Zero Hour

[Brian]

"Come in," a gruff voice says from within.

The vassals wordlessly open the door, revealing a room where another eight vassals are poring over a map at the table, under the apparent leadership of a very wiry, white-haired man dressed in casual clothing.  There's still a short-sword at his side, and he wears a symbol of Hammar on a necklace.

He looks up when he sees you through the doorway, and grins.  "Ah, Bjorn," he says, nodding.  "I'm glad to see you've kept this place from being swept under.  Come in, come in!"

[Bjorn]

Bjorn bows respectfully, and steps into the room, murmuring a polite return greeting.

[Brian]

"So," he says, looking at the map.  "Go ahead and tell us what happened since you got here, Bjorn.  We need to find out what we've got to work with."

He looks up at one of the vassals, and says, "Stephano, if you can arrange an appointment with the Warden of the keep, I'd be appreciative."

The vassal nods, and moves to leave the room in search of the Warden.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn coughs.  "I am the Warden," he says, almost apologetically.  "Or at least, the acting Warden, while Sir Lammermore recovers from his injuries."

[Brian]

"Well, that simplifies things a bit," he says.  "What's the status of our defenders?  Ah, first things first.  You haven't given me an update on what happened since you've gotten here yet."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn nods, and pauses, trying to collect his thought.  Automatically, he falls into a lecturing pose, legs slightly parted, back straight, hands behind back.

"The Dreadmarch force-marched in their arrival at the keep," he says crisply.  "This, combined with a traitor in the ranks of the storm-riders, allowed them to cut the storm-riders off from the keep.  Luckily, Lord Bloom and Sir Shuker had already left the confines of the Keep, and were able to retake control of the storm-riders.  They led them off north, where they destroyed the trailing supply trains, and rescued both Gatemaster Eske and those trapped in the northern temples.  You would likely know more of this than me, of course.

"You have also apparently already heard about the arrival of the Archon.  He accused Mirallia of the Great Sin, and fled the scene, abandoning the defenders.  Luckily, we had recovered the crystal of Aestock on our journey to the keep, and so the Archon's betrayal had no immediate consequences.

"On the first night of the siege, we attempted a ruse based on illusion.  We made Sir Lammermore appear to be an Archon, in the hopes of delivering a challenge to bring the General forward.  The ruse did not work.  We suspect that this is because a traitor within the keep provided our plans to the Dreadmarch.  Of course, if the Archonae have truly switched allegiance, then they would simply have known that the Archon had to be false.

"Luckily, between traps set by Loremaster Radagast, and a powerful spell by Windkeeper Parthipan, the general was immediately exposed.  He was dispatched immediately by Sir Lammermore and Sir Breke, without casualty on our side.  It is worth noting, however, that the general had access to some powerful missile, that he used to attack the tower where the Lorekeepers were stationed.  This implies both that they have access to a powerful Loremaster, and, again, that they had inside intelligence.

He pauses for a second, to recollect his thoughts and make sure he has not lost his audience, and then continues.  "We immediately took precautions to minimize the chance of spies learning of our new plans.  As such, you must understand that without the explicit permission of Lord Kevin, there is some information I cannot share.

"In the second night of the siege, through the offices of Loremaster Radagast and Wardmaster Mattias, we were able to coordinate a two-pronged assault with the storm-riders.  Casualties were higher, primarily confined to the storm-riders -- a thousand lost, plus civilians.  The pincer attack, plus the earthenworks devised by Earthmaster Devin, were sufficient to isolate the general, who was dispatched through the combined efforts of Sir Breke, Sir Lammermore, Lord Bloom, and myself.  Unfortunately, Sir Breke was killed in the battle, and Sir Lammermore was put of comission for the time being."

His face, which to date has been disturbingly placid given the relatively gruesome details he's imparting, hardens slightly.  "And on the third night, the commander-in-chief of the Dreadmarch revealed himself, as you may know.  He calls himself Elric the Undying, and claims to be spawn of the Elder Gods.  He provided us with the night as a time to surrender unconditionally."

He falls silent.

[Brian]

The white-haired man hums thoughtfully, and rubs his chin.  "Wheels within wheels, Bjorn.  Wheels within wheels.  If you have no complaints, I'm going to assign Seth, Adam, and myself to complete the advisory panel for the next strategy meeting," he says.  "Until such time as you relinquish your Wardenship, of course."  The other vassals all nod.

"At any rate," the man continues, glancing to the map, "you've given us a good deal to work with.  You do us all proud.  Now rest; we'll do what we can.  Seth, Adam, attend Bjorn and see that he's not disturbed unduly -- Jeff, Carl, I want you to keep an eye on Mirallia from this point on; Bjorn's going to be too busy to guard her on top of everything else, and unless I miss my guess, she could probably use being guarded."  He raises his eyes from the map, and locks eyes with Bjorn.  There's not much gentleness in his gaze, and he actually seems to be grimly satisfied with this situation.  "We'll make it through this yet."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn nods.  "Did you want the report on the status of the defenders, or will you get that from someone else?" he inquires.

[Brian]

"You need your rest," the old man says, shaking his head.  "We'll get that information when there's a meeting."

[Bjorn]

"As you say," Bjorn says.  Making his farewells, he steps out of the door, pausing for a second.

[Brian]

Two vassals -- presumably Jeff and Carl -- dash out around you, probably in search of Mirallia.  No one moves to stop you, either.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn closes his eyes for a second, as if to collect his thoughts -- but instead, he's slipping behind Lindsey's eyes, checking the status on her mission.

[Brian]

She's currently standing on the ramparts between Phil and Liandral, who look like they're about to have a discussion.  Mirallia is there as well, with Nathan and Alec standing nearby.

[Bjorn]

Opening his eyes, Bjorn heads in the direction of the dining hall.

[Brian]

No one stops you, or runs you down, so you find yourself before the great hall relatively shortly.

Durant is inside, playing his lute while someone else -- a reasonably attractive looking serving girl -- sings about a farmer who lost his cow and pressed on anyway.  Durant's expression looks a little strained, but he shortly thereafter bows his head over his lute in concentration.