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Post by Rabbit on May 27, 2009 19:28:08 GMT -5
It has been two weeks since your return to Duvik’s Pass. Much of that time you were unconscious or too sick to leave the Temple of Pelor’s infirmiry. Finally you are able to that you were able to walk out on your own two feet. Within the day you receive a request from Captain Kurdow asking for a meeting.
Riding up to Fort Duvik with your mount and companion under you a crisp autumn air breath blows at your back. The fort is on the outer rim of town and shares a portion of its defensive wall with Duviks Pass township. As you approach the entrance you can hear voices from behind and the gate opens enough to allow you entry.
The gates quickly closes behind you and the sparseness of the militia is immediately evident. Only a handful of soldiers are stationed throughout the fort when there are usually twice that many.
“Ho, soldier!” a voice calls out to you from your right. Looking in that direction you can see Captain Kurdow standing in the stables. He lifts a hand from the horse he is grooming and beckons you come closer.
“Sir Ziffaultabrand Aethelbald Tottlebach,” he says lowering his voice to a conversational tone, “How do you fare?”
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Post by Rabbit on May 27, 2009 19:34:29 GMT -5
Captain Kurdow looks over the empty courtyards and frowns under his mustache.
“No, no operations, Ziff,” he says, “A soldier went ayewall not long after you left. He snuck out for a night with his wife and snuck right back in with the plague. The damn fool single handedly took out a quarter of my men.”
The captain’s anger is visible as he firmly strokes a brush across the horse’s mane.
“Which brings me to my reason for needing you. ...We should not have sent you and those others into the mines. It should have been a military operation, I don’t deny that. But I'm under an edict from the crown putting us in quarantine. And now…well now matters have gotten worse haven’t they?
"...Father Samual told me what you saw down there... the miners... the darkness. But now even if I could get the quarantine lifted I can’t spare the men!”
“…Duvik’s Pass needs you Ziff. The merchant, Doverspeak is financing another expedition into the mines. He asked that I help him put a team together, and I want you to be a part of it. I ask you Sir Tottlebach; is it in you?”
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Post by michael on May 27, 2009 22:22:31 GMT -5
"...I will not lie, were I to make this choice now, I feel certain I would reject you. That cursed place is one I have no wish to revisit.
However, this decision is not being made today. It was made long ago, when I appointed myself a protector of these lands. That duty is not one that can be walked away from, nor is my duty to my fallen comrades.
While I'm not certain that my presence will be a benefit to this quest, I will assist you with all I have."
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Post by michael on May 28, 2009 16:23:50 GMT -5
As he finishes his speech, Ziff's demeanor shifts away from the combination of guilt and resolve that fueled his words. His face becomes troubled, his movements unsure. He hops down from his companion, and despite his years of riding, stumbles slightly in the process; an indication of his nervousness.
Once firmly grounded, Lord Tottlebach turns to his mount and waves his hand, shooing the riding dog away.
"Go play with the horses for a bit, Brass."
The dog happily bounds away, running from stable to stable, eagerly inspecting these other, larger riding animals.
"I, uh... I do have a request. Well, not me, really. I would never think of asking any more from you. But Sir Brass has been most insistent. Quite rude, actually. He... ummm... He seems to think that we are owed some form of-"
A single, loud cough punctuates the stammering of the self appointed Guardian of the Valley. He begins to speak again almost immediately, but his gaze remains turned away from the Captain.
"-of recompense for the ordeal we went through. Of course, I've told him that we deserve nothing of the sort! In fact, I'd normally be liable to give him a good scolding just for bringing it up! But, well, he can be quite difficult to deal with when he's in a foul mood. But we've both just recovered from our illness, and I'm perhaps being a bit lax with him. And if we're going back into the mines, he really needs to be cooperative. I hate to indulge him like this, it's just going to make him think that throwing a tantrum is the best solutions to his problems."
The nervous tremble in the gnome's voice has slowly ebbed, and been replaced with a tone of indignation. He shoots a glare at Brass, who is happily oblivious as he sniffs excitedly at a large warhorse.
"Anyway, Brass has something specific in mind, actually. He's wanted some for quite some time, and I'm certain that getting it would make him entirely agreeable from now on. And it would be helpful in our quest, so it's not completely unreasonable for him to be asking for it."
With that, the small druid stops talking and looks up at the Guard Captain expectantly, waiting for a response.
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Post by Rabbit on May 28, 2009 16:56:23 GMT -5
Midway through Ziff’s explanation Captain Kurdow has turned from his horse and faces the gnome head on. He places his hands on his hips and listens until it is clear the gnome has finished.
“Is that so? What does Lord Tottlebach consider a fare settlement... for your troubles?”
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Post by michael on May 28, 2009 17:34:33 GMT -5
Ziff stares up, momentarily distracted by how imposing a figure of Captain Kurdow can be, before collecting himself and responding.
"Oh, yes, I didn't tell you what he wanted, did I Sir? Well, Sir, as I said, I'm perfectly content simply to perform my duties protecting the people of this valley. But Brass, I mean, Lord Stoutmuzzle... Err...
*Ahem*
Armor, Sir. Lord Stoutmuzzle would like some armor. Just simple pads or leather is all he asks."
Ziff gives a quick glance towards his dog, noticing it still happily inspecting the horses some 30 feet away. He motions conspiratorially for Captain Kurdow to lean closer, and begins to whisper.
"Actually, Sir, he want's quite a bit more than that. He wants full plate barding, with spikes on it! And a little mount on the side of his saddle designed to carry a lance, and a lance to strap into it! And also a pony with saddlebags to carry all the extra equipment so he doesn't have to do it. Honestly, I don't know how he got so greedy!
Anyway, I tried to explain to him that that armor is much too heavy for him. And that spikes are really dangerous if I'm riding on him! And that I'm not really good with a lance, so him having one strapped to his saddle wouldn't really be much good. I didn't even bother talking to him about the pony. And also, I'm a druid, and we're not allowed to wear metal armor, and I'm not sure if that means he's not allowed to wear metal armor either, but since all the metal armor would be too heavy for him anyway, it doesn't really matter. So just simple pads a leather. I'm sure that if he gets that, I can convince him to be happy with it."
Ziff then steps back from the Captain's ear, signaling the end of the request, and adopts the stance of an at-ease soldier; back upright, tiny arms held behind his back, waiting.
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