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"Amm... Sure. But Tanulan doesn't. I think.." Galanis looks at Tanulan in question not sure how to proceed.

"Later." Angel agrees, "Later." Turning back to Tanulan she continues. "We were hired to escort Master Fraso and his household to collect a body. We have lost a few friends and gained a few on the way. The body was most curious... not a Lich as was suspected, but something else.. we encountered more on the road, who took the body by force. Our Mage was killed in the process."

"Those are the bones, there is more, such as strange underground creatures being... controlled somehow.. I can see you are thinking as a Strategist, and that The Empire is under threat.. arent we always? We're we not under threat from the Barbarian hoardes? From the Orcs, the Ogres?" She gives him an appraising look. He was a jumped up.. but he was still in charge.

Ari listens to the tale with some interest. Not a lich, but what...

"The bare bones of the tale is plenty, for now. Thank you." Tanulan looks around at the table for a moment, then lifts a piece of bread. He looks at each of his visitors in turn, Angel, Galanis, Liri, and Ari, pointing at them with the scrap of bread in his hand: "You are careful around authority. You are either a madman or a genius, I am not sure which at the moment. You are optimistic but are not sure of me yet. And you, you are angry at the situation here." He puts a piece of cheese on the bread and takes a bite, chewing and swallowing before continuing. "You are right not to trust me, all of you. We have only just met. But that will change."

"Authority..." Angel coughs, "Its often an illusion.." Angel responds, "Keeping what is essentially the bones of a person alive even though the brain is dead. That's giving people false hope, it too is an illusion."

Liri gives Angel a quizzical look. But she doesn't say anything. She is relaxed enough now to also help herself to food and drink, which she hadn't done yet.

Ye're in the habit of using people and being obeyed, and ye have nae ken how to handle the full situation hereabouts. He gives the trumped-up human a sardonic grin, But having power does nae make ye right. Ye dinnae care about these people, yer jest tryin tae find him an' hang the cost.

[Ooc: going by your pm, let me know if I'm reading too much into what Ari knows]

TristenC wrote:Ari listens to the tale with some interest.

Mistaking the dwarf interest Galanis nods in understanding and tells him, "Quiet remarkable tale about the Pegasi. You are also welcome to hear the rest of it later."

Aei raises one eyebrow, like a bushy red caterpillar

"False hope is better than no hope, is it not? I once heard it said, in a play, that it is better to buried alive than dead. Because if you are dead, that's the end. But if you're alive in the casket, you'd have a chance at least. You could lie there thinking: 'Well, at least I’m not dead. Any moment, somebody’s going to bang on the lid and tell me to come out.'

"Life is all about purpose, is it not? We all have goals. And power, authority, is a tool for achieving them."

"And you misunderstand me, ferrarius. This fugitive priest means nothing to me. It is an unhappy accident that my path and his have crossed, for now I am delayed until the situation is resolved. And all the people in this town are victims of circumstance. This is the unfortunate truth. So tell me this: what would you do in my position? And do speak freely. I am interested in the truth."

"I wonder, are you expecting me to answer like a good Citizen, the way a woman should..?" Angel asks eyeing him with a casual grin. "You say freely.. So I will assume you mean no that, I've seen no sign that you expect me to sit in a corner."

"So, how would I act? How would I deal with that situation? Easy... Kill the zombies, they are doing untold damage to this place. You need to show that they are no longer.. Human." Crossing her scabbared sword over her lap she regards him cooly.

"I was interested in our esteemed priest's opinion, since he seems to have some strong feelings on this matter. But I must say, cousin, that your approach is refreshing in its directness.
"I truth, we have been dispatching these undead - just not in front of their families, mind you. 'Win the hearts and minds of the populace' and all that nonsense. But that is not the real problem.
"So tell me, priest: how would you resolve this situation, were you in my shoes?"

It be a difficult situation, aye. Were I in charge I cannae truly say what I would, but I c'n say what I would nae. An' crucifying innocent citizens, or allowing it, te goad yer foe inta' the open be at the top o' tha' list! The dwarf started calm but his voice rises gradually to a near-shout at the end.

Tanulan barely bats an eye at the dwarf's outburst, although there is a slight movement at the tent's open flap as one of the sentries peeks in to make sure everything is alright.
"It is extreme, I will grant you. But Haro assures me that he has had success with this method in the past. Bear in mind that the intent here is not merely to goad the foe, but to encourage the locals to divulge information on his whereabouts."

"Forgive my interruption. Liri.. A moment please?" She asks motioning to the elf. "I need to discuss a private matter with you."