Hen-Jo strolls towards the Tower. The elf checks to make sure his sword swings far from his hand as not to give offense and palms the rolled parchment in his off hand. Arriving, he knocks upon the door and takes a few steps back, folding his hands behind his back and flattening his ears slightly. In common, he states, "I seek an audience with Rune."
Garen walks past the two carrying a tall stack of books in each hand, leaning back to accomodate the weight. He grunts a hello to his teacher and the newcomer he had seen around town recently and gets back to work reorganizing the books. The books on zoology were to go where the tomes on aeronautics were and so on until this section of shelves were reverse alphabetized. Why the golem had assigned him this task was beyond him, but who was he to argue the words of the great wizard?
Hen-Jo silently follows the golem into the library, winding their way between the scattered tables and chairs. He notes with no small impress the dexterity and grace of the golem clearly at odds with his size. He nods to the other whom he recognizes from about Jastrey. The golem turns to face him in front of a group of chairs around a table, one of the few cleared of books and other scholarly clutter. Hen-Jo waits for the golem to sit first, waits some more, then shrugs and takes a chair. He shifts his gear and belts about him into a more comfortable configuration and leans back.
"Ta nae seasamin", he remarks in greeting, placing his right hand over his chest. "Good morrow and many thanks for the generosity of a meeting. I am Hen-Jo, I have come to town on...personal matters...and have recently become aware of a certain...matter of delicacy regarding paladins and false immortals northwest of here." His ears flatten and he leans forward, lowering his voice. "I have come a long way in my travels to Jastrey, a long and interesting route most recently."
"You've learned much in your short time here. The paladins are of no real concern, contrary to popular opinion. They seek a criminal, one that this one intends to help the bring in." Rune noticies the scroll held in the elf's hand, "What have you brough this one, and what have you heard about false immortals?"
Hen-Jo bows his head respectfully. "I hear much, say little, Hodoer." He hefts the parchment, considers it and hands it to the golem. "I have brought a bit of...intelligence...collected by myself and a small network of Kiladanesti who I have known since my distant youth. This map details troop positions and outposts of Ressik. As well as towns harboring freedom fighters in the surrounding areas. I've penned it in Sylvanesti to protect its content from prying eyes." He pauses, collecting himself. "I have learned that a fellow elf here in Jastrey had announced plans to deal with those of Ressik's ilk but was met with much resistance." Hen-Jo raises his hands in mock surrender. "This is none of mine, the local politics here still are foreign to me and I do not wish to create further dissension. However," his eyes darken, ears perk up. "I have my own reasons for wanting in on this campaign when and if it comes."
"As to what I've heard of false immortals...I have seen true evil, and immortals do not have sole claim to it."
"I entrust the details of this map and its contents to you, may it aide the plans of the one called Ling." Pausing, nodding to himself, eyes distant. "My only reuest being to add my sword when the time comes. In the meantime I will continue to scout Sardia for...reasons of my own."
Rune takes the map and after a brief pause, opens it up. "This one will send someone to go and get Ling. We will have to bring you along with for our next discussion." Rune looks quickly for Garen, "Garen! Gather those who know, take this to expediate the process." The golem detaches a small runed stone form its arm, and tosses it to the urodeq.
Ling poofed in, rather ungracefully with much coughing and swatting of the smoke around him away. A drink in one hand, "bloody hate teleportation like that I do. Worst way to travel." He grumbeled before findng a place to sit. "This about the Aru'e? Really the only reason you'd have Garen poof about like that isnt it."
Fu enters as the teleportation shimmer dims. Fu's stoic face turns to face the golem. "Rune-san please next time do not send a dark eye to search for me. Luckily I was not in the citadel." Fu strokes his long beard eyeing the occupants of the room . Fu nods his head to his fellow kin and Ling. He eyes the new elf curiously
Poppy drifted down into the room everyone had gathered given a quick look over of all who had gathered. The fae paused for a moment looking the new elf up and down before given a light nod to the parties she recognized in the tower. "The library seems to lively tonight." the fae said with a light laugh. "I am not interrupting anything am I?" The fae inquired with a smirk.
Hen-Jo leans forward over the map and table, flattening the edges of the parchment. He cleared his throat and met the eyes of those around in him. He began. "This is a map of Sardia, Rastemier, and Tarkalsys." Heavy detail and route designations in flowing elven script adorn a heavily detailed, hand-drawn map of the shard.
He paused, focusing on the center of the map where all the towns, rivers, woods, and mountains surrounding Jastery are clearly drawn in greater detail and up near Brellin. "I penned everything in Sylvan in case of capture by those of Ressik, it would likely be of no immediate use to the paladin who's mailed fist it ended up in." He shrugged.
"At any rate," He straightened and glanced around. "Over the course of...a personal quest...I explored the lands surrounding Brellin and the other lands of this shard. Specifically making contact with certain local forces organizing in these lands. Forces with information and logistical networks in place spying on Ressik's army and many outposts." He glanced at Ling. "I had heard that you had attempted to address direct...intervention..in matters concerning the false immortal and met with...resistance."
Hen-Jo pointed at the map. "This simply represents opportunity and recent intelligence in the area. Specifically," he pointed to the heavily wooded area leading from the Covercrest River into the borderlands of Tarkalsys. Likewise gesturing to the borderlands near Brellin. "Routes through wooded areas free of Ressik army scouts, and towns harboring those of the freedom movement." He gestured northeast. "And areas sympathetic to the anti-Ressik cause and in whose lands a force could move without being seen by Ressik's outposts. The key," he picked up the small cut of cloth with a mix of common and Elven script and simple symbols. "Aids in translating the markers on the map. For instance," he pointed at a small circle penned in blue with an 'X' in its center. "This is a town or settlement strong with freedom fighters, the same circle with an arrowhead symbol is a weapons cache."
Hen-Jo paused, having spoken more than he had to non-elves in quite some time.
"I have my own reasons for scouting and reconnoitering, and I can think of no better hands for this to be delivered." Another pause, longer this time. "I seek one currently serving in the ranks of Ressik's army, likely highly placed and only there for his own protection, and am certain that if a campaign, covert or overt, were to be waged, my quarry would cross my sword sooner or later." He smiled a thin smile. "And any Ressik-loving blood spilled is no bother either."
He waited a moment, then stood back, leaving the map spread upon the table.
Garen pondered the words of Hen-Jo. "This is a lot to take in all at once. Obviously this is all good news and information to have, and I'm sure we will be exploiting there obvious weaknessess. It should go without saying that this map needs to be kept very safe lest it fall into the wrong hands. This personal quest of yours....I don't mean to be rude but it won't get in the way of the big picture will it? There is a greater good to be considered"
Hen-jo nods at the black eye thoughtfully and takes his time in responding.
"Aye, my quest spans many years now. Only in patience will I draw him out. I understand that my coming to you is naught but a commitment to further patience. As I said, so long as he falls to my sword stroke, I can wait and..." He passes looking far away, "I have experience following strength as well as providing leadership. I will follow and keep my personal feelings under yoke. I have waited long and my prey is an elusive one." A look of profound longing crosses his sharp features. "I will bide, he will not reveal himself so easily. And all actions against Ressik align with me."
Ling sipped on his ale then pulled his bandana off and used it as a coaster before rubbing his chin and opened hi mouth before closing it again. He got from his seat and walked over to the map. Looked over at poppy and shrugged. "Just talking about the war effort. Maybe we should take this somewhere else Rune." He turned to the construct. "We are saying a lot of names right now after all."
The fae went out a little grunt of acknowledge to Ling. " I see. That is what I thought I will leave you in peace in a moment was just curious since your plans do affect town." the fae muttered nodding lightly to the not-a-elf" And, no I dont think the library is a bad place to hold your talks, not many travel here besides the docents." The fae gaving the Ling a very tired smile. " And even if some of the tower dont agree with your quest I doubt strongly a slew of magic users would rat you out. " she said with a light chuckle. " Though... I wonder how you got word of Ling's quest." She said to the elf. "Was it from a memebers or town or elsewere?" She inquired
The fae mulled over the map carefully before locking eyes with elf. " This is an impressive map, I will give you that" she said to nodding. " So this commander killed your family or tibe? was that what it was it? " She said very bluntly. " I would not pry normally and hate to be the one at the table to ask these things." The fae said a bit of sincerity in her tone. " But this a lot of value info coming from a stranger to this town. I just need promise you do not support him yourself. I know of your sylvan heritage obviously" She said motioning to the writing on the map. " but it would not be the first time I had seen someone of another race fly his flag."
Hen-jo bows slightly to the fae. "All questions reasonable and sensible. And all concerns I would have were I in your place." He looked around the chamber. "I was outside the tavern when the...debate...transpired before, having just arrived in town. As to what my quarry did..." his light eyes flashed in anger. "That is a tale I'm not ready to tell." He visibly regained his composure and bowed to the little fae. "Suffice it to say he took much and will pay with his miserable life. Don't mistake me for a dark one or even an elf who dwells in the grey, I feel the pull to love, light, and Ferithisia's teachings. But what this faeyuer took from me can never be forgiven. If it had just been myself that had been so aggregiously wronged, his life might not necessarily be forfeit."
Again he visibly calmed and looked levelly around. "And as to any loyalty to Ressick...put one of his soldiers before me and I shall let my blade speak for me." Suddenly, like a ray of sun after a brief but fierce storm, a small grin split half the elf's face. "Just find me one who hasn't spent all his coin 'communing with Ressik' at a brothel so that my purse is heavier. It will make cleaning the stench of his blood from my blade and armor slightly more a bearable matter."
"This one understands Ling. However, this one has a plan. " emits from the constuct.
"Hen-jo, you are assigned to work with the Wolf clan. This one feels Ling's militant style of leadership will fit you well. In time, he may even seek to add you to the clan. Ling, do you find this objectionable?"
Ling nodded and looked over the map a little more before looking up. "Right, we'll work you into our combat doctrine then." He said before going back over and grabbing his tankard and bandana and returning. "Whatever your plan is Rune, i hope people might like it better than my plans." He shrugged and sipped on his ale.
Fu Chu sat patiently listening to everyone. He studied the map stroking his beard. "This map is of excellent craftsmenship." the dwarf spoke still lost in thought "Such things are a wonderful asset to town. Because we are a bunch of small groups attempting to coexist with one another, we lack formal tatics. The Accords that Rune-san and his fellow guild mates drafted was not the first attempt to unify Jastrey under some set of rules." Fu fell silent once more. As Poppy mentioned the other race that followed him, Fu seemed saddened deeply. The dwarf took in a deep breath before speaking again
"It is true he is a threat. An immortal I would prefer very much mortal. He and his minions have taken many precious things from me." The dwarfs eyes fell fiercly on the new elf. "Believe me when I say, if you do decieve us and you are working for the false god i will end you personally." Fu's expression softens some. "However, if your honor has been challenged by one of his minions and you need a friend, You have a friend in Fu Chu" He raised his pint and took a hearty sip.
"There is one other thing i wish to bring up." The dwarf said as he wiped his mouth. "We are in err to fight him, he who knows all secrets. No doubt this map and it's contents are already known by him and if he has another choosen, them as well. We are much too diveded to undergo such a challenge. It is true that if we aggrevate the wasps nest and the wasps find themselves here, town as a whole will defend itself, however such a route is dishonorable and will lead to much internal strife. And I belive i speak for everyone here when I say there has already been too much infighting. I am intrested in hearing your plan Rune-san, but I may have plans of my own. First and foremost i must go and consult with my Shogun, The Forge Father. I have questions only he may answer." Fu took another hearty sip of his ale returning to his thoughts.
Hen-Jo nods to Ling respectfully. "As you say commander." He turned to Fu-san. "Aye, as I would expect from any noble warrior. I look forward to earning your trust and am grateful for your friendship." His face darkened slightly. "It's been a long by and by since I have had the luxury of companionship outside my Sylvanesti network." He glanced at the map. "As to plans, I leave that to the more experienced of you." He shrugged. "I will say that a wood tick draws small attention at first but can poison the blood in short order." He stood back and resumed an attentive silence.
The great wooden door opens. Behind it stands the golem known as Rune. "You are early. Most of town stirs later in the day, long after this one has opened the doors." The golem isnt wearing its red robes, but a kit more kin to what a farmer would don for fieldwork. Rune takes notice of the elf's posture, "This one has no need for such courtly processions. Come inside, have a seat."
The library is simple enough. its a round tower with a stairwell the spirals around the walls. Said walls are covered with book cases. The floor space in the middle is crowded with round tables, chairs and additional rows of bookcases.