Drink With Me

[Dracos]

"Hmm...We may have to use the real thing if it's another loremaster.  Additionally there's the risk that they could detect such magic, no?  I don't know much though of such things, but I would be loath to just rely on magic when we know the enemy is capable of such as well.  No offense to your skills, Loremaster Mattias."

Dracos

[Brian]

Mattias looks slightly offended, but says nothing.  "Well," Eske says, glancing between Mattias and Phil, "I'm sure the plan never was to rely entirely on ... magic and instead to use that should our quarry prove more ellusive than we had suspected."

"Anyway," Kevin says, "tell me everything you would need -- the quicker we can put this in motion, the better."

[Bjorn]

"I recommend against using the true sword, Lord Bloom," Bjorn says quietly.  "We must consider the possibility that our trap might fail.  If the enemy has such resources as to stop and defeat the Wardmaster's work, and detect whether the blade is the correct one without seeing it, then he might very well spirit it away even in the presence of human guards.   It would be best not to present him with such an opportunity, and the sword is much safer in the hands of Lord Ekim, I believe.

"The problem with additional human guards is secrecy," he continues.  "As it stands, only those of us in this room know of the trap we plan.  Guards hidden within the room would need to know that it is a trap as well, even not knowing the details.  What's more, we would need to conceal that the guards had ever been placed in the room -- a difficult task to be sure of.  If we had no other alternatives, or if we could be certain that no news would spread, it would be an excellent idea -- except for the risk to their lives."  He grimaces.  "If I saw my way clear, I would not even suggest guards at the door.  Unfortunately, they are an unavoidable requirement."

[Dracos]

"Hmm...What about gating in?  Having Eske gate some select private guards into the room, so no one sees them enter.  Though that might leave a trail just as well."

Dracos

[Bjorn]

"Whether this will be undetectable is a question that only the Gatemaster can answer."  Bjorn shrugs.  "A plausible premise will need to be invented for the missing guards, of course, but as long as they are trustworthy, I see no problems.  Though, in all honesty, my Lord, if our foe can defeat the Wardmaster's craft, I doubt that mere soldiers will provide much challenge.

"Beyond that... I think at this point the only outstanding need is a substitute sword.  Choose a room in which to place it, appoint guards to watch the room, and the plan is complete."

[Brian]

Kevin nods, and says, "I pronounce you acting warden of Stormwall Keep until such time as Lammermore recovers.  Do whatever you feel is neccessary and justified to deal with this threat, unless you think it will hurt our cause."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn blinks, and then bows deeply.  "If this is your command, my Lord."

[Brian]

"It is," he says, nodding.  "Your grasp of these matters is better than my own, I feel."

Ekim grunts.  "What is the plan?" he asks, looping the sword through the belt of his smithing apron.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn studies the sword hanging at Ekim's belt.  "Gatemaster, can you produce a sword in the same manner as you produced that cloth?"

[Brian]

"I don't happen to have one in my study," he says apologetically, shaking off some of his shock.  Mattias looks pretty stunned, too.  Radagast seems mostly unshaken, just a bit concerned.  "Ahm....  I could make a door to move soldiers into a room, certaintly.  I doubt that anyone would be able to detect it, but I cannot guarantee it."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn grunts.  "I think, perhaps, if it could be arranged, we would be better served by arranging that a gate into the room would be created if anyone touches the cloth."  He looks inquisitively at Mattias and Eske.

[Brian]

"I can open a gate when told, but we can't chain our efforts together so neatly ... not in the time we have," Eske says.  Mattias shrugs helplessly.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn shrugs.  "Then we will place the guards to begin with."  He frowns.  "Lord Bloom, do you think you might be able to spare some storm-riders to serve that role?  Storm-riders are perhaps more trustworthy under the conditions, and it is unlikely that any in the Keep would easily be able to keep track of them."

[Dracos]

"I'd go myself gladly.  No one should really notice at this point.  IF you think it's too risky though, I'll gladly pick a few of my more trusted warriors for the trap."

Dracos

[Bjorn]

Bjorn eyes Philip expressionlessly, and then bows.  "I can think of no better warrior for the task, my Lord, if you think you can spare yourself."  Straightening, he turns back to Kevin.  "A room in the tower of the Lorekeepers might be best, perhaps.  Do you have a suggestion, my Lord?"