Noticing the calm and eerily sightless presence of the Phantoms, Dalria tensed slightly, though in practiced composure she seemed in all outward appearance to be at ease, save for a slight tightening of her jaw. The camp itself was indeed impressive, far from the primitive manner in which the Sae’Athkorbrar set camp, having been in the practice of simplicity and quick moves.

Dalria dismounted her own horse and followed Deawen, casting a glance over her shoulder to her two companions as though to request their presence as well. She returned her eyes to the shorter woman, her hand resting habitually over the fiery gem of her sword hilt.

"First I wish to know, Lady Deawen, what is the price on our heads and how vast is the damage upon our reputation as of late?" she questioned with as much ease as she could, hesitant to hear the answer. “It may have great consequence to the decision I must make for those who follow my lead, for the Dark Lord is bargaining for our return.” She said this with a lower tone of voice, as though tentative to bring forth the subject with others listening closely.

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

Deawen sat down in one of the wooden chairs she motioned Dalria to do the same as well as her companions, Deawen did not look at Dalria when she spoke hinting an emotion " When I was summoned to the king to take this mission he told me About you atleast your name he told me that the Sae’Athkorbrar was a teacherous sort that needed to be taken care of swiftly he said they were too many everywhere like a plague...He has offered 3,000 gold coins for your capture and 2,000 for any of your officers...." Deawen looked directly at Dalria "but know this before you make your desision, So far sixteen Bounty hunters went looking for you and your men...but don't worry each one was hunted down and killed I made sure of that." Deawen said quietly with a smirk " I am not in this for the money nor the Glory not this time this it is personal.....It occured to me one day as I was riding If I destroy the next Powerful force next to mine what is to say the king will not think I am too powerful and seek to destroy me? I have no Desire to Serve any lord or King I never had but I never went against it as you said earlier if we cannot be accepted by the common people, then where are we to turn? "
Deawen paused, and poured four goblets with a light wine and handed each person a goblet, she took a sip and waited for a responce.

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Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

Maer descended from the trees when she saw Deawen return with another dark figure. She got into earshot of the conversationand stood stock still, trying to wean some information about the mysterious Sae'Athkorbrar.

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Reasons I love England #217:
I saw "whilst" on a traffic sign

Dalria chose a chair as beckoned, leaning a hand into her sword hilt in order to keep her sword from hindering her ability to sit comfortably. She listened with keen interest to what Deawen spoke, though her expression seemed far from pleased with the first few statements.

“That indeed is a high price upon our heads… You say captured. Does this mean dead or does this mean he wishes for prisoners? Would he be satisfied with the proof of the leader captured and the others scattered?” she questioned further, curious as to the details of the circumstances and perhaps to find if there would be some way in which she may remedy the situation.

As Deawen mentioned the bounty hunters, her expression changed to that of surprise, having not expected to hear of such actions. “Yet would they not blame us for such an act of violence? Who is to say they shall not believe we were the ones to eliminate them, thus further damaging what little reputation we may have.”

“If we have any left, that is,” she added in a quiet, almost thoughtful tone, lowering her chin into her hand.

Raising her amber eyes again to Deawen, she released a heavy sigh, “what do your advisors say? Or is your judgment carried unconditionally? As for my situation, there are several who would wish to accept the Dark Lord’s offer and others who are against it entirely, so I must be cautious with my decision, lest they turn against my command.”

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

" he may be satisfied wih captured leaders and scattered forces but he may not who is to say you will not find another leader and rise up? Now If i was truely bent on destroying my opponet i would certainly not take that approach. But who not to say he will be willing to use you as hostage? if he wanted the Sae'Athkorbrar captured he would not have sent me now would he? "
Deawen laughed at the bounty hunter issue " You have nothing to fear, I warned the King " You have appointed me to deal with the Sae' Athkorbrar then I will do it without competition, any bounty hunter that crosses my path will be sent back to you in a basket" that is what i told him and I stayed to my word"
Deawen smiled again " I am my own person, my advisors kno that if I Let you walk out of this camp alive that I have made a desion and I am staying with it.
as to the Dark lords offer I understand as a leader we must always be aware that our desisions have consiqeunces, if I let you leave I risk being branded as a traitor and face attack from the King. If I capture you here and now I go against my word to allow a safe and honorable gathering "

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Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

Hello?

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Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

(I'll post, no worries ^^ I was just giving others a chance to catch on if they still wanted to...)

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

I don't think they are coming for a long time

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

Deawen held Dalria's gaze awhile before continuing " However I am surprised that the king has not offered for you to be an ally? If I was in his postion I would certainly offer it, but if you choose to join the Darklord Please any Phantoms you capture treat them accordingly for any Sae'Athkorbrar that I capture will be treated as a guest for Phantom law states I cannot hold prisoners, and I like a challenge. But it is Your choice that states Me Friend or foe! "

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

“I will hold our retreat to Mordor as a last resort… however there is no promise I can make, if we encounter your Phantoms in battle, for prisoners who go beyond our care. We have always dealt our captives respect, for they battle well and have given their very freedom, yet beyond such care, once they are demanded from us, I can offer no promise…” Dalria said this with regret but sincerity, and the light amber of her eyes darkened slightly with the thought of the two forces clashing.

She placed a finger over her lips in thought for a moment before again speaking. “What if, Lady Deawen, you were to capture me as I happen to wander from camp this coming night… would the King be satisfied with such a capture if you claim the death of my comrades and I myself speak of such a “woe” to him in person?”

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

Deawen looked at the ground in thought
" say I was to "raid" your camp unexpectedly Your men fought valiantly to the death trying to defend you until death took them and you were captured in the process ending the hunt on your capture I shall present you to The Kings Emesaries(SP) as proof they will leave to send personal word of your capture end to the threat of the Sae'Athkorbrar..." Deawen offered with alittle pomp and circumstance. " then You may leave if you wish and do as you like "
" I have no promises of your safety, The kings Emisaries may wish to bring you along as physical proof....but I normaly send back a known article of the opponet to say I have completed my task"

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

Dalria slowly nodded, thoughtfully. It would be possible… She raised her glance as Deawen offered her release after the ”raid” and visit of the Emissaries. Would this woman, this leader of an elite force rumored as more than merely fierce hunters, honestly allow me to return? And what of the ”raid”… I should not allow my guard to fall, for the “raid” may prove true if my allowance of the action were to be taken advantage of… Finally she nodded.

“I shall accept this generous offer indeed, yet I must insist that when you do this ”raid”, there shall only be fifteen men in my camp. What I do with the others is my own business, though I mean it only as precaution… Will this arrangement be acceptable for you?”

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

Deawen nodded
" Good number, " she commented her mind was racing with ideas
it was a tricky plan how to avoid the King's spies but Deawen always managed. " I cannot help but feel your trust in me is very thin..Which I understand but it has been a long ime since anyone has reminded me of my own mortality...This raid I will lead myself to unsure no trickery slips through and as an act of faith the King has sent m supplies we don't need at the moment, I am sending with you forty casks of wine and eighty crates of Fresh food... I would send horses but our horses can be regonised as they are smaller and gaited. and If you take these and turn against me that is alright as well I enjoy a good fight" she said smiling raising to her feet " expect me around midnight make it look like some sort of bloody battle took place so that if any of the emisaires want proof i will have it "
Deawen watched Dalria for a moment then her gaze was stolen by Eston's intrusion at first he thought the company was just the usual sorts until he saw Dalria he reacted before thinking he drew his curved sword in a heartbeat " whats this?" he demanded spotting Deawen without taking his eyes off Dalria. Deawen straightened "adon þu sweord niþer"
(put your sword Down ) she said softly Eston only stiffened Deawen raised an eyebrow causualy, he sighed and sheathed the sword. " Lady Dalria This is My third In command Lord Eston...By the looks of it he is none to happy about your presence " she laughed slightly Eston scowled
"hider ic Madnis"
(this is madness)
he responded with venom Deawen simply waved him over
" stop fretting All will be told later..now go " Eston made a stiff bow before exiting the tent.

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

Dalria wasn’t immediately given the chance to respond as Eston entered, but she received his entrance with respect, dipping her head into a bow as Deawen introduced him. Her eyes, however, did not leave him until he made his exit, only then did she relax and allow a slight smirk to pass across her stern features.

“I would not doubt there are others in your company who would be displeased with my presence. In such a case I offer them my full hearted apologies; I mean no discomfort to any who are under your command.”

After a moment she resumed her agreement with the arrangements. “My trust is gained when promises have been kept, yet I see you do not hesitate in dealing with my slight mistrust. I will leave my second in command, Koltor, with you this night to assure you that we shall set no trap for your Phantoms, and I am sure you need not be told the value of his presence among my men.”

“And so I shall expect to again see you at midnight. We shall be busy until then, slaying a few beasts of the forest and spreading their blood… I believe it shall do for imitating a battle.” She ended with a smile as she stood to her feet, placing a fist across her chest and lowering into a bow.

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

Deawen made a bow " He will be treated well I assure you, Do not forget the casks and Crates I have promised you will be needing those " Deawen said with a smile " May your path be wel lit and keep your swords close wolves may be near" she said as she spotted Eston who stood jst outside the tent he was tense, he was upset but was it enough for a revolt? nah Deawen thought, Eston had been her confidant for years hewould never rise against her.

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

Tallain listened to the two women talk with growing unease. He wasn't entirely sure he trusted Deawen and her Phantoms. It sounded like a risky path they were taking. <i>Still, we don't have many options.</i> He told himself. <i>Dalria knows what she's doing.</i>