A New Power

[ensis]

Akechi stood up and prepared to give his piece.

 

"I know I am no military commander, but the empire of Galor has been my home for some time now. I am a hunter, and I joined forces with Quarain to overthrow an evil emperor. This has been done and what we are deciding now, I believe, is how to bring back the laws and ideals of the previous Galoric empire. We have the forces of Habassa as our allies, and now is the time at which we must secure what is rightfully ours."

 

Akechi paused to let anyone speak if they wished. It seemed there were none who harshly opposed the idea, so he continued.

 

"We must start rebuilding the capital and we desparately need a larger fighting force. With Thrin's approval, I believe his people along with the armies of Habassa will join with us in the destruction of corruption and hatred! It is my wish more than anything to bring stability back to this land that I love, and recreate the glory which was once Galor!"

[MDRud216]

"I do not know what to do," Quarian stated solenmly. "If there is a garrison at Castle GreyMoor we could use the help of whoever is in charge there. If it were up to me I would have us ride to Greymoor, it is a bustling portcity and many survivers aparently fled down the valley and took refuge there. What do you think?" he directed the question surprisingly at Thrin, who Quarian regarded as intelligent, and valuble as a warrior.

[Shadow of the Fallen]

Thrin was pondering all the men around him were speaking of, his hands locked in a way that his forefingers and thumbs were together and pointing up and toward his chin respectively, the rest intertwined. He was leaning back in his chair and staring more into space then directly atthe person infront of him when Quarian asked his question.

 

"My men are unprepaired, do not get used to the numbers outside, there will be little left when I'm through with them tonight... And as for Greymoor, did you say ride? As in us, ourselves? If it has indeed been taken by an opposing faction, I would not think it wise that men so well known as yourselves should go in person. Until we know who's side these people are on, we should assume them hostile, and indeed we will need to survey them. But would it honestly be wise to go yourself?"

 

"If your thinking more along the lines of sending riders to report on the happenings there, then that might be pursuable. If, however, you are thinking of riding with an army in tow, you should again reconsider. Such an act would likely be seen as hostile, and weather they would have been friend or foe, they will likely end up as an enemy. Still the decision is to be yours, my leigons are as of yet non-existant."

[MDRud216]

"Greymoor was not taken, the messenger sent here reported that the besiging force joined with another batallion and continued up the river valley, that was when we were attacked. I think that we should ride to greymoor, alone, but one would have to stay behind and maintain order here..." Quarian looked around, sizing up the candidates.

After a moment Quarian stood nd turned towards the doors where a gaurd was standing. "Tell young Nero that we have summoned him," in reply the gaurd walks out the door, returning after an ackward moment of silence. "He is gone sir, supposedly rode off this afternoon just after your first meeting."

 

Puzzled Quarian sits back down at the table, eying aseir and remembering what he had said.

[Shadow of the Fallen]

"Ahh, then so be it," Thrin said, oddly in a good mood considering he was just proven wrong and made to look like a fool. Indeed, though, it was good news that Greymoor had not been taken, but he was beginning to wonder about this Nero character.

[Peregrine]

Aseir gave an "I told you so" look in Quarian's direction before speaking. "Thrin is right, taken or not, we can't do anything until we know more about Greymoor's fate. As much as I don't like it, he's probably also right that our army must remain out of sight. Even more dangerous than scaring an ally would be revealing too much if Greymoor has been taken."

 

"Thrin, meet me at the main gate in an hour, ready to leave. The same for any of you with the foolish courage to come on this trip." That said, the rest of the group at the table witnessed the now-familiar sight of Aseir's back disappearing through the door.

[MDRud216]

Quarian wondered the streets, he had picked up an ale from an abandoned shop and now searched through the dark emptied streets. He couldn't see the stars anymore, and the occasional breeze was cold and damp. The sillouhette of the southern wall was now visible, to his right he could make out a smaller breech, thinking about it he didn't remember any seige equiptment. Perhaps, he mused, he had overlooked them in the adrenaline rush.

Finally a sign of what he was looking for, nestled against the southern wall was one of the smaller military stables, he had heard a whine in that direction. He got in through a small gap in its wall, it had collapsed inward sometime during the battle. In the inky darkness nothing was visible, but his eyes adjusted and he could make out shapes and the horse he wanted. He inspectedit, and found no serious wounds on the animal except an initial panick that had already worn off. It was a horse he had stole from an occupation several years before, it was the fastest horse he had rode, before the search party found them both, sadly the horse was taken back but Quarian escaped. Quarian untied the animal from the rail inside his stall and led it out across the stone littered floor to the gap through wich he had entered.

 

He stepped on something soft, and heard a groan to his right. quickly he began removing stones and rubble, revealing a face covered in blood. he could identify that even in the darkness. "Del Mora... hofa!" and he spat blood. Quarian gave no answer, the man seemed beyond speaking, he was crushed, and pinned under the fallen wall of the stable, the same fate as a nearby horse. "I said," the man paused, and coughed weakly, "you will die in pain..."

"You speak my langauge?" Quarain asked.

"Damn you, scum!" he yelled, and with that, an action that drained the last of his life force, he died.

he has been trapped for several days, quarian realized, and led his horse through the opening.

 

His ale was gone and when he emerged rain was beginning to fall, it was the first time in weeks. When he reached the main gate of the city and could look out on the valley it was a downpour. If they rode all night they would reach the port of greymoor in the few hours before dawn.

[Peregrine]

A very unhappy Aseir watched through the rain as Quarian approached to join him. At least it's a warm rain... he thought. In the mountains of his homeland, riding in such weather would be likely fatal. If only he was back home, and not off to go die in some foriegn land. And not in the damn rain.

 

"I'm ready, but Thrin hasn't returned yet. How much longer can we afford to wait?" Aseir asked once Quarian came close enough to hear.

[MDRud216]

You see that Quarians head is in a slump, rainwater drips form his hair and his horse wines. he vomits over the side of his horse and groans.

" I am sorry... Aseir." he says, "It will wear off soon enough. We will wait for the others." It was the first alcohal Quarain had had in years, and it sickened him, though he did not feel at all drunk.

[ensis]

Akechi leaves the meeting and goes immediately to prepare in his quarters. He outfitted himself much like he usually did, and was soon off to get some food before leaving. After filling himself, he lashed his cloak tight to protect from the rain and headed to the gate.

 

"If you need any assistance," Akechi spoke as soon as he was in range of Aesir and Quarain, "I would like to be of some help. Am I to assume we leave once Thrin arrives?"

 

Akechi set his small pack down and leaned on the gate wall to wait. He looked up at the sky and felt the rain on his face, wondering what this quest would bring, and how he would fare against the odds. He waited for a response from someone.