War! What is it good for?

[Treadwell]

A note goes out to the rest of the Council today, written in Treadwell's heavy, sloppy sprawl of a scrawl. Thanks to a state of flustered panic for its author, the note is kept very short.

= = = = =
To the Council:

This fellow named Zayken came to me this morning, the 10th, with a formal declaration of war on Myrken Wood. I have his note of such in my possession at my toy shop. We need to meet, to say the least.

Aloisius Treadwell
= = = = =

[Zayken]

Eventually, it must come to pass that Treadwell opens the sealed missive. Inside, a carefully scribed document written in elegant script is as follows.

-----------------------------

To the leadership of Myrken,

herein described is an official declaration of war upon your lands by his Lord Zayken, for offenses against Perfection too numerous to count, including the harbouring of known villains, conspiracy against Perfection, and attempted assassination of his Lord Zayken.

In his Perfection, mercy has been offered to the people of Myrken. To be spared the terror of his wrath, your leadership has been gifted six dusks to confer upon the issue at hand, and proclaim a full surrender of all Myrken's lands and assets to his Lord Zayken, accepting his rule above that of the governing council.

Failing this surrender, a seventh dusk shall assume the guilt of Myrken and all its peoples, for which the penalty can only be purging.

A messenger shall await the reply of the council at the meeting house each evening from dusk until midnight.

Know that Perfection is inescapable.

-------------------------

The note is signed by three differing signatures.

-- Mason Da'Leronus
-- Lady Seramille
-- Lord Zayken



Copies of the missive soon find themselves in the hands of black hooded couriers, who seek out the other councilors in silence to hand them the sealed document.

[Treadwell]

Aloisius H. Treadwell wakes today, Wednesday the 11th, in his bed in the back of the toy shop around lunch time, having missed breakfast by far in his spending the night in a drunken stupor that approximated sleep. The next hour or so is spent coming to his senses and getting a leisurely, warm bath and a suitably good lunch.

The rest of the day, once he realizes that Glenn Burnie spent the night in one of the two rocking chairs in the shop's main room, will be spent plotting and grumbling of this new threat of warfare. Until he hears back from the other Councilors and Governor Bromn, what else is a sneaky old politician with a hangover to do?

[Glenn]

Glenn only made it to sleep, late in the night, after much tossing and turning. It was no fault of the unsurprisingly comfortable chairs in Treadwell's shop. No, it was because of KNOWLEDGE, the knowledge that things, already rather bad, were about to get much, much worse here in Myrken Wood. Regardless, he did eventually fall asleep, but only woke up around the time of Treadwell rolling out of bed.

The young mapmaker was a survivor of quite a few massacres, natural disasters, and even one or two nigh-unspeakable horrors. This was the unfortunate consequence of his Burden. After barely making it out of the first few near-death encounters, he had quickly learned how best to survive. Get out at the first sign of real trouble. There was really only one possible thing that could get in his way, that could prevent such an easy and intelligent escape, ties. Never, ever let yourself get tied down, not to a place, not to a person, not to an ideal. It would bind your feet to the ground and you would be staring, hopelessly, at the monster running you down.

So what did he do, this time? He got complacent and began to make one, two, THREE ties, maybe even more, personal, professional (and wherever did HE get a profession, anyway?) and otherwise. What an idiot! It wasn't like he didn't know such a thing was bound to happen to this god-forsaken town. Now, there was just nothing to be done about it. Either he'd wrap up his affairs and try to get out or he'd wait it out and find an excellent hiding spot (potentially after adding SOME value to the effort). Either way, he had to learn more. The way to do that was through the Councilor, naturally, and the best way to learn through him (as Glenn would learn as the day unfolded) would be to offer services as a scribe, messenger or whatever else the man immediately needed for his day of plotting and planning. First, however, he would impart the best of his advice to the man, who had just ambled into the room, his rumbling, in part, being what had roused restless Glenn.

It was not going to be much of a cheerful mid-afternoon greeting. No it was much more of a rhetorical question. "Councilor, if what you said last night is true, then, isn't it best if you head off on that LONG vacation now?" Even though Glenn could not yet leave, he could not any possible reason why Treadwell had to stay, civic duty or no.

[Treadwell]

"Leave? Now? In the middle of all of this? You can't be serious! I'd--I'd never be allowed back!" That only sets an already flustered, fluttery Treadwell to being more of both as he scurries huffily about his toy shop wearing his usual toymaking clothes of long-sleeved white shirt, brown trousers and suspenders, apron, and big jingly-jangly leather belt of pouches and tools. "We only have a week--less than a week--before this ruffian tries to--to--to DO SOMETHING!"

[Glenn]

That was hardly the answer Glenn wanted to hear. Granted, he wasn't sure if Treadwell's attitude was from honest courage or just a fear of exile, something that must have worried a man who already had lost everything in Myrken Wood once. Likely it had just as much to do with the thick skin those who lived here must have developed after a while. So much chaos and suffering. In the end, it really didn't matter. Treadwell would stay.

On top of that, Glenn was fairly certain that the healer would stay as well. The man not only faced down the Ashfiend, but, if foggy memories could be held as accurate, he may have actually been searching him out as well. "You're all mad, you know."

Apparently, given that he wasn't packing up his meager things, so was Glenn. "Fine, though. You're right. Time isn't a luxury and all that. For today, I'll be your courier and whatever else you might need, so we can prepare." A deep sigh passed the young man's lips. At least he was going to be doomed in fairly good company. "Let's get to work."

[Kylerryth]

To Aloisius Treadwell, Councilor of Administrative Sanctions:

Salve, Councilor. Good health and fortune to you. I apologize for the tardiness of my reply; I am a busy man, as you must know.

I have seen the signs posted around town, and I have taken the liberty of sending a copy of one to Marshal Karolinger of the Brotherhood of Janeiro. The Marshal has promised aid in our time of need. In addition, the militia has been mobilized and will be ready in full before tomorrow morning. The Constabulary is already aware and is taking its own steps. All three forces are cooperating to ensure the safety and security of the town and its people.

Finally, I have sent a letter to one Coran D'zir, a Count of Thessilane known to be visiting Myrken Wood. In addition to having aided Myrken Wood in the past, I understand Count D'zir has unique resources at his disposal.

I ask you to remain calm, Councilor, and to do your best in preparing for the worst. I would rather have us ready for a storm that did not come than feel the first drop of rain with no shelter in sight.

Sincerely,
Aston Jylan Aldred
Lord of Aldred
Councilor of Defence & Civil Security

[Jirai]

To Aloisius Treadwell, Councilor of Administrative Sanctions:

Greetings, Councilor.

Really, Aloisius, why do these people keep appearing and demanding our lands? I really wouldn't think Myrken worth it to them! Hopefully this Zayken will realize this and move on.

However, until then, do consider my resources to be at your disposal. I may have to leave suddenly for a few days - hopefully to return with a food shipment.

Sincerely,
Rondeau Spier
Councilor of Trade and Commerce

[Malaroth]

Councilor Aloisius Treadwell,

Greetings,

I have seen the posters this madman has left strewn across our home and understand that this Zayken individual intends to bring war, in some form, to Myrken Wood.

Know that the Shepherd Knights of the Silver Staff stand ready to safeguard and protect the people of Myrken Wood, as well as to crush the enemy. Our services are gladly laid at your disposal.

Sir Malaroth Deucalios of Zachea
Grand Master of the Shepherd Knights

[Treadwell]

A reply went out this morning from Treadwell's toy shop, where the councilor has been spending more and more of his free time instead of at his actual house, lately. The handwriting for the note is, admittedly, even worse than the usual slop. There's a certain shakiness to the usually heavy, blotted, splotchy script betraying a lack of sleep, in addition to the lack of the usual blowhard, longwinded formalities and titles.

= = = = =
Malaroth,

As much as I hate to say it, get your men together and ready. I've no clue as to when or where this fellow will strike--only that it will be in the next day or so, if his prior week's notice is any indication.

I continue to do what I can to contact the other Councilors.

Fifteenth of July, A. R. 207
A. H. T.
= = = = =

[Altias_Bromn]

The letters which the Pembroke girl had penned for him had been altered. At the bottom of each letter (which was simply a call for a council meeting, really), was a more urgent matter, scrawled in the governor's own hand. They were sent by messenger to each of the councilors, as well as Malaroth, and the leaders of the Brotherhood and the Militia.

My dear friends,

Forgive the informal nature of this letter, as it seems time is running out before this Zayken creature sets upon Myrken in earnest.

I would ask that we find a way to meet immediately. This evening, or tomorrow night at the very latest. If I have not heard from any or all of you in the next 48 hours, I shall go and meet with this person's messenger myself, and see what can or can not be done about this.

Obviously surrender is not an option. Perhaps there is someway that I can speak with this Zayken face to face. Surely there must be a way to reason with the man.

I must ask your assistance in helping the general public to understand that we have not forgotten them, and that we are working to resolve this matter as quickly as we can.

Your input is not only welcomed, but required. This seems to great a threat to ignore.

Yours,
Altias.

[Treadwell]

Tonight, a reply will reach Altias, starting like so many others from Tready's and Drivel's Toys. It is in the same nervous, sloppy, shaky script of the last few notes to other people. Cross-outs and rewrites are numerous, as are blots on the page.

= = = = =
Altias,
The various military bodies in Myrken Wood have thus far agreed to help settle this in their own ways. That doesn't mean that they don't need leadership, of course. In truth, we don't know where Zayken is going to go first or just how he will act. Bart can't find anything about him in the town's books, for me, and I am extraordinarily nervous and unsettled by this, for some reason. By the time you get this letter, I hope to be abed, enjoying a good night's rest for the first time in what is going on to be three days. Do let me know when you want this meeting settled, though, and send someone to wake me if I need to be.
Aloisius

P.S. You're likely to kill me for admitting this, but I've started smoking a pipe again thanks to all this ruckus. Hmph!
A.H.T.
= = = = =

[Vanidor]

How, exactly, the letter got to the Elf Lord is questionable, seeing as the 'residence' he keeps in town is a silent affair with naught but a box for letters at the front of it, but delivered it was. That was certain, for in the space of eight hours a message was returned. The courier was the same Elfess who had come to pay a quick visit to Treadwell's home and gathering when the venerable man aged another year. She would smile and wait for any reply that Altias would have for her, and thusly for her master.

-----------------------

Governor Bromn!

Long has it been since such a council has been called, and sad it is that conflict is the reason for such a thing to come into being. Yet, heed, I shall attend this meeting and leave my retainers upon their work on the outlaying fields of Myrken. I have good news to relate, even if of a minor sort compared with the return of this... Zayken.

Vanidor Goldenhair, Lord of Myrkenwold

[Kylerryth]

Aston Jylan Aldred, the Lord of Aldred, Councilor of Defence and Civil Security, read the letter from Altias Bromn with a slight frown; upon finishing it he grunted, more out of thought than any real displeasure. He then sought ink, quill and parchment with which to craft a reply.

To Altias Bromn:

Salve, Mr. Bromn. Good health and fortune to you. I apologize for the brevity of my reply, but, as you must know by now, I am a very busy man. This is the unfortunate reason why I must inform you that a meeting yestereve would have been easier; this eve will be difficult for me, but I shall do my best to be in attendance.

I must also inform you, Mr. Bromn, that needlessly putting yourself in danger will accomplish nothing; that the people of Myrken Wood are well aware of the steps we have taken to ensure their safety and security, the Brotherhood, the militia, and an outside force of knights having been mobilized in and around the city itself, with the outlying farms and communities advised to take shelter in their homes or to flee to the city; and that I will not support any attempt to reason with this so-called "Lord Zayken."

No surrender. No compromise.

Sincerely,
Aston Jylan Aldred
Lord of Aldred
Councilor of Defence & Civil Security

[Malaroth]

Altias Bromn
Governor of Myrken Wood

Greetings,

Diplomacy has been tried with this Zayken creature and has failed. He deems that we are "ignorant of perfection" and therefore are fit for slaughter. Save that during his assault upon the Broken Dagger and its occupants but last evening he most surely failed to instruct us in how "perfect" he is.

Do not misunderstand me Governor, Zayken is not to be treated lightly. However we were able to fight him off and thus it is quite possible to defeat this creature. To do so, however, we must be aware of his capabilities and servants - both of which I have witnessed firsthand.

It has also come to my knowledge that Ariane Emory has some familiarity with this creature and that she might be questioned that we may better learn of Zayken's designs.

I am certainly willing and able to meet either of the suggested evenings. Let there be no mercy for the enemies of Myrken Wood. Let there be nothing for them save swift and terrible wrath. Do not tolerate this evil or hope to negotiate with it, Governor, for the only peace Zayken must recognize is the silence of his own grave.

Sincerely,

Sir Malaroth Deucalios of Zachea
Grand Master of the Shepherd Knights
Courage, Wisdom, Honor