IC Scene - The Meeting

"And what assurances do they have that you, Lord Wulfred, would offer any more just rule?" Sir Lucius asked.

"If a new ruler is to be seriously considered, it's clear who that should be. This meeting already proves all sides consider his opinions reasonable and just. Lord Bishop Gundar seems the most logical choice."

Aelos' behavior at the table was in strong contrast with Alatin's. While the Thane had been fueling his rage, the young Dragon calmly observed and never opened his mouth to speak.

He was holding the hilt of his masterwork longsword as its scabbard pointed down into the earth. A few times, especially when he heard the words of the lion Wulfred, his Sangendal signet ring bounced off the Silver dragon on the hilt.

"Should the duchess decide to abdicate I believe that the dawns suggestion is one to be seriously considered. The bishop is known to be an honest man and as a servant of Astrea he would be bound by his divine oaths to serve the people justly. Javoksholm has a dawn contingent and the lands around it are fairly safe because of it."

Morek nodded his head towards lucius, thinking that it would be good to have the clergy given a larger say in pendorian matters, the gods would guide the bishop.

"Abdication? Have you all forgotten why we were called here in the first place? This was a forum so that the people may speak to their duchess and so that guildmaster, rebels, and duchess could communicate. Not a council to decide who rules what. That is to be decided BY Windholm, not by orders ignorant of the city and it's life."

Selecuia nodded towards Ser Varys.

"The Eventide knight speaks the truth. And yet, Windholm sits at this table. So tell us, lords, ladies, merchants, and guildsmen, who will rule you?"

Sir Lucius nodded as well. "For once I agree with your kind," he said, indicating the Eventide Knight. "Only those who are actually from Windholm should decide what is to become of this city. You can only provide suggestions. But if they choose a new ruler, the Bishop is a sensible choice. He's both bound by Astraean justice and a man of Windholm."

Approaching the church the man known simply as Rallick grunted in amusement seeing the collection of peoples sitting around the table outside before lowering the panthers head faceplate of his helmet into place and strapping his shield to his arm.
His faceplate revealing crimson trails from the panthers fangs the only visible colour on the armour largely concealed by a black cloak.

As he approached he loosened his sword at his side then stopped behind the man he assumed to be a glove and settled into a rigid guard stance his eyes studying every person at the table in turn while he awaited instruction from the Glove and discreetly let a note slip onto the Gloves lap.

"

note:

(( I know that he is the commander but IC the man doesn't know. ))

Greysword, in a flurry of movement, drew and stabbed into the table a gilded dagger. After the moment of silence following her movement, she stood, slowly.

"I'll not be abdicating. I am the Duchess of Windholm, a sworn vassal of the King of Pendor. Any who oppose my liege or myself should declare their treasons now in the hope of mercy. I swear to Astraea, any who deny my rights will burn as the Heretics of old after I've cut out their traitors' tongues in the Fierdsvain tradition!"

Proper manners degraded into a casual state as Javier sat relaxed in his seat, remaining calm at the sudden moment from the Duchess. It was evident that his patience for the meeting has passed, and he no longer cared for proper formalities.

He spoke somewhat casually in response to Greysword's action and made a movement to rest his hand on the hilt of his rapier. However, he let it pass instead.

"So, at the rate this seems to be progressing, it seems that neither side will reach an agreement. There will be no council, there will be no abdication from the Duchess, and the merchants and commoners, I would assume, will not stand for this continued taxes."

Javier couldn't hold back a small chuckle, continuing, "In addition, I foresee that your little war of Windholm may very well be decided here and now. To think that blood may be shred on such sacred grounds too, I find it ironic considering my status."

The Eventide then rose from his seat, furthering his commentary in a more serious tone, "As the others have previously stated, this is a Windholm affair. Last I remember, I was called here on Eventide orders, not by the plight of the poor or the command of the rich. Perhaps I can further the Eventide stereotype by claiming I do not care for your struggle, both of you can continue your bickering and fighting until a third party comes in and claims the remains of Windholm. The other orders?" Javier glances quickly at those present, "They too have their motives, some honorable, some for self indulgence. The specifics of which mean nothing to me."

Javier then made an effort to leave the meeting, continuing his little speech on the way out, "I'm done here, this little gathering will lead nowhere productive. I have more important matters to attend to than this facade."

Thus Javier Kristoph Doyle left the meeting, patting Ser Rayvs on the back as Javier left. Among the many reasons for his departure, including boredom and the denial of mortal comforts, he did not want to be present should each faction begin attacking each other outright. As skilled as each member present may be, some are more deadly than others, and Javier wished to remain neutral for the time being, even though he likely left all parties involved in a negative view of him.

"Now, where was this tavern I heard about?..."

[Javier has left the scene. His story continues in The Alleys of Windholm]

With the small commotion started by the Eventide knight, Wulven saw chance to approach Aelos and whisper something in his ear. The Dragon's face, calm as it was before, quickly changed into a smirk. He adressed the meeting immediately.

"I just realised that two Dragon representatives, while Windholm does not belong to the north is perhaps too much."

With those words he stood, bowed to the Duchess and to the Bishop and left the table together with Wulven and another Dragon.

[OOC: Same here, Aelos left the meeting. However, 4 of his NPC's are still present.]

Grunting the man flexed his gauntleted fist for a moment and considered dragging the Commander from his chair then he relaxed and muttered quietly.

" Then be fast, we want to get this job done and get out of this shit hole.
We have more important things to do. "

"You don't seem to understand that this meeting is very important to our job, chances are small but nevertheless our job could be done right here, right now,part of it anyway, so how about you sit down and listen?" Pascal muttered back

" Why? Your already doing that and I have little patience for talk. That's why I'm a killer not a captain.

Besides this entire job is a waste of my time and the sooner we can leave this city behind and get back to work the better, time is a luxury I do not currently possess. "

"I wonder why are you here then. This job is not for a killer, and such affairs require patience and time."

My mistress has orders to secure this "prize" for our order, as such here we are.

Your arrived first so it seemed logical to locate you to find out if you have made any progress."

Morek removed the tome he carried at his side from its place there and dropped it on the table resulting in a loud WHAM as the heavy book hit the table. He produced a beautifully crafted key of bronze and unlocked the text, opening it to a place near the middle. Those that were close by could see the pages full of small text and large diagrams and pictures of various things, statues, plants, people. However, the pages near the back of the book were a different color, a different material maybe? Nevertheless it seemed that moreks book was a collection of priestky and scholarly knowledge. Something he must value if he took the pains to keep the book locked. It seemed that the radiant knight was showing his displeasure at the lack of progress that the meeting was making.

Sir Lucius was thoroughly displeased by Greysword's reference to Astraea and his expression showed it. He glanced somewhat approvingly at Morek and his display but then spoke his mind.

"May I sincerely inquire why you have agreed to a meeting then, my Lady? You have refused a compromise and refused to relinquish your titles, though no one faults you for the latter. These are not the actions of a just and reasonable ruler, nor would any true follower of the Goddess argue otherwise. Why even bother with this charade?"

Before the Duchess could answer, shouts echoed from the direction of the rebel line. A lone young man was scrambling up the path, his face flushed.

"Attack! There's been an attack! Clarion Call! Griffons! Lions! They've hit our lines at the wharf!"

Valdor, the noble and Barbarossa all scowled at the Duchess. "I believe you have your answer, Dawn Knight," said the self-styled captain, his voice a guttural growl.

"So the Lady's lapdogs strike us when we have come to meet in good faith!" shouted the noble. "Does your duplicity know no limits? Can we not have reasonable expectations without you dashing them at every turn?!"

"This is what the Duchess would have you fight for," said Valdor, far calmer than the other two. "A coward's way of fighting. Will the orders stand for such cowardly, ignoble acts? You have seen it firsthand; we fight because we lack other recourse...will you now defend her?"

The Bishop remained seated where he was, his gaze downward, his head morosely shaking from side-to-side.

Morek stood rapidly, causing the chair he had been sitting in to fall over backwards. His hands were palm down on the table on either side of his now closed and locked again book. The voice that emerged from his helm was not the one of polite discourse from the meeting but rather now one filled with steel and what could have been mistaken as malice.

"Quiet all of you! What assurance do any of us have that this is true? Do not start a bloodbath over the first excuse you get! Especially when it is delivered by a youth who does not seem to be keeping his head!"

Privately to himself Morek both hoped that this was not true and felt his feeling of scorn for Valdor deepen a bit, what would this simpering master of coins know about warfare? If the Duchess had indeed launched an attack at this point he would have to applaud her, the timing would have been excellent, the commanders away from their troops, vulnerable in all the confusion that a report such as this would cause. Morek gripped the shaft of his morningstar in one hand as the toher fixed his tome back on its chain at his side. He was ready to draw at a moments notice if need be. Flanking him, the Conquistadors each took a half step back and placed their hands on their hilts as well, finely tuned reflexes and hard won experience telling them to be wary. The situation was volatile now, and Morek hoped that the other Orders would help begin to calm things down.

Greysword, still standing with her hand on the gilded dagger that she'd stabbed into the table, looked to the messenger with surprise. Her gaze moved quickly to Lord Wulfred.

"Traitors! The lot of you are traitors! You'll all bleed for this, Valdor! All of you!"

The Lion Lord pushed himself away from the table and lifted his chair, which he promptly threw in the general direction of the Dragon Thane. An unmistakable sneer appeared on his face as his eyes moved to Morek for a brief moment. The instant the well-made but somewhat light contraption of wood left his hand he turned away once again and began to march away with his Lion knights, his left hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

Greysword, having already risen from the table, drew her sword and backed away. The guards that had escorted her to the meeting quickly formed around her as she retreated from the Church.

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

Seleucia looked from the Duchess to the Lion to the Bishop, and finally to Conrad Valdor. Her moment of hesitation ended as she turned and fled from the table towards the small cohort of Shadow Legion troops. Her helmet slipped on first, followed by the sling of javelins over her shoulder. Her shield was taken up as the cohort marched away, still in formation but at a run instead of a steady march.

"To the wharf!"

Alm, thickheaded as he is, picked op the chair that Aelos had sat on before and threw it at Wulfred. Alm was much larger and stronger than the Lion and his rage grew fast. While the big man boiled in fury, the other Dragons drew their swords and waited for the Thane's command.

In a near-shout, Sir Klovis made everyone realise that the Lord had made a mistake.

"Wulfred! You will regret this! You just woke the Dragon and Odheas will have your head for it!"

Much lower and directed to the other men present, he added.

"And don't forget who warned you about this. There was a reason he sought you out yesterday, Valdor the worthless."

Sir Lucius also stood from his seat and laid his hand on the hilt of his sword, but his unusually calm demeanor had evaporated. He already had a low opinion of the Duchess; this only proved what he already knew.

"Your optimism is admirable, Sir Morek," he said fiercely. "But everything the Duchess has done thus far leaves little doubt that she is responsible for these unjust actions. Or at very least wishes to side with those responsible. This is a time for action!"

The Dawn Knight then turned to the Bishop. "Lord Bishop, I urge you to return to the Church immediately. Sir Vinson's men can protect you there."

"Guildmaster, Captain," Lucius added with urgency, "I recommend you rally your forces, as you are no doubt already planning to do. Anyone else who wishes to defend Windholm from this injustice should know that Astraea stands with you."

Meanwhile, Sir Lucius's second-in-command had brought the Wyverns to him. There were now a total of fifteen Dawnites present at the meeting and all of them were clearly preparing for violence to break out. And with that, Lucius accepted his helmet from one of his Knights and tugged it on over his head. He took note of the Shadow Legion departing for the docks, but paused to see exactly where all the other Orders stood.

Arriving at the church in time to see the Shadow legion going round a corner Alexis motioned for her 3rd companion to fall in with her group which he did quickly placing himself directly behind her with sword and shield drawn the 2 female companions moving out to her flanks as she stopped.

" Introductions can wait Glove, if a fight is going on then I see a chance to thin the ranks of our rival a little so I'll be joining them.
I would of course be honoured to have the company of such legendary persons as you and your men fighting alongside me. "

Her laughter muffled by her helmet Alexis then turned and took off down the street at a sprint her 3 companions falling silently into step around her even as Alexis put on her helmet and drew her sword and shield.



Catching up to the legion cohort Alexis fell into step alongside the woman who appeared to be leading them and nodded politely fully aware that neither her own nor that of her companions armour gave any indication of who they were the armour being black all bar a crimson wolves face across the chest and the crimson blood streaming from the fangs of her panther faceplate.

" Seems were both heading for that fight and you don't have any archers, if you don't mind me and my companions will join you and provide what cover we can for your men. "



Having finished talking Alexis turned her head to the man running alongside the cohort but without any men around him and tilted her head slightly in his direction.

" And who might you be to have so foolishly entered this city without protection? "