Group Conference

[LynMars]

Raevyn looks around for Gray for a short time, but considers that if she doesn't wish to be found, she won't be. Eventually, Raevyn will wander back to the others, enter quietly, and take a seat near Josh.

'Heldrik obviously wants to be away; he seems to be a man of action, and even a little time to stop, heal his foot, and consider and plan has made him anxious. And I think he feels responsible, to a degree, for Gray, and even Arrotel. Let's just get this finished with quickly, and all do what we need to.'

[Wired*Nun]

At this word from Heldrik, and seeing no disagreement elsewhere, Asmundson leaves, striding purposefully forth with hat, coat, and walking-stick.

"Yesss, please," says Josh, energetic now. "Same groups, I expect? Heldrik, you guys chase Siodmak or Landon, we're headed to the Keep?" He has his cards in his hands again, reflexively shuffling and flipping through, a nervous habit.

[Thanos]

Heldrik ponders for about half a second, “The only trade I can really see is Reavyn for Arrotel to give him a chance to be with Katarzyna.” Heldrik looks between them all. “I would not be opposed to it if everybody else wanted it that way. I will be happy to proceed either way.”

Even if it's really Katerzyna that I would like to trade in, for Landon, but that is not my prerogative.

“As to looking for Landon, we will try his trump again when we leave. If that does not work I will try and shift to him, but do not expect to have any luck with that. If neither works then we will continue to track down Siodmak as originally ordered.”

[Wired*Nun]

Josh doesn't leave that lying long. "Ummm...well, I have to say, I got into this mess to help protect Raevyn, and I'm not about to stop, sooo...wherever she goes, I go too. Unless she doesn't want me - my help, I mean - any more." Josh looks at Roland, turned away from Heldrik, his eyes pleading for support. "I'm pretty happy with things as they are, but I'll do what Roland asks...pretty much..." he trails off, and draws back within himself, the shuffling even more evident, under the table.

[Shutter]

From the air?...no...well...damn, that makes sense...

"I think the same teams are the best bet here. Same missions for that matter works for me as well...Heldrik, be careful out there. I know I don't need to tell you this, you're cagey enough. As much as I'd like to trust Asmundson, I don't, not by a long shot. You've vouched for him by bringing him here, but I'll be honest, I'm far from convinced that that is wise...Trump, appearing out of family hands, shedding family blood, is far from a common occurence. At this point I'd lay money that this Nightmare and the Maze are directly connected to Joss's death." A moment later Raevyn returns. Cut that close...poor girl must still be hurting over Joss...even if she barely knew him. Then Josh speaks.

"I vote for the same teams we began with, even apart from Royal edict there are a few good reasons. Talloth and Gray get along well, would be a shame to separate them..." He looks around the table once, mentaly checking everything over. "Settled then?"

[Wired*Nun]

Josh checks Heldrik and the others, then, for acceptance of this verdict. If he finds it, he shows visible relief. Best that the two leaders settle it, than we all end up in an interpersonal free-for-all.

Presuming all accept the decision, Josh stands up and says, "Right, lets's get started. Roland, mounted or not? We traveling light or packed? We Trumping in or shadowwalking to the Keep?" He squares and puts away his deck, and waits for the answer.

[Thanos]

Heldrik does look as if he has considered the implications of Asmundson and the ability of the Maze to do things because he does not even bat an eye when Roland suggests it.

“Decided. I would like to have a Trump of both thyself Roland and Lady Katerzyna if ye have extra’s. It will be hard to get in contact with our group until Landon rejoins us, but that doesn’t mean it should be a two way street. I highly encourage everyone to have back up on any incoming contact.”

[assuming that trumps are given to Heldrik]

“Thank you for these, I will check in with you guys in a few days and we can catch up.”

Unless otherwise detained Heldrik heads out to the courtyard with Arrotel to find Asmondson.

[Wired*Nun]

Asmundson [spelled exactly that way, folks] is waiting in the courtyard, and has apparently been pacing, to keep warm on a slightly chilly morning. Upon seeing the two men, he looks at them with inquiry.

[Shutter]

Presuming all accept the decision, Josh stands up and says, "Right, lets's get started. Roland, mounted or not? We traveling light or packed? We Trumping in or shadowwalking to the Keep?" He squares and puts away his deck, and waits for the answer.
"Mounted. Fairly light, few days provisions at most...Haven't decided. Was going to consult with you and Raevyn, the Trump experts."

[Pygysys]

Kat remains quiet throughout the proceedings with all words, those directed at her and those not, appearing to pass over her without effect.

It isn't until Heldrik requests a Trump of her that she finally makes a move. Giving Heldrik a copy of her Trump, she tells him quietly, "This is the last and I reserved it for you. Go well and safely, Cousin and tell Gray that one day I will explain something to her which will explain what I do. Good luck with your missive."

She then moves over to Roland, listening to the plans that are being made in regards to the approach to the Keep. "Mounted is good, considering we plan to make our approach obvious unless we've decided against that tack?"

Heldrik will find that the 3 Orphans who accompanied them earlier have been reduced to 2, Darius and Ethan but Quinn no longer rides with them. If asked, Darius explains Captain Katarzyna has assigned him another mission and that is all he knows.

[Wired*Nun]

"I can get us closer by Trump, then shadowwalk in. That may give us a little bit of room for mistakes and observation. If we trump straight to Dunstan, we're pretty much at his mercy. Besides, trumping with horses is a pain, especially into buildings. Shadowwalking in would be easier on the horses too, I suspect. That's my vote - er, well, opinion, anyway. We taking the, um, you know, Asmundson's - ?" gesturing back upstairs.

[LynMars]

Raevyn double checks to make sure that copies of the Trumps that were made (Arrotel, Katarzyna, Roland, and herself, as well as Landon's) are dispersed.

"When next we get the chance, we can make more; I think by now, I've gotten enough impression of Gray and Heldrik to do so if necessary. Good luck, and be safe," she says to Arrotel and Heldrik, smiling supportively.

As they leave, she turns back to Roland, speaking quietly. "I told you before, that my father wished to be informed of when we left for the Keep, so he could help, since he's convinced it was either Dunstan or Jasra, or maybe even Dalt, who killed my brother. I don't want to disobey him, Roland." Raevyn doesn't look too sure of herself.

[Thanos]

Heldrik almost marches out to the courtyard in a brisk step. He thanks the two men that have been assigned to him for their previous service and asks that they report to their Lady for new orders as they will not be coming with him.


Once outside he looks around and finds Asmoudson and heads in his direction. Raising his arm a shrill triple toned whistle whips through the air as Heldrik remembers his Falcondry lessons from shadow Perack. It is not long before a hawk of one kind or another wings down to his arm….

[cue Chalice]

[chalice]

With a wild scream, a red-feathered hawk stoops in a steep dive to Heldrik's wrist, where it grips with cruel talons.

There is a confused moment of feathers, flesh and clothing, which resolves into the slight figure of Gray, standing beside Heldrik and holding his arm demurely with both hands.
"Can we go now?"


[OOC: just thought Roland deserved to know he was right ;) ]