Fortress of Midnight
War Room
Jacob looked at the updated War Map with all the information that the Hollowed Tombs had on the Sisters of the Damned. 12 fortresses, 2 of them Strongholds, with nearly 50,000 troops, mainly slave warriors. What his attention was centered on was the army of just over 2000 that was set to march on the Fortress of New Dawn or on Darkfang Hold. Either target they had to take the same route for most of the trip, "The route they are marching does not allow any ambushes until they get closer to Clan Darguun territory. Once they get within 2 days march, we have 3 places we can ambush them." Tathlyn called out as the ambush points were highlighted.
"What do we know about whoever is in command of the army?" Jacob asked the Drow.
Cathrine is the one that responded though, "Nadal Despval is the Generals name, he has over 40 battles to his name. He won 37 and in the 3 defeats, he managed to withdraw his army in an orderly fashion. He is a brilliant General and from what we can understand even if you manage to defeat this army, it is doubtful you will capture him or kill him."
Tathlyn Hune nodded his head, "Before his clan was brought under the Sisters of the Damned, he was the reason his clan stayed independent for so long. I fought against him in two of those battles and I am certain I was never even close to defeating him."
"So, we have to overwhelm him with numbers and try to out-think him?" Jacob asked.
"Hitting him on the march will be our best bet, having him confined to the tunnels of the Underdark will minimize his maneuverability," Tathlyn responded.
"When are they going to march?" Jacob asked the room.
Cathrine grimaced, "They marched yesterday, from what we can determine though they do not have enough supplies and will run out of food before they reach Darkfang Hold or New Dawn. We have a squad of Deathwalkers shadowing their movements, they will inform us when the SIsters forces reach 3 days out from the first ambush point."
"Ok, I am going to head to Ineford to inform Dudrik Goldflint we will need the troops of Ineford sooner rather than later. Hopefully, they have training as well as equipment." Jacob told the two. "Captain Thorgron this will be an official visit, have an escort ready ASAP. June, if anyone in the War Party wants to come, extend an invitation, please. While we are there I can collect the last group of Immortal and bring them back and recruit them to the guild." Darren nodded his head, he would make sure the last 5 were at Ineford when they got there.
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City of Ineford
Jacob and his escort were not stopped or intercepted this time when they came within sight of the city. The city guards did watch them wearily though, "Darren, you know what I am going to do after I get done talking to Dudrik Goldflint. Can you make sure everything is fine there?" Jacob asked the Shadowmaster. Darren smiled dipped his head slightly then disappeared, the guards would try to follow the Rogue, but the had little chance at it. Only Cathrine and Darren knew his other plans here so sending the rogue off caused more than one of his War Party to look at him in curiosity.
"What are you up too now Jacob?" Chalxae asked which caused Jacob to just wink at the Drow-Vampire. "Your scheming, aren't you?"
"Me? What could I possibly do?" Jacob asked innocently causing both June and Cathrine to laugh while Chalxae to roll her eyes and the glare at Jacob.
"Do not get us banned from the city Jacob, please. I like this place and to lose access to the resources Ineford has would be a mistake." Chalxae said as she watched the surroundings and the people who looked onward in curiosity.
Jacob smiled at the worried Rogue, "Do not worry Chalxae, nothing I do today will endanger your ability to come here." Today he had come to Ineford not as an invader, but as a visiting noble. He was wearing formal clothing, Cathrine was also in her formal wear, and 30 of the Dawn Guard accompanied them and Jacobs War Party.
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Dudrik Goldflint looked at the expense reports that had been approved by the Council and breathed in exasperation. The current projections of military expenses were double of what it had been and the Council was far from happy about it, but the coffers of the City were deep and could easily sustain the costs. Suddenly his office door opened and in strode the one that had caused so many problems for Ineford, he was accompanied by three women and a Paladin of all things. "Mylord Longstrider, how can I be of assistance?"
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
The Vampire Lord smiled at him, "It is time for Ineford to fulfill its Oaths. I need your people's military assistance and I need it sooner rather than later." Jacob told the Dwarf who winced.
"The Merchants Council is going to love that, but we will uphold our agreements. We can field 1200 troops, we can support their deployment for 2 weeks before we would need assistance." Dudrik asked as he stared at the beautiful human that stood behind the Halfling. Jacob growled causing him to snap his eyes back down at him.
"This is my wife, Cathrine On'tel-Longstrider of the Hollowed Tombs, we will, of course, support the troops you send to aid us. I expect them to be mustered" Jacob introduced the woman causing Dudrik to re-evaluate the 'human' standing behind the Vampire and confirming that he had made the right choice in pushing his people to submit to the Lord.
"I am honored to meet the wife of the Patron of Ineford. Can I make the assumption that Fortress Ill'Gargon is your target?" Dudrik asked which caused Jacob to laugh.
"The Fortress of New Dawn is firmly under my peoples' control, your people will be assisting in destroying the relief force that the Sisters have dispatched. When can I expect the troops?" Jacob asked as studied the Dwarf.
Dudrik considered the number of troops and what they would be called on to do, "Three days to muster and make sure they are equipped."
"Very well, this is a portal scroll to the muster point. Thank you for your assistance Reagent." The Vampire and his companions left as quickly as the came.
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City of Ineford
Soldier Street-Darkened Shadow
Jacob walked in the back of the Inn, Darkened Shadow. It was the hub for the local Rogues and the Black Market. Surprisingly the Drow that ran the place, Taluit Do'val, was surprisingly good-natured and even-handed to both her clientele and her workers. Both were very loyal and watched out for the Matron of the place but Darren had cultivated a relationship with the woman over the weeks he had hunted the Sisters operatives.
"So, what can I do for you Lord Longstrider?" Miss Do'val asked as Jaco sat down from her. Jacob looked at Darren who smiled and shrugged, "Do not be mad at your companion Lord Longstrider. Very little happens in this city that I do not know about. You are a growing power here, I would not be who I am if I did not know who you are. So why have you come to my door?"
Jacob smiled as he looked the woman, "I need eyes and ears in this city and someone I can trust in a position of power. Darren has spoken highly of you, so I was wondering if you would be willing to join us?"
"I thought you had appointed Dudrik Goldflint as your Regent? He is your face here in Ineford." the Drow countered.
"Yes he is, but I need someone to watch the shadows here and someone to be...my personal representative among my people here. If you are willing to join my house." Jacob told her as he glanced at Darren who nodded.
The warm motherly persona melted away and the calculating he knew well associated with some Drow took over, "I was once a Priestess of Lolth, even though I no longer preach her ways. I still hear her whispers at times and she told me of your coming. To accept anything you are willing to give but to follow the path I have chosen and that it would serve you and me better. So Jacob Longstrider, what would I be agreeing to?"