(1875-02-16) Elements Of War
Elements Of War
Summary: Jordan and his guard seek out the smiths to begin the road to outfitting his forces for the war.
Date: 2019-02-16
Related: Vengeance generally.
NPCs: Dora Rampling, a metalsmith.
Players:
Jordan  Valeria  

Marketplace

Lyionesse has been called the City of Silver Fountains, and nowhere is this truer than in its sprawling marketplace.

Limestone figures of gods and ancient heroes dating from the days of the Vir Sidius Empire stand with truncated grace and faces enraptured beside the more modern charging cavalry generals and angels and fantastical creatures of poetry carved from marble and sculpted bronze. Water gushes and pours from the pitchers of beautiful women and the mouths of lions and trickles from fat, infantalized cherubs draped with immortal flowers and oxidized ribbons. It gathers below the feet and claws and hooves of noble chargers to sparkle in the sun and catch the echoes of gossiping men and women. Some are used by the people who live in this city for washing, some for drinking water, and yet others as places to sit with friends and gossip or smoke, letting the world pass them by.

Stately coaches rattling over the swept cobblestones and litters carried by brightly dressed footmen ferry the wealthy of the city to and fro, but the true majority of the Lyionesse public travel on foot, gossiping and going about their daily businesses beneath the watch of the statues. Fine cafes crowded with craftsmen, artists and merchants intermingled offer a place to argue heatedly over politics. Restaurants and patisseries offer haute cuisine and divine baked goods, while the industry of offices, inns, brothels and glass fronted shops of every tempting variety open out onto the squares and streets of the market itself. And everywhere, everywhere, the guards of the city march in glorious pin-neat lines, dressed in the bright blues and yellows of the royal seat.

1875-02-16

With the tourney nearly at an end, the market was nearly filled to capacity. Few wanted to leave the capital without taking advantage of the quantity and quality of the merchants and materials, made and unmade that were on offer. As well, he merchants were not about to allow an opportunity to make a sale which might help to add some padding to their coffers for the possible lean times ahead. To that end, a cluster of al'Morena knights had departed the manse escorting the Duke, as one did, likely with the states task of preventing both danger of assassination and the risk of being tramped by overeager folk only too eager to spend their coin…after a fair bit of bargaining. Valeria was among them, dressed in her brigandine, the group still far enough away from the hustle and bustle that she could speak normally, "If I might suggest, Your Grace, I found at least one smith I believe might provide us with quality weapons." She might not know much of stewarding and the like, how much money there was to spend or what equated to a good bargain for a noble, but she knew metalworking.

-

Jordan is just in his leathers for now as he walks along with the rest of his knights and nods a bit, "I see well lead on then Sir. I'd love to meet this smith. I'm still trying to figure out the type of weapons to start outfitting them."

-

Valeria had opted not to wear a helm, as had most of the guard. Perhaps not wishing to make it appear that they were a force intent on stirring, well, discontent, "As you say, Your Grace." She moved to the front, switching places with Sir Davros, who fell back to stand at Jordan's side, as she lad the charge to ford the sea of bodies, as politely as possible of course. Thankfully, the al'Morena colours, and the arms on display gave them some edge in so doing, as they passed the fruit and produce stalls, which were all clustered closer to the residential area, to allow for easy access for the household staff to make purchases.

-

Jordan follows along as they head towards the blacksmith, "So what do we think we need? I'm torn between more spears or archers."

-

"They are formidable close range fighters, Your Grace, we can use that to our advantage on both accounts. More archers to keep them at range longer, and to support your company, and spears to replace the ones which we sacrificed to make the advance. I do not know the number of soldiers that we lost, but at the least, we should replenish the most decimated troops first." They made it past the food stalls, working their way towards the area where many of the household goods, clothiers, and tailors were located. Given the noise, smell and grime which often accompanied the making of arms and armor, those souls had been situated on the far side of the market, in something of a cul de sac in the design of the space.

-

Jordan just shakes his head sadly, "We won't be able to replace our losses so easily. It was bad but I think a solid spears and shield wall is a must they fight like demons."

-

"Then I believe that sets our priority, Your Grace." Valeria made quick work of the distance, paying no mind to the bright baubles and gilded offerings. While she might have lingered in other times, needs must when the demon drives, or so they almost said. "Certainly it is easier to teach someone to use a shield and spear than to bring up a fully trained and capable archer." The group paused, Valeria holding up a hand as the crowd parted for a particularly elegant palanquin, most of the crowd, as they tended to do, attempting to peek inside to seek the identity of the occupant.

-

Jordan nods some, "Spears it is. Archers are simple to get more of but spearmen take time to train." As the palanquin passes by he eyes it for a moment, "And after this we'll need to relax some before the ball and the trek back to d'Picot."

-

Valeria seemed surprised at the choice, "You wish to make your seat so close to the line of battle, Your Grace?" Valeria watched the palanquin pass through, brows knitting a bit at the sight of the men carrying it, where one might, in other circumstances, make use of horses or cattle. Still, she kept her tongue, choosing, instead, to return to the topic of conversation as the flow of bodies began once again, "have you had much luck selecting from those who have come to the tourney? Who might be willing to take service with the House?"

-

Jordan shakes his head, "Sadly all the ones that I saw with potential were either high nobility themselves or already in service to another house. And I do d'Picot has a strong fortress. I've thought about perhaps moving my seat inside of d'Armaz's county. It might be a bit safer there but would take too long to response to threats."

-

Valeria's expression was clear enough to read without the need for her to offer words. She knew the Duke was being logical, but she did not approve of the threat such a location posed to him, "Then we should begin as soon as we return to fortify the fortress. I had been considering offering the suggestion that we seen the surrounding area with such traps and deterrents as we can, once we have identified where the land is weakest and most likely to serve as places to easily access the fortress grounds. The woods can hide many men. As the attack of their cavalry proved." Finally the passed from the market proper onto the mostly dry and salted stone and earth that marked the boundary of the crafters compound.

-

Jordan nods a bit, "See to it when we get back." As they approach the crafters compound he smiles a bit, "Oh the sounds of the blacksmiths is always a welcome one right now."

-

Valeria slowed their pace as they walked into the compound, turning to study the Duke. She had, of course, offered him one direction, but there were many hard at work, and his eye was more skilled than hers, "The sound of industry, it always seemed to me. Of…good work. Now that we are here, Your Grace, I will give you your head, as your experience far outstrips my own."

-

Jordan chuckles and nods, "I'll do what I can but I think each of you will be just as capable picking out some solid work as I am." As they start to look over the different smith's work he picks a few out, "Spear tips as many as you can make shipped to d'Picot."

-

The smith in question, a tall, broad-shouldered woman with ruddy cheeks and salt and pepper hair straightened from her work, fitting a spearhead to a shaft, her smile showing a girlishness that belied both her craft and her age, "Of course, my Lord." The words were offered with respect. It was often the default when one wished to offer respect, but was unsure of a better or more fitting title."At those words of praise for his men, Sir Davros stepped forward, "If it pleases, Your Grace, I shall begin the search for an able shield crafter." And as he had already been given tacit permission, he departed the small group, the other remaining close, but also, heeding the charge of the Duke to apply their judgment to the wares at hand. "Do we have enough raw materials for the craftng of armor as well, Your Grace?" hearing the title so close, the woman bowed her head, color rising on her cheeks, "My apologies, Your Grace," she offered, "I did not know."

-

Jordan shakes his head, "Might have enough but not enough time I'd like to see about boiled leathers for them. Maybe some chain shirts and helmets for now. But I'm thinking light spear that can rapidly maneuver to counter flanks."

-

Valeria offered the woman a kind smile, "No you done nothing amiss, good mistress." The woman nodded, offering a smile that was tinged with relief, before she set herself to the task of evaluating her inventory to fulfill the order before she supplemented it with what she would return to the forge to make, as the small company pulled slightly away, "Ah, then this way, if you will, Your Grace." Valeria stepped back to the lead as she took them off towards one of the busier shops, which seemed to specialize in metalworking, "This is one of the crafters I marked earlier, Your Grace." She stepped forward to lift the edge of one of the shirts on display, "The linkwork is particularly fine. Close with little space between for a blade." The chain was of the pattern that connected four rings with a central fifth, allowing for flexibility as well as better deflection of blade or arrow.

-

Jordan nods a bit as he looks over the chain, "And you're good with riveting them?" He looks at the blacksmith, "Fine work Mistress. And as my knight said you did nothing wrong." He eyes it a bit, "How are you with your plate armor?" Perhaps the Duke is in need of an armor upgrade as well…

-

"Aye, Your Grace. My small work is fair as you will see in the market. But my shop is small, and I have not the space nor the apprentices enough for such an operation." As she was spoken to fairly, she seemed to return to herself, the uncertainty fading from her face, as she as put at ease. "I can make it if you ask it of me. But if you won't mind me saying, you want Stefan for such as plate. You will find no better." She paused in her work indicating a forge which sat almost kitty-corner to her own.

-

Jordan nods a moment, "Such armor was never something I'd have looked to have crafted before but. Things have changed. I'll look to Stefan for that work but since my knight has recommended your shop we'll stick with you for the chain." He looks over at Stefan's shop, "But his shop can wait. How long would it take for you to have spear tips ready to field I'd say two hundred?"

-

The smith looked up, her brow creasing as she looked back into her shop, "With my apprentices, Your Grace, two weeks. But with recent…difficulties in the kingdom, well, we have been busy here and they seem to buy them as soon as we can make them." Here, that girlishness returned to her face, "So, of course, we make what stockpiles we have material for. I could perhaps have half that to send immediately, and begin immediately on the rest."

-

Jordan looks at her and frowns a bit, "Two weeks? I was expecting much longer than that." He grins a bit and nods, "Please get started. I know the chain shirts will take longer if you could have links sent to d'Picot I'll have some apprentices there begin crafting shirts. I'd rather get full kits done as rapidly as possible."

-

The smith nodded, listening carefully to precisely what the Duke was wanting done for him, "I will send what I have of the spears, Your Grace, and a sample or two of the chain, so that your apprentices can have something to work from. It is a close weave but not difficult to make , once you learn the trick of it, only time consuming, as chain always is. But if you have enough willing, I will set my shop t the task of the links."

-

Jordan nods a bit, "I'm sure I can round up enough willing to learn and work on it." He looks over the shop some more and eyes some of the already forged weapons, "Any new blades that need an owner?"

-

The smith frowned at the question, though it was with the air of evaluation, as she studied the duke first, and then the guard around him. For a moment, it was not unlike visiting the tailor, when the crafter took our measure to decide what would be best for you, "I have good sock, yes, Your Grace. Will the weapon be for you or for someone else?"

-

Jordan grins, "I'd love a new sword but I was thinking for somebody else." He looks over the stock and mmms a bit here and there, "It's for combat so it wouldn't need to be fancy."

-

"Do they prefer close quarters fighting? Or to keep their opponents at a distance? A sort sword, or long? So they prefer more weight in the blade or do they prefer a lighter weight and a more flexible use of their body?" Strength and size of the wielder was something to take into consideration. The smith had already wandered along to where the swords were on display, each carefully wrapped and sheathed.

-

Jordan looks over at Valeria, "I'd say lighter weapon more flexible use of their body. They're about… Yay high." Points over at Valeria, "And it would need to be semi fancy thinking about it. Something she could wear while in court."

The smith listened with a certain intensity, as though she were visually crafting the piece as she listened to the description of the Duke's needs, eyes shifting to Valeria, who had wandered off towards the edge of the shop, watching one of the shop's apprentices grinding the blade of a dagger her expression slightly distant, as though the act of watching the craftsman seemed to put her in a meditative mood. The smith studied the woman, height, and build and the way she held herself, "I believe I have something that I could show you, Your Grace." She stepped towards the weapon wall, pulling down a sword that looked like the halfway point between a short sword and a cutlass. The blade was curved, but was not as rounded as a cutlass, which she carried back towards the Duke, "A sample only, Your Grace." for the design was good, but the decoration as minimal. "She uses a shield, yes?" Valeria's build and lightness did not lend itself well to the heaviness of a hand-and-a-half or longsword. "I can begin a custom piece. Do you an idea of the sort of decorative elements you would like for it?"

Jordan shakes his head, "Just decorative enough to pass for a courtly sword yet remain functional. I doubt she'd want something overly fancy but after her showing in the melee I'd like to present her with a prize for doing so well." He looks over at Valeria and nods, "Yes she used a shield in the melee so a single handed weapon."

The smith returned her gaze to Valeria, squinting her eyes a bit as she studied the small patch that had been attached to the knight's brigandine, which bore her heraldry, nodding, though it was more to herself than the Duke, "I believe I have an idea for what I will do, Your Grace. Something drawn from the lion I think." She nodded, as though the matter was settled in herself, "The shield is a good choice, and will balance the weight of the sword." Weaponsmithing was not, in its way, much dissimilar to tailoring, requiring the smith to know as much about what was needed as how it would be used, in order to allow the weapon to serve as an extension of the wielder. "Is there ought else you require, Your Grace? 200 spears, the links, and a sword for your knight?"

Jordan shakes his head, "That should be all I need for the moment. I am fighting a war and I'm sure we'll need more soon but for now that should be enough."

-

The smith's face twisted, as if the emotion she felt hearing those words had defeated even her long years of professionalism. "Those savages have been killing us, the weak and the innocent as well as those in power." She would have spoken more, but seemed to recall herself after that, "I will do all that I can to support your effort, Your Grace. May the One guard and keep you."

-

Jordan nods a bit, "And may the One guide and keep you safe. And thank you for your work. It'll go a long way into beginning to replenish the troops we've lost to the west."

-

"I thank you for the blessing, Your Grace." The woman's expression hardened, as she continued, "What I can do, I will do, Your Grace. This kingdom has seen too much of war. May you be one of the ones who leads us back to peace." And then, the hardness faded, as she bowed in respect. "In such times as these, I find I would not mind if I had less work to look forward to and not more." An end to war was both a boon and a weight on ones such as these, whose business was to outfit soldiers for such ways. "Years ago…I began a crafter of farming implements. I would like to have the opportunity to make nothing more deadly than a plowshare once again."

-

Jordan smiles a bit as he looks at the smith, "I pray the day when I can return these spear tips to you to forge into plows." He looks over to Valeria, "Sir Valeria have you happened to come across any alchemists here? Speaking of farming implements I need to order some fertilizer for the farming season."

-

Hearing her name, Valeria pulled herself out of her reverie, turning and returning to Jordan's side, the smith, seeing the Duke return to his other business stepped away herself, doing as she had sworn and moving to begin the process to complete her order. "I have not visited any, Your Grace, but I believe I know where they are located. I believe they are in the same part of the city where I went to visit with the apothecary. If you are finished here, I would be happy to guide you."

-

Jordan hmmms and nods as he thinks before he shakes his head, "No I think it might be safer to visit the guild in Four Corners after I've sat down and figured out the quantities I'll need to have ordered. Wouldn't do me any good to go in without all the information I need. Also we should begin preparing for the ball correct?"

-

"I do not know much of the guild there, Your Grace, but I know, or rather, I have heard, that Four Corners hosts a number of guilds of substantial size. Such a thing could provide much more of what we need at potentially a fairer price." As with all things, many hands and more funds made for lighter work. Valeria's face did not precisely look pinched, but mention of the ball certainly brought an air of nerves, "We should, Your Grace. Have you already chosen what you will be wearing?"

-

Jordan hmmms, "I'm thinking just a proper doublet and breeches. Maybe even with some… embroidery. But yes I'd heard the guild is bigger there should get a fairer price along with more product. I just need to know how much I need."

-

Valeria, having managed to turn the conversation away from her own predicament towards Jordan, did seem slightly relieved as well as interested, "Is that common, your Grace? I have asked…what is expected in such events. Is it common for the men to dress demurely and the women not? Or is it each to their individual tastes?" As to the question of the fertilizer, "It might be well to engage your commonfolk in the discussion. They would have a much better idea of what their lands require. As well, we might commit them to assisting us in the hunting and salting of small game. Large animals are forbidden them, but such things as rabbits and such, as well as fishing when it was allowed, often supplements a pantry well. And if they are offered a fair portion, it will be that many more hands to the task, especially should we find ourselves or the lands under siege."

-

Jordan nods a bit, "Or even open up some large game for a short time." He thinks for a moment, "Let us return back to the manor house and prepare for this wonderful ball. And the dress for the ball depends on the taste of the person wearing it. I'm not a flashy person although I believe I should dress the part when it's called for."

-

"That as well. For a landowner to share what is his and his alone with his people is a show of favour and appreciation to them." Valeria took a pause, before she spoke again, "I know it is not the Aequorian way, Your Grace. But too often, the peasantry feels both misused and faceless, unvalued. It would work in our favour, I think, to show, not just speak the words…that we are working for the betterment of their lives." her head dipped, a bow of acknowledgment of the day's plans, "Of course, Your Grace. And you should consider a light meal. I expect you will be caught up in conversations so often that what food they provide might well escape you." Ah, the negative side to being noble.

-

Jordan nods a moment, "Food of course I'd have forgotten about it." He hmmms and nods, "That's the plan. It's why I'm wanting to purchase fertilizer for the fields to increase the crops. The larger game won't just gain me their approval but will strengthen them for the coming war. I'm not all selfless." He frowns a bit, "As much as I wish I could be sometimes." He motions towards the direction of the manor, "Lets go get ready. As much as I'm not looking forward to all the conversations I'll be trapped in it's my duty."

-

"You seem to have a tendency to do that when your mind is otherwise occupied, Your Grace." There was a hint of amusement in Valeria's voice as the party stepped out of the shop and began to make their way back towards the manse. "I do not believe anyone in such circumstances as yours, Your Grace could be entirely selfless. There is too much work and far too powerful an enemy to be defeated." As they walked, making their way back through the street, Valeria spoke again, "May I request a detour, Your Grace? It is nearly the hour, and I would wish to avoid the spectacle of the…blade."

-

Jordan nods some, "That's fine. And there's too much work to be done. Even after White Hall is driven from the west we've got invaders to the East as well. And I'd rather avoid the crowds."

-

"Ah. A man who enjoys his solitude." Though that was not what Jordan likely intended the comment to mean, Valeria clearly wished to add some, perhaps misguided amount of levity to the day. With the ball looming, it was certainly needed." Valeria made a 'one moment gesture,' as she parted from the group, "I will catch up, and moved at best speed towards a leatherworking shop. Not the sort that made armor, but more the sort that made small decorative items." She was not long about her business and was soon moving on swift feet to catch back up, a wrapped bundle in her arms.

-

Jordan grins and nods a bit, "Yeah we could say that." And then she's off and the Duke and his guards travel towards the manor house. Until she catches back up, "That was relatively quick."

-

"Oh! Yes. I already had them ordered, when I was first told that I needed to wear a dress. I had only to have them delivered today. But as we were out, I thought I would save myself the trouble of waiting, if they were delayed." There was a slight bit of 'out of breath,' but perhaps that was to be expected. She had had to account for her detour as well as trying to catch up with a group who had a much longer stride than she, nearly two steps to her one.

-

Jordan chuckles a bit, "Oh it's for the dress? That'll be interesting." He grins as they walk along, "Lets hurry this up I'm sure it'll take Sir Valeria here a few hours to get tied into her dress."

-

Valeria dipped her head, an impish air entering her expression. "Oh, no, it's for under my dress." And then from the stares she got from the guard around her, her cheeks brightened with colour, "Oh! No, that..that was not what I meant to say..well, it was, but…" She was clearly at a loss. This was clearly not making her level of mortification any less, though the rest of the guard looked highly amused.

-

Jordan glances over at Valeria and raises an eyebrow, "oh for under your dress is it? More and more interesting." He just leaves it at that now though he doesn't need to turn her further red. As they arrive at the manor house he looks around a bit, "I suppose a light meal is in order for me. The rest of you eat as needed." As he starts to walk up towards his room he's starting to untie the bindings for the leather armor he's wearing.

-

Valeria closed her eyes for a moment, steeling herself, before she did her best to put on a brave front, the red not really fading from her cheeks. But at least no one was, yet, making a greater deal of it, beyond Jordan's comment. For a wonder, even with the ball ahead, she looked grateful to arrive at the manse, "Yes, Your Grace." She turned, momentarily pausing to watch the Duke make his way up along the stairs before she turned tail, heading for the servants stairs and the relative safety and anonymity it provided.

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