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Kellan and Cato made their way as quickly as possible towards the Garrison.  Kellan’s guardsman’s uniform, prominently-displayed badge of office, and his general familiarity with the other townsfolk mostly offset the strange sight of him toting a goblin down the city streets in broad daylight.  But goblins weren’t that uncommon around Sandpoint, and most of those who gave the matter any thought assumed that Kellan had caught a junk-seeking goblin wandering too close to the town.

The pair arrived at the Garrison to find Guardsman Caul Thatcher manning the desk just inside the entrance.  Like the Town Hall, the Garrison was a testament to what its builders believed Sandpoint could be.  It was undeniably the strongest, most-defensible building in town, and if pressed could probably pass as a serviceable keep in the event a last-ditch defense was necessary.  Its thick stone walls gave the impression of solidity and sturdiness, and the large mahogany desk behind which Guardsman Thatcher sat only added to the impression.

Caul, a sandy-haired man of medium build in his mid-twenties, raised an eyebrow at Kellan’s unconscious goblin prisoner.  “Guardsman Storval!  Lieutenant Barett’s been looking for you.  But it looks like you’ve been . . . busy.”  The question about what Kellan had been doing remained unasked, but hung in the air all the same.

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Kellan had once had a formative childhood experience involving seeing Sheriff Hemlock emerging from the morning mist with a train of bandit prisoners in tow. Although he thought about it from time to time he did not truly appreciate how deeply that image had been printed upon his subconscious, or how it had spurred him on to joining the guard.

It was more than a little sobering to think that perhaps the Sheriff had been forced to kill in order to capture those men, that perhaps he had seen and dealt with the same horrific scenes of violence and mayhem as Kellan had seen this morning, that he may have done so several times.

It was with these thoughts at the forefront of his mind that tempered his enthusiasm for hauling in this particular prisoner. He smiled to the townsfolk as he passed of course, nodded here and there, but his wounds were evident and his expression strained and weary. It helped to have Cato with him, not so much to deflect the curious states of the onlookers, but just to know that he was not alone in this.

As they approached the garrison itself Kellan took heart from it's imposing bulwarks and squat, sturdy exterior. It was after all his second home in a way. Upon seeing Caul, Kellan gave the man a professional nod, although the two had often been friendly and had shared a joke or two it was evident from his state and expression that he was there on business.

"Morning Thatcher, I'll be sure to seek him out at once." He assured him while looking around "Are you alone?" once he was certain no townsfolk were lingering he turned back to him "I have a favor to ask. The Glassworks has been attacked by a band of goblins" his voice was low and uncharacteristically serious for the boy " there was only one survivor. Lord Kaijitsu and some of his workers were killed. If you could rally up some of the others and barricade it's doors while I let the Lieutenant know it would be much appreciated."

He put down his prisoner carefully upon one of the tables and began to search it a second time, stripping it of everything but any undergarments it may have been wearing, speaking as he did so "We managed to drive off the goblins and capture this little runt...you should know that they invaded from below, through a tunnel, so keep your head on a swivel eh?"

"If we could get somebody to watch this goblin it would be good, they are a sneaky lot, and I wouldn't be surprised if some of the locals would want to string him up. He could know all sorts of useful stuff. Could you do this for me?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:41, Fri 24 Jan 2014.

Although bruised and sore, Cato felt a sense of joy walking through the streets with Kellan and their captured goblin.  One part of him, the deeply pragmatic part, whispered to Cato that being seen as such a help to the town would be of tremendous aid if the Hellknights ever found him.  Not that Sandpoint would be able to fend off the Hellknights, but they might at least delay his pursuers, giving him ample chance to escape.  A second part of Cato's mind, the same part that had urged him to desert in the first place, made the wizard feel guilty for such thoughts.  Not every deed had to be done because of a promised reward.  Cato could no more let this town be overrun by goblins than he could torture someone.

All the same, seeing the inside of the Garrison was illuminating.  Cato felt a little safer standing inside the formidable structure.

"Barricading and guarding the Glassworks is a necessary step.  I cannot impress on you the danger that Glassworks represents to Sandpoint.  There's a tunnel below it that leads from the outside of town, and the goblin tribes know about it.  They could march scores of goblins into town at one time, and we must make sure that doesn't happen.  We'll all be investigating this tunnel, but the events of the Swallowtail Festival will seem tame if the goblins use those tunnels to attack the town unopposed."  Cato knew the town guard was effective and efficient, but he barely believed the threat facing Sandpoint, and he had seen it with his own eyes not thirty minutes ago.

As Kellan's talk turned to questioning the goblin, Cato's face visibly paled.  He flashed back to the less savory experiences he had experienced with the Hellknights, and their "creative reeducation" techniques.  The wizard nervously licked his lips.  "Kellan, I appreciate your fervor, but we can't simply turn this creature over to the mob.  Yes, he's a goblin, and a murderous monster.  But we might get some information out of him, while I fear the townspeople would likely rapidly render him incapable of speech.  Maybe Liseth, Pisca or one of the other clerics at the temple could assist us in magically securing the loyalty of this one?  That would surely be a better way to question him."

Morally, Cato wasn't sure if magically compelling friendship was any better than torture.  But it certainly was a tactic the Hellknights hadn't used, and that made all the difference.

Kellan looked a little confused by Cato's statement. Of course the tunnels were of dire importance, it only made sense that the other guards should know of it. But the part about turning the goblin over to the mob...

Suddenly he shook his head "Sorry, I could have said that better...I'm hoping we could get a guard to both watch this thing and protect him from any townspeople who would wanna lynch him...if they get to him we won't be able to get any information...so yeah, we are on the same page." He assured Cato with a slap on the shoulder

"As far as using magic on him, well, I just don't know anything about it, if you guys think that would be best I'll trust you on it" he paused for a moment as he stripped off a section of the goblins armor "You thought I was just going to toss him to a crowd?" Kellan asked with a cocked eye and a slightly amused look.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:20, Fri 24 Jan 2014.

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Caul shrugged at Kellan’s question.  “Well, I’M alone.  Can’t say the same for Lieutenant Barett.  Dav Hosk came storming in here around a half-hour back, blew into Barett’s office, and I haven’t seen him since.  Barett was out asking after your whereabouts a few minutes ago, but otherwise they’ve been closeted in that office discussing whatever Hosk was so heated up about.  Still there, if you’ve a mind to join them.”  He jerked a thumb over his shoulder down the hallway towards the Lieutenant’s office.

“The Glassworks?  Attacked?!?”  Guardsman Thatcher’s eyebrows shot right up to his hairline.  “Holy Desna.”  He swore lightly.  “Guess I should have expected you were up to something; Londo G’Kar was in here earlier asking if you’d really been deputized and complaining about your treatment of him down that way.”  Caul grinned.  “Don’t worry, I sent him packing.  Politely.  But Holy Desna!  Goblins!  In the Glassworks!”  Again with the swearing.  “That’s bad news, and no mistake."  He paused thoughtfully.  "Wouldn’t surprise me to hear that old Lonjiku’s got his hand in it somehow, you know what I’m saying?  Never liked the man.”

Caul nodded seriously as Cato added his warnings about the tunnel.  “A tunnel?  Right into the Glassworks?”  He grimaced.  "Those devious bastards!  After the Swallowtail Festival, I think we’re all ready to take goblin tales a little more seriously.  Never thought those runts could put something like that together, truth to tell.  Now, who knows?”

He started rooting around in his desk, finally finding the piece of parchment he’d apparently been looking for.  “How urgent do you think this is?  I don’t know that I could round up the day patrol before they come in off their shift.  Sergeant Tiller’s got command of the swing patrol; he’s scheduled to be here in a bit.  I’ll task him and his men with getting the Glassworks taken care of; if you’re heading back there,” he jerked his head towards Alergast’s office, “you might want to ask Lieutenant Barett if we can hold the day patrol on for extra duty; cleaning up a mess like that is going to take some doing.”

The guardsman grunted at Cato's concern about mob violence and Kellan's amused response.  “Yeah, scholar, what kind of folks do you think we are?  We’re not savages.”  He looked at the unconscious Thok, then back at Kellan.  “Shouldn’t be a problem keeping that goblin secure, though.  We still have those cages we used while we were trying to train those dogs, remember?  They’re sturdy enough and have solid locks.  I think this one,” he indicated the goblin, “should be comfortable enough in one of those.  I’ll put him in the extra storage room.  He should be safe and out of the way there until wiser heads decide what to do with him, right?”

Caul stood up from his chair, walked around from behind the desk, and took Thok off Kellan’s hands, grunting with the effort.  “Heavy little bastard, isn’t he?”  He threw the goblin over his shoulder.  “All right then.  Why don’t I take care of securing this one, and you head down there to share the bad news with Alergast and see about whatever else he wanted?”

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This message was last edited by the GM at 23:50, Fri 24 Jan 2014.

Cato blushed as he realized the mistake he had made about torturing the goblin.

"Ah...sorry, Kellan, I, of course, I didn't think that you...or, ah..." Cato trailed off, and took a few deep breaths.  "I'm sorry.  It just reminded me of...something else.  I had a bad experience before I came to Sandpoint and didn't want it to be repeated here.  The people of Sandpoint are extraordinary, but even the best people can fall victim to petty revenge.  I wouldn't blame the people if they wanted revenge for what the goblins did to their town, and I thought you meant to give them that chance."  Cato blushed again, and bowed to the two guardsmen.  "Accept my apologies once again."

Cato straightened up and tried his best to give a genuine smile.  "Now that I've embarrassed myself enough for one day, do you want my company when you speak to Alergast?  Or," Cato nodded to Guardsman Thatcher, "did he just want to speak to Kellan?"

Kellan was relieved to hear that his good friend and Lieutenant was close at hand, although a part of him wondered what business Hosk had been so aggravated about, perhaps something to do with his stock.

"I'm going to say low urgency for now, but that may change soon depending on how quickly the goblins that ran off are able to get organized again.  I'm mostly worried about any rubberneckers who get a look at something they would rather not. The goblins...they, well, it's a mess in there"

His expression took on a more hard look as he briefly thought over the order of was sure to happen. Wagons or bins full of mutilated body parts, the sorting, identification, scrubbing hard dried blood off of flag stone and the inevitable string of funerals.

"Just two men right now, posted at the corners should be enough. Hopefully we can hold day shift over and tackle it all together." Kellan thought briefly about letting thatcher know about the goblin numbers and the possible attack on Sandpoint, but decided that it would be better handled at briefing instead of word spreading inaccurately or piece meal.

"Don't worry yourself about it" Kellan assured Cato with a shrug "It sounds like you've seen a lot more of the world than I have, maybe they do things that way in some places. You'll have to tell me about it over a pint sometime"

"Thanks Thatcher!" Kellan called as the man hauled the goblin away to a cage "I owe you one" he added as he jingled down the hall towards Alergast's office. Once near the door he exhaled deeply and went over the important points in his mind for his official report, then knocked three times loudly. "Lieutenant? It's Guardsman Storval , it's urgent"

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Caul shrugged at Cato with amiable ambivalence.  “That’s Storval’s call; Barett didn’t say one way or the other.”  He nodded at the young guardsman.  “I don’t see why not, though.”  He glanced at the scholar’s badge.  “You’ve been deputized too, right?”

The desk officer looked unhappy at Kellan’s further description of the Glassworks situation.  “A mess, eh?  Well, that’ll have the town riled up quick enough.  As if people wasn’t already scared enough after the Festival.”

He sighed miserably.  “And there’s no keeping that kinda news quiet.  My brother-in-law works for Lonjiku.  You know, Arvel Barksen?  Hope he wasn’t one of the ones in there.  Don’t rightly know what I’m gonna tell my sister if he was.”

Caul shook his head and brought himself back to the business at hand.  “Right.  Two men, posted at the corners.  Low urgency, but get it done today.  Yeah, I’ll tell Sergeant Tiller when he gets in.  You know how that guy is.  He’ll whip everyone into line with that stick he’s got jammed up his ass.  Sure he’ll have something appropriate set up.”  The guardsman adjusted the goblin on his shoulder as he nodded at Kellan.  “You definitely owe me one, Storval.”  A small grin crept onto his face.  “And I’ll be taking my payment down at Fatman’s any night this week.”

With that, Caul Thatcher turned and headed towards the storage area with his unconscious captive, leaving Kellan and Cato to bear the bad tidings to Lieutenant Barett.

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“Come in, Kellan.”  The young guardsman opened the door to see Alergast Barett and Daviren Hosk standing on opposite sides of the Lieutenant’s desk, newly covered with what appeared to be a detailed map of Sandpoint and its environs.  The former contents of the desk, including papers, books, and the like, looked as if they had been hastily shoved onto the stone floor, where they lay scattered about in a forlorn testament to their sudden loss of importance.

The rest of the room was a utilitarian shrine to tactics and cartography.  Various maps of the local area and even Varisia itself adorned the walls.  Cato spotted at least four famous books on battle strategies on the overstuffed shelves, including one from a philosopher in far-away Tian Xia.

Lieutenant Alergast Barett was clearly a man who took his job seriously.

Dav Hosk had a black object in his hand that he was using to mark various points on the map.  As they turned to greet Cato and Kellan’s entrance, both men’s expressions testified to their intensity and seriousness.

Alergast was already talking.

“Good to see you as well, Cato.”  He nodded appreciatively at the wizard.  “I’m glad you’re both here, saves me the trouble of sending someone out looking for you.  Hosk here has some disturbing news that I think you and your fellow deputies need to . . .”  The lieutenant stopped in mid-sentence as he suddenly registered Kellan’s battle-damaged appearance.  The tone of seriousness in his voice gave way to one of alarm.  “Good gods, Kellan, what happened to you?”

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If Cato displayed anymore reservations they were quickly brushed aside by the young guardsmans encouraging gestures to come with him. Opening the door and stepping inside with a clatter of mail and weaponry Kellan nodded to his Lieutenant and Daviren in turn, standing in a rough approximation of "at ease" out of habit in the drill yard.

The office had always had a hint of wonder in it for the boy, and he had read through many of the books several times. Even if the modest Sandpoint Guard did not often have call to utilize such topics as "Of Bodily Exertion In War", "The Chief Moral Powers" or "Geometrical Element" Kellan had at least internalized the spirit of the tomes if not the letter.

"Sir, the Glassworks has been attacked by a band of goblins led by Tsuto Kaijitsu" he began, shifting his weight "Lord Kaijitsu and many of his workers were killed before we arrived. We managed to route them, and take one goblin prisoner, but Tsuto and a few others managed to escape through some tunnels in the basement."

"We did manage to rescue Ameiko, who was chained in the basement by her brother, she should be at the Dragon currently, there were no other survivors" he cleared his throat and licked his lips, that last part being a little harder to say than he had anticipated "I've asked Thatcher to round up a couple of men to lock the place down for now, we agreed that holding over the day shift might be a good call."

"We also found Tsuto's journal, it outlines goblin numbers, tactics, leadership, all sorts of things that we can use. Liseth and Pisca are heading to the temple to let Father Zantus know, we assumed you would both like to meet with the mayor as soon as possible"

Cato followed Kellan through the barracks into Barett's office.  Cato was surprised to see the numerous books on the Lieutenant's shelves; although he hadn't interacted with Alergast much, he hadn't considered the man much of a philosopher.  Perhaps this was the reason Sandpoint had been kept so peaceful and orderly despite all the town had endured?  Cato had always wondered how useful such books could be to someone who had to deal with with everyday issues.  The scholar obviously loved reading such things himself, but sometimes the application of what he had learned in a book seemed to escape him.  How he would love to discuss this with Alergast sometime.

Suddenly, Cato realized that he had been lost in own thoughts and the meeting with Alergast had started.  His Hellknight training took over, and it took the scholar a moment to relax from his attention stance.  He nodded at Barret's greeting, and let Kellan explain the situation at the Glassworks.

"I think this will need further discussion, but Sandpoint has bigger problems on the horizon than just these goblins.  Or rather, just the one goblin tribe.  Tsuto's journal identifies some of his other conspirators and ring-leaders for the goblins.  Is Shalelu still in town?  It might be good to have her advice in the near future as well."

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Kellan’s news was apparently not as much of a shock to Alergast and Daverin as it might have been to others in the community.  The two men looked at each other and nodded grimly as the younger guardsman shared the grisly tale of Tsuto’s goblins and their despoiling of the Glassworks.

Alergast sighed as Kellan concluded.  “I was hoping we would have more time to prepare for this.  Unfortunately it seems as if we’re playing catch up with Tsuto, the goblins, and whoever else is behind these attacks.”  He crossed his arms and looked down at the map, as if it would somehow reveal to him the secret of protecting Sandpoint.  “They’ve stolen a march, and it’s going to take everything we have to catch up.”

The lieutenant looked up from the map.  “We’re definitely going to need to hold the day shift to deal with the Glassworks, and we need to impress upon every guardsman the need for secrecy.  We don’t want stories and rumors inflaming the town and terrifying people.  That’s just going to cause unnecessary chaos, confusion, and injury.”  He glanced at the door.  “I’ll authorize it and talk with Sergeant Tiller about procedures on the way out.  I think he’s watch commander this afternoon.”  The big man nodded to himself.  “Which is good, because if anyone can get the men to toe the line it’s Tiller.”

Alergast tapped his fingers on the table.  “This attack is going to be a delicate issue politically, but that aspect of it is not our job.  Mayor Deverin needs to present this to the townsfolk.  Ideally she’ll call a town meeting and she can get all this information,” he glanced at Hosk, “out to the people and get their questions answered without starting a panic.”

“So meeting at her office was an excellent idea.  Good work, Kellan.”  He turned and gave Hosk a considering look.  “Dav has some news of his own to share but in the interest of time I think we’ll wait until the Mayor’s office to hear it.”  He nodded.  “So let’s go.”

“And a goblin prisoner?”  Alergast raised an amused eyebrow as he started for the door and motioned the rest to follow him.  “Look who’s going above and beyond.  I haven’t had much luck interrogating goblins in the past, but they've never operated on a scale like this either.  Maybe this one will actually know something that can help us.  We can talk about that with Father Zantus and Mayor Deverin.”

Alergast looked at Cato as he opened the door.  “Unfortunately Shalelu is still out in the world.  Hopefully still in good health, after what Dav experienced.  Trust me when I say that the sooner she is back in Sandpoint to share her wisdom with us, the happier I will be.”

Lieutenant Barret walked down the hallway to find Sergeant Tiller and the rest of the swing patrol filing in.  The crew-cut sergeant looked every bit the no-nonsense soldier, and Kellan knew from personal experience that Tiller’s sense of humor hovered somewhere between undetectable and non-existent.  A good man to have by your side, though.

Alergast begged the others’ leave, directed the arriving guardsmen into a meeting room, and closed the door.  A few minutes later they all filed out, looking sober and chastened as Alergast walked back over to Dav, Kellan, and Cato.   “All right, think we’ve got that under control for now.  Let’s head over to see the Mayor.  Oh, and do you have that journal, Cato?  It sounds like it might be our ace in the hole.  I’d like to take a look at it on our way.”

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This message was last edited by the player at 09:01, Tue 28 Jan 2014.

Kellan's curiosity about the map the men had been examining was peaked when his news failed to deliver the impact that he had anticipated. Daviren's expertise on all manners goblin was well known, and if even the news of a goblin prisoner could not stir him to speech than something deadly serious must be occurring.

The boy followed his Lieutenant out into the hall, shrugging a little bit at Alergast's praise at taking a prisoner "Cato here used his magic to make me big as an Ogre, it made things a bit easier, truth be told. They didn't seem to want to fight much after that". The guardsman gave a curt nod to Sergeant Tiller, they needed men like him, even if it meant the occasional haranguing on the drill square. It was a role few were able to play well, it required a veteran expertise, self discipline and aggression while still remaining professional and detached. Tiller had these qualities in spades.

"Sergeant" he greeted the man as Alergast ushered the men into the room for briefing. During the interim Kellan turned to Cato with a long exhalation through pursed lips "Gonna be a long one" he sighed in an accepting tone. "Here I was thinking about boar sandwiches with Shayliss...now it's looking more like push brooms with Tiller"

When briefing was through Kellan followed Alergast out into the street, walking side by side en route to the town hall. Hopefully Liseth and Pisca had been able to track down Father Zantus so that they could get started as soon as possible. The secret of Daviren's map was gnawing at Kellan's mind, even if he suspected that the answer would not be his liking.

Cato followed the events of the meeting, his impatience growing to hear whatever news Alergast wanted to share with them and the mayor.  The scholar tried hard not to fidget, surprised at himself.  A week ago, he had been perfectly content to page through old books and spend an afternoon discussing arcane minutiae with Brodert.  And now 10 minutes of talk made him antsy?  Maybe it wasn't the standing around, it was knowing that something lay beneath the Glassworks.  As soon as possible, they needed to investigate those smuggling tunnels.  And find whatever "freaks" Tsuto had mentioned in his journal.  That part really bothered Cato.  Something living beneath the Glassworks that could aid in the invasion, something allied with people like Tsuto?

Cato was paying enough attention to the conversation to be mildly embarrassed at Kellan's praise.  He tried to shrug it off.  "Nothing but a simple charm, really.  I'm glad it worked so well.  Compared to what I've heard is possible, though..."  Cato shook his head.  "I've read of spells that can give a man the strength of a bull, or make him unbelievably quick.  And that's just the beginning.  Trust me, Kellan, we'll make the goblins afraid at the very sight of you if I can get my hands on those spells."

At the mention of sandwiches, Cato's stomach rumbled in sympathy.  "Yes, I've been thinking about whatever food Ameiko's likely to be serving at the inn tonight.  I'm afraid my stomach will likely accept whatever reward she has to offer, no matter what else I might think."  Cato grinned at Kellan.  "There's worse ways to be rewarded for saving someone's life, I guess.  At least something good came out of all the mess down there."

As they left the barracks to see the Mayor, Cato walked with Alergast, producing the journal and giving a quick summary of its contents, pointing to specific passages of interest he had noticed.

"Here it's obvious that Tsuto and the others planned the Swallowtail Festival attack.  This diagram shows exactly what happened during the actual festival, as well as their discarded ideas.  It looks like at least someone in the enemy camp has read your favored Tian Xia philosopher regarding battle planning."  Cato cleared his throat and recited, "Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt."

Cato gave a grim smile, and turned to the page in the book discussing options for the next assault on Sandpoint.  "Though here we have a lantern to illuminate their plans.  Several things worry me about this.  First is the sheer number of goblins they seem to have arrayed against us.  Next is the threat of multiple points of entry into town, combined with whatever unknown threat lays beneath the Glassworks.  And finally, it looks like there's at least several powerful individuals aiding the goblins, like Nualia, Tsuto and Shalelu's bugbear adversary."

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“As big as an Ogre, eh?”  Alergast nudged Cato and winked at his protégé as they left the Garrison.  “I’ll make sure Shayliss gets the news.”  He grinned as they emerged onto Main Street.  “But seriously, that is a helpful ability, Cato.  And one that may come in extremely handy in the near future.”  Once again Alergast’s eyes flicked towards Daviren.  The horsemaster’s face was drawn and tight; it was clearly taking some effort for him to deal with whatever news he had delivered.

The brightness of the day, the clear blue sky, and the cool sea breeze seemed at odds with the dark subjects on the minds of the four men as they crossed the street.  Alergast continued to question Cato about his spellcraft.  “Is there any chance you would be able to obtain these spells in the near future?  Given everything that we’ve learned, it seems like Sandpoint will need every edge it can get, and your arcane abilities might be a critical difference if it comes to fighting.”

Fortunately the Town Hall was right across Main Street from the Garrison, and the men traversed the avenue quietly so as not to alarm any passersby who might hear snippets of their conversation.  Lieutenant Barett opened the door to the Town Hall, and the four of them entered.  The lieutenant’s eyes lit up as Cato produced Tsuto’s journal; he took it appreciatively and began reading along as Cato summarized its contents, nodding here and there when the wizard made a particularly salient observation.

“This is bad news.”  Alergast looked up from the journal when Cato had finished.  “And it fits right in with what Dav was telling me.”  He tapped the book with the back of his hand.  “But at least we have notice.  How much, I don’t know.  But we’re going to make Sandpoint as ready for them as it can be in the time that we have.”

He nodded at Cato.  “And you’re right, scholar; it looks as if at least a few of those who contributed to these plans have some skill with and perhaps training in battle strategy.  I can see clear flaws with the plans that have been marked out, but this,” he tapped the diagram containing Tsuto’s preferred tactic, “would be devastating.  Attacked from across the river and out of the Glassworks at the same time?  We would be flanked before we even started mounting a defense.”

Alergast shook his head grimly as they climbed the stairs to the Mayor’s office.  “And Sandpoint’s guardsmen, as well-trained as they are, are no professional soldiers.  If goblins and ‘freaks’ fell on them from the rear while they were fighting to the front?  I have no doubt they would break.  And if they heard the town being pillaged and razed while they fought?  Same story.”

“We need to get the entire town working together to prepare for what’s coming.”  The guard officer opened the office door, where he found the mayor leaning over a desk, looking at a document held by her secretary.  The red-headed politician looked up in surprise that turned to shock that turned to growing anxiety.  “Alergast!  I . . . and Dav!  Scholar Crispin?  What are you all doing here?!?”

“Mayor Deverin,” Alergast stood ramrod straight, as if reporting to a superior officer.  “Ma’am, we’ve got some bad news.  Some very bad news.”

CONTINUED IN CHAPTER #6d: WAR COUNCIL

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This message was last edited by the player at 07:47, Wed 29 Jan 2014.