Zero Hour

[Brian]

After a long and boring meeting involving quite a bit of drinking, Philip has finally overseen the last of the Storm-rider promotions, and is released from his tent ... just as the moon is setting.

A general commotion seems to indicate that something is happening in the courtyard -- probably gearing up for the next day of the siege.  Dashing into the keep, Phil gets directions to the library, where Lord Kevin is once more.  He looks better rested this time around.  Loremasters Radagast, Eske, and Mattias are also there.

"I've sent guards for the others," he says, frowning.  "Eske, can you allow Bjorn to return here?"

The old man nods, and gestures, opening another tear in reality, which reveals an empty room with a candle-lit table.  There's a bundle of cloth on it, shaped more or less like a sword, but nothing else can be seen.

"Bjorn," Lord Kevin calls through the portal.  "The next day of the siege is upon us!"

Parthipan is lead into the room by a paid of guards, who stop at the door, and looks around sleepily.  "But ... I had a plan," he says plaintively, in a very quiet voice.

[Brian]

Bjorn and Nathan (and five other Storm-riders) come through the portal, before it vanishes.

"Well," Lord Kevin says, rubbing his eyes, as though waking up.  "Did you have any luck?"

[Bjorn]

"I'm afraid not, my Lord," Bjorn replies, gravely.

[Rezantis]

Rez merely shakes his head, and does not speak.

[Brian]

"Well, no matter.  Next time, we'll put in normal guards.  I'm sure the trap will work, given time," he says.  "I hope you got some rest while waiting, though.

"Now, I--"

He's cut off then by a breathless page running into the room, bypassing the guards even when they raise their spears.  "Lord Kevin!" he yells, falling to the floor of the library and sliding a few paces across it (also, incidentally, managing to just miss being cut with a pike).  "The Dreadmarch is advancing already!"

"But -- how can this be?" Radagast asks, blinking in astonishment.  "The moon has not yet set!"

[Rezantis]

"Worry about 'how' later.  Do we have a plan?"

[Bjorn]

"It may be an illusion," Bjorn says, speaking switfly.  "Someone, perhaps Madame Astryd, should check on that.  Failing that, they have a ward, or they are using humans tonight, and it does not matter."  He looks around, seeing if Devin and Astryd are present.  "Are the earthenworks restored?"

[Brian]

"How many of them are there?" Kevin asks, climbing to his feet.  "We need to make a plan -- Eske, can you take us to the courtyard?"

Eske nods, and a portal opens up to the courtyard, looking out from the dragon-perch/pedastal, so as not to cut any of the soldiers running around the courtyard frantically.  The archers are rushing to take their positions, and the moon is still visible, though it's halfway set.

[Bjorn]

"One second, my Lord," Bjorn says, and runs as fast as he can for the top of the wall, to look out at the Dreadmarch.

[Rezantis]

Rez jogs quickly after Shorty.

[Brian]

The pair of you are followed by everyone else, and the archers (even in their panic) make way for this group.  Some guards see that Lord Kevin is essentially unescorted and break away from their posts to provide him with protection.  Against what, at this point, is unknown, though.

After negotiating the switchbacks, you find yourselves on the ramparts, reasonably near Dorian, who's holding his bow to one side and looking down at the battlefield in consternation.

A single man is strolling across the field from the Dreadmarch at the speed of a casual walk.  He's wearing white, and a white cloak besides.  "Ah!" Parthipan exclaims, pointing at him.  "He's the one I saw!"

[Bjorn]

Bjorn studies the man for a second, and then turns his attention to focus on the disposition of the rest of the Dreadmarch.

[Brian]

They look like they're still asleep -- no one is getting into formation and preparing to charge.

"I sense no wards," Mattias says, after a moment.

Radagast grunts.  "He must have been sent out to give us a message," the aged wizard opines.

[Rezantis]

"I'd be inclined to just have someone shoot him if he gets anywhere near us, personally."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn shrugs.  "With your permission, Lord Kevin, I will go parley with him.  If he comes too close, or should I suffer an accident, then Sir Shuker can carry out his plan."