Herkimer waves his hand at you. "Bah - fine - I will do whatever is in my power to bolster our numbers. I will not ask for little when little could be our demise. POWER Wulfe - POWER will win this."

Herkimer looks around - he remembers what he was able to accomplish with the villagers and tracks down the young woman who had suffered at the hands of Loki. Perhaps her hatred of Brance and his men would help him after all.

If and when he finds her he gets to the point.
"I cannot understand your pain - but I understand revenge. There is much I must do if we are to confront Brance and any of his men. I would be glad for any help you and those who cannot bear arms can aid. I simply need your support - it will feel like you are running through a field, I will not take what is not offered... but by helping me, you will hurt him."
Herkimer nods off towards Loki. If one slightly trained mage was not a suitable apprentice... a highly driven maiden might be even better.

Wulfe grippled the hilt of his sword and considered the outcome "Power comes in many forms, Wizard." he said, emphasising that men bearing steel and shields, with numbers could be vastly powerful.

"Power we have, but remember that it's these men who will ensure you can wield your power without taking arrows to the face, or blades to the gut" he said again before Herkimer moved off.

He then grinned.

"Well, all we have to do is conduct a trial ensure our reinforcements and fortifications, overthrow a hostile and sadistic wizard and then usurp a lord controlling an entire province of Caithness.

We really do pick our adventures, don't we? he said to the remaining assembled group, with a touch of good humour.

Clhoe looks at Herkimer "Queen Aires would be so shocked at your new personality. I think she would like it, she liked men of action, obviously like the king"

Herkimer flushes at Chloe's comment. He can't tell if it hurts, feels good or some other weird mushy emotion that has no place in his life anymore. Heat rises up his neck as he walks away to find a pupil or some people to supplement his power.

The Villagers step away from Herkimer to let hom pass, but the young lady he seeks does not demure You looking for me?

In reply to Master of Fates (msg # 19):

John smiles.

"It may not be actual power we need, but the appearance of such. If it can distract the army long enough for Herkimer and I to get to this merciless character, it is possible that, like with Ashlik, the rest of the army will cease to be a threat when he does."

Herkimer looks the girl over. Something is...special here.

"Yes - when you dream at night, is it of fields, soil and birthing children or something bigger, grander. Something important that you cant put your finger on?"

Herkimer described his own feelings from childhood. Replacing ledgers and merchants with metaphorical references for this girl's life.

Wulfe inwardl chuckled at Chloe's commentary on Airis and Herkimer. Perhaps booklearning had its place but certainly didn't win the hearts of the romantics and bards amongst them. To be honest, Wulfe suspected that their idealised version of what heroism was all about had been pulled from something other than reality. None of them had likely ever seen a battle, or at least if they had, they'd watched fondly from the distance while eating honeyed cakes and drinking tea.

"Chloe, what are your ideas for the upcoming events? You could coordinate any of our forces with arrow or other missiles.. he suggested, considering that she might have some input that could help them but ultimately wanting her to stay out of the way of the steel-tipped carnage that would no doubt ensue. He knew that she was special and could do things that others couldn't but wasn't exactly sure how it could best be used, or what the extent of it was. Throwing rocks and people could be fantastic, the latter especially useful in breaking lines of shielded men. "... Can you take my shield also? he asked.

In response to John's comments, Wulfe also added "Real power looks like actual power too. We should ensure that we have the maximum available and then push appearances beyond what we have to add further tension to the enemy.

Dragons would do that, no doubt.

As for the wizard, take opportunities as you can and do what you think is best but try not to forsake any of the rest of the men in a silly pursuit. Give me opportunity to get within fifty yards and I'll save you both the trouble of ending that wizard. he said feeling a surge of excitement rise within.

Jaeleen gives Herkimer a searching look ... sometimes it is a home and family, sometimes it is travel ... sometimes i can do things too.

In reply to Master of Fates (msg # 23):

Herkimer looked hard at her. She was something to look at. It was plain why someone like Loki would do what he did. Idiot. There was something else here. Herkimer was not so easily distracted. He had been once - but she was not here and she had broken him... He looked hard in her eyes. There was no lie there. She was more than she seemed.

"Can you show me?"....

Herkimer closed his lips and pursed them as he made a few quick signs before him.
....or are they just a dream.... He pushed his thoughts to her mind and backed off immediately. Too often intruding in one's mnd could be another sort of assault they would not want.

Uh Show you? how? I don't think I can show you thoughts or dreams ...
This message was last updated by the player at 02:41, Thu 12 Apr 2018.

Herkimer sighed. It was a hope. Perhaps she had stumbled upon a secret. But this would not deter him. To the task at hand first.
"If you are willing I need help casting a spell to call for assistance. I am tired after facing Ashlik and need to borrow energy. I will show you what power looks like. Perhaps you have the talent to learn it yourself. First things first - will you help or no?"

He needed to inform Airis of their status. And Wulfe or not he would reach out to Are an. The man might have something of value.

Her eys narrow  How am I to help you?
This message was lightly edited by the player at 02:41, Thu 12 Apr 2018.

"It's simple as closing your eyes and feeling the energy of the world around you. Then directing that energy towards a spell I will be weaving." Herkimer paused and put his forefinger and thumb to his chin. It sounded dubious to be sure.

"We can accomplish this anywhere, and in the presence of anyone. I will not secret you away to some dark corner - my hope - dear girl, is that you will prove to have power. Actual power. Not just something you dream of. And if that proves true I will offer you an apprenticeship. Do not worry - you will be the traveling companion of Lady Chloe - but you could learn under my tutelage."

Herkimer turned towards the girl fully, palms open and outwards.

"And trust me - when I tell you that with this power, no one will hurt you like that dirt did. Ever again."

Jaeleen looks at you with a mix of interest and doubt.   So we can be in public?

Herkimer nods gravely.

"There is no requirement that this be done in seculsion. In fact if anyone else would join us it would make this task that much easier. I did this for a young man in this village before Ashlik and Loki arrived - to heal him. Alone it would have proven too much. But with willing help from the villagers so much more was possible. As with this - any help from those around me will allow us to reach farther and farther - to touch the mind of the Queen and tell of her our plight, or to find nearby knights and ask for their aide. And then - to reach out to the Academy in Caithniss. That perharps MY Master Aedan might be able to respond and lend some aid."

Herkimer looks on as if it had been some time since he had called upon those around him. He had been acting selfishly, relying on his own power and now he was reaching out. He pondered it. The power of others, in concert, would dwarf his own abilities. The sum was that much greater than a part. He grimaced inwardly. This would not do. He had more to learn. More to unlock. He would never want to rely on others again. This was just another step on that road. He looked at Jaeleen expectantly.

"Are you interested? You are not committed - and you have seen our purpose here is to oppose those who hurt you and yours. And remember, if anyone asks you will feel as if you had just run across a field - no different."

<Pink>OK ... I'll try it, ... Jenef you watch us, but don't participate.</Pink


Jenef is the little boy whose Dragonette was stomped.

"Luv, I don't have any real fighting skills. It is all with my mental abilities so no I can't use a shield. I can coordinate the archers and such if you want. Then I can stay back from the fighting. But I will need to watch out or magic. So I will command the reserves as it is? That's fine." she says with a smile.

"If I can take a shot at any mages, I will and hope they will not figure out where it came from"

Night falls and the guards are posted, fires die down and it gets quiet.

Herkimer settles in and rests a moment before beginning. He ponders how to reach out to Airis or even Dame and finds that he won't be able to use the girl's help. But knowing where Dame was - now there was a start. Without haste he set cross-legged and focused on her face, her demeanor... and reached out to see where she would be.

ooc: 23:43, Today: Herkimer rolled 12 using 3d6.  Seeker @15 - Dame.

In reply to Master of Fates (msg # 33):

John seeks to recover his strength, resting with the knowledge that hug would see to setting up guards.

[OOC: How many of the defeated troops have decided to hang around now? Also, has Herkimer started teaching his young apprentice anything? John is happy to try to train the young boy whose dragon was stomped..if he wants.]

Dame Toulmin is in her tower, north of Carricke ... you reach her easily and she is only slightly startled.

The Girl surprises you a little as she seems to provide more energy than you expected ... in fact she pushes 6 FP your way.

In reply to John of Mallwyd (msg # 35):

Jenef is too young... probably around six and still developing. His Mom isn't letting him go anywhere and is watching Jaeleen like a hawk.

"Dame - Wulfe and Lady Chloe are leading a force against Lord Brance - Usurper. They request any and all aide. Will you be able to marshall any forces under their banner?"

In reply to Herkimer (msg # 38):

Of course. Where are you?