[A] Summons (Drinian, Gavin, Adelliana) [Finished]

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Prince Caspian

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Played by Cara

"Cara has managed to...create a character that is both mythical and life-like. Impulsive, moody, and yet kind and good-hearted, Caspian is just beginning to show the makings of a true leader."
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[Lord Drinian]

OOC: Okay, so I'm new to boards and I have trouble with just dis-jointed scenarios. In my mind, this thread will take place after "All Quiet on the Telmarine Front" (in which Drinian meets Gavin) and will eventually merge with the "A Mission" thread once they're called into the tent to be told about the mission. But first, perhaps they'll all meet outside the tent and discuss a bit?

IC:

Drinian, who had been talking to Gavin, turned when he heard a call going through the camp and people being rallied and lined up outside of Miraz' tent.

He frowned and looked to Gavin, sending a look of inquiry. Perhaps the falconer knew something about this . . . His curiosity led him towards the tent, though he looked back at several instances to see if Gavin was following.

As he approached, he realised the sound must have carried on the wind through the camp. The upset was not half so large as it had seemed before--only a dozen or so men congregated--but the sense was one of confusion and disarray. As Drinian approached, he walked with a confident air, one which made the men slowly turn their attention towards him, recognising him to be one of the commanding officers. The lieutenant in charge of gathering people--so it seemed, for he was leading a man by the elbow there--nodded to him as he approached, touching his forehead. "Sir."

"What's going on, lieutenant?" Drinian said, looking about and, upon consideration, directing the lieutenant away from the tent and out of hearing of the king.

"I've gathered the men for the mission, sir," the man reported proudly, then added self-consciously with a glance over his shoulder, "If you think they will do."

"What mission?"

"Why, your mission, sir. . . the one you were just meeting with King Miraz about . . . Miraz said that . . . at least I was told I was to gather men for you."

Drinian frowned deeply at this. He had met with Miraz, it was true. And he had proposed that a group be sent to negotiate with Caspian--but the King had grown wroth and threatened Bernal. Then offered him a captaincy in the navy . . . Miraz was growing more mercurial by the moment, and Drinian felt a sudden foreboding at the king's acquiesence. Not knowing what the lieutenant might know or not know of the situation (only noting that his prolonged silence was making the lieutenant uncomfortable), he nodded and said, "That's very good. I'll only need a couple of men at the most." He looked up and down the line of men and halted, seeing a familiar, small face among them.

Drinian frowned deeper still and walked directly up to Dhar, raising his eyebrow as he approached. "I see you found your way here alright anyhow."

OOC: I'll include Gavin in this if you want him to be, Emmy!

[Adelliana Tisroc]

{I'm just gonna use Dharr now, cause I am CONFUSING myself, lol.}

What a twisted sense of humor life had. Dharr had spent the better part of her trip across the desert deciding to join Miraz's forces, and the moment she confronted a member of the King's troops, found herself leaning with the Telmarine's enemies, simply because of one man's word. He- Lord Drinian, was awfully handsome, though his words were what made the most profound impact on Dharr. Lord Drinian was so convinced of the corruption of King Miraz, it was hard to believe anything but what convincing words he had spoken.

Oh, irony of ironies!  The moment that Dharr had changed her course of mind and was ready to head elsewhere, "recruiters" had shanghaid her into joining the dreaded King's forces. There was no way out of it, and Dharr noted dryly that she would be getting her original wish after all. Upon arriving at the camp, she was issued a tent and assigned to a batallion. She could only pray her identity remained masked, for the way many men talked of how to use women was frightening. She did not think herself safe around them, and therefore took every precaution to ensure her identity remained hidden.

And now where was she? Part of the roundup for Miraz's "special mission". Dharr had heard enough diatribe and filth about the man, that she could not help but adopt a sarcastic tone towards the whole ordeal. Most attributed it to her being a young Tarkhaan, never having gotten his hands dirty, though Dharr knew better. Let them think what they would, though, for if it allowed her to stay, then all the better. Still, it did sting when Lord Drinian came directly to her and, seemingly spitefully, mentioned her presence at the camp.

Cheeks flushed a delicate red as Dharr thought over their encounter, and lowering her eyes slightly, said in a mumbling tone, "It seems as though I found myself compelled to serve here, My Lord. Quite literally, actually." Perhaps her meaning would be lost on the man, perhaps not. Either way, she knew he did not look happy to see her.

[Lord Drinian]

Drinian did not know what to make of such a speech, but the drooped countenance was perplexing to say the least. Very different from the overhasty and brash young tarkaan he had met only a short while ago.

Was the compelling compulsory? he wondered.

The lieutenant was still hovering nearby. The next man in line, a burly fellow of advanced years, was standing at a tense attention, anxiously waiting for Drinian to address and inspect him as well.

"Lieutenant--" Drinian turned to look at the man.

"Mideo, your grace."

"Lieutenant Mideo, I will just be needing this lad here," he said, nodding in Dharr's direction.

"Just the boy, my lord?"

Drinian gave a disgruntled sigh. "Of these men, yes." Seeing that the lieutenant was hesitant and, no doubt, questioning his judgement, he said, "The mission is a delicate one. I do not wish to appear . . . overprepared or overbearing."

The lieutenant nodded rigorously, feeling this the requisite response. "Of course, Lord Drinian."

Drinian's smile grew lopsided. "Captain," he corrected. "Now, you can dismiss these other men. I am certain they will be needed in other pursuits." Here, he looked to the burly man and gave a reassuring smile. "Their courage and valour are indisputable and will be best suited for combat, not this."

He only wished their skills wouldn't be needed. But Drinian was about doing more than idle hoping. If things went on this mission as he planned, some alternative could be reached.

As the lieutenant scattered the people about the camp as quickly as he had gathered them, Drinian returned to those who remained: Dharr and Gavin. From the sounds of it, there was a man in council with the king in his tent and as curious as he was to hear what the King might have to say, he regretted that the communication could be two-way. If they could hear the king, the king could hear them.

He tilted his head off to the side and retreated about 10 metres off, waiting for the others to follow. He considered now that perhaps Gavin did not intend to join him. At any rate, he had the birds--the troublesome Jinx--to take care of at the very least. . . he looked inquisitively at him as he waited for Dharr to draw himself away from the tent.

To Dharr, he said, "That was a curious thing you said. I would like to know what you meant by it and also if your feelings have changed since last we spoke." Drinian himself was referring to Dharr's pledge that he would serve him, but was likewise curious what Dharr's experiences at camp might have done to the lad's perception of the situation.

[Adelliana Tisroc]

After speaking her short piece, Dharr's eyes dropped, as well as head, in a sort of deference for the man, her commander. They were no longer in an equal setting- in war called for rank to be observed. Having grown up in a Calormene court, she was a ware of the pride men possessed when it came to rank and such. A tiny infraction could result in the gravest of offenses, and Dharr, though seemingly defiant, did not want to offend this man, this Lord Drinian. He seemed different from his Telmarine consorts, and she therefore wanted to learn more about him.

As Lord Drinian mentioned needing only her for the "mission", a slightly puzzled expression betook Dharr's youthful features. Why would he pick her, when she seemed to be so scrawny, so lanky in comparison to the muscular men surrounding her? They were about her same age, well... in reality, yes. Though "Tarkhaan Dharr" was pretending to be no more than fourteen years old. That only added to her confusion. Why on earth would Drinian select her when almost every other person seemed like a better choice?

The young soldier watched slightly perplexed as the men around her left, chatting amongst themselves, though still wearing somber expressions. War afforded little happiness, as Dharr had quickly learned. So many of the men spoke about how they had killed someone, and rather... enjoyed it? There were those of course who had been horror-struck by the atrocities of war, though Dharr could express neither opinion, having yet to fight. This would be her first test, her first mission, and she could only pray that everything went well. Light, tentative footsteps brought her nearer to Lord Drinian, as her presence would no doubt be required.

The question proffered by Drinian was an intriguing one, no doubt, though Dharr was unsure how to answer. Yes, Lord Drinian had expressed his distaste for Miraz, though it would be foolish to bring that up now- in the very same King's camp. No, this reply would call for tact and common sense. "My Lord, I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. I was compelled, by forceful means, to serve King Miraz. I will admit, I had rather rid that notion from my head after initially speaking to you, though it would seem as though fate had decreed otherwise." She shook her head, as if still in disbelief about what had happened, before continuing her explanation. "My feelings are.. well, I suppose irrelevant. It does not matter what I think anymore, for I shall be just as forcefully compelled here. I will serve wherever needed, or face the penalty of abandonment. However, My lord, I will serve as you require."

Humility was something she was never very good at... However, there was something about Lord Drinian that made Dharr want to serve the man, and learn more about him.

[Lord Drinian]

This manner of forced enlistment was disturbing to say the least, but Drinian himself was not much surprised. It was not very different from his own case, though the compulsion had been an internal rather than an external force: Miraz's threats towards him and the other nobles had ever been psychological.

Drinian gave a slight smirk at the boy's ready acquiesence to what he felt Drinian himself required. Irrelevant? Well. Drinian folded his arms across his chest and nodded thoughtfully as the young tarkaan addressed him.

"It matters very much what you think, Dharr. This is why I asked you for your thoughts and feelings. I do not, I hope, command mere bodies. I work with thinking, feeling men. Can you promise me you will assist me in thinking through a somewhat difficult situation?" he looked towards Gavin. This was for him as well. "Can you stand behind me as we go to the Narnian camp--in the face of danger--to negotiate a diplomatic agreement?"

[Gavin Owen]

 (ooc| I apologize for entering so late. I hope the invitation is still open?)

Gavin had followed Drinian's gaze as an officer began calling people to line up. He hesitantly followed Drinian back into the camp. The focus of the soldiers did not fall on the falconer as they had Drinian. Gavin was grateful for that. He would have much rather been back in the woods hunting with Jinx than making his way through a crowd of soldiers. Jinx, like Gavin, did not care for crowds. Even though he had a hood on, the bird could still sense the men and he clacked his beak nervously as Gavin stroked his feathers. Gavin had never liked soldiers. He preferred the quiet solitude of flying his birds to the loud, rough life of a soldier. But Gavin was also a cautious man, and he feared he would be marked as a deserter if he didn't answer the call.

When Drinian looked back at Gavin with a questioning look, the falconer simply shrugged his shoulders. He never knew what was going on around camp. No one of any importance thought enough of him to tell him. When Drinian started talking to one of the officers, Gavin zoned out. He had no interest in the affairs of war or politics. Everything sounded the same to him. The only thing he caught was something about a mission. What mission they were talking about, the falconer didn't know. As far as he knew, there were several different missions all occurring at the same time. When Drinian moved again, Gavin's head shot up. Without noticing, the man's head had slowly tilted downward until he was looking directly at his feet. He silently cursed himself as he realized how stupid he must have looked.

That was when he noticed a young soldier had joined the small group. Gavin thought there was something odd about the young man, but he let the thought go. He didn't care for soldiers or their habits or lifestyles. What caught his attention next was the question Drinian had asked. Go to the Narnian camp and negotiate? The young falconer automatically assumed that Drinian had been speaking only to the soldier. Gavin had no diplomatic experience and he hadn't handled a sword in years. "Are you speaking to him or both of us, my lord?" Gavin asked

[Lord Drinian]

Drinian, caught up in his speeches and recruiting efforts, came to a halting stop at Gavin's question.

The only response he could readily conjure was to laugh: at himself, for having spoken so grand and vaguely; at the situation, which was already so absurd--a month ago, he could have visited Caspian upon a whim; but he was not laughing at the falconer, and that bore repeating.

"Forgive me, Gavin. I was not laughing at you. What I meant, I ought to have been more clear," he added as an aside,"was that I am talking to anyone who will listen." There was a bit of a rueful laugh that accompanied this. "They may not be many, but I just need a few faithful men to come with me across the line; it will be strictly diplomatic."

The fact of the matter was, Drinian did not trust Miraz to choose the men he would travel with because he did not trust Miraz. He wanted those who accompanied him to be ones of conscience, without other agendas. Not only did the two young men before him seem to be of a virtuous stock, they also seemed to be rather aimless in this camp. A perfect combination.

[Adelliana Tisroc]

Dharr looked from Lord Drinian, to the other lad, still in slight disbelief about being "selected" for a mission. Perhaps it was best after all that she had been coerced into serving the Telmarine king. She would get to understand the workings of his politics, a topic she had long been a fan of. Women in Calormen were not meant to be involved with affairs of state, and the young woman could not resist. She would sneak behind the curtain and listen in on her father's meetings as they mapped out the future for common Calormen citizens- taxes, codes, and ordinances of varying sorts. It just sort of pleased Dharr, knowing that the decisions of a select few- usually men, could control the future of a country. And now, she would be accompanying the handsome Lord Drinian behind enemy lines, and seek to establish diplomatic ties with them. How thrilling.

Eyes searching for truth, Dharr said, "I am gladdened to hear you say that. I promise to devote my full assistance in whatever way is needed." She nodded profusely, trying to give some sort of masculine-looking reassurance. Pah.

[Lord Drinian]

OOC: Do we want to fast forward any, here? Since we've lost Thal as a member of the party, I don't see anything keeping them from simply going. . . since I play both Miraz and Drin, I'll assume Drin's already been briefed on what's expected of him; I don't think anyone wants to watch me RP at length with myself. XD

IC:
Drinian smiled somewhat reservedly at Dharr's full support. It was appreciated, to be sure, but the boy had too much zeal; experience had taught him he would pledge to nearly anyone with little compulsion. . .

They'd work on that.

The smile somewhat easier, he asked, "Well, I suppose we'll need our weapons and horses. . ." To his surprise, the moment he raised his hand, a man led his horse forward. It appeared that they had been waiting, which meant the orders had come through Miraz.

Which meant that Miraz was placing more stock in this mission than he had let on. Drinian felt somewhat uncomfortable with this, but instructed both of "his" men, "No concealed weapons. We advance under a white flag of truce. We won't need them save for ceremony."

But now Drinian wasn't so sure.

OOC: Ugh. Sorry, it kind of stinks but maybe I've got a bit of a block on my Drinian muse.

[Adelliana Tisroc]

OOC: That's fine dear. I'm gonna apologize in advance for this horrendous reply. ;p

Dharr nodded serenely, watching her commander instruct them with a stoic tone. Tash, he was so good looking. That might have presented problems to other people, but oddly enough, the young Tarkheena was finding it quite easy to act as though she were a young lad and completely unenamored with the "Lord Drinian". A slight glance was sent... well, nowhere in particular as Dharr looked for horses and supplies.

Dharr nodded once more, fingering the hilt of her scimitar gently. No weapons? Perhaps it was not the battle she had been initially seeking, but Dharr found herself rather relieved. She had never used her weapon in real battle before after all. 'Aye, sir.'

[Abenzio Tuathal Deverell]

Thal approached the group quietly, falling into place beside the two young men. One looked to be a boy, in fact. The other holding a bird upon his wrist. Commanded by a fledgeling noble. Lord Drinian, no less. He had heard reports of him from his sister.

Well, it was time he see if the man was half as near deserving of the praise she bestowed upon him. It was fortunate that he would be joining, Thal decided. They'd not have much chance against an army, even under the white banner, otherwise. Few would take this motley crew seriously.

"I am sent by King Miraz to accompany you on your expedition," he said solemnly, adding finally, "sir." He looked at the other two with a stony countenance. He did not want to be here, a face he made infinitely clear from his looks and carriage.

[Lord Drinian]

Drinian paused abruptly in his directions when the foreboding soldier approached silently. The duke--now captain--looked at him expectantly.

"I am sent by King Miraz to accompany you on your expedition," he said with an air of what Drinian took to be disdain, adding finally, "sir."

Drinian frowned. "Very well. And what is your name?"

The soldier told him it was Abenzio Tuathal Deverell. Upon Drinian's asking what it was he wished to be called, the soldier looked at him sharply. Neither broke their gaze for several moments.

"Thal," the soldier finally said.

At this, Drinian eased his rigid stance and said with a slight smile, "Welcome, Thal. I was just explaining to Dharr and Gavin that we'll travel with light weapons. No concealed weapons."

The soldier looked back at him silently.

"Thal, I'll have the concealed weapons from off your person," Drinian now said, holding his hand out.

He did not take his hand back until it held four daggers, three arrows, one curved short sword, and a wicked looking blade, which the man had pulled from his boot. Drinian raised an eyebrow comically. "Impressive. Thank you."

The soldier, however, far from amused, seemed downright surly.

"Well, shall we ride, gentlemen?" Drinian asked.

[Adelliana Tisroc]

(Once again, this is going to be a horrid post. My apologies in advance.)

Green eyes watched as yet another soldier made his way towards the three who were headed off to face the unknown Narnian diplomats. As Dharr watched the face become clearer, she could not help but stare at it a little longer than propriety might have dictated. Indeed, the face was rather familiar- the young woman placed it as being similar to one she had seen whilst on patrol only some time ago- to a young woman, who had seen through Adelliana's pretended visage. Perhaps this was the brother of which she had spoken?

As the man uttered his long name, Dharr could not help but show a look of recognition as she listened. The name did indeed match, though Thal's sister's description was all but correct. She had made him out to be a soft sort of guy- All Dharr could see was hardened expressions and a load of weaponry. Her initial judgment was rather harsh. However, before she could say anything, Drinian's voice cut through a solemn stillness. Nodding her head slightly, Dharr said, "Aye, sir. And with haste, no doubt."

Truth be told, Dharr just wanted to get to the point where she might talk to the newcomer alone, and find out just how much his sister had told him.

[Lord Drinian]

Drinian gave a smile to Dharr, nodded, and mounted Glover. He wanted to be gone from here and be at the Narnian camp as soon as possible. A page handed him the white banner of truce which he took in hand and urged his horse to a trot.

Initially leading, once they had cleared the Telmarine camp boundaries, he took a couple of moments, looking ahead at the forested terrain, almost imagining himself roaming his lands as he was so often known to do during his leisure time. He smiled as he saw two larks dip and rise as they flitted by, singing their song. It was nice to know some things did not acknowledge war; some things did not change. They darted to the right and Drinian traced their path with his eyes, turning a bit in his saddle when they had flown out of his gaze to settle in a small copse of trees.

He turned further to look back at the company, once more catching eyes with the soldier who appeared to have been watching him. It would, of course, be the natural thing; he was the commanding officer leading the expedition, also the one most familiar with the land, but Drinian felt uncomfortable under his gaze.

Tugging lightly on Glover's reins, he hung back to afford a chance to speak with the new soldier.

"I could not help noticing, Thal, that you were speaking to King Miraz prior to joining our party. I wanted to tell you I look forward to working with you on this expedition."
~
Thal stiffened at this and looked at the youth with a cold, amused expression. The young man was desperate to win his allegiance. "Of course, captain," he said, not betraying any of his own thoughts, but inclining his head in obeisance, when it seemed Captain Drinian was looking for more. He was a captain, in Thal's opinion. Not a noble. He held little sway by titles. A man wasn't a particular sort of person because he happened to be born at a certain place at a certain time. It was what he had been through, what he had had to live with . . .

In this reckoning, Lord Drinian was still an infant by comparison. And yet here he was, the commander, because the king had needed to pacify him.
~
Drinian gave a diluted smile at this, not much caring for Miraz' addition and dreading more than ever they were being surveillanced.  He kept an eye on the woods around them, knowing the land well but remaining vigilant, for he did not know the Narnians, or whether or not they might waylay their party with traps and snares.

It occurred to him, afterwards, that even those larks who he had viewed with so much pleasure, might have allegiances, might even by informers, spies . . . Drinian felt his heart sink a little. It was a bad business to see the land divided by itself. This observation gave him new resolve, and he increased the pace to reach Caspian.


OOC: Let's get them united with the search party, shall we? I'm actually going to co-post with Thal on this post so we don't have to overlap any of the action. Changes in POV are denoted by "~" if that 's alright.

Emmy, if you want Gavin to be in this, please feel free to jump on in. I'm just wanting to keep this thread active. They've been lingering outside Miraz's tent for a good long while and Drinian's been *begging* to stretch his legs! . . . even if it is on a horse.

[Abenzio Tuathal Deverell]

Thal carried on, also keeping a close watch on the land. Every creature--every tree was suspect.

For himself, Thal was not sure whether or not he believed the Old Narnian tales--some had to be believed, for he had had the evidence of his own senses to attest to it, but others were too absurd to fathom. Dancing on the moon, talking trees, flying pigs, munificent lions . . .

His eyes slid to the young Tarkan--Tarkina beside him, then back ahead. "Dharr," he acknowledged.

[Adelliana Tisroc]

Mounting her horse, Dharr coaxed the steed into a light trot. Not too fast, and not slow enough to be a walk. After all, the mission they were embarking on could not be carried out too hastily, or the Narnians might suspect something. Too slow, and battle could break. Their timing had to be absolutely perfect. Even though she had never participated in negotiations before, the young Tarkheena had listened in on enough of her father's meetings to understand the delicacy of their current situation.

Within only minutes, the gruff soldier, brother to Shayla, carried his own horse next to Dharr's. She gave him a sideways glance, before returning her verdant gaze to the landscape before her. Voice masked in gruff tones, she replied, "Master Thal." Shayla had perhaps mentioned her brother once or twice, though made him out to be a sweet lad. All Dharr could see was a cold front, which was rather intimidating. His initial brusqueness was actually rather reminiscent of the man she had been intended to marry- never a good thing for Dharr.

What the young tarkheena did not know was that her secret, divulged only to Shayla, had been spread by the girl herself. Apparently she thought Dharr in need of a protector, and thusly had told her brother to "keep an eye" on the runaway. Had Dharr known this, she would have been furious. Not a soul outside of Shayla was to know. Having fellow Telmarine-army know could result in dismissal (not necessarily bad) and then being shipped back to Calormen (a very bad thing.) All the same, Dharr cleared her throat, and inquired, "And you are, er... well? I trust?"

[Abenzio Tuathal Deverell]

A ghost of a smile appeared on the soldier's face at her inquiry. Awkward and bumbling, she appeared everything he expected.

It was amazing to him that no one else suspected her . . . condition.

"I may be better than yourself, at present," he said cryptically, allowing for the double meaning. "My sister's told me a great deal about you, Dharr, and I don't envy your position." He looked at the tarkeena sincerely. "But we'll see what can be done."

Armed services were no place for a woman. His sister, Shayla, had made it clear that Calormen was no place for this woman, either. As a Calormene himself, Thal was not sure how he ought to consider this: an affront to his homeland, or a call for protection for the weak. He had no great patriotism for his home country; but he did not know this woman, either. But Shayla had liked her. . .

His thoughts were put on hold as their leader, that upstart Drinian, decided to take off at a gallop, yelling to, presumably, the enemy camp. Thal grit his teeth and followed as closely as he could, hand hovering over his weapons, not all of which he had turned in to Drinian.

The man was too trusting, too naive, he decided with some disappointment as the man candidly asked the creatures to "lay" off. As though such a thing could be done.

For himself, Thal had only caught a glimpse at a distance of the Narnian creatures. He kept his face as stoic, stony, and unreadable as he took the whole of them in. He chose to focus his gaze on the leopard pinning the Telmarine down; he appeared to be a leader of some sort with the centaur, and the biggest threat.


(The story resumed here)