Archer and Merlin's conversation on Archer arrival in Elcrooked Flatchet
(After finding Orinda's Trump blocked, Archer tries Merlin...)"You're welcome," Merlin says, just before his eyes go all glassy.
"Ah hah," Merlin says. "Brother, have you been troubling the mind of our lovely cousin?"
(In the backgroundOrinda smiles with genuine pleasure -- and relief -- at Merlin's words.)
"Lovely? Don't let her hear you say that." Archer laughs. "It'll ruin her image."
A rich, Chaotic chuckle at this from.
"Yes, it was me. I've got news of the Progresses, specifically of Magnus. We might have an opportunity appearing. It seems Magnus has stayed on in the woods near Acopon with an unknown number of troops, supposedly searching for a fugitive. It's certain that *something* happened at the festival that they felt ti was important to address."
"Everyone else is continueing to Poplolly while Magnus stays behind. The newest reports say he might've captured his prey, too. So if His Highness wishes to exploit the opening, assuming it's not a trap, Poplolly wasn't scouted ahead, at least not by Magnus. And it might be a while until he catches up to get ahead again, so Elcrooked Flatchett could be an option."
"Arrow's written most of the initial report on Poplolly...
Poplolly has foxes and badgers and such, Living where wind won't trouble them much, And birds in the fields; And then, when it's cold, Then maybe some deer, if they're feeling bold. Archers in windbreaks and rooftops I'd spy, Too easily prey for troops from the sky. Long rolling hills for easy command, Forcing Arden's men to a bloody last stand.
"I'd hate to fight there, face to face. But we could set forces in Elcrooked, and only try taking down the Airship in Poplolly. It's walled, but that can will apply to both of us. Perhaps we can limit the level of the conflict? Or perhaps we send an envoy to speak with them."
"What's happening there?"
"The King has been defending from the local maids my honor," Merlin said.
Archer barely keeps down his chuckle, "I'm sure there's a story there I'll want to hear on my return."
"Hmm," he hmms. "Are you sure about the timing? Our version of the progress schedule puts them in Poplolly now and leaving soon for Elcrooked Flatchet. We would guess that by the time you get back to Poplolly, they will be again on the road. Still, that would be a good time to take on the balloon, perhaps. Can we discuss this with Arrow now? Can you clarify your plans?"
"Arrow's 'catting' around and feeling out the town. I suppose I could be confused as to the timing. I just didn't realize they were that close behind us. General impressions say that this town doesn't want to take sides, and I'm probably not the man that could convince them. What can I offer someone like Yarken? Martin have a carrot to dangle? Otherwise, we're on our own here and, well... it might be a opportunity."
"The wall limits their numbers as much as it does ours, at least until the airship drops it's troops, and then it limits them again. Now, we've been lead to believe that some of their force is behind, with Magnus, and that while they're in Poplolly we might move people into place here. Could be as easily a trap, or not. If they've built the ballista, and wish to try this, I'd assault the airship on the road with light fighters, skirmishers, ready to run at a moment's notice, but to also give enough of a fight to let them believe it's our main thrust."
"Then we use Elcrooked's wall to our advantage and ambush them as they enter the village. If we can hurt most of their troops and just force them to cancel the Progresses, we'll have a victory, correct? I'll have to speak with Arrow on what she might've gleaned, but we're not due to meet for another two days."
Merlin relays the gist of what Archer has to say to Martin. Archer can't hear Martin's reply, so Merlin paraphrases.
"Martin says your plan to use the walls is not one part but two: ambush the Progress from within the walls and then conquer the town so you can - excuse me... I am reminded. 'Conquer the town' comes _first_. Yes, you wish to conquer the town and then strike the progress with how many of our troops survive. Martin likes your estimate of that number, please."
"No. We can't conquer the town. We have to either ally with someone currently unwilling to aid us, a difficult proposition, or get as many men as we can within the walls without the town attacking us, and use the gates as a bottleneck to limit the amount of the Queen's troops that can engage ours. I didn't suggest it would be easy."
"Last I heard we weren't decided on an assault. Has Martin decided his course of action?"
Merlin relays your statement to Martin.
Merlin listens to Martin.
Merlin talks again.
"We have not decided on an assault. If the Progress were to enter inside the walls, it might be an opportunity. Kill the Regent, yes? Or the Queen. Martin suspects that if the Queen is killed it might unhinge Gerard and cause stupidity in h - excuse me... Yes, make him _more_ stupid in his actions. Perhaps if you could hurt or kill one of his sons too."
Pause, look offstage.
"We definitely want to no matter what drop Alfred's balloon in Elcrooked Flatchet. That is Arrow's job. Here there is doubt that the Progress will enter inside the walls, though the Duke may invite them. Martin says the Duke is well-loved, which makes him a threat to Gerard, for all that the Duke does not oppose him.
Pause, look offstage.
"We can send reinforcements to help with any sane attack or assassination or abduction you may conceive."
"Abduction? Interesting. What of abducting the Queen? She's unable to use Trumps, correct? That implies that there may be none of her for them to use for a rescue attempt. I like that idea, if you need to rattle him. An abduction keeps her alive and of continuous value. But I doubt any attack here would qualify as sane, unless Yarken backed us."
"Arden is close for retreat, and the canopy will limit the airship's effectiveness, if we don't take it down."
"The canopy would be more limiting I think with trees in leaf," Merlin says. "Alas I do not think the Progress will tarry until spring."
Archer grimaces at his brother for stateing the obvious, but doesn't comment other than to agree, "True."
More pause while Merlin looks offscreen and talks.
"Martin wonders if we could launch successfully a diversionary attack. Draw attention and retreat the troops while a smaller group of us strike Gerard and Vialle directly. His question is twofold, only one fold which you can probably answer: can your men retreat in good order before seasoned troops with minimal casualties until reaching the safety of the woods? Also, will Regent and Queen stay for the fight or will they trump back to Amber. If the latter, perhaps Cousin Riley becomes of use to us again. If the former, we would be perhaps in excellent shape."
"Yes, I believe it could be handled, but I'd most likely need to be with them to ensure minimal casualties. Once again you threaten Yarken's wrath, but yes it could be done. I'll see what I can do about finding where they're planning on setting things up and what the quickest path for retreat might be. As to the actions of Gerard and the Queen..." Archer shrugs. "Well, if there's not anything else, the only thing I would ask is for you to ask Orinda to Trump me, privately, brother." There's some strain in Archer's voice as he asks this last, as if it's hard for him to do.
"Best wishes brother. To a day we can share this with father as he shared his tale with us, eh?"
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