[Game Thread] Tantoran Conflict

[Aethera]

OOC Who's the familiar figure? Mom?

While she's eager to get to her destination, or at least get a glimpse of the massed army she's looking for, Tania would never ride past a person who needs help. She heads straight for the pair, slowing to a trot when she gets within shouting distance; she doesn't want to scare them or let them think she's an enemy.

[The Yellow Bin]

The female figure looks up, familiar to Tania, one of the scouts who had delivered the report back in Tantori. She does not stand up, however, but continues to tend to whatever she's doing. Come on.... stay with me... She says while working on the bandage. He's hurt, badly, major slash wound. You don't happen to have the ability to heal, do you? The scout is trying his best.

[Aethera]

"I've a

Dice Heal:

d20+8

(10)+8

Total = 18

knack for it, but nothing much... no healing powers." Tania hops off her mare and hurries over to the side of the man. "What happened?" She's asking the scout, but hoping the man might be well enough to respond.

[The Yellow Bin]

The man appears to be unconscious, groaning as Tania administers the bandage on his wound. It stops the bleeding, but the man remains unconscious.

I don't know, I saw him on the ground here when I arrived not too long ago. It's a good thing that you came here.

The person, seemingly human, had a large slash wound on him. The wound is consistent with the wound that would be caused by a large ax. From the combat experience that Tania had before, she can decipher that it may have been the most damaging blow.

I think he may have fought the Balconians, that's my guess. Look. The scout tips her head towards the direction of the village, parts of the village is on fire, however, it is apparent to both of them that there is a fortification just outside of the village. The large bonfire, in the middle of the camp, is large enough for an army celebration.

[Aethera]

Tania considers the bonfire, then the woman next to her. "He needs a real healer," she informs the scout. "The axe might have broken ribs, or caused internal damage. Can you take him back to Tantori? I need to head that way." She nods at the ruined city. "Normally I'd encourage you to come with me, but I'm trying to talk peace, and one armed woman will further that end better than two."

She looks at the scout, then the man, then the scout's horse. "I'll help get him on the horse."

[The Yellow Bin]

The scout nods. With the help of Tania, she gets the wounded onto the horse, and soon, they gallop away. Tania watches the scout ride away, but before she disappears, she immediately turns around to look towards the military camp.

The closer she gets to the camp, the more noise she can hear. Spots of laughter, and yelling can be heard very vividly. The military formation is organized, the way the tents are set up is sensible, and the guards at the post look disciplined. They do not seem to be swaying back and forth as an untrained guard would do. They have not noticed you yet...

[Aethera]

Tania sighs, then rides straight for the largest tent, slowing and dismounting before she reaches the guards and leading Nightstar along. She waits until she's close enough to be heard but not hit with a hastily drawn weapon before calling, "Who commands here? I need to speak with him." A simple man would only see an unarmed woman leading a horse, and even if he did notice the weapons on the horse, they're there precisely so she's not threatening.

[The Yellow Bin]

As Nightstar was guided towards the camp, the guards at the entrance to the camp notice Tania. They straighten their spears and cross them over at the entrance, making certain that Tania does not enter with the horse. The manner in which they have done this is clear to Tania, she is attuned to the fact that the men are well trained.

One of them step forward: The commander does not just talk to anyone. And nor do we allow anyone that does not belong to the unit enter with their weapon. What do you want?

[Aethera]

Knowing Nightstar will simply wait behind her, Tania drops the lead rein and crosses her arms over her chest. "I want to talk to your commander," she repeats. "I don't wish to harm anyone here, but I don't intend to give up my weapons when surrounded by an army. Tell him Tania Menya wishes to speak to him, and it is urgent. I will wait here."

She had dropped that name years ago, but when circumstances called for it, it was worth the little flare of painful remembrance that came along with it. Only direct descendants ever used the names, not the others of the House that were created by her ancestor, so it gave her a small measure of power. Or at least a small measure of intimidation.

[The Yellow Bin]

Wait here. The guard holds out his hand while asking Tania to comply. The guards were given an order, it is apparent to Tania that they dared not cross that order. The other guard whistles and a in matter of seconds, a short and thin halfling can be seen coming towards the two guards. It seems that he's no more than a runner and a messenger. He comes near the guard.

Go get Lieutenant Menya. The halfling nods before running into the camp. The guard turns around and notifies Tania: I am certain that the commander will not see you, but since you are a Menya, Lieutenant Venton Menya will come and see you.

[Aethera]

She tries not to wince as the guard informs her of a relative in the camp. She's only half human, so depending on her relative's mentality, she may be a Menya outcast. But it's too late now. "Thank you." It's not worth arguing with the guards, they're not going to disobey their commanding officer's orders just for a strange woman who asks them to. Besides, she can always lean on her cousin to take her to the commander, or at least speak for her.

To give the tense guards some space, she takes a few steps away and turns to her horse. She picks up the trailing reins by which she'd been leading the mare and loops them over the saddlehorn before petting the mare's neck. Stepping around to face Nightstar, she leans her forehead against the horse's, silently communing with her friend.

[The Yellow Bin]

The guards also relaxes their security with Tania's willingness to step back and wait. Their spears back at their relative sides, returning to their original positions. The halfling disappears into the camp, and as Tania waited, she can see momentary spots of patrols running in regular patterns. They are on a schedule, and once again, the guard formation and duties are disciplined and well-trained. If anything, this group of soldiers were the best that she's ever seen in her short life.

Off to the right, there was a small tent, a dwarven fighter, accompanied by two others dwarves are seen coming out of the tent. The dwarven fighter, seemingly in charge, leads his escorts towards the back of the camp. He had a long beard, with a helmet that covered his hair. A long raven feather topped off the helmet, and the armor that he wears is unlike anything that Tania had seen. Whether or not this was Balcon, Tania could not be sure.

Just as he turned the corner, another came into visible range in the middle of the camp. He is accompanied by the halfling messenger. The man looks to be in his forties, at the very least, continues his stride towards the entrance of the camp. He arrives with the two guards in salute. The halfling dismisses himself, not saying a word, the assumption could be had that the messenger did his job.

He examines Tania, with great intrigue. His eyes squinted for a better look. A Menya? With Etheluian descent? He waits for Tania's response.

[Aethera]

Tania inclines her head to the older member of her family. "I have no knowledge of my father, other than the admission that he was Elven. I was raised by my mother." She doesn't have to mention that she ran away from home.

"Sir," she begins politely, "I came here to ask about this army's intentions for a next march, if there is one. I recently came to live nearby, and I would prefer not to have mayhem for a neighbor." That's about as politic as she can put it. No flat out lies, either. "I asked for your commander and the guards informed me he would not see me, but that you might. I hope you might be able to help me, cousin." In the loosest sense of the word.

[The Yellow Bin]

Venton's right hand rests on the hilt of a weapon that was tied loosely to his belt. A hammer with the Balconian signet that is a smaller version of the flag hung over the camp. He did not seem very convinced at Tania's words. Perhaps, though, he was hiding something for fear of retributions.

You're brave to come out here by yourself, you do have the spirit of a Menya. Come with me, Pause. Cousin. In the same spirit as you used the proper to him.

He turns to start walking. The guards at the gate do not object or stop the two of you from entering. You quickly arrive at a tent, slightly larger and taller than the rest, you assume that it is where Venton is staying for the moment. As he brushes back the drapery, he steps aside for you to enter first. Assuming that you oblige, you enter the tent that is modestly decorated. A bed cot on a slightly raised platform, and not much else. Though a dummy, wearing a nice piece of platemail can be seen of to the side. He sits on his bed cot and watches you.

Tell me. Why are you here? It's private enough that you can speak freely. I'll allow you to do so.

[Aethera]

Nightstar follows Tania of her own free will, at least as far as the tent. A pat from Tania and the horse bows her head to search for any grass not trampled. Tania enters and inspects the tent with a quick flick of her eyes, something of a habit that she isn't fully conscious of. Seeing nothing particularly threatening, she speaks quietly so her words remain inside the tent. "I'm currently living in the town of Tantori. It's not hard to guess that it's your next stop, unless of course you only had some quarrel with Rulan. The Matriarchs of the town... it's a council of three elders... asked me to come and find out if peace between us were possible."

She eyes him, wanting to know how her quick explanation went over, then sighs. "I would rather not go back and have to further fortify the town. A battle would just waste time we could be spending on other things."