Fei Lak's Audience Hall - Shanggu

[Mikal]

The guards raise an eyebrow at that, but acquiese. One of the guards enters the building, to alert the Marquis and his private guards about the coming arrival... and to make sure Khan is informed of the special circumstances from it.

[lonelyloner]

OOC: I've been away from the game, sincerely sorry for the long delay.
--


The heat is on in Jibei as per recent events, what with King of Qi's entry into the fray. But since their last action, nothing has been heard of Eikei Cavalry. Gone with them too were Tav Eikei's correspondence with the ruler of Yan, and perhaps just as thoughts about Tav already fading from Fei Lak's mind, he appears! What is Tav Eikei up to?

Still his usual all leather and hide gear, unkempt hair and a body that smells more like a horse. Like a barbarian from the Northern lands. But quite untypical of him, without his usual escort of 10 horsemen, all alone he rides up to the Lord's capital at Shanggu, slowing down and finally stopping and dismounting when accosted by the local securities about his intent.

"I am Tav Eikei, I hail from Jibei. I am here to meet in person Lord Fei Lak of Shanggu. I had been personally invited by His Lordship."

Tav Eikei presents his latest letter for the captains to observe... (pm-ed).

"May I enter? I'll leave all my weapons in custody, and I trust that I be granted safe passage and my belongings returned to me once Lord Fei is decides our business is done. I have come in peace. Please notify Lord Fei of my presence?"

Suddenly half of him seems to be regretting coming here, for in the wilds nothing could touch Tav Eikei. But here he's at the mercy of the Lord. And he's kind of suspect too, Tav won't be surprised if he'll get a harsh treatment, given his past.

"Well ... I don't mind meeting the Lord stripped naked and bound up if you guards would prefer that."
Tav offers his surrender to help ease the tension,
"Don't worry about me."

[Phailak]

OOC: I've been away from the game, sincerely sorry for the long delay.
--


The heat is on in Jibei as per recent events, what with King of Qi's entry into the fray. But since their last action, nothing has been heard of Eikei Cavalry. Gone with them too were Tav Eikei's correspondence with the ruler of Yan, and perhaps just as thoughts about Tav already fading from Fei Lak's mind, he appears! What is Tav Eikei up to?

Still his usual all leather and hide gear, unkempt hair and a body that smells more like a horse. Like a barbarian from the Northern lands. But quite untypical of him, without his usual escort of 10 horsemen, all alone he rides up to the Lord's capital at Shanggu, slowing down and finally stopping and dismounting when accosted by the local securities about his intent.

"I am Tav Eikei, I hail from Jibei. I am here to meet in person Lord Fei Lak of Shanggu. I had been personally invited by His Lordship."

Tav Eikei presents his latest letter for the captains to observe... (pm-ed).

"May I enter? I'll leave all my weapons in custody, and I trust that I be granted safe passage and my belongings returned to me once Lord Fei is decides our business is done. I have come in peace. Please notify Lord Fei of my presence?"

Suddenly half of him seems to be regretting coming here, for in the wilds nothing could touch Tav Eikei. But here he's at the mercy of the Lord. And he's kind of suspect too, Tav won't be surprised if he'll get a harsh treatment, given his past.

"Well ... I don't mind meeting the Lord stripped naked and bound up if you guards would prefer that."
Tav offers his surrender to help ease the tension,
"Don't worry about me."

The guards shake their heads.

"No, no, simply leave your weapons with me, Jiu here will search you quickly and you can see the Lord."

Assuming nothing is found, he is brought before Fei Lak.

"Tav Eikei to see you my Lord." The guard announced.

"Commander Tav, I had all but forgotten about you. I am glad you have come, I hope you are here to ciment our deal?"

The Marquis raised one eyebrow in question.

[Mikal]

(OOC: LL! Good to see you man, it's been ages )

Khan looked the newest entry over, an eyebrow raised but unseen beneath his helm.

And people call me a barbarian... he thinks to himself.

[lonelyloner]

OOC: mikal? Didn't expect to see you here man! ^^
--

"I do, Lord Fei Lak." Tav bows in deep respect towards the one the guards refer to as their master. Also an acknowledging nod towards the Lord's bodyguard (Zhao Khan, though Tav hadn't been made aware of his name as of yet).

But the Lord's raised eyebrow Tav interprets as a sign of displeasure. Was it a mistake coming here?

"Pledges quickly given, are pledges quickly discounted. It took me a while to deliberate and I've decided that serving Lord Fei in this proposed capacity would suit our own needs as well. Our mutual interest are real. I'm here to cement the deal and to pledge our loyalty to that promise."

...but then commenting on Lord Fei's possible displeasure.
"Unless your Lordship has a change of heart?" Even Tav Eikei's aware of the troubles in Jibei, sighs inwardly at the possibility of being unwillingly drawn into the fray while they're still unprepared, awaits the Lord's decision.

[Phailak]

Lak nodded.

"Commander Tav, as we have agreed upon then, I will pay you 50 taels per month. In exchange, you will work for our forces wherever we may direct you. You get to keep your share of spoils from battles as well as some of the prisoners. When you are idle, you are free of course to recruit and train your men as you see fit. Should you acquire a village or town, they are yours to keep of course unless you have done so under our direction. Does that seem fair?"

Lak waited fr a confirmation, the commander's horsemen would be a good asset to him.

OOC: mikal? Didn't expect to see you here man! ^^
--

"I do, Lord Fei Lak." Tav bows in deep respect towards the one the guards refer to as their master. Also an acknowledging nod towards the Lord's bodyguard (Zhao Khan, though Tav hadn't been made aware of his name as of yet).

But the Lord's raised eyebrow Tav interprets as a sign of displeasure. Was it a mistake coming here?

"Pledges quickly given, are pledges quickly discounted. It took me a while to deliberate and I've decided that serving Lord Fei in this proposed capacity would suit our own needs as well. Our mutual interest are real. I'm here to cement the deal and to pledge our loyalty to that promise."

...but then commenting on Lord Fei's possible displeasure.
"Unless your Lordship has a change of heart?" Even Tav Eikei's aware of the troubles in Jibei, sighs inwardly at the possibility of being unwillingly drawn into the fray while they're still unprepared, awaits the Lord's decision.

[lonelyloner]

Tav Eikei's face brightens, a grin forms, but then he calms himself for fear of being impolite.

"All agreeable terms. But we nomads prefer mobility, likely we won't require a permanent base, but thank you Lord for leaving that option open."

"One thing needs to be clarified."
Tav points out to a point previously discussed in their correspondence.
"Tav Eikei, myself, will be ready to respond to your commands anytime. Wherever I happen to be, I'm ready to assist in any covert operations should it be necessary. And should Your Lordship require so, Tav Eikei will be present within your battle ranks to assist."

"However in any case, it would be up to me alone on whether we commit our regular troops or not in any endeavor. And if we do, how many to be sent..."

"My reason for this is just two. Firstly we'd like to avoid total annihilation of our group. Secondly, I've had previous offers I decided not to follow through because they only seemed to want my horsemen to die for their agendas, as in... my men will die in vain while they will further their agendas." Tav shrugs "Selfish."

"My people trusts in my judgement that they would be taken care of. It's not that we'll refuse to die for you, Lord Fei. But please allow us to choose the when and the how. We'll die gladly if it's for something so important that it's worth dying for. We'll know it when the time comes even as we get to know Your Lordship better."
Tav smiles slightly, wondering if Lord Fei would understand,
"To put it simply, we only ask to not be treated as... disposable garbage. Mercs are people too..."

"Should we put this contract in writing?" Tav mutters half to himself, half to the others.

"Our group is 2800 horsemen. Our current activity? Nothing at all this month..."
Tav Eikei elaborates, perhaps to the Lord's questioning the purpose of that? Well.. it's a report!

"I'll need the means on how to have our salary delivered per month. Similarly Lord Fei would want to be updated on our status and activities. The communications would allow us to receive Your Lordship's instruction too. Would it do to have it all done using secret couriers?" (eg: through pm, once every beginning of month?)

[Phailak]

Tav Eikei's face brightens, a grin forms, but then he calms himself for fear of being impolite.

"All agreeable terms. But we nomads prefer mobility, likely we won't require a permanent base, but thank you Lord for leaving that option open."

"One thing needs to be clarified."
Tav points out to a point previously discussed in their correspondence.
"Tav Eikei, myself, will be ready to respond to your commands anytime. Wherever I happen to be, I'm ready to assist in any covert operations should it be necessary. And should Your Lordship require so, Tav Eikei will be present within your battle ranks to assist."

"However in any case, it would be up to me alone on whether we commit our regular troops or not in any endeavor. And if we do, how many to be sent..."

"My reason for this is just two. Firstly we'd like to avoid total annihilation of our group. Secondly, I've had previous offers I decided not to follow through because they only seemed to want my horsemen to die for their agendas, as in... my men will die in vain while they will further their agendas." Tav shrugs "Selfish."

"My people trusts in my judgement that they would be taken care of. It's not that we'll refuse to die for you, Lord Fei. But please allow us to choose the when and the how. We'll die gladly if it's for something so important that it's worth dying for. We'll know it when the time comes even as we get to know Your Lordship better."
Tav smiles slightly, wondering if Lord Fei would understand,
"To put it simply, we only ask to not be treated as... disposable garbage. Mercs are people too..."

"Should we put this contract in writing?" Tav mutters half to himself, half to the others.

"Our group is 2800 horsemen. Our current activity? Nothing at all this month..."
Tav Eikei elaborates, perhaps to the Lord's questioning the purpose of that? Well.. it's a report!

"I'll need the means on how to have our salary delivered per month. Similarly Lord Fei would want to be updated on our status and activities. The communications would allow us to receive Your Lordship's instruction too. Would it do to have it all done using secret couriers?" (eg: through pm, once every beginning of month?)

Lak nodded.

"Seems fair. You know where to find me and in theory we'll know where you are at all times. We will keep your location as secret as possible for the time being. Any other concerns?"

[Mikal]

Khan speaks up.

"If I may sir, General Liu and I have trained a few men who would be... well suited for such a task of communication. With your permission I can choose a small contingent of them for this matter."

[Phailak]

Khan speaks up.

"If I may sir, General Liu and I have trained a few men who would be... well suited for such a task of communication. With your permission I can choose a small contingent of them for this matter."

"Of course, arrange the details between you, that is perfect."