Hazardous Times: Chapter XII - Yet More Intrigues

[Attalus]

SIR BLANDAMOUR (To Sanael) "Yes, good elf, do so. I shall not be easy in my mind until we find out. The dragon can wait a while."

AMROTH(To Isaura and Lady Galadria, after carefully looking at the diary)"So, you are good King Gareth's daughter? I should have known, for you look like your mother. And, your sister lives, too? This could be very important. Johnathan is weak, here, in the North Kingdom, where many, like me, dispute his claim. We can raise the flag of rebellion, here, if Lady Galadria can assure us that the Order can keep clear the northern border, to bring in fresh troops and supplies. The road that runs past here goes directly to Condraeke Pass, where I know for certain that the Order maintains an outpost, to guard against orc incursions from the mountains." (He fixes Galadria with a shrewd eye.) "Can you personally gurantee the Pass, Galadria. That will be the first thing that Jonathan strikes for, for Triune Castle, my keep here, is very strong, but the lands do not produce much in the way of foodstuffs, so we have to barter with Erebos and Tarashia, using gems from our mines."

[Lady Blue03]

OOC>>O dear, i hope Sanael follows Verlorens horses trail back to the kingdom and not hers
Verloren
The princess set about removing her armour and boots, carefully placing them in a neat pile close to the fire, "I'm going for a swim; I'm filthy," she said at his questioning look. She located a deep part of the stream and walked in letting the water swirl around her neck, and then over her head. She settled herself into a firm spot on the bottom ~I didn't tell everyone I was leaving~ came to her head as soon as she relaxed. She should have left them some sort of message that let them know she would be back soon ~I hope they don't come looking for me...hmm, maybe Illek could do something~ she remained under a bit longer before emerging to the waist, leaning on a rock in the middle of the stream, "Illek, I forgot to leave my party a message that I was leaving, and I don't want them to worry. Is there aught we can do to warn them?"

[Attalus]

ILLEK (seems to have been startled out of another line of thought.) "Eh? oh, I shouldn't worry about them, Princess. They know that you are a grown-up girl." (Smiles) "And a very beautiful one, I might add."

[Galadria]

LADY GALADRIA(to Amroth, flushes) "I would have to go back to Tarashia and talk to Sir Bors before I could guarantee anything like that, Amroth. I would not want that you should move prematurely. Let me go back, 'tis not so far from here, and I can bring you back yea or nay within the week.

[Lady Blue03]

Verloren
Verloren felt herself flush bright red at Illek's comment. She ducked back under the cool water, then walked out and stood close to the fire. Her clothes dried instanlty, and her hair slowly smoothed out. She sat down a foot from the elf, propping her face on her folded hands that rested on her knees, "Tell me, do you know anything about this woman holding Draj captive? It would'nt hurt to approach her with some minute information first," she grinned at him

[Attalus]

ILLEK(to Verloren) (Turns serious) "Lady Nataskia? Aye, I know her well. Tall, brunette, imperious. Insatiable, I almost said. Much darker than most Elves, though she refuses to talk about her parenting, so there is talk of drow blood, even Plane-Touching. She wields great power, though, and has much wealth. She has a chest sitting casually in her siting room that she dips into when she pays me for a trinket, choked to bursting with gold. She doesn't even have a guard on it. Her minions are strange to me, tieflings, I would guess, for they wear long tunics, and there seems something odd about their legs. Very strong, though, and very devoted to her. She has a big castle, far to the North, though she keeps smaller places, such as the one toward which we are bound. Does that give you the idea?"

[ 08-31-2002, 09:42 AM: Message edited by: Attalus ]

[Ar-Cunin]

Originally posted by Lady Blue03: OOC>>O dear, i hope Sanael follows Verlorens horses trail back to the kingdom and not hers

OOC: Never fear - SG knows how to read (tracks) just fine - just read on
btw - are you sure you want him to follow the horse

IC: Sanael Ganahr

He dissapears into the woods suurounding looking for signs of the Princess. After a short while he comes across her horses track and follws them to the place where she slept. He looks around and finds the discarded note that was left for her by Illek. Several days of being soaked by morning dew has made some of the writing inelligeble, but he can still make out the words "..... of Winds in the Mountains of Rhun. Seek it be.....".

After reading it, he finishes the search of the area - noting that two tracks heads towards the mountains, while Verlorens horse goes in the general direction of the King's castle. He also follows the unknown tracks back a short distance, but nothing comes of it. He then return to his compaions.

"I found this note where she rested - and her tracks head towards the mountains. Furthermore she sent her horse away - which must mean she is going somewhere it couldn't go - another hint that she is going into rough terrain.
And there is one person with her - most likely an elf if the tracks are any indication. I can't say anything else about her new companion, he - or she - knows how to move while leaving a minimum of tracks."

"If we want to catch up to her, we'll need to travel fast - they have several days head start. So I think you should keep your horses until they can't progress any further.

[mistral4543]

Jonathan

He breaks into a relieved smile as the sound of a carriage pulling up outside is heard. Advancing, he holds his arms wide open to receive the entering Natasha ~ "You have no idea what joy your arrival brings me, my dear."

Natasha

She lowers her head, that he may not see the ironic scowl on her marble-like face ~ "I came the moment I heard the news, Jonatha. Is it so very bad? It sounds as if your claim will soon be disputed by one and all..." ~ Her hands continue to fasten behind his neck, and she hazards a glance up and pecks him on the lips once.

Jonathan

Disengaging himself abruptly, he looks at her and replies matter-of-factly ~ "We have to be prepared, most certainly. But there is no need to be overly alarmed." ~ Gesturing towards the open door behind ~ "I've gathered what allies I could, in the meantime. They're awaiting in there, but you might not be interested in such talk..."

Natasha

"I believe I would, my dear." ~ Her earnest eyes dart to that direction ~ "Lead the way, and I shall follow." ~ She strides forward, her linen train drifting tantalisingly behind her ~ "There is no time to lose."

Jonathan

"Indeed." ~ He reaches to hold her arm just a moment, to halt her progress ~ "You will do what is necessary, Natasha dear?" ~ His voice is caressing, silky ~ "I know I can trust you, always."

Natasha

Her laughing eyes meet his ~ "All the more no reason for further delay, Jonathan." ~ Her chin rises, and she receives a soft kiss on her elegant nose ~ "We have much to do."

[mistral4543]

Horace

"I say, what do you think Jonathan hauled all of us in here for?" ~ He twiddles his moustache speculatively as he faces his fellow companions in the study ~ "From the looks of it, he needs our help." ~ Snorts ~ "As usual." ~ The chair screeches as he pushes himself off it, beginning to pace about the room ~ "Never summons us unless he's caught in some mess." ~ Wearing a big scowl on his face ~ "That's all he's good at. Bah!"

Ewan

"Well, now, since you know him so well, Horace, there's surely no need for you to get so worked up by now." ~ He, too rises, and crosses over, patting the broad-shouldered man on the right shoulder ~ "Why not treat this as an honour?" ~ Chuckles self-depracatingly.

Horace

"Honour, my foot!" ~ Grumbling, he shrugs away the heavy hand ~ "When's he ever shared any of the loot he got, you tell me?" ~ Cheeks turning a little puffy and red ~ "I've just about had enough with this audacious twerp! I mean, why do we put up with it, I ask you?" ~ Gesturing dramatically with his hands ~ "It's not as if we need him or anything else. We're fine as we are..."

Rupert

"... except that you'd be with better connections, should he become King." ~ His drawling voice crawls in, the mocking tone directed at nobody in particular ~ "And before you fly off into another famous temper, I'll concede I'm caught in this, too." ~ Then smirks at the others ~ "Perhaps as much as I'm caught with that delicious little wife of his."

Ewan

"That isn't quite the sort of thing to say in your host's house, Rupert." ~ His scandalised tone suddenly swings ~ "But I like hearing it!" ~ Bursts into a hearty laugh ~ "And I totally agree... she sets me on fire with just a smile." ~ Glances at Horace ~ "Perhaps you would consider her gratitude sufficient payment for whatever services you are able to render?" ~ And starts off on another bout of raucous laughter.

Horace

"Do you realise what you're saying, you damned fools?!" ~ Hissing, he grips both their collars, shaking them ~ "Snap out of your foolish lust! Don't you realise that's his plan?!" ~ Sighs resignedly as they roll their eyes at his outburst ~ "How could such sensible men like you fail to see his ploy?"

Rupert

As he wipes a tear of mirth from his eye, he gasps and addresses Horace ~ "I assure you, my dear fellow, we are quite aware of the situation." ~ Winking ~ "But that doesn't mean we can't have a bit of fun..." ~ Shrugs his shoulders and seats himself again as the approaching footsteps are heard.

[ 08-31-2002, 11:51 AM: Message edited by: mistral4543 ]

[Lady Blue03]

OOC>>Ooo, Sanael to the rescue?
Verloren
Verloren remained silent in thought. ~Great, a powerful and rich plane-touching drow has an ex-lover captive! Why did I ever agree to this!~she blinked ~And I wonder how Illek knows her so well...hmm, maybe I don't want to know~ her face immediatley hardened ~Well, this is one half-elf she won't capture. Perhaps something can be worked out...~ she frowned slightly then turned her face back up to Illek with a grim smile, "She sounds dangerous indeed. But she has yet to meet the likes of me. It could be fun!" she winked playfuly at the elf next to her.