[SRP] Demons of Watchwood Forest

[Knight Errant]

The princess waves at them. "Hello there..." She blushes as she is the first thing the heroes look at, and even more as James looks over her further.

Arleigh nods. "I'm glad you came... I had wondered if any had the courage to still show after that dreadful business... But perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. Better those not fully willing to fight leave now before breaking out in Watchwood."

"Here you will share in my table... and have my council. Many who came to the Arena are strangers to this land. You will need to know what you will find in the depths of the wood. For what you saw this morning was but a taste..."

[ZeroForever]

Victor simply nodded before sitting down at far end of the table, a simple silent nodded prayer was all that he had to say as the king began speaking. His eyes however quickly scanned through the food for poisons and other effects while he listened on.

[Harri-chan]

Ginny strides across to the table, like the others, casting her gaze over the Princess as she took her seat. "Alright for -some- people to bring their daughter", she muttered under her breath as she started to fill her plate with food.

[Blaze]

James rolled his eyes.

What is it with these bigwigs and their inability to get to the point?

Regardless, he began filling his plate with food, examining the fine dinnerware and wondering how much it would be worth.

[Knight Errant]

The king continues. "Now... I have called you all to share what we know of this scourge... and how it might be stopped. What I am about to tell you must remain secret... if the Dark Ones know our plans, it will be ten times harder to carry them out. This room is warded on all sides, but outside trust no one and no place... their eyes and ears are everywhere... even when you are alone."

[Alissa of Someday]

Taking a seat seems to be a fine proposition to Onín Finzaro--he is no man to turn down a royal feast. Squeezing improbably into a chair, the man seems a bit more at ease now, then he had before. This is understandable, perhaps, given that he's not longer in mortal combat with demons though, of course. He raises a large eyebrow as the conversation turns to the wood, however.

"I trust..."

He pauses, clearing his throat in a practiced, yet guttural manner.

"I trust that we are being well-compensated? If this information is so...important, we may be lia'ble to be bribed, eh?"

[Knight Errant]

Arleigh glares at Onin. "Your payment will come when this shadow is lifted from my kingdom. And if gold can so easily loosen your tongue to secrets which will endanger my entire kingdom, perhaps it would be better off cut from your head and nailed to a wall."

[Alissa of Someday]

The fellow's expression fails to shift, as he looks back to the man, though his stance does.

"I dinnae wish to be on a team with a traitor, or a traitor t'be. How kin we trust each other if we don't know the rpice of the loyalty?"

[Haylie]

Peter's expression has certainly changed, from one of merriment to deep suspision, directed at Onin. "Rather conveniently preemtive, innit? Why are you so paranoid all of a sudden, ser?"

His eyes have locked on Onin with a hunter's focus.

[Alissa of Someday]

The man pauses, then turns to look at Peter with all the speed and care of a freezing lake.

"Why...?"

He takes a moment to crack his neck to one side, and then to the other.

"Because...if the'forest is as bad as they say...then I dinnae want any swords at my back."

[Brnin8r]

Trey had sat quietly at the table, refraining to eat before the King had his first bite. Manners first once again he reminded himself. He listened intently to the King's explanation, leaning forward in anticipation as Arleigh was so close to reveal their core purpose...that is until the purpose of gold showed up. "What cowardly man would accept anything less than the safeguarded kingdom we live in as reward? Should any other...lesser material gains be achieved, it will be a coincidence on my account." he looked back to the King, hoping he would continue.

[Knight Errant]

"Enough of this!" Arleigh shouts. "You speak of gold... well I have it on my side as well. Your reward should you succeed in this endeavor will be whatever you desire from the treasury of the First Emperor."

These words would no doubt raise questions in the would be heroes. The Treasury of the First Emperor was said to have been lost hundreds of years ago. While being shipped from the Emperor's homeland castle of The Bloody Keep to his new castle in the new capitol city of August, it was caught in a storm... all the ships bearing the wealth of several kingdoms sinking into the waves... unless Arleigh knew something they didnt.

[Blaze]

James blinked.

Hmm... I smell a conspiracy.

However, he doesn't say anything yet.

[Haylie]

The mention of wealth was certainly enough to gain Peter's attention. As was the legend of the wealth in question being lost.

"Sire? Isn't that supposed to be long gone and out of reach? Or nonexistant, more like?"

[Knight Errant]

Arleigh shakes his head. "No... it was never lost. The entire treasury was sent to Arleigh the Red Handed... as a bribe by the First Emperor Augustine to return from Overwatch and continue his campaign. Arleigh refused, and was going to send it back... but by then the heralds had already declared the treasury lost at sea. To give it back now would either paint the Emperor as a liar... or Arleigh as a thief. So it has remained in Watchwood... untouched for all these centuries. For no Arleigh would let themselves be bought with gold."

The king looks over each of them. "If you find no love for gold in your heart, but only honor, duty, and the desire to do right... then you may gaze upon the Treasury and take nothing. But if your heart is bought with gold... there is more than enough for every one of you to be richer than your wildest dreams."