Mini-Event: Unrest in the East - Now Active!

Aelos dropped his cloak on the seat next to him and stared in the fire for a moment before he responded 'Yes, please'

'The boy that showed me the way to you hall, Euron, told me about an unfortunate incident that occured during a parade? Any ideas who is responsible?'

Without waiting for an answer he spoke again, but now it seemed he was merely lost in thoughts than in a conversation

'First I found it convenient for anti-Noldor movements if the Duke had died and was replaced by Lord Fouchier, who carries a less sophisticated opinion about our allies , but after the parade I am not sure, not at all'

We suspect those who attacked the duke earlier are the same that caused the incident at the parade. If that is the case it is almost sure that they do not really intend to assassinate the duke, just cause turmoil and perhaps an uprising, either against the duke himself or the Noldor. Therefore Lord Fouchier is unlikely to be the intended next ruler or even behind the attacks, since he would most profit from a clean assassination and an otherwise stable situation. I thus suspect that outward forces are involved in this, although we are not completely sure who it might be.

There is Aelfwine in Marleons, who has strongly opposed the king's new policy and might want to get hold of another duchy to consolidate his position in the realm. If Laria drowns in turmoil he might take the role of the saviour bringing order to it with his troops. Then there is always the possibility of an involvement of the Gauntlet. They hate the Noldor and would certainly welcome a destabilisation of Pendor's most Noldor friendly duchy. They are right now in this city, causing trouble and we've even seen them abducting townsfolk to their camp. Their intentions remain hidden as well as what relation might be there between the murder of Sir Morbren and the assaults on the duke.
And of course there might be forces present that we did not know of until now. We're doing our best to solve this mystery.

He paused for a moment, taking a sip of his wine then holding the glass up such that it diffracted the light of the fireplace.

You see, in this city we have thousands of people living and working here and that makes it particularly easy for the assailants to hide in the crowd and strike where it is not expected. In a way the city works like a glass of wine blurring the image of the fireplace, obstructing our view on the true source of the trouble.

Aelos waited a moment after he finished his wine

'I don't believe Duke Aelfwine would be able to hold and govern so much land with his current amount of troops...and I do not know the Gauntlet enough to accuse them yet.'

he then considered his options and spoke again

'I will investigate Duke Aelfwine in Marleons' he grabbed his cloak and stood up 'or is an investigation of the Gauntlet of a more pressing matter?'

Iskar rose, too.

Keep in mind that Aelfwine is ignoring the Law of Halves and thusly has more than enough troops at his command. Therefore I should think that Marleons is a good choice, but you should first speak to your superior at the castle. If you are allowed on this mission, please come back here, so we can devise a proper plan. I might also give you some spare rangers to help with the investigation.

Now, thank you for coming here, Squire Aelos. When you go back to the castle, please give Sir Kamos my regards.

Sir Silnord, take two halberdiers with you and ensure Squire Aelos safely reaches the castle. The streets of Laria have become a rather dangerous place at night lately.

Aelos nodded and turn towards the exit

'very well Iskar, I'll see you again tomorrow'

then he left the room and let Sir Silnord escort him to the castle

Iskar found the duke in the western part of the castle, still overlooking the formerly rioting districts with Sir Kamos silently standing close by.

When the tired aristocrat turned to him he bowed respectfully.

Your Grace, I have come to report that the riot has been suppressed with minimal bloodshed. In fact only one ring leader was marginally harmed. The rest of the populace has successfully been convinced to give up their riotous attitude. The fires have been quelled, there are 200 men helping with immediate repairs and Captan Breno has restored order in the streets all across the city with the reinforced watch.

He paused for a moment.

In the past, I am told, it was common that the Clarion Call would naturally take on tasks as these, as the order of the marches serving the marcher duke. With your trusted order diminished and integrated into the Silvermist I understand there have been doubts whether the Silvermist would be as reliable and loyal as the Clarion Call always was and fears that the Clarion Call would vanish completely.
Well, its numbers doubled again ever since they were joined to the Silvermist and though they display the fleur-de-lys now they still do it in gold and green. Alongside the green and silver the Clarion Call's colours waved proudly in the streets today and with our actions today I hope we have proven that we are able and willing to continue the valorous heritage of the Clarion Call.

Your Grace, the Silvermists would be honoured if You accepted our services as the order of the marches, recognising what we have done today to be merely our natural duty to the duke and city of Laria.

The Duke looked at Iskar, he took a long time to speak

"You have proven yourself, Constable. You have also proven yourself to the city, at first I will admit I did not know what to make of you and your order. I accept your order as the Marcher order of the East. Of course, we'll have a ceremony for the official declaration, but for now, you can consider it done."

Iskar bowed. We are honoured by this, Your Grace.

But now for more pressing matters: We fear the riot was just a means to avert our attention in order to prepare a new assassination attempt. Hopefully our quick solution of the situation was not foreseen by the assassins. We have brought rangers and halberdiers to reinforce the castle guards and I fear there is little more to do than waiting for the assassins to show themselves.

The Duke furrowed his brow

"Where could they come in? The walls and the ramparts are constantly guarded. They would have to pop up out of a hole inside of the castle to get to me.."

At that moment, one of the guards came running in.

"Sir! Sir!"

He bowed quickly

"Some Noldor have arrived, at the gates. They're with one of your rangers constable."

Sir Kamos with a still agitated look on his face looks between them before his eyes rolling back to scanning to hallway.

The well was sealed and I have guard near every hidden passage we were told of. Even those who insisted to secure it themselves...

He paused for a moment. Eyes still on the hallways, occasionally eying the constable, before he continued to speak.

Perhaps we should take this to the main hall where the bulk of my men are? And send a messenger to accommodate the Gauntlets in the courtyard somewhere else in the castle until the Noldor are through. The last thing we want are knights of such caliber getting agitated with what are presumably emissaries.

His eyebrow perking in Iskars direction but still keeping to the halls.

Security wise how attached to their weapons would you say the Noldor are? Warriors of such caliber, much like the Gauntlets, are hardly a comfort to my security concerns for the Duke armed and in his presence. Regardless of whether they would have such audacity.

Aldric arriving at the castle get off his horse with great haste and shouts to his squad to explain the situation to all the knights that they can find. He rushes up the stairs to where the Duke is most likely to be in this time and finds Iskar and the Duke conversing. Aldric bows his head slightly and starts to explain the situation.

It seems like our worst fears have come true, Iskar. The Noldor have a hand in this, after all. I had discovered a village in the Laria woods, and promised to helped them but they were ruthlessly slaughtered.

Aldric clenched his fist after he said that. He couldn't let it go after all those people died. He continued.

Noldor arrows were also involved in the attack. There was also another incident. The Noldor regularly sends out patrols, and one went missing. It composed of 15 Noldors and 11 were found dead. 4 are missing and they are from the House of Aeldarian. We must take great care, as Nelteroȉn believes they are already in the city.

Iskar frowned.

These are dire news indeed. Thank you, Aldric, for delivering this crucial information despite all hindrances.

Sir Kamos, best you send some knights to get the Gauntlets to a separate part of the courtyard. I will ask this Neltoroín to leave his weapons when he approaches his grace, but I'd suggest leaving the rest of his men under arms and in the courtyard. If we need to fight renegade Noldor there is none I would rather have at my side than a twilight knight and a Noldor ranger.

Your Grace, I will go talk to Neltoroín immediately. We will meet you in the great hall.

Aldric, with me.

With that he rushed off to talk to the Noldor envoy.

Aldric shakes his head as he hears what Iskar says last.

I'll stay with the Duke. I don't want to leave the Duke without adequate protection. You go on ahead and talk to Neltoroín.

Sir Azrael had arrived with Iskar and Kelren. He considered his mission accomplished now, and now it would be back to guarding the duke. The Clarion call rangers were intelligent enough to keep themselves in check and the riot was largely squashed.

However, he was content on remaining silent for the duration of the conversation. He didn't really have anything meaningful to say, and Marshal Kamos seemed to have things under control.

"Sir Azrael see the Duke to the main hall. Aldric was it? If you're so keen on helping then please accompany him. I'll gather some Griffons and see to the Gauntlets so that they don't cause trouble."

And with that Sir Kamos set off at a very brisk pace, sometimes breaking to a jog, to complete his objective.

Sir Azrael saluted Kamos and turned to Aldric.

"Seems that we share an objective now. I suggest we both take a flank."

Aldric shakes his head the second time that day.

No, I suggest you and your men protect the Duke from a close distance. I will take a different perspective and protect him from afar. I am a Silvermist, after all. I'll take a position watching all the doors and windows.

Sir Azrael took a look at Aldric as if assessing him. Reaching a conclusion, he said

"Fine then."

Sir Azrael took a position at the Duke's left flank keeping a tight hold on his shield in case of sudden attacks.

The Duke is well protected by the Griffons and the Silvermist bodyguards, he is cautious, but not overly paranoid.

He keeps his hand on his sword, he may be old, but he was no pushover.

The Gauntlets are hurried over to a place near the main hall, protecting several hallways.


As Iskar approaches Nelteroȉn, the Noldor turns to the constable. He recognized him from visits the Ranger had made to Elacrai. The rest of the Noldor waited in the courtyard, composed of twilight knights and several maiden rangers.

"Greetings, Constable Iskar. Have sufficient measures been taken to secure the duke?

Sir Azrael continues his vigilant guarding with the other Griffons present.

Iskar displayed a bow in the Noldor fashion as greeting.

We have reinforced the guards with 100 halberdiers, rangers are one the battlements and rooftops, the city wtch has been tripled and the duke is being closely guarded by a detachment of Griffons. But, what news are there from Elacrai? Are they really Aeldarian's men as my sergeant reported and do you have any clues where they might be hiding?

Nelteroin answers the bow with a respectful nod

"Great work constable."

"As for Elacrai, one of our patrols went missing. Ever since the end of the unification wars we have been sending patrols out that contain multiple houses, as a defensive measure against the more.. agressive ones. One of the patrols we sent out had 15 Noldor, we found 11 of them in shallow graves in the forest. The remaining four are unaccounted for, all rangers from House Aeldarian."

"We do not yet know whether these Noldor are acting on their own, or on orders"

"There are only 2 places I could think of that the Noldor would approach the castle as. They would have either slipped in through a servant and are skulking somewhere, or they would be coming in through a secret passage."




The other order knights have not encountered anything out of the ordinary.

The secret passages are all guarded by Griffon knights, Iskar replied, and the only known passage possibly leading into the castle goes through the well which is secured by an iron grid fastened on its top. As for the servants, I'd suggest ordering them all to their quarters and seizing everyone who disobeys, but let's hurry to the duke to consult with him. Follow me!

Iskar led the way to the great hall, making sure to avoid the Gauntlets.