End Game

Starday 1st Flocktime

This morning finds the towns folk assembling to attend a town hall meeting called by Grudi whom I should like very much to meet. I endured a less than ideal and restful sleep on the floor, insisting Shayla (and Church) use of the bed. The sky is red this morning, warning sailors of danger ahead. There is no fog, but a dry warm breeze that portends a miserable day and threats of dangerous storms.

Cade seems to be exceptionally agitated this morning and eager to get back to the manor house to rescue his brother and to extract his vengeance on Grudi and the others who have imprisoned and tormented him. I too would like to rescue his brother, and destroy the enemies of good and decent people that are poison to this land and the Jewel.

The enemy is well established in his position at the manor, designed for safety of a ruler and thus easily defended. I hope for some little known, forgotten or undiscovered entry we can exploit to obtain surprise and infiltrate the manor to split the enemy, killing him one at a time room to room quietly and quickly. Our soldiers however seem dead set upon a frontal assault, reckless but daring they hope they will catch the enemy off balance and not expecting such a move. I believe this is too much to hope for considering the discipline and organization the enemy has shown us thus far.

However, in light of my own recent planning flaws, I have told Cade that he is welcome to take the lead on this as he spent a good bit of his childhood here, his brother is involved and he has shown good sense about when to engage and to quit battle. I will follow him, though I made it a point to ask Perry to stay close as I need his protection while casting in close quarters of the manor house.

I should also like to find a large shield I can carry in front of me on the way to the house…