Another morning had passed, another council session was through. Within the city, disagreement with the barbarian presence had gathered strength, something Jarryn was not in the least bit happy with. He suspected the work of a particularly right wing group that certainly had a presence in the council. Posters had started to appear around the city, anonymously requesting that people petition the Inner Chamber for the expulsion of the refugees from their city. The petition was gathering pace, so he was informed, and its presentation could not be far off. He wondered whether these people realized that the disaster on their doorstep was of far greater import than the presence of refugees within their walls. Although they might be eating the food and drinking the water, they had nevertheless agreed to fight beside the elves of Kil-Glenfol when the Dark One struck. Jarryn was lost in his thoughts as usual, again in his favourite place for contemplation, the Seers Tower. As he began to think about moving down before his entire lunch time had been wasted on idle contemplation rather than eating, he realised he had been staring unthinkingly at a dark spot on the horizon that had been getting bigger by the minute. He narrowed his eyes and attmepted to focus on the approaching object. "Guard!" he shouted down the stairs. A few seconds later a slightly breathless guard returned to his post at the top of the tower from which Jarryn had temporarily dismissed him earlier. "Yes sir?" enquired the guard. "Look out to the horizon," ordered the city's Protector, pointing in a generally southernly direction. "What do you see?" The guard, who had been picked for this duty due to his keen eyesight, squinted at the commotion. "Sir, it's... griffons sir! They are Legentors!" A smile broke on Jarryn's face. "At last," he muttered to himself, turning again to watch the Legentor's progress. ---jg The horsemen rode under the cover of griffon-riding Legentors in the sky. Through a small forest, up to the gates of a walled city, the elven cavalry rode their mounts hard. After being seen as friends, the massive gate was lifted, and the troop rode into the city of Kil- Glenfol, down the main avenue. The leader of this troop was none other than the High-Marshall of the Royal Army of Tynntangial, Jon Lin Sandor. He possesed keen, silver eyes, matching the silver hair upon his head. He was a living legend, the one who had, not once, but twice, led the royal army to bloody the nose of the Karantine Empire. Jon Lin halted the troop, and looked about, seeing the multitude of refugees from the Korrhan wastelands. Finally, he spotted the man he came here to find. A friend of old, and a comrade in arms during the Karantine wars. Jon Lin dismounted, as did the members of the Black Watch assigned to guard him, and together the group made their way through the Korrhan refugees. "Jarryn! It is good to see you well!" Jon Lin called out. ---je "Jon Lin! It is most certainly good to see you too, my friend!" Jarryn was certainly surprised to see the High-Marshall here so early; this did indicate that the rest of Tynntangial were somewhat concerned about the city's plight, however. But besides all that, it had been a long number of years since Jarryn had last shared a table with Jon Lin, too many to comfortably count. Jarryn was pleased to see him again; the man inspired confidence even merely by his presence. Earlier on Jarryn had ordered troops to clear some space for the new arrivals and to make sure their passage into the city was unhindered. He wondered where the troops had got to now, as he made his way through half a dozen barbarians out and about the town. ---jg Jon Lin walked up and grasped his friend's arm. Smiling he handed Jarryn a scroll. To Jarryn's questioning look, Jon Lin answered, "...from Eventyne. You, and the house troops of House Glenfol have been royalized by command of Eventyne and the LordHolder's Conclave. Welcome back into the army, Marshall!" he finished with a smile. The commission was a technicality. Jon Lin would see that the defense of Kil-Glenfol would be led by a unified command, and *that* commander was standing in front of him. By royal commission, Jarryn now had the right and power to do what needed to be done to defend Kil-Glenfol, which was the first of Tynntangial's cities in the Dark army's path southward. ---je "This is indeed an honour! Considering the disarray House Glenfol has been in over these last few years I am surprised and pleased that they should consider our forces worthy of royalizing at all!" He did of course realize that Eventyne and the Conclave had very little choice if they expected the collaboration of the troops here, but it was nevertheless somewhat gratifying. ---jg "First, you'll have a full regiment of Sanjentors to bolster your house troops. We've also received promised help from some friends to the south, so three companies of dwarven engineers have also been placed under your command. But come, surely we can discuss these matters over some wine?" he said with a smile. ---je This was just what they needed! He was glad that help had caught up with them (hopefully) in time. "But of course!" replied Jarryn, and gestured for the High-Marshall and his guard to follow him up through the city and into the central citadel. Some quarters had been set aside inside the citadel for the Black Watch and Jon Lin Sandor himself. The rest of the troop had been assigned quarters in the standard army barracks. On their way through the city, Jarryn and Jon Lin spoke of the current situation in the city, what defences were already in place and what provisions had been made for the general public. Jarryn also spoke of the problem they were having in the city with the refugees and the petition that had been set up. "You'll doubtless be wanting to clean up after your journey," Jarryn commented as they got closer, "and in an hour or so there will be meal put on in the great hall - there will be a servant on call in case you need anything. We can discuss things in a little more detail over dinner," he promised. ---jg High-Marshall Jon Lin Sandor walked the battlements of Kil-Glenfol with the newly reappointed Marshall Jarryn. They were followed by Jon Lin's staff, who were taking notes as the two old friends examined the ancient defenses of the city. "...and I should think our dwarven allies could do something about those boulders in the field below. Give us a clearer field of fire, and deny the enemy cover. What say you, Captain Gorm?" Jon Lin addressed one of the dwarven engineer company commanders, who took a quick look (after being elevated above the wall by one of his men), made some notes in a little book, and nodded. "Consider it done, my lord. We shall have those boulders gone by nightfall." The dwarven captain gave some curt commands in dwarvish to one of his men, and the man was off in a flash to relay the orders. ---je Protector... nay, *Marshall* Jarryn, had to admit that Jon Lin had what it took to be successful in this line of work; a pleasant and confident personality coupled with a clear and ordered mind for military tactics. Jarryn admitted that he himself ironically felt more comfortable now that the siege was impending than when he had the mere civil matters of the city to deal with. He was a soldier, not a politician. Perhaps at times, he thought, looking at Jon Lin, you needed to be both. ---jg "Splendid!" said Jon Lin. He looked out into the fields below, and a strange gleam seemed to come to his eyes. "I can see it like it has already happened. Our forces will be fighting a delaying action, continually taking bites out of our foe, all the while buying time with land. I don't want to give you false hopes Jarryn...I don't think it is possible for the Royal Army to stop the enemy before they reach your city. I fully expect Kil-Glenfol to be put to seige, an island of light in a sea of darkness. They will come up that pass there, and fill this field with engines of war. *That* is what we must ready this city for....an extended seige. And you *must* hold out Jarryn. The more troops the enemy keeps here to beseige this city, the less he'll have in the field against the main body of our army. Above all, we *must* keep them well away from Daventry. No enemy has ever set foot in the golden city, and I don't intend the first to be while *I* am High Marshall." The gleam left the High Marshall's eyes, and he smiled at his old friend, and continued walking. ---je Jarryn smiled back, his eyes seeing the man that had once lead so many successful attacks against Karrantine. "I should imagine your attitude alone would scare the majority of the Dark One's forces away, my friend!" he retorted, lightening the mood a little, but appreciating the intensity with which Jon Lin spoke. ---jg Jon Lin broached a new subject as they continued to study the battlements. "Jarryn....how fares the search for the new Lordholder Glenfol? It is important during these times that the people have a leader to rally around, as well you know. If not for the upcoming war, I, too, would be in Skylondor, preparing for war, being a symbol for the people." Besides being the commander of Tynntangial's army, and a trusted friend of the Highlord, Jon Lin Sandor was also Lordholder Sandor, lord of Skylondor. While he awaited his friend's answer, he looked out towards the north, at the dark, black clouds approaching. In the distance, he could see another of the Royal Army's Legentor regiments, riding north towards the darkness to join the many regiments already engaged with the army of the Dark One. How many elves had died this day? ---je Jarryn followed the High Marshall's glance, and his eyes mirrored the sorrow his soul felt at losses in a battle others were fighting to save his city and ultimately Tynntangial. "We have reached the final stages of the search, Jon Lin. Hopefully, within the month we will have located and brought a member of the Sylphanin here to Glenfol." He sighed. "That's the official line, at least. The people will not tolerate the Inner Chamber at the head of the city for too long, so speed has been of the essence. However, in truth I have little idea how our team is doing now. The last report from them was weeks ago; they are on the other side of Ifreann at the moment, and communication is a little difficult. All we can do at this end is sit and wait. "We have good people on the job, I assure you. Only the best were picked for this final stage of the assignment..." He trailed off, his thoughts drifting to Fen. He offered a short and silent prayer for her safety. ---jg Jon Lin listened to all that Jarryn had to say on the succession to the throne of Lordholder Glenfol. It sounded like everything that could be done, was being done. ---je Now it was Jarryn's turn to change the subject matter. "I told you earlier over dinner of the problems we are having with the people accepting the barbarians into the city. I regret to say that we have become quite a xenophobic society stuck up here out the way of the rest of civilization, and the barbarians themselves have previously done little to endear themselves to us. That petition that has been signed has recently been presented by the brave few antagonists that dare show their faces. It won't remain a few for very long though, once the people gain confidence. I don't need to tell you that we can't afford disturbances of this sort when danger is so close at hand outside our very gates. ---jg Jon Lin knew the truth of Jarryn=92s words. The tall, blond and pal= e humans who made up the Barbarians of Korrh had never shown much amity toward the elven peoples. Back before the time of the Royal Army's inception, the barbarians were even wont to make raids south into Tynntangial=92s borders. It was the same problems that the Elessidel Highlords and their supporters had been working on for nigh on a millenia: how to make former antagonists start to trust each other. ---je "My suggestion is this: The people of Kil-Glenfol have long been looking to the south and to the east for the aid of the Royal Army in this crisis, and view your arrival as a great advantage in the troubles to come. They look up to your Legentors and trust your decisions. Therefore why not actively include the men of Korrh in your plans early on, maybe not in positions of command, but certainly have them fighting alongside the soldiers of the house army. All this would have to be under the strict observation of senior officers to make certain trouble did not flare. As for the antagonists already known to us; I believe we can actively persuade them to leave the city before the siege. Many have done so already." ---jg Jon Lin nodded. This situation was indeed grave. The barbarians of Korrh were vicious fighters. Their weilding of their massive battle axes could bring fear into even the most stout-hearted of soldiers. Their main problem in battle (which up until now had always been a boon for Tynntangial), was their inability to organize. Like the elven people of old, they were quite likely to begin brawling amongst themselves while waiting for an approaching enemy line. Jon Lin thought on the matter as they walked, finally coming to the only conclusion possible. He had to trust in Jarryn's abilities as a Marshall. "My friend, I know the difficulties you face here, as I know your worth. It would take quite a leader to organize the Korrhans into a viable fighting force. I believe you are such a leader." Jon Lin held up a hand as Jarryn was about to interrupt. "The Korrhans are most probably quite anxious to take vengeance upon the Dark One's forces. This would only add to their legendary viciousness. The Royal Army can re-equip them with weapons, and help in their provisioning. You have a regiment of Sanjentors here who you can enlist to help you train the Korrhans into a cohesive unit. In that, you will be turning a situation which had been hampering you into an advantage." Jon Lin saw the light dawning in Jarryn's eyes, and allowed the Marshall to ponder his words while they walked. ---je "Yes," Jarryn said thoughtfully, "if the people were to see the barbarians under the direct instruction from the Sanjentors, they would be far more likely to accept the concept of fighting beside the humans in battle." He looked up and smiled. "If this is done correctly the Dark One may be deprived of an advantage he may have counted on; hostility between the barbarians and ourselves. Yes, this should work well." They moved off the battlements and down into the city itself as they talked. There was much to be sorted out within the walls themselves such as weapon's storage, precautions against fires, food and water. The list seemed endless, and indeed it probably was. ---jg Jon Lin continued the discussion once they reached ground level. "My advice to you: Get the Korrhan clan chieftans together....those that are left, that is. Tell them you wish for them to fight at your side, as brothers. Tell them this is their best chance at revenge. Tell them they can keep their families safely here. It will give them something tangible to fight for. If some continue to dissent, allow them free passage out of the city. I fully agree with you that once trouble starts, you will *not* have the time to deal with such matters. I should think that at the end of such a meeting, you would have a fanatical force of shock troops at your disposal in the defense of the city." The two stopped and looked at the large gates of the city. They were open to allow another supply train into the city, this one bearing grain from Galadon. Dwarven engineers were busily at work reinforcing the gates with special lamenated beams. The dwarven engineer commander had boasted that it would be easier for the enemy to come through the walls themselves then break down the gates of this city, once they had finished reinforcing them. ---je "The barbarians shouldn't take too much to convince if we use that argument. They are a proud people, and I have noticed a certain amount of honour in them. They already seem bound by some custom of theirs to help us in some way for giving refuge to them. The gods alone know how this idea fits into their petty raids on us of previous years!" ---jg Jon Lin turned to Jarryn. "I must soon go back to the front to check the situation there. You will receive additional forces to help you defend Kil-Glenfol soon. Until then, is there anything else I can do for you....anything else you will need?" ---je Jarryn sighed. The High Marshall had been their all of a day and had already raised the hopes (and expectations) of the populace, but already he was leaving! He had no doubt that Jon Lin would survive anything he encountered out on the front and even had to resist the temptation to leave Glenfol in someone else's hands to follow his friend north, but all the same he would rather the two of them could stay and arrange the defences of the city together. Jon Lin had other responsibilities though, he knew, and it would be unfair to even request his continued presence here. "There is nothing that springs to mind, Jon Lin, but I will be sure to get in contact with you if something comes up. Perhaps you could give me details of what forces and resources you will be leaving with me before you go?=94 ---jg Jon Lin nodded, and turned to his aide-de-camp, Commander Shaleen Uial, and said, "Shaleen, did you bring that copy of the Glenfol T.O.& E. I asked for?" Commander Uial nodded, and handed the High-Marshall a folded piece of paper. Jon Lin opened it, scanned it momentarily, then passed it over to Jarryn. "So far, with your House troops, you have the 11th Sanjentor Regiment, under Commander Jalen Galadon - you should remember him. He was a lanceleader during the Second Karrantine War..." = It was good to have seasoned veterans holding the reins of command. "....the Mirdum, Kardim, and Rorik Companies of Dwarven Engineers, under the command of Captain Gorm, whom you recently met. I'm afraid that is it, until I can find more forces to send your way. You may have some Rangers up from the Marewood, though nothing is certain at this time. I hope they come. You can *really* use their wondrous longbows up on those walls." Jon Lin nodded towards the battlements they had just recently vacated. "...but I'm afraid they may yet be too worried about the Karrantine Empire seeing the upcoming war as a means to settle some old scores." ---je Jarryn knew a little of the defences Tynntangial had against the Karrantine Empire, but that was the extent of his knowledge; a little. He acknowledged this himself, but also knew that he was amongst the most informed of the city's ruling classes when it came to the history and defences of the rest of Tynntangial. He knew of the Treefrog Rangers, but he had no idea how effective or numerous they were. His initial reaction to the warning that they may not arrive was to mentally challenge their reasoning for not coming immediately to his aid. Which was more important? An invasion of the multitudes gathered by the Dark One or the fear of the human scum, already twice defeated relatively recently, from the south? But empathy overcame this feeling quite rapidly. He put himself their position. Which was the more palpable threat? That which lay on their doorstep of course, just as the Dark One's army was his. What Jon Lin had left him wasn't much, but Jarryn appreciated it nonetheless. "Whenever you feel you can spare the forces, Jarryn, I would very much appreciate it. I understand that it's a pretty tight situation at the moment for you, and I won't put any pressure on. I will ask this though: If, or more probably, and I hate to say this, 'when' your troops have to give way to the Dark One's armies, do you plan to be using at least some of them to bolster the defence of Kil- Glenfol?" ---jg Commander Uial leaned forward and whispered into Jon Lin's ear. "Ah, yes. Quite right, thank you Shaleen. Jarryn...now that you are once more a Marshall in the Royal Army, you know you must be assigned protection by a member of the Black Watch." ---je Jarryn rolled his eyes a little theatrically. "But surely..!" he started. ---jg Seeing his friend about to protest again, Jon Lin once again held up his hand, "Now, now, Marshall. At least you only have to put up with one. As High-Marshall, I must have a full Lance of them about me at all times." Jon Lin made a fake grimace. He looked about at the members of the Black Watch about him, found the one he wanted, and smiled. "Corporal Elessidel?" A tall, lithe woman wearing the black and silver mantle of the Black Watch stepped forward. "Yes, High-Marshall?" she said. ---je The look Jarryn gave her could only be described as an on-the-spot assessment. First impressions held the key to many relationships, both working and social. He was impressed with what he saw, but still resented being assigned a bodyguard. He had managed thus far without interference from the Black Watch within the city; they were last here when the Sylphannin family held the throne and had not been back since. Why should he require their presence now? Such were the concessions he had to make though, he knew. He kept his expression unreadable so as not to hurt the feelings of either party. Perhaps he could discuss this with the lady later. ---jg Jon Lin smiled. "Jarryn, I present to you Corporal Andriel Elessidel, your new bodyguard. Corporal Elessidel, your duty is now to the Marshall here. She is *very* good at her job Jarryn. Not much promise left for any who would wish you harm." Jon Lin could tell that Jarryn bristled at being assigned a bodyguard, and smiled inwardly. He would know her worth soon enough. ---je "I am honoured Corporal, High-Marshall," he said with a touch of sarcasm, inclining his head to each of them in turn. ---jg "Is there anything else...Jarryn, Shaleen?" Jon Lin turned to each in turn. Commander Uial shook her head no, but Jarryn spoke up again... ---je "Also, there are a number of the Glenfol house army, such as it is, and a few amongst the Inner Chamber that wish to help in the efforts on the front. Do you think you could accommodate them, or do you think it more wise for them to remain here?" ---jg "Any who wish to come to the front are welcome, though I should think you will need all the help you can get here. I leave that to you. = If some of your folk wish to do service at the front, I daresay we could use them." ---je "What you say is true, Jon Lin. We need as much help as we can here, but for the sake of the morale of the city we also need some of our own soldiers on the front. There are those that will only cause trouble if they are left to be restless when asked to be patient and wait for the battle to come to us. Besides, it would be something for their family and friends to be proud of instead of being left to feel helpless in the face of the advancing tide." ---jg Jon Lin had a hard look about him. The horses of his command staff and guard had been sent for, and were now being brought up. Jon Lin's aerial guard had already assumed positions, circling above on their griffons. The High-Marshall and his staff and guard remounted their horses, and Jon Lin moved his mount next to Jarryn. The two old friends watched the griffons soar above the city of Kil-Glenfol. "I could never be a member of the Heavy Legentors." Jon Lin remarked as one of the griffons did a roll in mid-air. "I tried to ride one of those once, and became deathly ill! I was sick all over a Sanjentor unit in the field." ---je The marshall's shoulders rocked in quiet laughter as he pictured the scene. "I've never tried it myself," he replied. ---jg Jon Lin shook his head free of the memory, and smiled at his old friend. He reached out and grasped his arm. "Until we meet again. I *will* send you reinforcements when they become available, Jarryn." Jon Lin promised. ---je "Whenever you feel you can spare them, my friend! I have to say that my confidence has been boosted considerably since you rode into the city. I hope the next time we meet things will be looking a little better." He didn't sincerely believe that they would, but appearing the optomist often had an uplifting affect on others. ---jg Jarryn walked next to Jon Lin to the main gate of the city walls. Jon Lin gave Jarryn a grave look. "Above all else, hold this city, Marshall. I do believe the fate of the Tynntangial rests here. Should Kil-Glenfol fall, so too will Daventry, and the rest of our cities shall fall in turn, until the elven people are nought else but a memory in this world." ---je The thought conjured an image too terrible to dwell on for Jarryn. Deserted wastelands stretching as far as the eye could see, and a collection of ruined buildings long ago battered to rubble by a harsh and bitter wind. Ruined buildings that had once been his city. He shuddered at the intensity of the vision, and merely nodded to the High Marshall. "It is my intention to defend this city to the best of my ability." ---jg Jarryn gave Jon Lin a final salute, which the High-Marshall smartly returned. "Take care, Jarryn...." he said, and spurred his mount forward, followed by his staff. The griffon-riders were already moving with him, down the road, where his party linked up with a regiment of Legentors moving northward. ---je "Good-bye, Jon lin! Until we meet again!" shouted the Protector cum Marshall over the sound of the hooves. He stood for a few moments staring after the man that had ridden into and out of his life again in the space of a day and yet made the whole situation somewhat easier to deal with. Turning around he found Corporal Andriel behind him. "And just what am I supposed to be doing with you?" he asked a little brusquely. It was beyond him why law required that he be assigned a bodyguard when one was obviously not needed. ---jg "Nothing at all, sir. It is now my job to protect you. While this may seem unnecessary at the present time, we have found many trusted people to be agents of the Dark One in the past and, with all due respect, sir, your assassination would demoralize this city enough that the Dark One's forces would meet little resistance when they arrived." ---pw He grudgingly admitted to himself that it was a wise precaution to take, certainly where the city was concerned, and began to think of those in the Inner Chamber that might have been subverted to the Dark One's employ. ---jg "All I require at the present time is quarters near you, a copy of your itinerary if possible, and transportation if it becomes necessary." Andriel ended her reply and stood waiting his response. Already her eyes were focusing on the people around him, however. There was far more to her mission than Jon-Lin had mentioned and Andriel had every intention of coming out of this assignment with good marks. ---pw "That sounds reasonable enough," conceded Jarryn. The look of discontent with the arrangement had still not left his face however. He summoned a nearby messenger boy (one of the many sons and daughters of soldiers who had been eager to get involved in the war effort in some way). The boy handed him some paper and a quill, and leaning briefly on the city wall he scribbled a message to the castle steward to get Andriel's accommodation arranged. As the boy left, he continued. "My itinerary is not exactly formalized, however. Beyond the council meeting each morning at the Great Hall in the citadel, all my appointments I merely note mentally and change as I see fit. I would imagine that planning them any more rigidly would be a little more dangerous, would it not? People would know where I was and when, and would have time to plan things." ---jg Andriel smiled momentarily as she focused on the Marshall. "Yes sir, that would indeed be dangerous." ---pw "My plans for the rest of the day thus far are firstly to attend a meeting of representatives of the local farmers; to discuss the acquisition of their food stuffs for the city's stocks and the arrangements for escorting the farmers to the relative safety of the city before battle arrives. After this I intend to meet with Captain Gorm to discuss some of the ideas he has regarding the dwarven engineers' efforts to protect the city..." He paused and looked towards the Corporal. "Is this of any use to you, or would you rather have it written down somewhere?" Jarryn was aware that he was perhaps being a little curt with the Corporal, and made an effort to be more civil. The situation still had him somewhat annoyed - he had better things to sort out than a bodyguard, and wanted to get on with them. ---jg "I have an excellent memory sir, thank you. If you would care to continue on your itinerary I will try not to inconvenience you in any way." Andriel's memory was near eidetic in recall but the marshall was already upset with her as it was. She fervently hoped the situation improved, otherwise she'd just made an already difficult task nearly impossible. ---pw Jarryn smiled a little more warmly. "Then I'll continue with the list. If there's anything you think may be unwise, just speak up. I'll try to keep you as informed as I can; makes both our jobs easier I suppose!" ---jg Andriel smiled. "After today I'll know your schedule as soon as you do. Thank you for taking this so well, Marshall Jarryn. I know it was a surprise to you. Perhaps you could consider me as a wall to bounce ideas off of?" ---pw After years working his way up in the Inner Chamber he felt it was unlikely that there was anything he couldn't deal with that Andriel could, but for the sake of Jon Lin, the law and above all a smooth relationship with the corporal he was determined to put up with it. Besides, Andriel's comment struck a welcome chord with him. His job had become an increasingly lonely one as others he would usually have spent time talking to and debating various issues with had found themselves buried under an increase in responsibility mirroring Jarryn's own. To have someone again that he could bounce ideas off would help, he had no doubt. And so he continued listing his itinerary as they made their way up toward the citadel in time to grab a bit of lunch. His activities with Jon Lin had forced him to miss the morning's council session, so he had the minutes of that to read up on after his meeting with the leader of the dwarfs. He detailed his intentions to get barbarian training plans set up with Commander Jalen Galadon in the evening. That pretty much wrapped up his itinerary for the day; three meetings and the reading of the minutes of another was guaranteed to fill the day up. ---jg As they walked Andriel listened, taking everything in for later reflection. That Marshall Jarryn had much to do in little time was obvious, but everything seemed to be progressing steadily. Barring the whims of nature or surprises from the Dark One the city should be ready in time. What happened then perhaps only Jon Lin knew. "Pardon my ignorance of your plans Marshall Jarryn, but I have heard of cities under seige that for days beforehand filled barrels of water and placed them strategically to use in firefighting, and also in case the enemy found and poisoned the aquifer. I have also heard of cities where ditches were dug that sappers could be detected sooner, and where the leaves were stripped from the surrounding trees to feed the animals, saving the grain for the inhabitants. These are obvious things though. My apologies." ---pw Jarryn smiled. "Yes, they're obvious, and sometimes the obvious things need pointing out in case they are forgotten about when one is concentrating on details. In this case, though, you need have no fear; preperations for the water and grain were initiated several days ago. It would have been more useful to have known earlier, but it is not the way of an approaching enemy to make things easy by sending messengers out to tell us he is coming. No, the first we knew was when these human barbarians arrived at our gates," he said, gesturing with his hand at the few that could be seen wandering in groups around the city talking in their primitive tongue. "There is an interesting problem with the water situation. We are not overly troubled for water usually, as there are several forest streams that have been diverted to run into the city. We have no major river nearby, but the streams serve our purpose. Now, I have had a proposal forwarded to me from Captain Gorm that we install water cannons on the walls to repel any attack. This is obviously going to use up a lot of water, but this could be taken from the streams, and it wouldn't matter if they were contaminated in that case. The problem comes when the water *isn't* contaminated; we will have wasted our time making large pumps and water cannons when the water could be put to far better uses. Believe me, if they contaminate that water, we will only have a week=92s worth in barrels at the most for the entire city. Bear in mind some of the water will be used, as you said, for dousing fires and the like. What do I tell the captain?" ---jg "If the city is put under seige as the High Marshall assumes will happen, the forces of the Dark One will almost certainly dam the streams and either attempt to flood out the city, use the force of the water to cut away the soil on which the city walls stand, or divert it away from the city. The Captain's idea is a good one though, highly creative. Pity you have no moat. The water could be used, return naturally to the moat by gravity, and be pumped out again to the cannons." ---pw Jarryn sighed and nodded his agreement. ---jg Andriel chewed absently on her lower lip as she thought. "Have you any mages here? If the water cannons are feasible only one need be made. A mage can duplicate it. Even if only one cannon is used briefly a mage can create an illusion of many of them, using the reality of the one to base his illusion on. Then...." Andriel grinned happily, "... when the ground is puddled with water from the real cannon, have a mage cast a lightning bolt into it or transform it into poisonous vapor if the wind is blowing the right way." ---pw The marshall's lit up with a smile. There were obviously some good ideas to come from his newly-appointed bodyguard. Perhaps he could even forget about the fact that she was from the Black Watch and assigned as a bodyguard when he didn't need one. ---jg Her smile faded quickly though. "Ice. Pure ice stored in underground cold rooms to keep the blocks from melting before they are needed. No barrels required." ---pw "That sounds like a good idea - but would we be able to cart the ice into the city from the mountains in time? There is precious little left down here with spring approaching fast." ---jg "If a room was used as a reservoir a mage should be able to freeze it for you quickly enough. Or a priest. If nothing else the water can be piped into the cellars and simply left there. I'd be surprised if the cellars here were not waterproofed this close to the water table." "So many unknowns to plan for.... But you think the city might run out of water before troops? What else will we lack in short order?" ---pw "Assuming that we manage to extend our water supply for long enough, the next problem will undoubtedly be food. Even once we have gathered all the food from the nearby farmers and safely stored it within the city, it will not be any more than a couple of weeks of normal eating habits before we start feeling the pinch. I have set the ball rolling on rationing plans, but even that will gain us at the most another week. I have no idea what kind of time scale this siege will be over; we have no information here at the moment of the scale of the forces arrayed against us and how long we should even expect the city to stand, or when we can expect enough forces from the rest of Tynntangial to focus the attention away from the siege. "One of the plans is to try and rear livestock within the city itself. We have a fair number of open green grass areas and a small amount of parkland for recreation." He paused momentarily as he remembered the afternoon not so long ago that he had spent walking with Fen in that very parkland. "That will have to be turned over to food production." He sighed. "Still, I rather think the whole situation will be resolved one way or the other before food becomes a problem." ---jg "Yes." As they walked, Andriel continued to study the city and its people. Elves, dwarves and barbarians, a few of the other races scattered here and there. They surely knew what was coming, it was surprising so many had chosen to stay. Heartening as well. Her own motivations might be less personal but in the core of her being she believed in the oath she had sworn to the Black Watch and Tynntangial as a whole. Tynntangial had defeated the Enemy before and would again now, and Kil-Glenfol would survive as well if she could help it. Somewhere her falcons were completing a perimeter sweep of the area for her; like the city=92s defenses that information too was filed away for later. Something nagged at the back of her mind after the birds finished reporting, but for now Andriel let it go and listened to the Marshall. ---pw Their walk had taken them to the governmental offices in the citadel, and Jarryn momentarily broke off the conversation to have a quick word with his personal clerk to gather the minutes for the meeting that morning and find out the whereabouts of Andriel's quarters. This done, he took a quick diversion through to the kitchens. "If you want anything to eat, just grab it here. We are a little late for the regular lunch, and besides, that farmer's meeting is within the hour and I have yet to show you to your quarters. I presume you would rather I didn't send you off with one of the palace staff?" ---jg "Thank you, but no. I ate earlier and should stay with you. Please, tend to your business and don=92t concern yourself with me." ---pw It was at this point that the marshall noticed she was not carrying the standard issue army bag. Why should she? He reasoned. The Black Watch wouldn't be a very effective elite unit if they were forced to carry belongings tediously from one assignment to another. What this did mean was that he didn't have much reason to show her her quaters as yet; she had nothing to deposit there and would be with him all day until the work was finished with and they returned to the palace that evening anyway. ---jg She did stop long enough to pocket a half loaf of bread and a hunk of cheese in a fold of her cloak. The bulge flattened out as she smoothed the silver edged cloth down again over the dimensional pocket. The Black Watch traveled light as a rule, but even the smallest of packs could interfere with combat efficiency, hence the pockets. Besides, Endriel suspected that the Marshall missed more meals than he made. An admirable man the Marshall, even if he had the Inner Chamber viewpoint on things. ---pw =93So *that's* how they carry essentials,=94 the marshall thought to= himself. The Inner Chamber had for many years simply been using small backpacks to carry food and water, other essentials and the odd mission- dependent detail (such as weapon black). He made a mental note to quiz the palace's mages about the availability of these 'pockets'. From the kitchens they instead made their way to the council chamber, an amphitheatre built at the back of the citadel. The attendance at council meetings here fluctuated greatly depending on the subject matter on the agenda and the various other pressing duties of the council members. This afternoon, however, it had been given over to a relatively small and yet still somewhat rowdy group of farmers from some of the outlying villages. To be more accurate, they were the elected representatives of the villages or of groups of the more isolated farms. As the meeting progressed and opinions were put forward, it was clear that some of the farmers and villagers were prepared to be more reasonable than others. One proposal by one of the generals in the former house army met with extreme opposition. It was put to the assemblage that any consumables or even anything useful at all that was in the reach of the Enemy and had not been brought inside the city itself should instead be destroyed so that the enemy could not make use of it. Jarryn had made certain that the proposal was not put forward by himself. He needed to appear the impartial mediator of arguments in order to gain the trust of both sides. Unfortunately in this case the proposal was not so much a suggestion as a way to inform the farmers of their intentions in as reasonable a way as possible. The debate raged for hours - a good deal longer than Jarryn had been counting on. Eventually the farmers left grumbling and dejectedly. = Some had been given jobs within the city rearing the new livestock that was just around the corner in spring. Stocks were low after the relatively harsh winter, but others were given temporary jobs with the army or moving what produce they had left into the city. The rest were told that they had a choice: They could come to aid the city or take their families to the safety of the hills or another city. Many opted for the latter. When they finally left the meeting, Jarryn already looked fairly haggard and it was only just past mid-afternoon. He blamed it on the late night imposed upon him by the temporary stay of Jon Lin. So it was with a weary look in his eyes that the marshall, accompanied as ever by his new bodyguard, appeared about an hour late to his meeting with Captain Gorm. It took a short while to actually locate the dwarf still helping supervise the bolstering of the city gates. The two elves made their way up onto the battlements from which some of the work was being done and made their way through the industrious dwarves towards the Captain. "Good afternoon Captain Gorm!" called Jarryn over the general noise. "I beg forgiveness for turning up late to our first meeting. Would you care to join us in the gatehouse so we can talk in a little more peace?" He flashed a smile at the captain as he indicated the noise and commotion going on around him. He certainly wasn't used to working with dwarves, having had little contact with them before, but he was determined to start off on a good footing. ---jg Captain Ithrag Gorm was as dwarven as anyone could be...which meant he didn't appreciate tardiness. He looked up at the approaching Marshall, and cast a disapproving glare over him and the one accompanying him, all the while stroking his long, fiery-red beard with the stubby fingers of his right hand. "I'm sure the Dark One will be equally as forgiving if you happen to be an hour late manning the defenses my dwarves and I have worked so hard on for you," he said with a sneer. Jarryn was taken slightly aback by this rather abrupt put-off, but it was then that he noticed a large beam swinging around and heading right for the back of Captain Gorm's head. There was no sound, and Jarryn had already opened his mouth to warn the Captain, when the dwarf suddenly went flat on his stomach. The beam passed harmlessly over the dwarf. As soon as it had gone by, barely missing Jarryn and Andriel in the process, Captain Gorm was again on his feet and shouting at his workers. "LUMOK! You lummock, watch what you're doing!" ---m Marshall Jarryn had stepped back an instant before Andriel had moved to push him back. It brought a little comfort to Jarryn that he had, at least on this occassion, not been in need of his bodyguard. However, he didn't have time to dwell on this as he saw the smouldering expression on Andriel's face as she looked over at the brash dwarf. "Andriel," he said quietly as he rested a restraining hand upon her shoulder, "I need to be on good terms with the Captain. If he puts me in any real danger then do what you feel is necessary, but large beams of wood that I can see a mile off... well, I think I can deal with it." ---jg "Yes, of course. My apologies sir." Andriel released the grip she had taken on her halberd and relaxed once more, but it wasn't easy. ---pw "I was, sir!=94 came a reply to Captain Gorm. =93Watched that beam right into the back of your head, if you hadn't ducked!" A hail of derisive laughter arose from the other dwarves, but Gorm was not amused. = "Lumok! You get back to work now! You're on report! Any more shenanigans and you'll ALL be on report!" There was much moaning and groaning, but the captain had gotten his way. Turning back to Jarryn, he answered his original question. "Sir, we can't use the gatehouse right now. It's being fortified. My engineers found a number of structural weaknesses that the Dark Army could exploit in the coming attack. We should have it finished by the end of the day, but can I suggest an alternate place to meet?" Jarryn nodded. Gorm led them off the battlements and across the ground of the outer courtyard in front of the massive gate that his dwarvers were working on. Already two huge beams of timber were in place, braced against the doors of the gate and stretching a full hundred feet back. They were anchored in the ground itself, with several large boulders providing the "immovable object" to hold the doors firmly closed. Closer to the wall itself, a tangle of ropes, chains, cams, and levers seemed to hide the front gate itself. Seeing where Jarryn and Andirel were gazing, Captain Gorm replied, "It's a rather ingenious mechanism, if I do say so myself. If anyone attempts to open the door by force, their own force will be redirected and applied to closing the door. They will be pushing against themselves! As I've said before, when we're done, it'll be easier to come through the wall than through the main gate." Finally leading the two to the ground floor of a guard tower well away from the work area, Gorm beckoned them enter. A small table with four chairs greeted them, with a spiral staircase to the upper levels in the back. Gorm and Jarryn sat down,---m but Andriel crept up the stairs and glanced at the lone guard on duty. She then returned to stand unobtrusively where she could see both entrances. ---pw Captain Gorm asked, "Now, what did you need? I have much work to do, you realize. I don't have a lot of time to sit and *chat* like you elves seem to enjoy doing all the time. Let's be quick." ---m "Briefly Captain, as I know that for *both* of us the resource of time is not something we can waste, I have come to talk about your plans for the defenses of the city and what you need to help you in your work." He felt it was politic for him to start by offering his services. "I've heard about these plans for 'water cannons', and how you might need the services of some of our magic-users here in the city. = How many of these cannon do you intend to erect? And how much water will they need?" ---jg Captain Gorm murmured something unintelligible. He had never trusted mages. Never liked them, either. And that no-good cousin of his...well, better to keep his mind on the tasks at hand. =93Marshall Jarryn, not meaning any disrespect, but dwarves and magic don=92t mix. M= y fellow dwarves and I are quite capable of building the pumps needed to power the cannons. As for how many, we will erect a complete cannon and pump assembly as quickly as possible. We should have quite a battery built by the time the city comes under siege. And as long as we have a constant water supply, we should be able to recharge the cannon indefinitely...*if* we have a constant water supply. Perhaps your magic-users can work on insuring *that!!*=94 ---m Once the captain had explained, Jarryn went on: "What other ideas do you have? I would be pleased to offer you the services of those able-bodied within the city not drafted into the army. There are many that arrive daily from outlying villages who do not wish to make the long journey to Kil-Morial. They could be put to good use in your services if you would have them." He sat back easily in his chair and listened to Ithrag's response. ---jg Again Gorm grumbled. "Thank you, sir, but no." His politeness was obviously forced. "I am afraid that anyone other than dwarves would do little more than get in our way. Please, make sure that no one disturbs me and my men, and I will ensure that the defenses are ready when the Dark Army arrives." ---m An alarm was called down from the watchtowers along the city walls: = Another force of elves were approaching Kil-Glenfol. Though there were many wagons filled with foodstuffs from both Galadon and Elessidell waiting in line to enter the great main gate, this column of elven soldiery brusquely made their way to the front of the line and entered the city. They were obviously *not* in the uniform of the Royal Army, but instead wore the white and gold uniforms of the household troops of House Daven. ---je Marshall Jarryn and Captain Gorm's meeting was brought to a slightly premature end as the alarm calls were heard from the walls above. The two of them paused in their conversation to listen carefully. "Please excuse me, Captain," said the Marshall with a bow of his head, "it would appear that we have company!" So saying he exitted the room briskly via the spiral steps taking them two at a time and not even waiting for Andriel to follow. Once on the battlements he grabbed the attention of the soldier on watch in this tower. "Corporal, what's all the fuss about?" The elf snapped to attention with a smart salute - an unnecessary bow to formal procedure in Jarryn's book. "House Daven have sent a contingent of soldiers to the city, sir!" came the prompt reply. Jarryn winced as he noticed the corporal deliberately avoided eye contact. Still, it was probably good for maintaining respect and discipline in the ranks. He turned and started a brief jog across the battlements and reached the gate in time to see the first of the soldiers force their way in past the food convoys, and totally unannounced. "The cheek" mumbled Jarryn. Still, they were presumably here to help. Jarryn turned around to see Andriel and Captain Gorm had caught up with him. "Let us go to greet our new guests," he suggested. "You're quite welcome to join me if you like, Captain." ---jg The leader of the column held up his hand, and the column halted. He nodded to elves who bore large trumpets, who proceeded to blare a call. When most of the folk who had been milling about the square turned their attention to the newly arrived column, the leader beamed a smile, and announced, "I bring greetings and salutations from Ardentielvo, Lordholder Daven! House Daven has heard of the plight of it's great friend here in the west, and has sent assistance!" He held out some parchment with elvish script and a seal upon it. "By order of Lordholder Daven, I hereby take command of the defenses of the city of Kil-Glenfol, our close friends to the west. I am Nayestair Daven, Marshall of House Daven, and newly appointed Protector of this city!" ---je There had been little warning of the force's arrival, and Colonel Sellentine Daven had done all she could to prepare a welcoming committee in the absence of Marshall Jarryn's instructions. She, like him, had expected this to be a force supporting the current arrangements for the city's defence, not a take over bid. The text book speech she had prepared was suddenly entirely inappropriate, and the Colonel was at a temporary loss for words. The work of a military organisation, part of her mind reflected, should not have to include that of politics. The Inner Chamber was just not suited to it. After a short silence in the crowd (that would inevitably otherwise have been suddenly filled with intense conversation about the meaning of all this), the Colonel rode forward. Of the senior authorities left in the Palace when the warning came in, she had been deemed the most suitable to meet the new force. Her lineage was of House Daven; her ancestors had come over to Kil-Glenfol after the plague to help repopulate the city in the years that followed. Unlike many of the families that arrived, those of House Daven had steadfastly refused to change their name, even slightly, as had been the trend once new families were set up here. "Greetings, *Marshall* Nayestair" she started, with a grim expression, speaking only once close enough to the other elf that others in the square could not quite hear what was being said. "Before we go on any further, would you mind clarifying one point for me? On whose *authority* are you proposing to take over the defences of our city?" Her expression was like ice, something Jarryn, who had just arrived at the square, had not seen for quite some time. He recalled with a shudder the last time Sellentine had been quite so angry and wondered what it was that had wound her up so. He rode around the back of the crowd and up to one of the Sangentors that had accompanied the Colonel to greet their visitors. After ascertaining the situation he decided not to make his presence known as yet - his attire was not at all indicative of his rank at the moment, and these Daven troops were unlikely to recognise him by face. He examined the uniforms of those newly arrived. They were not of the Royal Army and bore no standard to even claim affiliation with it. He sighed. If the Dark One's army was to be kept at bay, he needed to deal with the Elven armies first. At least with the Dark One you knew which side he was on. ---jg Nayestair looked over the elven woman who addressed him. "Geetings, Colonel. It has been too long since I have had your company. = You are looking quite beautiful, as always. To answer you question, I am here by the authority of Lordholder Daven. As Kil-Glenfol *has* no current Lordholder, House Daven has graciously and magnanomously decided to see to the defense of the city, this of course due to the great amity between the cities of Kil-Glenfol and Davendell. Now, then...if you are in command here, Colonel Daven, then I suggest we go somewhere more....private....where you can brief me on the current situation here." The leering smile and the look the Marshall gave her was quite indicative to Sellentine that the Marshall would like more than just a 'briefing'. ---je The colonel replied with a scowl on her face. "As you wish, Marshall." She motioned to one of the soldiers in the guard she had put together to greet the Davendell troops, but never took her eyes off the marshall's. "This man will show your troops to some accommodation - the best we could do in the time we had available." The accommodation had been arranged before they knew of the newcomers intentions, yet still it was cramped and fragmented. Although many elves had left the city, many more had stayed. Together with the influx of dwarves, barbarians, Royal troops, food and water storage, and weapon stashes there was very little room left in the city. "Meanwhile," continued Sellentine, "if you'd like to follow me, we'll have some 'discussion'." The ensuing smile was sickly sweet. She lead Marshall Nayestair Daven through the city and up towards the citadel. The journey took the better part of half an hour from the southern gates and Sellentine did not say a word for the entire length of it. Inside she was furious. It must have been coincidence that she had been the one upon whom the responsibility of meeting the Davens had fallen. Surely Nayestair had not been informed from the inside the movements of the Inner Chamber within their own citadel? She found herself able to believe anything about them now. For years she had worked subtly and dilligently at gaining the rank she had, and now Nayestair thought he could walk in and claim the lot with a bold and blunt statement and a few soldiers. He made her sick. But then, he always had. However, he out-ranked her and there was little she could do about that. The two of them, escorted by four Legentors of the Kil-Glenfol house army, entered the citadel and made their way to the palace to which only Sellentine of the six of them officially had access, being a member of the Inner Chamber. Their escorts stopped uncertainly outside the gates that gave entrance to the palace grounds, waiting for orders from the colonel. None were forthcoming. Once they were alone and some way down the path towards the main palace building, Sellentine broke off into some thick trees to the left saying simply: "Follow me." The route she took through the trees lead to a clearing in which lay two large logs. Tethering her horse to one of the trees, she sat down on one and motioned Nayestair to sit on the other. ---jg Nayestair smiled at Sellentine's gesture to the vacant log. He instead walked straight towards her and sat astride the log she was occupying, shifting close until his knee touched her thigh. Sellentine gave him a look that could have meant almost anything, and the Marshall broadened his smile in return. ---je "The walls have ears in the palace," she said by way of explanation. "We have little time out here before we are doubtless joined by inquisitive witnesses to our arrival, so I'll make this brief. = In short, Marshall, what is going on? I was told nothing of this at all. I could perhaps understand if this had been merely a move to make House Daven more popular in the people's eyes, but an outright take over bid?!" ---jg Nayestair gave a flamboyant wave of his hand. "Bold times call for bold actions, my dear! But I would not precisely call this a 'take over bid'. Our house has vested interest in Kil-Glenfol. There are many years of friendship between House Daven and Glenfol. Is it a wonder to you that Lordholder Daven should come to the aid of this city in its time of need? I daresay the thrice cursed Elessidels will not be sending any troops to help defend this city." ---je It was no wonder to Sellentine at all. This brash brother of the head of their family had forever been aggressively striving to wreak his own form of vengeance on the Elessidels. With good reason, she admitted to herself, but in entirely the wrong way. ---jg Nayestair stood and began to pace. He had reached a subject that he and his brother, Lordholder Ardentielvo Daven, were quite familiar with. "Our 'great' Highlord, Eventyne Elessidel sits upon the throne which *our* House built. He continues to raise the Elessidels, the scions of wanderer elves, well above their true station. He forgets his other bloodline, and forsakes the heritage of House Daven. If our defense of this city helps, in any way, to right the grievous insult wrought a millenia ago by the thrice-damned Black Prince...." Nayestair glowed red with a fury, and his fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles were white. Remembering he was in a foreign city, and not reinforcing his brother's own thoughts on House Elessidel, he quickly recomposed himself. ---je The colonel of the Inner Chamber sat and listened, silent and outwardly cool, waiting for his tirade to end. ---jg He *had* to learn to control his emotions when it came to the Elessidels. His brother was a master at masking his feelings, which was what made the Lordholder Daven so effective, and so dangerous, at court. Nayestair moved and sat upon the log Sellentine had earlier offered. "It is of great import to our House that Kil-Glenfol does not fall. With *myself* at command of its defense. I have brought a whole squad of our new 'diplomatic' corp with me. When they are through with the people of this city, I will be like unto a god to them. A true hero out of the annals of time. The people will be so greatful for their salvation, that when it comes time for the Inner Chamber to appoint a new Lordholder, there will be no other choice but one Nayestair Daven. Then, with *two* firm seats at Conclave...." Nayestair grinned quite genuinely as he looked into the future. A future with House Daven once again firmly sitting upon the Highlord's throne. ---je Sellentine sighed. It was obvious the marshall understood little of the delicate situation here at Kil-Glenfol. "Sir, the Inner Chamber is not an organization set up to appoint a new Lordholder unless that Lordholder is of one particular family; the Sylphannin. There is no chance that they will willingly let you take the throne here, before or after the siege," =93...if there's anything left of the city at this rate,=94 she added silently, "and roughly the same chance they will sit back and let you take control of the preperations when they are going so efficiently at the moment. "We are receiving foodstuffs from the Elessidel and Galadon - delayed at the gate currently while your soldiers are taken care of. Do you think the Elessidel's will willingly continue their aid should House Daven take over the running the city? I personally doubt it, and that would not go any way to making you look popular in the people's eyes. This city is not a family united any more. The Glenfol family has dwindled considerably since the plague, to be replaced by as large a mix of other families as you could imagine. They have been through more Lordholders in the last two generations than most cities have rulers recorded in their history books. They've had enough of new leaders, revolutionary ideas, take-over bids, whatever you want to call it. They want to get back to the stability of their last hereditary leaders. It's about the only thing they mostly agree on." She shifted her seating position on the log. The location was private, but it wasn't comfortable. "I thought we had this sorted out years ago" she said, thinking back to when Ardentielvo had contacted her personally about the plans for taking the city from the inside. "I have worked my way up the ranks, I have gained many Daven=92s positions of authority in the Inner Chamber. I haven't aroused any suspicions," that she knew of. "I have done my job! And this move is about to ruin those plans. "When the Chamber finds a member of the Sylphannin, the likely state of affairs will be that the people of the city will find his or her rulership no better than those that went before. *Then* may well be the time to strike, not now. By then the Inner Chamber should be well and truly riddled with our operatives; elves who were seen to be trustworthy and reliable in this, our time of crisis, and the judgement of whom will be respected when it comes to supporting a Daven bid for the throne." It was time to conclude her impromptu speech. ---jg Nayestair listened to Sellentine's words, and an anger grew within him. What was she saying?! ---je "If you go ahead with this now, there is a great chance that the people will build up an enmity towards you that you will not even know about until too late. They are *not* going to accept your sudden leadership challenge as benevolent, no matter how many reasons you can find to justify this to yourself. Sir." The last bow to formality was almost an afterthought. She was arguing for almost her life's work, always having thought House Daven to be the subtlest of the bidders for the throne until now. ---jg Nayestair shot to his feet and moved to stand in front of Sellentine. "What *I* think, my dear Colonel, is that *you* have been away from the Lordholder's court for far too long. You have lost touch with the ideals of our House. You caution me to wait, when this is the *perfect* opportunity?! Out of chaos, House Daven brings order. Even should the Inner Chamber find the lost scion of the Sylphannins, do you think they will go against the wishes of the very people of this city? And the people *will* wish against it, my dear. When my folk are through with them, I daresay they will wish to rename this city Kil- Daven, and forget the Glenfols....*or* the Syphannins, ever existed!" ---je Sellentine fought to control the anger that was once again brewing up inside her. How could the man be so short sighted? The time of chaos? Where he was getting his information about the opinions of the people here was beyond her understanding, but accurate was something it was not! ---jg Nayestair brought his fingers up to his mouth and pursed his lips. "But, I do see some validity in your words, Sellentine. Perhaps it would be best for all involved if we were to insure *no* Sylphannins were to be found. Yes, I think that would be for the best...." ---je She cooled a bit. Here was something they could possibly both agree upon. ---jg Nayestair looked back down at Sellentine. She had been seduced by life away from Davendell, that was certain. He would have to watch her carefully. "As for the Inner Chamber, if they should decide to stand in the way once the people cry out for Daven leadership....well....that will be their own misfortune. Wouldn't you say, my dear Sellentine?" ---je "Oh, indeed, Marshall, indeed. But consider the fact that sympathetic Davens make up a large proportion of the Inner Chamber's forces, and they are in all the key positions too. Any resitance will be... short-lived shall we say." A cold smile played on her face. She decided to leave the argument of just *when* the people would cry out for Daven leadership until later. Better that they stick to a subject they were both agreed on. ---jg Ah, Commander Sellentine began to look like the woman he knew back when. Her eyes, her hair, her...hmmmmmm.......... ---je She stood and walked the peripherary of the clearing as she spoke. "There have been moves to make sure that the Inner Chamber doesn't have the oppurtunity to bring back any descendent of the Sylphannin. We are quietly backing a project of the Glenfol family's to find and eliminate any Sylphannin before the Chamber finds them. If you have any further suggestions on the matter, I'd be pleased to hear them." She sat back down again on her log, satisfied there wasn't anyone attempting to hide in the trees. ---jg Nayestair watched Sellentine walk about the garden with lecherous eyes. It was so *hard* for an elf of his =93persuasion=94 to be away fro= m court for very long. The ladies back home were...well, generous, when it came to the brother of Lordholder Daven. ---je Commander Sellentine abjectly ignored the looks that Nayestair was giving her. If he wanted 'amusement' he could either find someone else or wait until he got back to Davendell. There was much to be done here and no room for distractions, in her opinion. ---jg "Perhaps we should have some of our own people look into the matter as well. If we had some of our loyal House troops at each of the portals....." ---je The Commander smiled. "An excellent idea, sir. I will let you know of any plans that fall into my hands on the issue." ---jg Nayestair began to turn his thoughts away from Sellentine's body, and back to the matter at hand. "Also, get me the names of those members of the Inner Chamber that you feel would not be friendly to our cause. I'll have our diplomatic corp start working on them immediately. = If they cannot change their minds, well, we'll have to find 'other' methods then, won't we?" Nayestair began to laugh. A hard, bitter laugh. ---je Sellentine's responding smile had no warmth in it. "I will provide you with a list of the names, sir. Some of these people are working colleagues though - I would rather 'other' methods were used as a last resort." ---jg Nayestair smiled. "But of *course*, Commander....our diplomatic corp will be given the list. The assassin's guilds will be used *only* when said 'diplomacy' fails...." ---je Commander Daven scowled slightly and then continued. "Marshall Daven, we are running out of time here. Marshall Jarryn will doubtless have been briefed on matters by now, and will be looking for us. There were too many witnesses to our arrival on the palace grounds, so it won't take him long to find us. We need to reach some agreement about your claim to being the new protector. I have to make it look like I'm still loyal to the Inner Chamber and have been spending this time convincing you to withdraw the proclamation,=94 which was what she had indeed been doing, for a different reason. ---jg Nayesair arched one of his brows. "*New* protector? I am the *only* protector if these westerners wish the might of House Daven at their defense. Mark you, Commander....the defense of Kil-Glenfol, with *my* hands holding the reins, is central to Lordholder Ardentielvo's plans for the future!" ---je Sellentine paused this time instead of jumping in. They'd been through it all once. Now was the time for his decision. ---jg Nayestair paused, keeping his rage in check this time. He thought for a moment, evident by his habit of bringing his index fingers up to his pursed lips. "However, I will submit to your way of thinking for the moment, Commander Sellentine. I will tell you that I fear for the health of this 'Marshall Jarryn'. Oft-times I am gifted with this ability to look into the future, and I see a sad fate for him indeed!" he said with mock pity. He stood and straightened his uniform. "So take me to this Marshall of yours. Obviously I was misinformed as to the missing leadership structure within the city, and misspoke my intentions upon arrival. I *will*, of course, be seeing you this evening in my chambers for futher.....'discussions' on these matters?" he finished with a leering grin. ---je Commander Torial Jentries wiped away the sweat which was stinging his eyes. There was snow on the ground, yet he and his men were sweating profusely. They were the Sixth Legentor Regiment, fighting a delaying action against the front lines of the Dark Army, in the southernmost part of the Wastelands of Korrh. They were a regiment in name only...now less than a troop in size. They had slain ten times their number of orcs, trolls and men, yet the Dark Army came on, absorbing the losses incurred as if they were meaningless. They had escaped their last mission within a hair=92s breadth of death. A probing company of orcs had been rumaging around in an abandoned Korrhan village, where they were spotted by scouts of the Sixth. The Sixth came charging through the village, slaying half the orc company without losing a single trooper. In foolishly pursuing the fleeing orcs, they were soon led straight into an ambush of awaiting HumBok Ogres - a company sized unit of the Dark Army's most efficient shock troops. The Legentors succesfully broke their way out of the ambush only because of the the strength and speed of their faithful mounts. A third of Torial's remaining troops had been slain at the ambush site. Torial knew that the effectiveness of the Sixth was degraded near to the point of no return. He would have to get his troopers back into Tynntangial soon, for rest and reinforcement. They had been in action against the Dark Army for three straight weeks, always on their own, always doing what they could to slow the coming juggernaut. Torial looked at the approach of his single remaining officer - Lanceleader Elessaund Elessidel. She stopped in front of her commander and reported. "The men and horses have rested a bit, sir. Shall I have the troops mount up?" Torial looked at his subordinate for a few moments while he pondered on his next move. She was extremely beautiful. The dark hair with the strands of gold....a family trademark of the Elessidel clan. And those blue eyes....If not for the war... "Ahem....yes Lanceleader. Have them mount up. I feel we have done the best we can, but are no longer fit for the mission given us, so we will be disengaging and moving south as fast as we can move. I need a messenger dispatched to Marshall Devri immediately with this information. He will undoubtedly want to move another regiment into this area. But as of this moment, we are standing down. A look of relief came over the Lanceleader's face. The last couple of weeks had been hard on them all. She smiled and turned to relay the orders when she suddenly fell to the ground, clutching her throat. Torial was by her side in an instant, turning her over to see what had happened. As the beautiful young Lanceleader died in Torial's arms, an alarm was called out from the skirmishers. Darkguard had infiltrated their camp! Torial released Elessaund's body, and quickly mounted his horse. From atop his horse, he could see that indeed, Darkguard were within the camp, and were engaging his troopers on foot. He took his lance from out the hold at his horse's side, and spurred his mount into a gallop. He levelled his lance at a Darkguard who had just dispatched one of his men, when his horse exploded beneath him. Torial opened his eyes one last time to see a horde of orcs rushing over the ridge. He looked down and saw his legs were gone. Then he mercifully lost conciousness. ---je