or a pail
For while we war for Duke and hold
Let's drink that Pechalin Ale!

So bring on the ale and beer without fail,
Oh bar-lass, our stories regale
Tomorrow we fight at dawn's first light
But tonight it's Pechalin Ale!"

[RocEter]

"Yes.. An arena sounds about right." Foerde says.

"While you all prepare, I am going to go speak with Archprelate. I have heard he is suing for peace but these actions can not be aloud to stand. That and I believe he will be able to provide me with a suitable disguise." He says.

If no one stops him, Foerde will leave and make his way to Western Imperial Temple, in Haes.

[ewancummins]

DUKE DEVLIN
AND HIS MEN ON THE ROAD

Devlin, On the March-

As the march goes along, Devlin begins to sing a popular Tuornen drinking song.

"Gimme a flagon, a barrel, a wagon,
Oh gimme a flask or a pot or a pail,
Keep on pourin' til I be snorin'
And let's drink that Pechalin Ale!

We march by day, we drink by night
Through sun and snow and gale,
So have a round, a pint, or glass
And drink that Pechalin Ale!

If there be a table, as broad as is able,
Then set down a stump, a chair or a pail
For while we war for Duke and hold
Let's drink that Pechalin Ale!

So bring on the ale and beer without fail,
Oh bar-lass, our stories regale
Tomorrow we fight at dawn's first light
But tonight it's Pechalin Ale!"

Many of the soldiers look sweaty and out of breath marching in full kit under the warm sun. The pace slows.

Devlin, marching in the vanguard, begins to sing; other voices join his. At first it's just a few men, but soon the whole company sings the familiar lyrics of the song. The sluggish pace of the march quickens as men seem to forget their aches and pains, forget their tiredness.

[ewancummins]

CATHEDRAL OF HAELYN, HAES

If no one stops him, Foerde will leave and make his way to Western Imperial Temple, in Haes.

The cathedral stands not far from the watch-house, and Foerde has little difficulty getting inside, although he is placed under armed escort: four temple guards in burnished breastplates with rapiers belted on their hips.

The guards take him to a small, beautifully decorated shrine where he is kept waiting for several minutes before a red-robed priest enters. This sandy-haired man might be about thirty years of age; too young to be the Archprelate, based on what Foerde has heard of that worthy.
The priest looks at Forde for a moment without saying anything, eyes narrow and hands folded at his back.
...

"How can I help you?"

[RocEter]

"I am Foerde, battle priest of Cuiraecen, I wist to speak with the Archprelate." He says and then gives the priest a slight nod of his head.

"Please inform his Holiness this is of the utmost importance. It at all helps tell I claim to be Ehrsheghlien." He says.

[ewancummins]

The church bells ring out for the mid-afternoon prayers and services.
The cathedral beyond the little shrine where Foerde waits now fills with worshippers.

Foerde is kept waiting for at least thirty minutes, with guards never taking eyes off him or speaking to him more than is necessary.

The throng of worshippers breaks up with some departing the building and others heading to smaller side shrines within the grand cathedral to make personal offerings.

A stately, smooth-shaven man with silver-gray hair and piercing blue eyes walks towards Foerde. He wears rich red robes trimmed in gold, draped with a cloth-of-gold mantle and embroidered stole, and carries a bejeweled scepter in the crook of his right arm. Although he doesn't look large or physically powerful, something about his forceful presence, confident stride, and upright posture suggests the experienced soldier almost as much as the pious priest.


A bevy of servants and lesser priests move along in the old man's wake.

Pausing near Foerde, the elder cleric issues a simple command to his underlings-
"Leave us, all but my guards, go and attend your other duties."


Motioning the beastman to follow, the dignitary walks down a quiet, candle-lit side passage.

[RocEter]

Foerde follows the elder priest waiting to be spoken to.

[ewancummins]

Foerde follows the elder priest waiting to be spoken to.

The cleric whispers, "The Blood of Light."
The richly garbed pontiff does not pause to explain the remark, but continues to walk past rows of candles and painted icons.


"You have information for me, Noble Servant of the Herald? Or do you need my help?"

[RocEter]

Foerde follows the elder priest waiting to be spoken to.

The cleric whispers, "The Blood of Light."
The richly garbed pontiff does not pause to explain the remark, but continues to walk past rows of candles and painted icons.


"You have information for me, Noble Servant of the Herald? Or do you need my help?"

Foerde nods, knowing there no need to explaining the mean behind the whisper. He has never referred himself as such until now but once long ago a dear friend and mentor did.

"Both, your Holiness." He says. "I had vision, a terrible, horrifying vision. It has shown me a great injustice, one that I believe is happening or will happen soon within the heart of the enemy." He says and then goes on to recount the details of what he saw.

..

"I agree to help free these women your Holiness. This is something I must do..

But I know I won't make past the gates as I am. I was hoping to borrow some priestly vestments and have your blessing for the task at hand." He says.

Foerde realizes it might seem odd to asking for the Archprelate's blessing but considering the Archprelate is suing for peace he doesn't wasn't risk any anger towards Fhylie for his actions.