Birthright Tuornen Chapter 3

[ewancummins]

20th Sarimiere, Dawn


HAES
The stench of scorched grease and burned flesh hangs in the air near the River Gate, in the blackened no man's land of fire-ravaged houses and shops that lies between the city walls and the wharfs. Bone pickers and teams of grave diggers from both sides of the walls-- operating in the twilight by silent mutual truce-- have mostly removed the corpses and kit of the many Alamiens and river pirates who died in a torrent of burning oil three days ago and the lesser number of Tuors who fell while repulsing the latest night skirmish at the damaged gate.

The Stag Banner of Devlin Flaertes still soars above the towers of Caer Haes.
The Lion Banner of Carilon Alam still flies from the waterfront, defended by a great camp of brigands and soldiers.
And the corpses of seven Tuors; men, women, children, still hang just out of Devlin’ Flaertes reach, but in view of his tower window -- a mocking reminder that the young duke cannot protect his people trapped outside the walls.

Rumors multiply faster in the besieged city than maggots in a unburied corpse.
Some say that Avanil rides to the city’s rescue. Others scoff at that hope, but claim Boeruine will soon cross the mountains to save the town. The men of Ghonallison are said to have won victories in Hildon, but accurate information proves hard to obtain.



GHONALLISON
Cormac, Gunnar, and Cormac’s man Dietric have tracked the goblins and brigands over the hills and across moors, till the reach the cold stony fells and windswept downs of Ghonallison, the most northerly province of the Duchy. To continue north beyond the duke’s writ would carry them into the wild country of the Five Peaks; the territory of cruel goblins, lawless men, and savage cave dwelling orogs.
The village they passed last night in ruins, the embers of destroyed huts still aglow. The enemy proves easy to track, for the boot prints of men or goblins and the padded paw prints of great canines show clear in the fresh fallen thin powder.
Dietric, who knows this country better than Gunnar and Cormac, scrambles down a hillside as the eastern skin turns pink before the sunrise. He raises his finger to his lips when he reaches the two men at the bottom of a stony gulley.
He whispers in a hoarse voice, motioning up the ridge the overlooks the next vale. “Goblins—a lot of goblins!” The ex-brigand pulls his wineskin open with his teeth and sucks down a draught. ‘’And I spotted a lone rider coming towards us from the south. But the folds of the hills—lost ‘im.’


ENDIER

Mounting their horses and riding off the toll barge as the eastern sky warms with reddish light, three riders enter the small domain of Endier, crossroads of trade and home to the greatest marketplace in all the Heartlands.

[Varrus the Ethical]

As he rides his horse off the ferry and into Endire's waterfront, Roald closes his eyes and breaths deeply through his nose. The air smelled of fish, and spice, and opportunity.

Best we find an Inn first. Then I'll see if I can trust the Lady with her blades.

The journey from Diemerel had been thankfully uneventful. No doubt the disguises that Roald had used to make their party look less appealing to the local highway had helped.

Now we just need a boat to the City of Anuire. Shouldn't be too hard. Roald thought to himself as he spied the waterfront.

Roald turned in his saddle and said, "Shall we find a comfortable inn to rest in, My Lady?"

Roald observed with amusement when Reese leaned from his saddle to listen to Dominca's response.

[steveflam]

"That will be acceptable, you may inform him. Priority first here, Rees. Find a cleric or preist who can heal my scar."

Rees nods and informs Roald of the Lady's response.

[Adam]

Cormac nods grimly. "Any sign o' the bandits in with the gobs? Or did they route around 'em?"

He looks towards the south. "Not sure who this newcomer is. Not many reputable folks this far north, from what I unnerstand."

[VAN]

Filbert asks where he can find Devlin. When he finally finds the young duke he says:

"We need to get supplies in the palace your Grace, we have for some time but we don't know for how long the siege will go on. Also even if extremely risky I would appreciate if we manage to find a way to get to the enemy lines and find a way to get these poor people free, see them hanged everyday isn't good for the moral of our men. Maybe me and couple others can go scouting during the night and make a plan. Then the next day can try to actually go there and cut the ropes that keep them hanged. I know will be too risky and hard to manage to get them here, but at least even for some time our soldiers and supporters will see that we do care about their lives. I can also try to get everyone who wants to come with me at the Shadow World, maybe that way we can evade the Alamnites and come here through it. What do you think?"

[JMaytr]

"Filbert, I worried the entire time that you were in that horrible place. I am loath to ever send you back. You are correct about supplies, however. Only by last resort would I send you back through."

"The morale is not good and it lowers while innocents are killed. The brutality of Alam is criminal. May the gods strike him dead," Devlin says and spits on the floor. A gleam comes into his eye, as his mouth turns down in sadness.

"Filbert, bring me Braedonnal, I have a task for the two of you," Devlin turns away and stares out a window at the siege.

[ewancummins]

THE HILLS OF GHONALLISON

Cormac nods grimly. "Any sign o' the bandits in with the gobs? Or did they route around 'em?"

He looks towards the south. "Not sure who this newcomer is. Not many reputable folks this far north, from what I unnerstand."

Dietric replies, ''I thought a saw one or two men mixed in with the goblins, but it's a little too dark yet for me to be sure. Goblins come in more than one size and shape.''
He rubs the back of his neck. ''Might be the rider was a shepherd. Or one of the count's men. An Outrider..."

[ewancummins]

ENDIER

The wharves rest on floating pontoons, bobbing in the Maesil’s strong currents. Though the sun is just now rising, work has already begun here. Along the river- margin, men climb into boats large and small. Orders, oaths, and the occasional burst of raucous laughter drifts over the brightening scene as the workmen begin their day on the water.
Not far from the docks, the walls of the city proper loom over high bluffs. A trail up the lowest, gentlest slope leads to great iron bound gates—doors now opening with the sunrise.
After paying entry fees and undergoing a quick inspection at the gate, the trio are admitted to the Free City.
Inside the walls the clammy, cool air reeks of exotic spices, dung of men and horses, and a vinegar stench that could be urine or maybe stale sweat. The grounds angles upward to the inland side, but not so steeply that the party has any trouble riding or walking. A few lights shines from behind the doors and shutters of the many half-timber houses pressed in close on all sides, but much of the city remains quiet, dark, and still.

By the time they find a suitable inn and stable their mounts, though, the travelers encounter people everywhere in the morning streets; haggling, arguing, and hawking wares. Whores lean out of second story windows and flash their teats at Roald and Reese. A tumbler dressed in motley cartwheels in front of Dominica. A crier offers miraculous cures at the Temple of the Celestial Jewel.

[steveflam]

Once Dominica settles into her room, she will find Reese. "Young Sir, please advise Sir Roald, I would like to visit a
cleric or priest to heal my scar as soon as possible."

She scratches at her stitches, grimacing.

"There are a lot of people in the streets and about. I would be more comfortable
if I could defend or protect myself. I wish no mischief, tell him. I do not relish a repeat performance of our episode on the road."

[Adam]

"I'm worried we may be a wee bit over our heads at the moment, lads," Cormac mutters, "Did'nae expect to have to fight a gob horde to get these bandits. Maybe we should see to this shepherd then turn back, come back with more men?"

[ewancummins]

"I'm worried we may be a wee bit over our heads at the moment, lads," Cormac mutters, "Did'nae expect to have to fight a gob horde to get these bandits. Maybe we should see to this shepherd then turn back, come back with more men?"

Dietric nods his head, turns, and makes ready to go.

[ewancummins]

Once Dominica settles into her room, she will find Reese. "Young Sir, please advise Sir Roald, I would like to visit a
cleric or priest to heal my scar as soon as possible."

She scratches at her stitches, grimacing.

"There are a lot of people in the streets and about. I would be more comfortable
if I could defend or protect myself. I wish no mischief, tell him. I do not relish a repeat performance of our episode on the road."

Reese shakes his head.
''Don't you think it would be best if you told Roald all that yourself? I know you’re upset about being kicked out of Haes, and about the wound, but none of that is my boss’s fault. It’s awkward for me, being your go-between. I’m not really good at it. Forgive me if this comes out rude, but, uh, you do know that the duke was the one who banished you, right? The maids, the stable boys—they were all gossiping about you before we left. ‘’

[Varrus the Ethical]

"Now, now, Reese. The Young Duke did not 'banish' her Ladyship. He merely wished she be escorted back home out of fear for her safety. Though I do agree that making you act as a go-between is awfully tiresome," Roald says to Reese before turning to Dominica.

"And to answer your question, my Lady. If you wish to have your weapons returned, then we should settle into an inn first. I'm sure your scars can wait a little longer." Roald smiles and awaits Dominca's answer.

[ewancummins]

Reese mutters something about checking on the horses and heads back to the stables.

[steveflam]

"Now, now, Reese. The Young Duke did not 'banish' her Ladyship. He merely wished she be escorted back home out of fear of he safety. Though I do agree that making you act as a go-between is awfully tiresome," Roald says to Reese before turning to Dominica.

"And to answer your question, my Lady. If you wish to have your weapons returned, then we should settle into an inn first. I'm sure your scars can wait a little longer." Roald smiles and awaits Dominca's answer.

Dominica's eyes narrow. "I am sure your coinpurse is now fuller for your troubles. Now,you, being aware that I am quite handy with a sword, still allowed me to be unarmed and unarmored. You of course always do as you are told, don't you? I thought as much. Finding an Inn is fine. Whatever you chose to do is really up to you afterwards. I will be looking for a cleric seeing as it is my face that is stitched up, not yours. I know your looks are not important to you, but you're a sellsword. I am not a sellsword and a noblewoman though it may not see that way to you. How about we find that Inn, hmm? You do want to complete your job, don't you?"

She'll stop talking now and look around actively seeking an Inn.