IC-Scene: The way to Elacrai

Aldric gives out a sigh of relief hearing Edward is okay.

Elacrai is a extraordinary place. I'm not surprised to see Quentin getting excited by just being here. But yes, we should go see what's he up to. We might also need his opinion on these events that are taking place. You are all welcome to stay here if you are still tired from our journey.

Cid abandons his view of the forest and looks at Aldric

"If you don't mind captain, I'll just stay here. Give Quentin my regards."

He returns to gazing off into the forest, whether he was thinking or daydreaming, you couldn't tell

~~~~

As you all make your way to the courtyard, you see a group of Noldor rangers staring at you. They don't hide any of the hate they have for you, they appear to be Aeldarian's men.

As you walk outside, you see Quentin, in some new clothes, walking around the courtyard with excitement on his face. A Noldor warrior was escorting him, and Quentin was practically doing circles around him as he waited for the Noldor warrior to continue onward.

As he sees you, he smiles and waves.

"Aldric! This place is beyond everything I hoped for!"

he notices Cid and Edward aren't with you, and a flash of worriedness comes over his face

"Cid and Edward are all right, aren't they?"

(OOC: When I was making characters for my squad, I made Cid a mute. It's fine for the post before this. It's just for future reference.)

Aldric shows a smile.

Don't worry Quentin. They're all right. Edward suffered a fatal wound, but he should be fine. He's resting in his bed as we speak. Cid, he wanted to stay in the room. Don't worry, he was always a little distant. But that aside, the situation seems bad enough that the Noldor needs to gather the council. You heard what I discovered in the forest? About the arrows.

Quentin's face uplifted when he heard about Cid and Edward, but became downcast about the arrows.

"Yes, I heard. And apparently that's not it, there are other issues that they are addressing, but I haven't heard about them yet. The Noldor are good at keeping their secrets secret. I couldn't get anything out of any of them."

He had a flash of worry on his face

"Sir Aldric, do you truly think the Noldor tried to kill my father?"

Aldric put his hand on his chin, deep in thought.

I think as of now, there definitely is some type of involvement of the Noldor in the failed assassination of your father. But, it's not as simple as you think it is. There's something else to this that I can't put my hand on.

As soon as you said that, Nelteroȉn returns

"Captain Aldric, it appears that there is more to this than I thought. Those arrows you found, they are without a doubt Noldor arrows. None of our patrols that have come in today report using that many arrows, and the patrols that are still out shouldn't have even been near that area."

he then grimaced

"Remember that camp you told me about? A rider came in, all of the inhabitants were slain. Men, women, and children. It was completely ransacked. It was no mere bandit's work. We found arrows at that site too."

Aldric bit his lip as he heard the people at the camp were slaughter. He had promised to help them out but now it was too late. He felt responsible because he should've left one of his men to escort them as soon as possible out of the camp once they made their decision. He looked at Nelteroȉn with eyes full of anger.

I think it's time to throw everything we know on the table. If we delay anymore, more people will die when they could have been saved. Do you know who is causing all of this to happen right now?

Nelteroȉn looks downcast, he looks at Aldric in the eyes

"The council was centered around the camp, and a missing patrol. For two weeks, a patrol of Noldor Rangers have been missing. At first, we thought it was Ivan the Butcher, and we looked for the bodies. "

Nelteroȉn then closed his eyes

"You should get back to Laria. We are setting up patrols to look for the missing Noldor. With the assassination attempt and the destroyed camp, it doesn't bode well."

Aldric shakes his head as he looks at Nelteroȉn.

I want to help. I can't go back to Laria and do nothing while you try to find the missing patrol. I don't want to come up empty for such a long journey here. My squad and I are capable men and we will be a great asset in the search.

Nelteroȉn leans in close

"I fear the patrol is in Laria. We have got it handled up here. Unfortunately, we cannot send our patrols into your city to see if they are there. Since you are informed of the situation, I suggest that you return to your Clarion Hall. Inform your grandmaster. While we search our forest, you can search the city."

at that point, a group of Rangers and warriors exited the keep, accompanied by some Noldor riders.

Nelteroȉn gets on his horse, a magnificent Spirit horse

"It appears my patrol is ready to set out. Please Captain, go out and tell your grandmaster what has happened here."

Quentin looked deep in thought

he muttered to himself

"Can't believe it's come to this."

As Nelteroȉn leaves, Aldric turns to his squad and Quentin.

Everyone, tell Cid we're leaving and get your things. We are leaving as soon as possible. The Order must know of what we have learned.

Aldric rushes to his room to get his things as soon as he finished what he said.

As Aldric leaves to go to his room, a maiden ranger runs through the gate

She trots over to Nelteroȉn, and says some words in Noldor. You are too far to hear the exact words

Nelteroȉn looks shocked, and looks over to one of his companions, and speaks in Noldor, from what you hear, it appears he is giving command of the patrol over to him.

Nelteroȉn trots over to you, then dismounts.

"Aldric, with me, now."

Aldric is worried as Nelteroȉn tells him to come with him, as he knows there is probably more trouble. He walks to Nelteroȉn.

Yes, what is it Nelteroȉn?

Nelteroȉn pulled Aldric aside

"Riders have come in. They discovered something grisly. You see, ever since your king Mordred unified the Kingdom, our council has taken great care in choosing who goes on our patrols. Usually, houses would send out their own patrols, but lately we have been sending mixed patrols, in order to make sure that none of the more aggressive noble houses try to provoke any humans."

"The missing patrol we sent out was composed of three houses: Aerithon, Caelnavir, and Aeldarian. There were 15 of them, they were just to explore the backwoods. Our riders discovered their bodies. Apparently, they were killed in their sleep, throats slit, 11 bodies, all hidden in shallow graves. Riders from the respective houses have identified all of the bodies. We only sent four from house Aeldarian.. all rangers. They were the ones that we didn't find."

"I don't know whether these rangers acted on their own, or on orders, but you have to get to Laria, now. Those rangers killed their patrol, they are not going to give up until the job is done. Go to your city, go before it's too late. The renegades are going to try something soon, hell, they might even try to distract the city with a riot or something to get to the duke. We'll escort you Aldric, our spirit horses can take more than one rider."

Then there is no time to lose.

Aldric turns to his squad who is running to gather their things. Aldric screams to Leroy.

Leroy, get my things!!

Aldric turns back to Nelteroȉn.

I'll try to bring them back alive. They must be punished for what they have done. Does Aeldarian seem like he knows any of this?

"No, thats why we must move now, else aeldarian might try to bog the council down in a meeting."

And with that, you all leave elacrai, heading for laria









(OOC: you will arive in laria after the riot, due to the spirit horses carrying you)

(OOC: so we're done here?)

(OOC: Yes sir, you're done!)