Feather comes to see you (shes gone about 4 weeks but returns). She flat out tells you there is a plan to make political change happen in crestwold, and counter to the wishes of the baron and the bank of the silver stacks. Would i be able to count on you to rally the tarmysian refugees at the castle, crew the boat (the crew hired is gone now), sail to torrelsons ford and gather up more refugees from torrelsons ford and the agents of Josie and her allies associated with the League of the White Lily and sail back up the river to the portage the elementals made or even further up river by another 10 miles or so to keep them safe? There would be a signal the trigger all this. If things go really sour, sail away to safety. There is no rally point. Its get out of dodge time and protect the refugees. She knows you felt betrayed by the last time this sort of thing happened, but the pressure is building and she does not think its sustainable – “either than baron has to lose or we do”. She says its not entirely her plan, but she “had a hand in its design”. Each party will be ignorant of the other ones exact mission. And Feather, you well know, is a “true beleiver” in the Gallants and would willingly rather die than be captured or betray them.
Asil will travel and guard as many refugees as he can. He is deeply troubled by the changes in the Barony and wants to protect the common folk.
Bring able to mount a Waterhorse makes him uniquely suited to defend the ship from attacks. He’ll patrol the currents around it to try and intercept any dangers before they reach the ship, but will stay within 100 ft of the vessel in case there are issues aboard. No more than a round or two of distance at full pace.
Feather shows emotion othe than anger for the first time you can really remember. She puts her hand on your shoulder. “Make no mistake, you were not randomly selected for this task. The relationship between The Gallants and the common folk is what it was built on over 30 years ago. Between you and Ulrich, we have to return to that role, and ensure the reputation of our group and safety of the common folk remains at the top or the list in the end. If the plan works, it works because we all made it work, not just a few. At this stage, everyone else in the group besides you two, even me, becomes a sacrificial means to that end.”
Asil covers her hand in his, and his eyes glow with a faint radiance.
“To sacrifice oneself to protect order and goodness is a great thing. But a sacrifice must be made willingly, and with foresight. I know your goals are to stabilize the realm. I know you want to protect the defenseless. But have care that you don’t make the choice of sacrifice for others. Do not become the thing you fight against.
I know you have done… questionable things. Made frightening bargains. Try to remember that no one is beyond redemption. Even the Baron. Even you. It’s never too late to choose a better path.”
I hear you. All will eventually be revealed. The Bank of the Silver Stacks is the ally of the baron that cares nothing for the locals, and our agents have have revealed deeply troubling details. In the mean time, i ask that you take a few of the refugees – their best sailors, and under the guise of going to the nearest town for supplies, go to the portage on the river nearby to secure the site and ensure the boat is… ‘ship-shape’. She cracks a little laugh at that.