Post by Joliette Thorne on Jul 7, 2006 7:00:34 GMT -5
Schalk throws open the door of the tavern, allowing the vampiress to enter the smoke-filled room before him, to the sounds of a dwarven battle-song, played by the old harpist in the corner.
Tenebrae gave the elvergast a courteous dip of chin as she strode through the opened door, peridot gaze cast about the crowded interior for a place to sit. The lack of available comfort was quickly solved when the necromancer caught Giolla's eye, the dwarfess waving merrily before turning two miners out of their chairs by the ears. "Thanks!" Tene shouted, over the din. Fortunately the table was further from the singing and foot-stomping than they were, at present.
Schalk gives a wavy salute to Giolla, indicating how thankfull he is. He mouths something, clearly in a dwarventongue he picked up somewhere, but even without the sound, Giolla must have understood his words, for she walks into the next room for a moment. The elvergast follows behind the vampires, pulling out her chair from under the table so that she can sit down. He then takes up the seat across the table, slightly slouching in it as he fumbles with the chinstrap of his helmet. “Now, let me guess what we are here to discuss.”
Tenebrae slipped to her seat, after that famous cornucopia of a pack was once more given to the floor. "Thankyou..." Elbows were placed to the table, her chin propped in folded hands. "I suppose I'll get right to the point, dear. There is currently an armada of supposed fishing vessels off the coast of Cenril, not too far from The Eternity. Now, you know I don't know much about ships. But those look mighty well-sailed and kitted out, for trawling vessels, or whalers. And they don't follow the tides or schools of fish..."
Schalk produces the malicious grin he produced earlier in the mines ''I would have thought even you, who doesn't know anything about ships could draw that conclusion....'' his grin disappears as he sits up straight, leaning forward on the table ''The warships of the Flaming Claw have got more people than you worried my dear.''
Tenebrae blinked gently. "Then there was the note...." She drew a sheet of parchment from a fold in her cloak. "Basically, it tells us to get out, or they'll destroy Eternity." She frowned. "They seem to be able to pull fleets out of their arses, Schalk, much like the legions. I don't know what to do."
Schalk nods pensively, considering the problem for a moment. ''I have seen their legions. I am having increasing difficulty in gaining access to Cenril, and indeed I am paying fishermen to take me to Rynvale, as I am no longer able to take the ferry across.'' The elvergast gazes at the note for a moment, before looking sharply at Tenebrae. ''Rynvale suffers too, the entire trade with Hollow is shut down by the Flaming Claw blockade.''
Tenebrae chewed her lip softly a moment. "You know, I didn't think about it from Rynvale's side." She frowned. "What can we do?”
Schalk shrugs, noticing the moment of doubt in Tene's features. ''Stop the war.....'' The elvergast smiles, a touch of battlejoy lighting up his eyes and making the tattoo of the noose on his cheek dance as though it were hanging from a gallow and blowing in the wind ''Whatever way.'' the elvergast sits back in his chair, looking carefully at the necromancer. His voice lowered, his tone much kinder, less hard then it was prior to this moment ''Remember the conversation we had near the warrior headquarters in Cenril? Some days before you were...taken?''
Tenebrae 's frown deepened at the memories raised at the mention of being 'taken', her hands lowering, palms pressing flat on the table. "Aye, I remember." She was studying Schalk carefully, the sudden brusqueness of his nature not going unnoticed. "Might we still make those plans?"
Schalk nods, producing a slight smile. ''The terms remain the same my dear. I can bring in my men, but I will need to get a good deal out of it. I think I can persuade Rynvale to join, and maybe even Craughmoyle, but again the terms have to be good.'' The elvergast looks towards the bar, where finally Giolla appears, walking towards their table with two goblets and a can of wine. As she pours two goblets full the elvergast mumbles a word of thanks, not taking his eyes of her. A sip of wine is taken, carefully tasted for any traces of something that shouldn't be there. His features relax and he turns back to Tenebrae. ''If Cenril is taken, my countrymen will gain access to the harbour for one gold per square foot of deck and my people, the people of Rynvale, those of Craughmoyle and Cenril will be exempt from import or export taxes.'' The proposition is made in a very casual tone, but indeed the way the elvergast shows his hand to the vampiress is a clear indicator of the significance of the deal he wishes to make.
Tenebrae smiled broadly. “I remember the terms. Though Craughmoyle wasn’t mentioned last time.” She nodded thanks to both Giolla and Schalk, sipping her wine slowly before continuing. “Quite reasonable. The taxes only impede trade, I have always thought. I’d like a traffic in luxury goods, exotic items, exclusive to Cabal traders. But otherwise, I think our it’s all agreed on.” She thought a moment, and added. “Oh. While we’re speaking of such things. There’s a cove in Rynvale I’d like kept reasonably private…” Tene watched the elvergast carefully. “I plan no trouble. Just a quiet port in a storm, so to speak.” Whatever reason she had for the request went unmentioned as she abruptly turned back to the subject. “Can you match the fleets? There’s a lot of vessels out there.”
Schalk sips his wine, looking across the table. ''Craughmoyle might be possible, I have been talking to the king for a long time, but he's interested in gold only. Which makes this a good deal for him.'' A moment’s silence follows. ''I haven't counted the ships there, but I can bring in five warbands without any problem. At the last count three of those were eighty ships strong, two were seventy-five strong. It will take a long time to assemble them though, as they carry infantry as well and all will have to come here from various places, and some of these bands have been split up. As for that cove, name where it is, and I shall see what I can do.''
Tenebrae was grinning at the numbers, mental calculations being made. “That will be of enormous help. We must also speak with Leo, about his plans for Eternity.” A delicate brow was raised, her smile secretive. “As to the cove… Possibly best I show you in person. It’s a trek to get to, but worth it. And when we get there, I’ll tell you my plans. I think you’ll be pleased.” Tene raised her wine to her lips once more, the cup offered up briefly before she did so. “To victory, my friend.”
Schalk taps the rim of his goblet lightly against Tene's. ''Sieg!'', he exclaims in his native tongue. The elvergast takes a long draught of his wine, before looking at Tenebrae quite seriously again. ''There is one thing though. This is a significant army that will sail to these lands. It will need a safe haven. I can't ask so many soldiers to stay on board their ships. I need your help persuading Rynvale to let them land. In return, I shall help you get his permission to harbour the Eternity on the islands shores.''
Tenebrae dipped her chin by way of consent to that. For the first time in days, firey determination was glimmering in her eyes. "Consider it done. Schalk, dear, I think this is the beginning of a war we could win. All of us..." The necromancer placed her goblet on the table tilting her head inquisitively. "Anyway, now business is done .. What about you, Schalk? You were so ... unwell when last I saw you. How fare you now?" She could not keep a hint of worry from her tone, nor entirely from her features.
Schalk notes the slightly worried tone in Tenebrae's voice, something he has not heard from her in a long time, the vampires always appearing quite strong and in control of all matters around her. Clearly he still has a friend he can count on, no matter how many assassins are send after him. ''I am well my dear. The events that took place in Miklagard left me quite fragile at the time. I was condemned to death by hanging and thrown into gaol, after I took my revenge on old Emmerik.'' The elvergast lets his fingers glide over the tattoo on his cheek. ''They gave me this, to indicate that I was to be hung. I escaped only when they found me too dangerous to handle and send me away, an island, or a peninsula, I can't remember...'' A painful expression appears on the man’s face, showing how painful these memories of helplessness must be to the warrior. ''I remember being there and laughing at someone, then diving into the sea. It is the last I can recall.'' A sigh flows from his lips, before another sip of wine is taken. ''The next thing I remember is being in Jacklin’s house with you, Kaida and Leo.''
The necromancer’s features were a mask first of horror, as she heard of her friend’s narrow escape from the noose, then deep compassion, as his tale progressed, Her next words were spoken gently. “You were quite mad when we found you, Schalk. A complete lunatic. Gods know what they did to you, poor dear. But whatever it was, they shall pay, in abundance. Once we win Cenril, we shall set our sights on these men, and strike them from the very earth.” Her lips tightened a moment, an amber flash glinting in the peridot of her eyes. “This, my promise to you.”
Schalk almost casually waves away Tene's comment. ''Miklagard is much stronger than Cenril my dear. All I care about is that Arnald...'' The elvergast spits out the name. ''…will die. I shall slay him personally, for my honour and the honour of my family requires me to. However, Miklagard is too mighty a force for the Cabal at the moment; your Captain can tell you that too.'' The elvergast sighs again, taking a sip of wine. He laughs, suddenly, sitting up straight in his chair, placing his hands on the table. ''Besides, a tad of madness has never harmed anyone has it my dear?'' He grins, a slightly mad look in his eyes, completed by the mischievous grin that plays on his face.
Tenebrae was prompted to a laugh by his final comment, though she’d frowned through the one before it. “All the very best people are mad, pet. Of this I’m quite sure.” Her last words sounded unusually loud in the tavern’s sudden silence, the dwarven musician having finished for the night, his audience drunkenly near-drowsing. Quieting her tone, she added, “It’s late, sweet. I must be going, get some rest.” Once more, that secretive smile appeared on her lips. “I have a lot of … unfinished business, to catch up with, tomorrow.”
Schalk 's malicious grin spreads over his face again. ''Let me know when we shall seek out the cove and talk to the Governor. I shall send message to the Horneburgh, mustering my warriors. As for now... Sleep well my dear.'' It is then that the elvergast seems to become serious, and rather sane again, quoting the words of the Wise One: ''Early rises he who has plans, for others lives or lands. The prey escapes the wicked wolf. The sleeper never wins… Early rise he who rules over servants, and goes to work immediately. Much is lost to those who sleep 'till late. Riches is won, by those who are awake.''
Tenebrae gave him a soft smile. “Wisdom indeed, dear Schalk.” With that, she rose from her chair, heavy pack hoisted to her shoulder. “Goodnight. And we shall speak further on these matters in the next day or two.” With that, and a chaste kiss planted to his cheek, she was making her way to the doors.
Tenebrae gave the elvergast a courteous dip of chin as she strode through the opened door, peridot gaze cast about the crowded interior for a place to sit. The lack of available comfort was quickly solved when the necromancer caught Giolla's eye, the dwarfess waving merrily before turning two miners out of their chairs by the ears. "Thanks!" Tene shouted, over the din. Fortunately the table was further from the singing and foot-stomping than they were, at present.
Schalk gives a wavy salute to Giolla, indicating how thankfull he is. He mouths something, clearly in a dwarventongue he picked up somewhere, but even without the sound, Giolla must have understood his words, for she walks into the next room for a moment. The elvergast follows behind the vampires, pulling out her chair from under the table so that she can sit down. He then takes up the seat across the table, slightly slouching in it as he fumbles with the chinstrap of his helmet. “Now, let me guess what we are here to discuss.”
Tenebrae slipped to her seat, after that famous cornucopia of a pack was once more given to the floor. "Thankyou..." Elbows were placed to the table, her chin propped in folded hands. "I suppose I'll get right to the point, dear. There is currently an armada of supposed fishing vessels off the coast of Cenril, not too far from The Eternity. Now, you know I don't know much about ships. But those look mighty well-sailed and kitted out, for trawling vessels, or whalers. And they don't follow the tides or schools of fish..."
Schalk produces the malicious grin he produced earlier in the mines ''I would have thought even you, who doesn't know anything about ships could draw that conclusion....'' his grin disappears as he sits up straight, leaning forward on the table ''The warships of the Flaming Claw have got more people than you worried my dear.''
Tenebrae blinked gently. "Then there was the note...." She drew a sheet of parchment from a fold in her cloak. "Basically, it tells us to get out, or they'll destroy Eternity." She frowned. "They seem to be able to pull fleets out of their arses, Schalk, much like the legions. I don't know what to do."
Schalk nods pensively, considering the problem for a moment. ''I have seen their legions. I am having increasing difficulty in gaining access to Cenril, and indeed I am paying fishermen to take me to Rynvale, as I am no longer able to take the ferry across.'' The elvergast gazes at the note for a moment, before looking sharply at Tenebrae. ''Rynvale suffers too, the entire trade with Hollow is shut down by the Flaming Claw blockade.''
Tenebrae chewed her lip softly a moment. "You know, I didn't think about it from Rynvale's side." She frowned. "What can we do?”
Schalk shrugs, noticing the moment of doubt in Tene's features. ''Stop the war.....'' The elvergast smiles, a touch of battlejoy lighting up his eyes and making the tattoo of the noose on his cheek dance as though it were hanging from a gallow and blowing in the wind ''Whatever way.'' the elvergast sits back in his chair, looking carefully at the necromancer. His voice lowered, his tone much kinder, less hard then it was prior to this moment ''Remember the conversation we had near the warrior headquarters in Cenril? Some days before you were...taken?''
Tenebrae 's frown deepened at the memories raised at the mention of being 'taken', her hands lowering, palms pressing flat on the table. "Aye, I remember." She was studying Schalk carefully, the sudden brusqueness of his nature not going unnoticed. "Might we still make those plans?"
Schalk nods, producing a slight smile. ''The terms remain the same my dear. I can bring in my men, but I will need to get a good deal out of it. I think I can persuade Rynvale to join, and maybe even Craughmoyle, but again the terms have to be good.'' The elvergast looks towards the bar, where finally Giolla appears, walking towards their table with two goblets and a can of wine. As she pours two goblets full the elvergast mumbles a word of thanks, not taking his eyes of her. A sip of wine is taken, carefully tasted for any traces of something that shouldn't be there. His features relax and he turns back to Tenebrae. ''If Cenril is taken, my countrymen will gain access to the harbour for one gold per square foot of deck and my people, the people of Rynvale, those of Craughmoyle and Cenril will be exempt from import or export taxes.'' The proposition is made in a very casual tone, but indeed the way the elvergast shows his hand to the vampiress is a clear indicator of the significance of the deal he wishes to make.
Tenebrae smiled broadly. “I remember the terms. Though Craughmoyle wasn’t mentioned last time.” She nodded thanks to both Giolla and Schalk, sipping her wine slowly before continuing. “Quite reasonable. The taxes only impede trade, I have always thought. I’d like a traffic in luxury goods, exotic items, exclusive to Cabal traders. But otherwise, I think our it’s all agreed on.” She thought a moment, and added. “Oh. While we’re speaking of such things. There’s a cove in Rynvale I’d like kept reasonably private…” Tene watched the elvergast carefully. “I plan no trouble. Just a quiet port in a storm, so to speak.” Whatever reason she had for the request went unmentioned as she abruptly turned back to the subject. “Can you match the fleets? There’s a lot of vessels out there.”
Schalk sips his wine, looking across the table. ''Craughmoyle might be possible, I have been talking to the king for a long time, but he's interested in gold only. Which makes this a good deal for him.'' A moment’s silence follows. ''I haven't counted the ships there, but I can bring in five warbands without any problem. At the last count three of those were eighty ships strong, two were seventy-five strong. It will take a long time to assemble them though, as they carry infantry as well and all will have to come here from various places, and some of these bands have been split up. As for that cove, name where it is, and I shall see what I can do.''
Tenebrae was grinning at the numbers, mental calculations being made. “That will be of enormous help. We must also speak with Leo, about his plans for Eternity.” A delicate brow was raised, her smile secretive. “As to the cove… Possibly best I show you in person. It’s a trek to get to, but worth it. And when we get there, I’ll tell you my plans. I think you’ll be pleased.” Tene raised her wine to her lips once more, the cup offered up briefly before she did so. “To victory, my friend.”
Schalk taps the rim of his goblet lightly against Tene's. ''Sieg!'', he exclaims in his native tongue. The elvergast takes a long draught of his wine, before looking at Tenebrae quite seriously again. ''There is one thing though. This is a significant army that will sail to these lands. It will need a safe haven. I can't ask so many soldiers to stay on board their ships. I need your help persuading Rynvale to let them land. In return, I shall help you get his permission to harbour the Eternity on the islands shores.''
Tenebrae dipped her chin by way of consent to that. For the first time in days, firey determination was glimmering in her eyes. "Consider it done. Schalk, dear, I think this is the beginning of a war we could win. All of us..." The necromancer placed her goblet on the table tilting her head inquisitively. "Anyway, now business is done .. What about you, Schalk? You were so ... unwell when last I saw you. How fare you now?" She could not keep a hint of worry from her tone, nor entirely from her features.
Schalk notes the slightly worried tone in Tenebrae's voice, something he has not heard from her in a long time, the vampires always appearing quite strong and in control of all matters around her. Clearly he still has a friend he can count on, no matter how many assassins are send after him. ''I am well my dear. The events that took place in Miklagard left me quite fragile at the time. I was condemned to death by hanging and thrown into gaol, after I took my revenge on old Emmerik.'' The elvergast lets his fingers glide over the tattoo on his cheek. ''They gave me this, to indicate that I was to be hung. I escaped only when they found me too dangerous to handle and send me away, an island, or a peninsula, I can't remember...'' A painful expression appears on the man’s face, showing how painful these memories of helplessness must be to the warrior. ''I remember being there and laughing at someone, then diving into the sea. It is the last I can recall.'' A sigh flows from his lips, before another sip of wine is taken. ''The next thing I remember is being in Jacklin’s house with you, Kaida and Leo.''
The necromancer’s features were a mask first of horror, as she heard of her friend’s narrow escape from the noose, then deep compassion, as his tale progressed, Her next words were spoken gently. “You were quite mad when we found you, Schalk. A complete lunatic. Gods know what they did to you, poor dear. But whatever it was, they shall pay, in abundance. Once we win Cenril, we shall set our sights on these men, and strike them from the very earth.” Her lips tightened a moment, an amber flash glinting in the peridot of her eyes. “This, my promise to you.”
Schalk almost casually waves away Tene's comment. ''Miklagard is much stronger than Cenril my dear. All I care about is that Arnald...'' The elvergast spits out the name. ''…will die. I shall slay him personally, for my honour and the honour of my family requires me to. However, Miklagard is too mighty a force for the Cabal at the moment; your Captain can tell you that too.'' The elvergast sighs again, taking a sip of wine. He laughs, suddenly, sitting up straight in his chair, placing his hands on the table. ''Besides, a tad of madness has never harmed anyone has it my dear?'' He grins, a slightly mad look in his eyes, completed by the mischievous grin that plays on his face.
Tenebrae was prompted to a laugh by his final comment, though she’d frowned through the one before it. “All the very best people are mad, pet. Of this I’m quite sure.” Her last words sounded unusually loud in the tavern’s sudden silence, the dwarven musician having finished for the night, his audience drunkenly near-drowsing. Quieting her tone, she added, “It’s late, sweet. I must be going, get some rest.” Once more, that secretive smile appeared on her lips. “I have a lot of … unfinished business, to catch up with, tomorrow.”
Schalk 's malicious grin spreads over his face again. ''Let me know when we shall seek out the cove and talk to the Governor. I shall send message to the Horneburgh, mustering my warriors. As for now... Sleep well my dear.'' It is then that the elvergast seems to become serious, and rather sane again, quoting the words of the Wise One: ''Early rises he who has plans, for others lives or lands. The prey escapes the wicked wolf. The sleeper never wins… Early rise he who rules over servants, and goes to work immediately. Much is lost to those who sleep 'till late. Riches is won, by those who are awake.''
Tenebrae gave him a soft smile. “Wisdom indeed, dear Schalk.” With that, she rose from her chair, heavy pack hoisted to her shoulder. “Goodnight. And we shall speak further on these matters in the next day or two.” With that, and a chaste kiss planted to his cheek, she was making her way to the doors.