Eos rides from the gates of the city on the aging warhorse promised retirement within the week, a sturdy black horse long in the mane and feathering, grey around the muzzle. Cloak and gloves ward against the winter chill but there's still the red color of it in his cheeks and the fog of breath as he looks out across the open stretch from walls to bay to forest on a brief pause of steps. When he sights the gathering, he reins his mount in their direction, and with a small nudge of his heel, sets the horse to loping towards the preparations...on time, which was late by his own books.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Edain before departing.

Word spread throughout the city that Prince Edain Valardin was putting out the call to riders with combat experience to come and try and reach the other cities. Some of the nights of his house guard flank him. All armored and all standing near horses that are ready to ride. Sir Arugula stands behind the Prince of Sanctum. Already silently seething that he is not going to get to go on this ride. One of the knights next to Edain is passing out maps.

"Thank you for coming!" Edain calls out, "We all know that since the Assembly of Peers our roads have been under assault. So we are going to not just ride hard to get news through, I want to trample anyone foolist enough to try attack travelers in the compact beneath steel shod hooves! Gather around, if you are hear to help. If you have messages for loved ones in other cities in Arvum, give them to my marshall, or supplies to donate. The first thing we need to do is decide on a route." he says as he kneels in the dirt and spreads out a large map.

On a horse bred to work on the farms and pull crates into the city Lazarus Mercier arrives to the meeting. He is not dress for a fight rather wears an assortment of clothing that fit the season but also help accentuate his occupation, with fancy pins on his lapel, as one of Arx's local merchants and an assistant to the Crafter's Guild guildmaster. Settling outside of Arx, Lazarus mostly keeps to himself. He bows his head politely towards nobility but respectfully does not engage. Lazarus' attention falls on Edain as the Valardian prince speaks out. When the prince concludes, the merchant clears his throat and adds, "May add to that your highness, Prince Edain?"


Niccolo has arrived, riding his mount. From the looks of it, an experienced warhorse that still has a few years in him. The duke dismounts, just as Edain is speaking. The man's expression is as schooled as ever, serious as he makes his way to join Prince Edain. Once he's reached the Valardin High Lord, he speaks quietly to the man.

Some might recognize the slender dapple grey mare--built more for speed than power, all racy lines--as belonging to the royal stables. The mare, however, is tacked out simply, and her riding is Tristan, the royal stablemaster, who arrives dressed in simple practical clothing, sitting very straight in the saddle, shoulders set. As he arrives, he simply swings out of the saddle, and inclines his head toward the prince with an inarticulate noise somewhere between a grunt and a snort. It's a very respectful grunt-snort.

Nadia escapes the walls of the city upon the back of a dusky white stallion at a light trot, following the paths toward where the meetings are to be held. Her snow white wolf keeps pace with the stallion at its flank in the treeline, her excited snuffing briefly heard until she takes off deeper into the forests on her own. Nadia slows, glancing after the beast until she can no longer see it before turning her eyes to the gathered riders. She offers a cordial bow of her head to everyone, manuevering her mount closer to Eos for a brief qord.

Valkieri rides in in shades of black and red. His leathers still have that new leather smell (or I guess /look/ if you're not getting close enough to smell him) in pieces of alternating ebony and crimson dye, the cuirass and bracers etched and embossed with designs of Rubino falcons. He rides in on his large blood bay stallion, because he's the kind of guy that makes sure to own a horse that goes with his color scheme. A dark, fur-lined cloak is settled over his shoulders as he rides in, looking comfortable and experienced in his seat. He dismounts with practiced ease and draws closer to the party.

Eos swings down from his horse's back and drops one rein to ground tie the well trained animal. He takes a moment to gather a stack of missives from a saddle bag, which he passes to the marshall noted. Though word had made it through to the Saikland Greens, unlike most other cities, it meant that now there were many new messages to send he'd see them delivered safely and in tact. With those handed off, he moves to stand with those gathered, falling in beside Niccolo with a short nod before his attention falls to the maps spread out on the ground, studying the routes and the various cities. "Do you mean for them to run a circuit as one unit, or to break into cardinal groups - north, west, and south?"

Alis arrives atop the only mount she's been able to call her own. Okay, the second one. Sir Arugula is almost like her own. Her warhorse is, for all that he looks on the fierce side, apparently as patient as can be. He radiates calm next to Edain's steed, while the princess dismounts and treads over to stand beside her brother. Obviously, she is waiting for the map to be rolled out so that she too can have a peek at it. Don't think she missed Nadia being there though! A quick wave and flash of a smile is sent the Duchess' way before she turns all serious again.

Eos thinks to note, "And security must be arranged at the other end - it is not only the messengers that are under threat, but the recipients. It was receiving the news, I believe, that lead to my father's death."

Nadia dismounts with ease, then brushes back her hood. She surveys the group and takes note of everyone gathered, eyes alighing briefly in delight to see Alis amongst them. Her attention soon shifts toward the group, eyes falling then to Eos as he speaks. The duchess remeains silent, taking it all in.

Tempest have been dismissed.

"This is my thought..." And he looks up at Niccolo and Eos, "And I would love input on this... But I think we make for Bastion First, then Pride Hold, mustering more riders at each stop. Then the group makes for Sanctum. At sanctum I can have orders dlivered to marhall much of my heavy calvary, and we should have enough for one group to head north to the Telmarch and the Northlands, and another South, to Tor and through the Lyceum, delivering news and sweeping the roads clear on the way." He looks to Eos then and says, "Indeed, that is one of the dangers we face."

Edain spreads his fingers across his map, pinning down the corners. "This is my thought..." And he looks up at Niccolo and Eos, "And I would love input on this... But I think we make for Bastion First, then Pride Hold, mustering more riders at each stop. Then the group makes for Sanctum. At sanctum I can have orders dlivered to marhall much of my heavy calvary, and we should have enough for one group to head north to the Telmarch and the Northlands, and another South, to Tor and through the Lyceum, delivering news and sweeping the roads clear on the way." He looks to Eos then and says, "Indeed, that is one of the dangers we face."

Tristan shifts to glance at the map. His gaze glances about the assemblage of mostly nobles. "I'm a Bastion man," he says simply. "I know that road well." He does not elaborate on that, but after a moment to stretch, he does add, "Your highness."

Lazarus' horse moves in place, not used being kept in one place for too long. Still, it is not too disruptive to warrant the attention of Lazarus. His blue eyes fall on Edain's face. The expression on his face neutral and tensed. He shifts his gaze toward Eos, listening for a moment at the baron's concern. Lazarus' lips closed in a empathetic nod at the new of his father's death. He sighs softly and to the group says, "This is my family's home. If we are being cut off from the rest of the realm my people suffer greatly. A lot of the citizen of Arx have another place to call home should the city be compromised. We do not because this city is our home. While my business in the city prevents me from leaving it I wanted to offer the complete support of the Mercier House and the Crafter's Guild towards any operation that has our security in mind just ask." He lowers his head to Edain, "That is all, your highness." Excuses himself and turns his horse back, moving to join crowd.

"I received the word today," Valkieri says, his voice distinctly mild and even, "that the Archduchess just spent the last weeks riding word to the Lycene city-states herself." He looks to Niccolo, perhaps expecting confirmation.

Eos glances up towards Nadia with a small nod before attention falls to the map, eyes tracking the route Edain lays out. His brow furrows a moment and he leans aside to Niccolo's shoulder with some quiet question, though his attention turns down toward the map once more after. "It might do to make proclamation to the public along the way, to disperse the information in spoken word rather than by a single message, to as many ears as would hear it, more than can be cut down. Word of mouth is a powerfully quick method to fill the spaces between the cities."

Niccolo glances at Eos, before leaning in to speak quietly to Edain once more. His words delivered, he clears his throat. "With all due respect, Your Grace, I would advise against you personally leading the cavalry in this mission, or committing much of your heavy cavalry to it. We know little of how the messengers were killed, or what happened." He looks over at Valkieri when he speaks, his gaze lingering on the man. He makes no confirmation or denial of what the man says, and instead, gestures a messenger over, speaking quietly to the messenger, before sending him on his way.

Nadia raises a gloved palm when mention of the Northland arises, "I will volunteer for the group that will sweep the Northlands. My men and I know the paths well. I've also my brother, Lord Cassius, who is a Knight of Solace. I can approach them for aid as well, if need be." After a curt nod to Eos, her hand lowers with a gentle nudge of the elbow to Alis.

Alis follows the route laid out on the map with her eyes, nodding slowly until the part where Edain discusses marshalling that heavy cavalry. That's when her eyes narrow, and then dart towards Niccolo when he speaks. "I would second that." for obvious reasons. No more dead family, please. "I would suggest Duke Arn to lead these forces until we reach Sanctum. Then it could be decided, when we see what we are up against, whether any heavy cavalry is needed. You should remain in Arx, Prince Edain. We need you here." Then she nudges Nadia back, of course.

After speaking quietly with Edain and Eos both, Niccolo continues. "If we are going to attempt this, we'll need fast riders that can outrun and outpace any enemies," he looks to the group. "I'm going to be blunt here. There is no reason to think that you will fare better than the previous messengers did. Riding out there, might pretty much be suicide." A pause. "I'm not trying to be dramatic, but those that decide to do this, need to understand the odds you will be facing."

Eos glances over the map and those gathered and seconds, "I would strongly discourage any of our leaders from joining this push...let it fall to your trusted trained men. Arvum can not afford to lose any more leaders."

Edain nods to Niccolo, "It has been asked that I remain here in the city, and I have agreed to do this, But that doesn't meant that I am not going to see this mission off, and make certain anyone that is participating is prepared and outfitted for a fight." The Prince looks to Lazarus and says, "Thank you Goodman Mercier, I know your support will mean much to the mission." He looks to Niccolo again and says, "You are not wrong, Duke Niccolo, which is why I want to get word through to Sanctum, because then we can raise our Calvary and have them right down the road." He looks to Valkieri and says, "If the Lyceum has been informed, sending riders through there clearing the roads might cause a panic. Did the Grand Duchess give any indication how dangerous the roads were once she reached the south? Does it seem like the dangerous is mostly focused around Arx itself?"

Valkieri arches a brow at Edain's question. "The Archduchess did not choose to share that particular information with her vassal houses," he says. "I'm sure Duke Niccolo would know better than I." He tips his head towards the elder Lycene.

"Did anyone make efforts to glean any insight on what led to the deaths of the messengers and their intended recipients, and the city's scholars? How they were killed, or in the manner in which they died?" Nadia poses in askance of the group afterward. "It doesn't seem as though this is just a case of enemies we know of laying in wait along well known routes and dispatching all manner of messenger." She turns her eyes to Alis and Edain, hopeful, "Once you've amassed volunteers, how soon until our men depart on this mission?"

Lazarus nods politely in response to Edain but keeps to himself. There was little he could offer in matters of the military. Still, the Mercier Vineyard is down this road, a day or two worth of travel. As a merchant he grew on them roads as he travelled with his father across the realm selling their family's ware. He guides his horse for a better look of the map and the direction they plan to take. Humility contains his tongue for a moment but he says, "I have property down that way and a lot of merchants stop at our vineyard to rest from their travels. Sir Silas and I will inquir to them and see if they know anything. They take the roads you are planning to travel all the time."

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Edain before departing.

Eos' stands with his head tipped toward Niccolo while his eye turns from one person speaking to the next, following the conversation from Nadia to Alis and back to Edain. He answers to Nadia, "I don't know how they all perished - the ships is somewhat clear, and my father was said to have taken ill and quickly died - though he was impervious to most poisons through his habit of experimentation and was quite healthy prior to the message. I don't know if inquiry into the others has been made but I would not be surprised if the method was without pattern." From there though, he falls quiet and to the look of churning gears.

Alis begins making mental tallies of all the weapons and armor that might be needed to properly outfit such a group. "No, it is as if they knew our purpose and struck with precision." she agrees, looking irritated at the thought, really. She hasn't heard anything about the manner of their deaths though, so she simply shakes her head.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Edain before departing.

"This is what I'd suggest, Your Grace. Do not send riders out today," Niccolo tells Edain. "Gather a list of volunteers. Let us see if they have the training. My suggestion remains to try and send a smaller groups. We know very little of what's happened, other than there are a good number of bodies either dead or missing attached to this," he notes. "So let us focus today on getting the list of those willing to brave things, and looking at their training, and plan the actual push once we have gathered more information on the matter." A pause and he looks at Valkieri. "The Great Duchess did not bring with her any new information other than what has been reported already," he says. "She made the journey, alone, and it was ill advised," the duke admits. "Whether she got really lucky, or the gods were watching over her, it's not something I would like to risk by committing too many of our forces."

"What a remarkable blessing that she returned untouched," Valkieri says with a note of surprise to hear of Esera's solo journey. "Such an extensive journey on her own when so many have fallen." He pauses a beat and notes mildly, "I hope she has the opportunity to rest her muscles now, at the least."

"Lord Valkieri, I'm going to assume that you're not making light of the possibility of Her Grace dying, in the service of her people," Niccolo points out, calming, glancing in Valkieri's direction. "But you are reaching a point, where I might have to stop assuming such a thing. I suggest you don't reach that point."

Edain looks to Niccolo and says, "What is the saying? 'More speed less haste?'" He nods, "But you make sense." he looks to one of his knights and says, "Marshall, start taking names of volunteers.." He looks to Nadia and says, "Thank you Duchess, for the offer, The time will come when it will be time to ride." He looks then to Tristan and says, "You said you are from Bastion?"

That's one discussion that Alis is smart enough not to want to touch with a ten foot pole. Instead, she takes the time to send a messenger to the person running the Valardin stables, to compile a list of their swiftest steeds in case they are needed for the journey. And then to others as needed to start putting together kits for the volunteers. She can at least take that burden from her brother's shoulders.

Valkieri's expression darkens. "My lord, you mistake my meaning. I call it a blessing in rather frank seriousness, because it /is/, in fact, blessedly remarkable. And we are all lucky for that blessing." The muscle in his jaw works a moment before easing again.

Tempest have been dismissed.

Tristan eyes the bickering nobles with a raised eyebrow. He looks back to his mare, and soothes her with a pat on her neck. "Yes," he replies to Edain. "Grew up in the stables there. 'Twas the king who brought me to Arx." He glances about and adds, "I'd also like to point out a practicality that hasn't come up. It's winter. In much of the realm there's snow on the ground, and even in places where it isn't, the ground's frozen. Those conditions are /hard/--hard on a horse's legs and tendons. In some remote areas, those roads are already death in the winter, above and beyond mysterious threats. Press hard and fast in this weather, and you'll kill the horse beneath you or ruin his legs, which is often the same thing. And, besides, the consideration to the horse, you don't want to be out in the wilds and the snow with a dead or lame horse and someone hunting you. We trust our lives to our horses. Give them the same consideration. So, my recommendation--plan to keep the legs of the journey as short as possible, as many changes of horses as possible, and make sure they're dead fit." The stablemaster gives a short nod., and strokes the mare's neck.

"Good and the Lyceum is, unfortunately many are left without word of what's happening. And that does need to be resolved," Niccolo says, with an incline of his head to Valkieri, turning from him to Edain, Eos and Alis. "The messengers were just messengers. But I think a well armed small force," he now nods to Tristan, "Well prepared, ready to face enemy and element both will have a higher chance. I should explain, by fast I didn't mean they should ride at a furious pace. I mean more nimble, mobile, really. A large heavy cavalry comes with many considerations for the care of the horses, provisions and as the goodman says," he nods towards Tristan. "There is the weather to consider." He turns to the gathering. "Who here was volunteering to personally be part of these groups?"

Lazarus crane his head toward Tristan. The man's expertise bringing a smile to his face. He nods with Tristan and voices his support with an aye. Otherwise he remain silent, listening to the conversation. He drones the nobles bickering and thats how Tristan caught his suprise. Lazarus moves his horse to stand next to the man as you would in a debate or a deal.

Eos rises out of his thoughts and digesting what's said around him, nodding some to Niccolo. "I have started seeking out individuals suitable to scouting missions, with skills of moving quietly and unseen, to build a few small units with the purpose of dealing with the Bringers. If they might be put to use toward this endeavor as well, I will put more haste behind gathering the names. If we need more to allow fore decoys...This information does need to travel. We can not be cut off from our homes, but we must weigh haste against loss of life. Whoever has done this to us is well coordinated, well informed, and we do not know what they have available to them, only what they've managed which is....A highly impressive feat by any standard." When Tristan speaks, he looks to the man and can only nod in agreement with the practical troubles that will arrise.

Nadia listens to the conversation, though she abstains from partcipation in it with Alis. She raises a hand, motioning for a guard from her House that accompanied her out onto the road. It's only a brief word and the exchange of a missive before he rides off into the city. "What do you think about it all?" she inquires of the Valardin Voice's opinion in hushed aside. But it's Eos that steals her attention when he speaks of his latest endeavor. "Have you formulated a plan on how you might have your team of scouts deal with the Bringers, my lord?" she asks. "I offered to go personally on a group to the North."

Tempest have been dismissed.

"Much as I would like to volunteer." Alis' gaze drifts towards her brother. "It would likely be unwise." But she really wants to stab things! "But I can still help organize and strategize, specifically with the team heading toward Sanctum since we obviously know the area well." Her lips have a downward turn as she speaks, and they do not lift this time when she murmurs back towards Nadia. "I think this is a sad necessity, to send people to their possible deaths so that we better know what we face. And that it feels extraordinarily like we are being herded and trapped here in Sanctum for some purpose. None of it good." is admitted.

"I'm afraid I don't mean 'deal' in any final way, but beginning to take stock. I mean to speak with other houses on it as quickly as I can - there are many to speak to - but the Bringers are not what we're hear to speak on. I would not derail this conversation." He nods towards Edain with that thought.

"I'm afraid I don't mean 'deal' in any final way, but beginning to take stock. I mean to speak with other houses on it as quickly as I can - there are many to speak to - but the Bringers are not what we're hear to speak on. I would not derail this conversation." Eos nods towards Edain with that thought.

"Beginning to take stock is better than nothing, and it is a worthy effort. One we could put to use in multiple ways," Niccolo says to Eos, with a dip of his head his way.

Tempest have been dismissed.

Tempest have been dismissed.

Edain taps his map looking to Tristan. It's clear the Prince wishes he was out there doing something, and not waiting to see what happens next. He draws a deep breath. "Maybe the wisest course of action is to spend time preparing now, and then set out once the season starts to turn...." He rubs his brows in frustration. "It feels to me, like someone was just waiting to give the command to cut off communication after the Assembly of Peers, and I am anxious to get word to our families still far away."

Eos looks thoughtful a moment before suggesting tenatively, the words slow as they follow the nebulous thought coalescing into idea. "Perhaps...it might be wise to begin devising a cipher...so that when we are prepared to tackle this problem, the messages we are sending do not appear to be what they are."

Tristan squints at the skies. "True," he says, "we're not far off--relatively speaking--from the season's turn. It'll be quicker and safer when all begins to thaw." He considers, pressing his lips together. "I'm a fast rider, but I don't think I can be spared from the royal stables long. I can help with picking and preparing horses, if needed."

"It is still a conversation I would like to initiate at a later date," Nadia posits to Niccolo and Eos aside. She lets her gaze shift back to Alis and bows her head in agreement. "Very unwise. The Oathlands needs both their Voice and High Lord safe as best you can be kept." There's a pregnant pause before she sets her mouth into a pensive line, deliberating over Edain's words, and that of the others.

Lazarus leans toward Tristan and offers his hand as he introduces himself in a hushed tone, "Lazarus Mercier. You are the royal stablemaster are you not? Mr. Tristan if I am not mistaken." He pulls away to return his attention to the other conversation and then returns with a subtle chuckle, "The city heard of your appointment. I hope you know they liked it and cheered you on." He whispers back, offering Tristan a polite smile. Lazarus clears his throat and as people are offering their aid, he adds, "I will put my resources to gathering intelligence from the traveling merchants. Any volunteer that needs a place to stay, food and basic gear for the trip may inquire at the Mercier Manor." He glances to Tristan and then back to the group, "That includes at the vineyard. Here in Arx..." Lazarus turns to Edain, "Let me know how the Crafter's Guild can support this operation, your highness."

"Preparation will be our friend," Niccolo tells Edain, allowing a hint of a smile. "Don't think of it as sitting back and doing nothing. We are doing things, but we must do things the right way, to try and avoid failure," he points out, with a glance then to Alis and Nadia. His eyes fall on Lazarus and Tristan and finally, he looks at Eos. It's to the man that he nods, after a quiet exchange.

Edain nods to Eos and says, "I like that idea... Because.. for all we know.. there is someone in the city that is letting the Abandoned know when to attack us. A Cipher could be an extra level of security..." He looks to Tristan and says, "Well then if you are willing to help gather some good horses, I can help find you the men to ride them." He nods to Nadia, "And when time comes we will need our knowledge of the North." He looks to Niccolo and Eos, "As for the Cipher.. it would have to be something that would be hard to break, but something that somehow we can be certain those we are sending them to could interpet. I have some ideas, but perhaps we can discuss this in more detail in quieter confines?"

"It would never sit well with me to send my men anywhere without a better understanding of what did this," Nadia agrees to Niccolo, her eyes drifting back to the group from her quiet aside to Alis. Her arms unfold to hook a hand into the fastening of her sword belt. "The Abandoned aren't behind this," she informs the Valardin High Lord. "Nor is it any other agent we've suffered to date, or so it would seem. I've an idea of where to start looking for answers. It's not a garuntee of an answer, but it's far better than what we have presently."

Tempest have been dismissed.

Alis tilts her head just a little, curious. "That sounds like a discussion worth having, I think." Of course, Nadia didn't address her directly. But it's Alis! She butts in wherever she wants anyway. As for the rest, she will just nod at her brother and the others politely, leaving it to them what their next step it going to be.

Tempest have been dismissed.

"I am sure there is someone equal to the task of developing a code to our needs in this city," Eos returns to Edain with a short nod. "But yes, soon." While mentally marking off the hours lost to the schedule.

"I think they only did that cheering where I couldn't hear it," Tristan says dryly to Lazarus, with a sideways smile. He gives the man a nod and looks toward Edain. "I'll see which ones I can find. Honestly, I'd say for this we don't need high-bred warhorses. Little, wiry, by nothing and out of nothing, but fleet of foot and tough as nails; that's what we need to run messages. I'll see what I can find."

Lazarus chuckles softly in response to Tristan. He gives him a sort of nod that is louder than words. "A lot of nobles did not." Lazarus whispers back as if that was all he needed to say to explain the commoner's hypocrisy. After settling his horse, he grows quiet to listen in. He watches the different nobles work, curious about the way they do things.

"As much as I love a good warhorse, they tired quickly on the open road." Behind him Sir Arugula snorts loudly as if this insituation offends him, "Yes.. except you Sir Arugula, we all know you are beast of myth who never tires and whose might deeds will be sung of for ages to come." Edain says with a resigned monotone. the huge horse behind him just snorts once as if to say, 'don't you forget it.' "Well I think we have a place to start, and I thank you all for coming. I feel better knowing t hat the City of Arx has so many that are ready to answer the call."

Alis beams at Sir Arugula when he gives Edain the snort and the attitude. "Good boy." she whispers, winking at the steed as if they share a secret language. The princess does, of course, look the image of innocence with the wide eyes as soon as she's done so.

"Agreed," Niccolo offers with a nod to Edain. "And if you wish to meet with Eos and myself, Your Grace, just let us know when," he offers with another incline of his head.

Nadia bobs her head to Alis, letting her gaze drift from face to face before looking back to her friend. She draws in a step closer to offer Arugula a gentle stroke, meanwhile offering a quick word to the princess with a faint knit of her brow.

Eos dips his head and glances back towards his own horse, looking tremendously bored with the mundane civility and near falling asleep. When he looks back to the group, he nods to Niccolo's words. "I will be busy the next couple of days but I will try to find some time by mid-week. I wish you all well in the meantime."