>>5999763

"The two of you sparred?" Taretha asked you and raised her eyebrow. She was suspicious about what you had told her.

"And wrestled, Alric challenged me to spar with him." Malevus told her and continued with an awkward smile. "You know how convincing he can be."

"Right…" Tari replied.

"And I accidentally elbowed her face…" You tried to explain to Tari not that convincingly.

You and Malevus had chosen to not tell Tari anything about Thrall. Meeting him should be a surprise and you weren't sure how Tari would react if she was to hear the news right now.

"It's just a small scar." Malevus continued. Along with the scar, there was some visible bruising where the now dishonoured orc had punched her. "It's nothing really."

"You have to be more careful next time." Tari said to you and shook her head. "And Malevus, please don't encourage Alric. He has only one speed and it is full-speed."

"I feel like I am being chastised." You replied.

"Because you are, you dummy." Tari responded with a bit of a disappointed look.

"I will try to slow him down." Malevus said and grinned. "He will learn one day."

"Now I am being double teamed! Why am I surrounded by people like you!" You joked.

"Because we care about you." Tari responded. "Right Malevus?"

'Y-yes of course." Malevus said and a little bit of blush appeared on her cheeks.

You rolled your eyes. Well you did care about these two ladies a lot as well. Now though you only cared about taking a bath and resting your legs. Any decisions regarding the burial tomb would have to wait till tomorrow.

…

It had started to rain later that day and it continued through the night and to the next day. Listening to the calm noise of the rain, you had Eligius brief you about what had happened during the days when you were gone.

Firstly there was no major news which was good news. More goblins had appeared in Tarren Mill to work under Mr. Wiklish. Captain Normand Garside, your surrogate father, had sent a supply request and a report detailing not much new at all that had happened in Strahnbrad Hills and Eligius had returned from the ritual performed by the witches.

You had tried to prod him about the details, but didn't get much out of the man outside of it having been some sort of a fertility ritual and a blessing to the farmlands. Either way, hopefully now the urge for the witches to cast magic was satisfied for a moment.

But now you had to decide what you would exactly tell Eligius about Thrall and the death knight? He was your spymaster after all, but not all things are worth telling to others. You could keep everything to yourself or just tell him about the tomb. Maybe you should talk about the Fel as well?

1/1

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>>5999764


>Tell him everything, you trust him and he could use this information to your benefit.
>Thrall and only Thrall. Leave the death knight and the Fel out.
>You found this ancient carved tunnel, but didn't dare to go and check it out from inside. Don't tell any further details.
>Don't say a word. Less others know the better.
>Ask about the Fel. The questions that have been on your mind.
>Other, write in.

QM: New thread, new adventures! As always if you have any questions or comments, feel free to ask and I will try to answer them.

>>5999766
>Tell him everything, you trust him and he could use this information to your benefit.

>>5999766
>>Tell him everything, you trust him and he could use this information to your benefit.

>Other, write in.
We gotta go back there and see if the death knight left anything behind, or if the burial mound itself had interesting stuff there. I'd bet it was made for a tribal king, and then he had the bodies of his warriors there to guard it in the afterlife as well. It deserves a good search.

>>5999766
>Tell him everything, you trust him and he could use this information to your benefit.

>>5999766
>>Tell him everything, you trust him and he could use this information to your benefit.

>>5999766
>>Tell him everything, you trust him and he could use this information to your benefit.

>>5999775
>support

Def need to get the death knights armor and send it back to lorderon. We need them to switch their vote.

>>5999766
>Tell him everything, you trust him and he could use this information to your benefit.
Ask him why he's being so cagey about the details on the ritual though. I want to know what the witches did.

>>5999985
Its THAT kind of fertility ritual. They took his purity, poor Eligius.

"Are you sure you don't want to talk about the ritual?" You asked him and leaned a bit forward.

"Prince Alric, I am very sure about that." He replied.

"No one else needs to learn"

Eligius squirmed a bit on his seat as you tapped the small bag containing the black noise device. No one else would learn about it.

"Alright fine…" He sighed and started speaking.

It had involved a long preparation of the ritual ground. Torches were lit, herbs were burned in the fire as a sacrifice to the spirits. The witches chanted for hours until they brought out some drink that they drank and while Eligius had tried to decline, he had relented in the end. The drink was bitter as hell and then…

Well then…

Eligius doesn't remember much, just that it had involved body paints, dancing around the fire stark naked, more of that bitter drink. Suddenly there were farm animals, but they had lost their tails and Eligius had to go find them and put them back on. And then…

"Oh, it was that sort of a 'fertility' ritual." You said and tried to not smile or laugh, but it was hard.

"Prince Alric, it was incredibly unsophisticated. Their ways just aren't compatible with our understanding of magic. And I will try to change that." Eligius adamantly replied and continued. "And nothing happened between us, at least nothing I could remember."

"Fine fine, but make sure that you don't become a stay at home father in nine months." You tried to keep your stiff upper lip, but failed as you had to laugh.

"Prince Alric…" Eligius just mumbled and ran his hands through his black hair while you laughed.

"Alright, enough of you and the witches. I asked you to come here because you need to know about something." You said to him after getting hold of yourself.

"Which is?" Eligius asked you and waited for you to continue. "Probably doesn't beat my story."

…

You had told him everything that had happened. The falcon, finding the orcs and Thrall, joining them in the search, the burial tomb and ancient dead, Umo Shadowheart and how you defeated it.

You didn't tell him anything about Tari and her connection to Thrall. That will not be told to anyone.

"If it was anyone else telling me what I just heard, I would call them a liar and that story being pure fabrication." Eligius said to you and shook his head a little. "But you…"

"I know that it is hard to believe, but I swear on the Holy Light that I am not telling you humbug." You replied and raised your hands off the table.

"I trust you Prince Alric, but this…"

"It is a lot to learn about in one go, believe me I have gone through the implications of this many times." You told him.

1/2

>>6000248

The two of you sat in silence for a moment as neither wanted to continue.

"Who else knows?" Eligius asked.

"Only Malevus was there and we weren't followed." You replied. "And she won't talk."

"One could think that you had planned a meeting like that, son of the Traitor King conspiring with the orcs?" Eligius mused aloud before becoming a bit coy. "But it was just you and Malevus…"

"Don't even think about anything like that, you very well know that I still need help with my bloody legs." You said back with a stern voice. "And I need time off to relax to not burn myself out like last time."

"Fine fine… but what shall we do now?" Eligius asked.

"The tomb needs to be searched, I want whatever remains of the death knight collected, purified and blessed. The armour and the corpse needs to be returned back to Stormwind City." You told him.

"Yes… one of their knights…" Eligius said to you. "Alright, that shouldn't be that hard, but how should we do it? I mean only three of us know about what has happened?"

That was a very good point. How to avoid being too suspicious about this? Suddenly finding a burial tomb during a camping trip up in the mountains is already suspicious enough. You need a cover story of some sort or taking people with you whom you can trust to not speculate too wildly.


>Send Sir Gravis with the knights and some soldiers to find the burial tomb, you don't need to be there.
>You, Malevus and Sir Gravis with the knights should be enough.
>Three of you, the knights and a patrol of foot soldiers
>You, your men and recall Raleigh the True from Strahnbrad Hills.
>Other, write in.

Cover story:
>Write in.

QM: What would be a believable cover story for why Alric and Malevus found the burial tomb?

FUCK YEAH NEW THREAD
BASED MEDIVH
>>6000249
Fabricate a map or something that pins this on the former smuggler network. Eligius's agents finally deciphered a 'warehouse' used by the smugglers for stashing goods. So Gravis and company need to investigate, to be armed and prepared for anything including traps.

>You, Malevus and Sir Gravis with the knights should be enough.

>>6000249
>You, Malevus and Sir Gravis with the knights should be enough.

>>6000249
>You, Malevus and Sir Gravis with the knights should be enough

Cover story:
>Write in
Hmm well there were the tracks of the group, several orcs, and the horses. Though the rain may have washed some them away. Following an orc trail they found could still work and it's partially true.

Otherwise it was an archeology trip to find more markers old culture, like his silver to deal dagger. Don't want someone else getting the find from loose lips.

Or the most believable of all, it was a secret rendezvous with one of Alrics lovers. Some untamed spirit woman of the mountains. Then some undead interrupted them. There were probably syndicate ninjas as well, working together to some nefarious end. That's how they got the fel poison. Lol

>>6000249
>>6000281
Supporting, call it a place found by the smugglers as a potential hideout, but not explored.

>>6000249
>Three of you, the knights and a patrol of foot soldiers
A bigger number of men than just our knights, and ideal for our protection. We are somewhat near the mountains and going in a potential location of our enemies should be done with at least some force, thats what our men would think like Captain Normand, Litenant Beckston or Sir Gravis for name a few.

Cover story:
>Write in.
An horse run lead them to spot the cavern and explore it, the reason for it could be even for future hunting with Alric wanting to kill another mountain white lion if the opportunity presented it self.
They then discovered that the place was likely an old crypt of the past, a place of darkness and fear, one forgotten. But it had seen recent use of some sort with the many tracks present and a fight inside, perhaps by the Syndicate. Perhaps by bandits or orcs. So it required further investigation in force and not alone, there is reason enough for do it with the attempt of the orc raid against Alterac, Syndicate assassinations attempts or bandits activity and attempts to flee our reach.

>>6000249
>>You, Malevus and Sir Gravis with the knights should be enough.
is eligius coming along?

>>6000249
>You, Malevus and Sir Gravis with the knights should be enough.

>Cover Story
Our horse ride was interrupted by the feeling of a fel presence which, when followed to it's source, lead to an entrance to an underground location.

The fel could still be felt even after the death knight died right? I think it serves as a good excuse if so.

>>6000249
>>You, Malevus and Sir Gravis with the knights should be enough.

"Me, Malevus, Sir Gravis and the knights are sufficient." You said to Eligius. "Your knowledge could be useful, but you are just a scribe."

"Officially." He replied.

"No need to blow your cover for this." You said. "But we do need a cover story, a reason to go there."

"Do you have anything in mind?"

"Maybe I sensed the Fel?"

"Prince Alric, why would you travel that high up the mountains? Otherwise that is a solid idea." Eligius said and continued to muse aloud. "Maybe something with the smugglers?"

"Yes… yes! Make a map or something of a potential hiding spot for stolen goods and drugs." You said to him and immediately took some paper and a wooden stick.

Drawing on the paper a simple picture of the tall rocks on which the doorway had been carved into, you quickly scribbled down other landmarks as well before giving it to Eligius.

"Turn this into a map with proper ink, after this rain is done and you are finished, come back to me and we can present it to the others." You explained rather enthusiastically.

"Prince Alric, that is a very good idea. You are then going to go and check the location out." Eligius told you and continued. "This might work, but I will have to visit Southshore tomorrow so it will take couple days."

"By that point the rain should have stopped, and besides I don't believe that the corpse is going to just walk away from there." You said.

"You never know with the undead, but is there anything else?" Eligius asked you.

In fact there was. You gave him the instructions to see if there are music instruments for sale in Southshore. You had planned to start practising and you had gotten Malevus to join you so now could be a good time to start. You also asked him to keep very close watch on the witches, something about their ritual made you feel a bit iffy.

Maybe it was just the fertility part?

…

Later that day you were standing on the stairs looking down at a trio of men. There was an Alteraci, a migrant from Underbelly and a Stonemason with his red bandana around his throat. And all three wanted the same thing, but they couldn't agreed on the details.

They wanted a bar or a pub and apparently this discussion had been going on for some time already and people had formed into camps and blocs.

Now the issue was that in Alterac a bar requires a permit for tax reasons from the local ruler, that would be you, so they came to ask for one so that a place to drink could be built. But all three had conflicting ideas of what kind of a bar it should be.

1/2

>>6000689

The Alteraci just wanted a bar, a place to drink as currently people drink at home or during the feasts. Having an inn could help with travellers as well in providing them with some rooms.

The migrant meanwhile didn't care if it was a pub or a bar or an inn, but he cared if the few courtesans who were living in Dawnholme could work there after all the drinking hole in Underbelly had been a quite bawdy place. Unsurprisingly the courtesans supported this idea, a safe place to work benefitted them and there was the idea of taxing their nightly work. But based on what the Alteraci told you, the locals didn't approve this idea that much. They found it a bit tasteless and sinful to have a brothel around while the Stonemasons did support the idea, but wouldn't complain if it didn't happen.

The Stonemasons were mostly ambivalent as they just wanted a place for them to gather around and drink. Really their request was that it was to be their own place and not reserved for everyone. Having a place like that would mean a lot for them.

All three sides had their own requests and arguments. You listened to them and asked a few questions that gave you some ideas how to resolve this. It was true that a proper bar was needed, there was none in Dawnholme and giving the permission would keep the people happy.


The Bar:
>Alteraci suggestion, a place to drink and for visitors to sleep
>Underbelly suggestion, a place to drink and for the courtesans to work and be taxed
>Stonemason suggestion, a place to drink for others and then for themselves as well
>Other, write in

Who runs it?:
>Locals, support local entrepreneurs and economy
>The spy ring of Eligius, have it be a front for your intelligence apparatus
>Monica, she is a pro and your representative. Helping her expand like this could prove useful
>Mystery Box
>Other, write in

QM: Mostly flavour, I won't be counting coppers, but this can direct things to directions. If you have any ideas, write ins can work.

>>6000691
>Alteraci suggestion, a place to drink and for visitors to sleep
Yeah a brothel is a bit much and we don't really want segregated Stonemason spaces.

>The spy ring of Eligius, have it be a front for your intelligence apparatus
>Monica, she is a pro and your representative. Helping her expand like this could prove useful
Spy ring staff with Monica as manager.

>Mystery Box
Although Im interested in this, is it compatible with the aforementioned plan?

>>6000712

Sadly Mystery Box is not compatible with your plan.

>>6000720
Surely whoever it is could fit somewhere in there? I'll stick to my plan regardless.

>>6000691
>>Alteraci suggestion, a place to drink and for visitors to sleep
>The spy ring of Eligius, have it be a front for your intelligence apparatus

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>>6000691
>Alteraci suggestion, a place to drink and for visitors to sleep
>Mystery Box
Monica or the spies are tempting, but the mystery box...

>>6000691
>Other, write in
Assuage the Alteraci that we're doing this not only for the benefit of the whores but also their benefit - yes a brothel is tasteless but the alternative is the women of the night plying their craft on the streets. Surely it is better to have a designated place where such activity can be managed than to let it occur anywhere, anytime? No different than the justification for a bar really - better to put all the drunken brawls and arguments in the one place.

As for the actual structure, construct it with a height of at least two stories with the two being functionally separate buildings bar a shared courtyard. The ground floor is a bar and the first floor is the brothel - the two are connected but distinct enough that there is no dishonorable implication against visiting the first for married men or single women.

Perhaps, to accommodate the stonemasons, include a backroom (two preferably) for functions like weddings - when not in use for events, it will serve as a private lounge for them. Though as >>6000712 says, this might bite us in the ass. It would benefit the spy ring as I discuss later however to have a discrete space in the rear they could be in while still being customers rather than staff.

>The spy ring of Eligius, have it be a front for your intelligence apparatus
>Monica, she is a pro and your representative. Helping her expand like this could prove useful
Justification is obvious, as >>6000712 says but also the advantage of this is it gives the spy ring a front for filtering funds into or out from our covert activities as well as a convenient meeting place for them that shouldn't attract too much attention.

>>6000766
I think it better that the place have three levels. Ground and first floor for the bar and inn respectively while a discreet side entrance leads to the underground brothel, make the Underbelly chap feel right at home. Although do make the place classy yeah?

>>6000766
>>6000691
> I support the anon. That's a good compromise. And yes wash funds through it. Give a discount to citizens.

>>6000691
This is a small developing town. The brothel seems premature until maybe the place is more established. Even then, I think such a place should be placed on the outskirts of the town for visitors and minimise disruptions to the life of citizenry.

>Alteraci suggestion, a place to drink and for visitors to sleep
If possible, I'd like to combine with Stonemason suggestion to put clubrooms or an event hall in the pub on a separate floor such as
>>6000766


>Mystery Box
I can't not pick this. But if it's Garithos or the Regional Defenders, I'm going to rage.

>>6000691>>6000766
support
but
>Mystery Box

>>6000691
>>Mystery Box
It's the dark irons, isn't it?

>>6001034
and then they turn it into a hookah lounge

>>6000691
>>Alteraci suggestion, a place to drink and for visitors to sleep
>The spy ring of Eligius, have it be a front for your intelligence apparatus

>>6000691
>>6000712
Supporting. As much mystery box calls me, I cant choose it. I need to be pragmatic. Same thing with the courtesans, they can have their place later

I am seeing the Alteraci suggestion winning with spy ring/Monica taking the vote 6-4.

No Mystery Box for you!

Can I have generic event roll!


>1d10
>Best of three, taking the second roll

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>6001191

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>6001191
lost imp raining from the sky.

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>6001191
>we could have had the mystery box
boo

"I will permit the construction of an inn, but I cannot allow the courtesans to ply their trades there." You said and could see the migrant from Underbelly sigh a bit. "And I can't promise that the Stonemasons get their own space as well. This will be an inn built to serve everyone equally."

"Thank you my Prince." The Alteraci replied and bowed. He tried to continue, but you raised your hand up to silence him.

"I am not going to be content with just a drinking hole. If Dawnholme is going to have an inn, I want it to be the best in the region." You said and turned towards the Stonemason. "I presume Master Pelija will do his best?"

"He will Prince Perenolde." The Stonemason replied. Good thing they had their pride in their work.

"Wonderful, let him know that I will send someone to talk with him hopefully very soon." You said to him and continued. "Anything else?"

The trio didn't have much else to say than just thanks and deep bows before they left and you sat down by the table.

"Are you planning on calling Monica to help run the inn?" Malevus asked, she had been listening and watching the trio of peasants closely.

"Yep, she gets to handle the management and Eligius gets to handle the personnel. What else is a better place than an inn for a spy ring to operate from?" You said to her and continued. "Besides he can syphon parts of the profits for their own operations."

"Sounds plausible?" Malevus mused.

"I do need to inform both of them, fetch me ink and paper and I will write to Monica immediately." You said to her.

"Of course Alric." Malevus said and nodded with a smile.

Ever since returning from the camping trip and deciding to give her the time and space, Malevus had seemed to be more relaxed and you could see the tension having disappeared in her. She would approach you when she would be ready, you were sure about that.

Now though to get Monica a reason to visit you more often. Alric you are a genius, two flies with one strike! Technically three flies, the inn, Monica and spies. This is going to be splendid, you are sure about it.

..

>7
>6


Eligius had left for the Southshore and the rain continued. It made the construction projects to slow down, but the farmers were happy as their freshly planted crops received water.

For you it was also a good excuse to just stay inside and enjoy copious amounts of tea while going through papers and continuing your studies. Also the timing was great when a soaked through messenger came carrying two letters, plenty of time to dig into them without any interruptions.

1/2

>>6001451

First was from Captain Raethan, your informant in Underbelly and who had recruited all those migrants who had moved to Dawnholme. His message was a short one. He was in quite hot water for allowing all of them to leave, but his superiors couldn't really do anything to him or to you outside of showing their ire. Apparently the mages had gotten annoyed as their less than legal needs and requirements wouldn't be filled anymore as skilled labourers and others had left the Underbelly. What remained were the thugs and other way less savoury folk and quickly the vacuum had been filled by new gangs asserting their power. Still new folk continued to trickle in and Raethan would continue his work down in the sewers. He did note that guards and mages not under his command had entered the sewers, and when he had inquired about it, he was just told that this was Kirin Tor business and not relevant to him. Raethan hopes to send another message to you come summer if things are to change.

The second letter meanwhile was from Kris Legace, your Syndicate trader turned into an informant and it was a long one. Hearing from her was always nice and the first half was mostly just how her life has been in Stromgarde. Having opened a leather and leather accessory shop, her business had gotten off to a good start and the locals seemed to trust her more now that she was an entrepreneur.

But that wasn't the most interesting part, apparently the anti-Alliance and anti-Lordaeron attitudes and opinions had turned tad worse. Since the escape of Thrall, the Internment Camps had hired more guards, resulting in increased budget and taxes required for them. In addition the investment put into the Alliance Naval Base east of Southshore should have apparently been put into Stromgarde and her harbour. Now both the peasants and nobles are annoyed with the Alliance, with the King Thoras Trollbane having hands full with them. Kris Legace warned you that the Syndicate might take advantage of this and attempt to spread into the Kingdom and City proper.

That was useful information. Stromgarde had been fiercely independent and the orc question had been a major issue between them and Lordaeron. Really thanks to King Terenas and King Thoras being good friends, further issues had been avoided, but who knows how long that will last?

You put the letter down, but then decided to read through it once more. No messages from your sister Beve? Nothing that would be blatantly easy to notice. Turning the paper around, smelling it and looking at it from all directions, you weren't sure if you would find anything.

When you looked at the letter with a candle behind it, you thought you could see something. You weren't sure, maybe it was just remnants of old ink, the paper seemed recycled. Yet you could try something.

2/2

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>>6001452


>Light the letter on fire, maybe the fire will reveal a message hidden with magic?
>Run your mana through it, maybe that could activate a hidden message?
>Very carefully peel the letter open with a sharp knife, maybe there are layers to this?
>Soak the letter in water, you have read that washing the ink away could reveal something?
>Other, write in.

QM: Rolls got you these letters. A look into the world elsewhere around you.

>>6001456
>Light the letter on fire, maybe the fire will reveal a message hidden with magic?

Option 1 isnt a bad idea its kind of a natural move to burn these letters anyways rather then leave them around for someone to snoop into if a thief were to sneak in, or someone used force to ransack the place.

Option 2 just seems unlikely I dont think Beve knows we can do magic, unless she does, or maybe she assumes we have a mage we trust enough for it.

>>6001456
Oh right, how about the VanCleef letter?

>>6001469

NEXT!

>>6001456
Wait, Raethan is an elf?

Anyway, we could conceivably do all three of the mundane actions. Dip it in water and hang it out to dry then try to peel it and then set it on fire.

>>6001456
>write in
Put it off for later and ask for eligius for advice?
He is studying this kind of stuff he should alteast have some decent suggestions.
>Run your mana through it, maybe that could activate a hidden message?
magic first alric should atleast try to sense if it has anything.
>Light the letter on fire, maybe the fire will reveal a message hidden with magic?
this should propably be last resort.

>>6001484

"When the guards noticed you, they alerted a person who seemed to be their chief. Elf with long hair and blond mutton chops and short beard stood up from a small chair and made his way towards you.

"Welcome to Underbelly, I am Raethan and I'm the Captain of the Guard down here." The elf said while eyeing both you and Malevus. "While you are here, I don’t want any funny business. My men and I run the show, and we prefer if things stay calm.""

He is an elf. I think the reason why I didn't post the pic before was my dislike of the overly Warcrafty sword and shield he has in it. Just imagine him carrying a perfectly normal longsword and shield instead.

>>6001456
>>Light the letter on fire, maybe the fire will reveal a message hidden with magic?


>>6001452
A mix of bad and good news, we can't complain really.

>>6001552
My bad forgot to take it off

>>6001456
>Run your mana through it, maybe that could activate a hidden message?

>>6001484
He's a WoW NPC like Malevus and Monica
You can look him up in the wiki

>>6001533
Have you tried using AI artistry? Also, by the by
>Light the letter on fire, maybe the fire will reveal a message hidden with magic?

If nothing else, we unnecessarily get rid of evidence that maybe could've possibly been used against us. It's not like we'll be running out of correspondence any time soon.

>Other, write in.
God, what if she just used invisible ink? Would Alric even know what that is if that were the case?

>>6001456
>Just go ask out spy master... it's his job to know this stuff...

Lol I'd rather not damage it and just ask our expert.

>>6001456
>>6001496
Actually just keep it around for when Eligius comes back and see what he makes of it. Cryptography isn't Alric's wheelhouse.

>>6001456
>>6001932
Support calling for Eligius

>>6001456
>Other, write in.
call eligius

Eligius is consulted when he returns from Southshore.

Could I have one more roll?


>1d10
>Best of three, taking the second roll

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>6002248

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>6002248

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>6002248

>>6002270
hope that's good!

No update today, I spent the whole day outside chucking wood around and I am now spent! Next update tomorrow and those rolls were pretty solid, VanCleef won't try anything extra wild.

Apologies no update today either. It was one of those ultra ornery work days that just drain you.

Still to have some progress, what sort of a medieval musical instrument Alric tries to learn how to play? Just the standard lute or something different? How about Malevus? I was going to ask this later, but let's do it now.

>>6003683
flute

>>6003683
nyckelharpa ;^)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwHcvLLAw20

>>6003683
Flute sounds pretty good

>>6003683
Hurdy Gurdy for Alric and Harp for Malevus!

But really, the Hurdy Gurdy feels really Alric to me for some reason.

>>6003683
Bagpipes like a chad.

>>6003683
Malevus needs to have something she can sing along with, and I suggest a lute. No excuses to stop her voice.

Alric I think could get some wind instrument and I suggest bagpipes so when we inevitably crit fail learning it, demons are summoned to shut him up.

File: Parn_with_Deedlit.jpg (85 KB, 994x750)

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Actually now that I think on it, maybe a pan flute or ocarina for Alric (he already has Epona, lol).
A lute, lyre or harp for Malevus, or some other string instrument, allowing her to easily sing while she plays.

>>6004159
>>6004192
A harp for Malevus and a hurdy gurdy for Alric, Im telling you anon! I don't really like wind instruments...

>>6004201
Alric is a contrarian of the highest order. If he's going to learn an instrument, it's going to be one to piss people off.
He is a proud man of the high lands.
Lute also has the benefit of being smaller and more portable than a harp, maybe as portable as a lyre? She can play/sing on the road, in the camp, at the next town with no excuses.

File: Edwin_VanCleef_TCG2.jpg (29 KB, 295x334)

29 KB JPG

>8
>8


You put the letter down and sighed. It would be better to wait for Eligius to return before you get into the letter properly. There was a danger that you could damage or just destroy it if you were to soak it in water or light it on fire, so better to wait for someone who actually has knowledge on how to deal with letters like this.

Pinching the bridge of your nose, you shook your annoyance away and looked at the papers arranged on your desk. Tari had finished most of them and prepared them for you for the final check and read through. Even pregnant and probably deserving to spend as much time doing everything else than the paperwork, she had dutifully done her job as your secretary. While you were away, she had been the one keeping the cogs turning so to speak.

Beric was right, you should treasure her.

You went through the papers. Most of them were a boring list of expenses, bought planks, windows and such. Why were you even in the first place having to deal with any of this? But beneath the papers you spotted something different, a letter.

Oh no

Oh by the Holy Light no!

Fishing it out, you quickly opened it with a knife and pinched the bridge of your nose hard enough to leave a red mark. It was the letter given to you by the mercenaries from Edwin VanCleef.

Oh how you had forgotten it?

Edwin VanCleef, the leader of the Stonemasons Guild wrote to you about the events of the spring and the winter. He had led the Stonemasons into exile towards the north, towards Westfall and the abandoned mines of Deadmines. With his people loyal to him he would organise his forces and strike back against Stormwind City and King Varian, but you had accepted to take in the women, children and those unwilling to take up arms immediately.

This had caused issues for him, he had lost a considerable amount of manpower that could have been armed and used in whatever plans he had, but at the same time he was very glad. Women, children, the elderly and those not so sure about the future had decided to take the journey to Alterac to your lands where they would be safe. As much as that might have caused issues to his plans, it was the right thing to do. They weren’t combatants nor people to be thrown into a struggle.

It was in his plans to regain his strength and put the Stonemasons under his command through a training schedule to get them ready. In the meantime he would try to recruit other bands of criminals and thugs under his command.

So he was trying to get his forces ready for whatever counteroffensive he had planned for the Stormwind. By how he wrote, he seemed quite serious about his plans and that did worry you. Still one third of those who were to come had arrived and the remaining were still enroute. One letter should make you change your opinion regarding them. They weren’t part of any of this.

1/3

>>6004906

VanCleef hoped you would understand. He and his people had been wronged and their future depended on how Stormwind would react to all of this. How your common ally could handle this all and make sure that justice is brought to the land.

He ment Lady Katrana Prestor, she had tried to balance the needs of both House of Nobles and the Stonemasons without much success. Lady Katrana had her own business, but it was the right thing to try to accomplish when it came to preventing a practical civil war.

You put the letter down and sighed again.

More of the Stonemasons would come in the weeks and months following this. Politically it would be difficult to explain all this, but it was the right thing to do. They were refugees, people without a homeland. You as an Alteraci would understand that. And besides you needed them, all of them.

Opening the drawer you reached for a bottle of Alteraci brandy you had hidden within. Lookin at the bottle, you decided against it and put it away. You shouldn’t drink, not now. You needed another way to relax and it wasn’t that.

Your eyes landed on the letter by Kris Legace and you got an idea. You had someone under your care that could understand how to deal with letters like that. Maybe she could help you?

…

You sat down on a chair and crossed your legs when you looked at your prisoner. Pai the Assassin had been enjoying your hospitality since her capture and her good behaviour had given her increased meals and regular baths.

“Pai.” You greeted her and fixed your glasses that hid your eyes.

“Prince Perenolde.” She greeted back as she sat up on the bed. She had regained some of the weight she had lost during her imprisonment which made her alluring figure return back to what it was before.

You took the letter out of your pocket and raised it up for her to see.

“I have a letter from someone in the Syndicate and I am expecting there to be a hidden letter or something else in it.” You told her. “I am not going to bullshit or fool you, I think you might know something about letters like this.”

Pai gave you a curious glance and checked her clothes. Her prison attire of a simple tunic and trousers wasn’t the most comfortable or alluring, but it was better than what she was wearing before.

“You being so direct, I am not going to bullshit you either.” She said to you. “What do I get from checking the letter?”

She implied that she could check the letter, but you weren’t so sure you could really believe that.

“Do you really think that I believe you? All this time you have been playing coy even with me giving you all this leeway. You know what I want, everything you know about the Syndicate, and now I am giving you a chance to be useful.” You told her and continued. “Pai, you have been listening to the workers mining and toiling for months, when they are ready, you are going to be moved into a more secure cell further away from the sunlight.”

2/3

>>6004908


Pai sneered at you as you spoke. You crossed your hands and looked at her.

“What do you offer to me?” Pai asked you. “The scribe is awfully boring when he comes to see me.”

“He is still doing that?” You asked meaning Eligius.

“Yes Prince Perenolde, but he doesn’t talk about anything else other than what has been going on and what has been going on elsewhere.” Pai explained. “He hasn’t even tried to interrogate me for weeks.”

“Maybe he has gotten all smart about you?”

“Hah.” She replied.

“So how it is?” You asked her.

“Offer me terms.” Pai asked.


>Previously she has asked you to please her in bed. Give her what she wants.
>No terms, she is either going to help you or not. Eligius can most likely check the letter one way or another.
>Increased upkeep, two warm meals per day and better care of her clothing.
>House arrest, she gets to leave the cell, but she is watched constantly by your guards.
>You are going to free her. Those are the terms for her to deal with, see how she reacts to that.
>Other, write in.

QM: A harp for Malevus, while Alric takes the lute.

>>6004913

And with lute I mean flute. Alteraci orchestra will grow larger!

>>6004913
>You are going to free her. Those are the terms for her to deal with, see how she reacts to that.

>>6004913
>No terms, she is either going to help you or not. Eligius can most likely check the letter one way or another.
We've been more conciliatory and it has gotten us nowhere, we need to play hardball again.

>>6004913
>Increased upkeep, two warm meals per day and better care of her clothing.

>>6004913
>No terms, she is either going to help you or not. Eligius can most likely check the letter one way or another.
Prove herself worthy and maybe she can talk terms.

>>6004939
>>6004947
Do not do it anons. I called it when I said that appeasimg her will get us nowhere, doing more of it will be no different.

>>6004913
>>No terms, she is either going to help you or not. Eligius can most likely check the letter one way or another.
"Pai, come on isnt it boring here for a fine assassin such has yourself ? This is such a little thing to do, better than looking at the wall at least. I know you want to give yourself some value, has an assassin of the Syndicate of a certain rank, but i need a bit more from you. To me this letter can wait if you say no, to you not so much. See i have people* that can do this too if needed, but for you this can be an opportunity for gain a small amount of my trust. Gaining this informations is in my interest, you would accomplish something for me and i wouldn't forget that you did it. That is if you are interested in earning my trust even if small, i do remember you being interested in me so its something you should value."
Get up from the chair
"Ah. I forgot, this opportunity remains only today and if you call me for waste my time, i have an idea of what to do. Have a good day Pai !"
Lets turn the table around, the possibility is there for a day and then its not there anymore. A constant thought for a full day after weeks and weeks, of seeing time to time only Eligius and guards. The gain is very small, in fact she gains basically nothing beside some of our trust. But she has nothing at the moment beside all her informations of the Syndicate.

*Aside from Eligius, there is also the few spies in training recruits we have that might know something (if any of them is in Dawnholme at the moment).

>>6004913
Would she describe her relationship with Eligius as cooperative? Does she give him straight answers? Does she give Alric straight answers?

Immediately:
>No terms, she is either going to help you or not. Eligius can most likely check the letter one way or another.

She can make a habit of being cooperative that we will match with better living standards like
>Increased upkeep, two warm meals per day and better care of her clothing.
>She keeps a cell with sunlight with a daily allowance to walk outside the cell and around the jail for exercise.

>QM: A harp for Malevus, while Alric takes the lute.
Nice.

>>6004960
Didn't we improve her lifestyle last time and she immediately responded by handing over her hidden weapon she was hiding in her mouth? So that is progress, while waiting afterwards didn't do anything.

>>6004913
>Increased upkeep, two warm meals per day and better care of her clothing.

>Captcha 4NSPA

Oh mighty Captcha you want us to let the spy have a spa day?

>>6005153
We did that AFTER she gave up the blade. Im fact, she even gave up the blade after we refused to appease her. Thread 23 if you want to check for yourself.

>>6005198
'Accept the first request. Bath, clothes and dinner, but nothing more. You aren't going to have sex with her.' and then she gave up the ceramic blade. We did refuse to go to bed with her, but we did appease her with improved quality of life stuff before she gave up the blade.

>>6005211
>"Oh you are going to tell me everything you know, but on my terms."
>"It was nearly a waste of my time to come here, but we did talk and just like you said, I am too kind of a person." You told her and continued. "I will arrange for you a bath, fresh clothes and dinner. Just like I arranged you the extra meal."
That sound like appeasement? We can give her treats but we can't be conciliatory.

>>6005130
>"Tbis opportunity remains only today and if you call me to waste my time, i have an idea of what to do. Have a good day Pai!"
This is better than that wordy monologue. It comes across as how Eligius has been trying to convince her. Though I would like to know what this "idea" mentioned is.

>>6005211
>>6005221
Point is: What Im concerned about, if we're gonna do this thing of recruiting Pai, is earning her respect and that can be easily compromised if we deal with her on her terms.

>>6004913
>Increased upkeep, two warm meals per day and better care of her clothing.

My immediate thought was offering her reading material since she's probably bored out of her mind most of the time but part of me doubts we've much of interest unless Malevus shares her smut. House arrest is a bit too lenient. Giving her time outside of her cell, even the opportunity to interact with people maybe. Shackles to limit her ability to run would make it quite safe.

>>6005221
>>6005242
You called it appeasing first, but whatever its called I'm just pointing out that we did make progress in this way and not just stonewalling. She wasn't talking then we got her talking so we rewarded that behavior because it was an improvement. We made it clear we wouldn't take her to bed and she demonstrated respecting that in not pushing it again here or since. She gave up her ceramic blade.

Shes not even giving any terms here, shes asking Alric what her cooperation in this is worth. Shes asking for our terms to help Alric instead of her making requests, that would make it our terms and not hers, and that is an improvement.

I don't think her asking us for terms and then we refuse to even give terms for cooperation would be an improvement in this relationship. If we want to earn more of her respect, respect her to be capable of cooperation by offering our terms. Stonewalling after she asks us for terms is like saying we don't think shes capable of dealing. I believe the end goal is to be able to make an offer of recruitment which will involve us offering our terms which should be the kind that can entice a professional and higher ranking assassin, otherwise she could just leave and go freelance for people who will make an actual offer. This is just another small step in the right direction.

'I value your knowledge on how to read this secret letter, and I'm willing to offer ---- for your cooperation.' she responds with 'Okay.' or 'I'd like a bit more it seems like you really want to learn what this super secret letter says right now.' Which would be fair, but we can counter with being able to have Eligius look at it later or giving something else small but effective.

>>6005289
Oooh thats a good idea. A few books, that would be really funny if they all bond over Malevus's smut books. It would be a nice reward and way to deal with the boredom. I'd say offer that if the increased upkeep isn't enough to sell it. Thats pretty east to continue working with, if we need more of her help we can offer the next book in the series or other books.

>>6004913
>No terms, she is either going to help you or not. Eligius can most likely check the letter one way or another.
What's she done to deserve anything else?

“No terms.” You said to Pai and stood up. “You are either going to help me or not.”

Pai looked at you as you put the letter back into a pocket within your jacket.

“Isn’t it boring for an assassin of your quality to just look at a wall? This is such a small thing to do for you. I know you want to give yourself some value, an assassin of the Syndicate of a certain rank, but I need a bit more from you. To me this letter can wait if you say no, to you not so much.” You spoke to her and walked to the door of the cell. “See I have people that can do this too if needed, but for you this can be an opportunity to gain a small amount of my trust.”

Pai continued to look at you before blinking once and looking away.

“Fine… give me the letter.” She said to you with annoyance and disdain in her voice.

You gave her a pleasant smile back.

“See it wasn’t that hard.” You said and walked to her, your hand not far from the hilt of the Cinder Sword. Giving her the letter, Pai looked at it briefly before spreading it open before her.

“A knife please.” She said to you.

Reaching for one of the pockets, you carefully handed her a sharp knife suitable for opening letters. Pai took it from you and walked to the table in her cell where she started to work.

Carefully pressing the sharp knife on the side of the letter, Pai started to pry it open. As you watched her work, she moved from one side to another, removing the glue that held the paper together and soon she had separated the letter from the hidden letter underneath it.

“Trick old as time.” Pai said to you.

Quickly snatching the letter off her hand and taking the knife, you stepped back and looked at what she had discovered.

“Your brother is scared, he knows the poisoning is a lie, they have backed off.” The letter Pai had separated from the original letter said.

Two letters glued as one and now you had both of them. A message from your sister, even if a short one was worth its weight as gold thousandfold. You glanced at Pai and read the letter again. Your brother is scared because of the assassination attempts on you or for your life? Other assassins have backed off due to the story you have been feeding to outsiders? You weren’t sure, but if they were backing away, you would take it. Better to have no assassins chasing your tail.

You folded the letter and stashed it inside your jacket. Giving Pai a gentle smile, you spoke.

“See, not that difficult.” You said to her. You weren’t sure how much she had managed to either read of the letter sent by Kris Legace or about the secret letter.

“I know what I am doing.” Pai replied and turned to face you.

You looked at the short assassin with her brown hair before speaking to her.


>Thank her, she has gained a bit of your trust.
>She deserves a bit of a reward, maybe a book or two to stave off the boredom.
>Offer her employment, if she works for you, she could get out of the cell.
>Set her free and release her completely.
>Other, write in.

>>6005449
>>She deserves a bit of a reward, maybe a book or two to stave off the boredom.
Shell need to be more useful for better rewards.

>>6005449
>>She deserves a bit of a reward, maybe a book or two to stave off the boredom.

>>6005242
eh sometimes its just like that.
>Though I would like to know what this "idea" mentioned is.
depends, nothing strange. Cutting the food again or no visits for quite a while. Probably the second one. I was even thinking of scaring her a few times with the cloak, subtly like something at the edge of our vision. It would have been hard, and a bit silly.


>>6005449
>>She deserves a bit of a reward, maybe a book or two to stave off the boredom.
one book

>>6005449
>>She deserves a bit of a reward, maybe a book or two to stave off the boredom.

>>6005449
>Thank her, she has gained a bit of your trust.
>She deserves a bit of a reward, maybe a book or two to stave off the boredom.
If she doesn't want books, then the clothes and two meals each day is fine too.

>>6005449
>Thank her, she has gained a bit of your trust.
>She deserves a bit of a reward, maybe a book or two to stave off the boredom.
Don't mention the trust nor the book though, just give the latter to her later.

“Thank you.” You said to her, giving her a polite nod at the same time.

Walking to the door of the cell you knocked on it for the guard to open it.

“Already leaving?” Pai asked you.

“I got what I wanted.” You replied as the door opened. “When you are ready to speak, call me.”

Pai gave you a glance and chose to not reply as you stepped out of the cell and the door was closed behind you.

…

“You want to give her one of my books?” Malevus asked you as she didn’t really believe what she had just heard.

“Yes, the first volume should be enough.” You said to her and continued. “Pai helped me and she has been probably bored out of her mind in that small cell. A small reward could go far.”

“But the book…” Malevus carefully protested.

“Exactly, that is the point.” You said and grinned. “Pai is a seductress, she might actually enjoy the book. Or if she doesn’t enjoy it, at least she has something to read through.”

Malevus shook her head and sighed.

“Alric, it is your call.” She said to you.

“Pai has been helpful to a certain extent. I think she wants to speak to me, but her own honour prevents her. I am not sure if she is still loyal to the Syndicate, but it is clear that the Syndicate doesn’t care for her.” You told Malevus. “Sooner than later she is going to decide to talk with me or with Eligius.”

Malevus shrugged, she had helped to save her life, but she didn’t have much to say about her.

“Either way, the deeper cells are soon finished and she will be moved down there.” You said.

The work on the deeper much better protected dungeon was nearing completion. Couple more weeks and the Stonemasons and miners have finished their work. Then you have a way more secure and protected place to throw your long term prisoners in.

…

The next day the rain had ended and now you were just waiting for Eligius to return. In the meanwhile you had been going through the short message sent by Beve to you again and again.

“Your brother is scared, he knows the poisoning is a lie, they have backed off.”

That was one of the few bits of good news you have received regarding the Syndicate. If their attempts to assassinate you have been pulled back even if temporarily, you can relax a little bit. But if it is true, then they can concentrate on something else completely. You have a feeling that the Syndicate is going to attempt to do something later this year.

1/2

>>6006045

“Prince Alric.” Sir Gravis greeted you.

“Yes?”

“More Stonemasons have been sighted, they are arriving from the west.” Sir Gravis said to you.

“West, from Darrow Hill?”

“They are still in Hillsbrad, but our lookouts in the scout towers spotted them marching towards us. They will be here in few hours.” Sir Gravis explained to you. The towers that had been built to defend Dawnholme had worked as intended.

“How many?”

“Couple hundred, less than in the first group.” Sir Gravis said and continued. “Are we going to escort them here?”


>Inform the Stonemasons that more of them are arriving, let them handle escorting the newcomers to Dawnholme.
>Ride out and escort the Stonemasons to Dawnholme personally.
>Be prepared to receive them when they arrive to Dawnholme, but don’t go escorting them.
>Other, write in.

>>6006048
>>Ride out and escort the Stonemasons to Dawnholme personally.

>>6006045
>>6006048

I kinda figured we would just buy another of it lol not take one of Malevus's books.

>Ride out and escort the Stonemasons to Dawnholme personally.

>>6006065

It's just faster this way. Alric got the book, gave it to a guard who delivered it with a short message from you. Pai received it maybe a hour after your visit.

Now Pai gets to enjoy the high literature that is Steamy Romance Novels!

>>6006048
>>Ride out and escort the Stonemasons to Dawnholme personally.

>>6006104
>>6006065
Malevus will not notice, she is too occupied reading the new books.

ah lol

>>6006048
>>Ride out and escort the Stonemasons to Dawnholme personally.

>>6006104
soon we will be able to form a book club

>>6006048
>>Ride out and escort the Stonemasons to Dawnholme personally.

No update today, this week has been a total disaster at work and I am ultra tired. But could I have some rolls for the second group of Stonemasons, their journey here has been an arduous one and they are quite tired, just like me. Let's see how tired they are exactly. 1d100 is by design.


>1d100
>Best of four

>>6006638

A book club of trashy romance novel connoisseurs. Alric is going places!

Rolled 12 (1d100)

>>6007010

Rolled 82 (1d100)

>>6007010
King of Alterac? Nah. President of the literature club more like.

Rolled 16 (1d100)

>>6007010

Rolled 88 (1d100)

>>6007010

>88


When you rode out to greet and then escort them to Dawnholme, you were expecting a rather miserable looking bunch of people. A long journey, it had been raining and they were approaching from the west as well. But instead when you, Malevus, the knights and Royal Foot Guards reached them, they seemed to be doing rather well.

The Stonemasons watched you approach them, whispering amongst themselves about you and your strange elven squire. Malevus again got a fair share of attention from them.

The one nominally in charge told you everything as the refugee caravan continued its journey. They had disembarked their ships near Gilneas and taken that route here. For sake of security, splitting the routes they used was for the best. And while the sea journey had taken longer than expected, they were in good spirits and incredibly glad to have come here.

You asked him how many of them had come and got a pretty good idea of how many exactly. Another ten mercenaries guarding them, then eighty able-bodied men and nearly three hundred women, children and elderly. You told him what you had already agreed with Master Mason Erefor Pelija and while the Stonemason with whom you were talking seemed to be a bit taken back, he nodded and said it was a fair solution. Maybe being on the road for so long made it easier for them to just accept the present situation before those in Dawnholme can change their minds?

Riding with them, you saw plenty of smiles and happiness out of pure relief that the journey was nearly finished. Malevus was yet again swamped by the children and at one point had no idea what to do with all the small ones running around her.

Now just to get everyone to Dawnholme, have them fed and those ill or in poor health under care. Then they can slowly join the rest in helping Dawnholme grow.


Gained:
>80 Peasants

…

"Sir Gravis, thank you for coming here." You said to him as he stepped into your study. It was later in the evening and Eligius had just returned moments ago and you had immediately called Sir Gravis to join you.

"As ordered Prince Alric, what is it?" He asked you.

"Eligius found this map, it was from the smugglers and well hidden and stashed away amongst their belongings." You told Sir Gravis the lie you had prepared.

Eligius had made a rather convincing looking map based on your instructions and Sir Gravis was now looking at it.

"Their camp in the mountains?" He asked the two of you.

"Yes or at least a place they had marked down. Prepare to leave early next morning, we will go check it out." You told him.

"Understood, the boys will be ready. Do we call the Royal Foot Guards or the others to join us?"

"No, I want their presence here with the Stonemasons having just arrived." You said and shook your head. "It will be just us and Malevus."

1/2

>>6007853

"Will that be enough?" Sir Gravis asked back.

"I don't believe whatever the smugglers have found to be a dangerous place." You replied.

"Good point, anything else Prince Alric?" Sir Gravis asked.


>Ask him about finding the replacement for Garth who died, how is it going on?
>Tell him to keep his eye on the mercenaries Stonemasons have brought with them. You want your opinion on them.
>Is he still seeing that courtesan, are they peeved about not getting their brothel?
>Update him on the intelligence you have on the Syndicate, supposedly their attempts to assassinate you have been cancelled or postponed.
>Other, write in.

QM: Good rolls, plenty of more people are now living in Dawnholme and surrounding lands. With 2.2k population reached, Dawnholme has surpassed the post-Third War era Southshore which had 2k pop according to the RPG books.

>>6007858
>Ask him about finding the replacement for Garth who died, how is it going on?
>Tell him to keep his eye on the mercenaries Stonemasons have brought with them. You want your opinion on them.
>Is he still seeing that courtesan, are they peeved about not getting their brothel?

Until we can independently confirm the intel, I think it's prudent that Gravis still remain alert for trespassers and assassins.
Otherwise, is there any preparations to consider for the trip, or anything he generally wants that can be accommodated at this time that could help his search for a good knight?

>>6007858
>Ask him about finding the replacement for Garth who died, how is it going on?
>Is he still seeing that courtesan, are they peeved about not getting their brothel?
>Other, write in.
"I am in the mood for a good spar. What about you Sir Gravis ?"

The Syndicate while under Aiden has several factions inside it. Let's keep the same level of alert. Mercs can be a problem but we want to send them to fight so that should help

>>6007858
>>Ask him about finding the replacement for Garth who died, how is it going on?
>>Is he still seeing that courtesan, are they peeved about not getting their brothel?
Sparring can wait, just tell him to be vigilant with all the new people around.

>>6007858
>Ask him about finding the replacement for Garth who died, how is it going on?
>Tell him to keep his eye on the mercenaries Stonemasons have brought with them. You want your opinion on them.
>Is he still seeing that courtesan, are they peeved about not getting their brothel?

>>6007858
>Ask him about finding the replacement for Garth who died, how is it going on?
>Tell him to keep his eye on the mercenaries Stonemasons have brought with them. You want your opinion on them.
>Is he still seeing that courtesan, are they peeved about not getting their brothel?

>>6007858
>Ask him about finding the replacement for Garth who died, how is it going on?
>Is he still seeing that courtesan, are they peeved about not getting their brothel?
I'd leave the keeping an eye on the mercs to Eligius.

"Actually yes, have you had any luck at finding a replacement for Garth?" You asked Sir Gravis.

The knight stood there for a second, running his gauntleted hand through his long black hair.

"Prince Alric, it is not easy to find a replacement for someone we called a friend." Sir Gravis said back to you.

"And I understand that, but you also have a mission you need to accomplish." You reminded him. "So has there been progress?"

"There hasn't been a suitable candidate amongst the Alteracis, but we are hoping to find someone from the newcomers." Sir Gravis replied.

"Good, I hope that you have found the replacement before the campaign against the gnolls is launched by Lord Blackmoore. I don't know if we will participate in it, but I want my protection to be top notch in any case." You said and continued. "Besides, the Syndicate might still want me dead."

There was no point telling him about the hidden message from your sister. No need to lull him into a false sense of security accidentally.

"I also want you to keep an eye on these mercenaries who have arrived, I want to know their quality." You finished.

"Yes Prince Alric, understood." Sir Gravis replied and nodded. "Is there anything else or can I leave now?"

"Yeah you can leave." You said to him and watched as Sir Gravis bowed to you and went for the door. Then something came into your mind. "Sorry if I may ask, are you still seeing that courtesan?"

Sir Gravis stopped and looked at Eligius and then back at you.

"I am… sometime… if it is about the tax I have paid it to Eligius." Sir Gravis said to you.

"Sir Gravis has been… eager to pay his taxes, often as well." Eligius told you and hid his smile.

"Oh I don’t care about that, I just wanted to know what she is thinking about not getting the brothel?"

"Well I haven't met her since the decision was made…" Sir Gravis replied a bit sheepishly.

"Can you ask her next time? I would like to know."

"I will."

"Thank you."

You watched as he left your study leaving you alone with Eligius.

"I think he fancies her." Eligius said to you.

"I think so too." You replied. "Now though, you got the instruments?"

"Yes, I left them downstairs with Malevus."

"Alright, let's go check them out."

…

You had never been that interested in music when you were young and after that you didn't have the time for it. But you were always interested in trying something new.

And so you were looking at Malevus studying her new harp while checking your own flute that you had gotten.

Eligius had left you after telling you that the small music store had rather limited stocks, but it did have a book on music theory he had also gotten for you.

"Where did you get this idea?" Tari asked you as even Maura came to see what the two of you were doing.

"I need a hobby, something else than just work and more work." You replied. "And Malevus agreed to join me."

File: Malevus the Lady.jpg (151 KB, 800x1091)

151 KB JPG

>>6008411

She was already plucking the strings and testing how they sounded. Her harp was small enough to fit on her lap and had fifteen strings on it. She could easily carry it with her wherever you were to travel.

"I think I can learn this." Malevus said. "Have you checked your flute?"

"Not yet." You said and took the leather tube that contained it.

From within you slid out a wooden flute. It was very light and without much details carved into it, a very simple looking instrument maybe as long as your arm. On one side there was a hole where to blow the air and then seven smaller holes. One for your right thumb and rest for remaining fingers.

Testing the flute in your hands, you pressed the hole to your lips and found the spots where your fingers would go over the holes.

"Try it Alric." Malevus said to you. "I want to hear it."

A single butterfly flew in your stomach as you glanced at her. Malevus smiled and with her dressing so casually in her white shirt and trousers, she looked very pretty holding the harp and having her long red hair freely flowing.

Alric, don't get performance issues right now!


>3d10, Best of three
>DC 16, Crit 24

QM: Music is war so the combat dice are out. Let's see if Alric gets some sound out of the flute.

Rolled 6, 2, 10 = 18 (3d10)

>>6008413

Rolled 6, 6, 10 = 22 (3d10)

>>6008413

Rolled 8, 3, 5 = 16 (3d10)

>>6008413

>22, Success!


Gently blowing air into the flute, a low melodic sound, a very soft sound came out of it. You blew steadily and one by one removed your fingers, testing how the sound changed.

You did that again, keeping the blow steady as you tested how the sound changed based on how many fingers blocked what holes. The sound continued to be quite soft.

"I think it sounds beautiful." Tari replied to you.

"Melancholic, a bit at least." Malevus said. "Is it hard?"

"It's not that hard. I feel like I know where to put my fingers and how to blow as steadily as possible." You said to her.

You raised the flute again and blew gently, this time playing a simple tune that lasted a couple of seconds.

"Yeah I think I will get a hold of this." You said and smiled at Malevus. "We are going to have so much fun with this."

"Well I hope that fun can start tomorrow, because I will now go to sleep." Tari said as she stood up and stretched her back. Her baby bump was now rather easily noticeable under the dress she was wearing.

"Yeah, it is getting late." Malevus said to you.

You smiled at her and she blushed a bit. The butterflies intensified in your stomach.

"I will be waiting for our practice sessions together." You said to her

"So am I." Malevus replied and as soon as she realised how red she was, she stood up and prepared to go to bed as well. "Good night Alric, sleep well and see beautiful dreams."

You were going to reply with some cheesy tease about not needing to see beautiful dreams as Malevus is already real or something of that kind. But chose not to, you had promised to not tease her.

"Good night Malevus, tomorrow is going to be a long day so sleep well." You said to her and watched her walk to her room. Walking barefoot, they made no sound on the wooden floor.

You sighed and breathed in deep. You have been blessed by so many good friends, but why do so many of them have to be women? Especially as beautiful as many of them are.

…

You had woken up early and started to prepare for the long day ahead. You would ride out and return to the burial tomb where you, Malevus and Thrall had defeated Umo Shadowheart. Now though you weren't sure how to dress up for it. You had defeated the ancient dead guarding the place and their master, the place should be empty and nothing should have moved in already.

Yet the choice was a difficult one.


>Dress normally. You aren't expecting a fight and you don't want to make a huge scene out of this.
>Dress for magic. The Raiments should help you if there are any magical threats remaining within the tomb.
>Dress for war. Aurvan'kal, The best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be.
>Other, write in.

QM: Alric didn't fumble with the flute. Now the music training will be pushed to the background, it will be happening there just like other kinds of studying happens. But let me ask you, what is the goal for Alric with this, what does he want to accomplish with the flute and these sessions?

>>6008449
>Dress for war. Aurvan'kal, The best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be.
Important Note: Twice now Alric has been caught out by potential enemies, while on a date, alone. It should not happen again.

>But let me ask you, what is the goal for Alric with this, what does he want to accomplish with the flute and these sessions?
Same as any other hobby, to have fun!

>>6008449
>>Dress for war. Aurvan'kal, The best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be.

>Hobby
Try to be semi good at least

>>6008449
>Dress for war. Aurvan'kal, The best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be.
We need to atleast keep up appearances that it might be dangerous even if the chance is low.

>>6008449
>>Dress for war. Aurvan'kal, The best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be.
Better to be careful like others said. Who knows what will happen

>Hobby
To get good, but most importantly to have fun and to spend time with Malevus

>>6008449
>Dress for war. Aurvan'kal, The best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be.

I don't want to even think about what happens if we try blinking in a cavern imbued with fel energy and crit-fail.

>>6008449
>Dress normally. You aren't expecting a fight and you don't want to make a huge scene out of this.

>what does he want to accomplish with the flute and these sessions?
to head south and seize karazhan to put on the best ghost musical ever

>>6008449
>>Dress for war. Aurvan'kal, The best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be.

Fun mostly being good with it would be a side bonus

Malevus had helped you to put on the Aurvan'kal and you had reminded her that both of you are supposed to be in the burial tomb for the first time. It was easier for you and her to be silent and allow Sir Gravis to go in first and make the discoveries.

It wasn't easy for her to lie like that, but she understood the reason for it rather well.

When everything was ready, you took the rations and other things you might need and left for the stables. Better to leave early as it would be a long day of riding ahead for you.

…

You had followed the road to the silver mine first, briefly meeting with one of your patrols there and the supervisor of the mine. But you didn't spend much time there as you wanted to find the tomb before the night arrived.

From there you headed further up the mountains and regularly checked the faux-map made by Eligius. Its instructions were simple, when the right mountain peaks were to your left and right, you were in the right place. So you just had to follow the sparsely wooded part of the mountains until you would find the burial tomb.

In reality you had a pretty solid idea where you were and where the tomb was, but you had to play a role today. You weren't supposed to have been here before.

…

The rains of the past few days had been heavy. The small mountain streams were flowing with fresh water and you hoped that whatever tracks there could be of you or your horses, all were washed away.

As the day turned into late afternoon, you started to recognise your surroundings. You were close and you noticed that Malevus realised it as well. But this time there wasn't the oppressive feeling of Fel around you. Just tranquillity of nature and the singing of the birds.

"I think we are close." You said and pretended to check the map. "The mountain peaks match. Let's fan out and cover more ground that way."

Sir Gravis saluted you and ordered Thomas, Empleton and Joe to the wings.

Riding slowly, you spotted some familiar rocks and watched as Thomas was the one who spotted the carved entrance into the ground below.

"Sir, I found something." Thomas shouted and Sir Gravis immediately rode to check what it was.

"Prince Alric!" He now shouted to you and you followed him to the entrance.

You looked at the map and then at the rocks and the mountain peaks around it. It was mostly accurate, accurate enough to fool someone.

"I think we are here." You said and passed the map to Sir Gravis before dismounting your horse.

1/2

>>6008903

Walking to the entrance, you carefully watched your steps and tried to see if there were tracks on the ground.

Blasted, the rain hadn't washed everything away and you spotted several large footprints, clearly orc boots. And then you spotted a smaller one and realised that it shouldn't be spotted. Those were your footprints.

Quickly stepping over it, you turned your feet on the soft ground and muddied the tracks before calling out Sir Gravis.

"I think we have a problem." You said to him and waited for him to join you on foot. "Orc tracks."

"Boys, to the Prince." Sir Gravis shouted and the knights joined you, leaving Malevus to tie the horses to nearby trees. The knights with their heavy feets hopefully made spotting your earlier tracks a more difficult task.

"These tracks could be old, rain has washed most of them away." You said to them and played your role.

"We should still be careful." Sir Gravis said to you and looked at the entrance carved into the rock. "Orcs this close to Dawnholme… and this strange whatever this is."

"I know, be prepared. I don't know if the smugglers knew what they had actually found." You said and tapped the side of your eyes. "I have a bad feeling about this."

"This place… it feels unholy…" Malevus said as she joined you.

You and the others gave her a quick glance. A paladin trainee mentioning unholy presence got the men to draw their swords, but for you it was a bit more. She decided to not just stay back and be silent.


>Go in first and be the one first 'discovering' the burial tomb.
>Malevus should go in first. She is clearly 'sensing something unholy' so the others seem to trust her.
>Have Sir Gravis go first and be the first to react to whatever is found inside.
>Other, write in.

>>6008904
>>Malevus should go in first. She is clearly 'sensing something unholy' so the others seem to trust her.

>>6008904
>>Malevus should go in first. She is clearly 'sensing something unholy' so the others seem to trust her.
Give her some responsibility and let her go first. Just follow right behind her and if she needs support, place our hand on her shoulder.

Hey Medivh can we get update on Dawnholme? How are all the building projects going?

>>6008904
>Malevus should go in first. She is clearly 'sensing something unholy' so the others seem to trust her.

I feel like the cover story should have been that Alric and Malevus found tracks, followed them, went in and cleared the place so we could have the credit for killing the death knight. Now if this works out we just sorta discover the aftermath, but also take credit so it doesnt seem like we have Orcs this close to Dawnholme going around hunting for rival horde remnants? I suppose either way it doesnt matter too much because Alric did infact kill it. But making it look like lying to take credit and cover up orc activity is what it is.

Though it might end up Gravis sees the burned-out sword wounds that cut completely through the armed zombies and realize 'hey these look a lot like the kinds of wounds Alric's sword can make.' Some very skilled swordsmanship kinda cuts maybe. Then connect the dots with Alric having the map to this place that hes already been here and cleared it out. Could be a little awkward lol.

>>6008904
>Malevus should go in first. She is clearly 'sensing something unholy' so the others seem to trust her.
>think pleasebenothingitsalreadybeencleared over and over

>>6008904
>>Malevus should go in first. She is clearly 'sensing something unholy' so the others seem to trust her.

"Alright, Malevus you go in first if you feel something. I will be right behind you." You said to her and nodded to the knights.

"Right, here's your helmet." Malevus said to you and passed the high elven style helmet part of Aurvan'kal to you.

Putting it on, you watched as Joe gave Malevus a lit lantern and both Empleton and Thomas took two more.

"Everyone ready?" You asked and drew the Cinder Sword. There was a chorus of nods and you looked at Malevus. She gave you a nod and stepped towards the doorway.

You followed right behind her.

…

The stairs went down steadily and you passed the first spots the orcs had picked up torches. The lanterns gave enough light for all six of you to avoid tripping on the uneven stone steps.

Placing your hand on her shoulder, Malevus flinched a bit, but quickly relaxed.

This was all just for the show though and she was playing her part really well.

And then the light started to reveal the chamber where you had fought the ancient dead. Malevus entered first with you right behind her. There was no feeling of Fel around you and you saw in the lantern light that the mummified corpses lay where they had fallen during the fight.

"Bloody Fel…" Sir Gravis cursed. "Undead and… blood on the ground. Orc blood."

Yes, from the orc who had gotten wounded and punched Malevus. Thank the Light her lip was already mostly healed, just a faint scar remained.

"The orcs came here, encountered the undead, hacked and burned them to pieces." You conjured a scenario where you or Malevus weren't part of it. "I didn't see any torches, just empty holders."

The knights prodded the undead where they lay. The ones you had cut down were mostly scorched, thankfully not being too apparent that it had been your work.

"Do you sense anything?" You asked Malevus to get the knight's attention.

"Yes, faintly. It comes from deeper in the mountain." She told you.

"Lead the way Lady Malevus." Sir Gravis said to her and your squire nodded back. Again you followed right behind her.

…

The stairs continued and you passed the hallway where the large stone slab had cut you off the last time. It seems that the trap had reset itself.

It didn't long till the lantern shone light into the chamber where you, Thrall and Malevus had defeated the death knight. It was eerie quiet, the Fel braziers were silent and just the lanterns brought light into the large room.

"A burial chamber." You mused aloud.

"But for whom?" Sir Gravis mused back as he and the knights looked around. "Prince Alric, look there is a burned corpse there."

1/2

>>6009434

Whatever remained of Umo Shadowheart was a heap of bones, old armour and ash. You had burned it into literally cinders and it was a bit of a miracle that the armour hadn't started to melt as well.

"A human, but… look at those skeletons…" You said to him.

"Orcs… what in the blasted Fel has happened here?" Sir Gravis asked you and looked at you bewildered.


>Orcs arrived here, fought through the undead and struck down the now burned down corpse.
>The orc skeletons are old, they must have been here since the Second War.
>The corpse must be a death knight, ask if Malevus recognises it or senses anything.
>Search the burial chamber and see if you find anything.
>Go through the remains of Umo Shadowheart and see if you can find anything.
>Other, write in.

>>6009012

Update is planned!

>>6009435
>Orcs arrived here, fought through the undead and struck down the now burned down corpse.
>The orc skeletons are old, they must have been here since the Second War.
>Search the burial chamber and see if you find anything.
>Go through the remains of Umo Shadowheart and see if you can find anything.

>>6009435
Also question is Katrina prestor coming to visit? I'm pretty sure we invited her.

>>6009435
>The orc skeletons are old, they must have been here since the Second War.
>Search the burial chamber and see if you find anything.
>Go through the remains of Umo Shadowheart and see if you can find anything.

>>6009435
Indiana Alric ova here

>Search the burial chamber and see if you find anything.
>Go through the remains of Umo Shadowheart and see if you can find anything.
>Other, write in.
"Looks like an old Stormwind armor I think...Orcs arrived here, fought through the undead. Found these skeletons and burned whatever was wearing this armor in particular. Perhaps a warlock, a death knight from the Wars. Now rival remnants of the Horde looking to put it down? A ritual gone wrong? A dispute over leadership? Hard to say for sure."

>>6009435
>Orcs arrived here, fought through the undead and struck down the now burned down corpse.
>The orc skeletons are old, they must have been here since the Second War.
Though don't give so stilted of a presentation as the prompt does.
>Search the burial chamber and see if you find anything.
>Go through the remains of Umo Shadowheart and see if you can find anything.
Do what we came here for.

>>6009435
Knights:
>Search the burial chamber and see if you find anything.
Alric & Malevus:
>Go through the remains of Umo Shadowheart and see if you can find anything.
Warlock goodies? Perhaps a memento that the death knight didn't get rid of that the knight carried in life, which we can maybe return one day?
It'd also be good to take the armour for a burial or perhaps to send it back to Stormwind.

>>6009435
>>Orcs arrived here, fought through the undead and struck down the now burned down corpse.
>Search the burial chamber and see if you find anything.
>Go through the remains of Umo Shadowheart and see if you can find anything.

>>6009435
>>6009462
>>6009762
>>6009560
Support.

Alright, we need some rolls. For Malevus especially and the roll is a difficult one on purpose.


>3d10, Best of three
>DC20, Crit 27

>>6009464

No plans, just the usual courtesy invite. Though she could come to see you if not for being stupidly busy with running the whole kingdom.

Rolled 5, 7, 5 = 17 (3d10)

>>6009970
here goes nothing

Rolled 9, 2, 4 = 15 (3d10)

>>6009970

Rolled 9, 4, 2 = 15 (3d10)

>>6009970
Time to gaslight our loyal men

>>6009970

And absolutely nothing happens! But it is Sunday and it is incredibly nice outside which makes Medivh a happy man, so I will give you one more chance!

One more 3d10 roll please!

Rolled 1, 5, 7 = 13 (3d10)

>>6009991
Surely this time for sure

Rolled 1, 1, 7 = 9 (3d10)

>>6009991
gaslight. gatekeep. princeboss.

Nope, no success here for Malevus. Now while nothing bad happens, a cool little scene I had planned won't happen either.

Update later this evening.

Rolled 7, 7, 5 = 19 (3d10)

>>6009991

For my own joy, I had to check chances for hitting that DC 20. With three rolls it was 63%, with four 73% and if all six rolls are counted, it would have been 86% chance of hitting the DC. The dice were against Malevus!

Rolled 5, 7, 6 = 18 (3d10)

breaking the curse

Rolled 10, 9, 8 = 27 (3d10)

>>6010197
No luck their, let me try.

>>6010200
HOT FUCKING DAMN! My dice are on fire it seems!

>>6010200
>>6010201
The roll doesn't matter
The QM only asked for one

>>6010210
yeah, we know

>>6010200

Jinxed! Your roll critted on the QM is too sleepy after a day full of gardening work to write roll.

Update will instead come tomorrow, I have started it, but not finished it.

>>6010265
PRAISE BE TO MEDIVH THE MIGHTY AND WISE!!!

>17, Failure!


"Alright, you can search this room, me and Malevus we will search the charred corpse." You gave orders to everyone. "Did anyone bring anything that could be used to carry things back to Dawnholme?"

"Yes my Prince." Joe replied. "Bags for potential loot."

"Well I don't think we will find much loot, but we will need to get this corpse, or whatever remains of it, off this place." You said to him.

"What do you think has happened here?" Sir Gravis asked you.

"Looks like old Stormwind armour I think… Orcs arrived here, fought through the undead. Found these skeletons and burned whatever was wearing this armour in particular." You mused and shrugged. "Perhaps a warlock, a death knight from the Second War? Now rival remnants of the Horde looking to put it down? A ritual gone wrong? A dispute over leadership? Hard to say for sure."

"A death knight…" Sir Gravis replied and a cold chill swept through the knight. "Well I am glad I didn't need to face it."

"Me neither." You said back. "Now get to work, I don't want to be here any longer than needed."

You glanced at Malevus and nodded to her. The two of you went and kneeled next to the burned corpse. You looked at her and then at the corpse.

"Do you feel something, or was it just a feeling?" You asked with a quiet tone.

"The latter." Malevus replied and pushed hair off her face. So it was just a lie that she had felt something.

"Where do we start then?"

"It doesn't matter that the knight died years ago, his body nor soul hasn't been blessed." Malevus told you. "All these years abandoned by the Holy Light, instead fueled by Fel and even worse intentions."

Malevus put her hands on its soot covered breastplate and started praying. She asked for forgiveness, for blessing and peace for the soul of the unfortunate knight who had been turned into a puppet by the orc warlocks. You watched her closely, a minor glint appeared in her eyes as she prayed. You didn't see any change in the corpse, but you hoped that the knight could finally rest.

"May the Holy Light bless this soul and for it to be in peace." Malevus finished and then took out her dagger and started to cut whatever remains of the bindings away. "Help me with this."

"From a prayer to cutting the corpse open?"

"He doesn't mind… he is dead after all." Malevus replied with a smile.

Working on the corpse, the two of you removed whatever remained of the leather and cloth that had kept its body together. The leather had lasted better under the fire, but the cloth and mummified flesh turned into soot under your touch.

First came off the breastplate, then the pauldrons and other arm protection. You moved to remove the leg protection while Malevus removed the knight's bones one by one, placing them in a rough order next to her. Based on the damage the skull had taken and the lack of helmet to be found, the knight had taken a sword or an axe directly on his face. That was a quick way to die thankfully.

1/2

>>6010965

The two of you worked and found nothing special or anything that could be used to identify the knight until Malevus moved to the knight's left hand and found several rings.

"He was married." Malevus said to you and removed one ring off his ring finger. "Then there are a couple more, maybe signs of allegiance?"

"That should help with the identification." You replied.

Joe brought bags and not so optimal news. It had started raining again, which while it could help to wash the old tracks away, meant that you would get wet.

Oh well, at least it was warm outside.

…

The knights hadn't found anything in the burial chamber outside of the old weapons the orc skeletons had been carrying. They were worth nothing outside of being nice wall hangers in the barracks, so they took them. They also hadn't dared to touch the weapons or the armours of the ancient dead. Taking them felt like stealing from those who were buried a long time ago, even if they didn't need them anymore.

You and Malevus had at first packed the plate mail into one of the bags before slowly collecting every bone and putting them into another. According to Joe the bags were coated with wax so they were waterproof. When you had finished, you made final rounds around the burial tomb and tried to sense anything.

But no, no strange feelings inside you. No oppressive atmosphere, nothing that could make the Fel tucked deep inside you to react.

No Malevus Thing telling you that she is you.

You sighed. You had come here to do what you had planned, the armour and the bones were safely stashed in the bags and soon they would be on their way to Stormwind City. You hoped you wouldn't need to come back here any time soon, but you knew that this place shouldn't be left alone like this. When Raleigh returns, you need to ask him to come here to make sure that the dead are buried again and this place is sealed. That is the right thing to do.

…

"It is pouring…" You said as the rain washed your armour. The individual droplets hitting the metal were drowned in the downpour.

"Shall we go back inside?" Sir Gravis asked as he and everyone else wrapped themselves within hooded cloaks.

"With the dead in the dark? No thanks." You said to him as Malevus handed you a large orange cloak to give you some protection from the rain. "Thank you."

"Prince Alric, then what? Shall we try to reach Dawnholme?" Sir Gravis asked you. "It's only late afternoon."


>Try to go for Dawnholme. It will be late when you arrive back home.
>Find a patch of forest that could protect you from the worst of the rain.
>Go to the silver mine. It's nearly halfway to Dawnholme.
>Other, write in.

QM: Alric the Corpse Collector

>>6010966
>>Go to the silver mine. It's nearly halfway to Dawnholme.

>>6010966
>>Go to the silver mine. It's nearly halfway to Dawnholme.
A warm dry place is exactly what we need. Shame that the rolls didnt catch that DC, Malevus probably would have done something cool paladin stuff

>>6010966
>Go to the silver mine. It's nearly halfway to Dawnholme.
Might as well I suppose. I wonder if Eligius will be able to find anything on what we bring back, or if we should let Nalice get a look at the place later too.

>>6010966
>>Go to the silver mine. It's nearly halfway to Dawnholme.

>>6010966
>>Go to the silver mine. It's nearly halfway to Dawnholme
One more corpse, one more corpse.....

"Well let's not stand here." You said. "The silver mine is halfway between us and home, so let's go there. Besides, it will be warm and dry there, and I definitely don't want to spend any more time in the rain than needed."

"Yes Prince Alric." Sir Gravis replied. "You heard the Prince, let's mount up."

Malevus helped you on your horse Epona as the knights made sure that the bags containing the armour and the bones were tightly secured.

After that it was time to start riding towards the silver mine.

…

It was already evening when you saw the scout tower built to protect the mine. It had taken you a lot longer than what you had expected to get here, the rain had made the grass and moss slippery so you had to be careful where to ride with your horse.

The silver mine had grown a small village around it. There were the facilities directly responsible for the operation of the mine. Water pump operated by a pair of mules, mining cart tracks, the sorting area for the silver and so on. And next to them had been built warehouses, a small smithery to make nails and spare parts, a barn for animals and several houses for the workers.

When you arrived, the rain and approaching darkness had put an end to the workday and just one lonely guard stood outside keeping a watch. When he saw you, he quickly got some of the miners to help you. Horses were guided into the barn, the knights would join the miners in the houses. Malevus was going to join them, but when the supervisor of the mine was ready to give his small office for your use, she relented.

The promise of an actual bed was too good to pass for her.

…

"I am soaked." You groaned as you took off your helmet and allowed your wet hair to stick on your face. "I don't think there is a dry spot on me."

"The cloaks didn't do much after they had gotten wet…" Malevus lamented.

The office was a small one room building. There was a fireplace, a desk for paperwork with a shelf with all sorts of papers on it and then two beds on the opposing ends of the room.

You took out the black noise device activating it and putting it on the table, checking that the window was closed and the door locked. You had told the supervisor that you wanted some privacy, but it didn't hurt to be thorough.

"Let me help you with your armour." You said to your squire.

Malevus relented as you helped her to strip off her elven half-plate and it was then her turn to help you take off Aurvan'kal. When the armours were in their own respective piles on the floor, you threw a few more pieces of firewood into the fire.

"It was the right decision to come here, it would have been stupidly late when would have gotten to Dawnholme." You said to her kicking off your boots and placing them near the fireplace. "Help me with my jacket."

With her help, you pulled off your arming jacket, your shirt came off as well as it was quite soaked too. Then you pulled off your trousers and socks as well, leaving just the mostly dry braies on.

1/2

>>6011281

Immediately you had a flashback to you and Jandice getting stuck in the cabin during the snowstorm. Yet again you were undressing yourself with a woman watching you while the weather was awful. One thing was sure, nothing like what happened with Jandice would happen with Malevus. You had promised not to tease her, to give her time with her thoughts, even if several butterflies made their presence known in your stomach.

"Alric… you didn't need…" Malevus said and sighed as you stood there with just the braies on.

"What? I am not going to sleep in wet clothes and I didn't pack spare ones either. Besides, you have seen me like this before and in a way worse condition." You said to her. Malevus after all had cared for you when you were bedridden and she had seen you in the sauna. Standing there with the draconic glyphs on your chest and blue elven sigils around the rest of your body, this situation could have been quite awkward if not for you trying to be as serious as possible.

"Now let's see if there is a lanyard or something around here, I don't want to put on damp clothes tomorrow morning." You said to Malevus who seemingly appreciated the change of topic.

Thankfully there was a lanyard and soon your wet clothes were drying. Another new piece of wood to the fire and it started to be positively farm and dry in the office as the rain washed the roof and wind howled. By the Light it seemed like a proper storm outside.

"Alric… I need to... my clothes are all wet, but I did take spare change of clothes with me." Malevus said to you slightly sheepishly and with embarrassment in her voice. "Could you please turn around while I change?"

"Yeah sure, no problem." You answered and watched as she took out a dry bundle of clothes from a saddlebag. Malevus then turned around and you did the same.

It was a bit awkward, the office wasn't that big and even if you tried to keep your stiff upper lip and not allow the butterflies in your stomach to multiply, you couldn't shake the idea of being in the same room with Malevus while she undresses off your mind. You had to divert your thoughts to somewhere else.

"Malevus, may I bother you while you change clothes?" You asked her while still standing away from her. "I have something in my mind I would like to ask you?"

"Sure, what is it?" Malevus said and you could hear the wet smack of her shirt dropping on the wooden floor.

Alric! Implications of that sound! Control yourself! Though maybe a small peek wouldn't hurt?

2/2

>>6011286


>What does she think of the Stonemasons? Does she think they can settle down and integrate?
>Ask her about the goblins and Dark Irons, what does she think about associating with them and about the oil rig?
>Tell her about the message from Beve about the assassination attempts, see what she thinks about it.
>How is your recuperation going in her opinion? Are there still things that bother her?
>Other, write in

>No peeking, you promised that to yourself
>Little bit of peeking, just a glance is enough
>A bit more peeking, a better view is needed
>Full view, watch her properly
>Other, write in.

QM: Please vote on both

>>6011289
>Ask her about the goblins and Dark Irons, what does she think about associating with them and about the oil rig?
>No peeking, you promised that to yourself

>>6011289
>>What does she think of the Stonemasons? Does she think they can settle down and integrate?
>No peeking, you promised that to yourself

>>6011289
>Tell her about the message from Beve about the assassination attempts, see what she thinks about it.

>Little bit of peeking, just a glance is enough

>>6011289
>>Ask her about the goblins and Dark Irons, what does she think about associating with them and about the oil rig?
>No peeking, you promised that to yourself

>>6011289
>A bit more peeking, a better view is needed
>Ask her if she's thought about stuff since your visit to the rock overlooking dawnholme.

>>6011289
>A bit more peeking, a better view is needed
If we see that she's watching us then let's go lads:
>Full view, watch her properly

>What does she think of the Stonemasons? Does she think they can settle down and integrate?
>Ask her about the goblins and Dark Irons, what does she think about associating with them and about the oil rig?
>Tell her about the message from Beve about the assassination attempts, see what she thinks about it.

>>6011289
>>What does she think of the Stonemasons? Does she think they can settle down and integrate?
>>Ask her about the goblins and Dark Irons, what does she think about associating with them and about the oil rig?

>>Little bit of peeking, just a glance is enough
>>A bit more peeking, a better view is needed
Somewhere in the middle. I dont think going much more further is going to help us, especially if we are caught. Malevus imo is this slowburn thing and not a moment of passion thing.

>>6011289
>>What does she think of the Stonemasons? Does she think they can settle down and integrate?
>>Ask her about the goblins and Dark Irons, what does she think about associating with them and about the oil rig?
>>Tell her about the message from Beve about the assassination attempts, see what she thinks about it.
>>How is your recuperation going in her opinion? Are there still things that bother her?

>No peeking, you promised that to yourself

I was going to write the update during my lunch break, but it seems that we have a peeking tie. 4 votes for no peeking and 4 for varying levels of peeking.

So the next update will come later this evening and I hope we have a winner by that point.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>6011864
Hmmm I can think of good reasons for both so let the dice gods decide.

1 - Peek
2 - Do not

>>6012152

Peek it is. Writing!

File: Malevus the Worst Ending.jpg (798 KB, 1076x1854)

798 KB JPG

"What do you think of the Dark Irons and the goblins? I mean Wiklish has been gathering his crew and working on those rockets. I feel like it is just a matter of time before something happens and Tarren Mill gets unhappy." You said to Malevus while still facing away from her.

"You wanted to ask about that?" Malevus replied to you and you heard another wet smack on the floor.

That was probably her trousers.

"Y-yeah." You said back to her. "It has been on my mind."

Oh you can't resist. She is right there just a couple yards away, a small peek wouldn't hurt.

Turning just enough you saw what you were expecting.

When Malevus had arrived to Dawnholme, she wasn't that athletic or in an especially good shape. But since then with near daily sparring, she has gotten fit. Her shoulders were a bit more broader, her back was toned. And now your eyes wandered all over her bare back that was half obstructed by her deep red hair. Then you realised that she had already taken off her bra.

Placing her hands on her waist she grabbed her underpants and started to bend down, slowly pulling them off. You swallowed hard as you caught a glimpse of a side of her modest breast as she arched her back. Inch by inch the underpants slid down revealing her ass and then…

Enough Alric!

You quickly turned around and stared at the wall again. That was enough for peeking. You had seen well enough, more than just a glance, but not a full view.

But boy was that a sight, you felt like a juvenile teen who goes out to peek at the local girls out swimming, which to be honest hasn't been a thing you have done. There really were no opportunities for that during your exile and besides you always had something else to do.

But now though what you had seen was well worth the peek. The thrill of danger to get a glimpse of your lovely squire. And what a sight it had been.

Leaving rest for the imagination, you grinned and went through everything you had seen in your mind again and again.

There is no denying she is a beautiful looking woman.

"Alric. Alric? Are you there?" Malevus asked you."

"Yes what?" You quickly responded.

"Alric… did you really ask me a question and then got lost in your own thoughts?" Annoyed voice of Malevus came from behind you.

"Y-yes… sorry…" You carefully responded.

"Then turn around." Malevus said to you and did as told.

Immediately her wet shirt struck your face and head and stuck on your skin. She had thrown her shirt at you. You deserved that.

"Put that and the trousers on the lanyard." Malevus said as you peeled off her shirt.

1/4

>>6012401

She had changed into her dry set of clothes. A simple combination of knee length braies just like the ones you like to wear and a white long sleeved shirt. Dressing as plainly as she did, what you had just seen just a moment ago wasn't diminished. In fact it just left more to your imagination.

You sighed and took a deep breath before putting her wet shirt and trousers on the lanyard next to her underwear. As you did that, she took out a comb and gave you a gentle smile.

"Take a seat and I will comb your hair." Malevus said to you.

You didn't need to reply as you took one of the chairs and placed it in front of the fireplace. When you felt her hands run through your hair, you allowed yourself to relax.

"I was just saying that the Dark Irons seem mostly harmless, the distance to their lands and their own issues are too long to matter to the most." Malevus told you and continued as the comb pulled knots off your hair. "The goblins though, they have been too recently in people's minds. One mishap with the rockets and people are going to be very unhappy."

"I agree, that is why I told Wiklish to work on the rockets outside the town walls." You replied.

"Why did you even ask this?"

"Because you are not me and I value different opinions. You see things differently than the others and might help me to realise things in different light." You explained.

"I guess you are right…" Malevus replied to you.

"The oil rig then, what do you think of it?" You asked her next.

"Could make you rich." She said back as her hands and the comb straightened your hair. "But…"

"But what?"

"I fear that there will be an accident and we will get oil all over the land or the river." Malevus said to you. "Technology is something… we elves are sceptical of."

"Because of magic."

"Yeah…" She replied.

"It is a valid concern, but I trust Master Blacksteel. He might be a Dark Iron, but he is a dwarf. They have their own pride in quality work." You said as Malevus finished combing your hair.

"Finished." She said happily. "Prettiest Prince in the whole Alterac."

"And now this pretty Prince is going to comb your hair." You said as you stood up and snatched the comb off her hand. "Now sit."

Malevus knew to not protest and did as told, soon your hands and comb went through her damp hair, straightening it and drying it in front of the fire. She seemed to relax as well and enjoy this.

"Do you think the Stonemasons can settle down and integrate with the Alteracis?" You asked her.

"The adults maybe not fully, but the children?" Malevus replied to you.

"You are really popular amongst them."

"I guess they haven't seen an elf before." Malevus shrugged.

"An elf woman with deep red hair, wearing armour, being the Prince's squire and is training to become a paladin?" You said to her and nearly added a mention of being really pretty, but no teasing allowed. "No wonder they flock around you."

2/4

>>6012403

"The children have already made friends with the locals. They are so innocent and lovely." Malevus said to you. "And I have never seen so many children in the same place."

"Not in Quel'thalas either?"

"No, we elves live so long that couples don't get children immediately and if they have them, it is just a few. It might take decades before they even have their first one." Malevus explained to you as you ran the comb through her hair. "And even then some avoid having children until their parents have become old. It would feel strange if you become great-great-great-great… you get the point-parents."

"Yeah…"

It was rare for humans to live long enough to be great-grandparents and the elven easily can live hundreds if not thousands of years. Their families would get huge in a couple centuries.

"There, done." You said as you were finished.

"Thanks Alric." Malevus said to you.

"No problem, want to eat the rations next?"

"Sure, I'm already starving."

So were you. And no amount of eye candy can fill your stomach.

…

Having taken a chair and having sat next to her, the two of you had happily eaten the dried meat and cheese packed to you by Maura. Enjoying the warmth, you had just chit-chatted about whatever. Nothing important at least.

"Do you want to have children?" Malevus suddenly asked you.

"What? Why such a question now?" You turned to look at her and gave her a puzzling look.

"We talked about the children earlier and it got me thinking." Malevus said back and continued. "I mean you need an heir right?"

"Yeah… you are right about that." You said to her.

"Sorry if this is too personal." She apologised.

"No no, just ask away." You waved her concern away.

"I mean you and Calia… sorry for mentioning her… wouldn't that be politically a very difficult thing? And Jandice? What about her?" Malevus tried to ask you politely.

Strange topic, but you didn't mind answering.

"It would have been more than difficult with Calia, but I remained hopeful." You said back to her and looked down a bit. "And Jandice… well she isn't ready to have children and I… I don't feel that way with her."

3/4

>>6012406

"I'm sorry to hear that." Malevus replied and sounded genuinely sorry.

"Thanks, but I'm not in need of children right now, besides I am not planning on dying or anything." You said with a chuckle.

"Yeah…" Malevus sighed. "Tari though is pregnant, have you thought about what you are going to do with the baby?"

"It will have everything and more. I will take care of her and her child." You told Malevus.

"Yeah, but couldn't you make the child your heir? Acknowledge it?" Malevus asked. "Unless you have other plans, like having a bunch of your own children."

You gave her a curious look. This conversation had gotten into a strange direction.

"How big of a family do you even want?" Malevus asked.

How would you answer? Clearly this is just musing aloud about Tari, the child in her and your current lack of an heir. Maybe you could play along a bit as you haven't thought about this since Tari arrived to Dawnholme.


>You could acknowledge the child as your own. As your bastard it would have a claim to Alterac even if a weak one. That could fix your lack of heir issue until legitimate children are to happen.
>The child is not yours, you can't have Blackmoore's child as your own. It wouldn't be right, not for you or for the child when it has grown up.
>Politically recognising the child is difficult if you don't marry Tari or take her as your Mistress. It is a very complex thing even for her.
>Ask what Malevus thinks? You value her opinion after all.
>Other, write in.

How many children does Alric want?
>1
>2
>3
>4
>5+
>Other, write in.

QM: Had couple interruptions, but the update is out. Good glimpse acquired!

>>6012409
>The child is not yours, you can't have Blackmoore's child as your own. It wouldn't be right, not for you or for the child when it has grown up.
We've already talked about this at length.

>5+ / As many as possible
I imagine Alric, raised practically as an only child, would want as big of a family as possible.

>>6012409
>The child is not yours, you can't have Blackmoore's child as your own. It wouldn't be right, not for you or for the child when it has grown up.
>Politically recognising the child is difficult if you don't marry Tari or take her as your Mistress. It is a very complex thing even for her.

>3

>>6012409
>>The child is not yours, you can't have Blackmoore's child as your own. It wouldn't be right, not for you or for the child when it has grown up.
We made up our mind long ago

>5+
we need to have 20 children

>>6012409
>>The child is not yours, you can't have Blackmoore's child as your own. It wouldn't be right, not for you or for the child when it has grown up.
QM stop and take the thint.

>5+
Alric is gonna repopulate Alterac one baby at a time.

>>6012409
>>The child is not yours, you can't have Blackmoore's child as your own. It wouldn't be right, not for you or for the child when it has grown up.
>5
i can understand why asking about it again. Is not really a simple thing, but we have been adamant before on the child that will probably not change for political reasons. When he/she is grown up we would likely tell him about being Blackmoore kid, since it will want to know the truth. Beyond that child....i don't think we would mind they just need to be ours.

>>6012409
>The child is not yours, you can't have Blackmoore's child as your own. It wouldn't be right, not for you or for the child when it has grown up.
>5+

We need have a whole squad of knights and lots of daughters for political marriages.

>>6012409
>The child is not yours, you can't have Blackmoore's child as your own. It wouldn't be right, not for you or for the child when it has grown up.
Seems unfair to a kid to dump them into royalty as a bastard or heir, when they could live a free life.

>3+ children
One Prince Willy, one Prince 'Arry (strategic spare prince) and a Princess Margareta that will be spoiled rotten and become the future antagonist pretender-sorceress. Remaining children would be for flavour

>>6012481
>QM stop and take the hint.
I giggled

>>6012409
>3
I gotta figure three just like he has two other siblings he'd like to see again. Also its Malevus and I am thinking she might not want to be putting out an army of children when she also wants to train and do stuff. Or shes understandably worried about the odds of a human and an elf actually managing to conceive a child which is why she is considering that Alric could have Tari's child as the heir.

>Other, write in.
"Maybe If the child proves to be someone who can and should have that burden."

I gotta go towards what Alric would really think about who can and should be King. Alric is the beneficiary of adoptive parents and he turned out pretty solid and happy about it, I don't think blood is everything to Alric with that in mind, so at a certain point it would be no different then adoption. Its clearly not just 'The Eldest should be King' either otherwise his brother should be king no matter what even if he would have to atone for all the shady shit they get up to.

Its the right mix of circumstance, quality, need, and trust of those around. If it really comes down to it and the kid inherits Blackmoore's strength and Tari's intelligence and kindness I -could- see them being a solid option. Politically it does seem shaky and I'm sure bloodlines is a pretty well respected part of royalty and all that. Still, stranger stuff does happen.

You sighed, this was something you have made your mind with a long time ago and so it felt a bit dull to give an answer again.

“The child is not mine, I can’t acknowledge it.” You said and shook your head a bit. “Blackmoore is the father as much as he doesn’t know about it, but it wouldn’t be right. Not for me, nor for the child when it has grown up.”

Malevus gave you a careful nod.

“I prefer for the child to live free and make their own decisions when they are old enough. If they see my decisions in the wrong light, they will be free to do whatever they want about it.” You told her.

You looked at Malevus and continued.

“Besides like I said, I am not in an urgent need of an heir so I don’t want someone completely innocent to be drawn into something they have no part of in the first place.” You finished your reasoning.

“It… that is a wise move.” Malevus replied after thinking for a moment.

“My parents… meaning Maura and Normand, they aren’t my real parents yet I still recognize them as. What stops me from accepting the child as part of my family? Absolutely nothing.” You said to her and continued after a pause. “And for the children… maybe a couple.”

“Couple?” Malevus asked, a bit puzzled about the answer.

“Like I don’t know… maybe three at the start.” You mused.

“At the start?” Malevus was now thoroughly confused.

“Yeah, then like a couple more.” You said to her rather matter of factly.

“More?”

“Yeah, like five.”

“Five…”

“Potentially six.”

“Six…”

Malevus at this point had hid her face behind her hands, though not for embarrassment, but for disbelief. Her long ears weren’t drooping at all.

“Seven is a nice round number to finish.”

“Seven is not a round number!” Malevus shouted back at you as you started to laugh.

“I would like to have a big family. I grew up practically as the only child with both my brother and sister being always so busy. And then the exile.” You told Malevus who was just staring at you. “I don’t want my children to grow up without their siblings like I did.”

“But seven…” Malevus protested slightly.

“That is a joke, maybe three in reality, but I wouldn’t oppose having more.” You replied.

“That poor woman…” Malevus said to no one in particular.

At that point you realised why Malevus was asking these questions. She had said to you that she needed time to think and put her thoughts and mind together. Asking about Tari’s child if it could be your heir, would pull pressure away from her producing an heir to you. Now that was a bit of a leap, you weren’t even dating or haven’t really done anything together outside of the kiss and one serious talk, but it had a point. Malevus is understandably worried about the odds of a human and an elf actually managing to conceive a child which is why she is considering you having Tari's child as your heir if she can’t give you one.

You smiled when you looked at her staring at the fireplace.

1/3

>>6013286

“But that is in the future, I am not sure if I am ready for marriage any time soon.” You told her. “But I think when I find the right one, things will just click together.”

Malevus looked back at you, her eyes searched for yours. There was something gentle and understanding in the way she looked at you. And then she switched the subject.

“Shouldn’t we check our armours, to make sure that they get dry?” She asked you.

“Not a bad idea, it is getting late as well.” You replied.

She had gotten her answers from you and she would have a lot to think about.

Malevus has grown so much. She was so inexperienced and naive when you met her the first time, but since then she has grown. She has gotten more adult and understands the world more than what she had experienced in Quel’thalas. You were proud of your squire, she was a good person, not a bad bone in her.

And what you had seen today, she was a beautiful woman. It wouldn’t be just her who would have a lot to think about.

…

The ride back to Dawnholme had been an easy one. The rain had stopped at some point during the night and following the road was just a walk in a park for you.

Reaching the town, Malevus took it as her job to handle the bones and the armour of the knight, while you called your officers that were present for an urgent meeting.

And soon you sat behind the table downstairs still wearing your black arming jacket and trousers, you didn’t have the time to take them off as the meeting was so urgent. Sir Gravis, both Rover Brothers and Eligius were there. The meeting was more for the show, you and Eligius knew the truth regarding the tomb and what really had happened, but you had to respond in some manner now that Sir Gravis had witnessed what was inside the tomb and seen the orc tracks. The word would spread and you had to be seen doing something.

“Thank you for coming here.” You said to them. “It is just the five of us, but the matter is urgent.”

It really highlighted how many of your officers were away in Strahnbrad Hills.

“What is Prince Alric?” Arthur asked you.

“Something to do with your sudden foray up north?” Alfred continued.

“In fact yes.” You replied to the twins.

2/3

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154 KB JPG

>>6013287

You spoke about what you had found, the burial tomb, the orc tracks and suspected death knight whose human corpse you had brought with you back to Dawnholme. The way the Rover Brothers reacted was a mix of shock and then seriousness. They had lived nearly their whole lives in Stormwind City so they knew about the stories regarding their knights and what became of them after the First War.

“Orcs and death knights? It is hard to believe.” Arthur said to you.

“Prince Alric isn’t lying.” Alfred corrected his brother. “He wouldn’t lie about these things.”

Yes, yes you would.

“Now I called you here, because there needs to be a response of some kind.” You said back to the brothers.

“We can patrol the mountains?” Arthur replied.

“Or keep the current schedule. The orcs wanted the death knight dead, they haven’t come south.” Alfred said to you.

“We should inform Lord Uther, the Silver Hand after all was formed to fight against the death knights.” Sir Gravis said to you.

Eligius chose to stay silent. Most of your officers at this point knew that he played some other role than just being a scribe, but he liked that ambiguity.

How would you handle this, especially with the meeting planned between Thrall and Tari happening soon. You couldn’t endanger it, but you shouldn’t be seen doing nothing.


>Have patrols expanded up in the mountains. Have the burial tomb covered along with potential routes for the orcs to move through.
>Current patrol routes are enough, you are spread too thin already and the orcs have left you alone.
>Let Lord Uther know, he might send his people to investigate, the matter is too serious for him to disregard.
>Tell them that with the death knight dead, the threat is gone. You don’t believe that the orcs will try anything.
>Other, write in.

QM: I knew what the reaction would be my lovely anons, I have taken the hint. So when >>6012888 posted, the live QM reaction would be me punching air in success. You are a smart lovely anon!

>>6013289
>Current patrol routes are enough, you are spread too thin already and the orcs have left you alone.

Also how could Gravis recognise the blood to be orcish? Are they a different color? Do they have a distinct smell?

>>6013324

Good point, let's go with Sir Gravis having seen enough orc blood in the Internment Camps to recognize it from human blood. Let's say that it is slightly different shade of red.

>>6013289
>Current patrol routes are enough, you are spread too thin already and the orcs have left you alone.
>Tell them that with the death knight dead, the threat is gone. You don’t believe that the orcs will try anything.
lets NOT bring in others or more attention we still need to arrange that meeting with thrall and more attention will make it harder for it to happen.

>>6013289
>Current patrol routes are enough, you are spread too thin already and the orcs have left you alone.
>Tell them that with the death knight dead, the threat is gone. You don’t believe that the orcs will try anything.
Plus, we can trust Lord Uther but the wider Silver Hand? I don't think so.

>>6013289
>>Current patrol routes are enough, you are spread too thin already and the orcs have left you alone.
>Write-in
>"Not good. Most of the men arent here, we cannot expand the patrols in the mountains paths right now but later we will. Keep it in mind for next meeting Arthur, and i will see it done. For now vigilance, now we know to keep an eye on those paths. In case others beside the orcs think to use them. Send a messanger for inform the army in the hills regardless, better they know of this too. Has for Lord Uther this matter is already resolved, but i will send a private letter to him some time soon. Not all in the Silver Hand like me, or Alterac for that matter."

>>6013289
>>Let Lord Uther know, he might send his people to investigate, the matter is too serious for him to disregard.
>Tell them that with the death knight dead, the threat is gone. You don’t believe that the orcs will try anything.
>Have patrols expanded up in the mountains. Have the burial tomb covered along with potential routes for the orcs to move through.

I think its only a matter of time before news gets leaked, let's control the narrative before them, also, stall as much as possible. Like, the moment Uther is getting the news informed by a spy, he's interrupted by a envoy spilling the beans per Alric's instructions. Have whatever patrols bulked up akin to a skeleton crew, preferably with loyalist stooges who are gonna be more interested in looking like they're working rather than actually working. Also, we gotta come up with a good bullshit explanation as to WHY exactly Alric doesn't believe the orcs will try anything, maybe insinuate that we're way too strong for this rag tag unknown clan?

>>6013289
>>Current patrol routes are enough, you are spread too thin already and the orcs have left you alone.

“The current patrol routes are enough, we are already spread too thin with the majority of our men deployed in Strahnbrad Hills.” You said to them. “Fel, there are just five of us here today.”

You looked at your officers, or the lack of them.

“The death knight is dead, Malevus has what remains of its corpse and we will send that to Stormwind where it belongs.” You told them and continued. “I do not believe that the orcs are willing to venture in our lands, if they fought against the death knight, I see their duty done.”

“How can you be so sure Prince Alric?” Eligius asked you.

You gave your spymaster a glance.

“The orcs haven’t bothered us since we destroyed their raiding party and we haven’t found any tracks of theirs on this side of King’s Road. We have also deployed the Stonemason mercenaries to Sofera’s Naze, where we have spotted their tracks. I don’t believe them to be capable of sending multiple raids into our lands.” You told him.

Eligius gave you a deep nod and you realised his ploy, he got you to explain how you saw the things to others.

“I will send a letter to Lord Uther, it is better for him to learn from him than from one of his spies.” You said and continued again. “The word will spread and fast, orcs are something the Alliance doesn’t muck about.”

“You are right Prince Alric.” Sir Gravis replied to you.

“Does anyone have any questions or do we get back to work?” You asked them.

None of your officers had anything to say.

“Good, then we will continue as is.” You told them.

There was an atmosphere of agreement amongst the few that were here. The word would spread fast and it would be better for you to be seen active regarding things like this.

Though you had to be careful, giving too much information out could endanger you and others you cared for. You couldn’t have Tari endangered.

You sighed.

“Alright, alright.” You said and continued. “This meeting is dismissed. Alterac Stands.”

“Alterac Stands.” Your officers replied to you.

1/2

>>6013573

You are Lady Malevus Silverthread, a member of a renowned family of tailors and couturiers. Though better known as just Malevus, a squire to Prince Alric and a paladin in training.

Since returning from the tomb, you have had your hands full. First by handling the remains of the knight, telling some of the carpenters to make a box to fit the armour and then a small coffin for the bones. You also had to stand vigil over the remains as it was customary when one was to be buried. Quite literally, but also symbolically. When the word spread that a knight from the First War was to be sent back to Stormwind City, many of the locals came to pay their respects, even if they had no connections to any of the events.

It did bring some joy to your life, knowing that so many of them were following the guidance and teachings of the Holy Light. No matter what, the dead should be honoured, and the heroic dead were above and beyond the rest.

Standing vigil by the cemetery of Dawnholme next to the large stone erected to act as a memorial to those who weren’t buried in the hallowed ground, it gave you a lot of time to think about everything.

About whoever was the knight now in a small coffin, how Prince Alric had answered your questions and your own feelings towards him.

Seven children? Really?

It was hard to believe those words, but you didn’t think Alric would be lying about what he had said. That would be a lot, would that even work? Could you even make it work? You weren’t sure.

Nevertheless, in a couple of days the coffin with the bones and the larger box with the armour was sent to be delivered to Stormwind City with a letter from Prince Alric. It also meant that your vigil was to end and you would stand beside and behind Prince Alric once more. Though what he would do was a mystery to you.


Choose one:
>Prince Alric would spend most of his time supervising the work the Stonemasons have been performing on Dawnholme. See how things have advanced.
>Prince Alric has been spending most of his time sparring with you and teaching you more about how to fight.
>Prince Alric has been studying magic which means that you haven’t been needed. You get to do something else instead. Something more to your liking.
>Prince Alric decided to take you out for rides through the countryside to see and meet the farmers. Were these dates in disguise?
>Other, write in.

QM: "it is better for him to learn from him than from one of his spies" should read "it is better for him to learn from me than from one of his spies". Rookie mistakes Medivh!

>>6013575
>>Prince Alric has been studying magic which means that you haven’t been needed. You get to do something else instead. Something more to your liking.

>>6013289
Thank you, I'm happy my Medivh is happy.

It would have been really funny to claim responsibility, that Alric did the Silver Hand's job for them would be another funny way to snub Arthas and make our League look stronger. Though at this point that would be rather messy.

>>6013575
>Prince Alric has been spending most of his time sparring with you and teaching you more about how to fight.

I'm on the fence. More sparring and exercise could be good for helping along the physical recovery, and get Malevus a bit more ready for if we go Gnoll hunting on Blackmoore's campaign. On the other hand that magic grind. On another note I am kinda curious about possibly going for Fel 2 for better control of this stuff at the least. Some utility uses for it perhaps or just better at sensing it. It already helps Alric fight when hes gotta fight, if we could deepen that ability so we could call on it ourselves. Pump it into physically dominating a battle because we don't really wanna be seen throwing green fireballs anyways, but if our eyes glow a little greener while we cut an ork or bandit in half then I say thats a-ok.

>>6013575
>>Prince Alric has been spending most of his time sparring with you and teaching you more about how to fight.

>>6013575
>>Prince Alric has been studying magic which means that you haven’t been needed. You get to do something else instead. Something more to your liking.

>>6013575
>Prince Alric would spend most of his time supervising the work the Stonemasons have been performing on Dawnholme. See how things have advanced.

I am planning on writing soon so could I have a tiebreaker between sparring and magic, the are 2-2 at the moment.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>6014295
The dice shall decide once more!

1 - Spar
2 - Magic

The days counted down towards the full moon and the arranged meeting between Thrall and Tari. You hadn’t said anything to her, nor had Alric. It would be a surprise.

In the meantime you wouldn’t be resting on your laurels, instead your days were full of things to do. Accompanying Alric as he did his official duties was an important task and you had agreed to study music and play your instruments together every second day during evenings before Alric would sneak out to study magic with Eligius. He seemed to think that you wouldn’t notice him leaving, even with the robe on, but there were always some signs that he had just left.

But most importantly you spend the early afternoons sparring with him. During the winter you would train right next to your home, but now Alric dragged you to the barracks where the actual training yard was located. There the two of you could spar with always someone watching the proceedings.

Really there were two goals with this sparring. First was to teach you more about fighting, Alric was still the one far superior than you. When he got tired and his legs required some rest and stretching, one of the footmen or the knights would substitute for him and you would continue the training with them instead. When Alric was ready again, he would take his place and you would continue with him. The second was for Alric to get his condition to be better. He still got winded more quickly than before and his legs started to feel stiff after a short sparring session.

You could see that he was frustrated about it, but he didn’t say it. It was the way he pushed himself hard during the sparring sessions, how he swung his wooden longsword more seriously and harder than before. And a couple times his strike got through your defence and hit you. Thankfully you were always wearing your armour, but sometimes he succeeded in hitting you where there was only your gambeson between your skin and the wooden sword.

There were bruises, but you didn’t complain. It was part of the training after all to feel all sore and be hurting a bit. But you wouldn’t back down either even if Alric bested you time after time.

“Are you ready?” Alric asked you as he stood opposite of you. Wearing the black arming jacket and trousers, it must have been quite hot for him to spar in the bright sun.

“Of course.” You replied to him.

“Then we shall begin.”

It was the start of the sparring session. Both you and him were fresh and had done your warmup routines.

Alric raised his wooden longsword above his head as he stared at you through his darkened glasses. You had your wooden sword and shield, you hadn’t dared to try other weapons before you had learned how to fight with these first.

It was time to begin.

1/1

>>6014381


>Alric has his sword raised up, his stance suggests heavy strikes of high risk, but high reward. Try to counter it.
>Be very defensive and try to block and evade his strong strikes.
>Fight dirty, use all the tricks Alric has used on you.
>Try to go for grappling, Alric can’t use his longsword if his arms and binded.
>Other, write in.

>>6014383
>>Fight dirty, use all the tricks Alric has used on you.

>>6014383
>Fight dirty, use all the tricks Alric has used on you.
It's what you need in a fight to the death.

>>6014383
>Fight dirty, use all the tricks Alric has used on you.
No mercy.