Wulf Militia On the Move

Baodan – Saffron’s NPC

Ermuda – Carac’s NPC

[Eliska]

Dawn is breaking briefly across the Misty mountains of Dunland and sun begins rise against the walls of the keep. Men are assembling together outside the walls of Redvyrne Keep. They are busy sharping swords and building shields. Eliska is hastily making preparations herself, adjusting her armor and shield.

\"We must quell this rebellion before these tyrants gain power!\", Eliska shouts to her loyal militia soldiers.

\"We must remain loyal to the wulf until we die..anyone found joining these tyrants will be executed immediately\", she informs the militia sternly.

[Saffron]

The loyal followers cheer back, raising their weapons in the air, crying “WULF! WULF! WULF!”

Baodan is there, of course.  He gorges himself on a healthy helping of the food prepared by the women for the men about to embark.  He adds his voice to the mix.

“Enemies of Dunland are they!  If you let them, they will take your livestock, your land, your WOMEN!  They are animals!”

[Carac]

One amongst those within Redvyrne is seemingly not as loyal as the Fianni would wish. \"We must remain loyal to the Wulf?\" he asks with a snort. \"Loyal to the man long dead or to the clan which is just as dead?\" he shouts. He dodges a few that reach for him and skips towards a wagon which he puts between those chasing him and himself.

\"You call these rebels in the north tyrants!\" he demands of Eliska. \"Yet they ask for nothing. NOTHING! They do not wish to lead Dunland, only to free it from those such as you who keep us slaves!\"

He leaps onto the wagon and then to the roof of the stable. \"Shoot me down if you wish,\" he calls to those beginning to aim their drawn bows in his direction. \"It will not change the fact that you are all doomed! Dunland has been held in slavery by the great clans and the Chieftains and Fianni for too long, you can not stop the force of what builds in the north. It will sweep over all of Dunla AHHHHHHHH!\" he lets out a cry as his footing slips and he topples from the stable to cobblestones with a lifeshattering THUMP.

[Eliska]

Eliska eyes Baodan as he is stuffing his face with food.

\"I assume you will be joining us?\", Eliska says narrowing her eyes. She then turns her attention to her followers.

\"Tet\'Nak is known outlaw...A bloodthirsty murderer cannot rule dunland\"..she answers the unknown man.

\"Why do you blame those who have kept Dunland free from corruption and greed?\" she asks, folding her small arms.

\"These men can think of nothing but themselves and no-one else..\" she snorts, running a hand through her hair. \"Killing innocents is great offense in Dunland...should we -The Fianni- condone these actions because murderers offer fake freedom?\"

\"Dunland will not be consumed by this threat..not whilst i am alive\"

[Baodan]

“My Lady.. look at me.”

Baodan spreads his arms, letting Eliska – and everyone else – see his scrawny frame.

“I would be of little use to the cause.  At best, I will be captured and our clan will be forced to pay a ransom for my freedom.  At worst.. oh, I hate to think of the worst, My Lady.  Alas, I shall remain here, and will send reinforcements should the Wulf militia need supplies.”

He glares at the man who spoke up, then sneers smugly when he falls to his death.  “See?  The gods punish him for speaking such rubbish.  Tet’Nak is indeed, a known outlaw.  He must die so that others shall live.”

[Eliska]

Eliska snorts angrily at Baodan. \"Coward\"...she hisses.

\"Stay here..then and stuff your face and drink Ale whilst -real men- fight\", she taunts patting her guard on the back.

\"Rebellion has risen and fallen many times in Dunland and this is no different\" Eliska encourages her men.

\"Whoever gives me the head of Tet\'Nak will be rewarded greatly\"

[Ermuda]

Ermuda, Baodan\'s steward steps over to refill his Fian\'s goblet and push a fresh platter of food before him. \"Your mind is of much use to the cause, my lord,\" he says. \"More use than the actions of others, I could mention.\"

[Baodan]

Another cheer goes up, this time, filled with voices of men, young and old, calling out suggestions on what “rewards” should be.  Some suggestions are laughed at, others have their ears boxed for making such rude suggestions.  In a way, these men deal with the tension and stress of the upcoming conflict, with humor.

“Time to get moving, My Lady.  Each moment you delay costs lives of innocents.”  Baodan smiles at Ermuda.  “Ah, now is the time of action.  Men like me must stay out of the way.”

[Eliska]

\"Ah, I see...\", Eliska answers Baodan.

\"Well, we can\'t go anywhere on an empty stomach...\", she chuckles grabbing a mug of Ale from her servant.

Laughter bursts into the air from the huge crowd of men, who in turn start grabbing food and eating hastily.

\"Don\'t worry Baodan..the traitors will be dealt with soon enough...but hunger is a greater threat at the moment\"

[Baodan]

Baodan, Fian de Wulf – formerly of Bear – raises his mug as well.

“To the Lady Eliska – Bringer of Justice.  May she bring glory to the clan.”

He then takes another helping of the food offered by Ermuda.

The men eat and drink heartily but the preparations continue.

“It is a good 3 days march to the Old Village, m’Lady,” Slaine, a handmaiden known for her temper and her good heart, hands Eliska the rest of her armor.  “Shall I pack an extra dressin’ for your blisters for ye?”

[Eliska]

After the food has diminished and militia\'s stomach\'s filled..they begin filing out of Redvyrne Keep in Wulf Regalia. Their tunics create a massive sea of green..with their swords freshly sharpen, they march out against the threat of tyranny and corruption. Eliska remains behind..finishing the last of choice meal, Roasted Rabbit.

\"It will take a few days of travel and i fear trouble will be brewing sooner than i expect..\" Eliska says with an uneasy tone.

\"Tet\'Nak is a formidable foe...many will die before this is over..\" she whispers softly to Baodan.

\"The bastard son of I\'racil i will kill myself...for his father sins will be atoned with his blood\"

[Baodan]

As Eliska leans in to whisper to Baodan, the scrawny Fian can’t help but lean even closer to her, and inhale deeply through his nose with his eyes closed.  A moment later, with a soft “Ah..” does he release the air.

He opens his eyes and smiles.  “Oh yes. More trouble than you can possibly imagine.”  He casts a glance at the handmaiden.  “Make sure you pack as many dressings as the animals can possibly carry.  It would be a pity to spoil the foot of such a beautiful woman.”  He looks her over, up and down.

“A pity, indeed.”  He says again, as he watches the militia leave.

[Eliska]

Eliska adjusts the weight of the sword belt on her waist before sliding a large wolf pelt over her small shoulders. She looks upon the handmaiden, Slaine, with a confident smile.

\"Aye, pack extra bandages, herbs, and ointments too..\", she suggests, adjusting a hidden dagger in her boot.

\"I wonder if the traitor know we are coming..Tet\'Nak may have scouts hidden...the possibly of ambush would be devasting..\", Eliska ponders as wagons are being packed.

\"I should send scouts ahead to prepare the way...trouble could be closer than you think\" she asks aloud with crossed shoulders.

\"If the scouts don\'t return with news...i know Tet\'Nak has discovered our whereabouts\"

[Ermuda]

Ermuda leans in with scented cloth. \"One moment my lord,\" he says and dabs at the Fian\'s chin, wiping away a rivulet of grease which drips from Baodan\'s chin. \"There you are,\" he says tucking the cloth away and slipping back to his position at the Fian\'s side.

[Baodan]

Baodan leans in to whispers something to Ermuda before turning to admire the profile of Eliska as she readies herself.  Ermuda may have to wipe his chin again.

“A scout is a prudent course of action, of course, in any battle.” Baodan nods his head.  “But really, is this about stealth?  Is not the purpose of this march to walk proudly down the road and demand that these rabble rousers lay down their arms and give up this nonsense?”

[Eliska]

Grabbing her helmet and gauntlets, Eliska, prepares to leave Redvryne. She gives a final salute to Fian Baodan before making her way outside the keep.

\"I will put Tet\'Nak\'s head on spike and burn that bastard\'s body for shedding blood of innocent\", Eliska says aloud confidently.

\"If Dunland cannot be ruled by Chieftains..the fianni must take its place..to prevent massacre and tyrannry from spreading. We must re-gain control before the Dunland of old ceases to exist. These men wish to destroy what little authority anyone has over Dunland. The Fianni of all clans must unite to rid ourselves of this stench called \"Tet\'Nak\"

Eliska turns her attention to Baodan and chuckles...\"Baodan..to be prudent and bold is one thing...but marching straight into a mad man\'s domain is foolish...many will die without question..you must be wiser than the average fool who thinks with the sword only\"

[Ermuda]

As the Wulf militia begins to file out of the gates, a second group begins to arrive. Large, bearded and hairy are the men of clan Bear, armored and covered in the furs and hides of their forest home, their line stretches back as far as the eye can see. They carry the battle axes, longswords, mauls, and clubs that have won them many a battle.

Ermuda spots them first and directs Baodan\'s attention their way. \"Your guests seem to be arriving, Fian.\"

[Baodan]

“And that,” Baodan bows with respect, “is why /you/ are the captain of the militia, and I, a simple man.  You are so right, My Lady.  You are so right.  How foolish of me to suggest something so absurd as to walk straight into a madman’s den.”

He looks up to see the approaching men, and he clasps his hand with glee.  “Ah! Here they come.  My contribution to the cause.  My Lady Eliska.  Meet some friends of mine who will be watching the borders during your absence.  I am a diplomat, afterall.”

[Eliska] Eliska chuckles heartily. \"So you are useful after all!\", she exclaims.

\"The more the merrier!\", she says happily. \"The Bear can help keep the rebellion from spreading further..We Wulf must do our best to rid ourselves the pest \'Tet\'Nak...the boy is not a more serious than Tet\'Nak..is a follower so bring him to me so he can be properly punished for his crimes.\"

[Carac]

\"BORDER WATCHING!\" roars the leader of this Bear party. \"BORDER WATCHING!?\"

\"We have been sent by the Ceann Kedhern to join in taking down these rebels!\" he roars with zeal. \"Not to watch Wulf borders!\"

He thumps a fist to his solid barrel like chest. \"I am Ungstad, Fian de Bear,\" he announces then. \"Ceann Kedhern did instruct us to assemble here at Redvyrne and then proceed forward to assist in ridding Dunland of this plague that threatens.\"

He looks to Eliska and gives a simple shrug of his shoulders. \"It will be a day at least before all arrive from Caerdh,\" he replies. \"Since you are assembled, go forth, but pray leave some for upon the battlefield for us.\"

[Eliska]

\"The plan is to wait for them move out against northern dunland...lure them into a false sense of security and overtake everyone at once leaving no-one alive...\" Eliska states aloud to the bear fiann. \"I will pray for you but pray that we the mighty wulf are victorious in our quest..\", Eliska says before finally leaving the keep.

[Carac]

Ungstad turns back to Baodan as Eliska departs. \"Are all Wulf women so trusting?\" he asks, as the dullard\'s look slides from his face. Replaced by a look of feral cunning.