And they flew a crimson banner...

[Vanidor]

... one that had been maligned of late here in Myrken, a fact unbeknownst to the men and women who had come at moments notice. A fact unknown to even the man who had dispatched the floating vessel and her crew the week before. Yet it came non-the-less, a banner large enough to see from the ground fluttering from the rear of the airship. It hove into view of the downtrodden town and came to a stop someplace near the middle of it all. Where before the Hawk's Talon had settled into a berth at the Lake, now it simply hovered over the city centre. And soon enough there would be crates unloaded and lowered by crane and winch down to the waiting folk below. Into the hands of Brotherhood Guardsmen and Women, who would then take the crates and open them.

Open them and pass out what was within to all those who passed by. Any who asked for the succor within the ten crates delivered would be given such, and none would be turned back. All knew that fresh food and water and other such items were in need, and all were given what was needed. Even if most of the food was the nutrionally rich but taste poor variety that soliders were oft given for the trail and march. Still, it was food and supplies that were freely given. Each package was sealed with the Royal emblem of Thessilane, and even further with the personal seal of the Thane of Meadowford, Erebus Redclaw. As the freight was handed off and delivered to the waiting masses, a sergeant of the Brotherhood stood to one side and read the proclamation that had come attached to each container, the others being free for any and all to look over for themselves, or to take if that was their desire...


"To the People of Myrkenwood.

We, the men and women and children of Thessilane, have heard of that which ails and afflicts you. And such a thing as this pains our hearts to find our cousins in such a dire situation. Henceforth we have commissioned the venerable Airship, Hawk's Talon, to bear supplies unto you our cousins until the plight of Drow and Darkness is over. And beyond that, until your fields and crops can be righted and the natural order of things continue. Henceforth, we reaffirm our connection to the land which once sheltered our Lord, Duke Burel, and rendered him safe from his enemies. It is a gift we shall never forget, and forever be indebted towards. Ever shall we be friends, and ever shall we remember.

Erebus Redclaw
Thane of Meadowford."

[`Bishop]

After the Hawk's Talon departed after unloading her cargo (with one particular Brotherhood Lieutenant asking permission to board and inspect her with Captain de'Varrin's blessings, even giving the man a personal tour of his proud vessel), and after the Brotherhood Guardsmen and Women finished handing out what was there to the needy, everyone returned to their respective homes and dwellings, feeling good about the day and knowing that every little bit helps (well, maybe not *everyone* felt that way).

That night and into the early morning, reports came in from civilians and night patrols alike, that a veritable dragon flew over the lands of Myrkenwood. That it churned the sky and even blocked out the moon itself as it moved overhead, scaring people, cattle and wildlife alike. When these reports came in, the alertness level of the Brotherhood posts were doubled. A dragon was a serious threat, and that threat seemed immediate. There was even a report from a drunkard who had found himself out on the street late a night, that this mystery 'dragon' had breathed fire into the sky, lighting it up with vivid colours of red, orange and purple, like a second sunrise that flared brilliantly, then faded just as quickly. This drunk was laughed at and sent on his way by the Corporal who listened to his ramblings.

Though, instead of broken bodies and burned out buildings, in the morning the militia and Brotherhood guards that took up their posts in town found ten more crates, placed almost in the exact same spot as where the Hawk's Talon unloaded her cargo the previous day. And these crates seemed to contain foodstuffs and other necessities. Just like the day before.

"Where did these come from?" asked one militia-man, looking over at a Brotherhood Sergeant who had arrived before him.

"I really don't know. They were here when me and my squad arrived this morning. Maybe we missed them?" suggested the Sergeat, appearing just as confused and bewildered as his militia counterpart, but doing his best to rationalized the situation. "Maybe the Hawk's Talon came back after we left and unloaded these?"

"They didn't say anything about coming back though, sir," said a Brotherhood Private, respectfully and dutifully correcting his superior. "And these crates don't show any insignia or emblem..."

"Perhaps yesterday was just a show, a presentation of sorts. They then came back and left these, not wanting to injury pride anymore than necessary. The stuff certainly looks a lot like what we handed out yesterday," countered the Sergeant, who then sighed and began to direct his men. "If we don't get control of the situation, we'll have a riot on our hands when people start to move about and see that there's more stuffs to distribute."

"Yes sir!" replied the other soldiers present, who then went about preparing to deal with another deluge of hungry people who'd line up for this kind charity.