Andredi sat on the steps leading up to the battlements sharpening one of his short swords. The weapons were very well made and he knew he'd be needing them soon.

Jyslyn did not speak and tried her best to keep herself from making any threatening moves during the audience with the warden.  But when they were released, she tried to find somebody who did not appear frightened or distrustful of her.  If she was going to be a part of the defense, then she would need some ranged weaponry with which to fight unless the walls were breached or she left the safety of the walls to join in battle out in front of the walls.

The day after you returned to the Keep, the High Warden summons you again. He wears a mythril breastplate and greaves and has a short sword sheathed on his hip.

Good day, I wish to inform you that we begin training today for the siege. I expect you to be a part of that training unless you have pressing business. It will only be for a couple hours everyday and it will enable you to fight efficiently with the soldiers stationed here. He begins. But first I would like you to dissuade an advance scouting party one of our Rangers discovered north east of here from advancing any further. Three Orcs, 6 goblins and an Ogre make up the band. Do you think you can handle that?
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:25, Fri 05 Oct 2007.

Andredid scoffed, Is that all? I thought you had a challenge for us ccommnader! Jyslyn could probably handle them all herself. he added with a smile. In truth though commander, it is not a matter of whether we can handle it. We must handle it, so we will.

"Well then, shall we go smack them around?", the clerics looks itchy for action.  He probably shouldn't have had three cups of the wide-awake-all-night tea.

Turning a surprised, pleased, and very pretty smile onto Andredi, it was obvious that the drow had not expected such high praise, even though it was likely mostly some teasing, from him.  Hearing it, no matter what his reasons were, made her even more resolved to do whatever it took to keep him and the others from getting even the slightest scratch on them.

"Before we go anywhere, I would like to make a request - that a letter be brought to the nearest Thayan Enclave.  I would assume we could use whatever magical assistance can be sent our way, and I might be able to help bargain down prices some, as well.  Alternatively, if a Sending-scroll can be obtained, I could make contact much quicker, and we might receive aid sooner," Isiah suggested, having been up late the night before writing just such a letter, marking it with his personal insignia, identifying him as a Red Wizard.

Grom nods his head at the Warden's words.  "Aye, I think we're up to the task," he says solemly.

They don't usually come this close to the keep and we believe it is a routine scouting mission. The small number and the ogre lead me to believe we may be working with an experienced team so be careful. He says. head north from the keep until you get to the Split Tree; its a massive oak that was struck by lightning and split down the middle. The tree is huge; it towers over the other trees in the area so you have no trouble finding it. They would be scouting the way for an army so they have only two options to get here. I will send the Ranger Scout to show you the way. Strength and honor.

He salutes you at the end and dismisses you with wave of his hands. The ranger scout is waiting for you outside. He armed and armored and has a light warhorse by his side. He salutes when he spots you and walks over.

G’day, I’m Cpl. Flit. The High Warden says you’ll be taking care on yon beasties. I will show you the way. Can any of you ride? He asks.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:04, Wed 10 Oct 2007.

Grom looks the ranger up and down and grins, "Nearly born in the saddle, me was.  Aye, a pony's saddle 'tis true, still..."

"By ride if you mean I can hang onto the horse's neck and not fall off while it strolls easy and straight, then yes.  If you want me to do anything other than sitting on the horseback, then the answer is no.", the priest makes a slight aw-shucks face at the Corporal.

"But we just need the horses to get to the split-tree place, right?  No problem.", he gives his right thumb up.

-K

That could be arranged. If you would like to scribe it now, I have quill and ink here. We do have sending scrolls, I think we could spare one for the task, any help would be appreciated. He replies.

Then we should see the Stable Master to get you some mounts. I wouldn't want to leave you behind it things get rough. He replies to Grom, eyeing his short legs. He chuckles at Kanas and says, Well come one, I'll tie you on good'n'proper if I have to.

He leads the way to stables and helps you to procure a light warhorse for each of you. The stable hands adjust the straps and saddle to fit it to your specifications with military efficiency. Once you are mounted, he leads you out of the keep at canter while he talks.

So you guys are what? Some kind specially trained unit? I mean, begging your pardon miss but I thought your kind didn’t venture out under the sun. And to see you with him, well that fairly amazing isn’t it. So do you think you’ll need my help? I am fairly good with a bow from horseback but my orders state I should observe and report, not enter the fracas, but I won’t let you have all the fun, har har har.

(+2 Circumstance bonus to ride checks.)

"No, I have a scroll penned up already.  If you think it will be possible for one of your riders to get it there in time, then that will be best, though if we have heard nothing in a few days, we might want to employ one of those scrolls."

As they left the keep Andredi rode his horse with a mixture of delight and trepidation. While riding was a relatively new experience for him (he'd only been on a horse a handfull of times in his life) he found that he took to it naturally his natural agility helping him to stay on the beasts back. Now,if only he could get the creature to go where he wanted it to...

"Well, in fact, this is a comrade in arms by chance.  I am still not sure how we came about to be chosen, but we were invited to some interesting dinner together.", the priest hops onto the saddle awkwardly, even after the bit of the training.  "We certainly enjoy you crashing our party with the Orc advanced scouts, but make sure you don't stick your neck too deep in.  Your orders were observation, and I don't want ARGH!", as he tries to straighten himself on the saddle, his foot comes off and he falls off the horse.  He pats the dirt off of himself and climbs back up again onto the horse, "I mean, I don't want your superiors to think we dragged you into it and got you into trouble."

-K

Jyslyn's face fell slightly at the mention of her heritage, but she did not hold it against the man.  She was a curiosity, she knew that and even understood it.  But it didn't keep her from wishing that it did not matter.  She was just Jyslyn.  Not Jyslyn the drow.  Just Jyslyn.  Perhaps Jyslyn, paladin of Eilistraee.  Or maybe Jyslyn, friend of Zed and Isiah.  That she was a drow didn't have to matter...but it did.  And it wasn't the man's fault.  It was the fault of the drow, but she wasn't a drow, not in spirit.  Only in blood and appearance.  Saying nothing to anyone, more than happy to let the others do the talking for her, Jyslyn followed along silently.

I could dispatch a rider, but I am loathe to send even one man from the keep and one rider would not gaurantee success in these dangerous times. I would prefer to use the scroll. He replies with a smile, not sad, not happy, just a smile.

Right them, when it comes to fighting I think I shopuld keep the horses with me and you approachh the nemy on foot. He says with a chuckle. I will come charging in with them if things get hairy and you have to run. I can cover you with my bow as well. We will there soon, I saw them just a few hours ago so they should be in the region of the split tree by now.

Grom, even with his limited riding skill requires several attempts to mount even the smallest horse.  His face red with anger, the air filled with dwarven curses, he finally gets up on his mount and arranges his equipment and weapons.  He then guides the horse along behind the rest of the party once they are underway.

"The scroll will just have to work, then. . .  give it to me, and I'll think of the right twenty-five words to say as we ride," Isiah told the High Warden, before hurrying to catch up with the others.

Getting on a horse was unfamiliar to the wizard, but to his surprise, once he was up there, the rest came naturally to him, and soon, he had caught up with the others, riding next to Jyslyn.  "What did I miss?" he whispered to her, and smiled.

The drow smiled at the Red Wizard's approach and replied, "Nothing that I know of, Isiah."

"So, nothing apart from that enchanting smile of yours, then?" Isiah replied with a wink, though his mind was busy at work trying to figure out which twenty-five words would be the best. . .

"Well, shall we, then?", the priest goes around in circles, repeating the training exercise they went through earlier with the horses to keep himself loose.

-K

Jyslyn's smile grew so she lowered her head, covering her face with her hair in her signature move to hide her face though it was usually to hide her dark grey skin and violet eyes.  While staying hidden she replied simply to the cleric, "I daresay we shall."