Qu'est-ce que c'est?! Timorous can you hear me! the warrior goes right to work at binding his friends wounds
Markas again attempts to stop Timonius's blood loss and is ineffective at doing so, but atleast he doesn't inflict any additional harm on the poor man.
Louis with Latovious return to their room and in the hallway and the pair see the aftermath of the battle with the wolf. Timonius lies unmoving in a large pool of blood, most of it his own and is very near death. Markas kneels over the man covered in blood and is floundering at trying to aid the dying man laying in front of him. A bleeding and bandaged young man sits against a wall with a sword resting across his lap, he smiles and waves a shaky hand at the two approaching men. Louis wastes little time in getting his friend's stomach back on the inside and the blood loss stopped. Together with Markas's help they are able to move the near corpse of Timonius to their room without reopening the man's wound. At this point in time it appears that whether or not he will make it is touch and go. A knock on the door a short while later is Revit, and in walks the man without being invited inside. "Markas, your up once again. I see you boys took care of that reported wolf roaming the castle. Stupid s~!# orcs let the mangy thing in by accident or so they say." Behind Revit stands a sneering middle aged man with his helm tucked under his right arm. "Best get used to being bloody boy! I ain't gonna take it easy on your worthless hide." Taunts the stranger from the safety of the hallway before heading to the jousting field.
"Louis please stay with Timonius. Latovius would you please assist me with this joust? I intend on making this one pay!"
"Wolf.......murmur..murmur..hurts..mangy beast....murmur...stupid mutt....that prick Revis...should've used the sleep spell....murmur...."
As Markas is assisted at the stables onto his horse and given his lance by Latovius a single orc exits the nearby stone guard tower. It walks around the side of the tower and begins relieving itself on the wall. "I shall be right back; I need to confirm a few things I've recently heard." Latovius quietly mentions to Markas as he quickly looks around to ensure they weren't being watched over. The rogue takes off in a sprint and makes it inside the tower before the orc finishes up at the wall. It stretches a bit before returning to its post, closing the door to the tower behind it.
Markas rides his horse to the starting line for the first round of the joust and is able to coax his horse into a faster sprint then his opponent. Even though he is able to cover more ground he is unable to line up the unfamiliar weapon at his charging opponent. Markas's awkward attempt appears to force his opponent to shift to one side of his saddle and the opponent's lance also misses Markas's shield. "Bwaaa haa haa haaa!" Markas hears his opponent laugh after the awkward attempt and he continues on to the end of the jousting field for the second round. His opponent appears to examine his lance, tosses it to the ground and picks a new one from the rack of lances at the end of the field.
Such disrespect for an opponent is not wise thought Markas as he started his second run.
The second round of the joust starts off similar to the first with a fast start from Markas's horse, unfortunately it tires and his opponent is able to close the ground at a slightly faster pace then he.
Both opponents miss their targets and ride to the end of the field. Markas's opponent tosses his second lance to the ground in disgust. He picks a new one from the rack and readies himself at the end of the field for the third run.
Last pass time to knock this blowhard off his mount and then to attend to Latovius' findings. Pray that they have information of the Ogre thought Markas.
For the third and final round of this evening joust Markas again is off the starting line much faster then his opponent. The cleric and his steed cover the ground of the jousting field at lightning speed, too fast for the cleric to bring his lance into line to hit his opponent. Markas's opponent's aim is truer then the cleric's but the lance misses the corner of the cleric's shield and punches Markas in the collar bone and chest with brutal force. Only Markas's immense strength allows him to remain upright in the saddle, shield and lance go flying from his grip. Markas's horse carries it's rider to the end of the jousting field, the cleric tries to move his shoulder and arm to check for something being broken and nearly passes out from the pain. Revit leaves the tent at the mid point of the field and makes his way over to the slumped over cleric as rider and horse slowly make their way back to the stable. "Where's your squire gone off to?" The weasely man asks while peering about the stables looking for the missing man. "You've seen first hand how dangerous some of the areas of the castle can be, I'd sure be saddened to see him get into trouble." Revit says with a wicked smile on his face, the rays of the setting sun glint off of the handle of a sheathed blade on the underside of the man's right hand that you hadn't noticed before.
Praise Petra for the strength to stay on my mount thought Markas.
The injury ached but afforded the opportunity to linger allowing for both information gathering as well as buying time for Latovius to return. Typically this would require a degree of acting but in the case the injury truly was a bit debilitating.
Latovius is around shortly after Revit asked for his whereabouts, keeping his hands in the pockets of his robe and ignoring the questions about his where he had been. Exasperated by the rogue, the butler leads Markas and Latovius back to their room and orders one of the door orcs to fetch your group dinner in your room. The three of you quietly discuss what you were able to learn today over the meal with the door closed. All the while the three glanced at the seriously wounded Timonius whose occasional mumbling and moaning could not be understood by anyone. At least they were signs that the man might make it through the night.
Your dreams are visited by Gertie, the seer. "My daughter and I are near son of Hawk's Hill. Step up the efforts to find us before the Black Knight no longer has a use for either of us. Wear my ring; it will mend any wounds of the flesh that you suffer from this filth." The woman turns and walks off into the mists of your dreams.
Your dreams are unsettling and eventually come to focus on a crypt with a jet black sarcophagus on a raised dais surrounded by standing stone coffins. As you watched the dais the lid started to bounce and lift up as if someone was pushing it open from the inside. A black fog began billowing forth from the opened sarcophagus gathering and rolling across the stone floor towards you. You bolt upright and awaken from the dream, your wounded arm and shoulder scream in pain at the sudden move.
Louis tells of the information he an Latovious learned from the Orc guards... Information gotten from the drunk orcs, Louis is unsure what is truth and what is lies:
The black knight was given an entire tribe of orcs to rule over
The orcs live on a dry/hilly area in the midst of the swamp near the castle
There is an ogre prisoner in the orc camp
These orcs belong to a mighty red dragon and are one of several tribes under his rule.
Some of the orcs have had successful raids against homes and travelers bringing back loot and booty that the tribe has been able to keep.
The orcs even brought back a pair of human women who are now prisoners or slaves of the black knight. One was old and one was young and pretty. Louis is sure these are the women from his village. Louis discussed this over the evening dinner while keeping an eye on Timonious. It may be time to send the magic note off.
"Murmur....murmur....thrash....murmur.....damned wolf...."
"Agreed Louis I think it is time to send what we have learned to LeGant." With that the cleric of Petra began writing on the parchment given to him by LeGant. Markas wrote all of the information from Louis, as well as the observations Markas had made in the keep, he also added about the Ogres and the deal that was struck as well as the fact that the captive Ogre had not yet been released. "Latovius is there anything else I should add for LeGant?"
"Murmur....murmur....thrash.....murmur....damned dragon....."
"Latovius you continue to show your wisdom. Thank you friend for leveling my head. Timonius' health, the wolf, talk of a dragon, and my joust had me in a fog."
"Latovius would you stay with Timonius and perhaps see if there is a way out of this room that doesn't require the main door. I would look but I am much less skilled in that sort of thing. Louis perhaps you can continue your gab with your new friends and see what other information you can find. I am going to set off and take a look around this keep." With Timonius out of commission the task of spy turned to Markas so with key in hand he set out.
"Murmur.....murmur.....the pain...murmur...damned coma....
After eating the unsavory breakfast Markas struggled with whether or not to use one of his two healing spells. The Cleric decided it best to go ahead and cast one on his new friend Timonius and speed up his healing rate.
"Watch over our comrade while I am out on a stroll." Markas said as he exited their room.
First thing thought Markas, was to check in on Brion.
The cleric moved down the hall to Brion's room and knocked on his door.
"Guys! I'm alive!"
The middle aged man who jousted with Markas the night before and injured him leaves the room behind Markas with Revit behind him. "Well, well, well, look what's lurking about the hallways of your fine castle Master Revit." The man sneers at Markas then turns his back to the cleric while retrieving a key, the man locks the room. "Can't be too careful with the saftey of your personal valuables with such unsavory individuals around. If I return and find anything out of sorts in my room and I'll come lookin' for you boy!" The man jabs his index finger into Markas's chest and smirks in the cleric's face before allowing himself to be lead down the hallway by Revit.
"Louis. I'm having a hard time understanding myself with this slurring I'm doing. I hope that wolf didn't turn me into a werewolf and that's the reason I'm talking so funny."
A.) At breakfast Louis tells of his dream being visited by Gertie, the seer. "My daughter and I are near son of Hawk's Hill, she said... Step up the efforts to find us before the Black Knight no longer has a use for either of them!
B.) Louis is wearing his regular armor, he plans to watch over Timious for the day unless called up to joust. He makes a point to tell Latovius that if Markus or he are called to joust that they will need his services as Squire to help them get through the challenge. Also...after Marcus is defeat yesterday we need to keep an eye on our opponents weapons if to know if they're cheating.
Petra smiles and gives opportunity. After a pause and a glance around the corner to see if the coast is clear, Markas takes the key and tries it in Mr Finger Poke's door. Does the door open?
Renk is in the room
Latovius listens to Louis briefly before getting bored in the cramped room. "The old man is on the right side of the grave now and doesn't need us watching over him like a pair of mother hens. I'm going to find out what trouble Markas has uncovered. Make a commotion should you have need of my services."
Markas glances about the hallway and sees not a soul. He tries the skeleton key in the lock several times without success. Markas decides to give it one final try and kneels down to try and see if the key will work. "You make a s%~%ty burglar cleric." Markas hears a whisper which startles the hell out of him, he turns to see Latovious smiling while looking over his shoulder. "Keep watch and give a pro a shot or two at it." It takes him two attempts to defeat the lock and he steps away from the door allowing Markas to go first.
"Certainly wasn't my calling for good reason." whispered Markas as he looked into the now open doorway making sure no one was in the room waiting to give the cleric another scare. Markas entered the room.
"Louis. Quit talking! I'm trying to study! You are disturbing me!"
Renk is in the room
Markas looks about the hallway one last time before opening the unlocked door. He steps into the room and the room is similar to yours, except that it has two beds, and appears more luxurious. There are tapestries on the walls and a tray of food on the table. One of the beds is a mess and several empty wine bottles rest under the bed. Markas hears the clank of metal armor from behind him and turns to see a heavy set man with a drunkard's nose step out from behind the door and level a sword at him. "I'll kill you, you no good thief."
With little time to discern whether the drunk was evil self preservation kicked in and Markas swung his mace it at the man.
"Louis! I said be quiet. I can't hear myself studying!What is that commotion outside. Please go see what it is while I finish my studies!"
Markas fails to land a blow on the man lunging at him from behind the door. Latovius shares Markas's luck and does not connect with his attack. "You bastard's I'll kill the both of you!" Yells the man in frustration as he swings futilely twice at Markas, the suddenly cramped quarters makes wielding a long sword difficult.
[b]"Who is that yelling? Louis! Wake up! What is going on out there?"[/b}
Hoping to silence the drunk, Markas carefully lined up his shot.
Renk at 2hp
Markas lands a strong blow on the heavily armored foe but there is still fight left in his opponent. Latovius misses with his dagger strike and he resets for another try.
My friend you seem to be doing much better, I shall take my leave Louis leaves Timonius and goes in search of Markas.
"Thank you! That snorty Frenchman was getting my goat!"
"Just sitting there so young and virile while I'm trying to cipher!"
Surprised that the man was still upright Markas swung again!
Renk at 2hp
Latovius ends the battle with a brutal strike to the exposed throat of the warrior with his blackened dagger. Louis witnesses the damning blow as he walks past the door. Markas breathes a sigh of relief, wondering how wise it was to leave his room unarmored.
Louie looks the body on the floor. Pity, zo how many rooms have you checked zo far, hmmm? when Louis finds out that this is just the first room to be checked he will press on that they need to check as many rooms as quickly as possible!
"Louis go down to the door to the main hall and block anyone from coming down to see this mess. Latovius let's check this room quickly and leave this poor chap in it. Can you relock the door Latovius? Also everyone watch out to not track blood down the hallway to our room."
"Phew! Learning that spell was hard but I'm done reading it!"
"Now I will read it again!"
Louis takes up his spot at the end of the hall while Markas shuts the door. Latovius gives the room a thorough once over.
Two purses are found, each with 50 gold. Latovius claims an ordinary dagger he comes across, there is the plate mail and sword that the man used during life. In the closet a potion is found(you recognize it from your time at the temple of Petra as a Potion of Healing). There is also a letter tucked in a cloak:
Gentlemen, The purpose of this tournament is to try the combat abilities of the most able warriors in the area. Those warriors who think as I do will find a place in my ranks. Those who insist on clinging to the absurd notion of lawfulness over chaos will be considered our enemies, and will be dealt with at some point in the future. I urge you to keep an eye on Louis and Markas. I sense that they are not like us. Spy on them through the peep hole in your room, and make sure they do nothing suspicious. Who knows? Perhaps these individuals have come for the old woman or even the young beauty I had kidnapped. This I cannot allow, as I have not finished my questioning of the former. Do not fail me, or you will be imprisoned in a cell next to hers! ~ Argyl, The Black Knight
Ten minutes go by with the hallway and the grand hallway beyond being completely silent. The door from the front entrance opens and Revit enters the room. "Good, just the man I was sent to fetch. Your turn jousting is up next, your opponent is already on the field from the previous round. He hasn't faired well so don't think he will take it easy on you."
Markas takes the potion and puts back the letter as the information has already been gained. In question is the gold. Clearly the gold was in the hands of evil doers and it can be put to good use perhaps going to the families of Brion and Erik. It is with that thought that the cleric of Petra pocketed the gold leaving the purses. Once the body is found thievery will be the smallest of concerns.
After closing the door behind him Markas noticed that there was no sign of Louis.
Too much to do at once, thought the cleric.
Across the hall was Brion's room. Markas knocked on his door not expecting an answer as the drunk's yell should have alerted him. If either answer their numbers would be helpful.