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[Dwarmin]

After the Feast...

Duchesse Ursa and Duc Edgard are taken to the Aerie-the highest tower in the castle-together. The Bravos escort them to the meeting table, then fade back into the shadows. It's quite dark, and a bit cold. The large windows only show a field of stars above, and the clustered city of Stormstead beneath, tiny lights mirroring the heavens.

The two are not quite alone-but they have room to talk to each other, threaten or what have they, with no eyes but theirs and the Kings Bravos. Perhaps the King hopes they might come to reconciliation this way.

Duc and Duchesse are sat across from each other.

-----

Wait for the feast to finish, then talk to the king

Albert caught Galhard before he went to the aerie to deal with his troublemaking Vassals.

"...Had you something to say, Thunderhound? I've got problems to deal with..." He said impatiently.

[Deny]

Well he was grumpy, still, understandible with the current situation, "Just a simple request really, those villages you gave to me, wel the Villagers don't recognise me as their master, I would like to request for some documented porrf to show them. It can wait if you're too busy though, after all its not an emergancy."

[Dwarmin]

"You speak hastily. I wrote I would help you get back your land-not that you owned it already. It's a long way from saying something to having it happen, Saer.

...the old documents don't exist anymore as far as I know, Knight Galhard.

And, peasants wouldn't respect them-few of them could read them anyway. You'll have to deal with whomever the land belongs to now in good faith. Make your claim to your lands-bring written and physical proof of your birth and families ancestral holdings. Prepare to swear allegiance to them, in some way or the other.

Rely on my good name last of all, if you even have to. If all else fails, well, then you consider your options."

He was about to leave, and turned back once more.

"I respect strength, Knight Galhard. I will not be the one leading an army to your home, though-it is up to you, to reclaim your birthright. Rise of fall on your own merits, Saer."

The King listened to whatever Galhard had to say after.

Then, he swept his cloak about him (a bit melodramatically) and left the room.

....

He arrived in the Aerie not long after, spotting the Duc and Duchesse pointedly ignoring each other.

Well, so much for the lock them in a room and let them work it out plan.

Albert addressed them both.

"...well. I see you are still suffering from that sweet venom, Pride.

I had hoped you would impress me enough to work it out amongst yourselves, but I see this requires a Kingly intervention."

He sat down, and turned to Edgard.

"You may speak first. Why am I in this drafty tower, mediating a shouting match between two of my strongest Nobles, when I could be dancing with your lovely sister, and enjoying a cold beer?

I see you are somewhat shorter of beard...explain to me the cause of this feud, between you and her. And what happened tonight, from your own point of view.

And, Duchesse-hold your tongue for a moment. No interruptions, please madame."

The King folded his hands, looking at Edgard eagerly.

[Ardas]

Edgard replied to his king.

"Your Majesty, I know only of two facts: That I had the pleasure of meeting duchesse Ursula face to face for the first time only this evening as she arrived at the feast, and that I have been shaven with a tip of a sword without any desire on my behalf."

He then leaned back in his chair and with rather nonchalant tone spoke again.
The way I see it is that I have been provoked and assaulted, with damage to my good looks, for no good reason other than perhaps jealousy on Ursula's behalf. Its probably about Elise.

[Dwarmin]

The King considered this, then turned to Ursa.

"Now you may speak Duchesse.

Unless you deny the accusation, for what reason did you shave Edgard so finely? What grudge do you hold against him enough to do such as this in public? At my feast?"

[Shootandrun]

Move outside, wait to check for people leaving the feast early. Also remain alert for any sign of the tracks of criminals outside. Avoid stalking.

[1] You fall asleep outside. To your defense, well... You have no excuse. Needless to say, you miss everything.

Renart's plan. Blow a horn and have Renart's regiment conduct a feint to draw out the drakes. Once the drakes are drawn out, order the men to fire arrows at them, followed by an infantry charge.

[4] Renart's men conduct their feint, attempting to draw the beasts out of their lair. Surprisingly, it works.

There were [1] five drakes in the cave, instead of the promised three. They came out quickly and without hesitation; there was a flash and the sound of claws against stone, and then they were amongst Renart's men, having conducted a devastatingly fast charge. Of course, your forces could no longer fire arrows without wounding the soldiers caught in the melee, so they simply charged.

[3] Drakes are the most dangerous predators of the north. Stronger and more enduring than trolls; smarter than worgs; harder to track down than giants. However, they do not hunt in large packs, and these five were young - barely the size of a horse, and incapable of producing fire. As such, although they devastated the ranks of Renart's men, they could not survive the cold steel of the combined forces led by the nobles.

[6] The battle was quick and brutal. A drake's claw could pierce armor, and a good sword could pierce a drake's skin. One by one, they all fell down, submerged by numbers if not by forces of better quality. Before they died, however, a fourth of all the men present were dead, and as many would not survive the week. Amongst the casualties, [1] four clan lords who died to stop a particularly tenacious one from reaching their liege lord.

Action: Albert leads Elise to dance, taking the difficulty up a notch-seeing if she keep up with a quicker, faster dance.

[4vs3] Elise proves to be an outstanding dancer, and although Albert initiates the new dance, his partner quickly takes the lead. She is full of life and energy, and very charming - more than any other woman presented tonight so far, although she is not quite as beautiful as Ursa or even her younger sister - a fact which she compensates with a sharp intelligence and wit.

Sneak into the fortress by climbing the walls.

[3] You manage to reach the fortress wall without being detected. The numerous torches used by the guards worked in your favor so far, for they blinded them from the plain and the forest where you spied on them, but now they will work against you as you climb. [5] You all manage to reach the top of the wall, alive and in one piece. There is no guard near to spy on you, but that might change at any time.

You must act, and you must act quickly. What is your next action, now that you're on the wall?

[Taricus]

"If you want my explanation, I shan't be telling it until Arborvent has left the room completely. That's all I have to say on the matter."

[Dwarmin]

The King leaned back in his chair. Ursa certainly lacked tact, he thought...

"Very well...Edgard, you are free to leave the room, and wait outside. I will give Ursa a chance to speak freely, as you did.

In any case...this has better be good, Duchesse...my patience is running out."

[Ardas]

"I am happy to oblige. My liege, milady..."

He stood up, made a small bow in king's direction and left the chamber.

[Caellath]

Talinth woke up with a start. He had been sleeping. For some unfathomable reason, he slept when he was supposed to be keeping watch over strange people in the party. Probably for one of the first times in his life, he started to consider if the self-taught way of the knight idealized by his people had been lacking.

He also remembered how delicate the mission was; a task in the lines of "go there, kill those people" would probably be much easier than the one he was in, but he also knew it was only a better opportunity to prove himself, although he had only managed to succeed in failing so far. The smith would not give up until all options were exhausted.

After making sure everything was in order, he gave a short, very low whistle and waited for some seconds before the snow white worg appeared before him.

"Sahainn, it's time for us to go hunting."

The white worg gave him a look of comprehension and started to pace slowly around the corridors of the castle while the knight followed her.

Action: Sahainn will use her nose and instincts to help find any traces and tracks of people who didn't use the normal path to leave the room - analyzing the trail of dust cleaned by people who took rarely-utilized hallways and sensing their fading smell. Follow the trail if any is found.

[Taricus]

"Right, with him out of the room, I no longer have to worry about striking him mid-sentence.

Right, This entire situation could have been avoided if Edgard had held his tongue. But due to the fact he let loose an uncouth insult towards me that I found it necessary to respond in kind, and thus it spiraled out from there."

[Dwarmin]

"If that is true, you were perhaps justified in severing his whiskers.

But, there is a time for resolving grudges, Duchesse-this was not one of them. What is the source of your mutual animosity, anyway? Feuds seldom spring from the air."

[Taricus]

"'Tis nothing I wish to speak of at this moment mi'lord. Though I'd advise you to keep an eye on Edgard, that dastard is a snake, and odds are he's only marrying his sister off to you so he get a political armhold over you. Though I believe that conversation would be more appropriate at another time."

[Dwarmin]

"As well as I should watch anyone, Duchesse-he would no doubt make the same claims of you, if prompted.

...

Come outside with me."

The King met with Duc and Duchesse outside the aerie.

He addressed them both.

"For the life of me, neither of you seem to be able or willing to pinpoint the exact cause of your problems with each other. I will accept that not everyone gets along...

...but there is a time for everything-As tonight, though you might not have known, there were many eyes judging us-sizing up our strengths and weaknesses, foreign and domestic. This was not a time to appear divided."

He leaned forward and clapped the both on the shoulder.

"If you feel the need to let this pettiness come to bladework and folly, do not let it occur under my roof, and especially with guests such as these. You made me look bad. I am not pleased. I understand it's difficult to work together, but I urge you to try, for my sake it no one else.

Duchesse-I must warn you. If you draw a blade under Kings Peace again, there will be severe repercussions. Your Blue Armor is mighty gift, and a terrible burden-but Duchesse Ursua you must hold up to my ideals as fervently as the Blauritter does. I know you understand.

Duc. I am sorry for the beard. All in all, I cannot judge you too harshly tonight-only your reaction to this incident. Since Ursa drew upon you unprovoked, I will allow you to name such a remuneration to your honor that I, or the Duchesse may provide-be it satisfaction in a blood-duel*, or otherwise.

Remember both of you, I am your King-no matter what, you will not let your differences put Windheath or it's people in danger, do you understand?" He asked both of them.


*Blood-Duel: A short sword fight with long and short curved blades in either hand-it that goes on till a number of bleeding strikes have been made upon the opponent. Some Windheath duelists are skilled enough to actually kill an opponent in this matter in very few moves, though precise strikes to certain parts of the body, resulting in post-battle exsanguination. The final act of this move is called the 'Fifth Point Execution Cut'-and completely legal under duel rules.

The amount of cuts required depends on the severity of the combatants ire toward one another, and is chosen by the person who is being challenged. One to two is for minor infractions, five is normal...King Lumis the Third once ordered two hated nobles to fight till a hundred cuts each!

[Ardas]

The only thing I request is that we all part on good terms with one another. Since I do not understand Ursula' ire with my humble self, its hard for me to name anything but the knowledge of the reason behind the animosity, for I hold none. What have I done to offend you, milady?