The Jovian War: Renegades (Present Time)

[wolfblade]

Hai. Lord Clan family friends land and honor. things noble warriiors hold dear and do not betray or stop seeking.

*blade blinks* ive been reading too many scrolls again.

*seeing storms reaction a look of concern crosses wolfblades face*

Storm-sama if your ankel troubbles you i may be able to aid in some way if you would allow me to. Please consider it aas payment for my disrespectful and sudden appearence.

[ziglerrobertson]

Zigler had heard the men knocking as he finished packing up Cedric's and Susan's belonging's. He quickly went downstairs and let the men into the Inn's main room, then went back to the kitchen to see what he could bring forth for his guests. He came back after Storm sat down. Placing a stein of beer in front of the man he then did the same for Rojji, wolfblade, and Carneth.

"Gentlemen," Zigler begins, "I appreciate the great turnout, I really do, but at most I only need one, maybe two people during peak hours and only the one during the remainder of the day."

"Aki," he said addressing Storm, "I've known you the longest, for the time being I'll stick you behind the bar, less walkin', lots of standin'. Room and meals included as pay. You keep your own tips." Zigler looks at Carneth, "To my knowledge I've never met you, but I have heard of the work you do from Dorian. Come back in a couple days when I have the place fully running again, I might be able to use you in the evenings. Again, tips are yours."

Zigler turns to Rojji and Wolfblade, "Gentlemen, I've heard very little about the both of you, and have never met either of you. I wish you luck in your future endeavors, and remember 'it's not what you know, but who.' Please feel free to finish your beers, they're on me."

Zigler turns back to Storm, "I've got a wrap you can use for your ankle and if you can take stairs I'll show you the room."

[Rojji]

"Akaruri-sama, I can't find Arashi-dono, i was looking for her, i came in here for a job, since i couldn't find her. Do you know where she is?"

[wolfblade]

A job at an inn? forgive me but im a fighter and a mage a spell landed me here friend.

Rojji-san is i? well i could try and scry for the lady but it all depends on many things if someone else is hiding her divination will not find the lady where effort and knoweldge of her would.

[Sir Storm Brightblade]

Storm smiled and raised his mug to the man.

"My thanks Uncle Zigler, I really appreciate the job. It's the least I can do to help with the re-building of our fair city," Storm said as he took a drink of his beer. He set down the mug and looked over to Rojji.

"It shouldn't be hard to find the lady Rojji, if you don't see her next to Tatsamura then you should find her with a flock of children. She is the motherly figure," Storm turned to face Wolfblade, "though scrying isn't a bad thought either if you wish to find her and offer her your assistance. And I appreciate the offer, but I must decline. For I have been ordered to have this injury heal naturally, a lesson if you will."

Storm picked up his mug and took another drink when he set down his mug, he looked over to Zigler and slowly stood up with his cane.

"Well Uncle, I believe I can make the stairs so shall we?" Storm asked politely.

[Carneth]

With Storm's announcement, Carneth finished his beer and stood up.

"Zigler, if ye're needin' any ironwork, I've been workin' the smithy across the road. I'll check back with ye in a couple o' days, to see if ye've got this place back on it's feet and what I can do to help. If ye're wantin' anything of me before then, ye know where to find me," he said, and looked to the men around him, "Fair fortune to all."

With that, he left to go find Dorian. Failing that, he'd head for the barn, his pallet and uneasy dreams.

[ziglerrobertson]

Zigler watches Carneth go and thinks about some of the metalwork that he needs done. Turning toward both Wolfblade and Rojji, "The Healer's building has been taking in those children orphaned by the battle. Perhaps you will find Okami there.," He turns to Storm," Comeon, I'll give you the ten credit tour."

Dismissing the seated men at the table with his back, Zigler gives his friend Storm a brief tour of the Inn. From the lavatory under the stairs to Cedric's old room. The two men stand in the doorway of said room. "As you can see," says Zigler," the place is furnished, bed, table, so forth. There's a vestibule at the bottom of the stairs which leads out the back. My room is up at the top of the stairs at the end of the landing.,"

Zigler claps Storm on the back,"There's still some work to be done, here and elsewhere in the Inn, which is why we don't open 'till tomorrow. So take a load off, lunch will be in an hour, need anything else? Wanna talk about that ankle, or should I just save you a bottle?

[Rojji]

Rojji finished his beer and bid everyone a good evening. He then went to the healers building to find Arashi-dono. But first his sword needed repair. So he headed to the smithy. When arived he asked, "Hello! I am in need of some sword repair. Can someone help me?"

OOC: I need some help the sides of my katana are twisting and detaching from the edges. Any advice?

[Arashi Okami]

The sound of soft breathing filled a room adjacent to the main healers’ room. Sleeping children covered the floor, and for one fortunate child, the arms of Okami-dono, who was sitting on the floor. Most of the children in the room were younger than eight and unable to fend for themselves. The others were children injured in accidents or because of the battle. As her duties at the kyuden had placed her around children it seemed only fit that now, as M.M. was being rebuilt, she tend to the children in this city.
The sounds the children were making made Okami-dono start to nod off, her head resting against a wall that was close to the door. She still had bruises on her from the battle and sleep seemed to act like medicine for her. Shortly Okami-dono was asleep, the child still curled up in her arms.

[Sir Storm Brightblade]

Storm sat down with Zigler and smiled.

"The story behind the ankle is that I was practicing disarming with Kyoske and our fair lady Okami saw me practicing on it when she was the one who took care of it the first time. While we were practicing I hurt it again and she took care of it again but told me this time i was to let it heal naturally, as punishment for my stupidity."

Storm picked his mug back up and took a drink of his beer.

"It what I deserve for not thinking clearly, though I would love to go to Jove with my brother."

[ziglerrobertson]

Zigler smiled back and said, "bout time someone went after Jove, keep them on the defensive and off balance. I assume he's not doing this by his lonesome, who else be going with him, if nothing else they should know I'll stand 'em a drink."

Zigler's mind is already turning back to the work he has to do. He gets up and begins puttering about Storm's new room finishing the work on it in a brief time. Zigler then sits back down and produces a flask from which he takes a drink.

[A hooded figure]

A man walks into the bar, dressed in a dark cloak, and Zigler hears a familiar voice coming from the hood, though last time he heard it there was a knife pointed at his neck "Hello Zigler, we heard there was a new owner of this fine establishment and I came to tender our regards"

(OOC: For those who do not know this the hooded figure is actually several characters representing the thieves guild of Mittelmarch, as such what one of you tells one hooded figure the others may not know)

[ziglerrobertson]

Zigler looks down at the man, so similar to the one from not long ago, from over the banister. He then turns to Storm,"Aki, why don't you go lie down, I'm sure you could do with a little rest." Zigler closes the door and slowly walks down the stairs.

"I thank you and your brethren for the warm regards." Zigler reaches the bottom of the stairs and proceeds to head over to the bar, moving a bit more smoothly with each step. "Would you like a drink, admittedly my stock is somewhat lower than I'd like, but I'm sure I could find you something?"

[Carneth]

Carneth stopped by the smithy before searching for Dorian to make sure it was closed properly. As he was shutting the door, he heard someone come up behind him.

"Hello!" the person said, and Carneth recognized the voice as Rojji's. "I am in need of some sword repair. Can someone help me?"

He turned around and took stock of the man. It indeed was the eager-looking young samurai from Cedric's, or rather, Zigler's. Carneth shook his head.

"I'm sorry friend, but ye're too late. I've just closed up for the night. Come back in the 'morrow and I'm sure Bennek'll do ye right," he said.

Carneth nodded to the man and walked off to find Dorian.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After visiting about every tavern that side of town, asking everyone he could find that he knew (and some he didn't know,) and even walking for a bit along the woodline, Carneth had given up and decided to go back to his pallet and get some sleep. As the barn was finally in sight, a voice spoke up behind him.

"You're late."

Carneth froze for a second, and the relaxed. Smiling widely, he turned around to face Dorian.

"And I didn't even know we had an appointment," he replied.

There was a small silence where Dorian just stared at him. Carneth's smile disappeared. Does the man even have a sense of humor? Carneth thought, I'll make him lighten up, someday.

Carneth broke the silence. "So Zigler's takin' over Cedric's tavern. Said he might have a place for me in the evenings..."

He drifted off, waiting for Dorian to explain what this night's 'meeting' was all about.

OOC: Rojji if the foam is coming off the core, I suggest more adhesive like DAP or carpet tape. I can't tell you more without seeing the blade myself.

[wolfblade]

*wolfblade walks to the healers building. hearing the soft breaths inside he decides to cast an auditory illusion to make his movements and actions silent and steps in. the sceen he recieves is touching with the fierce warrior he respected asleep with a child wrapped around her. It also made him regret loosing his adoptive family and never knowing his real family. He can truely understand what these children were in for. he takes a seat across from the woman and waits for her to wak.*

Whispers: Arashi-Sama no matter how hard you try these children will suffer like I have but if you support them too much they will never grow up to be independent. If you support them too little....they grow up to be like me alone and always suffering. May the gods help you find that balance Arashi-sama.

[A hooded figure]

The man grins at Zigler, "ahh a drink would be appreciated, no worries on the stock whatever is behind the bar is fine". The man sits down at the bar, and looks around. "so how do you think you are gonna change the place up from what old Cedric had it?"

[ziglerrobertson]

Moving opposite the man, Zigler reaches under the bar and pulls out two corked bottles of Tillman.

Uncorking them and handing one to the man while keeping the other for himself, Zigler looks around the room and says, "I had in mind a nice wrought iron sign to be hung above the door. Other than that, why mess with something that works. The Gods and I alone know how much time I spent sitting right there, I figure it'll take me a spell before I get used to being on this side of the bar." Taking a swig of his beer Zigler leans against the bar and quietly says, "I spent about a year talking Cedric's ear off, I guess it's time I learned how to listen...So whats on your mind?"

[Baethor]

Suddenly a loud hornblow echoed through the city, it was a call to city hall, it had not been blown since the jovians had taken mittelmarch. It meant the council had gathered once again, the horn was to allow any person who wished audience with the council to come within the castles main hall, sit and listen to the decisions of the council. However with the calls rabbling through the street it was apparent this was not a council meeting...It was a trial.

Baethor walked through the streets of mittelmarch, his hands shackled and attatched to a lead being held by a watchmen on horseback. People began to notice the dwarf standing with his jaw set, his eyes fixed to the castle he was being lead and half dragged towards. The crowd slowly grew as people began to open windows many simply stood and shouted from windows in shattered houses, screaming blame and insults upon the dwarf. These seemed to break on him like a wave against the mountain, even as they began to through rocks and food the dwarf ignored them, staring straight at the castle.

The man holding baethors lead dismounted at the castle steps, and followed by a throng of people, Baethor under gaurd was lead into the fortress he had designed. He could see many familiar faces in the crowd, and looking up at the raised deis, there his fate stood. The council of mittelmarch had assembled. Oof's spot on the council was temporarily replaced by helvaryn Baethors spot was filled by an elder member of mittelmarches community. Sitting stoically nichtmar stared, masamune nodded rune looked about boredly, helvaryn analized and isen...Isen's face hidden behinid a strange mask but the dwarf knew it was him, the eyes that looked out tried the same trick he always did, trying to see into baethors soul. after years of knowing the elf he had created stone walls of thought that the elf could not see through, but that did not make the stare any less intense. helvaryn stood.

"I am Halvaryn acting member of the mittelmarch council, the trial of Baethor thunderblood will take place shortly, as soon as the other prisoners arrive."

(ooc: in other words next time i get my hands on a computer, which should be a day or two.)

[Giggles "Adguin"]

Giggles was intrigued into what was going on in this new land of his so when he heard a loud horn he was compelled to follow to see what was so special that a horn that could wake the dead had to be blown for. As he followed the source he found it harder to move through the city unnoticed as it was getting more crowded as he moved in. Then he saw a dwarf, shackled in chains covered in filth the people threw at him. "This seems like a fun thing to watch," Giggles thought to himself as he hid in an ally.
"Give me your money!" was what he heard when he tried to turn around. A knife was brought to his neck.
"You sure were quite to sneak up on me...."
"I don't care give me your money or you die here and now!"
"Hmmmm....I like you, so here's my great gift of all, my undying will."
As he said this Giggles garbed the man's hand. The thief managed to slit Giggle's throat but to his horror a black ooze dripped from the wound. The man died then and there, as Giggles muttred a few word. Making sure no one saw him do this Giggles then had the thief rise from the dead.
"Be my eyes and ears for the trail. I want to know what's going on. And don't let anyone take your pulse. Luckily you won't smell of death for a while so be quick, but cautious."
"Yes my master." And the thief was off.

For a brief moment Giggles wondered why he felt the pain of being cut, but then forgot about it after seeing the dwarf degraded some more.

[A hooded figure]

The man smiles slightly and takes a drink of his beer "I guess you could say I'm paying my respects to a colleague. Though in truth i also dropped by to discuss...well lets call it the merchants insurance charge." The mans sits back and sighs "You see I and my breatheren follow a bit of a code, we only take what can be afforded usually. Keeps the town watch off our back and is just easier all around if we are on good terms with buisness owners. Heck Ced even let some of our new members try their skills in here, though he did try to keep us away from his regulars." The man smiles frostily, "Of course there are the ocasional fools who don't listen to us, and then, well we can't very well have this happening often you understand. You see it's not that we extort those who can't afford it, and in general we try to protect those who pay our dues, unfortunatly we overlooked ced's here because we didn't find out he was killed until one of our people helping clean up came accross his body, and by then it was too late for us to find Susan. It never occoured to me to send someone to check on Ced."

[ziglerrobertson]

The sound of a horn pierces the silence between the two. Both men look up and out the small window above the door.

Zigler takes a sip of his beer and turns to the man. "I got no trouble with donating to the community, especially the part that is willing to watch me back and maybe help toss a few drunks. But I also don't like false-sayers and politicians. So long as you and your brethren be here, speak plainly."

Zigler looks around the room, sensing the man's mild outrage. "As for your fresh faced recruits practicing your skills here, follow the same principle you have with shopkeepers towards my regulars and don't lift anything from the poor. The rich 'daisy's' I've seen come in here before are all yours. Fleece 'em, I don't care, the wealthy bastards at home never did shit for anybody. Same for any drunks that need to be rolled, once their out the door I don't care what they have left."

Once again Zigler reaches for his beer, the man mimics the action and both take long drinks from their bottles. "I'd like to be a fine and upstanding member of this decaying community within Mittelmarch's walls. Having said that this building does have a rather large and somewhat sound proof basement." Zigler looks at the man and winks, "Perhaps some of the folks you mentioned who do not like this arrangement could be brought here for their lessons? I do know the Susan left some of the more....interesting tools behind."

The hooded man finishes his beer. Zigler starts bending beneath the bar to grab another but the man waves his hand 'No'. Both men look up as the door to Cedric's old room opens and Storm begins to hobble down the stairs.

Zigler looks back towards the man sitting across from him. "As for Susan, I do not know where she went. It's possible that she returned through the mists back to her homeland. At least I hope so. She cannot give her last respects to Cedric, so I wish to. Please, tell me where they have buried his remains."

[Sir Storm Brightblade]

Storm walked up to his room like his uncle had asked so that the two could talk. He took a step into the room and the bed looked especially comfortable. He decided that he could get some sleep, give his ankle a couple of hours of rest. He started to doze off and soon was asleep.

Not even within the first hour of his nap, he suddenly woke up to the sound of a horn blaring. He sat up in his bed heard the faint sound of a crowd in the distance.

Storm decided he would go out and investigate what was going on. He grabbed his cane and walked out of his room, down the stairs, and turned to his uncle.

"I'm going to go look at what the horn was for Uncle. Be back in a bit." Storm said as he turned to walk out the door.

[Baethor]

Baethor stood before the accusing faces of the council whom he had not as yet spoken to about his choice, he knew his death was possible yet he welcomed it, staring into the eyes of men who could have him killed with a word. A commotion entered the halls as the remnant of third squadron were lead in, men of mittelmarch all of them, dwarves humans and others were shackled together behind Baethor, along with many other who were viewed as traitors. Baethor sighed and looked back at them, many of them stood with heads held high as Baethor had, many seemed frightened in the presence of Helvaryn. "madness..." The dwarf muttered under his breath.


Helvaryn spoke next. "The trial of traitors has begun, you have all been charged with treason against king Isen and mittelmarch for your defection in the Jovian war. Lead by Baethor Thunderblood former general of mittelmarch-" "This is madness Helvaryn!" Baethors voice resounded in the wide halls, interrupting the elf, who looked at Baethor as if nobody has ever done it before. "How dare any of you hold these men as prisoners in their own home. They are soldiers, soldiers following orders and that is all! Look at 'em! While every last one of you was gone from mittelmarch, it was MY decision and MY decision alone. Do not accuse these men for following orders, they are ready to return home to their families and begin rebuilding what was lost..." The council looked to one another then to king Isen. They murmured to each other quietly then Helvaryn rose to speak again.

"Very well then. Then the full brunt of our decision will come down upon you...Baethor Thunderblood. Release the prisoners, allow them to go home." The guards who had been leading them unlocked their chains and clapped them on their back, a general murmur of approval from the crowd echoed through the room as the freed men made way to their homes. The dwarves stayed only, in the crowd, watching Baethor and muttering to each other in their language. "Have you anything to say as per your own guilt?" Helvaryns eyes narrowed at Baethor as the dwarf met his gaze. "I've said my peace to much of the council in my time. I did what was right, it is thanks to me that mittelmarch even stands today, such as it is. The Jovians would have burned this city to the ground and rebuilt on our bones if it suited them. If it were not for the stubbornness of all of YOU then their might not be a great hole in my wall! Look at these people behind me, many of them stayed during the war, and because of YOUR rebels efforts, the Jovians would rather let mittelmarch starve then themselves...I did all i could te protect these people and this city, if that mean i must swallow my pride and lead under a new banner rather then let someone raze this city and its people, then so by it. I stand by what i did, for it was RIGHT....I've nothin more te say then that..."

Baethor could almost feel the anger raising from the soldiers behind him as he spoke. The council murmured to themselves and seemed to reach a decision. Helvaryn rose again... "The...council...has decided... Baethor thunderblood. You are hereby charged with treason." Baethor closed his eyes as he heard gaurds draw their swords for the execution order. "But..." The hall fell completely silent at this word. "The council feels that you truly do wish to protect this city...as such you shall not be executed, instead you will be charged with service to mittelmarch. You shall re-design and help rebuild the walls, slowly you may be able to regain the trust from this council. Gaurds, Take him to his home, he will be detained their until called for." Baethor breathed a sigh of relief, up until a heavy boot collided with the side of his head. The gaurds felt that was not enough and began to beat baethor. Helvaryn rose to speak, but isen held out a hand to quiet him. Baethor cried out in pain very little, as he was dragged up, punched, kicked and beaten to a bloody mess. one gaurd took up a club and smashed the dwarf in the ribs, baethor was certain he felt a crack as he spat a bit of blood onto the stone floor.

he was lifted to his feet and with his arms shackled behind his back could do nothing as a gaurd approached with a knife, he took baethors thick beard in hand and moved to cut it off. Isen rose quickly to speak but stopped when he saw movement. Baethor opened the eye that he could as his beard was released, Gron the goblin stood their, one elbow outstretched as the guard fell, both swords in his hands, he gazed at the guards. "That's enough..." Grons voice had changed over the years he noticed, gruffer and deeper. The guards backed away as the young goblin moved his swords back to their sheaths. " This is no way to treat a prisoner..." He turned and looked to Nichtmar who nodded his approval. He knew taking a dwarfs beard was as good as taking his life. Gron took the keys from the guard who was now being helped up and unlocked Baethors chains. he then turned to look at the council. "With the councils permission i will take Baethor home." The council nodded an agreement, some of them stunned at the young goblin. Goblin helped Baethor to his feet and the crowd parted before themas he helped the dwarf limp his way out. "Thank ye lad..." The older dwarf murmured as they left...He noticed as well that when the goblin stood upright he was now even taller then Baethor...No longer the young wild thing he was when Nichtmar first found him... the remaining guards grumbled as they followed them out...

[ziglerrobertson]

Zigler and the hooded figure had watched Storm limp out of the Inn. He was soon followed by the hooded man who excused himself, claiming to have others to visit. Alone again, Zigler finishes cleaning up the bar and then gets started on rebuilding the kitchen and its cabinetry sure in the knowledge that he will hear about the horns meaning eventually.