Editing The Ransom (section)

=== Timed events ===
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{{TErow| 1 |day 1|[[Earl Rambert]] abandoned most of his prisoners when he fled my army, but he knew enough about the [[Mudland]]ers to keep [[Adamina]] and the other wisewomen with him.  The [[Mudland]]ers hold the learned women in a position of high respect and will not risk their lives.<p>And as far as [[Rambert]] is concerned, I still hold [[Prince Niven]] hostage.  So, we have a stalemate.  I expect to hear from [[Rambert]] soon.}}
{{TErow| 1 |Day 2|[[Earl Rambert]] hides in a hard to reach valley where he's sparing no expense to build an army that can repel any attack.  Sooner or later, I'm going to have to face that army.  My instincts tell me to attack now.  A lightning attack will catch him by surprise, but I can't risk the lives of the wisewomen right now.<p>Somehow, I have to find a way to free them.}}
{{TErow| 1 |Day 4|[[Rambert]]'s demands came today.  He asked for a trade - the Prince for the wisewomen and my retreat from these lands.<p>Unfortunately, I can do neither.  [[Prince Niven]] is an ally, and he's even struck up a friendship with [[Droglo]].  Betraying the Prince would destroy everything, including [[Droglo]]'s trust in me.  And to retreat now would take my army back into [[Mad King Gryphonheart]]'s forces.  This time, they will be prepared for my arrival.  So, what do I do?<p>"[[Brellick]]," I called for the [[Gnoll]] commander.<p>When he arrived, I said, "Bring me paper and pen.  I'm going to write a counteroffer to [[Rambert]]'s demands."<p>"You can write?"<p>"If you find me some paper, I can.  Go!"<p>It's a delaying tactic, I know, but [[Rambert]] will expect a counteroffer and he will refuse.  His next demand will be firm, even threatening.  That's when I act.}}
{{TErow| 1 |Day 7|I watch [[Droglo]] and [[Niven]] practice the sword each morning, and even with the threat of war around us they somehow manage to enjoy themselves.  That's when I remember that they are just boys of 14 and 16 years.  If I didn't know better, I would think they were brothers.<p>Today, [[Droglo]] left early to tend to a minor cut on his shoulder, so I stepped in to give the Prince some lessons.<p>"You're almost as fast as [[Droglo]] and absolutely more skilled, but still you lose to him half the time.  Do you know why?" I asked.<p>"He surprises me," [[Niven]] said between heavy breaths.  "He's always doing things I don't expect, like pretending to fall."<p>"That's part of it, yes.  [[Droglo]] fights by instinct, but years of training have made you stiff, predictable.  I can almost hear you going over your drills while you fight.  You need to relax and be more creative.  Enjoy yourself!"<p>[[Niven]] lowered his sword, stared at me as if I had said something unreasonable.<p>"This is battle!  How can I enjoy myself?"<p>"I don't mean enjoy the kill.  I mean enjoy the dance," I said.<p>"You don't talk like a [[Mudland]]er," Niven said.  "You don't look like one either.  Sure, you dress like one, but your size, your obvious power, even your features - none of that is like any [[Mudland]]er I have seen.  More [[Erathia]]n, if you ask me."<p>Actually, my features were [[Barbarian]], but [[Niven]] didn't know that his own people, the [[Erathia]]ns, had a significant amount of [[Barbarian]] blood running through their veins.<p>"I'm sure you've heard of [[Erathia]]n nobles taking slaves as mistresses," I explained.<p>[[Niven]] seemed to accept this lie and we returned to the sword practice.  This time, every time [[Niven]] fell into his usual stiff routine, I gave him a nick to remind him to relax.  Soon he was covered in sores.}}
{{TErow| 1 |Day 10|[[Niven]] spent most of his days tending to the slaves, helping the healers or bringing them food and drink.  He was so unlike his father - compassionate, honourable.  He would make a great King.<p>I found him sulking this morning after we picked up some new escaped slaves, half of which weren't expected to survive the day.  I approached and placed a hand on the young man's shoulder.<p>"I suspected," [[Niven]] said.  "All these years, I suspected something was wrong but I was too afraid to find out what it was.  I've known all along."<p>"Known what?"<p>"That my father is insane.  Everyone knows, but we're all too afraid of him to do anything about it.  Do you know why I like [[Droglo]] so much?"<p>"No, why?" I asked.<p>"Because my own brother and I are enemies, and it is my father's fault.  When I was six and my brother five, he brought us together and said, 'One of you is going to be King some day.  You want to know which one?  The one who kills the other first, that's who!'  Then he laughed.  He thought it was funny!"<p>"I'm sorry," I said.  It was a miracle [[Niven]] turned out the way he was, considering the maniac he had for a father.<p>"Is my blood cursed?" [[Niven]] said, near tears.<p>I grabbed his shoulders firmly and forced him to stare into my eyes.<p>"Don't ever think that!  Haven't you ever heard the name of [[Rion Gryphonheart]], first of your line?  Or how about his daughter, [[Allison]]?  They were two of the fairest, greatest leaders I have ever...heard of!"<p>I almost said, 'met'.<p>"If anything," I continued, "your bloodline is blessed with heroes brave enough to do whatever it takes to protect their people.  You could be that kind of king, [[Niven]]."}}
{{TErow| 1 |Day 13|[[Earl Rambert]]'s response to my offer came today.  Basically, it was a flat refusal, and now he's threatening to kill the wisewomen if the Prince is not returned.<p>I wish I had more time, but something has to be done.}}
{{TErow| 1 |Day 16|I met with my commanders last night to discuss our options.  [[Droglo]] and [[Prince Niven]] were present as well.  They had the right.<p>As I expected, my commanders were prepared to do anything to get the wisewomen back, even bind [[Niven]] hand and foot and deliver him to [[Rambert]]'s front door if they had to.  But I insisted that was not an option.<p>Then [[Niven]] said, "No.  You must make the trade!"<p>"But [[Niven]], you can't!" [[Droglo]] said.  "You're on our side now."<p>"I know, and that won't change, but we can't let those women die.  You have to turn me over to [[Rambert]].  I want you to!"<p>It would be risky, especially for [[Niven]].  His father was likely to execute him simply because he had spent so long in my hands.  But the boy was right.  [[Niven]] had made the decision I was afraid to make.<p>"We'll make the trade," I said, "but [[Rambert]] may not live to appreciate it."<p>What I had in mind would be risky for us as well, but great victories required great risk.}}
{{TErow| 1 |Day 17|Small [[Droglo]] looked a little silly in my armour, but at a distance it was good enough to confuse.  [[Brellick]] rode next to him with explicit orders to protect the boy from harm.<p>Finally, I stepped up to the cage holding [[Prince Niven]].  Last night, I had to punch the boy a few times in the face to make it look like he's been the prisoner of savages.  [[Niven]]'s right eye was swollen shut and both lips were split down the middle.<p>"How's the eye?"<p>"Feels like you punched it out the back of my skull," [[Niven]] said.  He smiled, winced as one of his lips began to bleed again.<p>"Are you sure you want to do this, Prince?  We could find another way," I said.<p>"There is no other way."<p>I pushed my hand through the narrow bars and shook the boy's hand.<p>"If you were my son, I'd tell you that I am very proud of you," I said.<p>[[Niven]] fought back the tears building in his eyes.<p>"We'll send word soon as the wisewomen are safe," [[Niven]] said.<p>"We'll be ready.  Good luck!"}}
{{TErow| 1 |Day 21|The message came pinned to the tail of a [[Serpent Fly]], written by [[Niven]]'s flourishing hand because like most of the [[Mudland]]ers [[Droglo]] couldn't read or write.<p>"Dear [[Tarnum]],<p>As you expected, [[Earl Rambert]] brought only a token force to the trade.  I guess moving your army closer to his land scared him, or perhaps [[Rambert]] underestimated the determination of the [[Mudland]]ers.  Still, [[Rambert]] tried to betray us.  We [[Erathia]]ns have forgotten the honesty and honour that made us great!<p>But we broke the ambush, thanks mostly to [[Droglo]]'s [[Wyvern]]s.  Sadly, I must report that brave [[Brellick]] fell to [[Earl Rambert]]'s blade.  At this sight, I escaped from my cage, picked up a weapon, and put an end to the treacherous noble.  You would have been proud of me.  For the first time in my life, I enjoyed the dance!<p>Now that the wisewomen are safe, you are free to attack the late [[Earl Rambert]]'s forces.  [[Droglo]] and the others will meet you at the arranged spot, but I will not be with them.  I feel I can be of greater help by returning to [[Erathia]] to speak with those nobles who are dissatisfied with my father's rule.  If I can turn them against my father, then not only will the [[Mudland]]ers finally be safe but [[Erathia]] will have a chance to return to its former greatness.<p>I cannot thank you enough for opening my eyes to the pain of the [[Mudland]]ers.  I only hope that I have the courage to end that pain forever!<p>Your Friend,<p>[[Prince Niven]] of [[Erathia]]"<p>I folded the letter and, as if [[Niven]] were right next to me, I said, "You have the courage of other [[Gryphonheart]]s I have known.  That's all you will ever need!"}}
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