~ PASSAGE 72 ~
THE WARMARSHALL
IS WARNED

StarPoint Raven was backed out into the hallway by the baliffs assigned to keep order on the premises. Again, the fellowship hit another snag on their road to an army mandate. Leah solved the problem by immediately offering to hold the team's weapons while her and Erelis remained outside the doors as guards. Everyone was in agreement and they reentered the courtroom unarmed. Finding an empty row in the back of the room, they sat for the remaining two hours of proceedings. The gang of five watched as six accused men were interrogated and cross-examined by various lawyers and witnesses. In the end, two were judged criminals and sentenced to 20 years in the hole for abandoning fellow warriors on the field of battle. Captain Metlivon had a strict way of viewing honor and loyalty and he made an impression on all who heard his words.

When the proceedings concluded, the audience rose and filed towards the doors. The team fought their way through the current press of the crowd before the Captain could leave the chambers.

" Metlivon, we would {oof} like a word with you!" shouted the dwarf as he stumbled over an old lady's handbag dropped in the center aisle.

The Warmarshall viewed the party while standing beside the judge and his baliffs resigning himself to the fact he had to challenge the group's haughtiness. He waited patiently as the team gathered around and introduced themselves.
Gailwind bowed " Captain, we represent Bethlun on a serious mission. We have reports to bring that warn of orcs invading Western Zegithir. Hear our words and do not dismiss our arrival as these tidings bear great weight upon us all."

Metlivon's brow furrowed " Emissaries from Bethlun you say? This mission wouldn't be 'underground' perchance, such as the dress you chose to fit yourselves." He looked over the group's raiments with a distasteful scowl.

The dwarf blasted " You are in no position to ignore us or disregard our claims! The orc threats in this region are real and dead serious. If you do not make arrangements to deal with these pests now, they will grow in numbers and demolish Pinedroi in the not-to-distant future!"
The cleric paused to catch his breath while the Captain glared at the team in slight surprise. In a lighter tone, the dwarf pleaded " Can you assemble an army to take on this immediate threat?"

The warmarshall met the judge's shocked stare before pressing the group for more information. The sage went on to explain the steps of their mission {leaving out their search for the starpoint} in a more passive manner and seemed to convince the warmarshall of their sincerity.

Metlivon leaned over and spoke a secret order to his sideman. The guardsman then ran off quickly. " What you say has me convinced that you are no ordinary people calling on Pinedroi's aide. What you say also fills me with great turmoil in that I must make a swift decision on how to act. Unfortunately, I have no field reports matching what you describe so I am forced to confer with Bethlun before armed cavalry can be sent to investigate."

The wizard countered " So you have suffered no raids unknown to the public nor any mysterious thefts?"

The captain replied " None that would correlate with your story. We have been in field training. No serious threat is known upon our district."

The monk rubbed his head in confusion " Then what would you have us do to further progress that we need."

The Captain sneezed in his kerchief and proclaimed " We can send out a small troop in which you must accompany. Positive reports would further progressive actions Pinedroi can make. If your leads prove false, however, you well know the penalties of misleading information.....
.....5 years in the hole."