Qi'sa al-Quatir
Yesadi
The fires of rebellion are meant to be stamped out.
Posts: 52
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Post by Qi'sa al-Quatir on Oct 6, 2013 0:33:02 GMT
The temple at Yesad was no stranger to visitors of all types, those who came to seek counsel or comfort from the Priestess of Shama or the Priest of Q'ama. But it seemed a bit more... auspicious in the rare event of something like the Sultan herself arriving. Qi'sa had come late in the day, long after the normal Shamic services but before the meeting of Q'amic prayer. Her personal guard waited in the temple proper while she summoned the two head clergy to their private quarters. Already, the concern on their face mirrored her own, and she spoke solemnly.
"Our forward scouts have reported back in about the events at Valencia." she said grimly.
"We have heard already." Said the Priest of Q'ama, looking mournful.
"We can only hope the Gods embraced our lost in their final moments." The Priestess of Shama chimed in.
Qi'sa's face grew sour. Her faith was unshaken, but it seemed almost as if gods themselves had to have conspired against the world to have let such tragedy happen.
"The people didn't even know. The announcement of Mingo and ChanG as new emirs hadn't even reached the public. They were called into duty before they even got to find comfort in their new positions, and now they are lost."
The Priestess bowed her head calmly. "But the Sultan remains, that is what the people need."
Qi'sa's teeth gritted, grinding against each other in an almost snarl. "That is the opposite of the point we were working towards. Our vision had been one not of a single ruler, but of those who could work together, balanced from the threat of a lone person's misrule. And yet now, that is wiped away, and we are left with exactly what we didn't want."
The Priest raised an eyebrow. "This is a wound upon Yesad, and we will do our best to mend it for the people."
Qi'sa paced the floor of the inner chamber, shaking her head. "While we mourn the losses, it is not a wound upon Yesad. Our people failed to defend our neighbor, but they tried to their last breath. That is a success. We have never fought for groups or nations, Yesad was always about an ideal. The fate of Valencia was of no consequence. Had the tables been reversed and they had assailed the Pirates directly, we would have marched to Blackwater to assist our neighbors to the east. Had it been the New Order being sieged by Volkenheim, we would have marched to the aid of the holy warriors. It was never about who was attacking or attacked, only that the attack were happening. As haughty as the Black Spears have been in their promotion against tyranny, we instead chose to reflect that path through deeds, not words. I cannot feel bad that these men died for the ideal, only that they died without the recognition they deserve."
The Priestess nodded, taking in the new sultan's words. "They we will hold a memorial, let the Yesadi people know of the men we lost and the great service they showed. Any word on the remaining emir?"
Qi'sa hung her head, sighing. "We cannot assume anything. We know he survived the assault and is on the way back, but there's no telling if he will actually make it. As it is, if he does he's liable to be disappointed in my reaction."
The two clergy looked between each other, confused.
"But he escaped with his life..." the Priest said.
"He escaped with spoils, and left our charge to fall. We didn't send people out to pillage their coffers; when he arrives I'd just as well take the spoils and throw them into the Qati River than put them under our own guard. We are not raiders."
All three went quiet. It was palpable that the priests did not agree with the assessment, but in front of the angered sultan, they dared not speak their dissent. As silence hung in the room for a moment, the Priest let an equally awkward statement replace the awkward quiet.
"Is it true that the Band of the Hawk joined the assault on the side of the Pirates?" he said trepidaciously.
Qi'sa's ire dropped into a look of shame. "That is what the reports say. I had hoped that they were incorrect, but I dare not question our own scouts eyes. That, I have reflected upon, is the one thing that brings me a great personal shame."
The Priestess looked at the sultan, her face wracked with confusion. "Shame, my sultan?"
Qi'sa nodded stoically. "Shame. For my misjudgement of them. I had never encountered the Hawks personally, but I had heard stories. Tales of their prowess, of their organization. Tales that painted their horsemen as truly deserving of being called knights. Of their leaders being reputable, honorable. Stern, but keeping to every detail. Despite not having met them, I embraced these stories, and even began to admire them from their reputation. How woeful was my misjudging... when now they show that everything of their legacy is false. Brigands, bandits, content to work under the yoke of the Pirates for little more than coin. This is not the mark of men of honor, it's not reputable. It's the kind of behavior expected from trained dogs. I thought them above it, better than it." Shaking her head, she sighed heavily. "I was wrong."
The Priest began to look nervous, speaking up from beside his contemporary.
"This illicit alliance... what if they decide to come to us, m'lady?"
Qi'sa kept the mournful look, still ashamed at having been taken in by the ruse of grandeur, but a fire was welling in her eyes. "I have no intention to war them. This has never been the purpose. Defending those around us was the only cause. If they take exception to that.... The provisions I asked for have been worked on?"
Both of the clergy looked shocked. The Priest tried to stammer something out, but was unable to, the Priestess looking almost aghast. "Madam sultan, it has been but... do you really think that should be used?"
Qi'sa broke the appearance of sorrow, he face tightening into determination.
"I do. As I said, we do not fight for cities or nations. That includes our own. The reason Yesad survived the first siege was exactly for that reason. Yesad is an ideal. Not a place. And you cannot kill an ideal. You can sack a city, or dismantle a nation, but an ideal will continue on. So yes, I think if it comes down to that, then the measures planned should be used. If they attack us, we will lose our city, but they will not gain it; and every one of them will lose their lives in the process. There will be nothing remaining except for ashes.... and the ideal. And for the ideal and for the death of any invaders, I would gladly lose the city. Because the former are permanent, the latter is only temporary."
The two clergy looked pale, almost horrified, each unable to speak.
Qi'sa didn't even twitch a muscle at the thought however, looking as resolute as ever. "If anyone other than the remains of our defensive group approach, begin to evacuate the civilians. You know where to go."
With that, she turned sharply on her heels, marching back out into the worship area of the temple, gathering her guard up with her before the people would start filing in for the evening Q'amic service.
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Qi'sa al-Quatir
Yesadi
The fires of rebellion are meant to be stamped out.
Posts: 52
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Post by Qi'sa al-Quatir on Oct 6, 2013 4:55:41 GMT
:Outside the Sultan's Palace: The normal bustle in the central square had been cleared as soldiers and engineers gathered about, the former excavating stone from the cobbled plaza, the later carrying large bags on their shoulders as they scribbled calculations on slates. Qi'sa made her way down the palace steps, surveying the preparations. Before her, the head engineer scrambled to her, kneeling.
"M'lady, we are undergoing the preparations you have ordered. We suspect we will be prepared before the day is out."
Qi'sa nodded sternly, looking at the wreckage of the street.
"Will the covering be noticable?" She questioned firmly, looking over the street.
"Barely, if at all." The antsy man said, pushing spectacles against his face as he dug into a bag, producing a thin, tan sheet. "Shale... it's little more than held-together sand. As thinly as we've made them they will puncture easily. If anything, the risk is that they are stepped upon and give in under the incurring weight before detonation, not that the effects will be any diminished afterwards, of course."
Qi'sa nodded, looking at the thin earthen plate. It did match the stonework well, to the point even she was going to have trouble spotting it by glance.
"Good. You said a field test was prepared?"
"Yes, right this way, madam." The haunched, wiry man said, a thin arm extending to the edge of the courtyard. With a militaristic gait, the sultan marched to the side, a small training yard that had been cleared except for a slight recess dug into the ground. Within the recess, some glasswork sat bundled together, awaiting her.
"At your leisure, m'lady" the engineer said. Looking firmly, Qi'sa reached to her bandolier, pulling a vial of catalyst and a flask of alchemical bomb components. Uncorking the flask, she eased the slender vial through the mouth of it to rest in the liquid below, before replacing the stopper.
"CLEAR RANGE!" Qi'sa cried out, before flinging the admixture towards the recess. As the flask collided with the earth and the inner glasswork broke, there was a small burst of flame from her alchemical bomb, before a sudden crescendo of flames burst outward in every direction, spraying arcs of fire through the air. The small inferno roared to life, bellowing into the air as it spat and wheeled every which way chaotically, before calming back down. It had been a truly impressive display. In it's wake, a blanket of low flames crawled across the training yard, soldiers already rushing with buckets to extinguish the flames.
The sultan nodded approvingly. "How many was that?"
The engineer adjusted his spectacles again, looking at his slate. "Three, m'lady."
"And how many will we be able to place in the clusters?"
Referring to his notes again, the engineer looked up, seeming almost proud of himself. "Six, m'lady."
Contented, Qi'sa nodded, turning from the scene of the soldiers trying to extinguish the still crawling flames.
"Good. Begin placements immediately. They are to remain unmarked, though. I will oversee the placements and memorize their location personally." She ordered firmly, and for a moment, even though she had turned away, the engineer could swear he still saw the reflection of the flames within her eyes.
"As you order, Madam Sultan..."
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Sven
The Band of the Hawk
Posts: 126
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Post by Sven on Oct 8, 2013 1:21:06 GMT
(Inside the Hawks Command tent hawks flew in and out bearing messages and correspondence to Three rivers the capitol of the Hawks. Voices were raised and then brought low with seriousness. Conflicting ideological ideals raged and the leaders of the Hawks argued the very fate of the actions on the Sultanate. Finally quietness fell on the tent as pen and paper was written. Some men came out happy with the choice and others came out of the tent with looks of shame.
Sven Von Jeggare came out of the tent..tears streamed down his face. His night sleeping on the border of the Sultanate was filled with bad dreams and visions of horror. In cheliax he would of been hailed a hero for the tactics presented to fight the Sultanate...However A overwhelming force crushing a smaller force bothered him greatly..He had argued this...but ultimately the vote was caste..Leadership had spoken. Sven had only one duty left..to bear the news to the Sultana. He took his helmet and clicked it in place covering his face. With that click it forever sealed off his heart. Damning him to the path of a Hellknight..For under the helm he no longer was Sven..We has the Law of his people...It was his duty to fulfill the orders placed over him. With that the last bit of Sven was blasted away and filled only with the purpose of his duty.)
(A rider rode its way to the Sultanate lines halting. I am Lt. Sven of the Band of the Hawks. I bear a message to your Sultana. We have issued demands just recently to your sultana. Now by the order of the Hawks leadership. We have declared Grudge. We can not set aside the fact the Yesadi forces fought Hawks forces. To let this go would only invite a reputation of weakness to our Mercenary Company and our lands. We spared the Ismarks and became brothers with them. However there is the other side of the sword. We have fought. More than 3 times did we give the option to walk away from battle or even surrender. I commend your fallen men. They fought well. I respect your fallen men and personally prayed for there souls. This is the demands of the Band of the Hawk..For fighting against our forces a act of War was declared. We are here to end the war. With only the unconditional surrender of the Yesadi Forces. In which case there will be a meeting between leadership to discuss terms of your surrender. We rode here in good time. There is no hope of reinforcements. There is no hope of outside intervention. You have 24 hours to respond. In the absence of word we will come over your walls. I will promise the Sultana one thing. No matter the outcome...The future leadership will be the Sultana. We do not wish regime change. I feel strongly that the Yesadi should rule the Yesadi. If she wishes to resist I will do my best to see she is unharmed for she is a woman and a noblewoman at that. As a fellow noble I will not allow her death or mistreatment. If you resist then the terms of surrender will be more severe. If anything happens to your Sultana while in our custody or she dies fighting, I will offer my head to the Yesadi people. This I swear. (With that the Cavalier rides back to his lines, thankful the Yesadi could not see his face, may the gods truly forgive him)
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Qi'sa al-Quatir
Yesadi
The fires of rebellion are meant to be stamped out.
Posts: 52
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Post by Qi'sa al-Quatir on Oct 8, 2013 7:13:23 GMT
:Night, At the Yesadi Border: The figure of the Sultan marches across the sands, looking to the sky. A new moon, no light from Q'ama upon her. It seems almost forboding to her mind, but at the same time makes her hard to see, her bronzed skin and tan overrobes blendng with the desert sands. As she marches forward, her personal guard stays their distance behind her; close enough if needed but not looking to threaten. Seeing the encampment before her, her eyes narrow and she hesitates in step, drawing the men behind her to pause as well. Were she as cutthroat as the Pirates, she mused that she would likely have little trouble slipping into the command tent before she were even noticed. The thought is immediately dismissed: she didn't come here on covert business, but rather to announce and make an impression. Wanting to gain the attention of the men, she pulls a flask of alchemist's fire from her bandolier with one hand gently, the other hand clutching at an ornate scroll case tightly. She holds the flask outward and upward, and begins to squeeze. There is a faint cracking sound, with the liquid starting to gently trickle from the cracks, igniting when it contacts the air. Finally giving a hard clutch, the flask bursts, shards of glass falling to the ground as there is the sudden sound of the immediate air being drawn in to the liquid as it combusts. Rapidly, liquid fire begins pouring down her arm, reaching to her shoulder before dripping off beside her. Lit up in a flash, she smirks as the flames continue to crawl across her skin but didn't harm her: there were advantages to being an ifrit. With the full length of her arm now a torch, she began waving it side to side slowly as if waving hello, drawing the attention of some of the nearby watchmen. As expected, several of them converge quickly, but look unsure of what to think of the woman with the flaming arm standing before them. They stand, armed and at the ready, as she would expect of any trained soldiers; the sultan's guard grows tense, and she can hear them lower their shields in front of them and bring their spears to a point, aimng them forward towards the Hawks' watchmen. "Stay your arms!" She announces to the men behind her, and the sound of their spears quickly whipping back upright at their commander's orders rises behind her, no longer threatening the men in front of them. Contented, she narrows her eyes at the Hawks' men, before swinging her other arm forward, giving a leisurely underhanded toss of the scroll case. It lands in the sand between her force and theirs, rolling gently to a halt on the dusty ground. "Give that to your commander." she says firmly, looking at one of the Hawks. Without another word, she turns quickly, letting her flaming arm fall to her side as she marches back to her men. They part in an orderly formation to allow her to pass them, then close ranks behind her, retreating at half step to ensure that they cover their commander's exit. Within the scroll case come two documents, each written in fine calligraphic scrawl and spanning several pages of parchment: The other reads:
ARMISTICE OF THE FULL AUTUMN
The people of the Yesadi Sultanate submit the following:
-The siege and overthrow of Valencia - hereafter referred to as the Battle of Valencia - was conducted in principle by the forces of Valencia and the Blackwater Pirates as the warring groups.
-Forces that supported either side via proxy were accessory agents, acting on the behalf of wither group. As such, any supporting forces that battled each other at the Battle of Valencia are considered to have been acting under the auspices of the primary war parties.
-As such is considered, accessory groups cannot be held to have been overtly hostile towards one another, but rather acting in the stead of their respective allies.
-Any slight perceived on the part of any involved parties other than the principles can be considered as nothing more than imagined hostilities, and the pursuit of such should be considered without justification and illicit
Considering these, we offer the following terms as an effort to create the cessation of unnecessary hostilities between the grand Sultanate and the nation of the Band of the Hawk
-The losses incurred by the Yesadi forces cannot be considered to be of the blame of the Hawks, as they were merely acting on behalf of the Blackwater Pirates, and had no overt ill intentions to the Sultanate. As such, under authority of the Sultan, no member of the Yesadi peoples, our affiliates, or allies shall seek retribution or recompensence of any form from the Band of the Hawk, either in individual capacity or collective. Any hostile action conducted by any agent or proxy on behalf of the Sultanate shall be seen as no less than an act of Sedition against the State, and said person or persons shall be considered an immediate criminal to the Yesadi people, and seized for prosecution of said acts. If any such persons conduct acts aganst the Hawks as a collective or individual and evade the Yesadi authority, they shall be deemed an enemy of the state, and a writ issued for execution on sight.
-As a commiserate measure of reparation for the battle actions conducted between forces, the Yesadi Sultanate will submit a tribute to the Band of the Hawk in the amount of the entirety of assets seized by the Yesadi Sultanate from the kingdom of Valencia during the Battle of Valencia, and is in excess of the amount requested by the Hawks as terms of cessation; as the Hawks were part of the forces victorious over Valencia, we offer this tribute as we feel it is their rightful spoils of war from their victory in the battle, and they will be allowed to retain or disperse said funds among themselves and their confederates freely.
-The Yesadi people, who pride themselves on their workmanship, shall open port and travel route to the Hawks for the conduction of free trade between the nations, under the auspices that long term economic benefits far benefit both states greater than short term spoils of armed incursion would benefit to the victorious side in a conflict. Should the Band of the Hawk not currently have an active port, the Yesadi will charter and fund the building of such a port, as well as oversee and fund the building of a travel thoroughfare between the nations for use in trade conduct. It will be of shared responsibility between the nations to see to the security of the travel route.
-In addition, as we have craftsmen who have shown adeptness at working with Heavenstone- or as those outside the Sultanate describe it Adamantine- in the production of arms and armors, craftsmanship which is nigh unheard of elsewhere in the Realm, we will charter exclusive contract with the Band of the Hawk in production. As both nations produce this material, but the Yesadi are insofar as the only nation with skilled enough craftsmen to work the material, we will willingly as terms of our contract and agreement exchange finished goods made-to-order in exchange for the raw materials to produce said goods. As a token of this term, as well as an opportunity to verify the craftsmanship employed, the Yesadi will gift a weapon crafted of this material to the Hawks, to use as they see fit.
-In exchange for these terms, both nations will agree to immediate cessation of hostilities and withdraw of hostile military forces, and shall further abstain from the occupation of the other's soveriegn territory by any military deployment under the command of their respective nations, with the exception of defensive forces deployed under separate agreements conducted in the future for the purpose of supporting the other's nation.
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Sven
The Band of the Hawk
Posts: 126
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Post by Sven on Oct 8, 2013 9:03:24 GMT
(From among the formation a Cavalier breaks ranks. He removes his helmet and tosses it to the shifting sands. Not yet he thinks to himself. I am not a hellknight yet. Until then I am still the 2nd in command of this force thats here. The noble cavalier rides confidently to the front lines. Waving off an escort and leaving his lance and shield behind. Only his large Earthbreaker strapped to his back. Riding up to the Yesadi forces he stops shortly before them.)
Votes have been made. Under a democracy the majority rules. However the Hawks are not a Democracy. We are a Military Organization that controls free city states that have self rule. We are a military organization and in a military there is no democracy. There is some problems that I have your Sultanas proclamation. I have some problems indeed. I will not except it unless she does the following.
1. The gold or coin that was gained from the siege for the Sultanate is for the Sultanate alone. For good men had died there. Let the coin go to the families of the victims and help the people of the Yesadi.
2. Tell your ships not to dump your gold. Your lands will need it to rebuild its losses and I would find it offensive if you wasted such gold to donate it so loosely to what ever water god you may or may not worship as a tithe. I jest. Use it for your people.
3. The Exulted Yesadi Sultanate will continue to rule their own sovereign lands with no occupation forces unless asked for. That they join the Alliance of the Eastern Kingdoms and which case we shall ever continue to support and defend the Yesadi against all enemies both foreign and domestic. That our forces will leave in good will with the Yesadi people in exchange for their mutual friendship.
4. If the Sultanate wishes the funding of a port in our lands then we would accept and we would ask that one of our first shipments of trade goods would go to the Sultana herself to give to her people as she wishes.
5. If your Sultana feels that these amendments are reasonable then I would drink to her health and we can be on our way back home. For this sun is hot and most of the Forces of the Hawk hail from wooded areas that are much cooler.
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Post by Silver on Oct 8, 2013 11:17:51 GMT
A silver hawk arrives directly to the Sultana. In its claws it carries a note adresssed to the leader of the Yesadi. The node has no signature, only a picture of a silver dragon in the bottom right corner. The messsage reads thusly
Glorious Sultana, I do not wish to see the sultanate in ruins. I pray you avoid the conflict with the hawks at all costs. While I understand that you have no reason to heed this letter, I assure you that I am an ally of the Yesadi, and mean to help you in any way I can. I am here because of a mutual aquitance of ours, who asked me to provide you any aid I can. If you can avoid a confrontation with the Hawks, for just a little while, I will find some way to diffuse the situation.
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Qi'sa al-Quatir
Yesadi
The fires of rebellion are meant to be stamped out.
Posts: 52
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Post by Qi'sa al-Quatir on Oct 8, 2013 16:40:54 GMT
A messenger had arrived moments ago, and with hurried but measured words, he relayed every word of the proclamation that had been issued on the front lines by the commander of the Hawks' forces. Qi'sa listened attentively, nodding.
"Send word that the commander's terms are not only acceptable, but generous. Bring me a courier at once."
With little more than a nod, the young man hurries to fill his leader's orders, but she could see for a moment that even his face, for all of his composure he had been feigning, was cracked by the sudden look of relief, even elation. Qi'sa herself exhaled heavily as the young man left the room, a long and deep one as if she had been holding her breath for days. It was then that a voice arose from the shadows in the corner of the palace's inner chamber.
"I am surprised..." it said, in almost a raspy whisper.
Taking pause, the sultan had a snarky look on her face as she crossed the room towards the back, moving to the seat of the sultan.
"Then perhaps, as I have had, you should have had a little more faith in the Hawks."
"I meant surprised at you."
She scowled briefly, before lookng upwards over her seat. "Then perhaps you should have had more faith in me."
"You know that you will be considered a coward for this, that you begged and bartered out when backed into a corner."
Qi'sa's tone shifted sharply to a threatening one. "I remind you that you are speaking to the sultan, so watch your tongue. People can think what they wish about this. We came dangerously upon the precipice of disaster today. You know as well as I that our forces are depleted."
Almost in counterpoint, the hidden adviser is quick to quip back. "And yet, our forces are not as minimal as they believed. We would have surely taken them by greater surprise."
"This is not up for debate. If the cost of salvaging even one Yesadi life from ruin is that my personal name is associated with cowardice, then it is worth it." she replies solemnly. Reaching above the seat to the back wall, her hands lay upon a long metal pole mounted ceremonially over her seat. With a tug, she pulls it free from the holding brackets displaying it, looking at the intimately carved blade- a deep crescent almost as the shape of the moon itself- that sits upon the end of it.
"The Blade of Q'ama? That is what you intend to give them?"
Almost dismissively, Qi'sa marches towards a armoire, pulling the adamantine scythe to rest upon one shoulder as she reaches in, her free hand drawing out a bolt of fine linen. "Part of my terms were that I would deliver them a Heavenstone weapon of our craftwork to demonstrate our skill. I find no reason not to provide one that was made by my own hand." She moves to the council table, dropping the length of cloth over the surface of it.
"It is also one you crafted to be a symbol of our nation."
"Then it will now serve instead of a symbol of our alliance, and a reminder that- much like the light of Q'ama brightens the dangers of night- even in the darkest of hours that decency and honor can prevail."
A light chortle issued from across the room, but was met with a sharp glare towards the darkened corner from Qi'sa.
"The headsman will not care much for this. He had seemed to have intent on wielding that blade personally."
Returning to her task, the sultan placed the scythe upon the table, to rest on the linen. Softly, she began folding tug the edges of the fabric bolt, starting to wrap the unwieldy shape of the weapon carefully. "Then he shall have to be disappointed. Besides, surely they will have one of a monastic order or a druid among the ranks of the Hawks, and will be able to make good use of it."
Tucking the folds of the fabric around the scythe, she spends a quiet moment being sure her work is presentable, while also seeing if she draws anymore critique from across the room. Satisfied in both instances, she finishes the final fold, having completely wrapped the blade. She leaves it resting on the chamber table, and eases away, walking towards the room's doorway.
"When the courier arrives, see to it that he delivers that to the Hawks' camp, true to the word of our terms. And don't try any of your tricks, or I'll ensure that your head is taken before any of the rest of ours can be. I am going to go confer with the priests, so they can disseminate word of this and put the people at ease."
((OOC note: Solreth can confirm said Adamantine Scythe among our assets, as he conducted the session in which I crafted it. If you need a GM to confirm/validate the transfer of the weapon from us to you, just have them PM me and I'll make sure it's taken care of))
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Sven
The Band of the Hawk
Posts: 126
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Post by Sven on Oct 8, 2013 20:37:59 GMT
(At the Camp of the Hawk. A now awakened cavalier heads to the Commanders tent. Upon entering the tent of Johnathan Cousland the cavalier Sven Von Jeggare goes to the position of Attention and renders a salute to the Commander of the Hawks.)
Sven I see you look better today than last night. Why do you get so troubled?
My Lord Commander it was I who wanted to destroy the Ismark and claim them...You held my blade and I realized how wrong I was to want to war on a good people. The Ismarks are amazing and hardy people. Then just yesterday by the vote. It would of had me crush the Yesadi and possible harm someone I have come to respect. When I was first told of the Yesadi I thought of them as heathen barbarians. I was wrong again. I realized they to be more noble then some of the lords in my homeland. Sir after the vote was caste why did you stop us from going over their walls?
(Johnathan stands and walks to Sven with his icy blue eyes staring though Sven to his very Soul.) My dear Sven you seem to forget. I control the Hawks. It is my place to determine where we fight. I will tell you when to die. As for your soul..You are capable of extreme acts of goodness and extreme acts of violence and evil. It is my job to keep you neutral. I need you to do both good and evil for me. This is not a bad thing Sven..You must see the world with eyes unclouded with both good and evil. Only see the Law. You have always obeyed masterfully since we have met. You have passed my test. You followed orders that I know ate at your soul. Weather you are good or evil I would say your both. It is up to you to know when to be which is the Key. I think you know now. Also we have gained a valuable ally now in the region.
(Sven looking shocked) What? Did the Sultana accept our accord? (Relief) I am glad. We can be allies now. I honestly hoped they would just join the Band of the Hawk. However I was equally glad to make them our friends. John (breaking tradition and speaking casually) Thank you for stepping in. (with that the cavalier started towards the door.) Sven..(the commander called towards him) We did not come here to crush the Yesadi, only ensure they would be our allies in the future. For who knows what the future will bring and to have friends by your side like them is always a blessing. The Sultana sent a very unique and precious gift to us. Speak with the forge masters or our men about a gift from our side. We are far from home and our availability is limited for a gift deserving of a Sultan. Do what you can. You yourself are of a noble class back home..Make it happen.
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