Chojin Patriarch
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Ah, Krono's made contact with the Manitoban Knights, I see. Though they're rightfully suspicious of a voice in the dark. Let's hope his talent for fast-talking can convince them to help with the Immortal's defeat.21st May 2284
06:52 GMT -7
"Bold of you, sirrah." The knight in power armour regards me with an air of amusement. He's wearing a tabard split vertically between the red and white of the Order of St. George and the green and yellow of the Kingdom of Manitoba. "Approaching us in the dark of the night."
Well, they're definitely not taking any chances with him, are they? A pity Krono's telekinesis can make short work of any locks holding the chains together...I take a moment to move the chains around my arms. And then the ones around my legs. "I felt a degree of urgency."
"Art thou a thief, knave? A spy, perhaps?"
Don't be foolish, sir knight. Who are you to have such an ego, hmm?"No-. Oh. Actually, yes, I am a spy, I'm just not here to spy on you."
"Oh? Truly! Who is it that you are going to spy on in the middle of my camp, if not me?"
Ha, that's be a fine trick. Folded space like that would make Krono's job so much easier. Just carry around a platoon of power-armoured soldiers in a pocket and throw them at people when a fight starts."I was spying on the Washington Brotherhood. I then gained useful intelligence, assassinated a high value target and evacuated with a number of their slaves."
"Are they in your cloak?"
Don't tar everyone with the brush of a single reputation, sir knight."No, they're up in the mountains a little way. I came here because I want to talk to you."
"The folk in the mountains have a poor reputation. The shop-workers of Calgary describe them as ruthless raiders."
The now-destroyed Miscounts, if I remember right.
He's such an unassuming, non-threatening fellow, of course."They say much the same of them. A raider gang they forced out of Washington State decades ago, before they themselves were forced out by the Brotherhood."
"And why are you here as their embassy?"
I'd have said it was an ordinary Tuesday for Krono, but it turns out the date is a Wednesday."Because they're short of supplies and people and can't afford to risk anyone to come down here and try this themselves."
"And how doth it feel to be so expendable, sirrah?"
True, this is an average diplomatic encounter. Sometimes they go great... Sometimes, Krono has to exit, pursued by a Deathclaw."I haven't even noticed the change."
"Ho! At least thou hast a positive attitude! And what is the purpose of thine embassy?"
The first part is probably easy, the latter not so much."The surviving Wardens of the White would like to petition to join the Kingdom of Manitoba, and to be recognised as a new knightly order."
"My word."
Ah, damn. That would have made this much easier if the Prince Consort was handy. Then again, why would he be out here on the western border right now?"I don't suppose that Grandmaster Daniel is around, is he?"
"No, he is in the capital. Hast thou met?"
Of course their fantasy-clogged logic would fix on that."Yes, I was introduced at court a little over two months ago. Krono, Ambassador of the New California Republic."
"Ah! Now I remember the missives! You're the wizard!"
The real magic would be couching their information in the terms of the locals.I nod. "That is one of my jobs."
"I hath long thought that our order was lacking in the fact that we have no wizard. No ancient diviner who can guide us in the hidden mysteries of the world, or enchant our weapons to allow the pure of heart to strike with more than mortal force."
Such is the drawback of a scientific world-view. Although the alternative would probably be some kind of tech-priest, and we know how badly that could go."Oh, you shouldn't. We're very rare. The Brotherhood of Steel is over two centuries old and they haven't ever had even a single wizard."
"Dost thou have an apprentice?"
Well put, Krono. Well put indeed."The strange geometries involved in true magic are somewhat unhealthy for the human mind to perceive. My apprentices are merely psychic. Though they could probably do the arcane guidance if you wanted."
"Excellent! So, a spy as well as an ambassador?"
I shrug. "It's essentially the same job. The difference is what you get caught doing."
Ah, I didn't think it'd be that easy. At least they're getting to talk fairly."Hum! Well, I can't help them become a knightly order. Those are usually founded by the king. We've never had one formed of outsiders be recognised as such. But if they wish to talk peaceably, then I swear by God and the Queen that I shall not be the one to start a fight."
Not for much longer, if Krono has any say in it."And trade?"
"We do not interrupt lawful traders, sirrah! But by my understanding, the lands on the far side of the mountains are controlled by the very Washington Brotherhood you are intriguing against."
Good, at least you're sensible about that stuff."Indeed they are. How do you feel about slavery?"
"Tis an ungodly practice! No man may be the chattel of another!"
Well, then. They're not going to be happy to hear what the Immortal's scientists were doing...
An entirely reasonable response, given that they fight radiation-mutated creatures among other foes."Using nuclear ordinance to attack Russian and China?"
"T'would be madness! Even now we encounter the weapons of our foolish forebears in our own country! Who knows what fresh horrors there will be in Asia! And even if there is nought but normal men, I doubt that they will take an assault from America with equanimity!"
A little out of his personal jurisdiction, I suspect. It'd take orders from the crown to send a crusade out that way."The leader of the Washington Brotherhood even now holds fort in the far reaches of Alaska with the majority of his Black Paladins. But his hinterlands are lightly defended, and inhabited with people who hate him."
"An ideal target. But I cannot help you."
Yup, just as expected. I'm sure it won't take long for word to reach the capital, especially if Krono goes airborne."Ah."
"I am Sir Griffin, the Seneschal of the Grand Duchy of Saskatchewan and Master of the Order of Saint George. I have authority in local matters, but invading another nation would require the blessing of the queen. At most, I can call for a muster while she deliberates."
Still a fair distance to travel, as it's several hundred kilometres from their current location to the Alaskan border, isn't it?"How about reconnaissance?"
"I… Suppose, so long as we did not penetrate too deeply. And I were simply confirming what you claimed… That would be acceptable."
Good, Krono doesn't even have to go there himself. Let's hope the Queen and her Prince are sensible about this."I can call for a deputation from the Wardens of the White to approach now, if you are agreeable?"
"Yes. And I shall relay your words to Langenburg for their consideration. We are fortunate: there is little interference between here and there. Our radios will reach the capital easily."
No need to carry a fiddly radio when Krono's got mind-speech. The big limit being range, without access to the Sky Walker choir.I nod. **Abel, he's agreeable, and would like to meet the leaders of the Wardens.**
I feel his relief at hearing from me. **I'll pass that on.**
Ah, Telekinesis. Great time-saver."But if we are to be allies, it is hardly right that you remain bound. Guardsman, remove-."
The chains fall off me, and I stand up calmly.
Sadly, that's best against Fey, and Krono is anything but. He's certainly not elvish in the slightest. Nor Elvis-y."How..?"
"I am a wizard, Sir Griffin."
"That is why the chains were cold iron… Most vexing."
Given how accepting they've been of the magic, I'm not surprised they didn't comment on that part.I shrug. "I can only suggest you don't believe everything that you read. Now, I've sent a message to the Wardens-."
"How?"
"Mind to mind communication. So they'll be heading down-."
Walk where they can see you?"Then I shall go forth and meet them! Sir Nicholas, Sir Clarence!"
Two other knights step forth.
"With me! And wizard?"
Very sensible precaution indeed. Makes it easier for them to cut him down if there's any treachery even if an unexpected attack didn't hit Krono.
Well, that went well. We'll see if the Knights and the Wardens can get along, but for now, Krono can keep the peace long enough to smooth any initial dislikes, at least long enough to get the Manitobans moving on responding to the Immortal's moves. I at least hope they can cross the distance quickly enough to head off any subsequent tomfoolery from the bad guys...