[voice/video] I put my trust in you, a stranger (un: whitewolf)

[northerndragon]

1. Voice

[A man's deep voice, colored with some urgency.]

My name is Jon Snow. I need the aid of two or three strong fighters, outside the city -- now. One of the Beastmaster's creatures is on me. He isn't alone.

2. Video

[Later, it's a young man, looking hesitant and unsure of where to begin. A curl of his dark hair is falling into his bearded face, and there are fine vertical scars above and below his eyes, as if someone once tried to claw them out. He has just been shown to his rooms after a long, hard journey, and he looks like it.

When he speaks, it's with the same deep voice from earlier in the day, now earnest and weary. The more he speaks, the more sure of himself he sounds, until in the end, it may become clear that he's used to addressing groups of people.]

I am sorry for my hasty messages earlier. The creatures are dead -- they won't trouble you or any of the people of this city.

I'm Jon Snow. I come from the Merchant -- I've been riding in and out of these canyons for most of a fortnight. Never seen anything like Taravast, but it is good to be in numbers again.

I don't expect that it will mean anything to any of you, but I am from the North. One of the Seven Kingdoms, it was.

I need to meet with Wrath and Wen Qing, as soon as either of you can. I am in the Palace of the Doxe.

For the rest -- tell me what I can do here in the city. Tell me what I can do to help our cause.

Comments

voice.

[inferus]

( Strange. How would someone who is new to the group know his name to the extent that he needs to meet with him? It's important enough that Wrath does not waste any time commenting on anything else. It's clear the man before him is a warrior, a soldier if he was able to defeat the beasts he spoke about before. Wrath had missed the post from earlier or he might have joined in the battle himself. )

I am Wrath.

Where in the palace are you?

[northerndragon]

[He looks relieved, at this.]

Don Bonaccorso’s wing. We can meet here, or somewhere outside of it. The Merchant thought you would have need of what I carry.

[inferus]

Given the current political climate and the only reason I can imagine you would wish to meet with Wen Quing and I, it would be safer to meet outside of the palace entirely.

( Wrath already suspects Bonaccorso of being involved in what is happening with Vannozza, in the affliction they have been attempting to find a cure for. He would prefer no one is able to overhear what they speak of, but if Jon has access to Bonaccorso's wing that may prove important to. He was only ever to head into the wing when he used his role as a healer and miracle worker while the man was sick. )

I can meet you on the palace steps, and we can head further into the city away from those who might care enough to overhear and tell the wrong people.

video; un: stormborn

[song_of_fire]

Where did you say you hale from?

[northerndragon]

[That name… hmm.]

Westeros. Some call it the Seven Kingdoms.

[song_of_fire]

I know it well.

[She's searching her mind for the details she learned from various sources. "Snow" was a bastard name, no different from "Fyre" or "Sand". Beyond that, there's little for her to guess his identity and which part of the North he comes from.

Only to ask.]

Which House do you serve? Mormont? Umber? Karstark?

1. Un; sprite bulb- voice

[bearshermark]

I'm coming to help you.

[northerndragon]

You have my thanks.

[A video message follows, showing this creature in the distance, accompanied by a few smaller creatures that only appear a little less threatening.]

I’m just to the east of the city.

[bearshermark]

I'll be there shortly.

un: absterge

[downswing]

( A kindness: he speaks for rare compassion, that the man might not spare the heartbeats to read. )

The beasts' master returns with his creature?

[northerndragon]

No. Passed them along ago. These followed me from the back of the train.

[A moment later, there’s video showing the creatures.]

[downswing]

( A pause, so he might examine the footage and conclude — yes, the creatures as they saw them. )

Be welcome. ( Softened: ) Mistress Wen may attend your wounds.

un : dappled peals of the parted seas (voice)

[beitangmoran]

I cannot say the country rings a bell, no.

May I ask what you want with my niece?

[So what if Wen Qing is not actually his niece, they've been pretending it here and a newcomer wouldn't know that.]

[northerndragon]

[He considers this. Anyone could say they’re Wen Qing’s uncle, but at the same time, if it’s not true in some sense, to do so in public risks being contradicted. That means that Dapple Man must at least be a friend to her.]

You may ask, but I can’t tell you much. I have a message for her from the Merchant. I’ve been riding for ten days.

Better to ask her when I’ve delivered it.

un : deft hand of little deaths (voice)

[scrapgege]

Which side of the city?

[northerndragon]

To the east of it. I don’t like my chances if I try to take them on my own.

[Brief video follows, of this creature and a few smaller ones, still some distance away, but still approaching.]

username: lady mockingbird

[notsansa]

[ What
The
F-

What if this is some kind of trick? Magic exists here, after all. But... of all the family members, Jon would not be top of her list, so he'd be an odd choice for an enemy to mimic.

Odd, but successful. She's still not eager to even admit publicly she's from the Seven Kingdoms, though. Better to seem as irrelevant as possible, should a Lannister actually surprise her.

Wrath had shown her that such messages could be private, so she attempts this even while hiding her identity from Jon. ]

[written | private]

My apologies for the discretion, but I am no friend to making my business public, even amongst our allies.

If you wish to help, I plan to ask the palace kitchens for any old bread or spare cheese to bring to those unfortunate who survived the city's tragedy from the more downtrodden districts. I cannot carry much on my own, and it ought not to steal too much of your time..

[ She actually plans to get somebody else's assistance with that, but this is a good excuse to direct him somewhere and then see if it really is him. Was he hurt in the earlier scuffle? She wants to ask... ]

[written | as private as he can make it]

[northerndragon]

I don’t know who you are.

But I will help you. Do you want me to meet you near the kitchens? Will I know you then?

[He doesn’t like being summoned in this way, but… well, he knows a number of people who might do it, and he is armed, and a palace’s kitchens at a busy time of day are no dark corner.]

voice - un: starkov

[sankta]

Did you get enough help? I can find you if you need more.

[northerndragon]

[When he responds to the message, he sounds winded.]

I think we have the situation in hand, my lady. But we are to the east of the city. If anyone cares to watch from a distance and step in if it’s needed, they would still have my thanks.

voice

[silverneedles]

[ A meeting. One more odd thing after another, but considering there are few reasons for anyone to reach out to her, especially with a message, it is likely urgency is necessary. ]

I am Wen Qing. What is this nature of this meeting?

[northerndragon]

I carry a package for you and Wrath, from the Merchant. A key and a note — instructions. I think he means to help you.

(Voice; UN: sing of the rage) -> (Action)

[glorioussong]

(Strong fighters? He arms himself with his armor, sword and spear, his fancy robes forgotten.)

I will be with you soon.

(He is a flash of gold, his spear thrown powerfully and deftly. Achilles retrieves the weapon after a direct hit, preparing himself to attack again with a graceful, practiced turn. He almost doesn't look human when he fights, evading blows with a swiftness most men would find impossible. But he is Aristos Achaion and no one can conquer him against his will.)

ACTION: after the fight (cw some battle description)

[northerndragon]

[The call for help was answered more emphatically than he had hoped or expected. So many came out that short work was made of the creatures — as short as could be made of such things, anyway. Fights may be long but death is so often quick, a last instant, the flash of a blade before it cuts into its target. It’s no different now. The beasts might be loathsome, but they die like anything else, in whatever way death comes to them.

When it’s over, a kind of stillness falls on the scene. He sheathes Longclaw; it will need to be cleaned.

Those who didn’t return to the city within moments of the end of the skirmish are still around, and he begins to introduce himself to them in turn. He offers his forearm to clasp in greeting, meaning to do the same: fellowship.]

I’m Jon Snow. You have my thanks for your aid.

Did you fight these creatures before?

[bearshermark]

[Sheathing twin blades, it's a gesture Eleven follows with some clumsiness. For all he's fought, he isn't a soldier. Still, he offers the man a tired smile]

I don't recognize them, but there have been all manner of creatures. I'm glad to have been able to help.

[He looks him over a moment] I have healing magic, should anyone need it.