(1874-06-10) No One Trusts a Parthian
No One Trusts a Parthian
Summary: Nobles talk about the diffusing of a mutiny, goblins and Parthians
Date: 10/06/18
Related: Marching to Aspendon
NPCs: {$npc}
Players:
Brennart  Dertan  Lianna  Thomas  

Galenthia - Eastern Province
Rolling hills of grass, dotted with farms, and villages and criss crossed by roads both new and left over from the Vir Sidus Empire, Galenthia's Eastern Province is lush and green and filled with plains. The occasional river cuts its way through province, such as the flowing Leonor that cuts through House Reine's Barony and is the lifeblood of the Eastern Province and connect the Eastern Province with the Southern Province. The plains are fenced with anything from wood to low rock walls, and in these are grazing farm animals to horses ranging from work beasts to the mighty Tarris Warhorse.
10 Juin, 1874 IE

After the excitement of the day, the combined army wheeled and marched out from the Narrows into the fief of Aspendon, the Lordship of House de Ufford. Some of the Chandus forces remain back, including the Rangers and some of the Hobelar lancers, clearing the treeline and making sure no one has stayed behind. While the de Ufford troops marched mainly into the garrison quarters in the capital of Edale, the Chandus and Sokar forces move rather to occupy a fort that is used for militia and levy muster, as well as summer training concentrations. It's been recently swept out and cleaned and the small cadre of de Ufford troops welcome the army into their quarters. Wagons are let down, horses stabled and fed and men get to the business of routine. At least they aren't digging their own fortifications.

It's now the late afternoon, and while the troops deal with their own matters, Viscount Thomas Chandus strolls slowly towards the Sokar area of the fort. He's stripped out of his plate armour and wears a simple tunic, trousers and cloak with his sword belt at his waist. His hands are behind his back as he walks.

In the absence of wounded to tend to, mercifully so, Lianna is stirring a rather large kettle from which the scent of a savory stew is gently drifting. Every army marches on it's stomach, and while Lianna is no slouch as a cook, the actual cooks and provisions officers in charge of feeding and watering this group has several of these kettles placed among their gathered number. A folding table is stationed nearby and is laden with a leaning pile of wooden bowls that the assembled Chandus and Sokar forces are taking up, each in turn, to have a large ladle of stew spooned in, some bread and each an apple taken from the bin at the end of the table.

Dertan sits on a bench somewhere in the kitchen near to Lianna scribbling notes onto that collection of vellum and leather he calls a journal. Occasionally he takes a slice of apple to eat. The core of the apple is off to the side a little as he's already cut the entire fruit up into neat little segments.

Thomas pops into the room where Lianna is, first, smiling genially at the woman. He approaches her and dips his head, voice quiet. "I wanted to thank you for today, Lady Sokar. One's grace we managed to solve that without resorting to swords. I've made my reputation as a commander but I hate killing. Triply so when it's brethren."

Sharing a smile with the soldier at the end of the current group that move on to quibble over apples and find a place to sit, Lianna looks up as Thomas pops into the room where she and Dertan and keeping an eye on the queue of soldiers. "I'm glad to have been of help, in any way," she replies then fetches a bowl from the stack and spoons some stew into it, "Come. Have something to eat. If you're anything like Dertan or Brenn, you probably haven't eaten and won't remember to do so for hours yet. I promise, all I've done is keep an eye on it and stir frequently."

Dertan carefully puts his journal down on the tabletop besides his diced apple and marks his place with a tree-leaf. He stands up a moment later to claim one of those bowls of stew (chiding successful) before returning to his seat and touches the plate bearing the apple slightly to the right. "The best battles are the ones you never fought." He speaks those words with quiet confidence.

"I have a strong appetite, so I might forget a tad less often than others." Thomas says in good humour, taking the bowl with a graceful nod. "Good to see you too, Dertan. And too right." He motions towards the apple with his head. "A place for everything and everything in its place, hmm?"

Brennart has changed out of his armor since it looks like battle isn't likely at this point and has come into the room with the others offering a wave as he heads over to grab himself a serving of stew, "So battle averted. Perfect ending to this. Much better than needless killing." He sits himself down and starts to eat a bit looking at the others.

"Something like that," Lianna agrees as she spoons some stew into Brenn's bowl and one for herself to carry over and takes a seat alongside Brenn and Dertan. "The best battles are the ones that are fought out at a table and over some terribly detailed paperwork," she adds before taking the knife from her side and peels the apple in a single curling coil and slices into the apple after, segmenting it neatly.

Dertan follows Thomas' gaze to his apple before looking back to the Chandus. He's really not sure if he's being insulted or teased or what so he just says "It was in the way." He takes a moment to consider his next move. "Are you pleased with the outcome? I know that sometimes peace is not the best result, despite what all involved parties might say."

"What, exactly, and in simplest of terms, is all of this about, anyhow? It won't matter once the bloodshed begins, not to me and the other healers, at least. It matters, in the larger sense, but here - now - everyone was so willing and ready to go forth and do war upon each other," Lianna wonders this question as she looks around the table. "Boil it down for me."

Brennart shrugs a bit, "We've got enemies all around but it looks like it was over the highlanders joining our ranks."

"I think it was actually about two Caltu tribal lords being raised to the nobility." Dertan gives Thomas a questioning look before looking back to Brennart and Lianna. "This caused some of Lord Wulfred's men to feel that tehy had a difference of opinion with their Lord that was clearly unfixable." He picks up another piece of apple. "They clearly acted rashly, since it took nothing but a show of strength and some clever words to talk them down. It is sad that it happened though. I doubt he and his kin will lose the taint of having rebelled during his lifetime." The apple piece is consumed and then he adds. "Perhaps I should discuss doing something similar once Sonya is well again."

"Pleased?" Asks Thomas, eyebrows raising. He then grins broadly. "Ecstatic. I thought I'd be butchering my own vassals. I'm exceedingly happy. Thank you to you, as well." He nods at Dertan. "Yes, Lords Clendenning and Strathclyde were former Caltu chiefs. I had them raised with the Duke's blessing. This… displeased some. But they were always allies to us, even in the mountains. Other tribes.. not as much."

Dipping the bread into the stew and eating in silence while her question is sort of answered, Lianna waits until after Thomas speaks before she gives a slow nod. "So Wulfred raised two tribal lords to nobility, thereby increasing the number of tribes who will answer his banner call, should the need arise. This upset some others. How does this tie in to the general unrest that Bethany is dealing with? And this insanity with Goblins?" She gestures with the bit of bread, terribly rude to gesture with food but she does it anyway, "And goblins being a real thing is still something to just accept at face value."

"They are difficult to believe in." Dertan concedes. "But so are ice storms striking down lines of infantry at just the right moment or blasts that decimate entire armies, friend and foe alike. Thomas is also not a man much disposed to bragging and fantasy. I am sure that what he says he say is accurate." He looks back to Thomas then and nods. "An army like that left unchallenged would have been a major threat to us. I am glad it was resolved. Even if I am wary about having a man like that at our back during battle."

Thomas shakes his head at Lianna. "I raised them. Well, I petitioned the Duke, and he did. But this fief… Aspendon was, when it was under the Malkess, assailed by hostile Caltu. Neither Clendenning nor Strathclyde come from these areas. These tribes went off to other places. Some to County Kaedon, and others disappeared. Reappeared now attacking Sir Bethany. As for their reliability, we will see. There will be places to employ them in battle of little worry." He sighs. "As for greenskins… we must speak of this. Now is as good a time as any."

"Alright. Goblins are greenskins?" Lianna asks in that 'attempting to clarify' tone of voice again. She nods toward Dertan, "Good point, yes. Icy blasts striking down lines of infantry, not traditional.." she blinks then frowns and stares down at her bowl. "Nothing about this makes a lot of sense."

Dertan says "I believe there are multiple types of goblins" to Lianna. "It is going to take some work to muddle it all out but that is why I brought the shadowsnakes." He looks to Thomas. "I would appreciate that. I would very much like to get back to the Great Forts." He pushes the remains of his meal away and folds his arms on the tabletop instead, his gaze staying on Thomas. "What is it you need from Jarret and I?"

"Goblins are greenskins, yes." Thomas sits down, finally, and gets to eating his soup. He is scrupulous about using his cutlery even in camp, and not speaking while he has food in his mouth. "War was more understandable five years ago. Though when I saw Alphard Tarris get stabbed in the heart and come back to life at the Peace Ball eight years ago…" He lets that hang. "I understand. I am stuck between things, however, my lord. If we remain here and do not march south, then Sir Bethany has Caltu raiders nipping at her for longer."

"There's more than one type of Goblin? Why do they need more than one type? Isn't one type enough to get any goblin job done? Which is the weirdest question I think I've ever asked," Lianna mutters as she uses the spoon to chase the last of the stew around in the bowl. "Stabbed in the heart and come back to life?" she turns slightly and fixes a look at Brenn, "Why are we never in attendance at grand events when things like that happen?"

Dertan gives Lianna a small smile at her questions before turning his attention back to Thomas. "I thought the issue that you needed us for was in the Ergonian marches?"

"Why do they need more than one type? I know not. Needs do not factor in, here, I suspect. Why are there more than one type of owl, or bear?" Asks Thomas rhetorically. "You should be happy you were not there. This was when we had thought the Second Succession War done. The Thorn was mostly expelled. Alphard, cursd be his name, showed up and killed Viscount Jaren Cassomir, and Archduchess Anka Arkanin, and Lady Jaelynn Cassomir and others. I almost died." He sighs, breathing the memories out and wiping them away with a wave. "Yes. That was the issue. This is why you are here, my friend. But you understand my situation now? My first priority should be the Marches where the Greenskins dwell, but now my allies to the south are in peril as they are marauded. Who do I send, if not me? Perhaps my brother." He refers to Henry Chandus, Lord Leodis, one of his vassals.

"Fair points, all of them," Lianna replies as she nudges her bowl aside, spoon set alongside the bowl, cleaning her knife as she listens again. "If it walks like a trap, talks like a trap and maneuvers you about like a game of chance, then it's most certainly some sort of trap. What is there to be gained by pulling your attention in this manner, then trying to maneuver you to splitting your forces?"

Dertan is quiet for a moment before nodding "The answer to that question is actually relatively simple Thomas. Jarret and I already take responsibility for defending most of the great forts. We have discussed what will happen should Duval come under attack as part of that initiative and already agreed that we would move to defend the Fort should it come under siege. With that in mind, I am able to take responsibility for the defense of all the great forts, freeing you up to concentrate on the goblins. Holding the forts for long enough for the Kingdom itself to respond, no matter where and how the attack is done, should be well within my abilities."

"All honourable and very appreciated, Dertan. But Duval is under attack right now. They do not raid the great city itself, but the outlying areas of the fief are under concerted attack by bands of Caltu marauders. The bad kind." Thomas smiles wanly, jerking a thumb to where the Highlanders are quartered. "Not that type. You suspect some sort of collusion between the Greenskins and Caltu, my lady?" He asks Lianna, curious. "The Greenskins massacred and expelled the Caltu from their mountain homes. I would find that… difficult to believe. And then we've the issue of the Parthians. While I am confident from our intelligence that they were building up ships to attack us, perhaps now that they know we are vigilant they will relent? In any case, we've got allies who are… taking actions against them. And collecting. Behind the scenes. I cannot say much more. But that should define things much better."

"I'm always suspicious, when matters like this unfold. Perhaps things are merely coincidental. Perhaps one is taking advantage of action begun by another. But it's like an infection, it never begins on its own. Something small leads to something else that leads to fever and infection and a blinding headache, sweating and blurred vision. Small things lead to big things, and the actions of these Caltu marauders and the Greenskins - goblins - may be not paired at all. But maybe the are." Lianna ponders.

Dertan's response is a simple question. "Is Lady Bethany not capable of defending her own fief?" A pause whilst it occurs to him that might not have been the best question to ask and then he asks. "Is the threat against Duval by these caltu truly sufficient to threaten that great fort and the security of the coastline?" He looks to Lianna at her words and nods. "A lot of it is simple opportunism Lianna." He considers and then adds. "And there probably is a link between those two things as well. Duval's position means that troops moved to the mountains are no longer capable of supporting the castle in any timely fashion. It could simply be that they measured the local strength and decided it was weak enough to act. The more stretched your troops are the easier it is for such things to happen."

"A show of unity and force is desireable in these times, Dertan. Of course she is. She has several hundred troops. But you denude your garrisons to chase marauders around when there is a legitimate threat against your fief from an organised force somewhere else and you invite disaster." Thomas finishes eating his stew, and walks over to the cleaning bins. He rolls his sleeves up and scrapes whatever tiny remainders into the rubbish, then begins to wash the bowl and spoon. There are several, with different wash fluids in them.

As Thomas washes, he continues to talk. "Precisely, as you say. Troops moved out are no longer available. If she takes half of her force and deals with the marauders, how many does that leave in Duval? Is it enough if the Parthians decide to seize the day? They undoubtedly have spies."

"Is it to far fetched to think that they're all moving in tandem?" Lianna wonders as she glances toward Dertan, frowning with curiosity. "Simple Opportunism is to easy of an answer, Dertan. Simple answers to complex questions make for great lines, and simple plays that travel from city to city in colorful troupes." She glances toward Thomas as he carries his bowl and spoon over to wash them, a faint smile forming on her face as she observes this action. "Do you, and should we all, believe that the Parthian's are really gathering force again to invade?"

Dertan looks back to Lianna "It is also very easy to get lost in conspiracy theories. It is entirely possible that the parthians could have paid both the bandits and caltu to harass Duval and keep them weakened. Let us assume that is the case. It is certainly not past the realms of possibility." I just don't see how we can make use of that knowledge right now. So I'm trying not to dwell in that area." He gives a small sigh. "Sometimes I wish I had a spy network. It would provide so many extra pieces."

Looking back to Thomas he says "I understand why you feel called to support her Thomas. I am just unsure what part I play in this."

Thomas does not resume speaking until he has finished cleaning his bowl, dried his hands and replaced it where it came from. The spoon, as part of his personal mess kit, gets wrapped in a clean rag and tucked back into a small pouch on the back of his belt. An unusual practice for a knight, let alone a Viscount, but the norm for the regimented and militarised Chandus. "No. It is not far fetched. I am confident that whoever it was, someone coordinated the Second Succession War. Teleko, too, seemed to be a master at manipulation, driving both Kentaire and Rikton to war against us."

Thomas looks around for something to drink, and finding a barrel of wine moves over there to pour several cups, not bothering to ask. One for Dertan, one for Lianna and one for himself, the latter in his own cup. He levels his eyes with hers. "Yes. I do. The intelligence was good, and substantiated by more than one source. And if the Parthians did so, does that not argue for a quick march by a strong allied force to deal with them?" He sighs, passing the cups out. "You're right. Originally I had hoped to conduct a scouting expedition in the mountains right now. Now it seems ill-timed, does it not? The Greenskins are quiet for now… One knows why. I have no idea what motivates them. No one does. The most intimate dealing I had with them was when Lords Clendenning and Strathclyde flooded into my fief four years ago. Their general, or knight, a blued skinned man of near… seven, eight feet? In massive bronze plate armour. He challenged me. I wished to flee. I have never fled in battle. Ever."

"Blue? We're not speaking of paint, are we? I mean, a good indigo brick mixed with some chalk and a medium to pull it together, a good slather, and you're blue like a blueberry," Lianna wonders with another of those sidelong looks shared with Dertan as she curls both hands around the cup that now contains wine. Because this conversation seems to need alcohol, in perhaps copious amounts. "Would that be something they'd invest in, the Parthian's I mean? How much coin would they have to sink into this endeavor to make it possible," she rubs the heel of one hand against her forehead. "Ok. This has to many moving parts."

Dertan says "I actually think scouting is the most sensible thing we can do right now. We cannot take it for granted that they are not preparing something especially if everything that has been mentioned here today about some grand coordination is true." He accepts the wine with nothing but a faint smile of gratitude for Thomas followed by a tiny smile to Lianna. "You see now why I think a simple chain of events is more likely than some grand plan but perhaps" His words become contemplative. "I should be more wary of Ironhold."

Thomas is deadly serious. He doesn't sit, but stays standing and drinks his wine in that manner. "No. He had at least if not more than two feet on me. He challenged me. Every ounce of me wanted to flee, but I somehow made it stand. As our armies fought, and by that I mean as his hordes of greenskins swarmed my troops, some of whom ran and who had never run before, he and I duelled. He far outclassed me in fighting, and I am no mean swordsman. I think I must have tripped, and I was able to turn it on him from this. I slew him and his army fled. But… it was not something I ever wish to repeat. He was not a man, but something like us. I cannot make that plainer." He sighs. "You're right, Dertan, but I need to send troops to the south never the less. Perhaps I ought to stay here and attend to the scouting with you. Send my brother and Lord Wulfred south."

"When is the last time we had a credible envoy exchanged with the Parthian's?" Lianna wonders in a quiet voice that is paired with a grimace. "Chain of events or grand plan.. either way, we're already pulled out of position and responding." She stares in silence at Thomas as he relays his experience with the blue skinned creature, life form, goblin perhaps. "So it's some sort of blue goblin that's in charge of the green ones? I wonder if their structure is sorted by hue."

"I don't intend to remain up here either." Dertan tells Thomas. "The only reason I came this far east is that your missive said that Duke Guavain had specifically asked for my involvement. I felt that I needed to assess the situation before any real decisions could be made. As for the scouting activities up here - I'm content to leave this scouting company in the hands of Baron Willough and sub-command Fuchs. They are both experienced and most importantly cautious men. I am confident that he will be more than capable to watching your backs." He pauses for a long moment and then adds. "The shadowsnakes are a gesture of goodwill from House Kaedon. This is not all of them." A pause and he adds. "I do partially wish I could command this eastern front. The challenge sounds interesting but my responsibility is Riverwatch."

Thomas shakes his head. "It was definitely in charge of them, but it was no goblin. It was beautiful, instead of twisted. It had a man's face. Beard. Ears were pointed and it was massive, but it was more akin to us than to the goblins." As for the hue, he shrugs. "The Parthians are not as… tightly woven as we are. They war with eachother much more often than Galenthians do, for instance. Some of their Princes are friendlier, others are not. The Emperor seems to me to be just the most powerful of Princes, his influence varying with the shifting sands."

The Marcher Lord listens to Dertan with a neutral expression. "I understand. Thank you, and know that it IS greatly appreciated."

"I see, sort of," Lianna remarks with another of those furrowed brow expressions. "So there's no .. single unified diplomatic front to be engaging in diplomacy with. Even if an envoy could be somewhat verified and trusted, said envoy would only have the ability to speak for some of the various elements and not all. How.. absolutely worthy of a headache all of this sounds."

Dertan gives Thomas a faint smile at the offer of thanks before looking back to Lianna. "If they were unified they would be a much bigger problem I expect.

"Exactly why no one trusts a Parthian." Thomas confirms, nodding at Lianna.

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