Birthright Tuornen Chapter Four

[RocEter]

After he and Cormac part ways Foerde goes to speak with Ranald and Gunnar.

Foerde finds Ranald and Gunnar still in the office, but the servant makes the 'beastman' wait outside while he tells his boss...

Foerde growls, the amount of disrespect shown to a ranking and powerful priest of Cuiraecen is now starting to annoy him. With his patience in low supply Foerde, gently, pushes past the servant and enters the office. If he has to he will stand in the open door way.

"In my twenties years of service to Cuiraecen I have never been so disrespected, not even by zealot Haelynites." Foerde growls. "Worse it would appear what I have heard is true." He says pausing for a brief moment to calm down.

"The gods are watching, your continued disrespect to them and their worshipers have not gone unnoticed. Neither have your other grievances, my sons. Were I you, I would seek redemption! You can start by ask for forgiveness from those you have wronged and mending your ways."

"Cuiraecen's children and priests have been put slaughter like sheep and you sit here in your office while men build your defenses and train to fight, Esquire Ranald. You Gunnar sit here as well while these men train. How do you they are even still training or that they training properly?" He says to them both.

"Seek for forgiveness and change your ways, my sons. Or I will change them for you.."

With out saying another word or waiting for a response to his scolding of both Gunnar and Ranald. Foerde turns around and leaves heading to where men are building up the defenses.

[ewancummins]

GUNNAR, THE MANOR, RANALD'S OFFICE

After he and Cormac part ways Foerde goes to speak with Ranald and Gunnar.

Foerde finds Ranald and Gunnar still in the office, but the servant makes the 'beastman' wait outside while he tells his boss...

Foerde growls, the amount of disrespect shown to a ranking and powerful priest of Cuiraecen is now starting to annoy him. With his patience in low supply Foerde, gently, pushes past the servant and enters the office. If he has to he will stand in the open door way.

"In my twenties years of service to Cuiraecen I have never been so disrespected, not even by zealot Haelynites." Foerde growls. "Worse it would appear what I have heard is true." He says pausing for a brief moment to calm down.

"The gods are watching, your continued disrespect to them and their worshipers have not gone unnoticed. Neither have your other grievances, my sons. Were I you, I would seek redemption! You can start by ask for forgiveness from those you have wronged and mending your ways."

"Cuiraecen's children and priests have been put slaughter like sheep and you sit here in your office while men build your defenses and train to fight, Esquire Ranald. You Gunnar sit here as well while these men train. How do you they are even still training or that they training properly?" He says to them both.

"Seek for forgiveness and change your ways, my sons. Or I will change them for you.."

With out saying another word or waiting for a response to his scolding of both Gunnar and Ranald. Foerde turns around and leaves heading to where men are building up the defenses.

The esquire replies with few words, "We do what is necessary."

After the Huntsman leaves the hall, Ranald shakes his head and says to Gunnar-

VIEW CONTENT:

“When I was a boy my best friend was Loren, the miller’s son. Below my station, but that didn’t matter to a pair of adventuresome boys. We used to roam the hills together, hunting wrens and hares, playing at heroes. The summer we both turned twelve Loren fell into a snake den. The vipers bit him many times, but I crawled in and dragged him out. Maybe they had spent their venom, but not a one of them bit me. Loren lay feverish for days, sweating in his bed. But he lived. After a fashion. Whatever came back, it wasn’t my friend. The new Loren awoke with no more jokes, no more cheer, but a strange madness had come over him. He spoke of the gods, or visions he had in his fever-sleep, of the ‘great cleansing.’ He no longer wanted to play in the countryside, much less to work in the mill with his father and brothers. He spoke long and often of leading the children of Fox Run on a foray into the mountains, into the Five Peaks. They would defeat the goblins and bandits by the purity of their hearts, without even proper arms. Madness, I knew. But some other boys and girls listened to him. They made ready to leave, to sneak out. I stopped it, Gunnar. I saved them all---all but Loren.”
He draws a dagger and places it on the table.
“I did what I had to do. What was necessary.”

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

"The fires are out. Mostly," Renn says as he points to the places on the map where his men still work to put out the flames. "Most of it can be repaired. But not the River Gate. It's beyond help. We'll need to rebuild the whole thing, I'm thinking. Better get the masons on it quick."

"I understand we have the Archprelate to thank for defeating the fire demon. And let me offer my personal thanks for healing my men." He gives an appreciative nod.

"Now, the people of Haes have been on the verge of rioting during the siege. Now that the siege is over, we may have a different problem. With that tension lifted, people will get out of control. We need to make sure the tavernkeepers aren't too loose with their wine."

"I'll need more watchmen as well. We lost too many during today's fighting. I suggest officially bringing the brute squads on board under your livery, Grace. They've been quite effective."

"But even that has its side effects. Our prisons are over-crowded. I say we press these men into our armies. Haelyn knows we'll need more spears to strike against Alamie."

[ewancummins]

THE COUNCIL AT CAER HAES
Count Montros of Haesrien, dressed in a bottle-green tabard, clears his throat with a dry rattling cough. The withered old man rubs his hands on his bald dome as if conjuring thoughts. A little speck of drool slides down the right corner of his pursed lips. But despite his seeming decrepitude, the old man's eyes flash keen as the gaze of a hawk, darting about the council room.

“Wars…I have seen more of war than many seated here, and I think the sooner a war ends, the better. My niece Merrale, ambassador to the court in Lofton, has sent me word that Duke Carilon may be willing to consider a truce. I advise that His Grace consider such an offer, depending of course on the specific terms. We have expelled the invaders, but our situation remains precarious. Not all the foemen languish in our dungeons, nor did they all escape to Lofton. Some took to the country roads. I fear a great outbreak of brigandage. And these rumors of goblins to the north…”

The Archprelate sits next to Montros, listening and occasionally nodding at the older man’s words. Rhobher Nichaleir has changed his scorched battle armor for silken red robes, but scorched strands of gray hair on his head hint at his earlier combat. “I tend to agree with Count Montros, Your Grace. But let us see what terms your cousin offers, if he is indeed willing to make peace or at least offer a truce. I do not trust Duke Carilon overmuch, though I think it folly to ignore a chance at a just settlement.” The high priest turns to look at his counterpart, a burly and hirsute battle-priest of the Stormson.

The Cuiraecenite cleric reports, “Your Grace, our parish priests in Ghonallison send word of a goblin host. Wargs, too. The province has fallen. “
The man pounds the table with his fists, blood rising to his cheeks.
“Give us leave to raise an army, and some money for supplies, and the Militant Order will drive north to crush these foul gobilns!”

[ewancummins]

CORMAC-- THE MANOR, FRONT HALL

He looks the boys up and down appraisingly.

"Are yeh fighters?" Cormac asks. "We need the manpower, but we don' need green lads that're gonna slow us down."

One of the young men, a little taller than the other and wearing a fuzzy beard, says, "We can fight. And we know the woods and hills."

[JMaytr]

"I shall look into this personally," Devlin says. "Braedonnal and Fhylie the Sword left two days ago for that province. There is something to this, and we will need to check it out. With a sizable force. There is also the manner of Roald the mercenary and his heroic actions in the field. Has anyone seen the sellsword?"

[Adam]

CORMAC-- THE MANOR, FRONT HALL

He looks the boys up and down appraisingly.

"Are yeh fighters?" Cormac asks. "We need the manpower, but we don' need green lads that're gonna slow us down."

One of the young men, a little taller than the other and wearing a fuzzy beard, says, "We can fight. And we know the woods and hills."

"Have yeh horses? Gear? We're comin' up a bit short on each, and we'll nay be supplyin' yeh with yers."

He leans forward. "This ain't some kids' game or time fer heroes from yer stories. People are gonna die. Bad things are gonna happen. If ye're comin', ye're gonna pull yer weight or we're gonna send yeh back, and we can't be sure o' yer safety. I'll nae be responsible fer the deaths o' two lads tha' I can see have barely ever held a sword in their hands, nor swung one in anger neither." He mulls it over, lets the silence sink into the boys' ears.

"I'll not stop yeh from comin' if tha's yer will. But be sure ye know wha' yer gettin' into. We're assemblin' this night in the courtyard. If I see yeh there, I'll know yer serious."

[ewancummins]

"I shall look into this personally," Devlin says. "Braedonnal and Fhylie the Sword left two days ago for that province. There is something to this, and we will need to check it out. With a sizable force. There is also the manner of Roald the mercenary and his heroic actions in the field. Has anyone seen the sellsword?"

The Castellan, Sir Rory, offers, "I believe that he is drinking at a public house, Your Grace."

[ewancummins]

THE GORGON'S CROWN , AN ALEHOUSE IN HAES


Roald waves his captured scarf/banner around, regaling anyone who will listen with tales of his adventures. But today most people seem more interested in hearing and speaking about the young duke's wild adventure in Riverside (which no two tales agree upon) and the archprelate's deeds on the battlefield.

[ewancummins]

FOERDE , RANALD'S MANOR, NORTH WALL,MIDDAY
Foerde finds a dozen peasant men working on the manor wall, reinforcing the timber and fieldstone construction with green logs and sacks of dirt.

[Varrus the Ethical]

"...and then I chased Duke Carlion right back to the river!" Roald said to his disappointingly small audience, which consisted of Reese and an unconscious man with his face down on the table. However, he had stopped being bothered by the lack of attention after his second (or third?) tankard of ale. He called out for a fourth (or fifth?) tankard and then started to tell his story again, waving his stolen banner for emphasis.

"So I managed to infiltrate the Alam army while disguised..."

[RocEter]

Foerde finds a place to start working and assists how ever he can.

[ewancummins]

Foerde finds a place to start working and assists how ever he can.

At first the men are a bit skittish, but soon they settle into working with Foerde. His skill at carpentry proves useful...


After a little while, while the men are taking a break and drinking cold mugs of watered down beer from the esquire's cellars, a blonde boy of maybe twelve or thirteen years comes out of the manor-house and walks right up to Foerde. He dips his head in respect and says-
"Master Foerde, Gunnar says he needs your help training the fighters. He's around the back now, with the men. If you'd please come with me..."

The kid gestures towards the rear of the big house.

[RocEter]

Foerde finds a place to start working and assists how ever he can.

At first the men are a bit skittish, but soon they settle into working with Foerde. His skill at carpentry proves useful...


After a little while, while the men are taking a break and drinking cold mugs of watered down beer from the esquire's cellars, a blonde boy of maybe twelve or thirteen years comes out of the manor-house and walks right up to Foerde. He dips his head in respect and says-
"Master Foerde, Gunnar says he needs your help training the fighters. He's around the back now, with the men. If you'd please come with me..."

The kid gestures towards the rear of the big house.

"Well boys, seems I need else where. If you need more help do not hesitate to call upon my services." Foerde says to men building the defenses. "Lead on child." He says and follows the boy.

[ewancummins]

Foerde finds a place to start working and assists how ever he can.

At first the men are a bit skittish, but soon they settle into working with Foerde. His skill at carpentry proves useful...


After a little while, while the men are taking a break and drinking cold mugs of watered down beer from the esquire's cellars, a blonde boy of maybe twelve or thirteen years comes out of the manor-house and walks right up to Foerde. He dips his head in respect and says-
"Master Foerde, Gunnar says he needs your help training the fighters. He's around the back now, with the men. If you'd please come with me..."

The kid gestures towards the rear of the big house.

"Well boys, seems I need else where. If you need more help do not hesitate to call upon my services." Foerde says to men building the defenses. "Lead on child." He says and follows the boy.

...

Around the back, Foerde finds Gunnar standing in the shadow of the house, removing his plate armor with help from an older boy. Ten peasant men squat or sit nearby, arranged in a half circle on the cold, hard ground of the back lot with their faces turned up the soak in some warmth from the sun.

The kid who brought Foerde says-
"Master Gunnar, here he is."