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Post by Clair Feldsky on Jul 6, 2014 20:14:36 GMT -6
Clair remained quiet in the face of the Minister's retort. He actually was spot on in what he said, and the only slights he threw back at her this time were things that she'd earned for herself. The main thing that she heard was that he was making sense without ripping into her too viciously. He was clearly going to persist, and his now apparent capability of thought was beginning to change her mind a little. At least enough to get him a little grace.
"Minister, if you won't be dissuaded from coming along on this trip, and you've made it abundantly clear that you won't, then we have some business to discuss. I'm Nayru. I lead and fund this caravan, and it is my venture to protect."
So she was going to have a passenger.... Hopefully, all his talk of not being simply a stuffed shirt, and actually having some talents wasn't all hot air. Hopefully, he'd have the sense to stay down and not get himself shot....
"Standard passenger rates are twenty gold pieces per person per day, and includes food and lodging, such as we can provide. If we come under attack, danger pay is applied instead, amounting to two hundred gold pieces per day per person. The safest place would be inside the wagons, but they are not currently fitted for passengers inside. So outdoors, with the drivers will have to do."
It actually was bargain pricing. There were plenty of merchants who would take you along, sure. Some for barter even, but in the war that was becoming less common. Many had a commodity that was very valuable in this day and age in Bern: They traveled in numbers. This sometimes led to price gouging on travel rates, but people would pay for percieved safety.
"Are you still interested, Minister?"
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Saturos Prox
Swordmaster
The Wildcard
I'm almost incapable of lying. I'd be a terrible spy.
Posts: 351
Etruria Fame: 1
Profession: Undercover Operative
Affinity: Anima
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Post by Saturos Prox on Jul 10, 2014 19:32:01 GMT -6
“Still interested,” replied Saturos with a slow but deliberate nod of his head. It’s not like he didn’t have the money. It was odd, though. He had actually expected Clair to bite back after telling her off, so he was a bit surprised when the woman transitioned straight into discussing prices. It seemed the young pegasus knight was moved by a strong personality and a bit of determination.
“After all, it’s cheaper than most around here, given the war.” The Etrurian glanced at the caravan then back at Clair. “So, Nayru,” he continued, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly as he pronounciated her fake name. “Again, I ask, where will you be putting me?”
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Post by Clair Feldsky on Jul 11, 2014 19:46:40 GMT -6
Hmm... He got real quiet all of the sudden. She was still trying to puzzle out this Dalca figure. He was brazen and pushy, and clearly wasn't listening to what she said. If he wanted to do his duty that badly though, then he could come along. Just as well he came along. This was going to give him a good taste of what he needed to know.
"Come around to the front, Minister." Clair said to him, gesturing slightly with her hand as she turned and walked towards the front of the wagon. The shield hanging on her back clinked slightly against the blade hanging at her hip, but still wouldn't be very visible under the lightish brown short cloak she wore. If it ever did come completely uncovered, then it would give itself away immediately as something special, but so far she'd kept it mostly under wraps.
"Take a look at what we've made here." Clair said, reaching up and grunting slightly as she pulled herself up into the wagon's front seating. It was a big step for her, but the results would be well worth the extra construction that had gone into it. One bench behind another provided room for up to six people tightly packed. Four people would be ideal though. The outside of the wagon could be folded up to increase cover along the sides of the seating. Overhead, a pair of heavy tower shields rested on the roof of the cargo space. Clair pulled one of these down, and propped it up on the front to demonstrate how they could become a small fortress with only a moment's effort.
"Of course, this won't save us from an attack. Just let us hold them off longer. The real defense is going to rest with our weapon arms. If you're coming along, I'd like you up with me."
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Hektor
Sage
"This country may be peaceful without one of us, let us see who it shall be."
Posts: 57
Profession: General
Affiliation: Bern
Affinity: Ice
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Post by Hektor on Jul 19, 2014 12:26:34 GMT -6
Hektor let himself get put off easily as he had many other things that he could be doing at that point in time. The only reason he stayed was the sight of a well dressed man that he didn't recognize. Most of the well to do merchants were know to him from one way or another, along with the nobles. This man stuck out to him, so staying within earshot couldn't hurt. Learning who this man was if they met later would be good, for it was nice to seem like the man that knew everything.
Upon listening in, this man claimed to be a Minister Maltet Dalca coming down here to negotiate peace, but that was a lie. He Knew that there was a diplomat supposed to be coming down here, but this man was not him. What did this man possibly have to gain from pretending to be someone that important? It all seemed a bit fishy too, as negotiations were supposed to take place soon. It seemed that he had another reason to try to get in this caravan, and if this man could get in with no verifiable skills, his group should be able to get in no problem with a bit more pressure.
Walking back to the lady he was talking to earlier, a clandestine determination now in his eyes, he approached her words almost dancing on his lips. Under his mustache that is. "Milady, after some consideration on our behalf there is naught you can say to dissuade us from going with you. You see, I have caravans that have been attacked on this trade route, and losing caravans is bad for my business, losing money and whatnot, so if they were to attack as you suspect it would help me better understand the threat they pose and prepare my future caravans accordingly." He wondered how she would react to him not being dissuaded, would she act as passively as she did with the other man?
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Post by Clair Feldsky on Jul 20, 2014 17:55:29 GMT -6
Clair's gaze whipped over to the man who'd approached her earlier. Lawrence, he'd introduced himself as. He was coming back over now. He was as persistent as the Ilian winter.
"Minister, please see about securing yourself." Clair commented to the blue haired man that she'd just finished speaking with. "One of my people will see to hitching your horse to the back of our wagon if you would rather leave it to them." She hopped down lightly, sword and shield clanking lightly under the tan cloak she wore, and headed to try and intercept Lawrence.
"Oh, I see." The words came out sharp, and a little accusatory. That shifted to something more conciliatory though after a moment. There'd been enough heat thrown around already
"So, you came here with the intent of asking around, and trying to get some information on how to better prepare your trains for the road. Then you saw me and my little group preparing to make a run at the pass, and thought you'd come along with. If you come with us, then you can learn the information you need first hand, yeah?" Clair paused before she continued.
"Hopefully, we won't be attacked, but if we are, and you're killed with the rest of this undersized train, how will that help your caravans?... No. I don't know what exactly you're after, but you want to come on this particular trip for some reason."
Oh heavens, they could be rebels. They could be army. They could be someone hired just for information, as he claimed to be searching for. One thing was certain though: If she was letting him come along, she wouldn't be taking any chances.
"Under normal circumstances, I would be perfectly willing to go beyond words to stop someone from coming with us, but I'll make you a deal this time. You and your men can ride just in front of my wagon. If we make it to the other side, you can pay my passage fee. If you've earned your way, I'll wave the fee, and you might even come out a little ahead. Deal?" She extended a hand to the blue haired mustached man, looking up at the taller figure.
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Hektor
Sage
"This country may be peaceful without one of us, let us see who it shall be."
Posts: 57
Profession: General
Affiliation: Bern
Affinity: Ice
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Post by Hektor on Jul 26, 2014 0:38:55 GMT -6
"It's a deal, although it would be quite a shame if I died." Hektor took her hand with a genuine smile on his face and gave her a firm handshake before drawing in a bit closer and lowered his voice to an almost inaudible level, "Be watchful of the Minister." Then he released the handshake and uttered a hearty laugh, while stroking his mustache. "Just let me know when you're ready to go and I'll lead the way, I'll get in position now." Hopping back onto his horse he trotted over to the front of the caravan to await the next orders. Funny, him taking orders from someone he doesn't even know. Hopefully she wouldn't tell him to do anything stupid that would get any of him men killed.
Hektor's horsemen immediately went with their instincts and formed a triangle around him, a bit too close for him, but they weren't right up against him. He'd have to set a certain distance to stay at after this trip. His mind however couldn't stop wandering back to the Minister, what was he trying to do? Get a lower price for a ride? He had well enough cloths on that he shouldn't need it. Maybe he was just stingy. If the wannabe minister didn't do anything wrong on the trip he would tell him that impersonating someone that important is a crime and let him off with a warning. No use arresting someone for being stingy. Hektor couldn't help but steal another look at the man over his shoulder before he returned to conversing with his soldiers.
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Post by Clair Feldsky on Aug 5, 2014 12:51:02 GMT -6
Law remained more than happy to join up with her troop for the trip, once offered. They shook on it, and she couldn't help but wonder if she'd been played somehow afterwards. She shook her head, and turned back to work, mentally checking off all the things that they'd need to handle before they could leave: What was done already, and what was left to do. Every now and then, she'd cast a glance off towards the ones she wasn't sure about. Her six were doing as she'd expect, and pairing up for the wagons. Delia would be up in the sky, flying scout for them as they went. Jainus would be with her. The archer and their healer would be together, and the axefighter and the pikeman would take the last wagon. There were the Mistral Knights alotted. Burning Blades would be forming up along with them for defensive measures separate from hers, and now Law would be positioned right in front of her, where she could watch them closely. The Minister would be with her for the duration of their travel....
She thought back on Law's comment about the Minister. It was a little suspicious. He was more suspicious than the Minister by far, but it wasn't in her to turn away a warning of any sort. Not even one that was unfounded. She'd take a little more caution with Minister Dalca, but she'd already wanted him kept close. She sighed. She had turned out to be paranoid to an unhealthy level, unfortunately. It made it hard to connect with people, but it would save her trouble from her enemies in the long run. She just wished that it wasn't necessary. Not for the last time.
She finished getting things ready, collecting her wrapped Thunder Lance and sending Corona skyward during the last moments of getting everything rolling.
"Alright! let's move out!" She called out loud enough for the wagons in the lead to hear and start moving, before snapping the reins of her own wagon and feeling the lumbering beast of wood and steel slowly crawl forward. Here goes nothing.
-Thread end-
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