The continued adventures of not Vikings

[Gwain Von Griswald]

Gwain responds to his comrades cheerily, with a twinkle of something that seemed long forgotten. "Unfortunately the healer had to wait, he got stuck keeping an old geezer company tonight! Which reminds me, I better go check on him. Feel free to come along and explore the keep if you'd like, just stay away from anything that growls at you."

With that, Gwain makes for the Cultivator's room.

[Dekaru]

The medic sighs as she rings bloody water out of a rag into a small bowl. Standing up with a small parcel in hand she looks at Thistle and says "I don't know why I bother, he won't listen to a thing I say. If he'll listen to you do me and him a favour and don't let him out of this bed. I don't care if Themis herself is walking around outside he's not to move from this bed."

Not waiting for Thistle to respond the medic takes her leave of the tent. With just Robillard and Thistle in the tent now the only sounds from within remaining are the purrs of content from Nibbs in the corner who has taken ownership of a pile of cloth.

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Treachery is the only member of Gwains Guard who opts to follow to the fort interior. On the way there Treachery informs Gwain of the goings on; a pyre is being built to honour the King, the captives are being herded into a small corner of the fort where their future chances of survival are tenuous at best, there's been no word from the main army, and there's barely enough food stored to last three days. While Treachery explains the situation Gwain suddenly gets an overwhelming sense of deja vu as a soldier bumps into him while walking through the erecting tents. Looking at the individual, Gwain can't help but feel he's seen the man before.

The individual in question barely stops his pacing and nods to Gwain while saying "Sorry, didn't see you there." Turning back towards the direction he was going the individual continues walking while Treachery says "Sir, the way in was this way."

[Thistle]

"Well, we won, obviously," Thistle starts, grabbing one of the camp stools and sitting down by Rob. "There's still one of those wolves left alive- which reminds me, I really need to figure out what to do with it- but anyway, we opened up the room, found a chest, and there was a crown inside, which your brothers have right now."

She frowns. "And they won't give me a straight answer about *whose* crown it is, but long story short, some of you and yours are heading back home and I'm coming along as well."

Thistle scritches at Nibb's neck. "The castle is ours for right now, but you're going to need to talk to your brothers about what we're doing next. Also, this Themis thing might be getting out of hand so we should probably talk about it while you're still too hurt to lunge for that sword."

[Zwiche]

Rob’s eyes open wide and he starts at the mention of the crown. The sudden movement threatens to tear open his carefully stitched wounds, and he returns to his previous position.

“They found the crown? Praise be to Themis. That is the crown of the King of Acren. We have labored to regain it from the enemy. Our efforts have not been in vain. We must return it to our Homeland, before the foul Lich lords can wrench It from our grasp once more.”

He coughs again, then becons Thistle closer. “My lady, what was it you wished to speak of regarding Themis? Perhaps you wish to read her texts? We can peruse them together, finding the prophesies of your coming.” As Rob speaks, he is already flipping open his copy of The Holy Writ

[Gwain Von Griswald]

Gwain looks over his soldier to see the soldier walk away. Treachery, noticing something has grabbed his friend's attention asks what the matter is. "Oh, nothing" responds Gwain as he shakes a perplexed look from his face and continues walking forward. "That soldier looks familiar, or he reminds me of someone. Do you know him?"

[Dekaru]

Treachery looks in the direction of the soldier but doesn't stop walking. Shrugging, he simply says "Can't say I do."

Reaching the door Treachery pulls on the handle and the door creaks open revealing a familiar dark and dingy spiral staircase. Walking down the stairs the footsteps of Gwain and Treachery echo up and down the stone walls no longer drowned out by the sounds of battle from above. Walking down the narrow hallway Gwain can see the door to the Cultivator's room is closed again. Knocking three times on the door no response comes back and Treachery gives Gwain a wary look.

[Thistle]

"Now, uh, see here." Thistle says. "You got hit pretty hard in the head during that last fight, but last I checked I'm not Themis." Under her breath, she mutters "I probably should have listened more when that preacher came to town last."

"So, I'm not sure why you think I must be a prophet!"

Suddenly remembering that he mentioned the crown, she pauses. "Wait, that crown. But isn't the current king traveling with us? Why are we taking it back to your home now of all times?"

[Zwiche]

”No, my lady, of course you are not Themis. None of us could be so bold as to claim such divinity on our own. However it is quite clear that Themis has touched you. She works through you far more than through any corrupted priest. All my life, Themis has spoken to me through her natural servants: a bird or a demigryph. Then here i find you, pure and untouched by the grotesque abomination that has filled Her Church. Is it any wonderhow I value you? We shall protect you and care for you, that together we might spread Her word to those less fortunate. I pledge myself to you, my lady. My sword and shield are yours, for as long as you might have me. Please, I beg of you, give me a token of your honor.”

Rob, as injured as he is, still knows that Leewan would (literally?) skin him alive for giving up information on the crown.

[Thistle]

"Alright, sure." Thistle says, just rolling with this as more of the same in a long, long list of 'weird things that Acren nobles do.' She unwinds a muddy scarf from around her neck and hands it over to him. "But, uh, we're going to talk more later about this 'spread Her word' stuff- I'm planning on returning here at some point after this."

She waves down the medic again. "So, when exactly is he going to be able to get up and walk around?"

[Zwiche]

Rob takes the scarf and winds it around his forearm (hopefully not in any dirty wounds.

“Your generosity refreshes me, my lady. And yes, we shall surely return here, together. These unholy lands need Themis’ soothing word more than our own. Burn how blind I have been! For now we shall not return via the sword burn via the book. In my youth I slaughtered these men for being heretics, but is it their fault when the promise of redemption was held from them by their foul overlords? We shall return Light and Grace to these lands, me by your side. Dare I ask, do you have a copy of Her Holy Writ?”

[Dekaru]

The medic responds plainly "If he stays laying down probably two or three weeks."

[Zwiche]

“Two or three weeks! Bah, I feel strong enough to rip the head off a Lich Lord!”

[Thistle]

Thistle eyes all of the bandages. "Why don't you let things heal up first and then we'll see about finding another lich. With our luck, one of them will be trying to take over this fortress soon enough anyways."

"I don't have a copy, I did hear someone read it a few times. Sometimes clerics would pass through and do a few ceremonies in exchange for food and a spot on the hearth to sleep." Thistle looks thoughtful and keeps scritching at Nibbs. "The village I'm from is small, and I think Headsman Marek is the only person who has any books? He's the one who keeps records there, anyway. Either way, I never learned how to read."

[Zwiche]

Rob’s eyes fill with tears at the thought of Thistle’s poor village. He can almost picture it: surrounded by fields of mud in every direction, a few shanty mud houses built with mud bricks and roofs thatched with mud, mud covering the mud peasants as they walk in mud to harvest the muddy mud fields. He has seen their like dozens of times before, but always as a conqueror. He saw the villages as spoils to be taken, the people as heretics to be burned and cleansed of their sin.

Now, with Thistle in front of him, he can see how wrong he was. Themis will be a tool for peace, he thinks. Under her banner we shall unite the Blasted Lands and Acren. Of course, he realizes momentarily, perhaps some swords will be necessary. We must protect the Prophet from those who would harm her.

Looking into Thistle’s soon-to-be-well-protected eyes, Rob pulls himself out of his reverie.

“My lady,” he says, “It would be my honor to read to you from the stories of Themis.”

Sitting there in the gloom of the medical tent, Rob opens The Holy Writ and begins to read.

[Thistle]

"Or, you know," Thistle starts, after politely listening for a few minutes to Rob reading from his very well gilted and dog eared book and probably bringing the wild fantasy to a screeching halt, "maybe you could also teach me how to read? I'm not sure how much help you can get from an illii- illi-" She frowns, trying to remember the word Gisgo had used and giving up "... a prophet that can't read."

[Zwiche]

“Ah,” notes Rob, “perhaps you have a point. A bit of civilizing would do you well for when we reach Acren.”

He shifts a little in his bed, so Thistle can see the text as well.

“This word is ‘The.’ See, it’s T-H-E. The. Hang on,” he asks quickly. “Do you know the alphabet?”

[Interovegas]

Leewan stares for a long while at the impotent guardsman asking him questions of rooming. For what seems like an eon the guard waits there in pained anticipation.

The quiet lord responds: "In a high room. With vantage on the field around us. Take me to Frey."

[Dekaru]

The messenger nods in acknowledgement to Leewans request and begins guiding him to Frey. Circumventing the growing camp within the walls the guide holds open the door to the main bailey politely informing Leewan that Frey is on the second floor. Leaving his personal guard outside, Leewan walks his way up the spiral stairs passing several soldiers moving boxes and items inside all the while hearing the booming voice of Lord Frey against the more levelled of Kleiners. Head crowning over the stairs Lord Frey and Kleiner cease their discussion and both turn to address Leewans arrival.

Frey gives a slight stoop to Leewan and says "Ah, Lord Griswald, I did not expect you to join us. Have you come to see what passes for accommodations in these lands? If so, I have secured rooms upstairs though the beds are about as comfortable as stone."

Before responding Leewan can see Frey and Kleiner are standing around a small map on a table. Soldiers work diligently around them moving barrels presumably containing supplies into stacks against the wall. Clearly, Lord Frey expects a siege.

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Gwain, providing no response to Treachery's worry, puts his hand against the door and pushes it open. Inside, Gwain is mortified to find a dismembered Vengeance strewn across the floor of the room. The horrific visage of terror across Vengeances tells Gwain plainly the suffering he endured in his death. Quickly looking around the room Gwain sees two more bodies; that of the Cultivator and an unclothed Griswald soldier. The Cultivator's body is in the same condition as Vengeance's but the soldiers more pristine with a slit throat the only injury. Perhaps most concerningly of all the dirt pile that was in the centre of the room has been disturbed with the dirt scattered and mixing with the blood of the deceased.

Treachery, still standing in the doorway with hand over mouth, speaks quietly but the silence and Gwains alertness make it sound as though it is right in his ear "How did this happen? By Themis what monster did this?"

[Interovegas]

"There are no secure rooms in this entire fort. This is a death trap. The only defenses here were able bodied men and the starvation that gripped their peasant folk. Unless I am unaware of a new source of supplies we will scarcely hold this fort against one night of seiging. There are alternative methods to keeping the fort empty, and we have soldiers that will soon succumb without new orders."

[Dekaru]

Lord Frey nods in agreement and responds "We have enough supplies right now for three days; five if we're stingy with the rationing. Assuming the Kings forces do come to rescue us from what I fear is inevitable we can keep our stomachs sufficiently full. Unfortunately, I agree that we cannot for long against any true siege as the conditions of the walls make any longterm defence impossible. We also don't know how fucked we are until the scouts return"

Kleiner chimes in with his own comment "And we have no materials to do quick patching of the worst offenders in the walls. The nearby quarry could provide what we need but it'd be suicide for anyone sent to do the work."

[Gwain Von Griswald]

Gwains falls to his knees in horror. "H--how? How could this have happened?" he pleads. "We took the fort, we killed their beasts, we slew their lich, who could have done this? Vengence didn't deserve this. It's, it's not fair..." Tears roll down Gwain's cheek , forming small pools of darkness in the blood soaked floor beneath him.

He glances towards the bare soldier and the hard truth suddenly dawns on him. "The fucker... I knew there was something off about that soldier we passed." Gwain jumps to his feet. "Whoever this assassin is, they're disguised as one of our own and we let them walk right past us. If we don't find them soon, Lord Griswald, nay, the king himself could be in danger. Treachery, with me! We need to act fast, but first--" Gwain frowns in disgust as he reaches for the dead soldiers body "--I know this is wrong, but the hounds will need a scent to track him by and his underwear is the only article left." With the soldier's only remaining clothing in hand, Gwain speeds towards the door. "Come, Vengeance's burial will have to wait. We have a killer to catch."

[Interovegas]

"This keep has no strategic value. Now that we have occupied the walls the weaknesses are all the more made obvious to us. I reason that we abandon the keep for an interim period of time. For even if an enemy takes it's walls it will be a trifling thing to take it back after we have sabotaged the foundation. Any true fortifications can be made after the adjoining forces have arrived."

[Dekaru]

Lord Frey looks at Leewan confused "And where would we defend from? Broken walls are better than no walls and there isn't a better position for potentially dozens of miles. If we fall back the entire army will be exposed and vulnerable to attack. If we fall then the Navy's landing will landing will have no chance of getting at their burrows. Not to mention how exposed our homeland would be open to pillaging"

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As Gwain storms back up the stairs in a hurry Treachery shouts after him "Who are we going to?"

Gwain, with undies in hand (should really put them in a bag or something), rushes to his brother's tent knowing fully well Robillards most recent fascination will likely be nearby. Bursting through the cloth of the tent the medic still inside jumps up startled and shouts "By all that is holy let the man rest!"

Paying little attention to the medic's protests Gwain sees Robillard with his copy of The Holy Writ open and a perplexed Thistle.

[Zwiche]

“Ah, brother! Just in time to join us in our prayers. We are finding proof of Thistle’s position, as has been laid down in the Holy Writ. I know it has been quite some time since you last turned these pages, but we would surely welcome an extra set of eyes.”

[Interovegas]

"We ought apply the old stratagems of the well known Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus."

[Thistle]

Thistle looks up at the sudden intrusion, alarmed. "What seems to be the issue?" She spots the cloth in Gwain's hands. "And what is that?"

[Dekaru]

“And where would our forces hide when not harrying the enemy? How would we gain the upper hand in lands so unfamiliar? And what is stopping our enemy from realizing our feint once our forces dissolve right before them? We already move to strike at their supplies and our enemies must be forced to address a substantial force for it to succeed. Even if we could harry our enemy from the shadows it wouldn’t stop them from marching on the main army.”

[Interovegas]

"They possess a geographical knowledge we lack entirely. The land apparently bears no singular location of great value. They take their draft from small communities scattered across a featureless waste and yield few precious targets in turn. Our forces will accomplish little unless they can be thrown at the core of the elite martial forces and leadership of the liches. Such disorganized rabble will scatter when their taskmasters have been cut down. We ought use our thousand soldiers as a lure in the dark. Furthermore even if defense of the keep was feasible we would be without resources to join our main forces in the days after."

[Dekaru]

Frey gestures outside the stone window and exclaims "We are the lure Lord Griswald! The elite forces of our enemies march towards us to destroy our disorganized forces! Their only chance at surviving the enemies march is us to be the lure and hold the line until they can come to our rescue! There is no time for a guerrilla war when the war is poised for a decapitating strike! We are Acren's shield and the only ones poised to stand against a mortal blow!"

[Interovegas]

"They will not descend on us with their fully committed forces. And there will not be an Acren to return to if this strategy is pursued."

[Dekaru]

"And there will be less of Acren than that in the future if we should disobey orders. Need I remind you I was against this from the start and we're only here because you suggested to that brother killing bastard of a King that we march early and buy time for the army!"

The entire room turns to look at Frey at his last statement. Frey, realizing what he just said, stairs at his wagging finger in almost disbelief. Kleiner breaks the silence by shouting to the whole room "Everyone out! The Hero of Acren must regain his composure and contemplate the defense ahead of us. Anyone caught eavesdropping will be whipped until they bleed."

The soldiers moving items around stop everything they were doing and very quickly begin filing out of the room and down the stairs. Kleiner walks over to Leewan and whispers to him "I will not have your discussion riling up an elderly man and killing him before the enemy ever gets a chance. I suggest you resume this conversation when you have developed a concrete plan to the contrary, my Lord." Kleiner stares into Leewans eyes meeting his cold and uncaring gaze. Frey has taken a seat and stares at the map in front of him contemplatively and Leewan is reminded of how many more wrinkles the old man's face has since he first saw Frey as a child.

[Interovegas]

Leewan steps away to regroup with his kin. He notes to himself mentally that this is an opportune moment to apply Gwain's silver tongue and way with words.

[Gwain Von Griswald]

"No time for chit chat." pants Gwain in a hurry. "There's an a--" he stops just short of saying "assassin," the panic that word would stir if overheard would surely ruin any slim chance they have of finding the killer "--there's a dangerous man roaming around our camp and I need him found at once. Do you think Nibs would be up to the task? All I have to go on are these" Gwain extends his hand towards Thistle, which pinch the unmentionables gingerly between thumb and index finger.

[Thistle]

Thistle makes a face but takes the offending article. "Well, we can try anyway." She gives Nibbs a shake, waking her up. "Here, girl, take a sniff and go and find this man."

She uses a tiny bit of her warg ability to send the message, just to make sure it's clear.

[Dekaru]

Nibbs sniffs at the item and signals to Thistle that it's got the scent. Before Thistle can convey this to the others, however, Leewan suddenly enters the tent having tracked down his youngest brother. The medic still working in the corner of the ever increasingly crowded tent stands up and salutes the Lord Griswald "Sir, your brother's wounds have been bandaged cleaned. I recommend he move as little as possible for several weeks lest he cause more damage to his body."

[Zwiche]

“Ignore that worrywart of a leech! I feel fine, Leewan. Just point me at the enemy; or in this case, Gwaib’s ‘dangerous man.’”

[Thistle]

"If you're ready, I think we can follow Nibbs." Thistle says, with a nod at the cat. "How did you find this, anyway?

[Interovegas]

Leewan waits, plainly expecting one of the trio to clarify the situation at hand.

[Zwiche]

“Oh, Leewan! Gwain has discovered a ‘dangerous man’ and wants to track him with his underwear. That’s all he’s told us.”

[Gwain Von Griswald]

Gwain looks nervously to the healer dutifully tending to his brother's wounds. "If you will mam, a moment of privacy?." He watches impatiently, foot tapping in visible discomfort until the brothers and their new companion are left alone.

"I just came back from checking on The Cultivator. I found him, Vengence, and one of the infantry on the floor. Killed. The infantry man, his clothes had been taken, used as a disguise to hide in our midst. As fate would have it, the assassin has enough concern for hygiene to leave those on him," he says, pointing to the cloth Nibbs sniffs curiously. "I passed the killer on the way to The Cultivator's room, I'm sure if it, but I didn't know it then. We have to find them before they wreak any more havoc."

[Zwiche]

"Hurry, my lady, you must find this assassin! We can save our Writ Study for a later date, to be sure. I would join you if I were not confined to this bed by that horrible chirurgeon."

[Interovegas]

"This tracker will continue this with the aid of some of your trusted guard, you can join them for a brief time but your abilities are required to persuade Lord Frey to abandon this fortress."

[Thistle]

"If he killed three people that easily by himself, he's going to be trouble. Maybe bring some of the others along." Thistle says, standing up.
"Well, Nibbs? Where did he go?" Thistle gives the cat a nudge. Nibbs stretches out, and ambles over to the door- on the scent but not exactly in a hurry. Impatiently, Thistle follows after her, waving at the others to tag along.

[Zwiche]

Sadly left behind, and unable to join in the hunt, Rob turns to The Holy Writ. He goes through the book from cover to cover, word by word. He’s hunting for all the passages and verses which provide support for Thistle’s semi-divinity. Any passages referencing animals are particularly highlighted, as Rob’s experiences with animals have particularly shaped his current beliefs.

[Dekaru]

Thistle exits the tent leaving the Griswald brothers alone once again (though Rob is merely there because he can't be anywhere else). Upon exiting Thistle spots one of Gwains accomplices but also can see Yenin in the corner of the camp as despite his sitting his massive size still makes him clearly visible over the tents. The associate of the youngest Griswald appears to be waiting for Gwains return.

Rob begins flipping feverishly through the small book completely ignoring anymore of his brother's conversation. Despite the pain and soreness that wracks his body, he is determined to find further purpose in his life.

[Some kind of Notice or Research test would be most appropriate for Rob's studies]

[Gwain Von Griswald]

"Stay safe" nods Gwain in acknowledgement to Leewan as he hurries out the door. As he exits the tent, he looses a piercing whistle with two fingers in his mouth. When what remains of Gwain's Guard assembles around the party slowly trailing the huge cat at work, Gwain starts to rattle off orders in a hushed tone.

"Bad news boys. Someone took out Violence along with the VIP he was looking after in the castle. He's dressed as one of our soldiers, but we're on his scent. Treachery, Fraud, Heresy: cover our backs. The rest, take to the shadows in pairs and keep an eye out for anyone suspicious. If I had to guess, our target is headed to one of the lord's tents or on his way out of the camp as we speak."

[Dekaru]

The members of Gwains Guard fan out with Treachery, Fraud, and Heresy following closely behind Thistle and Gwain. Slowly but surely the cat begins working its way through the camp stop. Nibbs does his best to sniff out the assassin but the similarity of the smells in a crowded camp full of dirty soldiers clearly makes it difficult for Nibbs to make any headway (good thing a cats sense of smell is fourteen times better than humans). With perseverance, Nibbs works his way through the camp with only the occasional backtracking and eventually comes to one of the walls. One of Gwains Guard (Greed? Envy? I don't know) appears to have beat Nibbs to the location as he is talking to a group of soldiers at the base of the stairs that lead up on top of the wall.

Nodding to Gwain, the Guard member says "These three say they saw someone enter the wall through a door up top. None of them recognized him but he was definitely wearing Griswald uniform."

As the Gwains Guard member relays the information Thistle can't help but recall that this was the same wall (and presumably door) that Gisgo was walking along last she spoke to him. Treachery breaks Thistle's thought process by speaking to both her and Gwain "We should hurry, who knows if there's some secret exit from the fort in there. That bastard isn't getting away."

[Gwain Von Griswald]

"Agreed. I just hope we can catch the bastard before Lord Griswald makes up his mind to flay me alive for returning late. We'll keep following the trail until we find him or at least find out where he's headed. Keep your wits about you though, this could be a trap."

[Dekaru]

Treachery nods while one of the soldiers speaks up "Sir, I'm fairly confused as to what's going on. Is there anything you need from us?"

The member of Gwains Guard stops the soldier from asking any further questions "This is no more your concern. Return to your watch and patrols and forget about what you heard here." The soldiers each nod warily but knowing full well what happens to soldiers that don't follow orders they quickly walk off without another word. Treachery takes the lead up the stairs to the top of the wall and with a hard pull opens the heavy wooden door to the interior of the walls. Seeing a familiar thin stairwell Gwain and Thistle look down into the dingy darkness.

Treachery looking at the two clears his throat and asks "So who's going first? Won't be able to see very well past whoever's up front."

[Gwain Von Griswald]

"Thankfully, I've noticed our feline friend here has a pretty low stature," Gwain smiles. "If you'd be so willing of course" he says with a nod to Thistle.