Waving agreement, Morgan brought his chair over to Roman and Banglen-Yp.  "A miscommunication?"

"Yes" Roman says rubbing the place he was hit, which still faintly aches as he waits for Morgan to be seated.

He goes on "When a man kisses a woman and the woman hits him it is a strong sign that she does not wish to be kissed by him, is it not ?"

"It does not mean that she is such happy person that it is difficult for her to be any happier.  And that even if she liked the kiss it did not make her much happier, because she is so happy to start with.  Does it ?"

 

•• The • screen • says • it • is • steal•ing • to • take • what • is • not • yours ••

An interjection to Roman before Morgan could speak and then she smiled at the latter.

•• You • told • me • to • slap • if • it • did • not • make • me • hap•pi•er ••

This was aimed at Morgan.

 

Morgan grinned, then looked innocently at the ceiling.  "I suppose if she can't feel happier, she might make an exception to the rule, but that's up to her, really. It is a sign of displeasure, so if a kiss made her a little happier, then a slap might not be appropriate. Risky business, being a guy."

"I'll meet you downstairs, Chance.  There are a few people with whom I have to speak."

Without transition, Luke settled himself into a chair near the trio of Roman, Banglen-Yp and Morgan.  Just in time to catch the last half of the conversation.  He shook his head with a smile, but refrained from agreeing with the woman.  Stealing might be stealing, but insulting people was a poor way to get help.  And right now, they needed it.

"If you don't intend to assist," he said, leaning forward to keep things quiet, "best if you leave.  Now.  Don't eat breakfast.  Don't wait.  Just go."  Oddly, his voice failed to carry.

Then the man leaned back.  "If you are planning on assisting, now would be a good time for you to tell us your capabilities."  He held up one hand.  "Please, we're a trifle pressed for time.  Bad things, as you may have felt, are coming...."

Morgan's eyes widened at the sudden appearance, but he nodded at the words.

"We'll help. For our skills... We fought through the jungle outside, with some losses, and no road. Free of the jungle, it took us perhaps thrice a hundred heartbeats to reach the gates, slowed by those still too wounded to run. Most are willing to pair with a human, provided he understands they are allies, and not servants, and that if wounds don't kill them immediately, they aren't to be abandoned for dead. Beyond that, I'd really need something to compare with."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:04, Wed 22 Nov 2006.

Roman scowls a little at Morgan who is being less than helpful.

But Luke's words take priority.  "I'll stay if Banglen-Yp stays.  Or take her to safety if that's what she wants.   I'm a Logrus-Master and a Shapeshifter and I bear an enchanted blade.  Banglen-Yp has a quite impressive demon-form.  I don't have many worries about her ability to fight in personal combat.  But a battle is different and I'm afraid that she might not fare so well.  She may have more surprises for us, I've never met a being like her."

"But perhaps it is best if you tell us about the foe ?  Those of us with other shapes need to know what form would best suit.  And whether they will use this 'Broken God'.  I'd hate to be caught in merely human form, without use of the Logrus."

 

Nodding to Morgan in what seemed to be agreemant, Banglen-Yp spoke.

•• Yes ••

Then, smiling at Luke as he appeared and spoke, seemingly not too concerned with how he appeared, the odd blonde waved to him.

•• Hel•lo ••

Then she shook her head and giggled, her gaze seeking out Roman.

•• Not • de•mon •• Xe•no•morph ••

The next moment, expressions of thought conquered her visage.

Her eyes now lost at an undefiend point on the floor, she spoke once more.

•• One • of • ma•ny • but • I • am • on•ly • one ••

It sounded like an attempt to explain...

                                        ...something.

•• I • try ••

          She certainly did, but the questions was what.

 

Chance comes wandering towards the main hall looking for Luke. He takes a slow drink from the bottle of Vodka. He gives the others an easy smile. "Tonight, we dine in hell, eh? Anyone care for some Potion of Giant Strength?" He offers the bottle to the general group.

Dorian's march is swift and silent as he approaches the tables. He ignores others and takes a corner seat. "No food," he says dismissively to no one. He begins staring into the fire.

James looks out-of-sorts as he approaches.  He fiddles with his sword-belt and his hands are constantly moving.  "Do you have fresh bread?"

Aaron closed his eyes, and spoke in silence for a time.

Roman turns down the potion "Dine in hell ?  I hope not, I hear the food's lousy."

Turning back to Banglen-Yp he advises her "When you're in your de, err, zenomorph form it would be a good idea not to eat your kills until you're sure that no other enemies are coming.  Do you think that you can try to do that ?  I'd rather not see you hurt."

The little dragon stares down from on high, then swoops down to land on James' shoulder as he enters the room.

 

•• Jai • ant ••

Banglen-Yp thought about this for a moment, then shook her head.  She did not need the strength of an ant, no matter what kind it might be.

•• Hel•lo •• she then said to men she had not greeted before today, and waved to them.

Then Roman got her attention and she giggled.

•• I • do • not • eat • when • I • fight •• Nei•ther • do • I • fight • when • I • eat ••

She offered her explanation to him and then got an exhorting look on her pretty face.

•• You • do • not • eat • ei•ther • or • get • hurt • Oh • Kay ••

Is was kind of demanding an answer, that one.

Then she smiled and waved to the little dragon, but did nothing else towards it.

 

Chance set the bottle aside within easy reach of the others and took a seat.

Luke twiddled his thumbs for a moment.  He absolutely hated being the talent scout, but it seemed as though he had been elected.  Or volunteered.  Or something.

"All right," he finally said.  "It's up to the three of you - you all sound capable enough.  Make your decisions quickly."

"As for the capabilities, we're not certain exactly what we'll be facing.  If it is Archons, we know the bladed archons, the danioti, are very quick and very dangerous in combat.  They can alter their size at a whim, and it's like fighting a giant, spinning sawblade.  The flame archons, the eshuranti can do the same.  They seem semisolid.  They can project fire, and have potent psychic abilities.  We don't know the abilities of any other kinds, though we know there is at least one more."

His frown deepened.  "They may or may not be accompanied by humanoid soldiers.  They WILL be led by the Warrior in Jet and Gold.  We know her as Cyan.  She was taken by them, and turned against us.  The woman is a military genius and, between her and that cursed sword she carries, will cut you to ribbons if you get anywhere near arm's reach.  And with that sword and certain specialized knowledge she has, she might even be capable of nullifying sorcerous attacks."

His face broke into a broad smile.  "Sound good so far?"

Roman reaches out and pats Banglen-Yp's hand, smiling.  "Alright.  I promise not to mix eating and fighting.  You try and do the same - no eating until it's safe."

Turning back to Luke.  "The defences here seem to be strong.  They have sorcerous ranged weapons of some sort, thick walls, and flyers.  And the monsters outside are likely to go for the attackers.  These archons sound pretty dangerous but can they deal with flyers carrying ranged weapons ?"

"I'd worry about infiltrators too.  The smart way to take this place would be stealth - capture and replace a caravan and seize a gate from the inside.  Maybe send some people in in advance, travelling with other caravans.  It'd still be incredibly expensive in lives, but it would be a lot better than a frontal assault.  The people here have to be warned about that possibility"

 

More thinking.

•• Are • they • sharp •• Do • they • cut • through • eve•ry•thing ••

A question, directly aimed at the talkative fellow [Luke].

•• Stay • a•way • from • Psi • Anne •• Got • it ••

How she could get words like xenomorph right but not simpler words was an enigma for someone to ponder, no doubt.

When Roman pats her hand she does the same, smiling as well.

•• I • pro•mise ••

Then more pondering.

•• I • can • hide • well • if • need•ed ••

It sounded like a suggestion, but to what end?

 

"The question regards what will hit this place.  Walls mean nothing to the Archons without a ceiling - they all levitate, and can move at tremendous speed.  Tactically...."  He considered.

"Were I them, I would begin by bombardment.  They have shown themselves capable of such in the past.  A group of them could rise up, above the clouds, and begin a long range burning of the castle.  Once the bombardment was underway, others could destroy any of this keep's air defenses when they rose to attack the 'artillery'."

"The key here is that this is not a seige.  A seige assumes one has walls that can keep the enemy out.  These walls are nothing more than cover - they will not hinder the Archons from closing the gap.  Hence, the strategies will more likely resemble those of open-plain warfare.  Take an area your enemy requires, and force him to come to you.  Feign weakness in one area to draw him out, and strength in another to keep him back.  Focus on one point.  Avoid fragmentation."

His lips thinned.  "And these creatures care little for lives.  Some of them have several bodies.  Others are so convinced of their own superiority that they will never back down."

Luke knew that with every word, he painted a grimmer and grimmer picture.  It was time for some good news.

"But.  We have beaten them before.  The dragon is a match for a dozen or more.  Many of our people could defeat them in combat, with the weapons they bear.  Sorcery will affect them, and we have that as well.  We have never seen them in groups greater than a dozen or two - it seems they have issues with cooperation, though in battle that rarely comes to a head, and would be difficult to exploit."

He turned to Banglen-Yp.  "We have seen them cut stone.  Beyond that...who can say?"  He drummed his fingers for a moment.

As Banglen-Yp pats his hand Roman absently turns it palm up and tries to catch her hand, loosely wrapping his fingers around hers.

But his attention is on Luke.  "I can see a way I might be of use, but it will take preparation and ideally an element of surprise.  I'd best discuss it privately with whoever is coordinating the battle.  Unless..."

He turns his head to look at Banglen-Yp.  "I can still take you away from here.  This may be the last opportunity...if you want to leave, just give the word."

Heyden finished describing the unusual event...

"Very interesting, Lieutenant.  And you witnessed this yourself?  Mmmm?" Jounach asks, stepping a little further away from the door, towards the nearest ormvråck.  The bird hisses, and makes as if to peck at him, its eyes blazing with the furious madness of its kind.  Jounach's own gaze meets that of the bird, and it decides not to carry the attack any further.

"Yes, my Lord.  With my own eyes.  I was only thirty or forty feet above the incident."

"Fascinating.  Very well.  I have a task for you, Lieutenant Heyden.  Find some runners, and summon my cousins to the Moothall.  The witch, Tahirah, as well.  Impress upon them that it is most urgent, and ensure that they will pass that urgency on to the recipients of my summons."

With a final glower at the birds, Jounach turns to leave.

 

Looking at Roman's hand in wonder as it closed around hers, Banglen-Yp considered if this was something similar to the kiss or not.

Should she slap him again?

Then the fellowed answered her and she looked up at him.

•• Thank • you •• What • ar•e•a • do • you • think • they • will • re•qui•re ••

It could be good to know, if possible.

Then Roman spoke to her again and her attention went to him once more - and the hand.

•• I • will • stay •• If • you • want • to • go • you • can ••

She needed to stay here for a while, but perhaps he would rather not.  She did not know.

 

Roman looks at Banglen-Yp, realises what his hand is doing, freezes for a second and then decides to leave things as they are.

"Then I stay."

Somewhat stunned from the recital of their enemies strengths, Morgan rallies while Roman and Banglen-Yp discuss remaining.

"I can only help a battle in the skies in dodging what rains down, I'm afraid, but the ground reinforcements probably won't enjoy the mauling we can give them. I believe I heard horses when you came. Do you all know how to fight mounted? It takes some practice, much like pair-fighting, but..."