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Messages - jussr

51
[Maybe two hours?  Karlach will be having the group stay the night, in any case.]
52
Astra would be thrilled to get a dishonorable discharge and be allowed to leave the entire army early lol
53
"Uh, sirs, ma'am?" a voice interrupts, as Astra ducks her head inside the tent.  When Karlach motions her inside, she eyes Pepper hesitantly for a moment, but then continues.  "That's the tents all set up.  You said I could talk to you after, sir?"

"Proceed, Soldier," Karlach replies.

"Right," Astra says, half to herself, then nods firmly.  "Sir, I'm sorry and I don't mean to cause no trouble, but... I can't serve under no undead.  Not an unbound one, anyways."

Karlach blinks at her for a long moment.  "An undead," he states finally.  "What in Khyber are you talking about, girl?"

"I knew it was all bullshit, him saying people knew!" Astra exclaims, then as Karlach raises an unimpressed eyebrow at her, hurriedly adds, "Uh, sir.  Sorry, sir.  Corporal Valenae, sir, he's a vampire.  And he acted like he wanted to drink my blood," she adds with a scowl.

"Soldier, I have arrived here not two hours past, and certainly have not had the opportunity to review your files," Karlach says with a sigh.  "If the army has accepted an - eladrin vampire, then we have our reasons."  He appears somewhat unsure on this point, but continues nevertheless.  "And I highly doubt he has been able to keep such a thing hidden.  It is not for you to question who has been placed in command over you, mmm?  That said - if you are so determined on the matter, then leave."

"Uh - what?" Astra asks uncertainly.

"If you do not wish to serve Karrnath, then go," he repeats, reaching inside his satchel for a writing case, which he opens and takes out a sheet of paper, ink, and pen, starting to write.  "I will provide a transfer back to your previous assignment."

Astra is silent for a long, long moment; Karlach finishes writing and holds the paper out to her, raising an eyebrow.

"Right," she repeats, taking it.  "I'll just - yeah.  I'll do that."  She goes to duck out of the tent again, then hesitates.

Karlach rolls his eyes slightly, then waves her off.  "Dismissed, Soldier."

"Thank you, sir," she replies, voice a little softer than usual, then disappears out the tent flap into the night.

"Now," says Karlach, once Astra is gone.  "Where were we?  Ah, yes; you were about to tell me of this vampire under my command who may view his subordinates as provisions, yes, Captain?"
54
Hey guys, will get to posting later - have to see doctor and pharmacist and then go vote in this stupid referendum today!
55
Karlach's attention snaps back to Olegov.  "You are positive, Captain?" he asks.  "Followers only, or Thranians themselves?"
56
"Sergeant, what did you make of those who attacked you earlier this day?" Karlach asks as Olegov ponders, clearing the map off the little table to make room for the food and pulling from his bag a plate, knife, and fork of plain, sturdy metal, as suited for travel as the glasses were not.
57
"By their accents, they were not from Karrn. They were well-armed, disciplined, and religious. They did address each other by name... Atrelioth... Zoder... Tarravan... though they could be code-names. Also, beyond our own king's interest in the artifact, and the purported rebel faction, a death cult has interest in the artifact as well, so they said."

"Foreign agents operating on Karrnathi soil and attacking our soldiers?"  Karlach's voice is a hiss; he leans forward, gazing at Olegov intently.  "Their accents, Captain, their religious beliefs.  What did you recognise or note that might help us divine their allegiances?"
58
Silently, Karlach opens and pours the wine as he considers this, passing one over to Olegov.  "And the identity of your captors?" he asks finally, sipping his drink.  "We will certainly pay no heed to baseless rumours that give insult to a fine general and nobleman, but I expect I hardly need say how alarming it would prove to be, were there even the smallest grain of truth to such an accusation."

[History check for whether Karlach has heard any rumours of this sort before in his career/social circle: 13+11=24]
59
"A rumor?" Karlach asks.  He pulls a half-sized bottle of wine from his satchel, along with a box which proves to contain two thick crystal tumblers, well-protected by padding.  Holding up the bottle, he raises an eyebrow at Olegov in silent question.
60
"I do not," Karlach replies, smiling briefly as though amused.  "And you, Captain Olegov?  Do you have... qualms about our mission?  As my second in this, I do hope you will feel free to come to me with any concerns."
61
"Artifact," Karlach states as he sits down near the central fire on a stool come from gods know where.  He gestures Olegov towards the second one and retrieves a rolled case from his satchel, pulling forth a map of Karrnath which he folds and then rests upon the small sidetable between the two seats.  "And what do we know of this artifact?"
62
When the wagon is out of earshot, I ask Karlach, "Sir, have you been briefed on our mission?"
"I have not," Karlach replies, then nods over to where Astra has his tall, rounded tent set up, smoke issuing from a hole in the centre of the roof.  "Join me," he invites as he takes his satchel down from his horse, then with a glance at Pepper, adds, "We will be remaining here for the night, Sergeant Palatinate; I trust you can handle acquiring game for our repast?"  Without waiting for a reply, he executes a neat turn and heads into his tent.
63
Your weapons are all there.  The only thing missing is Val's highwayman getup.
[Oh, Astra got her sword back too when she went over there before.]
64
"Captain," Karlach says sharply, drawing Olegov's attention.  "The elf, if you please."
65
Karlach shakes his head, then asks again, "The elf?"

66
Astra's setting up Karlach's tent (and the other two) outside!  Probably off to the east or west a bit, at a good distance from the burning building so they don't catch from any stray sparks.  And he's up by the fence walling off the lightning rail line.

eta:  Okay.  I think based on statements/implications, Astra is doing the tent thing, Karlach is with Olegov and Mari over closer to the building, the innkeeper is with the drovers who may or may not have left yet (hoping not, because Astra has some questions for the innkeeper about the other group Tarravan's people killed), and Pepper is with the animals and Val in the barn, the latter of whom is doing his eladrin trance thing.  That sound about right to everyone?  Karlach could call Pepper out to join them once he knows who she is.
67
"That is correct," I say, before lowering my voice, "though I suspect it was only to rid himself of its presence. Still, orders are orders. And the spirit has proven itself useful."
Karlach looks vaguely annoyed.  "Very well," he says.  "I assume the elf and the girl are with us as well?"

"Soldier Astra, sir," Astra volunteers, stepping forward.  "Of Atur."

"And do you require rest as well before you may assist me, Soldier?" Karlach inquires.

"No sir," Astra says, then hesitates.  "But - can I speak to you, sir?  Before we keep on?"

"Set up what tents you four have, as well as the one in my left saddlebag - leave the satchel on the right to me - and build a fire," Karlach orders.  "You may come see me afterwards."

"Sir," Astra acknowledges, sounding vaguely disgruntled, but goes to start setting up his tent readily enough.

Karlach shakes his head, then asks again, "The elf?"
68
Karlach narrows his eyes, looking to Olegov.  "The ghost is here on the general's orders, Captain?" he confirms.
69
"Ghost," he growls warningly.  "I prefer my life orderly, and my relationships and dealings well-defined.  I do not operate on trust.  My soldiers know their place and what commands they are expected to follow, and I know the same when it comes to my own superiors.  You fall outside this structure.  If I am to tolerate you accompanying my unit, then by the Five Nations, I will have you bind yourself not to put my men and women, my king, or my country at risk."
70
Karlach narrows his eyes at Mari.  "You refuse the bargain, then?"
71

"Doing a friend a favour," I reply. "Also, I was bored."

"Mmm," Karlach replies, then continues in a light, pleasant tone.  "A bargain, then, ghost; so long as you do not endanger this mission, or act against Karrnath and its king while we remain in company - and so long as you can obey my reasonable orders in battle, if need be - I will indulge your continued presence, and make no attempts to see you banished to the Shadowfell when next we pass by Lake Dark."

[Intimidate: 12+13=25]
72
"Well, sort of?" I reply. "In the sense that I'm coming along, yes. In the sense that I take orders from you, no. Think of me as an...independent consultant, maybe."
"And why have you - attached yourself to this group?" Karlach asks, seemingly curious.
73
"Yes, I am aware of the general theory," Karlach replies, raising an eyebrow at Mari.  "That does not explain your presence here.  Or are you to be one of my soldiers?"
74
"Command accepted, Captain," Karlach replies.  He waits expectantly for a moment before prompting, "The ghost?"
75
Updated the reference thread.