From: bwr@cbnewsj.cb.att.com (bruce.w.reisman)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.misc
Subject: STORY: Darkness Rising (part 48)
Date: 31 Aug 92 15:39:36 GMT
Organization: AT&T

48.  RUBBLE


"Well, there's a tower and I saw about five, maybe six, people?  I think
they were people.  Outside.  Moving rubble around."

"Were they piling it into piles around the tower?" Omerta asks.

"No, more like they were just smoothing it around.  It didn't make any
sense -- what they were doing."

"Did they seem armed or have any armament?" Vilim asks.

"They looked like they, um, had some sort of heavy armor on their backs.
Understand, they were bent over so it was kind of hard to see them.  But
their backs looked like they had maybe stone plates?  Um, and --"

"They seemed to be human sized though?" Vilim asks.

"-- they looked like human sized though.  That's why I'm confused.  I
don't *think* they were trolls.  And as far as weapons, I didn't see any,
but that didn't mean they didn't have any.  Certainly they didn't have
any bows."

"What about the tower itself," Jhere now asks.

"The tower itself is rather strange.  It has one opening at the bottom
on the opposite from where the bridge is into the city.  The only other
openings are very small; it wasn't even clear they were big enough to see
out of.  They're probably big enough to shoot out of."

"What's the top like?" Jhere adds.

"Flat."

"Solid?"

"Yes. But I couldn't see any access."

"Was it made of stone?" Vilim inquires.

"As best I could tell, it's made of stone."

"Were the people moving rubble around, using tools -- wheelbarrows and
such?" Omerta asks.

"They were lifting the stones themselves; they appeared very strong."

"Were there clear paths to the tower?" Jhere goes on.

"Well, not straight.  In fact there was no straight path from any place
to another."

Omerta shudders, remembering Knearn as it was.  "Where there any guard
details not working around the rubble?"

"I only saw the five or six."

"When they were next to where they were piling the rubble --" Omerta
continues.

"No, they weren't *piling* the rubble, they were just moving it around."

"They were pushing it without piling it means they were very troll like,
wouldn't it?"

"Well, yeah, but they weren't troll sized.  They were people sized.  Baby
trolls?"

"What did the tower appear to be made out of?" Jhere interrupts.
"Individual blocks of stone or--"

"That was kind of strange.  It looked like it was just stones piled up.
But it doesn't slope enough to be just piled up.  The sides are too
straight?"

"Lord Alan could do that," Omerta comments.

"But why?  There's better things to build out of," Alicia protests.

"Maybe it's not real," Kidd ventures.

"How big was the entrance way into the tower," Jhere goes on.

"I'd say bigger than Oliver and about as wide as it was high.  Maybe we
could get in two abreast."

Omerta smiles, thinking maybe more than two of Alicia's size.

"Did there seem to be any natural areas other than the tower that might
shield people there from any kind of attack?" Vilim asks.

"Not really. I guess maybe that's why they weren't piling it up.  Maybe
they were sort of knocking it down instead.  But it didn't really even
look like that."

Omerta asks, "Did it look like they were looking for something?"

"Maybe.  It wasn't clear.  If they were looking for something, they
didn't find it."

Jhere turns to Ariel, "Does this sounds like anything you've read from
the past of the behavior of the Death Stalkers?"

Ariel replies that if a Death Stalker was there from this distance we
would see obvious signs of the extremely cold temperatures that accompany
it.

"No.  I know that," Jhere answers her.  "But is this kind of building,
this kind of bizarre behavior the kinds of things they would cause to
have happen?"

"I don't know.  I just don't know."

"What about any other life forms in the south?"

"Nothing I know of."

Ragnor now asks, "Alicia, did you notice anything inside the door?"

"It was pitch black.  I couldn't see anything."

"Omerta," Jhere turns to him.  "Is there a way in to the city through
the caverns?"

"The concussions that rent the walls would make any caverns, if they even
still exist, unsafe and probably impassible.  There was a network of
caverns but I am not familiar enough with them to try and venture into
them now."

Jhere nods, disappointed, but accepting his word.  He goes on, "Alicia,
was it clear that you could get from the gates or any other point easily
to the tower?"

"It'd be like traveling a maze.  On the other hand, if we kept low
perhaps we could hide behind the piles of rubble, but it looked like,
I don't know."

"We'd be able to move faster on foot than ponyback," Jhere comments.
"I think then if we need to do a frontal attack, then we ought to go in
before dawn and leave the ponies here along with Alan and his party and
Becky and a couple of guards."

Jhere turns to Oliver questioningly.  He simply comments, "It's reasonable
to run a night attack when you know your opponent is equally handicapped
by the dark and we don't know any such thing."

"But we don't know that they're *not*," Jhere instantly counters.  "And
at least we can get into position in the dark before we are potentially
seen."

"Or we may stumble around in the dark while they *can* see us," he
replies.  "And we don't know what's in the tower, or the powers that
may be unleashed against us."

Frustrated, Jhere stares around at everyone, "Anybody have any other
ideas?"

There is silence.  Finally Oliver answers, "I think we should go in at
dawn."

"The tunnels under the city you know the details of?" Vilim asks.

"I know of those under the citadel," Omerta answers.

"Would it make sense to use that as an access?   A small party, perhaps
accessing through that route might be able to do more than the whole
party outside," Vilim continues.

Jhere interjects, "What distance can you and Kidd move yourselves?"

"Depends on where you're going," Vilim replies.  "And you have to know
where you're going."

Kidd agrees, "I'd *hate* to appear inside solid rock."

"To the inside of the tower."

"I was thinking more of appearing inside one of the tunnels," Vilim
counters.

"Vilim," Oliver joins in, "that scroll you got, couldn't you make a
hole through the back of the tower?"

Vilim looks at him questioningly then comments, "I have to be there."

"Well, the point is for us to gain quick access through the side,"
Oliver finishes.

Vilim muses to himself, reviewing whether or not other spell
capabilities he has might not be more useful but comes to the
conclusion since he does not know exactly how thick the tower
walls are, he's probably best off using the scroll.

He thinks some more then comments, "You know, I think I could
use the scroll to take down the tower, but are we sure that these
are bad guys and indeed we're willing to kill anybody in it?"

Jhere pauses a moment, "Is it conceivable that any survivors of the attack
that were out in the field or forests could have built this tower?"

Grimly Omerta answers, "I'm not aware of any survivors.  And those that
would have survived would have lacked the skills and desire to attempt
to rebuild."

"So then we are just deluding ourselves if we think that they are
potentially not hostile."

"I don't have knowledge of an assult on an unknown force, Lord Oliver.
When coming forward at the point of a sword how do you determine if they
are friend or foe?" Omerta goes on.

"They drop their weapons?" Kidd suggests.

"Should we challenge them?" Omerta continues.

"I haven't had occasion to fight against an enemy where I didn't know who
the enemy was," Oliver answers.

"Clearly if they are trolls, we know where we stand.  If they are human,
should we hold our fire until fired upon?" Omerta continues.

"Kidd, can you read their attitude?" Oliver asks.

"I can detect hate," Kidd answers. "Hate or evil, or traps."  He rambles
on, "Of course if they turn hostile I can confuse the heck out of them,
or paralyze them."

Vilim finally concludes, "If we need to, I do believe I can take the
tower out with the scroll."

Jhere abruptly, restlessly, gets up and walks around the group gathering
her thoughts.  She returns to the group but remains standing in front of
them and looks at Ariel.

"Your Majesty," she begins formally.  "Please accept my apologies for
snapping at you earlier.  I was totally out of line."  She pauses and
takes a deep breath.

"However, what *all* of us need to realize is we're facing tomorrow the
*first* time we are *actively* initiating a possible battle.  We are *not*
simply reacting to being randomly attacked.

"Ariel -- your Majesty -- you *are* the Queen.  As such I know *I* have
looked at you as all-powerful, omniscent.  And I believe the rest of us
have also to a greater or lesser degree.  This has blinded me, despite my
growing knowledge of, and from, Freya.  I would like to talk further with
you, but privately?"

Ariel looks at her expressionlessly, and speaks mind to mind, "As always,
whenever you wish."

Jhere looks directly at everyone else in turn and continues.  "The Queen
*is* right.  We *don't* know for sure whether or not the tower residents
are hostile.  But it also is a reasonable assumption that they are."  She
turns to Alicia, "I know you said you didn't see any guards at the bridge,
but either you simply didn't see them, or they don't exist, or there are
traps set instead, or any combination of the above.  Therefore we need to
plan for the worst case scenario and hope for the best."  She looks back
at everyone else.

"This is what I propose.  First a small squad of mercenaries will remain
here to guard the Queen and Lord Alan.  If only *I* end up using my power
tomorrow this may confuse the enemy.  Second, I want the rest of us to be
near the city an hour before dawn -- we'll leave one or two mercenaries
to guard the ponies and we'll proceed on foot.

"By the way, I think it might be a good idea to have Walt scout tonight
to see if there *are* guards and/or obvious traps and to report back to
us before dawn.

"Assuming no guards or traps are perceived, I'd like us to be in hidden
positions by dawn -- near the entrance to the tower.  We will of course
leave guards by the bridge.

"Third.  At dawn, I'd like Alicia and Kidd to approach the tower -- with
Ragnor and Vilim who will both be invisible.  Alicia and Kidd will say to
whomever answers their knock (assuming of course they are not attacked on
approach) that they are survivors from Scurtee.  The rest of us will be
in position to provide covering fire if the tower acts poorly.  Alicia can
be prepared to turn into a thyfur, Kidd can vanish back to us.  Ragnor can
decide if he needs to attack them or not -- we will take our clue from how
the tower reacts.

"If the tower does attack at some point, we must enable Vilim to use the
scroll.  The tower *must* be destroyed, or, become ours.  I'm not sure I
don't prefer the tower be destroyed and we start over from scratch --
after the lesson yesterday of the new weapons that did not register their
magical abilities until used, I'm not sure I trust our abilities to detect
any hidden latent hostile magic in the tower itself.

"Now -- poke holes in my plan," she grimly concludes.  "Or present a more
viable one."

Janet comments quickly, "Any careful observer would quickly realize that
Alicia and Kidd are too well-fed and well-clothed to be survivors of
*any* calamity.  They might pass as travelers, but would need an excuse.
Perhaps young lovers -- run away and seeking an inn for the evening
before continuing their journey?"  She grins, wryly.

Omerta says, "My Lady, I like your plan of action.  I have some questions
whose answers perhaps will refine it -- first, I don't see an advantage
to splitting Lord Alan and the Queen from the forward party of ponies left
under guard, perhaps they should be concentrated in one defensive place?"

She shakes her head.  "I am reluctant to bring them so close until we know
it's safe.  If we are defeated it will not be immediately obvious there are
more of us and will give Her Majesty time to retreat."

Omerta looks at Ariel and replies, "I don't pretend to know all of your
strategies or abilities, Your Highness.  From Queen Ariel's legendary
reputation, I think there are few indeed that would be able to hamper
your retreat.  Though I can see the advantage of a plan where the Queen
is undetected through her not using magic, I expect that unless she uses
a great deal of magic she will not be able to follow our progress.  I
respectfully suggest this be kept in mind when the final decision of her
coming to Knearn is made, and hope I have not offended."

Jhere glances at Ariel, then gravely answers, "Omerta, you have not
offended, but you are right, there is much you do not understand of our
abilities.  I would not have suggested this if Her Majesty and I could
*not* stay in contact without the use of magic.  Does this answer your
concerns?"

Omerta nods, "But, when Kidd and Alicia approach asking for refuge --
though an attack in answer would have a clear response -- what should they
and the surrounding party do if those from the tower do not radiate evil
and seem helpful?  Should they immediately confide in them or go into the
tower continuing the ruse?  I think once they are out of sight it will be
difficult for us to defend them, even if Ragnor tries speeding back to us."

Alicia chimes in, "Once we go inside the tower, it may be too cramped
for me to change into a thyfur."

Jhere replies, "Alicia, you will *not* enter the tower.  To answer Omerta,
if the tower inhabitants seem friendly and Kidd detects no underlying
evilness, then he will announce they actually are an advance party for
the rightful Duke of Knearn returned to take possession, and ask everyone
in the tower to come out.  In this case, also, Ragnor and Vilim must stay
invisible, for you will not trust any overtures of friendliness."

"Being invisible may be nice to avoid mortal eyes, but if there's anyone
there with any kind of power, then they'll know we're there, regardless of
whether they can see us or not," Vilim comments.

"That's true," Jhere counters, "but that's a chance I think we have to
take.  You do have the ability to move yourself back to us if you're
threatened."

Vilim sidesteps, "What happened to the underground tunnels we talked about
before?  Don't they exist?"

"Omerta felt they were too blocked by rubble and he didn't know them all
that well to begin with," she answers.

"Yes, m'lady, that's true," Omerta interjects.  "When I emerged from the
caverns there was significant damage done to them from when I entered and
getting out was a much more difficult prospect than getting in.  In any
case, I don't think there ever was a cavern that led from the outside of
the city to the cidadel that would not have been fortified."

"But my point is not that we enter the tunnels from here, but that if the
tunnel is clear anywhere near the tower, that one might be able to go into
the tunnel at that point and work from there," Vilim replies.

"Don't you think the tower inhabitants would get a little curious when a
strange party suddenly starts to dig in the middle of the rubble?" Jhere
adds.

"Not dig," Vilim retorts.  "Materialize somehow."

"How do you propose to find out where the opening is?" Oliver interjects.

"Is there anyone in the party who has the ability to figure out what the
state of the area is?" Vilim asks.

"And relay that exactly to you?  As well as I knew the tunnels as a youth,
I do not know them well enough now.  There's been too much damage."
Omerta answers.

Vilim nods, reluctantly accepting this especially as he's not sure his
spells would do what he wants in any case.

"M'lady," Omerta goes on, "I think it's very optimistic even with our
being at the city gate at dawn--"

"There is no gate," Jhere interjects.

"Yes, I'm painfully aware of that, m'lady.  If we are where the outermost
walls once stood at dawn, and not be challenged or perceived before we
reach the small clearing about the tower, seems too optimistic."

"How far from the bridge to the tower?" Jhere asks.

"Certainly no more than half a mile," Omerta comments, "as the crow -- or
thyfur -- flies," he smiles faintly.  "But certainly whatever trail there
is through the rubble will be longer unless we have someone study it from
the air."

"I just don't see it as being that significant a problem," Jhere
frustratedly answers him, "even in the pre-dawn darkness."

"Well, just so we can refine the plan, let's assume that Alicia and Kidd
are well ahead of--"

"They're not *ahead* of us," she interrupts him.

"They're not ahead of us?"

"No!"

"No?  I still don't understand, m'lady."

She takes a deep breath.  "We are going to wend our way *through* the
rubble and be in position *before* dawn, around the tower, so when Alicia
and Kidd come over the bridge just *after* dawn, they're going to be the
only ones obviously in sight."

"To the naked eye," Vilim chimes in.

"Yes.  That's understood.  Presumably if we're detected prior to that
point, it will be a moot point anyway because we'll already be in battle."

"How close to the tower do you expect to get at night?" Vilim interjects
again.

"Close."

"Trouncing through the rubble without making a sound?" Vilim is rather
incredulous.

"Reasonably quietly."

"Uh huh," Vilim mutters.

"On foot."

"Uh huh."

"All right!" Jhere exclaims rather annoyed.

"Is our goal to destroy the tower?" Vilim asks.

"Our *goal* is to take back Knearn by any means."

"Does that require the destruction of the tower?"

"Most likely.  Like I said, I don't know that I'd trust the tower not
to have latent evil magic embedded in it that we could inadvertently
trigger."

"It would seem from what I know of your abilities, Vilim," Omerta breaks
in.  "That if you had sufficient time to prepare all the way across
Knearn, then you would be able to move yourself next to the tower and in
the blink of an eye -- or sooner -- would be able to trigger the scroll?"

"But we've already agreed we have to give the tower inhabitants an
opportunity to prove they're not friendly."  Jhere points out.

Vilim continues to point out her seeming logic flaws, "Anyone that rules
such a tower will not be surrendering it."

"Still we cannot be 100% certain they serve the forces of darkness."

"How many lives are you willing to risk to prove that?" Vilim almost
insolently asks.

"Yours seems reasonable," she replies and laughs because she doesn't mean
it but the brief shock on his face was worth it.

Vilim ignores her comment.

"If we just go in and simply destroy the tower period," Jhere continues
on more calmly, "then we are no better than those we oppose."

"Well, m'lady, if we refine the plan so that instead of our walking
through all these traps, we approach the tower to get a response without
entering in its power, then perhaps we can determine the tower's intent,"
Omerta offers.

"Then you are suggesting instead we simply approach the bridge as a
mounted party tomorrow morning and proceed as far as we can prior to
being challenged?"

"And as far as we feel it's safe and then when we determine their
intentions and know they're evil then we can withdraw and destroy
the tower with no qualms."

Kidd has a *small* quibble, "How do you know how far it's safe to go?  And
how do you know you can get out?"

"I didn't say that it would be perfect," Omerta replies, clearly piqued.
"But what would you suggest to answer your own questions?"

"I think Princess Jhere's plan offers the most reasonable chance of
minimal impact in case of hostilities," Kidd answers.

Jhere jumps back in, "We will gain more information if Walt is able to
scout the town tonight and report back to us.  The other alternative is
I could go," she quirks her eyebrows at everyone and continues hastily,
"but I somehow don't think that would be acceptable."

Janet looks up alertly.

Alicia points out she could make a scout silent -- but only for a few
minutes.  Then adds she's still looking for an opportunity to unleash
her panther.

"NO!" *Everyone* simultaneously exclaims.

She looks hurt but quiets.


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