IC Scene - The Meeting

"It is good you were on hand then. It is shocking that two knights would spar with weapons just to buy time while a rebelling is occurring under their noses. Ah well will the Dragon recover quickly?"

Morek shrugged, the upwards motion bringing the sound of jingling chainmail and the scrap of plates to Aodh's ears.

"It is not my place to pass judgement on the Dragons or the Griffons. He will be fine however. He'll have a nasty scar on my shoulder and be quite stiff for a few days but his wound will heal allow him to swing a blade as well as he always has unless I am mistaken. And I am never mistaken when it comes to wounds."

Morek paused for a moment before asking a question of his own.

"Refresh my memory, why are the Clarion Call Rangers in Windholm? This is a city that is far from Janos after all. Though i suppose my order is far from Ethos we have a reason to be here. I do not quite remember what your Captain said before he was ejected from the Duchesses presence."

Natir nodded solemnly.

"That is good, and Dragon knight is always useful in a fight, and if this crisis comes down to that, he will be needed.

As for the Clarrion Call, we heard there was a peasant uprising here, and came as fast as we could, in order to help resolve the matter. May I ask what the Radiant Dawn are doing here? I was not at the meeting and I was not told in my dialogue with Knight-Captain Seph."

Morek shifted slightly on the balls of his feet as he listened.

"We are here to find someone and give aid to those in need. Now... as to you... Resolve the matter? Now that I think about it your Knight captain said things like bringing the people to heel and putting down the revolt. Forgive my bluntness, but the last thing Windholm needs is an Order tearing through the streets slaughtering commoners they deem to be rebels. It would be counterproductive."

Morek paused for a moment to let the Clarion some time to think.

Natir shook his head.
"I'm glad you told me this. I was unaware of the specific words he used. I can understand why this would concern you. I believe there is a misunderstanding. Our orders are to help return peace and order, with any means deemed needed. The information given to The Captain Seph in his rush to arrive here must of misunderstood that as being a direct order to use martial force.... I apologize if this caused you any distress. I will not take such extreme lengths if it appears to be unnecessary."
Changing the topic, Natir asked
EDIT: "May I ask who you are looking for, if I come across him while I am here I will direct you to him"

"Seeing as he wanted direct control of the Duchess's forces there is not much doubt in my mind that he views the rebels as vermin to be exterminated. Try not to shed too much blood if necessary like you have just said. A knight is a warrior, not one who kills the weak because it is the simplest solution."

Morek shrugged again.

"As for the member of our Order that we seek in this city I have not met him myself. I can tell you a few things, he is a tall man like myself and not native to Pendor as are many of the Radiant Cross. Though to be frank seeing as where we are, a port city in the former Fierdsvain lands, I do not think that there is any shortage of men that meet those two criteria."

"Yes, we the Clarrion Call is interested in solving this issue, not blindly killing rebels, and if possible we will avoid that."

Natir chuckled.
" It appears for instructions regarding finding this man, are more vague the my orders to create order. " Quieting his voice to almost a whisper, so that his men could not hear him. "Though you may not like to mention that this man or yours was a foreigner around Captain Seph or other Clarion Call members, though I have no quarrel or mistrust with foreigners, the rest of my order is not so accepting, due to some bad history." Raising his voice once again. "I wish you well in your mission, but hope if the need arise you would not hesitating drawing your sword in order to reinstate peace."

"Drawing my weapon isn't something I take lightly sir Ranger, if my men, myself or innocents are attacked I will, I cannot promise much more at this point."

Morek nodded his head slightly.

"But enough of this dark talk, you're here for the meeting, or were. I assume you will wat to be part of the conclave in the Church as well. I doubt the Dawn would have much issue with that. The Shadow Legion might." The Radiant sounded slightly amused. "It should be occurring at noon if everything goes well.

"I'm not asking you to take it likely I'm merely asking you have the confidence to use it when it is right to do so."

"Yes, there are greater things to be discussed with the other orders. I should introduce myself before the meeting at noon to save time. Speaking of which I don't believe we have been properly introduced. I'm Sir Natir, Outrider Captain of the Clarion Call."

The Radiant made a slightly annoyed noise at Natir's first sentence, apparently not appreciating his warrior spirit being questioned his helmet hid his facial expression, it might have been a figment of the Clarion's imagination. When he spoke it did not reach his voice.

"Well met Outrider Captain. I am known as Morek Valran, the current Knight Captain of the Radiant Cross in Pendor. I guss I should tell you of what I know, the Eventide who looks like he is ill is named Rayvs I believe. Thane Alatin of the Dragons is here as well, in addition to a certain Trierarch Seleucia of the Shadow Legion. My fellow Radiant Mattus Meraxes is out in the city somewhere. As for the wounded Dragon I do not know if I caught his name but should be easy enough to find. The Griffon who wounded him is.... er... moping about somewhere the last time I saw him. I'm guessing you know what sigil belongs to what order." Morek shrugged once more. "The orders do not seem terribly bent on mingling. Oh, and before I forget, try not to get on t bad side of Sir Lucius of the Dawn, he seems to be in charge of the security of the Church at the moment."

Picked up on the slight slip of the Knight Captain.

"I did not mean to assume that you would not use your sword if it were needed. I was merely recognizing your main objective is not to resolve the conflict, but I just hoped you would recognize the importance of maintaining peace in Windholm, and was wondering if Pendor could count on your sword to help maintain peace if it is needed, but enough of this."

"Thank you that is very helpful, I believe I met the Griffon ourside the gates, I will go and find him now. Anyway well met Sir Morek Valran, I appreciate your helpfulness, I wish you luck finding your lost member, and I'll see you at the meeting, if our paths do not cross again sooner."

"Not every Order has the interests of Pendor as a whole at heart at all times ranger, unlike yours which is dedicated solely to it."

Morek turned and started heading back towards the Radiant Knights in the courtyard, which at the moment had marshalled the plaguewardens into ranks and were practicing marching drills and commands and responding sharply like the well trained men that they were. Their exercises filling the courtyard with the sound of hobnailed boots cracking against stone as the Barclayans that followed Morek were trying to convince a few of the newly arrived Clarion outriders of participating in a game involving a cup and dice.

"I know." He said to himself after Morek had left. He started towards the church.

"Captain Natir" Oga, One of his outriders spoke up, but quietly so none of the orders could hear. "I don't think it is wise to be so friendly with this Radiant Cross Knight. His order is foreign and don't care about Pendor, and corrupt Lords for their own gain. You heard it from him, that his order is not acting with Pendor as a whole in mind."

Natir nodded. "I understand your concern, good Oga, but Borek seems from what I can tell quite respectable, and with the city in an chaotic state, I would prefer him on my side than against me. EDIT (We are here to promote unity not create divisions)." Natir had developed at least some respect for this Borek. Seeing his men being tempted by the Cross gamblers, he shouted over "Outriders of the Clarion Call this is no time to gamble, go and sharpen your arrows and remain vigilant." Turning back to Oga "I want six men on the roof tops keeping watch, in pairs of two. I don't want to be surprised by anything. You two (pointing to two of his men) follow me." with that he continued into the church.

He looked around trying to find the Griffons or any other orders worth introducing himself too.

Rayvs, still sitting down, perked up slightly when he heard the sounds of the procession.

"Finally," he murmured, underneath his breath.

He still looked exhausted, since he decided not to sleep and await the meeting instead. Dusk was lain across his lap, showing the world it's splendor.

The Duchess regarded the Clarion's reception respectfully. Then her gaze shifted to the rebel leaders and became considerably less friendly.

As they drew closer, the rebel contingent was noticeably larger than at first glance. Sandwiched in the middle of the mercenaries were several nobles. Also, an older man, dressed plainly but with keen, intelligent-looking eyes. A younger man detached himself from the group and wandered over to Rayvs.

"Ah, so the ruler of our fair city is here after all!" announced Valdor jovially as the gap closed between him and the church. "With any luck, and perhaps a little grace from the gods, we may resolve the issues here soon."

The Duchess was silent for a moment, her lips drawn tightly. "Perhaps," she finally said venomously.

Lord Wulfred took his seat with a scowl, and turned back towards one of his knights to speak quietly.

"We'll resolve this once Conrad pulls his head from his own arse, and the stick from Greysword's."

Rayvs stood up, and bowed towards the Duchess and her procession.

"My lady."

He then walked over to Valdor's group, nodding towards the guildmaster. He was extending his hand for a greeting, but stumbled on his way there, almost falling onto the guildmaster. His exhaustion was showing. It seemed as if any second he would collapse.

"Blasted fool." Morek muttered to himself, thinking that the eventide should have taken his advice and rested before he fell down from exhaustion.

Morek's ever present conquistadors were flanking him to either side as the rest of his warband stood a distance away from him and the meeting, the radiant knights in front and the plaguewardens in ordered ranks behind them. For his part morek just watched the proceedings for now, seeing no real reaso to speak yet.

Javier awoke from voices surrounding him. He blinked several times to clear his vision and found the previous participates resuming the meeting, but found one of his fellow Eventide Knights missing. He recalled briefly what may have occurred, but then Javier noticed new members joining in the conversation. By his appearance, he looked to be a knight of the Clarion Call.

However, more importantly, there was a lady escorted by a group of knights. The Eventide knight surmised that this must be the Duchess that the others have spoke of. Javier quickly corrected his position and attended to the meeting. Next time, he should be more careful not to doze off so easily.

Gilaver arrived at the meeting without uttering a word or glancing at anyone. He took his seat and strated to wait for the arguments to start.

As soon as Evedas exited the meeting, he went to where Sarah was still held prisoner by the Eventide Knights under Rayvs's command. His eyes were red, and his voice were different, it did not sound human.

-Let me have this girl for a moment, this is very important. I assume Sir Rayvs wouldn't mind it, since he's done torturing her already.

He said while trying to contain his rage and pain. Everytime this "sickness" appears, he has to do something to get rid of it. Everything comes with a price, and for a demon's hand the price is not very cheap. Be it by the pleasure of killing or women, for only those darkest pleasure can please the demon inside and there is only one result for the victim, death.

-The girl drank my blood and survived, not to mention she healed herself. She is the perfect cure for my sickness, and will not die like other women.

He thought to himself while waiting for the Knights's answer. He did not want to kill anyone here since to all his consciousness left, the place is crowded with knights of extraordinary strength.

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{OOC: Waiting for reply from the knight.}

During the brief intermission between the meeting at dawn and the arrival of the Duchess, Sir Lucius dispatched one of his men to the Church to report to Bishop Gundar. Shortly thereafter, the Dawn Knight returned with the rest of the Knights under Lucius's command; the Wyverns continued to hold defensive positions in and around the Church. The Dawnites then remained, largely keeping to themselves as they awaited the next meeting.

When the Duchess arrived, accompanied by Guild Master Valdor and Captain Barbarossa from the West, Lucius simply listened and observed. Those that needed to know his opinions already knew them. Now it was time to the patient and see how things would unfold.