* Sadurean is heading into the tavern, an excitement about him that's fairly obvious by his hurried movements and quick glances around the room. He had just been over by the airfield, checking out the latest ship coming into town and hoping to pick up some juicy gossip, and sure enough, he did. He's going to track down Devregon, but the tavern is closer so naturally he stops in there first.
<Seves> It had been a trying few weeks of inaction and inability to do much about the thieves guild other than sit and wait. Seves was sitting near the fire, a mug of ale in one hand. He was still dressed in the colors fo the Watch, despite his watch having ended some time ago. The longsword he carried was near at hand, perched up against the chair he was sitting in. He arched a brow at the entering bard, subconciou
<Seves> -- sly picking up on the excited state. He wasn't sure what it mean, or entailed, but he was certain of it.
* Maxwell_Farthing stepped drudgingly through the doors, pulling his cloak around him. He hadn't ventured out of the house to this particular point in a while... Too busy thinking furiously about how to bring this shipping company into reality. He notices Sadurean, and steps behind him as he enters. "Good Evening, Sadurean." He murmers, stopping at the counter to order a Cider. "How have you been fairing?"
<Calanthar> On nights like this, it's just good to be out of the house... Too quiet, too dreary, too dark for *anyone* to bear for long, and with no company in a while, Calanthar had reached the point where he needed to at least be *around* people. He's sitting by the hearth, not too far from Seves, feet crossed and propped up, leaning back a bit, with a mug of ale in one hand and his eyes closed. Consequently when Sadurean enters, he takes little notice othe
<Calanthar> Sadurean enters, he takes little notice other than hearing the door open and the wind howl in. Hell, he could even pass for "relaxed" at this point.
* Sadurean glances over, giving Farthing a half-hearted wave. "Mister Farthing.. Well enough." If his father being murdered and him inheriting the house while being hunted down by a very pissed off head of a thieve's guild could be considered well. When he spots Devregon he hurries over to the man, helping himself to a seat next to him. "I need to talk to you, sir. Big news.. Really big, and it's bad." He pushes some of the th
<Sadurean> pushes some of the thick black hair from his eyes and sits perched on the edge of the chair, eager for the man's attention.
<Seves> Seves' suspicions were obviously right, then. He shifted, leaning up a bit to listen, regardless of invitation or not. He didn't mind very so much, as he'd likely have to be briefed on whatever it was. And if it was really that bad, it was probably good he was already dressed out for duty.
* Maxwell_Farthing walked over to Sadurean, and stood at a little bit of a distance. He still felt sorry for the boy, having lost his father. He overheard what he said about 'Big News', so he decided to sit at a table close to the two and drink his Cider, listening in, but not too obviously.
<Calanthar> Oh wonderful. Sadurean has *bad* news. Most news these days is bad, of course, especially coming from the bard, so Calanthar will remain seated exactly as is, eyes closed, only moving to take a niiiiice gulp of ale. "Sit then, and tell me about this bad news. Something further with a certain 'Associate' of yours, boy? I haven't even heard whispers of the bastard in weeks..."
<Sadurean> "Oh, well.. Winterheart sent me a nasty threat, he's pretty pissed. I think he knows it was me now. I haven't seen him at all though." He shakes his head, unconcerned with Mortimer for the moment in light of this newer information. "An airship just came in from .." He pauses, recalling the city, "Emitea. They had come down by the coast with two other ships for escort, one was a privateer, the other a cargo ship. They were a
<Sadurean> cargo ship. They were attacked by some Ourani patrol ships. This one that just landed, it was the only one that made it through. It's one of those smaller passenger vessels, really fast." He'll drag it out for dramatic effect. It's not often he gets to be the first to bring such tidings, even if they are bad.
* Maxwell_Farthing leans back, taking in the story. Ourani... He was a native to Sinari, so he despised them as much as anyone else. A long gulp of his cider, as he listened intently, waiting for the boy to continue his story.
<Seves> Seves only sat for a moment, looking back and forth between the captain and the bard. He quipped in to question the bard a moment after he finished his tale. "Attacked? By patrol ships?" That couldn't be very good news, not with all the mounting tensions and the assassinations a while back.
<Calanthar> "The Ourani have been known to attack ships before that are crossing over their land or waters, especially in times of war. What are you getting at, boy?" Sadurean has to know how annoyed the Captain can get when people beat around the bush. With mentions of the Ourani, the matter became doubly serious.
<Sadurean> "Yeah, they have been.. That's nothing new. But, this captain that just got in, he said that as he was flying south past Kel'cer he saw a huge fleet of ships moving south down out of the Gor'deb river and the harbor. Ourani ships and armed to the teeth." He does know how impatient Devregon gets, but sometimes he can't help himself. At least the man didn't have to wait that long. "He thought they might have been heading towards
<Sadurean> been heading towards Ama'til.. but.. if they are he said it would be overkill." He rubs his hands together, nervous but also excited if only for the attention everyone has on him at the moment.
* Maxwell_Farthing looked on, serious and disturbed. He didn't like the sound of that, not at all. He takes another gulp of the cider, before speaking up. "I hate to interrupt, but... Do you think it could be heading here?" He asked. "Do the Authorities know?"
<Calanthar> They do *now*. The eyes open, the chair comes back to the earth, and the feet drop from the hearth in one quick movement as Calanthar turns to face the bard. The Gor'deb river's mouth was *uncomfortably* close to Sinari, and a fleet that would be overkill for Ama'til, headed south? Well, there wasn't too much further south to go, unless they were going to Shy'la. And why go there when the frozen city of Sinari was such a bigger prize? "How l
<Calanthar> Sinari was such a bigger prize? "How long ago was this that he saw this fleet moving? Were they making good time?" Hopefully, a large fleet would necessarily be a slower one. Still, Sinari's protection was... minimal.
<Sadurean> "Umm.. He said this was a day and a half ago, and that there were good southwest winds.. that's how he made such good time getting here and was able to outrun trouble." By all accounts, airships aren't that much faster than seafaring ships, so they're looking at a day.. two at best. "He mentioned something about the currents, but I didn't catch it all.. the posted men at the airfield were asking a lot of questions."
<Sadurean> questions."
<Seves> "Son of a bitch." Seves spat out. He wanted something to happen, but not war. That was far too terrible. Sinari wasn't a military city, not at it's core anyways. It had a decent defense against landborne armies, because it was nearly impossible to march men across the wastes. Airborne ships with troops would be much harder to deflect. "Raise the alarms?" He looked to Devergon, perfectly capable o
<Seves> -- f still rousing the rest of his squad and alerting the rest of the watch to be on extra alert, if necessary.
* Una is now known as NuclearSocialTime
* Maxwell_Farthing has quit IRC (Exit: )
* Calanthar looks at Seves, giving a curt nod as he clinches his jaw. "We'll be heading to the barracks shortly - I need to find Crillner and Emelbur. You should round up your men and any stragglers and bring them by with all due speed." and then it's back to Sadurean for whatever information he can wring out of the boy. "What else is there? Any numbers, and descriptions, anything? Think *hard*."
<Sadurean> "Umm.. it was mostly ships by sea. Half a dozen large ones, I forget the name, with siege equipment. A couple dozen smaller transport ships and.. ramming ships? I guess? The airships were only a few, but he said it was early morning and pretty foggy, so he might not have seen them all. They all flew Ourani colors." The bard furrows his brow, running through the recounting again in his head, searching for more details.
<Seves> Seves nodded and rose, pulling the sword back to it's buckle as he moved for the door. His cloak was snapped off a peg and slung over his body, the hood pulled in place after he was already into the city snow. He was moving, rousing members who were already on watch or some other duty, and getting those whose homes he knew ready. A meeting at the barracks, and war in the air. Joyous.
<Calanthar> Joyous to Seves perhaps, but not to an old man who is severely worried about the fact that, from the sounds of it, they're out numbered, out gunned, and ill-prepared. And yet, the only thing he can think about is hoping that Crillner's not gone *home* by now. How could you bear to look at those kids knowing that something potentially dangerous might happen? "Alright... Well, it's good that you brought this to us. It looks like I'm going to h
<Calanthar> to us. It looks like I'm going to have to hunt down Crillner... How many people know about this already?? Maybe someone already told the Commander. It's not like the man shares his information that freely with Calanthar.
<Sadurean> "The airfield sergeant was going to tell Ryn when I left. No one else other than those that overheard. Is there anyone else I should inform?" He's eager to please, for once. But then, he knows the implications well enough and after what he saw in Ama'til he's willing to do whatever he can to help prevent a similar canvas of destruction in Sinari.
<Calanthar> "No...I'll find Crillner..." Then there's a moment's pause, a slight hesitation, and he speaks again "Tell Madame Sankoh. She'll know who else to inform." Miesha, after all, had a better grip on town politics than he did, and besides, he feels like he owes her that much, for the visits and the company.
<Sadurean> "Miesha?.. Umm.. okay." He's a bit thrown by that one, but nods as he rises. He heads out quickly, not one to sit on fresh news.
<Seves> People would be straggling into the barracks, after having found his own squad members, he'd spread them out to get better coverage of the city. Leaving only minimal men on the wall. Seves himself would appear in the barracks near the last of the groups entering. Everyone was huddling around, talking among themselves. Something big was obviously happening. Seves had kept the entire bit secret, assuming that
<Seves> -- much was a neccesity, to keep order and peace prevelant for the moment.
<Calanthar> Just for good measure, Calanthar sent a courier to the Crillner household with the message that, if Crillner was there, he should come to the compound immediately. Then there's a quick stop off at home to pick up the weapons, and he's back at the compound, trying to work through the crowd of soldiers, many of whom were roused from their beds. If the Captain sees Seves, he'll wave for him to follow up to Crillner's office, leaving Morech to watch
<Calanthar> Crillner's office, leaving Morech to watch over the soldiers. Emelbur may be in there somewhere, but it's hard to say, of course.
* Sadurean is now known as Crillner
* Crillner was indeed at home, and as a result the two will find his office dark and empty. It will be a few minutes before the commander catches up, his house a good mile from the barracks, on the opposite side of town.
<Seves> Seves followed, after assuring his own men he'd return shortly. Most of them had just gotten offshift, and were somewhat annoyed to have been drug from their warm beds and lovers to come back to the barracks. Seves quickly caught step with Calanthar. "War?" Much more of a question than a definite statement. "I don't think they're on a goodwill mission, at very least."
<Calanthar> "Possibly. If we don't get some help in the way of reinforcements, it will be a *short* war, I would bet." The Captain will stop at his office for some cigarettes and a bottle of brandy, and will continue on to Crillner's. He's not there, but the Captain has a key, so he'll go in and take a seat while he waits, cracking a window before he lights up. He'll even offer a smoke to Seves. "Here I thought Sinari would be a quiet place to retire to
<Calanthar> would be a quiet place to retire to, or at least take an easy job watching over the Guard." There's a small laugh, but not a very convincing one, as he opens the bottle.
<Seves> "Very short." Seves leaned against a wall, not comfortable sitting just now. He was buzzing from the adrenaline pumping through his veins. "No thanks, don't smoke." Seves watched him. "Do you think we'll be able to find reinforcements, or that they'll be able to even get here in time? Two days is very short notice. I suppose we should probably send out more ranging squads in the future..provid
<Seves> -- ing we even have a guard when this over."
<Calanthar> "Honestly? Look at what we've got around us - Ama'til to the north, right in the path of the fleet; half-burnt, with a harbor that, having seen, I can tell you won't be fielding any blockade-breakers. Then there's Shy'la, which, though a lovely city, has shit in the way of an Army, and frozen wastes all around us. The capital is currently watching the ground war to the north, and with our allies in a state of revolution, not to mention being half a
<Calanthar> revolution, not to mention being half a world a way, I'd say we would be hard-pressed to get much more than an official letter of condolence from the King."
* Crillner arrives, a blast of cold air following him from the icy chill outside. He's wearing his uniform, but the shirt isn't tucked in and his rust colored curls are half-frozen from his trek across town with hair still sopping from a hot shower. "What's going on?" He asks in a short voice, crossing to lean against his desk and regard the two men waiting in his office.
<Seves> Seves watched the commander enter, not even bothering a salute before defering the conversation back to the Captain. "Ourani ships attacked a merchant ship, heavily armed and heading southward. Captain Devergon can better explain..." He bowed out of the conversation there, content to watch for the moment.
<Calanthar> "Reports have a fleet of roughly a half dozen siege ships, and at least a dozen smaller ones, some transport vessels, some ships outfitted with rams, all at sea out of Kel'cer, sighted moving past the Gor'deb River mouth at least a day and a half ago. They were accompanied by an unknown amount of airships, and are opening fire on anything straying within their field of vision." He'll pause only to take a drag on a cigarette and pour a glass of bra
<Calanthar> on a cigarette and pour a glass of brandy before setting in on the desk for someone else to use. "They're headed south, sir, and in that size, I have to wonder if they intend to even stop at Ama'til."
* Crillner is running his hands through his hair, trying to thaw out the stiff, tight curls. He takes the news well, looking between them both with brown eyes that hint at the sudden concern and worry he's feeling. "Where did the reports come from? A legitimate source? Were the ships coming from the river or up the coast?" The man turns and pulls a tall rolled parchment from a metal tube propped in a corner, then quickly moves th
<Crillner> then quickly moves the stacks of reports and documents from his desk so he can roll out the map of the western Ashetai coast. He picks up the brandy and takes a sip before placing the glass in a corner of the map to hold it down.
<Calanthar> "The original source should be considered quite legitimate, as it was an airship captain whose convoy came under fire as they made the route from Emitea. His was the only surviving ship of the three, and he noted the fleet as being here, coming out of the Gor'deb and the harbour." He'll point at the spot with his cigarette, dropping a small bit of ash on the map before dusting it off. "Good wind, too, I'm told. Which is bad for us... I've b
<Calanthar> told. Which is bad for us... I've been told that Captain Avinash has supposedly been informed, too, though I can't verify that."
* Crillner nods, reaching for a lantern and setting it closer for better light. He gazes down at the map. "A day and a half ago.. That would put them near Gor'atto Cove, if they don't stop. If they went around the isle, they could bypass Ama'til completely, but it would slow them a couple of hours.. then again, what's a couple hours time?" He furrows his brow, scratching the days growth on his chin. "If I know Captain Avinash,
<Crillner> Captain Avinash, he'll take the Riza out to scout immediately and see how much time we have. If we assume that they're coming straight here.. We won't know for another half a day at least. Tomorrow night or Monday morning we should expect them to get here, I'm not terribly versed in tides."
* Calanthar nods along, watching his cigarette slowly smolder to ash as he thinks. Finally, he'll turn back to Crillner, looking the man in the eyes. "The only thing that remains then, Commander, is what you want to do about it. Word will reach the Council before long, and though I've done what I can to slow the rumors, there's no stopping them. I would suspect that the whole town will be talking about it soon." Not even a decidedly long errand can
<Calanthar> Not even a decidedly long errand can keep Sadurean's mouth shut for long.
* Crillner looks up at Calanthar, holding the man's eyes for a long moment. The captain might see the uncertainty, the fear, but there's also a determination. It passes, and the commander is moving to pull out another map, this one of the city. He stretches it out overtop the other. As he leans over the desk water drops from his hair fall onto the parchment, smearing the ink where the liquid touches it. "Put squads at all the busy
<Crillner> squads at all the busy corners.. here at Trader's Square, at the council hall, the church of Parilli.. put some men at the most popular taverns. I think it would be best if the citizens *see* the Watch. When we have confirmation from Avinash, we can alert the city and make as large a militia as we can, but.. " He shakes his head. They all know it won't be enough, a few hundred.. maybe more.
<Seves> "Wouldn't putting a militia together be willingly asking for people to march to their dooms against an army they can't possibly beat?" Seves interjected quite brashly as he leaned over to study the maps. He didn't touch the brandy, already quite warmed from the ale he'd been drinking prior. "Of course, we don't have anywhere to evacuate them to, either..." This whole thing seemed hopeless, pointl
<Seves> -- ess to fight against the coming hordes if there was nothing else they could do but sit and wait for the deathstroke.
<Calanthar> "Of course, sir. Your forethought remains impressive. Hopefully we'll be able to keep the civilians from despairing..." For a while, at least. The possibility of victory is bleak, and Calanthar's no fool. He'll lean in closer to Crillner, still maintaining that gaze. It's obvious there's more that he'd like to say, but he doesn't feel like he should be lecturing his senior officer, and Crillner may not need the advice regardless. Seves has a po
<Calanthar> the advice regardless. Seves has a point, and any militia's morale would be horribly low, but he'll let the commander and the corporal talk that one out for now.
<Crillner> "Asking them to do nothing would be worse, I think. As soon as word spreads people will not know whether to prepare for a fight or flee. If they think we intend to roll over and die, it could break out into riots .. vigilantism.. If we tell them to report for militia work, I can hope that it will inspire order and determination." He glances up, catching Calanthar's gaze, "What do you think, Captain? You have experience in thes
<Crillner> experience in these matters." He doesn't mind that the corporal is present, he's known the man a long time and everyone in the room knows how Crillner becamse the Commander, and it wasn't from a wealth of military experience.
<Seves> "Possibly worse, yes. But it's still going to make the rumors worse when we ask for a militia to form up, wouldn't you think? Not to mention, most people are simply going to leave, if they can. Especially if the rumors of the army's size get out." Seves had little faith in people. And why, oh why, didn't Sinari have an army already trained in place? Or at least a merc group of some kind. "I don't su
<Seves> -- ppose we have any means of laucnhing a pre-emptive strike on the ships before they hit mainland? If nothing else, it might cause a bit of damage and morale lose."
<Calanthar> "Well... If you summon up a militia, you'll get a handful of men - some eager, true, but will they be experienced? Will they be prepared? Doubtful. A militia's morale against an entire fleet of Ourani siege ships, spearmen, and who knows what else, would be so low that they stand a good chance of breaking and fleeing before the soldiers even establish a beachhead. Honestly, I'm worried about the morale of our own men, for that matter. The Frost
<Calanthar> own men, for that matter. The Frost Watch is largely youths.... They'll either quake in terror and hide, or be so full of inexperience and rashness that they run right onto Nimodo spears. It's bleak, sir - you may find a handful of good men at best." Oh for the days of commanding scores of battle-hardened men.
<Crillner> Sinari has the Watch, Marine's, and Avinash's personal group of soldiers. Together they number just shy of four hundred. Add in another four to five hundred of militia and it's still a painfully small number. "You propose we surrender?" He asks, needing the captain's experience more than Calanthar may realize. With this new council, he knows his influence is far greater than it once was, but he wants to be certain he's going
<Crillner> certain he's going in with the proper course in mind. He's been thinking of countermeasures.. employing the mages, possibly a blockade. "They've not sent any terms ahead this time. After Ama'til, they may not care to spare Sinari."
<Seves> "Surrender?" Seves seemed less than happy with this propistition, but it might actually be a way to get around this whole mess of fighting. "If they've not sent terms, who says they'll even accept a surrender." Said grimly and with bite of annoyance to the words. "It might just accomplish making us even more of a target, really."
<Calanthar> "Sir, I would not be accused of being a coward, and if they've sent no terms and send no terms, I would never lay down my weapons, but it may be a reality you will have to face. Do nothing, and decide nothing at this exact moment. Instead, organize your men, prepare yourself, and go home to your wife. If they want the town, they will extend the offer and the terms - if you go to them first, you will appear weak, as the corporal says." At this po
<Calanthar> as the corporal says." At this point, taking a drag on his cigarette, Calanthar will lean closer to Crillner, trying to match the man's gaze with his own, resolute stare. "Commander, I will stand by your final decision, and you will have my full support, even if it means running straight into the Ourani landing parties." There's that grin again, the morbid smile of the soldier as he leans back once more, sinking into the chair "After
<Calanthar> There's that grin again, the morbid smile of the soldier as he leans back once more, sinking into the chair "After all, there's no more fitting end!"
<Crillner> Strong words said by a man without a family to consider. Crillner is doing a remarkable job of focusing on the city as whole as a commander, instead of as a father looking to protect his wife and children. The man finally sits down, agreeing with some of Devregon's advice. "We start with the posted squads.. I think we should tell the Watch the truth of what's happening. The more they know, the more they can keep the rumors fro
<Crillner> keep the rumors from inflating and causing panic." As for going home? No.. he needs to be here, to help prepare. They have possibly less than a day. It's more warning than Ama'til got, but frighteningly insufficient.
<Seves> Seves said nothing for a long moment. "Agreed. I will stand by your decision in the matter, even if it means a suicide rush." He shrugged, having little more to say at this point. "My squad will likely have the same sentiments, but I cannot speak for them."
<Calanthar> "Of course, sir. I'll see to it personally that they are informed, while we have most of them here." Honestly, there was little he could say. Crillner was inexperienced, but he was showing the markings of at least a devoted officer, and the Captain wasn't the sort to preach to his superiors. Besides, he doesn't envy the man, having what, 3, 4 children and a wife? It all seems so much harder for someone with a family.
<Calanthar> family.
<Crillner> It's good to know that his soldiers trust him, though he's not certain if his corporal should be feeling the need to voice something that ought to be assumed. Then again, he did allow the man to stay for this meeting, taking him into confidence. "Thank you, Captain.. Corporal. Be sure that they know that nothing is confirmed, and speculation will only waste energy. Also, send someone to fetch the harbor master, he needs to kno
<Crillner> master, he needs to know what's going on, and I need to get as accurate a time table as I can in regards to the currents and tides. I fear I will be pulled into a council meeting before this night is over, and I trust you to make preparations, Mister Devregon." Hell, he knows better anyway.
<Seves> Without further commentary, Seves would salute both and slip out of the room with nothing further to add to the discussion. He'd trust the commander and captain to come up with something. At least, he'd trust them for a day or so more.
<Calanthar> "Well, I suppose now would be the best time to do this, so I'll take my leave of you now, Commander. Try not to stay too late, or your wife might get even angrier with me." Then, with a faint smile, he'll move to clap the man on the shoulder as he rises, heading outside with a little under half of a cigarette and a few mumbled comments about the Nimodo, off to break the news to the soldiers.
* Crillner will salute him on the way out, feeling a small boost of confidence from Calanthar's gesture. He's glad he has him and Emelbur to consult with. They both have the experience he seriously lacks. It will be a long night. The first thing he does is write a quick note to send home to his wife, explaining why he'll be busy with work for the rest of the evening.
|