h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*Thoran approaches Olde A'tlatha, coming out of the mountain pass*
*He reaches the peak of the mountain just afte sunrise and for a few seconds just stands looking down the mountain, across the city and plains beyond. A sad smile forms on Thoran's mouth as he looks at the land he owns.*
Guess I had to come back here sometime...
*Thoran works his way down the trail and approaches the city gate*

~Thoran

*the sentries posted to the gate see Thoran coming*

[guard] Lord Farranger returns! *they open the gate excitedly*

*Thoran walks up to the gates and stands looking at the city*
*he turns to the guards*
If it is possible I'd prefer that I'm "not here", not yet anyway.
How has the city been in my absence?

~Thoran

*the guards look appropriately chagrined*

Well, sir, not much has happened. The winter was a fair bit colder than normal, but we have fared relatively well. The Dark Alliance do not bother with this region, as you well know, sir, so we have little trouble from them. I guess the worst problems we have are with the dirty turncoats! *looks rather disgusted*

Turncoats?

~Thoran

Well, yessir...*the guard looks uncomfortable, and another continues talking*

[other guard] Some people, here and in other towns, cities...think that defending our honour, and virtue, is not the best course of action. They betray us, run, join the Dark Alliance's forces.

*Thoran's face hardens*
Undestandable, perhaps, but that is one of the reasons I have returned; I've been out there fighting the dark allience, I know they can be defeated, I need to make sure this city knows and doesn't give in.
If there is any other news come straight to my mansion, I'll be there, and remember; I'm not here yet. When I announce my presence I'll let this squad escort me to the council chambers, if you so desire.
*Thoran walks into the city and towards his mansion*

~Thoran

*Before reaching his home Thoran turns off the street and heads for the house of Kethlin*

~Thoran

*the town seems a little quiet, subdued, as he walks to Kethlin's house*

*there is a guard standing outside it*

[Guard] Declare yourself, stranger! No one can see Mister Kethlin without our knowledge.

I am here on buisness of Lord Farranger, I bear a message for Kethlin. If you need a symbol of my authority this should do
*Thoran produces a piece of paper from his pocket with the Farranger seal on it and shows it to the guard*
Now let me past

~Thoran

*the guard takes it, without really looking at it, and lets Thoran through*

*once he's gone past, he summons a messenger and quietly whispers in his ear, the messenger runs off to the council hall*

*Thoran walks in and heads straight for the study. He stops outside the door, takes his katana out of his bag and takes a deep breath*
*Suddenly he kicks the door and it flies open, slamming into the wall. Thoran is already in the room beyond*
Thoran: En guard.
*A man with black hair, streaked with grey, pulled back into a poy-tail is sitting at a desk writing. He finishes his sentance, then looks up slowly.*
*Suddenly he is on his feet, a katana slashing through the air towards Thoran. Thoran pivots out of the way and moves out of the door. A few seconds pass. Suddenly Thoran puts his sword behind him and there is a clash of metal as the other man's katana hits it. Turning Thoran finds a hidden door is open and the man had obviously tried to sneak up on him. The man smiles slightly then turns and runs.*
*Thoran charges after him and comes out into a courtyard. He takes a few steps forwards then dives to the side, as the man drops from a balcony to where Thoran was moments ago. Spinning 180 degrees Thoran slashes at the man, deflects a return thrust, then rolls to the mans right coming up and again slashing with his katana.*
*A sound like a bell reverberates around the ourtyard as the two blades meet. Then there is silence for a few seconds as the two stand, facing each other blades locked*
Thoran: You're getting slow old man.
Kethlin: I was giving you a chance.
Thoran: Is the door new?
Kethlin: No. But then again you've been gone a long time.
*Kethlin then smiles.*
It's good to see you again.
Thoran: It's good to be back.
*The two men simultaneously sheathe their katana's with an identicle flourish, bow and then laugh. Kethlin puts his hands on Thoran's shoulders.*
Kethlin: It is good to have you back, you've changed a lot since I last saw you.
Thoran: I've been through a lot, though more in the past few months than in all the years before hand.
Kethlin: I've heard rumours. You've become quite the paladin from what I hear.
Thoran: Well I have a legacy to live up to; you taught me well.
Kethlin: Hardly, you haveyour father's spirit. I take it from your cmments you've been up against the Dark Allience recently?
Thoran: Yes. What has been happening here? The guards at the gate told me there have been people joining the Allience and there is a guard at the front of your house.
Kethlin: Yes... these are dark days for this city. Some of the town council members have been replaced with younger people. Not because they are better at the job, but because they are able to machinate better. There is a large part of the council that are pro-Dark Allience. Without you here to put a stop to it they've grown in power. Now they lock me away thinking that I am their main threat. Not that it has helped them; I can come and go as I please and lend my support to the council members who remain loyal to you. But there isn't much I can do here; I was never really trusted.

~Thoran

*some guards - six - enter, without knocking*

[#1] By the power of the Council, you, man, are summoned before the Council members. Please come with us.

*Thoran looks up at the guards*
Thoran: Tell them I'll be along in a minute, and you *points at one of the guards* by order of Lord Farranger go to the mountain gate and summon the guards who were there this morning. Tell them they have an escort job to perform, then bring them back here.

~Thoran

*the six guards look rather uncomfortable, but do so*

*the one pointed at by Thoran looks even more uncomfortable, and angry, but Lord Farranger still holds the greatest command...he leaves quickly*

*five minutes later, he comes back with the group of guards that were on sentry duty. Those guards look confused, but get excited when they see Thoran*

*during this time Thoran quickly goes and changes into his black clothes and makes himself appear more presentable*
*he is standing talking quietly to Kethlin when the guards return*
Thoran: Time for some escort duty, if you want to. We have a city council to appear to.
*the guards smile*
Thoran: Do you want to come along?
Kethlin: And watch you make some overdressed pompous fools quiver... I don't see why not.
*Thoran and Kethlin smile rougishly and then turn and walk out of Kethlin's house and turn towards the city hall, the guards clearing the way and generally helping to make a spectacle of the event*

~Thoran

*the small procession gathers a lot of attention, and by the time they reach the council hall there are some followers*

*the citizens wait outside - they are forced to - and the guards smugly lead Thoran and Kethlin inside*

*the council hall has changed some since Thoran was there last. It's ben revamped to be much more dark and intimidating, rather than helpful and welcoming, and large oak doors are guarded heavily by armoured men with crossed pikes. They let the mini-procession through, into a high-ceilinged candle-lit room with stained glass windows. There is a long table on a dias, with eight people seated along it.*

*Six of the people are younger, four men and two women. Of those, all but one woman have hard, pinched-looking faces and almost cruel-seeming eyes. The other younger woman is the only one not studying Thoran as he enters; she is looking down at the floor. The two others of the Council of Eight are older men, both of them looking harried, sad, downcast.*

*Thoran is led in front of them, Kethlin also*

[One Younger Man] Kethlin, we are aware of you. But you, youngster..declare yourself!

*one of the guards steps forward as if to say something, but Thoran holds up a hand staying him*
*Thoran stands there, staring the man down, his arms crossed at his chest*
*Kethlin smiles, walks over to a pillar and leans casually on it still smiling*

~Thoran

[That Younger Man] I said, declare yourself? Who in the Nine Hells are you? You, *turning to one of the older men*, you, do /you/ know this whelp?

[The Older Man] Jorias, he is older than you.

[The Younger Man/Jorias] Hold your tongue! Now, /you/, tell me, who are you? Or I will be forced to put you in the city jail for obstruction of the Council!

[The Older Man] Jorias, do not -

[Jorias] I said /silence/, old man!

Kethlin: *under his breath* This will be fun.
*Thoran walks forward, as he does so looking towards 'The Older Man'*
Thoran: I'm afraid I'm going to have to destroy some furniture, but I can't imagine it will be any great loss, considering how drab all this stuff is.
*At this point Thoran is walking around the table to where Jorias is sitting, when he reaches his chair he swiftly draws his katana, slices the back legs off the chair, causing Jorias to fall down. He then drives his katana into the table blade first, till the hilt is at eye level of all the people still sitting on complete chairs. He slowly reaches forward and un-wraps the leather handgrip, revealing an elaborate golden hilt with his family crest on it. He then steps back from the table and looks around.*
Thoran: Hmmm, looks like you forgot to put a chair out for me, you *points at Jorias who is starting to get up*
go fetch me a chair.


~Thoran