Golden Tears: Paramoure's Heroes
 

Garett sighed as he waited for the servants he had summoned. "You'd think -some- of the servants would be stepping lively today."

"Now now, Garett. It's not like you to get so irritated. It isn't even mid-day yet. Besides, everyone's having it rough right now." The soft voice of the Prince snapped Garrett out of his foul mood.

"My Prince." The Veteran Soldier bowed respectively, "You should be with your brother and sisters."

"I have spent the better part of the morning with them at father's grave..." The Prince stopped, and both men shivered slightly. The King's death was still too fresh for them be comfortable with the idea of burials and graves. "...anyways. We've got alot to do. Have you put forward the word."

"Yes, my Prince. We've sent word through the back channels. Are you sure you wish to go through with this."

Prince Josiah nodded, "I have to. Father's death coinciding with erupting aggression from the remnants to the south, coupled with all the other reports... too many things for his death to be natural or accidental. I won't let the Northern Alliance fall apart."

"But going south.. into the mountains... Even the bravest of men don't dare that road."

"Whoever is behind this is doing so from the Southern Lands. We must answer their challenge by any means necessary. Kresta will lead our armies to Barso's aide. Josiah will keep the kingdom together, and Kylara will keep peace with our neighbors. We must move swiftly towards the enemy before they can prepare for us."

"Very well, Prince Josiah. I can see there is no dissuading you."

Servants began filling the throne room, bringing tables and a variety of food.

Josiah and Garett both watched them as they went about their business. Josiah smirked at Garrett, "See. They came. Just needed some time to fill you enormous request. I hope we have a big enough turnout. Valor save us but that feast is quite plentiful.

"I figure everyone should eat well before the group sets off. Who knows when we'll all be able to rest comfortably again. You should prepare yourself for tomorrow, Prince. I shall brief the adventurers."

Josiah shook his head, "No, Garett. I want to speak with them, if for the first meeting. I know you're worried for my safety. But I can't let fear of further assassination attempts assuade me from being publicly visible, especially to a group of people that will be risking their lives to go with us."

"Very well."

The two continued to discuss amidst each other as the servants busied themselves setting the tables, chairs, goblets of wine and berry juices of various flavors.

The first to arrive was Bishop Sergei, holding his ceremonial staff. His white robe flowing behind him. It seemed as if the servants were preparing a feast, even as guests arrived. He greeted each one he passed with a wave. It was odd that his services were requested for something other then a sermon. Nevertheless he was ready to help.

Sergei looked up at the two men, the Prince and the soldier, discussing something of great importance, something that required his and a few others help. News of the King's assassination sent a great chill down his spine. Never in his life had something so dire caused such a great unease. He could only offer his prayers while he waited for the others to arrive.

The clang of metal on metal fills the forge. Sweat runs down Gabriel's face, his leather apron heavy and his arms tired. He delivers a final blow with his hammer before raising the glowing metal up to admire his work. With a nod, he quenches it in a bucket of water. Steam rises from the bucket for nearly thirty seconds before he pulls out the blade, now formed and nearly ready. He glances out the window, looking to the sun for an indication of time. "Time to go..."
Gabriel puts away all of his equipment, his apron, his hammer, the now finished sword...He leaves the forge-shack, closing and locking the door behind him. He changes his clothes and washes up before departing.

He arrives some time later at the castle, following a guard to his destination. Gabriel enters the room, delighting at the array of food and drink before him, for he has a healthy appetite. He takes a seat near the front and helps himself to a goblet of wine and a chicken leg. He begins eating, at least until the speech starts.

Thaylin entered the room a few moments later, his customary leather cloak open to reveal the simple black clothing he wore beneath. He half smiled as he lightly walked to one of the empty chairs around the table.

"Bishop Sergei and...a muscular man, I'm not particularly familiar with either." The slim young blonde thought as he lifted a goblet of wine and took a small sip, "I suppose former Captain Garret and the Prince know about us all already. But I do wish my sister had more success about in finding out about them."

He mentally shrugged and took another small sip.

Darnalii was in a rush. He was already about two to three minutes late and as he ran he hoped the Prince wasn't like the Assassin Guild Leader who punished people for being seconds late.

He was lost in the castle, he had never seen so many rooms in his life, and was in a room to ask for directions, again, when he noticed that it seemed to be the right one. He saw tables with food and drink. There was even wine! He was stunned and just stood there a moment taking it in.

As he sat down he saw a bishop of Grace, some sort of noble, a smith, the captain of the guard, and the prince.

Garett looked around at those already assembled.

Not many, he sighed to himself, Not that we expected or wanted a whole bunch. Perhaps more shall join us later. We shall see. ]

"Good afternoon everyone. I want to thank you for arriving promptly. As you have no doubt all know, I am.. well.. was.. Captain Garett. I will be joining you on the mission.

I apologize for the lack of details in the summons we sent out. We didn't want to reveal too much to the wrong people."

He lifted a glass of ale, and took a slow sip, "The Prince would like to have a few words with you before we start our meeting."

The Prince nodded and moved to the table, "I too would like to extend my thanks to you for showing up to this summons. I wish to elude any misgiving or misconceptions before we depart. Make no mistake, this mission will not be easy. It won't garner us any glory, fame, or special rewards. Where we are going no eyes will follow us.

I myself have abdicated my right to the throne to undertake this. It will be announced that I have travelled to the Crystal Kingdom for diplomatic purposes with my youngest sister. However, we will be traveling south, across Peril River, through the Mountains of Alis. From there we will go deep into the heart of the Southern lands."

The Prince gave a moment of silence to let the statement sink in. "I know we don't have alot of info on what's in there. But whoever killed my father would have used that route to escape, so that is the way we must pursue.

Before I continue are there any questions?"

Gabriel raises his hand, standing up.
"Two questions. When are we leaving and does this pay?"

Josiah smiled, "We will be leaving tomorrow morning. I have opened our castle's supplies to all of you. If you have need of anything for this journey, ask it of any of my servants. Pack enough to survive, but not too much. We can not afford to make ourselves too over-burdened for this journey.

As to the pay, you will be compensated quite nice for your services. All expenses will be covered on top of this.

Any other questions?"

"So...I take it we're after whoever killed the King." Thaylin said after a moment. "How certain are you that he fled through the mountains?"

Garrett chimed in before the Prince could, "That's classified--"

The Prince raised his hand, stopped the Veteran Soldier, "If we are to trust these people with our lives, they must be able to trust us.

It started out as passing stories by drunk fisherman in the villages along the south bank. Stories of shadowy figures seen on the southern bank of the Peril river. Than a few bodies had turned up at a boat launch. We were investigating the murders when news of my father's death came. By the time I arrived to the castle with my siblings, however, the assassin was gone. The only evidence was someone claiming to have seen a figure fleeing the castle that night by way of the forest.

We don't for sure how far the assassin made it, or if that was even him. But if there's a chance to catch my father's killer we have to move swift. We have not spread word of any of this, so I shall ask you to keep silent what you have just heard. If people find out we have proof he was murdered, panic will spread.

We have to maintain the peace, and make the killer believes he or she has escaped unnoticed. If our true purpose is uncovered, they may go into hiding or worse. There are three villages to the south. We don't want them to become host to a desperate, dangerous assassin."