Hi folks! All of the old threads have been skilled, locked and archived away and thus we begin the new Dort after the synch. In this post - I will be trying to answer a few questions about the state of affairs in the city and on the island, and give you some good hooks with which to start your new threads! This is really not intended to be a thread to reply and play in but more of an information resource so you can start off right! I'll be posting it in stages, at least one post for each location (i.e. Dort, Islay, the Abbey etc...) so keep coming back to this thread for more information, and as always, if you need clarification or further details, feel free to contact me at any time.
I thank you for your patience and willingness to edit and make changes to your recess write ups, and I appreciate all the hard work you've done so far! Now that we all should be posting in Chyril, let's go have some fun!
IC:
It was a sunny spring morning when Duke Erwin stepped out of his private bedchambers and was met by Dein is Mein. The Steward had endured the horrible ordeal of being possessed by the demon Prorubria, and still to this day, was trying to heal and recuperate from something that had shaken his soul. Before those dark days, he was a shrewd, confident, even sometimes ruthless man. In the weeks since then, he had dramatically changed to a much softer, kinder man with a different level of understanding and awareness. At the Duke's request, he met the returned leader of Dort early, for the two had many things to discuss.
"Good morningtide side. I trust you and the Lady slept well..?" Dein is Mein offered.
"Yes, thank you Dein. I appreciate your willingness to walk the reviews and inspections with me."
"Of course my Lord."
"Now then. I want to walk the ramparts and be sure we have everything secured and ready. I want Milkhaire to see that Dort is fortified and strong, and will not be easy prey."
"Aye sir. Captain Kragen is waiting for us in the outer courtyard. He wanted to speak with you about sending an envoy out to meet the Shaman personally."
The Duke raised a graying eyebrow. "That's actually a very good idea. I think we'll need to prepare someone though. Someone who has some experience with the Clans. If you can have a list of names by tonight, we'll review it and make a decision tonight."
"As you wish, my Lord."
The pair walked out into the inner courtyard where the Duke's horse, and a contingent of guards were waiting to escort him. Erwin climbed into the saddle in a smooth, practiced motion, and the Steward and the guards, followed suit, although perhaps not quite as fluidly as the reigning leader of the Island.
They rode through the inner gate, out into the main area surrounded by the outer bailey wall where the Captain Kragen of the Sunfire Brigade awaited them, already ahorse.
"Great day for a tour." The Captain's easy, casual manner obviously portrayed the ease and familiarity of the Duke and the Captain's relationship as something more than Vassal and liege.
"When Johan arrives, we'll get the falcons and then I'll have my revenge." The Duke laughed.
"Or I'll help myself to more of what's in your personal coffers." The Captain shot back sharply.
"Not another banner." The Duke replied good naturedly. They shared a grin as the Duke nodded to proceed.
As they rode out of the main gate of Castle von Beersel, Kragen began his briefing.
"We've increased our traffic in the city by twenty percent. My agents have been reporting back that Jubal, although expensive, is easy to work with, and has provided us some good intelligence over the past weeks."
"I want to meet him."
Kragen gave Dein is Mein a flat look. "I'm not sure that would be wise my Lord, he can be rather rough."
Erwin gave the man a stern look that would brook no arguments. "Continue..."
"The outer walls have been fortified as you suggested, and we've increased our patrols by a third. This will give Milkhaire a good look at what we're capable of putting against him if he decides to fight."
The Duke looked to Dein is Mein.
"and the City watch?"
The Steward looked confident. "They've been working under the Captain's supervision for more than a month now. They'll be ready for anything that happens."
The Duke nodded.
Very well then, let's see the storehouses and the stockpiles. There is quite a large amount of equipment and resources still returning from Pan's Isle, uh.. Aveas, and I want to make sure it's allocated properly..."
The trio continued to walk their horses through the city and make their preparations...