Suukou Kaigi 1107

Dispatches from Alexandria.

Prelate,

As I have been away I am uncertain who has been made Captain following our losses at Polgooth and so I submit this to you to be passed on to whoever needs to see it.

Sergeant Wood and I arrived at Alexandria late afternoon on the Friday and set camp. We met with the Lord Protector who requested our presence in his honour guard for the first meeting with the Imperial Court. The meeting seemed brief and I do not believe he was permitted to meet with the Empress herself, though the leaders of other nations had done so. Whilst we waited outside camp we were approached by an old friend of mine, and someone who was almost in the 1106 graduating class, Robert Drake. He had been off travelling on unofficial business for Gunn and happened to be at the council.

Sergeant Wood granted me permission to go to the tavern with him and bring him up to speed on events in Albion, as he was entirely unaware. We met with members of other nations and some of the mercenary groups as well, and told all we could of the troubles Albion is suffering and our desperate need for allies. Rob and I held an impromptu wake, as he was a good friend of my brothers, who perished defending Cornwall (though not at Polgooth). We made our way back to camp and came across a corpse in the road, just yards from the gate of the Fir Cruthen camp. She was dressed as one of theirs, and we could not believe she had been killed so close to safety. Robert went ahead to fetch help moving her remains and to alert her comrades, and when he was but 10 yards from me I was struck by someone concealed in the darkness with a poisoned blade. Thankfully a healer who seemed associated with the Algaia (but most unusual in dress and manner) was nearby and he healed me and assisted in retrieving the young lady and alerting her camp. It became apparent that people alone on the roads were being attacked, and Imperial patrols suggested that we travel in two or more, adding that they would attack anyone alone on sight, assuming them to be assassins.

We returned to our camp to discover that Lord Silver had visited and had words with the Lord Protector and the Silver Lance. He claims to have one of the five fingers of the Lance needed to re-cage the demon. (I trust the Prelate needs no re-hash of the background to this tale, I am happy to provide one in person for new recruits or those unaware when we rejoin the command unit at the Fayre). Needless to say no deal was struck, and he left. We spent the rest of the night assisting the gate guard and improving the relations of the Arcane Tempest with the rest of the Lions. The Sergeant was also moving between our camp and the tavern and other camps, engaged in similar diplomacy.

The next morning we held parliament and discussed plans of action. The Lord Protector requested an honour guard to help deliver gifts to the Empress later in the day. It also became apparent that there had been two groups of attackers on the road, assassins and Illusionist Invaders, replete with their arcane tattoos. The morning passed quietly with many visitors to camp, all wanting to hear about Lord Silver. Little did we know at the time that the Steppe Alliance were to twist events to make it seem he came at our invitation and that we treated with him!

In the meantime, our gifts were refused and we lost face with the Empress. The Lord Protector is not certain when she started to be displeased with him, but by mid afternoon the situation was very dire- it seems she holds us responsible for the presence of the Illusionists.

This despite the fact that our virtually undefended camp (the others being out on patrol (monstering!)) was attacked by over 40 of them and Robert and I owe our lives Hwwr’Crrd (I’m not sure how to spell his name!) of the Covenant and Duke Roger of Oxford.

Then an Imperial officer came to camp and accused us of having undead with us and cutting deals with them. The Lord Protector was marched off and forced to explain himself. The rumours generated by the Steppe Alliance had worked. We were sent out to meet with friends and allies in other camps and factions to explain what had really happened and to unmuddy the waters. The Arcane Tempest were meeting with the Vipers head ritualist, to explain and to seek his assistance with the Demon and Lord Silver, when we were summoned to the Tavern. The Lord Protector had left the meeting with the Court and feared for his life! Relations had become so bad that he feared he would be killed by the Imperials if he met them on their ground, and so we escorted him back to camp where he remained for the rest of our time in Alexandria.

The rest of the day was taken up with discussing the problem of Silver and the Demon and making trips to other camps to escort ambassadors (by now the Imperials were insisting on groups of four or more) to and from our camp, and holding meetings with them.

We were dispatched back to the Vipers and the HeiRavni to bring them back to camp and on or return we discovered a commotion; despite ongoing diplomatic efforts throughout the day, the Algaia were holding some sort of rite to curse the Silver Lance, and death-curse the Lord Protector. They have declared him dead to them, and acknowledge the Duke of Oxford as our faction leader. They held a wake for him and mourned his passing! Lord Hart has since assured the Lions that the Algaia will stand with them against the Invaders and against Silver and the Demon, but he cannot countenance the Silver Lance or the Cardinal for holding civil words with him. The Lord Protector has asked us not to argue with Algaia who speak of him as being dead, and humour their requests to deal only with Duke Roger, for the sake of further rifts between us.

The Sergeant spent the night patrolling with some of the Covenant and the Northolt Cavalry. I believe she distinguished herself in combat during this and received commendations.

The Vipers gave good advice and promises of further assistance with the Demon. The HeiRavni seem to be promising allies. The Fir Cruthen feel nothing has changed and they stand with us against the Illusionists. The Wolves also feel nothing has changed and would have done as we did regarding Silver. We were almost drunk dry by a ‘social’ visit from Bloodgor! The Steppe Alliance betrayed us. The Jhereg appear to have used the situation to their advantage and declared that at present relations between our factions are very poor. They intend to count us as ‘mercenaries’ at the Fayre, and not allow us our own camp. The Fir Cruthen have said we can share theirs! The night saw no further attacks on our camp. In the morning, diplomatic negotiations continued, principally with the Algaia to try to repair any damage we could. The Covenant have been most useful in this regard, having strong links with some of the High Elves. The camp was again attacked by illusionists, they were seen off by but a few of us with no serious casualties.

We discovered from allies that the factions favoured by the Imperials (not us!) have been granted by them trading rights and also the chance to learn from their artisans and mages. We have been instructed by the Lord Protector to speak with our allies and try to secure such knowledge and skills from them where we can so as not be at disadvantage.

We also learned a bit more about the invaders, which I shall explain in person at Fayre, preferring not to trust such information to this format.

One other event over the weekend was the interviewing for command posts within the Army and diplomatic corps. We confirmed the Prelate’s wish to become Head Ritualist and I believe there are Lions members wanting to discuss rites with her. Sergeant Wood has put herself forward as Chief Corporealist, though we await the Lord Protectors final decision.

I hope that Robert and myself now have ‘friends’ in other factions, and a reputation with the Lord Protector as people who can be discrete and relied upon in delicate situations. The Sergeant distinguished herself in battle.

Anything further I will add in person at the great Fayre. I believe the Sergeant is returning home to Albion, but Robert plans to re-enlist and try for the unit once more, given the losses we have suffered, and to avenge his friends and my Brothers, so we will meet you there in Jhereg lands.

Mage Adept Emily Tregarn
Lions Camp
Alexandria
Spring 1107