The continued adventures of not Vikings

[Dekaru]

Proceed from where we were

[Zwiche]

Proceed from where we were

Rob stares into the castle.  Everything behind him, the battle, the screams of dying men, the call of action against the Lich Lord, all fades into a quiet blur.  Every second seems to last a minute, and every minute an hour. What secrets are hidden in this corrupted heap of stone? he wonders.  If I should delve into the belly of the beast, will I find the King's crown?  Will that crown bring peace to the growing murmurs of discontent, or will it ignite a firestorm that tears my country in two.

His hands grip the hilt of The Rising Dawn compulsively, as if to squeeze out the life of the liches who cursed him, of the soldiers who killed his men during the Crusade.  He rages against himself.  Why is he stuck standing here?  What force holds him back, preventing him from discerning the inside of the castle?  Could Themis be so cruel?  And then a new worm of doubt enters his mind as a worse alternative occurs to him: what if there is one greater than Themis?  Some capricious power that created the world for its own amusement. Themis and Man would be but toys for its own pleasure, to use and discard when it becomes bored.  No! Such a thing would be too cruel.  No being would be so malicious as to place him here, at the very cusp of his triumph, and then force him to stand still, motionless, unable to see or interact with the outside world.

[Gwain Von Griswald]

As if in answer to Robillard's dark musings, Gwain's voice comes soaring over the cacophony of battle. "Brother! I have found a worthy foe for you to face. Let the Rising Dawn test its steel against a lich!

Seeing that the Guard's progress through the defenders is too slow for the mission at hand, Gwain opts for a change in tactic. "Good work men! It's time to hold our ground and defend the ramparts. I have some family business to attend to in the keep, so make sure I have a clean exit path when I return." Pointing to the lich fast approaching their position he says, "slow that one down if you can, but I fear our arrows will not be much good against him. If he gets close, run. Don't let anyone but Robillard fight him in close quarters."

With that, Gwain slips out from the melee bringing just Violence to accompany him. He makes towards the door to the keep and motions for Robillard to relay the key as they pass each other.

[Interovegas]

Leewan watches over the aftermath of the battle from the wall.

[Dekaru]

Hearing the call, Robillard turns from the door not even having the chance to open it. Turning to address the oncoming problem, Rob sees the men of Gwains Guard lining up along the inner edge of the battlements drawing arrows on those fast approaching. Running up the stairs for the second time now Rob gives Gwain the keys as the twang of arrows fly into the mud peasants. Dropping by the handful to the arrows of Gwains Guard the oncoming force would seem to be being easily handled. Robillard, cresting the stairs just as Leewan arrives upon the battlements and surveys the situation, manages to spot the odd man among the group. Despite Gwains orders the arrows from Gwains Guard fail to find the man among the crowd as the peasants practically throw themselves into harms way. Meanwhile, Frey's mercenaries consolidate their positioning on the fort walls still such that the significant portion of Griswald forces still below can climb the walls.

Gwain, along with Violence, arrive midway down the wall at the door that has vexed Robillard for what seems like weeks. Using the key, Gwain turns the lock and opens the door to reveal a dimly lit, damp, and empty stairway that descends out of sight. Listening for any sounds almost in hope that screams would echo up as a sign of horrors waiting below; Gwain instead only hears the echo of water dripping through cracks in the ceiling onto the floor. Violence, with shortsword drawn and ready, whispers under his breath "It's just an ominous stairway in a Lich fort. Nothing to be afraid of. Just an ominous stairway in a Lick fort. Nothing to be afraid of..."

[Gwain Von Griswald]

Gwain also staring into the foreboding depths beyond also begins to second guess his orders. "You have a good point Violence. Let's see if that girl called Thistle and that enormous cat of hers can prove their worth. She might know a thing or two about lich fortresses anyway. You fetch the girl. I'll stand watch over the entrance."

[Dekaru]

Violence nods enthusiastically and runs back up the stairs. Once there he shouts over at the still gasping Thistle “Hey mud lady Lord Gwain Von Griswald requests your aid!”

[Zwiche]

Rob passes Gwain with little more than a pat on the shoulder. There is no time for anything more.

Quickly, he storms onto the battlefield, his eyes roving, searching for the horrid Lich. Once he finds him, he will fight his way to the front and challenge the foul Lord as is his right.

[Interovegas]

Leewan begins assessing reports for messengers on the state of the battle, and if the vantage given by the walls has unveiled any surprises lying beyond the surrounding hills and gulches.

[Thistle]

Thistle takes a moment to collect her bearings, still lying on the ground. She feels out for Nibbs and finds the cat beside her and pawing at her arm. With a groan, she rolls to her feet and stands up. 



Thistle climbs the battlements over to Gwain and company, gingerly stepping over dead and dying defenders. She keeps an eye on the lich quickly advancing across the courtyard and notices that the arrows aren't finding their marks. 

"So I know I said Snake wasn't going to be here," she says to Gwain, with a nod of her head to the courtyard, "but that's him down there. And I wouldn't be shocked if he had a friend or two besides with him." 

"I'm not exactly experienced with fighting liches, but fire is always good, cold iron is better, but this is going to be a tough fight regardless."

[Dekaru]

Processing the immediate reports on the battles progress Leewan receives confirmation that the assault on the main gate has begun in earnest. Satisfactorily, Lord Frey's forces are banging down the gate with the battering ram and will be breaking through into the main courtyard soon. Taking note of Gwains Guard firing down onto some advancing Lich "soldiers" Leewan can conclude the battle is going smoothly.

[Gwain Von Griswald]

"That's Robillard's problem now. I'm sure he'll be able to put up a good distraction for quite some time at the very least. My men have their orders to run once The Snake gets too close, so I think we're clear to take leave of the main battle for a moment."

Gwain points down the ominous hallway that leads into the fort. "Now if you were a lich, where would you keep your most treasured trophies?"

[Interovegas]

Leewan asks his scout to begin producing a map of the keep.

[Dekaru]

Almost panicking at the order, the soldier does his best to draw an adequate picture for Leewan (see below). Once done, the young man presents the map to Leewan with puppy eyes in a desperate attempt to not be berated on the battlefield or, worse still, stabbed by his superior. 

With no answer to Gwains somewhat rhetorical question Thistle, Gwain, and Violence begin stepping down the damp stairs making sure they are of sure footing lest they slip and tumble down stone for who knows how far. Shortly after setting down the stairs the trio comes into a very narrow and poorly lit hallway within the wall that, by Gwains intuition, extends South. The dim lighting prevents Gwain from being able to see how far the hall goes but the sounds of fighting above are still audible. It is obvious that Robillard with his size would barely be able to fit in the hallways yet alone fight any Lich soldier ambush with any effectiveness.

[Thistle]

Thistle puts out a hand to stop Gwain and company, and turns to Nibbs. "This is more your territory, what do you smell around here?" 

As she's saying that, Thistle reaches into Nibbs to get a feel for the environment.

[Dekaru]

Extending her conciousness to Nibbs Thistle is able to see much more clearly in the dim hallway thanks to the nocturnal creatures eyes. The hallway extends some ways before ending in a solid wooden door. Fortunately, Thistle can see that no ambush awaits them as there are no alcoves in the hallway to hide nor shadows to slink into out of sight of Nibbs.

[Gwain Von Griswald]

As Gwain creeps carefully through dark hallway, he notices that Thistle's pace has slowed and that her gaze is ominously unfocused. Expecting the worse, Gwain takes Thistle's arm and guides them both to be flush against the fortress wall. "Hey, snap out of it!" he demands in a worried whisper "This is no time for daydreaming!"

[Thistle]

Thistle blinks and sees double for a few seconds, one set of eyes still with Gwain and Vengeance and the other with the cat waiting patiently at the end of the hallway. She shakes her head and comes back to the others, and finds Gwain and Vengeance staring at her. Thistle takes a deep breath.

"The hallway up ahead is safe, but there's a door and I'm not sure what's behind it." She pauses, and decides to just cut to the chase.

"I realize that I really should have explained this before," Thistle starts. "But, as a fellow Themis worshiper, hear me out for a second."

"So, long story short, sometimes in the Blasted Lands people are born with the ability to, uh, "go into" animals and see through their eyes." She jabs a finger in the dark in the general direction of Nibbs. "I'm one of those people and I can take over Nibbs sometimes or use her for tracking. Like just now."

The hallway under the walls is quiet, with just the dull roar of the fight up top echoing down and general dungeony dripping noises. Thistle can't hear any sounds of anyone approaching from either the door or from up top, so she continues.

"I think you would call yourself the most level headed of your brothers. I can help us get through the underbelly of this fort, but I need you to talk to the rest of your family when this is finished and put in a good word for me. Or, I don't know, just be smart about this."

[Gwain Von Griswald]

Gwain blinks in disbelief, not quite sure what to make of this revelation. He has little reason to trust the outlandish claim the girl before him has just made, and yet it seems almost too ridiculous to have been made up. Magic? From a simple peasant girl? Could such a thing really be? If it were true, it would explain why Gisgo keeps her around. Is this how the Liches have attained such mastery over the beasts of the blasted lands?

"How much can you see?" he says, shaking his head as he feels himself start to be lost in thought. "What does the cat see and hear at the end of the tunnel right now?"

[Interovegas]

While Leewan watches his soldiers in the waning moments of the siege he feels a cosmic jab. Someone must have insulted him somewhere. He brushes away the thought, replacing the disturbance with acute focus on the massacre of the weak and deprived in the fort grounds below.

[Dekaru]

As Leewan turns his attention to the carnage he sees his giant of a brother rushing off back down the stairs and towards the oncoming forces in the courtyard. Huffing more in annoyance at Rob’s lone charge than anger, Leewan makes no effort to order any support for his brothers attack. After all, with how much that armour cost he might as well get some thorough use out of it right?

As Robillard practically runs down the stairs (hopefully the last time) he turns to see the dozens of peasant soldiers rushing his way with the presumed Lich in the center. Yelling (something) at the top of his lungs Robillard begins charging forwards towards his foes as arrows rain down on them from the ramparts.

[Zwiche]

As Rob’s feet thud against the stone courtyard, and his breath gasps within his chest, he feels, for the first time in many days, at peace. No longer are thoughts of Edward haunting his mind. No more do Guinevere’s shrieks of abandonment ring in his ears. Instead all he hears is the pounding of blood in his ears, all he feels is the smooth, hard shaft of the holy of The Rising Dawn clenched in his fist. Yea, to fight a Lich Lord May be foolhardy, but Rob, cradled in the embrace of his warrior rage, knows no fear this day. A hymn to Themis tears itself from his teeth as he crashes into the line of peasants, ignoring them, and swinging directly at the foul mage before him.

Rolling 8k5 gives me 38, bitches! Eat that, demon spawn.

[Dekaru]

With a mighty overhead swing Robillard brings his famous blade to bare upon the Lich. To Robillards immense satisfaction a streak of crimson flies through the air gushing forth from the shoulder of the heretic. The creatures left arm falls with a wet thud to the ground and Robillard expects the Lich to soon follow. To Robs amazement, the Lich remains standing in front of him with the same serious expression and contempt he had before despite suffering a mortal wound. Before Robillard can deliver another blow, however, he is tackled to the ground by dozens of peasant soldiers (Robillard will need to make a strength test to hold onto the Rising Dawn).

Managing to look up at the Lich, Robillard sees a twinge of annoyance across the Lich’s face as he notes the immense amount of blood now covering the demonic beast fur. Turning his gaze to Robillard beneath him, he simply says “One fox down. Two more to go.”

[Zwiche]

The adrenaline filling Rob’s veins gives him plenty of time to think as he falls to the ground.

Why does this keep happening to me? He wonders. Why does Themis keep allowing these lesser foes to knock her champion from his feet? Why do they keep trying to disarm me, instead of meeting me in honorable single combat? In fact! he suddenly realizes. The only one who’s has truly fought me with honor was that barbarian who’s excited ribs I beat in a few months ago. Truly shocking, that a heretic would be the one to show such honor. 

Landing with a thud that shakes the ground, Rob luckily manages to keep hold of The Rising Dawn. “Coward!” he roars. “Tell your cues to get off me and face me! I challenge you! This fox is not yet beaten! I have taken one arm, and I com still for your head. Face me!”  He struggles to get up from under the midnight peasant pile. Thank goodness for his armor, so he cannot feel their filthy, unwashed flesh.

[Thistle]

"The hallway is clear, there's no one here right now. But I'm not sure what's behind the door. We should probably be careful." Thistle says.
She reaches out to Nibbs one last time just to double check, listening for the sound of anyone behind the door or any strange smells. Even in this poorly guarded fortress, she's wary about getting snuck up on.

Listening through Nibbs, Thistle hears the sound of crackling fire and wheezing behind the door. Frowning, she turns to Gwain. "Did we set this place on fire? There's someone behind the door, and it sounds like something's burning."

Quietly, she waves him over and moves stealthily towards the door, drawing her spear as she does so and positioning herself (nearest the door knob, if there is one) to one side of the door with Nibbs on the other side.

She's going to wait until Gwain responds and then open the door so they can deal with whatever is on the other side.

[Gwain Von Griswald]

Weary of what traps might await them in this wretched dungeon, Gwain cannot in good conscious lead his party blindly into an unknown room. Noting that the door opens in to the room, Gwain lines his party up along the close wall right next to the portal's edge. He sends Violence down the hallway to hide in the shadows with bow drawn and aimed at the door. Then, Gwain does the unthinkable: he knocks on the door.

[Dekaru]

As arrows soar in and out of Robs vision finding their marks among the ranks of peasant soldiers the Lich comes down to one knee so as to be closer to Rob who by now only has his head poking out of the pile. Without so much as an evil smirk or maniacal laugh the man says “A life is a shameful thing to waste. Unfortunately for me, I have already wasted one life on fleeting things like honor. Unfortunately for you, you will not have the chance I did.”

Suddenly a corpse falls to the ground next to Robillard with an arrow sticking out of his eye. The Lich turns his gaze to the dead woman and with his one hand plucks the arrow from the socket with eye still attached. A flick of the wrist sends the eye soaring through the air and the arrowhead is brought before Robillards left eye. Robillard, try as he might, cannot summon the strength to wrestle the hand holding the Rising Dawn free. With the same, apathetic expression, the Lich says “An eye for an eye leaves two men dead and me to feast on all the spoils.” With a single, fluid thrust, the Lich drives the arrowhead into Robillards left eye.

——————————————————————————

Gwain, doing the inconceivable, the unbelievable, the completely insane, knocks on the door as Violemce takes position. Thistle, able to listen more closely thanks to Nibbs, here’s on the other side of the door a creaking sound and a slow but methodical shuffle towards the door. Shortly after the shuffling stops the door creaks open halfway to reveal a decrepit and ancient old man wearing a grey robe and a wooden pendent of Themis around his neck. Despite his aged body, the mans eyes practically glitter with whit and intelligence.

Beyond the man Gwain and Thistle can see a wooden chain in front of a fireplace with a small table next to it and an aged tomb upon it still open to the presumed page the man was reading. Utterly unremarkable for any detail the room feels out of place in a Lich fort save the human sized and shaped pile of moist mud in its center.

With haggard breaths the old man asks Gwain “May I help you, young sir?”

[Zwiche]

Rob roars in pain as the arrow scrapes past his visor and into his eye. Blinded by agony, rage, and an arrow, there is no more time for thought. He bursts up out of the pile, flinging bodies away as if they were dolls. “Come,” he grunts through gritted teeth. “Let’s finish this.”

The same sense of destiny that pulled him from the bodies fills his arm with renewed strength and he brings The Rising Dawn down once more on the Lich.

Rolled a 28. My luck is running lower. 11 damage per degree

[Gwain Von Griswald]

Taken aback by the man's Themissian symbol, Gwain nonetheless steps forward and greets the man. "Why yes you may," he says in a soft tone, "you see I just came in from the outside and I'm afraid I've gotten myself quite lost. You wouldn't happen to know your way around these parts of the keep would you?"

[Thistle]

Thistle pokes her head around the door and spots the old man. "Um, sorry, but who are you?"

[Dekaru]

Practically throwing the peasants off of him Robillard summons a surge of strength and hulks over the still kneeling Lich. Mouth agape in utter amazement the display of ray strength the Lich simply stairs up at Rob and starts laughing like a madman. Not even attempting to dodge Robillards swing the Lich is bisected by the Rising Dawn and the two profusely bleeding halves fall over. With arrow still sticking out of his faceplate, Robillard makes for a clear and gruesome sight to those coming up on the ramparts where Leewan watches with satisfaction at the carnage wrought by his brother.

As Robillard stands victorious over his foes the still living peasants stare in horror at the giant armoured figure that just cleaved their leader in twain. All at once, the peasants begin running for safety from Robillard and the archer fire from the walls.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The old man looks at Thistle poking out from behind Gwain and says with a warm smile "I am the Cultivator of this territory. You may call me Kuklov, young lady."

Turning his attention back to Gwain, the old man steps aside from the door such that enough space exists to pass and says "Lost in a one way path are you? Come in and perhaps I can help you find what you seek. I wouldn't worry about the fighting above. Just another territorial dispute breaking down the walls I spent my youth repairing."

[Gwain Von Griswald]

Gwain offers the man a coy smile, acknowledging that his lie did not have much ground to stand on. He accepts Kuklov's offer and enters the room, but not without first holding fiver fingers behind his back: a signal to Violence to allow five minutes before following. "I must say, I appreciate the effort you've put towards making this room feel homely. Does the owner of the keep not complain it ruins his dark dungeon aesthetic?"

[Zwiche]

Rob stands in exhaustion, his shoulders slumped as blood continues to pour down his face. He turns and makes his stumping way up the stairs yet again. He is looking for a doctor or medic. Although he has some mild training in first aid [medicine 3] he still does not trust himself to remove the arrow from his eye. Every step pains him, but he continues, for he has no choice.

[Dekaru]

Rob practically stomps past Leewan and is informed he’ll have to descend the ladders to get to a medic. Upon finding a medic the woman stares at the arrow sticking from his faceplate and says “I don’t think I can save your eye sir but let me get that arrow out.” With some not insignificant effort and very careful application of force the arrow is removed with immense pain forcing rob to grit his teeth hard (all the more unfortunate as this likely causes permanent damage to his dentures as a soft piece of leather couldn’t be forced into his helmet to his mouth). With arrow now removed the medic sets about removing the destroyed eye from Robs eye socket, cleaning the wound further, and forcing a piece of cloth into the now vacant space and wrapping Robs head with more cloth to hold it in place.

Satisfied that Robillard won’t bleed to death now, the medic nods to him and says “It’ll leave a mean scar but you’ll live. Keep pointy things away from your face next time.”

————————————————————————

After Rob stomps past Leewan without so much as a word the eldest brother of Griswald is left to contemplate his next orders. With dawn approaching soon Leewan hears a loud crash come from the fort gates as Lord Frey’s forces finally break into the courtyard and charge forth. Recognizing that this marks the end of any chance the defenders had of victory Leewan watches as the peasants of the Blasted Lands are cut down in mass with some fighting and others fleeing for their lives. Soon after Leewan spots Lord Frey striding through the fort gates with his big goofy grin visible even from a distance and under the relative poor lighting of torches.

———————————————————————

The old man laughs at Gwains joke but shortly after breaks down into a coughing and wheezing fit. This continues until he sits back down in the creaky chair. In a more comfortable position, Kuklov begins rocking back and forth in the chair and says “These walls change owner so frequently I’m the only one who gets any real say in how things look. It’s hard enough to keep any furniture from being used as kindling around here so the owners usually leave me in control. I guess you could say I’m the only permanent living resident here!” The last part he laughs at and begins wheezing again.

While the old man struggles to regain control over his breathing again Thistle notices Nibbs ears prick up and the cat turns its head to the dirt mound. Thistle extends her consciousness and to her surprise hears a soft and slow heartbeat suddenly begin from the dirt mound. Kuklov, having ceased his wheezing, says to the two “Now what can this old soul help you find?”

[Gwain Von Griswald]

As the old man seizes into another coughing fit, Gwain offers a worried look and places a hand gently on the man's back to provide support. When his throat clears, Gwain answers his question. "Unfortunately, what I am seeking is to remain a secret. If I say, can I trust you not to share what you've heard with anyone else that ventures through here?"

[Dekaru]

Leaning back into his chair Kuklov relaxes again and pulls a rag from underneath the book by his side. Dabbing away droplets of blood that came to the corner of his mouth during his fit he dabs them away staining the rag. As he puts the rag back under the book Gwain realizes there are many dried blood splotches on the rag. Relaxed now, he says “Im no stranger to secrets, young sir. You have my word I will not betray trust put upon a stranger.”

[Zwiche]

With the battle finished, and Gwain nowhere in sight to stop him, Rob gets rip-roaring drunk.

[Gwain Von Griswald]

"Very well," starts Gwain, "I've heard tell that the crown belonging to the late king of Acren resides in this keep. Do you know where this relic might be hidden?"

[Thistle]

Thistle moves out from behind the door and leans against it, sizing up the man and wary of the roaring fire that sets her teeth on edge. Nibbs, on the other hand, slinks inside and plops down in front of the hearth in a feline sprawl but still watchful of the pile of dirt. Seeing the droplets of blood on the handkerchief, the skinchanger frowns.

"Do you need medicine or a healer?" She swivels to Gwain. "You have someone for that, don't you? You people practically brought a whole city with you."

Still half-listening a little through Nibbs, she's momentarily distracted again by the heart beats from whatever it is in the center of the room.  

"I've lived here my whole life," Thistle says, "but, truthfully, I don't know much about Cultivators. So, what are you doing here and why is that so noisy for something that looks like a barrow?"

[Zwiche]

Rob's missing eye aches.

[This is mostly a test post to try and be able to see Thistle's post.]

[Dekaru]

The Cultivator looks at the dirt pile and responds with disbelief "Sound? What sound are you on about young lady? The only sounds here are the crackling fire and the wheezing of my lungs. I'm afraid what ails me has no cure here in these lands and I wouldn't abandon my post even were I physically able. Fear not, young lady, I have fought off the reaper for six years now and I'm not to let him take me now. Though for most of that I was still able to continue my duties..."

After trailing off the old man remembers Gwains inquiry and responds with a snap of his fingers "The crown of that intelligent fellow who's final days were spent here a mere season ago. An exceptional conversationalist, if you believe it. Though it's not like the lot that usually takes up residence in these walls are setting much of a bar. Sadly I saw the recent conquerers hang his mutilated body over the gates but, perhaps fortunately for you, his crown wasn't on his head."

Pausing for a moment he reaches into his tattered robes and produces a cast iron key. Holding it to Gwain he says "This key works on the cellar beneath the kitchen. A hidden passage out of the fort exists there. The master has been moving a considerable amount of stone down there and whatever they're building there may contain what you seek."

[Gwain Von Griswald]

"You have my thanks Cultivator," Gwain replies in gratitude. Do any dangers await me should I venture down to where you speak?"

[Dekaru]

Relaxing back into his chair he says “None that I know of but I would be wary nonetheless.”

[Gwain Von Griswald]

Gwain nods in appreciation. "Your kindness will not go unrewarded. I would love to stay here and listen to what stories you might tell, but sadly time is of the essence and I must be going." He walks into the hallway they came from briefly and signals to Violence the all clear. "One of my companions will happily keep you company and protect you should the fighting above make its way down here. He's not much of a talker but he is beautifully talented with the flute." Violence walks through the door and waves hello shyly.

"Now then Thistle, let us be off."

[Thistle]

Feeling weirded out, Thistle is going to extend her consciousness to the pile of mud. If nothing happens, she's going to follow Gwain down to the cellar, shooting looks at the Cultivator as they leave.

[Dekaru]

Extending consciousness to the mud yields no results (yay?) and the confused and probably disturbed Thisrle follows after Gwain. Violence, having been in the shadowy hallway slides past the pair and says sarcastically “Guard a kindly old man instead of going into some damp hole in a Lich fort? Please, no, take me with you.” Laughing at his own joke he walks into the room leaving the door ajar with Nibbs (begrudgingly) leaving the fire. Gwain, looking back, sees that the Cultivator has closed his eyes and seems at peace.

Exiting the door onto the Stairs of Eternal Frustration Gwain and Thistle see Lord Frey’s forces have forced their way through the main gate signaling the battle is resounding victory. While getting his bearings Gwain hears a signal whistle from the direction Treachery went in. Spotting the man himself atop one of the palisades Treachery gives Gwain a signal of all clear.

[Gwain Von Griswald]

"It seems Lord Frey wasted no time. Quickly Thistle, we must find the cellar The Cultivator spoke of."

[Thistle]

Thistle sticks her head out on the parapet, spots Rob and waves at him. "We're going cellar diving, want to come?"

[Zwiche]

Unable to find alcohol, despite searching for what feels like a week, Rob stumbles back onto the walls. He sees his brother and Thistle as they exit the wall and walks up to them.

"Brother, what did you and the mud-creature find? I am unable to find a drop to drink in this whole blasted army. Truly these lands are cursed. I might as well join you in the cellar. Please, please, don't feel the need to respond. Let's move along with minimal conversation."

[Interovegas]

Leewan breaks his from his vigilant watch of the battle to respond his fellow Lord.

"Robillard has made a critical error and the most valuable source of knowledge here has been disposed of. I will order my men to spare what few elite or officers remain for interrogation. I will send the support unit and my less exhausted soldiers to enact our plan with the lumber as well. Did your ranks spot the old king's body hanging from the main gates?"