As he rounds the final corner he sees the banners flying once more. People are standing in the streets, talking, or embracing one another in greeting. Most of them, he knows. The others he has seen before.

The elf walks forward, waving a hand in greeting. Time to relight the large fire and share some good tales

OOC: Galadria, when are you online typically?

Approaching the Keep, Garnet nearly steps on Rastus, her feline companion. "Yes, I know, Rastus, it has been long since we have known of the orcs and their ill-guided plan to overrun the lands. But with this foul spell fallen over the brave knights and dames of Keldorn's Order as well as our own fellow Rangers, there hasn't been much we could do about it, now has there! Keep from my ankles, silly cat or you'll be stomped kitty!" She peers into the door of the Keep thinking to see Lady Galadria, the one who bravely offered her assistance with this quest.

"Hail, Lady Galadria, a moment of your time, if you please. It is well to see you recovered from the recent mishap. I fear I must ask you, though, if you are still able to aid me on the quest to persuade the orcs to leave peaceably. It is my thought that if we somehow force the warlords to reveal their petty private concerns and plans to cheat the orcs out of the promised settlement, the orcs will respond more willingly to our words (and other means of persuasion Garnet adds with a mischievious grim). Of course, your considerable skills at, ahem, diplomacy remain the absolute vital link in this plan....."

OOC>>Hi, Garnet. Early morning 6:30 to 8:30, usually, and when I get home, 5:30 or so, depending on what's happening.
IC>>"Garnet, let me tell you that your plan seems excellent. We shall enchant these evil men through their lusts, and so bring them down. Lead on, for I do not know the way."

[ 01-06-2002: Message edited by: Galadria ]</p>

"Excellant! Now we must carefully consider our next move...would you care to perhaps join me whilst I slacken my thirst?"

OOC: I'm generally on from 530 am to at least 8am (only quiet time without kids!) and sometimes in the evening as well about the same time as you.

[ 01-06-2002: Message edited by: Garnet FalconDance ]</p>

(Leads Garnet to her favorite table in the luxurious restaurant that Sir Byronas maintains at his own expense. The waiters all look like either Brad Pitt or Sean Connery. The table is deep red mahogany laid with rich linen placemats and napkins, with Baccarat silver. A centerpiece of Sevres Porcelain stands in the center with fresh roses and orchids, commingled with flowers so rare that they have no name outside their native lands. In the background a hidden string quartet is playing a version of The Goldberg Variations On the wall are autographed pictures of Imoen, Nalia, Aerie, Mazzy, and Jahiera, surrounding a large oil of Viconia. Galadria's favorite waiter hands them menus and waits, attentively)
Galadria: "I think I'll have a glass of Chateau Yquem '81 and a small salad, Yves. Garnet, we should meet in the morning at 6:30, here at the Order Building to plan this expedition. I shall ride with you to a parley with one of these lords, attract his attention, and arrange a rendezvous. We shall then see what they do, outside their strongholds and not surrounded with their bullyboys. What say you?"

"Indeed, Lady Galadria, in the morning by all means. Garnet orders a glass of honey mead from a waiter who closely resembles Sean Connery (sigh). I see we think alike on this matter. My thought is this: we shall enter the warlords' respective camps, myself as a ranger attending my duties and yourself as a Lady Knight pursuing her own interests. grins You arrange your assignation with the warlord....or if he be willing to talk, perhaps then and there gain the information we need? The camps lie to the west and the east, which shall we attend first?"

"Thank you", Garnet says to the waiter as he hands her her mead. It is a great deal smoother than any she has tasted before this moment, trruly ambrosial. Between us two we shall not only reveal their treachery, they will be brought to their knees! Her eyes light up with a nearly evilish glint at the thought. "I bear no love for these two, I must tell you."

"But enough of such solemn business talk in such a place of beauty and comfort. I know you are curious of the circumstances of my fostering the imp.....I can only say it was before he exhibited his attempts at evility. He was such a precious little one and I have long been known to be a soft heart for younglings."

(Garnet and Galadria immediately leave the building, mount their steeds, and travel to Garnet's realm. Garnet arranges a parley with the nearest of the bickering Lords, Lord Suth. They arrive at the conclave)
Lord Suth(sneers) "So, Ranger Garnet, tell me, what brings you to my presence, today. You have avoided all such contacts before, and have refused to accept my hospitality on numerous occcasions. And how is it that you bring with you such a lovely thing, whom I would not think would associate with a woodsy being such as you?"
Galadria"Oh, I'm just along for the ride, Handsome." (bats eyelashes)"Say, isn't that some lint on your velvet jupon? (pretends to pick lint off, then runs her hand along the velvet, pretending to admire the feel of the cloth, but massaging the puny muscle beneath)

OOC>> Okay, Garnet, your turn

[ 01-07-2002: Message edited by: Galadria ]</p>

OOC: Wait while I stop laughing so hard! You have this down so much better than me. [img]smile.gif[/img]

IC: "Lord Suth, my duties keep me quite busy and leave little time to socialize. The good Dame Knight with a nod to Galadria agreed to ride in companionship. She seemed curious to meet your lordship and discern the truth of the tales told of your 'prowness'. Garnet said with a slight grimace. Indeed there has been no pressing reason to visit your lands before. Now, unfortunately, there have appeared a large number of orcs on my lord's lands rampaging. Have you been plagued with the same menace, perhaps?" Garnet watches with concealed amusement as the overbearing and underdeveloped Lord Suth preens under Lady Galadria's attentions. He practically melts under her touch and finds it difficult to speak when her hand brushes 'lint' from the hem of his fine jupon.

Lord SuthNo, no, I've not noticed any such threat though I had heard rumor of it elsewhere. Perhaps you exaggerate the enormity of the menace.....Ah, Lady Galadria, I am sure that was not....(listens to her whisper in his ear)well, um, yes, perhaps we should meet privately and discuss these concerns. Ranger, I realize you are very busy doing whatever it is you do off in the woods....I propose I meet with the Dame Knight...surely she can enlighten me on the finer points of this threat? Afterwards, I mean later, we shall remeet with you and mayhap we shall find a solution.....His words taper off as Galadria nibbles on his earlobe, her hand still stroking the velvet. Luckily, he is so occupied with the sensation that he cannot see the mild look of distaste on her face. She winks at Garnet and gives a small nod and grin.

"Indeed, Lord Suth. We shall meet at the eastern boundary of your lands two hours hence. I must next speak with Lord Wemp of the eastern vale. Perhaps he has heared news of this orc invasion. Lady Galadria, are you certain you do not wish to accompany me?"

Galadria: "No, no, Garnet. You go on. It is not every day I have the pleasure of discussion with such a man as Lord Suth. I feel sure we shall find a wealth of topics with which to occupy ourselves."

"As you will, then. Two hours hence."

(She stands on a little knoll, outside the lands of thet Lord. A spindly figure rides up. It is Lord Suth, and he is alone. He dismounts. goes up to Galadria and puts his arm around her)"Well now, pretty lady, can we go behind those bushes and discuss (he whispers in her ear. She reddens)
[b]Galadria[/b} "Sir, I fear you have mistaken me." Hits him on his receding chin, hard. He goes down, out cold. She ties him quickly to a tree. "Garnet! Are you there? We have our man! What are we to do, now?" (Wipes his spittle out of her ear)

Bump! I will not live this thread die!