Usopi listened to Brannons words with a seriousness uncommon to his features. It was a curious thing, to be wrapped up in such an intrigue be sheer circumstance. Or perhaps it was that Gatanadese had placed him here with purpose, to be part of the True Faith's contribution to purifying the unholy powers gathering in the north.

Yet, Usopi also knew that the affairs of state, and of power and of nations and of religion and of wealth, were often tempting plots to be taken in by. Usopi had come to trust Brannon, and if Brannon vouched for this Colm Cernach then Usopi trusted Colm, but good intentions and righteous motive sometimes courted tragedy unawares.

The large knight stepped forward and placed a hand on Brannon's shoulder, "In my travels with you, we have faced many evil things, and not once have I felt darkness in your deeds. I count you as a friend, and for as long as your cause is just I will be there. As for the man behind you, I shall not speak of his identity or of his task to another soul. Even so, I would have him speak for himself after our arrival in Gliss. I trust your word, but a man must know those he serves."

Having said his piece, Usopi stepped back again and allowed the others to give voice to thoughts.

In reply to Usopi Venia (msg # 244):

Deise nods approvingly at Brannons honesty, impressed at how earnest the message is.

He sits back in his chair and puts his hands behind his head."Brannon Darrow, I know you only a brief time and you do not come across as a man given to lies and falsehood. I believe that you believe this truth. I serve no god only a mortal king. I have sworn to test with my own eyes and ears what is truth and what dissembles in your land of Gliss. It seems that the way I can serve King  Corbin in this is to put your theory to the test. I accepted my path is a dark and dangerous one many years past. This changes naught. I am happy to have you as a companion of the road. But I warn you Brannon, I will go with an open mind. If I find naught I will return with that truth and not imperil this kingdom in anothers civil war. You have my trust, my sight and my arm until you dont and then I will tell you to your face what you have told me to mine. Fair enough?
Deise stands and extends his right hand to Brannon.

As Brannon's eyes pass over those gathered, Sir Turren nods when theirs meet, one hand resting on his shield. As far as the knight is concerned, the end of Brannon's briefing is the commencement of Turren's duty. He doesn't say it, his sword and shield can do that on the road if need be - Turren's words are in his eyes; if Brannon and the others don't make it to Glissom, it will be because Turren is dead. If they fail to cut to the core of the rot there, Turren will likewise be dead.

In reply to Brannon Darrow (msg # 243):

Leofwyn listens to Brannon's declaration with a seriousness the group here wouldn't have seen before. She takes note of his expression and posture, and when he is finished, says;

"In any way that I can be of help in this journey, you shall have it. Whether it be an extra pair of watchful eyes, an earnest voice, or a pair of helpful hands - it would be my pleasure to serve and assist."

Brannon seems relieved by these responses. He claps Usopi upon the back, and shakes Deise's hand. "Thank you, friends. I can ask no more of you than that. I shall say no more about it unless the need arises, until we meet with the Hearthfather himself."

Caith listens silently, a stern face shadowed in the snarling wolf that forms the hood of her warcoat, green eyed gaze shifting from speaker to speaker.

She nods once when Brannon finishes speaking, then looks to Alphail briefly, and smiles as she says softly "I trust Brannon to ken the truth, and ye to find the way."

Aphail instinctively moves to stand beside Brannon, showing his clear support and loyalty to the Hearthwarden.  He listens carefully, his rough features showing deathly seriousness.  When Deise speaks, he feels the righteous indignation rise up in his body like a spring tide!

"It is a wise man who believes what he has seen with his own eyes, or that which can be proved with evidence.  You are in great company Deise, as the whole of Glissom are wise men!  They have had the truth hidden from their eyes, evidence falsified, and sleep soundly in their beds as a consequence.  They are like sheep to be herded to the slaughterhouse!  I warn you Deise, whether you see it or not, whether you have evidence or not, there is a maelstrom coming, coming to destroy us all unless we act!  Whoever should die in this cause, those who betray Clan Cernach will surely be among them."

OOC - Don't Dis da Brannon, man. :oP  Just making a counterpoint to your point.  We all have our Character Agenda's.  Don't wanna start an argument though.  You weren't there when Aphail shot a suspected traitor through the eye socket were you? He was about to drink a healing potion too.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 19:38, Wed 20 Nov 2019.

In reply to Aphail MacRoach (msg # 250):

Deise nods at the hunters blunt words before responding with a steely smile . . .
"Your words are noted Aphail. I have been nothing but fair and transparent with you. But its good nonetheless to know where I stand, eh?"
Before winking at Aphail.

Sir Turren breathes out slowly, cheeks puffed.

'Leofwyn, whilst we're all clearing the air - I took some extra peaches from the stores. Just a few. Well, there're a few left. They're really good! I will do my penance by sharing the last few with all who can be courteous with one another until tomorrow's supper. Aphali may have two for the extra effort.'

Turren smiles at Aphali and pats his shoulder with a good-hearted smile. 'I look forward to this journey, with skeptics and loyalists both, moving toward the same victory. I know your cause is true, friend Aphali, and so will all know given time and patience - friend Deise included.'

He sits and looks to all, eyes apologetic. 'By the way, the peaches are a metaphor for happy trails and pleasant journeys. I had the last peach for breakfast.'

Caith watches the conversation escalate rapidly, but remains calm, even as the tension slowly builds within her, it is still coiled tightly like a snake yet to strike.

"Too much of a good thing can still kill ye..." Caith says pragmatically to Sir Turren, and produces a peach pit from her hood's bite marked ear with a mysterious air, then explains "...Poison hid within them. Nay much, but still enough in but a handful of them to kill cattle with the teeth to mill them down."

She pockets the pit with a contemplative air, shrugs, then offers a small wooden box to the knight as she sweetens the bite in her words with a jest "It is my business to know such things, in order to deal with them. 'Tis a wonder there's any space in my skull to keep all of it in at the best of times..."

Caith points at the box, and pulls out the crude but lifelike acorn cap carved into the side of the box, hidden in the pattern of oak leaves, causing the box to spring open like the halves of a scallop shell, revealing two smooth beeswax tablets hidden inside, and an wooden acorn capped stylus as the pin that held the two parts of the box together.

"Ye may find that of use to write down a reminder to nay eat all the peaches again, aye?" she says, with an impish gleam in her eyes that belies the graveness of her tone and solemnity of her expression.

Caith looks to Deise, says in utter seriousness "Hearthwarden needs both Alphail's eyes and yours to see what lies at the heart of a maze of lies and deceit. Nay add to his worries, aye?"

She exasperatedly adds in what is intended to be a jest, no matter how pointed it be  "...Ye already have a King to add to the worries of all of your own, Deise. Adding to Hearthwarden's as well is just being greedy!"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:42, Thu 21 Nov 2019.

Usopi frowned at Aphail’s response to Deise. It was only natural for a man to be skeptical of tales of grand intrigue and fell magics in foreign lands. However, Deise responded with a cool head, and Turren spoke as well, so Usopi’s grin returned.

”Pleasant journeys are often as satisfying as a ripe peach, but hopefully the metaphor ends there. It would be unfortunate for us to be out of both peaches and pleasantness.” he said with a soft chuckle.

Brannon grins at Turren's offer, and Usopi's comment.



He nods gravely at Caith's words. "That I do, Caith. I think we will need everything we can given what we will face... and I am grateful that you are all willing to come, and that King Corbin is willing to spare you. I realise that what I am asking is not trivial, for any of you."

'M'lady,' Turren's face softens. 'I seek to gift the room lightened reprieve, but the gift comes to me instead - I am in your debt.' He bows and examines the gift. The boyish grin returns as he taps the gift. 'And ere more I shan't forget it.'

"Aye..." Caith murmurs "...There's nay arguing with that."



"Ye are most welcome, Sir Turren, and may it serve ye well." Caith replies with a smile, a brief but genuine one.

She looks questioningly to Brannon and Alphail as she says "What is needful that I know of has been gathered." then to Deise as she asks "Ye intend this to be a quiet look about like, or an official delegation from Ereworn?"

As quiet as we can keep this. If ye're judgement is true, then we'll find naught by proclaiming we're lookin' for it. Like a good hunter, my best work is done from the shadows so as not to alert the prey. I will trust you all to guide us in a direction where we might see what you think might evidence your mistrust in the Steward and the King. We all understand the dangers here are to our mortal souls, but thats whats been signed up to, an I've no bother at that. So when ye are ready then lead on."

Deises tone is calm, wary of misinterpretation or offense. The letters we have from the King are potentially useless in Glissom We wont find anything in plain sight. But if caught undercover then the letter from the King is more trouble than its worth. I may even consider burning mine.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:51, Fri 22 Nov 2019.

Aphail can certainly help to produce some 'Silver Arrows', if that is what Caith really wants.  Silver Slingshot is easy to do aswell.  Once all his labouring and fletching is done, Aphail will thank Sammel for all his work and put on his new Brigandine Coat, collect his gold and assemble the rest of his gear.

"On the quiet then? Wise..." Caith replies, appreciating the image of a hunter at work, but pondering what kind of quiet would be most useful to such an odd group to herself already.



The hedgewitch looks to the hearthwarden and shrugs as she lifts her hands palm upwards and says pragmatically "Ye be the one in charge, Hearthwarden, ready to go, just give the word..."

She looks to Alphail gratefully, then continues "...But even though we be better equipped to deal with unnatural foes now, mortal men are at the crux of this mystery. How ye want to approach investigating it without being noticed by those who nay want any attention paid to their affairs?"

She poses the essential question of "In short, what's the most believable lies we can tell while in search of the truth?"

Aphail speaks with Caith and Brannon quietly.  "We should maintain our privacy, not draw attention to ourselves.  If you have a common name, then use it, rather than your true name.  We can avoid looking like a warband in public.  I feel that the Hearthfather would know what to do?"

"Well, whether real or metaphorical peaches..." she smiles at Sir.Turren, "I'll do my best to make sure that we have plenty of both along the way."


She waits until the general conversation dies down before standing.

"Is there anything else you would like to tell us? Or should we begin to gather our things? I understand there is a long journey is ahead of us."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:43, Sat 23 Nov 2019.

"True enough." Brannon agrees with Aphail's suggestion. "Subtlety is required here, and we must let the Hearthfather decide how we proceed."

"I'll keep my questions to myself until I can ask him then." Caith says with the serenely diffident air of a woman being asked to wait on a man's authority, then innocently asks Alphail "As for common names? Perhaps I should call myself Herbwife Coulson if Caorunn is nay common enough?"

"Nay sure how to make this lot look less like a warband though..." she muses to herself.

The hedgewitch falls silent as Leofwyn speaks, then simply looks to the Hearthwarden, patiently awaiting further instruction.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:45, Sun 24 Nov 2019.

Leofwyn quietly makes her way over to Sir.Turren and begins whispering to him away from the others. "I am honoured that you have enjoyed the peaches! Indeed I would never take offense from anyone eating the fruit that I grow..." She tried to hold back a smile before adding, "But honestly, Sir.Turren, I would... take it easy with the peaches. Too much of a good thing... you understand?" She laughed out loud and covered her mouth. "But, of course, that is absolutely your choice. I would never stop you."

She reaches around to her staff and pulls off a round, green apple, and hands it to Sir Turren. "A potential alternative, if you're willing?"

In reply to Brannon Darrow (msg # 263):

Deise approaches Brannon,"Brannon, what would you think to giving the appearance of travelling separately once we head toward your land? I am thinking of a disguise as a merchant maybe?"

In reply to Leofwyn (msg # 265):

'M'lady rest assured,' Sir Turren leans close to Leofwyn and lowers his voice, 'all the peaches are still in the bucket intact from when I picked them. I try to resist gluttony - it's a sin in my parts. I sought only to distract from growing tensions just now, before more kindling was added to the pile. In the south, mistrust and tense beginnings could ruin expeditions before the first foot marched beyond the walls. If my dignity needs to take a light hammering so we might have a fairer start, so be it. The road will have plenty of time to darken all by itself as we progress, no doubt.' He winks.'I thank you for the apple. And your kindness. You've a good heart, lady Leofwyn.'

( Head across to The Road to Glissom)