A5G

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

[NPC Post]

"You're suggesting us to depart and strike immediately, before dawn." Stated Matilda, common sensibilities nearly brought her to reject the notion but she reconsidered. The men and women under her this time aroudn were anything but common. On the other hand, no matter what kind of opposition the potential opponents could prepare they'll likely suffer from getting woken up abruptly and the night time itself."That... I admit, it is a sound plan. Just one thing."

The captain turned to the three hunters, one already dozed off on the table while the other two busy stuffing their face with food. They very nearly dropped their bread as she barked at them.

"You. Is Reinhold capable of tracking at night?"

"Ah- huh? Oh, yes ma'am! We had'ta track preys throughout the night at times, all of us. It's long as we've got some moonlight, it's no issue!"

Good. It's decided then. She returned her attention to Jazdia, with a newfound appreciation to the elf's tactical expertise.

"So be it, we depart half an hour before midnight. Rest well, all of you - tomorrow will be a long day."

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

[NPC Post]

That's one side pacified. As for the other... well. Matilda stared back at the elf, nonplussed at the complete stubborness. Independent contractors like this were always a headache to deal with, moreso when their service was tied to the crown instead of herself. Calm down. Deep breath.

"Moving after dark is hazardous. Explain why you think it's a good idea." Was the demand from the orc. Even if she's willing to delay, if there's some way to minimize it she damned well would try to make it happen. Matilda wouldn't mind taking only those who could get combat-ready by tomorrow, if it really came to that.

"Anderson, your tasks. Take guardsman Gordon back to the capital. Keep his survival secret for now, and keep him and his family secure. Beside that, send for six horses and an enclosed cart here as soon as possible. And finally, a message for the king." Matilda went for a paper to write down the result of Jazdia's investigation, including the speculation that clan Delving was involved in the entire debacle. She didn't seal it in wax or anything, but she trusted the squire enough to deliver it without any mishap. "That is all, you can go now."

"I'll have it done in the shortest time possible." Anderson nodded and turned to leave, when...

"Hey hey Andy, do me a favor yeah? My stuff's at the inn still and I dont think I'll be back anytime soon. Take care of it yeah?" Yvonne grinned, tossing a key at the unamused but very much compliant squire. "Owe you one, bud."

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

[NPC Post]

"He's not here. Buried at the sewers, according to our colleagues here." Clarified Matilda to her squire, waving off the issue for now. If Henri ever shows up again she'll drag him to the king, kicking and screaming if need to be. "Speaking of. How bad is the aftermath of Delving's raid?"

"Ah. Forgive me for my language, but it can only be described as an utter shitshow." Said the squire evenly, brows slightly furrowed. "The constabulary itself is in chaos with Lord Delving gone, constantly stepping toes with the royal guards. Not to mention the collapse that could be felt all the way to the surface. Just clearing up the rubble will take some time."

Matilda closer her eyes, took a deep breath, and counted to ten. Calm, calm. Dont let the rage take hold. It's difficult, assuming self control against the curse, but she had managed for so long. She can suppress it as many times as needed. But buy, some days it was so much harder than others.

"Stand by for now, Anderson." She turned back to the table, glaring at the map as if willing it to reveal the secret of omniscience. Alas, the piece of cartography refuse to so much as budge under her withering stare. "It is not only my informant, Lady Veronica. Half my team are in various state of injury from a recent battle. As much as I hate delaying, we'll be in much better shape for battle comes tomorrow."

Still, the vampire got a point. Why waste daylight? Maybe there's a middle ground to be reached somewhere...

"Still, there's no need to commit to an extreme. We can depart in a few hours after taking care of the preparations, we do lack the horses to make the trip. Spend the night elsewhere, or simply camp out. Come the morrow we'll be much closer to our objective, wherever it may be. Hell, it'll probably afford us enough time to check both in worst case. Is this agreeable?"

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

[GM Post]

"Scuse me, coming through! Hot water, coming through!"

Nina's loud voice could be heard approaching the corner room, stopping before the door and placing the bucket with a puffy huff. Water always some deceptive quality to them. It didn't look that much but then when she tried to lift it the weight felt like a ton! Thankfully she's no stranger to manual labor like that. Running an inn, the kitchen in particular, require a certain degree of strength after all. Not much, but the girl was relatively fit for a woman her age.

"Mister bear? I got the hot water!" She called as she knocked.

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

[NPC Post]

"That's good to hear. So, where is Ser Henri?" The king likely had some harsh words in store for the tutor. Hopefully he wouldn't resist arrest or something dumb like that, Matilda wasn't a terribly patient woman. "Once you've convince him to come along I can take your message and return. How urgent is it?"

From the look of it, they already had good lead. Much better than what Anderson could've gleamed from five days combing the woods. Say whatever about the investigation team, but they did bring results despite the... hiccup, that occured. As long as they didn't cross the king's bottom line it should all end well.

Of course, that entirely depend on actually completing the job. Nothing's set for certain until the prince was recovered.

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

[NPC Post]

"Understood. So far there are several incidents in the capital since your departure, but one thing is most immediately relevant to your present undertaking." Anderson stood straight and delivered the report in a neutral tone despite the soon to be apparent grave nature of it. "The royal tutor had leaked the purpose of investigation to the Delving brothers yesterday. The words of it quickly spread through the ranks of nobility that are present in the capital, and this morning they came to demand explanation from his majesty. King Fredricus managed to temporarily appease them by claiming that the prince is currently secured in a safehouse far from the capital, and will need at least three days to be recalled back. You will need to bring him back before that time, ma'am. The political fallout otherwise may be impossible to revert."

Three days. A very tight deadline, especially considering the party's condition.

"If Ser Henri is present, I am to escort him back to his majesty for questioning and punishment. Besides that, there's the bombing incident as well as Constable Delving's doomed raid, but I have the impression that your investigation team knows more than what we could gleam from the smouldering ruins."

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

[NPC Post]

Ah, there she was. Turning around to glance at Veronica for a second, Anderson offered a slight nod before approaching closer to his knight. Let's see. There's several suspicious looking individuals in the room, but they're keeping to themselves. Since Matilda spoke without hesitation, it should be safe enough.

"A bird, ma'am? If you dont mind it arriving slower I'm sure I can deliver a message with less risk." He gestured to the vampire that came with him. "I brought lady Veronica, she arrived earlier this morning. Aside from that, there's some words from the king. Is it secure to speak here?"

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

[NPC Post]

"Suit yourself." Said Yvonne, not really paying much attention to anything beside the meal. Matilda's summary was short and succinct, earning the three hunters a curious gaze for a moment before she returned to her stew. It was at that moment that the door of the inn creaked open, a polite "After you, milady." preluded the entrance of an unfamiliar dark-haired woman and soon after a much more familiar Anderson. The latter scanned the place, nodding after he recognized a few familiar faces in the group.

"Hey, if it isn't Andy." Yvonne waved at the squire, who after a moment of hesitation waved back. "Good day, lady Yvonne. I come bearing some news, is Dame Matilda around?"

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

The inn's chef came out with a platter of mystery stew, the smell attracting Yvonne's gaze before he even got in view. Claiming a bowl of it, as well as several bread from the first batch of food, the mercenary scooted closer to the table where Jazdia and Mattie sat for their discussion. Not close enough that she'll be intruding, but sufficient to listen in without having to focus too much. She need a lot of food, and didn't wait for any fanfare before assaulting the stew with great relish.

Taste better than usual too. This inn was surprisingly nice.

Sovereign's Will: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game. [CONCLUDED]

[GM Post]

Nina came around a minute later, a water ladle loaded with bathing supplies in one hand and a half-full bucket of cold water in the other. Slung across her shoulder was one of her old clothing, and she promptly began placing the stuff around wherever appropriate. "I'll bring the hot water soon enough! Is there anything else?"

It's hectic, juggling both the kitchen need and now this. But if anyone could do it, it's Nina! And, well, Father for sure. And big sister. But neither of them were here at the moment, thus she need to pick up the slack.