RP:Unwanted Aid

Part of the Thy Kingdom Come Arc

Summary: Jesen brings a small army with him from Rynvale to offer their help to Hidlegarde. The only problem? Hilde never ASKED for an army. Awkwardness ensues.

Rolling Hills

Hildegarde was mulling over Desparrow’s prospective offer of help. She had no real love for the man and had heard only ghastly things about him, but aid was aid; the offer of help was never to be sniffed at. Of course, one should never accept help quite so readily, particularly from a dubious source. So here Hildegarde mulled: at the heart of a military camp manned by giants, humans and elves alike. She sat there with her short-sword in hand, whetstone in the other. Her motion of sharpening the blade had eventually ceased as she fell into a state of deep thought; her blade resting across her knees as she hunched and stared off into the distance thoughtfully.

Jesen comes into view from the north. In toe? The forces he said he'd bring. Riding upon the backs of horses, some flying within the air upon gryphons, the small yet experienced company of warriors are all volunteers from the island of Rynvale. Jesen's father had been hard at work while his son travelled about, rallying forces from every house that could spare them. And so, high elves adorned in platemail that shines in the fading light of the day ride atop horses who are also armoured for war. Runic engravings show these knight-like warriors to be the Spellblades of House Larethian, whose warrior use powerful enchantments upon thier weapons and armor to great effect. Right behind them? Battle-Mages from House Falirae, the robed figures holding staves that glow with various elemental power that each is highly trained upon. The bulk of this company? THe ranger's of House Phenthae, who ride atop gryphons and are armed with fine bows that can be enchanted with dangerous effects to add to the lethality of thier arrows. Looking about, jesen quickly finds Hilde as she sharpens her blade and makes his way over as the troops behind him settle into the camp, even if they do catch a glance or more from those already here. Walking up to the displaced Steward, Jesen says. "A man of my word, I bring troops and word of what I saw in Frostmaw during the tourny."

Hildegarde’s only ally who had an actual army at his back was Tristram, so when the sudden sound of hooves and armoured footsteps comes into her hearing and that of her camp, the knight and her men spring to their feet in alertness. The ranger, who had promised to arrange a meeting between her and his cohort yet had not done so, stood before her and before an army. The giants are unsettled; even Hildegarde is unsettled. Her fingers had flexed around the hilt of the blade, but her arm outstretched as if to calm the giants who were reaching for their own weapons. “I do not recall asking you for an army,” she replies, though not rudely. Having an army marched into her own camp and into a small village that was already under much strain and tension was certainly unsettling for all involved. The Silver knows she cannot possibly care for nor tend to these troops and she does not want to owe them a single thing given that they are not allies; they do not have an obligation to assist. They would have more to gain in assisting and Hildegarde does not like to have her hand forced. “I take it you didn’t see anything good,” she said, having heard from Pilar and Aira that life in Frostmaw was grim and brutal.

Jesen looks back to the company of men, some only ninty-eight strong in total, and says. "Not an army, m'lady, but a company of men who'd rather not see Frostmaw used as it once was under bad leadership." This of course is when the Frost Giant's rallied to Vuryal's banner, and a good number of the barbaric warriors where brought to Rynvale Island to attack an unexpecting high elf kingdom. "My father did all he could while I was away, on my word alone to secure aid for you. As I believe you're someone that is open to talks later on." The ranger can sense the unease, and shakes his head. It cannot be helped, every believes everyone else is out to get soemthing. "Gone are the days of heroes, my father always tells me. Of days when men, elves and others of like hearts stood together to face injustice and evil because it was the right thing to do. Not for gain or some other motives." He allows this to hang in the air, before he says. "I do not believe those days are gone. I believe there is still good in the hearts of people, and that justice can find its way back to Frostmaw. As I saw it, Frostmaw now stands a place where elves, men and centaurs, outsiders one and all, are used as slaves. Beaten openly in the streets, mocked by the giants that now wish for no outsiders to ever step foot in that place again. I've seen the cruelty of the son of this new leader, and the idle nature in which the father simply stood and allowed it. So yes, Hildegarde the Silver, former Steward of Frostmaw. These men are here to see that an honorable leader returns to Frostmaw, so that once more the giants are not led by a tyrant who will only use them to destroy, and thus tear down all the hard work Queen Satoshi did to show the world that Frost Giants are not the zenophobic monstersa that now stand to rule. For we high elves have seen the destruction wrought by them once before, we'd wish no one ever to see such carnage again."

Hildegarde’s plan would not succeed if she brought these men to Frostmaw with her. Balgruuf and Balder would kill them at the pass and it would be a massacre. That was bloodshed the knight was not prepared to have on her hands. Although the speech is heartfelt and understandable, the knight is still unprepared to accept such a sacrifice. “It is kind of you and your people to think such,” she says thoughtfully, “but there are others in these lands who need the help of experienced warriors. People of Larket who are otherwise defenceless. I have other allies and men at my back. I seek only some individuals of skill now,” for they could easily make their way through the pass, compared to any army. “Do not think me ungrateful, for I am very grateful. But I and my associates have military experience, the people of Larket from what I can understand from reports, do not have much in the way of a military right now. Disease has wasted them away.” The Silver looked at Jesen, then his grand entourage. “I will accept only three of your men.”

Jesen can see the look on Hildegarde's face. "Then three you shall have, one of those including myself." With that, the ranger turns back to go discuss with the men he brought about the new situation. From the distance its easy to see some of the men are a bit flustered by this. The long way from the island here had cost a good bit of coin, as well as taxed them a good bit physically. The crime lords at the Cenrili docks were a nightmare to deal with, as Cenril itself is just a cesspool these days. Trying to move a company's worth of men and draw as little attention required multiple trips, by day and by night. And every time a boat landed at the dock, one of those crooked men within the pockets of some crime lord where there to cleect the "tax" which seemed to go up every time. Now, after they made it here they are being told to go away? Jesen tries to inform them that Larket is in need, but a good bit offer a few prize words in retaliation. Other cpatains, like Helzan, a tall elf in some fine armor, silences as many as he can. "I'll stay, and herby order a small contingent to go to Larket and see what can be done there. We have a duty, see to it men." Grumbled words are whispered, but orders are obeyed. Many wished to get some revenge on giants that had once laid ruin upon Rynvale, but revenge was stifled this day. Mayhaps some excitment would be found in Larket. Remlain, leader of these battle mages follows suit. "I'll stay here, send forth a small number of men to Larket with Helzan's men, see what aid can be lent, the rest, return home." That is where both captains look to Jesen. He would face hell for sure, having cost the house's a good bit of gold, enough worth noting at least, but as well their aid was, on the surface, rejected. Hildegarde's reasons may be valid, if left unexplained, but Jesen would face the wrath of house leaders for this insult. Either way, the archer stands ready to see this through. "We still must lend aid here, I'll deal with my father and the others." The other two captains nod, Helzan clasps him on the shoulder and nods. "Aye lad, and I'll speak up where I can." nodding to the older swordsman, Jesen turns to his rangers, and says. "Some go to Larket, the others... go home. " The cross looks of the man signal that this will not end well for Jesen, but either way they all obey, and Jesen returns back to Hildegarde's position, both captains following in toe. "Its done." says the archer, whon stands ready to face his new orders.

Hildegarde understood that Jesen’s help would be valuable, but she had not asked him for an army nor had she asked for the help of Rynvale. She wasn’t one to become indebted to anyone, willingly or no, if she could help it. “Larket needs the men,” she told him, “and I do not say this cruelly to you or your men. But I did not request an army, nor did I ask for a grand gesture such as this.” It was over-stepping the mark, but she need not add insult to injury. “Larket’s in danger. People suffering and falling to illness. A squad of rangers, a squad of warriors could be the difference between life and death for these people,” she explained. “Go to Larket. Protect them.”