Rally, brothers

[Kender Bard]

Gale looked around, cool, calm, and collected, despite her jangled nerves. She wasn't afraid of being caught by Dio's men, but she was only barely holding her anger in check, for many reasons.

She looked around again then picked a tunnel to walk down, silent as a cat in her footfalls. Internally, her stomach churned. Bastards. How dare those mock-monks consider themselves up to the prowess and strength of we true monks? I hope I do bump into a few. I'll take delight in smashing their heads against the wall.

She paused and listened for sound of anyone, ahead or behind, and headed towards any echoes she could catch. Narcissa, I will do your memory proud, I swear it. I'll find our faithful and we'll evict this massive boil off the face of the Earth Mother, and cleanse his poison from Her veins.

She took solace, at least, from the steady, soothing thrum of the earth's vitality around her. Silently she hoped River was gleaning that same solace as she looked for more monks to speak with.

[adris]

She got her chance at both her goals as she came up on the mouth of one of the cave storerooms. Outside one of the vetrens of the order was berating a couple of the newcomers, who weren't taking her anywhere near as seriously as they should.

If Gale listened she could hear the monk remind them of the recent murders, asking incredulously how they got into the order, and of course threatening a court marshal for endangering them all. In all seriousness the woman was about ready to punch one of the men's heads off thier shoulders.

[Kender Bard]

"Don't waste your breath," Gale growled, stalking closer. "Likely that walking pile of pond scum, Dio, signed something to get them into our orders." She gave the two newbie monks a murderous look. "Go run back to your cur of a master, you worthless false monks. I want a word with this true warrior."

[adris]

One of them flees immediately, not wanting his cover to be blown at this early juncture. The other looks back from the woman that was berating him to the newcomer Gale. The woman had her arms crossed and was staring daggers at the man, waiting for him to do like the other. He instead returned her stare with a dagger of his own, his hurting slightly more as it pierced the woman's stomach. With a gasp she reached over and instinctively snapped the man's neck, he falling dead, her falling back against a nearby wall. She smiled up to Gale, suggesting that while the wound was deep, it was only superficial.

"Luckily we are trained... or that would have went in a lot deeper."

[Kender Bard]

Gale moved fast, offering her support to her, encircling her comrade with her arms. "As you can see, our training IS indeed superior... But you need to be more careful than that. I have grave news to tell you and I need help, but you are injured so I'll make my request simpler. Can you think of any fast way for me to get the attention of all the monks?"

[adris]

The woman took comfort in Gale, although she wouldn't bleed to death it was good to know that the General still cares about the ones who didn't hit as hard as the vetrens. She thought as quickly as she could, ignoring the pain of the gash like it didn't even exist.

"They have ears everywhere... I don't know if you can call out the loyalists without them knowing. My best guess, is call for an excersize in the fields for senior members. Say it is to discuss Avalanche or something, if you make it about Dio his ego will force him to believe you."

She smiled at her own wit, or lack of it in any case. She wasn't trained to be a comedian, although she looked at the body of the fallen soldier next to her. She can only imagine where all these people are coming from. They seem so coordinated in thier effots it is amazing.

[Kender Bard]

"Good idea," Gale agreed. "You go get yourself patched up this instant." Letting go of the woman, Gale dashed off as fast as she could to where she could make her announcement, stopping whenever she spotted a veteran monk and asking him or her to pass the word of the meeting. Once she managed to get word circulating, she strolled out to the training fields.

[adris]

The word was gathered and passed among the veterens, and through Dio's network word eventually came to him. He grimaces slightly, knowing that the monks would soon move against him. That was never a question in his mind, there is no way he could remove enough loyalists, remain inconspicuous, and stave all this threat all at the same time. He just needed to get the trump cards in order. He hoped to do this with as little bloodshed as possible.

------------------
The woman who was met by Gale stumbled towards the heart of the caves to find an herbalist. She would be able to live if she was just able to make it there. Sadly, she met a wraith dressed with an odd-collared shirt on the way. When the loyalist monks gathered to Gale's call, she was nowhere to be found.

[Kender Bard]

Gale looked at those gathered before her. She had no doubt that there were still spies out there, listening.

She didn't much care. In fact, she embraced the fact.

"Allow me to begin by informing you all that Narcissa, our beloved master monk, has met with an untimely demise."

She paused, to allow that to sink in a moment before continuing without missing a beat. "And I intend to take his killer to justice." She raised her voice, loudly, "And let those who might be whispering in the ear of one Dio that he doesn't need to skulk about in the shadows. I'm not afraid of him, and neither should any of those loyal to River be as well. Why, you might ask? Because the Earth Mother chose River, and I have the utmost faith in him, and the decisions our people have for our beloved, true Leader. Anyone who dare lay claim to his position without the holy sanctity of the Earth and its people is doomed before they even begin!"

[adris]

Many of them already knew of the death of Narcissa, but the reminder incited them immediately in the way that she had hoped. They listened to thier new master monk, ready to take her order whenever she gave it. Whenever she said something powerful and poigniant they raised thier arms to the sky and shouted thier support.

One spoke out in particular, a face of an old vetran that she should recognize, "Give your orders milady, we know who we serve. Your word is our order, not the terror in Obsidian."

The spies that were obviously there were surprisingly good at acting, not missing a beat to cheer or offer thier 'support', slinking off whenever they found an opening to do so.

[Kender Bard]

Gale pondered the situation. She was a simple gal, bred to be a warrior and not a tactician. She never thought she'd find herself in a leadership position, being much happier following the orders of another.

But, then, now wasn't a time about wants and preferences. It was a time for action. That was a language she could speak. "Let us go to Dio, and demand he forfeit Humontis back to River, free him, and leave to never return. If he does not comply, we will have to take the mountain back in force!"

[adris]

The men and women cheered aloud at her suggestion, feeling full of strength at her words of action. Dio certainly wouldn't stand against the might of all the monks of the holy order, that would be political suicide. They knew they needed to send a message hard and fast that they wouldn't take this. Before the very eyes of Gale there was a parting of bodies, allowing her a path to the mountain she has sworn to protect.

[Kender Bard]

Gale swelled with pride, and awe at the sight. She strode forward, trying to look as important as she felt at that moment, and headed straight towards the Senate chambers, making a motion of rallying so that her comrades would come with her.