"Mm." Daniel pauses. "I'll do it. Be ready to fight if we need to."
The human soldier on the wall sees Daniel stepping forward. "State your business!" he repeats.
"This fortress lies within the territory of the Lion Kingdom and therefore belongs to it!" Daniel calls. "I was not aware someone had moved into this ancient place."
OOC: Since it's inside the Lion Knights territory, Lord Urbien wanted to retake it so that they can use its defensive properties. He sent the soldiers to fortify it and the servants to start getting it back into proper shape. He did not know that all these people were here already.
The human soldier on the wall sees Daniel stepping forward. "State your business!" he repeats.
"This fortress lies within the territory of the Lion Kingdom and therefore belongs to it!" Daniel calls. "I was not aware someone had moved into this ancient place."
The human soldier leaves. Returning several minutes later, he calls out. "The ladies and lord of the castle wish to speak with you. You may bring with you five companions." The gate slowly begins to creak open.
OOC: For your companions, I would recommend Sir Lucas, Azril and Ivor as bodyguards, Liam Black, and Goatie (assuming Goatie is willing). 𝓐𝔯𝔡𝔢𝔫𝔱 𝓕𝔬𝔲𝔯
"This fortress lies within the territory of the Lion Kingdom and therefore belongs to it!" Daniel calls. "I was not aware someone had moved into this ancient place."
The human soldier leaves. Returning several minutes later, he calls out. "The ladies and lord of the castle wish to speak with you. You may bring with you five companions." The gate slowly begins to creak open.
OOC: For your companions, I would recommend Sir Lucas, Azril and Ivor as bodyguards, Liam Black, and Goatie (assuming Goatie is willing). 𝓐𝔯𝔡𝔢𝔫𝔱 𝓕𝔬𝔲𝔯
A little way off, Goatie broke off from watching Jednook rummaging in a pile of rubble to see that something was going on over at the Fortress. He took a handful off dirt and what looked like coal dust; he mixed these together and rubbed it onto his face. Goatie didn't want the Fortress inhabitants to recognize him - which also meant he would have to leave Jednook, as the griffin would be unmissable.
'Stay here, boy,' Goatie said to his steed. 'I need to go back. I may need to go in.'
Jednook looked up from his scrabbling and gave a sad bird whine. However, he remained where he was while his master returned to the Lion Knights.
The human soldier leaves. Returning several minutes later, he calls out. "The ladies and lord of the castle wish to speak with you. You may bring with you five companions." The gate slowly begins to creak open.
OOC: For your companions, I would recommend Sir Lucas, Azril and Ivor as bodyguards, Liam Black, and Goatie (assuming Goatie is willing). 𝓐𝔯𝔡𝔢𝔫𝔱 𝓕𝔬𝔲𝔯
A little way off, Goatie broke off from watching Jednook rummaging in a pile of rubble to see that something was going on over at the Fortress. He took a handful off dirt and what looked like coal dust; he mixed these together and rubbed it onto his face. Goatie didn't want the Fortress inhabitants to recognize him - which also meant he would have to leave Jednook, as the griffin would be unmissable.
'Stay here, boy,' Goatie said to his steed. 'I need to go back. I may need to go in.'
Jednook looked up from his scrabbling and gave a sad bird whine. However, he remained where he was while his master returned to the Lion Knights.
Lord Daniel chooses Sir Lucas, Azril, Ivor, and Liam Black to accompany him. When Goatie approaches, the young lord asks him, "Sir, would you be willing to join us into the fortress? We may need someone who's been inside before."
A little way off, Goatie broke off from watching Jednook rummaging in a pile of rubble to see that something was going on over at the Fortress. He took a handful off dirt and what looked like coal dust; he mixed these together and rubbed it onto his face. Goatie didn't want the Fortress inhabitants to recognize him - which also meant he would have to leave Jednook, as the griffin would be unmissable.
'Stay here, boy,' Goatie said to his steed. 'I need to go back. I may need to go in.'
Jednook looked up from his scrabbling and gave a sad bird whine. However, he remained where he was while his master returned to the Lion Knights.
Lord Daniel chooses Sir Lucas, Azril, Ivor, and Liam Black to accompany him. When Goatie approaches, the young lord asks him, "Sir, would you be willing to join us into the fortress? We may need someone who's been inside before."
Goatie surprises a few with his dirt-smeared face.
He nods. 'I'll come. I thought you might ask. However, if I may borrow this . . . ' He points at a leather coif a Lion soldier is wearing; it is given to him; he puts it on. 'I want not to be recognized, if that makes any sense.'
Lord Daniel chooses Sir Lucas, Azril, Ivor, and Liam Black to accompany him. When Goatie approaches, the young lord asks him, "Sir, would you be willing to join us into the fortress? We may need someone who's been inside before."
Goatie surprises a few with his dirt-smeared face.
He nods. 'I'll come. I thought you might ask. However, if I may borrow this . . . ' He points at a leather coif a Lion soldier is wearing; it is given to him; he puts it on. 'I want not to be recognized, if that makes any sense.'
"Naturally." Daniel nods, then strides purposely to the open gate with the group.
Goatie surprises a few with his dirt-smeared face.
He nods. 'I'll come. I thought you might ask. However, if I may borrow this . . . ' He points at a leather coif a Lion soldier is wearing; it is given to him; he puts it on. 'I want not to be recognized, if that makes any sense.'
"Naturally." Daniel nods, then strides purposely to the open gate with the group.
They enter and are brought to a large open room. It looks to have been recently refurbished after a long period of neglect. In the center is a table at which sit three people: A somber older human woman dressed all in black, a suave human man in black and white with the image of a unicorn's head on his shoulder, and a young human woman in dark blue.
Sir Lucas recognizes the first two, Duchess Rietta of Seebring and lord Eldarion Cyril, as two of the Zweihand leaders who visited the Lion Knights before the Xain Invasion and lent their aid. He notices that the Duchess's husband, Lord Ulrich von Zweihand is missing.
"Welcome, knights of the Lion Kingdom," says Duchess Rietta. Motioning to Lord Daniel and Sir Lucas, she adds, "Please, sit with us. I am told you have concerns regarding the current status of Latter Zweihand."
"Naturally." Daniel nods, then strides purposely to the open gate with the group.
They enter and are brought to a large open room. It looks to have been recently refurbished after a long period of neglect. In the center is a table at which sit three people: A somber older human woman dressed all in black, a suave human man in black and white with the image of a unicorn's head on his shoulder, and a young human woman in dark blue.
Sir Lucas recognizes the first two, Duchess Rietta of Seebring and lord Eldarion Cyril, as two of the Zweihand leaders who visited the Lion Knights before the Xain Invasion and lent their aid. He notices that the Duchess's husband, Lord Ulrich von Zweihand is missing.
"Welcome, knights of the Lion Kingdom," says Duchess Rietta. Motioning to Lord Daniel and Sir Lucas, she adds, "Please, sit with us. I am told you have concerns regarding the current status of Latter Zweihand."
Meanwhile, outside, Jednook can heard but not seen, digging in the rubble pile not far from the Fortress entrance. The noise slowly dies away.
"Naturally." Daniel nods, then strides purposely to the open gate with the group.
They enter and are brought to a large open room. It looks to have been recently refurbished after a long period of neglect. In the center is a table at which sit three people: A somber older human woman dressed all in black, a suave human man in black and white with the image of a unicorn's head on his shoulder, and a young human woman in dark blue.
Sir Lucas recognizes the first two, Duchess Rietta of Seebring and lord Eldarion Cyril, as two of the Zweihand leaders who visited the Lion Knights before the Xain Invasion and lent their aid. He notices that the Duchess's husband, Lord Ulrich von Zweihand is missing.
"Welcome, knights of the Lion Kingdom," says Duchess Rietta. Motioning to Lord Daniel and Sir Lucas, she adds, "Please, sit with us. I am told you have concerns regarding the current status of Latter Zweihand."
"Erm-- yes." Lord Daniel replies slowly, "This fortress is within the reign of the Lion Kingdom. Up until recently we had believed this place to be abandoned. I admit I am at a loss--" He gestures to them. "--as to how this colony of people have moved in."
They enter and are brought to a large open room. It looks to have been recently refurbished after a long period of neglect. In the center is a table at which sit three people: A somber older human woman dressed all in black, a suave human man in black and white with the image of a unicorn's head on his shoulder, and a young human woman in dark blue.
Sir Lucas recognizes the first two, Duchess Rietta of Seebring and lord Eldarion Cyril, as two of the Zweihand leaders who visited the Lion Knights before the Xain Invasion and lent their aid. He notices that the Duchess's husband, Lord Ulrich von Zweihand is missing.
"Welcome, knights of the Lion Kingdom," says Duchess Rietta. Motioning to Lord Daniel and Sir Lucas, she adds, "Please, sit with us. I am told you have concerns regarding the current status of Latter Zweihand."
"Erm-- yes." Lord Daniel replies slowly, "This fortress is within the reign of the Lion Kingdom. Up until recently we had believed this place to be abandoned. I admit I am at a loss--" He gestures to them. "--as to how this colony of people have moved in."
"At a loss," repeats the younger woman, who Daniel can assume to be Lady Alinor. "Are you really? Your kingdom hasn't taken an interest in this place in centuries. It was run by orcish tribes, their own independent little kingdom. The last representatives of the Southern Kingdoms to visit were Shadow Warriors. They drove those orcs out, and for a time it was abandoned once again. But your war against the foreigners left much undone. Throughout the Great Forest and further north, refugees scramble for places to live, many displaced by surviving Xain soldiers allied with other humans of the north. Some of those refugees made it south, and I -- not any of the Southern Kingdoms -- offered them a home here. The Zweihanders, too, were lost, before they joined their cause to mine. Tell me: What claim does the Lion Kingdom have to the House of Bones save the memory of a thousand-year-old partition?"
"What she means to say is this," adds Duchess Rietta, "We have all worked tirelessly to make this a safe place for all who live here. Your arrival here suggests a threat to this safety. I, for one, am willing to renew my late husband's partnership with your kingdom, but only if assurances are provided that the sanctuary of this place is not violated."
"Erm-- yes." Lord Daniel replies slowly, "This fortress is within the reign of the Lion Kingdom. Up until recently we had believed this place to be abandoned. I admit I am at a loss--" He gestures to them. "--as to how this colony of people have moved in."
"At a loss," repeats the younger woman, who Daniel can assume to be Lady Alinor. "Are you really? Your kingdom hasn't taken an interest in this place in centuries. It was run by orcish tribes, their own independent little kingdom. The last representatives of the Southern Kingdoms to visit were Shadow Warriors. They drove those orcs out, and for a time it was abandoned once again. But your war against the foreigners left much undone. Throughout the Great Forest and further north, refugees scramble for places to live, many displaced by surviving Xain soldiers allied with other humans of the north. Some of those refugees made it south, and I -- not any of the Southern Kingdoms -- offered them a home here. The Zweihanders, too, were lost, before they joined their cause to mine. Tell me: What claim does the Lion Kingdom have to the House of Bones save the memory of a thousand-year-old partition?"
"What she means to say is this," adds Duchess Rietta, "We have all worked tirelessly to make this a safe place for all who live here. Your arrival here suggests a threat to this safety. I, for one, am willing to renew my late husband's partnership with your kingdom, but only if assurances are provided that the sanctuary of this place is not violated."
(OOC: I'm feeling glad I reviewed the whole Lion Knights HQ history, because I was about to make Daniel go way out of character. xD)
Daniel, having little patience for diplomacy, sputters, "Well-- this place still belongs to the Lion Kingdom. Surely we can't have a bunch of random people living here!" He turns to his companions. "Right?"
"At a loss," repeats the younger woman, who Daniel can assume to be Lady Alinor. "Are you really? Your kingdom hasn't taken an interest in this place in centuries. It was run by orcish tribes, their own independent little kingdom. The last representatives of the Southern Kingdoms to visit were Shadow Warriors. They drove those orcs out, and for a time it was abandoned once again. But your war against the foreigners left much undone. Throughout the Great Forest and further north, refugees scramble for places to live, many displaced by surviving Xain soldiers allied with other humans of the north. Some of those refugees made it south, and I -- not any of the Southern Kingdoms -- offered them a home here. The Zweihanders, too, were lost, before they joined their cause to mine. Tell me: What claim does the Lion Kingdom have to the House of Bones save the memory of a thousand-year-old partition?"
"What she means to say is this," adds Duchess Rietta, "We have all worked tirelessly to make this a safe place for all who live here. Your arrival here suggests a threat to this safety. I, for one, am willing to renew my late husband's partnership with your kingdom, but only if assurances are provided that the sanctuary of this place is not violated."
(OOC: I'm feeling glad I reviewed the whole Lion Knights HQ history, because I was about to make Daniel go way out of character. xD)
Daniel, having little patience for diplomacy, sputters, "Well-- this place still belongs to the Lion Kingdom. Surely we can't have a bunch of random people living here!" He turns to his companions. "Right?"
OOC: You still control Lucas and Azril, so their reactions are up to you.
Ivor and Liam do not respond.
"Where would you have them go?" Alinor asks quietly.
(OOC: I'm feeling glad I reviewed the whole Lion Knights HQ history, because I was about to make Daniel go way out of character. xD)
Daniel, having little patience for diplomacy, sputters, "Well-- this place still belongs to the Lion Kingdom. Surely we can't have a bunch of random people living here!" He turns to his companions. "Right?"
OOC: You still control Lucas and Azril, so their reactions are up to you.
Ivor and Liam do not respond.
"Where would you have them go?" Alinor asks quietly.
Goatie bows his head to hide his face, his gaze flickering from Ivor to Liam to Lucas and Azril, not sure what to say. He isn't a Lion member after all; however, he will play along as one, however his companions reply to their leader.
Goatie bows his head to hide his face, his gaze flickering from Ivor to Liam to Lucas and Azril, not sure what to say. He isn't a Lion member after all; however, he will play along as one, however his companions reply to their leader.
OOC: Cool.
Lucas intervenes. "Now, hold on... I am sure some sort of agreement can be worked out. Especially considering this fortress is not incredibly important to our needs." Daniel flashes an irritated look at him, but says nothing. Lucas goes on. "I am sure the leaders will be willing to let you and your people stay here, after all you've gone through... hopefully, there will be no need for disturbing the colony."
![[fp]](http://storage.proboards.com/6672327/images/yamKZdHWoZgp0OafczAT.png)
Thanks. 
![[y]](http://storage.proboards.com/6672327/images/WYWPH2VRo26pOFDid7QZ.png)