[IC] Gaelach Basm: Deahman Scail

[Chevaleresse]

Silef flushed a faint red for a moment. Of course! How could she forget? "I apologize. I've been traveling for a long while, and most of my time has focused on training." She gestured at the door. "We shouldn't tarry."

[Kurotsune]

"So we shall." Together, the ladies march inside the Byrne's family mannor. Walking through the middle door, they're instantly met with a long corridor leading to the mannor's core. At the other end lay a closed door, most likely Duke Byrne's office.

The march through the corridor was made mostly in silence. Perhaps such was the gravitas of the Byrne family, to leave all in awe; Perhaps, simply, it was the lack of topics or interest of either party to converse.

The long hallway was made of walnut wood, being colored a dark-brown. It's uncommon for houses to be built out of walnut despite it's durability; Mostly because the cost would be too high. But then, one figures, that wouldn't be a problem for the Duke of Eachann.

Upon reaching the door, Ailios knocks and a strong tenor voice tells you to come in. She opens it, revealing a rather small room, made of the same dark-brown wood, with unremarkable features besides a desk - behind which sat Duke Byrne in a simple wooden chair, and two others directly opposing him.

You'd notice that on the side of the room lay a small set of stairs that led towards the larger building you saw earlier. Interesting, that the Duke would choose to make it so anyone wishing to visit his barracks would have to pass through him first.

The man stands up, his gruff features made clear by the light of the window behind him - Apparently, the corridor led all the way through the mannor.

The first thing you notice is the contrast between Duke Byrne and his son. While Iain has a soft face and a thin body, the Duke is broad and muscular, with a short gray hair and a full beard.

He wears Eilne Army's social uniform. Distinctively lacking in armor, the clothes padded with tanned leather add to his broad physique. His face is gruff and scowled, the man staring at you through hardened brown eyes.

"Ailios. Why is Iain not with you?" The man stares at Silef for a moment, but afterwards walks past his table and offers the woman his hand.

"I am General Arlen Byrne, leader of Eilne's Royal Knights, High Commander of Eilne's Army, and Duke of Eachann, at your serivce. To who do I owe the honor?"

[Chevaleresse]

"Lady Silef, head of the house of Asterlux." She took the man's hand and gave the duke a firm handshake. "The honor is mine, Duke Byrne. To answer for my companion, Iain has already departed on a separate task from ours."

(apologies for the short, delayed post)

[Kurotsune]

Duke Byrne smiles at Silef, but scoffs after the second part of a sentence. "I'd expect one from a military house like Asterflux to know better than speak out of turn. All words that I speak are orders, lady Silef, and I will have only those I ask answer my questions."

Ailios interecedes quickly in an attempt to repair the situation. "She speaks the truth, your dukeship. Iain has left for Sigeto."

"Sigeto? What is in that boy's head? I told him to stay in Éire!" Byrne returns to his chair and sits down, motioning for the two of you to follow.

Ailios sits, and continues. "We gathered all of the recruits you chose, messere, and we all decided in briefing that Iain was the best diplomatic choice to send to Sigeto."

Byrne scoffs again. "Of course he was! He's the only one of you with proper military training. Yet, if he isn't leading you, I've no confidence to lend you my men. I'm sorry, Ailios - You are a daughter to me, and a good friend to my son. And I'd rather not have you killed. But all of these men have put their lives in their line for me and my city. I will not risk them with an unexperienced leader."

Ailios looks down, sighs, then tries her best to smile at the Duke, resulting in a thin half-smirk escaping from her lips. "I understand. But this is why I brought milady Asterflux along! Her house was of military origin, as you've said. Surely you can trust her with a few of your men?"

Byrne narrows his eyes, peering into Ailios for a moment more. "You'll be requesting aid from the Sisterhood, correct?"

"Yes." Ailios nods.

"...Then I will not have your friend tell me how capable she is. Words mean nothing to warriors like us, miss Asterflux, as I'm sure you know. But there is a trait that only a leader can have. The ability to inspire those to die for them. Go through the corridor on the right, you will reach Eachann's barracks. Any men you convince to join your cause there is free to go with you. I don't care how you convince them. Challenge them to a fight, bribe them, tell them what they want to hear - By the King, sleep with them if you must. But you will only take as many of my men who tell me directly they're willing to die for you. Is this acceptable, lady Asterflux?"

[Chevaleresse]

At the duke's first comment, she shot him a very hard look. Duchy or not, she was the head of a proud house and she would tolerate very little of this disrespect. However, they desperately needed the assistance of the duke's men, so she swallowed any retorts. "I won't presume that I could sway you with words, your grace, but there is information that might cause you to reconsider. You do know the purpose of our errand, do you not?"

[Kurotsune]

Duke Byrne's smile fades. "Do not be insolent. Remember who you stand in front of. I am not simply your Duke. I am your General. Did you not hear what I've said? All my words are orders - Go speak with my men, and do not waste my time!" His words are snarled, the man peering at Silef with contained fury. "I organized this mission, how would I not know what it is about, you pompous fool?!"

Ailios steps in. "I'm sorry sir. We'll be on our way, sir." Ailios stands up, not looking at Silef, and moves towards the door. She motions for the noblewoman to follow, uttering not a word more.

[Chevaleresse]

Silef turned stiffly and followed Ailos out wordlessly. The fool organizes the mission, but refuses to actually send troops with us? The world is evidently not worth the lives of a few soldiers.

[Kurotsune]

Aillios and Silef reach the barracks. The area inside the building is much larger than it appears. It's composed of five floors. At the middle of the bottom floor, the one you're currently in, is a ring where two warriors are battling with axes. As you look around you see that all floors have an opening in the middle so that all warriors can observe the fight, and in fact, several men are laying atop the rails to watch.

The men don't care for your presence. You realize there are soldier quarters, an armory, a kitchen and a hospital in the building.

Ailios looks at Silef expectantly.

"Well? Any ideas come to mind as to how we'll convince them, lady Asterflux?"

[Chevaleresse]

Silef heaved a sigh. "I'm not entirely positive. I would think that pointing out that this is a mission to save the entire world, along with emphasis on the fact that the names of those who succeed will be recorded in history would be enough, but I'm not one for speeches." She looked around at the soldiers, her eyes finally settling on the sparring bout happening in the arena.

[Kurotsune]

The men fight fervently in the Arena, swords clashing with clear intent to kill - They're either very confident in their ability to not harm their friends, or that hospital doesn't only see real combat wounds, you suppose.

As you approach, the man standing in front of the arena's entrance waves you down. "Which one of you will be fighting? Or are both of you doin' it? We don't mind wizards, but don't be surprised if you're eventually matched with our top spellswords."

((Sorry. My free time is at an all-time low currently.))

[Chevaleresse]

Silef opened her mouth, but stopped before saying what she had intended. It was true, she wasn't one for making inspiring speeches that moved the hearts of the listeners. However, she did know one thing, and that was that people respected strength. "I will be," she called out in reply. Turning to Ailios, she explained herself. "If I can prove my worth in combat, the soldiers will be more willing to grant us assistance."

[Kurotsune]

(( Mood music:

))

"Fair 'nuff. And what's your name, lass?" The gatekeeper asks, peering at Silef up and down. "Lady Asterflux then? Fine." The men shouts: "Soldiers! We've a newcomer!" With that, the entire barracks cease to a halt. All action stops, even combat, as eyes turn to face Silef Asterflux. "Get outta there" he addresses one of the combatants. "We're done training; It's time to fight."

Ailios shows visible concern at the man's emphasys of the last part; "What you do mean?" She inquires. "Surely you don't mean to actually battle to the death?"

"Of course not". The soldier scoffs. "That said, an experienced warrior knows how to not kill. Or more importantly, how not to get killed, Surely you trust your Lady?"

Realizing that showing doubt would not aid their efforts, Ailios instead offers the man a confident smirk. "Of course. I was only worried we'd run out of soldiers to recruit."

"Recruit, you say? So the General has chosen to do one of his "tests" again, has he? I see. Fair enough. We'll see if the knights are willing to follow your Lady."

As Silef enters the cage, one of the two men walk out. The one still standing within the cage with her is a large man, likely around 6'5'' (roughly 1,95m) in height, with skin a deep shade of tan. His hair is jet-black, and cut in a fairly short crew cut, almost shaved clean. The man is fairly slim for his size, but his uncovered torso reveals that he is no weakling to scoff at, with a toned and defined musculature. The man looks at Silef in silence, and offers her a nod. The turns his back to her, withdrawing a hard-leather chestpiece from the nearby rack; He points to a similar set of armor adapted for the female form. "I request", the man says in a calm and polite tone "that you wear the same armor as the other fighters, and yield the same weapons. We want this combat to be fair, after all, do we not?"

Ailios taps at the gate to catch her attention "I can keep your gear for you if you wish, milady Asterflux."

Regardless of choice, the man finishes preparing himself, and turns around, slightly adjusting the armor to his frame as he does so, and taking the sword he kept tucked away below his arm, softly swinging it around to get a feel for it's weight. He then peers at Silef and offers her a small bow, peering at her with piercing green eyes. "I am ready whenever you are, milady."

[Chevaleresse]

Silef nodded. "Very well." She began unbuckling the silvery pieces of armor, handing them over to Aillos as she did so. "I apologize for you being forced to squire for me," she mentioned as she handed over the last piece, the helm. Walking over to the rack, she quickly donned the chestpiece. Turning back to the rest of the room, she addressed the soldiers watching. "Normally, I fight using this." She raised her arm to her side, seeming to point with her middle and index fingers. A beam of yellowish, faintly rippling light extended from them about the length of the average sword. After a moment, she let it fade. "However, I will face you in fair combat. I must, however, request a blade, as I carry none of my own. At least, of the conventional variety."