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Post by ziglerrobertson on Jan 23, 2009 3:30:03 GMT -5
Sitting in the chair, sleeping child in his arms, Zigler thinks, hard.
'Kotaro and Cathan can easily take care of any weapons they may 'come across'. Any food however will be a different matter. Especially if Tat intends to send some of it clear back to MittelMarch to help feed any people there. It would also be beneficial to have some form of two-way communication between here and there so news can travel. Kain says he will allow me to come and go as I please, but how far can I stretch that. I have no doubt that any of the MittelMarchers out here in the Shogunate would be welcomed back and disarmed. But of them all I am the only one with an alternative reason to come back. And I do miss my Book, even though he turned traitor, I know that as a fellow Bard he will have kept it safe. Even if he figures out where I went. I'll have to work to make more contacts with MittelMarch's more unsavory characters in order to actually get food and supplies in unnoticed.'
I nod my head, sightly disturbing the child. "Shh-shhh, quiet down now, nothing to worry about," at least not for you.
I decide to bring the idea up with Tat, Kotaro and Cathan.
'By occasionally meeting with the last two in the woods far outside of MittelMarch I could easily pass any reports, and bring in food. And the information on convoy and troop movements will be invaluable for setting up the raids. And I need to understand Baethor's choice. I have my side of the story, and the sides of the others. But before I can grok in fullness I need his side.'
Having made the decision I sit back and wait for the young mother to return. In the meantime I make plans about how to both return to the city, and then come and go as I chose afterwards. But one things clear, Baethor will be suspicious in the very least and he may have communicated that suspicion to Kain. I'm going to need some help to make this convincing.
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Kotaro
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Post by Kotaro on Feb 5, 2009 23:01:37 GMT -5
Kotaro was meditating in his chambers, his mind cast into the roiling depths of the ethereal plane.
A burning landscape the screams of women and children chaos everywhere what is this place what is happening I hate it I must save them I can't let them die I can't what can I do who is responsible who is to blame must avenge the fallen must kill the murderers...
His eyes snapped open, the traces of the meditative trance evaporating just as the wisps of blue smoke from the incense sticks around him. Curse these memories, he thought. There was a tap at the door frame. "Enter."
The door slid open to reveal Zigler in the frame. "Ah, Zigler," Kotaro said, turning to face him, still in lotus. "What can I do for you?"
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Post by ziglerrobertson on Feb 5, 2009 23:21:55 GMT -5
"Well, I have a plan that I would like to run by you."
Zigler begins to tell Kotaro about his plans for getting food into MittelMarch, and information out.
"With the help of you and Cathan I can get the food to the walls, and with the help of the thieves guild I can get it in and distributed. At the same time I can pass along any information I pick up from within the walls and you can then pass it along to Tat. There are just two problems. One, we have to figure out a cut for the thieves guild, they won't do this out of the kindness of their hearts. And two, getting me back in with as little suspicion as possible. I've got some ideas for that but I'll need the help of some of your shinobi. They'll have to dress as bandits and chase me towards the gates, then 'advance to the rear' in time to avoid any meaningful action with the Jovian guards.
What I need from you now if your help in pulling this plan apart and stitching it back together before we present it to Tatsumura Masamune.
Also, how do you feel about stabbing me in the back?"
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Kotaro
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Post by Kotaro on Feb 7, 2009 0:30:28 GMT -5
Kotaro cocked his head in amusement. "I can't say the thought has crossed my mind. The plan is good, and I trust my shinobi to give you their full cooperation. But why on earth would I want to stab you in the back?"
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Post by ziglerrobertson on Feb 7, 2009 11:51:32 GMT -5
"Not many people will think to question the story of a bleeding man, at least not immediately. So when I tell the Jovians that I've spent my time wondering through thought and land, was waylaid by bandits who then tried to get me to lead them to my 'lair,' I won't be asked too many questions, especially when I tell them that these guys weren't too awful bright and that if they hurry the bandits still might be tracked and eliminated. After I'm healed I can begin contacting the Thieves Guild. As I've said before, they won't do something unless they get something in return. It was Oof who chased me into the lands of Mittelmarch and because of that I know of something that will at least get us his cooperation. I just need Cathan's help in going to get it. So if you could go find Cathan and bring him with us to Tatsumura we can explain the plan to both of them."
Kotaro nods and then gets up to go find Cathan while Zigler steps back out into the cold air and prepares to present his plan to both him and Tat. Zigler knows that it will take him about three days of hard marching to get to the Blue pond and then another two to get back to Mittelmarch. He just hopes that Cathan is as good a tracker as everyone says.
"Lord knows I don't want to get lost."
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Post by Cathán Neamhnaofa on Feb 7, 2009 20:20:12 GMT -5
Cathán sits in a tree staring in the direction of Mittelmarch. Wondering really how much of the woods from there to the kyuden had the jovians really explored and found. There are so many wonders and secrets that the woods hold. Cathán sits in a daydream, of when Mittelmarch was safe and he had no cares just a bunch of woods to roam in.
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Kotaro
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Post by Kotaro on Feb 7, 2009 21:48:37 GMT -5
Kotaro spotted his ally in the trees, not an easy task in itself. Making no attempt at stealth, he pulled out a short length of rope and used it to climb an adjacent tree easily. In short order, he was roughly level with the other man. "Copper for your thoughts, Cathan?"
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Baethor
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Post by Baethor on Feb 8, 2009 2:17:05 GMT -5
**Two days prior**
Baethor finished his rounds, checking in with each guard station making sure none of his men were slacking off, met with the snap of heels and a salute, baethor could not help but feel a sense of pride rebuilding itself. These men obeyed his commands without question obeying his rank rather then his stature or race, it felt good to command soldiers again. Suddenly the quiet day was broken by the sound of a guard posts shouts
"Riders coming from the west! Ours!"
Looking out over the walls Baethor saw the riders, one being carried on the back of the others horse, his leg in a makeshift splint, the other looking as though he was barely holding his reigns. "WOUNDED! Open the gates! Call for the healers!"
Baethor bellowed commands and bounded down from the wall, the gates opened more for the riders as the soldiers helped the two injured men from their horses, Baethor rushed to each to examine their wounds. One bleeding from the shoulder and chest profusely from arrows, the other with a shattered knee...Hopefully the healers will be able to save them both.
"Sir, we were attacked by the kyuden warriors...They have elven archers on their walls..." The remaining gaurd held up the broken arrow shafts. Baethor examined the shafts and tossed them to the ground as a team of pages with stretchers picked up the two warriors and carried them to the healers pavilion. "Why were you traveling so close to the kyuden soldier..." Baethor's voice got low as he eyed the soldier. "We were attempting to capture a man we believed to be a spy, we must have thought correctly for we were attacked before we reached kyuden, Tatsumura himself met us in battle..."
Baethor shook his head, he could hardly believe that his men had been attacked in this way, he told his men to return to their posts...
** presently **
Baethor had been informed that of the men that returned, the soldier struck with arrows had died from blood loss...The other would walk again, and with some help could possibly even fight again...Baethor could not let this slip by, if tatsumura had indeed attacked these men and let them return, he had meant it as a messege...most likely for himself...
Baethor strapped on his armour again, threw on his traveling cloak, sliding his sword into its sheath and axe into its frog. His new shield he strapped to his back and stepped into the chilled night, the snow had grown a few inches as it fell slowly...it would make travel slower, but most likely he would be less likely to meet anyone he did not wish to. He walked to the stables, the snow crunching beneath his boots as he ordered a horse saddled for him.
"Sir, where do you plan to ride?" The dwarf did not answer and waited for his horse. "Sir, you should not be riding alone, let some of the third ride with you.." "Nay soldier, i appreciate it but i do not go for war, i am simply going te speak to an old friend...i expect no danger..." "You are equipped for it though, sir." The dwarf laughed as he was given a lift onto the horse. "Just because i dinne expect it, does nay mean i wont prepare fer it..." The dwarf guided the horse out, the sun had set hours ago but it made no difference to him as his eyes adjusted well to the growing dark he pushed his horse to the west. He would stop in the woods for a rest, and then he should reach the kyuden walls by morning...
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Post by Cathán Neamhnaofa on Feb 8, 2009 9:02:34 GMT -5
Without turning to look at Kotaro "There's not many times you can come up on me like that Kotaro. Feel lucky that you can. As for my thoughts, it's going to take more than copper for anyone to find out what I think." He finally turns to look at his friend at another tree. "You've come to find me for a reason. What is it?"
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Kotaro
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Post by Kotaro on Feb 8, 2009 10:15:15 GMT -5
"Fair enough," Kotaro replied. "Zigler has come up with a plan to get supplies into Mittelmarch and information out, but he needs the help of all of us. I need you to come back with me to the kyuden. Zigler will explain to you and Tatsumura-dono."
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Tatsumura Masamune
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Post by Tatsumura Masamune on Feb 8, 2009 11:09:13 GMT -5
Masamune made his way down the halls quietly. He carried a letter in his hand, sealed with the mark of his Mon. He made his way to the guest room of messenger from Kanthea.
"This is my response to your lord. I will give you one of my horses to assist you in returning to your home. I would suggest taking a longer route around Mittelmarch this time instead of running straight through their territory."
The messenger thanked Masamune for the letter, and for the horse. Masamune stood at the walls, watching the messenger heading north by northwest, a clear sign of staying away from the Mittelmarch area.
Masamune then made his way down to the dojo. Many of the refugees had taken the offer to be trained to fight. Masamune watched with some pride as the room, filled with children and young adults, were being trained, not just in the way of the Shogunate, but by elves from Artanor, as well as soldiers that survived the fall of Mittelmarch. He stepped away, to leave the students to their studies.
He returned to the village, and observed how the new buildings were holding up. Though they had been put up quickly due to the eventual snow that came, they were solid, and had already been reinforced for safety. Even aas he smiled, he had started to get a feeling that he could not shake. Something was coming.
Masamune made his way to the woodline to clear his mind, perhaps he had just been holed up in the kyuden for to long, and just needed some time to clear his mind in the open.
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Post by ziglerrobertson on Feb 8, 2009 13:38:24 GMT -5
Walking up the path to the Kyuden, Zigler wonders when both Kotaro and Cathan will arrive. At the gate stands the regular guard, whether they switch or not Zigler doesn't know for he has seen how resilient the members of the Shogunate are.
"Hi," Zigler says to the guard who remains silent. "I'm looking for your master Tatsumura Masamune, is he in?" The guard remains unmoved and Zigler takes that to mean no. "In that case could you tell me where he is, I need to speak with him and he will want to know what I have to say." Zigler waits for an answer while the guard remains resolute, unmoved, and above all silent. Finally he nods his head in the direction of the woods, close to where Kotaro set out to find Cathan.
"Thanks!" says Zigler as he turns to leave. But he is stopped when the guard grabs his shoulder and speaks. "Tatsumura-dono has quit to the woods in order to get take a break. It would do you well not to disturb him from close at hand."
The guard resumes his stance as Zigler recovers from the mans sudden vocalizations."Uh...thanks again," says Zigler as he beats a fast march towards the woods. Near the treeline he can see that the three people he needs to talk to are all within 20 feet of each other. "Why can't people stay where they're put," he mutters to himself as he passes the line of shelters and increases his step in order to hasten the meeting.
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Post by Cathán Neamhnaofa on Feb 8, 2009 14:07:32 GMT -5
Cathán takes a glance around, he heard movement coming in his direction. staying in his tree, Cathán stretches out in a relaxing position. "No need to go anywhere, Masamune is coming and if I'm correct i see Zigler not far behind."
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Kotaro
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Post by Kotaro on Feb 8, 2009 15:04:42 GMT -5
Kotaro turned his head as well. "So they are. Makes my job that much easier, I suppose. Shall we?" Without waiting for a response, he used his climbing strap to slide down the tree.
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Post by Cathán Neamhnaofa on Feb 8, 2009 17:40:05 GMT -5
Cathán follows shortly after, jumping down from his spot up in the tree. Landing with almost no noise, he walks towards Masamune and Zigler to find out why he is needed.
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Post by Gravein Narmolanya on Feb 9, 2009 2:39:44 GMT -5
as gravein leaves is humble shak in the great woods he gets within distince of mittlemarch and sees the jovian banner. he lowers is head and says to himself "again my home is taken away" he then turns back to the great woods and begins his journy to find some one any one to help. he thinks " the Shogunate" he begins his journy there along with his net delmonte and it is a long journy until he sees his brother cathan in the distance. "Cathan my brother. what has happened?" he cries out as he runs twords him.
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Post by Cathán Neamhnaofa on Feb 10, 2009 0:09:09 GMT -5
Just before Cathán makes it to Masamune, he hears someone calling his name. When he turns to see who it is, he is taken by suprise to see his half brother Gravein aproaching. " A lot has happened since I saw you last brother." Cathán says as he hugs his brother. "If you haven't noticed already, Mittelmarch has fallen to the Jovians. As for more details, that will be later, for now I am needed for something else that is important." After saying this to Gravein, Cathán turns back around to find out why Kotaro was sent to find him.
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Post by ziglerrobertson on Feb 10, 2009 0:46:44 GMT -5
Among the treeline Zigler tells Cathan and Tatsumura about his plan to get past the walls, for relaying information and a little about how he hopes to gain the help of the Thieves Guild.
"So how about it Tat, Cathan. Can you find any flaws? Make any suggestions? And will you endorse it?" asks Zigler.
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Post by Cathán Neamhnaofa on Feb 10, 2009 10:02:15 GMT -5
Cathán's eyes brighten at the sound of this. "Lets see, I'm able to get back at the Jovians a little and I have something to do. I'm in, what do you need me to get? Also it might be easier if i contact the theives guild. I have a message to give to them as well. That's if your ok with that Zigler?"
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Post by ziglerrobertson on Feb 10, 2009 11:21:50 GMT -5
"In the Great Wood there is a pond of unnaturally blue water. It's located near the east bank of the River of Flame and south of Mittelmarch. Two days hard marching should get us there and then another day to get to Mittelmarch itself. You can travel faster than I can alone, with what I've given you can you find the Pond of Blue, and once there collect a small keg of it's waters?"
Zigler turns to Kotaro.
"While this is going on, and if Cathan does believe he can find it, you and I will be setting up to meet him in the woods outside of Mittelmarch. The two of you shall have to decide where. Once we are all together agian we will set the plan in motion."
"Tat," says Zigler, "I need you and Kotaro to set up drop points within the Great Wood. They should be as close to Mittelmarch as possible and probably along the Flame as well. I would suggest that you station some of your fleetest of foot warriors at these, as I don't know which drop point will be easiest to reach at first. After that we can adjust the drop points as needed. Once inside it should only take me a few days, a week at most, to get in contact with both the Thieves Guild and a drop point."
Turning back to Cathan.
"My friend I mean no disrespect but you are somewhat more noticable then I, add in the fact that the Jovians would preffer to kill all nonhumans such as us on sight and you become more of a liability within the walls. However, I can deliver your message and pull a represenative of the Thieves Guild out to meet you at a drop point."
"Keep in mind," Zigler says, addressing everyone,"that once contact with the Thieves Guild is established the plan may be forced to change. Remember, no plan survives intact once contact with the enemy is established. In our case this is true of potentail allies as well."
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Tatsumura Masamune
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Post by Tatsumura Masamune on Feb 10, 2009 12:05:13 GMT -5
"I see no fault in your plan Zigler-san. There is risk, but it seems that you have already accounted for that."
Masamune turns his head to Kotaro.
"Kotaro-san, send your men ahead to find the suitable spots."
Masamune turns his head back to the woods. Whatever it is that seems to be calling him is clearing distracting him now.
"Cathan-san, I'll leave you to lead this operation. My men shall answer to you. Kotaro-san, make sure that you give Cathan-san your full support......I have something I must deal with."
Before Masamune starts to disappear into the wood, he looks back at the three.
"Please don't follow me, I shall return soon."
With that, Masamune disappears into the woods.
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Kotaro
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Post by Kotaro on Feb 10, 2009 12:32:21 GMT -5
"I won't disappoint you, my lord." He then turned to Cathan.
"Where do you want to begin? The woods are a vast place, as you well know. That should give us plenty of opportunities, both for drop points and sentry posts."
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Post by Cathán Neamhnaofa on Feb 10, 2009 12:49:51 GMT -5
Cathán watches as Masamune walks into the woods. Turning back looking at Zigler "I've heard of this pond before. I've never gone in search of it myself, but I do believe i know where it is. Of course going alone will be my best bet to get there and back in due time and to stay unnoticed."
Looking at Kotaro, "I want you to take your men and set up those drop spots and make sure they are concealled. We dont need the Jovians finding out anything about what we're trying to do. Also pick a good location to meet so I can pass off the water and see where to go from there."
Cathán pulls Zigler aside and in a hushed voice, lower than what he usually talks, "The only reason I said that i will speak with the theives guild is because I know where they are hiding and I know how to get there without even going into Mittelmarch. They will be wanting to hear from me anyway. I cant say how or why I know, but you can imagine. If you want to deliver your message personally, be my guess, but either way when I'm close to Mittelmarch I will be seeing them." after Cathán says this, he gives Zigler a long stare without blinking.
Coming back to Kotaro "It should take me about two days to find this pond, giving that I do know where it is and don't come across any problems. Then another day to meet up with you."
"I will be leaving very soon. I have one thing to do first, but I will be gone by nightfall. If there is anything else you need from me or to tell me now's the time, because I'm not going to be found untill i meet up with you in three days."
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Post by ziglerrobertson on Feb 10, 2009 15:14:49 GMT -5
Zigler looks at Cathan with a little more respect, he only knows of the one entrance inside the city. "Cathan, after you deliver the water why don't we both make for the Thieves Guild. That way if I am detained overlong contact will be made. And if you feel that it is that important, and you can get past the Jovian gaurds unseen, then perhaps we shouldn't wait the addition few days for me to make contact. You get to them after Kotaro and his shinobi get me to the gates, that way the gaurds will be looking at me and not at much else. After that contact me through the Thieves Guild, or hang around till I get there."
"Good luck and swift journey's my friend."
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Post by Gravein Narmolanya on Feb 10, 2009 20:13:22 GMT -5
before cathan leves gravein comes up to him "brother i will fully suport you in any way needed, you know all you have to do is say when, were and what and i'll do it i'm there for you brother."
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