Trying to Understand Them

[Isen Ehtar]

Baethor and I walked through the streets placing parchment in the noticable places. With these Jovians close by, and the winter ending sooner rather than later, we were in dire need of information. Each poster summoned any that thought highly of their ability to not be seen, or at least the ability to not be known for who they truly were.

"It's a pity brother, the winter has been so peaceful. I fear that will change with the first thaws. These.....Jovians....the tribe of men that are new to our land, we know so little of them, and they have only shown aggression towards us. It is unsettleing to know that they also have an artifact from our land that I trust not even myself with. With any luck there will be many to answer this call."

With the last of the posters up Baethor and I retired to the Anchor Inn for the evening with naught more than a prayer.

As the sun rose on the next day I sat in the great hall, on the floor, next to the throne that would soon be mine. Waiting and hoping that soon we would have many to send on their way to learn of these new men.

[Kotaro]

Kotaro walked in, garbed not in his preferred shozoku attire, but in a simple yukata robe. He stopped in front of the man seated on the floor.

"My name is Kotaro Fuuma, and I've come to offer my assistance in finding more about the Jovians," he said simply.

[Theodoric]

Not shortly after Kotaro had introduced himself, there came a sound from the entrance of the Great Hall. Then one of Isen's brother in arms, Theodoric enters the great hall, poster in hand. "And why was I not informed about this earlier," exclaimed Theo. A great laugh came from Theo who then said," Brother you know you always have me and my mace by your side, so what's the deal with these Jovians?"

[Kotaro]

"Yes, what do these Jovians desire? Or is that what you intend to find out?" Kotaro queried.

[Baethor]

"Ease yourself brother..." The other dwarf sitting at a nearby table, a whetstone to his axes blade. "Were it so simple as attacking them, then the poster would nay 'ave been required."

Lifting the axe into the light to inspect the blade, the dwarf nods sagely and turns to look at isen. "We know nothing of these jovians...And while if it were up te me we'd just be laying seige te them day and night...Our soon to be king here, wishes to learn more about them...And that would be where ye come in lad..."

The dwarf looks at Kotaro, and eyes him up and down, he's seen the boy before, training with several other young warriors.

[Kotaro]

"I'm glad to see you are well, sir," Kotaro said, bowing to the dwarf. "If indeed we know little to nothing of the Jovians, perhaps that is something I can do."

[Isen Ehtar]

Isen rises slowly, looking the young one up and down. He raises his hand in a manner to imply that Kotaro is not to move. Isen walks a close circle around the boy continuing to eye him up and down. Long moments pass before Isen sits back down next to his throne to be.

"It is true that we have yet to meet young one. I see great potential in you. You will be of use to us in this endeavor I am sure." Isen points to the table where Baethor has been sitting. "Sit friend, eat of our food, drink of our wine, soon enough you shall learn what we desire of you."

Looking over to Theodoric, "Brother Theo, many long months has it been. I fear this mission has no place for you or your talents, but you will learn of what is to come as well."

'Hopefully soon the others that I had hoped for will show.' Isen thought to himself as he eased back into his comfortably relaxed position next to the great seat.

[Kotaro]

Kotaro sat and turned to the man next to the throne. "Forgive my lack of manners, I am Kotaro Fuuma, and I am a shinobi in the service of Tatsumura Masamune. And to whom do I owe the pleasure?"

[Isen Ehtar]

"I my friend, am Isen Ehtar. Soon to be King of Mittelmarch. Please, go enjoy something to eat and drink."

[Kotaro]

Kotaro half-smiled. "It is an honor, sir."

Pulling out the pair of chopsticks he always kept on hand, Kotaro began to nibble on the offered food. "So what exactly do we know about the Jovians?" he asked between bites.

[Cathán Neamhnaofa]

Out of the shadows steps a cloaked figure. He walks up to Isen and sticks out a red toned hand with a flyer in it.

"Hello brother, I noticed this flyer on the streets outside and I think I might be of some service." his raspy voice barely audible, not much more then a wisper.

[Firoth]

Striding near silently through the door an unfamiliar face joined the group, clad in brown leather traveling clothes, a sheathed sword at his side. His hair was black and fine, and for what was supposed to be a traveler, not a speck of dust clung to his high boots, nor the edges of his cloak. Crumpled in one hand was one of the many flyers that had been distributed about the stone-walled city.
“Isen….how nice it is to see you…” He approached the elf as though they had been friends forever. “It’s been quite awhile hasn’t it?” With a glint of metal from filtered sunlight, a ring bearing the dragoon cross shone on his right hand, betraying his flawless disguise.

[Suihaden]

(OOC) I have permission from Milord Isen to participate.
(IC)
As the others entered and spoke, yet another figure entered. He was of medium hight but with a thin build. He was clothed in black with an eight pointed white cross sewn on the chest and shoulders under which hung a light shirt of mail. His face was frank and good tempered but betrayed his youth. Over his back hung a kite shield with the same design as his tabbard, on his leathern belt hung a sword and in his belt carefully folded was one of the notices. He looked about the room and seeing that all were busy, stood respectfully to the side to await the attention of his betters.

[Baethor]

The man approaching isen was suddenly stopped short, looking down and seeing a small throwing axe planted just before his boot. "At's far enough lad..." The gruff dwarf sat back in his chair, one hand laying on another axe on the table. "Ye can set doon yer blade before ye approach the new king."

[Firoth]

"Now, now...no need to get rough.." He held up his arms before him defensively, giving a light chuckle at the familiar temper of his stout friend. The man took a step back before his features rippled and seemed to smooth out, his skin becoming almost translucently pale, which contrasted heavily with the raven feather that hung from one of the longer white locks of hair. Firoth grinned and gave a slight bow to the dwarf. "Is it really necessary to leave my self open..if so.." He unbelted his blade and held it out towards Baethor. "It is yours to keep..."

[Isen Ehtar]

Isen pats the hand of the cloaked figure standing next to him lovingly. "Brother, how nice of you to join us. If you would sit with Brother Baethor all will be explained soon enough. But first, what news of outside the walls? How fair Brother Kazzell and Ichabod?"

Before the figure could answer Isen looks up at the sound of a throwing axe hitting the floor. Recognizing, not the man, but the ring on the hand of this unfamiliar face Isen opens his arms wide before scolding Baethor. "Friend, always wonderful to see you, always." Turning to Baethor, "Brother, don't you recognize him?" Isen walks quickly to the new man and holds up the hand to show the ring. "No need to fret, it is only Firoth." Isen embraces Firoth, "It has been too long friend. Go, sit, eat something and quench your thirst, we will speak shortly of what is to come."

As Isen begins to turn back to his previous seat he notices an unfamiliar face in familiar heraldry. "Come forward, I have not seen your face before. Though I know one other who wears such symbols, and he is always welcome here."

[Suihaden]

Seeing that he was addressed, Suihaden approached Isen's chair, saluted and spoke. "Greetings most gracious Sire, My name is Suihaden, I am a noviate in the Order of the Knights of Saint John, known as the Knights Hospitaller. I have come to to offer my services in this quest against the Jovians, I have little ability in woodcraft but I speak Latin in some small measure and thought it might be of use. I owe this heraldry to my good teacher Sir Christian De'gries of Atheneu."

[Cathán Neamhnaofa]

As Isen is speaking to the other two people who walked in, the cloaked figure goes and sits next to Baethor.

" Baethor, my brother, how are you doing? Its has been so long since I last saw you. Ichabod should be on his way. I went to tell him before I came here." his voice is so soft that only Baethor could really here him.

[Gravein Narmolanya]

an elf in black pants and a brown sleeveless shirt walks through the door with a poster in his hand and walks toward Isen. he hands Isen the poster. "I'll be of any need to you brother. these Jovians do trouble me some."

[Cathán Neamhnaofa]

the cloaked figure notices the elf walking in and nods his hooded head in a welcoming manner.

[Baethor]

Oh i knew who he was Isen...Tha's why i missed his foot. Ye never know what a dragoon wit' a blade may do." The dwarf chuckled darkly turning the blade back to firoth, and turned to the figure suddenly sitting next to him, patting him on the shoulder as he whispered to him. "Ahh..good good."

[Kotaro]

Kotaro smirked. "Quite a turnout, I must say."

[Cathán Neamhnaofa]

"So what is the reason for all of us being here?" the dark figure said a little louder so that everyone could here him this time.

[Firoth]

He gave a lighthearted snicker and returned his blade to his belt with a click, taking a seat near to Isen, remaining in his natural form for now. "So how goes it, young king? Or so that is what I've been hearing lately...."

[Gravein Narmolanya]

noticing that the dark figure he walks over and takes a seat near him. "and how ar emy brothers doing? and i am not sure why we are here."