Chapter 2: The Mission

[tibbius]

After a good night's sleep and some tender goodbyes fill in the details please they set out toward the recently risen sun. The grassy ground rolled over low coastal hills with a general slope gradually upward toward the mountains that stood south of Aegium. It was late spring and the winter rains were done, but the summer drought had not yet set in. The grass and low bushes were green and the dark-leafed olive trees were in their pale flowers. The sunlight glowed on the land.

Eolas was silent as they walked the goat trails near the feet of the mountains. His face was stern and he thumped his staff firmly down at each step. It was obvious that he did not welcome their company on the trip back to Temeni.

The journey was about an hour walking in sandals and they arrived in the neighboring village/kingdom before mid-morning. All about the outskirts of the village scores of women and men and children were at work weeding their vegetable patches. None of you are farmers, but all of you can recognize that the patches are sparser than those of Aegium. Eolas led them to a rubble-stone building wider and newer-looking than the rest. An old man sat on a bench next to the tall doorway of the building, leaning his bald head against the wall. His eyes were closed.

"King Xantho?" said Eolas tentatively. After a few moments: "Xantho!" The old man opened his eyes and sat up.

"Eolas," he said wearily. "Who are these? Do they come as guests? What is your answer from Aegium?"

"They do come as guests," said Eolas grudgingly. "I hope they bring the answer that I did not get directly from Aegium. This is Bran, a friend of Aegium. This is Marcus, his champion. The other three I am not sure. I let them speak for themselves."

Xantho squinted penetratingly at each of them. "We have sent our messenger to Alec king of Aegium," he said sternly. "An apology and gifts are due us for his hosting the lycanthropes, our enemies. I do not see gifts upon you. Do you at least bring an apology?" apology: a regretful acknowledgment of an offense or failure OR a reasoned argument in justification of something - your choice! Or you could give nothing, as King Alec instructed.

[rossik]

"Im Alexander, the librarian. My knowledge is at our service" speaks Alexander, with a measure.

He spent his previous moments trying to study the best he could about the objectives of his journey

[cybersavant]

Andrew


"I am Andrew; part of a visiting delegation from Delos, perusing the library at Aegium. It is good to experience other lands." Andrew bows his head slightly to the King.

[Mr Stereo1]

After receiving Alec's summons from Bran, Marcus made his new mission known to his family. His father, still at work, nodded grimly at the news of looming conflict, while his son and nephew were just awed as young boys were of manful duties beyond their horizons. Finding his wife at home with his brother's wife he had a harder time. With a new son in the house his leaving would be harder on his beloved even without the added burden of fear for his safety, but it shouldn't be for too long, they would have to hope. Yet soon she too sent him on his way. His brother was still at sea taking in the day's catch, so he left his apologies for the burdens imposed by his absence with them.

Marcus' friend and King met him well, his cousin the King's wife beside him. No apologies were necessary between them, even if the duty came at a inopportune time Marcus knew loyalty flowed both ways between them. While away on Alec's orders the King would see to it his affairs at home were settled if any trouble came. Marcus shares the thought he brought to Bran, of a deniable strike at an enemy inside a kingdom through the raiders, during the conversation and hears Alec's concerns for himself.

At last he shares wine with the messenger Ealos and Bran's family, learning little of the man as he prods him with questions of omens and proclamations from the neighboring town's priests and elders. As a religious man Marcus places stock in such things, so it is with unfeigned curiosity he tries to pry some clues of the situation in King Xantho's realm. Whatever success he meets he returns home late, sleeps a deep sleep broken by his infant son's cries and wife's rise, and rises himself with the dawn to prepare. As Marcus departs he sees his father taking measures of dried wood from his stores, of a solid wood for spear shafts and of a yielding kind for bows.

---

At the end of their journey the next day Marcus takes note of the sparse fields, contemplating the first evidence of hardship that might at hand here, and frowns in judgement at the sleeping King's sloth. Were the village in such need the ruler had best pull his weight before making demands of his neighbors!

Hearing the King's words Marcus steps forward, letting his substantial frame and panoply of weapons speak as much as his words to remind the man of Aegium's strength. "Already you and your man names us your guests." Marcus notes idly. "Is this not right and proper, as the courtesy of civilized men to those who come in peace?"

[tibbius]

Xantho coughed and looked weaselly. "Did I presume too much? Should I call for my warriors? Equipped for war as you are, would you spare an old man's life until they came? It seems better to bind us by guest-right. Then if you choose to breach it, gods' wrath to you." He rose uncertainly from the bench; his legs were weak. "Eolas, what is the word? You say that Aegium's king gave no answer? What then of these people. You -" he looked at Dimitra - "are well-favored. Did King Alec appoint you his messenger?" He laughed. "A pretty face could bring any news and be welcome! But who carries Aegium's answer? Who speaks for your king?"

[Leitz]

Bran grinned, Alec had chosen well. Marcus, strong, was a message unto himself. Dimitra, as well. Each person brought value to the problem. It was time for Bran to speak.

"You raise an interesting question, oh king. Should Marcus await your warriors? No, wait, he is a guest, as are we all. It would be unmanly for him to act such that you need warriors. In truth, as your guests, should you be attacked it would be our option, and perhaps even our honor, to help defend you. Yet these are rough times, Aegium has heard of bands of brigands attacking our neighbors. Marcus is a man of war, and escorted us to ensure our safety. He has no ill intent on Temeni, and likely we will be upon our way soon."

Bran's words were simple, if diplomatic. Xanthos understands guests, he cannot attack the troupe. Just like Aegium could not attack the lycnathropes. If there is a question about banditry, it is because Xanthos himself chose to hire bandits.

Bran turned to squarely face Xanthos. "Aegium asked me to speak to you. To hear directly from you, what the issues were. Eolas spoke clearly, but the context of his words left too much unsaid. When Aegium fully understands the problem, she will respond. Her grace goes to her friends, her metal to her enemies. Is not Temeni a friend to Aegium? How then are we to understand such demands, when we have acted as honorably as you?"

Hope that makes sense, it's past my nappy time. Bran is pointing out that Xanthos is making a demand for Aegium doing exactly as he himself does. As is guest custom. Bran is also giving the older man an out; that there was a misunderstanding.

[Mr Stereo1]

Marcus keeps his disapproval guarded as he can as the old King rambles on, speaking the same wisdom that had guided Alec without the slightest hint of shame at his hypocrisy. Yet Alec's instructions were to avoid giving any answer, and too obvious outrage might be taken as a clear sign of refusal. So the champion keeps his peace and allows Bran's more honeyed words to dance around the King's questions.

[tibbius]

Xantho clenches his gums and grips the tall staff that leans against the wall by his bench. Using it to support himself, he begins to walk away. "You give no answer at all," he says angrily. "What you do is complain against us! You gave guest right to our enemies, you come here and claim it yourselves, and your king didn't even invite us to his daughter's wedding! We could have brought gifts, you know. We are not so poor as we look!"

[Leitz]

Bran laughed. "Xanthos, I am not sure who told you what happened that day, but they missed the most important parts. Please, have a seat. Let me tell you the story. It is rather funny, once you hear it all."

Bran waited for the older man to return. He smiled. "First, our apologies for not inviting you. Your gifts would have been welcome, but it seemed such a small affair. I'm sure Aegium would love to host you, should you visit."

"But that day, I must admit, was strange. I do my best to heed the gods, yet I had no inkling of the portents! First, as you've met Andrew here, know that he made landfall during the wedding. How could we have guessed such a thing? Much less prepared for it! The gods were good to us, bringing us more men of knowledge."

Bran nodded to Marcus. "I see you also have not been told the full story of the lycanthropes. They arrived as we were preparing the sacrifice, and we had no knowledge they were in the area. Nor what their intentions were. Marcus, and the other warriors, were preparing for battle! I had to set down the sacrifice and join the militia, as we scrambled for weapons. It would have been a close thing, if it were just numbers. However, our men are valiant, and doubly so when defending their families. Blood would have been shed, but we would have won the day."

"Imagine our surprise when the lycanthropes threw down their weapons! We weren't sure if it was a ruse, or what. Yet they came as guests, and shared their food with us. Their only request was that they be allowed to rest one night, as guests, before leaving. Eolas, here, was given better courtesy, he slept in the bed my parents keep for me, while I stayed in my shop. The lycanthropes asked merely to be allowed to stay in some of our empty buildings. They had to cut their own wood and make their own way."

"I have never seen a more eventful day, before or since." Bran smiled widely. "Now, it seems you are concerned about the friendship with Aegium. Please, is this matter what bothers you? Or is it something else? I promise to faithfully report to Aegium exactly what I understand from you."

[tibbius]

The old king stopped walking away. He stiffened, straightened, turned back to face the group.

"The food the lycanthropes shared with you was ours," he said bitterly. "Ill spared at the points of spears. No point in dying over a few spring lambs. But of course they would not tell you that. I bet they spun some other web of lies to catch your hospitality! Aegium is larger than Temeni, and his militia is stronger. The lycanthropes were coward before you. They ravaged Temeni, and before us Elaionas, and I'm sure they're headed further up the coast. Those men never stop roving." He coughed fitfully and clutched his ribs with the hand not gripping the staff.

"And all," he added after the brief spasm passed, "we hear friendship and confusion in the answer you don't give. So let's be clear. Temeni and Aegium are friends. Temeni is a friend in need. What you can spare we welcome. What you cannot spare, we would not take. Elaionas and Temeni are friends, Elaionas likewise in need. What we can spare, of what you give, Elaionas can have. If that knowledge is the reason why you came, please, bring my message back to Aegium." He hobbled back to the bench and with the help of his staff he sat. Afterthinking, he added, "You are welcome to join us for the meal, and to stay the night."

It was late morning and an easy walk back to Aegium, and King Alec awaited an answer. It might be courteous to spend the rest of the day and night in Temeni, perhaps gathering more information.

[Mr Stereo1]

Marcus' expression at once softens and hardens. His ill judgement of the man before him fades, but a heavier scowl adorns him as he questions the Lycanthropes claims. He had no more reason to believe their words than Xanthos, and the word of a bandit was less than that of a neighbor. Perhaps there was even another hand at work, someone claiming to be hiring them in Xanthos' name but acting for a cause unknown.

"Thank you for your offer, King. I would be honored to accept your hospitality, if my companions do not object."
Marcus speaks more sincerely now, without his previous bite, and turns questioningly to his party. It seems to the champion that staying would allow a chance to gather more information about the direness of Temeni's straits, and to do something to restore neighborly feelings.

[Leitz]

Bran nodded, at Marcus' suggestion. "Agreed. King Xanthos, I'm a carpenter by trade, and would happily talk to, and assist, if any of your builders needed an extra hand today. My companions, of course, have even more merit. Alexander and Andrew, scholars, can provide news of the world. Dimitra is a woman who's opinion I trust, perhaps she can offer insight as well."

[Mr Stereo1]

Marcus nods firmly at Bran's acquiescence. "I've no great claim to skill beyond combat, but if there's work to be done I do have a strong back." There was no sense wasting the remainder of the day.

[tibbius]

Xantho smiles wearily and blinks his eyes. "If you could help with weeding and harvesting the onions and carrots, that would be welcome," he says warmly. "They're most of what we have to eat. There were birds last fall that ate the sown seeds. The barley sparsely sprouted. If we don't get the roots out soon, they'll rot. Your help is very welcome." The offer of aid seems to have completely diffused his anger about the lycanthropes.

[Leitz]

Bran will set to the work like it was his own family going hungry.

[tibbius]

What does everyone else do?

[Mr Stereo1]

Marcus will set to work with Bran. As he does he'll try his best to get a measure of the farmland's condition and get conversations going with his workmates.

[cybersavant]

Andrew



"Most noble King, I am new to this island. Do you have a library or temple nearby? And this land Elaionas, how far is that? I would like to visit it as well before i return to Delos, if at all possible."

[tibbius]

Xantho squinted at Andrew. His elderly features registered annoyance. "The scriptorium is in Aegium," he replied, "Our clever ones go there to read. Elaionas is that way -" he gestured toward where the sun had risen - "You could get there by mid-afternoon. If you left now."

[rossik]

"I would like to go with Andrew, if thats no problem" say respectfully with a measure.
"theres much to learn, and two heads can absorb more knowledge then one"