Don't Kill The Messenger

The wizard departed, the four of you rest as planned before heading out. The night was quiet and peaceful, providing the needed energy for a fast and hard ride back to Vilory. The advanced party the Sovereign General spoke of was not seen in your journey, which provided relief as you closed the distance. Entering Vilory proper, the city was full of anxious energy. Soldiers were not marshalling in the street as when you left, but nearly everyone was armored and carrying a weapon, or otherwise ready to report and march in a moments notice.

Without having a person or place coordinated prior to departure, you return to the place you know; Grand Aluf Adranna, at the Magus Academy. She is found strolling the grounds, inspecting the facility for problems as you arrive. Her eyes narrow and take a hard glare at you all, her hands folding together behind her back.

"You've arrived empty handed. I hope you have a good reason."

"Not a good reason, but a valid one." You respond as you hand her the scroll you found.

"What is this?" She asks, taking it but not reading it

"A message from Vyrmar, for the eyes of the Sovereign General. We were tricked into going to that tower. Once again, he hoped to kill us with a trap rather than face us head on."

"Than he is a coward. Clever, but a coward." She took a deep breath before motioning for you "Come, restrain your horses and follow me. Sovereign General Demarchus will want to hear this from you personally." You quietly and quickly do as she says, and follow her again to the high tower.

Kraig whispers into your ear "I'm quickly having my fill of getting involved with kings and heads of state. Whatever happened to taking jobs for daring adventure and gold?"

"I promise after all this is said and done, you'll get to pick the next job" You say with a faint smile

"Assuming we all make it out of this alive." He responds before stepping away, the rest of the journey is quiet among the five of you. Guided to the General's Counsel again, the Generals are together again. Given the continued high tension, it's as though it's the exact argument was still being had. All eyes turned in your direction as Adranna opened the door.

"There's a pair of tall legs and lovely eyes that are missing among you" Demarchus said "You promised you would retrieve my daughter, and you return empty handed!"

"Patience, Sovereign" Adranna said in your defense "The scrying was a ruse, set by Vyrmar."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, General" You speak up "The tower was hosted by undead, led and controlled by a Morgh. He predicted your reaction, and Grushta sent what would have been an ambush."

"Indeed." Demarchus said, arms crossed, unsure "How did you avoid this supposed ambush."

"We relied on Veserean Diplomacy, General." The most cryptic and and subdued means you could provide without also lying to him. He took a deep sigh as he dipped his head. As much as you see his disapointment, you know you have more news to present, and that it doesn't get better.

"We are not completely empty handed, General. There was a message contained in the tower, in the chance that we did survive the ambush I surmise. The seal suggests that it's meant for you."

"Have you read it?" He asked as he approached to retrieve the scroll from your extended hand. You nod simply in agreement adding "It is best that you read it yourself, I believe."

The room is as quiet as a crypt, as everyone stares at the Sovereign General as he begins to read. Taking a moment, he clears his throat to read it aloud.

" Sovereign General Agrippa Demarchus,
It has been my lifelong profession to study the history of our proud people. The people who still patiently await the return of the Zwiebrus, and a march to our glorious future against any who would stand in our way. The wars of the past still ring in the ears of the vanquished, and its leaders are still remembered by the descendants of the surrendered. The Vilorean people literally live in the shadows of Yuliy The Unconquerable, of Pietra The Defiant, Nola The Wizened. All, in their way, lived to the highest accords of our people and our faith, and were true descendants of Glokrei, the God of War.

In my study, I have likewise spent several years studying you and your leadership. As the foremost authority on the subject, it must be said loudly and without reservation that you have been found inadequate. Your rule thus marked has been that of cowardice and reticence, unfit to be of service to any nation, to say nothing of leading a nation of warriors and soldiers. In the rare celestial event that you have been brought to the lines of combat, your tactics have been rudimentary and your attitude towards the adversary gregarious to the point of being apologetic and pitiful. But, what can we expect from a man who voluntarily lives with the manifestation of his guilt?

How long can Vilory continue such a precedent and still hope that the Zwiebrus may return to us? If their armies were to see us now, they would surely beseige Vilory and start again. Likewise, it would undoubtably be the better part of wisdom that Glokrei wipe his hands of us forever, favoring a nation that still desires honor in the field of combat and whose leader still possesses a spine.

_It is in this spirit that I produce this challenge. Your beloved daughter is the only thing that can rouse you from your stupor. Now that she has been taken, let us see what you are able and capable of doing to retrieve her. I await you among the Grushta. Sharpen your blades as well as your mind, and meet me on the field. I know your past Demarchus, and as such have predicted your future. You fate is sealed, and you are destined to die in battle at my hand. In your last breath, you will have finally acted like a true Vilorean. If you live, you will only live in cowardice that every single one of your countrymen will see. In that case, Exile will be your fate and eternal shame be your legacy.

Die a defeated hero, or live a coward. I await your reply in the Crater of Bones."_

There was a long silence. The other generals eyed each other worriedly, to see who was the first to speak up. The Sovereign General sat in his chair, staring at the letter. Seconds felt like minutes before one of the generals spoke up.

"The worm Vyrmar was right! Demarchus is a coward! He couldn't even bring himself to go after his own daugher, instead relying on these foreign mercenaries? This cannot be the kind of man we want to lead our people!"

"Vyrmar is a pencil necked bookworm" Another General shouted in response "He's never been inside of a mile to an actual battle, and he chooses to criticize Agrippa Demarchus on cowardice?"

"I don't remember any of you lot daring to call him a coward when you selected him!" The Grand Aluf spoke up, once again speaking out of turn "If I didn't know any better, I would say there's a lot of opportunists in this room, a lot of aspirational old men who want to take his place. Have you all forgotten your loyalty? I will stand by Sovereign General, right or wrong, until the end."

"Enough!" Agrippa Demarchus shouts over the rest, bringing the vocal contest to an end "The gauntlet has been cast, and I accept. Vyrmar has been right about one thing. In my many years, I have been holding back. He will rue the day he challenged me to show my full capabilities. I will stop at nothing to reclaim my daughter, and will annihilate anyone that stands in my way. We will fight on a unified front. If any of you believe the words of our enemy more than the words of your commander, your resignations will be accepted here and now."

There was again silence, and the Sovereign General looked over those who had so quickly challenged him "Very Well. Any further dissent will be tantamount to treason. Ensure all final preparations are made. At dawn, we make war"