1866-02-23: Griffon Point: Investigation and Letters
Griffon Point: Investigation and Letters
Summary: A memoir about what Henric learned through his investigations and letters he sends off to his brother and sister because of it.
Date: 1866-02-23
Related: http://eternalcrusade.wikidot.com/log:1866-02-22-griffon-point:a-meeting
NPCs: {$npc}
Players:
Henric  

Letters to

Emilia  Jaren  

Reports had been coming in from the men he had sent out to investigate the attack on Griffon Point, for while he relied on the meeting with the Dowager Duchess to provide him with answers, Henric knew some information wouldn’t be handed to him so easily. It was the common folk and steadfast soldiers that remained who might be less careful with their accounting than a woman who had spent her lifetime at managing people and the delegation of sensitive information.

Henric spent the day speaking with those who claimed to have witnessed the events that took place, eager enough to have their stories heard out and be praised for what parts they played. Attention from a noble, any noble, who might have a reward in hand for information, drew most of the common folk to him when the word was out he was looking for it. The guardsmen who survived the sacking required a different tactic and that involved several recommendations to their officers for promotions and other fine rewards as a bottle of whiskey, for instance, where recommendations ill suited. There were others who cared not for reward when their hearts burned with vengeance, to those, he could promise only to call on them when the time came, leaving them to rewarding tasks in aiding the people until that time came to be.

He sat down with a heavy sigh, finding his rooms in Griffon Point a hollow relief, looking upon the gathered facts from all investigative sources. It troubled him that the tactics of Arturo Romante were being used against them, such had given Arturo the advantage during the succession war and now, their enemy had an excellent handle on the means. It had been the same with Goldhollow.

The information gathered revealed to him the forces infiltrated the city for months. Months! He scowled at the thought that their failure to destroy the force on the eastern foothills may have allowed their enemy this opportunity, furthered by the distractions of Kirekwall and Goldhollow.

He had an example in his hand of one of the travel papers with the Duke’s signature on it, which, had been concluded to be forged, and used to smuggle the enemy within. He poured himself a drink as he mulled over the ingenuity to have such documents lined up to move so many into one place and not rouse suspicions. Some instances saw these scoundrels commandeering households, targeting the guardsmen’s families to force their hand to change sides when the day came. Would he have done the same thing as those poor bastards? When one’s family was in peril with the threat of death should they not comply and do as ordered, what would he have done? He felt himself cringe, knowing the answer.

It was a clue to how much planning it required, to know which guards to force and which houses to take. As well, forging the Duke’s signature and seal for many over a period of time meant their enemy was patient and had done their homework. Had they spent four long years planning this? A thought that infuriated him, in truth, for how could everyone be so stupid to think peace had been won?

Once they had positioned their men within the city walls, it was only a matter of time to sack it. It was damn fine plan to act when all eyes were on Goldhollow. He knew something had been wrong, that the enemy flung men too easily at such a lost cause. A disgusted grunt came from his throat as he put the pieces together.

The enemy smuggled men in to Griffon Point, slowly, enough to cease the households of common people and control them long enough not raise the alarm. From there, they waited, as a moderately sized outside force came from all over Galenthia in smaller groups to meet a short distance from their target. Once they had gathered and avoided detection, the attack was swift. The gate was sabotaged, by some very powerful corrosive solution, which destroyed the mechanisms of the gate, leaving it wide open for the enemies for the outside forces to storm in.

To aid this assault, the guardsmen who had families held in threat, turned on their fellows in a desperate bid to save their loved ones, which, in most cases, proved futile. Henric even heard an account of one man who begged for his fellows to understand his position as he cut them down, sobbing as he struck. Unfortunately, these men were all labeled traitors, which made him inwardly wince for the same was spoken of him… he betrayed his duties for his sister, but at least he wasn’t lynched for it. Then again, he nearly did that himself…

He shook that thought off and continued to put things together. The enemy moved inside the city almost as if they had been given a map, going at once to the storehouses to kill those who resisted and set the houses to flame. Somehow two had survived and a third was partially saved from the fires. They didn’t attack other buildings directly, instead, focused on the people within the city. Man, woman, child… it seemed as if whoever was unfortunate to cross paths with the invaders were struck down. He had consumed much of his first drink and secured a second, imagining the ordeal the people had gone through.

The interesting thing that didn’t add up was the Thorn forces took the black powder stores… yet they had spent so many lines of long canoneers at Goldhollow. Why throw away one resource to gain the other? Or perhaps Alphard and the Grey Prince did not think they would lose at Goldhollow, with such new aged forces at their disposal and their plans changed to seizure of the armories when news hit them of their loss.

Whatever the case might have been, the armories were sacked and completely so. They even managed to wheel out several scorpions. And any attempts at tracking their leave came upon the scattering of the massed force into so many directions that it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Resources couldn’t be wasted on such ineffectual pursuits.

The most unsettling part was the fact that like the Rose forces did at Goldhollow, the Thorns used secret passages to gain access. Alphrad Tarris took advantage of this. Henric scrunched his nose at the thought of the passages made for … discrete rendezvous required of the Ducal family … to be turned against them. It made him wonder if Roseguard had such things, but he knew not of them, so suspected they didn’t. He’d have to write Jaren about it regardless.

It was a magnificent plan, over all. Henric wasn’t surprised really. This was Alphard Tarris they were aligned against. He had to admire the astonishing success, for the man was decisive and wasted no energy on putting the city in a siege or taking control of it. A quick sack and he was gone, a thief in the night, making his presence known to put suspicion in the air of further betrayers. Varian, one of Gauvain’s chief men, would be viewed as a traitor if they cannot dispel certain facts and rumors of. It would be a critical blow to Gauvain’s authority if people had reason to suddenly question one of his own. Hell, Henric was already questioning Varian! Gauvain could lose the confidence of the military with this.

Henric glanced down at the tabard he was wearing, running his hand over the charging horse. He had no particular loyalty to it, as Gauvain made it perfectly clear that he was only invited to wear it for his skills. It couldn’t be helped that he smirked a little at the ironic justice facing the Duke. Fate had a funny way of retribution for past wrongs.

He leaned forward to draw some parchment forward and place his wine down. Best to write his brother and sister, after all, he’d be camped here for a while. He decided to try and mask his address as much as possible, if couriers didn’t make it. And the cipher he used with Emilia, Jaren did not know.


Brother,

I hope this letter finds you well. I’m currently located at Griffon Point. My travel south was interesting, as I picked up escort from the Sokar’s after all, led by a dedicated Knight by the name of Sir Warin. They did not hold us save for determining which path to Duval we rode by, which is to say, we had no eye upon the coast.

In any case, the point is, I came by Duval, acquired forces with Sir Bethany and moved on the Point. We hold it now and I can attest that the rumors are true, the Point was sacked. Their storehouses were the primary targets and civilians the secondary.

Alphard Tarris was responsible. The Dowager Duchess Laurna declared without any hesitation that it was him, by sight, sound, and from the way he moved in battle. She was confident Alphard leads the Grey Company. Fighting alongside him, is someone the common folk are calling the Butcher’s Boy, but which I can make assumptions is the mysterious Grey Prince we’ve heard talk of before. The Duchess claimed this very individual wore a Romante tabard and stood against many injuries; a matter later amused that it could’ve been from some sort of alchemy. I know naught if that could be possible.

Further, from my investigations here, they’re using Arturo Romante’s tactics, defeating any hopes of tracking them. It would explain the many months of being unable to pin down any army of substantial size. Alphard Tarris also used passageways meant only for the family to his advantage in this attack. I would hope Roseguard doesn’t have any, as Goldhollow fell to us from such use of them. If Roseguard does, best to see them guarded or secured in a fashion that they are not used against you.

Be aware, our enemy has planned this long and well, for Alphard had forged documents secured to slowly install his people into the city months ahead of time. I would recommend you double check your own signature and stamps, especially since our home has likely swelled at the announcement concerning you.

I remain at the Point, to oversee and assist the Duchess and Sir Bethany with its command. Viscount Reine has taken a course to meet with the Duke, but I shall not say where, in case this letter never makes it to you.

Be well brother and keep our sisters safe.

Your brother.

H.


My Em,

I’m at the Point. I am safe and arrived well. Griffon Point has been sacked and the truth of who is leading the Thorns becomes all too clear. I have much to do and little time. I should write you a longer letter soon, when my mind is not numbed by wine and over running with thoughts of where I would best next serve.

Our enemy is cunning, watch our brother’s back. He may have an influx of people at Ironhold because of who he will be, but some, could be our enemies. They arrive with forged documents. Perhaps you could oversee this somehow prevented. I know not but I know of your skills in crunching documents and puzzles well enough.

I miss you and often think well of you.

Until I write next, I send my love,

Ry.


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