#fenixtj

The Baron Taras Tidemarch is suprirsed by the call and escort...but he comes to Fenix through the door

((This assumes Bevera confirmed what the satyr told Jess? Gwydion boon pings yes, true, all?))

Bevera learned more in fact. The Balor had offered her a small pack of poison she was to slip into the childling's drink if she REALLY wanted to get paid well... but the satyress turned it down because she's sure the one GIVING the poison would end up found out in the autopsy. SHe also was supposed to study Jessica's drinking habits

((Can you give me a quick sketch of who goes to get Taras? 1 from each of the other holds, formal County garb, and theoretically good fighters.))

(Honest I was breezing through it because I forgot Jessica specified)

((I love the input from Bevera!))

(Shard from the Pitt, A Gwydion knight Dame Donelle Gwydion from SKy hook, Sir Jack from Fenix)

((That poor knight.....))

The Varich has an escort.. five warriors of HIS hold.

((Does Jess recognize any of them?))

(Them being the Varich's warriors?)

((yes))

Only Tidemarch's own champion, a huge troll who she has seen at Pennons

The Baron comes before Jessica, and bows "Countess, I was told you required me with all haste. How can I assist you?"

((Before Jess appears, she sends Dame Dil, Diego, Coy, Demos.... and God help her, Duff.... to Sunkissed Waves to find and detain the Balor.))

They return and explain they can't enter.

((Even being sent under the Countess's order and direction?))

"It's warded..." Dil says

The Baron waits. Patiently.

((Edited, the Balor did not need her vents cleaned and tires shined.....))

Duff can see Jessica swallow down more irritation and take a deep breath.

She nods and, in formal voile, enters to take a seat. "Baron. Thank you for coming. I have a concern I must discuss with you."

(Going to assume Jessica was told that by Dil in private and then Jessica aappeared into the room where the Baron and his warriors waited)

"I gathered that when you sent warriors from each hold. I brought five of my own to aid you, your excellency" He says "Is it a Nunnehi attack on the city? "

"No, thankfully. And my thanks for volunteering your support so strongly. Do you recognize a person answering this description?" And she describes the Balor as Hektira did; Latina, dark hair, brown eyes, a goiter of some sort, thin frame.

"I do, Dame Branca ap Balor. She's currently a guest at my holding though her third day expires this evening"

Jessica nods. "I will see her. Shall I come there, or will she come here?"

Tidemarch raises a brow in surprise, then tries to make sense of what little he has been told, "If I had known it was her you wished to see, I would have asked her along. I cannot predict if she will come here as I do not yet know a thing about the situation beyond it involving her so I can't predict. However, currently she can't leave it. I warded the hold when so many of my best and I were called in abruptly. So if there is some crime she has committed, rest assured she cannot escape. "

Thorog grunts and eyes the others who 'seized' his lord without much to do.

"That is reassuring. I wish to see her. Now."

"Follow" He says to her, and walks towards the trod that connects their two holds.

Thorog grunts and the other four warriors with the Varich continue to escort.

Jack raises a brow, looks to the Countess.

Jessica motions the others she selected, and off they go!

(Both those she sent to Sunkissed and those that brought the Baron to Fenix.)

As they come to the trod, he steps through and vanishes.

Jessica walks with him.

And they find themselves alone in the hallway with the door. She barely felt a tickle of the ward. He looks at her, "Countess, I know we have had some unfortunate miscommunications, I humbly request we not compound it by leaving me out of the loop of happenings in my own hold."

"What has Branca done? Is my heir safe?" He says

"As far as I know, your heir is safe, My Lord. I have some concerns about the Dame's purpose here, and I would speak with her."

A look of ..quiet relief, then "That of course is what we will do. I am your vassaal. But she is currently under the Escheat protection of haven. I can revoke that but I need cause if it comes to that."

"I understand."

(Have the others come through with them?)

None of the other warriors have come through "As for her purpose. I wondered that myself. She's not the only Balor... but she was vague"

"Hm."

He leads her on, moving "The ward holds back the others. They do not outrank me. I am not sure you want it lifted. If Dame Branca HAS done something questionable, then she is as likely to bolt as anything and without the ward there is little to stop her"

"I would like our people to be here."

She is not being led.

In that case he's gaining ahead of her.

"Then I advise we head to the main entry of the hold prepared to block it off before I drop the ward."