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[Throne/Kil Glenfol] Compendium III January 1996
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The alarm was called down from the watchtowers along the city walls:
Anoth er 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
the ir way to the front of the line and entered the city.  They were
obviously *no t* in the uniform of the Royal Army, but instead wore the
white and gold unifo rms of the household troops of House Daven.
--Johny Enright

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 exited 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." --Josh Gallagher

The leader of the column held up his hand, and the column halted.  He
nodde d 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!  "
--Johny Enright

There had been little warning of the force's arrival, and Commander
Sellentine Daven had done all she could to prepare a welcoming committee
in the absence of Marshall Sandor'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 Commander 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 Commander 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.  --Josh Gallagher

Nayestair looked over the elven woman who addressed him.  "Greetings,
Commander.  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 magnanimously 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, Commander 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'.   --Johny Enright

The Commander 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 the 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.

"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?!"

                                  *

Jarryn watched with interest as Commander Daven moved off with Marshall
Daven.  He was almost tempted to leave her to it.  She had proved to be
an indespensible member of the Inner Chamber and was the head of several
currently active and successfully completed operations.  He was sure
she'd be able to deal with the situation.  However, it was a challenge
to his authority, and as such he could not leave it unanswered.

"Captain, I hope you will forgive this waste of your time.  I thought I
was inviting you to a welcoming of further allies in the task ahead, not
the beginnings of a domestic argument.  Please accept my apologies.  I
will be in contact with you soon so that we may continue our discussions
about the defences, but in the mean time I will leave you to get on with
the work you have.  Thank you for your time!" --Josh Gallagher

The captain grumbles some words in what sounded like dwarvish, scowling
at Jarryn and his bodyguard.  He then huffed off back to the work area
around the main gate;  he wanted to be sure the arrival of the Daven
troops hadn92t disrupted the work progress.  Heads would roll if it had,
and they wouldn92t all be dwarven heads.  --Michael Dew

Once he had helped initialise the transport of the troops to their new
quarters, Jarryn rode north through the city to follow the colonel.  
Andriel, as ever, was by his side.

"What an impression you must get of our organisation here, corporal!  We
let an invading force ride straight through our main gates and lay claim
to our city!" his countenance was grim, despite the half smile it wore.
"What do you think of House Daven's audacity?" --Josh Gallagher

Andriel looked sideways at the Marshall before she replied.  'What she
thought' was not something she could say about a superior officer to
another superior officer, even if she was not under their command and in
the case of the Daven, hopefully never would be.

"I think you have done very well organizing Kil-Glenfol in such a short
amount of time sir, and noone can blame you that the invader came
disguised as a friend." --Phaedra Whitlock

Jarryn's smile grew sly as he listened to Andriel try and answer the
question in the least disrespectful mannner to superior officers
possible.  He was fond of putting those of lower ranks in such difficult
situations, stemming mostly from his dislike of the formal procedures
the

rank system introduced.  The corporal continued:  --Josh Gallagher

"With respect sir, I feel that the troops from Davendell will alienate
the Korrhan barbarians and possibly a good many others before any of us
ever see the Dark Army." This was true, Marshall Sandor and she herself
were certainly feeling alienated, as were those unable to enter the city
until the troops had finished.  --Phaedra Whitlock

Jarryn nodded.  "Very true, very true." An idea was forming as she
spoke.  --Josh Gallagher

She looked for permission to continue and received it [or did not in
which

case ignore the rest].  "I think that Marshall Daven was sent as part of
a

political gambit by Lordholder Daven.  If he can claim to be the savior
of

Kil-Glenfol, if he can point to some flashy incident as his proof," she
tried not to throw up and mercifully succeeded, "then he will have
achieved a political point against the Highlord.  It is in their best
interest to save Kil-Glenfol, but only if they can take the credit away
from you sir.  If they cannot do that, they may decide it would be best
to

blame the loss of the city on you and through you on the High Marshall
and the HighLord." --Phaedra Whitlock

"Ah!  Only if the city were to fall, corporal." The look in his eyes
hardened to steel.  "I intend to do _everything_ in my power to make
sure

that does not happen, Davens or no Davens." --Josh Gallagher

"Yes sir," she gazed steadily at her charge for a few moments.  If the
Davens wanted to sabotage the defense of the city they could and there
would be little she or Jarryn could do to stop them.  --Phaedra Whitlock

"You were given a royal commission, signed by the Highlord and approved
by the Conclave, which of course includes Lord holder Daven.  That
should give you the authority to order the troops from Davendell as you
see fit sir." --Phaedra Whitlock

Andriel glanced around, more to avoid showing her pity for Marshall
Sandor than to watch for potential danger.  Politics was not her
specialty

and she did not feel comfortable dealing with it.  She knew and the
Marshall must also, that in truth his authority was limited by how much
of it he could enforce.  Hampered by other duties, that might be too
little

in the case of the Marshall from Davendell.

Unfortunately, the only real suggestion she had for the Marshall beside
her if asked was to send the Davens packing, or else keep them separated
from everyone else as much as possible.  If there were enough of them
her recommendation was to keep them hidden outside the city and then let
them

attack the Dark Army from surprise one night.  They would almost
certainly

all die, but if they could do enough damage they might be able to break
or weaken the seige before it ever started.  --Phaedra Whitlock

They both knew the key word in that sentence was 'should'.  House Daven
was more powerful in many respects than House Glenfol, and if they
decided to exert their will in military force there was little Jarryn
would be able to do.  --Josh Gallagher

"I realize there is no time now sir, but if I may speak to you later on
there are some things I would like to discuss that might help you to
deal

better with all these problems that keep arising." --Phaedra Whitlock

Jarryn was curious.  "We'll have to make time for that, corporal." He
looked at their surroundings to judge how far they were from the
citadel,

where he presumed Sellentine had taken Nayestair.  They still had a
couple of minutes ride yet, so he decided to run his idea past Andriel,
not yet knowing of her own ideas.

"I was wondering if there was a formal way in which to get in quick
contact with Jon Lin?  I'm not aware of the formal procedures for
contacting forces on the front;  I don't want any communications
intercepted by the enemy."

He continued.  "You see, I think if we could somehow arrange the
Royalisation of these Davendell troops together with a direct order to
the front lines from the High Marshall for them, we could get them
entirely out of our way and make sure the point House Daven wanted to
score is instead won by the Conclave.  All this would have to be done
very rapidly, but I'm sure I can rely on Commander Sellentine to stall
the

marshall for a short while." --Josh Gallagher

Andriel thought a moment and then recalled her falcons from their sweep.
The High Marshall had been gone for several hours and could be anywhere
north of them.

"Yes sir, there is a way to get a message out.  If you would care to
stop and write a message I can get it to the High Marshall.  It will
take a few

hours for it to arrive I'm afraid.  I dont know where he is exactly."
--Phaedra Whitlock

"That's better than by messenger, I'm sure.  I shouldn't imagine the
High

Marshall spared much time in getting back to the front this morning."
--Josh Gallagher

Gauging the angle of the sun Andriel thought that it might be possible
to get an answer by nightfall, but not much before then.

A flash of sunlight on gold as the nearer falcon winged in towards her,
Andriel tried not to grimace.  "Commander Sellantine is talking with
Marshall Daven in the citadel garden sir.  Would you rather see them
before or after sending the message?" --Phaedra Whitlock

Jarryn raised his eyebrows in surprise;  firstly for the fact that the
garden was being used for such an important meeting, and secondly that
Andriel should know this.  "Just how did you find that out, corporal?  I
would have thought such a meeting would take place inside the palace
itself." What _is_ Sellentine up to?  he added mentally.  His voice was,
perhaps understandably, not entirely free of suspicion for the validity
of this information.  --Josh Gallagher

As the falcon came into sight Andriel raised her arm for it to alight.
--Phaedra Whitlock

Jarryn watched with fascination as the bird slowed its decent with
powerful beats of its wings, finally touching down and gripping with
enough force for its sharp talons to draw blood.  He was glad she had
the guard on her forearm to protect her.  --Josh Gallagher

"My apologies sir, I have two trained falcons that I had sent out to
sweep the area.  When you asked for a secure messenger I recalled them.
They have excellent vision for hunting purposes, and the colors of House
Daven show up quite well against trees and grass.  Colonel Daven I
recognized from the gate."

Highly aware of Jarryn's suspicion Andriel didn't know what to do.
Everything she said seemed to be taken wrong by the Marshall and that
worried her.  "I wasn't spying on them sir, I was only trying to help
you,

and to get an idea of the area.  I've never been here before sir."

Belatedly Andriel added, "I'm certain Commander Daven has an excellent
reason for being in the garden." --Phaedra Whitlock





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.
--Josh Gallagher

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.  --Johny Enright

"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?!" --Josh
Gallagher

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." --Johny Enright

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 Ellesidels.  With good reason, she admitted to
herself, but in entirely the wrong way.  --Josh Gallagher

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
blood line, and forsakes the heritage of House Daven.  If our defense of
this cit y helps, in any way, to right the grievous insult wrought a
millenia ago by t he thrice-damned Black Prince...." Nayestair glowed
red with a fury, and his fists were clenched so tightly, his knuckles
were white.  Remembering he wa s in a foreign city, and not reinforcing
his brother's own thoughts on House Elessidel, he quickly recomposed
himself.

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.  --Johny
Enright

The Commander of the Inner Chamber sat and listened, silent and
outwardly

cool, waiting for his tirade to end.  --Josh Gallagher

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 a 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 sea ts 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.
--Johny Enright

Sellentine sighed.  It was obvious the marshall understood little of the
delicate situation here at Kil-Glenfol.

"Sir, the Inner Chamber is not an organisation 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," if there's anything left of the
city at this rate, 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 of 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 Davens 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 find 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.  --Josh Gallagher

Nayestair listened to Sellentine's words, and an anger grew within him.
What was she saying?!   --Johny Enright

"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.  --Josh Gallagher

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!" --Johny Enright

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!  --Josh Gallagher

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 foun d.  Yes, I think that would be for the best...." --Johny
Enright

She cooled a bit.  Here was something they could possibly both agree
upon.  --Josh Gallagher

Nayestair looked back down at Sellentine.  She had been seduced by life
awa y from Davendell, that was certain.  He would have to watch her
carefully.  "A s 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?"
--Johny Enright

"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.  --Josh Gallagher

Ah, Commander Sellentine began to look like the woman he knew back when.
Her eyes, her hair, her...hmmmmmm..........  --Johny Enright

She did stood and did a walk of the peripherary of the clearing as she
spoke.  "There have been moves to make sure that the Inner Chamber don'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 find 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.  --Josh Gallagher

Nayestair watched Sellentine walk about the garden with lecherous eyes.
It was so *hard* for an elf of his 'persuasion' to be away from court
for very long.  The ladies back home were...well, generous, when it came
to the brother of Lordholder Daven.  --Josh Gallagher

Commander Sellentine steadfastly ignored the looks that Nayestair was
givin g 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.  --Phaedra Whitlock

"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....." --Johny Enright

The Commander smiled.  "An excellent idea, sir.  I will let you know of
any plans that fall into my hands on the issue." --Josh Gallagher

Nayestair began to turn his thoughts away from Sellentine's body, and
back to the matter at hand.  "Also, get me the name's 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.
--Johny Enright

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." --Josh Gallagher

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...." --Josh Gallagher

Commander Daven scowled slightly and then continued.  --Josh Gallagher

"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" which was what she had
indeed been doing, for a different reason.  --Josh Gallagher

Nayestair 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!" --Johny Enright

Sellentine paused this time instead of jumping in.  They'd been through
it all once.  Now was the time for his decision.  --Josh Gallagher

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.  --Johny Enright



- - - Meanwhile - - -

Belatedly Andriel added, "I'm certain Colonel Daven has an excellent
reason for being in the garden."

The marshall, whose eyes hadn't really left the eagle, now looked
towards

his bodyguard.  "I'm sure she has too, but I'm certain you'll agree it
would be a good idea to keep a check on the situation.  I think we'll
head for the gardens directly." His mind was working overtime as his
mouth spoke words his brain had little hand in constructing.  The
thoughts about just how Andriel was communicating this information with
the eagles was forced to simmer on the backburner while he considered
the

information, which he doubted simply from Andriel's sincerity was
incorrect, about Sellentine.

What was the colonel doing in the garden?  It was certainly nothing to
do with the cold winter breeze.  There could be only one answer;  it was
the only place in the palace she could be certain would not be spied
upon.  How wrong she had been, although nothing to do with Jarryn!

The Inner Chamber was, as has been said, a military organisation.  It
had also been a highly secretive one, at least until it had taken over
the running of Kil-Glenfol after easily usurping the last Lordholder.
That had not been too long a time ago in the greater scheme of things,
nearly two years, and the element of secrecy was still highly prevalent
in the behaviour of most members of the 'chamber.  In training officers
were encouraged to keep an eye on each other, by whatever means, and
told to expect the same behaviour from other staff, senior and junior
alike.  Although it cost them some degree of efficiency, as implicit
trust of co-workers paved the way to more easily accomplished
assignments, it did ensure that infiltration by those that did not want
to see a member of the Sylphannin on the throne was kept to a minimum
and always weeded out early on.  This was, of course, not the case with
the Davens.

Although some magical means had been used to determine recruits'
sincerity in their vows to the cause, Kil-Glenfol's supply of magic
users was thin on the ground and those in the Inner Chamber were
somewhat thinly spread about the tasks they had.  Colonel Sellentine had
put forward a proposal for the timetabling of the checks;  the
'chamber's council had agreed with it and assigned the work of
implementing it to her.  She had made sure that the Daven's that were
tested were unaware of their former House's plans, and those that were
(the majority) were never tested by this means.

This process had gone along undetected by others simply because the
colonel had risen so high without attracting any suspicion and was thus
able to accomplish feats that would have gone under intense scrutiny in
earlier days.  Now the Inner Chamber were forced to be a more open
organisation there was little room for the former closed room approach
to their operations and the analysis of their collegues' intentions.
All this had worked well for Sellentine.

Jarryn, for his part, was only now beginning to think as he had been
taught to all those years ago after being recruited.  He was examining
actions in Sellentine's past, looking over them carefully to determine
whether they could have created any advantage for the Davens.  It wasn't
an obvious case by any means.  The operations initialised and run by her
did not point directly to any master plan, but neither did they show any
active work against the Davens.  In fact, the entire Daven family scene
had been the quietist of all the families gathered here in Kil-Glenfol.
Suspiciously so?  It was hard to tell.  --Josh Gallagher

These thoughts were still going around in his head as they passed
through

the gates to the citadel and on into the gardens.  The four Legentors
left there earlier were standing to attention as if guarding the gates -
an unnecessary detail as four of the Inner Chamber's own staff were
already posted there.  Jarryn turned his horse before going too far into
the garden and spoke with one of the Legentors.  "What is your
assignment?"

"We were assigned by Colonel Sellentine to escort her and Marshall
Nayestair from the square, sir!" he replied, keeping his eyes straight
ahead and unwittingly irritating Jarryn.

The marshall needed no more information.  He knew now why they waited
outside the gates.  He turned his horse about again and continued in
with Andriel.  "Corporal, would you mind telling me exactly how you knew
the bird could see the colonel and Marshall Nayestair?  And while we're
at it

- what's their hearing like?" --Josh Gallagher

While the Marshall came to his conclusions Andriel murmured a few words
to the falcon and tossed it into the air.  The bird took wing and
circled above them to gain altitude while Andriel hurried to catch up.

She stared at the guards knowing how she would feel in their position.
They didnt react so she followed Jarryn without hesitation.

"This morning I cast a seeing eyes spell on them.  With it I can see as
they do, to your left sir.  There is a spell for hearing I can use if
you need it.  I have a bond that lets me give them commands while in
flight but I cannot see or hear through it, only get a few emotions and
primal thoughts."

Andriel had no idea what was going on but followed doggedly, determined
to

win back the Marshall's approval.  He had said his Colonel could handle
everything and now he was hurrying to reach her, what did being in the
garden have to do with anything?  Obviously she would find out soon
enough.  --Phaedra Whitlock

"Well Corporal, if you can do it fast enough I'd very much appreciate it
if you would cast that spell." It was true that the the Marshall had
been slightly suspicious of Andriel's ability to spy upon his own
people,

but if it could be used to his advantage there was little harm in it.
--Josh Gallagher

"Uh, yes sir, if you'd wait a moment..." she stopped in her tracks and
summoned Strephon to hand again.  A few words spoken to quickly to
comprehend and the spell was cast [if Jarryn waited...] on both she and
Marshall Sandor.

:Go to Keeva!:  she ordered, letting the bird fly once more.  --Phaedra
Whitlock

Ahead of them Keeva went to sentry on her orders, coming to land in the
branches of a tree behind the pair of Davens.  Strephon flew low under
the trees homing in on her, then lightly joined her in the tree to
listen.  --Phaedra Whitlock

As they rode, Marshall Jarryn Sandor listened very carefully to what was
being said in the clearing in the forest.  

"It would be a indeed be a terrible shame should the Marshall meet an
untimely demise, especially when this city is in such need of his
leadership."

A threat?  It was Sellentine's voice, but he needed to hear it in
context.  She was not given to overemphasising sarcasm, so still he
couldn't tell!

The two of them rode down the path until Andriel indicated the
whereabouts of the Commander and Marshall Daven.  Marshall Jarryn felt a
little bad that he was having to spy on one of his most trusted staff,
and worse that he was getting Corporal Andriel involved, but it couldn't
be helped when it was only she that had the means to do so.

"Let us wait a moment before we find them." --Josh Gallagher

Jarryn and Andriel started to move into the trees after very quickly
tethering their horses near the path.  Jarryn walked cautiously so as
not

to make any noise.  --Josh Gallagher

Nayestair 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.  --Johny Enright

Sellentine raised one eyebrow and let an ambiguous smile play on the
corners of her mouth.  "Let us go and find Marshall Jarryn" she said
simply, and walked over to her horse, untethering it.

"That won't be necessary!" Jarryn called through the trees.  He was
perhaps still a little far from the clearing for him to have easily
heard their conversation, but hopefully not so close as to have
attracted suspicion of other means of surveillance.  He regretted that
their conversation had finished merely moments after the
audio-surveillance had been initiated.

Commander Sellentine paused only briefly in the process of untying the
knot and then turned calmly towards the Marshall.  If the entire
conversation had been overheard then there was little she could do to
cover herself now.  Her mind involuntarily ran through the words that
had been exchanged searching for incriminating evidence and finding it
in abundance.

"Ah, hello there Marshall.  How convenient that you are here." The tone
of her voice was again unreadable.  "We were just coming to find you."

Marshall Jarryn drew her aside, and feeling a little uncomfortable that
Andriel was within earshot even if the other Marshall was not, he spoke
quietly with her.  "Would you mind explaining why you didn't seek me out
immediately, Commander Daven?"

She couldn't tell whether there was a slight emphasis on the word
'Daven'

or not.  She would have to be so much more careful from here on in.  Her
eyes were cold though and betrayed none of the concern that she felt for
her situation.

"My apologies, sir.  My reasoning was that you would have been informed
as soon as possible and would make your way to the palace to meet
Marshall Daven.  As the nature of his claim was an immediate take over,
I

wasted no time in getting the Marshall out of the public eye and
somewhere we could talk without attracting too much attention."

Jarryn looked at her long and hard, his eyes no more readable than hers.


"Very good, Commander.  What is his position on the affair now?  Does he
still intend to challenge my leadership?"

"I don't believe so, sir.  It appears he was mis-informed as to the
leadership structure within the city.  It has taken this long to explain
the situation here in detail.  We have not discussed what we are to do
with his troops as yet."

"Very well," replied Jarryn, and walked into up to the log that Marshall
Nayestair had recently occupied [assuming he stood].  He offered his
hand

in greeting.  "As you've probably gathered, I am Marshall Jarryn Sandor.


It is a pleasure to meet you Marhsall.  I'm afraid I was otherwise
disposed on your arrival so excuse me if I am a little behind on the
issues Commander Daven and yourself have been discussing.  Perhaps you
could recap over the agreements you have made?  This clearing seems as
good a place as any for our discussion," he finished, glancing at
Sellentine.  --Josh Gallagher

Nayestair took Jarryn's hand and gave it a slight squeeze, "*Sandor*,
you say?  Yes, it would seem there are many Sandor's holding high
ranking positions in the Royal Army lately.  Of course, I am certain
your House warrants such appointments, and this fact has *nothing* to do
with the fact that Lordholder Sandor, our very own High Marshall, being
a close personal friend of the Highlord's since childhood.  We *all*
know our Highlord does *not* play favorites...."

A very well worded barb, and one which was well shy of a treasonous
remark.  Nayestair was proud of himself.  His brother would not have
come up with much better.  --Johny Enright

Marhsall Sandor smiled back warmly.  "That's part of the wonder of the
Highlord's reign, is it not Marhsall?  The fact that he is truly
impartial and fair in his judgements and appointments.  For it cannot
have escaped _his_ notice that myself and the High Marshall are far less
closely related than you and the Elessidels," he was refering to the
marrying of the Daven and Elessidel houses two generations ago, "what
with the Sandors, my acestors, arriving here after the _plague_." [Admin
- i.e.  quite a while back]

There was no harshness in his words, merely a slightly forced friendly
overtone to deaden the retort that lay behind it.  How dare this man
come

into his city making rash proclamations and then insult his position as
Marshall at the first opportunity?  How dare he!  --Josh Gallagher

Nayestair looked beyond Jarryn Sandor, and saw a uniform which was quite
unwelcome to his Daven eyes.  "Ah, I see the Black Prince's very own are
here as well!  You must feel quite....safe.  I'll wager that one's
protection is quite sought after...especially on cold nights!"
Nayestair's smile never left his face, but Jarryn could tell that the
black and silver mantle Andriel wore made the Daven quite uncomfortable.
True, there was no love lost between House Daven and the Black Watch.
In fact, there were very few Davens in the Watch, even though it had
been nearly a thousand years since the Watch's inception.  --Johny
Enright

Jarryn let the innuendo pass, not stooping to its level.  A little
consolation was gained from the obvious blow this had caused Nayestair,
but Jarryn was somewhat put out that the Black Watch should be the
recipient of such a reaction when the Inner Chamber had been set up with
much the same intentions and had been accredited with little, if any of
the same effectiveness.  Perhaps it was because their expertise had been
forced to move into that of government and politics.  --Josh Gallagher

Nayestair changed what must have been an uncomfortable subject, and
ignored Andriel from that point on.  "Yes, Marshall Sandor, we should
talk.  But perhaps we could retire to a place more condusive to our
talks on the defense of your great city?  Perhaps one where wine is
availible?  

I am afraid my throat is somewhat parched from so much talking."
Nayestair winked at Sellentine.  --Johny Enright