[Malachite Restaurant] The grand speech (Open/fetch)

[Eyvind Redbeard]

Thread continued from here.

Tenth Brightening of the Fifth Cycle of the Month of Immanis in the Season of Winter, Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XV Post Fractum.

A candlemark had passed since the trio had entered the Malachite Restaurant and they had discussed the changes in the seat of power to a point of exhaustion. The number of patrons present in the restaurant had grew and suddenly when looking and listening to his companions, Tarfuss and the Kemite Scholar Kitsumi, Eyvind felt it was time. Taking a long sip from his mug of Zerdargian Ale he stood up and walked to a central place where he could be seen and heard by everyone present in the Restaurant.

Some time passed before anyone noticed him but a seven feet tall flaming red-haired man in a city inhabitated mostly by Dwarves and Halfling is something that calls the attention with ease. When a comfortable silence had fallen in the Malachite Restaurant Eyvind nodded and smiled to the patrons.

"Thank you. To begin with I have to apologize for interrupting your meals and for taking some of your time, I also apologize for whatever problems that might appear after I finish what I have to say."

Redbeard took another sip from his mug and cleared his throat, then he began.

"The time we live is that of uncertainty. One Brightening you live in an Empire you willingly joined and the other said Empire is no more and what takes its place? A Kingdom ruled by a Prince nominated by a group of winged creatures that claim to be the Ancient Aelyrians. I don't deny the possibility that they are indeed the Ancient Aelyrians that once lived in Insula Coronae and invaded the Medonian Continent but I deny them the right to, without permission, taking over the Government changing it as they will.

As one can easily understand a Kingdom is not ruled by a Prince, therefore the former Regent is not the supreme ruler of the Realm. There has to be someone above him, a King, and who aside of an Ancient to be said King? The nomination of Milo L'Evienne as Prince is nothing but an attempt to have mortals accepting their rule once more.

For millennia the Ancients kept themselves outside of the affairs of mortals, denying them help and advise, not to mention what they did before that. The forced union under their banner. In this scenario you have a group pf individuals who came from a lonely island and started to use war to unite different people, there is no need to give you a History lesson as you are certainly more versed in it than I am. Said group of individuals then left without a trace, leaving mortals to their affairs. Fair enough, in a way, unfair in other. The use of brute force to create the world the mortals lived in after their disappearance can be viewed as both prejudicial or benefic, that I will leave for you to decide after my speech is concluded.

Their sudden reappearance is the trigger for me to start acting, I won't stay idle while strangers flying out of pure mythology take over the land and the realm in which I live and therefore I will defend the Empire and the People as I once sworn I would against all threats and to death if necessary.

You could call me a mad man telling I am only defending an older version of their own creation but I assure you the Empire is on its own now and even so there is still the option that for some reason you are not pleased with the it. I can calm you down. It is a sad truth that the Empire has faced many enemies and fought many wars to keep standing, maybe this will be the last, but if that is the case I don't want to leave this Kingdom behind standing proudly over the ashes of what I defended. If we are to be victorious against the Kingdom we have to unite, Imperialists and Separatists! And there is an answer to please all, for it is the will of the People that commands.

Once this fight his over all those who decide to abandon the Empire could willingly do so, in an offering of Freedom as reward for the effort and the danger of backing the Empire up. Think about it and tell me what you think, I will answer all question.

Ceterum censeo Regnum esse delendam. (Furthermore, I think that the Kingdom must be destroyed)"

And he stood waiting for the reaction of the public.

[Tarfuss]

After the fine meal Tarfuss stretched out for a little relaxation, some more ale and a smoke. He took out his leather tobacco roll and removed the pipe he had most recently purchased in Taralon. It was a very nice pipe with intricate carvings on it. He packed it, lit the char, tamped it, lit it and tamped the coal. He sighed. Pulling a long draw on the pipe he released a series of smoke rings and then noticed that Redbeard was getting up. He was taking position for a.... speech. Ye gods and all ye little angels, tell me it ain't so. Tarfuss looked around the bar with the pipe clenched in his teeth. He checked the exits and made note of anyone who looked like they might be a problem. He would have stood himself, to be more ready to react, but he didn't want to provoke anything. Instead he just stayed alert and ready. Gods only knew what Eyvind might say.

After the speech Tarfuss continued keeping his eye out for anyone who might decide to begin the slaughter of the Imperialists in order to gain the favor of the Prince.

[fetch]

Which was not to look at the Vagran but at a corner table where a heavily built old grey bearded dwarf sat spooning meat and vegetables through his soup strainer moustache. All eyes turned to this dwarf because everyone knew who he was, he was a legend around Zerdargia, the dwarf who cut his own left hand off so that he could smash an undead invader with his right!

The grey beard shrugged swallowed his beer in a mighty lift splashing the golden liquid over his long beard in true dwarfen fashion and got to his feet. He did not walk across the fine floor he stomped his iron shod boots ringing on the polished floor. He put both hands on his hips and gazed upwards at Eyvind ….. Sonny you are either mad or right can’t say which right now. I am not sure whether I should throw your big ginger backside in jail or shake yer hand. You have the cut of a fighting man about ye so why don’t we just sit down and keep quiet like a good little barbarian and have a wee chat whilst I make me mind up about you. ….

There was an air of authority about the dwarf a man used to being obeyed he might give away 3.5 feet in height to the Vagran but that did not seem to sway the one handed old dwarf. He sat at the table and ordered more beer before introducing himself as

The name is Company Sergeant Major Stonethrottle of the Veldar Elite so who are you to come into my town and spoil folks Pracenda?

[Duncan Sythe]

The Kemite watched through Awareness and listened to the responses of those around him, eyes half closed until the Dwarf spoke. The grey haired man's head was slightly tilted to one side as he considered the situation before him and the man he was dealing with. As always with Duncan Sythe questions remained beneath the illusion, he wondered what the response would be, he wondered whether Eyvind could keep the army under his command in line, he wondered if he truly had any chance of succeeding against the Ancient beings.

The last at least he doubted.

With one arm over the back of his chair the grey haired watcher's only association with the speaker happened to be he'd come from the table he was sitting at with Tarfuss. This wasn't a problem, he hardly appeared to be Eyvind's loyal peon; unlike the other soldier. And besides, avoiding situations he didn't want to get involved in was something of a speciality.

The dwarf though. Well, neither Kitsumi Valharl or Duncan Sythe could blame him, what would be interesting was what came next. Duncan Sythe had a habit of turning up at world changing moments...and watching moments that turned out to be nothing more than footnotes.

[Tarfuss]

Tarfuss sat at the table with the elderly Kemite, who seemed to Tarfuss like an academic - there, but uninvolved. The dwarf clomped over to the table and sat down and ordered himself a beer, which was a point in favor of him - he liked beer - he couldn't be all bad. Tarfuss absently wondered if the Ancient Aelyrians liked beer... Before he got too entangled in that disturbing bit of philosophizing he brought his mind back to the here and now with a pull at his own drink. Nothing like a drink of ale to center the mind.

The dwarf didn't appear to be entirely friendly, but neither did he seem unfriendly. Gruff, maybe - but par for the course for his kind, generally, Tarfuss thought. Now it was up to Eyvind the Orator to convince the stocky fellow that there was a snow balls chance in Aeternia that he wasn't committing them all to a lunatic suicide pact (which they probably were) by going against the new kingdom AND convince them that it was indeed an evil creation and that the way of Goodness and Light was to follow Eyvind Redbeard Avormagor etc etc. on this path and into the grace of the Gods. Or something like that.

He signalled the waitress for another pint.

[Eyvind Redbeard]

The Vagaran followed the eyes of the crowd and his gaze met the veteran warrior. As the Dwarf approach Eyvind could avaluate him. A strong body and a beard so dirty of food it almost resembled like Tarfuss after diving inside a meat stew. No, this Dwarf's beard was worse, but it didn't mean he didn't have an aura of power and respect around himself. He did have and the red-haired man didn't know where it came from until his eyes met the Dwarf's. Those eyes were ice, and fire at the same time. Eyvind couldn't stare straight to them for long and looked to his feet for a moment as he heard what the grizzly warrior had to say. With a silent nod he pointed his table and invited the Dwarf to sit.

"Provost Eyvind Redbeard, Ninth Imperial Legion, the Black Shields. These are Tarfuss and Kitsumi Valharl, Spear Daekin and Scholar."

The words stumbled out of the Officer's mouth and for a moment he kept silent for a moment until he finally turned to face the Dwarf.

"It is as I said, the whole truth or at least what I know. They denied me an audience with the King of Dargis or whoever rules the place and this was all I could think of to call everyone's attention. Let's hope we don't get ourselves lynched."

He briefly glanced at Tarfuss who had been brave or perhaps crazy enough to join him in this fool's quest.

[fetch]

Stonethrottle nodded to each of the companions of Eyvind but as they had not said anything of significance yet addressed his remarks to the Vagran.

Well pilgrim I don’t think I am going to order the headsman from his bed to deal with you this darkening .You have to understand some things we dwarves have always been loyal to the kingdom first and the then the empire when that was declared as an entity. We gave a solemn promise way back when and we are an honourable race we likes to keep our promises . Back in the past when my old dad was around old emperor Constantine brought Zerdargia into the empire and we were glad to be part of that entity. We were facing Elves and Orcs and getting our backsides whipped. Constantine stopped that and that was nigh on 900 eras ago. My old dad told me all about the Emperor Constantine and how he was one of theses Aelyrians reckoned he was as mad as a bucket of frogs but well we been loyal ever since despite that.


Stonethrottle quaffed more beer wiping the excess onto his beard

So now they is back and taking over the shop appointing kings like they were the gods themselves. Can’t argue that the empire is a busted flush has been for eras but what right do these ancients think they have to take over and tell us who we should have as a king just because one of them was emperor back in 9260? Where they been when we needed a bit of help?….

He threw up the stump of his left hand as an indication…

Got that bit off by the undead mates. If these ‘ere ancients are so powerful why did they not stop that spawn from hell? Nope got to admit that these ‘ere ancients pick and choose their moments which to my mind says they got a specific agenda. They need us boys rather more than we need them and that spells troubles ahead.

So Eyvind as far as I am concerned the city of Zerdargia is waiting for something to happen. We dwarves are loyal to Prince Milo ’e seems a decent bloke we are loyal to the crown of Aelyria what we aint loyal to is the ancients themselves. We dwarves simply do not know what they is after lads. So we have discussed all this and frankly we are keeping our axes sharp and our beady eyes on the horizon. If this ’ere prince sells us out than maybe just maybe dwarfdom might rise and say somat about it but friends its too damned early for fighting and revolution.

He banged on the table and ordered another round of beers before leaning his frame closer

I don’t disagree with much you say friend, your timing is all to pot but we dwarves like a good argument and discussion so if you want to spread your message wider than this whores bedroom of a tavern feel free. I aint arresting ye for expressing yer opinions. I might if yer starts a fight but that’s me job. So what yer got to say now?

.

[Tarfuss]

Tarfuss fiddled with his pipe and scratched his beard as he listened to the Dwarf. And listened. And then he listened some more. He and Eyvind should get along well, he thought wryly. He took a puff on his pipe and let the smoke ease out of his mouth.

He decided if he were to ever have a chance to say anything he'd best slip it in during this slight lull in the conversation, before Eyvind picked up the spear and ran with it.

"Seems to me that" Tarfuss paused and coughed rather pointedly. Prince Milo has already sold out - other wise he'd not be "prince"."

Tarfuss took another drink of ale to cool his throat after his tiring monologue. Smacking his lips in appreciation of the good ale he looked at the dwarf to see what his reaction was.

[Eyvind Redbeard]

Eyvind heard to Stonethrottle's words with all his senses. The Dwarf was honest and he went straight to the point talking about the Ancients' own agenda and the fact that they needed mortals more than mortals needed them. He even showed something of a disgust for them due to the lost of his hand, not that it would give Eyvind any edge in the conversation or even if it did it was something the Vagaran wouldn't want or even try to exploit.

Then Tarfuss spoke, surprising even his commander but as soon as surprise appeared so a smile showed up in the red-haired man's face. This was exactly what he had always wanted, he wanted his men to carry about the future and question the current situation. The efforts seemed to be paying off.

"I thank you Stonethrottle for your honesty but I have to second Tarfuss when he says that probably Milo already sold us out. Like you said we all still have to wait and see but I would like to know if I can listen to your words and know that what you say is what dwarfdom thinks. As you know in my profession one needs to be sure of some things otherwise one is walking over ice.

I doubt the Ancients will negotiate with us and I feel a the possibility of a war in my bones, Sergeant and I am sure you feel it too...

This is where I have to disagree with you, in a way while agreeing in other. We have to wait and see what happens but by waiting we may be giving the Ancients our most precious time."

[fetch]

"Provost Eyvind Redbeard of the Ninth Imperial Legion, the Black Shields you are a soldier and senior one to boot so you know how vital timing is in any military operation , move too early or too late and even if you have overwhelming odds in your favour you can take a beating. Perhaps laddy you may have to surrender some advantage of timing in favour of popular support. If indeed these ancients mean us harm then they will have to show their hand first. Thus any reaction by people like you can then hold the moral high ground and garner real support from the military and the civilians.”

The folksy tones were dropped in favour of stern voiced seriousness now his flagon of beer lay untouched as he leaned closer his elbows on the table .

“You need to know some things about Zerdargia the reason that you were not allowed to see the king of the dwarves is because we have not got one. Certainly there are contenders but no obvious leader has emerged therefore we dwarves cannot speak with a unified voice. However your words speak with a certain resonance in my ears I don’t like these ancients wandering in and effectively taking over the prince has either sold out or has been put into a position where he has no room to swing an axe. We just do not know what is going on!”

He glanced over at Tarfuss , “Yes it looks a bit like the prince has been put into a position where he has to support the claims of the ancients whether that can be called selling out is another barrel of beer all together.

All this gabbing was too much and he grabbed his ale and polished off in a long swift swallow. Then of course if there should be rebellion against the kingdom which the dwarves may or may not join , you will have to find a way to keep the legions in their barracks and if that is not enough …. he shrugged you will have to face a firestorm of magic unlike anything that has ever been unleashed upon this world of ours. These ancients will react against open rebellion and they will not be gentle!

[Duncan Sythe]

Kitsumi waited patiently, quietly. Kitsumi Vaharl after all had not been to Throneworld, did not know what Duncan Sythe knew and had no reason for knowing it. His words and his interactions must be choosen with care to direct the flow of things here, else too many questions would be directed not at the state of Aelyria, but at himself.

“I would.” He said quite simply after Stonethrottle spoke. “Be inclined to agree with the good master Stonethrottle.” Kitsumi's eyes were downcast at the table, thoughtful, yet his tone bore a certain careful reverence that indicated he had stayed quiet until now in order to hear what was being said, the Kemite scholar through and through.

His eyes rose now, seeking Tarfuss and challenging his accusation of Milo's title.

“Milo L'Evienne is being...pressured, I believe. Scholars across the Empire speak of rumours flying from Mages who have visited the newly revitalised academy in the capital.” Lies and truths intermingled. “That he went to Throneworld with the Aelyrians, had little choice in the matter. Truly what do you do when an ancient people return? You either try and co-operate or you are swept aside...as best challenge the Gods kind sirs.”

Stonethrottle had the right of it there, to challenge the Aelyrians without knowing what that feared and what had brought them to Telath was inviting a magical cataclysm that might leave a shell of Aelyrian society left in its wake. Arakmat, Zerdargia, Acumin, these were all preludes to the greater dooms to come. Ironically in that respect the Aelyrians were right...although unbeknowest to themselves or to Kitsumi Valharl and the man who dwelt beneath his illusion...they risked becoming the catalyst to their own destruction in the process of trying to preserve themselves.

“I am not saying that we do not loose by waiting, but there are other ways to challenge change than to stand before the gates of authority and let them see your face so that they can kill you in an alley.”

Hints there. Hints of the man beneath the illusion – or conversely merely of the depths of Kitsumi Valharl. For Duncan Sythe he did not need the Imperial Legions to rile the Aelyrians until he was ready – wasn't even sure if he wanted them to. The concept was useful in theory but still...too dangerous, too unpredictable, better to advise some caution here – at least until he was sure of Milo and the Aelyrians goals in the aftermath of the Throneworld.

He was still making his mind up about that after all and there was no sense in Eyvind blowing up Telath by waving the metaphorical placard of discontent... Aeternia, in some ways Eyvind and the Aelyrians were like a combination of alchemical substances that on their own would be utterly harmless...yet mixed would destroy the entirety of creation.

The scariest thing was; Eyvind was just the one he knew about; how much more chaos would the Aelyrians ferment by their mere re-appearance that would fuel the very fires they sought to quench? Time alone would tell.

[Tarfuss]

Tarfuss listened as the others spoke. Both seemed to be cautioning patience and a wait and see attitude. Or that they should at least bide their time until the time was right. He supposed that was wise, and fairly obvious, council. He took a drink of ale, and at the suggestion that the Prince's situation was a sticky one and that he may have had little or no choice he merely shrugged. He hated politics. He hated gray areas. He liked yes and no, black and white, right and wrong. He sighed.

He took another drink from his tankard and sat back with his pipe. Scratching his beard he looked over to Eyvind to see what he'd say. There was a clamor in the back of his mind for action, an out cry against the indignity of having some creatures come in and simply start pulling the strings and them being helpless against it. He wasn't sure such a world was even worth living in.