<strong>"I am pleased to hear that, but have you been fed and watered? And may I inquire as to where you got that armour? Did your ship run aground after it took on water?"</strong>he asks, a hopeful look in his eyes.<strong>"Ah yes, the bird folk. They are an interesting race. I feel they understand our cause, but occasionally the dark elves tempt them with material wealth. In any event, we can always do with more soldiers to fight against our enemies, especially one as well equipped as you. We have had problems with moral recently, the drow are chipping away at us in hit and run attacks by night. Our own raids against them are met with ambushes. If you think you could change our fortune I would happily give you a chance,"</strong><br/><br/><strong> "We also have the monsters of the island to deal with, but we have our own scouts to deal with that, I feel it would be wasted on such a knight as yourself. Perhaps though if you do not yet wish to fight the dark elves you could head to the forest camp. I fear our relations have fallen sour, maybe you could forge an alliance? But before that, would you consider a combat trial to prove yourself? More for the benefit of our citizens than anything else,"</strong>Suddenly the commander adds,<strong>"Please, sit down,"</strong>indicating the chair.<br/><br/>The field marshal does not speak, but seeing that Castley intends to discuss things at length he bows, mouth a silent honorific and leaves. You look around the room, noting animals carvings on the wooden floor, the groves highlighted with plant dyes of purple and yellow. None of the animals are predatory, mostly birds, along with a deer and goat-like creature. The wall is mostly devoid of decoration, sporting instead maps of the island, showing the grey cliffs you walked past, but also a circle to the north west and a forest to the north east. All the maps varying in their features' proportions, but on each the centre is blank. The only work of art on the wall is a carved piece of wood, the craftsmanship far superior to the floor decorations. This one depicts a strong man with arms of bulging muscle, staring intently out into the room, gripping the shaft of an unseen weapon, a spear or glaive, in his hands.