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<Rhys> ::as in weeks before, the door is quietly unlocked, but left unopened. Two candles on the bar provide all the light for the whole room. Rhys settles in behind the bar.:: * Glossaria descends the stairs into the Hall, carrying a roll of papers under one arm and looking around a little anxiously. She is not immediately recognizable, as her usually spring-green hair is a sort of muddy reddish-brown. "You've opened, Master Rhys?" * Vallel follows behind Gloss, rubbing at his eyes. <Rhys> I have indeed, Glossaria. I see the henna has been put to a use. Can I get you anything? <Glossaria> Mist of the Peaks, please? * Kevil enters furtively, but he smiles broadly to those present. "Good evening, my friends!" He eyes Glossaria's dyed hair. "Have you accomplished your mission?" <Vallel> ::nods vigorously:: One for me, too, please. And something to eat, if you've got dinner? I'm starved. * Rhys pours Glossaria a mug of a fizzy yellowish-green drink. "Here you go." * Aeryn slips through the door in his usual fashion, removing his cloak to hang it in his usual place. "Good evening, all of you." <Rhys> Evening, Master Bard. Aeryn. Of course, Vallel. As soon as I've served everyone. ::he pours Vallel a Mist of the Peaks:: Anything for you, recently arrived gentlemen? * Vallel drains the mug, tilting his head back and swallowing mightily. <Kevil> The house meade, please. <Glossaria> Thank you. ::looking up at Kevil and smiling:: Indeed. Although there was nothing to be found on the Palace, unfortunately. * Rhys pours Kevil a mug of the meade. "Of course." <Aeryn> The same for me, please. ::he steps over to the bar:: * Rhys pours an identical mug for Aeryn. "And for you." <Kevil> ::takes a swig of meade:: Ah, well... Perhaps numbers will assist where research has failed. Did you discover anything useful to our present cause? * Aeryn takes a sip and looks curiously at Glossaria's still-full mug. * Summer comes down the stairs and makes her way to the bar. "Good evening everyone." * Aeryn turns to give Summer a nod and a smile. "Good evening." * Rhys heads into the back room and comes out with an cold loaf of bread, some assorted meats and cheese, and a few slices of fruit. "My apologies for the less than usual sumptuousness. Even we begin to feel the pinch." * Summer smiles to Aeryn as she slides onto a stool. "How's your hand?" * Glossaria sips from her mug and nods. "I... believe so." She unlimbers the rolls from beneath her arm and spreads them out on the bartop, exposing crude but neat line-drawings in three colors of ink showing the drydock floor layout, elevation, surrounding areas, etc. * Aeryn holds out an open palm, still slightly marked. "I have some small skill with herbal remedies. It will be fine in a day or so." <Kevil> ::grins at Glossaria's find:: Excellently done, bright angel! <Summer> ::nods:: Good. * Adam slips in through the door, "Good evening everyone." * Aeryn looks at the plans, eyes brightening. "Very good." * Adam takes a seat at the bar, "Meade when you get the chance Rhys." Looking at Glossaria's maps, "What do you have there Glossaria?" <Rhys> Evening, Adam. ::he pours the massive man a mug of meade:: And I had an immediately available slot in my schedule to do so. <Glossaria> ::looking over her shoulder at Adam:: City blueprints of the drydocks. Well... some of them, at least. There was a bit much to digest it all... <Kevil> ::to Vallel:: And I have arranged for the allied mercenaries to be out of the drydocks when we make our move. Aside from a scattered few, who have been warned to be protected, the bulk of the mercenaries will be storming the mage tower as we release the hostages and pin down the palace. <Glossaria> Mercenaries against mages? ::frowning slightly:: Have they any magical protections, themselves? * Summer sits back and listens. After a moment she looks to Rhys. "Rhys could I get some cold tea please." * Vallel helps himself to dinner and eats ravenously, nodding from time to time. <Aeryn> ::smiles slightly:: Well, maybe they chose that over the palace. * Adam looks startled at Kevil, "Have we set a date for our coup already?" <Kevil> Some. I hope to gather a few of our more magically-talented folk to send with them, to help. In any case, the mercenaries outnumber the mages massively, and will face the surprises and tricks of magic with better discipline than a mob of townsfolk. <Kevil> ::to Adam:: Not precisely yet, but the allied mercenaries hold themselves ready. It remains only for us to decide when to act. * Adam drinks from his mug as he stands to look at the maps over Glossaria's shoulder, "Where are they holding the hostages?" <Glossaria> ::nods:: Well, this may aid... ::smoothing out the pages and flipping through them, bringing an elevation to the fore:: See, here? This is an underground rail tunnel-- I presume they cart supplies from the nearby warehouses into the drydock under cover by this route. There are egress points here, and here. ::she flips to a floorplan and points out places to the left and right of center inside the drydock.:: * Kevil likewise looks at the plans over Glossaria's shoulder. "*Very* well-done..." He points at the ground elevation. "The hostages are being held here, in this large open area." * Aeryn steps over to the small group. "Might I suggest moving to one of the tables, where all will be able to see?" <Rhys> Oh, I'm sorry, Summer. I always get so caught up in maps and cartography. A fascination from... long ago, I suppose. Cold tea it will be. <Summer> Thank you. * Vallel helps himself to another sandwich and starts eating a little more like a normal person. * Kevil turns to Vallel. "Do you still think you will be able to shield the hostages? * Glossaria looks up with a smile, raising an eyebrow at Rhys. <Adam> Hmm... the tunnels would protect the hostages from arrows, but they'd also make it easier for the orcs to trap the hostages again. But the tunnels might be a good way to sneak a group inside the drydocks to keep the guards busy while the hostages are escaping. <Aeryn> ::grins:: I believe Kevil had a different idea in mind. * Vallel nods hesitantly. "I *think* so... if they all stay in one place, it'll be easier." * Rhys stirs Summer up a cup of tea, using cold water from the taps. Curiously, the tea seems to steep as well as if the water were hot. He hands her the cup and saucer. "Let me know if you need anything out." <Kevil> The tunnels can still be used. Taking the hostages out through them is impractical - there are far too many of hostages, and it would take too long. But a small group of... specialists could use them to get in. <Kevil> ::to Adam:: You said you thought you could breach the walls without much effort, yes? <Aeryn> ::raises an eyebrow at Kevil:: What kind of 'specialists'? * Summer takes the tea "Thank you Rhys." She slides off her stool and wanders over to the far side of the Hall, glancing out the window as she sips her tea. <Glossaria> ::cocks her head curiously at Kevil:: Have you contacted the psionics school, perchance? <Kevil> ::grins at Aeryn:: It all depends, my friend, on what kind are needed. <Adam> ::continuing to survey the maps:: Unless they've got mages actively supporting the walls I shouldn't have any difficulty breaching them. Breaching them without killing anyone is a different matter. I can breach the walls slowly and not harm a soul, or I can just bring an entire section of wall down, but I won't have any control over where the rubble falls. <Kevil> Alas, I have not, bright angel. Would that I had. I fear I must still rely on Vallel for such things. <Kevil> ::ponders:: How slowly would it take to prevent harm? * Aeryn looks over at Summer, frowning slightly, before glancing back at Rhys. His face clears slightly, and he turns back to the map. <Kevil> ::turning to Aeryn:: How good are you with a bow? How fast? Have you experience with fire arrows? <Glossaria> ::takes another sip of her fizzy green drink:: Love? Would retaking the city from the orcs constitute an "emergency situation" to Master Bluestar, do you think? * Vallel looks up, swallowing. "Um... maybe." He considers it for a while. "If he tables me, I'm going to be very put out with you. What do you want me to tell him?" * Adam examines the maps again, "Assuming there aren't any unusual structural or magical features in this section of the wall" He points to the map, "I'd say... three, maybe four minutes to build a tunnel through the wall say... 10 yards wide." <Aeryn> I have only a short bow with me, but I am fully capable with it. On a good day, I can try for three arrows in the air at the same time. And fire arrows are not much difficulty. <Glossaria> ::scowls:: If he tables you for asking his aid in defending the city, I shall be very put out with *him.* <Kevil> ::nods, scratching his beard as he ponders:: If you began to topple the orcs on *top* of the wall at the same time that Master Adam began his tunnel, then they should gather up top to defend it. That would place Vallel's targets closer together than otherwise. ::looks at Vallel:: Perhaps you could arrange with Miss Mandeil to have her manufacture a reason for the hostages to gather on the far side of the compound from this point? <Glossaria> ::looks at Kevil:: Master Kevil? Have you a use to which a band of psionics might be put? I would suggest that they might be more effective in disrupting a mage's concentration... tho' perhaps less effective than an arrow in the back. <Glossaria> ::strokes her chin:: Although a sufficiently gifted psionic-- hm. What would be required to probe the General's thoughts? * Adam looks up at Glossaria's question, "I don't know what Bluestar and the others might be capable of, and I really don't want to send students against the palace if the mercs would rather face the mage academy than the palace, but really, I think we'd be better off hitting all three places at once, rather than giving the palace warning that we're coming." <Kevil> ::raises his eyebrows:: If we can *get* a band of psionics, then I might take the bulk of them instead to the palace. The orcs and mercenaries guarding the drydocks are fairly ordinary. Those at the palace will be the elite units. We will need every advantage we can gather, there. * Summer moves to sit at a table, still watching out the window. <Aeryn> ::nods to Kevil with a grin:: Aye, I believe I can hold their attention firmly. * Aeryn glances over at Summer again, this time thoughtfully. <Kevil> ::nods to Adam:: I would hope any band that Master Bluestar sends would consist of teachers, or at least his most experienced students. <Glossaria> ::spreads her hands:: My gifts are not in strategy, I fear. <Kevil> ::grins at Glossaria:: You have gifts enough, angel. Rest assured, if we can have a band of psionics, we can find a use for them. <Kevil> ::grimacing:: I wish we knew more about the palace, though. * Adam takes a large drink, "Let's hope so Kevil." <Vallel> ::scratches his chin:: Does anyone know if that fop of Temire's is at the school? Has anyone seen him? * Adam nods, "Glossaria, I assume that the lack of palace maps reflects an inability on your part to find any?" * Aeryn looks at Rhys. "Good master Rhys, do you by any chance have a map of the general drydock area? Preferably including houses, with their elevations?" * Adam shakes his head, "Not in ages. I thought I heard a rumor that he was teaching at the school." <Rhys> I'm sorry, Aeryn, but I do not. <Glossaria> ::nods:: The palace maps were in the secure collection. <Aeryn> ::shrugs:: Well, it was a thought. <Kevil> ::to Aeryn, with a grin:: You do not remember from our previous outing? ::more seriously:: You will not be alone. Diya or I will be with you. ::wryly:: He is far better with a bow, but I am better at climbing and hiding. We have not yet argued out which of us will go on which venture. <Aeryn> ::thoughtfully:: Aye, and maybe another... <Kevil> Have you one in mind? * Aeryn nods, but doesn't seem so sure about the matter. <Kevil> ::raises an eyebrow, then glances at Glossaria:: I assume you will wish to be with Vallel? * Glossaria slides her hand across the counter to squeeze Vallel's. "I... would wish to, yes. But if you require my services elsewhere... I would... I want to do what's needed." * Vallel smiles absently, apparently lost in thought. <Kevil> ::gives Glossaria a smile:: We will see, angel. I admit, I sorely would like a few experienced mages to send with the mercenaries into the mage tower - for their defense, if nothing else. * Summer tucks a foot under her and continues to watch out the window as she drinks her tea. * Adam shakes his head, "I'd make suggestions, but all the mages I know are out of town at the moment." * Vallel nudges Gloss under the table with his foot and jerks his chin in Summer's direction. <Kevil> Not at all. Glossaria is a mage. Lady Aldis is a mage. *I* have some small skill at magecraft, though I think my skills will be better used elsewhere... There *are* mages remaining in Marsember. * Glossaria blinks at her husband, and glances over at the other mage. "Summer is a mage... and the orcs could hardly be interested in singling her out in the midst of a rebellion." * Adam laughs, "All the mages I know that you might not think to ask." * Aeryn heads over to Summer's table, pulling out a chair and sitting after a few quiet words with her . * Kevil glances in Summer's direction, his mouth twisting slightly, then nods. * Summer blinks hearing her name and glances over her shoulder. "I dunno. I didn't seem to fare very well the last time I tried to help." She glances briefly to Kevil and then shrugs, looking to Aeryn . * Kevil runs a hand through his hair as he stares blankly into space. "Bright Lady, I wish we knew more about the palace. I hate walking into traps." <Vallel> ::shrugs at Summer:: It'd be nice if we all succeeded the first time we tried anything, but unfortunately, it doesn't seem to work out that way. <Summer> ::She glances to Val and nods:: Unfortunately..... <Glossaria> ::taking another sip of Mist:: You are not fully trained, Summer, and perhaps could not use your best skills to advantage in any case, in the Mage Tower. But your aid could well prove to be the unlooked-for random element to tip the balance in our favor. <Summer> Well I will do whatever I can. <Glossaria> ::smiles:: No more could anyone ask. * Aeryn stands and slightly flamboyantly gestures for her to precede him back to the table with the maps. * Summer looks to Aeryn and then stands and follows him to the map. <Aeryn> ::to Kevil:: Yes, I had one in mind. <Kevil> Her? To the drydocks? ::eyes Summer:: Have you any long-distance combative spells? * Glossaria sips her drink and leans over to murmur softly in Vallel's ear. * Summer nods slightly at Kevil, her eyes quickly going to the floor. "A few, fire based." <Kevil> ::snorts:: We will fire half the city... ::looks at Vallel:: Will your shielding protect from magical fire as well as your own? <Vallel> ::laughs:: I haven't called him yet. I'm waiting for someone to suggest something a little more like a plan, first. <Vallel> ::looks up at Kevil and shakes his head:: No. It's not a shield against fire so much as a shield against my talents, which just *happen* to be fire. <Adam> ::nods:: Bluestar would probably appreciate a time as well. <Kevil> ::raises his eyebrows:: I have already given what little plan I have thought of. I was hoping the rest of you might have something better, or at least flesh it out... * Adam shakes his head, "I don't really want to make any move unless we're about to be discovered or we've got some idea of what to do about the palace. Though if things continue to get worse in the drydocks we may not have a choice. Beyond that, I can't think of anything to add besides to try to decide on a time, and possibly signal so that we can coordinate our actions." <Adam> ::thinks a moment:: Who were you thinking of sending inside the drydocks? The composition of that team might help us flesh things out some. <Glossaria> Hm. ::frowns in thought:: Again, we come up against planning on little information. Perhaps it would be best to hold off until next week, contact allies, and see what more might be learned of the palace in the interim? Disabling or even merely cutting off the general from his men might prove a valuable advantage. <Vallel> ::sighs:: The fewer people I have to protect, the better... but I will need someone to keep them off me, while I work. <Kevil> Vallel, for certain. At least one or two others to protect him. Precisely *who*, I do not know. <Glossaria> I have some skill in fire wards. Although I don't believe I could protect very many... at most... perhaps thirty? <Kevil> I would like to keep the entire team at the drydocks as small as possible. I suspect the palace will be a much harder nut to crack. <Adam> ::nods:: I could protect Vallel after I've breached the wall, but not while I'm concentrating on that. But I can breach the wall from either side, and I should be safe from everyone except mages and magical weapons while I'm doing that. <Adam> ::nods:: If only because we have so little information on the palace. Woundwort's presence won't help any. Which raises a good point, whenever we do this we should do it at a time when we can safely assume that Woundwort is in a particular location. Out of town would be wonderful, but I don't think we're going to get that lucky. <Aeryn> ::wry grin:: No, I do not believe we will be. Away from the palace would be nice, though. <Kevil> ::to Aeryn:: No, it wouldn't. * Aeryn raises an eyebrow. "No?" <Kevil> Far better for him to be nailed down. He has to die. If he is not in the palace, then there is no point in *attacking* it. If he is not in the palace, then we have no idea where he will go first to defend. <Adam> ::nods:: If he's away from the palace he can personally intervene and rally his troops. If he's inside the palace we can hopefully trap him inside it. <Aeryn> ::nods slowly:: I see. I had thought... ah, never mind. <Glossaria> ::frowns at a sudden thought:: Have any... seen General Woundwort? * Adam shakes his head, "Not since his big announcement." <Aeryn> ::nods:: Aye, not since then. <Glossaria> Hm. And at that time... did any see him in the flesh, or only through the projection? <Adam> Just the projection. * Aeryn nods in agreement, then blinks. "But he was standing in the drydock area. Perhaps one of the hostages saw him in person?" <Kevil> ::glances at Vallel:: Can you ask, next time you check in? <Glossaria> Hm. ::blinks thoughtfully, and glances at Vallel:: Love... when next you contact Tarri, do you think you might ask her for a visualization of the General, if she has one? It might be useful to have confirmation of what he looks like in the flesh before sending troops after him... ::chews her lip, murmuring something else quietly to herself:: <Vallel> ::shrugs:: I'll ask. Why? * Aeryn snaps his fingers. "The mercenaries! Have any of them seen him either?" <Aeryn> ::to Kevil:: I know most of them are scared of his reputation, but did any claim to have seen him in person? <Glossaria> I... hm. Occam's Razor. <Kevil> ::snorts softly:: *What* troops? We will be storming the palace with such of us as volunteer for the duty, and - if we are lucky - other angry citizenry. * Kevil shrugs at Aeryn. "I did not ask." <Vallel> ::raises an eyebrow:: Gloss? <Glossaria> ::blinks:: Yes, dear? * Vallel sighs and rolls his eyes. "Never mind, love. You'll make sense when you feel like it." * Summer smiles * Aeryn smiles slightly. <Glossaria> ::blinks:: Oh. My apologies... Occam's Razor refers to the philosophy of complexity. "One should not increase beyond what is necessary the number of entities required to explain anything." * Aeryn drains his mug. "Master Rhys, what might that be?" He indicates Glossaria's still-fizzing mug. <Glossaria> Occam's Razor is so-called because it is used to "shave off" unnecessary assumptions. It had just occurred to me that... well, that we are assuming the General's very existence on the basis of a very tenuous report. * Vallel attempts to follow that from one end to the other and blinks several times. * Glossaria takes another sip. <Glossaria> In plainer language, I wish to be certain the orcs have not made him up to scare us. * Aeryn blinks. <Kevil> If that is the case, bright angel, they have scared themselves in the process. <Glossaria> I do believe them to have some directive force. I merely wish to ascertain that it's the one we believe it to be, before forces are committed in that direction. <Rhys> Ah, that is a foreign drink of quite invigorating qualities, Master Aeryn. I can serve it to you, if you wish, but you may not sleep well tonight if I do. <Summer> Maybe he is real but they have only seen a projection of him, too? <Kevil> ::glares at the unoffending maps:: The palace, though... Well, perhaps in another week we can gather more information. ::he scratches his beard irritably:: The longer this stretches... ::he shudders and sighs:: Damn it all... <Glossaria> Or he could be a figment of the mages' imaginations. They do seem to have quite skilled mages. ::scowls:: * Aeryn raises an eyebrow. "In that case, I believe I would prefer meade." * Rhys refills Aeryn's mug. "Happy to oblige you." <Kevil> ::looks around at Gloss:: If we re-take the palace, free the hostages, and destroy the mages, the question is moot. <Vallel> ::puts one hand on Kevil's arm:: I can cure her, if I can touch her, Kevil... <Kevil> ::gives Vallel a tired smile:: I know. I only... Our time runs short. * Aeryn takes a deep drink of his meade and looks around at the others. <Glossaria> So... ::looks around:: We need to learn what we can about the palace, and the general. We need to determine the allocation of our forces, aside from the mercenaries attacking the Mage Tower and Vallel and Adam at the drydocks. We need to determine a time to attack, and a signal to do so. ::frowns:: And we need to accomplish these things without any townfolk being tempted to give up the plan to the orcs. <Kevil> ::sighs:: I should return. Perhaps, while I rest, plans will make themselves more clear. ::he smiles faintly:: Corporal Orlann, at least, has asked - no, *demanded* - to be among the party going to the palace. <Kevil> Master Aeryn and Mistress Summer at the drydocks, as well. <Kevil> And probably Diya. <Aeryn> ::nods:: Aye. * Summer nods <Glossaria> ::nods:: Noted. And you, Master Kevil? <Kevil> ::winces:: If Diya goes to the drydocks, then I go to the palace. If we plan to raise the general populace in revolt, a bard's silver tongue will come in handy, d'va? * Adam thinks, "An earthquake or something else highly visible might be good for a signal, but I'm afraid I don't have any ideas for the rest of the questions." <Kevil> I think we will not have signals. We will plan, in advance, precisely what day and time to begin. <Rhys> Last call, everyone. <Aeryn> ::grins:: Well, the drydocks on fire would make a convincing signal. <Kevil> I will speak to Lady Aldis in the next days, and discover what spells she has that may be useful in the mage tower. That will determine whether we need to find more mages to go with the mercenaries. ::he glances significantly at Gloss:: * Vallel gives Adam a bit of a sharp look. "Thanks for the suggestion, but I don't think we need to knock the entire city over..." * Summer finishes her tea and pushes her mug over to Rhys. She glances to Aeryn and reaches to touch his arm, leaning close to speak softly to him. <Kevil> ::to Aeryn:: Unless my plan is significantly altered, the drydocks should not be on fire until well after we all begin. <Glossaria> ::nods:: Very well. And... ::bites her lip:: Alright. Well, we can make further allocations as needed. And see how Master Bluestar and the teachers might contribute. * Adam shakes his head, "I wasn't planning on knocking the city over." * Rhys takes Summer's cup and puts it next to the other empty mugs on the bar. <Kevil> ::to Glossaria:: Perhaps the psionics would best be used in coordinating communications. * Adam drains his mug, "I should probably be going now. I'll see you all later." * Aeryn nods to Summer with a smile, then finishes his meade and offers the empty mug to Rhys with thanks. <Glossaria> Goodnight, Master Adam. <Aeryn> ::stands:: Aye, I should as well. * Adam nods to Glossaria and heads for the door. <Rhys> Good night, Adam. Safe journey home. <Kevil> Going. Right. ::he drains his mug as well:: Next week, perhaps, we will be able to finalize things. * Vallel puts together one last sandwich. * Rhys blows out one of the candles on the bar. <Glossaria> You as well, then, Master Aeryn. ::drains her mug:: * Adam slips out the door and into the night. <Glossaria> Master Kevil... please keep in touch. ::hugging him quickly:: * Aeryn fetches his cloak and dons it, nodding a brief goodnight to the others before slipping out the door. <Rhys> Good night, everyone. * Vallel takes his sandwich and waves goodnight. He heads up the stairs chewing thoughtfully. * Summer also heads for her room. <Kevil> Good night, my friends. ::he bows briefly, then heads out into the night.:: * Glossaria waves and follows Vallel upstairs. * Rhys locks the door behind Kevil, returns to the bar, and blows out the last candle, plunging the Hall into utter darkness. |
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