Lord Amvion ponders this for a while. "Thank you for informing me. Come, let's move forward. I'd like to see this for myself."
Ariel nods in agreement and turns his horse back the way he came from.
They travel along together for a while, stopping when they draw within eyesight of the castle. Some time passes, and they see Captain Jeorge hurrying back to rejoin them. "My lord, everything the boy said is true. Xavic and Gor'El are gone, as are Ackar. And the axe." His jaw clenches at the last one. "And more than a few of our soldiers seem to be sympathetic. We need to do something about those, my lord. Nothing good can come of dissent."
"You're right," says Lord Amvion. "Let's return to the castle. We will begin to root out who these traitors are and see that they are punished."
Ariel nods in agreement and turns his horse back the way he came from.
They travel along together for a while, stopping when they draw within eyesight of the castle. Some time passes, and they see Captain Jeorge hurrying back to rejoin them. "My lord, everything the boy said is true. Xavic and Gor'El are gone, as are Ackar. And the axe." His jaw clenches at the last one. "And more than a few of our soldiers seem to be sympathetic. We need to do something about those, my lord. Nothing good can come of dissent."
"You're right," says Lord Amvion. "Let's return to the castle. We will begin to root out who these traitors are and see that they are punished."
"If I may humbly advise. Perhaps it would be wise to first discreetly find out who all the traitors are and how many in number they are in some way. If there are too many, you may be outnumbered, or worse, you may be caught unaware and betrayed by some who remains quiet about their allegiances once they find out what you intend to do. Furthermore, the last thing we need is a civil war. Angering our fellow people of the Dragon Kingdom could lead to that. So avoiding such a thing seems like a high priority." Says Ariel. He attempts and succeeds to be calm about explaining, but his disapproval of the idea of a torn kingdom shows on his face.
They travel along together for a while, stopping when they draw within eyesight of the castle. Some time passes, and they see Captain Jeorge hurrying back to rejoin them. "My lord, everything the boy said is true. Xavic and Gor'El are gone, as are Ackar. And the axe." His jaw clenches at the last one. "And more than a few of our soldiers seem to be sympathetic. We need to do something about those, my lord. Nothing good can come of dissent."
"You're right," says Lord Amvion. "Let's return to the castle. We will begin to root out who these traitors are and see that they are punished."
"If I may humbly advise. Perhaps it would be wise to first discreetly find out who all the traitors are and how many in number they are in some way. If there are too many, you may be outnumbered, or worse, you may be caught unaware and betrayed by some who remains quiet about their allegiances once they find out what you intend to do. Furthermore, the last thing we need is a civil war. Angering our fellow people of the Dragon Kingdom could lead to that. So avoiding such a thing seems like a high priority." Says Ariel. He attempts and succeeds to be calm about explaining, but his disapproval of the idea of a torn kingdom shows on his face.
"That is a very sound suggestion, young Ariel. Let us return to the castle and begin." The three of them and the accompanying soldiers ride onward, soon entering the gates.
"If I may humbly advise. Perhaps it would be wise to first discreetly find out who all the traitors are and how many in number they are in some way. If there are too many, you may be outnumbered, or worse, you may be caught unaware and betrayed by some who remains quiet about their allegiances once they find out what you intend to do. Furthermore, the last thing we need is a civil war. Angering our fellow people of the Dragon Kingdom could lead to that. So avoiding such a thing seems like a high priority." Says Ariel. He attempts and succeeds to be calm about explaining, but his disapproval of the idea of a torn kingdom shows on his face.
"That is a very sound suggestion, young Ariel. Let us return to the castle and begin." The three of them and the accompanying soldiers ride onward, soon entering the gates.
Ariel looks around, trying to see if he can spot the guards he had spoken to earlier. As well as making sure he is within sight of Lord Amvion in case his assistants is needed.
"That is a very sound suggestion, young Ariel. Let us return to the castle and begin." The three of them and the accompanying soldiers ride onward, soon entering the gates.
Ariel looks around, trying to see if he can spot the guards he had spoken to earlier. As well as making sure he is within sight of Lord Amvion in case his assistants is needed.
The two guards are still atop the wall. The one who spoke in support of Lord Ackar watches them a little nervously.
Ariel looks around, trying to see if he can spot the guards he had spoken to earlier. As well as making sure he is within sight of Lord Amvion in case his assistants is needed.
The two guards are still atop the wall. The one who spoke in support of Lord Ackar watches them a little nervously.
After spotting them and taking a mental note of their appearances in more detail Ariel dismounts his horse Dexter to relive him of his weight after the long ride. Then he waits for instruction.
The two guards are still atop the wall. The one who spoke in support of Lord Ackar watches them a little nervously.
After spotting them and taking a mental note of their appearances in more detail Ariel dismounts his horse Dexter to relive him of his weight after the long ride. Then he waits for instruction.
Lord Amvion notices Ariel standing around and beckons him over. "Let's get you acquainted with the castle, shall we? I'll have someone show you around and get you suitably accommodated while I prepare for our next steps."
Before long, Ariel has had a short tour of the grounds and been assigned a bunk with the other soldiers.
After spotting them and taking a mental note of their appearances in more detail Ariel dismounts his horse Dexter to relive him of his weight after the long ride. Then he waits for instruction.
Lord Amvion notices Ariel standing around and beckons him over. "Let's get you acquainted with the castle, shall we? I'll have someone show you around and get you suitably accommodated while I prepare for our next steps."
Before long, Ariel has had a short tour of the grounds and been assigned a bunk with the other soldiers.
Ariel attempts to get settled in and get used to this new way of life as quickly as he can so that he may be useful to the kingdom.
Lord Amvion notices Ariel standing around and beckons him over. "Let's get you acquainted with the castle, shall we? I'll have someone show you around and get you suitably accommodated while I prepare for our next steps."
Before long, Ariel has had a short tour of the grounds and been assigned a bunk with the other soldiers.
Ariel attempts to get settled in and get used to this new way of life as quickly as he can so that he may be useful to the kingdom.
The other soldiers aren't entirely sure what to make of him, but they welcome him kindly enough.
That evening, Ariel is summoned for dinner with Lord Amvion, who greets him pleasantly. Aside from servants and a few guards, they are alone. Captain Jeorge is not present.
Ariel attempts to get settled in and get used to this new way of life as quickly as he can so that he may be useful to the kingdom.
The other soldiers aren't entirely sure what to make of him, but they welcome him kindly enough.
That evening, Ariel is summoned for dinner with Lord Amvion, who greets him pleasantly. Aside from servants and a few guards, they are alone. Captain Jeorge is not present.
"Do you wish to speak with me?" asked Ariel, wondering if there's a particular reason he was invited to dine with Lord Amvion.
The other soldiers aren't entirely sure what to make of him, but they welcome him kindly enough.
That evening, Ariel is summoned for dinner with Lord Amvion, who greets him pleasantly. Aside from servants and a few guards, they are alone. Captain Jeorge is not present.
"Do you wish to speak with me?" asked Ariel, wondering if there's a particular reason he was invited to dine with Lord Amvion.
"Yes, I would like to request your help. Captain Jeorge has taken it upon himself to hunt down our escaped traitors. That leaves you as one very few I know I can trust in this castle. Your task will be to investigate the other soldiers, find out who harbors treasonous intentions, and bring them to me to take care of."
"Do you wish to speak with me?" asked Ariel, wondering if there's a particular reason he was invited to dine with Lord Amvion.
"Yes, I would like to request your help. Captain Jeorge has taken it upon himself to hunt down our escaped traitors. That leaves you as one very few I know I can trust in this castle. Your task will be to investigate the other soldiers, find out who harbors treasonous intentions, and bring them to me to take care of."
Ariel is silent for a moment as he considers his response carefully, then says, "I am honored to be trusted in such a way so quickly. I do have some questions though. First, what is to be considered treasonous? Second, is there even a possible heir or successor to the throne to speak of? If not, what is being done about that?"
"Yes, I would like to request your help. Captain Jeorge has taken it upon himself to hunt down our escaped traitors. That leaves you as one very few I know I can trust in this castle. Your task will be to investigate the other soldiers, find out who harbors treasonous intentions, and bring them to me to take care of."
Ariel is silent for a moment as he considers his response carefully, then says, "I am honored to be trusted in such a way so quickly. I do have some questions though. First, what is to be considered treasonous? Second, is there even a possible heir or successor to the throne to speak of? If not, what is being done about that?"
"Since the loss of King Darthraxx, no one has held the throne. I have taken it upon myself to bear this responsibility in light of this absence, but I cannot say who would step forward if I were indisposed. As to your first question, treasonous behavior would be that which works against the best interests of this kingdom, including supporting Lord Ackar or removing our forces in the Ruins."
Ariel is silent for a moment as he considers his response carefully, then says, "I am honored to be trusted in such a way so quickly. I do have some questions though. First, what is to be considered treasonous? Second, is there even a possible heir or successor to the throne to speak of? If not, what is being done about that?"
"Since the loss of King Darthraxx, no one has held the throne. I have taken it upon myself to bear this responsibility in light of this absence, but I cannot say who would step forward if I were indisposed. As to your first question, treasonous behavior would be that which works against the best interests of this kingdom, including supporting Lord Ackar or removing our forces in the Ruins."
