(1866-02-01) Midnight Orders
Midnight Orders
Summary: Thaddeus calls a small council and prepares to ride to Goldhollow
Date: 1866-02-01
Related: http://eternalcrusade.wikidot.com/memoir:1866-02-01:a-vital-missive, Goldhollow stuff
NPCs: {$npc}
Players:
Thaddeus  Raymund  Stephen  Bess  

Galenthia - Firen - Firen Palace
See set
1866-02-01

It is dark, the evening watch has already made its first few rounds, but while others should be sleeping, Thaddeus Sokar called for a meeting in the makeshit war room. An urgent meeting. He stands over a desk with a map of Galenthia on it, with major holdings and significant towns marked on it. The Sokar knight clearly did not intend on this meeting happening as he is dressed far more casually than he normally would be, a white linen shirt and dark woolen trousers, as if he had been relaxing at the manse. Some wine is present with cups, but otehr than that there is little in the way of refreshments.

Stephen Sokar is already here, looking rather nonplussed for any lack of sleep, and clad in simple (but not common) woolens. He did manage to grab the Lawkeeper's medallion and drape it over his neck, more out of habit than anything else. He's leaning over and holding up a patch of nearby wall, watching Thaddeus and the map with impassive but not uninterested blue eyes.

The rumour is that Old Sir Ray never sleeps, he waits. Though that's just the rumour, in fact his squire had to rouse him for his sleep and it shows in state of his hair. However he did take time to arm, but he is free of his full plate choosing a simple black jerkin studded with silver to wear under his green cloak. "Sirs," he greets as he enters the room. "What word?"

Thaddeus looks up to see the legendary Langer knight, "Sir." He says to Ray, "Word from Goldhollow. It seems our besiegers are besieged themselves. Ink on the parchment may as well be fresh, arrived by moongazer from Goldhollow." The Sokar heir hands a piece of parchment with the letter to Ray, "If they have a thousand men on the outside, and who knows how many on the inside, we could easily lose a sizable portion of our standing forces." A scowl crosses his face, "There is little time to spare on this matter. Sir Raymund, how many men do you need to protect the city?"

"Crow-taken bastards," Raymund grits out at the news. He does not waste much more time with curses however turning his thoughts instead to the question. "Leave me the House Guard," he answers decisively.

"There's been no movement detected in Riverwatch or along the River itself, according to the latest reports, and we've sure as hell been looking." Stephen speaks up now, inclining his head towards Sir Raymund in silent greeting. "A Message to Ironhold and Gwynain might not be out of order. They're in the closest positions to send more troops, though Ironhold at least may be limited in how much more they can commit without compromising their own defenses, judging from the numbers they've already sent." The Sokar Lawkeeper frowns a bit, studying the map as though he were trying to glean some further insight from it, but it doesn't seem like he's having much success.

"I see. I will be calling up the levies of Firen, so I will leave you a third of them, to replace the men that are currently at Goldhollow." Thaddeus looks to Steven. "Indeed, Briony and Viscount Cassomir's aid will be needed." He grumbles as he looks at the map, "Alicante is not too far from Goldhollow, a moongazer should go to Viscount Romante. We do not have too much time, but if the town walls of Goldhollow still stand, Duke Tarris will have at least some time." A deep breath follows, "This battle could break this rebellion, or strengthen it greatly. If we crush them, it will dishearten their allies, but if they win, they will possibly remove not only a significant portion of our host, but our leadership. Stephen, I would like you to travel with me, in case find anything that would be useful."

"Did they say how far this ghost army was from the town?" Raymund asks rubbing his beard and staring down at the map trying to work out the distances in his head.

"Of course." Stephen replies quite simply and succinctly to Thaddeus. He again falls silent as Raymund asks his question, glancing to the elder knight and then back to the map once more.

"The parchment says hours. So the sooner we can get out of here, the better. As soon as this meeting concludes, I will be sending out moongazers and having the bells rung for the levies. Any marines that can be pulled off of warships being repaired or whatnot shall also be brought. Sadly I do not think we can get a message to teh defenders in time without revealing our force's arrival. I want to smash these demons as soon as possible." Thad's anger is evident in his tone and expression, "Her Majesty also needs to be informed of this development. Any spare forces in the western part of Riverwatch will need to be readied in case this goes poorly."

Bess walks through the palace, half out of her armor, with her hands awkwardly working to remove a few more of some of the still remaining parts. The clothing underneath is sweaty and clingy, her face flush and she seems to be still partly catching her breath from what happened just moment's ago. The Lancer is on her way from the practise yard where she left her squire to clean up and doesn't seem to expect to run into anybody. Just a quick detour via this doorway and… oh, the room was occupied (she didn't remember that from the guard schedule). So, there she stands, having just eavesdropped, or well, rather run into, somewhere where she wasn't exactly expected. (EDIT)

"I'll have messages on the way to Dalcen and the Western fortifications as soon as we're done here." Stephen assures Thaddeus. "I'll give them to you for signature and seal once they're done." A pair of cold blue eyes shift to study the half-armored Lancer that's just stumbled into the room, a faint flicker of curiosity on his features, "A little late for most people's sparring, isn't it?"

Raymund frowns when his question goes un answered and glances behind him to look at Bess. He gives her a brief nod. "She will be helping hold the city with me. She can remain if you wish," he says to Thaddeus since this is his meeting. He glances down at the parchment that was handed to him and there finds his answers. "The army may already be there," he reasons. "The note says possibly hours away," he explains to those who have not read it. "Then speed will be important. I'd ask the lords for cavalry." He says setting down the note.

Thaddeus nods to his kinsman, "Good, we'll have them out as soon as the birds can fly…" Bess' arrival gets a raised brow, but Ray's explanation gets a nod, "Very well. And yes, cavalry will be the most important, in this case, just to be sure that it can arrive. I'll mount whatever infantry I can on anything with four legs that can carry a rider, be it donkey, mule, or horse. The sooner we can get this force marching, the better."

Bess looks briefly apologetic for her intrusion as she gives the men a bow, "My lords." A light and only slightly embarassed smile quickly finds a way to her lips though. "I needed some space and the yards have been especially crowded of late," she responds as-a-matter-of-factly (if a little quietly) to Stephen's query about her late night session, referring to the recent flurry of activity the Lancers had been engaging in - she as enthusiastically as any among them. Raymund's words give her pause and cause her eyebrows to raise. She takes an interested pair of steps inside. The questions that her features seems to reflect remain unvoiced for now, though.

Stephen nods to Bess, his lips quirking in a faint smile, then moves over to where paper, quill, and ink already await, and sets to scribing the necessary messages without hesitation. He knows the names of the Lords in those fortifications well enough, and has a general sense of what they have available. It will likely only take a few minutes per message before they're ready.

Raymund fills Bess in quickly "The Thorns are attacking Duke Gauvain's relief force for Goldhollow. Sir Thaddeus is riding to intercept him." He turns back to the map. "Seems like the plan is set then," he remarks, glancing to Thaddeus.

"Good, now, we have letters to send, and bells to ring. We leave at sunrise." Thaddeus' tone is hard, "One help us. "If we are fortunate, my sister and Viscount Romante will be meeting us on the road north. If not, let us pray that we have enough to break these bastards." He rubs the bridge of his nose, "We all know our duties, if you have any questions, ask them now."

Stephen is silent, already halfway through the first message, laying it out in a precise script. Apparently no questions from him, just focus on his task.

Bess listens as Raymund fill her in on the details, then turns to look at Thaddeus. The man seemed filled with urgency and even anger, both things which dispelled the Lancer's lingering smile. "If there is a question as to numbers, then let me add myself to your strength," she says with sudden resolution. "Unless Sir Ray objects," she adds, giving the old man a quick look, "but I think he has Firen well in hand, with or without me."

Raymund's brows raise at Bess' sudden offer. He shouldn't be surprised of course, this was Bess, who had been so attentive to word of the war during the long years of holding Firen. Raymund considers it a moment before he says "It is up to Sir Thaddeus. I can spare you and use Sir Oberyn in your place."

Thaddeus thinks for a few moments, "You may ride with us." He states, "Should we encounter Lord Tristan at Goldhollow, your duty will be to ensure his safety above all else, as well as any of House Romante that are present." Thad waits a few moments, but hearing no other questions or concerns he says, "Very well, Sir Bess, we ride at dawn. Be ready or be left behind." With that, Thad steps into the hallway and finds the nearest servant, his baritone voice ringing out to call for the muster bells to be rung.

"Very well," Raymund says when the decision is made and Thaddeus goes to see others woken from their bed. "I had best inform the Her Majesty," he intones quietly. "Lord Stephen, good to see you again," he says before turning to Bess. "Watch over them," he says to the Lancer. Then, he slips from the room to go inform the Queen of the news.

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