RP Session 3: "The Diemen Gambit"

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Jul 20, 2025 6:43 am
"No," Pavel said in response to Lan's question.. "We have..." Pavel was about to say 'honour' but swallowed the word before it escaped his mouth. ".. nothing like that," he finished diplomatically.

"Very well, I shall attempt to peer into the future. I won't even charge you for this service. If I did, you'd never be rid of me," he said with a wry smile.

Pavel closed his eyes for a moment, stoking the divine power of his bloodline. He opened his eyes and, when he did, the pale blue of his irises drained away. Back at his shop, he had called on this same power in order to see the ebb and flow of mebhaighl. Then, his blue eyes had seemed to become more pale and a pearlescent sheen had been present. Now, however, the blue was completely gone and his eyes became pools of celestial moonlight.

Pavel remains quiet for perhaps a minute that somehow seems much longer than a mere 60 seconds. And then he blinks and his eyes once again look normal.

"Endeavors to look into the future rarely end with complete certainty. Still, this was an excellent Seeing, as far as auguries go. I have a strong sense that our initial attempt to get past the sentries won't go well but eventually, we will most likely have a positive outcome."
Jul 20, 2025 6:44 am
Lan frowned. Dealing with divination was like playing chess against a mirror. "Then we should change our approach, to make the latter outcome the first. Instead of sweet words, begin with fraudulent magic." He sounded uncertain, though.
Jul 20, 2025 6:45 am
"Hmmm."

Tovrunn's gaze flitted between Pavel, Lancaelad and that empty space between spaces as she considered what was said. "If I were a soldier guarding a road or border, I would look far less kindly on a botched attempt at sorcery than I would a poor wordsmith. A bumbling argument is an easy thing to dismiss as harmless, but a known application of magic with mixed success would surely be seen as an affront worthy of hostility."

"Besides, 'not go well' could mean any number of things," she reminded them, having some experience divining meaning from the stars herself. "Perhaps we will encounter an unexpected roadblock or sentry who is less easily swayed, or our initial arguments bring us partway past this army. Trying to find certainty is a fools errand, and attempting to use our new knowledge of the future will surely change it and render such knowledge moot. Let us stay the course content with the knowledge that, though there will be hurdles, we will likely overcome them."
Jul 20, 2025 6:46 am
Pavel proffered a gentle bow of his head to Tovrunn, indicating his acquiescence. As he did so, he silently wondered if all Rjuven women possessed such blatant wisdom.

The Vos mage apparently had nothing further to say. He positioned himself next to Corson, maintaining a stoic expression on his face. He really was looking forward to seeing the magic of Sirova at work but the group would soon be walking into a dangerous situation and it would be unseemly to appear eager.
Jul 20, 2025 6:47 am
"Very well, my lady." Lancaelad caught himself smiling at the druidess, and forced his expression back to that of a stern man-at-ams. "Let us continue with the plan and trust in your vision, Petranova. Rhoderick, lead the way. I am sure Neserie will forgive a small lie in the service of our great mission."

He snapped the reins and fell in behind the priest, pulling his riding cloak's hood higher and making sure the sackcloth covering his shield was still tied in place.
Jul 20, 2025 6:47 am
Putting the setting sun at their backs the small party rode into the restless no-mans-land. Even the air between the two realms was stilled, as if the elements themselves held their breath through these few tense, liminal miles. A small contingent of Medoerean scouts, lightly armed and atop swift destriers, broke away from the small camp by the gates and rode behind them for a mile or so before breaking off and returning home. Some at least must still be travelling this way for them to pass out of Medoere without question, but entering Diemed would certainly be quite another matter.

As they drew closer at a cautiously nonchalant pace the true scale of the Dieman camp grew clearer. A cohort of the Duke's elite infantry obvious in their imposing plate and mail, a party of Diemen regulars with halberds and bows, and a full cavalry company under a freelance banner. A force no less than six hundred strong if they were at strength, and many of their number veterans, greater in both number and quality than Caerwil's defenders.

The line of the border might be invisible but crossing that imagined barrier was subtly palpable, and within moments a party of riders broke away from the outskirts of the Diemen camp and rode towards them.
Jul 20, 2025 6:48 am
"Remember" Erron's voice was pitched low, just loud enough to carry to his companions "the Duke of Diemed has made no declaration of war. So long as we claim no allegiance to Medoere we should raise no suspicion. No doubt they'll turn us back at first, but they've no reason to assume we're foes."

Glancing to Rhodeick riding at his side his tone became more familiar. "Do not forget the last group that questioned us - they're proud and they're law abiding folk. Don't make your offer sound clandestine. Even Nesire doesn't love you enough to have us chance upon the one corrupt Dieman my friend."
Jul 20, 2025 6:50 am
Pavel gives Rhoderick a parchment that has been folded into quarters. "I will follow your lead," Pavel told the priest. "If you speak the name of any god save Neserie, I will use the scroll's magic," Pavel said. "Unless you prefer to use a different signal?"

"Give whoever appears to be in charge this parchment. To him, it will appear to be a writ of passage. Probably." Pavel stopped a moment to review his list of last minute instructions. "Oh, and be sure to demand its return before a minute elapses."

"That is all."

Pavel returns to his place near Corson and Salien towards the rear of the group.
Jul 20, 2025 6:50 am
Lan watched the horsemen approaching from under the brim of his hood. His jaw clenched anxiously, and the hand not holding the reins slid a little towards the haft of his crow's beak. If this ruse did not succeed, they would appear more suspicious than they actually were... and they could hardly race across all of northern Diemed with half the duke's army on their tails. The entire mission rested on Pavel's skill, Rhoderick's wit and the determination of a chance-met guard officer...
Jul 20, 2025 7:02 am
Corson placed his hand on Salien's arm briefly. "Calm and casual, as if you are visiting a relative."
Jul 20, 2025 7:03 am
Pavel heard Corson's words of reassurance, wondering if they'd have the intended affect on Salien.

The Vos mage gave no outward indication of his discomfort. Having peered into the future, he was confident that, even if the odds were against them, fate was nonetheless on their side.

No, Pavel's discomfort didn't stem from worry. Rather, it was caused by the cold void of awkward silence that always seemed ready to pounce whilst waiting for events to unfold. He supposed the virtue of patience naturally filled that cold void like a warm flame and silently vowed -- not for the first time -- to be more virtuous in the future.

For now, he filled the void with quiet conversation.

"Who knows? Maybe you ARE visiting a relative," Pavel says to Salien. "Wasn't Suirene an Anuirian colony? Did any of your ancestors hail from Anuire or were they all native to Khir-aften el-Arassi?" The Vos mage referred to 'lands under the protection of El-Arassi', which is what the Khinasi people call their homeland when speaking in the Basarji tongue.
Jul 20, 2025 7:04 am
Adalric shook his head as he eyed the approaching soldiers. "There are still very few Basarji in Suirene. Most of my neighbours only speak a few words of the language. Save for the hot winds I think you'd find it very much like this place. Although at home I can go a day without fearing for my life" he added dryly.
Jul 20, 2025 7:08 am
The party of soldiers drew closer in a neat line, their mounts in step, until they were at shouting distance. Then one broke away an held up a hand to stay Salien's entourage. All clad in battle-dull plate mail with a tabard of mustard yellow, the soldier's visor was up revealing a full moustache and eyes whose deep lines spoke of an iron will. "Halt there in the name of Duke Diem and state your business." he commanded in an imperious voice that boomed off the confines of his helm.
Jul 20, 2025 7:09 am
Rhoderick reined in smartly at the soldiers direction. "Well met Ser, Nesirie’s blessings upon you. I am glad to see peace still reigns upon the region. Are the roads closed? We have business in the capital."
Jul 20, 2025 7:09 am
Pulling up a few yards ahead of Rhoderick the soldier took his measure. "Diemed's east remains under military charge." the man confirmed, mouth thinning to a grim, lipless line. "Business in Aerele you say? What business? With whom?"
Jul 20, 2025 7:12 am
"Forgive me Ser, of course the protection of the land must fall upon the stalwart soldiers of Diemed" Rhoderick sat tall in his saddle and nodded respectfully to the man as he spoke.

"We simply travel as a number of our party are from outlands and wish to see the famed Diemed. We have a Lady of the Rjurik, a noble from Suirene, their respective guards and myself as a guide. I am of the temple of Nesirie and so welcome wherever the Lady of Silence is present."
Jul 20, 2025 7:13 am
The captain surveyed the small party as Rhoderick spoke, his moustache slanting to the left as the mouth beneath it twisted in thought. After a moment's consideration he gave a subconscious nod before he spoke. "I'm afraid only those with pressing business are permitted to enter Diemed by this route. You'll find the way north by the Maesil or by sea better suited to reach the capitol, though you should prepare be waylaid a little when debarking if you sail out of Medoere. If your order has friends within the Orthodox Imperial Temple they may secure some dispensation for you."
Jul 20, 2025 7:14 am
"Oh but we have written permission from the Imperial Temple." Rhoderick lowers his voice for just the Captain. "The nobles are paying the Temples for safe passage as we are all neutral. There’s a significant bonus based on time. I have it here."

Rhoderick goes to reach to his belt for the folded paper. "There are bonuses insisted upon by both Temples to reward those border guards as well by all."
Jul 20, 2025 7:15 am
The soldier looked up, surveying Rhoderick's party carefully. Undoubtedly it helped the Nesirite's story that half their number were clearly of distant origin. Putting his knees to his mount's flanks, the captain advanced. Removing his mailed gauntlet he made to reach for the piece of paper but hesitated at the last.

"You'd best come with me" he said simply, giving a hand signal to his cadre.
Jul 20, 2025 7:15 am
Tightening his grip on the reins and grinding his palm against the pommel of his saddle. Peering from under the edge of his hood he scrutinised the captain and his entourage, searching for signs of intent. He was familiar with such men; cavalry officers were a cut above the rank and file, but rarely of noble standing for the most part.
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