"I just wish to stay alive" (Jovians only)

[Fuuma Kyosuke]

As the day broke upon the Land between the Lands, Kyosuke calmly walked towards the small town of Mittlemarch. It had only been a few days since he had arrived in this strange land, and he felt somewhat out of place. 'Still,' he thought, 'I've gotta do what I've gotta do.

As he approached the entrance to Mittelmarch, he noticed a pair of Jovian guards. "Halt!" one cried out, "State your business here!" Kyosuke knew that he would attract attention, and that they'd expect him to be from the Shogunate, but he remained undaunted and continued to silently walk. "Halt!" the guard cried out again, but Kyosuke did not respond. Finally the guards approached him and pointed their spears at his head. "What is your business here? You will not be asked again."

Kyosuke grinned. "Is it standard policy for your people to be rude to strangers, or are you the exception? It seems that I can't find polite people anywhere in this land."

The guards remained still, and Kyosuke sighed. "Fine, if you must know, my name is Kyosuke, and I am here to speak with your leader."

"So, you are here to officially declare war on the Shogunate's behalf?" The guards tightened their grip. "You don't need to s-"

"Will you please not interrupt me? If you hadn't noticed, I do not wear the mon's of the Tou Fuu Shogunate. We samurai do not lie about our allegiances, and I have never sworn loyalty to Tatsumura-san. Now, if you please, I have a proposition for your leader."

[shatar]

Shatar sits at the King's dining table that face the rows of tables and past that the entrance. Guards stand at every entrance and at each end of the table. A guard escorts Kyosuke in. Spread in front of Shatar are maps and scrolls provided by Helvaryn. He's writing notes and planning.

He looks up at the man and places the quill back in the ink. He grabs his goblet.

"You have one minute." and takes a drink.

[Fuuma Kyosuke]

Kyosuke grinned at what he deemed to be audacity from this general, and he bowed in a manner that would be deemed sarcastic in his home. "Well, Sir, first let me say that it is pleasing to know where the soldiers of the Jovian empire learn their manners. Now, to get to business, I wish to assist you in the destruction of Kyuden Tatsumura, and the elimination of Tatsumura Masamune and his false 'Shogunate.'" Kyosuke's face became very serious as he ended his comments, giving the man in front of him a near-death stare.

[shatar]

"Interesting..." Shatar leans forward resting his elbows on the table clasping his fingers, his head perches on his fists.

"Go on..."

[Fuuma Kyosuke]

"Well," Kyosuke continued, "as a Samurai, I have extensive knowledge of the architecture of very similar Kyudens, as well as their fighting style. However, despite all of this, the one thing I have that will truly assist in it's destruction....Tatsumura's trust." Kyosuke waited for a moment and then continued. "I do not expect you to trust me on this right away, however please understand that I will not accept someone taking power in such a manner. I am willing to provide my assistance in crushing a weak man who claims power due to his own foolish ambitions."

[wolfblade]

messenger: as the Youth walks up to the entrance to the he holds his stare at the Jovian Guard waiting to be noticed. as the Guards now look a the boy, he is in a heralds Garb with a dagger blade facing down that has a dark and dead star above the right cross piece with a path that curve in a serpentine pattern that ends at the bottom of the dagger on the left side with a great red bursting with life on his Talbert, he announces himself.
" My name is no importance for i represent the magi who aided in the reclamation of this city Mittel March and who has treated your men with his skills after the battle. He has sent me with a simple message for the General If he decides to grant one the Honor of his audience."

[shatar]

Shatar meets with Kyosuke for about another asking tactical questions about how Samarui fight, details of their home, etc.

"I appreciate you sharing your knowledge, what is it you want in return. You should join us."

[Fuuma Kyosuke]

Kyosuke smiled. "Thanks, but your lot is a little too....different from what I'm used to. My goal is to destroy an abomination to the world, not to become another persons lackey. If you wish to repay me, I only require food and lodgings for the time I am here."

(Out of character note: While Kyosuke will provide some valuable information, there will be some information that he leaves out [specifically dealing with the 'less honorable' methods of fighting.] The information will at least seem to be helpful, but during the questioning, Shatar will have a nagging feeling that Kyosuke isn't sharing everything.)

[shatar]

"Stay at the Tavern, I'll have my guard let them know to take good care of you."

Shatar watches as Kyosuke walks out of the main hall and into the streets of Mittelmarch. He gestures to soldier.

"Have one of R'tiir's rogues keep an eye on him."

Shatar looks back to his map of the Land, eyeing Dunland, wondering if they could be turned. What a great asset they could be.

[Anvil]

Anvil sat upon his shaggy mountain pony and looked over the valley below. Spring had finally reached the mountains but snow still lingered in the shaded areas and the breeze coming down the slope was cold upon his back. The creek below was swollen with the melt off happening farther up the valley and the bridge crossing it was barely staying above the surface of the rushing water.

Just a few weeks before the crown of Dunland was placed upon Anvil's brow and even though Sir Brogas had returned alive to them the crown was weighing heavily on is head. The lives of the people of Dunland were now in the palm of his hand if he wasn't careful his actions could lead to them being crushed rather than protected. On top of that his friend Sir Brogas had left only days later upon a quest for an artifact to use in the future wars Dunland would face. He had left an archaic sword of amazing crafting in Anvils care to be used by Anvil and all future kings of realm. It rode upon his hip and Anvil was getting use to using it. It is a more slender and longer blade than that of Anvil's normal weapon and was crafted for one who fights with skill and training, Anvil's style was more brutish than that and relied upon strength and viciousness. But Anvil was learning how to be a more proper swordsman along with many other more kingly pursuits.

Hopefully the lack of action on Banith's followers was due more to the agreement Plebian was able to arrange than the foul winter weather. With the coming warmth it would soon be seen how well it would hold. Anvil prayed to his gods that it would remain intact, the last thing dunland needed was a war on two fronts. Granted Dunland was not officially at war with the Jovians but if their actions at Mittelmarch were any indication they would soon seen the massive army of the Jovians soon enough heading up the mountains.

Anvil had left the bare minimum of rangers in the south lands and had directed the rest to the northern half of the kingdoms borders with orders to observe and report back. They were not to attack any Jovians unless it was self defense. No need to hasten the war any more than neccesary.

Signs had been posted at the few roads leading into Dunland that armed Jovian patrols would be looked upon as an act of invasion. hopefully the Jovian patrols would report that back to their officers and steer clear for the time being.

The first of three new warships had been completed last week. A design similar to the viking warships. Anvil had to admit the vikings had an excellent eye for the details needed in a ship being used on a river. With sail and oars a crew could deliver a lot of soldiers in a hurry back and forth from Gatereach and Gladden Fields. The winter had seen the ranks of the army swell with new recruits and Plebian and Lupus had done an excellent job of getting the recruits trained and organized in the short winter months.

Sabain made a small coughing sound next to Anvil and broke the reverie. "My lord are you okay?" asked Sabain with a concerned look.
"I'm fine my friend, lets head back before we all catch our deaths from this wind and enjoy a round from the cellars" Anvil replied while smiling. "We have more plans to lay tonight, we don't want any visitors to feel we weren't expecting them when they call upon us do we?"
Sabain laughs and with an evil smile replies "No my king, we must not have them think that"

[shatar]

Shatar grabs one of his men.

"I want you to send a messenger to Dunland. I would very much like to meet their King. And let him know we in no way blame him for assisting Mittelmarch in its defense. Your...bravery is well noted. Your honor is something I wish to commend. Please, I invite you to meeting of peace and perhaps an alliance."

"Are you writing this down!"

"Uh...yes sir..."

A messenger rides off for Dunland.

[wolfblade]

*pushes past the dumb gaurd* idiot, i may look human but do not disrespect my master!
*as the gaurd reaches for the child he transfixes his weak mind to excort him to Shatar*

[Anvil]

Anvil looked out over the landscape from the third story balcony of the building he was using as his “castle” while in Gladden Fields. When the Jovians came to lay claim to the lands of Dunland Anvil wanted to be there ready to meet them. the work on the walls to re-enforce them was progressing well. Several dwarves had volunteered to direct the work on the walls and defenses both in the city and out in the country side.

After rubbing his face with both hands Anvil turns back into the room to look blankly at the wall with the map spread upon it. The day seems to have lasted forever. Earlier in the day a wave of excitement and nervousness rippled across the city when a contingent of the Chu’Ku’tal arrived at the gate under a flag of truce. The human Mako and the Drow Ink entered the city and requested an audience with Anvil. The news of the death of Shaka was relayed to the king and the assurance that it was not at the hands of the followers of Banith. After several assurances that the peace pact still held the messengers left the city.

Anvil sighed heavily, at least he could relax about the monsters for a bit. His main concern was for the Shogunate. It is the closest to the captured city of Mittelmarch and had little in the way of natural defenses. Would it be possible to convince the shogun to move the people away from their homes and into the mountains? The thought of sending more of the warriors of Dunland into open combat down in the flat lands with the Jovians sickened Anvil. We must fight them our way and lure them up here into the woods and mountains where their numbers become a hinderance instead of an asset. The massive numbers of the enemy would be more than offset by Anvil’s armies fighting in their home terrain.