27 Peonu 720

Quickly draining your tankards your group leave the meadhall and follow the path up the hill leading to the thrans gatehouse. It would appear that other men of note from the thran have been summoned to this meeting as well.

Ulauf Nildrom can be seen leaving his clanhouse and making his way across the marketplace, Skorri can be identified easily by his unusual gait as he waddles up the hill slightly ahead of you, several of his worker (longhshoreman) are with him. While Sordi Daas the thrans hideworker can be seen crossing the top of the hill near the thranholds wall as he makes his way from his workshops and clanhouse to attend this meeting.

You easily gain up with Skorri and with some disdain he bids you all "Well met" while his companions merely nod a greeting you. Passing Skorri and his party you enter the thranhold and make your way past the four Ibanvaal men left at the gatehouse. They stand to the western side of the gatehouse as you approach, nearing them you get your first good look at them. They look as though they know there trade they each stare at you as you pass but offer nothing in the way of greeting to anyone.

Nearing the hall you see the ambassador dressed in his white tunic standing with the other six men. They remain silent as you near them, the six men like the four at the gatehouse appear well equipped and quite adept. You enter the hall and find that it is quite crowded. Room is made at the tables for Jurri, Kugald and Algared while the others find a place to stand along the southern wall.

Looking about the hall you are able to see Cunate Daas, standing to his right is Thaldirs to Cunates left stands Tersi Trilsten and just to his left is Madrin his son. Standing about the hall are Cunate's huscarls but you see that Thorin stands just to the right of Thaldirs. The hall is filling up as the locals arrive on the request of the Daas. Soon Jabor enters the hall and it would seem that all the craftsmen of the thran are in attendance along with many of the better warriors.

There is the low hum of many whispers of anticipation while Cunate sits quietly upon his high seat.

Some of the whispers are about the nature of this visit - could it be the Dagen calling for the Daas' surrender!

Barak finds a place at the back where he is not so very obvious. He remarks "No seats, so no feast then." to Borygg.

Standing close to his companions Eijryk looks around at the crowded thranhall. He looks more closely at the Dagen ambassador, curious to find out what this is all about.

"This doesn't feel like a feast about to start, more like some public execution.", he answers Barak. "But some might call that a feast.", he adds in a lower voice.

Standing with his friends and cousins Kugald and Barak, Algared smiles at Baraks's comment. "Plenty of time for feasting once we drive the Ibanvaal scum back to Ibanvaal."

The hum continues through the hall when Cunate looks to the door and nods his head slightly, he is acknowledged by one of his staff who opens the door and leaves the hall, without closing the door he soon re-enters the hall followed by the Ibavaal ambassador and four escorts.

The ambassador walks through the crowd with surprising confidence his hands placed behind his back (there is nothing concealed in his hands), while the four men behind walk in pairs behind the ambassador, they too keep their hands away from weapons but stride forward with confidence.

A path is cut through the crowd as the Ibanvaal party advance towards Cunate, the hall is silent except for the footsteps of the group as they stride towards the Daas, stopping several yards from the Daas the five men all lower their heads in a bow, raising their heads the ambassador is the first to speak "Great Jarl of Daaslund, Defender of Ygesdram and Valhakar of clan Daas, my Prince bids you greetings" he begins in a rough Ivinian accent.

The men of the escort stand respectfully to the rear and remain still, their heads scan the crowd watching the onlookers. One escort in particular the oldest looking, seems to hold a stare for a little bit longer than would seem polite perhaps trying to intimidate his opponent but while holding the stare he eventually breaks the stare and continues to scan the crowd.

Cunate remains silent as he watches the Ibavaal speak his hands resting firmly on the arms of his chair. Seeing no response from Cunate the Ibanvaal continues his message "I am Yanaarl Dagan, cousin to the Prince and bear a message from him." again he pauses, this time Cunate simply nods his head to indicate to Yanaarl that he can continue "My Prince says that in the coming days like you, we wish to celebrate the festivals to honour the Master of Frosty Climes, I wish to offer a cessation of all hostilities during this time, so says my Prince"

Cunate again nods his head "I shall think on a response" is all he adds before dismissing Yanaarl and his escort.

They are shown out of the hall and Cunate remains silent for a moment when the hall sounds with the murmur of everyone discussing this turn of events. From the conversation around you it would seem that there are two initial thoughts emerging, first it is a trick and they would not honour such an agreement and second that perhaps these invaders are honourable for making such an offer.

Arguements soon begin to erupt as each faction tries to make their point

Algared merely shakes his head upon hearing the offer but says nothing. How can this Dagan who attacked Froyby and the Storzar's holdings without a declaration of war now come trying to play the high hand. How can the dog truely expect us to believe him when last time they used the time to send men to try encircle the Daas and have said they support the eradication of our clan. Despite his thoughts Algared remains initally remains silent. But as the factions near him begin to argue. He says "Friends, trick or not matters not to me. They are our foes. But our tulmult merely serves to distract our Daas from thought and feed give hope to those dogs outside who hear this heated discussion." Algared hopes his comments will give those in debate cause to ponder and help bring calm to the hall.

Sigrun says to whichever of her companions is closest, "They may stop fighting, but they won't stop advancing and seizing ground, while strengthening their hold on the lands they have already taken. At this moment, they think stalling will help them."

As the murmuring continues the crowd inside the hall begins to leave. The audience breaks off into small groups as they head off to various locations around the thran.

As you are about to leave Tersi grabs your attention and bids you stay.

You wait around for a while longer as the crowd slowly disperses. Those around you stay and chat for a while before finally leaving the hall.

By the time most of the crowd has left there is only Cunate, Tersi, Madrin, Thaldirs, Thorin and your warband left in the hall.

Cunate looks about and satisfied at his group says "Well, what are your thoughts on this proposal?"

"It would seem to offer us no advantage, and I find it unlikely the enemy would make such an offer if they were not trying to stall for time. Perhaps they need time to complete an alliance, or to move forces. Either way, I do not think it is to pay respect to Sarajin. Nor do I believe He would frown on doing battle with an invader. Indeed, that is perhaps the most fitting tribute."

"I am no wordsmith" says Barak "but his words honour Sarajin, though I am not sure his actions do. I believe he has laid a trap for you which he hope you will stumble in to like a half blind stag. If you refuse his offer he will say you do not honour Sarajin and his is justified to cull us like a sick herd. If you accept his offer, then he will be able to bring up his warriors and supplies and ready for war. You, on the otherhand already shelter many outsiders, and your warriors here are unable to till the land or hunt for food; already the forest is barren. Soon you will have the choice between sending your army home or starving."

Algared listens to both Jurri and barak before responding, "I would agree with both Jurri and Barak the Dagan dog isn't to be trusted. He already attacked Menglana and the Froyby without a declaration of war, how can one who swears to wipe out a clan if they do not swear allegience to him have any honour. He has allied with Trond with the intention of destroying our clan. If he wishes a pause in hostilities it is to serve his own ends. The question is does a cessation in such hostilities serve your plans? Does it free your hand to move against Trond?"

Kugald wait until his companions have had a chance to speak and then nods "Like my companions I do not trust any word that comes from the Dagan, though we know from our travels he declares he will destory any clans that do not swear to him. Of course if a truce works in your favour while a hunting party was abroad...' Kugald adds with a smile, "then maybe that would work to your advantage, but that would depend on what was being hunted but I have no doubt the Dagan will use any truce to better prepare his plans." He then waits for the Daas to speak his thoughts or at least speak of the task he desires the warband to attempt.

Eijryk just nods as the others talk to the Cunate. "I too find it strange that the Dagan wants a truce so suddenly. It seems like some kind of trick, if only to buy some time as Jurri said."

Cunate nods as each man talks, "I do not hold the Dagen for his attack, we strike without warning from our warboats on the morning tide. This is our way. I am more concerned with his intentions behind this offer of a truce." Then in a sterner tone adds "My father called on the old clans to swear their loyalty and pay tribute less they felt his wrath, as I now call on the loyalties of the clans loyal to me to aid this fight. What do you think I would do if they did not send aid when I call, ignore them, no I would bring swift vengance against those that did not hear my call"

"I fear Algared that you have spent to much time away in your halls of learning and forgotten our ways"

"I do believe you may be right Barak, I think his offer may well suit him more than us, but why did he make this offer to us, what benefit does it offer him?" then turning to Jurri Cunate adds "perhaps you are right Jurri, he may need to firm up his alliance or move troops" while Cunate pauses Thaldirs pipes in "Perhaps we should strike first against him and disrupt his plans" Cunate then says "Thaldirs, where do we then strike against Trond, they will fall back behind their walls and we will not be able to seige them long enough before the Dagen will march against us to relieve his ally, if we march against the Dagen and Froyahiem will Trond be in a position to interfere in this attack?"

Thaldirs shrugs his shoulders when faced with this question.

Tersi says "While the Dagens army is large like ours it is made up of smaller clans. Would he risk their ire by demanding their prosecution of this war when they should be respecting 'the feast' period?"

"If I may be so bold my jarl" Barak starts "You seem to have lost the scent of the beast, and you need to scan around to find its tracks and deduce its attentions. It is only when you know where the beast is, and what its routine is, can you plan how to trap and defeat your prey. Or to speak plainly, what you need to know is what the Dagen is up to. I can not promise to tell you that, but I would be happy to see what I discover whilst hunting to the east in the direction of his encampment. In fact, I was only mentioning to Tersi today that I planned to go on a short hunting trip in to the hills to the east: to fill in the time whilst waiting for your next command. I was to return here after our evening meal to meet him to discuss what sort of prey he thought I should be hunting."

Zeuol only offers silence whilst the others speak. The man is clearly listening and soaking up what is said, but he offers no insight himself. Occassionally he nods at a few solid points being made, but he doesn't seem to stand on either side of the matter. Instead he waits for the plan to be issued when an decision has been made.

Algared nods and shrugs slightly, he knows he hasn't really really forgotten the way to make war and gain the upper hand but the point he desired to make has been laboured or at least brought to the fore, in what way does truce favour the Dagan's plans for the offer is clearly not from a desire to honour Sarajin and how can the Daas use it to his advantage. Algared is equally interested to know what task tersi had in mind for the warband to go hunting for.

Kugald continues to listen, and as Barak speaks watches his companions reactions. Then adds to the comments equally as clarification and also to make it clear that as he understands the task that tersi had raised is more than a mere hunt and is one that will require the skills of the entire warband. "My jarl, Whilst Tersi approached us this morning heheard Barak speak of hunting and mentioned a 'hunt' suited to the skills of this warband. Had these emessaries not arrived with the distraction then I'm sure you wouold have would already revealed the task you have in mind. Barak is eager to be away from the crowds and I feel we all are eager to strike our foe. So if I may be so bold as to ask what is the task you desire us to achieve."

"A Hunt!" exclaims Cunate "I have no knowledge of this!". You notice Tersi drop his head slightly. "But enough of this hunt that is not important now, we need to decide on what course of action we are to take concerning this Ibanvaal proposal for a cease fire" then with a stern look on his face he scans the assembled crowd "This is the purpose of this meeting"

Then allowing his words to sink in Cunate then offers "So do we accept the offer or not and what sort of response should we expect from the Dagen based on each response?"

Borygg senses that Cunate knows more about this hunt than he is letting on but that he isn't acknowledging as much in public. Borygg figures the matter of the hunt can be taken up once the assembly ends and the band can meet with Tersi and the Daas more privately.

Jurri knows that both Tersi and the Daas would have preferred the hunt not be mentioned here. He'll remain observant, alert to anyone who seems to take an unusual interest in what Barak or Kugald has said.

As soon as is polite, he will clear his throat and speak to help draw the subject back to the messenger, "It is my advice that his offer be rejected. I would expect to be met with polite disappointment, perhaps even a mild denunciation, no doubt calling into question your adherence to the Ljarl. However, if your choice is to accept it, I recommend you be alert to whatever trap he has prepared with this bait. If you do not mind meeting deception with deception, then say as you wish to mislead him, but do as you must."

"I am a man of action" says Barak "If I have my target in my sights, I let loose my arrow. I say that you should tell the Dagen that there can be no peace as long as even a single man of his is on Menglana soil." he pause "Mind you that will probably just goad him to attack, and you haven't got the King's reinforcements yet."

[OoC: Where is the public? There is Cunate, four trusted lieutenants and us.]

Cunate nods "Hmmm, the King indeed, he does not sail for a few days yet and his journey could take him a few days more, which means he could arrive less than a tenday before our festival begins"

After a pause Cunate asks "Do you think the Dagen knows of our Kings arrival plans?"

"How could he!" Madrin answers "such information would be impossible for him to know"

"But what if the Dagen does know that the King comes to our aid, what then?"

Thorin who has remained silent until now speaks up "If our King arrives in just under a tenday that would boost our numbers to a total that would mean we could take the attack to the Dagen. What does the Dagen achieve by calling this truce?"

Algared looks to Thorin and says "Mayhap he has heard of the kings march, and a few days respite or truce with us allows him to focus upon the rienforcements as they arrive. I for one do not think the truce should be accepted. Maybe the Dagan has already a set prearranged schedule with the Trond rebels that will not be in fruition for a few days and he desires time to ensure the timetable is not disturbed."

Thorin tilts his head as he listens to Algared "Attack the King first, how?" he says "We have the head of the Froya bottled up, the Dagen has not the fleet to break out and attack the King first. With our ships now combined with the Storzars we outnumber the Dagens fleet"

Thaldirs adds "The Storzar has taken most of the seaworthy vessels, the Dagen would have nothing more than a few fishing vessels at his disposal, perhaps a warboat or two at best!"

"Mmmm" says Cunate "so we could rule out an attack down the river then, but what is to be achieved by this truce. Perhaps the Dagen needs to keep his Leuitants and new Valhakars on side and offers a peace for the Ibangaard festival."

"If the Dagen knows that the King comes to our aid, his chances of being defeated are greatly increased if we still resist when he arrives so why does the Dagen then wish to delay?" says Tersi.

"Do we have suffiecient guards along the passes? Are there any other pathes that lead deeper into Menglana from Strozarlund or that lead into Trond that would enable the movement of troops over a a few days? If we can trek over mountain passes there is no reason they could not do likewise. However my Jarl, If we cannot fathom a purpose mayhap you must decide based on how the offers fits or doesn't fit into your own plans." Kugald says then bows his head respectfully. Kugald glances to Algared and then towards Zaoul, before adding, "Have either of you gained anything in those places of learning that may be useful in enlightening us?"