DRAGONLORDS: A Call To Vengeance
Preparations (Vladur II)
POV: Vladur Storm fort
Location: Castle Ash mark/ Wendell town
Time: Early afternoon
Immediately after Callista asked you to bring people to Elindor you quickly realize that not just anyone would do. What you both needed were people who would not mind the technological backwardness of the place, be willing to endure hard physical work and above all obey whatever instructions you gave them. To that end you looked for an online gaming group and joined it with the intention of posing the entire Elindor as a game. At first you thought that posing it as 100 realism would give it the attention it deserves but the harsh response quickly reminded you that 100% isn't something that is really known on Earth. That is why when you finally convinced those three fools (four if you add the extra request) to come over and do your work for you, you needed to made sure that you provided them with the equipment you need to work.
Vladur Stormfort
Do you have any way to make this all seem like a game without tipping off this suspicion bunch?
Voice
And here I thought I was done playing backroom tricks to fool young marks.
(She mutters)
You don't have to worry about the set-up and design champion, Just worry about what our marks are going to work with when they get here.
Vladur Stormfort
Don't you have any good working tools?
Voice
This is a fortress not a homestead. Pretty sure the only tools in here are the ones for killing people.
You didn't believe her, so you went checking around the castle only to find it a complete waste of time. To make matters worse unlike the first time you entered, this time only the audience chamber and the dinning room agreed to open for you.
Vladur Stormfort
You have something to do with this?
You could hear the sarcasm in her voice.
Voice
Seriously though did you expect me to leave all of this at your disposal when I don't even know how good a manager you are?
Vladur Stormfort
How do I get them to open?
(You asked stiffly)
Voice
Figure it out.
(She replied and went silent)
You could not help cursing.
Seeing no use in trying to convince that bull, you gathered enough food and water, don on your armor and began to walk ten kilometers for the nearest town.
The town which was called Wendell was a Tinarian (beast folk) city so it was quite normal to see people of all kinds come and transact business despite the war. This made it a bit overcrowded and with that came the terrible smell that was a mixture of salted fish, rotten vegetables, unwashed bodies, horse dung, cow dung, goat dung, people dung and saints knows what else's dung.It was also the only place where you could get a decent price for everything so you paid the entry fee with your last two silvers and immediately headed for one of the more prominent blacksmiths shops.
Gunter
Looking for something young man?
A gruff dwarf called out from the forge without looking at you.
Vladur Stormfort
Nice to see you too Gunter
The dwarf then turned to look at you.
Gunter
Vladur Stormfort? You are alive?
Before you knew what was happening the fat dwarf rushed towards you and wrapped you in a big hug that sent you crashing to the ground.
Gunter
Ha ha ha!!! You just won me a full flagon of ale boy. I knew there was no fucking way you died.
Vladur Stormfort
Still was a close one though.
Gunter
Yeah. Those nasty orcs sure did a number on this town.
He then stood up and pulled you to your feet
Gunter
Speaking of, what brings you to my forge?
Vladur Stormfort
Oh yes! How much would this armor be worth?
Gunter
You want to sell your armor boy?
Vladur Stormfort
Well a Fae got to eat.
Gunter
What happened to all the money you were paid for defending the town?
Vladur Stormfort
I lost it.
Vladur Stormfort
Honey trap.
The dwarf then walked close to you and began touching the armor before nodding his head in satisfaction.
Gunter
This is high quality blood steel boy. You can easily get a hundred gold pieces for it.
Vladur Stormfort
So will you buy it?
Günter simply went into his forge and returned with a bag of gold.
Gunter
Feel free to pay me back whenever you have it.
(He said without emotion and went back to his work)
Vladur Stormfort
What? I can't take this from you Gunther.
Gunter
If you're here to tell me to buy some armor you picked from some battlefield I would have had no problem paying for it, but asking me to buy that peacock feather you've been wearing since I have known you is plain criminal boy. Now take your bags of coins and get out.
You could not help smiling.
Vladur Stormfort
Thank you, Gunther
Gunter
Yeah, yeah, anything else?
Vladur Stormfort
Actually do you have axes and shovels? I will need four of each.
Gunter
Top shelf or middle shelf?
Vladur Stormfort
Bottom shelf
(You said with a smile at his obvious trick)
Gunther went to the rack in his shop and brought out four very poor quality axes and shovels.
Vladur Stormfort
I know I said bottom shelf but isn't this too poor to even be in your shop?
Gunter
The dammed orcs still continue their blockade Vladur. The price of Steel is going higher than a Thessalian whore.
Vladur Stormfort
And the baliff won't do anything about this?
Gunter
He has sent mercenaries after them once.They came back to us in nice folded piles.
Vladur Stormfort
What in the saints did the orcs say their problem was anyway?
Gunter
Do the orcs need a problem for their raids?
Vladur Stormfort
Raids don't last this long Gunter and the orcs are far too impatient to carry out a blockade. What in the saints made them change their minds.
Gunter
Probably because they want the baliff to supply them the things they need to raid human lands.
Vladur Stormfort
And the dwarfs won't do anything about this? I thought this city was under their protection.
Gunter
Old grumkins only care about his war with the elves boy. Anyone who isn't on the front lines can go fuck themselves.
Vladur Stormfort
So we'll be getting shit iron like this for the rest of the year?
Gunter
Only till the orcs grow board and go home and something tells me that's what the baliff is aiming for. But then again baliffs, kings wars and thrones are problems for people for above my station.
You watch intently as he ties your shovel in a thick leather bag and you fish out a gold coin and give it to him. Minutes later he returns with your change and you stuff it into your pockets without bothering to count.
Gunter
Ride back home safely and try to watch out for outlaws
You replied as you walked out of the shop.
You then went to the carpenter's shop where you made sure to buy a large wagon that could be used to carry trees as well as two donkeys that could pull them. Feeling prepared you gathered the items you have bought into the wagon and began the long journey back to Ashmark.
Voice
You never told me you were friends with a blacksmith.
Calista's annoying voice said
Vladur Stormfort
How long have you been awake?
Voice
Long enough. Are you going to tell me how you knew a dwarf?
Vladur Stormfort
Can't you just read my memories?
Voice
Your memories are a pile of trash champion.
(She said bluntly)
It will take me no less than two years to shift through all your nonsense in your head and get to the one I need. So will you tell me?
Vladur Stormfort
Gunter had a daughter who got missing during the last orcish raid. Everyone had thought she was dead but I spent 3 days into the mountains looking for her. In the end I found her in some cave almost at the brink of death and I rushed her back to town quickly enough to save her life. Since then he had been partial towards me.
Voice
Boringgggg though I suppose you mortals are always so sentimental.
You wanted to ask her what she meant by that but a group of men on the road put paid to your thoughts.
Bandit leader
Greetings kind sir, it is our deepest regret to inform you that their is now a toll for using this road and everyone is expected to pay.
Vladur Stormfort
And let me guess you are the toll takers?
(You asked sarcastically)
The road has been abandoned for over thirty years chief, why would you take tolls on an abandoned road?
The bandit leader simply shrugged
Vladur Stormfort
If you are looking for coin I have nothing much to offer you.
Bandit leader
We will just take the donkeys then.
Vladur Stormfort
And if I refuse?
Bandit
That would be unfortunate.
For you.
A second voice sounded and seven well armed men emerged from behind you. Not liking these odds you quickly draw your blade.
Voice
Are you ready for a new trick my champion?
Vladur Stormfort
(You cannot believe how happy you are to hear her voice)
What do I need to do?
Voice
When I give the signal give these simpletons a humiliating command.
Vladur Stormfort
I understand wanting to rob an unarmed man but I am a trained mercenary and a Fae. Are you sure you want to do this?
Bandit leader
There are fifteen of us and only one of you. You are completely outnumbered.
Vladur Stormfort
That's true but with my skills and experience, you all are completely out matched.
Vladur Stormfort
Grovel
(You command in a voice packed with bane energy)
To your great surprise as soon as those words left your mouth the lead bandit began crying and squirming on the ground.
Bandit
What are you doing glazer? Get the fuc.....
Before he could complete that statement, you swiftly threw your dagger at his neck and then rushed at the one kneeling and took off his head in a single swing, then you pivoted and stabbed another one of them in the neck. This forced the other outlaws to take notice and they quickly backed away while drawing out their clubs and daggers. Taking advantage of the space you quickly unlatched your shield from your back and held it out in a defensive stance. A few seconds later, you felt Calista's power running through you and both of your weapons became coated in a bright golden flame.
Bandit leader
Wait a moment, are you the Fae mercenary that fought the orcs?
You simply nodded while keeping your eyes on them.
Bandit leader
Well then, let's not be ungrateful.
(He turned to his men)
Clear the way boys.
One by one the bandits reluctantly stepped to side to allow you, your cart and your donkeys to pass. On your way going your sharp ears quickly picked up a conversation between the bandit leader and one of his subordinates.
Bandit
Drazer are you sure we should have allowed him to go?
Those were very good looking donkeys and we could have gotten at least 100 copper crowns for them.
Bandit leader
Did you see the remains of the orcs who attacked him during the orchis raid Motch?
Bandit leader
Of course you didn't. There was nothing left of them Motch. That holy fire of his burnt them all to ash. Do you want to end up like that?
You could not help smiling to yourself.
Vladur Stormfort
Do you think the players will be safe if the situation continues like this?
Voice
Could go either ways if you ask me.
Voice
If the orcs are gone before the players arrive then the bandit situation would likely improve and the players would have more room to grow.
Vladur Stormfort
And if not?
Voice
Then I will just have to make things interesting.
(She said with glee)
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