[Jaunt] Fear! Fire! Foes! Awake!

[willyousee]

[Usually Alcuin sticks to thoughts only on the Network, so his urgent voice live-streaming in Investigator's minds may be the first time they have ever heard him do this - but the message is more important than the method.]

The Sun Temple will be under attack within the day! Soldiers - Sentinels they are calling them - march on the Temple and are killing any they come across, villager or monk. Messages are being sent conventionally, but there is little hope they will get through. We're rallying all that we have, but I fear we will be too few with so many gone to the summit.

Please, someone carry word to the heads of the provinces at the summit and prepare them! I doubt they are meant to emerge from that place alive.

Comments

[capital_asset]

I'll be listening for you. Good luck.

[willyousee]

You as well. Stay safe.

[capital_asset]

I will.

[For a short while, it seems as though that's the end of it. And then there's a sudden, somewhat uncharacteristic curse from Raidou's end of the link.]

Shit.

[willyousee]

[You have his attention.]

What is it?

[capital_asset]

The Metal scroll is gone. I don't know if the Shogun has it, or if someone else does, but it's not in the basement room anymore. And a number of troops have just left the palace.

[bypartisan]

I did have the opportunity to observe a rather interesting conversation.

[Which he'll share the memory of.]

[bypartisan]

I'll do my best. Try not to shriek or otherwise draw attention if he comes near you.

Re: [Private]

[fridgeninja]

The Temple means a lot to me. I want to be there to defend it.

[laceandcarnage]

Mari has asked where my carnage is most needed. I will attack their archers and their horses.

[willyousee]

I am not in the planning for it, but I do know they wish us to wait till the Sentinels make the first move. They will not instigate an attack. However I do not think they are counting on Lady Istas' hunger, nor our friends coming to join us playing harriers.

There are defenses on the walls - rocks, hot oil, crossbows and others. Some masters come to join us or guard the gates in the courtyard, and those among the monks, novices, and refugees are gathering to defend the walls. I intend to be on the walls myself, using whatever I have to in order to protect these people. More than that I cannot say as of yet.

[tailforbrains]

Yeah, well. I guess you can change your hair so they might not notice you-- though if it's back to being red, that might be enough to throw them off, anyway.

[tailforbrains]

They probably don't even realize how many people are here. With you guys ferrying in half the investigators and stuff, that's a lot more people, with a lot more abilities than they can even guess at.

And I hear there's been a monster eating soldiers and their horses on the way here.

[Scary wolf-bear creature is actually pretty useful. Neeshka has been on a regular basis changing her fur color, so... she's aware. Heh.]

[willyousee]

[Softly, subdued.] No... But I have felt the power of the place. The spirituality. If I can find a way to make it easier for these people, no matter if I may return or not, I will count it a deed well done.

Are you certain you wish to do this?

[willyousee]

From what has been observed, infiltrators' overlays stay in place after we are pulled from these worlds. Do you think you would be able to convince Lady Zoe to implement such a plan?

[dino_zarf]

She's pretty keen to get away from all this with Rosie, but I might have some luck getting her to talk to some people. She'll have connections, I'm sure.

[willyousee]

What. [Immediately.] Where are they going? What are their orders? How many? What are they armed with? Did they take supplies for a march or a siege?

[willyousee]

Anything might be of help to these people. I would be grateful if you would speak to her.

[willyousee]

The Binder... [Alcuin speaks quietly and slowly, obviously thinking furiously.] Well that has interesting implications. I wonder if she will keep that skill... I cannot imagine the Trumps will allow it if it has the kind of power I think it might, but even at a lesser level it might... Hm. And she is headed to the palace. I wonder if her binding works both ways.

[bypartisan]

It is something to wonder about, isn't it?

[dino_zarf]

I'll pitch it as a business matter. Probably the best bet, with her overlay.

[capital_asset]

Sixty headed towards Mibu. From what I've heard, they're to set up an encampment there; my guess is that they're to keep the Mibugumi contained in the event that they decide to intervene.

[willyousee]

Lady Istas... She's found them, then. If she can remove the archers' threat that will aid us most. But the horses will also help.

You are right, they do not know how many we are. Perhaps we might surprise them, if most of our number remains below the battlements until they come within range. Thank you, Neeshka, I will suggest it to the commanders.

[willyousee]

Yes. But not at the moment except as it concerns what we face at present. Though.... Can she unbind your spirit from Masshuu's control?

[willyousee]

I leave that to your judgement, my lord. You know her best of all of us.

[Private]

[willyousee]

I will welcome your presence on the field, my lord. Good luck.