Sapphire:Sessions:20190223

Shawna includes in her items to accomplish:

• Declare martial law
• Announce the emancipation of all slaves
• Confiscate slave merchants' "inventory" and wealth
• Hunt down Marcus Mays (next in line to the Malprin throne)
• Locate Lamond Kolton (exiled royal, said to be opposed to slavery)

Bennet Molina tells Shawna that his scout has reported Malprin troops massing to the west. He wants to send another scout because "the situation may have changed in the past 20-30 minutes." Shawna orders him to lead his troops there.

Among various citizens "milling about" Chalker notes a richly-dressed man accompanied by three toadies. Alastor thinks the man is Portis, a counsellor to the royal family.

Chalker rides up, dismounts. Six soldiers trot toward him; he barely spares them a glance. Alastor spots an herbalist/alchemist with whom he's dealt, talking to a quartermaster who is saying "I need all the healing draughts you have!"

"I'm Rice Kellogg," Chalker says. "I recognize you, Mr Kellogg. I am Portis, one of Kolton's personal counsellors. This is Atlix," he says, indicating a man dressed in heavy leather armor and wearing a sword and a knife on his belt. Atlix says, "Portis speaks for the kingdom, at the moment." As soldiers form a circle around the group, Chalker says to Portis, "I have something to tell you." Portis: "Then I will tell you what I know." Chalker: "The king is dead; the heir is dead; Elvin is dead; the Protectors who were with the king and Elvin are dead. We have landed 1200 troups led by the elven warrior-mage, with 1200 more arriving soon." Portis: "I had not known of Elvin's death. I have sent scouts to the docks but I have learned few details. I know the dragon has been freed."

Chalker: "You sound smart. What do you want to do?" Portis: "I want the invaders out of my city." Chalker: "Do you want to live? (pause) I'm asking you for ideas and you don't have any." Atlis: "I will consolidate my men. I suggest we open parley with the invaders." Chalker: "I can arrange a parley." Atlix: "General Satterwaite is securing the palace." Chalker: "The elven warrior is very anti-slavery. Portis, what do you think? Careful - give the wrong answer and you will die." Portis: "I am open to negotiation."

Chalker apologizes to Portis for any 'rudeness.' Portis: "I agree that we cannot hold the city against 1200." Atlix: "I will notify Satterwaite." Chalker: "I will see if the clash in the east can be averted." Intrinsius notices some scouts slipping away.

Chalker writes to Shawna, Portis and Atlix want parley. After reading her response he tells Portis, "The parley will take place in front of the palace. You may bring two guards under a white flag. Satterwaite may bring two guards or one Protector. I'm trying to ensure that little blood is spilled." Intrinsius murmurs to Chalker, "I think the general knows what he's doing."

Chalker writes to Ahn-Lee: We're going to the palace. People will follow us. They need to be stopped, permanently or temporarily, your choice. Regor, gripping his magic coin, declares, "I will kill the mage." As Regor departs, Intrinsius shouts at his back, "Deserter!"

Chalker waits for Portis and Atlix, then steps between them. Intrinsius falls in behind and Alastor is in the very back. Alastor thinks to himself that the general makes him uncomfortable and the counsellor is a typical bureaucrat.

Shawna goes to city guard headquarters but Guard Captain Breslin refuses to acknowledge her authority. She Magelocks the outside doors and leaves.

Regor hunts down the mage, gets within bow range of the three-person squad, aims, fires, and the mage drops. One man runs away, the other pulls the mage out of sight. Regor pursues and fires at the second man, who drops the mage and runs. The mage lies, stunned. "You never stood a chance," Regor growls, and finishes him off.

A cough sounds from behind, and Regor spins around. What appears to be a ten-year-old boy wearing expensive clothing stands there, clapping his hands." Regor shrugs at him. Boy: "You want to keep that coin?" Regor: "Yeah, 'to the victor go the spoils'." Boy: "Do you want more things like that? Then take a few messages for me." Regor: "Yeah, no prob." The boy smiles. "I'll tell your companions you're otherwise employed." Regor: "When do I get more coins?" Boy: "Open the pouch." Regor does so, pulling out a coin embossed with a bloody dagger. Boy: "Deliver the first message to its former owner."

Chalker's journey book buzzes. Mensep: I've appropriated your new companion as my messenger. Chalker: I wish him all the luck he deserves. Mensep: I expected you to come across it. Delsa is strong with you.

Ahn-Lee comes across a group tailing Chalker and company. He asks Chun, "Preference?" Chun: "I don't like the one on the left." Ahn-Lee sneaks up on his target, pickpockets the man's knife, slits his throat, then tosses the knife aside. Chun kills another man, and the bowman shoots another through the neck.

Chalker checks Athix's aura; some spells are on him that try to block Chalker's perception, but he gets that Athix is very organized, tainted, conflicted, strong and recent presence of demons, courageous, worships Gauder. Chalker: "General, do we need protection from demons? You've talked to them recently. Did treachery come up? Is the demon still around?" Athix: "I wish there was one, but Gauder doesn't approve."

Satterwaite emerges from the palace with Protector Turezole beside him. Alastor senses that Satterwaite doesn't like Atlix. Chalker checks Satterwaite's aura: lightly warded, callous, enjoys killing, demon-touched (though not linked), chaotic, evil.