Fantatic Waltz

[Brian]

Lord Kevin is still there, along with Lammermore and Radagast.  Lammermore looks like he's ready to try fighting the entire Dreadmarch alone, and then using their bones to pick his teeth.  Radagast just looks annoyed, and Lord Kevin appears (at least) relaxed.

When you approach, Lord Kevin turns to face you.  "Your thoughts?" he asks.

[Bjorn]

"They appear organized," Bjorn replies, calmly, "which worries me somewhat.  The Dreadmarch has unquestionably changed from what it used to be.  The question is how much.

"I would recommend using the Archon diversion for this night," he continues.  "Partly because once we've used illusion of any sort, the Dreadmarch will be on the watch for it, and this plan requires a certain gullibility on their part.  Partly as a means to determine just how deep the changes run -- do they have the discipline to stand and stick to their plan when faced with an Archon?"  He hesitates, slightly.  "But mostly because I think that what we need more than anything now is a quick, easy victory, to boost morale."

[Brian]

Kevin nods at this, and turns to Radagast.  "I'll retire to the tower, so I can direct it, then," he says.  "But before that happens, I want to give the traps I've set out front time to whittle their numbers down -- shouldn't take more than a few minutes.  When that's done, I'll work with Astryd to weave the guise of an Archon on Aldus -- ah, that is, on Sir Lammermore.  Ultimately, I'll wait on your signal to begin the spell, though."

Lammermore grunts.  "No time for titleage in war," he says dismissively.  "I stand ready, and so do the men we've chosen for the task."

Radagast nods, and turns to go to the keep.

[Bjorn]

"These traps," Bjorn says, before Radagast has a chance to depart, "what exactly will they do?"

[Brian]

He turns back, and blinks.  "Oh," he says after a moment.  "They cause explosions, which should disrupt the attacking forces.  There are wires on the field; when someone steps on or pulls the wires, then the explosions will activate."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn blinks at Radagast, shocked for a second.  Mines?  "Then perhaps you should prepare the Archon illusion now, before those traps go off.  For the best chance of success, the Dreadmarch should both see the Archon before they have a chance to engage, so that the general has a chance to come forward -- and if they see the Archon just before the front ranks start to blow up, then they're much more likely to believe him to be a serious threat, I would think."

[Brian]

Radagast pauses, and exchanges a glance with Lammermore.  Lammermore nods, and Radagast turns back to you.  "Done," he says.  "Now, I must ready the spell."

"Men!" Lammermore yells, apparently 'men' being the name of the group he's assigned as his entourage.  "In positions!"  A group of eighty men forms four ranks of twenty, arrayed before Lammermore, and Radagast flees towards the keep.

Lord Kevin rubs his chin.  "Let's hope those traps of Radagast's pack the punch I'm hoping for," he says, shaking his head.  "Ekim helped him build them...."

[Bjorn]

However strong those traps are, they're not going to make much of a difference in the long run.  Not with all those troops.  But... "Every bit helps, my Lord."  Bjorn pauses for a second.  "Did you have a particular role in mind for Sir Breke and myself, my Lord?"

[Brian]

He nods.  "I want you to be at the vanguard, behind Lammermore."  He frowns, looking at Lammermore, who's running one hand over the hilt of his longsword, though it doesn't seem like a nervous gesture; more just a mental check to see if everything's in order.  "You and sir Breke will make sure that the retreat is left open, should we need to fall back, and send out a greater charge.  Should Dorian sight the general, he won't hesitate to strike him ... my concern is that the Loremaster's seeming will confuse his sight."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn, who had been studying Lammermore, snaps his head around at Kevin's last statement, eyebrows raised in surprised inquisitiveness.

[Brian]

Kevin frowns, and murmurs, "I do not doubt for a second Dorian's accuracy.  But when what he sees is not what is truly there ... then I worry that his shots may pass on the sides of an Archon to hit an ogre.  And Lammermore, for all that, is significantly wider than an Archon.

"Still, he refused to accept that he should not trust his eyes.  The pride of his kind is nearly unmatched, save by the Archonae.  He knows of the plan, but ... he was told that the General would be a human.  Hopefully this will keep Lammermore out of the path of harm."  Breke snorts at this, and Lord Kevin manages a wry smile.  "Even more harm, then."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn grunts.  "Then there is little we can do, unless you wish to send up a trusted solider to knock Master Silveshaft out if he starts shooting too close to Sir Lammermore."  He grins, slightly sourly.  "And, frankly, given the number of arrows that will be in the air anyways, I don't know that it will make much of a difference."

He bows, slightly.  "With your leave, my Lord."

[Brian]

Lord Kevin nods at you.

[Bjorn]

With another bow, Bjorn takes up Breke's chains and leads him after Lammermore's party.  "Time to go do what you do best, Sir Breke," he mutters in a dry tone.

[Brian]

"What, you need me to be a boorish lout?" he asks under his breath, as you lead him to his spot behind Lammermore.