Heating the Iron (Afina)

[Anastasia]

I'm going throw you a minor scene or two to warm back up post vacation but pre Jaela finishing her stuff. I'm not sure on her ETA, so in case she runs long, I'd like to get warm after the break. These are also upkeepy things I keep meaning to do but tend to forget in the every day rush.

You're not long into some golem studies when Elena pops into your room. "Hi, great news," Elena says, "Some crusaders have arrived and they want to join up."

[Ebiris]

"Oh, are they out front? What do we know about them?" Afina asks, putting her quill down on the blueprints she'd been sketching out.

[Anastasia]

"It's a group of mixed celestials and mortals," Elena explains, "Along with pack and battle animals. They call themselves the Upraised Banner."

[Ebiris]

Taking 10 for 49 on planes in case that's helpful for recognising them

[Anastasia]

The Upraised Banners are a recurring group based around Tailiel, a well trained astral deva sentinel. They form around him, smite evil until they take too many losses and break up, only to reform a few centuries later.

It's something of a cycle, since Tailiel has a knack at biting off more than he can chew. Always for a good cause, but he also has a knack of surviving, even if his forces are decimated.

You also recall that you heard of him in passing not long ago - he's been assembling a new force, doing the rounds and preparing for another crusade.

[Ebiris]

He sounds like a bad luck charm to Afina... "I'll go down and see them, then," she says. They can't afford to really just turn away help either, though.

[Anastasia]

It's a group, alright. There's a core of a few dozen celestials and mortal heroes, flanked by lesser soldiers and helpers. Behind them are pack animals, battle trained animals, mounts, camp followers and so forth. They carry white pennant banners that flow despite there being no wind to blow them.

One approaches you. A tall angel, over seven feet tall and with caramel-colored skin. He wears weathered plate armor and carries a mace on his side, along with a short sword on his other side. "General Afina," he offers you his hand, a warm smile on his face, "Tailiel of the Upraised Banners. I've heard about Aurora's work. All of you generals sound exceptional and more than worth helping."

[Ebiris]

Afina flutters up and fits her tiny delicate little pixie hand into his big gruff angel one. "We're always looking for more valiant allies. I'd heard you were gathering forces to your banner recently, what made you decide to approach us?"

[Anastasia]

Tailiel's skin is smooth, soft and unmarred, despite his appearance. He shakes it with a gentleness that belies the strength you feel in his grasp. "Many things. The most recent and decisive is Benfal. What could it be but Benfal?"

[Ebiris]

"A great triumph, bit one that reinforces how we need that much more support to actually retake Lifasa," Afina agrees. "Come inside, let us welcome your allies and we'll see how we can support one another."

[Anastasia]

As you walk inside, "Right now I have approximately 60 combat worthy troops and half again that in support. Logistics officers, cooks, animal handlers and so forth," Tailiel explains as you go into Aurora's entry hall. He looks around quickly and then returns right back to the conversation. People are coming and going here - you spy Tepen carrying an armful of books from a portal to another. Gold in half elf form is walking from a portal to the courtyard, while you also spy Lady Skye amid a gaggle of pixies going about towards the portal to the cafeteria.

"I don't know your logistical and support needs, but I'm sure those followers can be just as helpful as the warriors I bring. I imagine having your own mobile fortress eases logistics immeasurably. Also, I have a few detachments that will catch up, as well as some wounded. That would bring the troop count to over one hundred."

[Ebiris]

Afina nods to all that. "You've come at a good time," she says. "We're in the cooldown phase after the battle for Benfal, and don't have anything immediately planned. That'll give time for us to integrate your forces with our own, take part in some training exercises to get up to speed before being tested in actual combat."

[Anastasia]

Quick question, where are you leading him?

[Ebiris]

I figure we're mostly just hanging out in the courtyard, though I can do the tour/orientation thing and show off the highlights of Aurora.

[Anastasia]

Whatever works.

The two you slow and linger a bit as your conversations meanders on.

A few nods follow. "Then there's no problems," he asks, "If there aren't, I can begin getting things moving immediately."