Council of Maedhros

The light of the dawn of a new year finds your home in a state of great activity. Messengers are combing through the halls rousing many of the most important members of your household and fetching them an early breakfast. Merrill, Ranger, Anneth, Paloma, Martin and Delora are the main names and faces, though they are hardly alone.

For your part you were up before the sun, planning what needed to be said, and what had to be explained. You had begun doing so the moment that you sent word to Loghaine that you would join Ferelden's muster, but there had not been enough time in the day.

So it comes to pass, that early upon the morning of the first day of the thirtieth year in the age of the dragon, you call forth your captains, and loremasters and all attendant advisors and officials to council. The time has come to plan for the coming war.

"I thank you all for coming at this early hour." You state gravely. "I bear dire news. At around four o'clock yesterday afternoon I received a message from the King of Ferelden. As of that time, we are officially called to arms against the Blight. In other words, we are at war."

Utter silence greets your words. The Blight's arrival is not a secret, and most have been aware of it. However, your words have taken it from a distant concern, like the oncoming winter, and are more like the first snow of the year. It is here now, and real in a way that you have noticed humans struggle to realise when it comes to future events.

When their stunned silence ends you are proud that nobody yells or screams.

"To think I'd live to see another Blight." Ranger breathes quietly.

"What are we doing?" Paloma, captain of your infantry asks. "That is to say, are we answering the call?"

"We are." You confirm.

"Why'd you wait so long to tell us?" Merrill asks, less annoyed that she did not know immediately and more upset that she had to get up early when she did not need to.

"The hour was late, and I fear this meeting shall take a great deal of time." You explain calmingly. "I fully expect it to go for many hours, perhaps through lunch."

"What?" Several people cry.

You hold up a hand to forestall their protests. "We have much to discuss, knowledge of the Blight and the arts we have conceived to combat it. Then we must discuss plans and information. There will be no shortage of matters we must occupy ourselves with."

You look over the faces of those assembled before you. They seem unhappy, but not to an extent that you find worrying. When you are sure there are no comments or objections forthcoming, you speak once more.

"I shall now begin with a brief overview of what is known of Blights. I am sure you all know things I do not, but we shall not concern ourselves overly with the history of the Blights, but rather their mechanics." You say.

Over the course of the next hour or so you relay all you know of the Blight and the mechanisms by which it operates. Much of what you say is known in part or whole by various members of the council, but you wish for everyone to have complete information on the matter.

Once you have finish, Merrill steps up to read off her discoveries and the spells she has devised that can slay the Tainted, and potentially cleanse the Taint itself. This naturally causes great stir and between the questions asked of yourself and her it is two hours before everyone is as informed as possible in the time you have.

"This is why you hired us, isn't it?" Anneth asks into the silence that follows Merrill and your words.

"Among other reasons." You acknowledge.

Silence resume for a time, until Martin sighs and pushes his chair back.

"Ok. So we know this now, what do we need to know or decide now?" He asks. "It sounds as though you have it all worked out."

"What we must now discuss is how long we dare tarry ere we set out for Ostagar." You inform him calmly. "I expect that the army from Denerim will likely take two weeks to reach Ostagar."

"Hold up, kid." Ranger interjects. "It's, what, sixty miles from Ostagar to Denerim? That's only about three days march. Two if they really push it."

"They cannot make it in less than four." You point out. "The road is not straight, and even on a good road they cannot change the fact that they add perhaps twenty miles to the journey using it."

"Four days is still not two weeks." Merrill observes with some amusement.

"It will be once additional forces start meeting them on the road." You point out. "Assuming that nobody wants to stop the column for a long chat or the usual petty politicking, simply organising multiple groups to integrate into one can take a great deal of time."

"Surely not enough to what, quadruple the amount of time marching?" Anneth asks.

You shrug. "It is unlikely, but delays tend to be unexpected. I would leave the additional time personally, and I suspect Loghaine will too. Better to be early to the muster point than to be late due to an unexpected delay."

"Ok." Ranger says. "Say we go with that. When do we want to head off?"

"That is the matter I have called you here to resolve." You state. "Shall we march with Teyrn Loghaine, ahead of him, or shall we meet him at the field?"

There is a moment of silence, before some quiet muttering slowly rises. You wait for someone to speak, but nobody does. At length you break the silence.

"Why does no one speak?" You ask. "Never before have you been silent when asked for council, so what stops your tongues now?"

There are some awkward looks, then Ranger speaks.

"Thing is, don't think any of us rightly know what to do." He says with a shrug. "It's all military and that's your job really."

You nod slowly. "True enough, however, I still value the opinions of those here, and you have expertise I may lack. For example, Martin, Delora, if we were to march tomorrow would we be able to supply ourselves in the field?"

The two addressed start in their seats and carry out a silent argument over who should answer.

"Well, I don't know, sir." Martin says at length. "Depends on what we need to do."

"That is simple." You explain to him. "Can you ensure that supplies are carried to where I need them to be, while simultaneously maintaining your current duties? If so, can you then see food delivered as far south as Ostagar?"

"We haven't even looked at that yet!" Delora snaps. "We'd need time to work it out!"

You incline your head towards her with a smile. "Thus, an argument for going later is made."

"Ok, I think I get it." Anneth says slowly. "We're good to go whenever, so once supplies are sorted out then we can head out immediately."

"Incorrect." You state. "We must see to it that the Chasind and the followers of Solas are also prepared, unless you wish us to bring less than fifty warriors to face the endless hordes of the darkness."

"Still, it'd be good to get an idea of the ground ahead of time." Ranger says, scratching his beard. "Way I hear it, that place is swamps as far as the eye can see. Wouldn't want any of ya folks to drown."

"It'd be a good way to start establishing magical defences and the like." Merrill speaks up in support. "We definitely should go early."

"But what about us?" Faith interjects. "Who's going to be in charge while you're gone? Who's going to protect us? There's so much that needs to be organised, and it's not a good idea to rush these things."

Saris says nothing, but you imagine he agrees. More accurately, he believes that he can benefit either way, but is more afraid of losing his life if you move with too much haste. Then again, perhaps you are prejudiced against him due to his manner.

You lean back in your chair, not voicing your own thoughts for the moment. You listen as people argue among themselves and make their cases to you. Some say go early, some say go late. Interestingly, few seem to advocate for leaving with Teyrn Loghaine.

"Xandar." You say at an opportune moment, silencing the debate. "You have been silent so far, have you any advice?"

The young human looks around nervously and shrugs. "I don't really get all this talk of armies and who's in charge and all that sort of thing. But it seems to me like we've got people who want to go early and people who want to go late. Isn't being in the middle the best compromise?"

"It would seem to be, but such things can be logical traps." You caution, before turning your eyes to the group. "Can any think of a compelling reason not to depart with the Teyrn?"

A couple of people make noise as though they will speak, but in the end none do. Internally you smile, as you have always favoured departing with the Teyrn yourself. It balances the needs for preparation and speed, while allowing you some time to ingratiate yourself with the commanders.

"Very well." You state. "Let us break for lunch, then we shall return to the next matter of import."

"Which is?" Saris asks curiously.

"Who shall govern Endataurëo in my absence." You answer simply.

There were a number of possible reactions to those words. Loud arguments where everyone demanded to be selected at once were what you would have bet upon were you asked. However, the silence that actually ensures was also a foreseeable outcome.

"Right." Anneth says quietly. "You're going to be leaving."

The silence seems to grow heavier, which is strange. It is not as though you are departing into the west or something equally final. Still, the heavy atmosphere persists until Ranger suddenly snorts.

"Hope ya aren't plannin' on leavin' me in charge." He says gruffly. "If ya do, first thing I'm doin' is settin' ya room on fire."

"Certainly I have no plans to leave you in any position of authority whatsoever." You reply glibly. "I would soon return to find my stocks of wine entirely gone, replaced by that watery swill you have the audacity to call beer."

There are a few quiet chuckles as the atmosphere starts to shift.

Ranger rears back in faux anger. "Ya dare insult the wondrous works of Ferelden's finest? I'll have ya know that water in ya beer is character building, helps ya appreciate the finer things in life."

"In character, as in all things, there comes a time when one must stop building lest one creates an unsightly mess." You mutter darkly.

"Um." Faith manages to interject before Ranger can continue mounting a case for his poor taste. "I think we're getting off topic."

"Very much so." You agree. "We are wasting valuable time that we could be spending upon lunch, that we might reconvene with full bellies and thoughts in our head other than how long this meeting shall be."

To general laughter, your housekeepers bring in a number of dishes. Unlike the simple breakfast, some effort has clearly gone into the food for lunch. Fruit and meat may be the staples of your diet, but your housekeepers consistently manage to combine the two in interesting ways. It is a meal fit for a prince, if you do say so yourself.

Faith wipes her lips with a napkin as the meal ends. "Right, we should talk about who's leading this place while you're gone. We should get it sorted as soon as possible."

"I mean no offence, but I must say that I concur with my human peer." Saris agrees in an oily tone. "The matter of who shall govern in your absence should be settled before we continue."

"And I suppose ya are volunteerin' for the role?" Ranger asks pointedly.

You raise an eyebrow, not having expected Ranger to have picked up on Saris' usual politicking, nor to care if he did. Perhaps the elf rubbed him the wrong way.

"I would not dare presume to dictate the thoughts of our lord." Saris protests. "However, Faith and I are the natural candidates, given our current roles."

You certainly would not begrudge Ranger that opinion, you find his manner offensive personally. However, Sar9s is not wrong in this case, he and Faith are the natural candidates. Truth be told, the simplest solution might be to have both of them.

However, as you watch the debate, and how Saris tries to subtly press for his selection, you have your doubts. Faith is growing more confident, but the fact remains that she is new to the task. Saris is likely to push against her authority and do his best to sideline her. Perhaps if she was more experienced, but she is not.

Then the other question is if you should trust someone else, Anneth comes to mind. The odds are high that she will need to remain to command the warriors and she could do both. Then again that will likely be a task all of its own, and it might not be something she can handle.

"I have heard your arguments, and I have made my decision." Your voice interrupts the discussion and all fall silent. "Faith was my first steward, and is thus in command when I am not."

Saris' eyes flash with anger, but he hides it well. "Are you certain that is, fair? I do not question your wisdom but will this decision not appear unjust to some?"

"You have an objection to my decision?" You ask.

Saris smiles. "I would never question your decisions, but are there perhaps factors you haven't… have not considered?"

You lean back in your chair and meet his eyes. "If you have an objection, state it plainly and without games. If you have none, then the decision is made."

Saris grimaces, but eventually says, "Will this not look as though you are favouring humans over elves?"

"Faith is the senior in her position." You reply calmly. "It is she who should hold authority by seniority. I am no elf, and you have dwelt beneath my rule for many months, and never have you had an objection. Why should that now change?"

Saris makes an expression of displeasure but can clearly see the way the winds are blowing and settles down. Given Delora's presence, you are hopeful that he will not be able to spin this to any save those who were on his side to begin with.

"Then it is final." You proclaim. "In my absence Faith shall govern Endataurëo."

The poor girl looks as though she might faint but manages to stand up and bow. "I will, I, I will prove your faith in me wasn't a mistake. I'll take care of everything, until you come back."

"I am certain you will." You reassure her. "Now, the matter of our stores…"

So the business of organising for the march continues.

Counting Spears

As everyone stands up at the meeting's conclusion to leave, you speak up.

"Anneth, Paloma. Stay." You state.

The two women look at each other uncertainly but remain when everyone else has departed.

"Something wrong sir?" Asks Anneth.

"Not as such, however our work is not yet done." You state. "We have to start considering our current forces and how many we shall be marching with."

Paloma sighs and the two women sink back into their chairs.

"Well, I've got fifteen horse." Anneth says after a short pause. "We're all in pretty good shape and used to patrols at this point."

"With the armour in now I've got twenty eight armed and ready." Paloma adds. "We're split across five shifts. We need to have ten at Gladesville at all times, so the numbers have been a bit awkward. Especially with having to trade equipment until recently."

"We also have a few Mabari left." Anneth supplies. "Not many, one or two at most, but they're there. We've been suing them to sniff out trouble."

"That puts us at nearly forty five warriors." You muse to yourself. "Then there are the Chasind, with around two hundred, Solas with ninety. Who else? The Sabrae maybe? That is another sixty or so. Then there is whatever Maeglin might muster"

"When you lay it all out like that, it's a lot." Paloma says quietly.

"Yet far too few." You reply just as quietly. "Three hundred warriors. So few…"

"Sir?" Anneth's voice jolts you from the melancholy contemplation you slipped into without noticing.

Both her and Paloma look concerned, perhaps even afraid. The more senior of the two is half out of her seat, arm almost raised as if to reach for you. The other is looking between you like she does not know what to do.

You shake your head. "Forgive me, I was distracted. Now, what we must decide is how many we will take with us to the war."

"Well, the Chasind obviously." Paloma points out. "They've got the most warriors."

"That and local knowledge of the Kokari Wilds." You agree. "I shall have to make time to speak to them at some point. However that is not what I meant, of our warriors, how many shall remain?"

"Surely we need everyone?" Anneth asks incredulously. "You're bemoaning not having enough and you're thinking of leaving more behind?"

"Gladesville." Paloma states flatly, looking at you directly. "You're thinking about Gladesville."

"That, and Lanaya and her people." You agree. "It seems foolish to strip the forest of all its defenders."

"Ok. So we leave ten behind?" Anneth suggests. "They can keep guarding Gladesville the way they have been."

"What about relief shifts?" Paloma points out. "What about Endataurëo? If we're going to do this, we're probably going to need at least twenty, maybe fifteen if we're willing to strip the defences down."

"It is also possible to have one of our allies cover our defences." You point out. "For example, the Sabrae have only a few more warriors than us and are likely to be less useful outside of the forest."

"True." Anneth nods slowly. "It would let us bring everyone."

"Assuming we can convince them, is it really wise to trust these Dalish?" Paloma asks. "I mean, they're the same as Lanaya right? Won't they, you know, get on or be convinced to betray us or something?"

"I find it unlikely given that Merrill and Marethari both support us and they have already sided against Lanaya once." You point out. "Even if it was a concern we could make use of the Chasind instead. "Twenty men is a far lesser proportion of two hundred than of forty."

"Why does this even matter?" Anneth asks. "It's not like it really makes that much of a difference in the end."

"It is a matter of what types of troops are available, and the allocation of time." You explain. "Besides which it is our duty to supply and command our men, while it is the responsibility of others to do so for theirs."

"Well whatever we decide, can we get to it already?" Paloma says. "This meeting has already been about two hours longer than I would have wanted."

The decision sits heavy upon your shoulders. Unlike your earlier council, there is no one who can guide your actions here, and the stakes are just as high. The matter keeps coming back to a single question. What will Lanaya do?

With most of your forces away it would be the perfect time to strike if she wished to do so. However, much of her anger seems to have been directed at you personally, and if you leave the Sabrae behind would she be willing to risk the civil war to follow?

Perhaps your heart would be easier if she had simply left the forest, but that has not happened.

The factors weighed, options considered, you make a decision.

"We will leave behind ten heavy infantry, with a small reserve of five cavalry for rapid response." You command. "We will not fall into the trap of leaving warriors behind until we take none with us."

The two women straighten up immediately and raise their hands in salute.

"Yes sir!" They chorus.

You smile at their loyalty and wave the two to return to their relaxed posture. "It is done, now let us turn our thoughts to our warriors and what they shall need going forward."

"Food obviously, though truth be told we probably save ourselves a lot of space leaving behind the people we are." Anneth says immediately.

"True, though we may need to supply the Chasind somewhat." You remind her. "Though they are local and likely to know more about living in the area than we."

"Actually, while we're on the topic." Paloma says suddenly. "Any chance they can put us into contact with locals who can help feed us? I mean, not to disparage anyone, but starving to death in a siege is literally one of my nightmares."

"Perhaps, but I would not put faith in such a solution. The tribes of the Chaisnd are more divided than the Noldor, and the darkspawn have long lingered in the south. I would be surprised if anyone dwells there still." You inform the woman.

She shrugs. "Still worth a shot."

"I will ask." You agree. "But I do not hope for any results."

You spend some time discussing food, how much is necessary, what form it is best transported in, how long it would take to reach you and other such matters. Much is already prepared, for you have long known this day was coming, but it is good to have it settled."

"Moving away from food." Paloma says. "I can't help but notice that we don't exactly have spare weapons and armour."

"It was my intention to have the blacksmiths travel with us to maintain weapons and replace them as necessary." You state. "It is why I have laid up stocks of iron and charcoal."

"Won't feeding them take up space in wagons and make supply more complicated?" Anneth asks.

"So too would spare weapons and armour." You point out. "You will find, as we campaign, that there is need for something in the region of two or three support personnel per warrior. Blacksmiths, teamsters, farriers, quartermasters."

There's a moment of silence, then realisation blooms across both of their faces.

"You're planning on bringing most of Endataurëo with us, aren't you?" Paloma asks.

"No." You state firmly. "A small number, relatively speaking. The labourers, the blacksmiths, the animal handlers. Perhaps a few others upon review."

Anneth rubs her forehead. "I'm suddenly glad we're marching with the rest of the army now. Guarding that many people down a third of our force is going to be a headache."

"Speaking of which, it is time to discuss which of you, if either, will be remaining to command Endataurëo's forces in my absence." You state.

The two officers share a momentary look and frown.

"We were assuming we'd both be going with you." Anneth says. "I mean, neither of us really want to be the one who sat out the Blight."

"Our boys, and our girls too, they're smart. We can trust them on their patrols on their own." Paloma adds.

"You would both prefer not to have anyone here to oversee your soldiers?" You ask, not quite chiding, nor surprised, but definitely not far from it.

The two human women shuffle from one foot to the other for a few moments, looking somewhat guilty.

"Well, it's not that we don't feel any need to look after our warriors or to duck any of our responsibilities." Anneth says at last. "It's just that, well, neither of us want to stay here and I don't think we could handle the discussion without descending into an argument."

You give a single, slow nod. "I suppose there are worse ways of avoiding an argument. Do you have any compelling reasons that I should leave Endataurëo without an officer?"

The two share another look, and Paloma slowly, hesitantly, offers, "Well, the main reason would be having more ability to command in the Blight. I mean, the rangers will be alone and you might need to lead the Chasind, so I could take the infantry."

"That much is certainly true." You allow. "Allow me to consider the matter."

You fall silent in contemplation. Truth be told, there is a part of you that finds the argument compelling. However, the greater part of you by far is not comfortable leaving a potentially volatile situation unsupervised.

With that discomfort, there is naturally only on candidate who you would leave in charge, you had already considered her earlier.

"I am afraid I disagree." You state. "Someone must remain to keep watch on Lanaya, and of the two of you, Anneth is the better suited for the role."

"Sir! I protest!" Anneth jumps to her feet. "The Blight is too important to leave me behind. I need to come with you!"

You prepare to respond, then glance at Paloma. "Paloma. We are finished here. Please leave."

The officer glances from you to Anneth. "Are you sure, I mean…"

When she trails off you point your head at the door. "Leave. Now."

The woman salutes and withdraws. Anneth has, in this time, calmed somewhat, but she still stays standing and by the cast of her face unmoved from her position.

"I understand that what I am asking of you is difficult." You state.

Anneth visibly bites back several, presumably rude, responses.

"Understand that I am not in any way slighting you by these instructions." You reassure her. "In fact, it is a sign of my trust in you that I am leaving you here. Someone must be watching Lanaya, and of the available options I trust you most."

Anneth relaxes slightly but still responds, "The Blight is more pressing. Surely we need all the help we can get."

"By that logic, we would leave nobody behind to defend our home." You state. "It avails us nothing to defeat the Blight only to return to a burned out husk where once we dwelt."

Anneth sags slightly. "It feels, cowardly, is all. To sit out the most dangerous event in my lifetime."

"Who said anything of 'sitting out'?" You ask. "You will be stationed here, not so far from the front. Should the lines fall and Ferelden's defence fail, it will be you who shall bear the brunt."

"Surely, even then you'd take command." She says.

"It is entirely possible in such a circumstance that I would fall too." You point out.

"What? If you think that you might die, why would you even go there?" Anneth exclaims.

"Because this is bigger than me." You state calmly. "It is bigger than you, it is bigger than any single person. Sometimes that means being ready to die, and sometimes it means that you take a boring unglamourous position that may never see combat, or may see a desperate and hopeless last stand."

Slowly, grudgingly Anneth nods. "Alright. I understand. Best of luck sir."